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 LIVES 
 
 or 
 
 THE PURITANS, 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
^■^•^■-^-^■^^■^■^ ^•^■^^^■^.^■^ ^-^^^^ ^^ ^^* 
 
 HUGKE3, PicINTER, MAIDEN-LANE, COVENT-GARDEN. 
 
THE 
 
 LIVES 
 
 OF 
 
 THE PURITANS: 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THOSE DIVINES WHO 
 DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE CAUSE 
 
 OF 
 
 iReligiou0 litjettg, 
 
 FROM THE REFORMATION UNDER QUEEN ELIZABETH, 
 
 TO THE ACT OF UNIFORMITY, 
 
 IN 1662. 
 
 BY BENJAMIN BROOK. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 The memory of the just is blessed. — Solomon. 
 
 The precious spark of liberty had been kindled, and was preserved, by 
 the Puritans alone; and it was to this Sect that the English owe the whole 
 freedom of their constitution.— Hume. 
 
 JLontJon: 
 
 PRINTED FOR JAMES BLACK, 
 
 YORK-STREET, C.0VKNT-eARPE?J. 
 
 1813. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 TO THE 
 
 RISING GENERATION 
 
 AMONG THE VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF 
 
 PROTESTANTS. 
 
 MY YOUNG FRIENDS, 
 
 .1 H E formation of your principles, the in- 
 struction of your minds, and the salvation of 
 your souls, are, unquestionably, objects of 
 high importance to yourselves, to your con- 
 nexions, and to the protestant interest at 
 large. When your fathers are translated from 
 the church militant to the church triumph- 
 ant, you will inherit their property, and will 
 occupy their stations. On you it will devolve 
 to manage the affairs of religion, to be zealous 
 for its interests, and active for its prosperity. 
 
 lv4C 
 
 \ i *:} 
 
VI DEDICATION. 
 
 But, if you be ignorant of its principles and 
 destitute of its blessings, this zeal and acti- 
 vity cannot be expected. "By enlightening 
 your understandings with truth, and by 
 impressing your hearts with the power of 
 religion, we hope to secure your attachment 
 to the cause of God, and to engage your 
 talents and your future influence in its 
 service. 
 
 Of all books which can be put into your 
 hands, those which relate the labours and 
 suiferings of good men are the most inte- 
 resting and instructive. In them you see 
 orthodox principles, christian tempers, and 
 holy duties, in lovely union and in vigorous 
 operation. In them you see religion shining 
 forth in real life, subduing the corruptions of 
 human nature, and inspiring a zeal for every 
 good work. In them you see the reproaches 
 and persecutions which the servants of God 
 have endured ; those gracious principles which 
 have supported their minds ; and the course 
 they have pursued in their progress to the 
 
DEDICATION. Vli 
 
 kingdom of heaven. Such books are well 
 calculated to engage your attention, to affect 
 jour feelings, to deepen jour best impres- 
 sions, and to invigorate jour noblest resolu- 
 tions. Thej are well calculated to fortifj 
 jou against the allurements of a vain world ; 
 to assimilate jour characters to those of the 
 excellent of the earth ; to conform 3'our lives 
 to the standard of holiness; and to educate 
 your souls for the mansions of glorj. 
 
 The Puritans were a race of men of whom 
 the world was not worth j. Thej devoted 
 their dajs and nights to hard studj; they 
 cherished devotional feelings ; and thej en- 
 jojed intimate communion with God. The 
 stores of their minds were expended, and the 
 energj of their souls was exerted, to separate 
 the truths of the gospel from the heresies of 
 the times in which thej lived ; to resist the 
 encroachments of arbitrarj power; to purifj 
 the church frorn secularitj and corruption; 
 and to promote the power of religion among 
 the people. Thej persevered in this course 
 
Till DEDICATION 
 
 amidst a host of difficulties, and in defiance 
 of the most powerful opposition. The rulers 
 of those times persecuted them with wanton 
 cruelty, in total contempt of every sacred 
 law, of every just principle, and of every 
 humane feeling. 
 
 From these volumes you will learn, that 
 the glorious cause of Nonconformity has 
 been adorned by the holy lives of a mul- 
 titude of good men ; has been consecrated 
 by the blood of martyrs; and has been sanc- 
 tioned by the approbation and protection of 
 heaven. 
 
 For their exalted attainments in piety, 
 their assiduous researches in literature and 
 divinity, and their unwearied exertions in the 
 cause of God and their country, the Puritan 
 divines are entitled to the admiration and 
 reverence of every succeeding age. Our 
 political freedom, our religious liberty, and 
 our christian privileges, are to be ascribed to 
 them more than to any other body of men that 
 England ever produced. When you learn 
 
DEDICATION. IX 
 
 by what struggles these blessings have been 
 acquired, and at what price they have been 
 obtained, you will know how to estimate 
 their value; and you w^ill regard the men 
 to whom we are indebted for them as dis- 
 tinguished benefactors to the English nation 
 and the church of God. 
 
 For the sacred cause of religion, the Pu- 
 ritan divines laboured and prayed, wrote and 
 preached, suffered and died ; and they have 
 transmitted it to us to support it, or to let it 
 sink. AVith what feelings wdll you receive 
 this precious inheritance ? Will you lightly 
 esteem w^hat they^ so highly valued ? Will 
 you stand aloof from the cause which they 
 watched with jealous vigilance, and defended 
 with invincible courage? If the blood of 
 these men run in your veins, if the principles 
 of these men exist in your souls, most as- 
 suredly you will not. 
 
 That you may learn the wisdom, and 
 imbibe the spirit of the Puritans ; — that you 
 may take them as patterns, imitate them as 
 
X DEDICATION. 
 
 examples, and follow them as guides, so far 
 as they followed Christ; — that you may 
 adhere to the cause of religion with the same 
 firmness, adorn it with the same holiness, and 
 propagate it with the same zeal, is the fer- 
 vent prayer of 
 
 Yours respectfully 
 
 and affectionately, 
 
 BENJAMIN BROOK. 
 
 TUTBURY, 
 
 October 6, 1813. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 At no period has biographical history been so 
 much esteemed and promoted as in these days of 
 christian freedom. The memoirs of wise and good 
 men, especially such as have suffered for the tes- 
 timony of a good conscience, afford interesting 
 entertainment and valuable instruction. To rescue 
 from oblivion impartial accounts of their holy 
 actions, their painful sufferings, and their triumph- 
 ant deaths, will confer a deserved honour upon 
 their memory : and there is, perhaps, no class of 
 men whose history better deserves to be transmitted 
 to posterity than that of the persons stigmatized by 
 the name of Puritans. 
 
 The cruelties exercised upon them were indeed 
 very great. They suffered for the testimony 
 OF A GOOD conscience, and an avowed attach- 
 ment TO THE cause OF Christ. The proofs which 
 they gave of their zeal, their fortitude, and their 
 integrity, were certainly as great as could be given. 
 They denied themselves those honours, prefer- 
 
Xll PREFACE. 
 
 ments, and worldly advantages by which they 
 were allured to conformity. They suffered re- 
 proach, deprivation, and imprisonment; yea, the 
 loss of all things, rather than comply with those 
 inventions and impositions of men, which to them 
 appeared extremely derogatory to the gospel, 
 which would have robbed them of liberty of con- 
 science, and which tended to lead back to the 
 darkness and superstitions of popery. Many of 
 them, being persons of great ability, loyalty, and 
 interest, had the fairest prospect of high pro- 
 motion ; yet they sacrificed all for their noncon- 
 formity. Some modestly refused preferment when 
 offered them: while others, already preferred, 
 were prevented from obtaining higher promotion, 
 because they could not, with a good conscience, 
 comply with the ecclesiastical impositions. Nor 
 was it the least afflictive circumstance to the 
 Puritan divines, that they were driven from their 
 flocks, whom they loved as their own souls ; 
 and, instead of being allowed to labour for their 
 spiritual and eternal advantage, were obliged to 
 spend the best of their days in silence, imprison- 
 ment, or a state of exile in a foreign land. 
 
 The contents ©f these volumes tend to expose 
 the evil of bigotry and persecution. When pro- 
 fessed Protestants oppress and persecute their 
 brethren of the same faith, and of the same 
 communion, it is indeed marvellous. The faithful 
 page of history details the fact with the most 
 glaring evidence, or we could scarcely have 
 
PREFACe. Xlll 
 
 believed it. A spirit of intolerance and oppression 
 ever deserves to be held up to universal abhor- 
 rence. In allusion to this tragic scene, Sir William 
 Blackstone verv iiistlv observes, " That our an- 
 cestors were mistaken in their plans of compul- 
 sion and intolerance. The sin of schism, as such, 
 is by no means the object of coercion and 
 punishment. All persecution for diversity of 
 opinions, however ridiculous or absurd they 
 may be, is contrary to every principle of sound 
 policy and civil freedom. The names and sub- 
 ordination of the clergy, the posture of devo- 
 tion, the materials and colour of the minister's 
 garment, the joining in a known or unknown 
 form of prayer, and other matters of the same 
 kind, must be left to the opinion of every man's 
 private judgment. For, undoubtedly, all per- 
 secution and oppression of weak consciences, 
 on the score of religious persuasions, are highly 
 unjustifiable upon every principle of natural 
 reason, civil liberty, or sound religion."* ^ 
 
 Perhaps no class of men ever suffered more re- 
 proach than the Puritans. Archbishop Parker stig- 
 matizes them as *' schismatics, belly-gods, deceivers, 
 flatterers, fools, having been unlearnedly brought 
 up in profane occupations, being pufied up with 
 arrogaucy."! His successor Whitgift says, " that 
 when they walked in the streets, they hung down 
 their heads, and looked austerely; and in com- 
 
 • Blaf.kstoiie's Comment, vol. iv. p. 51 — 53. Edit. 1771. 
 
 t Strjpe's Auuals, vol. i. p. 481. — Pence's Vindication, part i. p. 61. 
 
XIV PREFACE. 
 
 pany they sighed much, and seldom or never 
 laughed. They sought the commendation of the 
 people ; and thought it an heinous ofiience to wear 
 a cap and surplice, slandering and backbiting 
 their brethren. As for their rehgion, they se- 
 parated themselves from the congregation, and 
 vi^ould not communicate with those who went to 
 church, either in prayer, hearing the word, or 
 sacraments; despising all, who were not of their 
 sect, as polluted and unworthy of their com- 
 pany."* Dugdale denominates them " a viperous 
 brood, miserably infesting these kingdoms. They 
 pretended," says he, " to promote religion and 
 a purer reformation ; but rapine, spoil, and the 
 destruction of civil government, were the woeful 
 effects of those pretences. They were of their 
 father the devil^ and his ivorks they ivonld doT]' 
 A modern slanderer affirms, " that they main- 
 tained the horrid principle, that the end sanctifies 
 the means ; and that it was lawful to kill those 
 who opposed their endeavours to introduce their 
 model and discipline."^ Surely so much calumny 
 and falsehood are seldom found in so small a 
 compass. 
 
 Bishop Burnet, a man less influenced by a 
 spirit of bigotry and intolerance, gives a very dif- 
 ferent account of them. " The Puritans," says 
 he, " gained credit as the bishops lost it. They 
 put on the appearance of great sanctity and 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 5. 
 
 t Dugdale's Troubles of Eng. Prcf. 
 
 : Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 215. 
 
PREFACE. . XV 
 
 gravity, and took more pains in their parishes 
 than those who adhered to the bishops, often 
 preaching against the vices of the court. Their 
 labours and their sufferings raised their reputa- 
 tion and rendered them very popular."* Hume, 
 who treats their principles with ridicule and 
 contempt, has bestowed upon them the highest 
 eulogium. " So absolute," says he, *' was the 
 " authority of the crown, that the precious spark 
 " of liberty had been kindled, and was preserved, 
 *' by the Puritans alone ; and it was to this sect 
 " that the English owe the whole freedom of their 
 " constitution."! 
 
 It is granted that they had not all equally clear 
 views of our civil and religious rights. Many of 
 their opinions were confused and erroneous ; yet 
 their leading principles were the same. Though 
 they had, in general, no objection to a national 
 establishment, many of them maintained, " That 
 all true church power must be founded in a 
 divine commission: that where a right to com- 
 mand is not clear, evidence that obedience is a 
 duty is wanting: that men ought not to make 
 more necessary to an admittance into the church 
 than God has made necessary to an admittance 
 into heaven: that so long as unscriptural impo- 
 sitions are continued, a further reformation of the 
 church will be necessary: and that every one 
 who must answer for himself hereafter, must 
 
 * Burnet's Hist, of his Time, vol. i. p. 17, 18.' 
 t Hume's Hist, of Eng-. vol, v. p. 134. 
 
XVI PREFACE. 
 
 judge for himself now.''* These were tlie grancl 
 principles of their nonconformity. 
 
 The author of these volumes has spared no 
 labour nor expense in the collection of materials, 
 and has used the utmost care to retain whatever 
 appeared interesting, curious, and useful. Not 
 writing to please any particular sect or party, he 
 has endeavoured to observe the strictest impar- 
 tiality. In the lives of these worthies, he has not 
 suppressed their imperfections, nor even the accu- 
 sations of their adversaries ; but has constantly 
 stated their faults, as well as their excellencies, 
 without reserve. Neither has he at any time con- 
 nived at bigotry and persecution, whether found 
 among prelates, presbyterians, or any others. 
 Whoever were the persecutors or aggressors, their 
 case is represented, as near as possible, as it is 
 found in the faithful pages of history. His sole 
 object has been to give a lucid and impartial 
 statement of facts. Indeed, the documents are 
 frequently transcribed in the very words of the 
 authors ; and, wishing to retain the genuine sense 
 and originality of the whole as entire as possible, 
 he has constantly avoided dressing them in any 
 garb of his own. 
 
 Through the whole, he has invariably given his 
 authorities. These might easily have been mul- 
 tiplied; but, when two or more authors have 
 given accounts of the same facts, he has invariably 
 chosen that which appeared the most authentic : 
 
 . * Calamy's Coutin. vol. i, Pref. 
 
PREFACE, XVU 
 
 or, when they have at any time contradicted each 
 other, he has always given both, or followed that 
 which appeared most worthy of credit. In the 
 Appendix, a correct list is given of the principal 
 books consulted ; and, for the satisfaction of the 
 more critical reader, the particular edition of each 
 is specified. In nnmeroiis instances, reference 
 will be found to single lives, funeral sermons, 
 and many other interesting articles, of which the 
 particular edition is mostly given. In addition to 
 the numerous printed works, he has also been 
 favoured with the use of many large manuscript 
 collections, a list of which will be found at the 
 close of the Appendix. From these rare docu- 
 ments he has been enabled to present to the 
 public a great variety of most interesting and 
 curious information never before printed. 
 
 After all, many lives will be found very de- 
 fective, and will leave the inquisitive reader unin- 
 formed in numerous important particulars. Such 
 defect was unavoidable at this distance of time ; 
 when, after the utmost research, no further in- 
 formation could possibly be procured. The 
 author has spent considerable labour to obtain a 
 correct list of the works of those whose lives he 
 has given, and to ascertain the true orthography 
 of the names of persons and places. Though, in 
 each of these particulars, he has succeeded far 
 beyond his expectations, yet, in some instances, 
 he is aware of the deficiency of his information. 
 
 He can only say, that he has availed himself of 
 yoL. I. b 
 
XVlll PREFACE, 
 
 every advantage within his reach, to render the 
 whole as complete and interesting as possible. 
 
 The lives of these worthies are arranged in a 
 chronological order, according to the time of their 
 deaths.* By snch arrangement, the work contains 
 a regnlar series of the History of Nonconformists 
 during a period of more than a hundred years. 
 It does not in the least interfere with any other 
 j)ublication ; and forms a comprehensive append- 
 age to Neal's " History of the Puritans," and a 
 series of biographical history closely connected 
 with Palmer's " Nonconformists Memorial," con- 
 taining a complete memorial of those noncon- 
 formist divines who died previous to the passing 
 of the Act of Uniformity. To this, however^ 
 there are some exceptions. There were certain 
 persons of great eminence, who lived after the 
 year 1662; yet, because they were not in the 
 church at that period, they come not within the 
 list of ejected ministers, but are justly denomi- 
 nated Puritans. Memoirs of these divines will 
 therefore be found in their proper places. 
 
 It was requisite, in a work of this nature, to 
 give some account of the origin and progress of 
 Nonconformity, together with a sketch of the nu- 
 merous barbarities exercised upon the Puritans. 
 This will be found in the Introduction, which 
 may not prove unacceptable to the inquisitive and 
 
 * It should here be remembered, that, in all cases, when the 
 particular period of their deaths could not be ascertained, the /«5^ 
 circumstance noticed in their lives is taken for that period. 
 
PREFACE. XIX 
 
 pious reader. If its length require any apology, 
 the author would only observe, that he hopes no 
 part of it will be found superfluous or uninterest- 
 ing ; that he has endeavoured to give a compressed 
 view of the cruel oppressions of the times ; and 
 that it would have been difficult to bring the 
 requisite information into a narrower compass. 
 
 The work contains an authentic investigation 
 of tiie progress and imperfect state of the English 
 reformation, and exhibits the genuine principles 
 of protestant and religious liberty, as they were 
 violently opposed by the ruling ecclesiastics. The 
 fundamental principles of the reformation, as the 
 reader will easily perceive, were none other than 
 the grand principles of the first Protestant Non- 
 conformists. Those reasons which induced the 
 worthy Protestants to seek for the reformation 
 of the church of Rome, constrained the zealous 
 Puritans to labour for the reformation of the 
 church of England. The Puritans, who wished 
 to worship God with greater purity than was 
 allowed and established in the national church,* 
 were the most zealous advocates of the reform- 
 ation ; and they used their utmost endeavours to 
 carry on the glorious work towards perfection. 
 They could not, with a good conscience, submit 
 to the superstitious inventions and impositions of 
 men in the worship of God ; on which account, 
 they employed their zeal, their labours, and their 
 influence to promote a more pure reformation. 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 76. 
 
XX PREFACE. 
 
 And because they sought, though m the most 
 peaceable manner, to have the church of England 
 purged of all its antichristian impurities, they were 
 stigmatized with the odious name of Puritans, and 
 many of tliem, on account of their nonconformity, 
 were suspended, imprisoned, and persecuted even 
 unto death. These volumes, therefore, present to 
 the reader a particular detail of the arduous and 
 painful struggle for religious freedom, during the 
 arbitrary reigns of Queen Elizabeth, King James, 
 and King Charles I., to the restoration of King 
 Charles II. 
 
 The reader will here find a circumstantial 
 account of the proceedings of the High Com- 
 fuission and the Star Chamber, the two terrible 
 engines of cruelty and persecution. The former of 
 these tribunals assumed the power of administer- 
 ing an oath ex officio, by which persons were con- 
 strained to answer all questions proposed to them, 
 though ever so prejudicial to themselves or others: 
 if they refused the unnatural oath, they were cast 
 into prison for contempt ; and if they took it, they 
 were convicted upon their own confession. The 
 tyrannical oppressions and shocking barbarities 
 of these courts are without a parallel in any Pro- 
 testant country, and nearly equal to the Romish 
 inquisition. The severe examinations, the nu- 
 merous suspensions, the long and miserable im- 
 prisonments, with other brutal usage, of pious and 
 faithfid ministers, for not wearing a 2vhite surplice, 
 not baptizing with a cross, not kneeling at the 
 
PREFACE. XXI 
 
 sacrament, not subscribing to articles without 
 foundation in law, or some other equally trivial 
 circumstance, were among the inhuman and ini- 
 quitous proceedings of those courts. 
 
 These intolerant and cruel transactions, instead 
 of reconciling the Puritans to the church, drove 
 them farther from it. Such arguments were found 
 too weak to convince men's understandings and 
 consciences; nor could they compel them to 
 admire and esteem the church fighting with such 
 weapons. These tragic proceedings created in 
 the nation a great deal of ill blood, w hich, alas ! 
 continues in part to this day. While the govern- 
 ing prelates lost their esteem among the people, 
 the number and reputation of the Puritans greatly 
 increased, till, at length, they got the }30wer 
 into their own hands, and shook off the painful 
 yoke. 
 
 That the Puritans in general were men of great 
 learning, imtarnished piety, and the best friends 
 to the constitution and liberties of their country, 
 no one will deny, who is acquainted with their 
 true character and the history of the times in 
 which they lived. Many of them, it is acknow- 
 ledged, were too rigid in their behaviour: they had 
 but little acquaintance with the rights of consci- 
 ence; and, in some instances, they treated their 
 superiors with improper language: but, surely, 
 the deprivation, the imprisonment, or the putting 
 of them to death for these trifles, will never be 
 attempted to be vindicated in modern times. 
 
XXll PREFACE. 
 
 The author is aware^ however, of the delicacy of 
 many things here presented to the pubhc, and of 
 the difficuhy of writing freely without giving 
 offence. But, as honest truth needs no apology, so 
 the pernicious influence of bigotry, superstition, 
 and persecution, he thinks, can never be too fairly 
 and openly exposed. He also believes that all 
 professing Christians, except those who are blind 
 devotees to superstition, or persecutors of the 
 church of God, will rejoice to unite with him in 
 holding up these evils as a warning to posterity. 
 
 The work is not to be considered as a medium, 
 or a test of religious controversy, but an historical 
 narrative of facts. It is not designed to fan the 
 flame of contention among brethren, but to pro- 
 mote, upon genuine protestant principles, that 
 christian moderation, that mutual forbearance, 
 and that generous affection, among all denomina- 
 tions, wliich is the great ornament and excellency 
 of all who call themselves Protestants. A correct 
 view of the failings and the excellencies of others, 
 should prompt us to avoid that which is evil, and 
 to imitate that which is good. 
 
 When we behold the great piety and constancy 
 with which our forefathers endured the most bar- 
 barous persecution, will not the sight produce in 
 our minds the most desirable christian feelings? 
 Though we shall feel the spirit of indignity against 
 the inhumanity alid cruelty of their persecutors, 
 will not the sight of their sufferings, their holiness, 
 and their magoiinimity, awaken in our breasts the 
 
PREFACE. XXm 
 
 spirit of sympathy and admiration ? Shall we not 
 be prompted to contrast our own circmnstances 
 with theirs, and be excited to the warmest thank- 
 fulness that we live not in the puritanic age, but 
 in days of greater christian freedom? Shall we not 
 be constrained to exclaim, " The lines are fallen 
 to us in pleasant places ; yea, Lord, thou hast 
 given us a goodly heritage ?" 
 
 The author has not attempted to justify any 
 irregularities in the opinions, the spirit, or the 
 conduct of the Puritans. Although he acknow- 
 ledges that he has, in numerous instances, en- 
 deavoured to prove their innocence, against the 
 evil reproaches and groundless accusations of 
 their adversaries, so far as substantial evidence 
 could be collected from historical facts; yet he 
 lias never attempted to vindicate their infirmities, 
 or to connive at their sins. They were men of 
 like pasisions with ourselves ; and, from the cruel 
 treatment they met with, we cannot wonder that 
 they sometimes betrayed an improper temper. 
 Surely oppression maheth a ivise man mad. Oh, 
 that we may learn to imitate their most amiable 
 endowments ! 
 
 Tliough he does not expect to escape the cen- 
 sures of angry partisans, he will thankfully receive 
 any corrections or improvements from those who 
 are disposed to communicate them, promising to 
 make the best use of them in his power. If his 
 endeavours should, through the blessing of God, 
 prove successful in exciting Protestants, of various 
 
XXIV PREFACE. 
 
 / 
 
 denominations, to a zealous imitation of the ex- 
 cellent qualities of their worthy ancestors, he will 
 in no wise lose his reward. 
 
 The author wishes here to present a tribute 
 of gratitud^e to his numerous friends, who have 
 favoured him with the use of books and other 
 materials for the work ; and, under a deep sense 
 of his multiplied obligations, he now requests them 
 to accept his most grateful acknowledgments.* 
 He desires particularly to express his special 
 obligations to the Trustees of Dr. Williams's 
 Library, Red-Cross-Street, London, for the use 
 of several volumes of most curious and valuable 
 manuscripts. 
 
 * Valuable communications of books or manuscripts have been 
 received from the following ministers : — ^The late Dr. Edward 
 Williams, Rotherham — Dr. Joshua Toulmin, Birmingham — Dr. 
 Abraham Rces, London — Dr. John Pye Smith, Homerton — Mr. 
 Timothy Thomas, Islington — Mr. Joseph Ivimey, London — Mr. 
 John Sutcliff, Olney— Mr. William Harris, Cambridge — Mr. James 
 Gawthorn, Derby ^ Mr. Joshua Shaw, Ilkeston — Mr. Thomas 
 Roome, < Sutton in Ashfield— Mr. AVilliam Salt, Lichfield— Mr. 
 John Hammond, Haudsw orth— Mr. Samuel Bradley, Manchester — 
 Mr. John Cockin, Holmfirth— Mr. John Tallis, Cheadle. Also from 
 the following gentlemen :— Francis Fox,M. D. Derby— John Auclley, 
 Esq. Cambridge— Mr. AValter Wilson, London— Mr. J. Simco, ditto 
 —Mr. Joseph Meen, Biggleswade— Mr. T. M. Dash, Kettering— 
 Mr. James Ashton, Leek— Mr. Isaac. James, Bristol— Mr. WiUiam 
 Daniel, Lichfield, 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. t 
 
 Introduction, containing a Sketch of the History of Nonconformity, 
 from the Reformation to the passing of the Act of Uniformity, in 
 1662. 
 
 SECTION PAGE 
 
 I. From the Commencement of the Reformation, to the Death of 
 
 Queen Mary, 1 
 
 II. From the Death of Queen Mary, to the Death of Queen 
 
 Elizabeth, 17 
 
 III. From the Death of Queen Elizabeth, to the Death of King 
 
 James I., 60 
 
 IV. From the Death of King James I., to the Death of King 
 
 Charles I., 70 
 
 V. From the Death of King Charles I., to the passing of the Act 
 
 of Uniformity, 94 
 
 John Bale 101 
 
 John PuUain 114 
 
 John Hardyman 116 
 
 Miles Co verdale 117 
 
 William Turner 128 
 
 Robert Hawkins 133 
 
 Andrew Kingsmill 149 
 
 'Christopher Colman 150 
 
 William Axton 151 
 
 Thomas Becon 166 
 
 Gilbert Alcock 170 
 
 David Whitehead 172 
 
 Mr. MiUain 174 
 
 William Bonham ib. 
 
 Robert Johnson 176 
 
 Richard Taverner 189 
 
 R. Harvey 191 
 
 Edward Deering 193 
 
 Thomas Aldrich 211 
 
 Thomas Lever 213 
 
 Francis Merbury 225 
 
 William Whittingham .... 229 
 
 Mr, Lawrance 237 '^ 
 
 John Handson 238 
 
 Robert Wright 239 
 
 ■Bernard Gilpin 243 
 
 John Copping 262 
 
 Thomas Underdown 264 
 
 Mr. Sanderson 273/ 
 
 John Hill 274 
 
 Nicholas Brown 273 
 
 Richard Crick 278 
 
 Anthony Gilby ib. 
 
 John Ed win., o 285 
 
 Edward Brayne 289 
 
 Barnaby Benison 292 
 
 William Negus 296 
 
 John Stroud ib. 
 
 John Browning 302 
 
 Stephen Turner 305 
 
XXVI 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 •^ John Ward 305 
 
 Edmund Rockrey 306 
 
 H. Gray 308 
 
 Robert Moore 309 
 
 Edward Gellibrand 311 
 
 Edward Glover 313 
 
 John Walward 314 
 
 John Gardiner 316 
 
 Nicholas Standen 317 
 
 J John Field 318 
 
 John Huckle 324 
 
 John Fox 326 
 
 John Wilson , 339 
 
 John Elliston 355 
 
 Robert Crowley 357 
 
 Nicholas Crane ...., 362 
 
 ■^ Law rence Humphrey 363 
 
 Thomas Sampson 375 
 
 William Fulke 385 
 
 PAgp, 
 
 John darb rand 392 
 
 Dudley I'enner ib. 
 
 Cuthbert Bainbrigg 396 
 
 Edmund Littleton 405 
 
 Edward Lord 407 
 
 Andrew King * ib. 
 
 Malancthon Jewell 408 
 
 Ed ward Snape 400 
 
 John Holmes 414- 
 
 Richard Greenham i.t 416 
 
 Giles Wigginton 418 
 
 Thomas Barber 429 
 
 Robert Cawdrey 430, 
 
 Lever Wood 444 
 
 Humphrey Fenn ib. 
 
 Daniel Wright 447 
 
 William Proudlove 448 
 
 John More 449 
 
 CONTENTS OF THE NOTES. 
 
 Anecdote of Henry VIIL and his jester - 2 
 
 John Hooper nominated Bishop of Gloucester 7 
 
 Joan Bocher's distribution of the New Testament 10 
 
 The number of sufferers in the days of Queen Mary 12 
 
 Cranmer and Ridley wished the habits to be abolished ib. 
 
 Ridley a famous disputant , 13 
 
 The deliverance of the protestant congregation 14 
 
 John Rough a celebrated preacher ib. 
 
 's remarkable-dream , • 15 
 
 A curious petition to Queen Elizabeth IS 
 
 The Act of Uniformity in the reign of Queen Elizabeth ib. 
 
 Robert Cole preferred for his conformity 24 
 
 Whitgift at first a friend to the nonconformists 26 
 
 Title of a letter from Scotland 27 
 
 Bishop Maddox's false insinuation 33 
 
 The character of Archbishop Parker 37 
 
 Archbishop Grindal 45 
 
 The ministers suspended in Suffolk 46 
 
 in Essex 49 
 
CONTENTS. XXVll 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Lord Gray wished .0 have the bishops expelled 54 
 
 Anecdote of Martin Mar-Prelate 55 
 
 Bancroft's famous sermon at Paul's-cross ib. 
 
 Sir Walter Raleigh's estimate of the Brownists 58 
 
 The nobility patrons of the puritans ib. 
 
 The number of ministers suspended or deprived 60 
 
 Bancroft's flattery of King James 61 
 
 Whitglft's magnificent train 62 
 
 The number of ministers suspended 64 
 
 The cruel oppressions of the puritans 6G 
 
 The character of Archbishop Bancroft ib. 
 
 King James kicked Legatt with his royal foot ib. 
 
 Thomas Legatt died in Newgate ib. 
 
 John Selden's great learning 68 
 
 Archbishop Abbot opposed the Book of Sports 69 
 
 The character of King James . ■ 70 
 
 The censure and preferment of Dr. Manwaring 72 
 
 Curious pictures in St. Edmund's church 76 
 
 The character of Archbishops Abbot and Laud ib. 
 
 A minister's son excommunicated 80 
 
 The number of ministers driven to New England 81 
 
 Great sums paid for the release of nonconformists 82 
 
 Archbishop Laud called a little urchin 83 
 
 The oppressions of the convocation in 1640 85 
 
 The sub-committee to assist the committee 86 
 
 The character of the high commission 87 
 
 Debates about the remonstrance 88 
 
 The Book of Sports abolished 8? 
 
 List of the assembly of divines 90 
 
 List of lords and commons to assist the assembly 91 
 
 Wei wood's account of Archbishop Laud 92 
 
 A curious anecdote of Laud ^ 93 
 
 London ministers declared against the king's death 94- 
 
 Venner's insurrection aad execution 99 
 
 Rennet's opinion of the Act of Uniformity 100 
 
 The character of Dr. Richard Cox 108 
 
 The death of the famous William Tindal 120 
 
 The fall of Lord Cromwell 121 
 
 The funeral of Queen Katharine Parr 122 
 
 The barbarities of Queen Mary's reign 125 
 
 Bishop Ridley in prison 129 
 
 The separatists released from prison ••• 14* 
 
XXVUl CONTENTS. 
 
 PARE 
 
 The examination of William White 145 
 
 Sir Robert Corbet a friend to the puritans 131 
 
 A curious anecdote of the surplice 1 53 
 
 - of kneeling at the sacrament 159 
 
 Account of Bishop Bentham 165 
 
 Becon's book against popery suppressed by Laud 170 
 
 Bishop Maddox's account of severe proceedings - 171 
 
 The indictment of Mr. Johnson 181 
 
 Account of Cardinal Wolsey 189 
 
 Curious anecdotes of Queen Elizabeth 207 
 
 The character of Roger Ascham 217 
 
 Bishop Aylraer's foul language 228 
 
 Bishop Filkington's excellent letter 233 
 
 The psalms turned into metre 236 
 
 Account of Bishop Aylmer 242 
 
 Peter Martyr 243 
 
 Tiie character of Bishop Tonstal 254 
 
 A form of warrant to convene ministers 264 
 
 Christmas not conformably observed 273 
 
 Sir Edmund Anderson a furious persecutor 274 
 
 Lord Burleigh a friend to the puritans 292 
 
 Earl of Bedford a friend to do > 304 
 
 Fox's Book of Martyrs expelled from the churches 333 
 
 Eating flesh forbidden in lent 334 
 
 Dutch anabaptists burnt 335 
 
 Account of Mrs. Iloniwood 337 
 
 An order from the high commission 349 
 
 Curious inscription on a coffin 363 
 
 Account of Sir Thomas Bodley 3G4 
 
 Bishop Jewel 369 
 
 Astrology greatly admired 375 
 
 Anecdote of Queen Elizabeth 377 
 
 Bishop Parkhurst a friend to the puritans ib. 
 
 Dr. Heylin's curious tale of Mr. Snape 411 
 
 Sir Walter Mildmay a friend to the puritans 418 
 
 Hume's character of Archbishop AVhitgift 421 
 
 A warrant to the keeper of the Gatehouse 426 
 
 Attorney Morrice a zealous advocate for liberty 440 
 
 The imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots 442 
 
 Account of Sir Francis Walsingham 444 
 
LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION: 
 
 CONTAINING A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF NONCONFOR- 
 MITY FROM THE REFORMATION, TO THE PASSING OF THE 
 ACT OF UNIFORMITY, IN 1662. 
 
 Sect. I. 
 
 From the Commencement of the Reformation^ to the Death 
 
 of Queen Marj/. 
 
 X REvious to the accession of King Henry VIII. popish 
 darkness overspread the whole island of Britain. This 
 was tbllowed by a train of most unhappy consequences. 
 Ignorance, superstition, immorality and persecution were 
 predominant in every part of the kingdom. Those who 
 presumed to think for themselves on religious subjects, 
 and to dissent from the national cliuvch, underwent all the 
 oppressions and severities of persecution. From the days 
 of Wickliffe to this time, great numbers of excellent chris- 
 tians and worthy subjects, fell sacrifices to popish cruelty. 
 This proud monarch being at first a most obedient son of the 
 pope, treated the bold confessors of truth as obstinate 
 rebels ; and because their piety and integrity condemned 
 his licentiousness, he put multitudes to cruel tortures and 
 to death. 
 
 Soon after Luther arose in Saxony, England became 
 affected by his bold and vigorous opposition to the errors 
 of the church of Rome. The young king, vain of his 
 scholastic learning, was unwise enough to meet the bold 
 reformer on the field of controversy, and published a book 
 
 B 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 against him.* Luilicr treated his rojal antagonist Avith 
 sarcastic contempt, contending that truth and science knew 
 no dillerencc between the prince and the plebeian. Tlic 
 pope, however, craftily flattered the vanity of the royal 
 author, by conierring upon him the title of Defender of 
 the Fuilh^i which Henry was weak enough to value as 
 the brightest jewel in his crown. This pompous reward 
 fiom his holiness was conferred upon him in the year 
 15214 
 
 The haughty king soon discovered his ingratitude. He 
 quarrelled with the pope, renounced his authority, and 
 became his avowed enemy. Being weary of Queen 
 Katharine his wife, with whom he had lived almost twenty 
 years ; and having long sought, but in vain, to be divorced 
 by the pope, he was so much offended, that he utterly 
 rejected the papal power, authority and tyranny in England. 
 This was a dreadful blow against the Uomish supremacy. 
 But the king soon after procured the dignified and flat- 
 tering title of Sifpre7ne Head of the Church of England. 
 This additional jewel to hi^ crown was conferred upon him, 
 jfirst by the clergy in convocation, then by act of parlia- 
 ment.§ Thus, in the year 1534, Henry VHI. having re- 
 nounced the supremacy of the pope, and liavuig placed him- 
 self in the chair of his holiness, at least as far as concerned 
 the English church, did not fail to manifest his usurped 
 power and authority. He did not intend to ease the people 
 of their oppressions, but only change their foreign yoke for 
 domestic fetters, dividing the pope's spoils betwixt himself 
 and his bishops, wlio cared not for their father at Rome, 
 so long as they enjoyed honours and their patrimony under 
 another head.U 
 
 * Mr. Fox observes, that though " this book carried the king's name in 
 the title, it was another uiio ininistred the motion, and framed the stjle. 
 But whosoever had the labour of the book, the king had the thanks and the 
 reward." — Jets and Slonmncnt^ of Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 57. 
 
 + It has been said, that the jester whom Henry, according to the custom 
 of the times, retained at court, seeing the king overjoyed, asked the reason ; 
 and when told, that it was because his holiness had conferred upon liini this 
 new-titie, he replied, " my good Harry, let thee and me defend each 
 other, and let thefaitii alone to defend itself." If this was spoken as a 
 gerio\is joke, the fool was undoubtedly the wisest man of the two. 
 
 I Buniet's Hist, of Refor. vol, i. p. 19. — King Henry afterwards got thi» 
 sacred title united to the crown, by act of parliament; and, curious and 
 inconsistent as it may appear, it is retained to this day — HeylMs Hist, bf 
 Pres. p. 2.S5. 
 
 § Burnet's Hist, of Ucfor. vol. i. p. 112. 136. 15T. 
 
 I Memoirs of Ck)l. Hutchinson, vol. i, p. 105. Edit. ISIO. 
 
^ INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 On June 9, 1536, assembled the first rerormed convoca- 
 tion in England ; in which Lord Cromwell, prime secre- 
 tary, sat in state above the bishops, as the king's vicegerent 
 in all spiritual matters.* On this occasion, Cromwell, by 
 order of the king, declared, " That it was his majesty's 
 pleasure, that the rites and ceremonies of the church should 
 be reformed by the iiules of Scripture, and that nothing 
 should be maintained which did not rest on that authoritv ; 
 for it was absurd, since the scriptures were acknowledged 
 to contain the laws of religion, that recourse should be 
 had to glosses or the decrees of popes, rather than to 
 them."f Happy had it been, if the reformers of the 
 church of England had invariably adhered to this sacred 
 principle. Much, however, was done even at this early 
 period. The pious reformers rejoiced to see the holy 
 ^criptures professedly made the only standard of faith and 
 worship, to the exclusion of all human traditions. The 
 immediate worship of images and saints was now renounced, 
 and purgatory declared uncertain. But the corporeal pre- 
 sence in the sacrament, the preservation and reverence of 
 images, with the necessity of auricular confession, were still 
 retahied.t The publication of Tiudal and Coverdale's 
 Translations of the Bible, greatly promoted the work of 
 reformation ; though it soon received a powerful check by 
 tlie passing of the terrible and bloody act of the Six 
 Articles, ^y tiiis act, all who spoke against transubstan- 
 tiation were to be burnt as heretics, and suffer the loss of 
 all their lands and goods ; and to defend the communion in 
 both kinds, or the marriage of priests ; or, to speak against 
 the necessity of private mass, and auricular confession, 
 was made felony, with the forfeiture of lands and goods. § 
 Towards the close of this king's reign, the popish party 
 obtauied the ascendancy ; tiic severity of persecution was 
 revived : and the Romish superstitions greatly prevailed. 
 Till now, these superstitions liad never been denominated 
 Jaudahle ceremonies^ necessartj rites, and god/j/ constilu- 
 lions. All who refused to observe them, Avere condemned 
 as traitors against the king. To make the standing of the 
 persecuting prelates more secure, and their severities the 
 more effectual, this was ratified by act of parliament. || 
 Many excellent persons were, therefore, condemned to the 
 flames : among whom were the famous Mr. Thomas Bilney, 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. v. p. 207. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor, Tol. i. p. 214. % Ibid. p. 218. 
 
 ^ Strype's Cranmer. p. 72. | Ibid. p. 130. 
 
4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Mr. Richard Byfield, Mr. John Frith, and Dr. Robert 
 Barnes, all higlilj celebrated tor piety and zeal in the cause 
 of the reformation.* 
 
 King Henrj was succeeded by his son, Edward VI. , a 
 prince of most pious memory. Being only nine years 
 and four months old when he came to the crown, he 
 was free from bigotry and superstition, and ready to observe 
 the instructions of Archbishop Cranmer and the Duke of 
 Somerset, by whose aid and influence, he set himself to 
 promote sound religion. Upon his accession, the penal 
 laws against protestants were abolished, the chains of many 
 worthy persons confined in prison were struck off, the 
 prison-doors were set open, and the sufferers released. 
 Others who had fled from the storm, and remained in a 
 state of exile, now with joy returned home. Among the 
 former were old Bishop Latimer and John Rogers ;f and 
 among the latter, were Hooper, afterwards the famous 
 martyr, and Miles Coverdale, afterwards a celebrated puri- 
 tan.}: Men of real worth were esteemed and preferred. 
 Hooper became Bishop of Glovicester, and Coverdale was 
 made Bishop of Exeter. The monuments of idolatry, 
 with the superstitious rites and ceremonies, were com- 
 manded to be abolished, and a purer form of worship 
 introduced. Though, during this reign, the reformation 
 made considerable progress, the greatest part of the paro- 
 chial clergy were in a state of most deplorable ignorance : 
 but to remedy, as far as possible, this evil, the pious reform- 
 ers composed and published the book of Homilies for 
 their use.§ The order of public worship was a Liturgy 
 or Book of Common Prayer, established by act of par- 
 liament. Though this act did not pass without much 
 opposition, especially from the bishops, some were so 
 enamoured with the book, that they scrupled not to say, 
 *' it was compiled hi/ the aid of the Holy Ghost. ^'\\ 
 
 In the year 1550, the altars in most churches were taken 
 away, and convenient tables set up in their places. t "And 
 as the form of a table," says Burnet, " was more likely 
 to turn the people lirom the superstition of the popish mass, 
 and bring them to the right use of the Lord's supper, 
 Bishop Ridley, in his primary visitation, exhorted the 
 
 * Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 227, 241, 256, 445. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 25. 
 
 X Fuller's Church Hist. b. vii. p. 371. 
 
 S Burn«t's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 25, 27. § Ibid. p. 94. 
 
 1 MS. Hemarks, p. 51. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 curates and clmrcliwardcns in liis diocese, to have it in 
 llie fashion of a table, decently covered."* This was very 
 congenial to the Avishes of many of the pious reformers, 
 who, at this early period, publicly avowed their noncon- 
 formity to the ecclesiastical establishment. Among the 
 articles of the above visitation, the bishop inquired, 
 " Whether any of the anabaptists' sect, or others, use any 
 unlawful or private conventicles, wherein they use doctrine, 
 or administration of sacraments, separating themselves from 
 the rest of the church? And whether any minister doth 
 refuse to use the common prayers, or minister the sacrar 
 ments, in that order and form, as set forth in the Book 
 of Common Prayer ?"+ The disputes about conformity 
 were carried into the pulpits ; and Avhilst some warmly 
 preached against all innovations, others as warmly preached 
 against all tjjc superstitions and corruptions of the old 
 iiomish church ; so that the court prohibited all preaching, 
 except by persons licensed by the King or the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury. + 
 
 In the convocation of 1552, forty.two Articles of Reli- 
 gion were agreed upon by the bishops and clergy, to which 
 subscription was required of all ecclesiastical persons, wlio 
 should officiate or enjoy any benefice in the church. And 
 all Avho should refuse, were to be excluded fiom all 
 ecclesiastical preferment. This appears to be the first time 
 that subscription to the articles was enjoined.^ Here the 
 reformation under King Edward made a stand. 
 
 During this king's reign, there were numerous debates 
 about the habits, rites and ceremonies ; and many divines 
 of great learning and piety, became zealous advocates Jbr 
 nonconformity. They excepted against the clerical vest- 
 ments, kneeling at the communion, godfathers and their 
 promises and vows in baptism, the superstitious observance 
 of Lent, the oath of canonical obedience, pluralities and 
 nonresidence, with many other things of a similar descrip- 
 tion. || At this early period, there was a powerful and very 
 considerable party disaffected to the established liturgy. n 
 Though the reformation had already made considerable 
 progress, its chief promoters were concerned for its further 
 advancement. They aimed at a more perfect work ; and 
 
 * Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 159. 
 
 + Sparrow's Collection, p. 36. 
 
 t Burnet's Hist, of Refor, vol. iii. p. 195. 
 
 ^ Sparrow's Collection, p. 39.— Strype's Eccl. Mem. vol. ii. p. 420. 
 
 I) MS. Remarks, p, 51. H Fuller's Church Hist. b. vii, p. 426. 
 
C INTRODUCTION. 
 
 manifested their disapprobalion of tlie numerous popish 
 ceremonies and superstitions still retained in the cliurch. 
 King Edward desired that the rites and ceremonies used 
 imdcr popery, sliould be purijed out of tlie cluirch, and 
 tliat the English churches niight be brought to the apos- 
 tolic PURixy. Archbishop Cranraer was also very desirous 
 to promote the same ;* and lie is said to have drawn up 
 a book of praj^ers incomparably more perfect tlian that 
 which was then in use ; but he was connected wi(h so wicked 
 a clergy and convocation, it could not take place -f And 
 the king in his diary laments, that he could not restore the 
 primitive discipline accordiitg <o his heart's desire, because 
 several of the bishops, some through age, some through 
 ignorance, some on account of their ill name, and some 
 out of love to popery, were opposed to the design. j 
 Bishop Latimer complained of the stop put to the retbrm- 
 ation, and urged th(^ necessity of reviving the primitive 
 discipline.^ The professors of our two universities, Peter 
 Martyr and Martin Bucer, both opposed the use of the 
 clerical vestments. To Martyr the vestments were offensive, 
 and he would not v/ear them. " When I was at Oxford," 
 says he, " I would never use those white garments in the 
 choir ; and I was satisfied in Avhat I did," He styled 
 them mere relics of j)operj/. Bucer giving his advice, said, 
 " That as those garments had been abused to superstition, 
 and were likely to become the suliject of confeiition, 
 they ought to be taken away by law ; and ecclesiastical 
 discipline, and a more thorough reformation, setup. He 
 disapproved of godiathers answering in the child's name. 
 He recommended that pluralities and nonresidences might 
 be abolished ; and that bisliops might not be concerned in 
 secular affairs, but take care of their dioceses, and govern 
 them by the advice of their presbyters." The pious king 
 ■was so much pleased vrith this advice, that " he set himself 
 <o write upon a further reformation, and the necessity of 
 church discipline. "ll Bucer was displeased Avilh various 
 corruptions in the liturgy. " It cannot be expressed, 
 how bitterly he bewailed, that, when the gospel began 
 to spread in Eiigiand, a greater regard was not had 
 to discipline and purity of rites, in constituting the 
 
 * Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 73.~Strype's Cranmer, p. 299. 
 
 + Troubles at Frankcford, p. 43. 
 
 :{ King Edward's Remains, numb. 2. in Burnet, vol, ii. 
 
 \ Burnet's Hist, of Itefor. vol. ii, p. 152. 
 
 a Ibid.vol. ii. p. 155— 157. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 churches."* He could never be prevailed upon to wear 
 the surplice. And when he was asked why lie did not 
 ■wear the square cap ? he replied, " Eecnuse my head 
 is not square. "+ Tiie famous Dr. Thomas Sampson, after- 
 wards one of the heads of the puritans, excepted agTiinst 
 the habits at his ordination, who, nevertheless, was achnit- 
 ted by Cranmer and Ridley. J But the celebrated John 
 Rogers and Bishop Hooper, according' to Fuller, were 
 " tbe very ring-leaders of the nonconformists. They re- 
 nounced all ceremonies practised by the papists, conceiving 
 (as he has expressed it) that such oiiglit not only to be 
 dipt with shears, but shaven with a razor; yea, all the 
 stumps thereof phickt out."^ 
 
 The sad effects of retaining the popish habits in the 
 church, began to appear at a very early period. In the 
 jear 1550, a debate arose, which to some may appear of 
 small consequence; but, at this time, was considered of 
 great importance to the reformation. The debate Avas 
 occasioned by Dr. Hooper's nomination to the bishopric 
 of Gloucester. Burnet denominates him a pious, zealous, 
 and learned man. Fuller says, he was well skilled in 
 Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. !| He was some time chaplain 
 to the Duke of Somerset, and a famous preacher in the 
 city of London ;5 but declined the offered preferment for 
 two reasons, — 1. Because of the form of the oatJi, which 
 Ijc calls foul and impious. And, 2. Because of the popish 
 garments. The oath required him to swear by the saints, 
 as well as by the name of God ; which Hooper thought 
 impious, because the Searcher of Hearts alone ought to 
 l)e a})|)ealed to in an oath. The young king being con- 
 vinced of this, struck out ih& words with his own pen.** 
 But the scruples about the habits Mere not so easily got 
 over. The king and council were inclined to dispense 
 with them, as his majesty openly signified in the above 
 letter to Cranmer : but Cranmer and Ridley were of another 
 
 * Ileylin's Hist, of Refor. p. 65. + Strype's Parker, Appen. p. 41. 
 
 X Strype's Cranmer, p. 192. ^ Church Hist. b. vii. p. 402. 
 
 II Burnet's [lefor. vol. iii. p. 199.— Fuller's Church Hist. b. vii. p. 402, 
 40.'J. — King Edward, in his letter of nomination to Cranmer, dated Aug. b, 
 1550, writes thus : " We, by the advice of our council, have called and 
 chosen our right wcjl-bclovcd and well-worthy Mr. John Hooper, professor 
 of divinity, to be our Bishop of Gloucester ; as well for his learning, deep 
 judgment, and long study, both in the scriptures, and profane learning; as 
 also for his good discretion, ready utterance, and honest life for that kind 
 of vocation." — Ibid. 
 
 H Strype's Cranmer, p. 211. 
 
 -** Burnet's Hist, of Kcfor. vol, lit. p, 203. 
 
8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 mind, and refused tlieir allowance. Ridley was there- 
 fore nominated to a deputation with Hooper, with a view 
 to bring him to a compliance ; but this proved inefTtctual. 
 Hooper still remained unconvinced, and prayed to be 
 excused from the old symbolizing popish garments. These 
 garments, he observed, had no countenance in scripture or 
 primitive antiquity : they were the inventions of antichrist, 
 and introduced into the church in the most corrupt ages : 
 they had been abused to idolatry, particularly in the pom- 
 pous celebration of the mass : and to continue the use of 
 them, was, in his opinion, to symbolize with antichrist, to 
 mislead the people, and inconsistent with the simplicity 
 of the christian religion.* He could appeal to the Searcher 
 of Hearts, tliat it was not obstinacy, but the convictions 
 of his conscience alone, which made him refuse these gar- 
 ments, f 
 
 Ridley's endeavours proving unsuccessful, Hooper was 
 committed to the management of Cranmer, who, being 
 unable to bring him to conformity, laid the affair before 
 the council, and he was committed to the Fleet. Having 
 remained in prison for several months, the matter was com- 
 promised, when he was released and consecrated t He con- 
 sented to put on the vestments at his consecration, when 
 lie preached before the king, and in his own cathedral ; 
 but was suffered to dispense with them at other times. § 
 How this business was adjusted, and with what degree of 
 severity he was persecuted, is related by Mr. Fox, in the 
 Latin edition of his " Acts and Monum<>nts of the Mar- 
 tyrs." The passage, says Mr. Peirce, he hath left out in 
 all his English editions, out of too great tenderness to the 
 party. " Thus," says Mr. Fox, " ended this theological 
 quarrel in the victory of the bishops. Hooper being 
 forced to recant ; or, to say the least, being constrained to 
 appear once in public, attired after the manner of the 
 bishops. Which, unless he had done, there are those 
 ■who think the bishops would have endeavoured to take 
 away his life : for his servant told me," adds the mar- 
 tyrologist, " that the Duke of Suffolk sent such word to 
 Hooper, who Avas not himself ignorant of what they were 
 doing. "II Horrid barbarity! Who, before Hooper, was 
 ever thrown into prison, and in danger of his life, merely 
 
 * Ncal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 62. + Fuller's Church Jiht. b. vii. p. 404. 
 i Strype's Cranmer, p. 21 1—213.— Baker's MS. Collec. vol. iviii. p. 269. 
 ^ Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 166. 
 8 Peirce's Vindication, part i. p. 30. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 9 
 
 because he refused a bishopric ? It was certainly some kind 
 of excuse, that (he bishops m ould not consecrate him contrary 
 to hnv ; but (here can be no excuse for his imprisonment, 
 and their conspiring' to take away his life. W hen Hooper 
 wished to be excused accepting (he offered preferment upon 
 the conditions of tlie ecclesiastical establishment, was there 
 any law (o constrain him, contrary to the convictions of 
 his own conscience ? llidk'y, however, who was by far the 
 most severe against Hooper, lived to change his opinions, 
 as will appear hereafter. 
 
 Most of the reforming clergy were of Hooper's senti- 
 ments in this controversy. Several who had submitted to 
 tlie habits in the late reiofn, now laid them aside: amonsr 
 whom were Bishops Latimer and Coverdale, Dr. Kowland 
 Taylor, John Jlogers, John Bradford, and John Philpot, 
 all zealous nonconformists. They declaimed against them 
 as mere popish and superstitious attire, and not fit for the 
 ministers of the gospel.* Indeed, they were not so mucli 
 as pressed upon the clergy in general, but mostly left as 
 matters of uidifl'erence.t 
 
 During (his reign, certain persons denominated anabap- 
 tists, having fled from the wars in Germany, and come to 
 England, propagated their sentiments and made proselytes 
 in this country. Complaints being brought against tJiera 
 to the council. Archbishop Cranmer, with several of the 
 bishops and others, received a commission, April 12, 
 1530, " to examine and search after all anabaptists, 
 heretics, or contemners of the common prayer." As 
 they were able to discover such persons, they were to 
 endeavour to reclaim them, and, after penance, to give 
 them absolution ; but all who continued obstinate, were 
 to be excommunicated, imprisoned, and delivered over to 
 the secular power. Several tradesmen in London being 
 convened before the commissioners, abjured ; but Joan 
 Bocher, or Joan of Kent, was made a public example. 
 She steadfastly maintained, " That Christ was not truly 
 incarnate of the virgin, whose flesh being sinful, he could 
 not partake of it ; but the word, by the consent of the 
 inward man of the virgin, took flesh of her."+ These 
 were her own words ; not capable of doing much mischief, 
 and, surely, undeserving any severe punishment. The 
 poor woman could not reconcile the spotless purity of 
 
 * MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 35. (30.) 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. iii. p. 310, 311. 
 
 :J: Burnet's Hist, of Refor, vol. ii. Collec. p. 168. 
 
10 INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 Christ's liuman nature, witli his receiving flesh from a sinful 
 creature ; for which she was declared an obstinate heretic, 
 and delivered over to the secular power to be burnt. The 
 compassionate young king tliought, that burning persons 
 for their religious opuiions savoured too mucli of that for 
 •which they censured the papists ; therefore, when he could 
 not prevail upon himself to sign the warrant for her 
 execution, Cranmer, with his superior learning, was em- 
 ployed to persuade him. He argued from tlie practice 
 of the Jewi^li church in stoning blaspliemers ; which 
 silenced, rather tlian sathjied the king. He still looked 
 upon it as cruel severity. And wlien at last he yielded to 
 the archbishop's importunity, he told him, with tears in his 
 eyes, " That if ho did wrong, since it was in submission 
 to his authority, lie should answer for it to God." This is 
 said to have struck the archbishop v/ith much horror; y^i 
 lie suffered the sentence to be executed.* 
 
 Besides those denominated anabaptists, there were also 
 many others who administered the sacraments in other 
 manner tiian was prescribed in tJie Hook of Common 
 Prayer. To prevent the number of these nonconformists 
 from increasing, and to crush all wlio had already imbibed 
 their sentiments, another commission was issued, empower- 
 ing the archbishop and others to correct and punish them.f 
 And in the year 1552, Cranmer and others received a third 
 commission from the council, to examine a certain sect 
 newly sprung up in Kent.+ This was a sect of noncoji- 
 formists, though their peculiar sentiments do not appear. 
 Bir. Fox, in the Latin edition of his "• Martyrs," observes, 
 " Tliat one Humphrey Middleton,^ with some others, had 
 been kept prisoners in the last year of King Edward by 
 the archbishop, and had been dreadfully teazcd by liim 
 and the rest in coannission, and were now just upon the 
 point of being condemned ; when in open court he said : 
 Well, reverend Sir, j^ass what sentence jjou think ft upon 
 
 * Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. Ill, 112.— This female sufferer, 
 according to Mr. Strype, " was a great reader of the scrij<tures, and 
 formerly a great disperser of Tindal's New Testament; which book she 
 dispersed in the court, and so became acquainted with certain women of 
 quality. She used, for the greater secrecy, to tie the books with strings 
 under her apparel, and so pass with them into the court." Thus she 
 exposed her own life, in dangerous times, to bring others to a knowledge 
 of (iods holy wovd.—Stnipc's Eccl. Memoriah, vol. ii. p. 214. 
 
 i Stiype's Parker, p. 27.- J Strype's Cranmer, p. 291. 
 
 ^ This i^rrson, a native of Ashford, in Kent, was afterwards burnt in 
 the dajs of Quceu Mary.— /'ou.-s Marli/rs, \o\. iii. p. 313. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 11 
 
 Its ; hut that yon majj not say you x£ert not forezcnrned^ I 
 iestffy flial f/our own turn icill be next. And accordingly 
 it caine to pass; for a little ^yhile alter, King Edward 
 died, when tlie prisoners "were set at liberty, and the 
 archbisliop and bishops cast into prison."* The above 
 severities, sliewing the imperfect state of the English reform- 
 ation, will })e handed down to posterity, as monuments 
 of lasting reproach to our famous reformers. Persecution, 
 Avhoever may be the persecutors, deserves ever to appear 
 in all its detestable and shocking teatures. 
 
 In the year 1553, upon the death of King Edward, his 
 sister Marv coming to the crown, soon overturned the 
 reformation, and restored the whole body of popery. 
 The queen was a violent papist ; jet she at first declared, 
 *' That thouoh her conscience was settled in matters of 
 religion, she was resolved not to compel others, only by 
 the preaching of the word."+ How far her majesty ad- 
 hered to this sacred maxim, the numerous tragic scenes of 
 lier bloody reign, afford too strong a proof. She, within 
 the same month, prohibited all preaching without her 
 special license; and further declared, " That she would 
 not compel her subjects to be of her religion, till public 
 order should be tahen.^^X This was a clear hitimation of 
 the approaching storm. Many of the principal reformers 
 were immediately cast into prison. Hooper was sent to 
 the Fleet, and Cranmer and Latimer to the Tower, and 
 above a thousand persons retired into foreign parts :S among 
 wlmm were five bishops, five deans, four archdeacons, 
 and a great number of doctors in divinity, and cele- 
 brated preachers. In the number of worthy exiles were 
 Coverdale, Turner, Sampson, Whitehead, Becon, Lever, 
 Whittingham, and Fox, all afterwards famous in the days 
 of Queen Elizabeth. || The two archbishops and most 
 of the bishops were deprived of their sees. The most 
 celebrated preachers in London were put under confine- 
 ment, and no less than 12,000 of the clergy, for being 
 married, were turned out of their livings ; somfe of whom 
 "were deprived w ithout conviction ; some were never cited 
 to appear ; and many, being confined in prison, and unable 
 to appear, were cited and deprived for non-appearance. 
 In the mean time, the service and reformation of King 
 Edward were abolished, and the old popish worship and 
 ceremonies revived.n 
 
 * Peirce's Vindication, part i. p. 35. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refer, vol. ii. p. 245, % Ibid. ^ Ibid. p. 247, 250. 
 
 I Strype's Cranmer, p, 314. 5 Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 276- 
 
12 INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 During this queen's reigii, several hundred persons 
 suffered death under tlie foul charge of heresy ;* among 
 whom were great numbers of pious and learned divines, 
 all zealous for tiie reformation. Many of these divines 
 being avowed nonconformists in the reign of King Edward, 
 maintained their principles even at the stake. Mr. John 
 Rogers, the protomartyr, peremptorily refused to wear the 
 habits, unless tlie popish priests were enjoined to wear 
 upon their sleeves, as a mark of distinction, a chalice zoilh 
 an host. The same may be observed of Mr. John Philpo-t 
 and Mr. Tyms, two other eminent martyrs.> Bishop 
 Latimer derided the garments ; and when they pulled off 
 tlie !-urplice at his degradation, he said, Now I can make 
 no 7nore holy, water. In the articles against Bisliop Farrar, 
 it was objected, that he had vowed never to wear the cap, 
 but that he came into his cathedral in his long gown and 
 hat; which he did not deny, alleging that he did it to 
 avoid superstition, and giving offence to the people. f 
 When the popish vestments were put upon Dr. Taylor, 
 at his degradation, he walked about with his hands by his 
 sides, saying, '^ How say you, my lord, am I not a godl^ 
 fool? How say you, my niasters, if I were in Clieapside, 
 should I not have boys enough to laugh at these apish 
 iof/s and toying trumpery f And it is observed, that when 
 the surplice was pulled off, he said, Now I am rid of a 
 fooPs coat.S The famous John Bradford excepted against 
 the habits, and was ordained without them; and evea 
 Cranm.er and Ridley, who, in the late reign had exercised 
 great severity against Hooper and others, lived to see their 
 mistakes, and to repent of their conduct. Cranmer being 
 clotlied in the habits, at his degradation, said, " All this 
 needeth not. I had myself done with this years ago.'^g 
 Ridley, when he refused to put on the surplice at his 
 degradation, and they put it on by force, " vehemently 
 inveighed against it, calling it foolish and abominable, and 
 too fond for a vice in a play.''\ And even during his 
 confinement in prison, he wrote to Hooper, saying, " That 
 
 • Burnet reckons the number of those who suffered in the flames to be 
 28i; and Mr. Sirype, 2SS; but it it said there were no less than 800, 
 during Queen Mary's bloody persecution. — khid. p. 364. — Strype'^ EccL 
 Mem. vol. iii. Apj>en. p. 291. 
 
 + HoviiO's Hist, of Refor. jiart i. p. 93. 
 
 :; Vox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 1«8, 172. § Ibid. p. 143. 
 
 II It is ob.-erved (hat boih Cr.ininor ami Ridley intei.-ded to have procured 
 an act for abolishing the habits, but were prevented. — P*irces Vindicatioriy 
 part i. p. 44. 
 
 S Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 427. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 he was entirely knit to him, tiiougli in some circumstances 
 of relio'ion they liad tormcrly jarred a little ; Avlierein it 
 was Hooper's Avisdom, and his own simplicity, which had 
 made the difierence."* 
 
 All the severe persecution in this queen's reign, did not 
 extinguish the light of the English reformation. Great 
 numbers were driven, indee<l, into exile, and multitudes 
 suffered in the flames, yet many, who loved the gospel 
 more than their livTs, were enabled to endure the storm. 
 Congregations were formed in various parts of the kingdom. 
 There was a considerable congregation of these excellent 
 christians, at Stoke, in Suflblk ; with whom, on account of 
 their nural)er and unanimity, the bishops were for some 
 time afraid to interfere. They constantly attended their 
 private meetings, and never went to the parish church. An 
 order was at length sent to the whole society, requirino* 
 them to receive the popish sacrament, or abide by the 
 consequences. But the good people having assembled 
 for the purpose of consultation, unanimously resolved not 
 to comply. In about six months, the Bishop of Norwich 
 sent his olficers, strictly charging them to go to church 
 on the following Lord's day, or, in case of failure, to 
 appear before t)ie commissary to give an account of their 
 conduct. But having notice of diLs, they kept out of the 
 way to avoid the summons. When they neither went to 
 church, nor aj:)peared before the commissary, the angry 
 prelate suspended and excomnumicated the whole con- 
 gregation. And when ofhcers were appointed to appre- 
 hend them, they left the town, and so escaped all the days 
 of Queen Mary.f 
 
 The most considerable of these congregations, was that 
 which met in and about London. Owing to the vigilance 
 of their enemies, tliese jjeople were obliged to assemble 
 with the utmost secrecy ; and though there were about 200 
 members, they remained for a considerable time undis- 
 covered. Their meetings were held alternately in Aldgatc, 
 in Blackfriars, in Pudding-lane, in Thames-street, and in 
 ships upon the river. Sometimes they assembled in the 
 villages about London, espeeialiy at Islington, that they 
 might the more easily elude the bishops' officers. To 
 
 * Piince's Chron. Hist. vol. i. p. glT. — BUhop Ridley was a famous 
 disputant agai.nst the papists. He forced them to acknowledge, that 
 Christ in his lait supper, held himself in his hand, and afterwards eat 
 iiimielf .—Granger" s Biog, Hist. vol. i. p. 159, 
 
 f Clark's Martyrologie, p. 515. 
 
U INTRODUCTION. 
 
 screen themselves from the notice of their persecutors, they 
 often met in the night, and experienced niany wonderful 
 providential deliverances.* Their public devotions were 
 conducted by the iollowina^ ministers : Edmund Scambler, 
 afterwards successively Bishop of Peterborough and Nor- 
 wich, Mr. Fowler, Mr. John Rough, Mr. Augusline Birnher, 
 I'homas Bentham, afterwards Bishop of Lichfield and 
 Coventry, and Mr. John Pullain, afterwards an excellent 
 puritan, f 
 
 During Mr. Rough's ministry among these people, he 
 was apprehended, with Mr. Cuthbert Sympson and some 
 others, at a house in Islington, where the church was about 
 to assemble for prayer and preaching the Avord : and being 
 taken before the council, after several examinations, he 
 was sent to Newgate, and his case committed to the 
 management of Bonner. The character of this prelate, 
 whose hands were so deeply stained with innocent blood, 
 needs no colouring in this place : the faithful pages of his- 
 tory will always hold it up to the execration of maidvind. In 
 bis hands, Mr. Rough met with the most relentless cruelty. 
 Not content with degrading him, and delivering him over 
 to the secular power, the furious prelate flew upon him, 
 and plucked the beard from his tace. And, at length, 
 after much cruel usage, he ended his life in the ilames, in 
 December, 15574 Mr. Sympson, who was deacon of the 
 church, was a pious, faithful, and zealous man, labouring 
 incessantly to preserve the flock from the errors of popery, 
 and to secure them from the dangers of persecution. At 
 the time of his apprehension, the whole church was, indeed, 
 in the utmost danger. It was Mr, Sympson's office to keep 
 a book, containing the names of all the persons belonging 
 to the congrcOTtion, which book he always carried to their 
 private asseniblies. But it was so ordered, by the good 
 
 * On one of Ihese nocturnal occasions, beins; assembled in a house, by 
 the side of the river, in Thames-street, they were discovered ; and the house 
 was so guarded, tliat their enemies were sure none could escape, liut 
 among fhem Avas a worthy mariner, nho, seeing no other way of delirer- 
 ance, got out at a back door; and swimming to a boat in the river, brought 
 it; and having received all the good people into it, he made oars of his 
 shoes, and conveyed them all away iu safety. — Clurlc's 31artyro[ogie, 
 p. 515, 516. t Ibid.—Strype's Annals, vol. i, p. 292. 
 
 ■^ Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 722, 726. — Mr. Rough had been a cele- 
 brated preacher in Scotland, and also in England, in the reign of Edward 
 VI. A sermon which he delivered in the parish church of St. Andrew, 
 was made a great blessing to the celel)rated Mr. John Knox, and proved 
 the means of bringing him forth to engage in his public ministry. — Biog, 
 Britan. vol. iv. p. 2865. Edit. 1747. 
 
INTRODUCTION. • 15 
 
 providence of God, t]iat on llie day of his apprebension, 
 lie left it witli Mrs. Jionglj, the minister's wife.* Two or 
 three days atter this, he was sent to the Tower. During 
 liis confinement, because he would not discover the book, 
 nor the names of the persons, he was cruelly racked three 
 several times ; and an arrow w as tied between his two fore- 
 fingers, and drawn out so violently as to cause the blood to 
 gush forth ; but all was without effect. He was then com- 
 mittcd to Bonner, who bore this testimony concerning hini 
 before a number of spectators : " You see what a personable 
 man this is ; and for his patience, if he were not an heretic, 
 I should mucli commend him. For he has been thrice 
 racked in one day, and, in my house, he hath endured 
 some sorrow ; and yet I never saw his patience once 
 moved." The relentless prelate, nevertheless, condemned 
 him, orderiiig him first into the stocks in his coal-house, 
 and from thence to Smithfield ; where with Mr. T'ox and 
 Mr. Davcnish, two others of the church taken at Islington, 
 he ended his life hi the ftames.f Seven more of this 
 churcli were burnt in Smithfield, six at Brentford, and 
 others died in prison. J 
 
 The numerous divines who fled from the persecution of 
 Queen Mary, retired to Frankfort, 8trasburgh, Zuricli, 
 Basil, Geneva, and other places ; but they were most nu- 
 merous at Frankfort. At this place it was, that a contest 
 and division coimnenced, which gave rise to the Puritans, 
 and to that Separation from the churcli of England 
 which continues to this day. The exiles were in no place 
 so happily settled as at I'rankfort ; where the senate gave 
 them the use of a church, on condition that they should 
 not vary from the Frencii reformed church, either in 
 doctrine or ceremonies. According to these conditions, 
 they drew up a new liturgy, more agreeable to those of the 
 foreign churcl^es, omitting the responses -and the litany, 
 with many trifling ceremonies in the English prayer b»-)ok, 
 and declined the use of the surplice. They took possession 
 
 * A few nights before this, Mr, Rough had a remarkable dream. He 
 thought he saw Mr. Syuipson ?aken by two of the guard, and with the 
 book above-mentioned. This giving him much trouble, he awoke, and 
 related the dream to his wife. Afterwards, falling asleep, he again dreamt 
 the same thing. Upon his awaking the second time, he determined to go 
 immediately to Mr. Syrapson, and put bim upon his guard; but while he 
 was getting ready, ]\lr. Sympson came to his bouse with the book, which 
 be deposited with Mrs. Rougii, as above related. — Fox, vol. iii. p. 726. 
 
 i Ibid, p, 726, 7^29.— Clark's Martyrologie, p. 497. 
 
 t Fo.i's Martyrsj vol. iii. p. 732, 7'a4. 
 
m INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of the cburcli, July 29, 1554; and having chospn a 
 temporary minister and deacons, they sent to tlieir brethren, 
 •\vho had tied to other places, inviting' them to Franlifort, 
 where they might hear (^od's ^vord truly preached, the 
 sacraments duly administered, and the requisite christian 
 discipline properly exercised : privileges which could not be 
 obtained in their own country,* The members of the congre- 
 gation sent lor Mr. John Knox from Geneva, Mr. James Had- 
 don from Strasburgh, and Mr. Thomas Lever from Zurich, 
 requesting them to take the oversight of them in the Lord. 
 
 The church at Frankfort being thus comfortably settled 
 with pastors, deacons, and a liturgy, according to its own 
 choice ; Dr. Richard Cox, a man of a high spirit, coming 
 to that city, with some of his friends, broke through the 
 conditions of the new-formed church, and interrupted the 
 public service by answering aloud after the minister. On 
 the Lord's day following, one of the company, equally 
 officious as himself, ascended the pulpit, and read the 
 whole litany. Mr. Knox, upon this, taxed the authors 
 of this disorder Avith a breach of the terms of their 
 common agreement, and affirmed, that some things in the 
 Book of Common Prayer were superstitious and impure. 
 Dr. Cox reproved him for his censoriousness ; and being 
 admitted, with the rest of his company, to vote in the 
 congreg.ation, obtained a majority, prohibiting Mr. Knox 
 from preaching any more.f But Mr. Knox's friends applied 
 to the magistrates, wlio commanded them to unite with 
 the French churcli both in doctrine and ceremonies, ac- 
 cording to their original agreement. Dr. Cox and his party 
 finding Knox's interest among the magistrates too strong, 
 had recourse to an unworthy and unchristian method to get 
 rid of him. This divine having published a book, while he 
 was in England, entitled " An Admonition to Christians," 
 in which he had said, " That the emperor was no less an 
 enemy to Christ than Nero," these overbearing fellow- 
 exiles basely availed themselves of this and some other 
 expressions in the book, and accused him of high treason 
 against the emperor. Upon this, the senate being tender 
 of the emperor's honour, and unwilling to embroil them- 
 selves in these controversies, desired Mr. Knox, in a 
 respectful manner, to depart from the city. So he left the 
 place, March 25, 1555. 
 
 * Troubles at Frankeford, p. 1 — 3. 
 
 + Cox and his friends were admitted to vote in the congregation, through 
 the particular solicitations of Mr. Knox. — Ibid. p. 33. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 Upon Mr. Knox's departure, Cox's party having strength- 
 ened themselves by the addition of other exiles, petitioned 
 the niaoistrates for the free use of Kino; Edward's service- 
 book; which tliey Avere pleased to graiit. The old congre- 
 gation was thus broken up by Dr. Cox and his friends, who 
 now carried all before them. They chose new chnrch- 
 ofticers, taking no notice of the old ones, and set up the 
 service-book without interruption. Aiuong those who were 
 driven from the peaceable and happy congregation, were 
 Knox, Gilby, Goodman, Cole, Whittingham, and Fox, 
 all celebrated nonconformists in tlie reign of Queen 
 Elizabeth.* From the above account, it will sufficiently 
 appear who were the aggressors. Bishop Burnet, with 
 great injustice, says, " That Knox and his party certainly 
 began the breach. "f 
 
 Towards the close of this queen's unhappy reign, her 
 government having sustained many losses, her spirits failed, 
 her health declined, and, being seized with the dropsy, she 
 died November 17, 1558, in tiie forty-third year of lier 
 age, having reigned a little more than live years and four 
 months. Queen Mary was a princess of severe principles, 
 and being wholly under the controul of her clergy, was 
 ever forward to sanction all their cruelties. Her conscience 
 was under the absolute direction of the pope and her con- 
 ^ fessor ; who, to encourage her in the extirpation of heresy, 
 and in all the cruelties inflicted upon protestants, gave 
 her assurance, that she was doing (lod service. She was 
 naturally of a melancholy and peevish temper; and her 
 death was lamented only by her popish clergy. t Her 
 reign was in every respect calamitous to the nation, and 
 w iti be transmitted to posterity in characters of blood. 
 
 Sect. II. 
 
 Fro7n the Death of Queen Mart/^ to the Death of Queen 
 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 The accession of Queen Elizaketh \o the crown, gave 
 new life to the Reformation. The news had no sooner 
 reached the continent, than most of the worthy exiles with 
 joy returned home ; and those w ho had concealed themselves, 
 during the late stonu, came forth as men restored from the 
 
 * Trouliles at Frankeford, p. 1 — &c. 
 
 + Hist, of Refor. vol. ii, p. 339. X Ibid. p. 369— 3TK 
 
18 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 dead.* By tlie queen's royal proclamation, the public 
 worsliip of God remained some time without alteration. 
 All preaching; was proiiibited: and the people were charged 
 to hear only the epistles and gospels for the day, the ten 
 connnandments, the litany, the Lord's prayer, and the 
 creed, in English. No other prayers were to be read, nor 
 other forms of worship to be observed, than those already 
 appointed by law, till the meeting of parliament. + 
 
 The parliament being assembled, the two famous acts, 
 entitled " The Act of Supremacy,"^ and " The Act of 
 Uniformity of Common Prayer," were passed. The former 
 gave rise to a new ecclesiastical court, called The Court of 
 High Commission, Avhich, by the exercise of its unlimited 
 power and authority, became the engine of inconceivable 
 oppression to multitudes of the queen's best subjects. The 
 latter attempted, indeed, to establish a perfect uniformity 
 in public worship, but it could never be eft'ected.^ During 
 the whole of this reign, many of the best divhies and 
 others, were dissatisfied with the Book of Common Prayer, 
 and with the rigorous imposition of it in divine worship. 
 Some things contained in the book, they considered to be 
 erroneous ; others superstitious ; and the greater part to be 
 derived from the corrupt fountain of popery, and, there- 
 fore, could not with a good conscience observe the whole ; 
 on which account, they were treated by the prelates with 
 the utmost severity. The principal debate in the first par- 
 liament of this queen's reign, was not whether popery or 
 protestantism should be established; but whether they 
 should carry on the reformation, so happily begun in the 
 days of King Edward, to a greater degree of jjerfection, 
 and abolish all tlie remains of superstition, idolatry, and 
 
 * It is observed, that wlien the exiles and others came forwards in public, 
 a certain gentleman made suit to the queen, in behalf of Matthew, Mark, 
 Luke, and John, who had long been imprisoned in a Latin translation, 
 that they also might be restored to lil)er(y, and walk abroad as formerly in 
 the English tongue. To this petition her majesty immediately replied, 
 "That he should first know the minds of the prisoners, who perhaps 
 desired no such liberty as he requested." — ■Heylin's Hist, of Refor. 
 p. 275. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii, p. 378.— Strype's Annals, vol. i. 
 p. 41—44. X Ibid. p. 69. 
 
 § This act was designed to establish a perfect and universal conformity, 
 among the laity, as well as the clergy. It required " all persons diligently 
 and faithfully, having no lawful or reasonable excuse, to resort to their 
 parish church, every Sunday and all holidays, on pain of punishment by 
 the censures of the church, and also on pain of forfeiting twelve-pence for 
 every such otTence, to be levied by way of distress.'' — Burn's Ectl. Latt, 
 vol.'ii. p, 145, Edit. 1775. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 popish innovations, which being still retained in the church, 
 were stumbling blocks to many worthy subjects.* 
 
 In the year 1539, the queen published her Injunctions^ 
 consisting of upwards of fiftj/ distinct articles. She com- 
 manded all her loving subjects obediently to receive, and 
 truly to observe and keep them, according to their offices, 
 degrees and estates, upon pain of suspension, deprivation, 
 excommunication, and sijph other censures as to those who 
 had ecclesiastical jurisdiction under her majesty, should 
 seem meet.f Though in these injunctions the queen mani- 
 fested some disapprobation of the Romish superstitions and 
 idolatry, she was much inclined to retain images in churches, 
 and thought they were useful in exciting devotion, and in 
 drawing people to public worship. Her object was to 
 unite the papists and protestants together.t She still re- 
 tained a crucifix upon the altar, with lights burning before 
 it, in her own chapel, when three bisi • >ps officiated, all in 
 rich copes, before the idol.§ Instead of stripping religion 
 of the immerous, pompous ceremonies with which it was 
 incumbered, she was inclined rather to keep it as near as 
 possible to the Romish ritual : and even some years after 
 her accession, one of her chaplains having preached iu 
 defence of the real presence^ she presented her public thanks 
 to him, for his pains and pieti/.\\ Slie spoke with great 
 bitterness against the marriage of the clergy, and repented 
 having made married persojis bishops.n Her majesty 
 having appointed a committee of divines to review King 
 Edward's liturgy, she commanded them to strike out all 
 passages offensive to the pope, and to make the people 
 easy about the corporeal presence of Christ in the sacra- 
 ment.** The liturgy was, therefore, exceedingly well fitted 
 to the approbation of the papists.+t The queen com- 
 manded, that the Lord's table should be placed in the form 
 of an altar ; that reverence should be made at the name of 
 Jesus ; that music should be retained in the churches ; and 
 that all the festivals should be observed as in times of 
 popcry.Jt The reformation of King Edward, therefore, 
 instead of being carried forwards and perfected, was, ac- 
 cording to Burnet, removed considerably backwards, partly 
 
 » MS. Remark?, p. 463. -i- Sparrow's Collec. p. 65—86. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 397. § Ibid. vol. iii. p. 292. 
 
 (I Heylin's Hist, of Refor. p. 124. Edit. IGTO. 
 
 5 Strype's Parker, p. 109. 
 
 ** Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii, p. 392. 
 
 + + Heylin's Hist, of Prcs. p. 259. 
 
 1 X Heylin's Kin. of Refor. p. 283. Edit. 1674. 
 
20 INTRODUCTION". 
 
 from tlie queen's love of outward magnificence in religion, 
 and partly in compliance with the papists.* 
 
 Many of our excellent reformers who liad espoused the 
 cause of nonconformity, in the days of King Edward, 
 retained their principles, and acted upon them, during 
 their exile in a foreign land, especially those who being 
 driven from P'rankfort, settled at Geneva and other places. 
 Nor did they forget their principles upon the accession of 
 Elizabeth. Having settled for Several years among the 
 best reformed churches in Europe, they examined more 
 minutely the grand principles of the reformation, and 
 returned home richly fraught with wisdom and knowledge. 
 They wished to have the church purged of all its anti- 
 christian errors and superstitions, and to have its discipline, 
 its government, and its ceremonies, as well as. its doctrine, 
 regulated by the standard of holy scripture. On the con- 
 trary, many of the bishops and clergy being too well 
 affected to popery, opposed a thorough reformation, 
 accounting that of King Edward suflicient, or more than 
 sufficient, for the present church of England. Therefore, 
 so early as in the year mentioned above, there were many 
 warm debates betwixt the two contending parties.f 
 
 In addition to the oath of supremacy, a compliance 
 with the act of uniformity, and an exact observance of 
 the queen's injunctions, a public creed was drawn up by 
 the bishops, entitled " A Declaration of certain principal 
 Articles of Religion," which all clergymen were obliged 
 to read publicly at their entrance upon their cures. These 
 were, at tliis time, the terms of ministerial conformity. 
 There was no dispute among the reformers, about the first 
 and last of these qualifications, but they diifered in some 
 points about the other two. Many of the learned exiles 
 and others, could not, with a good conscience, accept of 
 livings according to the act of uniformity and the queen's 
 injunctions. If the popish garments and ceremonies had 
 been left indifferent, and some liberties allowed in the use 
 of the common prayer, the contentions and divisions which 
 afterwards followed, would no doubt have been prevented. 
 But as the case then stood, it was almost miraculous that 
 the reformation did not fall back to popery ; and if some 
 of the nonconforming divines had not in part complied, in 
 hopes of the removal of these grievances at some future 
 period, that Avould most probably have been the unhappy 
 
 * Barnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. iii. p. 305. 
 
 + Ibid. vol. ii. p. 407 — Baker's MS. Collec, vol. xxvii. p. 387. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 consequence. Many clmrclies were for a considerable <ime 
 >vitliout ministers, and nol a few mechanics, and persons 
 aUogetlier unlearned, were preferred, which brouglit much . 
 reproach upon the protestant cause; while others of the 
 first rank for learning, piety and usefulness, were laid aside 
 in silence. There was, indeed, very little preaching through 
 the whole country.* T)ie Bishop of Bangor writes, during 
 this year, " that he had only two preachers in all his 
 diocese."+ Indeed the bishops in general Avere not insensible 
 of the calamity ; but instead of opening the door a little 
 Avider, for the allowance of the more conscientious and 
 zealous reformers, they admitted the meanest and most 
 illiterate, who wonld come up to the terms of conformity. f 
 And even at this early period, there were many of tlic clergy, 
 who, though preferred to benefices, could jiot conform, but 
 refused to observe the public service, and to wear the holy 
 garments ; at which the queen was exceedingly oftended.§ 
 Dr. Matthew Parker Avas this year consecrated Archbishop 
 of Canterbur3% 
 
 In the year 1562, sat tlie famous convocation, when 
 " The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion," much the same 
 as those of King Edward, were drawn up and sul)scribed 
 by all the members then sitting, and required to be sub- 
 scribed by all the clergy in the kingdom. The convoca- 
 tion proceeded next to consider the rites and ceremonies of 
 the church, when Bishop Sandys presented a paper recom- 
 mending the abolition of private baptism, and the crossing 
 of the infant in the forehead, which, he said, was licedless and 
 xeiy superstitioKs.W Another paper was, at the same time, 
 presented to the house, with the folloAving requests: — 
 " That the psalms may be sung distin(>tly by the whole 
 " congregation ; and that organs may be laid aside. — That 
 " none may baptize but ministers; and that they may leave 
 " off" the sign of the cross. — That in the administration of 
 " the sacrament, the posture of kneeling may be left indif- 
 " ferent. — That the use of copes and surplices may be 
 " taken away ; so that all ministers in their ministry use a 
 *' grave, comely, and long garment, as they commonly do 
 " in preaching. — That ministers be not compelled to wear 
 " such gowns and caps, as the enemies of Christ's gospel 
 " have chosen for the special array of their priesthood. — ■ 
 " That the Avords in the thirty-third article, concerning the 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol, V. p. 3297. Edit. 1747. + MS, Register, p. 886. 
 
 ^ Neal's Puritans, vol. i, p. 146. 
 
 ^ Strype's Parker, p. 106. 1| Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 297. 
 
22 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " punishment of those who do not in all things conform to 
 " the public order about ceremonies, may be mitigated. — 
 " That all the saints' days, festivals, and holidays, bearing 
 *• the name of a creature, may be abrogated." — This paper 
 was subscribed by one provost, five deans, twelve arch- 
 deacons, and fourteen proctors, many of whom were 
 eminent for learning and abilitj' ; but their requests were 
 rejected.* 
 
 In the above convocation, there was a great difference of 
 sentiment among the learned reformers, which occasioned 
 many warm debates upon points of great importance, 
 especially upon this, " Whether it was most proper io 
 retain the outward appearance of things, as near as possible 
 to what had been practised in times of popery." While 
 the one party maintained the aflirmative, the other asserted, 
 that this outward resemblance of the Romish church, would 
 encourage the people in their former practices, nourish in 
 them tlieold root of popery, and make them a more easy prey 
 to their popish adversaries. Therefore they recommended 
 that every thing might be removed as far as possible from 
 the church of Rome.+ In the conclusion, the contrary 
 party prevailed : and the bishops, conceiving themselves 
 empowered by the canons of this convocation, began to 
 exercise their authority by requiring the clergy of their 
 respective dioceses to subscribe to the liturgy, the ceremo- 
 nies, and the discipline of the church; when such as 
 refused, were branded with the odious name of Puritans. 
 This was a term of reproach given them by their enemies, 
 because they wished to serve and worship God witli greater 
 puriti/ than was allowed and established in the church of 
 England. t All were stigmatized by this name, who distin- 
 guished themselves in the cause of religious liberty^ and 
 who could not in all points conform to the ecclesiastical 
 establishment. 
 
 In the year 1564, Archbishop Parker, witli the assistance 
 of several of the bishops, publi^»hed the Advertisements^ 
 with a view to secure a due contbrmity among ecclesiastical 
 persons. By the first of these advertisements, all preachers 
 throughout the province of Canterbury were at once disqua- 
 lified ; and by the last, they were required to subscribe, and 
 promise not to preach or expound the scriptures, without 
 a license from the bishop, which could not be obtained 
 
 * Strype's Annals, p. 998. vol. ii. Adden. p. 15, 
 + Burnet's flist. of Rcfor. vol. iii. p. 302. 
 X Fuller's Church Hisl. b. ix. p. 76. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 >vilIiout a protestation and promise under their hand of an 
 absolute conforniitv to the ceremonies. No less than eiijht 
 protestations ^vcle also required to be made and subscribed 
 by all who should be admitted to any otiice or cure in the 
 church.* Though the archbishop and his brethren at first 
 met with some difficulties in currying them into etYect, (the 
 queen refusino; to sanction them.) yet afterwards, ])re- 
 suminj^ upon her majesty's favour, tliey succeeded accordinij 
 to their wishes. + Upon the ap])roach of these severities, 
 Mr. Whittingham wrote a long and pressing letter to the 
 liiarl of Leicester, warmly urging him to interpose with the 
 queen, to hinder their execution. In the conclusion of this 
 most pathetic epistle, he says, " J need not appeal to the 
 A\ord of God, to the history of the primitive church, and 
 to the just judgments of God poured out upon the nations 
 for lack of true reformation. Judge ye betwixt us and 
 our enemies. And if we seek the glory of God alone, the 
 enjoyment of true christian liberty, the overthrow of all 
 idolatry and superstition, and to win souls to Christ; I 
 beseech your honour to pity our case, and use your utmost 
 endeavours to secure our liberty. "+ 
 
 Many of the clergy in both the universities, and in the 
 country, but especially in the city of London, refused to 
 wear the square cap, the tippet, and the surplice. ••' And 
 it is marvellous," says Mr. Siry])e, '• how much these habits 
 were abhorred by many honest, well-meaning men ; who 
 styled them antichristian ceremonies, and by no means fit 
 to be used in a true christian church. "^ But Archbislioj) 
 Parker and other hifjh commissioners bein^ resolved to 
 reduce the church to one uniform order, cited many of the 
 clergy before them, admonishing some, and threatening 
 others. Among those who appeared, were Dr. Sampson, 
 dean of Christ-church, Oxford, and Dr. Humphrey, jjresi- 
 dent of Magdalen college, in the same university. They 
 ■were divines of great renown throughcmt the kingdom, for 
 learning, piety, and zeal for the reformation, but were 
 cast into prison for noncontbrmily.;i 1'he tamous Mr. 
 \\ liitehead, with several others, wa-; cited at the same 
 
 * Sparrow's Colkc. p, 123—128, 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 151 — 161. 
 
 X See Art. Whittingham, K Strype's Parker, p. 1")!. 
 
 11 It is proper here to observe, that throughout the Introduction, no 
 authority will be given where the same thins^s are treated more at large iu 
 the body of the work. Therefore, in order to examine the evidence of 
 what the author has asserted, as well as a more circum-tantial detail of facts, 
 the reader, in all buch instances, is directed to the re:pective article*. 
 
24 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 time, and, refusinc^ to subscribe, was immediately sus- 
 pended. Mr. Becon, another celebrated reformer, being 
 cited, and refusing to subscribe, was immediately seques- 
 tered and deprived. Mr. Allen was cited, and received 
 the like censure. Many others were suspended and deprived, 
 who, having wives and chil<b-en, laboured under great 
 poverty and want. Being driven from their ministerial 
 employment, some, to procure a livelihood, betook them- 
 selves to trades, some to hnsbandry, and some went to sea.* 
 
 The principal reasons of these and other learned divines 
 now refusing conformity, were — 1. Because those things 
 which the prelates required, were unsupported by scripture 
 and primitive antiquity. — 2. They were not received by 
 other reformed churches. — And, 3. They savoured very 
 much of the errors and superstitions of popery.t On these 
 grounds, they disapproved of some things in the Book of 
 Common Prayer, and forbore the use of the habits and 
 ceremonies. 
 
 In the year 1565, the archbishop and his brethren in 
 commission, not content Avith exercising all their own au- 
 thority to its fullest extent, sought tiie favourable assistance 
 of the council, and enforced an exact conformity to the 
 ecclesiastical establishment with still greater rigour. They 
 convened the London ministers before them ; and when 
 they appeared in court, Mr. Robert Cole, a clergyman, t 
 being placed by the side of the commissioners in priestly 
 apparel, they were addressed in these words : — " My 
 masters, and ye ministers of London, the council's pleasure 
 is, that strictly ye keep the unity of apparel, like this man 
 who stands here canonically habited with a square cap, a 
 scholar's gown, priest-like, a tippet, and, in the church, a 
 linen surplice. Ye that will subscribe, write Volo; those 
 that will not subscribe, write Nolo. Be brief: make no 
 words." When some of the ministers offered to speak, 
 they were immediately interrupted with the command, 
 '• Peace, peace; and apparitor, call over the churches : 
 ye masters, answer presently under the penalUj of con- 
 iempty^ In the conclusion, sixty-one promised confor- 
 mity, but thirtij-seten absolutely refused, being, as the 
 archbishop acknowledged, the best among them. These 
 
 * Stiype's Grindal,p. 99. + MS. Remarks, p. 161. 
 
 X This Mr. Cole, for his subscription and conformity, was preferred by 
 the archbishop to the benefice of Bow and Allhallows, London. — Baker's 
 MS. Collec. vol.xxvii. p. 387. 
 
 § Strype's Grindal, p. 98. — Annals, vol. i. p. 463. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 ■were immediately suspended, and told, that if they did 
 not conform within tliree montlis, they should be deprived 
 of all their spiritual promotions.* Among those who 
 received the ecclesiastical cejisure, was Mr. Crowley, who 
 Tvas afterwards deprived and imprisoned. Mr. Brokelsby 
 was sequestered, and afterwards deprived, being the firi>t 
 who was thus censured for refusing to wear the surplice. 
 Dr. Turner, dean of Wells, was sequestered and deprived 
 for refusing to wear the surplice, and to use the Book of 
 Common Prayer. The venerable Miles Coverdale was 
 driven from his flock, and obliged to relinquish his benefice. 
 In consequence of these proceedings, many of the churches 
 in London were shut up, for want of ministers. " This," 
 says the archbishop," was no more than he foresaw before he 
 began ; and that when the queen put him upon doing what 
 he had done, he told her, that these precise folks," as in 
 contempt he calls them, " would ofl'er their goods and bodies 
 to prison, rather than they would relent."f 
 
 Notwithstanding these proceedings, the nonconformists 
 greatly multiplied, and they were much esteemed and 
 countenanced by persons of quality and influence. God 
 raised them up many friends in both houses of parliament, 
 and in her majesty's privy council : as, the Earls of Bed- 
 ford, Warwick, and Leicester, Sir Francis Knollys, Sir 
 William Cecil, and many others. All these were the 
 constant friends of the puritans, and used their power and 
 influence to obtain a further reformation.]: Though in the 
 latter they utterly failed of success, they often protected 
 the persecuted ministers, or procured their release from 
 suspension, deprivation, and imprisonment. 
 
 The principal persons for learning and piety, in the 
 university of Cambridge, not only opposed the above 
 severities, but refused conformity. The fellows and scholars 
 of St. John's college, to the number of nearly three hundred, 
 threw away their surplices with one consent : and many in. 
 other colleges folloAscd their example.^ This, indeed, 
 presently roused the zeal of the jealous archbishop. He 
 looked upon Cambridge as beconviiig the very nursery of 
 puritanisra ; and, therefore, to crush the evil in the bud, 
 lie warmly recommended the chancellor to enforce an exact 
 conformity throughout that fountain of learning. In the 
 mean time, the heads of colleges being dissatisfied with 
 these proceedings, wrote a pressing letter to the chancellor, 
 
 * Strypf's Parker, p. 211, 215. + Ibid. p. 225. 
 
 % MS. Rcioarks, p. HI, 193. § Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 441. 
 
26 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ■wishing liltn to put a stop to such severe measures. They 
 observe that multitudes of pious and learned men thonght 
 in tlicir consciences, thattlie use of the garments was utterly 
 unlawful : and that the imposition of thcin upon all in the 
 university, would compel these worthy persons to forsake 
 the place, which would leave the university very destitute. 
 Such an imposition of conformity, say they, will prove 
 exceedingly detrimental to the preaching of the gospel, as 
 well as to good learning.^ The chancellor being a man of 
 great prudence and circumspection, and loath to give ofl'ence 
 hy using severities, made some demur, with which the 
 archbishop was displeased. Those who refused conformity 
 reminded the chancellor, that they had cast away the cere- 
 monies, not out of malice, for vain glory, an affection for 
 popularity, contempt of laws, or any desire of innovation, 
 but out of love to the truth. They could call the Searcher 
 of Hearts to witness, that in what they had done, they had 
 sought to enjoy peace of conscience, and the true worship 
 of God. They prayed, therefore, that their consciences 
 might not be brought into a state of most grievous bondage 
 and exquisite torment, by being forced to observe the 
 ceremonies. f 
 
 The proceedings of the prelates in censuring so many 
 ministers of high reputation, was very afHictive to the 
 foreign reformed churches. Therefore the famous Beza 
 wrote a letter this year to Bishop Grindal, exposing the 
 evils attending the imposition of conformity. He observes, 
 that " if thej/ do offend, who choose to leave their churches, 
 rather than conform to rites and vestments against their 
 coiiscienccs ; a greater guilt is contracted by those who 
 choose to spoil these flocks of able pastors, rather than suffer 
 tliose pastors to make choice of their own apparel; or, 
 choose to rob the people of the food of their souls, rather 
 than suffer them to receive it otherwise than on their knees. "t 
 He observes also, that this intended conformity designed 
 " to admit again, not only those garments which are the 
 signs of Baal's priests^ but also certain rites, which are 
 degenerated into the worst of superstitions : as the signing 
 with the cross, kneeling at the communion, and such like."^ 
 The church of Scotland wrote, at the same time, a most 
 
 * Among those who subscribed this letter was even Dr. John Whitgift, 
 afterwards the celebrated archbishop. This man was now a zealous friend 
 of the nonconformists ; but soon after as zealous a perscrutor of them» 
 ~-Strijpt''s Parker, p. 194. + Ibid. p. 192, 194, 196. 
 
 X ileylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 39. S Strype's Grindal, p. U3. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 affectionate and pressing letter to the bishops and pastors of 
 Eng'land, exposing the evil of persecution, and recom- 
 mending peace among brethren. " We understand," say 
 they, " that divers of our dearest brethren, among whom 
 are some of the best learned in the realm, are deprived 
 from the ecclesiastical function, and forbidden to preach, 
 because their consciences will not sufli r them to use such 
 garments as idolaters in time of blindness, have used in 
 their idolatry. We crave in the bowels of Jesus Christ, 
 that christian cliarity may prevail among you. Ve cannot 
 be ignorant how tender a thing the conscience of man is. 
 If then the surplice, corner cap, and tippet, have been 
 badges of idolatry, and used in the very act of idolatry, 
 what hath the preacher of christian liberty, and the open 
 rebuker of all superstition, to do with the dregs of that 
 ilomish beast ? Our brethren who of conscience refuse that 
 unprofitable apparel, do neither condemn, nor molest you, 
 who use such vain trifles. If you should do the like to 
 them, we doubt not that you will plt^ase God, and comfort 
 the hearts of many, which are wounded by the present 
 extremities. Our humble supplication is, that our brethren 
 among you, who refuse the Romish rags^ may find such 
 favour of you prelates, as your Head and Master com- 
 mandeth every one of his members to shew to all others. 
 We expect to receive your gentleness, not only because 
 you fear to ofl'end God's majesty, by troubling your 
 brethren with such vain trifles ; but also because you will 
 not refuse the humble request of us your brethren and fellow- 
 preachers of Jesus Christ. We suppose you will esteem us 
 to be of the number of those, who fight against the Romish 
 antichrist, and travel for the advancement of the universal 
 kingdom of Jesus Christ; before whom, we, and you, and 
 your brethren, must soon give an account."* 
 
 Many of the puritans having, for the sake of peace, 
 conformed as far as they ])ossibly could, at length endea- 
 voured, though under great discouragements, to obtain an 
 accommodation. Rut the prelates proceeding with still 
 greater severity against all who could not come up to the 
 standard of conformity, made it too evidently appear, that 
 they sought not their conformity, but their utter cxtir- 
 
 * This letter, dated Edinburg, Dec. 27, 1566, is entitled " The ministers 
 and elders of the churches within the realme of Scotlande, to their brethren 
 the bishops and pastours of Englande, who have renounced the Romane 
 antichrist, and doe professe with them the Lord Jesus in sinceritie, desireth 
 the perpetuall increase of the Holy Spirit."— Paric of a Register, p. 125 
 —127. 
 
S8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 pation. Having made application to certain persons of 
 (listinguisbed eminence, tiie business was laid before the 
 parliament; and during this year, six bills were brought 
 into the house of commons, to promote a further reformation 
 of the clmrcli. They were warmly supported by many 
 eminent statesmen, and one of them passed the house ; but 
 coming up to the lords, it met with some opposition ; and 
 by the superior power and inllueuce of the bishops, it was 
 cast out.* 
 
 Through the heavy oppressions of the prelates, many of 
 the puritans, both ministers and others, withdrew from the 
 national church, and set up their separate assemblies. They 
 laid aside the ecclesiastical ceremonies and the Book of 
 Common Prayer, and worshipped God in a way which to 
 them appeared more agreeable to the word of God. The 
 reason assigned for their separation was, " that the ceremo- 
 nies of antichrist were so tied to the service of God, that 
 no one might preach, or administer the sacraments Avithout 
 them, being compelled to observe these things by law." If 
 the use of the habits and certain ceremonies had been left 
 discretionary, both ministers and people would no doubt 
 have been easy. This being denied, they entered into a 
 serious consultation, Avhen they came to 'this conclusion : 
 '^ That, since they could not have the word of God 
 preached, nor the sacraments administered, without idola- 
 trous gear; and since there had been a separate congre- 
 gation in London, and another at Geneva, in Queen Mary's 
 time, which used a book and order of preaching, adminis- 
 tration of the sacraments and discipline, which the great 
 Mr. Calvin approved of, and which was freed froni^ the 
 superstitions of the English service : that therefore it was 
 their duty in th'^ir present circumstances, to break ofi" from 
 the public churches, and to assemble as they had opportu- 
 nity in private houses, or elsewhere, to worship God in a 
 manner that might not offend their consciences."i This 
 was about the year 1566, and was the aera of that Sepa- 
 ration from the church of England which continues to 
 this di\y. 
 
 The chief leaders of the separation were Messrs. Cole- 
 man, Button, Hfelingiiam, Benson, and Hawkins, all, ac- 
 corrling to Fuller, active and zealous jionconformists, 
 beneficed within the diocese of London.]: Notwithstanding 
 
 ♦ MS. Remarks, p. 463. 
 
 t Parte of a llegister, p. 25.— Strype's Parker, p. 241, 242. 
 
 J I-'uller's Chuicli Hist. b. ix. p. 81. /- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 29 
 
 the tlircatoulngs and severities of the prelates, they continued 
 to meet in tlieir private assemblies, as they found oppor- 
 tunitj'^; and ottentimcs assembled in the fields and the 
 ■\voods in the neighbourhood of London, to avoid the disco- 
 very of their ^vatchful enenucs.* But they ventured at 
 lengtli to ajDpear more opeidy ; and June 19, 15C7, having 
 agreed to liavea rsermon and tiie Lord's supper at Plinnbers- 
 hall in the city, tliey hired tiie place, as some one intimated, 
 under pretence of a wedding. Here, the slierifts and other 
 officers discovered them, and broke up their meeting, when 
 about one hundred were assembled ; most of wlioni were 
 taken into custody, and sent to Bridewell, the Compter, 
 and other prisons. Having remained in prison nearly two 
 years, and their patience and constancy being sufficiently 
 tried, twenty-four men and seven women were released by 
 an order from the conncil.t 
 
 The puritans of these times had many objections against 
 the established church. They comphniiied of the assumed 
 superiority of bishops above presbyters. — They excepted 
 against the numerous, poni|)ous tithes of ecclesiastical 
 ofHcers. — They complained of the exorbitant power and 
 jurisdiction of the prelates. — They lamented the Avant of 
 godlj/ disdpliiie.—They disliked some thin.gs in tlie public 
 liturgy : as, the frequent repetition of the Lord's prayer, 
 the responses, some things in the office of marriage, the 
 burial of the dead, &c. — They disliked the reading of the 
 apocryphal books, to the exclusion of some parts of ca- 
 nonical scripture. — They disallowed of tlie cathedral mode 
 of worship. — They disajiprovcd of tlic cliiirch festivals or 
 holidays, as having no foundation in scripture. — They dis- 
 approved of pluralities, nonrcsidence, and lay patrons. — 
 And they scrupled contbrmity to certain rites and ceremo- 
 nies : as, the cross in baptism; the promises and vows ; the 
 use of sponsors, to tlic exclusion of parents ; the custom of 
 confirming children ; kneeling at the Lord's supper; bow- 
 ing at the name of Jesus; the ring in marriage; and the 
 wearing of the surplice, with other ceremonies equally 
 without foundation in scripture. j: 
 
 During the above year, tiie puritans felt the oppressions 
 of the ruling ecclesiastics, ivlr. Evans was convened before 
 them and prosecuted, for keeping conventicles. Mr. Law- 
 rence, a Suifolk divine of oreat eminence, was suspended 
 •for nonconformity; and Dr. Ilardyman suffered deprivation. 
 
 * Ileylin'sHist. of Prps. p. 259. + Strype's Grindal, p. 136. 
 
 5" Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 209—213. 
 
30 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Mr. Stroud, minister of Yalding, in Kent, was cast into 
 prison, excommunicated, deprived ofliis ministry, reduced 
 to extreme poverty, and obliged to etiter upon the employ- 
 ment of correcting tJie press lor his support. Other puri- 
 tans, denominated peaceable nonconformists, obtainetl for 
 some time a connivance or toleration. These were Drs. 
 Sampson, Humphrey, Wyburn, Penny and Coverdale, 
 witii Messrs. Fox, Lever, and Johnson.* 
 
 About the year 1370, other oppressions were inflicted 
 upon certain London ministers : Mr. Crane and Mr. Bonham 
 were both silenced and cast into prison for nonconformity. 
 The former was afterwards for the same crime committed to 
 Newgate ; where, after languishing a long time under the 
 hardships of the prison, he was delivered by death from 
 all Iiis afflictions. Mr. Axton, an excellent divine, for 
 refusing the apparel, the cross in baptism, and kneeling at 
 the Lord's supper, was convened before the Bishop of 
 Lichfield and Coventry, and, after a long examination, was 
 deprived and driven to seek his bread in a foreign land. 
 The celebrated Mr. Cartwright, of Cambridge, was cited 
 before Dr. WJiitgift and others, when he was deprived of 
 his public ministry, expelled from the uiiiversity, and forced 
 to depart out of the kingdom. Innumerable, indeed, were 
 the Iiardships under which the puritans groaned. By the 
 rigorous proceedings of the ruling prelates, the church was 
 deprived of many of its brightest ornaments ; and nearly all 
 its faithful pastors were ejected; especially in Northampton- 
 shire, \Yarvvickshire, Leicestershire, Noriblk, and Suftblk.+ 
 While these ravages were made upon the church of Christ, 
 several thousands of ministers of inferior character, such as 
 common swearers, drunkards, gamesters, whoremongers, 
 and massing priests, only because they were conformable, 
 continued in their offices, enjoyed their livings, and ob- 
 tained preferment. Most of the bishops having endured 
 persecution and banishment in the days of Queen Mary, 
 and being now exalted by promotion, honour, and wealth, 
 forgot their former condition, and persecuted their brethren 
 of the same faith, who could not come up to the standard of 
 conformity.^: 
 
 At this period, there was coTisiderable variety in the kind 
 of bread used in the Lord's supper : some ministers, in 
 conformity to the papists and the queen's injunctions, used 
 the wafer bread ; but others, in conformity to scripture 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 243. + MS. Register, p. 147. 
 
 i Parte of a Register, p. 2 — 9. 
 
INTRODUCTION. SI 
 
 and the convictions of their own minds, renounced the 
 popish relict, and used the loaf bread. This gave great 
 oflence and mucli trouble to Archbisiiop Parker, who, Avith 
 the assistance of Bishop Grindal, laboured much to bring all 
 the clergy to an exact uniformity.* 
 
 The above proceedings having excited considerable alarm 
 in the nation, some attempts were made in the parliament 
 of 1571, to obtain a reformati<m of the ecclesiastical laws. 
 The motion Avas warmly supported by some of the ablest 
 statesmen ; but was no sooner become the subject of public 
 discussion, than the queen took great oftence, and forbad 
 the house to concern itself about such matters. + The 
 commons ventured, however, to present a supplication to 
 iier majesty, in which they observe, that tor want of true 
 ecclesiastical discipline, there were great numbers of minis- 
 ters of infamous lives, while those possessed of abilities for 
 the sacred function were cast aside as useless. They com- 
 plain of the great increase of popery, atheism and licen- 
 tiousness, by Avhich the protcstant religion was in imminent 
 danger. " And,'' say they, " being moved with pity 
 towards so many thousands of your majesty's subjects, daily 
 in danger of being lost for want of the tbod of the word, 
 and true discipline ; we, the commons in this present 
 parliament assembled, are humbly bold to open tlie griefs, 
 and to seek the salvijig of the sores of our country ; and to 
 beseech your majesty, seeing the same is of so great import- 
 ance, that the parliament at this time may be so long 
 continued, as that by good and godly laws, provision may 
 be made for a reformation of these great and grievous wants 
 and abuses, and by such other means as to your majesty 
 shall seem meet, a perfect redress of the same may be 
 obtained ; by Avhich the number of your majesty's faithful 
 subjects will be increased, popery will be destroyed, the 
 glory of God will be promoted, and your majesty's renown 
 will be recommended to ail posteri}y."f But the queen 
 broke up the parliament without taking the least notice of 
 the supplication. 
 
 These proceedings occasioned an act to pass during this 
 parliament, requiring all ministers " to declare their assent 
 lo all the articles of religion, which only concern the 
 confession of the true christian faith, and the doctrine of 
 the sacraments." This was a great alleviation to the non- 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 308—310. 
 
 t D. Ewes's Journal, p. 137, 185.— Strype's Parker, p. 324. 
 
 + MS. R^-gjster, p. 92, 93, 
 
S2 INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 conformists, when they all readily subscribed. Bui ih& 
 bishops and cleroy in convocation hail the confidence, at 
 tiie same time, to make new canons of discipline, by which 
 they greatly increased the burdens of the puritans. They 
 required subscription to all the articles, even those relating 
 to the rites, ceremonies, order and policy of the church, 
 as well as others, contrary to the above statute. The 
 bishops called in all their licenses to preach, forbidding 
 all ministers to preach without new ones. Most of the 
 nonconformists claiming the liberty allowed them by the 
 laws of the land, refused the canonical subscription, as a 
 most grievous usurpation over their consciences ; for Avliich 
 great numbers were turned out of their livings.* This led 
 them to preach in other churches, or in private houses, 
 without license, as they were able to procure an opportunity. 
 But the queen hearing of this, inunediately commanded 
 the archbishop and other ecclesiastical commissioners not 
 to sutler any minister to read, pray, preach, or administer 
 either of the sacraments, in any church, chapel, or private 
 place, without a license from her majesty, the archbishop, 
 or the bishop of the diocese, f 
 
 These tyrannical measures, instead of bringing the puri- 
 tans nearer the standard of conformity, drove them farther 
 from the church. They could not ^vith a good conscience, 
 observe the new ecclesiastical impositions ; and, therelbre, 
 the chief among them were cited to appear at Lambetli ; | 
 among whom were Drs. Sampson and Wyburn, and Messrs. 
 Goodman, Lever, Walker, Golf, Deering, Field, Brown, 
 and Johnson. These divines were ready to subscribe to 
 the doctrines of faith and the sacraments, according to law, 
 but excused themselves from doing more. Goodman was 
 suspended, and constrained to sign a recantation. Lever 
 quietly resigned his prebend in the church of Durham. 
 Deering was long molested and suspended. Johnson suffered 
 similar treatment. Dr. Willoughby was deprived for re- 
 fusing the above canonical subscription. § Mr. Gilby and 
 Mr. Whittinghani endured many troubles for their non- 
 conformity. 
 
 These proceedings opened the eyes of the people ; and 
 the parliament in 1572, warmly espoused the cause of tlie 
 distressed ministers. The queen and bishops having most 
 shamefully abused their pretended spiritual power, two 
 bills were brought into the house, in one of which the 
 
 * MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 135. (1—2) 
 
 i Strype's Parker, p. 324, 325. $ Ibid, p. 326. ^ Ibid, p. 372. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 33 
 
 Iiardsliips under wliich tiie puritans groaned, were intended 
 to be redressed.* The bills passed smoothly tlirough the 
 commons, and were referred to a committee of both houses ; 
 which so alarmed tlie bishops, and gave such offence to the 
 queen, that, two days after, she acquainted the commons, 
 that it was her royal pleasure, that no bill relating to religion 
 should henceforth be introduced into that house, till after 
 the same had been considered and approved by the clergy ; 
 and she commanded the house to deliver up the two bills 
 last read, touching rites and ceremonies.i With this high 
 stretch of her majesty's prerogative, the commons quietly 
 and tamely complied, and their efforts came to nothing. 
 
 In the mean time, the bishops stuck close to the canonical 
 discipliiie ; enforced conformity with the utmost rigour ; 
 and, according to the computation of Mr. Strype,t there 
 were at least one hundred ministers deprived this year, for 
 refusing subscription. The university of Cambridge was, 
 indeed, become a nest of puritans. Dr, Browning and Mr. 
 lirown, both fellows of Trinity college, were convened 
 before the heads, and cast into prison for Jionconformity. 
 Mr. Clarke, fellow of Peter-house, and Mr. Millain, fellov/ 
 of Christ's college, were expelled from their colleges, and 
 banished from the university.^ Gut these severe proceedings 
 liad not the effect intended : for, instead of crushing the 
 nonconformists, the more they were persecuted, the more 
 they multiplied. 
 
 The puritans having in vain sought for a reformation 
 from the queen and the bishops, resolved to apply to the 
 parliament, and stand by the constitution. They published 
 a treatise, presenting their grievances in one view. It was 
 compiled by Mr. Field, assisted by Mr. Wilcocks, and 
 revised by others. The work was entitled " An Admonition 
 to the Parliament ;" to which were annexed, Beza's letter 
 to the Earl of Leicester, and Gaulter's to Bishop Parkhurst, 
 upon the reformation of church discipline. It contains 
 a platform of the church ; the manners of electing ministers; 
 with their several duties, and their equality in government. 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 394. 
 
 + D. Ewes's Journal, p. 207. — Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 125. 
 
 :J: Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 187. 
 
 ^ In opposition to the above facts, Bishop Maddox insinuates that great 
 favour and indulgence were shewn to the puritans, during this year; and 
 refers to the words of Mr. Strype, saying, " That they were as gently 
 treated as mis;ht be ; no kind of brotherly persuasion omitted towards 
 them ; and most of them as yet kept their livings ; though one or two were 
 displaced." What degree of truth is contained in this statement, every one 
 will easily judge. — 3Iaddox's Vind-cation, p. 173. 
 VOL. I. D 
 
34r INTRODUCTION. 
 
 It then exposes with some dc2;ree of sharpness the corrup- 
 tions of tiie church, and the proceedings of the bishops. 
 The admonition then concludes, by petitioning the houses, 
 tliat discipline, more consonant to the word of God, and 
 more agreeable to other reformed churches, may be esta- 
 blished by law. Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcocks presented it 
 themselves to the house, for which they were apprehended, 
 and sent to Newgate, where they remained in close and 
 miserable confinement at least fifteen months. While the 
 authors were thus prosecuted, the book spread abroad, and 
 soon passed through several editions.* 
 
 The leading puritans having presented their numerous 
 petitions to the queen, the bishops, and the parliament, to 
 little or no purpose, agreed to attempt to promote the desired 
 reformation in a more private way. For this purpose, they 
 erected a presbytery at Wandsworth, near London. The 
 members of this association were Messrs. Smith, Crane, 
 Field, Wilcocks, Standen, Jackson, Bonham, Saintloc, 
 and Edmunds ; to whom were afterwards joined Messrs. 
 Travers, Clarke, Barber, Gardiner, Chest on. Crook, Egerton, 
 and a number of respectable laymen. Eleven elders were 
 chosen, and their offices described in a register, entitled 
 " The Orders of Wandsworth." This was the first presby- 
 terian church in England. Notwithstanding that all ima- 
 ginable care was taken to keep their proceedings secret, the 
 bishops' eyes were upon them, who gave immediate intelli- 
 gence to the high commission ; upon which the queen issued 
 her royal proclamation for a more exact observance of the 
 act of uniformity. And though the bishops knew of the 
 presbytery, they could not discover its raenjbers, nor prevent 
 others from being erected in other parts of the kingdom. + 
 
 While multitudes of the best preachers were utterly 
 silenced, the church of England stood in the greatest need 
 of their zealous and faithful labours. It was, indeed, in a 
 most deplorable condition. The conformable clergy ob- 
 tained all the benefices in their power, and resided upon 
 none, utterly neglecting their cures : many of them alienated 
 the church lands, made unreasonable leases, wasted the 
 wood upon the lands, and granted reversions and advowsons 
 for their own advantage. The churches fell g-reatly into 
 decay, and became unfit for divine service. Among the 
 laity there was very little devotion ; and the Lord's day was 
 
 * For a circumstantial account of the controversy excited by the publi- 
 cation of the " Admonition," see Art. Thomas Cartwright. 
 
 f Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103. — Ncal's Puritans, -vol. i. p. 266. 
 
INTRODUCTION. SB 
 
 generally profaned. Many were mere lieatliens, epicures, 
 or atheists, especially those about the court; and good 
 men feared that some sore judgment hung over the nation.* 
 
 in the year 1573, the queen issued her royal proclama- 
 tion, " strictly commanding all archbishops and bishops, all 
 justices of assizes, and all others having authority, to put in 
 execution the act of uniformity of common prayer, with all 
 diligence and severity, neither favouring, nor dissembling 
 with any one person, who doth neglect, despise, or seek to 
 alter the godly orders and rites set forth in the said book.'* 
 The proclamation requires further, " that all who shall be 
 found nonconformable in the smallest matter, shall be imme- 
 diately apprehended and cast into prison ; all who shall 
 forbear coming to the common prayer, and receiving the 
 sacraments, according to the said book, shall be immediately 
 presented and punished ; and all who shall either in private 
 houses, or in public assemblies, use any other rites of com- 
 mon prayer and administration of sacraments, or shall 
 maintain in their houses any persons guilty of these things, 
 shall be punished with the utmost severity. "f This, from 
 the supreme governor of the church, inspired the zealous 
 prelates with new life and courage. They enforced sub- 
 scription upon the clergy with great rigour. Though the 
 forms of subscription varied in diflerent dioceses, that which 
 was most commonly imposed was the following : " I ac- 
 " knowledge the book of articles agreed upon by the clergy 
 "in the synod of 1563, and confirmed by the queen's, 
 " majesty, to be sound and according to the word of God.— 
 *' That the queen's majesty is the chief governor, next under 
 " Christ, of this church of England, as well in ecclesiastical 
 " as civil causes. — That in the Book of Common Prayer, 
 *' there is nothing evil or repugnant to the word of God, but 
 " that it may well be used in this our christian church of 
 " England. — And that as the public preaching of the word 
 " in this church of England is sound and sincere, so the 
 ^' public order in the ministration of the sacraments is con- 
 *' sonant to the word of God."^ 
 
 Upon the rigorous imposition of these forms, many minis- 
 ters not being able with a good conscience to comply, were 
 brought into great trouble. Messrs. Deering and Cartwright, 
 together with Dr. Sampson and other excellent divines, 
 endured much cruel usage for nonconformity.^ Dr. 
 Wyburn, and Messrs. Brown, Johnson, Field, Wilcocks, 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 395. + Sparrow's CoUec. p. 169, 170. 
 
 t: Parte of a Register, p. 81, ^ Stry pc's Annals, vol. ii. p. 265—282. 
 
36 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Sparrow, an<l Kino^, Merc deprived of tlieir liviiia^s, and foitv 
 of them coiumiKed (o Newgate. They were told, that if 
 tliey did not comply in a short time, they should be 
 banished, tliouj^li there was no law in existence to inflict 
 any such punishment.* Mr. Johnson, who was fellow of 
 Kiuij's college, Cambridge, and domestic chaplain to the 
 Lord Keeper Bacon, was tried at Westminster-hall for 
 nonconformity, and sent to the Gatehouse, where, through 
 his cruel imprisonment, he soon after died. Several others, 
 cast into prison at the same time, died under the pressures 
 of their confinement, Mr. Bonham, Mr. Standen and Mr. 
 Fenn, were committed to prison, where they remained a 
 long time. Mr. Wake, rector of Great-Billing ; Mr. Paget, 
 minister of Oundle; Mr. Mosely, minister of Hardingstone; 
 Mr. Gilderd, minister of Collingtree; and Mr. Dawson, 
 minister of Weston-Favell, all in the diocese of Peter- 
 borough, were first suspended for three weeks, and then 
 deprived of their livings. They were all useful preachers. 
 Four of them were licensed by the universit}, as learned and 
 religious divines, and three had been moderators ip the 
 religious exercises. Mr. Lowth, minister of Carlislf', was 
 prosecuted in the high commission at York: while Mr. 
 Sanderson and Dr. Crick, two learned and useful divines in 
 Norfolk, fell into the hands of the high conmiissioners in 
 the souti), when the latter was deprived of his preferment. 
 Many others in the diocese of Norwich refusing conformity, 
 were prosecuted in the ecclesiastical courts. + And Mr. 
 Aldrich, witli many otiiers in the university of Cambridge, 
 received much unchrisliau usage from the governing eccle- 
 siastics. At the same time, John Townley, esq. a layman, 
 was committed to prison for nonconformity, when Dean 
 Nowell, his near kinsman, presented a petition to the presi- 
 dent of the north and the A-rchbishop of York, for his 
 release.! 
 
 The 3 ear 1374 was memorable for the suppression of the 
 religious exercises, called propliesjylngs. Some of the 
 bishops being persuaded of the usefulness of these exercises, 
 discovered their unwillingness to put them down. This 
 gave great, offence to tiie queen, who addressed a letter to all 
 the bishops in England, peremptorily commanding them to 
 suppress them in their respective dioceses. Her majesty in 
 this discovered a most despotic and tyrannical spirit. All 
 the bi>»liops and clergy in the nation must bow to her 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p, 442, 413. + Ibid. p. 451, 452. 
 
 ;|: Baiter's MS. CoUec. vol. xxi. p. 382. 
 
OT 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 37 
 
 S(»vereio;n pleasure* Tliis was the royal lady who renounced 
 the infallibility of the Pope of Home. In these exercises, 
 the clergy were divided into classes, and each class was 
 under the direction of a moderator ajjpointed by the bishop 
 of the diocese. They were held once a Ibrtnight, when a 
 portion of scrii)tnre formed the subject of discussion. 
 They were holdeu publicly in the churches ; and besides 
 exposing the errors of popery, they were of unspeakable 
 service in promoting a knowledge of the script nres among 
 the people. But the jealous archbishop looked upon them 
 as the nurseries of puritanism, calling them vain prop/ie- 
 sf/ingsA They tended, in his opinion, to promote pojui- 
 larity, insubordination, and nonconformity. But ihc arch- 
 bishop did not long survive. For he died May 17, 1575 ; 
 when he was succeeded by Dr. Edmund Grindal, Arch- 
 bishop of York. He was a prelate of rigid and cruel 
 principles, and nmch concerned to establish an exact 
 uniformity in outward things, to the neglect of more 
 important matters.^: 
 
 During this year, a congregation of Dutch anabaptists 
 was discovered, without Aldgate, London; twoitij-seren 
 of whom were apprehendetl and cast into prison, an<l four 
 bearing fagots at Paul's cross, recanted their opinions. 
 Eight were banished from the kingdom, and two AAcre con- 
 demned to the flames, and burnt in .Siuithfield. The Dutcli 
 congregation in London interceded for their pardon, as did 
 Mr. Fox, the martyrologist ; but the queen remained in- 
 flexible, and the two poor men perfumed Smilhlield with 
 tlieir ashes.^ 
 
 The puritans, under all their hardships, had many able 
 friends at court, who stood firm in the cause of religious 
 liberty.* Therefore a committee was this year appointed 
 by parliament to draw up a bill '' For the Reformation of 
 Church Disci])line." But, as before, the house mo^t 
 probably received a check for attempting to interfere in 
 religious matter^i.|| 
 
 In the year 157G, many learned divines felt the vengeance 
 of the ruling prelates. Mr. Ilarvy and Mr. Gawton, in 
 
 » Sfrype's Grindal, Appcn. p. 85, Sfi. + Strype's Parker, p. IGI. 
 
 X Thoua;h a late writer affirms that Arcliblsliop Parker " was prudent, 
 gentle, and patient ;"'' Hume says " he was rigid in exuclin;i coiplf)iinity ti> 
 the established worship, and in punishing, by fines or deprivaiion, all the 
 puritanical clergymen, who attempted to innovate any thin^ in the habits, 
 ceremonies, or liturgy of the church." — Churton's Life of Sowell, p. 113. 
 —Hume's Hist, of Eng. vol. v. p. 188. 
 
 S See Art. Fox. !1 MS. Remarks, p, 463. 
 
38 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 addition to many other troubles, were both suspended for 
 nonconformity. As the storm ajjproached, the ministers of 
 Norfolk prepared for it, by presenting their humble sup- 
 plication to the council, in which they express themselves 
 as follows: — "As touching your letters wherein you say, 
 that her majesty is fully bent to remove all those, who 
 cannot be persuaded to conform themselves to all orders 
 established, it grievetli our souls very much, considering 
 what desolation is likely to come upon the poor flock of 
 Christ, by being tlius bereaved of many excellent pastors, 
 "who dare not yield to that conformity. Yet knowing that 
 the hearts of ])rinces are in the hands of God, we commit 
 our cause, being God's own cause, unto him, waiting for 
 a liappy issue at his hands. In the mean time, we pour 
 out our prayers before the throne of his mercy, to direct 
 lier majesty to promote his glory, lamenting our sins, and 
 the sins of the land, as the reason of our p^-ince being set 
 against so godly a cause, 
 
 " As for ourselves, though we are willing to yield our 
 bodies, goods, and lives to our sovereign prince, we dare 
 not yield to this conformity, for fear of that terrible threat- 
 ening of the Lord Jesus : * Whosoever shall oflend one of 
 these little ones, it were better for him that a mill-stone were 
 hanged about his neck, and that he were cast into the 
 depth of the sea.' And though we have ever so much 
 knowledge of christian liberty, we dare not cause our weak 
 brother to perish, for whom Christ died. For in sinning 
 against them, and wounding their consciences, we sin 
 against Christ. We conclude with the apostle, ' Where- 
 fore if meat (so we say of ceremonies) make my brother 
 to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest 
 I make my brother to offend.' Therefore we dare not yield 
 to these ceremonies, because, so far from edifying and 
 building up tlie church, they have rent it asunder, and 
 torn it in pieces, to its great misery and ruin, as God 
 knoweth ; and unless some mitigation be granted, still 
 greater misery and ruin Avill follow, by stopping the 
 mouths of the servants of God. 
 
 *' Although her majesty be incensed against us, as if we 
 would obey no laws, we take the Lord of heaven and earth 
 to witness, that we acknowledge, from the bottom of our 
 hearts, her majesty to be our lawful queen, placed over us 
 by God for our good ; and we give God our most humble 
 and hearty thanks for her happy government ; and, both 
 in public and private, we constantly pray for her prosperity. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 39 
 
 We renounce all foreign power, and acknowledge lier 
 majesty's supremacy to be lawful and just. We detest all 
 error and heresy. Vet we desire that her majesty will not 
 think us disobedient, seeing we suffer ourselves to be dis- 
 placed, rather than jdeld to some things required. Our 
 bodies, and goods, and all we have, are in her majesty's 
 hands ; only our souls we reserve to our God, who alone is 
 able to save us or condemn us. 
 
 " We humbly crave," say they, " that you will deal 
 with her majesty, in our behalf. Let her majesty under- 
 stand, that all laws commanding things Avhich edify not, 
 but are offensive, are contrary to the word of God. Let 
 her further understand how dangerous a thing it is, to urge 
 the observance of human ceremonies with greater severity, 
 than the observance of the law of God. The word of God 
 is in danger of being made of no effect, by the traditions 
 of men. Though, in scripture, ministers are commanded 
 to preach the word of God, this is now not half so strictly 
 examined and enforced, as the observance of the ceremonies. 
 Through the Avhole land it is manifest, that a minister Avho 
 is conformable to the ceremonies, may continue on his 
 charge undisturbed, though he cannot teach : so if he be 
 ever so able to teach as God hath commanded, yet if he 
 cannot conform to those ceremonies which men have devised 
 and appointed, he must not continue in the ministry. This 
 must needs be preferring the ordinance of man before the 
 word of God."* 
 
 This supplication proving ineffectual, Messrs. John iNIore, 
 Richard Crick, George Leeds, Thomas Roberts, A'^incent 
 Goodwin, Richard Dowe, and John Mapes, all ministers 
 in or near the city of Norwich, were suspended. t Mr. 
 Thickpenny, a minister of good learning, and much be- 
 loved by his parishioners, was suspended for nonconformity. 
 Mr. Greenham, a divine of a most excellent spirit, received 
 the like treatment, because he could not in conscience sub- 
 scribe and wear the habits, though he cautiously avoided 
 speaking against them, lest he should give ofl'ence. Mr. 
 Rockrey, a divine of great eminence at Cambridge, was 
 twice expelled from the university for a similar offence. Mr. 
 Field and Mr. Wilcocks having already suffered a long 
 and painful imprisonment, were brought into fresh troubles. 
 They were convened before Bishop Aylmer, who pro- 
 nounced Mr. Field obstinate, for having taught children in 
 
 ^ MS. Register, p. 253—256, + Ibid. p. 285, 
 
40 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 genilemens' liouscs, contrary lo the proliibition of tlie arcli- 
 bisliop. Aylmer recomnieuded, as their puiiisliment, tJiat 
 they should both be sent into the most barbarous parts 
 of the country, where they might be profitably employed 
 in turnino- the people from the errors of popery. Mr. 
 Whittiugham, dean of Durham, a divine of distinguisiied 
 eminence, was exercised with many troubles, which con- 
 tinued to the day of his death. 
 
 In tlie year 1579, Mr. Lawrence, already mentioned, 
 was suspended by his diocesan. Though repeated interces- 
 sions were made for him, particularly by the lord treasurer, 
 the bishop peremptorily refused to restore liim, without a 
 perfect conformity to all the rites and ceremonies. Mr. 
 Merbury underwent a long examination before the high 
 commission, when he was treated with much foul, abusive 
 language. Bishop Aylmer, seldom sparing in bitter in- 
 vectives, called him " a rer?/ ass, an idiot, and a fool.^'' 
 He was then sent to the Marshalsea, where he remained a 
 prisojier several years. Aylmer, indeed, was not behind 
 any of his brethren in the persecution of tlie puritans. 
 This prelate, to enforce a due observance of the ecclesias- 
 tical orders, cited the London ministers before him no less 
 than five times in one year. On these occasions, he made 
 inquisition whether they truly and faithfully observed all 
 tilings contained in the Book of Common Prayer ; whether 
 any preached without a license; and whether any kept 
 private conventicles. In the visitation of his diocese, he 
 inquired of ministers, cluirci] wardens, and sworn-men, in 
 every parish, whether there were any persons who refused 
 to conform, to attend the church, or to receive the commu- 
 Tiion; and for what cause they refused. He required all 
 ministers to wear the surplice, to keep to the exact order 
 of public service, and to observe all the ceremonies without 
 the slightest alteration. His lordship had no mercy on 
 such as did not comply in every punctilio : and warmly 
 declared, that he would surely and severely punish ofhgnders, 
 or, " I will lie," said he, " in the dust for it."* 
 
 This prelate had very little com])assion in his nature, 
 and apparently as little regard for the laws of the country, 
 or the cries of the people for the word of God. There 
 was a great scarcity of preachers in all parts of England ; 
 and even the cily of London was now in a most lamentable 
 state, as appears from their petition to paiiiaraentj in which 
 
 * Strype's Aylmer, p. 64, 65, 81—83. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 41 
 
 are these words : — " There are in this city a ffrcat number 
 of churches, but the one-half of them at the least are utterly 
 unfurnished of preacliing ministers, and are pestered with 
 candlesticks not of s:old, but of clay, with watchmen that 
 have no eyes, and clouds that have no water: the other 
 half, partly by means of nonresidents, which are very 
 many; and partly throuo-h the poverty of many meanly 
 qualified, there is scarcely the tenth man that makes con- 
 science to wait upon his char<je, whereby the Lord's 
 sabbath is often Avholly neglected, and for the most part 
 miserably manoled ; ignorance increaseth, and wickedness 
 conies upon us like an armed man. Therefore Ave humbly 
 on our knees beseech this honourable assembly, in the 
 bowels and blood of Jesus Christ, to become humble 
 suitors to her majc^sty, that Ave may ha\e guides ; that the 
 bread of life may be brought home to us; that the pipe^ of 
 Avater may be brought into our assemblies ; that there may 
 be food and refresliing for us, our poor Avives and forlorn 
 children : so shall the Lord have his due honour: you shall 
 discharge good duty to her majestj^ ; many languishing 
 souls shall be comlbrted; atheism and heresy banished; 
 her majesty have more faithful subjects; and you more 
 hearty praters for your prosperity in this life, and full 
 haj)pitiess iii the life to come."* 
 
 in the county of CoruAvall there were one Inmdred and 
 forty clergymen, scarcely any of Avhoni could preach a 
 sermon, and most of them Avere pluralists and nonresidents. 
 The inhabitants of the county, in their supplication to the 
 parliament, gave the folloAving affecting description of their 
 case : — '• We have about one hundred and sixty churches, 
 the greatest part of Avhich are supplied by men Avho are 
 guilty of the grossest sins; some fornicators, some adulterers, 
 some felons, bearing the marks in their hands for the said 
 offence; some drunkards, gamesters on the sabbath-day, 
 Szc. We have many nonresidents, Avho preach but once 
 a quarter ; so that betAveen meal and meal the silly sheep 
 may starA^e. We have some ministers Avho labour painfully 
 and faithfully in the Lord's husbandry ; but they are not 
 suffered to attend their callings, because the mouths of 
 papists, infidels, and filthy livers, are open against them, 
 and the ears of those Avho are called lords over them, are 
 sooner open to their accusations, though it be only for 
 ceremonies, than to the others' ansAvers. Nor is it safe for 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 302. 
 
42 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 us to hear them ; for though our own fountains are dried up, 
 yet if we seek for tlie waters of life elsewhere, we are cited 
 into the spiritual courts, reviled, and threatened with ex- 
 communication."* The ground of this scarcity was the 
 violence of the high commission, and the narrow terms of 
 conformity. Most of the old incumbents, says Dr. Iveltridge, 
 were disguised papisls, more tit to sport with the timbrel 
 and pipe, than to take into their hands the book of God.f 
 
 The common topic of conversation now was the Queen's 
 marriage with the Duke of Anjou, a notorious papist. j 
 All true protestants were displeased and under alarming 
 apprehensions. The puritans in general protested against 
 the match, dreading the consequence of having a froteslant 
 bodt/^ under a popish head. Mr. John Stubbs, a student 
 of Lincoln's-inn, and a gentleman of excellent abilities, 
 published a book, entitled " The Discoverie of the Gaping 
 Gulph, whereinto England is like to be swallowed by 
 another French marriage, if the Lord forbid not the banns, 
 by letting her Majestic see the sin and punishment thereof." 
 It no sooner came forth, than the queen issued her procla- 
 mation to suppress the book, and apprehend the author and 
 printer. Stubbs the author. Singleton the printer, and 
 Page the disperser, were apprehended, and sentenced to 
 have their right hands cut off. Singleton was pardoned, 
 but Stubbs aTid Pa<re were broug-ht to a scaffold erected at 
 Westminster; where, with terrible formality, their right 
 Iiands were cut off, by driving a cleaver through the wrist 
 wit h a mallet ; but as soon as Stubbs's r/W/i hand was cut 
 off, he pulled off his hat with Ms left, and, to the great 
 amazement of the spectators, exclaimed God save the 
 Queen.S He was then sent to the Tower, Avhere he re- 
 mained a long time; but afterAvards proved himself a loyal 
 subject, and a valiant and faithful commander in the wars 
 in Ireland. 
 
 Many of the puritans being dissatisfied with the terms of 
 conformity, and the episcopal ordination of the church of 
 England, went to Antwerp and other places, where they 
 received ordination according to the practice of the foreign 
 reformed churches. Among these were Messrs. Cartwright, 
 Fenner, Ashton, Travers, and Wright. The last, upon 
 his return, became domestic chaplain to Lord Rich; but 
 for saying, that " to keep the queen's birth-day as an 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 300. + Strype's Aylmer, p. 32. 
 
 X Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 566. 
 
 S Rennet's Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 487. 
 
liNTRODUCTION. 43 
 
 holidm/, was to make her an idol" Bishop Ayhner com- 
 mitted him to the Fleet. Lord Rich, for attemptiiio^ to 
 vindicate him, was at the same time sent to tlie Marsiial- 
 sea, and Mr. Dix to the Gatehouse.* Mr. Morley, a 
 Norfolk minister, and Mr. Handson, preacher at Bury St. 
 Edmunds, were bqth greatly molested, and suspended for 
 nonconformity. The lord treasurer, with several other 
 eminent persons, interceded with the bishop for the resto- 
 ration of Mr, Handson, but all to no purpose. The angry- 
 prelate peremptorily declared, that he should not be re- 
 stored, unless he would publicly acknowledge his fault, 
 and enter into bonds for his good behaviour in future. Mr. 
 Drewit was committed to Newgate, and Mr. Nash to the 
 Marshalsea, where they remained a long time. Also, 
 during this year, Mathew Ilament, a poor plow-wright at 
 Hethersett, near Norwich, being suspected of holding 
 many unsound and dangerous opinions, was convened 
 before the Bishop of Norwich, condemned as an heretic, 
 and, May 20th, committed to the flames in the castle-ditch. 
 As a preparative to this punishment, his ears were cut off 
 on the 13th of the same month.f These proceedings were 
 too conformable to those of the church of Rome. 
 
 Great numbers of pious and learned ministers were now 
 indicted at the assizes, for omitting to use the surplice, the 
 cross in baptism, the ring in marriage, or some part of the 
 common prayer. They were ranked with the worst of 
 felons, and exposed to public contempt, to the great dis- 
 honour of God, and injury of her majesty's subjects. 
 Many persons of quality in the various counties of England, 
 petitioned the lords of the council in behalf of the perse- 
 cuted ministers. In the Suffolk petition are these words : — 
 '' The painful pastors and ministers of the word, by what 
 justice we know not, are now of late brought to the bar at 
 every assize ; marshalled with the worst malefactors, in- 
 dicted, arraigned, and condemned for matters, as Ave pre- 
 sume, of very slender moment : some for having holidays 
 unbidden ; some for singing the hymn nunc dimiltis in the 
 morning ; some for turning the question in baptism from 
 the infants to the godfathers, which is only you, for thou ; 
 some for leaving out the cross in baptism ; some for leaving 
 out the ring in marriage ; whereunto," say they, " neither 
 the law, nor the lawmakers, in our judgment, had ever any 
 regard.^ 
 
 * Strype's Ajlraer, p. 86. f Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 280,281, 
 
 % Parte of a Register, p. 128. 
 
44 INTRODUCTlOxN. 
 
 But instead of relievinj^ the suffering ministers, their 
 burdens were greatly increased. In the year 1580, the 
 parliament passed a law, entitled " An Act to retain the 
 Queen's Subjects in their due Obedience," Avhicli enacted 
 *' That ail persons who do not come to clnirch or chapel, 
 or other place where common prayer is said, according to 
 the act of uniformity, sliall forfeit tiocntjj pounds per moi-ith 
 io the queen, and suffer imprisonment till paiiL Those 
 who are absent for twelve mouths, shall, besides their 
 former fine, be bound with two sufficient sureties in a bond 
 of tTXo hundred pounds^ until ihey conform. And every 
 schoohnaster who does not come to common prayer, shall 
 forfeit ten pounds a months be disabled from teaching school, 
 and suffer a year's imprisonment."* This, says a" learned 
 churchman, was little better than making merchandize of 
 souls.t The fine was, indeed, uiunerciful, and the com- 
 moji people had notlujig to expect but to rot in jails. 
 
 The legislafure, by these violent measures, overshot the 
 mark, and instead of crushing the puritans, or reconciling 
 them to the church, they drove them farther from it. Men 
 of integrity will not easily be beaten from their principles 
 by canons, injunctions, subscriptions, fines, or imprison- 
 ment; much less will they esteem the church fighting 
 with such weapons. Multitudes were by these methods 
 driven to a total separation, and they became so far oj)posed 
 to the persecuting cliurcli of England, as not to allow it to 
 be a true church, nor its ministers true ministers. They 
 renounced all conniiunion v.ith it, not only in the prayers 
 and ceremonies, but in hearing the word and the sacraments. 
 These were called Brownists, from Robert Brown, at this 
 time a preacher in the diocese of Norwich. The iirownists 
 did not differ from tlie cJiurch of England in matters of faith ; 
 but were very rigid in points of discipline. T-liey main- 
 tained the discipline of the church of England to be popish 
 and antichristian, and all her ordinances to be invalid. 
 They apprehended that, according to scripture, every 
 church ought to be confined within a single congregation ; 
 and the choice of its officers, and the admission and exclu- 
 sion of members, with all its other regulations, ought to be 
 determined by the brotherhood. Many of the Brownists 
 were great sn^lerers ir\ their zeal for nonconformity : among 
 these Mere Mr. Copping and Mr. Thacker, ministers in the 
 county of Suffolk. After suflering imprisonment seven 
 
 * Burn's Eccl. Law, vol. ii. p. 146. 
 + Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 13K 
 
INTRODUCTION. 45 
 
 years, for spreading Brown's Ijooks against tlie bishops and 
 <I)e established church, they were tried, condemned, and 
 lianged at Bury St. Edmunds. At the same time, Mr. 
 John Lewis, tor denying the godhead of Christ, and, it is 
 isaid, for holding other detestable heresies, was burnt at 
 Norwich, September 17, 1583.* 
 
 Upon the deatli of Archbishop Grindal,f Dr. John 
 Whitgift became Archbishop of Canlerbury, and was con- 
 firmed Septemljer 23, 1583. The queen charged him " to 
 restore the discipline of the church, and the luiiformity 
 cstablislied by law, which," says she, " through the con- 
 nivance of some prelates, the obstinacy of the puritans, 
 and the power of some noblemen, is run out of sqiiar€.''''X 
 Therefore, in obedience to her majesty's royal command, 
 the new archbishop immediately published the following 
 articles, and sent them to the bishops of his province, for 
 their direction in the government of their dioceses : — 
 " That all reading, preaching, catechising, and praying in 
 any private family, Avherc any are present besides the 
 family, be utterly extinguished. — Tiiat none do preach or 
 catechise except he also read the wh.ole service, and admi- 
 nister the sacrament four times a year. — That all preachers, 
 and others in ecclesiastical orders, do at all times wear the 
 habits prescribed. — And that none be admitted to preach, 
 or to execute any part of the ecclesiastical function, unless 
 they be ordained according to the manner of the church of 
 England ; nor unless they subscribe the three following 
 articles." 
 
 1. " That the queen hath, and ought to have, the sove- 
 " reignty and rule over all manner of persons, born 
 " w ithin her dominions, of w hat condition soever they be ; 
 *-^ and that none other power or potentate hath, or ought to 
 '• have, any power, ecclesiastical or civil, within her realms 
 '♦ or dominions. 
 
 2. " That the Book of Common Prayer, and of ordaining 
 " bishops, priests, and deacons, containeth in it nothing 
 *• contrary to the word of God, but may be lawfully used ; 
 
 * Parallel betwixt Phanatics, p. 11. Edit. 1661 : from Stow. 
 
 + Grindal, in his latter days, was much inclined to favour the puritans, 
 and was, with great difRculty, brought to punish them for their noncon- 
 formity. He had not sat long in the chair of Canterbury, before he was 
 suspended and confined in his own house, for not suppressing the religious 
 exercises called Prophesyings, which his conscience told him should have 
 been encouraged and promoted. He continued under the tyrannical cen- 
 sure several years. — Hume's tiist. of Eng. vol. v. p, 188. — Qranger's Biog. 
 Hist. vol. i, p, 204. 
 
 t Kennet's Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p, 494. 
 
46 INTRODUCTION". 
 
 « and that lie himself will use the same, and none other, irt 
 *' public prayer and administration of the sacraments. 
 
 3. " That he alloweth the book of articles, aj^reed upon 
 " in tlie convocation holden at London in 13()2, and set 
 "■ forth by her majesty's authority ; and he believe all the 
 " articles therein contained to be agreeable to the word 
 « of God."* 
 
 These were called Whitgift's articles, because he was 
 their principal author. Subscription to them was required 
 for many years, without the warrant of any statute or canon 
 whatsoever. By Whitgift's strict imposition of them upon 
 all ministers, multitudes who refused to comply were sus- 
 pended and deprived. They would most cordially have 
 subscribed to ihejirst and thirds but could not in conscience 
 subscribe, " That the Book of Common Pra} er and Ordi- 
 nation contained nothing contrary to the word of God,''\ 
 These proceedings excited universal alarm, and great num- 
 bers of worthy ministers were brought under the eccle- 
 siastical censure. Sixty-four ministers were suspended in 
 the county of Norfolk, sixty in Suffolk,^ thirty in Sussex, 
 thirty-eight in Essex, twenty in Kent, and twenty-one in 
 Lincolnshire. Among those in the county last mentioned, 
 were Messrs. Charles Bingham, vicar of Croft, John 
 Somerscales of Beseby, Joseph Gibson of Swaby, William 
 Muming, vicar of Claxby, Reiguald Grome of Thedilthorp 
 
 * Strype's Whifcrift, p. 115, 116. f MS. Register, p. 513. 
 
 :f The names, of those suspended in Suftolk, were the following, forty- 
 four of the last being suspended on one day; — Nicholas Konnd, minister 
 of Norton; Richard Grandish, A.M. rector of Bradfield; Lawrance 
 Whitaker, A. B. rector of Bradfield ; Richard Holden, A. H. rector of 
 Testock; Gaulter Allen, B. 1). of Rushbrook; Reignald Whitfield, A.M. 
 of Barrow; Thomas Rogers of Ilorningsheath ; Anthony Rowe of Hedgesset; 
 Thomas Warren; William Cook; William Holden ; Nicholas Bonnington, 
 rector of CheUisham ; John Tylmen, A, M. of Borgbolt; Richard Dowe, 
 A.M. vicar of Stratford ; John Carter, A.M. vicar of Bramford ; Martin 
 Brige, A. M. vicar of Brettenham ; Henry Sandes of Boxford ; John 
 Hoidcn, rector of Bildcston ; Thomas Cranshawe, A. M. rector of Boxted; 
 Peter Cook, curate to Mr. Cranshawe; John Knewstubs, B. D. rector of 
 Cockfield; William Hey, rector of Nedging; John Aulthroppe of Sud- 
 bury ; Robert Ballard, A. B. rector of Clare: Lawrance Fairclough, vicar 
 of Havcrhil ; John Ward ; Nicholas Egleston, rector of Stradshill ; 
 William Turner, rector of Wratting-Parva; Robert Prick of Denham; 
 Thomas Sutton, A. M. rector of Eriswell ; Josias Hallington, Edmund 
 Salmon, Thomas Jetfraye, Thomas Wattis, Mr. Phillips, Roger Nutle, 
 Roger Geffrey, John Smith, John Forthe, Thomas Moore, William Browne, 
 John Cooper, William Flemming, Robert Sweete, William Bentloc, John 
 Smith, Thomas Hagas, Daniel Dennis, George Webb, William Bend, John 
 English, Thomas Fowle, Robert Cotsford, Richard King, Mr. Lovell, Mr. 
 "Walsh, Mr. Pigge, Mr. Hill, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Crick.— .WS. Regutert 
 p. 437. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 47 
 
 St. Hellen, Mr. Sheppard, vicar of Bardiiey, Mr. Bradley 
 of Torksey, Mr. Huddlestone of Saxilby, Mr. Rellet of 
 Carlton in Moreland, Mr. Nelson of Skinnand, Mr. Hughe 
 of Silk-Willoug-hby, Mr. Daniel of Ingolsby, Mr. Richard 
 Holdsworth of Boothby, Mr. Thomas Fulbeck of Boultham, 
 Mr. Anthony Hunt of West-Deeping, and Mr. Richard 
 Allen of Ednam.* Great numbers in the diocese of Peter- 
 borough, in the city of London, and other parts of the 
 kingdom, received the like ecclesiastical censure. 
 
 Multitudes of the best ministers and most laborious 
 preachers in the nation, as the Earl of Leicester observes, 
 "vvere now deprived of their ministry. + The terrible storm 
 fell upon Mr. Fenner and Mr. Wood, who were imprisoned 
 twelve months, and suspended seven or eight years. Mr. 
 Stroud was deprived of his ministry, and commanded to 
 leave the country. He had so high a rejjutation, and was 
 so universally beloved, that no less than thirteen petitions 
 were presented to the archbishop for his restoration ; but all 
 to no purpose. Messrs. Underdown, Hopkinson, Norden, 
 and Hely, together with Mr. Anthony Hobson, vicar of 
 Leominster; Mr. John German, vicar of Buringham ; Mr- 
 Richard Whitaker, vicar of Almcrby ; Mr. William Clark, 
 vicar of Langton ; Mr. John Bingham, minister of Iladleigh, 
 Mr. Turner, Mr. Star, Mr. Jackson, and many others, were 
 all suspended at the same time.t Mr. Hill, minister at 
 Bury St. Edmunds, for having omitted the cross in baptism, 
 and making some trivial alteration in the vows, was sus- 
 pended, several times indicted at the as.sizes, and committed 
 to prison, where he continued a long time. The venerable 
 Mr. Fenn was cited to Lam.beth and suspended. Messrs. 
 Hooke, Paget, and Oxcj (bridge, suifered the like eccle- 
 siastical censure. Mr. Daniel Dyke, a most excellenl 
 divine, was twice suspended, deprived of his ministry, and 
 driven out of the county. Mr. Benison was committed to 
 the Gatehouse, where, to his unspeakal)le injury, he re- 
 mained iive years. Upon his application to the council, 
 the lords were so moved with the reading of his case, that 
 they wrote to Bishop Aylmer, signifying that he ought to 
 make the good man some considerable recompence for his 
 hard dealing. Dr. Browning was deprived of his fellowship 
 at Cambridge, and forced from the university. Mr. Brayne, 
 another learned divine at Cambridge, was cited to Lambeth, 
 and, refusing the oath ex officio^ was suspended. Many 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 696—712. f Ibid, 51S, ; Ibid. p. 395. 
 
48 INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 ofheis in the diocese of Ely were prosecuted for noncon- 
 fomiity. Also Messrs. Barber, Field, Egerton, and Rockrey, 
 were all suspended, part of -vvlioin coutiuued under tlic 
 censure many years. Mr. EUisloii of Presloii, in North- 
 amptonshire, "was, for three years toji^elher, continually 
 molested and cited before the prelates. During that jicriod, 
 Le had ten journies to London, seven to Peterborough, one 
 to Cambridge, and many to Leicester and Northampton. 
 He was greatly impoverished, suspended from his ministry, 
 and deprived of his living. Mr. Cawdrey, rector of 
 Luffenham in Rutlandshire, a divine of good reputation, 
 "was suspended, deprived, cast into prison, degraded from 
 the ministry, and, with a family of eight children, left to 
 starve as a mere layman : also, during his troubles, which 
 continued many years, he had ^ajew^y-^a:ioex})eiisive journies 
 to London. Mr. John 11 olden, rector of Bikleston, was 
 suspended and excomnmnicated for not subscribing to 
 Whitgift^s articles.* Mr. Hopkins, vicar' of Nazing, in 
 Essex, was, for the same thing, deprived of his benefice. 
 Mr. Whiting of Panfield, was twice suspended, and then 
 deprived. Mr. Hawkdon, vicar of Fryon, was indicted at 
 the assizes, suspended, and deprived of his living. Mr. 
 Huckle of Ey thorp- Roding, was suspended: and though 
 the lords of the council applied to the bisliop for his 
 restoration, his grace positively refused. Mr. Cornwell of 
 Markshall, was suspended, and openly reviled by the 
 bishop, who called him wretch, and beast, and committed 
 liim to the custody of his pursuivant. Mr. Negus of Leigh, 
 was suspended and deprived, for not promising to wear the 
 surplice, though there was no surplice in the parish. Mr. 
 Seridge of East Havingficld, was suspended and three 
 times indicted at the assizes. Mr. Carew of Hatfield, being 
 cited before the bishop, and refusing the oath e:v officio, was 
 suspended, deprived, and committed to the Fleet; and Mr. 
 Allen, his patron, was committed at the same time. Mr. 
 Giftbrd, vicar of Maldon, was twice suspended, and cast 
 into prison, and his troubles continued several years. Mr. 
 Morley of Ridgwell, having been molested several years, 
 was indicted at the assizes, committed to prison, and obliged 
 to enter into bonds not to preach any more within the 
 diocese of London. Upwards of thirty other ministers in 
 the county of Essex were suspended, deprived, or worse 
 treated, by the inhuman proceedings of Bishop Aylraen 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 586, 587, 
 
INTRODUCTION. 49 
 
 for refusing to subscribe, wear the surplice, or some other 
 trivial matter.* He, moreover, advised the heads of the 
 university of Cambridge to call in all their licenses, and 
 expel all who refused to wear the apparel, saying, " The 
 folly that is bound up in the heart of a child, is to be 
 expelled by the rod of discipline. "t This cruel, perse- 
 cuting prelate might, therefore, with truth say, " He was 
 hated like a dog, and was called the oppressor of the 
 children of God.'"t 
 
 While the puritans were suffering the above extremities, 
 there was the greatest scarcity of preachers in all parts of 
 the kingdom. It appears from an impartial survey of all 
 the counties of England, that there were only 2000 preachers, 
 to serve nearly 10,000 parishes : § and while many of the 
 best and most useful preachers were silenced, there were 
 multitudes of pluralists, nonresidents, and ministers, who 
 could not preach. There were 416 ministers who could 
 not preach in the county of Norfolk, 457 in Lincolnshire, 
 and the same in other counties. || Numerous petitions were, 
 at the same time, presented to parliament in favour of the 
 suffering nonconformists ; but by the opposition and in- 
 fluence of Whitgift and other prelates, they were rejected. 5 
 The lords of the council being much concerned for the 
 persecuted ministers, wrote to Whitgift and Aylmer, 
 saying, " That they had received complaints, that great 
 numbers of zealous and learned preachers in various coun- 
 ties, especially in Essex, were suspended or deprived ; that 
 there was no preaching, prayers, or sacraments m the 
 vacant places ; that in some places, the persons appointed 
 lo succeed them, had neither good learning, nor good 
 
 * The names of these per;ecuted servanls of Christ, were the follow ing : — 
 Messrs. Wyresdale of Maldon, Carr of Rayiie. Tonstal of Totham, Pigj^ot 
 of Tilbury, Ward of Writtle, Dyke of Coggcshall, Nortiiey of Colchester, 
 Newman of Coggeshall, Taye of Pildon, Parker of Dedham, Farrar of 
 Langham, Serls of Lexden, Lewis of St. Peter's, Colchester, Cock of St. 
 Giles's, Colchester, Beaumont of Easthorpe, Redrige of Hutton, Chaplain 
 of Hempsted, Culverwell of Felsted, Chapman of Dedham, Knevit, 5lile- 
 end, Colchester, Rogers of Wethersfield, Wilton of Aldham, Forth of 
 Great-GIaston, Winkfield of Wicks, Dent of South-Southberry, Pain of 
 •Tolesbury, Barker of Prittlewell, Larking of Littie-Waltham, Camillas 
 Ilusticus of Fangy, Howell of Paglesham, Maiburne of Great- Makering, 
 Knight of Hempsted, and Chadwick of Danbury. These, says our author, 
 are the painful ministers of Essex, of whom says the bishop, " You shall 
 *e white with me, or I will be black with you." — MS. Reeister, p. 5S4, 
 141,742. 
 
 f Strype's Aylmer, p. 69. t Ibid. p. 96. 
 
 ^ MS. Register, p. 206. j) Ibid. p. 696. 
 
 •5 Strypes Whitgift, p. n6r— 183. 
 
 VOL I. E 
 
60 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 name ; and that in other places, a great number of persoti? 
 occupying cures, were notoriously unfit, some for lack of 
 learning, and others chargeable with enormous faults : asj 
 drunkenness, filthiness of life, gaming at cards, haunting 
 of ale-houses, &c. against whom tbey heard of no pro- 
 ceedings."* The Lord Treasurer Burleigh, also, him- 
 self addressed the archbishop, saying, " I am sorry to 
 trouble you so oft as I do, but I am more troubled myself, 
 not only with many private petitions of ministers, recom- 
 mended for persons of credit, and peaceable in their 
 ministry, who are greatly troubled by your grace and 
 your colleagues ; but I am daily charged by counsellors 
 and public persons, with neglect of my duty, in not 
 staying your grace's vehement proceedings against minis- 
 ters, whereby papists are encouraged, and the queen's 
 safety endangered. — I have read over your tzDenty-four 
 articles, formed in a Romish stijle, to examine all manner 
 of ministers, and to be executed ex officio nuro. I think 
 the Inquisition of Spain used not so many questions to 
 comprehend and to trap their priests. Surely this judicial 
 and canonical sifting of poor ministers, is not to edify or 
 reform. This kind of proceeding is too much savouring 
 of the Romish Inquisition, and is a device to seek for 
 offenders, rather than to reform thcm."f But these appli- 
 cations were to no purpose : for, as Fuller observes, 
 *' This was the constant custom of Whitgift ; if any lord 
 or lady sued for favour to any nonconformist, he would 
 -profess how glad he was to serve them, and gratify their 
 desires, assuring them for his part, that all possible kindness 
 should be indulged to them, but he would remit nothing of 
 his rigour. Thus he never denied any great man's desire, 
 and yet never granted it ; pleasing tliem for the present 
 with general promises, but still kept to his own resolution ; 
 whereupon the nobility ceased making any further applica- 
 tion to him, knowing them to be ineffectual. "j 
 
 The commons in parliament, at the same time, were not 
 unmindful of the liberties of the subject. They presented 
 a petition to the upper house, consisting of sixteen articles, 
 with a view to further the reformation of the church, to 
 remove the grievances of the puritans, and to promote aa 
 union of the conformists and nonconformists. But by the 
 opposition of the bishops, nothing could be done.§ All 
 that the puritans could obtain, was a kind of conference 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 151. + Ibid. p. 155. 
 
 t Ibid. p. 21». ^ D. Ewes's Jouraal, p. 337—359. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 51 
 
 betwixt the Archbishop and the Bishop of Winchester, on 
 the one part; and Dr. Sparke and Mr. Travers, on the 
 other, in the presence of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Gray, 
 Sir Francis Walsingham, and some others. The confer- 
 ence was lield at Lambeth, concerning things needful to be 
 reformed in the Book of Common Prayer.* 
 
 In the year 1586, the persecution of the puritans went for- 
 wards with unabatingfury. The celebrated Mr. Travers was 
 silenced by Archbishop Whitgift. Mr. Udal was sus- 
 pended and deprived of his living. Mr. Glover was con- 
 vened before VVhitgift, and cast into prison. Mr. Moore 
 was cited before the high commission at York, where he 
 endured many troubles. Mr. Hildersham, a most excel- 
 lent divine, was suspended, and commanded to make a 
 public recantation. Dr. Walward, a learned professor of 
 divinity at Oxford, and Mr. Gillibrand, fellow of Mag- 
 dalen college in the same university, were both cited 
 before the high commission at Lambeth ; when they were 
 suspended, enjoined public recantations, and obliged to 
 enter into bonds till they were performed. Mr. Gardiner 
 was deprived and committed to Newgate by Bishop 
 Aylmer, from whom he received most cruel usage. Mr. 
 Wigginton, vicar of Sedburgh, Avas deprived of his living, 
 and altcrwards apprehended and carried before Whitgift ; 
 who, upon his refusal of the oath ex officio, committed 
 him to prison, where he was treated with tlie utmost bar- 
 barity. The tyrannical archbishop also deprived him a 
 second time, and degraded him from the ministry. Mr. 
 Wigginton aftenvards obtaining his release, returned 
 home ; and venturing to preach after his lordship's cen- 
 sure, he was apprehended and sent prisoner to Lancaster 
 castle, where he remained a long time under very cruel 
 usage. At the same time, about one hundred and forty of 
 his people, for hearing him preach, were excommuni- 
 cated. The zealous minister having at length obtained 
 his liberty, was again apprehended and carried before 
 Whitgift, who, for refusing the above oath, committed 
 him to the Gatehouse, where he continued most probably 
 till he consented to be banished. Mr. Settle, a Sufiblk 
 divine, was arraigned before the archbishop, who treated 
 him with very reproachful language, calling him ass, dolty 
 fool; and after many threatenings, the angry prelate sent 
 him to the Gatehouse, where he continued close prisoner 
 
 * See Art. Travers, 
 
52 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 many years. Such were ilie proceedings of tliat arc;li- 
 bisliop who is said to have been eminently distinguished tor 
 his mild and excellent temper.* 
 
 Tlie suffering piiritans, during this year, presented a 
 petition to the convocation, tending to promote a recon- 
 ciliation betwixt the conformists and nonconformists, but 
 most probably without the least efiect.+ They also made 
 another effort to obtain a redress of their grievances from 
 the parliament, by presenting an humble supplication to 
 the house of commons ; in which they say, " It pierces 
 our hearts with grief to hear the cries of the people for tlie 
 word of God. The bishops either preach not at all, or 
 very seldom. And others abandon their flocks, contrary 
 to the charge of Clirist, Jeedmy sheep. But great num- 
 bers of the best qualified for preaching, and of the most 
 industrious in their spiritual functioji, are not suffered 
 quietly to discharge their duties, but are followed with 
 innumerable vexations, notwithstanding they are neither 
 heretics nor schismatics^ but keep within the pale of the 
 church, and persuade others so to do, who would have 
 departed from it. They fast and pray for the queen and 
 the church, though they have been rebuked for it, and 
 diversly punished by officers both civil and ecclesiastical. 
 They are suspended and deprived of their ministry, and 
 the fruits of their livings sequestered toothers. This has 
 continued many years ; and last of all many of them are 
 committed to ]>rison, when some have been chained with 
 irons, and continued in hard durance a long time. 
 
 *' To bring about these severities, the bishops tender the 
 suspected persons an oath ex officio, to answer all interro- 
 gatories to be put to them, though it be to accuse them- 
 selves ; and when they have got a confession, they proceed 
 upon it to punish them with all rigour, contrary to the 
 laws of God and the land. Those who refused have been 
 cast into prison, and commanded there to lie without bail, 
 till they would yield. Tlie grounds of these troubles are 
 not impiet}/, immorality/, want of learning or diligence in 
 their ministerial work, but not being satisfied in the use of 
 certain ceremonies and orders of the church of Rome, and 
 for not being able to declare^ that everjj thing in the Book 
 of Common Prayer is agreeable to the word of God.^''X 
 Two bills were at the same time brought int^ the house of 
 commons, for the abolition of the old ecclesiastical laws'i 
 
 * Paule's Life of Whifgtft, p. 37. + Parte of a Register, p. 323- 
 
 t MS. Register, p. 672. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 53 
 
 and the old Book of Common Prayer, and for the esta- 
 blishment of a new one; but the queen being offended, 
 . forbad them to proceed.* 
 
 All the endeavours of the puritans proving ineffectual, 
 and being weivried with repeated applications to their 
 superiors, they began to despair of obtaining relief. There- 
 fore, in ojie of their assemblies, tiiey came to this con- 
 clusion : " That since tlie magistrates could not be induced 
 to reform the discipline of the church, it Avas lawful, after 
 waiting so nranj' years, to act without them, and introduce 
 a reformation in the best manner they could." They had 
 their private classes or associations in Essex, Northampton- 
 shire, Warwickshire, London, Cami)ridge and other phices, 
 when they consulted about the most proper means of pro- 
 moting the desired object. And liaving revised their book, 
 entitled " The Holy Discipline of the Church, described 
 in the Word of God," it was subscribed by ahoy e five hun- 
 dred ministers, ail divines of good learning, and of unspot- 
 ted lives, f 
 
 In the year 15S7, Mr. Holmes, rector of Kenn, was 
 driven from his flock and his living. Mr. Horrocks, vicar 
 of Kildwick, in the West-Riding of Yorkshire, was con- 
 vened before the high commission at York, committed to 
 York castle, and enjoined a public recantation, for suffer- 
 ing Mr. Wilson, another puritan minister, to preach in 
 his church, though it was Jiis native place. Mr. Wilson 
 was also convened, and cast into prison. After he liad 
 obtained liis release, he was obliged to remove out of the 
 arclibishop's province ; and going to London, he was called 
 before Whitgift and suspended. Mr. Allison was twice 
 suspended. Mr. Penry was summoned ])efore the high 
 connnission and committed to prison. Mr. Joh.nson and 
 Mr. Bainbrigg, both fellows in theuniversity of Cambridge, 
 and popular preachers, were cast into prison, where they 
 continued a long time. Mr. Jewel was tried at the public 
 assizes for nonconformity, and condemned to suffer five 
 months' imprisonment. Mr. Wiglit was harassed for 
 many years, when his study was broken open, searched, 
 and his private papers carried away. Mr. Darrel and 
 Mr. Moore were both cited before the high commission at 
 Lambeth, when the former was deposed from his ministry , 
 and committed close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and tlio 
 latter close prisoner to the Clink, where they continued 
 
 * MS. Remarks, p. 465. + Ncal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423- 
 
5i INTRODUCTION. 
 
 many years. Mr. Udal was summoned before the council, 
 sent close prisoner to the Gatehouse, and not suffered to have 
 pen, ink, or paper, or amy one to speak to him. He Avas 
 afterwards tried at the public assizes and condemned as a 
 felon. Having received sentence of death, pardon was 
 oft'ered him if he would have recanted ; but lie continued 
 iirm to his principles, and died in the Marshalsea, as a 
 martyr in the cause of religions libo^ty. 
 
 The proceedings of tlie high commission against the 
 afflicted puritans, now exceeding all bounds, men of the 
 greatest eminence began even to qnestion the legality of 
 the court. But the archbishop, to got over this difficulty, 
 and remove the odium from himself, sent the principal 
 nonconlbrmists, especially those possessed of worldly estates, 
 to be prosecuted in the star-chamber.* Indeed, several of 
 the bishops, as well as many of the lords temporal, opposed 
 these proceedings ; and it appears from a list now before 
 me, that upwards of one hundred and twenty of the house 
 of commons, were not only averse to persecution, but zea- 
 lous advocates for a reformation of the church, and the 
 removal of those burdens under which the puritans 
 groaned.t Therefore, in 158S, a bill against pluralities 
 and nonresidence passed the commons, and was carried up 
 to the lords ; but by the determined opposition of the 
 zealous prelates, it came to nothing.^ 
 
 The puritans still contumed to hold their associations. 
 Many divines, highly celebrated both for learning and 
 piety, were leaders in their assemblies, and chosen mode- 
 lators : as, Messrs. Knewstubs, Giflbrd, Hogers, Fenn and 
 Cartwright.§ At one of these assemblies, held at Coventry, 
 it was resolved, " That private baptism is unlawful. — 
 That the sign of the c^oss ought not to be used in baptism. — 
 That the faithful ought not to communicate with ignorant 
 ministers. — That the calling of bishops is unlawful. — 
 That it is not lawful to be ordained by them, nor to rest 
 in their deprivation of any from the ministry. — And that 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 187, 
 
 t MS, Chronology, vol. ii, p. 417, (15.) 
 
 :{ During the debate upon this bill in the upper houses, when it was 
 signified that the queen would confer with the bishops upon the points 
 contained in the bill, the celebrated Lord Gray said, " he greatly won- 
 dered at her majesty choosing to confer with those who were enemies to 
 the reformation; and added, that he wished the bishops might be served 
 as they were in the days of Henry VIIJ. when they were all thrust out of 
 doors." — Strype's Annals, vol, iii. p, 543. — Fuller s Church Hint, b. ii^t 
 p. 190. 
 
 ^ Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p, 470, 471. 
 
INTRODUCTIOX 55 
 
 for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline, it ought to 
 be taught tlic people, as occasion shall serve.* Some of 
 the more zealous nonconformists about this time, published 
 Martin Mar- Prelate, and other satirical pamphlets. + They 
 "vvere designed to expose the blemishes of the established 
 church, and the tyrannical proceedings of the bishops. 
 Tlyey contained much truth, but "vvere clothed in very 
 offensive language. Many of the puritans were charged 
 with being the authors : as, Udal, Penry, Throgmorton, 
 and Wigginton ; but the real authors were never known. 
 However, to put a stop to these publications, the queen 
 issued her royal proclamation, " For calling in all schisma- 
 tical and seditious books, as tending to introduce monstrous 
 and dangerous innovation, with the malicious purpose of 
 dissolving the present prelacy and established church.":}; 
 
 The flame of contention betwixt the conformists and 
 nonconformists, broke out this year with redoubled fury, 
 when Dr. Bancroft, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 ventured to assert, that the order of bishops was superior 
 to that of presbyters, by divine appointment, and that the 
 denial of it was heresy. This new doctrine S was readily 
 adopted by many, in favour of their high notions of epis- 
 copal ordination, and gave new fuel to the llame of con- 
 troversy. They who embraced the sentiments of Bancroft, 
 considered all ministers not episcopally ordained, as irre- 
 gularly invested with the sacred office, as inferior to the 
 Romish priests, and as mere laymen. || 
 
 In the year 1590, the persecution of the puritans still 
 raged with unabating fury. Many of the best divines were 
 j)rosecuted with the utmost rigour in the high commission 
 and the star-chamber. Mr. Hubbock and Mr. Kendal, 
 two divines in great repute at Oxtbrd, were cited before 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist.b. ix. p. 194. 
 
 + The bishops having cried out loudly against Martin Mar-Prelate, it 
 was prohibited that no person should presume to carry it about him, upon 
 pain of punishmeut. This the queen declared in the presence of the Earl 
 of Leicester, who, pulling the book out of his pocket, and shewing it the 
 queen, said, " what then will become of me?" But it does not appear 
 tliat any thing was done.~Se/ec<ion Harleim Miscel. p. 157. Edit. 1793. 
 
 ^ Sparrow's CoUec. p. 173. 
 
 ^ The first English reformers admitted only two orders of church-officers, 
 bishops and deacons, to be of divine appointment. They accounted a 
 bishop and a presbyter to be only two names for the same office. But 
 Bancroft, in his sermon at Paul's Cross, January 12, 1538, maintained, 
 that the bishops of England were a distinct order from priests, and pos- 
 sessed a suporiority over them, jure divino. Mr. Strype thinks that Bancroft 
 published this new doctriDe under the instructions of Wbifgift. — Stripe's 
 IVhitgift^ p. 292. || Mosheim's Eccl. Hist. vol. iv. p. 393. 
 
56 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Wbitgift, and suspended . Mr. H ildersliam was prosecuted 
 a second time in the high commission, and again suspended. 
 lie was obliged to enter into bonds not to preacli in any 
 part of England ; and when restored he was not allowed, 
 for some time, to preach at any place south of the river 
 Trent. Tlie celebrated Mr. Cartwright, with many of his 
 brethren, endured nuich severe persecution. This divine 
 Iiaving been prosecuted for nonconformity, was driven into 
 a foreign land, where he remained several years in a state 
 of exile. Upon his return for the benefit of his health, he 
 was immediately apprehended, and, though in a very lan- 
 guishing condition, was cast into prison. At length, 
 having obtained his liberty, he was suspended by liis 
 diocesan, and convened belbre the high commission, when 
 ihiriy-one artick^s were exhibited against him. But re- 
 fusing the oath ex officio^ to answer these articles, he was 
 immediatel}'^ committed to the Fleet, with his brethren, 
 Messrs. Stephen Egerton, Humphrey Fcjm, Daniel Wight, 
 
 Farmer, JuiAvard Lord, Edmund Snape, Andrew 
 
 King, ■ Rushbrooke, Wiggins, Jolm Field, 
 
 Royde, Jolm Payne, William Proudlove, Melancton 
 tTewel, &c.* Many others were summoned at, the same 
 time : as, Messrs. TlenryAlvey, Tliomas Edmunds, William 
 Perkins, Edmund Littleton, .lolm Johnson, Thomas Stone, 
 Thomas Barber, Hercules Ckavely, and Andrew Nutter. 
 These believing it to be their duty to take the oath, deposed 
 maiiy things relative to the associations, and thus became 
 "ivitnesses against their bretliren ; for which they were most 
 probably released. But the others imderwent man}'^ exami- 
 nations ; received much unkind treatment in the high 
 commission and star-chamber ; and they continued in 
 prison several years. As this storm was gathering, Mr. 
 Francis Kett, a man of some learning, and master of arts 
 in one of the universities, was convened before the Bishop 
 of Norwich ; and for holding divers detestable opinions, 
 as they are called, he was condemned and burnt near the 
 city of Norwich.+ Such -was the outrageous persecution in 
 the reign of Queen Elizabeth ! 
 
 In the year 1592, the nonconformists had many bold and 
 zealous advocates in both houses of parliament. Mr. 
 Attorney Morrice, a man of distinguished eminence, moved 
 the house of commons to enquire into the inquisition and 
 other proceedings of the bishops, contrary to the honour 
 
 * Strype's Whitgift, p. 331—333. 
 
 + Parallel betwi,\t Plianatics, p. 11. Edit. 1661 : from Stow." 
 
INTRODUCTION. 57 
 
 of God, the laws of the realm, and the liberty of the 
 subject; coiiipelling learned and godly ministers upon their 
 own oaths, to accuse themselves, and to deprive, degrade 
 and imprison them upon this accusation.* He also otiered 
 two bills to the liouse ; the one against the oath er officio^ 
 the other against the illegal proceedings of the bishops, in 
 ^vhich he was warmly supported by Sir Francis Knollys 
 and other famous statesmen. But the queen, by her own 
 arbitrary command, forbad tlie house to discuss eccle- 
 siastical matters, and charged the speaker, upon his alle- 
 giance, not to read the bills. + Morrice was, at the same 
 time, seized in the house, and carried prisoner to Tutbury 
 castle, where he continued many years. 
 
 The parliament haviiig tamely yielded its own liberties 
 and those of the subject, to the tyrannical power of the 
 queen, passed one of the most unjust and inhuman acts for 
 oppression and cruelty, that was ever known in a pro- 
 testant country. It is entitled " An Act for the Punish- 
 ment of Persons obstinately refusing to come to Church ;" 
 and enacts, '' that all persons above the age of sixteen, 
 refusing to come to church ; or persuading others to deny 
 her majesty's authoritj^ in causes ecclesiastical ; or dissuad- 
 ing them from coming to clnnch ; or being found present 
 at any conventicle or meeting under pretence of religion; 
 shall upon conviction be conunitted to prison without bail, 
 till they shall conform and come to church." But in case 
 such offenders should refuse to subscribe a most debasing 
 recantation, it is further enacted, " That within three months, 
 they shall abjure the realm and go into perpetual 
 BANISHMENT. And if they do not depart within the time 
 appointed ; or if they ever return without the queen's license, 
 Ihey shall suffer death without benefit of clergy.":}: 
 The case of the nonconformists was by this act worse than 
 that of felons. Herein the queen exceeded the tyranny of 
 Henry VIII. For absolute as that monarch was, he con- 
 tented himself with punishing those who opposed the 
 established religion by some overt act; but by this new 
 statute, the subjects were obliged, under the heaviest 
 penalty, to make an open profession of the established 
 religion, by a constant attendance on its public service. "§ 
 
 The oppression of this statute fell chiefly upon the 
 Brownists, who renounced all communion with the national 
 
 * D. Ewes's Journal, p. 474. t MS. Remarks, p. 465. 
 
 X D. Ewes's Journal, p. 517. — Burn's Eccl. Law, vol. li. p. 247, 248. 
 ^ Warner's Hist, of Eiig. vol. ii. p. 465. 
 
58 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 church, and were now become very numerous.* I'here 
 were several considerable persons at their head : as, 
 Messrs. Smyth, Jacob, Ainsworth, Johnson, and Oreen- 
 wood. Their London congregation being obliged to meet 
 in different places, to hideltsdf from tlie bishops' officers, 
 was at length discovered on a Lord's day at Islington, in 
 the very place in which the protestant congregation met in 
 the reign of Queen Mary; when about fiftij-siv were 
 apprehended, and sent two by two to the difterent prisons 
 about London, wliere many others had been long con- 
 fined. The names of most of Ihese persecuted servants of 
 Christ, wi(h the cruel oppressions they endured, are now 
 before me. They suffered a long and miserable confine- 
 ment ; and under the barbarous usage they met with, many 
 of them died in prison.+ Mr. Rogei^Rippon, who died this 
 year, is said to have been the last o^ sixteen or seventeen that 
 were murdered in Newgate. Numerous families, as well as 
 individuals, were driven into banishment, while many died 
 in close imprisonment, and others suffered upon the gallows. 
 Among the latter were Mr, Henry Barrow and Mr. Joha 
 Greenwood. These persons having endured several years 
 close coniinement in the Fleet, were tried, condemned, and 
 executed at Tyburn, giving tiie strongest testhnon}' of their 
 unfeigned piety towards God, and their unshaken loyalty 
 to the queen. Also, Mr. John Penry, a pious and learned 
 minister, was arraigned, condemned, and executed in a 
 most cruel and barbarous manner. Air. William Dennys 
 was also executed on the same account, at Thctfbrd in 
 Norfolk. + These violent proceedings drove great numbers 
 of the Brownists into Holland, where their leaders, Messrs. 
 Smyth, Johnson, Ainsworth, Jacob, Robinson, and otiicrs, 
 by leave of the states, erected churches according to their 
 own views of the gospel, at Amsterdam, Arnheim, Middle- 
 burgh, and Leyden. 
 
 Several champions now appeared in defence of epis- 
 copacy : as, Drs. Bancroft, Bilcon, Bridges, Cosin, and 
 Soam. These were answered by Bradshaw, Fenner, 
 
 * Sir Walier Raleigh declared in parliament, (h;it in their various con- 
 gregations, they were increased to tlie number of twenty thousand. — D, 
 Ewes's Journal, p. 517. — Townshend's Collections, p. 76. 
 
 f Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xiv. p. 311. xv. 59— 111. 
 
 I " These round dealings," says a reverend author, " did a little terrify 
 the rest of the pisritans, and checked the furiousness of the wiser sort. 
 But havinjj tlie Earls of Leicester, Warwick, and Shrewsbury, Lords 
 Nortliand Burleifijh, Sir Francis Wulsingham, and Sir Francis Knollys, with 
 others of the nobility, for their honourable patrons, they resumed their cou- 
 rage." — Pfiirce's Vindication, part i.p. 151. — Foulis'sHist. of Flats, p. QU 
 
INTRODUCTION. 59 
 
 Morrice, and others ; though the press was shut against the 
 puritans. But Bancroft was their bitterest enemy. In 
 his " Survey" and " Dangerous Positions," he wrote with 
 much fierceness, misrepresentation, and abuse. lie re- 
 proached the principles and practices of the puritans, as 
 if they were enemies both to cimrch and state, when they 
 only sought, in the most peaceable manner, to promote a 
 reformation of the ecclesiastical discipline and ceremonies, 
 according to their views of the word of God.* 
 
 Towards the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign many seve- 
 rities were inflicted upon the nonconformists. Mr. William 
 Smyth was apprehended and cast into prison. Mr. 
 Smythurst was deprived of his living, and treated with 
 great injustice by the high commission. Mr. Rudd was 
 convened before the high commission, suspended, and 
 forced to make a recantation. Mr. Aderster, a Lincoln- 
 shire divine, having endured many sufferings by suspension, 
 deprivation, and other censures, in the high commission 
 at Lambeth, was tried at the public assizes, when Judge 
 Anderson treated him worse than a dog. Mr. Clarke, 
 preacher to the society at Lincoln's-inn, London, and 
 Mr. Philips, preacher at St. Saviour's, Southwark, were 
 both summoned before the high commission ; when the 
 former was deprived, and the latter suspended and com- 
 mitted to the Gatehouse. Mr. Bradshaw, an excellent 
 divine, Avas silenced by Archbishop Whitgift ; and a great 
 number of ministers in Norfolk were under suspension, and 
 their people greatly oppressed in the ecclesiastical courts. 
 Some, indeed, supposed that the puritans were now van- 
 quished, and their number greatly diminished, by the 
 rigorous execution of the penal laws.f This, however, is 
 contrary to matter of fact. For in the beginning of the 
 next reign, there were at least fifteen hundred ministers who 
 avowed their nonconformity to the national church. The 
 queen died March 24, 1003, having reigned upwards of 
 forty-four years. 
 
 The puritans of these times were not without their failings, 
 being men of like passions with their adversaries; yet, 
 while they opposed the episcopal impositions and oppres- 
 sions, if they had accomplished their wishes, there is cause 
 to fear, that they would have imposed their own discipline. 
 Their notions of civil and religious liberty were confused, 
 and their principles and behaviour sometimes rigid; yet 
 
 * MS. Remarks, p, 461, f Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 233. 
 
CO INTRODUCTION, 
 
 they were men eminent for picly, devotion, and zeal in the 
 cause of Ciirist. Tiie suspensions and de])rivations of this 
 long reig-n are said to amount to several tiiousands.* But, 
 while the nonconformists were thus harassed, the churcli 
 and the nation were in a most dcph>rahle state. Great 
 numbers of churclies, in all parts of the country, were 
 witliout ministers ; and among tliosc who profe^scxl to be 
 ministers, about three thousand Mcre mere readers, who could 
 not preach at all. And under pretence of maintaining order 
 and uniformity in the church, popery, immorality, and 
 ungodliness were every where promoted: so tliat while 
 the zealous prelates pretended to be building up the church 
 of England, they were evidently undermining the church of 
 God.f 
 
 Sect. III. 
 
 From the Death of Queen EJkaheth^ to the Death of 
 
 Ku7g James I. 
 
 King James was thirty-six years old when he came (o 
 the cro^vn of England, having reigned in Scotland from 
 his infancy. His majesty's behaviour in Scotland had 
 raised too high the expectations of the puritans : they 
 relied upon his education, his subscribing the covenant, his 
 professed kindness for the suffering nonconformists, and his 
 repeated declarations. He had declared in the general 
 assembly at Edin])nrgh, with his hands lifted up to heaven, 
 *' That he praised God that he was born to be king of the 
 purest kirk in the world. As for our neiglibour kirk of 
 England," said he, " their service is an evil-said mass in 
 English. They w ant nothing of the niass but the liftings. "^ 
 The king had given great offence to the English bishops, by 
 saying, " that their order smelh d vilely of popisli pride ; 
 that they Avere a principal branch of the pope, bone of his 
 bone, and flesh of his flesh ; that the Book of Common 
 Prayer was the English mass-book ; and that the surplice, 
 copes, and ceremonies were outward badges c-f popery."^ 
 The expectations of the puritans were, therefore, highly 
 "■".<■ 
 
 * Neal s Puritans, vol. i. p. 511. — The number of clTgy suspended and 
 deprived for iiouconforniity was, accordiiig to iiiuiie, very great, and 
 comprehenicd at one time a third of all the ecclesiastics in the kingdom! * 
 —Iliit. of Eng. vol. V. p. 337. 
 
 + MS. Remarks, p. 411. 
 
 J Calder wood's Hist, of Scotland, p. 256. § MS. Remarks, p. 535. 
 
INTHODUCTION. CI 
 
 raised; and upon tlic kino's accession, they (ook fresh 
 courage, oniiltcd some thinij;!* in the public service, threw 
 aside the surplice, and rejected tiie unprofitable cerc- 
 nionies. During his majesty's progress to London, they 
 presented Iheir mHlcnanj pelUkm^ subscribed by above 
 1000 pious and able ministers, 7.>0 of whom were out of 
 twenty-five counties.* It is entitled " Tlie Immble Petition 
 of the Ministers of the Church of England, desiring Re- 
 fonnation of certain ceremonies and abuses of the Church." 
 Tliey observe, " that they being more than 1000 ministers, 
 groaniug under the burden of human rites and ceremonies, 
 with one consent, threw themselves at his royal feet, for a 
 reformation in the church service, ministry, livings, and 
 discipline. "+ But amidst all their hopes, many of them 
 rejoiced with trembling ; while James himself had, properly 
 speaking, no oilier religion, than what flowed from a prin- 
 ciple which he called kingcrafi.X 
 
 Indeed, this soon appeared at the Hampton-court con- 
 ference. This conference, and the disputants on both sides, 
 were appointed by his majesty. For the church, there 
 were nine bishops and about the same number of dignitaries ; 
 but for the puritans, there were only four divines. Dr. 
 Jiainolds, Dr. Sparke, Mr. Cluidderton, and Mr. Knew- 
 stubs. These divines having presented their request of a 
 further reformation, in several particulars,^ towards the 
 conclusion the king arose from his chair, and addressed 
 Dr. Rain olds, saying, "If this be all your party have to 
 say, I will make them conform, or I will Jiurry them out 
 of the land, or else do worse." And to close the whole, 
 he said, " I will have none of this arguing. Let them 
 conform, and that quickly, or they shall hear of it."|| Such 
 was the roj-^al logic of the new monarch ! This conference, 
 observes the judicious historian, w as only a blind to intro- 
 duce episcopacy into Scotland.5 The conduct of the king, 
 vy'ho bore down all before him, was highly gratifying to the 
 dignified prelates. Besides other instances of palpable 
 flattery. Archbishop AVhitgift said, " He was verily per- 
 suaded the king spoke by the spirit of God."** 
 
 * Clark's Lires annexed to Martyr, p. 116. 
 
 + Fuller's Church Hist. b. x. p. 22. 
 
 t Warner's Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 417. 
 
 S See Art. Rainolds. [| Barlow's Sum of Conference, p. 170, 177. 
 
 i Rapin's Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 162. 
 
 ** Welwood's Memoirs, p. 21. — Bishop Bancroft, falling on his knees 
 before the king, on this occasion, and witii his eyes raised to him, said, 
 ** I protest my heart melteth for joy, that Almighty God, of his singular 
 mercy, has given us such a king, as since Christ's time hath not been."— 
 Mosheim's Ecch Hist. vol. v. p. 38(). 
 
62 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The above mock conference, as it is justly called, taiif^ht 
 the puritans what to expect. The threatened storm soon 
 overtook them. The persecuting prelates having received 
 new lite, presently renewed their tyrannical proceedings. 
 Mr. Richard Rogers, of Wethersfield in Essex, a divine of 
 incomparable worth, and six other ministers, were convened 
 before the archbishop, and, refusing the oath ex officio ^ 
 were all suspended. They were cited to appear before him 
 a second time ; but the archbishop died on the very day of 
 their appearance. Whitgift, according to Fuller, was one 
 of the worthiest men the church of England ever enjoyed.* 
 Mr. Strype observes, that he was equal to both his prede- 
 cessors, Parker and Grindal, in right godly and episcopal 
 endowments ; and that great wisdom, courage, and genth' 
 ness accompanied all his orders. + He was, however, aa 
 unfeeling and a relentless persecutor, and extravagantly 
 fond of outward splendour, usually travelling with a most 
 magnificent retinue. J 
 
 Dr. Richard Bancroft having acquitted himself so much 
 to the king's satisfaction, in the conference at Hampton- 
 court, was thought the fittest person to succeed Whitgift 
 in the chair of Canterbury.^ He trod in the steps of his 
 predecessor in all the iniquities of persecution. He entered 
 upon the work where Whitgift concluded, and immediately 
 convened Mr. Rogers and his brethren before him. They 
 endured continual molestations for a long time, having 
 many expensive journies to London. Mr. Rogers was cited 
 also before the Bishop of London, who protested " by the 
 help of Jesus, that he would not leave one nonconformable 
 minister in all his diocese ;" but his death soon after put 
 an end to his career. Mr. Baynes, the excellent lecturer 
 at Cambridge, was silenced, and his lecture put down. 
 Dr. Taylor was suspended from his ministry. Mr. Plilder- 
 
 * Church Hist. b. x. p. 25. f Life of Parker, Pref. p. 5. 
 
 :J His train sometimes consisted of 1000 horse. The archbishop being 
 once at Dover, attended by five hundred horse, one hundred of which 
 were his own servants, many of them wearing chains of gold, a person of 
 distinction then arriving from Rome, fjreatly wondered to see an English 
 archbishop with so splendid a retinue. But seeing him the following 
 sabbath in the cathedral of Canterbury, attended by the above magnificent 
 train, with the dean, prebendaries, and preachers, in their surplices and 
 scarlet hoods ; and hearing the music of organs, cornets, and sacbuts, he 
 was seized with admiration, and said, " That the people at Rome were 
 led in blindness, being made to believe, that in England there was neither 
 archbishop, nor bishop, nor cathedral, nor any ecclesiastical government; 
 but that all were pulled down. But he protested, that unless it were in 
 the pope's chapel, he never saw a more solemn sight, or heard a more 
 heavenly sound."— Paul's Life of Whitgift, p. 104—106. 
 
 § Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 340. 
 
IXTRODUCTION. 63 
 
 sham was suspended a lliird time for nonconformity ; and 
 many others suffered the like extremity. 
 
 Numerous congregations being deprived of their zealous 
 and faitliful pastors, the distressed people presented a 
 petition to the king, in behalf of tlieir suffering ministers ; 
 which, because it was presented while his majesty was 
 hunting, he was exceedingly displeased. The poor puritan 
 ministers were now persecuted in every quarter, some of 
 them being suspended, and others deprived of their livings.* 
 And while the bishops were highly commended for sus- 
 pending or depriving all who could not conform, Sir 
 Richard Knightly, Sir Valentine Knightly, Sir Edward 
 Montague, and some others, presented a petition to the 
 king in behalf of the suffering ministers in Northampton- 
 shire; for which they were summoned before the council, 
 and told, that what they had done " tended to sedition, 
 and was little less than treason. "+ 
 
 The king now issued two proclamations, intimathig in 
 the one, what regard he would have to the tender consciences 
 of the papists; but in the other, that he would not allow 
 the least indulgence to the tender consciences of the puritam.X 
 In his majesty's long speech, at the opening of the first 
 session of parliament, he said, " I acknowledge the Roman 
 *' church to be our mother church, although defiled v/ith 
 ^' some infirmities and corruptions ;" and added, " I would 
 *' for ray own part be content to meet them in the mid- 
 " way ;" but spoke with great indignation against the 
 puritans.^ And many of the ministers still refusing to 
 conform, the king issued another proclamation, dated July 
 10^ 1604, allowing them to consider of their conformity till 
 the end of November following : but in case of their 
 refusal, he would have them all deprived, or banished out 
 of the kingdom. II 
 
 Most of the bishops and clergy in the convocation which 
 sat with the above parliament, were very zealous against 
 the puritans. Bishop iludd was, indeed, a noble excep- 
 tion. He spoke much in their praise, and exposed the 
 injustice and inhumanity of their persecutors. The book 
 of canons passed both houses, and was afterwards ratified 
 by the king's letters patent, under his great seaLu By these 
 canons, new hardships were laid upon the oppressed puri- 
 tans. Suspensions and deprivations were now thought not 
 
 * Winwood's Memorials, vol. ii. p. 36, 48. f Ibid. p. 49. 
 
 t Rapin's Hist, of Kng, vol. ii. p'. 163. S '^^^<^- P- J65» 166. 
 
 K MS. Remarks, p. 583. 2 Sparrow's Collec. p. 203. 
 
64 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 to be a sufficient punishment for tlic sin of nonconfornihy. 
 The puritans received the terrible sentence of excommuni- 
 cation, being- turned out of the coni>-regation, renderetl 
 incapable of sueing for their lawful debts, imprisoned for 
 life, denied christian burial, and, as far as possible, excluded 
 from the kingdom of heaven. Archbishop Bancroft, now at 
 the head of all ecclesiastical affairs, enforced the observance 
 of all the festivals of the church, the use of copes, surplices, 
 caps, hoods, &c. and obliged the clergy to subscribe alrcsli 
 to Whitgift's three articles, which, by canon xxxvi. they 
 were to declare they did willingly and from their hearts. 
 By these oppressive measures, four hundred ministers were 
 suspended and cast out of their livings ;* some of whom 
 were exconnnunicated and cast into prison, while others, 
 to preserve their consciences, were driven into a state oif 
 banishment. 
 
 Among the painful sufferers at this time, were Mr. 
 Maunsel, minister of Yarmouth, and Mr. Lad, a merchant 
 of the same place. For holding a supposed conventicle, 
 they were cited before the high commission at Lambeth, 
 and, refusing the oath ex officio^ were cast into prison. 
 When they were brought to the bar, Nicholas Fuller, esq. 
 a bencher of Gray's-inn, and a learned man in his profes- 
 sion, was their counsel ; who, for pleading their cause, was 
 cast into prison, where he continued to tlie day of his death. 
 Mr. Wotton and Mr. Cleaver, two learned and useful 
 divines, were suspended for nonconformity. Mr. Hush, 
 fellow of Christ's college, Cambridge, was convened and 
 required to make a public recantation. Mr. Randall Bates, 
 a pious and excellent preacher, was committed to the Gate- 
 house, where, after a long and miserable confinement, he 
 died under the hardships of the prison. These severities 
 drove many learned ministers and their followers out of the 
 kingdom, when they retired to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, 
 Leyden and otiier places. Among these were Dr. William 
 Ames and Mr. Robert Parker, both divines of distinguished 
 eminence. 
 
 Indeed, Archbishop Bancroft incessantly harassed and 
 plagued the puritans, to bring them to an exact conformity. 
 On account of his rigorous proceedings, great numbers 
 
 * Sion's Plea, p. 75. — MS, Remarks, p. 585. — Some of our high-church 
 historians, it is acknowleclg;ed, have diminished tiie luimber to forty-five, 
 others to iorty-nine, evidently with a design to remove the odium from the 
 persecutin,^ pielates. — Heylins Hist, of Pies. ly. 316,'— -Spetiswood's Hiit, 
 of Scotland, p. 479, Edit. 1G77. 
 
 i& 
 
INTRODUCTION. 65 
 
 resolved to transport themselves to Virginia, and settle in 
 that uncivilized coujitry, Avhcre they could enjoy the 
 blessing of religious liberty. Some having departed for 
 the new settlement, and the archbishop seeing many more 
 ready for the voyage, obtained his majesty's proclamation, 
 forbidding them to depart without the king's license. The 
 arbitrary court was apprehensive this sect would in the end 
 become too numerous and powerful in America.* The 
 distressed puritans must not enjoy liberty of conscience 
 at home, nor remove to another country, even among 
 uncivilized pagans, where they could enjoy it. — The high 
 commission, says Bishop Kennet, began now to swell into 
 a grievance, of which the parliament complained. Every 
 man must conform to the episcopal church, and quit his 
 opinion or his safety. That court was the touch-stone, to 
 try whether men were current. " This," he adds, " was 
 the beginning of that mischief, which made such a bloody 
 tincture in both kingdoms, as never will be got out of the 
 hishops' lawn sleeves J" t 
 
 The parliament, in 1610, was deeply concerned about 
 these proceedings. In their petition to tlie king, they say, 
 " That divers painful and learned pastors, who have long 
 travelled in the work of the ministry, with good fruit and 
 blessing of their labours, who were ready to subscribe to 
 the true christian faith and doctrine of sacraments, for not 
 conforming in some points of ceremony, and refusing 
 the subscription directed by the late canons, have been 
 removed from their ecclesiastical livings, being their free- 
 hold, and debarred from all means of maintenance, to the 
 great grief of sundry of your majesty's wcll-afFected 
 subjects.":}: And in a memorable speech during this parlia- 
 ment, it was said, " The depriving, degrading, and 
 imprisoning learned and godly ministers, whom God hath 
 furnished with most heavenly graces, is the crying sin of 
 the land, most provoking to God, and most grievous to the 
 subjects. "§ A bill was, theretbre, introduced against 
 pluralities and nonresidence ; another against canonical 
 subscription ; a third against scandalous ministers ; a fourth 
 against the oath ex officio ; and they all passed the com.mons.|| 
 An address was also presented to the king, entitled " An 
 humble supplication for toleration and liberty to enjoy and 
 
 * Rapin's Hist, of Eng. voh ii. p. 176. 
 
 + Kennefs Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 681, 688. 
 
 % Calamy's Church and Dissenters, p. 131. S Ibid. p. 137. 
 
 !J MS. Remark?; p. 629. 
 
 VOL. I. P 
 
66 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 observe the ordinances of Jesus Christ in the ministration 
 of his churches, in lieu of human constitutions." It was 
 published by those who apprehended tlie church of England 
 to be fast approaching towards the church of Rome.* But 
 all these endeavours proved ineffectual to obtain a further 
 reformation of the church. + Archbishop Bancroft died 
 November 10, 1610, and was succeeded by Dr. George 
 Abbot, an avowed enemy to all the superstitions of popery. t' 
 
 King James, to shew his zeal against heresy, had now 
 an opportunity of exercising it upon two of his own 
 subjects ; who, in the year 1611, were burnt alive for their 
 heretical opinions. One was Bartholomew Legatt, a native 
 of the county of Essex. He was a man of a bold spirit, a 
 fluent tongue, well skilled in the scriptures, and of an 
 unblameable conversation. He denied the divinity of 
 Christ, and a plurality of persons in the Godhead. The 
 king himself, and several of the bishops, conferred with 
 him, and endeavoured to convince him of his errors."^ 
 Having continued a long time prisoner in Newgate, he was 
 at length brought before the king, many of the bishops, and 
 many learned divines, in the consistory of St. Paul's; where 
 he was declared a contumacious and obdurate heretic, and 
 delivered over to the secular power. The king having 
 signed a writ de heretico comburendo to the sheriffs of 
 London, he was carried to Smith field, March 18, and, before 
 an immense number of spectators, was burnt to ashes. 
 Pardon was offered him at the stake if he would have 
 recanted, but he firmly refused. || 
 
 Mr. Edward Whiteraan of Burton-upon-Trcnt, was, at 
 
 * MS, Chronology, vol. ii. p. 619. (2.) 
 
 + The puritans were now oppressed by every means that could be 
 devised. Mrs. Venables, a lady of great liberality and exemplary piety, 
 being deeply concerned for the numerous persecuted servants of Christ, 
 bequeathed in her last will ^£5000, to be distributed among the suffering 
 nonconformist ministers. Tiiis was no sooner knov;n at court, than the 
 money was seized, and given to such ministers as were conformable. Such 
 was the fraud and barbarity of the times ! ! — MS. Remarks, p. 385. 
 
 \ Bishop Kennet styles Archbishop Bancroft " a sturdy piece," and 
 says, " he proceeded with rigour, severity and tcra<A, against the puritans." 
 —KcnneVs Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 665. 
 
 ^ The attempt of the king to convince Legatt having utterly failed, he 
 arose in a passion from his chair, and, giving him a kick with his royal foot, 
 said : " Away, base fellow, it shall never be said, that one stayeth in my 
 presence, that hath never prayed to our Saviour for seven years." — Fuller's 
 Church Hist b, x. p. 62. 
 
 II He had a brother, called Thomas Legatt, who, at the same time, for 
 holding certain heretical opinions, as they are called, was committed to 
 Newgate, where he died unler the pressures of his cou&BCBxeat.-^Jtssep's 
 Discuvery of Anabaptists, p. 77. Edit. 1623. 
 
IxNTRODUCTION. 67 
 
 the same time, convicted of lieresy by Dr. Neile, bishop of 
 Coventry and Lichfield, and burnt at Lichfield, April 11. 
 In the king's warrant for his execution, he is charged with 
 no less than sixteen distinct heresies, among which are those 
 of the Ebionites, Corinthians, Arians, and Ajiabaptists, and 
 -other heretical, execrable, and unheard-of opinions. Some 
 of the opinions imputed to him savoured of vanity, super- 
 stition, and enthusiasm; and he was certainly an object 
 more deserving of compassion than of punishment.* But, 
 to gratify the wishes of his enemies, he must pass through 
 the fire. — There was another condemned to be burnt for 
 similar heresies ; but the constancy of the above sufferers 
 having greatly moved the pity of the spectators, he was left 
 to linger out a miserable life in Newgate. + 
 
 Many of the puritans being driven into exile, continued 
 a number of years in a foreign land. They raised congre- 
 gations and formed christian churches, according to their 
 views of the New Testament. Mr. John Robinson, pastor 
 of the church at Leyden, first struck out the congregational 
 or independent form of church government. Afterwards, 
 about a hundred of his church transplanted themselves io 
 America, and laid the foundation of the colony of New 
 England. But some of the worthy exiles ventured at length 
 to return home. Mr. Henry Jacob having espoused the 
 sentiments of the independents, returned about the year 
 1616; and communicating to his friends his design of 
 forming a separate church, like those in Holland, they, 
 seeing no prospect of any reformation of the national church, 
 signified their approbation. They spent a day in solemn 
 devotion, to implore the divine blessing upon the under- 
 taking ; and having made an open confession of their faith 
 in Christ, they joined hands, and convenanted with each 
 other to walk together in all the ordinances of God, as far 
 as he had already made known to them, or should hereafter 
 make known to them. Mr. Jacob was chosen pastor by the 
 suffrage of the brotherhood, and others to the office of 
 deacons. This was the first independent church in 
 England. 
 
 During this year, his majesty, by the advice of the 
 bishops, issued his royal directions for a better conformity 
 to the established church. He required " That all students 
 who took their degrees, should subscribe to the thirty-sixth 
 canon. — That all scholars should wear their scholastical 
 
 * Narrationof the burning of Legalt and Whitemao, Edit. 1651. 
 ■? Fuller's Church Hist, b. x. p. 62—64. 
 
CS INTRODUCTION, 
 
 habits. — That no one be allowed to preach without perfect 
 conformity. — And that no preacher shall maintain any point 
 of doctrine not allowed by the church of Ene^land*"* 
 
 The distressed puritans felt the iron rod of their cruel 
 persecntors in various parts of the countr}-. Messrs. Ball, 
 IS icholls, Pa2:et, and many others, in the diocese of Chester, 
 ■were often cited before the high commission, when attach- 
 ments were issued to apprehend them, and commit them 
 to prison. They were obliged to conceal themselves, and 
 heavy fines were laid upon them for their nonappearance, 
 and were aggravated from one court day to another ; till 
 their case was returned into the exchequer, when, to their 
 unspeakable injury, they were obliged to compound. Mr. 
 Bradshaw had his house searched by the bishops' pursui- 
 vants, and he was suspended. Mr. John Wilkinson was 
 several times spoiled of his goods, and kept many years in 
 prison by the furious prelates. Mr. Ilildersham was 
 suspended a fourth and a fifth time. He was afterwards 
 summoned before the high commission, and, refusing the 
 oath ex ojjicio, committed first to the Fleet, then to the 
 King's-bench, Avhere he continued a long time. Having 
 obtained his liberty, he was censured in the ecclesiastical 
 court, upon the most glaring false witness, and fined .^2,000, 
 pronounced excommunicate, degraded from his ministry, 
 ordered to be taken and cast into prison, required to make 
 a public recantation in such form as the court should 
 appoint, and condemned in costs of suit. His two friends, 
 Mr. Digiiton and Mr. Holt, being committed, one to the 
 Fleet, the other to the Ciatehouse, were fined .^10,000 
 each, excommunicated, ordered to be publicly denounced, 
 to make their submission in three diiferent places, con- 
 demned in costs of suit, and sent back to prison. The 
 learned Mr. John Seldcn, for publishing his " History of 
 Tithes," was summoned before the high commission, and 
 obliged to sign a recantation. + 
 
 To prevent the growth of puritanism, the king, in the 
 year ItilS, published his " Declaration for Sports on the 
 JLord's-day," commonly called the Book of Sports. It 
 was procured by the bishops, and all ministers were enjoined 
 to approve of it, and read it in the public congregations ; and 
 those who refused were brought into the high commission, 
 
 * Ilejlin's Life of Laud, p. 72. 
 
 t Mr. Selden was justly denominated the glory of England for his tin- 
 common learning. Archbishop Usher used to say, " I am not worthy to 
 carry his books after him." 
 
INTRODUCTION. 69 
 
 5>ii.spended and imprisoned. " It "was designed," says 
 Bishop Kennet, " as a trap to catch men of tender con- 
 sciences, and as a means of promoting the ease, wealth and 
 grandeur of the bishops."* 
 
 The king, at the opening of the parliament in 1620, made 
 tliis solemn declaration : " / mtan.^ said he, " not to compel 
 any marCs conscience ; for I ever protested against it A But 
 his majesty soon forgot his own declaration ; and to increase 
 (lie distress of the puritans, he set forth his directions to all 
 the clergy, forbidding them to preach on the d<*ep points of 
 conlroversj^ betwixt the Arminians and Calvinists. The 
 jniritans had hitlierto suffered only for refusing the ceremo- 
 nies, but now their doctrine itself became an otience. Most 
 (valvinists were now excluded from court preferments. The 
 way to rise in the church, was to preach up the absolute 
 power of the king, to declaim against the rigours of Cal- 
 vinism, and to speak favourably of popery. Those who 
 scrupled were neglected, and denominated doctrinal puri- 
 tans ; but having withstood all the arbitrary proceedings 
 adopted both in church and state, they will be esteemed by 
 posterity, as the glory of the English nation.:}: 
 
 Many of the puritans noAv groaned under the op]ircssive 
 measures of the prelates. Mr. Collins Avas cast into prison 
 for nonconformity. Though he was not suffered to preach 
 in the churches, he jjreached to tlie malefactors in prison, 
 and there procured himself a subsistence by correcting the 
 press. ^ Mr. Knight of Pembroke college, Oxford, w as cited 
 up to London, and committed to the Gatehouse. Mr. Peck 
 having catechised his family, and sung a psahn in his own 
 Jiouse, when several of his neighbours Avere present, they 
 were all required by Bisliop Harsnet to do penance and 
 recant. Those avIio refused were immediately excommu- 
 nicated and condemned in heavy costs. The citizens of 
 Norwich afterwards complained of this cruel oppression to 
 parliament. The celebrated Mr. Dod was often cited before 
 the bishops, and Avas four times suspended. Mr. Whately 
 was convened before the high commission, and required to 
 make a public recantation. Mr. Whiting Avas prosecuted 
 by the Bishop of Norwich, and brought before the high 
 commission, expecting to be deprived of considerable 
 
 * Several of the bishops, iiowever, declared their opinion again-^t the 
 Book- of Sports. And Archbishop Abhot being at Croydon the day on 
 which it was ordered to be read in the churches, expressly forbad it to be 
 read there. — Rennet's Hist, of Eng. vol.ii. p. 709. 
 
 + MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 667.(13.) | Neal's Puritan?, vol.ii. p. 128. 
 
 f) Wood's Athcnae Oxon. vol. ji. p. 794. 
 
70 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 estates; but, happily, while the cause was pending^. King 
 James died, and the prosecution was dropped. The king 
 finished his course March 27, 1623, not without suspicion 
 of having been poisoned by the Duke of Buckingham.* He 
 was a mere pedant, without judgment, courage, or steadi- 
 ness, being the very scorn of the age. His reign was a 
 continued course of mean practices.t He invaded the 
 liberties of his subjects ; endangered tlie religion of his 
 country; was ever grasping at arbitrary power ; J and, in a 
 "vvordj liberty of conscience was totally suppressed. § || 
 
 Sect. IV. 
 
 From the Death of King James I. to the Death of 
 
 King Charles I. 
 
 When King Charles came to the crown, he was at first 
 thought favourable (o puritanism. His tutor, and all his 
 court, were puritanically inclined. Dr. Preston, one of the 
 leading puritans, came in a coach to London ^vith the King 
 and the Duke of Buckingham, which gave great oifence to 
 the contrary party. His majesty was so overcharged with 
 grief for the death of his father, that he wanted the comfort 
 of so wise and great a man.n The puritans, however, soon 
 found that no favour was to be expected. The unjust and 
 inhuman proceedings of the council-table, the star- 
 chamber, and the high commission, during this reign, 
 
 * Harris's Life of James I. p. 237. Edit. 1753. 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of his Times, vol. i. p. 17. 
 
 4: Bennet's Mem. of Reformation, p. 147. 
 
 § Hume's Hist, of Eng. vol. vi. p. 116. — 1| Bishop Laud observes of 
 James, that the sweetness of his nature was scarcely to be paralleled, and 
 little less than a miracle. Clemency, mercy, justice, and peace, were all 
 eminent in him; and he was the most learned and religious prince that 
 England ever knew. On the contrary, the learned Mosheim affirms, " that 
 *' as the desire of unlimited power and authority was the reigning passion 
 " in the heart of this monarch, so all his measures, whether of a civil or 
 *' ecclesiastical nature, were calculated to answer the purposes of his 
 •' ambition. He was the bitterest enemy of the doctrine and discipline of 
 " the puritans, to which he had been in his youth most warmly attached; 
 " the most inflexible and ardent patron of the Arminians, in whose ruin 
 " and condemnation in Holland he had been singularly instrumental; anil 
 *' the most zealous defender of episcopal government, against which he had 
 ** more than once expressed himself in the strongest terms." Though he 
 was no papist, he was certainly very much inclined to popery, and " was 
 " excessively addicted to hunting and drinking." — Brevlate of Laud, p. 5. 
 — Mosheim s Eccl. Hist, vol, v. p. 385, 391, 392.— Harris's Life of James J. 
 p. 45, 66. 
 
 I Burnet's Hist, of his Time, vol. i. p. 19. 
 
liNTRODUCTION. 71 
 
 arc unparalleled. The two former were become courts of 
 lazi\ to determine matters of right; and courts oi' revenue, to 
 bring money into the treasury. The council-table, by pro- 
 clamations, enjoined upon the people what was not enjoined 
 by law ; and tiie star-chamber punished the disobedience of 
 those proclamations by heavy fines and imprisonment. 
 The exorbitances of this court were such, that there were 
 very few persons of quality who did not suffer more or less, 
 by the weight of its censures and judgments. And the high 
 commission became justly odious, not only by meddling 
 with things not within its cognizance, but by extending its 
 sentences and judgments to a degree that was unjustifiable, 
 and by treating the common law, and the professors of it, 
 with great contempt. From an ecclesiastical court for the 
 reformation of maimers, it became a court of revenue, im- 
 posing heavy fines upon the subjects.* 
 
 These courts made strange havoc among the puritans, 
 detaining them long in prison, without bringing them to 
 trial, or acquainting them with the cause of their conunit- 
 ment. Their proceedings were, in some respects, worse 
 than tlie Romish Inquisition; because they suspended, 
 degraded, excommunicated, and imprisoned multitudes of 
 learned and pious ministers, without the breach of any 
 established laAV. While the heaviest penalties were 
 inflicted upon the protestant nonconformists, the papists 
 lived without molestation. Indeed, the king gave express 
 orders " To forbear all manner of proceedings against 
 J^oman catholics, and that all pains and penalties to which 
 tliey were liable, should cease."f 
 
 The Arminian tenets, warmly supported by Bishop Laud 
 and his brethren, now began rapidly to gain ground. The 
 points of controversy became so much the subject of public 
 discussion, that the king issued his royal proclamation, 
 threatening to proceed against all who should maintain any 
 new opinions, contrary to the doctrines as by law esta- 
 blished. Though this proclamation appeared to be in 
 favour of the Calvinists, the execution of it being in the 
 hands of Laud and his brethren, it was turned against them, 
 and made use of to silence them ; while it gave an uncon- 
 trouled liberty to the tongues and pens of the Arminians.f 
 Many were, indeed, of opinion, that Bishops Laud and 
 Neile procured this injunction on purpose to oppress the 
 
 * Clarendon's History, vol. i, p. 68, 69, 222, 283. 
 + Rushworth's Collections, vol. i. p. ITS. 
 t Ibid. p. 416, 417. 
 
72 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Calvinisfs, who should venture to break it, while they 
 should connive at the disobedience of the contrary party. 
 It is certain, the Calvinisms were prosecuted for disobeying 
 the proclamation, while the Arminians were tolerated and 
 countenanced.* The puritans, who wrote in defence of 
 the received doctrines of t!»e thirtf/-mne articles, were cen- 
 sured in the high commission, and their books suppressed ; 
 and when they ventured to preach or dispute upon those 
 points, they were suspended, imprisoned, forced to recant, 
 or banished to a foreign lancl.f 
 
 The king now usurped an arbitrary power, much more 
 extensive than any of his predecessors. Henry VIII. did 
 what he pleased by the use of parliament ; jjut Charles 
 evidently designed to rule without parliament. + To con- 
 vince the people that it was tlieir duty to submit to a 
 monarch of such principles, the clergy were employed to 
 preach up the doctrine of passive obedience and non- 
 resistance. Dr. Manwaring preaching before his majesty, 
 said, " The king is not bound to observe the laws of 
 " the realm, concerning the subject's rights and liberties, 
 *^ but that his royal will and pleasure, in imposing taxes 
 " without consent of parliament, doth oblige the subject's 
 *' conscience on pain of eternal damnation. "§ 
 
 The church being governetl by similar arbitrary and 
 illegal methods, it was easy to foresee what the noncon- 
 formists had to expect. They were exceedingly harassed 
 and persecuted in every corner of the \m\d. In the year 
 la^G, Mr. Brewer was censured in the high conunission, 
 and committed to prison, where he continued fourteen 
 years. Mr. Smart, prebend of Durham, was many times 
 convened before his ecclesiastical judges; then sent to the 
 high commission at York, and kept a prisoner nine 
 months. He was next sent to the high commission at Lam- 
 beth ; then returned to York, fined ^500, and ordered to 
 recant; for refusing which, he was fined a second time, 
 excommunicated, deprived, degraded, and committed to 
 prison, where he remained eleven or twelve yearSj suffering 
 
 * Rapin's Hist. vol. ii. p. 25S. 
 
 + Prynne's Cantrrburics Uoome, p, 161. 
 
 rj: Rapin's Hist. vol. ii. p. 259. 
 
 § Manwaring, for tiiis sermon, was sentenced by the house of lords to 
 pay a fine of a thousand pounds, to make a public submission at the bar 
 of both houses, to be imprisoned during the pleasure of the lords, and 
 declared incapable of holding any ecclesiastical dignity : nevertheless, he 
 was so much a court favourite, he obtained the king's pardon, with a good 
 benefice, and afterwards a bishopric. — Jbid. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 73 
 
 immense damages. These severities "vvere inflicted by tlie 
 instigation of Laud, soon after made Bishop of London, 
 and prime minister to his majesty.* This furious prelate 
 was no sooner exalted, than he made strange havoc among 
 the churches. Agreeable to the king's injunctions, many 
 excellent lecturers were put down, and such as preached 
 against Arminianism or the popish ceremonies, were 
 suspended ; among whom were Drs. Stoughton, Sibbs, 
 Taylor, and Gouge, with Messrs. White of Dorchester, 
 Rogers of Ucdham, Rogers of Wetherstield, Hooker of 
 Chelmsford, AVliite of Knightsbridge, Archer, Edwards, 
 Jones, Ward, Saunders, Salisbury, Foxley, W^illiam 
 Martin, and James Gardiner. + Mr. Henry Burton was 
 brought before the council-table, and the high commission. 
 He was afterwards apprehended by a pursuivant, t'len 
 suspended and committed to the Fleet. Mr. Nathaniel 
 Bernard was suspended, excommunicated, fined ^1,000, 
 condemned in costs of suit, and committed to New Prison, 
 where he was treated with great barbarity ; and refusing to 
 make a public recantation, alter languishing a long time, 
 he died through the rigour of his confinement. But the 
 luiparalleled cruelty of this prelate most appeared in the 
 terrible sentence inflicted upon Dr. Alexander Leighton. 
 He was seized by a warrant from tlie high commission ; 
 dragged before'Bishop Laud ; then, without examination, 
 carried to Newgate, where he was treated a long time with 
 unexampled barbarity. When brought to trial before 
 that arbitrary court, the furious prelate desired the court 
 to inflict the heaviest sentence that could be inflicted upon 
 him. He was, therefore, condemned to be degraded trom 
 his ministry, to liave his ears cut, his nose slit, to be 
 branded in the face, wliipped at a post, to stand in the 
 pillory, to pay .^10,000, and to suft'er perpetual imprison- 
 ment. This horrible sentence being pronounced, Laud 
 pulled off his hat, and holding up his hands, gave thanks 
 to God, icho had given him the victori/ over his enemies.X 
 
 During these cruel proceedings, Mr. Palmer and Mr. 
 Udney, two lecturers in Kent, were silenced. Mr. Angier 
 was suspended.^ Mr. Huntley was grievously censured 
 in the high commission, and committed to prison, wJiere 
 lie continued a long time. Mr. John Workman was 
 
 * Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 78. + Ibid. p. 362, 373. 
 
 X For an account of the barbarous execution of this shocking sentence, 
 »ee Art. Leighton. 
 
 § Calamj'6 Account, vol. ii. p. 395. 
 
74 liXTRODUCTION. 
 
 suspended, e:^communicated, condemned in costs of suif_, 
 cast into prison, and obliged to make a public recantation at 
 three different places. Mr. Crowder was committed close 
 prisoner to Newgate for sixteen weeks, then deprived of 
 his living, without there being any charge, witness, or 
 other proof brought against him. Many others were pro- 
 secuted and deprived.* Bishop Laud being made chan- 
 cellor of Oxford, carried his sevirities to the university. 
 He caused Mr. Hill to make a public recantation ; Messrs. 
 Ford, TJiorne, and Hodges to be expelled from the univer- 
 sity ; the proctors to be deprived for receiving their appeal ; 
 and Drs. Prideaux and Wilkinson to be sharply admo- 
 nished. Mr. William Hobbs, fellow of Trinity college, 
 having preached against falling from grace; and Mr. 
 Thomas Cook of Brazen-nose college, having in his Latin 
 sermon used certain expressions against the Arminians, they 
 were both enjoined public recantations. Dr. Prideaux, Dr. 
 Burgess, Mr. White, Mr. Madye, with some others, suffered 
 on the same account. f 
 
 By the unfeeling persecutions of the bishops, the puri- 
 tans were driven from one diocese to another, and many 
 of them oliliged to leave the kingdom, and seek their bread 
 in a foreign land. Messrs. Ifigginson, Skelton, Wil- 
 liams, Wilson, Wheelwright, Philips, Lathorp, Hooker, 
 Stone, Cotton, with many others, iled to 'tNcw England. 
 Many of these divines, previous to their departure, were 
 harassed, prosecuted, and cruelly censured by the ruling 
 prelates. 
 
 The distressed puritans who remained at home, pre- 
 sented a petition to his majesty, in which they say, " We 
 are not a little discouraged and deterred from preaching^^ 
 those saving doctrines of God's free grace in election and 
 predestination which greatly confirm our faith of eternal 
 salvation, and fervently kindle our love to God, as the 
 seventeenth article expressly mentioneth. So we are 
 brought into great strait, either of incurring God's heavy 
 displeasure if we do not faithfully discharge our embassage, 
 in declaring the whole council of God : or the danger of 
 being censured as violaters of your majesty's acts, if we 
 preach these constant doctrines of our church, and confute 
 the opposite Pelagian and Arminian heresies, both boldly 
 preached and printed Avithout the least censure."t This 
 
 * \Tharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 519. 
 
 + Prynne's Cant. Doome, p. 173, 176.— Rnshworth's Collec. vol, ii. 
 p. 283. X Prj-nne's Cant. Doome, p. 165. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 75 
 
 appears, however, to have been followed with no good 
 effect. By silencing so many learned and useful ministers, 
 there was a great scarcity of preachers, and a famine of 
 the word of God in every corner of the land ; while igno- 
 rance, superstition, profaneness, and popery, every where 
 increased.* 
 
 The sufferings of the people for want of the bread of 
 life continually increasing, a number of ministers and 
 gentlemen formed a scheme to promote preaching in the 
 country, by s(!tting up lectures in the different market 
 towns. To defray the expence, a sum of money was 
 raised by voluntary contribution, for purchasing such 
 impropriations as were in the hands of the laity, the profits 
 of Avhich were to be divided into salaries of forty or fifty 
 pomids a year, for the support of the lecturers. The 
 money was deposited in the hands of the following persons, 
 as FEOFFEES : Dr. George, Dr. Sibbs, Dr. Offspring, and 
 iVJr. Davenport, of the clergy; Ralph Eyre, Simon Brown, 
 C. Sherland, and John White, esqrs. ; and Messrs. John 
 Gearing, Richard Davis, George Harwood, and Francis 
 Bridges, citizens of London. Most people thought the 
 design was very laudable, and wished them good success ; 
 bnt Bishop Laud looking upon the undertaking with an 
 evil and a jealous eye, as if it was likely to become the great 
 nursery of puritanism, applied to the king, and obtained 
 an information against all the feoffees in the exchequer. 
 The feoffment was, therefore, cancelled, their proceedings 
 declared illegal, the impropriations already purchased, 
 amounting to five or six thousand pounds, were confiscated 
 to the king, and the feoffees themselves fined in the star- 
 phamber.t 
 
 If the persecuted puritans at any time ventured to except 
 against the proceedings of this fiery prelate, they were 
 sure to feel his indignation. Mr. Hay den having spoken 
 against them from the pulpit, was driven out of the diocese 
 pf Exeter, but afterwards apprehended by Bishop Harsnet, 
 who took from him his horse, his money, and all his papers, 
 and caused him to be shut up in close prison for thirteen 
 weeks. Ilis lordship then sent him to the high commission, 
 "when he was deprived, degraded, and fined, for having 
 preached against superstitious decorations and images in 
 churches. Mr. Hayden venturing afterwards to preach 
 occasionally, was again apprehended by Bishop Laud, 
 
 * Prjnne's Cant. Doome, p. 385. + Ibid. p. 385— 387, 
 
76 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 who sent him first to the Gatehouse, tlien to Bridewell, where 
 he was whipped and kept to hard labour ; then confineci 
 in a cold dark hole durinjr the whole of winter, bein^ 
 chained to a post in the middle of the room, with irons on 
 his hands and feet, having no other food than bread and 
 \vater, and a pad of straw to lie on. Before his release, 
 he was obliged to take an oath, and give bond, to preach 
 no more, but depart from tlie kingdom, and never return. 
 Henry Shirfield, esq. a bencher of Lincoln's-irm, and 
 recorder of Salisbury, was tried in the star-chamljer, for 
 takijig down some painted glass from one of the windoAvs 
 of St. Edmund's church, Salisbury. These pictures were 
 extremely ridiculous and superstitious.* The taking down 
 of the glass was agreed upon at a vestrj', when six justices 
 of the peace were present. Towards the close of his trial, 
 Bishop Laud stood up, and moved the court, that Mr. 
 Shirfield might be fined .a? 1,000, removed from his recorder- 
 ship, committed to the Fleet till he paid the fine, and then 
 bound to his good behaviour. The whole of this heavy 
 sentence was inflicted u])on him, excepting that the fine 
 was mitigated to ^500.+ 
 
 In the year 1633, upon tlie death of Archbishop Abbot, 
 Laud was made Archbishop of Canterbury; when he and 
 several of his brethren renewed their zeal in the persecution 
 of the puritans.* Numerous lecturers were silenced, and 
 their lectures put down. Mr. Rathband and Mr. Blackerby, 
 two most excellent divines, were often silenced, and driven 
 from one place to another. Mr. Jolin Budle, rector of 
 Barnston, and Mr. Tlirogmorton, vicar of Mawling, were 
 prosecuted in the high commission.^ Mr. Alder and Mr. 
 Jessey v/ere both silenced, the latter for not observing the 
 cercm.onics, and removing a crucifix. || Mr. John Vincent 
 was continually harassed for nonconformity. He was so 
 driven from place to place, that though he had many 
 
 * There were in tliis window seven pictures of God (he Father in the 
 form of little old men, in a blue and red coat, witli a pouch by his side- 
 One of them represented him creating the sun and moon with a pair of 
 compasses ; others as working upon tlie six days creation ; and at last as 
 sitting in an elbow chair at rest. Many of the people, upon their going in 
 and out of the church, did reverence to tliis window, because, as they 
 said, the Lord their <lorl was there. — Prynncs Cant. Doonie, p. 102. 
 
 f Ibid. p. 103.— Rufhworih's Collec. vol. ii. p. 153— 155. 
 
 f Arclibishop Ai)bot who succeeded Bancroft, is said to licve imitnte^ 
 the mndenilion of Whitgift; and that Laud, who succeeded Ai)bot, imii 
 tated the wrath of Bancroft. — KenneVs Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 665j note* 
 
 ^ Wliarton's Troubles of Laud, vol, i. p. 526 — 529. 
 
 II Calamy's Contin. vol. i. p. 46. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 77 
 
 ciiiklrcn, not two of ihom wore bom in t!ie same county. 
 Messrs. Auf^el, Buckley, Saunders, Br id oes, Roberts, Erbery, 
 Cradock, Ne\vj[K)rt, and others, were suspended, and some 
 of them driven out of the country.* IMr. .lohn Carter was 
 censured by Bishop Wren, but (loath soon after delivered 
 him from all his troubles. Messrs. Peters, Davenport, 
 Nye,+ and others, to escape the fury of the storm, fled to 
 Holland. Mr. Peters, previous to his departure, was ap- 
 prehended by Archbishop Laud, suspended, and committed 
 for some time to New Prison. Many others were driven 
 to New England, among whom were Messrs. Norton, 
 Btirr, Shepard, Sherman, and Nathaniel Ward, who was 
 deprived and excommunicated by the archbishop. 
 
 During this year the king, by the recommendation of 
 Laud, republished the '' Book of Sports," for the encou- 
 ragement of recreations and pastimes on the Lord's day. 
 This 0}>ened a flood-gate to all manner of licentiousness, 
 and became the instrument of unspeakable oppression to 
 great numbers of his majesty's best sulnects. The ruling 
 prelates, though unauthorized by law, required the clergy 
 to read it before the public congregation. This the puritans 
 lefused ; for which they felt tlie iron rod of their tyrannical 
 oppressors. Dr. Staunton. Mr. (^hntuieey, and Mr. Thomas, 
 for refusing to read the book, were suspended.^ Mr. 
 Fairclough was often cited into the ecclesiastical courts. 
 Mr. Tookie was turned out of his living. Mr. Cooper was 
 suspended, and continued under the ecclesiastical censure 
 seven years. Mr. Sanger was imprisoned at Salisbury. 
 Mr. Moreland, rector of Hamsted-Marshail in Berkshire, 
 was suspended and deprived of his living.^ Mr. Snelling 
 was suspended, deprived, excommunicated, and cast into 
 prison, where he continued till the meeting of the long 
 parliament. Dr. Chambers was silenced, sequestcr^'d, and 
 cast into prison. |i Messrs. Culmer, Player, and Hieroii 
 being suspended, waited upon the archbishop, jointly 
 requesting absolution from tiie unjust censure; when his 
 grace said, " If you know not how to obey, I know not 
 bow to grant your favour," ar;d dismissed them from his 
 presence. Mr. W ilson was suspended from his office and 
 benefice, and afterwards prosecuted in the high conunission. 
 Mr. W^roth and Mr. Erbery from V/ales, Mr. Jones from. 
 
 • Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 533, 533. 
 
 + Calamy's Account, vol. ii. p. $9. 
 
 t Clark's Lives, last vol. part i. p. 162. ^ MS. Remarks, p. 903. 
 
 |! Calaoty's Account asd Contin. 
 
78 mTRODUCTION. 
 
 Gloucestershire, Mr. Whitfield of Ockliam, Mr. Garth of 
 Woversh, Mr. Ward of Pepper- Harrow, Mr. Farrol of Pur- 
 bright, Mr. Peg-ges of Weefbrd, and Mr. Thomas Valentine, 
 minister of Chalfont St. Giles, with many others, were brought 
 from various parts of the country, and prosecuted in the 
 Ligh commission.* Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. William 
 Bridge, Mr. Thomas Allen, and about thirty other worthy 
 ministers, for refusing to read the book and observe Bishop 
 Wren's articles, were driven out of the diocese.+ And 
 Laud, at the same time, caused upwards of twenty ministers 
 to be fined and expelled from their livings, for not bowing 
 at the name of Jesus. t 
 
 Towards the close of this year, William Prynne, esq. a 
 member of Lincoln's~inn, having published a book, entitled 
 *' Histrio-mastix ; or, the Play's Scourge," exposing the 
 evil of plays, masquerades, &c. was sentenced to have his 
 book burnt by the common hangman, to be put from the 
 bar, to be for ever incapable of his profession, to be turned 
 out of the society of Lincoln's-inn, to be degraded at 
 Oxford, to stand in the pillory at Westminster and Cheap- 
 side, to lose both his cars, one in each place, to pay a fine 
 of five thousand pounds, and to suffer perpetual imprison- 
 ment.§ Dr. Bastwick, a physician of Colchester, having 
 published a book, entitled Elenchus religioriis^ papisliccvy 
 with an appendix, called Flogellum pontificis and episco- 
 porum LatiaUum, so greatly oifended the prelates, by 
 denying the divine right of bishops above that of presby- 
 ters, that by the high commission, he was discarded from 
 his profession, excommunicated, fined one thousand pounds, 
 and imprisoned till he should recant. And Mr. Burton 
 having published two sermons against the late innovations, 
 entitled " For God and the King," had his house and 
 study broken open by a serjeant at arms, and his books and 
 papers carried away. He was then suspended, and com- 
 mitted close prisoner to the Fleet, where he remained a 
 long time. 
 
 These terrible proceedings made many conscientious non- 
 conformists retire, with their families, to Holland and New 
 England. Mr. Thomas Goodwin, Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs, 
 Mr. William Bridge, Mr. Sydrach Sympson, Mr. Julmes 
 Herring, Mr. Samuel Ward, and many others, having 
 
 * Prynne's Can(. Doome, p. 149, 151. 382. 
 t Calaniy's Account, vol. ii. p. 5, 476. 
 if Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 165. 
 § Ruslnvorth's CoUec. vol. ii. p. 233. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 79 
 
 ciulured the cruel oppressions of tlie prelates, went to Holland. 
 Mr. Herring had been driven from his flock, and several 
 times suspended. Mr. Ward had been suspended, required 
 to recant, condemned in costs of suit, and cast into prison, 
 where he had remained a long time. And Messrs. Mather, 
 Bulkley, Hobfrt, Symes, Whitfield, Uogers, Partridge, 
 ^Vhiting, Knollys, and Chauncey, withdrew from the storm, 
 and fled to New England. This was no rash adventure. 
 They suffered many hardships by suspension and imprison- 
 ment, previous to their departure. Mr. Chauncey was twice 
 prosecuted by the high commission, suspended from his 
 ministry, cast into prison, condemned in costs of suit, and 
 obliged to make a recantation. 
 
 While theso fled from the storm, others continued to 
 endure the painful conflict. Dr. Stougliton, rector of 
 Aldermanbury, London ; Mr. Andrew Moline, curate of 
 St. Swithin's ; Mr. John Goodwin, vicar of St. Stephen's, 
 Coleman -street ; and Mr. Viner of St. Lawrence, Old 
 Jewry, were prosecuted for breacli of canons. Mr. Turner 
 and Mr. Lindall, with some others, were censured in the 
 high commission. Mr. John Wood, formerly censured 
 in the high commission, and Mr. Sparrowhav*'ke of St. 
 Majiy's, Woolnoth, were both suspended for preaching 
 ygainst bowing at Ihe name of Jesus, Dr. Cornelius 
 Burgess and Mr. Wharton suffered in the high commis- 
 sion. Mr. Matthews, rector of Penmayn, was suspended 
 by his diocesan, for preaching against the observance of 
 popish holidays.^* Mr. Styles was prosecuted in the 
 ecclesiastical court at York, for omitting the cross in 
 baptism. Mr. Leigh, one of the prebendaries of Lichfield, 
 was suspended for churching refractory women in private, 
 tor being averse to the good orders of the church, and for 
 ordering the bell-man to give notice in open market of a 
 sermon. Mr. Kendal of Tuddington, was suspended for 
 preaching a sermon above an liour long, on a sabbath 
 afternoon. Dr. Jenningson of Newcastle, was prosecuted 
 in the high commission, and forced to quit the kingdom, 
 to escape the fury of Laud. Mr. John Jemmet of Berwick, 
 was apprehended by a pursuivant, suspended from the 
 sacred function, and banished from the town, without any 
 article or witness beinff brous-ht against him : and above 
 twenty other ministers were suspended for nonconformity. + 
 Mr. John Evans was sent to the Gatehouse j Mr. Jolm 
 
 * Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p, 33a— 544. 
 t Pr/nae's Cant. Doome, p. 381, 382, 450. 
 
80 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Vicars was apprehended by a pursuivant, cast into prison, 
 fined, and deprived of liis living; and Mr. George Walker 
 was prosecuted in tlie star-chamber, sequestered, and cast 
 into prison, where he remained till the meeting of the long 
 parliament. 
 
 Dr. Pierce, bishop of Bath and Wells, at the same time 
 persecuted the nonconformists without mercy. He drove 
 all the lecturers out of his diocese, and put down their 
 lectures, as factions, and nurseries of puritanism. Upon a 
 reflection on what he had done, he said, " I thank God, I 
 have not one lecturer left in my diocese," hating the very 
 name. lie suspended Mr. Davenish of Bridgewater, for 
 preaching a lecture in his own church on a market-day ; 
 and having absolved him upon his promise to preach no 
 more, he said, Go thy wai/^ and sin no 7nore, lest a i£orse 
 thins; he fed thee. He suspended Mr. Cornish for preaching 
 a funeral sermon in the evening ; and he questioned Mr. 
 Thomas Erford for preaching on a revel-day, saying " his 
 text was scandalous to the revel." He sliarply reprimanded 
 other ministers for explaining the questions and ansAvers in 
 the catechism, and said, " That was as bad as preaching." 
 For this practice he enjoined Mr. Barret, rector of Barwick, 
 to do public penance.* Dr. Conant, rector of Limingion, 
 received much molestation from this prelate.f Mr. Bichard 
 Allein, fifty years minister of Dichiat, endured great 
 sufferings under him. And Dr. Chambers was silenced, 
 sequestered, and cast into prison, being harassed several 
 
 years, t 
 
 Bishop Wren of Norwich, having ordered the commu- 
 nion tables in his diocese to be turned into altars, fencing 
 them about with rails, many of the people, to avoid super- 
 stition and idolatry, refused to kneel before them. And 
 though they presented themselves on their knees in the 
 chancel, they were refused the communion ; and afterwards, 
 for not receiving it, they were excommunicated by this 
 prelate.^ His lordship had no mercy on the puritans. He 
 suspended, deprived, excommunicated, || or otherwise cen- 
 sured no less than Jiftj/ able and pious ministers, to the ruin 
 of themselves, their wives, and their children. Among this 
 
 * Prynne's Cant. Doomc, p. 377, 378. 
 
 + Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. i. p. 2?9. 
 
 ■\ Calamy's Account, vol. ii. \). 5S0, 754. 
 
 % Nalsou's Collections, vol. ii. p. 399. 
 
 II A minister's son was excommunicated for only repeating the sermon of 
 his father, who had been excommunicated. — Eushwgrth's CoUtu. vol. Jii. 
 p. 181. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 81 
 
 number were Messrs. William Leigb,. , Richard Proud, 
 Jonathan Burr, MatthewBrowning, William Powell, Richard 
 Jiaymund, John Carter, Robert Peck, William Bridge, 
 William Green, Thomas Scott, Nicholas Beard, Robert 
 Kent, Thomas Allen, John Allen, and John Ward.* Some 
 of them spent their days in silence ; others retired into 
 foreign countries ; but none were restored without a pro- 
 mise of conformity. This furious prelate, by these severities, 
 drove upwards of three thousand persons to seek their bread 
 in a foreign land.t 
 
 About the year 1637, many of the persecuted puritans, 
 to obtain a refuge from the storm, retired to New England ; 
 among whom were Messrs. Fisk, Moxon, Newman, Peck, 
 Ezekel Rogers, and Thomas Larkham.^: Mr. Larkham was 
 so followed by continued vexatious prosecutions, that he 
 was a sufferer in almost all the courts in England. He 
 was in the star-chamber and high commission at the same 
 time. And, he said, he was so constantly hunted by hungry 
 pursuivants, that at last, by the tyranny of the bishops, 
 and the tenderness of his own conscience, he was forced into 
 exile. § 
 
 While these ravages were made in the churches, nume- 
 rous pious ministers and their flocks being torn asunder, iJt 
 any attempted to separate from the national church, the 
 jealous archbishop was sure to have his eye upon them. Mr. 
 Lamb was accordingly prosecuted in the high commission, 
 and cast into prison. He was confined in m.ost of the jails 
 about London. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Cornwall were com- 
 mitted to Maidstone jail. Many others were excommuni- 
 cated and imprisoned by the archbishop. 
 
 This tyrannical arch-prelate suspended one Mr. Warren, 
 a schoolmaster, for refusing conformity, and for reading 
 only books on (Uvinitij among his scholars. Mr. Ephraira 
 Hewet, minister of Wroxall in Warwickshire, was suspended 
 by his diocesan, for keeping a fast in his parish, and not 
 observing the ceremonies. Mr. Jeffryes was forced from 
 his flock ; and Mr. Wroth and Mr. Erbery were prosecuted, 
 when the latter resigned his vicarage, and left the diocese in 
 peace. Great numbers in Kent were excommimicated and 
 cast into prison. About thirty of the London ministers 
 
 * Rushworth's Collec. vol. iii, p. 353.— Nalson's Collec. vol. ii. p. 400, 401, 
 
 f Prynne's Cant. Doome, p, 376. 
 
 X The number of ministers driven to New England by the hard dealings 
 of tile bishops, from the year 1620 to 1640, amounted to about ninety. — 
 MS. Remarks, p. 919—921. 
 
 ^ Calamys Contin. vol. i, p. 330. 
 
 VOL, I. C 
 
82 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 were convened before their diocesan ; when many of them 
 %vere suspended and excommunicated for refusing to receive 
 the sacrament at the rails. » Mr. Miles Burket, vicar of 
 Patteshall in Northamptonshire, was prosecuted in the high 
 commission, for administering the sacrament -without the 
 rails, and for not bowing at the name of Jesus, f Mr. Burton, 
 Mr. Prynne, and Dr. Bastwick, already mentioned, having 
 been long confined in prison, were prosecuted in the star- 
 chamber, whenthey received the following dreadful sentence : 
 — " Mr. Burton shall be deprived of his living, and degraded 
 from his ministry, as Mr. Prynne and Dr. Bastwick had been 
 already from their professions; they shall each be fined 
 j£5,000 ; they shall stand in the pillory at Westminster, and 
 have their ears cut off; and because Prynne had lost his 
 cars already, the remainder of the stumps shall be cut oft', 
 and he shall be stigmatized on both his cheeks with the letters 
 S. L. for a seditious libeller; and they shall all three 
 suffer perpetual imprisonment in the remotest parts of the 
 kingdom."}: 
 
 The church of England and the governing prelates were 
 now arrived at their highest power and splendour. The 
 afflicted nonconformists, and those who favoured their cause,^ 
 felt the relentless vengeance of the star-chamber and high 
 commission. Dr. Williams, the excellent Bishop of Lincoln, 
 was now removed from the court, and retired to his diocese. 
 Here he connived at the nonconformists, and spoke with 
 some keenness against the ceremonies. He once said, " That 
 the puritans were the king's best subjects, and he was sure 
 they would carry all at last." Laud being informed of this 
 expression, caused an information to be lodged against 
 him in the star-chamber, when, after suspension from all his 
 offices and benefits in the high commission, he was fined 
 jf 10,000 to the king, ^1,000 to Sir John Mounson, and 
 committed to the Tower during the king's pleasure. Being 
 sent to the Tower, his library and all his goods were seized, 
 and sold to pay the fine. His papers being seized, two 
 letters were found written to him by Mr. Osbaldeston, chief 
 
 * Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol, i, p, 546—557. 
 
 f Prynne's Cant. Doonie, p. 96. 
 
 X For a circumstantial account of the execution of this barbarous sen- 
 tence, see Art. Henry Burton. 
 
 § Many of tliose who favoured the cause of the nonconformists, paid 
 jreat sums of money to obtain their release from the ecclesiastical censure. 
 And Mr. John Packer, a gentleman of exemplary piety, charity, and 
 zeal for a further reformation, was most liberal in supporting the silenced 
 aiinisters ; and he paid =£1,000 for one of them to be released.— itfS. Chro- 
 sioiogy, vol. iii, A.D. 1640, p. 44. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 83 
 
 master of Westminster school, containing certain dark 
 expressions,* on the ground of which he was condemned in 
 the additional fine of .a^5,000 to the king, and ^3,000 to the 
 archbishop, and kept close prisoner in the Tower. Mr. 
 Osbaldeston was fined <gg5,000 to the king, and ^5,000 to the 
 archbishop ; to be deprived of all his spiritnal promotions, 
 to stand in the pillory before his own school, and have his 
 ears nailed to it, and to be imprisoned during the king's 
 pleasure. Mr. Osbaldeston being among the crowd in the 
 court, when the sentence was pronounced, immediately 
 went home, burnt some .papers, and absconded, leaving a 
 note on his desk in his study, with these words : " If the 
 archbishop enquire for me, tell him I am gone beyond 
 Canterbury." Mr. Jolm Lilburne, afterwards a colonel in 
 the army, for refusing to take an oath to answer all interro- 
 gatories concerning his importing and publishing seditious 
 libels, was fined ^5,000, and whipped through the streets 
 from the Fleet to the pillory in Westminster. While in the 
 pillory, he was gagged, then carried to the Fleet, and com- 
 mitted to close confinement, with irons on his hands and 
 feet, where he remained betwixt two and three years, without 
 any persons being allowed to see him.t 
 
 These terrible proceedings, without serving the interest 
 of the church, awakened universal resentment against tliose 
 in power. Many thousand families were driven to Holland, 
 and many thousands to New England. $ This so alarmed 
 the king and the council, that a proclamation was issued, 
 April 30, 1637, observing, '• That great numbers of his 
 majesty's subjects were yearly transported to New England, 
 with their families and whole estates, that iheij might be out 
 of the reach of ecclesiastical aulhoriti/ ; his majesty therefore 
 commands, that his officers of the several ports should suffer 
 none to pass without license from the commissioners of the 
 plantations, and a testimonial from their minister, of their 
 conformity to the orders and discipline of the church." 
 And to debar all ministers^ it was ordered, " That whereas 
 such ministers as are not conformable to the discipline and 
 ceremonies of the church, do frequently transport themselves 
 to the plantations, where they take liberty to nourish their 
 factious ajid schismatical humours, to the hindrance of the 
 
 * These letters made mention of a little great man; and in another pas- 
 sage, the same person was denominated a little urchin. Such wer« the dark 
 expressions which, by interpretation, were applied to Laud. 
 
 f RuBhworth's Collec. vol. ii. p. 417, 803, 817. 
 
 + Sylvester's Life of Bazter, part i. p. 18. 
 
8i INTRODUCTION. 
 
 good conformity and unity of the church ; we therefom 
 expressly command you, in his majesty's name, to suiFer 
 no clergyman to transport himself without a testimonial 
 from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of 
 London,"* The puritans must not be suffered to live 
 peaceably at home, nor yet be allowed to take sanctuary in 
 a foreign land. These unparalleled acts of cruel and tyran- 
 nical injustice in a protestant country, turned the hearts of 
 tens of thousands to the cause of the puritans. 
 
 Notwithstanding the above prohibitions, multitudes went on 
 hoard ships in disguise, and got over to the new plantations. 
 There were, indeed, eight ships in the river Thames bound 
 for New England, and tilled with puritan families, among 
 whom was Oliver Cromwell ; who, seeing no end of the 
 cruel oppressions in their native country, determined to 
 spend the remainder of their days in America. But the 
 council being informed of their design, issued an order "to 
 stay those sliips, and to put on shore all the provisions 
 intended for the voyage." To prevent the same in future, 
 the king prohibited all masters and owners of ships, from 
 sending any sliips with passengers to New England, without 
 a special license from the privy council ; " because," says 
 he, " the people of New England are factious and unworthy 
 our suppor t."t 
 
 The puritans who remained at home still groaned under 
 the merciless oppressions of the prelates. Mr. Obadiah 
 Sedgwick was driven from his living and the people of his 
 charge. Mr. Cox was summoned first before Bishop Hall^ 
 then Archbishop Laud. Mr. Simonds, rector of St. Martin's, 
 Ironmonger-lane, London, and Mr. Daniel Votyer, rector 
 of St. Peter's, West-cheap, were deprived, and forced to flee 
 into Holland. Mr. Show was cited before Laud, and he 
 lied to New England. t By the recommendation of Laud, 
 Mr. Edward Moore, a student in the university of Oxford, 
 was cast into prison, for the insignificant crime of wearing 
 his hat in the town ; and for his behaviour when reproved 
 for his fault, he recommended him to be publicly whipped, 
 and banished from the universily.^j Mr. Bright was 
 suspended for refusing to read the prayer against the Scots ; 
 and his brethren, the ministers of Kent, endured many 
 troubles for the same crime. Mr. Barber was suspended 
 and cast into prison, where he remained eleven months. Mr. 
 
 * Rushwortli, ▼ol. ii, p, 409, 410. 
 
 + Ibid. J Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol.. i. p. 559—663. 
 
 i Wharton'. Tioubles of Laud, vol. ii. p. 167. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 85 
 
 Jessey and many others being assembled together for the 
 purpose of fasting and prayer, ^vere interrupted by the 
 pursuivants, and sent to the Tower. Afterwards he was 
 apprehended and several of his congregation, and committed 
 to the Compter ; but upon their application to the parlia- 
 ment, they were immediately released. Mr. AYilkinson 
 was suspended, but restored by the house of commons.* Mr. 
 Moreton, rector of Blisland in Cornwall, w as driven from his 
 living and his flock. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Todd Averc both 
 silenced. Mr. Hieron was apprehended and prosecuted in 
 the high commission, for very trivial matters. + By these 
 proceedings of the bishops, many lliousands of excellent 
 christians and worthy subjects were ruined in their estates, 
 and driven out of the country. J 
 
 In the year 1640, the convocation continued to sit, after 
 the parliament was dissolved. The canons adopted in this 
 synod, entitled " Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical 
 treated upon by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, 
 &c." are extremely superstitious and tyrannical. They 
 required of all clergymen to swear " That they would never 
 consent to the alteration of the present government of the 
 church, by archbishops, bishops, deans, archdeacons, &c.'* 
 And if any beneficed person should refuse this ridiculous 
 and crnel oath, " he shall after one month be suspended 
 from his office ; after a second month, he shall be suspended 
 from his office and benefice ; and after a third month, he 
 shall be deprived of all his ecclesiastical promotions."-) These 
 canons were evidently designed to crush all the puritans at 
 once ; but they were soon virtually annulled. || 
 
 Novembers, 1640, the long parliament first assem- 
 bled, and continued sitting with some little interruption about 
 eighteen years. The members of this parliament were all 
 inemhers of the church of En gland .^ and nearly all advocates 
 for episcopal government.^ The first week was spent in 
 appointing conmiittees, and receiving the numerous petitions 
 from all parts of tjie kingdom, craving a redress of grievances 
 both in church and state.** Numerous petitions were also 
 
 * Calamy's Ck)ntin. vol. i. p. 47, 91. 
 
 + Calamy's Account, vol. ii. p. 144, 1G2, 222, 79T. 
 
 % Mather's Hist, of New Eng. b. iii. p. 136. 
 
 § Sparrow's Collec. p. 359, 360. 
 
 II The above convocation, says Clarendon, gave subsidies, enjoined aa 
 oath, and did things, which, in the best of times, might have been ques- 
 tioned ; and therefore, in the worst, were sure to be condemned, — Hist, of 
 Rebellion, vol. i. p, 116- 
 
 % Clarendon's Hist. vel. i. p. 184. •» Whitlocke's Memorial, p. 36. 
 
86 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 presented by the puritans who had been many years under 
 close confinement : when the parliament favourably received 
 them, released the prisoners, and voted them to receive 
 considerable sums out of the estates of their persecutors, by 
 way of damages. They released Dr. Leighton, who had 
 been imprisoned ten years ; Mr. Smart, eleven or twelve 
 years ; and Mr. Brewer, fourteen years. Also, Burton, 
 Pryniie, Bastwick, Walker, Lilburiie, Bishop Williams, 
 and many others, now obtained their liberty. The above 
 canons were, at the same time, condemned in the house of 
 commons, as being against the king's prerogative, the 
 fundamental laws of the realm, the lil^erty and property of 
 the subject, and as containing divers other things tending to 
 sedition and dangerous consequence. For which several of 
 the bishops were impeached of high crimes and misde- 
 meanours.* The arclibishop was impeached of high ireason, 
 and committed to the Tower.t 
 
 Tlie coniDiiltee of accommodation was appointed by the 
 upper house, to consider of such iimovations as were proper 
 to be taken away. It consisted often earls, ten bishops, and 
 ien barons. Thcj' also appointed a sub-committee of 
 bishops and learned divines, to prepare matters for debate, 
 Bishop Williams being chairman of both. I The result of 
 their conference was drawn up for the debate of the com- 
 mittee, in a number of propositions and queries. But all 
 attempts at an accommodation were blasted by the obstinacy 
 of the bishops, and by the discovery of the plot for bringing 
 the army up to London to dissolve the parliament. This 
 widened the distance betwixt the king and the two houses, 
 and broke up the committee, without bringing any thing to 
 perfection. The moderation and mutual compliance of 
 these divines, it is justly observed, might have saved the 
 whole body of episcopacy, and prevented the civil war : but 
 the court bishops expected no good from them, suspecting 
 that the puritans would betray the church. Some hot 
 
 * Rushwortli's Collec. vol. iv, p. 359. 
 
 + Prynne's Breviate of Laud, p. 23, 24. 
 
 :}: The names of these bishops and learned divines, were as follows: 
 Dr. Williams, bishop of Lincoln, Dr. Richard Holdsworth, 
 
 Dr. Usher, arclibishop of Armagh, Dr. John Hacket, 
 
 Dr. IMorton, bishop of Durham, Dr. Will iam Tw isse. 
 
 Dr. Hall, bishop of Exeter, Dr. Cornelius Burgess, 
 
 Dr. Samuel Ward, Mr. .lohn White, 
 
 Dr. ,7ohn Prideaux, Mr. Stephen Marshall, 
 
 Dr. Robert Sanderson, Mr. Edmund Calamy, 
 
 Dr. Daniel Featley, Mr. Thomas Hill. 
 
 Dr, Ralph Brownrigg, Fuller's Church Hist, b. xi. p. 174. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 87 
 
 spirits would abate nothing of the episcopal power or profit, 
 but maintained, that to yield ajiy thing was giving up the 
 cause to the opposite party.* 
 
 In the year 1641, the parliament introduced two bills, 
 one to abolish the high commission court, the other the 
 star-chamber, both of which obtained the royal assent.t 
 The former of these courts, observes Lord Clarendon, had 
 assumed a disputable power of imposing fines ; that it some- 
 times exceeded in the severity of its sentences; that it 
 rendered itself very unpopular; and had managed its 
 censures Avith more sharpness, and less policy, than the 
 times would bear: but he declares he did not know that 
 any innocent clergyman suiFered by any of its ecclesiastical 
 censures 4 The abolition of these courts effectually clipped 
 the wings of the persecuting prelates. 
 
 Numerous petitions being sent up from all quarters for 
 preaching ministers, a committee of forty members of the 
 house was apjwinted, called the committee of preaching 
 ministers, to send ministers where there were vacancies, and 
 provide for their maintenance.^ And there being many 
 complaints of idle and licentious clergymen, another com- 
 mittee was appointed, called the committee of scandalous 
 jninisters, to examine these complaints. || A third com- 
 mittee was appointed, called the committee of plundered 
 ministers, for the relief of such godly ministers as were 
 driven from their cures, for adhering to the parliament.^ 
 Many pious and learned divines were members of these 
 committees, who employed their abilities to the utmost for 
 public usefulness. 
 
 Upon the presentation of numerous grievances from all 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. xi. p. 175. 
 
 + Scobell's Collections, part i. p. 9, 12. 
 
 :}: Clarendon's Hist. vol. i. p. 221 , 222. — The high commission, says Hume, 
 extended its jurisdiction over the whole kingdom, and over all orders of 
 men ; and ev-ery circumstance of its authority, and all its methods of 
 proceeding, were contrary to the clearest principles of law and natural 
 equity. The commissioners were impowered to administer the oath ex 
 officio-, by which a person was bound to answer all questions, and might 
 thereby be obliged to accuse himself or his most intimate friend. The fines 
 were discretionary, and often occasioned the total ruin of the offender, 
 contrary to the established laws of the kingdom. This court was a real 
 Inquisition ; attended with all the iniquities, as well as cruellies, insej)arable 
 from that tribunal. It was armed, says Granger, with a.n inquisitorial poieer^ 
 to force any one to confess what he knew, and to punish him at discretion. 
 — Hume's' Hist, of Eng. vol. v. p. 189.— Granger's Bio£. 77j><. vol. i, 
 p. 206. 
 
 ^ Clarendon's Hist. vol. i. p. 295. 
 
 K Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 19. 
 
 a Walker's Suf. Clergy, part i. p. 13. 
 
88 INTRODUCTION; 
 
 parts of the kingdom, the parliament appointed a com- 
 mittee to draw out of them all, such kind of remonstrance as 
 would give his majesty an impartial representation of the 
 deplorable state of the nation. The remonstrance* was 
 presented to the king, December 1, 1641 ; and enumerates 
 the grievances, oppressions, and unbounded acts of the 
 prerogative, since his majesty's accession : among which 
 were " The suspension, deprivation, excommunication, and 
 degradation of laborious, learned, and pious ministers. — 
 The sharpness and severity of the high commission, assisted 
 by the council-table, not much less' grievous than the Romish 
 inquisition. — The rigour of the bishops' courts in the 
 country, whereby numbers of tradesmen have been im- 
 poverished, and driven to Holland and New England. — 
 Tiie advancement to ecclesiastical preferments, of those 
 who were most officious in promoting superstition, and 
 most virulent in railing against godliness and honesty. — 
 The design of reconciling the church of England with that 
 of Rome. — And the late canons and oath imposed upon the 
 clergy, under the most grievous pcnalties."f But tiie king 
 was displeased with the remonstrance; he published an 
 ajiswer to it, and issued his royal proclamation, requiring 
 an exact conformity to the religion as by law established. + 
 
 During the year 1642, the king and the parliament put 
 themselves respectively in a posture of defetice, and used 
 those military precautions which soon led to all the horrors 
 of a civil war, and deluged the land with blood. Both 
 parties published their declarations, in justification of their 
 own cause. The king set up his standard at Nottingham, 
 where about 2,000 came to him ; and greatly augmented his 
 forces out of Shropshire, Worcestershire, aiul other counties. 
 The parliament raised a gallant army under the command 
 of the Earl of Essex. Many excellent divines became 
 chaplains to the several regiments. Dr. Burgess and Mr. 
 Marshall, to the general's own regiments; Mr. Obadiah 
 Sedgwick, to Colonel Hollis's regiment; Dr. Downing, to 
 Lord Roberts' ; Mr. John Sedgwick, to the Earl of Stam- 
 ford's ; Dr. Spurstowe, to Mr. Hampden's ; Mr. Perkins, to 
 
 * The debates in paiiianient about the remonstrcince lasted from three 
 o'clock in the afternoon, till ten next mcrning, which occasioned Sir B. R. 
 to say, " It was the verdict of a starved jury." Oliver Cromwell told 
 Lord Falkland, that if the remonstrance had been rejected, he would have 
 sold all his estates next morning, atid never have seen Engiland any more. — 
 WhUlocke's Mem. p 'iQ.— Clarendon'' s Hist. vol. i, p. 246, 247. 
 
 •f Rushworth's Collec. vol. v. p. 438— Nalson's Ccllec. vol. ii. p. 694. 
 
 t Rushworth's Collec. vol. v. p. 456. 
 
 1 
 
INTRODUCTION. S9 
 
 Colonel Goodwill's ; Mr. Mooie, to Lord Wharton's ; Mr. 
 Adoniram Byfiekl, to Sir Henry Cholmley's ; Mr. Nalton, 
 to Colonel Grantham's ; Mr. Ashe, either to Lord Brook's 
 or the Earl of Manchester's; and Mr. Morton, to Sic 
 Arthur Hasilrigg's ; with many more.* 
 
 The house of commons liad already resolved, " That 
 the Lord's dixy should be duly observed and sanctified; 
 that all dancins: and other sports, either before or after 
 divine service, should be forborn and restrained ; that the 
 preaching- of God's word be promoted in all parts of the 
 kingdom ; and that ministers be encouraged in this work."+ 
 May 5, 1()43, the parliament issued an order, " That the 
 Book of Sports shall be burnt by the common hangman, in 
 Cheapside and other public places," which was done by 
 direction of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, t By 
 an ordinance of both houses, it was appointed, " That.no 
 person shall henceforth on the JiOrd's day, use or be present 
 at any wrestling, shooting, bowling, ringing of bells tor plea- 
 sure, mask, wake, church-ale, games, dancing, sports, or other 
 pastime, under the several penalties annexed." An ordi- 
 nance also passed for removing ail monuments of supersti- 
 tion and idolatry, commanding all altars and tables of 
 stone to be demolished, communion tables to be removed 
 from the east end of the church, the rails to be removed, 
 the chancel to be levelled, tapers, candlesticks, basons, &c. 
 to be removed from the communion tables ; and all crosses, 
 crucifixes, and images, to be taken away and defaced. 
 And by another, it was appointed, " That all copes, sur- 
 plices, superstitious vestments, roods, fonts, and organs^ be 
 utterly defaced."^ 
 
 June 12, 1643, an ordinance passed both houses for 
 calling the assembly of divines.|| This assembly was not 
 a convocation according to the diocesan modal, nor was it 
 called by the votes of ministers according to the presby- 
 terian way ; but the parliament chose all the members 
 themselves, merely with a view to obtain their opinion and 
 advice, in settling the government, liturgy, and doctrine 
 of the church. Their debates were confined to such things 
 as the parliament proposed. Some counties had two mem- 
 bers, and some only one. But to appear impartial, and 
 
 * Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 42. 
 
 + Nalson's Collec. vol. ii, p. 482. 
 
 X An act of greater scorn, or greater insolency anci disloyal impudence, 
 says Dr. Heylio, was never oftered to a sovereign and anointed Prince, 
 than this severe usage of the Book of Sports, — Mist, of Prei p. 465. 
 
 ^ Scobell's CoUec. part i. p. 53, 69. Il Ibid. p. 42. 
 
90 
 
 INTRODUCTIOiX. 
 
 give each party the liberty to speak, they chose many of the 
 niost learned episcopalians, as well as those of other deno- 
 minations.* Lord Clarendon reproaches these pious and 
 learned divines, of whom a list is <^iven beIow,+ by saying-, 
 ^' That some were infamous in their lives and conversation, 
 and most of them of very mean ])arts, if not of scandalous 
 ignorance, and of no other reputation than of malice to the 
 
 * Many of the episcopal divines, several of whom were bishops, did 
 not attend. 
 
 + William Tu'isse, D.D. Newbury, 
 
 prolocutor. 
 Corn. Burgess, D.D. ") 
 
 Watford, ( . 
 
 John AVhite, Dorches-M'^^'^*'"' 
 
 ter, ) 
 
 William Gonge, D.D. Blackfriars. 
 Robert Harris, B.D. Hanwell. 
 Tho. Gataker, B.D. Flotherhithe. 
 Oliver Bowles, B.D. Sutton. 
 Edward Reynolds, D.D. Bramston. 
 Jeremiah Whitaker, A.M. Sirctton. 
 Anthony Turkney, B.D. Boston. 
 John Arrowsmith, Lynn. 
 Simeon Ashe, St. Bride's. 
 Philip Nye, Kimbolton. 
 Jeremiah Burroughs, A.M. Stepney. 
 John Lightfoot, D.D. Ashly. 
 Stanley Gower, Brampton-Bryan. 
 IlichardHeyricke,A.M. Manchester. 
 Thomas Case, London. 
 Thomas Temple, D.D. Battersea. 
 fjeorge Gipps, Ayleston. 
 Thomas Carter, Oxford. 
 Humphrey Chambers, B.D. Cla- 
 
 verton. 
 Tho. Micklethwaite, Cherryburton. 
 John Gibbon, Waltham. 
 Christ. Tisdale, Uphurstborne. 
 John Phillips, Wrentham. 
 George Walker, B.D. London. 
 Edm. Calamy, B.D. Aldermanbury. 
 Joseph Caryl, A.M. Lincoln's-inn. 
 Lazarus Seaman, D.D. London. 
 Henry Wilkinson, B.D. Waddesdon. 
 Richard Vines, A.M. Calcot. 
 Nicholas Proffet, Marlborough. 
 Sfeph. Marshall, B.D. Finchingfield. 
 Joshua Hoyle, D.D. Dublin. 
 Thomas Wilson, A.M. Otham. 
 Thomas Hodges, B.D. Kensington. 
 Tho. Bayley, B.D. Maningford- 
 
 Crucis. 
 Francis Taylor, A.M. Yalding. 
 Thomas Young, Stow-market. 
 Tho. Valentine, B.D. Chalfont St. 
 
 Giles. 
 
 William Greenhill, Stepney. 
 
 Edward Peale, Compton. 
 
 John Green, Pencombe. 
 
 Andrew Perne, Wilby. 
 
 Samuel de la Place, French Church. 
 
 John de la March, French Church. 
 
 John Dury. 
 
 Philip Delme. 
 
 Sydrach Sympson, London, 
 
 John Langley, West-Tuderly. 
 
 Richard Cleyton, Showel. 
 
 Arthur Salwey, Severn Stoke. 
 
 John Ley, A.M. Bud worth. 
 
 Charles Herle, A.M. Winwick, (pro- 
 locutor after Dr. Twisse.) 
 
 Herbert Palmer, B. D. Ashwell, 
 (assessor after Mr. White.) 
 
 Daniel Caw drey, A.M. 
 
 Henry Painter, B.D. Exeter. 
 
 Henry Scudderj Collingbourne. 
 
 Thomas Hill, D.D. Tichmarch. 
 
 William Reynor, B.D. Eghani. 
 
 Thomas Goodwin, D.D. London. 
 
 William Spurstowe, D.D. Hampden. 
 
 I\Iatthew Newcomen, Dedham. 
 
 John Conant, D.D. Limington. 
 
 Edmund Staunton, D.D. Kingston. 
 
 Anthony Burgess, Sutton-Coldtield. 
 
 William Rathband, Highgate. 
 
 Francis Cheynel, D.D. Pet worth. 
 
 Henry Wilkinson, Junior, B.D. 
 
 Obadiah Sedgwick, B.D. Coggeshall. 
 
 Edward Corbet, Merton coll. Oxford. 
 
 Samuel Gibson, Burley. 
 
 Thomas Coleman, A.M. Bliton. 
 
 Theod. Buckhurst, Overton- Water- 
 vile, 
 
 William Carter, London. 
 
 Peter Smith, D.D. Barkway. 
 
 John Maynard, A.^L 
 
 W'illiam Price, Covent-Garden. 
 
 John Wincop, D.D. St. Martin's. 
 
 William Bridge, A.M.Yarmouth. 
 
 Peter Sterry, London. 
 
 William Mew, B.D. Esington. 
 
 Benj. Pickering, East-Hoathly. 
 
 John Strickland, B.D. New Saruas- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 91 
 
 church."* But Mr. Baxter, who knew them much better 
 than his lordship, says, " They were men of eminent learn- 
 ing and godliness, ministerial abilities and fidelity. And 
 the christian world, since the days of the apostles, has 
 never had a synod of more excellent divines, than this 
 synod, and the synod of Dort."t Many of the lords and 
 commons were joined with the divines, to see that they did 
 not go beyond their commission.^ The assembly presented 
 to the parliament the confessio?t of fail /i, the larger and 
 shorter catechisms, the director^/ of public worship, and 
 their humble advice concerning church government. The 
 '•' Assembly's Annotations," as it is commonly called, is 
 unjustly ascribed to the assembly. The parliament em- 
 ployed the authors of that work, several of whom were 
 members of this learned synod. The assembly first met 
 July 1, 164:3, in Henry the Seventh's chapel, and continued 
 to meet several years. 
 
 Soon after the meeting of the assembly, a bond of union 
 wi's agreed upon, entitled " A Solemn League and 
 Covenant for Reformation, and Defence of Religion, the 
 Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Peace and 
 Safety of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and 
 
 Humphrey Hardwick. William Goad. 
 
 Jasper Hick.es, A.M. Lawrick. John Foxcroft, Gotham. 
 
 John Bond, LL.D. Exeter. John Ward. 
 
 Henry Hall, B.D. Norwich. Richard Byfield, A.M. 
 
 Thomas Ford, A.M. Francis Woodcock, Cambridge. 
 
 Tho. Thorowgood, Massingham. J. Jackson, Cambridge. 
 
 Peter Clark, A.M. Carnaby. 
 
 The Commissioners for Scotland were, 
 Lord Maitland. Samuel Rutterford. Robert Baylie. 
 
 Alexander Henderson. George Gillespie. 
 
 The Scribes were, 
 Henry Roborough. John Wallis. Adoniram Byfield. 
 
 * Clarendon's Hist. vol. i. p. 415. 
 
 + Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 73. 
 
 X Algernon Earl of Northumb. John White, esq. 
 
 William Earl of Bedford. Bulstrode Whitlocke, esq. 
 
 Philip Earl of Pembroke. Humphrey Sail way, esq. 
 
 AVilliara Earl of Salisbury. Oliver St John, esq. king's solicitor. 
 
 Henry Earl of Holland. Mr. Serjeant Wild. 
 
 Edward Earl of Manchester. Sir Benjamin Rudyard, knt. 
 
 William Lord Viscount Say and Sele. John Pym, esq. 
 
 Edward Lord Viscount Conway. Sir John Clotworthy, knt. 
 
 Philip Lord Wharton. John Maynard, esq. 
 
 Edward Lord Howard. Sir Henry Vane, junior, knt. 
 
 John Selden, esq. William Pierpoint, esq, 
 
 Francis Rouse, esq. William Wheeler, esq. 
 
 Edmund Prideaux, esq. Sir Thomas Barrington, knt. 
 
 Sir Henry Vane, senior, knt. Walter Young, esq. 
 
 John Glyn, esq. recorder of London. Sir John Evelin, knt. 
 
S2 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Ireland,"* It was subscribed by both houses of parliament, 
 the Scots commissioners, and the assembly of divines, in 
 St. Margaret's church, Westminster ; and afterwards 
 required to be subscribed by all persons above the age of 
 eighteen years. 
 
 In addition to the conmiittees already mentioned, the 
 parliament appointed country amimiUees, in the different 
 parts of the kingdom ; and afterwards the committee of 
 sequestrations. They were empowered to examine, and 
 sequester, upon sufficient witness, such clergymen as were 
 scandalous in their lives, ill-affected to the parliament, or 
 fomenters of the unnatural war betwixt the king and parlia- 
 ment. Multitudes of the conformable clergy were cited 
 before these committees, and such as were found guilty of 
 notorious immorality, or an avowed hostility to the parlia- 
 men!, were deprived of their livings. Though it cannot 
 be supposed in such times, that no innocent person unjustly 
 suffered; j^et, " many" says Fuller, " were cast out for their 
 misdemeanours, and some of their offences were so foul, it is 
 a shame to report them, crying to justice for punishment. "f 
 And, says Mr. Baxter, " in all the countries where he was 
 *' acquainted, six to one at least, if not many more, that 
 " Avere sequestered by the committees, were by the oaths of 
 " witnesses proved insufficient or scandalous, or especially 
 *' guilty of drunkenness and swearing. This I know," says 
 lie, " will displease the party, hid 1 am sure it is true^X . 
 
 In the year 1614, Archbishop Laud was brought to trial 
 by the two houses of parliament, and being found guilty of 
 high treason, Avas beheaded on Tower-hill. He Avas a 
 prelate of imperious and bigotted principles, and rash and 
 furious in his conduct, especially towards the puritans. 
 His councils Avere high and arbitrary, tending to the ruin of 
 the king and constitution. He obtained the ascendancy 
 over his majesty's conscience and councils, § Though he 
 ■was no papist, he Avas much inclined to the popish imposi- 
 tions and superstitious rites, and to meet the church of 
 Rome half Avay. While it Avas Laud's " chief object to 
 maintain the outward splendour of the church, by daily 
 increasing the nmnber of pompous ceremonies and scau- 
 
 * Clarendon's Hist. vol. ii, p. 287, 
 
 + Fuller's Church Hist, b, xi, p. 207. 
 
 :{: Silvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p, 74. 
 
 ^ " Some of his majesty's ministers drove so fast," says A^'cl wood, "that it 
 was no wonder both the whcelsand chariot were broken. And it was owing 
 in a great part to the indiscreet zeal of a mitred head, (meaning Laud) who 
 had got an ascendant over his master's conscience and councils, that both the 
 •monarchy and hierarchy owed afterwards tlieir fall." — Memoirs, p. 31. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 93 
 
 tlalous innovations, he made many fair approaches towards 
 Home, in point ot" doctrine."* Under his primacy the 
 church of Enghmd evidently assumed a ^ery popish 
 appearance. And, according to Hume, the court of Rome 
 itself entertained Iiopes of regaining its authority in this 
 island ; and, in order to forward Laud's supposed good 
 intentions, an ofler was twice made him, in private, of a 
 cardinal's hat, which he declined accepting. His answer 
 was, as he observes himself, " that something dwelt within 
 Lim which would not suffer his compliance, till Rome was 
 other than it is."t 
 
 The London ministers having presented a petition to 
 parliament, for a settlement of the ecclesiastical discipline 
 and government, according to the directory of public 
 worship, they had the thanks of the house ; and a com- 
 mittee was appointed to confer with the assembly, and to 
 ascertain how far tender consciences might be borne with, con- 
 sistent w ith the peace of the kingdom and the word of God. j 
 An ordinance soon passed to set aside the Book of Common 
 Prayer, and to establish the directory.^ The presbyterians 
 now gaining the ascendancy, discovered a strong propensity 
 to grasp at the same arbitrary power, as that under which 
 they had formerly and for a long time groaned. The 
 parliament published two ordiiiances, one against the 
 preaching of unordained ministers^ the other against hlas' 
 phemi/ and heresy^ both of which became the engines of 
 oppression and persecution. The latter, says Mr. Neal, is 
 one of the most shocking laws I have met with in restraint 
 of religious liberty, and shews, that the governing presby- 
 terians would have made a terrible use of their power, had 
 they been supported by the sword of the civil magistrate. 
 Several ministers of puritan principles, became sufferers by 
 these ordinances. Mr. Clarkson having embraced the 
 sentiments of the antipaedobaptists, was cast into prison, and 
 required to recant, for the marvellous sin of dipping: Mr. 
 Lamb, Mr. Denne, and Mr. KnoUys, all of the same denomi- 
 nation, were apprehended and committed to prison. Mr. 
 
 * May's Hist, of Parliaments, p. 22— ?3. 
 
 t Prynne's Breviate of Laud, p. 18. — Hume's Hist of Eng. vol. vi. p. 
 209. — It is obsofved that a court lady, daughter of the Earl of Devonshire, 
 having turned papist, was asked by Laud the reasons of her conversion. 
 " It is chiefly," said she, " because I hate to travel in a crowd." The 
 meaning of this expression being demanded, she replied, " I perceive 
 your grace and many others are making haste to Rome; and, therefore, 
 in order to prevent my being crowded, I have gone before vou. "—/&»*<?» 
 p. 210. 
 
 X Whitlocke's Mem. p. 99. 
 
 ^ Scobell's CoUec. part i. p. 76, 97. 
 
94 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Knollys was afterwards prosecuted at the sessions, and sent 
 prisoner to London. Mr. Oates was tried for his life, but 
 acquitted. Mr. Biddle was cast into prison, where he 
 remained seven years. 
 
 The civil war having- now continued several years, 
 introduced dreadful confusion and distress into every part 
 of the kingdom. Numerous were the sufterers on both 
 sides. But the parliament's army proving every where 
 triumphant, the king himself was taken prisoner. During 
 these commotions, the rump parliament passed a decree io 
 establish a government without a king and house of lords, 
 and so governed alone. They erected a high court of 
 justice, brought the king to trial, condemned him, erected 
 a scaffold before Whitehall, and there, before a large 
 concourse of people, struck off his head, January 30^ 1649. 
 " The king had a mistaken principle, that kingly government 
 in the state, could not stand without episcopal government 
 in the church. Therefore, as the bishops flattered him by 
 preaching up the sovereign prerogative, and inveighing 
 against the puritans as factious and disloyal : so he pro- 
 tected them in their pomp and pride, and insolent practices 
 against all the godly and sober people in the land."* " An 
 immoderate desire of power, beyond what the constitution 
 did allow of, was ttie rock on which he split."+ 
 
 Sect. V. 
 
 From the Death of King Charles I, io the passing of the 
 Act of Uniformity, in 16G2. 
 
 The King being taken out of the way, Ciiomwell pro- 
 posed a Commonwealth, till he laid a foundation for his own 
 advancement. The parliament drew up a form of engage- 
 ment, to be subscribed by all persons above eighteen years 
 of age, in these words : — " I do promise to be true and 
 faithful to the commonwealth as it is now established, 
 without a king or house of lords." No man wlio refused 
 this engagement could have the benefit of suing another at 
 law, or hold any mastership in either university, or travel 
 
 * Memoirs of Col. Hutchinson, vol. i. p. 129, 130. 
 
 + Welwood's Memoirs, p. 87. — The puritan ministers of fhepreshyterian 
 denomination in London being charged with bringingthe king to the block, 
 published a " Vindication" of themselves, declaring tho falsehood of tiie 
 charge, and protesting their abhorrence of the fact, and their unshaken 
 loyalty to his majesty's person and just government, — Calamifs Coniin. vol. 
 ii. p. 737. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 95 
 
 more tliaii a certain number of miles from his own house.* 
 Therefore, Mr. Vines, Mr. Blake, and many other puritan 
 ministers, for refusing to subscribe, were turned out of 
 their livings. 
 
 The terms of conformity were now less rigid than at any 
 time since the commencement of the civil wars. The 
 oppressive statutes of the parliament were relaxed or not 
 acted upon, the covenant was laid aside, and no other civil 
 qualification required of ministers, besides the engagement. 
 Though the episcopal divines were forbidden to read the 
 liturgy in form, they might frame their prayers as near it as 
 they pleased; and upon tliis principle, many of them 
 complied with the government. Numerous episcopal 
 assemblies were connived at, where the liturgy was read, 
 till they were found plotting against the government : nor 
 would they have been denied an open toleration, if they 
 would have given security for their peaceable behaviour, 
 and not meddled with the affairs of government, t 
 
 Cromwell and his friends, indeed, gave it out, that they 
 could not understand what right the magistrate had to use 
 compulsion in matters of religion. They thought that all 
 men ought to be lefttothedictates of their own consciences, 
 and that the civil magistrate could not interpose in any 
 religious concerns, without ensnaring himself in the guilt 
 of persecution.]: Dr. George Bates, an eminent royalist, 
 and an avowed enemy to Cromwell, observes, " That the 
 protector indulged the use of the common prayer in families, 
 and in private conventicles ; and it cannot be denied, that 
 churchmen had a great deal more favour and indulgence 
 than under the parliament ; Avliich would never have been 
 interrupted, had they not insulted the protector, and 
 forfeited their liberty by ttieir seditious practices and 
 plottings against his person and government."§ 
 
 December 16, 1653, Oliver Cromwell was installed Lord 
 Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, 
 and Ireland, when an Instrument of Government was 
 adopted and subscribed. The thirty-seventh article ob- 
 serves, " that all who profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, 
 shall be protected in their religion. "|| The parliament 
 afterwards voted, that all should be tolerated, or indulged, 
 who professed the fundamentals of christiauity ; and certaia 
 
 * Svlvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 64. 
 
 + Neal's Puritans, vol. iv. p. 61. 
 
 :{ Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part ii. p. 193- 
 
 4 Neal's Puritans, vol. iv. p. 102. 
 
 i WhiUocke's Mem. p. 5§2— 553. ;2," _'_ . 
 
m IxNTRODUCTION. 
 
 learned divines were appointed to draw up the fundamentals 
 to be presented to the house. Those wi)o acted were Drs. 
 Owen, Goodwin, and Cheynell, and Messrs. Marshall, 
 Reyner, Nye, Sympson, Vines, Manton, Jacomb, and 
 Baxter. Archbishop Usher was noniiiiated, but declined 
 his attendance.* 
 
 During the national confusions there were many persons 
 denominated fifth monarcliy-men, chiefly of the baptist 
 persuasion. They were in immediate expectation of King 
 Jesus, and of the commencement of his glorious, personal 
 reign of a thousand years upon the earth. Though they 
 ■were avowedly of commonwealth principles, they were 
 extremely hostile to Crom well's government. + Several of 
 them having discovered considerable enmity and opposition 
 against the protector, were apprehended and committed 
 fo prison ; among whom were Mr. Rogers, Mr. Feake, and 
 Mr. Vavasor Powell. On account of the rigorous laws still 
 in force, they Avere kept in prison a long time, under the 
 plea of mercy, and to save their lives. 
 
 The protector having discovered some inconvenience 
 from the approbation of ministers being left wholly to the 
 presbyterians, he contrived a middle way, by joining the 
 various parties together, and committing the business to 
 certain men of approved abilities and integrity, belonging 
 to each denomination. For this purpose, an ordinance was 
 passed, March 20, 1654, appointing thirty-eight commis- 
 sioners to this office, commonly called Tryers.| Another 
 ordinance was also passed, " for ejecting scandalous, igno- 
 rant, and insufficient ministers and schoolmasters." It 
 appointed certain lay-commissioners for every county, to 
 be joined by ten or more of the best divines, as their 
 assistants. They were required to call before them any 
 public preacher, vicar, curate, or schoolmaster, reputed to 
 be ignorant, scandalous, or insufficient.^ 
 
 This ordinance, it must be acknowledged, bore hard 
 upon some of the episcopal clergy ; among whom were Dr. 
 Pordage, charged witli blasphemy and heresy ; and Mr. 
 Bushnal, charged with drunkenness, profanation of the 
 sabbath, gaming, and disaffection to the government. For 
 these crimes, they were both turned out of their livings.]} 
 Also, by the act for propagating the gospel in Wales, many 
 ignorant and scandalous ministers were ejected, and others 
 
 * Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part ii. p. 197. 
 
 + Thurloe's State Papers, vol. i. p. 621, 641. 
 
 t Scobell's Collec. part ii. p. 279. § Ibid. p. 335, 340—347. 
 
 H Neal's Furitans, vgl, jr, p. 112, llg. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 97 
 
 put in their places. It is observed, that in a sliort time, 
 there were one hundred and fifty good preachers in the 
 thirteen Welch counties, most ot whom preached three or 
 four times a week.* But tiie generality of the ejected 
 clergy did not preach at all, or were scandalous in their 
 lives; and the commissioners affirm, that of the sixteen 
 they turned out in CardigcUishire, only three of them were 
 preachers, and those of very immoral character, f 
 
 The protector's health, througli his excessivi" toils and 
 fatigues, began at length to decline. And having nomi- 
 nated a successor, he died of a fever, September 3, 1658, 
 aged fifty-nine years. Never was man more highly ex- 
 tolled, nor more basely vilified, according as men's interests 
 led their judgments. " The royalists," says Mr. Baxter, 
 " abhorred him as a most perfidious hypocrite, and the 
 presbyterians thought him little better. He kept up his 
 approbation of a godly life in the general, and of all that 
 was good, except that which the interest of his sinful cause 
 engaged him to be against. I perceived," our author adds, 
 *' that it was his design to do good in the main, and to 
 promote the gospel and the interests of goodness, more 
 than any liad done before him.":|: His son Richard, 
 according to his father's will, succeeded him. Numerous 
 addresses were sent from all parts of the country, congra- 
 tuhiting the new protector. He was of a calm and peace- 
 able temper, but unfit to be at the helm in such boisterous 
 times. Richard Cromwell finding the nation involved 
 in difficulties, tamely resigned his high dignity and govern- 
 ment, after enjoying it only eight months. 
 
 The nation being tired of changes, and now in danger of 
 universal anarchy, soon discovered its uneasiness. General 
 Monk, with his army, was called out of Scotland ; and 
 upon his arrival in London, he declared in favour of the 
 king. A council of state was called ; and having agreed 
 to invite home the king, the question was put, " Whether 
 they should call him in upon treaty and covenant, or 
 entirely confide in him?" After some debate, it was 
 resolved to trust him absolutely. The new parliament 
 assembling, they unanimously voted the king home. He 
 was sent for to Holland, when Mr. Calamy, Mr. Bowles, 
 Dr. Manton, and some others, were deputed by the parlia- 
 ment and city to attend him. His majesty gave them such 
 encouraging promises, as raised in some of them very high 
 
 * Whitlocke's Mem. p. 518. 
 
 i Neal's Puritans, vol. iv. p. 116. 
 
 * Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 71, 98, 
 
 TOL. I. H 
 
98 IxNTllODUCTION. 
 
 expectations. Upon (lie entrance of the king', May 29, 1660^ 
 as he passed throuoh the city towards Westminster, the 
 Loudon ministers, by the hands of old Mr. Arthur Jackson, 
 presented his majesty Avith a richly adorned bible ; which 
 he received, sayiuii', " It shall be the rule of my govern- 
 ment and my life."* 
 
 King Cha rles II. being now seated on the throne of his 
 ancestors, the commencement of his reign was a continued 
 jubilee. But from the period of his accession, he grasped 
 at arbitrary power, and shewed but little inclination to 
 depend upon parliaments. f " The restoration," says Burnet, 
 *' brought with it the throwing off the very professions of 
 virtue and piety, and entertainments and drunkemicss over- 
 run the three kino-doms. The kino- had a ffood under- 
 standmg; and knew well the state of affairs both at home 
 and abroad. He had a softness of temper that charmed all 
 who came near him, till they found out how little they could 
 depend on good looks, kind words, and fair promises ; in 
 which he was liberal to an excess, because he intended 
 nothing by them, but to get rid of importunities. lie 
 seemed to have no sense of religion. lie was no atheist, 
 but disguised his popery to the last.":}: 
 
 Upon his majesty's accession, many of the puritans 
 were in great hopes of favour. Besides the promises of 
 men in power, they had an assurance from the king, in 
 his declaration from Breda, " That he should grant liberty 
 to tender consciences, and that no man should be questioned 
 for a difference of opinion in matters of religion, who did 
 not disturb the peace of the kingdom."^ Afterwards, the 
 king having issued his declaration concerning ecclesiastical 
 matters, dated October 25, 1660 ; and the London ministers 
 having presented to him their address of thanks, his majesty 
 returned them this answer: " Gentlemen, I will endeavour 
 to give you all satisfaction, and to make you as happy as 
 myself."|| All this was, indeed, most encouraging. Their 
 hopes were further cherished by ten of their number being 
 made the king's chaplains, though none of tliem preached, 
 except Dr. Reynolds, Dr. Spurstowe, Mr. Calamy, and Mr. 
 Baxter, once each.n But all their hopes were soon blasted. 
 Many hundreds of worthy ministers enjoying sequestered 
 livings, were displaced soon after his majesty's return. The 
 fellows and heads of colleges in the two universities, who 
 
 * Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. i. p. 20. + Wei wood's Memoirs, p. 121. 
 X Burnet's Hist, of his Time, vol. i. p. 93. 
 
 § Whitlocke's Mem. p. 702. || Kennet's Chronicle, p. 315. 
 
 t Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part ii. p. 229. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 99 
 
 bad been ejected, were restored, and the otliers cast out.* 
 Bishops being placed in most of the sees, and the hierarchy 
 restored to its former s[)lendoiir, though tlie presbyterians 
 still flattered themselves with hopes of a comprehension, 
 the independents and ba]:)tists sunk in despair. 
 
 Here was an end, says Mr. Neal, of those distracted times, 
 which our historians have loaded Avith all the infamy and 
 reproach that the wit of man could invent. The puritan 
 ministers have been decried as ignorant mechanics, canting 
 preachers, enemies to learning, and no better than public 
 robbers. The common people have been stigmatized as 
 hj/pocrites. Their looks, their dress, and behaviour, have 
 been represented in the most odious coloius ; yet we may 
 challenge these declaimcrs to produce any period since the 
 reformation, wherein there was less open profaneness and 
 impiety, and more of the spirit as well as appearance of . 
 religion. Better laws, he adds, were never made against 
 vice, or more rigorously executed. Drunkenness, fornica- 
 tion, profane swearing, and every kind of debauchery, were 
 justly deemed infamous, and universallj' discountenanced. 
 The clergy were laborious to an excess, in preaching, pray- 
 ing, catechising, and visiting the sick. The magistrates were 
 exact in suppressing all kinds of games, stage-plays, and 
 abuses in public houses ; and a play had not been acted 
 in any theatre in England, for almost twenty years. + 
 
 But the court and bishops were now at ease. The doc- 
 trines of passive obedience and nonresistance were revived. 
 And the puritans began to prepare for those persecutions 
 which presently followed. Mr. Crofton, who had been very 
 zealous for the king's restoration, for having written in favour 
 of the covenant, was deprived of his living, and sent close 
 prisoner to the Tower, wliere he was not permitted to have 
 pen, ink, or paper.:;: Mr. Parsons, a noted royalist, was 
 fined ,^200, and cast into prison, for nonconformity. The 
 celebrated I\Ir. John Howe was committed to prison ; and 
 multitudes were sequestered and prosecuted in the ecclesias- 
 tical courts, for not wearing the surplice and observing the 
 ceremonies. These were powerful indications of the ap- 
 proaching storm. 
 
 Upon Venner's insurrection,'^ Mr. Knollys and many 
 
 * Kennel's Chronicle, p. 152, 153, 173, 221. 
 
 + Neal's Puritans, vol. iv. p. 269. i Rennet's Chronicle, p. 501. 
 
 ^ Mr. Thomas Venner, a wine-cooper, with about fifty of his admirers, 
 being in expectation of a fifth universal monarchy, under the personal 
 reign of King Jesus upon the earth, raised an insurrection in the city. But 
 their mad scheme was frustrated. Many of them were killed in the contest; 
 and Venner and some others were seized, fried, condecaued, and executeil. 
 —BHrnet's Hist, of his 'Time, vol. i. p. 160. 
 
100 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 otlier innocent persons, were dra<^e,ed to Newgate, wiiere 
 thej continued ei^liteen weeks. Tlie rebellion of V^enner 
 occasioned a rojal proclamation, proliibitini^ all (mahap- 
 t'lsts and other sectaries from worshipping- God in ])ul)lic, 
 except at their ])arish churches. This unnatural edict was 
 another signal for persecution. Mr. Biddle was tried at the 
 public sessions, fined one hundred pounds, and cast into 
 prison, where he soon after died. Mr. John James was 
 seized in the pulpit, tried, condemned, and beheaded. His 
 bowels were then burnt, and his body being quartered, was 
 placed upon the four gates of the city of London, and liis 
 head first upon London bridge, then opposite his meeting- 
 JiOuse in Bulstake-alley. 
 
 In order to crush the puritans in every corner of the land, 
 and strike all nonconformists at once dumb, the famous 
 " Act of Uniformity " was passed, requiring a perfect con- 
 formity to the Book of Common Prayer, and the rites and 
 ceremonies of the church. This struck the nonconformists 
 with universal consternation. The unmerciful act took place 
 August 24, 1662, justly denominated the black Bartho- 
 L>OMEw-DAY. By tliis act, " it is well known, that nearly 
 " 2,500 faithful ministers of the gospel were silenced. • And 
 " it is affirmed, upon a modest calculation, that it procured 
 "■ the untimely death of 3,000 nonconformists, and the ruin 
 " of 60,000 families."* And for what purpose were these 
 cruelties inflicted ? To establish an uniformiti/ in all eccle- 
 siastical matters. A charming word, indeed ! for the thing 
 itself is still wanting, even among those who promoted these 
 tragic scenes. But this is the closing period of the present 
 work. These barbarities arc sufficiently delineated by our 
 excellent historians. + 
 
 « Mather's Hist, of New England, b. iii. p. 4. — " The world," says 
 Bishon Kennet, " has reason to admire not only the wisdom, but even the 
 *' moderalion of this act, as bein^ elTectually made for ministerial confor- 
 *' mity alone, and leaving the people unable to complain of any impost- 
 " tion ! r'—KenneVs Hist, of Eng. vol. iii. p. 243. 
 
 + Calamy's Account and Continuation, vol, iv. — And Palmer's Noncoa. 
 diem. vol. iii. 
 
THE 
 
 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 John Bale, D. D. — This laborious and cclcbrafod 
 (liviiie was bom at Cove, near Dunwicli, in Siiftblk, No- 
 vember 21, 1495. His parents being in low circumstances, 
 and incumbered with a large family, he was sent, at twelve 
 years of age, to the monastery of Carmelites in Norwich ; 
 and from thence to .lesus College, Cambridge. He was 
 educated in all the superstitions of the Romish church ; but 
 afterwards he became a most zealous and distinguished 
 protestant. The account of this change in his sentiments is 
 from his own pen, therefore we shall give it in liis own 
 words: — " I wandered," says he, " in utter ignorance and 
 blindness of mind both there (at Norwich) and at Cam- 
 bridge, iiaving no tutor or patron; till, the word of God 
 shining forth, the churches began to return to the pure 
 fountain of true divinity. In which bright rising of the 
 New Jerusalem, being not called by any monk or priest, 
 but seriously stirred up by the illustrious the Lord Went- 
 worth, as by that centurion Avho declared Christ to be the 
 Son of God, I ])resently saw and acknowledged my own 
 deformity ; and immediately, through the divine goodness, 
 J was removed from a barren mountain, to the flowery and 
 fertile valley of the gospel, where I found all things built, 
 not on the sand, but on a solid rock. Hence I made haste 
 to deface the mark of wicked antichrist, and entirely threw 
 off his yoke from me, that I might be partaker of the lot and 
 liberty of the sons of God. And that 1 might never more 
 serve so execrable abeast, I took to wife the faithful Dorothy, 
 in obedience to that divine command, J^et him that camiot 
 contain, marry." Bishop Nicolson, with great injustice, 
 insinuates, that a dislike of celibacy was the grand motive 
 of Bale's conversion. " He was converted," says this 
 writer, " by the procurement of Thomas Lord Wentworth ; 
 
102 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 tliougli, in trulli, his wife Dorothy seems to htive had a great 
 hand in that hnppy work."* 
 
 Bale no sooner experieitced tlie power of convertinii^ 
 grace, than he pul)licly professed his renunciation and- 
 abhorrence of popery. In one of his books, speaking of 
 tlie idolatrous and superstitious worshippers in the Homish 
 church, he pathetically adds : " Yea, I ask God mercy a 
 thousand times; for J have been one of them myself."t 
 Having felt the power of divine truth on his own mind, he 
 conferred not with flesh and blood, but began, openly and 
 fervently, to preach the pure gospel of Christ, in opposition 
 to the ridiculous traditions and erroneous doctrines of the 
 Homish church. This exposed him to tli'e resentment and 
 persecution of the ruling clergy ; and for a sermon wliicli 
 he preaclied at Doncaster, in which he openly declared 
 against the invocation of saints, he was dragged from the 
 pulpit to the consistory of York, to appear before Arch- 
 bishop Lee, when he was cast into prison. Nor did he 
 meet with more humane treatment in the south. For a 
 similar offence, he experienced similar usage from Stokesly, 
 bishop of London. But by the interference of the cele- 
 brated Lord Cromwell, who had the highest opinion of him, 
 and was then in high lavour with King Henry VHL, he was 
 delivered out of the hands of his enemies. Upon the death 
 of this excellent nobleman, and the publication of the Six 
 Articles, with the shocking persecution which inmiediately 
 ensued, he could find no shelter from the slorm, and was 
 obliged to flee for safety. He retired into Ciermany, where 
 he became intimate with Martin Luther and other distin- 
 guished reformers, and continued with them about eight 
 years. While in a state of exile, he was not idle, but 
 diligently employed in his own improvement, and in writing 
 and publishing several learned books, chiefly against the 
 jiopish suuerstitions.+ 
 
 After the death of King Henry, and the accession of 
 Edward VI., Bale was invited home, and presented to the 
 benefice of Bishopstoke in Hampshire. While in this 
 situation, as well as when in exile, he wrote and published 
 several books against the errors of popery. In the year 
 1550, he published a work, entitled " The Acts and un- 
 chaste Example of religious Votaries, gathered out of their 
 own Legends and Chronicles." Mr. Strype calls it a notable 
 
 * Biog. Brifan. vol. i. p. 532. Edit. 1778. 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 143. 
 
 .j fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 68.— Abel Redivivus, p. 504— S06, 
 
BALE. 103 
 
 book ; and says, he desi2:ned to complete this history in 
 four books, which should detect the foul lives and practices 
 of tiie monastics, botli men and women. He published the 
 two first parts, which he dedicated to Kin^ EdAvard, and 
 intimated that the other two should presently follow; but it is 
 supposed they never came forth. He, at the same time, 
 published " An Apology against a rank Papist, answering 
 both him and the Doctors, that neither their Vows, nor yet 
 their Priesthood, are of the Gaspel, but of Antichrist." This 
 was also dedicated to the king. The Apology begins thus : 
 " A few months ago, by chance as I sat at supper, this ques- 
 tion was moved unto me, by one who fervently loves God's 
 verity, and mightily detesteth all falscliood and hypocrisy : 
 Whether the vows expressed in the xxxth chapter of Num- 
 bers give any establishment to the vow of our priests now to 
 live without wives of their own ?" This piece was answered 
 by a certain chaplain ; and Bale published a reply. During 
 the above year, he likewise published his " Image of both 
 Churches," being an exposition of Revelation. Also, " A 
 Dialogue or Communication to be had at table between two 
 Children." And " A Confession of the Siniier, after the 
 Sacred Scripture."* ^y these and similar productions of 
 his pen, he so exposed the delusive superstitions and vile 
 practices of the Komish church, as greatly to exasperate 
 the party ; and Bishop Gardiner, the cruel persecutor, 
 complained of him to the lord protector, but most probalily 
 without success. t 
 
 During Bale's abode at Bishopstoke, where he lived 
 retired from the world, he waited upon the king, who was 
 then at Southampton. His majesty, who had been informed 
 of his death, was greatly surprised and delighted to see 
 him ; and the bishopric of Ossory, in Ireland, being then 
 vacant, he summoned his privy council, and appointed him 
 to that see. Upon which the lords wrote the following 
 letter to our author : 
 
 " To our very lovinge friende Doctour Bale. After our 
 " heart 3'e commendacyons. For as much as the kinges 
 " majestic is minded in consideracyon of your learninge, 
 " wysdome, and other vertuouse qualityes, to best owe upon 
 " yow the bishopricke of Ossorie in Irelande presently 
 *'^ voyde, we have thought mete both to give yow knowledge 
 *' thereof, and therewithal! to lete you understande, that 
 " his majestic wolde ye made your repayre hyther to the 
 
 * Strype's Eccl. Memorials, vol. ii. p. 263. 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refer, vol. ii. p. 12. 
 
104 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 '' courtc as soon as convenientley 3-e may, to tliende that if 
 " ye be eiiclincd to embrace this charge, his higlinesse may 
 *' at your comyiigc give such ordrc for the farther pro- 
 *' cedings svitli yow herin, as shall be convenient. And 
 '' thus we bid yow hartcly farewell. From Southampton, 
 " the 16 daye of August 1552. Your lovinge frendes, W. 
 « Winchestre, F. Bedford, H. Suffolke, W. Northampton, 
 " T. Darcy, T. Cheine, F. Gate, W. Cecill."* 
 
 Bale, at first, refused the ofl'ered preferment, on account 
 of his age, poverty, and ill health ; but the king not admit- 
 ting his excuses, he at length consented, and went soon after 
 to London, where every tiling relative to his election and 
 confirmation was dispatched in a few days, without any 
 expense to him. lie was consecrated by the Archbishop of 
 Dublin, assisted by the Bishops of Kildare and Down ; and 
 Hugh Goodacre, a particular friend of his, was, at the same 
 time, consecrated Archbishoj) of Armagh. There was, 
 however, some dispute about the form of consecration. Dr. 
 Lockwoovl, dean of the church, desired the lord chancellor 
 not to permit the form, in the Book of Common Prayer 
 lately set forth by the parliament in PjUgland, to be used on 
 this occasion, alledging that it would cause a tumult, and 
 that it was not consented to by the parliament of Ireland. 
 Tiie lord chancellor proposed the case to the archbishop 
 and the bishops, who agreed in opinion with the dean. Dr. 
 Goodacre wished it might be otherwise, but was unwilling 
 to enter into any disputation about it. But our author 
 positively refused being consecrated according to the old 
 popish ibrm, alledging, that as England and Ireland were 
 under one king, they were both bound to the observance of 
 the same laws. Upon which, the lord chancellor ordered 
 the ceremony to be performed according to the new book, 
 and afterwards entertained the bishops at dinner.+ 
 
 This celebrated divine liaviug entered upon his new 
 charge, did not become indolent, nor yet rise in worldly 
 grandeur, but was constantly employed in his beloved work 
 of preaching the gospel, labouring to the utmost of his 
 pow<'r to draw the people from popery to Christ. He spent 
 a great part of his income in the purchase of books, manu- 
 scripts, and records, for the purpose of publishing certain 
 learned works which he had then in contemplation. 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the return of 
 popery, Dr. Bale was again exposed to the resentment and 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 532. + Ibid. 
 
BALE. 105 
 
 cnicl persecution of his popish adversaries. All his 
 cmlcavouis (o reiorrn the mamurs of his diocese, to correct 
 the lewd practices aad cUbauchcrif^s of tiic priests, to abolish 
 the mass, mid to establish the use of the new Book of Coinnioa 
 Prayer set forth in Eiio-hind, weie not only rendered abor- 
 tive by the d( ath of King Edward, aud the accession of 
 Mary, but ex])osed him so much to the fury of the p.'.pists, 
 that his life was frequently in the utmost danger. At one 
 time in particular, they murdered five of his domestics, who 
 were making liay in a meadow near his house; and he 
 Mould in all jjrobability have shared thejsanje fate, if the 
 i>-overnor of Kilkenny had not seasonably interposed by 
 sending a troop of soldiers to his protraction. This, how- 
 ever, served only as a defence against the present outrage. 
 It did not in the least allay the fury of his adversaries, who 
 were implacably enraged against him for preacliing the 
 doctrines of the gospel. He could find no permanent 
 security among them, and was obliged to flc^ 'or s;ifety. He 
 did not, indeed, withdraw from (lie storm till alter his books 
 and other moveable articles were seized, and he ha^l received 
 certain information, that the Romish priests were conspiring 
 to take away his life. 
 
 Dr. Lcland's rellections are not at all favourable to tlie 
 memory of our prelate. After calling liim the violent and 
 acrimonious oppugner of popery, and relating his rigid 
 and uncomplying conduct at his consecration, he adds : 
 " Tliat Bale insulted the j)rejudices of his flock without 
 reserve, or caution. They were provoked ; aud not so 
 restrained, or awed by the civil power, as to dissemble their 
 resentments. During the short period of his residence in 
 Ireland, he lived in a continual state of fear and persecution. 
 On his first preacliing the relbrmed doctrines, liis clergy 
 forsook him, or opposed him ; and to such violence were 
 the populace raised against him, that five of his domestics 
 were slain before his face ; and his own life saved only by 
 the vigorous interposition of the civil magistrate. These 
 outrages are pathetically related ; but," he adds, " we are 
 not informed what imprudencies provoked them, or what 
 was the intemperate conduct which his adversaries retorted 
 with such shocking barbarity."* 
 
 When Dr. Bale fled from the fury of his enemies, he 
 went first to Dublin, where, for some time, he concealed 
 himself. Afterwards, a favourable opportunity oftering, 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 535. 
 
lOG LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 he endeavoured to make his escape in a small trading vessel, 
 bound for Scotlaiid, but was taken prisoner by the captain 
 of a Dutch man of war, who rifled him of all his money, 
 apparel and effects. This ship was driven by distress of 
 weather into St. Ives in Cornwall, where our author was 
 taken up on suspicion of treason. The accusation was 
 brought against liim by one Walter, an Irishman, and 
 pilot of the Dutch shij), in hopes of ol)taining a share of 
 iJale's money, which wiss in the captain's handy. When 
 our author Avns brought to his examination before one of the 
 bailifls of the town, liC desired the bailiff to ask Walter, 
 "How long he had known him? and what treason he 
 had committed ?" These interrogatories being proposed, 
 Walter replied, that he had never seen liim, nor ever heard 
 of him, till he was brought into their ship. Then said the 
 bailiff, " What treason have you known by this honest 
 gentleman since ? For I promise you he looks like an 
 honest man." " Marry," said Walter, " he would have 
 fled into Scotland. " " Why," said the bailiff, " know you 
 any impediment why he shou Id not have gone into Sc{)tland ? 
 Ifitbe treason for a man, having business in Scotlaiid, to go 
 thither, it is more than I knew before." Walter was then 
 so confounded, that lie had nothing more to sny. The 
 captain and purser deposed in favour of Bale, assuring the 
 bailiff that he was a very hojiest man, and that Walter was 
 a vile fellow, deserving no credit. This they did, lesttliey 
 slioukl be deprived of the money and other articles which 
 they had taken from our author. 
 
 Dr. Bale being honourably acquitted, the ship sailed, 
 and, in a few days, arrived in Dover' road, where he was 
 again brought into danger by false accusation. One Martin, 
 a Frenchman by birth, but now an English ])irate, per- 
 suaded the Dutch captain and his crew, that Bale had been 
 the principal instrument in pulling down the mass in 
 England, and in keeping Dr. Gardiner, bishop of AYin- 
 chester, a long time in tlie Tower; and that he had 
 poisoned the king. With this information the captain and 
 purser went ashore, carrying with them our author's 
 episcopal seal, and tv/o letters sent him from Conrad Gesner 
 and Alexander Alesius, with commendations from Pcl- 
 licanus, Pomeranus, Melancthon, and other celebrated 
 reformers, who Avere desirous to become acquainted with 
 the doctrines and antiquities of the English churcli. Tiiey 
 also took from him the council's letter of his appointment 
 to the bishopric of Ossory. All these things served to 
 
BALE. 107 
 
 aggravate tlie cliarge. The episcopal seal was construed 
 to be a counterfeiting of the king's seal ; the two letters 
 were heretical ; and (he councirs letter a conspiracy against 
 the queen. When the captain returned to the sliip, it was 
 proposed to send Bale to London ; but, after some consul- 
 tation, they resolved to send two persons, with information 
 to the privy council. Tliis determination, however, was 
 relinquished, upon Bale's strong remonstrances to the 
 captain, and offering to pay fifty pounds for his ransom, on 
 his arrival in Holland. 
 
 He was carried into Zealand, and lodged in the house of 
 one of the owners of the sliip, who treated him with great 
 civility and kindness. He had only twenty-six days allowed 
 hun for raising the money agreed upon for his ransom, and 
 coidd not obtain the liberty of going abroad to find out his 
 friends. In this state of perplexity and distress, he was 
 sometimes threatened to be thrown into the common gaol, 
 sometimes to be brought before the magistrates, sometimes 
 to be left to the examination of the clergy, at other times to 
 be sent to London, or to be delivered to the queen's ambas- 
 sador at Brussels. At length his kind host inter])Osedj and 
 desired the captain to consider, how far he had exceeded the 
 limits of his conmiission, in thus using a subject of England, 
 with which nation they were at peace. This produced the 
 desired effect, and the captain was willing to take thirty 
 pounds for his ransom, as he should be able to pay it, and 
 so discharged him.* 
 
 Ur. Bale having obtained his liberty, retired to Frankfort, 
 Avhere he and the other English exiles were favoured by the 
 magistrates with the use of one of their churches. Having 
 obtained so great a privilege, their next object was to agree 
 to certain forms of Avorship : driven from their own 
 country, and now comfortably settled in a foreign land, they 
 thought it their duty to make certain improvements upon 
 the reformation of King Edward. They entered, therefore, 
 into a mutual and friendly consultation upon the subject, 
 and agreed to the following things : — " Having perused the 
 *' English liturgy, it was concluded among them, That the 
 " answering aloud after the minister should not be used ; the 
 " litany, surplice, and many other things also omitted, 
 " because in the reformed churches abroad such things 
 *' would seem more than strange. It was further agreed 
 *' upon, that the minister, in the room of the English con- 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 533. 
 
108 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " fession, should use another, both of more effect, and niso 
 *' framed according to the state and time. And the snrac 
 " ended, tlie people to sing a psahn in metre in a plain tune, 
 *' as was and is accuslomed in the French, Dutch, Italian, 
 *' Spanish and Scottisli churclics : that done, the minister to 
 '' praj for the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, and topro- 
 " cecd to tiie sermon. After the sermon, a general prayer 
 " for all estates, and for our country of England, was 
 " devised : at the end of which j)r;?ycr was joined the Lord's 
 " prayer, and a rehearsal of the articles of belief; which 
 " ended, the people to si?ig another psalm as afore. Then 
 *' the minister pronouncing this blessing, The peace of God, 
 " &c. or some other of like effect, the people io depart. 
 " And as touching the ministration of the sacraments, sundry 
 " things were also by common consent omitted, as supersli- 
 *' thus and superjluous.''''* 
 
 Our learned and pious divine undoubtedly fook an active 
 part in the formation of the church at Franktbrt. The pious 
 exiles having comfort:!bly settled their new congregation, 
 entered into a friendly correpondence with their brethren 
 who had settled at other places. In their letter addressed 
 to the exiles at Strasburgh, signed by John Bale, William 
 Whittingham, John Fox, and fourteen others, they conchide 
 by sajqng : " We have a church freely granted to preach 
 " God's word purely, to minister the sacraments sincerelj', 
 *'■ and to execute discipline truly. And as touching our 
 *' book, we will practice it so far as God's word doth assure 
 " it, and the state of this country permit ."+ They wrote 
 also to their brethren who had fled to other places, signilying 
 how comfortably they were settled, and inviting them to 
 Frankfort. Upon the arrival of Dr. Cox^ and his friends^ 
 
 * Troubles of Fiankeford, p.3. f Ibid. p. 20. 
 
 X Wi. Riciiard Cox had been preceptor and almoner to Kins; Edward, 
 and dean of Oxford and Westminster, but was now fled from the persecution 
 of Queen Marj. lie was a high churchman, a bigot to the English ceremo- 
 nies, and of too imperious a disposition. On his return home, Queen 
 Elizabeth made him Bishop of Ely, which he enjoyed to his death. He 
 scrupled for some time to ofliciale in the royal chapel, on account of the 
 queen's retaining the crucifix, with lights on the altar; and when he con- 
 sented, it was, he said, with a trembling cons-ience. He was violent in his 
 opposiiionag:iinsttiiepuritans.as well in ii is own country, as at Frankfort. He 
 •wrote to Archbishop Parker, to go on vigorously in reclaiming or punishing 
 them, and not be disheartened by the frowns of those court-favourites who 
 protected them ; assuring him, tliat he might exi)ect the blessing of Ciod on 
 bis pious laiiours. When the privy council interposed in favour of the 
 puritans, and endeavoured to skreen them from punishment, lie wrote a bold 
 letter to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh; in which he warmly expostulated 
 •with the council, for meddling with the afl'airs of the church, which, he 
 
BALE. 109 
 
 -^lio broke tliroiigli the conditions of the new-formed churcL, 
 interrupted the peace of the concjregation, and, in effect, 
 drove them from the city, they f^ed to otiier phices. Dr. 
 Cule retired to Basil in Switzerland, where he n nuiiiied until 
 the death of Queen Mary. The church at Basil was also 
 exercised with contentions, of which our auUior, in a letter 
 to one of his friends, gives a very deplorable account, severely 
 censuring those who were of a contentious spirit.* 
 
 Though we have already mentioned Dr. Bale as an 
 author, it will be proper to renew the subject. He pub- 
 lished a celebrated work, containing the lives of the most 
 eminent Avriters of Great Britain. It came out ?t tliree 
 different times. He first published his " Snmniariuni 
 illustrium majoris Brytannia? Script orum," Wesel, 1549, 
 This was addressed to King Edward, and contained only^rc 
 centuries of writers. Afterwards lie added four more, and 
 made several additions and corrections through the whole 
 work. The book thus enlarged, was entitled " Scriptorum 
 illustrium majoris Brytanniae, quam jumc Angliara et 
 Scotiam vacant, Catalogus; a Japheto per SblS annos 
 usque ad annum hunc Domini 1557," &c. it was com- 
 pleted and printed at Basil, while the author was iji a state 
 of exile. The writers, whose lives are contained in this 
 celebrated work, are those of Great Britain, including 
 England and Scotland. The work commences from Japlu t, 
 one of the sons of Noah, and is carried down tlirougli a 
 series of 5618 years, to the year of our Lord 1357. It is 
 collected from a great variety of authors : as, Barosus, 
 Gennadius, Bede, llonorius, Boston of Bury, Frumentarius, 
 Capgrave, Bostius, Burellus, Trithemius, Gesner, and our 
 great antiquary John Leland. It consists of nine centuries, 
 comprising the antiquity, origin, annals, places, successes, 
 and the most remarkable actions, sayings, and writings of each 
 author, in the whole of which a due regard is had to chro- 
 nology ; and with this particular view, " That the actions 
 of the reprobate as well as the elect ministers of the church 
 may historically and aptly correspond with the m.ysteries 
 described in the Revelation, the stars, angels, horses, trum- 
 pets, Ihunderings, heads, horns, mountains, vials, and 
 plagues, through every age of the same church." There are 
 
 said, ought to be left to the determination of the bishops. He, also, admo- 
 nished their lordships to keep within their own sphere; and told ihem, that 
 be would appeal to the queen, if they continued to interpose in matters not 
 belonging to them. — ff'ood's Athence Oxon. val. i. p. 161. — Biog, Brilun. 
 yol. iv. p.S98,S99. 
 
 * Strjpe's Eccl, Mem, vol. iii, p. 543, Appen. p, lOT, 
 
no LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 appendiies to many of the articles; also an account of 
 such actions of the contemporary popes as are omitted by 
 their flatterers, Carsulanus, Platina, and the like ; together 
 with the actions of the monks, particularly those of the 
 mendicant order, who, he pretends, are meant by the locusts 
 in Revelation ix. 3, 7. To the appendixes is added a per- 
 petual succession both of the holy fathers and the antichrists 
 of the church, with instances from the histories of various 
 nations and countries ; in order to expose their adulteries, 
 debaucheries, strifes, seditions, sects, deceits, poisonings, 
 murders, treasons, and inn\nnerable impostures. The 
 book is dedicated to Otho Henry, Prince Palatine of the 
 Rhine, Duke of botli Bavarias, and Elector of the Roman 
 Empire; dated from Basil in September, 1557. Our 
 learned divine was, therefore, laboriously employed whil« 
 in a foreign land. 
 
 In the month of February, 1559, he published a new 
 edition of this celebrated work, with the addition of fve 
 more centuries, making in all fourteen; to which is pre- 
 fixed an account of the writers l^efore the deluge and the 
 birtli of Christ, with a descrij^tion of England from Paulus 
 Jovius, George Lilly, John Leland, Andrew Althamerus, 
 and others. This impression is dedicated to Count Zkradiu 
 and Dr. Paul Scalechius of Lika.* 
 
 On the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Bale returned 
 to England, but not to his bishopric in Ireland. The queen, 
 during her minority, and while exercised with troubles 
 under her sister Mary, shewed the highest respect for him, 
 and even honoured him by sending him a book which she 
 had translated into French. It was too manifest, however, 
 that she afterwards drew her affections from him : but 
 whether this was on account of the puritanical principles 
 which he imbibed Avhile abroad, or from some other cause, 
 we do not undertake to determine. During the few years 
 that he lived under her majesty's government, he contented 
 himself with a prebend in the cluirch of Canterbury, where 
 he continued the rest of his days, still refusing to accept of 
 his bishopric. " One may wosider," says Fuller, " that 
 being so iearned a man, who had done and suffered so much 
 for religion, higher promotion was not forced upon him ; 
 seeing about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, 
 bishoprics went about begging able men to receive them."+ 
 It ought to be recollected, that many of the pious 
 
 * Bio^. Bi-itan. vol. i. p 533, 534. 
 + Fuller's Worthies, part iii, p. CI. 
 
BALE. in 
 
 refornicrs, "while in a state of exile, and living ainong; 
 to rei "11 prolestanls, Avcre led to examine more minutely the 
 s>Taiid prineiples of tiie reformation ; and they acted ajwri 
 those principles, as we have already observed, wiiile dwelling 
 in a tbreiijfn land. Nor did they forget their principles on 
 their return to their native country. Notwithstanding their 
 want of success, they constantly endeavoured, as the times 
 would permit, to obtain a nwrc pure reformation of the 
 l^nglish church. This was the case with Dr. Bale, and 
 was undoubtedly the reason of his refusing to accept his 
 former preferment. Though it does not appear that he 
 gave his reasons for this refusal ; yet it is evident, says our 
 author, that, while he was a zealous opposer of the llomisl* 
 suixjrstitions, he was a leading person among the non- 
 conformists, and was against the use of the English rites 
 and ceremonies: he opposed the divine institution of 
 bishops, and was a zealous advocate for the discipline of 
 the foreign reformed churches. It was a settled principle 
 with him, that the government of the church by bisliops, 
 did not exist till the beginning of the seventh century. 
 These are his own words: — " In the year 607, the church 
 " began to be ruled by the policy and government of 
 '' bishops, which government was especially devised and 
 " invented by the monks."* From the above facts. Dr. 
 Bale, with great justice, stands first oji the list of our 
 puritan wortliies. He was summoned to assist in the con- 
 secration of Archbishop Parker, but refused to attend, no 
 doubt on account of his puritanical principlcs.f He died 
 at Canterbury in the month of November, 1563, aged sixty- 
 eight years ; and his remains were interred in the cathedral 
 at that placet Several of our historians are greatly mis- 
 taken in both the time and place of his death .'i 
 
 The character of no man has been more variously repre- 
 sented than that of our author, as will appear from the 
 diiferent testimonies concerning him. Bishop Montague 
 censures him for his unjustifiable freedom in speaking and 
 writing ; yet he thinks him of credit and weight in many 
 things. Valerius Andreas calls him an impious wretch and 
 a wicked apostate ; but at the same time allows him his merit 
 as a writer. Vossius charges him with disingenuity in his 
 accounts of ancient writers. But of all the authors, who 
 have censured Bale, no one has fallen upon him with 
 
 * MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 49, (2.) + Strype''s Parker, p. 54. 
 
 I Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 534. 
 
 -§ Lupton's Modern Divines, p. 201. —Fuller's Wortbies, partiii. p. 61. 
 
112 . LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 greater severity than his follower John Pits. The following 
 arc soini ot tliose invenomed arrows which he has shot at 
 him : — " This writer," says he, " did not so much cnhirge 
 Leland's catahigiie, as corrupt it in a monstrous maniicr. 
 For he has slufttd it full of lies and calumnies, and spoiled 
 Leland's work, by his own barbarous style. He says many 
 thiuiis worthy, indeed, of the mind and mouth of an 
 heretic, but absolutely void of all civility and moral honesty, 
 some things plainly unworthy of a christian ear. — If vfe 
 except his slanders against men, and his blasphemies against 
 God, the poor wretch has nothing of his own, which 
 deserves our notice. — I hoped to have found at least 
 some gem of antiquity in that dunghill : but more unlucky 
 than Esop's cock, I was disappointed in my expectation." 
 He brands him with the name of Baal, and calls him an 
 apostate Carmelite monk, and a married priest. Such are 
 the foul accusations brought against our divine, by this 
 bigotted papist. Wharton charges Bale with paying very 
 little regard to truth, provided he could increase the number 
 of enemies to the Romish church ; and adds, that, for the 
 most part, he settled the chronology of the English writers 
 with his eyes shut. Bishop Nicolson says : " The ground- 
 plot of his famous work was borrowed from Leland ; and 
 the chief of his own superstructure is malicious and bitter 
 invectives against the jxipists."* 
 
 It will be proper on the contrary to observe, that Gesncr 
 denominatt's Bale " a Avritcr of the irreatcst dilio-ence ;" and 
 Bishop Godwin giv<'s him the character of a laborious 
 inquirer into the. British antiquities. Dr. Lawrence 
 Humphrey says, that Vergerius, Platina, and Luther, have 
 discovered many errors and frauds of the papists ; but that 
 Bale hatli detected them all. Valentine Henry Vogler says, 
 " it will be less matter of wonder, that Bale inveighs with 
 so niuch asperity against the power of the pope, when it 
 is considered that England was more grievously oppressed, 
 by the tyranny of tJie holy see, than any other kingdom. 
 Though he rendered himself so odious to the papists, his 
 very enemies could not help praising his Catalogue of 
 English vfriters."f 
 
 1 1 is generally allowed that Bale's sufferings from tlie 
 popish party, is some apology lor his severe treatment of 
 them: He wrote with all the warmth of one who had 
 escaped the flames. Granger observes, that his intemperate 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 535. + Ibid, p, 584, 
 
BALE. 113 
 
 zeal often carries him beyond the bounds of decency and 
 candour, in his accounts of the papists. Anthony Wood 
 styles hira " the foul-mouthed Bale ;"* but, the above writer 
 adds, some of liis foul language translated into English, 
 would appear to be of the same import with many expres- 
 sions used by that writer himself. f Perhaps some allowance 
 ought to be made not only for his resentment of what he had 
 suffered, but for the age in which he lived. It would be 
 doing him great injustice, to form our ideas of him from the 
 popish authors, many of whom were exceedingly exaspe- 
 rated against him, on account of the vehemence with 
 which he had attacked the errors and superstitions of the 
 papal see. 
 
 Dr. Bale's writings are prohibited by the church of Rome, 
 among those of the first class of heretical books. The 
 Index Expurgatorius, published at Madrid in 1667, calls 
 him a most impudent and scurrilous writer against the see 
 of Rome, the Mass, the Eucharist, and one that is per- 
 petually breathing out poison ; for which, it forbids the 
 reading of his works for ever. | His writings were numerous, 
 a list of which, according to the subjects, is given below : 
 the exact titles cannot now be ascertained. 
 
 His Works, while he was a papist. — I. A Bundle of Things worth 
 knowing. — 2. The Writers from Elias. — 3. The Writers from Berthold. 
 — 4. Additions to TriUiemius. — 5. German Collections. — 6. French 
 Collections. — 7. English Collections. — 8. Divers Writings of divers 
 learned Men. — 9. A Catalogue of Generals. — 10. The Spiritual War. 
 — 11. The Castle of Peace. — 12. Sermons for Children. — 13. To the 
 Synod of Hull. — 14. An Answer to certain Questions. — 15. Addition 
 to Palaonydorus. — 16. The History of Patronage. — 17. The Story of 
 Simon the Englishman. — 18. The Story of Francus Senensis. — 19. 
 The Story of St. Brocard. — 20. A Commentary on Mantuan's Preface 
 to his Fasti. 
 
 He wrote the following after he renounced popery : — 1. The Heliades 
 of the English. — 2. Notes on the three Tomes of Walden. — 3. On his 
 Bundle of I'ares. — 4. On Polydore dc Rerum luvenliouibus. — 5. On 
 Textor's Officina. — 6. On Capgrave's Catalogue. — 7. On Barnes's 
 Lives of the Popes. — 8. The Acts of the Popes of Rome.— 9. A 
 Translation of Thorp's Examination. — 10. The Life of John Baptist. 
 —11. Of John Baptist's Preaching. §—12. Of Christ's Temptation.— 
 
 * Wood's Athena, vol. i. p, 60. 
 
 + Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 139, 140. 
 
 X Biog. Britai). vol. i. p. 535. 
 
 ^ The title of this piece is, " A Comedy, or Interlude, of Jufaan 
 Baptyst's Preachynge in the Wildernesse; opening the Crafts of Hypo- 
 cry tes," and is printed in the " Harleian Miscellany." " There was a 
 time," says Mr. Granger, " when the lamentable comedies of Bale were 
 ac(ed with applause. He tells us, in the account of his vocation to the 
 bishopric of Ossory, that his comedy of John Baptist's Preaching, and his 
 VOL. I. I 
 
114 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 13. Two Comedies of Clrrist's Baptism and Temptations. — 14. A 
 Comedy of Christ at twelve years old. — 15. A Comedy of the Raising 
 of Lazarus. — 16. A Comedy of the High Priest's Council. — 17. A 
 Comedy of Simon the Leper. — 18. A Comedy of the Lord's Supper, 
 and the Washin*;: of the Disciples Feet. — 19. Two Comedies (or 
 rather Tragedies) of Christ's Passion. — 20. Two Comedies of Christ's 
 Burial and Resurrection. — 21 A Poeui of God's Promises. — 22. 
 Agaiust those that pervert God's Word. — 23. Of the Corrupting of 
 God's Laws. — 24. Agaitist Carpers and Traducers.— 25. A Defence 
 of King John. — 26. Of King Henry's two Marriages. — 27. Of Popish 
 Sects.— 28. Of Popish Treacheries.— 29. Of Thomas Becket's Im- 
 postures. — 30. I'he Image of Love. — 31. Pamachius's Tragedies, 
 translated iuto English. — 32. Christian Sonnets. — 33. A Commentary' 
 on St. John's Apocalypse. — 34. A Locupletation of the Apocalypse. — 
 35. WicklifTe'sWar with the Papists.— ^6. Sir John Oldcastle's Trials. 
 — 37. An Apology for Barnes. — 38. \ Defence of Grey against Smith. 
 — 39. John Lambert's Confession. — 40. Anne A skew's INIartyrdom. — 
 41. Of Luther's Decease. — 42. The Bishops Alcoran. — 43. The Man 
 of Sin. — 44. The Mystery of Iniquity. — 45. Against Anti-Christs, or 
 False Christs. — 46. Against Baal's Priests, or Baalamites. — 47. Against 
 the Clergy's Single Life. — 48. A Dispatch of Popish Vows and Priest- 
 Iiood. — 49. The Acts of English Votaries, in two parts. — 50, Of 
 Heretics indeed. — 51. Against the Popish Mass. — 52. The Drunkard's 
 Mass. — 53. Against Popish Persuasions. — 54. Against Bonner's Ar- 
 ticles. — .55. Certain Dialogues. — 56. To Elizabeththe King's Daughter. 
 — 57. Ai:;ainst Customary Swearing. — 58. On Mantuan of Death. — 59. 
 A Week before God.— 60. Of his Calling to a Bishopric.*— 61. Of 
 Leland's Journal, or an Abridgement of Leiand, with Additions. — 
 62. A Translation of Sebald Heyden's Apology against Salve Regina. 
 — 63. A Translation of Gardiner's Oration of true Obedience, and 
 Bonner's Epistle before it, with a Preface to it, Notes on it, and an 
 Epilogue to the Reader. — But his most capital work was his Lives 
 of the Writers, already noticed. — Bale's Collectanea is preserved 
 among the Cottonean Manuscripts, and now deposited in the British 
 Museum. 
 
 John Pullain, B. D. — This zealous reformer was born 
 in Yorkshire, in the year 1517, and educated first in New 
 college, then in Christ's college, Oxford. lie was a famous 
 preacher, and a celebrated reformer, in the days of King Ed- 
 ward VI . He became rector of St. Peter's, Cornhill, London, 
 in the year 1552, but suffered deprivation in 1555. + Upon 
 the commencement of Queen Mary's bloody persecution, 
 he did not immediately flee, but endured the storm for some 
 
 Tragedy of God's Promises, were acted by young men at the market-cross 
 of Kilkenny, upon a Sunday. Surely this tragedy must be as extraordinary 
 a composition, in its kind, as his comedies." — Granger^s Biog, Hist. 
 vol. i. p. 139. 
 
 * This work is entitled " The Vocacyon of Johan Bale to the Bishopric 
 of Ossorie in Irelande, his persecutions in the same, and finall Delyverance." 
 
 t Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol, i. p. 92. 
 
PULLAIN. 115 
 
 lime. Having no prospect of enjoying his public ministry, 
 and being deeply concerned for his persecuted countrymen, 
 he continued to labour in private as he found an op- 
 portunity. He preached and administered the Lord's 
 supper, about a year, to the protestant congregation, which 
 assembled in private places, in and about the city of 
 London.* 
 
 The persecution of the protestants becoming, at length, 
 extremely hot, and Mr. PuUain finding himself most pro- 
 bably in danger of the fire, he fled into a foreign land, and 
 became an exile at Geneva ; where he became a member of 
 the English congregation, and abode during the remainder 
 of the bloody queen's reign. The news of the queen's 
 death, and of the accession of Queen Elizabeth, gladdened 
 the hearts of all the worthy exiles. On this occasion, Mr. 
 PuUain united with his brethren at Geneva, in their letter of 
 congratulation, addressed to their fellow-exiles at Arrau, 
 Basil, Strasburgh, Frankfort, and other places. + Upon the 
 reception of the joyful news, he immediately prepared to 
 return home; and was no sooner arrived in his native 
 country, than he resumed his zealous ministerial labours. 
 But he had not continued long in his beloved work, before 
 lie received a sudden check. For the new queen having 
 issued her royal proclamation prohibiting all preaching, till 
 all the affairs of the church were finally settled, this worthy 
 sen^ant of Christ was taken into custody at Colchester, and 
 sent prisoner up to London. His crime w as that of preach- 
 ing when prohibited by the queen ; but our historian does 
 not say what further prosecution he underwent. J 
 
 Towards the close of the year 1559, Mr. PuUain became 
 rector of Capford in Essex, which he kept to his death. ^ 
 About the same time, he was made Archdeacon of Col- 
 chester. He sat in the famous convocation of 1562, and 
 subscribed the articles of religion. || He was an avowed 
 enemy to all popery and superstition ; and, therefore, was 
 much grieved at the imperfect state in which the reformation 
 rested, and the severe proceedings of the prelates which 
 " immediately followed. He was ever anxious to have the 
 church purged of all its corruptions and antichristian cere- 
 monies, and for its discipline and government, as well as its 
 
 » Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 525,— Strype's Annals, tol.i. p. 292. 
 
 + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 160—162. 
 
 I Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 44. 
 
 ^ Nevvcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. ii. p. 192. 
 
 [| Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 289. 
 
IIG LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 doctrine, to l^e regulated bj. the word of God alone. These 
 things made so deep an impression upon his mind, as 
 brought a complaint upon liis body, of which he died in the 
 month of July, 1565, aged tbrty-eight years. He was a 
 truly pious man, a constant preacher, a learned divine, a 
 thorough puritan, and an admired English and Latin poet.* 
 He published " A Tract against the Arians," and several 
 translations of the works of other learned men. 
 
 John Hardyman, D. D. — He was educated at Cam- 
 bridge, where he took his degrees ; and was made preacher 
 at St. Martin's church. Ironmonger-lane, London, in the 
 reign of Henry VIII., when he came forwards openly and 
 boldly in the cause of the reformation. He preached 
 publicly, " That confession to priests, was confusion ; that 
 the ceremonies of the church being the superstitious inven- 
 tions of men, ought to be abhorred ; that to esteem any 
 internal virtue in the sacrament, was mischievous and rob- 
 bing God of his glory ; and that faith in Christ, without 
 any other sacrament, was sufficient for justification ;" for 
 which, in tlie year 1541, he was presented and most pro- 
 bably deprived. + The Oxford historian, with his usual 
 bitterness against the puritans, says, that he ran with the 
 mutable times of Henry VIII. , Edward VI., Queen Mary, 
 and Queen Elizabeth. However, the above account of his 
 sufferiiig persecution for the avowal of liis principles, shews 
 that this account is not altogether correct. Though it does 
 not appear w hether he ever changed his sentiments, it is 
 certain that upon the accession of Elizabeth, he was still a 
 zealous protestant, and still desirous to carry forwards the 
 reformation. In the year 1560, the queen appointed him 
 one of tlie twelve prebendaries of Westminster : and about 
 the same time, he became famous for his puritanical princi- 
 ples, and distinguished himself in the cause of the reforma- 
 tion. He was not, indeed, like too many of the clergy, wlio 
 rested in the reformation of King Edward, or even in that 
 which fell short of it ; but laboured to carry on the Avork to 
 perfection. He wished, with tlie rest of the puritanical 
 reformers, to have the church thoroughly purged of all the 
 remnants of antichrist. But his zeal for nonconformity 
 presently exposed him to the resentment and persecution of 
 the ruling prelates ; and in the year 1567, he was summoned 
 
 * MS. Chronology, ?ol. i. p. 135. (6.) 
 t Fox's Martjrsj vol. ii, p. 450. 
 
HARDYMAN— COVERDALE. 117 
 
 before the hi oil commission, and deprived of his benefice. 
 He is charged with breaking down the altars, and defacing 
 tiie ancient utensils and ornaments belonging to the church 
 of Westminster ;* but with what degree of justice we are 
 unable to ascertain. 
 
 Miles Coverdale, D. D. — This celebrated puritan was 
 bom in Yorkshire, in the year 1486, and educated in tlie 
 university of Cambridge. Being brought up in the popish 
 religion, he became an Augustine monk at the place of his 
 education, where Dr. Barnes was prior, who was afterwards 
 burnt for pretended heresy. He took his doctor's degree at 
 Tubingen, in Germany, and was incorporated in the same 
 at Cambridge. At an early period in the reign of Henry VIII,, 
 he cast oft" the shackles of popery, and became a zealous and 
 an avowed protestant. When the king quarrelled with the 
 pope, and renounced the authority of Kome, he is said to 
 have been one of the first who preached the gospel in its 
 purity, and wholly devoted himself to promote the reformed 
 religion. + In the year 1528, he preached at Burnsted in 
 Essex, when he declared openly against the popish mass, 
 the Avorship of images, and auricular confession. He main- 
 tained that contrition for sin, betwixt God and a man's own 
 conscience, was sufficient of itself, without any confession to 
 a priest. His zealous and faithful labours at this place v/erc 
 not in vain : It is preserved on authentic record, that he 
 was the honoured instrument of turning one Thomas Topley, 
 afterwards a martyr, from the superstitions and errors of 
 popery, to the true protestant faith. |- 
 
 Coverdale having espoused the same opinions as Dr. 
 Barnes, and finding himself in danger of the iire, fled, not 
 long after the above period, beyond sea, and lived tor some 
 lime in Holland, where he chiefly applied himself to the 
 study and translation of the holy scriptures.^ In the year 
 1529, the famous Mr. William Tindal having finished his 
 translation of the Pentateuch, wished to have it printed at 
 Hamburgh ; but in crossing the sea, the ship was wrecked, 
 when he lost all his money and papers : and so had to begin 
 the work afresh. Upon his arrival at Hamburgh, his friend 
 Coverdale, who was waiting for hiraj assisted him in writing 
 
 * Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 692. 
 
 f Clark's Lives annexed to Martyrologie, p. 3. 
 
 ^ Fox's Martyrs, voL ii, p. 267. 
 
 § Lewis's Hist, of Translations, p. 23, Edit. 1731. 
 
118 LIVES OF THE PURITAN^. 
 
 a new translation.* In the year 1535, Csome by mistake say 
 1532,) Tindal and Coverdale translated and published the 
 whole Bible, the first that was ever printed in the English 
 lanoiiage. It was printed at Hamburgh, by Grafton and 
 Whitchurch, when Mr. John Rogers, afterwards the proto- 
 martyr, corrected the press. This first English translation 
 was called Mattheuo's Bible, a fictitious name, and was 
 dedicated by Coverdale to King Henry. + The form of 
 dedication is preserved by Mr. Strype xX in which our reve- 
 rend author expressed hkiisclf in the following manner : 
 
 " Unto the moost victorious prynce and our moost gra- 
 *' cyous soverygne lorde Kynge Henhy eyghth, kynge of 
 *' Englaude and of Fraunce, lorde of Irelande, &c. defen- 
 " dour of the fay th; and under God the chefe and suppremc 
 '' beade of the church of Englande. The ryght and just 
 " administracyon of the lawes that God gave unto Moses and 
 *' Josua : the tcstimonye of faythfulness that God gave to 
 ** David : the plenteous abundaunce of wysdome that God 
 *' gave unto Solomon : the lucky and prosperous age with 
 *' the multiplicacyon of sedc which God gave to Abraham 
 *' and Sara his wyfe, be given unto you, moost gracyous 
 " prynce, with your dearest just wyfe and moost vertuous 
 *' pryncesse Quene Jane. Amen. 
 
 " Your graces humble subjecte and daylye oratour, 
 
 " Myles Coveudale.'* 
 
 In this dedication he tells his majesty, that the blind 
 bishop of Rome no more knew what he did when he gave 
 this title, Defender of the Faith, than the Jewish bishop 
 Caiaphas when he taught, that it was better to put Christ to 
 death, than tliat all the people should perish : tliat the pope 
 gave him this title, only because his highness sufiered his 
 bishops to burn God's word, and to persecute the lovers and 
 ministers of it ; whereas, he openly declared, that by the 
 righteous administration of his majesty, the faith ought to be 
 so defended, that God's word, the mother of faith, should 
 have its free course through all Christendom, but especially 
 in these realms : and that his majesty should, indeed, defend 
 the faith; yea, even the true faith of Christ, not dreams, not 
 fables, not heresy, riot papistical inventions, but the uncor- 
 rupt faith of God's most holy word, to set forth which, his 
 highness, with his most honourable council, applied all study 
 and endeavour. 
 
 ^» Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 303. + Ibid. p. 431. 
 
 f Anoals, vol. ii, Appen. p. 43. 
 
COVER DALE. 119 
 
 He next observes to his majesty, that as the word of God 
 is the only truth that drivcth away all error, and discovereth 
 nil juggling and deceit ; therefore, is the Balaam of Home 
 so loadi to have the scriptures known in the mother-tongue, 
 lest by kings and princes becoming acquainted with them, 
 they should again claim and challenge their due authority, 
 which hath been falsely usurped for many years : and lest 
 the people, being taught by the word of God, should 
 renounce their feigned obedience to him and his disguised 
 apostles, and observe the true obedience commanded by 
 God's own mouth, and not embrace his painted religion. 
 
 As to tlie present translation, Coverdale observes here, and 
 in his epistle to the reader, that it was neither his labour nor 
 desire to have this work put into his hand, but that being 
 instanilj/ required to undertake it, and the Holy Ghost 
 moving other men to be at the cost thereof, he was the more 
 bold to take it in hand. He considered how great pity it 
 was, that the English should want such a translation so long, 
 and called to his remembrance the adversity of those, who 
 were not only endowed with right knowledge, but would, 
 with all their hearts, have perfoimed that which they had 
 begun, if no impediment had been in the way. Therefore, 
 as he was desired, he took the more upon him, as he said, to 
 set forth this special traushtion, not as a reprover or despiser 
 of other mens' labours, but lowly and faithfully following 
 his interpreters, and that under correction. Of these, he 
 said, he made use of Jive diflerent ones, who had translated 
 the scriptures, not only into Latin, but also into Dutch. 
 He made this declaration, that he had neither Avrested nor 
 altered so much as one word, for the maintenance of any 
 manner of sect, but had with a clear conscience, purely and 
 faithfully translated out of the foregoing interpreters, having 
 only the manifest scriptures before his eyes. 
 
 This translation was divided into six tomes or parts, and 
 Coverdale prefixed to every book the contents of the several 
 chapters, and not to the particular chapters, which was done 
 afterwards. It is adorned throughout with wooden cuts, 
 and in the margin are scripture references. In the last page 
 it is said, " Prynted in the yeare of our Lorde m.d.xxxv. 
 and fynished the fourth day of October." This Bible was 
 reprinted in 1550, and again in 1553.* 
 
 In the year 1537, the Bible was published a second time 
 in English, entitled " The Bible, which is all the Holy 
 
 * Lewis's Hist, ef Translations, p. 23—25. 
 
120 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Scripture, in which are contayned the Olde and Newe 
 Testament, truelye and purelye translated into English." 
 The translators were Tindal and Coverdale. John Rogers 
 is said to have had a share in it ; but this appears incor- 
 rect. From the end of the Chronicles to the end of the 
 Apocrypha was Coverdale's, and the rest was Tindal's. 
 This was called " The Great Bible,"* but it did not come 
 forth till after Tindal's death. + 
 
 The New Testament was afterwards printed in Latin 
 and English in quarto, with the following title : " The 
 Newe Testament both in Latine and Englishe eche corre- 
 spo]ident to tiie other after the vulgare Text communely 
 called St. Jerome's. Faithfully translated by Johan Holly- 
 bushe anno m.ccccc.xxxviii." This was Coverdale's 
 translation, which he gave Hollybushe leave to print. It 
 ■was dedicated " To the moost noble, raoost gracious, and 
 '' our raoost dradde soveraigne lord Kj'nge Henry the 
 " eyght, kynge of England and of Fraunce, defender of 
 *' Christ's true fayth, and under God the chefe and supreme 
 " heade of the church of Englande, Irelande, &c." In the 
 dedication, he tells his majesty, " that oon of the chiefest 
 causes why he did now with moost humble obedience dedi- 
 cate and offVe thys translation of the New Testament unto 
 his moost royall majesty, was his higlmesse's so lovingly 
 and favourably taking his infancy and rudeness in dedi- 
 cating the whole Bible in Englysh to his most noble 
 Grace." 
 
 This translation, as Coverdale says, was simstrallj/ 
 printed and negligently corrected. He, therefore, the next 
 year, 1539, published another edition in 8vo., which he 
 dedicated " To the right honourable Lorde Cromwell lorde 
 *' prevye scale, vicegerent to the kynge's hyghnesse concer- 
 *' nynge all his jurisdiccion ecclesiasticall within the realme 
 « of Englande. '"'t 
 
 In the year 1538, Lord Cromwell procured letters from 
 
 * Lewis's Hist, of Translations, p. 26. — Strype's Cranmer, p. 82. 
 
 f William Tindal, deservedly styled "The Apostle of England," was 
 the first who translated the New Testament into English, from the original 
 Greek, This translation was printed at Antwerp, in 1526; when Bishop 
 Tonstal and Sir Thomas Moore purchased all the impression, and burnt 
 them at Paul's cross. The sale of this impression enabled the translator to 
 print a larger, and more correct edition. Tindal was burnt for an heretic 
 atWilford, near Brussels, in 1536, crying at the stake, " Lord, open the 
 King of England's eyes." — Fo.r's Marine*, vol. ii. p. 301 — 305. — Strtfpes 
 Cranmer, p. 81. 
 
 t Lewis's JHist. of Translations, p. 27, 28, 
 
COVERDALE. 121 
 
 Henry VIIT. to the King of France, soliciting his license and 
 allowance for printing the English Bible in the university of 
 Paris, since it could be done there to much greater advantage 
 than in England. The King of France granting the privilege, 
 the work was immediately undertaken ; and as Covcrdale was 
 a person eminently qualified for the office, he was appointed 
 to superintend tlie press. He also compared the former 
 translations with the original Hebrew and Greek, making 
 the requisite alterations and amendments. When the work 
 was nearly completed, the printer was convened before the 
 tribunal of the Inquisition, and charged with heresy. 
 Coverdale and others were sent for; but, awr.re of the 
 approaching storm, they fled for their lives, and left their 
 Bibles behind them, to the number of two thousand five 
 hundred. Thus, he narrowly escaped the rack, the fire, 
 or some equally cruel torture. 
 
 As the heretical translator could not be found, the Bibles 
 were all seized, and committed to the care of one Lieutenant 
 Criminal, to be burnt at Paris ; but instead of casting the 
 whole of them to the flames, he, through covetousness, sold 
 four great fats full of them to an haberdasher, as waste 
 paper, of whom they were afterwards purchased. All the 
 rest were publicly burnt at Paris. Afterwards liord Crom- 
 %vell* went himself to Paris, when he procured the printing- 
 press, and Ijrought the servants of tlie printer to London, 
 where the remaining part of the Bible was printed, though 
 not without much opposition from tlie bishops.t 
 
 The first publication of the Bible in English roused the 
 malice and ill-will of the bigotted prelates. Their anger 
 and jealousy being awakened, they laid their complaints 
 before the king; who, in compliance with their suggestions, 
 ordered all the copies to be called in, and promised them a 
 new translation. And when the translation in 1537, called 
 Coverdale's translation, came forth, the bishops told Henry, 
 
 * Thomas Lord Cromwell wag the son of a blacksmith at Putney, and 
 some time served as a soldTer in Italy, under the Duke of Bourbon. He 
 was afterwards secretary to Cardinal Wolsey ; and recommended himself 
 to Henry VIII. by discovering that the clergy were privately absolved 
 from their oath to him, and sworn anew to the pope. This discovery 
 furnished the king with a pretence for the suppression of monasteries, ia 
 which Cromwell was a principal instrument. The king, whose mercies 
 were cruel, raised him to a most envied pitch of honour and preferment, a 
 little before his fall. He first amused him with an agreeable prospect, and 
 then pushed him down a precipice. Cromwell, as vicegerent, had the 
 precedence of all great officers of state; but lost his head July 28, 1540. — 
 Grangtrs Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 86. 
 
 + Fox's Martyrj, vol, ii. p. 434, 435,— Lewis's Hist, of Trans, p. 29. 
 
129 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 that there were many faults in it. His majesty asked tiiera 
 whether it contained any lieiesies ; and when the bishops 
 said they had found none, the king replied, " Then in the 
 name of God let it go ;ibroad among the people."* 
 
 Coverdale's immense labours in publishing the various 
 translations of the scriptures, exposed him to the A\Tath of 
 the English bishops, by whom he was most severely perse- 
 cuted for his pains. The angry prelates hunted him from 
 place to place, wliich obliged him to flee from the storm, 
 and continue many years in a foreign land. While in a 
 state of exile, he printed the Bible, and sent it to be sold in 
 England, by which means he obtained a comfortable 
 support. This, however, could not long be concealed from 
 the jealous eye of the Bishop of London ; who no sooner 
 found what Coverdale was doing, than he inquired where 
 the Bibles were sold, and bought them all up : supposing 
 by this means he should be able to suppress their circulation. 
 But God so ordered it, contrary to the prelate's expectations, 
 that the merchant of whom tlie Bibles were purchased, sent 
 the money to Coverdale : whereby he was enabled to print 
 more, and send them ov;^r to England. f This, indeed, 
 roused the fury of the angry prelates, who, by their out- 
 stretched arms, reached him eveji in Holland ; and to escape 
 their potent malice, he was obliged to retire into Germany. 
 He settled under t lie palsgrave of the Rhiene, wliere he found, 
 much favour. Here, upon his first settlement, he taught 
 school for a subsistence. But having afterwards learned the 
 Dutch lajiguage, the Prince Elector Palatine conferred upon 
 him the benefice of Bnrghsaber, where his faithful ministry 
 and holy life were made a blessing to the people. During 
 his continuance in this situation, he was maintained partly 
 by his benefice, and partly by Lord Cromwell, his liberal 
 and worthy benefactor.^ 
 
 Upon the accession of Edward VI. the tyrannical cruelties 
 of King Henry began immediately to relax; the prison 
 
 * Strype's Cranmer, p. 444. — Burnet's Hist. Abridged, vol. iii, p. 31. 
 
 + Clark's Lives, p. 3. 
 
 :}: Coverdale was almoner to Queen Katharine Parr, the last wife of 
 Henry VIll., and a great friend to the reformation. In the month of 
 September 1548, he officiated at her funeral, and preached a sermon on the 
 occasion; in which he declared, "That there shulde non.> there thinke, 
 " saye, or spread abrodc, that the offeringe which was there don anye thing 
 ♦' to proffyth the deade, but for the poore oniye ; and also the lights which 
 " were carried and strode abowte the corps, were for the lionnour of the 
 *' person, and for none other intente nor purpose; and so wenle throughe 
 " with his serraonde,and made a godlye prayer," &c. — Biographia BritiiJh, 
 voj.iv. p.310, 311. Edit. 1778. 
 
COVERDALE. 123 
 
 doors were set open ; and tliose who had been driven into a 
 state of exile, returned home. Among the last, was Dr. 
 Miles Coverdale. JNot long after his return, he Ijecame 
 chaplain to Lord Russel, in his expedition to suppress the 
 insurrection in Devonshire. For his excellent labours and 
 behaviour on this occasion, he was highly extolled by the 
 famous Peter Martyr.* In the year 1551, he, though a 
 married man, was made Bishop of Exeter, being promoted 
 *' on account of his extraordinary knowledge in divinity, 
 and his unblemished character." His consecration was 
 performed at Lambeth, by Archbishop Cranmer.f The 
 following is King Edward's letter patent nominating him to 
 the bishopric : 
 
 " The king to all to Avhom the presents shall come 
 " greeting. Whereas the bishopric of Exon is without a 
 " bishop, and is destitute of a fit pastor, by the free resig- 
 " nation of John late bishop of that place, and doth by 
 " right belong to our collation and donation. We willing 
 *' to collate another fit person to the bishopric aforesaid, 
 " and judging our well-beloved Miles Coverdale, professor 
 " of divinit}', for his signal learning in the scriptures, and 
 ^' for his most approved manners, wherewith he is endowed, 
 " to be a fit man for the place and office aforesaid. Know 
 *' ye, therefore, that we of our special grace, and certain 
 " knowledge, and mere motion, have conferred, given, and 
 " granted, and by these presents do confer, give, and grant, 
 " to the aforesaid Miles Coverdale, the said bishopric of 
 '' Exeter : and we translate the same Miles to the bishopric 
 " of Exon, and we nominate, ordain, and constitute by these 
 '' presents, the same Miles, Bishop of Exon, and of Exeter 
 " diocese ; to have and to hold, execute and enjoy the said 
 '' bishopric of Exon to the same Miles, during his natural 
 « life."t 
 
 The diocese of Exeter, on account of the late insurrection, 
 and the prevalence of popery, was in a most lamentable 
 state ; and some wise, courageous, and excellent preacher, 
 was extremely necessary lor that situation. Therefore 
 Coverdale was judged a most fit person to be invested with 
 the above charge. Archbishop Cranmer had the highest 
 opinion of him ; was intimately acquainted with him ; and 
 was ever ready to do him acts of kindness.^ Though 
 
 * Burnet's Hist. Abridged, vol. iii. p. 148. 
 
 t Clark's Lives, p. 3. — Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. ii. p. 166. 
 
 X Huntley's Prelates' Usurpations, p. 132. 
 
 ^ Strype's Cranmer, p. 266, 267. 
 
124 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Coverdale had submitted to wear the habits, iu the late 
 reign, he now, with many other celebrated divines, laid 
 them aside.* 
 
 At this early period, there were many persons in the 
 kingdom, who, besides the papists, were nonconfbrmable to 
 the established church. They retused to have their children 
 baptized, and differed in some points of doctrine from the 
 national creed. These, out of reproach, were denominated 
 anabaptists. Also, there were many others who administered 
 the sacraments in other manner than as prescribed by the 
 Book of Common Prayer, sot forth by public authority. 
 Therefore to prevent these persons from propagating their 
 opinions, and to bring them to conformity, a commission 
 was issued to thirty-one persons, empowering them to 
 correct and punish tiiese nonconformists. Among those in 
 the commission were Cranmer, Latimer, Parker, and Cover- 
 dale ; but it does not appear whether any of the noncon- 
 formists were prosecuted by them.+ Coverdale being ever 
 celebrated for peace and moderation, would undoubtedly 
 disapprove of all such measures. 
 
 This excellent divine, while he was Bisliop of Exeter, 
 conducted himself in a manner worthy of his high office. 
 Like a true primitive bishop, he was a constant preacher, 
 and much given to hospitality. He was sober and tempe- 
 rate in all things, holy and blameless, friendly to good 
 men, liberal to the poor, courteous to all, void of pride, 
 clothed with humility, abhorring covetousness and every 
 scene of vice. His house was a little church, in which 
 was exercised all virtue and godliness. He suli'ered no 
 one to abide under his roof, who could not give some satis- 
 factory account of his faith and hope, and whose life did 
 not correspond with his profession. He v/as not, however, 
 without his enemies. Because he was a constant and faithful 
 preacher of the gospel, an avowed enemy to all supersti- 
 tion and popery, and a most upright worthy man, his 
 adversaries sought to have him disgraced : sometimes by 
 secret backbiting ; sometimes by open raillery; and some- 
 times by false accusation. Indeed, their malice is said to 
 have been carried to so great a length, that they endea- 
 voured at last to poison him ; but through the good provi- 
 dence of God, tlieir snares were broken, and he was 
 delivered out of their hands, t 
 
 Coverdale having continued in the episcopal office 
 
 * Neat's Puritans, vol. i. p. 65. 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 27. t Clark's Lives, p. 4. 
 
COVERDALE. 125 
 
 iKiwixt two and three years, it pleased God to remove, 
 by death, the excellent King Edward. Upon the accession 
 ot" his sister Mary, tiie face of religion was soon changed ; 
 great numbers of the most worthy preachers in the kingdom 
 were immediately silenced ; and tliis good bishop, together 
 with many others, was cast into prison.* During the con- 
 linement of Coverdale and the other protestant bishops, 
 they drew up and subscribed their confession of faith. 
 This confession, with the names of those who subscribed 
 it, is still preserved, but too long for our insertion. + The 
 malice of the papists designed Coverdale for the fire; 
 but the Lord most wonderfully preserved and delivered 
 him. During his imprisonment, the King of Denmark, 
 with whom he had become acquainted when he was ia 
 Germany, became his honoured friend, warmly espoused 
 his cause, and wrote several letters to Queen Mary, earnestly 
 soliciting his release.^ By the king's continued impor- 
 tunity, yet as a very great favour, he was permitted to go 
 into banishment. Burnet, by mistake, calls him a Dane ; 
 and observes, that on this account some allowance was 
 made for him, and a passport was granted him, with two of 
 his servants, to go to Denmark.^ He retired first to his 
 kind friend, the King of Deimiark; then to Wezel in 
 Westplialia ; and afterwards he Avent into Germany, to his 
 worthy patron the Elector of the lihiene, by whom he was 
 cordially received, and restored to his former benefice of 
 Burghsaber.il Here he continued a zealous and laborious 
 preacher, and a careful shepherd over the flock of Christ, 
 all the remaining days of Queen Mary. 
 
 Coverdale and several of his brethren, during their exile, 
 published a new translation of the Bible, commonly called 
 the Genexa Bible. The translators of this Bible were 
 Coverdale, Goodman, Gilby, Whittingham, Sampson, 
 Cole, Knox, Bodliegh, and Pullain, all celebrated puritans. 
 They first published the New Testament in 1557. This 
 was the first that was ever printed with numerical verses. 
 The whole Bible, with marginal notes, was printed in 
 
 • The two archbishops, Cranmer and Holgate, with the bishops, Ridley, 
 Poinet, Scory, Coverdale, Taylor, Harvey, Bird, Bush, Hooper, Farrer, 
 and Barlow, and twelve thousand clergymen, were all silenced at thi» 
 time, and many of them were cast into prison. — Burnetts Hist, of Refor* 
 Tol. ii p. 276. 
 
 + Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 15, 82, 83. 
 
 + These letters are still preserved. — Ibid. p. 149 — lal. 
 
 h Hist, of Refor. vol. iii. p. 239. 
 
 |] Troubles at Frankeford, p. ISS. 
 
126 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 1560, and dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. The translators 
 say, " They were employed in tlie work night and day, 
 with fear and trembling; and they protest from their con- 
 sciences, and call God to witness, that in every point and 
 word, they have faithtully rendered the text, to the best of 
 their knowledge." But the marginal notes giving some 
 offence, it was not snflered to be printed in England till 
 after the death of Archbishop Parker; when it was printed 
 in 1576, and soon passed through twenty or thirty editions.* 
 This translation of the Bible has been lately published, 
 under the title of " The Beformers' Bible." 
 
 During the rage of persecution in the reign of Queen 
 Mar}, every effort \^as made for the suppression of the 
 reformation, and the re-establishment of popery. The 
 frauds, and impositions, and superstitions of the latter 
 being ashamed of an examination, the people were not 
 allowed to read the writings of protestants. Therefore, in 
 the year 1555, her majesty issued her royal proclamation 
 for suppressing the books of the reformers. Among the 
 works enumerated in this proclamation, were those of 
 Luther, Calvin, Latimer, Hooper, Craimier, and Coverdale.+ 
 
 Soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Cover- 
 dale again returned to his native country, llis bishopric 
 was reserved for him, and he was repeatedly urged to 
 accept it; but on account of the popish habits and cere- 
 monies retained in the church, he modestly refused. lie 
 assisted in the consecration of Archbishop Parker, in Lam- 
 beth chapel, December 17, 1559. The ceremony was 
 performed in a plain manner, by the imposition of hands 
 and prayer. Coverdale, on this occasion, wore only a plain 
 black gown; and because he could not with a good con- 
 science come up to the terms of conformity, he was 
 neglected, and for some time had no preferment. J He had 
 the plague in the year 1563, but afterwards recovered. He 
 was commonly called Father Coverdale. But on account 
 of the neglect with which he was treated, and the reproach 
 which it brought upon the ruling prelates, Grindal, bishop 
 of London, said, " Surely it is not well tliat he, who was in 
 Christ before any of us, should be now in his age without 
 stay of living. 1 cannot herein excuse us bishops." Grindal 
 therefore in the above year, gave him the living of St. 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 205, 206.— NeaPs Puritans, vol. ii. p. 88. 
 + Fdx's Rlarlvrs, vol. iii. p. 226. 
 
 X Strype's Parker, p. 58— 60.— Annals, vol. i. p. 366.— Neal's Puritani, 
 vol. i. p. 165. 
 
COVERDALE. 127 
 
 Alao^nus, at the Brid<je-foot. But he being old and poor, 
 petitioned Secretary Cecil and others, to be released from 
 paying the first fruits, amounting to upwards of sixty 
 pouuds, adding, " If poor old Miles migiit be thus pro- 
 vided for, he should think this enough and as good as a 
 feast." This favour was granted.* 
 
 Coverdale continued in the undisturbed exercise of his 
 ministry a little more than two years ;+ but not coming up 
 to the terms of conformity, he was driven from his flock, 
 and obliged to relinquish his benefice. J Though he was 
 laden with old age and infirmities, he did not relinquish his 
 beloved work. He still continued preaching as he found an 
 opportunity, without the habits; and multitudes flocked to 
 hear him. They used to send to his house on a Saturday, 
 inquiring where he was to preach on the following sabbath, 
 and were sure to follow him. This, liowever, giving offence 
 to the ruling prelates, the good old man was, at length, 
 obliged to tell his friends, that he durst not any more 
 inform them of his preaching, through fear of offending 
 his superiors.^ He, nevertheless, continued preaching as 
 long as he was able ; and died a most comfortable and 
 happy death, January 20, 1568, aged eighty-one years. 
 He was a man of most exemplary piety, an indefatigable 
 student, a great scholar, a celebrated preacher, a peaceable 
 nonconformist, and much admired and followed by the 
 puritans ; but the Act of Uniformity brought down his 
 grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. His remains were 
 honourably interred in the chancel of St. Bartholomew's 
 clmrch, behind the Exchange, London ; when vast crowds 
 of people attended the funeral procession. A monumental 
 inscription was afterwards erected to his memory, of which 
 the following is a translation :[] 
 
 In Memory 
 of the most reverend Father, 
 
 MiLus Coverdale, 
 
 who died, aged eighty years. 
 
 This 'i'oiiib 
 
 contains the mortal Remains of CoVERDAtE, 
 
 who haviuj^ finished his labours, 
 
 now lies at rest. 
 
 He was once the most faithful 
 
 and worthy Bishop of Exeter, 
 
 a man remarkable for the uprightness of his life. 
 
 « Strype's Grindal, p, 91.— Parker, p. 148, 149-— Annals, vol. i. p. 367. 
 f Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 398. 
 
 J Strype's Parker, p. 149. ^ Parte of a Register, p. 25. 
 
 (J Stovi 's Survey of London, b, ii, p. 12?. 
 
128 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 He lived to exceed the age of eighty years, 
 
 having several times 
 
 been unjustly sent into banishment ; 
 
 and after being tossed about, and 
 
 exposed to the various 
 
 hardships of life, 
 
 the Earth kindly received him into 
 
 her bosom. 
 
 His Works. — 1. The Christen Rule or State of all the Worlde from 
 the highest to the lowest: and how every Man shulde lyve to please 
 God in his Callynge, 1547. — 2. The Christen State of Mafrimonye, 
 "therein Husbands and Wyfes maye lerne to keepe House together 
 ■with Love, 1547. — 3. A Christen Exhortation to customable Swearers. 
 What a ryght and laAvfullOthe is: when, and before whom it oughte 
 to be, 1547. — 4. The Maner of sayenge Grace, or gyvyng Thankcs 
 fo God, after the Doctrine of Holy Scrypture, 1547. — 5. The old 
 Fayth : an evident Probacion out of the Holy Scrypture, that Christen 
 Fayth (which is the ryghte, true, olde, and undoubted Eayth) hatli 
 endured sins the beginyng of the Worlde, 1547. — G. A faythful and 
 true Prognostication upon the year m.cccc.xlix. and perpetualy 
 after to the AVorlde's Ende, gathered out of the Prophecies and 
 Scryptures of God, by the Experience and Practice of hys AVorkes, 
 very comfortable for all Chiisten Hertes. — 7. A Spiritual Almanacke, 
 ■wherein every Christen Man and AVoman may see what they oughte 
 daylye to do, or leave undone. — 8. A Confutation of John Standisli. 
 * — 9. A Discourse on the Holy Sacraments. — 10. A Concordance to 
 the New Testament. — 11. A Christian Catechism. — 12. Several Tran- 
 slations from Bullinger, Luther, and others. — The version of the 
 Psalms in the Book of Common Prayer, is taken from Coverdale's 
 Bible.* 
 
 "William Turner, M. D. — This distinguished person 
 "Was born at Morpeth in Northumberland, and educated in 
 the university of Cambridge, where lie became famous for 
 his knowledge in philosophy, physic, and divinity. He 
 was a most learned and pious nonconformist, an avowed 
 enemy to all the abominations of popery, and a most 
 zealous promoter of the reformation. Beholding the de- 
 plorable ignorance of the people, and the great scarcity of 
 useful preachers in every part of the kingdom, he renounced 
 all thoughts of preferment, though he had the most flattering 
 prospects, and became a zealous and constant preacher, in 
 cities, towns, and villages, through -most parts of the 
 country. As he could not with a good conscience, submit 
 to the ceremonies required in the ordination of ministers, he 
 generously employed his talents in preaching the gospel 
 zmthout ordination. Having continued in these ministerial 
 
 ?5 
 
 ■» Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 394. note. 
 
TURNER. 129 
 
 labours for some time, he at length settled at Oxford, where 
 he enjoyed the advantage of learned men and books. There 
 he continued preaching, not without hopes of gaining 
 learned men to espouse the reformation, till he was cast into 
 prison ; and after close confinement for a considerable time, 
 he was banished from the country. Such was the effect of 
 bigotry and popish cruelty ! 
 
 During his banishment, he travelled into Italy ; and at 
 Ferrara, being much admired for his great learning, he was 
 created doctor of physic. Towards the close of the reign 
 of Henry VIII. he lived at Cologne and other places in 
 Germany. In the reign of Edward VI. he returned home, 
 when he was greatly esteemed among our pious and learned 
 reformers. Upon his return he was made prebendary of 
 York, canon of Windsor, and dean of Wells, and incor- 
 porated doctor of physic at Oxford. Having obtained a 
 license to preach, he renewed his former ministerial exer- 
 cises ; and, at the same time, practised physic among the 
 nobility and gentry, and was chosen both chaplain* and 
 physician to the Duke of Somerset, lord protector. Upon 
 the accession of Queen Mary, and the commencement of 
 her bloody persecution, he fled from the storm, and retired 
 first into Germany, then to Rome, and afterwards settled, 
 with others of his fellow exiles, at Basil in Switzerland. t 
 Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, he returned a 
 second time to his native country, when he was restored to 
 his deanery, being highly esteemed both as a physician and 
 divine, but especially on account of his numerous learned 
 writings. J 
 
 He was author of a work, entitled " A New Herbal," 
 the first original work on the subject in the English lan- 
 guage, and afterwards the foundation of Gerard's celebrated 
 work on the same subject.^ It is said, the first publisher of 
 an original Herbal in our tongue, Dr. William Turner, 
 informs us, that botany, or the knowledge of simpling, was 
 fallen into such neglect, that in King Henry's reign, he 
 found not a physician in the university of Cambridge, who 
 could inform him of the Greek, Latin, or English names of 
 any plants he produced, as he gathered them to compile 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 136. 
 
 + Bishop Ridley, during his imprisonment, writing to Grindal, then an 
 exile at Frankfort, made the most affectionate and honourable mention of 
 Turner, Lever, Sampson, and other worthy exiles. — Fex's Martyrs, vol. 
 iii. p. 374. 
 
 :}: Wood's Athenae Oxon, vol. i. p. 120, 121. 
 
 i Strype's Cranmer, p. 2T4. 
 
 VOL. I. K 
 
130 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 his first Latin skeleton of his Herbal. The learned Dr. 
 John Kaius, enumerating the celebrated men who have 
 written on this subject, asks, " And who shall forget the 
 most worthy Dr. William Turner? whose learned acts I 
 leave to the witty commendations, and immortal praise, of 
 Conradus Gesnerus. Yet his book of herbs will always 
 grow green, and never wither, as long as Dioscorides is had 
 in mind among us mortal wits."* He wrote with great zeal 
 and strength of argument against the superstitions and errors 
 of popery. It is observed, that in his book entitled " The 
 Hunting of the Romish Fox," he has " unanswerably 
 proved, that those who labour to advance and bring in 
 the canon law, labour to advance and usher in the pope."f 
 
 September 10, 1359, Dr. Turner preached the sermon at 
 Paul's cross ; and, as he was a person universally beloved, 
 and a most popular preacher, his audience, consisting of 
 courtiers, citizens, and people from the country, was un- 
 commonl}^ large. |: He was a decided nonconformist, and 
 refused subscription and the habhs. Mr. Strype observes, 
 that in the year 1563, he enjoined a common adulterer to 
 do open penance in the priesVs square cap, and thus dis- 
 covered his contempt of the clerical garments. For this 
 flagrant crime. Archbishop Parker complained of him to 
 Secretary Cecil. And, as our historian adds, he used to 
 call the bishops, white coates and tippet gentlemen. 
 He also contemned their office, by asking, " Who gave 
 them more authority over me, than I over them, either to 
 forbid me preaching, or to deprive me, unless they have 
 received it from their holy father the pope ?" This was 
 certainly bold language for those times of severity. But 
 without attempting to vindicate the claim here expressed, 
 or inquiring from whom their authority was derived, their 
 lordships ventured to exercise this authority upon Dr. 
 Turner, and caused him, with many of his brethren, to feel 
 the weight of their outstretched arms. For upon his 
 refusal to wear the surplice, and use the Book of Common 
 Prayer, he was sequestered and deprived, with nearly forty 
 other London muiisters.^ 
 
 It has been generally, but improperly supposed, says Mr. 
 Middleton, that Mr. Cartwright was the first noted dissenter 
 from the etsablished church. Dr. Turner, dean of Wells, 
 
 * Biog. ErUaii. vol. iii. p. 2, 6. Edit. 1778. 
 
 + Huntley's Prelates, p. 39. 
 
 X Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 136. 
 
 ^ Strype's Parker, p. 151.— Neal's Hist, of New Eng. vol. i. p. 50. 
 
TURNER. 131 
 
 saj's he, about the year 1563, seems to have been the first, 
 or one of the first, after the church of England wa^ settled, 
 Avho opposed both its episcopacy and ceremonies, and made 
 some disturbance about them. This Turner, adds the pious 
 but mistaken author, was a very intemperate and indiscreet 
 man, as appears from an anecdote recorded of him, wherein 
 lie manifested his rude treatment of a bishop, whom he had 
 invited to dine with liim.» 
 
 That Dr. Turner was opposed to the episcopacy and cere- 
 monies of the church, was never doubted ; but that he was a 
 disturber of the peace, was never proved. And whether he 
 was a very intemperate and indiscreet man, will best appear 
 from the anecdote itself, which was the following : the doctor 
 having invited a bishop to dine with him, and having a 
 very sagacious dog, was desirous to put a joke upon his 
 lordship. Therefore, while they were at dinner, he called 
 his dog, and told him that the bishop perspired very much. 
 The dog then immediately flew upon his lordship, snatched 
 off his cornered cap, and ran with it to his master. f 
 
 This celebrated divine having spent his life in active and 
 vigorous endeavours to promote the reformation of the 
 church, and the welfare of the state ; and having suffered 
 imprisonment and banishment from the hands of the papists, 
 and deprivation from his fellow protestants, he died full of 
 years, July 7, 1568. His remains were interred in the 
 chancel of St. Olave's church, Hart-street, London, where 
 a monumental inscription was erected to his memory, of 
 which the following is a translation -4 
 
 In Memory 
 
 of tliat famous, learned and holy man, 
 
 William Turner, Dean of Wells, 
 
 a most skilful Physician and Divine, 
 
 in which professions 
 
 he served the Church and the Commonwealth, 
 
 with the greatest diligence and success, 
 
 for thirty years. 
 
 Against the implacable enemies of both, 
 
 but especially against the Roman Antichrist, 
 
 he fought bravely 
 
 as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ. 
 
 When worn out with age and labours, 
 
 he laid down his body 
 
 in hope of a blessed resurrection. 
 
 * Middleton's Biographia Evangelica, vol. ii. p. 326. Edit. 1780. 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 152. 
 
 X Ward's Gresham Professors, p. 130. — An imperfect account of this 
 inscription is given in Stow's " Surrey of London," b. ii. p. 3S. 
 
132 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Jane Turner erected this monument 
 
 to the i\iemory 
 
 of her beloved and pious husband. 
 
 By the power of Christ 
 
 they both overcame the world and the flesh, 
 
 and now they triumph for ever. 
 
 Turner, an honour to the healing art, 
 And in religion he was truly great ; 
 But envious death has snatched him from our eyes ; 
 We suffer loss, but Turner gains the prize. 
 He died July 7, 1568. 
 
 The Oxford historian, with an evident design to blacken 
 his memory, says, he was conceited of his own worth, hot- 
 headed, a busy body, and much addicted to the opinions of 
 Luther, always refusing the use of the ceremonies.* Fuller 
 denominates him a most excellent Latinist, Grecian, orator, 
 and poet, and a most learned and zealous protestant.f Mr. 
 Strype styles him an eminent preacher, and says, he was 
 greatly befriended by Sir John Cheke and Sir William 
 Cecil. f He had a son called Peter, who became doctor of 
 physic, a member of parliament in 1584, and a most 
 zealous man in the cause of religion and his country. He 
 died May 27, 1614, when his remains were interred in tlie 
 chancel of the above church. Dr. William Turner was a 
 celebrated writer, especially against the papists. 
 
 His AVoRKs. — 1. The Hunting of the Romish Fox, which more 
 than seven years hath been hid among the Bishops of England, after 
 that the King's Highness had commanded him (Turner) to be driven 
 out of the Realm, 1543. — 2. Avium praecipaurum, quarum apud 
 Plinum & Aristotelum mentio est, brevis & succincta historia, 1544. — 
 3. The Rescuing of the Romish Fox; otherwise called the Exami- 
 nation of the Hunter, devised by Stephen Gardiner, Doctor and 
 Defender of the Pope's Canon Law, and his ungodly Ceremonies, 
 1545. — 4. The Hunting the Romisli AVolf, 154 . . — 5. A Dialogue, 
 wherein is contained the Examination of the Masse, and of that kind 
 of Priesthood which is ordained to say Masse, 1549. — 6. A new 
 Herbal, wherein are contained the names of Herbs in Greek, Latin, 
 English, Dutch, French, and in the Apothecaries and Herbarics, 
 with their properties, 1551. — 7. A Preservative, or Triaele against 
 the Poyson of Pelagius, 1551. — 8. A new Book of Spiritual Physick 
 for divers Diseases of theNoI>ilitie and Gentlemen of England, 1555. 
 — 9. The Hunting of the Fox and the Wolf, because they did make 
 Havoek oftlie Sheep of Jesus Christ,155 . . — 10. A Book of the Natures 
 and Properties, as well of the Bathes of England, as of other Bathes 
 in Germany and Italv, 1562. — 11. A Treatise of the Bath at Barth in 
 England, 1562.— 12."0f the Nature of all Waters, 1562.-13. The 
 
 * Wood's Athenae, vol. i. p. 120. + Worthies, part ii. p. 306. 
 
 :t Strypc's Cranmcr, p. 274. 
 
HAWKINS. 133 
 
 Nature of Wines coinnionly used in England, with a Confutation 
 of them that liold, that Rlieiiish and other small Wines ought not 
 to be drunken, either of them that have the Stone, the Rume, or 
 other Diseases, 1568. — 14. The Nature and Virtue of Triacle, 1568. 
 — 15. The rare Treasure of English Baths, 1587. — 16. Arguments 
 against the Popish Ceremonies.* — He translated into English, " A 
 Comparison between the Old Learning and the New," 1538. — And 
 •' The Palsgraves Catechism,'' 1572. 
 
 Robert Hawkixs. — This zealous puritan was beneficed 
 ill London, but endured many troubles for nonconformity. 
 In the year 1566, conformity to the habits and ceremonies 
 being entbrced with great rigour, especially in London and 
 its vicinity, and many of the noncontormable ministers being 
 silenced, and their friends treated with great severity, they 
 came at length to a determination to form themselves into a 
 separate congregation ; and they assembled together pri- 
 vately, in various places in the city, as they found oppor- 
 tunity. It is observed from Mr. Strype, that the refusers 
 of the orders of the church, who by this time were commonly 
 called puritans, were now grown into two factions. The 
 one was of a more quiet and peaceable demeanour, who 
 indeed Avould not use the habits, nor subscribe to the 
 ceremonies, as kneeling at the sacrament, the cross in 
 baptism, the ring in marriage ; but held the communion of 
 the church, and willingly and devoutly joined in the 
 common prayer. There was another sort, who disliked the 
 whole constilution of the church, charging it with m.any 
 gross remainders of popery, and that it was still full of 
 antichristian corruptions, and not to be tolerated. These 
 separated themselves into private assemblies, meeting to- 
 gether not in churches, but in private houses, where they had 
 ministers of their own. They rejected wholly the Book of 
 Common Prayer, and used a book of prayers framed at 
 Geneva for the congregation of English exiles lately sojourn- 
 ing there. This book had been revised and allowed by 
 Calvin and the rest of the Geneva divines. At these private 
 assemblies, they had not only prayers and sermons, but the 
 Lord's supper likewise sometimes administered. This gave 
 great offence to the queen, who issued her letters to the 
 ecclesiastical commissioners, to this effect : " That they 
 should move these nonconformists by gentle means to 
 conformity, or else for their first punishment to lose their 
 
 * The author has seen a MS. copy of this work, but is not certain whether 
 it was ever published. 
 
134; LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 freedom of the city, and afterwards to suffer what should 
 follow."* 
 
 Mr. Hawkins was a leading person among these sepa- 
 ratists, and an active and a zealous preacher. Several other 
 ministers were members of the congregation. Having kept 
 their assemblies for some time more privately, to elude the 
 notice of the bishop's officers, they at length ventured to 
 come forth more publicly ; and June 19, 1567, they agreed to 
 have a sermon and the Lord's supper at Plumbers-hal 1, which 
 they hired for the day, as some one gave it out, under pre- 
 tence of a wedding. Here the sheriffs of London discovered 
 them, and broke up their meeting, when about one hundred 
 were assembled together. Most of them were taken into 
 custody, and sent to the Compter. These were the first 
 puritans who accounted it unlawful to hold communion 
 with the church of England, and who totally separated from 
 it. They did not separate, however, till after their ministers 
 were silenced ; and they appear to have been the first who 
 were cast into prison, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, for 
 not coming to their parish churches, and for holding con- 
 venticles. They deserved more humane treatment, especially 
 when it is recollected, that they only imitated the worthy 
 protestants a few years before, in the time of Queen Mary ; 
 who, to the great hazard of their lives, assembled in private 
 places ; and some of them were, indeed, the same persons. 
 They were harassed and persecuted, while the papists con- 
 tinued unmolested.t 
 
 The day after their imprisonment in the Compter, Mr. 
 Hawkins, and Messrs. William White, Thomas 15owland, 
 John Smith, William Nixson, James Ireland, and Richard 
 Morecraft, were brought before Bishop Grindal, Dean Good- 
 man, Archdeacon Watts, the lord mayor, and other com- 
 missioners. The bishop charged them with absenting 
 themselves from the parish churches, and with setting up 
 separate assemblies for prayer, preaching, and administering 
 the sacrament. He told them, that by these proceedings, 
 they condemned the church of England, which was well 
 reformed according to the word of God, and those martyrs 
 who shed their blood for it 4 To this charge, Mr. Hawkins 
 replied in the name of the rest, as follows; and would have 
 said more, but was interrupted. 
 
 Hawkins. We condemn them not. We only stand to 
 the truth of God's word. 
 
 * Biographia Britan. vol. iv. p. 2432. Edit. 1747. 
 
 i MS. Remarks, p. 213. t Parte of a Register, p. 23, 24. 
 
HAWKINS. 135 
 
 Bishop. Have you not the gospel truly preached, and 
 the sacraments duly ministered, and good order preserved ; 
 though we differ from other churches in indifferent cere- 
 monies, which the prince has power to command for the 
 sake of order? What say you, Smith, as you seem the 
 ancient est ? 
 
 Smith. Indeed, my lord, we thank God for reformation; 
 and that is the thing we desire, according to God's word. 
 
 White, I beseech you, let me answer. 
 
 Bishop. Nay, White, hold your peace. You shall be 
 heard anon. 
 
 Nixson. I beseech you, let me answer a word or two. 
 
 Bishop. Nixson, you are a busy fellow. I know your 
 words. You are full of talk. I know from whence you 
 came. 
 
 Hawkins. I would be glad to answer. 
 
 Bishop. Smith, you shall answer. 
 
 Smith. So long, indeed, as we might have the word 
 freely preached, and tlie sacraments administered without 
 the use of idolatrous gear, we never assembled in private 
 houses. But when all our preachers, who could not subscribe 
 to your apparel and your laws, were displaced ; so that 
 we could not hear any of them in the church for the space 
 of seven or eight weeks, excepting father Coverdale, who at 
 length durst not make known unto us where he preaciied ; 
 and then we were troubled in your courts from day to day, 
 for not coming io our parish churches ; we considered 
 among ourselves what we should do. We remembered that 
 there was a congregation of us in this city, in the days of 
 Queen Mary ; and a congregation at Geneva, which used 
 a book and order of preaching, ministering the sacraments 
 and discipline, most agreeable to the word of God. This 
 book is allowed by the godly and learned Mr. Calvin, and 
 the other preachers at Geneva, which book and order we 
 now hold. And if you can, by the word of God, reprove 
 this book, or any thing that we hold, we will yield to you, 
 and do open penance at Paul's cross ; but if not, we will, by 
 the grace of God, stand to it. 
 
 Bishop. This is no answer. 
 
 Smith. Would you have me go back from better to 
 worse ? I would as soon go to mass as to some churches, 
 and particularly to my own parish church; for the minister 
 is a very papist. 
 
 Dean. He counteth the service and reformation yi the 
 days of King Edward, as evil as the mass. 
 
136 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Bishop. Because he knoweth one that is evil, he fmdetli 
 fault Avith all. You may go to other places. 
 
 White. If it were tried, there Avould be found a great 
 company of papists in this city, whom you allow to be 
 ministers, and thrust out the godly. 
 
 Bishop. Can you accuse any of them of false doctrine ? 
 
 Nixson. Yes, I can accuse one of false doctrine, who is 
 even now in this house. Let him come forth, and answer to 
 the doctrine which lie preached upon John x.* 
 
 Dean. You would take away the authority of the prince, 
 ^ncl the liberty of christians. 
 
 Bishop. Yes, and you suffer justly. 
 
 Hawkins. It does not belong to the prince, nor to the 
 liberty of christians, to use and defend that which apper- 
 taineth to papistry and idolatrj , as appears from Deutero- 
 nomy vii. and other parts ot scripture. 
 
 Dean. When do you hear us maintain such things in 
 our preaching? 
 
 Hawkins. Though you do not defend them in your 
 preaching, you do it by your deeds, and your laws. You 
 preach Christ to be a prophet and priest, but not to be a 
 king ; nor will you suffer him to reign in his church alone^ 
 hy the sceptre of his word ; but the popes canon /aw, and 
 the will of the prince, must be preferred before the word and 
 ordinance of God. 
 
 Dean. You speak irreverently of the prince, before the 
 magistrates. You were not required to speak, and there- 
 fore might hold your peace. 
 
 Hawkins. You will suffer us to make our defence, seeing 
 you persecute us. 
 
 Bishop. What is so preferred ? 
 
 Nixson. Your laws, your copes, and your surplices ; 
 because you will suffer none to preach, except they wear 
 them, and subscribe. 
 
 Bishop. No ! what say you of Sampson and Lever, and 
 others ? Do not they preach ? 
 
 White. Though they preach, you have deprived and 
 forbidden them ; and though you suffer them, the law stands 
 in force against them. But for what cause you will not 
 suffer others, whom you cannot reprove by the word of 
 God, I know not. 
 
 * This was one Bedall, then present, who immediately held down his 
 head, but said nothing. The bishop and other commissioners, at the same 
 time, looked upon one another, as if they knew not what to do, but pro- 
 ceeded no further. — Parte of a Register,]^. 26. 
 
HAWKINS. 137 
 
 Bishop. They "will not preach among you. 
 
 White. Your doino's are the cause. 
 
 Hawkins. And they will not join with you. One of 
 them told me, " lie had rather be torn iri a hundred pieces, 
 than communicate with you." We neither hold nor allow 
 any tiling that is not contained in the word of God. But if 
 you think we do not hold the truth, shew unto us, and we 
 will renounce it. 
 
 Smith. And if you cannot, we pray you, let us not be 
 thus used 
 
 Dean. You are not obedient to the authority of the prince. 
 
 White. Yes, we arc. For we resist not, but suffer 
 whatsoever authority is pleased to lay upon us. 
 , Bishop. Thieves likewise sutler, when the laws are laid 
 upon them. 
 
 White. What a comparison is this ! They suffer for evil 
 doing, and you punish us for serving God according to his 
 word. 
 
 Nixson. The prince, as well as ourselves, must be ruled 
 by the word of God : as we read, 1 Kings xii., that the king 
 should teach only the word of God. 
 
 Bishop. What! should the king teach the word of 
 God ? Lie not. 
 
 Nixson. It means that both king and people should obey 
 the word of God. 
 
 Bishop. It is indeed true, that princes must obey the 
 word of God only. But obedience consisteth of three 
 points. — 1. That which God commandeth may not be left 
 undone. — 2. That which God forbiddcth may not be done. 
 — 3. That which God hath neither commanded nor for- 
 bidden, and consisteth in things indifferent : such things 
 princes have authority to appoint and command. 
 
 Prisoners. Prove that. Where find you that ? 
 
 Bishop. I have talked with many persons, and yet I 
 never saw any behave themselves so irreverently before 
 magistrates. 
 
 White. 1 beseech you, let me speak a word or two. 
 
 Bishop. White, stay a little. You shall speak anon. 
 
 Hawkins. Kings have their rule and commandment, 
 Deut. xvii., not to decline from the word of God, to the 
 right hand or the left, notwithstanding your distinction. 
 
 Smith. How can you prove those things to be indifferent^ 
 •which are abominable. 
 
 Bishop. You mean our caps and tippets, which, you 
 say, came from Rome. 
 
1S8 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Ireland. They belong to the papists, therefore throw 
 them to them. 
 
 Watts. You would have us use nothing- that the papists 
 used. Then should we use no churches, seeing the papists 
 used them. 
 
 Hawkins. Churches are necessary to keep our bodies 
 from the rain ; but copes and surplices are superstitious and 
 idolatrous. 
 
 White. Christ did cast the buyers and sellers, and their 
 wares, out of the temple, yet was not the temple overthrown. 
 Bishop. Things not firbidden of God, may bemused for 
 the sake of order and obedience. This is according to the 
 judgment of the learned BuUinger. We, therefore, desire 
 you to be conformable. 
 
 Smith. What if I can shew you Bullinger against Bul- 
 linger, in this thing ? 
 
 Bishop. 1 think you cannot. Smith* 
 Smitli. Yes, that I can. 
 
 Bishop. Though we differ from other reformed churches, 
 in rites and ceremonies, we agree with them in the substance 
 of doctrine. 
 
 Hawkins. Yes, but we should follow the truth in all 
 tilings. Christ saith, " Go ye, therefore, and teach all 
 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; teaching them to observe aFl 
 things lehatsocver I luvce commanded you.^'' But you liave 
 brought the gospel and its ordinances into bondage to the 
 ceremonies ot anticlnist ; and you defend idolatry and 
 papistry. You have mingled your own inventions with 
 every ordinance of Christ. How do you address godfather? 
 and godmothers in baptism ? 
 Watts. Oh I a wise reason. 
 
 Bishop. How say you of the church at Geneva ? They com- 
 municate with wafer cakes, which you are so much against. 
 Nixson. Yes, but they do not compel any to receive it 
 so and in no other way. 
 
 Bishop. Yes, in their parish churches. 
 White. The English congregation, while residing there^ 
 did minister the sacrament with loaf bread. 
 
 Bishop. Because they were of another language. 
 White. It is good to follow the best example. But we 
 must follow them only as they follow Christ. 
 
 Dean. All the learned men in Europe are against you. 
 
 Watts. You will believe no man. 
 
 Smith. Ycs;, we reverence the learned at Geneva, and 
 
HAWKINS. 139 
 
 in all other places. Yet we build not our faith and religion 
 upon them. 
 
 Bisliop. Will you he judged by the learned at Geneva? 
 They are against you. 
 
 Hawkins. We will be judged by the word of God, which 
 shall judge us all at the last day, and is, therefore, suihcient 
 to judge us now. But how can they be against us, seeing 
 they know not of our doings ? 
 
 Bishop. Here is a letter from Geneva ; and they are 
 against you and your doings, in going from us. Thej 
 tremble at your cause. 
 
 Hawkins. The place is against you. For they tremble 
 at your case, and the case of the prince ; because, by your 
 severities, you drive us to a separation against our wills. 
 Bishop. Then you enter into judgment againsi us. 
 Hawkins. No ; we judge not. But we know the letter 
 well enough ; for we have it in our houses. Jt maketh 
 nothing against us. 
 
 Bishop. We grant it doth not. Yet they account the 
 apparel, in its own nature, indifferent, and not impious and 
 wicked ; and, therefore, counsel preachers not to give up 
 their functions, or leave their flocks, for these things. 
 
 Hawkins. But it is said, in the same letter, *' that 
 ministers should give up their ministry, rather than be 
 compelled to subscribe unto the allowance of such things." 
 Nixson. Let us answer to your first question. 
 Bishop. Say on, Nixson. 
 
 Nixson. We do not refuse you for preaching the word 
 of God ; but because you have tied the ceremonies of anti- 
 christ to your ministry, and set them before it, seeing no 
 man may preach or minister the sacraments without them. 
 Before you used this compulsion, all was quiet. 
 
 Bishop. So you are against things indifferent, which for 
 the sake of order and obedience may be borne with. 
 
 Mayor. Well, good people, I wish you would wisely 
 consider these things, and be obedient to the queen's good 
 laws ; that you may live quietly, and have liberty. 1 am 
 sorry that you are troubled ; but I am an officer under my 
 prince, and therefore blame not me. The queen hath not 
 established these garments and other things, for the sake of 
 any holiness in them, only for civil order and comeliness ; 
 and because she would have ministers known from other 
 men, as aldermen are known by their tippets, judges by 
 their red gowns, and noblemen's servants by their liveries. 
 Therefore, you will do well to take heed and obey. 
 
140 ^ LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Hawkins. Philip Melanctlion, upon Romans xiv. liatli 
 these words: <' When the opinion of holiness, or merit, or 
 necessity/, is put to things indifferent, they darken the light 
 of the gospel, and ouglit always to be taken away." 
 
 Bishop. These things are not commanded as necessari/ 
 in the church. 
 
 Hawkins. You have made them necessary, and that 
 many a poor man doth feel. 
 
 Nixson. As you say, my lord, that the alderman is 
 known by his tippet, even as by this apparel were the mass- 
 priests known from other men. 
 
 Dean. What a great matter you make of it f 
 
 Hawkins. The apostle Paul would not be like the false 
 apostles in any such things ; therefore the apostle is against 
 you. 
 
 Bishop. There were good men and good martyrs, who, 
 in the days of King Edward, did wear these things. Do 
 you condemn them ? 
 
 Nixson. We condemn them not. We would go for- 
 ward to perfection. The best of them wlio maintained the 
 habits, did recant at their death : as did Dr. Ridley, bishop 
 of London, and Dr. Taylor. Ridley did acknowledge his 
 fault to Hooper, and when they would have put the apparel 
 upon him, he said it was abominable and too fond for a vice 
 in a play.* 
 
 Bishop. Do you find that in the Book of Martyrs ? 
 
 Hawkins. It may be shewed from the book of the 
 " Monuments of the Church," that many Avho were bnrned 
 in ihe time of Queen Mary, died for standing against popery, 
 as we do now. 
 
 Bishop. I have said mass. I am sorry for it. 
 
 Ireland. But you go still like one of the mass-priests. 
 
 Bishop. You saw me Avear a cope or surplice in St. 
 Paul's. I had ratlier minister without them, only for the 
 sake of order and obedience to my prince. 
 
 Nixson. Your garments, as they are now used, are 
 accursed. 
 
 Bishop. Where do you find them forbidden in scripture ? 
 
 Nixson. Where is the mass forbidden in the scriptures ? 
 
 Bishop. The mass is forbidden in scripture thus : — It was 
 thought meritorious. It took away free justification. It 
 
 * What is here observed relative to the worthy reformers, is abundantly 
 ronfirnied by the concurrent testimony of our historians. Fox'' s Jets and 
 Monuments of Marlyrs, vol, iii. p. 143, 168, 172, i21.—Heylin's Hist, of 
 Ktfor. part i. p. 93. — Prince's Chron, Hist. vol. i. p. 217. 
 
HAWKINS. 141 
 
 %VBS made an idol : and idolatry is forbidden in the 
 scriptures. 
 
 Hawkins. By the same argument, I will prove your 
 garments to be forbidden in the scriptures. In Psalm 
 cxxxviii. it is said, that " God hath magnified his word 
 above all his name." And 2 Cor. x. it is said, " The 
 weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through 
 God to the pulling down of strong holds ; casting down 
 imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself 
 against the knowledge of God, and bringeth into captivity 
 every thought to the obedience of Christ." But you have 
 brought the word of God into captivity to the pope's gar- 
 meiUs and his canon law. Therefore they are forbidden in 
 the scriptures. " And," says Christ, " that which is highly 
 esteemed amongstmen, is abomination in the sight of God." 
 Luke xvi. 
 
 White. Reprove what we hold, and prove what you 
 would have us to observe, by the scriptures, and we wiU 
 yield to you. But if you cannot do this, why do you 
 persecute us. 
 
 Bishop. You are not obedient to the prince. 
 
 Dean. Doth not St. Peter say, " Be obedient unto every 
 ordinance of man ?" 
 
 White. Yes, so far as their ordinances are according to 
 the will of God. 
 
 Nixson. It hath always been the practice of popish 
 bishops, when they could not defend their cause by scrip- 
 ture, to make tJie mayor and aldermen their servants and 
 butchers, to execute punishment. But you, my lord, seeing 
 you have heard and seen our cause, will take good adver- 
 tisement conceriiino: the same. 
 
 Mayor. How irreverently yo\i speak before my lords 
 and us, in making such a comparison ! 
 
 Bishop. Have we not a godly prince? Or, is she evil? 
 
 White. What the answer to that question is, tJie fruits 
 do shew. 
 
 Bowland. Yes, the servants of God are persecuted 
 under her. 
 
 Bishop, Mark this, my lord. 
 
 Hawkins. The prophet may answer this question. 
 *' Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat 
 up my people as they eat bread ?" 
 
 Dean. Do we hold any heresy ? Do we deny any article 
 of faith ? Do we maintain purgatory or pilgrimage ? No : 
 
142; LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 we hold the reformation that was promoted in the days of 
 King Edward. 
 
 White. You build much upon the time of King Edward. 
 And though it was the best time of reformation, all was 
 contined to one prescript order of service, patched together 
 out of the popish mattins, even-song, and mass-book ; and 
 no dicipline, according to the word of God, might be 
 brought into the church. 
 
 Nixsoii. Yet they never made a law, that none should 
 preach, nor administer the sacraments, without the garments, 
 as you have done. 
 
 Hawkins. It can never be proved, that the ceremonies of 
 antichrist, and the pope's canon law, are clean to christians. 
 For the apostle saith, there is no fellowship between Christ 
 and Belial, and light and darkness. 
 
 Dean. All the learned are against you. 
 
 White. I delivered a book to Justice Harris, containing 
 the order which we hold. Reprove the same by the word 
 of God, and we will renounce it altogether. 
 
 Bishop. We cannot reprove it. But to gather yourselves 
 together disorderly, and to trouble the quiet of the realm, 
 against the will of the prince, we like not. 
 
 White. We hold nothing that is not warranted by the 
 word of God. 
 
 Hawkins. Tliat which we do, we do in obedience to the 
 command of God. " Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark 
 them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the 
 doctrine which ye have learned, and oro/o? them." 
 
 Dean. Yes ; but what you hold is disorderly, and against 
 ihe authority of the prince. 
 
 Hawkins. That which is according to the word of God 
 is truth, whoever holds it; unless you make the truth of 
 God subject to the authority of the prince. It were better 
 for us never to have been born, than to suffer the word of 
 God to be defaced by the pleasure of princes. 
 
 Bishop. All the learned are against you. Will you be 
 tried by them ? 
 
 White. We will be tried by the word of God, by which 
 we shall all be judged at the last day. 
 
 Dean. But who will you have to be judge of the word of 
 God? 
 
 Hawkins. That was the cavil of the papists, in the time 
 of Queen Mary. I have myself heard them say, when the 
 truth was defended by the word of God, " Who shall judge 
 
HAWKINS. 143 
 
 of tlio word of God ? The catholic church must be 
 jtulijc." 
 
 Whito. We will be tried by the best reformed cliurches. 
 The church of Scotland hatli the word truly preached, 
 the sacraineuts truly ministered, and discipline according to 
 the word of God ; these are the marks by which a true 
 church is known. 
 
 Dean. We have a gracious prince. 
 
 Prisoners. May God preserve her majesty and council. 
 
 White, That which God commandeth, ought to be done; 
 and that which God forbiddeth, ought not to be done. 
 
 Bisliop. Yes ; and so say I. 
 
 Wiiite, It is manifest that wliat God coramandeth to be 
 done, is left undone; and what God forbiddeth, is done by 
 authority. God says, " Six days shalt thou labour, and do 
 all that thou hast to do : but the seventh day is the sabbath 
 of the Lord thy God." But the law of the prince saith, 
 " Thou shalt not labour six days, but shalt keep the popish 
 holy-days." — Christ commandeth discipline to be used in 
 his church, Matt, xviii., and it was practised by tlie apostles ; 
 but in the church of England, that is set aside, and none 
 used but the popish discipline. And Christ saith, " If any 
 man shall add unto those things which he has revealed, God 
 shall add unto him the plagues that are written in his book: 
 and if any man shall take away from the words of his 
 book, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, 
 and out of the holy city." llev. xxii. How will you avoid 
 this? 
 
 Bishop. Why, is it not well to hear a good sermon or two 
 on the holy-days ? 
 
 AVhite. We are not against tiiat. But what shall we do 
 when the sermons are ended ? If we do any work, we are 
 commanded to appear in your courts. 
 
 Bishop. You may be well employed in serving God. 
 
 White. So we are, when we are at our work, as God 
 commandeth. 
 
 Dean. Then 3'ou would have no sermons, nor prayers, ail 
 tlie week. 
 
 White. I think he is no christian who does not pray and 
 serve God every day in tlie week. 
 
 INixson. You can suffer bear-baiting, bowling, and other 
 games, both on the sabbath and your holy-days, without 
 any trouble for it. 
 
 Dean. Then you would have no holy-days, because the 
 papists have used them ? 
 
144 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 White. We ought to do what God commandcth. 
 
 Dean. Then you must not use the Isold's prayer, because 
 the papists used it ; and many other prayers, because the 
 papists used tiiem. You would have nothing but the word 
 of God. Are all the psalms which you sing the word of 
 God? 
 
 White. Is every word delivered in a good sermon the 
 word of God ? 
 
 Dean. No. 
 
 White. But every word and thing agreeing v/iih the word 
 of God, is as the word of God. 
 
 Bishop. There hath been no heretic, but he hath chal- 
 lenged the word of God to defend himself. 
 
 White. What is that to us ? If you know any heresy that 
 we hold, charge us with it. 
 
 Bishop. Holy-days may be well used. 
 
 Hawkins. Bishop Hooper, in his Commentary upon the 
 Commandments, saith, " that holy-days arc the leaven of 
 antichrist."* 
 
 In the conclusion, the prisoners not yielding to the con- 
 formity required, were sent to Bridewell, where they, with 
 their brethren, and several women, Avere kept in confine- 
 ment two years. During tliis period, the famous Mr. Thomas 
 Lever had a conference with them, and, by their desire, 
 wrote them a letter to comfort and encourage them under 
 their present trials, giving his opinion of those things for 
 which they suliered. In this letter, dated December 5, 
 1568, he declares, that by the grace of God, he was deter- 
 mined never to wear the square cap and surplice, nor kneel 
 at the communion, because it was a symbolizing with popery. 
 Yet he would not condemn those who should observe these 
 things.+ The celebrated Mr. John Knox wrote, also, a most 
 affectionate and faithful letter to certain prisoners confined 
 for nonconformity ; urging them to hear the ministers wlio 
 preached sound doctrine, though they conformed to the 
 habits and ceremonies of tlie church. This letter, written 
 about the same time, was most probably addressed tp the 
 same persons X 
 
 The patience and constancy of Mr. Hawkins and the rest 
 of the prisoners, being at length sufficiently tried, an order 
 at the motion of Bishop Grindal, was sent from the lords of 
 the council to release them. Therefore, in the month of 
 April, 1569, after admonition to behave themselves better 
 
 * Parte of a Register, J). 24 — 37. 
 
 + MS. Register, p. 18, 19. J Ibid. p. 20, 21. 
 
HAWKINS. 145 
 
 in future, twenty-four men^ and seven women, were dis- 
 charged.* Bishop Maddox insinuates that these persons were 
 guilty of disloyalty; and adds, " that it was no wonder they 
 " were not more respectful to the queen, since their whole 
 
 * The names of the men were, Robert Hawkins, John Smith, John 
 Roper, James Ireland, William Nixson, Walter Hinkesman, Thomas Bow- 
 land, George Waddy, William Turner, John Nash, James Adderton, Thomas 
 Lidford, Richard Langton, Alexander Lacy, John Leonard, Robert Tod, 
 Roger Hawksworth, Robert Sparrow, Richard King, Christopher Coleraao« 
 John Benson, John Bolton, Robert Gates, and William White. + Several 
 of them had been beneficed ministers in the church, the rest were religious 
 and worthy laymen, but all sufferers in the same cause. Among the latter 
 was Mr. William White, a substantial citizen of London, whom Fuller, 
 by mistake, calls a minister. He was oftentimes fined and tossed from one 
 prison to another, contrary to law and justice, only for not going to his 
 own parish church. Having been examined before the Bishop of London, 
 he wrote his lordship a most bold and excellent letter, now before me, 
 dated December 19, 1569; in the conclusion of which, he subscribes himself, 
 •' Yours in the Lord to command, William White, who joineth with you 
 *' in every speck of truth, but utterly detesteth whole antichrist, head, 
 " body, and tail, never to join with you, or any, in the least joint thereof; 
 " nor in any ordinance of man, contrary to the wordof God." J An abstract 
 of this letter is preserved by Mr. Neal.^ 
 
 January 18, 1573, Mr. White appeared before the commissioners, who 
 treated him neither as men, nor as christians. He was examined in the 
 presence of the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the Master of 
 the Requests, the Dean of Westminster, the Sheriff of London, the Clerk of 
 the Peace, and Mr. Gerard. Some others having been dispatched, Mr. 
 White was brought forth, whom his lordship accosted as follows:— 
 
 L. C. J. Who is this ? 
 
 White. White, if it please your honour. 
 
 L. C. J. White .' as black as the devil. 
 
 White. Not so, my lord, one of God's children. 
 
 L. C.J. By whom were you relea&ed ? 
 
 White. By the commissioners, I suppose. 
 
 L. C. J. That is well, indeed, if we shall commit, and others set at liberty I 
 
 White. They did no more than they might do, 
 
 L. C. J. By which of the commissioners were you delivered ? 
 
 White. I know not. There were the hands of four or fire commissioners 
 set to the warrant. 
 
 L. C. J. But who were they ? 
 
 "White. I suppose Sir Walter and my Lord Mayor were two of 
 
 them. 
 
 Master of Requests. How were you delivered ? 
 
 White. Upon sureties. 
 
 M. Requests. How long is it since you were delivered? 
 
 White. Since the birth-day of our Lord. 
 
 L. C. J. How often, during this time, have you been at your parish 
 «hurch ? 
 
 White. I could not go to any church, being myself, with sureties, bound 
 to be a true prisoner in my own house. 
 
 L. C. J. Ob ! you were glad of that. 
 
 White. Not so, my lord ; fo. if I had been at liberty, I would have 
 frequented the place of public preaching and prayer. 
 
 + Strype's Grindal, p. 136. X MS. Register, p. 22— §5. 
 
 § Hist, of Puritans, vol, i. p. S20. 
 
 VOL. I, L 
 
]46 ^ LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " scheme of church government appears to be calculated for 
 " the overthrow of monarchy."* We are at a loss to say 
 whether this calnmny discovers greater ignorance or bigotry. 
 The twofold charge is asserted without the least shadow of 
 
 Gerard. When were you bound (o appear ? 
 White. At any time, I suppose, when I should be called. 
 Gerard. You are now called ; you must then answer. 
 White. 1 acknowledge it, and am here to answer. 
 L. C. J. Why will you not come to your parish church ? 
 White. My lord, I did use to frequent my parish church before my 
 troubles, and procured several godly men to preach there, as well as other 
 places of preaching and prayer; and since my troubles, I have not fre- 
 quented any private assemblies, but, as I have had liberty, have gone to 
 my parish church. Therefore, they who have presented me, have done it 
 out of malice ; for if any of the things can be proved against me, or that 
 I hold all things common, your lordship may dismiss me from hence to the 
 gallows. 
 
 Gerard. You have not usually frequented your otcn church. 
 "White. I allow I have more used other places, where I was better edified. 
 Gerard. Then your presentation is in part true. 
 
 White. Not so, if it please you ; for I am presented for not coming at 
 all to my parish church. 
 Gerard. Will you then come to prayers when there is no sermon ? 
 White. I crave the liberty of a subject. But if I do not publicly 
 frequent both preaching, prayer, and the sacraments, deal with me ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Master of the Rolls. Yon must answer yes or no. 
 
 White. You know my mind, how that I would avoid those things which 
 are a grief to me, an offence to others, and disturb the quiet state of the 
 church. 
 
 Dean. You disobey the queen's laws. 
 Wliite. Not so, if it please you. 
 
 Dean. What fault do y«u find in the common prayer ? 
 AVhite. Let them answer to whom it appertains ; for being in prison 
 almost a whole year about these matters, I was indicted upon a statute 
 relating to that book ; and before I came to liberty, almost outlawed, as 
 your worship Mr. Gerard knoweth. 
 
 M. Requests. What scripture have you to ground your conscience upon 
 against these garments ? 
 
 Whi(e. The whole scriptures are for destroying idolatry, and every thing 
 belonging unto it, 
 
 M. Requests. These things never served to idolatry. 
 White. Shough ! they are the same as those which heretofore were used 
 for that purpose. 
 
 M. Requests. \V"here are they forbidden in scripture? 
 White. In Deuteronomy and other places, the Israelites are commanded, 
 not only to destroy the altars, groves, and images, with all thereto 
 belonging, but also to abolish the very names. And God by Isaiah com- 
 jnandeth us not to pollute ourselves with the garments of the image, but to 
 cast them away as a menstruous clout. 
 
 M. Rolls. These are no part of idolatry, but are commanded by the prince 
 for civil order; and if you will not be ordered you shew yourself disobedient 
 to the laws. 
 
 White. I would not willingly disobey any law, only I would avoid 
 those things which are not warranted by the word of God. 
 
 * Maddox's Vindication, p, 210. 
 
HAWKINS. 147 
 
 evidence, excepting what might arise in his lordship's 
 episcopal imagination. Mr. Hawkins and several others 
 bad been beneficed ministers in London, but were now 
 silenced and persecuted for nonconformity. The rest were 
 
 M. Requests. You disobey the queen's laws; for these things are com 
 nanded by act of parliament. 
 
 Dean. Nay, you disobey God ; for God commandeth you to obey 
 your prince. Therefore in disobeying her in these things, you disobey 
 God. 
 
 White. I do not avoid those things of contempt, but of conscience. la 
 all other things I am an obedient subject. 
 
 L.C.J. Thequeen'smajesty was overseen not to make thee of her council, 
 to make laws and orders for religion. 
 
 White. Not so, my lord. I am to obey laws warranted by God's word, 
 
 L. C. J. Do the queen's laws command any thing against God'b word? 
 
 White. I do not say so, my lord. 
 
 L. C. J. Yes, marry, you do ; and there I will hold you. 
 
 White. Only God and his laws are absolutely perfect. All men and 
 their laws may err. 
 
 L. C. J. This is one of Shaw's darlings. I tell thee what, I will not say 
 any thing of alTection, for I know thee not, saving by this occasion ; thou 
 art the wickedest, and most contemptuous person, that has come before me, 
 since I sat in this commission. 
 
 White. Not so, my Lord ; my conscience doth witness otherwise. 
 
 M. Requests. What if the queen should command to wear a grey frize 
 gown, would you then come to church ? 
 
 White. That were more tolerable, than that God's ministers should 
 wear the habit of his enemies. 
 
 L. C. J. How if she should command them to wear a fool's coat and a 
 cock's comb ? 
 
 White, That were unseemly, my lord, for God's minister*. 
 
 Dean. You will not be obedient to the queen's commands. 
 
 White. I am, and will be, obedient. 
 
 M. Requests. Yes, you say so. But how are you obedient, when you 
 will not do what she commandeth ? 
 
 White. I would only avoid those things that have no warrant in the 
 word of God, that are neither decent nor edifying, bat flatly the contrary, 
 and condemned by the foreign reformed churches, 
 
 M. Requests. Do the church and pews edify? And because the papists 
 used these, will you, therefore, cast them away ? 
 
 White. The church and pews, and such things, are both necessary and 
 profitable. 
 
 Gerard. White, you were released, thinking you would be conformable, 
 but you are worse than ever. 
 
 White. Not so, if it please you. 
 
 L. C. J. He would have no laws. 
 
 White. If there were no laws, I would live like a christian, and do no 
 wrong, though I received wrong. 
 
 L, C. J. Thou art a rebel. 
 
 White. Not so, my lord ; a true subject. 
 
 L. C. J. Yea, I swear by God, thou art a very rebel ; for thou wouldst 
 draw thy sword, and lift up thy hand against thy prince, if time served. 
 
 White. My lord, I thank God, my heart standetb right towards God and 
 my prince ; and God will not condemn, though your honour bath so 
 judged. 
 
 L. C. J. Take him away. 
 
U8 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 trorthy, religious persons, but great sufferers in the same 
 cause. These proceedings against zealous protestants, of 
 pious and sober lives, excited the compassion of all unpre- 
 judiced beholders, and brought many over to their interests. 
 It was, indeed, a great grief to the prelates, to see persons 
 
 White. I would speak a word, which I am sure will offend, and yet I 
 must speak it. I heard the name of God taken in vain. If 1 had done it, 
 it had been a greater offence than that which I stand here for. 
 
 Gerard. White, White, you do not behave yourself well. 
 
 White. I pray your worship, shew me wherein, and I will beg yout 
 pardon and amend it. 
 
 L. C. J. I may swear in a matter of charity. 
 
 White. There is no such occasion now. 
 
 Gerard. White, you do much misuse yourself. 
 
 White. If I do, I am sorry for it. 
 
 M. Requests. There is none here but pitieth thee. 
 
 White. If it be so, I praise God for it. But because it is said, that at ray 
 last being before you, I denied the supremacy of my prince, I desire 
 your honours and worships, with all that be present, to bear witness, that 
 I acknowledge her majesty the chief governor, next under Christ, over all 
 persons and causes within her dominions, and to this I will subscribe. I 
 acknowledge the Book of Articles, and the Book of Common Prayer, as far 
 as they agree with the word of God. I acknowledge the substance of the 
 doctrine and sacraments of the church to be sound and sincere ; and so I do 
 of rites and orders, as far as they agree with the word of Ged. 
 
 Dean. Are not all things in the Articles and the Book of Commoo 
 Prayer, taken out of the word of God ? 
 
 White. Though they were ; yet being done by man, I may not give them 
 che same warrant as the writings of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Dean. You will not then allow of sermons. 
 
 White. We are commanded to search the scriptures, and to try the 
 spirits; therefore, we milst allow of sermons as they agree with the 
 scriptures, 
 
 L. C. J. Take him away. 
 
 White. I would to the Lord Jesus, that my two years' imprisonment 
 might be a means of having these matters fairly decided by the word of 
 God, and the judgment of other reformed churches. 
 
 L. C. J. You shall be committed, I warrant you. 
 
 White. Pray, my lord, let me have Justice. I am unjustly prosecuted. 
 I desire a copy of my presentment. 
 
 L. C. J. You shall have your head from your shoulders. Have him to 
 the Gatehouse. 
 
 White. I pray you to commit me to some prison in London, that I may 
 be near my house. 
 
 L. C. J. No, sir, you shall go thitfier. 
 
 White. I have paid fines and fees in other prisons: send me not where I 
 must pay them again. 
 
 L. C. J. Yes, marry shall you. That is your glory. 
 
 M. Requests, -it will cost you twenty pounds, I warrant you, before you 
 come out,. 
 
 White. God's will be done. 
 
 The good man was then carried to the Gatehouse; but how long he 
 remained in a state of confinement, we are not able to learn. These severe 
 proceedings, instead of crushing, greatly promoted the cause of puritanism. 
 The sword of persecution was always found a bad argument to convince 
 mm of nnderstanding and conscience— itfiS.-£«^«fer, p. 176— 178. 
 
KINGSMILL. 149 
 
 going off from the first establishment of the protcstant 
 religion, concluding the service book to be unlawful, and 
 the ecclesiastical state antichristian ; and labouring to set 
 up another kind of church government and discipline. But 
 who drove them to these extremities ? Why were not a 
 few amendments made in the liturgy, by which conscientious 
 persons might have been made easy; or, even liberty 
 given them to worship God in their own way ? How far 
 these proceedings were justifiable by the laws of God, or 
 consistent with that universal rule of conduct given by 
 Jesus Christ, Whatsoever yc would that men shou/d do to 
 ijou^ do ije even so to them^ is left with the impartial reader 
 to determine. 
 
 Andrew Kixgsmill, LL. B. — This excellent person 
 was born at Sidmanton in Hampshire, in the year 1538, 
 educated in Corpus Christi college, Oxford, and elected 
 fellow of All Souls college in the same university, in 1558. 
 He studied the civil law, in the knowledge of which he 
 made considerable proficiency. But while he was thus 
 employed, he did not forget to seek first the kingdom of 
 God and his righteousness. He discovered the warmest 
 desires for a knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, and 
 for the attainment of which, he paid the closest application. 
 He would receive nothing for truth, till he found the testi- 
 mony of scripture for its support, ^y a constant and close 
 attention to the word of God, its sacred pages became 
 familiar to him; and, indeed, he so addicted himself to 
 search and recite the holy scriptures, that he could readily 
 repeat by heart, and in the Greek language, the whole of 
 the epistles to the Romans and Galatians, the first epistle of 
 John, and many other parts of the sacred volume.* 
 
 Mr. Kingsmill did not so much esteem the preferment 
 and profit, to which he might easily have attained by the 
 profession of the law, as the comfortable assurance and 
 blessed hope of eternal life, and to be -useful in preaching 
 the gospel to his fellow creatures. He, therefore, relin- 
 quished the laAv, entered the sacred function, and became 
 an admired preacher in the university of Oxford. For 
 some time after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, there 
 were only three preachers in this university, Dr. Humphrey, 
 Dr. Sampson, and Mr. Kingsmill, ail puritans. But upoa 
 
 * Wood's Athena* Oxon. toI. i. p. 1S5. 
 
350 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 the rigorous imposition of conformity, Dr. Sampson being 
 already deprived of his deanery, Mr. Kingsmill withdrew 
 from the storm. He was averse to all severity in the impo- 
 sition of habits and ceremonies ; and being fixed in his 
 nonconformity, he wrote a long letter to Archbishop Parker, 
 against urging a conformity to the papists in habits, cere- 
 monies, and other things equally superstitious.* 
 
 Upon Mr. Kingsmill's departure from the kingdom, he 
 resolved to take up his abode among the best reformed 
 churches, both for doctrine and discipline, that he could 
 meet with in a foreign land. During the first three years, 
 he settled at Geneva, where he was higlily esteemed by 
 persons eminent for learning and piety. Afterwards, he 
 removed to Lausaime, where he died in the month of Sep- 
 tember, 1569, aged thirly-one years. Though he was a 
 zealous puritan, and an avowed nonconformist, seeing he 
 was a man of such great worth, and univers:illy beloved. 
 Wood found himself obliged to give him an excellent 
 character. Accordingly, he says he was too good for this 
 world, and left behind him a most excellent pattern of 
 piety, devotion, and every other amiable virtue.+ 
 
 His Works. — 1. A View of Man's Estate, wherein the great 
 Mercy of God in Man's free Justification is shewed, 1574.^ — 2. An 
 excellent and comfortable Treatise for all such as arc in any manner 
 of way either troubled in Mind or afflicted in Body, 1578. — 3. Godly 
 Advice touching Marriage, 1580. — 4. A godly and learned Exhorta- 
 tion to bear patiently all Afflictions of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. — 
 6. A Conference between a godly learned Christian and an 
 affli(;ted Conscience, concerning a Conflict had with Satan. — 7. A. 
 Sermon on John iii. 16. 
 
 Christopher Coleman was a zealous puritan, and one 
 of the preachers to the congregation of separatists in Lon- 
 don. In the year 1567, he was apprehended, with the rest 
 of his brethren, at Plumbers-hall, and cast into prison, 
 where he remained a long time. This heavy sentence was 
 inflicted upon him, for separating from the established 
 church, and holding private meetings for divine worship, 
 when he could not in conscience conform to the church of 
 England.:}: Having at length obtained his release, he wrote 
 a letter, in the year 1569, to Secretary Cecil, earnestly 
 urging hira to employ his interest to promote a furtheif 
 
 * Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 126. — Strype's Parker, p. 157. 
 + Athenas Oxon. vol. i. p. 126. 
 1 See Art. Robert Hawkins. 
 
COLEMAN— AXTON. 151 
 
 reformation of the cliurch. He is denominated from this 
 letter a man of good intentions, but of little learning.* Mr. 
 Coleman and his brethren, Messrs. Benson, Button, and 
 Hallingham, arc said to have been more ardently zealous in 
 the cause of the reformation than any others; and it is 
 observed, that they condemned the discipline of the church, 
 the calling of the bishops, and tli' public liturgy, as savour- 
 ing too nuich of the cliurch of ilome; that tiiey would 
 allow of nothing in the public Avorsliip of God, besides 
 "what was expressly laid down in the holy scriptures; and 
 that though the queen had connnanded them to be /aid hij 
 the het'ls^ it is incredible how the number of their followers 
 increased in all parts of the kingdom.f 
 
 William Axton was a truly pious man, a steady non- 
 conformist, and a learned divine. He was some years rector 
 of Moreton Corbet in Shropshire ;| where Sir Robert 
 Corbet, who was his great and worthy friend, protected him 
 for some time from the severities of the prelates.§ Though 
 under the wing of so excellent a patron, he found protec- 
 tion only for a season, and was brought into trouble for 
 nonconformity. About the year 1370, he was cited before 
 Dr. Bentham, bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, when he 
 underwent several examinations for refusing the apparel^ 
 the cross in baptism, and kneeling at the sacrament. LJpon 
 his appearance, he debated these points with the bishop and 
 his officers, with great freedom and courage. These ex- 
 aminations, now before me, though at considerable length, 
 are here presented to the curious reader. Mr. Axton being 
 brought before his ecclesiastical judges, the bishop thus 
 addresed him : 
 
 Bishop. Though we allow you, Mr. Axton. to assign 
 your reasons, you shall not be unanswered. Therefore set 
 forth your reasons, and we will consider them. 
 
 Axton. If there be any odds in the disputation, it is on 
 your side. For you are many, and I am but one, and have 
 no equal judge or moderator; but I am content to set down 
 my reasons, and leave them to God and your own con- 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 568 — 570. 
 
 + Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 257, 258. 
 
 % Mr. Neal, by mistake, says Leicestershire. — Hist, of Puritans, voL i. 
 p. 228. 
 
 § Sir Robert was a constant friend to the persecuted nonconformists, and 
 often sheltered them from the tyrannical oppressions of the bishops. — MS^ 
 Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373. (14.) 
 
152 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 sciences.— As the priesthood of Christ or of Aaron, and 
 even their very garments, were most honourable: so the 
 priesthood of antichrist, and even the very garments, as the 
 cope and surplice, is most detestable. 
 
 B. Then you will condemn as unlawful, whatsoever the 
 papists used in their idolatrous service. 
 
 A. Some things have been abused by idolaters, and yet 
 are necessary and profitable in the service of God. Otlier 
 things they have abused, which are neither necessary nor 
 profitable. The former are to be retained, and the latter to 
 be refused. The surplice hath been used by the priests of 
 antichrist, and hath no necessary nor profitable use in the ser- 
 vice of God, any more than any other thing used in idolatrous 
 worship ; therefore the surplice ought not to be used. 
 
 B. The surplice hath a necessary use. 
 
 A. If it have, you sin in omitting it at any time. In 
 this you condemn the reformed churches abroad, for ex- 
 cluding a thing so necessary. 
 
 B. It is necessary, because the prince hath commanded it. 
 
 A. Indeed, it is so necessarily commanded, that without 
 the use of it, a minister must not preach, nor administer the 
 sacraments, however great are his learning, his gifts, and his 
 godliness. This is a most wicked necessity. 
 
 B. But it is comely in the church of God. 
 
 A. What comeliness is it for the minister of Christ, to 
 wear the rags of antichrist ? If this be comely, then the 
 velvet and golden copes, for the same reason, are more 
 comely. But this is not the comeliness of the gospel. 
 
 B. You are not a judge whether the surplice be comely. 
 A. The apostle saith to all christians, " Try the spirits, 
 
 whether they be of God." Is it then unlawful for a chris- 
 tian, and a minister of Christ, to judge of a ceremony of 
 man's invention ? The reformed churches have judged the 
 surplice <o be uncomely for the ministers of Christ. Luther, 
 Calvin, Beza, Peter Martyr, and many others, have disal- 
 lowed the use of it. And most learned men now in Eng- 
 land, who use the surplice, wish with all their hearts, it 
 were taken away. Yea, I think this is your opinion also, 
 Ridley said " it was more fit for a player on the stage, than 
 for a minister of God in his church." 
 
 B. We will not allow that the surplice is the garment of 
 antichrist. 
 
 A. That which was consecrated by antichrist, and con- 
 stantly worn by the priests of antichrist, in their idolatrous 
 service, was one of the garments of antichrist. But the 
 
AXTON. 153 
 
 surplice was consecrated by antichrist, and constantly -vvorn 
 by the priests of antichrist in their idolatrous service. 
 Therefore, the surplice is a garment of anticlirist. 
 
 B. But this surplice which we use, was never used by 
 idolatrous priests. 
 
 A. Tlien you confess that their surplices may not be used 
 by us. Yet in many churches in England, the massing 
 surplices and copes have beeji used, and are still used; 
 which, by your own confession, are accursed and alwmin- 
 able. But when we speak of the surplice, we do not mean 
 this or that surplice, but surplices in general. 
 
 Barker. How do you prove that ? 
 
 A. When the king of Judah came to Damascus, and 
 there saw a brazen altar, he sent the pattern of it to 
 Jerusalem, commanding the high priest to make one like 
 unto it, and set it up in the temple of God. This was as 
 great a sin, as if he had set up the very same altar which he 
 saw at Damascus ; therefore, though we have not the very 
 same surplice, we have one made like unto it, even as like 
 that at Damascus as it can be made. 
 
 B. Then we will have it made shorter or longer than 
 theirs, or wider or narrower.* 
 
 A. That is a poor shift. You know, that nearly all the 
 surplices in England are like the papists' surplices. 
 
 B. I have a cup like the papists' calice, and is it unlaw- 
 ful for me to use it ? 
 
 A. Your cup is not used in the service of God, nor is it 
 convenient for that purpose. But supposing it were both 
 convenient and useful in the supper of the Lord, it cannot 
 be compared with the surplice, which is neither convenient 
 nor useful. 
 
 B. We have appointed the surplice for another end, than 
 the papists did. 
 
 A. You cannot appoint it to any good end. According 
 to what you now plead, you may bring into the church 
 
 * The profound reasoning of the reverend prelate, reminds us of an 
 anecdote we have met with concerning a pious minister, who, in the reign 
 of Queen Elizabeth, was urged by his ordinary to wear the surplice : but 
 who, in addition to other reasons, alleged, that the surplice otTered him to 
 put on, was the very same surplice as the mass-priest had used. The bishop 
 admitted the excuse, and commanded another to be made ; and vi hen it w is 
 taken to the church, the minister took it up, and thus addressed the people 
 present:—" Good people," said he, " the bishop himself confessed, that 
 the former massing surplice was not to be worn by a minister of the 
 gospel ; but judge you if this be as like that, as one eye is like another? 
 Let this, therefore, go after the other :" and so he cast it away.— yimrs' 
 Fresh Suit, part ii. p. 435. 
 
154 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 of God, nearly all the trash of popery, their candles, tlicir 
 torches, their banners, their oil in baptism, and nearly all 
 other things pertaining to antichrist. 
 
 B. Yes; and why not, if it phrase the prince, seeing- 
 they are things in their own naliire indifferent. 
 
 A. I beseech you in the Lord, mind what you say. Shall 
 we again bring tapers into the church of God, and oil into 
 the sacrament of baptism ? 
 
 B. V'es ; and why not ? Is not oil one of the sacraments 
 in the churcJi of God? Why do you speak so contemptu- 
 ously of oil ? 
 
 A. It is no contempt to exclude oil, milk, salt, or any 
 such thing, from the sDcrament. And why do you call oil 
 a sacrament, seeing it is neither a sacrament, nor any sign 
 of a sacrament ? 
 
 B. Though it be no sacrament now, it was in the time 
 of the apostles. 
 
 A. To speak properly, it never was a sacrament, the 
 nature and use of which is to remember and seal unto us 
 the mercies of God in Christ Jesus. 
 
 B. This is talk. You do not allege the scrijjtures. 
 
 A. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup 
 of devils; and ye cannot partake of the table of the Lortl, 
 an«l the table of dcvUs. Meats, drinks, and apparel, are all 
 of the same nature ; therefore, being consecrated to idolatry, 
 they are condemned. So it is said, " Ye shall also defile 
 the covering of the graven images of silver, and the orna- 
 ment of the molten image of gold : Thou shalt cast them 
 away as a menstruous cloth ; thou shalt say unto it, get thee 
 Iience. And whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, 
 do all to the glory of God." But the surplice, and the 
 wearing of it, is not for the glory of God, therefore not to 
 be worn. 
 
 B. The surplice is for the glory of God. 
 
 A. That which promotes the glory of the papisis, does 
 not promote the glory of God; but the wearing of the 
 surplice promotes the glory and triumph of the papists, 
 and, therefore, not to be worn. 
 
 B. I deny your argument. 
 
 A. It is a syllogism. 
 
 B. You are full of your syllogisms. 
 
 A. Our reason is the gift of God, and the right use of it 
 is to find out the truth. 
 
 B. But a syllogism may be false. Let us proceed to 
 your second argument. 
 
AXTON. 155 
 
 A. I will allege one reason more. We ought to be 
 without offence to the Jew, to the Gentile, and to the 
 church of God. But our wearing the surplice is an offence 
 to the Jew, and the Gentile, (meaning the jvapists) and the 
 church of God. Therefore we ought not to wear the 
 surplice. 
 
 B. How will you be an offence to the papists by wearing 
 the surplice ? 
 
 A. By offence, the apostle does not mean to grieve, but 
 to be an occasion to another to sin. But if 1 wear the 
 surplice, I sliail be an occasion or encouragement to the 
 papists to sin. Therefore I may not wear it. 
 
 B. How will you be an offence to the church of God? 
 You perhaps may be to three or four ; but you must regard 
 the greater jiart. 
 
 A. I should be an offence to the greater part, and the 
 lesser part, and all the church of God. 
 
 B. How do you prove that ? 
 
 A. 1 should be an offence to the lesser part, Ijeing those 
 who are effectually called, because their souls are exceed- 
 ingly grieved with those who do wear it. And to the greater 
 part, being such as are beginning to dislike popery, and 
 follow true religion ; who, by wearing it, would be ready- 
 to give up their zeal, and return to popery. 
 
 B. You must teach them to hate popery, though you 
 wear the surplice. 
 
 A. If I teach them one thing, and I myself do the contrary, 
 how will they believe me ? You know most people look 
 more at our doings, than our doctrine. — H itherto 1 h ave given 
 my reasons against wearing the surplice ; if you have any 
 reasons to shew why I should wear it, let me hear a few of 
 the best. 
 
 Barker. That which doth not offend in its institution, 
 matter, form, or use, is not to be refused. But the surplice 
 doth not offend in its institution, matter, form, or use. 
 Therefore it may not be refused. 
 
 A. Your reasoning is not good. You must first prove 
 that the surplice has not been abused, and is not offensive, 
 then will you conclude better. 
 
 Walton. If nothing may be used in the church, that has 
 been abused to idolatry, then the pulpits, and even the 
 churches, of the papists, may not be used, 
 
 A. This, in effect, hath been already answered. Prove 
 that the surplice is as useful as the pulpit and the church, 
 ^nd you will do something. 
 
156 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Chancellor. Tlien you deny that the prince hath any 
 authority to couimand things indifTerent. 
 
 A. You have said more than I have done all day. Your 
 unjust charge is contrary to what I have said. I woudei' 
 jou can charge me so falsely to my face. 
 
 B. You run to your former distijidion. 
 
 A. It is not my distinction, but Tertullian^s ; and it is 
 that distinction which you will never be able to condemn, 
 I trust I have now confirmed the truth, and shewed sufiicient 
 reason why I may not wear the surplice, there being no 
 reason why I should. 
 
 B. No, indeed ! your reasons arc no reasons. 
 
 A. They are such as have not yet been answered, and I 
 am persuaded, will not be answered. I am not afraid that 
 alt these things should be made known, that the learned 
 may judge. 
 
 C. Yes, you would have them in print, would you 
 not ? 
 
 A. I thought of no such thing. But, as a witness for the 
 truth, I am not ashamed that these things should undergo 
 the examination of the learned and the gotlly.* 
 
 The second conference Avas about the use and significa- 
 tion of the cross in baptism. Upon Mr. Axton's ap})earance 
 before the bishop and others, being required to deliver his 
 opinion, he spoke as follows : 
 
 A. Nothing may be added to the institution of Christ: 
 as, / have received of the Lord, that which aha J delivered 
 ztnto you. But the cross in baptism is an addition to the 
 institution of Christ. Therefore the cross in baptism is 
 unlawful. 
 
 B. The necessary parts of the sacrament are to bo 
 retained ; but whetlK r the water be poured upon the child's 
 forehead, or it be marked with a cross, being ceremonial, is 
 left to the determination of the church. 
 
 A. If you produce as good warrant from the word, for 
 the crossing of the child, as I can for the washing of it, 
 then I will grajit that thp church has authority so to deter- 
 mine. But such warrant cannot be produced. Besides, we 
 have just reason to leave out the cross, because papists abuse 
 it to superstition and idolatry, and in itself it is entirely 
 useless. 
 
 C. Do you then say it is a sin to make any cross? 
 
 A. It is no sin in the carpenter, the mason, or the mathe* 
 
 •» MS. Register, p. 26—37. 
 
AXTON, 157 
 
 matician, making crosses, any more than it is in his making 
 lines and angles. 
 
 B. You would take away the liberty of the church, to 
 establish or alter these things. 
 
 A. The church is the spouse, and hath no authority to 
 introduce any thing that will dishonour Jesus Christ, her 
 true husband. 
 
 B. Hath not the church liberty to use tlie font, or the 
 bason, or lx)th ? 
 
 A. The church may use that which is necessary, to hold 
 the water for baptism, as becomcth the institution of Christ. 
 
 B. But I can shew you that matters of greater importance 
 were altered by the apostles themselves. 
 
 A. What are they ? 
 
 B. That they might not baptize in the name of the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Gliost. 
 
 A. Do you mean that the apostles did not always baptize 
 in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost? 
 
 B. Yes; and I can shew you that they did not always 
 use that form of words. — " For," it is said, " as yet the 
 Holy Ghost was come upon none of them, only they were 
 baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he com- 
 manded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." 
 
 A. Because they were baptized in the name of the Lord 
 Jesus, does that prove they were not baptized in the name of 
 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ? How can you 
 from this, charge the apostles with altering the institution of 
 tlieir Master; they baptized in the name of tlie Lord Jesus; 
 therefore, you say, they did not ])aptize in the name of the 
 Father, the Son, and tlie Holy Ghost. Because one part of 
 Ihe action is mentioned, does that prove they did not 
 attend to the other parts ? 
 
 C. You may not take such advantage of my lord. 
 
 B. I did not say, tliat the apostles did not baptize in the 
 name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Oiiost ; but 
 that it was probable they did not. 
 
 A. Yes, you said you could shew this ; and you have 
 not shewn it to be certain, or even probable. 
 
 B. The cross, you say, is no part of baptism: only an 
 addition to the sacrament. What say you then of the sig- 
 nification of the cross ? 
 
 A. To use such signs, tokens, or instructions in the service 
 of God, which are only the inventions of men, is the fancy of 
 papists. And they draw us not unto the spiritual service of 
 God. but from it. 
 
158 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. But the cross is used as a token only, that we should 
 not be ashamed of the cross of Christ. 
 
 W. And is it not lawful to be taught not to be ashamed 
 of Christ ? 
 
 A. Yes ; but we may not teach by unlawful means. 
 W here doth the word of God warrant us, that making a 
 cross, signifies that we should not be ashamed of Christ ? 
 
 W. Would you then take all symbolical signs out of the 
 church of God ? 
 
 B. The church hath authority to ordain all symbolical 
 signs, that are useful in the church. Therefore the church 
 hath authority to ordain the cross in baptism. 
 
 A. This is only begging the question. You are as far 
 from the mark as ever. 
 
 B. Is not the cross a symbolical sign, that is useful in the 
 church of God ? 
 
 A. That is the point in dispute, and yet remains to be 
 proved. 
 
 B. What scriptures have you against the cross ? 
 
 A. In the second commandment, we are forbidden to use 
 in the service of God, " The likeness of any thing." But 
 the cross in baptism is the likeness of something : Therefore 
 the cross in baptism is forbidden, and may not be used. 
 
 C. May we not then make the likeness of any thing ? 
 
 A. The commandment meaneth, that we should make no 
 likeness of any thing for a religious purpose. We may 
 not make the likeness of any thing in heaven or earth, for 
 a religious purpose. But the cross in baptism is the likeness 
 of something in heaven or earth, and appointed for a 
 religious purpose. Therefore we may not make the cross 
 in baptism. The making of the cross, because for a reli- 
 gious purpose, is here forbidden. 
 
 Barker. The cross in baptism is not forbidden in thejirst 
 commandment. 
 
 A. I did not say it was. It is sufficient that it is for- 
 bidden in the second. 
 
 Barker. But the same thing is meant in tliem both. 
 
 A. You confound the first and second commandments, 
 and, like the papists, make them to be the same. I must 
 say, this is great ignorance. 
 
 Barker. I am not so ignorant as you suppose. 
 
 A. Your own words do betray you. 
 
 B. You are too captious. He shall reason you out of it 
 Barker. The making of the cross in baptism is not forbidden 
 
 in all the prophets ^ and, therefore, not in the couunandment* 
 
AXTON. 159 
 
 Ac You had better first prove, that tlie cross is not 
 forbidden in all the prophets. Your reasoning is not 
 good. 
 
 C. If God have bestowed better gifts upon you, than 
 upon otliers, you must thank him for it ; but not contemn 
 other mens' gifts. 
 
 A. God forbid that I should contemn the gifts of God 
 in any man. ' 
 
 13. What say you about kneeling at the communion ? 
 
 A. Jesus Christ and his apostles received the communion 
 sitting, and Avhy may we not imitate them ? 
 
 Barker. Jesus Christ, with his apostles, celebrated the 
 communion sitting, because he had immediately before, 
 celebrated the passover sitting. 
 
 A. After the celebration of the passover, Christ arose 
 and washed the feet of his disciples. Then it is said, he 
 did again sit down to celebrate the communion; which 
 shews, that he preferred doing it sitting, rather than in any 
 other })osture.* 
 
 B. Mr. Axton, I have other questions to propose to you. 
 What think you of the calling of bishops, or of my 
 calling ? 
 
 A. I am not ignorant of the danger I may fall into, by 
 answering your question. Yet I am not compelled to 
 answer it, not being accused of any crime. 
 
 B. Yes, I may compel you to ansAver upon your oath. 
 
 A. But I may choose whether I will answer you upon 
 n)y oath. 
 
 B. I may urge you with your own speeches, which you 
 delivered the last time you were before me. 
 
 A. What I then spoke to the glory of God, that will I 
 also speak now. 
 
 * The learned Beza, in his letter to Bishop Grindal, said, " If you have 
 rejected the doctrine of transubstantiaiioii, and the practice of adoring the 
 host, why do you symbolize with popery, and seem to hold both by 
 Jfneeling at the sacrament ? Kneeling iiad never been thought of, had it 
 not been for transubstantiation." Grindal replied, that though the sacra- 
 ment was to be received kneeling, yet the rubric accompanied the service 
 book, and informed the people, that no adoration of the elements was 
 intended. " O! I understand you," said Beza, " there was a certain 
 great lord, who repaired his house, and, having finished it, left before his 
 gate, a great stone, for which he had no occasion. This stone caused many 
 people in the dark to stumble and fall. Complaint was made to h'u 
 lordship, and many a humble petition was presented, praying for the 
 removal of the stone; but he remained long obstinate. At length, he conde- 
 scefided to order a lanthom to be hung over it. My lord, said one, if you 
 would be pleased to rid yourself of further solicitation, and to quiet all 
 parties, order the stone and the candle to be both removed." — Robinson't 
 Cluude, vol. ii. p. 77. 
 
^60 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. You tlien said, that every oiinislcr of God is a 
 bishop, and to be a bishop is only to be a minister of God. 
 You said alsOg that no bishop in England had authority to 
 excommunicate. 
 
 A. I said so, indeed ; and proved what I said by the 
 word of God. I am not bound to bring myself into danger : 
 but because I am persuaded it will advance God's glory, I 
 will speak, be the consequence what it will. I trust in the 
 Holy Spirit, that I shall be willing to die in defence of the 
 truth. 
 
 B. Then what say you of my calling ? 
 
 A. You are not lawfully called to be a bishop, according 
 to the word of God. 
 
 B. I thought so : But why ? 
 
 A. For three reasons, — 1. Because you were not ordained 
 by the consent of the eldership. 
 
 B. But I had the hands of three or four bishops. ■ 
 
 A. That is not the eldership St. Paul speaks of, 1 Tim. 
 iv. 14- "^ 
 
 B. By what eldership were you ordained ? Was it not 
 by a bishop ? 
 
 A. I had, indeed, the laying on of the hands of one of 
 the bishops of England, but that was the least part of my 
 calling. 
 
 B. What calling had you more ? 
 
 A. I having exercised and expounded the word several 
 times in an orderly assembly of ten ministers, they joined in 
 prayer ; and being required to speak their consciences, they 
 declared upon the trial they had of me, that they were per- 
 suaded I might become a profitable labourer in the house of 
 God. After this I received the laying on of the hand of 
 the bishop. 
 
 B. But you had not the laying on of the hands of those 
 preachers. 
 
 A. No: I had the substance, but wanted the accident; 
 and in this, I beseech the Lord to be merciful unto me. 
 For the laying on of hands, as it is the word, so it is 
 agreeable to the njiighty action of ordaining the ministers 
 of God. 
 
 A. Then your ordination is imperfect as well as mine. 
 
 A. Mine is imperfect for want of the accident : the Lord 
 be merciful to me for it. And yours is imperfect for want 
 of the substance. 
 
 B. What is your second reason ? 
 
 A. Because you are not ordained bishop over any onejlock. 
 
AXTON. 161 
 
 Nay, you arc not a pastor to any one congregation, con- 
 trary to 1 Pet. V. 2. and Acts xiv. 2o., « Feed the flock." 
 From which it is manifest there should be a bishop and elders 
 in every congregation. 
 
 B. What is a congregation ? 
 
 A. Not a whole diocese, but such a number of people as 
 prduiarily assemble in one place, to hear the word of God. 
 
 B. What if you had a parish six or seven miles long, where 
 many could not come to hear you once in a quarter of a year ? 
 
 A. I would not be pastor of such a liock. 
 
 B. What is your third reason ? 
 
 A. Because you are not chosen by the people. Acts xiv. 23. 
 C How came jou to be parson of Moreton Corbet ? 
 A. I am no parson. 
 
 C. Are you then vicar ? 
 
 A. No : I am no vicar. I abhor those names as anti- 
 christian. I am pastor of the congregation there. 
 
 C. Arc you neither parson nor vicar ? How hold you the 
 living ? 
 
 A. I receive those temporal things of the people, because, 
 being their pastor, I minister to them spiritual things. 
 
 C. If you be neither parson nor vicar, you ruust receive 
 no profit. 
 
 A. Do you mean in good faith what you say ? 
 
 C Yea, if you will be neither parson nor vicar, there is 
 good cause why another should. 
 
 B. You must understand, that all livings in tlie church 
 are given to jninisters as parsons and vicars, and not as 
 pastors and ministers. 
 
 A. 1 am sure the na)nes of parsons and vicars were not 
 given by Jesus Christ, but by antichrist. 
 
 B. How were you chosen pastor ? 
 
 A. By the free election of the people, according to the 
 word of God. 
 
 B. Why, did not the patron place you there ? 
 
 A. The patron allowed the people the free choice of their 
 minister ; and after I had preached about six weeks by way 
 of probation, I was chosen by one consent of them all, and 
 a sermon was preached by one of my brethren, setting forth 
 the mutual duties of pastor and people. 
 
 B. May the bishops of England ordain ministers ? 
 
 A. You ought not to do it in the manner you do, without 
 ■the consent of the eldership, without sufficient proof of their 
 qualifications, and without ordaining them to some parti- 
 cular congregation. 
 
 VOL. I, M 
 
162 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 C. How do you like my lord's book of articles. 
 
 A. Some of the articles approach near to the institution 
 of the apostles, but the best of thera appear to be very little 
 practised. 
 
 B. 1 admit none to the ministry but those who have a 
 recommendation from some nobleman or gentleman. 
 
 A. You had need beware of breaking the institution of 
 God. This door being opened, will admit thieves and 
 robbers. Tiic Lord give you a sound conscience to keep 
 hirelings out of the church of God. 
 
 B. Well, Mr. Axton, you must yield in some things to 
 me, and I will yield in some things to you. I will not 
 trouble you about the cross in baptism, if you will sometimes 
 wear the surplice. 
 
 A. I cannot consent to wear the surplice : it is against 
 my conscience. I trust, by the help of God, I shall never 
 put on that sleeve which is the mark of the beast. 
 
 B. Will you leave your flock for the surplice ? 
 
 A. Nay : Will you persecute me from my flock for the 
 surplice ? I love my flock in Jesus Christ, and had rather 
 have my right arm cut off" than be removed from them. 
 
 B. Well, I will not deprive you at this time. 
 
 A. I beseech you consider what you do in removing me 
 from my flock, seeing I am not come in at the window, nor 
 by simony, but according to the institution of J esus Christ.* 
 
 The second day's conference concluded as above, when 
 Mr. Axton was taken away, the bishop requiring his future 
 attendance. Accordingly, upon his appearance at the time 
 appointed, he underwent a third examination concerning 
 the use of instrumental music in the public worship of God, 
 and obedience to the queen's laws, with some other things. 
 Being questioned about the use of organs in public worship, 
 he replied as follows : 
 
 A. They are Jewish, and not to be used in christian 
 congregations. 
 
 Bickley. Did not David command organs and cymbals 
 to be used ? 
 
 A. That command was ceremonial, and is abrogated. 
 
 Bickley. You will then abrogate singing in the church, 
 because David and the Jews sung. 
 
 A. Piping with instruments is abolished, 
 
 Bickley. How do you prove that ? 
 
 A. Because our joy in public worship must be more 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 37—50. 
 
AXTON. 163 
 
 spiritual than that of the Jews ; and it is said, that in the 
 time of the gospel, all shall sing praises unto God. 
 
 Bickley. The organs are used b<*fore the prince. 
 
 A. That docs not prove them to be lawful. 
 
 Bickley. Tbe organs are used before the prince, and 
 therefore they are lawful. Tlic argument is good. 
 
 A. Do you then reason, that the cross in churches is 
 lawful, because it used to stand before the prince ? 
 
 Bickley. As it stood before the prince, it might have 
 been lawfully used. 
 
 A. From what you say, tapers, and lights, and nearly all 
 the trash of popery, may still be lawfully used. 
 
 Bickley. If you had the cross on which Christ died, 
 would you say it was of no use ? 
 
 A. After the crucifixion of Christ, as well as before, the 
 cross on which he died was the same as any other piece of 
 wood. 
 
 B. But, in refusing the surplice, you are disloyal to the 
 queen, and shew your contempt of her laws. 
 
 A. In charging me with disloyalty, you do me great 
 injury; and especially when you call me and my brethren 
 traitors, and say, that we are more troublesome subjects than 
 papibts. 
 
 B. I say the same still. The papists are afraid to stir ; 
 but you are presumptuous, and disquiet the state more than 
 papists. 
 
 A. If I, or any others who fear God, speak the truth, 
 doth this disquiet the state? The papists for twelve years 
 have been plotting treason against the queen and the gospel, 
 yet this doth not grieve you. But I protest in the presence 
 of God and you all, that I am a true and faithful subject 
 to her majesty. I pray daily, both in public and private, 
 for her safety, for her long and prosperous reign, and for the 
 overthrow of all her enemies, especially the papists. I do 
 profess myself an enemy to her enemies, and a friend to her 
 friends. If, therefore, you have any conscience, cease to 
 charge me with disloyalty to my prince. 
 
 B. Seeing you refuse to wear the surplice, which her 
 majesty hath commanded, you do in effect deny her to be 
 supreme governess in all causes ecclesiastical and temporal. 
 
 A. I do so far admit her majesty's supremacy, that if 
 there be any error among the governors of the church, she 
 has power to reform it : but I do not admit her to be an 
 ecclesiastical elder, or church governor. 
 
 B. Yes, but she is, and hath full power and authority all 
 
164r LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 manner of ways. I ndeed , she doth not adinin ister the sacra- 
 ments and preacli, but leaveth those things to ns. But if 
 she were a man, as she is a woman, why might she not 
 preach the word, as ^vell as ourselves ? 
 
 A. Might slie preach the word of God, if she were a man ? 
 Then she might also administer the sacraments. 
 
 B. That does not follow. For you know Paul preached, 
 but did not baptize. 
 
 A. Paul confcsseth that he did baptize, though he was 
 sent especially to preach. 
 
 B. Did not Moses teach the people, and yet he was a 
 civil governor. 
 
 A. The calling of Moses was extraordinary. Remember 
 the king of Judah, how he would have sacrificed in the 
 temple of God. Take heed how you confound those offices 
 which God hath distinguished. 
 
 B. You see how he runneth. 
 
 Bicklcy. He speaketh very confidently and rashly. 
 
 B. This is his arrogant spirit. 
 
 Sale. Why should you refuse the surplice, seeing the 
 queen liath commanded it ? 
 
 Bickley. The queen hath authority to command all things 
 indiflerent. 
 
 A. If those things be decent, tend to edification, and 
 promote God's glory ; but the surplice does none of these. 
 
 Bickley. Has not the church liberty to command the 
 surplice to be used, as well as any other garment ? 
 
 A . No : because the surplice hath been abused, and is still 
 abused, by the papists, in their superstition and idolatry. 
 
 Bickley. I deny your reasons. 
 
 A. I prove what I said thus : God will not allow his 
 church to borrow ceremonies from idolaters, or to imitate 
 tliem in their ceremonies, as is evident from Ezekiel xliv. 
 But the papists are idolators. Therefore, God will not 
 allow us to borrow our ceremonies, as garments and other 
 things, from the papists. 
 
 Bickley. How do you prove that out of Ezekiel ? 
 
 A. I prove it thus : The Egyptian priests used to shave 
 their heads; but God commanded his priests should not 
 shave. The Egyptian priests used to drink wine: but God 
 commanded his priests, that when they did sacrifice, they 
 should not drink wine. And the Egyptian priests wore 
 linen garments before the people : but God commanded 
 that his priests should not sanctify the people with their 
 garments. 
 
AXTON. 163 
 
 B. God commanded the contrary. Do you not remember 
 the garments of Aaron ? 
 
 A. I do remember them. But if you would wear the 
 garments of Aaron, you must attend to the other ceremonies 
 of Aaron's priesthood. 
 
 B. Shew your place in Ezekiel. There i« no such place. 
 Tfou are deceived, 
 
 A. I will thank you for a Bible, 
 
 B. You should have brouglityour own books with you. 
 Vou see, I have brought my books. 
 
 A. And have you not a Biblp among them? I pray you 
 let me h;tve a Bible. 
 
 B. Let him have the Hebrew Bible. 
 
 A. I pr?iy you, let me have the Hebrew Bible. 
 
 Bickley. Then lei us hear you read the place. 
 
 A. The place is this : " And when ihey go forth into the 
 outer court, even into the outer court of the people, they shall 
 put off th<'ir garments wherein they ministered, and lay them 
 in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; 
 and th« y shall not sanctify the people with their garments."* 
 
 Here the dispute broke off. And notwithstanding all his 
 entreaties and supplications, though the bishop + acknow- 
 ledged him to be a divine of good learning, a strong 
 memory, and well qualified for the pulpit, the good man 
 was deprived of his living, and driven to seek his bread 
 
 ♦ MS. Register, p. 50—56. 
 
 t Bishop Benthain complied witli popery in the reign of Henry VIII., 
 but afterwards repented. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, being per- 
 petual fellow of Magdalen college, Oxford, he was required to correct the 
 junior scholars for their absence from (he popish worship, but refused, 
 laying, " He had indeed but too much repented of his compliance with the 
 popish religion already ; and he esteemed it unjust to punish that in others, 
 which he himself would willingly and knowingly do." He was one of the 
 preachers to the protestant congregation which assembled in private places, 
 during this queen's reign ; and it is said, " that by his encouragement and 
 constant preaching, the protestanis did not only stand to their former prin- 
 ciple, but were resolved to sutler w hatever could be laid upon them, rather 
 than forfeit a good conscience." He witnessed i..e sufferings of many of 
 the martyrs ; and notwithstanding the cruel proclamation, " that no man 
 should cither pray for or speak to them, or once say God bless thein,'" Ben- 
 tham seeing the fire set to some of them, turned his eyes to the people, and 
 »aid, ** We know they are the people of God, and therefore we cannot 
 choose but wish them well, and say God strengthen them:''' and so he boldly 
 cried out, " Almighty (iod, for Christ's sake, strengthen them !" upon 
 which all the people with one accord, cried, jmen. Amen; the noise of 
 which was so great, from the vast crowd of people, that the officers knew 
 not whom to seize, or against whom to bring their accusations. Benthan^ 
 would have d(me well to have remembered these things when he became a 
 lord bishop, and a persecutor of bis fellow proteitanti. — Biographia Britan. 
 vol. ii. p. 208. £dit. 1778. 
 
166 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 in a foreign land. But, surely, such proceedings were 
 unworthy of a protestant prelate, and too obvious an imita- 
 tion of the popish severities. Do we iind any such pro- 
 ceedings in tlie first ages of the church of Christ ? " 1 am 
 sure," says the learned Dr. Stillingfleet, " it is contrary to 
 the primitive practice, and the moderation then used, to 
 suspend or deprive men of their ministerial functions, for 
 not consenting to habits, gestures, and the like."* 
 
 Thomas Becon. — This celebrated divine was born in 
 Suffolk, and educated in the university of Cambridge. 
 He afterwards became chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, 
 and a zealous advocate lor the reformation, even from its 
 very commencement in the reign of King Henry VHl. He 
 endured many troubles from 1 he perse cuting prelates; and in 
 the year 1544, Avas apprehended, with Mr. Robert Wisdorae, 
 another excellent reformer, by the cruel Bishop Bonner, 
 when he was obliged to make a public recantation at Paul's 
 cross, and burn his books.t Having obtained his release, he 
 travelled for future safety towards the north, and settled at 
 Alsop in tlie Dale, in the Peak of Derbyshire, where he 
 taught school for his subsistence. At this place, Mr. Alsop, 
 a pious gentleman, and an avowed friend to the reformation, 
 shewed him much civility, and afforded him seasonable 
 relief. 
 
 The severity of the times not suffering the zealous and 
 faithful servants of (he Lord to abide long in any one place, 
 Mr. Becon was obliged to move into Stafibrdshire, where 
 he was kindly entertained in the house of Mr. John Old, a 
 man eminently distinguished for charity and piefy. Mr. 
 Wisdome, mentioned above, was also entertained with him. 
 Mr. Becon, in his treatise, entitled " The Jewel of Joy," 
 published in the reign of King Edward, gives this character 
 of Mr. Old : " He was to me and Wisdome, as Jason was 
 to Paul and Silas : he received us joyfully into his house, 
 and liberally, for the Lord's sake, ministered to our neces- 
 sities. And as he began, so did he continue a right hearty 
 friend, and dearly loving brother, so long as we remained 
 in the country. J Here, as in his former situation, he 
 educated children in good literature and sound christian 
 doctrine, continuing, at the same time, in a close application 
 to his studies. Aiterwards, he removed into Leicestershire, 
 
 •» Conformist's Plea, p. 14. Edit. 1681. From " Irenicnm." 
 
 + Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 45. J Strype's Cranmer, p. 276, 377. 
 
BECON. 167 
 
 ■where he was for some time hospitably entertained by the 
 Marquis of Dorset. Here he contracted a familiar acquaijit' 
 ance with Mr. Jolm Aylmer, afterwards the iaraous bishop 
 of London, whom he calls his countryman.* He next 
 removed into Warwickshire, where he still occupied the 
 office of tutor to gentlemens' sons. Upon this last removal, 
 to his great joy, he met with his old friend, the famous 
 Hugh Latimer; wlio, about twenty years before, while they 
 were at Cambridge, had been instrumental in brmging him 
 to the knowledge of the gospel. 
 
 During the reign of Henry VHL the city of Canterbury 
 Aras more hostile to the reformation than most oih( r places ; 
 therefore, upon the accession of King Edward, Archbishop 
 Cranmer placed in that city six of the most distinguished 
 preachers ibr learning and piety ; among whom was Mr. 
 Becon. The others w.re Nicholns Ridle}^, atlerwards bishop 
 of London and martyr, Lancelot Ridley, Richard Turner, 
 Richard Beasely, and John Joseph. The ministry of these 
 learned divines proved a great blessing to the place, and, by 
 their labours, many persons were brought to embrace the 
 gospel.f Also, during the reign of the above excellent 
 prince, Mr. Becon, justly denominated a worthy and reve- 
 rend divine, became chaplain to the protector Somerset, and 
 was made professor of divinity in the university of Oxford, 
 where he gained much reputation.+ But upon the accession 
 of Queen Mary, he was apprehended in iiOndon, with Mr. 
 Veron and Mr. John Bradford, and committed to the Tower. 
 Here he remained above seven mondis in close confinement, 
 meeting with most cruel usage ; and having been made 
 rector of St. Stephen, Walbrook, London, in 1547, he was 
 deprived of both his office and benefit.^ 
 
 It was, indeed, nearly miraculous that this zealous 
 reformer escaped the fire. While many of his brethren, 
 and even those committed with him to the Tower, su tiered 
 at the stake, a kind providence constantly watched over 
 him, and at length delivered him from the rage of all his 
 enemies. During the reign of King Henry and former 
 part of Queen Mary, Mr. Becon, to conceal himself from 
 his malicious foes, who narrowly watched for his life, went 
 by the name of Theodore Bazil, and in the proclamation of 
 the king, in 1546, as well as that of the queen, in 1555, he 
 
 ♦ Strype's Aylmer, p. 7. 
 
 + Strype's Cranmer, p. 161, 423. 
 
 i Churton's Life of Novvell, p. 21. — Lupton's Divines, p. 331. 
 
 ^ Strype's Craamer, p. 423. — Newcourt's Rcpert. Eccl, vol. i. p. 540. 
 
168 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 is specified by that name.* At lena;th, having been drireif 
 from one situation to another, and finding- no place of safety 
 in his own country, he fied into a foreign land, and became 
 an exile in Germany. During his abode on the contineul, ]\e 
 "wrote an excellent letter to his godly brethren at home ; in 
 which, besides declaring the cause of those calamities now 
 come upon England, he earnestly directed them to the mercy 
 and faithfulness of God, for a redress of all their grievances. 
 This letter was read in the private religious meet'ngs of his 
 persecuted countrymen, to their great edification and benefit. 
 He wrote, also, an epistle to the popish priests, wherein he 
 made a just and an important difference betwixt the Lord's 
 supper, and the popish mass, denominating the latter a wicked 
 idol, f 
 
 Mr. Becon remained in exile till the accession of Queen 
 Elizabeth, when he returned to his native country, and 
 became a most faithful and zealous labourer in the vineyard 
 of Christ. Having obtained distinguished reputation, he 
 was soon preferred to several ecclesiastical benefices. He 
 is said to have been designed for one of the chief preferments 
 then vacant. + In the year 1560, he became rector of Buck- 
 land in Hertfordshire, but most probably did not hold it 
 long. About the same time, he was preferred to a prebend 
 in the church of Canterbury ; and in 1563, he became 
 rector of St. Dionis Back-church, London. This last he 
 held to his death, f, 
 
 In the year 1564, when conformity was rigorously im^ 
 posed upon the London clergy, Mr. Becon, with many of 
 his puritan brethren, was cited before Archbishop Parker at 
 Lambeth, and refusing to subscribe, he was immediately 
 sequestered and deprived ; though it is said, he afterwards 
 complied, and was preferred. || It does not, however, appear 
 what preferment he obtained. During the same year, he 
 revised and republished most of his numerous and excellent 
 writings in throe volumes folio, dedicating them to all the 
 bishops and archbishops of the realm. The clergy were in 
 general at this time in a state of deplorable ignorance. Mr, 
 Becon was deeply affected with their situation, and extremely 
 anxious to render them all the assistance in his power. 
 Therefore, in the year 1566, he published a book, entitled 
 *' A new Postil, containing mos-t godly and learned Sermons, 
 
 ♦ MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 221. (3 | 3.) 
 
 + Strype's Craniner, p. 357, .S5S. % Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 40. 
 S Strype's Parker, p. 72, 130.— Newcourt's Repert, Ecd. vol. i. p. 330, 
 815. fl Strype's Grindal, p. 98. 
 
BECON. 169 
 
 to be read in the Church throuffhcnt the Year : lately set 
 forth unto the great Profit- not^ only of all Curatts and 
 Spiritual Ministers, but also of all Godly and Faiihjol 
 lieaders.'" Mr. Strype siiles him a trimed preacher and 
 writer, and the lxK)k a very useful work, containing honest, 
 plain sermons upon the srospels. for all the Sundays in the 
 year, to be read by the curates of congregations. The pre- 
 lace, dated from C anterbury. .hily 16. 1366. is addressed 
 *• to his k'ltow labourers in the Lord's harvest, the ministers 
 and preachers of God's most holy \5r0rd :" in which he 
 earnestly exhorts them to the di^cbarore of tbeir important 
 duties. To this Postil he added two prayers, one at some 
 length, the other shorter, either of which was to be said 
 before sermon, according- to the minister's discretion : also 
 a third prayer, to be repeated after sermon. These prayer* 
 and sermons were drawn up for the use of miui-ters who 
 were not able to compose prayers and sermons, and for the 
 further instniction of the people in sound and wholesome 
 doctrine* Bishop Parkhur^t publishevi verses in commen- 
 dation of Mr. Becon and his excellent writings.^ During 
 the above year, he preachetl the -iemion at Paul's cross : and 
 such was his great fame, and such his favour among persons 
 of distinction, that ilie lord mayor for that year presented a 
 petition to Archbishop Parker, entreating his grace to 
 pre\"ail upon bun to preach one of the sermons at the Spitde 
 the following Easter.; 
 
 Our historians are divideil in their opinion concerning 
 the time of Mr. Becon's death. Newcourt observes that he 
 died previous to September ^, 1567 : and Lupion says he 
 died in 1570.^. He was a divine of srreat learning and piety, 
 a constant preacher, a great sufferer in the cause of Christ, 
 and an avowed enemy to pluralities, nonresidence, and all 
 the relics of popery.; being ever zealous for the reformation 
 ot the church. He was a man of a peaceable spirit, always 
 adverse to the imposition of ceremonies, and an avowed non- 
 conformist, both in principle and practice. Mr. Strype 
 justly denominates him famous for his great learninsr, his 
 frequent preaching, his excellent writings, and manifold 
 sufferings in the reigns of King Henry. KiiiiT Edward, 
 Queen Mar}-, and Queen Elizabeth.?: One Mr. Thomas 
 
 • Strype'? Parker, p. ??9, -f Lopton's Modem Diviuff, p. S3S, 
 
 X Strjpe'i Cranmer, p. 45-1. 
 
 ^ Repert. Eccl. »ol. i. p. 330.— Hist, of DivineS; p. 333. 
 
 I Ms. ChroDolosy, vol. i. p. 4S. 
 
 » Scrapes Cranmer. p. 4^J.— Parker, p. 130. 
 
170 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Becon was of St. John's college, Cambridge, public orator 
 and proctor in the university, and an active leading- man^ 
 raost probably in the cause of nonconformity, by which he 
 is said to have incurred the displeasure of the chancellor, 
 formerly bis patron and great admirer. This was undoubt- 
 edly the same person.* He was author of numerous books, 
 many of which were designed to expose the superstitions 
 and errors of popery, and to encourage his fellow christians 
 under persecution ; and his labour of love was signally 
 useful. He wrote against the superstitious practice of 
 bowing at the name of Jesus, as did several other puritans 
 after hirn. According to Mr. Lupton, the following appears 
 to be the most correct list of his numerous learned writings 
 that can now be obtained : 
 
 His Works. — 1. Ncavs from Heaven. — 2, A Banquet of Christ's 
 Birth. — 3. A Quadragesimal Fea.st.— 4. A Method of Praying. — 5. A 
 Bundle or Posey of Flowers. — 6. An Invective against Swearing. — 
 7. Discipline for a Christian Soldier. — 8. David's Harp. — 9. The 
 Government of Virtue. — 10. A short Catecliisni. — 11. A Book of 
 Matrimony.— 12. A Christian's New-Year's Gift.— 13. A Jewel of 
 Mirth. — 14. Principles of the Christian Religion. — 15. A Treatise of 
 Fasting.— 16. The Ca.s11e of Comfort.— 17. The Soul's Solace.— 18. 
 I'he Towerof the Faithful.— 19. TIse Christian Knight —20. Homilies 
 against Whoredom. — 21. The Flowers of Prayers. — 22. A sweet Box 
 of Prayers. — 23. The Sick JIan's Medicine. — 24. A Dialogue of 
 Christ's Nativity.— 25. An Invective against Idolatry. — 26. An Epistle 
 to the rfistressed Servants of God. — 27. A Supplication to God for the 
 Restoration of his Word.— 28. The Rising of the Popish Mass. +—29, 
 Common-places of Scripture. — 30. A Comparison betwixt the Lord's 
 Supper and the Papal Mass. — 31. Articles of Religion confirmed by 
 the Authority of the Fathers, — 32. The monstrous Wages of the 
 Roman Priests. — 33. Romish Relics. — 34. The Difference betwixt 
 God's Word and Human Inventions. — 35. Acts of Christ and Anti- 
 christ, with their Lives and Doctrine. — ^36. Chronicles of Christ — 
 37. An Abridgement of the New Testament. — 38. Questions of the 
 Holy Scripture. — 39. The glorious Triumph of God's Word. — 40. The 
 Praise of Death.' — 41. Postils upon all the Sundays' Gospels. — 42. A 
 Disputation upon the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Gilbert Alcock was an excellent minister of puritan 
 principles, but silenced, with many of his brethren, tor non- 
 conformity. April 3, ] 571, he presented a supplication to the 
 convocation, in behalf of himself and his suffering brethren, 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collection, vol. i, p, 193. 
 
 + This excellent work was reprinted in the time of Archbishop Laud ; 
 but upon the complaint of a popish priest, his grace commanded it to be 
 suppressed, and threatened the printer with a prosecution. Such was the 
 spiritand inclination of thisprofe«<ant prelate, — CanterburitsDoome,p.ai&. 
 
ALCOCK. 171 
 
 earnestly soliciting the house to consider their case, and 
 redress their grievances. In this supplication, now before 
 me, he sjx)ke with considerable freedom and boldness, con- 
 cerning the corruptions of the church. He expressed 
 himself as follows : — " The ceremonies now retained in the 
 church, and urged upon the consciences of christians, occa- 
 sion the blind to stumble and fall, the obstinate to become 
 more hard-hearted, Christ's messengers are persecuted, the 
 holy sacrament is profaned, God dishonoured, the truth 
 despised, christian duty broken, and the hearts of many are 
 sorely vexed : they <iause papists and wicked men to rejoice 
 in superstition, error, idolatry, and wickedness : they set 
 friends at variance, and provoke the curse of God. ff'oe 
 unto him hij whom the offence comcth. 
 
 " The godfathers and godmoihcrs, who promise to do so 
 much for the child, are the pope's Jkindred ; and, by his 
 canon law, like priests, are forbidden to marry. It is 
 holden that kneeling in the public sacra^^^ent, is more 
 reverent, more religious, and more honour ible to God; 
 and thus they make themselves wiser than Jesus Christ, who 
 sat with his disciples at the last supper. Matt. xxvi. In 
 xnin do ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the command- 
 ments of men. 
 
 " If a minister preach true doctrine and live virtuously, 
 yet omit the least ceremony for conscience sake, he is im- 
 mediately indicted, deprived, cast into prison, and his 
 goods wasted and destroyed ; he is kept from his wife and 
 children, and at last excommunicated, even though the 
 articles brought against him be ever so false.* Hoav heavy 
 these ceremonies lie upon the consciences of christians ; and 
 what difference there is between them, and those for which 
 the people of God have been, and are still, so much perse- 
 cuted, judge ye, as ye expect to be judged in the day of 
 judgment. Those Avho observe your ceremonies, though 
 they be idolaters, common swearers, adulterers, or much 
 worse, live without punishment, and have many friends. 
 We, therefore, beseech your fatherhoods to pity our case, to 
 take these stumbling-blocks from us, that we may live quiet 
 and peaceable lives, to the honour of our God."+ The 
 convocation were, however, of another mind; and, instead 
 of lessening their burdens, very much increased them. 
 
 ♦ Bishop MaddoT has pndeavoiired to invalidate this statement of Mr. 
 Alcock, but completely filled in the attempt. He has produced ad- 
 ditional evidence of the extreme severities inflicted upon the oppresseiJ 
 puritan? — Vindication, p. 335, 336. 
 
 f MS. Register, p. 90—92. 
 
172 LIVES OF THE PURITAInS. 
 
 David Whitehead, B. D. — This famous divine, greatly 
 celebrated for learning, piety, and moderation, wns edu- 
 cated at Oxford, and chaplain to Queen Anne Bullen, 
 Archbishnp Cranmer sajs, " he was endowed with good 
 knowledge, special honesty, fervent zt^al, and politic 
 wisdom ;" for which, in the year 1552, he nominated him 
 as the fi(t<st person to become Archbishop of Aroiagh, 
 The nomination, however, did not succeed ; for another 
 was chosen to the place.* in the beginning of the bloody 
 persecution of Qneen Mary, he fled from the storm, and 
 retind to Frankfort, where he was chosen pastor to the 
 English congregation. Here he was held in high esteem 
 by his fellow exiles. He discovered his great wisdom and 
 moderation, ajid answered the objections of Mr, Home, 
 relative to church discipline, and the worship of God, and 
 used his utmost endeavours to compose the differences 
 among his biethren.t 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Whitehead 
 returned home ; and, the same year, was appointed, together 
 with Drs. Parker, Bill, May, Cox, Grindal, Pilkington, and 
 Sir Thomas Smith, to review King Edward's liturgy. The 
 same liturgy was published the following year. This was 
 the third tdition of the English liturgy ever published, 
 the tVvo former editions having come forth in the reign of 
 King Edwarti.:^ In the year 1559, he was appointed one 
 of the public disputants against the popish bishops. The 
 subjects of disputation were, — 1 . " Whether it was not against 
 the word of God, and the custom of the ancient church, 
 to use, in the common prayers and administration of the 
 sacraments, a tongue unknown to the people. — 2. Whether 
 every church hath authority to appoint, change, and take 
 away, ceremonies and ecclesiastical rites ; so the same were 
 done to edification. — And 3, whether it could be proved 
 by the word of God, that in the mass there was a propitiatory 
 sacrifice for the quick and the dead." The other disputants 
 on the side of the protestants, were, Dr. Story, bishop of 
 Chichester, Dr. Cox, Mr. Grindal, Mr. Home, Mr. Sandys, 
 Mr. Gest, Mr. Aylmer, and Mr. Jewel ; most or all of whom 
 afterwards became bishops, and some of them archbishops.^ 
 On this occasion, Mr. Whitehead had a fine opportunity of 
 displaying his great learning, piety, and moderation; and 
 he shewed himself to be so prolbiuid a divine, that the 
 
 » S<rvpe's Cranmer, p. 274—278. 
 
 + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 52, 122—144. 
 
 t Strjpe's Annals, vol. i. p. 52. § Fpx's Martyr*, toI. iii, p. 822. 
 
WHITEltEAD. 173 
 
 queen ofTercd him the archbisliopric of Canterbury. This 
 he declined, as some thouglil, iVoni a desire of privacy ; but 
 us others thouo-ht, from a disaffection to the ecclesiastical 
 discipline. The mastership of the Savoy, which he might 
 have accepted without subscription, was also offered him 
 about the same time ; but he would accept of no preferment 
 in tbe church, as it tlien stood. Jlefusing to embrace these 
 oft'ered promotions, he excused himself to the queen, by 
 saying, he could live plentifully by the preaching of the 
 gospel without any preferment-* While others exerted 
 themselves to obtain dignified titles and worldly emolument, 
 he was content with deserxbig ihcxn. Accordingly, he went 
 up and down like an aj)ostle, preaching the word where it 
 was most Avanted ; and silent his life in celibacy, which 
 gained him the greater reputation in the eye of the queen, 
 w ho was never fond of married priests, ft is observed, 
 that Mr. Whitehead coming one day to the queen, her 
 majesty said to him, " 1 like ihca the better, Whitehead, 
 because thou livest unmarried." " In troth. Madam," 
 replied Mr. Whitehead, " I like you the worse for the same 
 cause.""+ 
 
 In the year 1564, Mr. Whitehead shared the same fate 
 with many of his lirethren. He was ci<ed before the eccle- 
 siastical commissioners, and suffered deprivation, for non- 
 conformity to the rites and ceremonies of the church.:): 
 Though it does not appear how long he remained under the 
 ecclesiastical censure, Bishop Maddox is greatly mistaken, 
 when he asserts, " that Mr. Whitehead always continued 
 preaching, that he approved the constitution of tlie church, 
 and died a member of the church of I^igland."^ The 
 celebrated liord Bacon observes, that though he was much 
 esteemed by Queen Elizabeth, he was not preferred, because 
 he was against the government of the bishops. || During his 
 deprivation, he most probably united with the other non- 
 conformist divines, in prescnti?ig to Archbishop Parker, a 
 paper of reasons for refusing the apparel. This excellent 
 paper, now before me, is entitled " Reasons grounded upon 
 the Scriptures, whereby we are persuaded not to admit the 
 use of the outward apparel, and ministering garments of 
 the pope's church."! Mr. Whitehead died in the year 
 I57L According to Wood, lie was a great scholar, and a 
 
 * Fuller's Worthies, part ii. p. 12. + Ibid. 
 
 X Sirype's Grindal, p, 98. § Vindication of the Church, p. SS7. 
 
 y Bacon's Works, vol. ii. p. 419. Edit. laOS. 
 
 S MS. Register, p. 57—60. 
 
174 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 most excellent professor of divinity.* In the opinion of 
 Fuller, he was a man of great learning, a deep divine, and 
 a rare example of moderation and self-denial. + It is ob- 
 served of Coverdale, Turner, and Whitehead, three worthy 
 puritans, " That they were the most ancient preachers of 
 the gospel, and the most ancient fathers of this our country ; 
 and that from their pens, as well as their mouths, most of 
 Queen Elizabeth's divines and bishops first received the 
 light of the gospel. "{ Mr. Whitehead was author of 
 *' Lections and Homilies on St. Paul's Epistles," and pro- 
 bably some other works. 
 
 Mr. MiLLAiN was fellow of Christ's college, Cam- 
 bridge, and one of the preachers to the university. He 
 maintained liberty of conscience, and publicly avowed his 
 sentiments. Being thoroughly dissatisfied with the corrup- 
 tions in the church, he openly declared his opinion of them, 
 as things worthy of censure. In the year 1572, having 
 delivered a sermon in St. Mary's church, he was convened 
 before the vice-chancellor Dr. Bying, and the heads of 
 colleges, when he was charged with having delivered the 
 following opinions: — I. " That the ordering and making 
 of ministers as used in the church of England, is an 
 horrible confusion, and contrary to the word of God. — 2. 
 That ignorant and unpreaching ministers are no ministers. — 
 3. That such as arc not called by some particular congre- 
 gation, are no ministers. — 4. That able and sufficient 
 ministers are rejected from the sacred function. — 5. That 
 the clergy of England deface and pull down the church, b}^ 
 maintaining both adultery and idolatry. — 6. That to com- 
 mand saints' eves to be observed, is idolatry. — 7. That to 
 command saints' days to be kept as days of fasting, is 
 abominable idolatry." — When he was examined upon these 
 points, he confessed the whole, declaaing that what he 
 had delivered was according to the word of God. Refusing, 
 therefore, to revoke these dangerous errors, as they are 
 called, he was expelled from his college, and driven from 
 the university. § 
 
 William Bonham was a zealous nonconformist, and a 
 considerable suft'erer under the oppressions of the perse- 
 
 * Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 135, 136. 
 . + Fuller's Worthies, part ii. p. 12. J Strype's Cranmer, p. 274. 
 
 ^ Strype's Vfhitgifl, p. 48, 49. Appen. p. 16, 
 
MTLLAIN— BONHAM. 175 
 
 cuting prelates. In the year 1569, he and Mr. Nicholas 
 Crane, another puritan minister, were licensed to preach by 
 Bishop Grindal. Their licenses are said to have been 
 granted on condition that they should avoid all conven- 
 ticles, and all things contrary to the order established in 
 tliis kingdom. Accordingly, they made the folloAving pro- 
 mise, signed with their own hands : — " I do faithfully 
 " promise, that I Avill not, any time hereafter, use any 
 " public preaching, or open reading, or expounding of the 
 " scriptures ; nor cause, neither be present at, any private 
 " assemblies of prayer or expounding of the scriptures, or 
 *' ministering the communion in any house, or other place, 
 *' contrary to the state of religion noAv by public authority 
 " established, or contrary to the laws of this realm of Eng- 
 '•' land. Neither will I inveigh against any rites or cere- 
 " monies used or received by common authority within 
 " this realm."* Such were the conditions on which these 
 divmes entered the sacred function ! But, s'arely, if the 
 church of England, so lately separated from the church of 
 Rome, had come immediately from heaven, and been as 
 infallible as its natural parent, the mother church, pretended, 
 it would have been too wisely constructed to require such 
 tyrannical promises of the Lord's servants. 
 
 The two divines were afterwards apprehended and cast 
 into prison for nonconformity, where they remained more 
 than twelve months, and then they were released. But 
 persisting in the same practice, and not keeping to the exact 
 order established in the church of England, Mr. Bonham 
 was again committed to prison, and Mr. Crane was silenced 
 from preaching within the diocese of London ; but it does 
 not appear how long they continued under these eccle- 
 siastical oppressions.f 
 
 Mr. Bonham was a zealous man in the cause of the 
 reformation. Being concerned for the restoration of a purer 
 ecclesiastical discipline, he, in 1572, united with his brethren 
 in the formation of the presbyterian church at Wandsworth 
 in Surrey. t Our divine was afterwards called to endure 
 fresh trials. Mr. Bonham and Mr. Nicholas Standen, 
 another puritan minister, were brought under the tyrannical 
 power of the high commission, and cast into prison for non- 
 conformity. After having continued under confinement a 
 long time, and being deeply afflicted with the sickness of 
 
 * Strype's Grindal, p. 156. 
 
 + Ibid. p. 1.5']— 155.— MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 105. (6.) 
 
 t Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103. 
 
176 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 the prison, they presented their petitions to the lords sf 
 the council, to which their lordships paid immediate atten- 
 tion. They accordingly addressed a letter to Archbishop 
 Parker and other commissioners, signifying that they should 
 be glad to assist them in any lawful cause against such as 
 refused conformity ; yet they did not like men to be so long 
 detained without having their casue examined, and desire 
 them to proceed in such cases more speedily in future. 
 They entreat them to examine the cause of the two com- 
 plainants, and, in case they should be found so sick that 
 they could not continue in prison without inconvenience, to 
 suffer them to be bailed till their cause should be ended.* 
 
 This effort of the council seems to have been without 
 any good effect. Undismayed, however, by the first 
 repulse, they made a second application, but in a style 
 much more peremptory. They addressed another letter to 
 the archbishop alone, signifying, that, for good considera- 
 tions, it was her majesty's pleasure that Bonham and 
 Standcn, committed by his lordship for breach of con- 
 formity, should be set at liberty, upon warning to observe 
 the laws in their public ministry in future, or else to abstain 
 from it.t 
 
 Mr. Strype observes, that, during the above year, these 
 two divines were accused of being concerned in Undertree's 
 sham plot, and committed to prison ; but, upon examina- 
 tion, they were found innocent, and were both acquitted and 
 released by order of council. :f 
 
 Robert Johnson was fellow of King's college, Cam- 
 bridge, and domestic chaplain to Lord Keeper Bacon. He 
 preached and administered the sacrament in his lordship's 
 family at Gorambury, and was statedly employed in the 
 ministry at St. Alban's. In July, 1571, he was brought 
 into trouble for nonconformity. He was cited before Arch- 
 bishop Parker, and the Bishops of Winchester and Ely, at 
 Lambeth. Upon his appearance, he was threatened to be 
 silenced if he would not subscribe. Accordingly, not being 
 satisfied in every point contained in the articles proposed to 
 him, and refusing subscription, he was immediately sus- 
 pended. Afterwards, he sent the following humble letter to 
 the commissioners, earnestly desiring to be restored to his 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxi. p. 384, + Ibid. p. 385. 
 
 X Strype's Parker, p. 466. 
 
R. JOHNSON. 177 
 
 ministry. This letter was dated from the lord keeper's 
 Louse, Gorambury, near St. Albans, August 14, 1571. 
 
 " Whereas July 4th," says he, " being before your lord- 
 ships^ to answer to your three articles, I did forbear to 
 subscribe to the tirst, viz. ' That the Book of Common 
 Prayer is agreeable to the word of God,' because it seemed 
 to me io contain a license of administering baptism by 
 women, a thing forbidden by the word of God. And being 
 suspended and sequestered, I have abstained from preaching 
 and administering the sacrament, and thereby, my lord, and 
 his family, have suffered the want of those most necessary 
 and comfortable religious privileges. Therefore, my duty 
 to his lordship's household, and to that part of the church 
 from which I receive some maintenance, move me wi tli all 
 due humility and submission, to beseech you that I may be 
 restored to my former liberty. 
 
 " And concerning the articles, I trust this will suffice and 
 fully answer your intention, that, by tliis my letter, sub- 
 scribed with my own haml, I do promise and declare, that 
 I did not mean to vary from the ordinary book of service, 
 in my ministry. Neither to inveigh against it by public 
 speech, witting!}^, or maliciously ; but to snove the auditory 
 to hold the truth in matters of faith and sound religious 
 practice, and to live for ever in the fear of God. And I 
 think that the contents of tlie service book, then expressly 
 mentioned, and according io the exposition then given to me, 
 are not detiective, nor expressly contrary to the word of 
 God ; and that the imperfections thereof, may, for the sake 
 of unity and charity, be suil'ered, till God grant a more 
 perfect reiormation : for which, every man, according to his 
 particular vocation, ought diligently to labour. 
 
 " As to the second article, ' That the apparel of ministers 
 is not wicked, and directly against the Avord of God; and 
 being appointed by the prince only for the sake of policy, 
 obedience, and order, it may be used ;' jet is it not generally 
 expedient, nor edifying. 
 
 " And as to the third, ' That the articles of religion, 
 which only concern the confession of the true christian 
 faith, and the doctrine of the sacrament, comprised in a 
 book, entitled Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops 
 and Bishops of both Provinces, and the whole Clergy, in 
 the convocation holden in London, in the year of our Lord 
 1562, and every of them, contain true and godly christian 
 doctrine. 
 
 " And because I perceived it to be oflFensive to his grace 
 VOL. I. y 
 
178 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ijthe archbishop, that I hold by the favour of the lord keeper, 
 a prebend in Norwich, I now inform you, that I mean to 
 relinquish it the next half year following. Trusting, that 
 upon the receipt of this my humble submission, you will 
 release me, and grant me a new license to preach. And so 
 committing your lordships, in all your godly and zealous 
 undertakings, to the direction and blessing of Almighty 
 God. Subscribing myself your lordships' most humble 
 petitioner " Robert Johnson.'* 
 
 "j. 
 
 What effect this letter produced, we are not able to learn ; 
 but it probably failed to answer the end proposed. We 
 find, however, in the year 1573, that Mr. Johnson was 
 brought into further trouble. He was convened before the 
 Bishop of Lincoln, and required to subscribe to the three 
 curious articles following : 
 
 L " I am content hereafter, in my open sermons and publie 
 preaching, to forbear to impugn the articles of religion 
 agreed upon in the Synod at London, in 1562, or any of 
 them. 
 
 2. " Neither will I speak against the state of the church 
 of England, now allowed by the laws of this realm; nor 
 against the Book of Common Prayer, or any thing con- 
 tained therein. 
 
 3. " Neither will I say or sing, or cause, procure, or main- 
 tain any other to say or sing, any common or open prayer, 
 or minister any sacrament, otherwise, or in any other 
 manner or form, than is mentioned in the said book, till 
 further order be taken by public authority." 
 
 Mr. Johnson refusing subscription, answered as follows : — 
 ^' Whether these articles be such as I ought in duty to sub- 
 scribe, and whether for refusing this subscription, I deserve 
 to be openly declared a forsaker of the church, and the 
 flock committed to my care, and whether it be matter for 
 which I ought to be defamed, I refer to your worship's 
 consideration, upon the following reasons : 
 
 *< I take it for granted, that there are faults, and such as 
 ought to be reformed, both in the government of the church, 
 and in the Book of Common Prayer, upon which I reason 
 thus. Either there is, or there is not, a reformation intended 
 by those in authority. If there be a reformation intended, 
 then it is good that the people's minds be prepared the more 
 willingly to receive it when it comes, and to persuade them 
 
 « Stfype's Parker, p. S2T, 328. 
 
R. JOHNSON. 179 
 
 hy sound reason and the authority of scripture, before they 
 are compelled by law to obey. This preparation of the 
 people to obey, is necessary, lest they be compelled to obey 
 they know not what. Therefore, that the people may the 
 more willingly, and without murmuring, agree to a reforma- 
 tion, and praise the Lord for the same, it is necessary they 
 should first know the defects in the church, which need 
 reformation. But if no reformation be intended, it is 
 proper the people should understand how much the church 
 stands in need of it, that they may pray unto God to stir 
 tip those who are in authority to promote it; and, no doubt, 
 the Lord will the sooner hear their prayers. So that, 
 whether a reformation be intended, or not intended, the 
 church of God should be told of its corruptions, that the 
 people may the more willingly praise God when they are 
 taken away, and the more earnestly pray unto him until 
 they be taken away. This is one reason why ministers 
 should not bind themselves to conceal the faults and cor- 
 ruptions remaining in the church. 
 
 " Another reason is, that seeing there are many preachers 
 who maintain that the government of the church is perfectly 
 good, and that the Prayer Book needs no amendment ; and 
 as these preachers have license to preach where they please, 
 they may preach these things to that flock over which God 
 hath made me overseer ; if I should consent and subscribe, 
 that, in such a case, I will not speak, I cannot see how I 
 could acquit myself^ before God. Therefore, the fear of 
 this evil, in these days of peril and confusion, is another 
 reason for not giving either the promise of my word, or the 
 subscription of my hand, to hold my peace against the 
 government of the church, and every thing contained in 
 the Book of Common Prayer. 
 
 " Also, in the Book of Common Prayer, there is a manifest 
 abuse of scripture : as in the ordination of ministers, it is 
 said, Receive (he Holy Ghost. Corrupt prayers : as in 
 confirmation, " Almighty God, who hast vouchsafed to 
 regenerate these thy servants, by water and the Hohj Ghost, 
 and hast given them the forgiveness of all their ^m." These 
 and many such faults in the book, are such, that a preacher 
 ought not to promise and subscribe, that he will nevei^ speak 
 any thing against them. There are, likewise, many things 
 in the government of the church : as the court of faculties, 
 the high connnission court, dispensations for nonresidence, 
 and many others, against which I cannot oblige myself that I 
 ijfill never speak^^^ This answerp witfe much more to the same 
 
180 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 purpose, Mr. Johnson delivered August 6, 1573} subscribed 
 with his own hand * 
 
 We do not, indeed, find what imm('dia(ely followed his 
 refusing to subscribe; whether he was dismissed, and allowed 
 to go on in his ministry, or sent <o prison. Most probably 
 he was released ; for he afterwards became minister of St. 
 Clement's church, London. Here, however, he enjoyed but 
 little repose; for towards the close of December, in the 
 above year, he and some others were committed close 
 prisoners to the Gatehouse, for nonconformity .+ February 2d, 
 following, Mr. Johnson being still in prison, wrote a letter 
 to Dr. Sandys, bishop of London, whom he styles " super- 
 intendant of popish corruptions in the diocese of London." 
 In this letter, he reminds his lordship of some of the existing 
 evils, especially that of professed christians persecuting one 
 another. " There is," says he, " persecution enough. Some 
 are imprisoned, and are in danger of losuig, not only their 
 liberty, but also their lives, being compelled to remain in 
 filthy jails, more unwholesome than dunghills, and more 
 stinking than pig-styes. Others are persecuted in their 
 minds, by being enforced to subscribe io those things 
 against which every good man's conscience makes a stand, 
 and every godly man disallows. It is a great evil for a man 
 to lose or spend his property in prison ; it is a greater, to 
 lose his reputation ; it is greater still, to lose his liberty ; 
 but it is greatest of all, to be greatly distressed and disquieted 
 in his conscience. Take heed, therefore, lest you get your 
 name enrolled amongst the number of persecutors. Let not 
 worldly policy prevail more than true divinity. Let not 
 man cause you to do that which God has forbidden. Let not 
 the commission draw you further than God's word will 
 allow. Let not your honour here on earth, cause you to do 
 that which is against the honour of God. Let not your 
 pal;ice make you forget the temple of Christ. 
 
 " The present persecution is among brethren, not only of 
 one nation, but of one profession : those who persecute, and 
 those who are persecuted, believing in one God, professing 
 one Christ, embracing one religion, receiving one gospel, 
 communicatijjg in one sacrament, and having one hope of 
 salvation. Dissention in a kingdom, discord in a nation, 
 controversy among neighbours, and contention among 
 brethren, are more to be feared than any of them among 
 enemies. You say, you are our chief pastor, we desire 
 
 •PartcofaRegistcr,p.94— 100. + Baker*8MS.Collec.vol.xxxii.p.44(l!^ 
 
R. JOHNSON. 181 
 
 fi>od : you sr\y, yon are our doctor, we desire to be taught. 
 This is the best way to win us, and the best for you to use. 
 The laws and authority ot" men, should not set aside the 
 laws and authority of God. The popish logic of slander and 
 imprisonment will not prevail at last. The Fleet, the Gate- 
 house, the White-lion, the King's-bench, and Newgate, 
 are weak arguments to convince the conscience."* 
 
 Upon the 20th day of the same month, Mr. Johnson 
 was brought to trial before his judges, and examined at 
 Westminster-hall, in the presence of the queen's commis- 
 sioners, the bishop of London, the dean of Westminster, the 
 lord chief justice, and others. He was accused of marrying 
 without the ring, and of baptizing without the cross, which 
 he did for a time ; but upon complaint against him, he 
 be^un again to use them. He was accused, also, of a 
 misdemeanour, as it is called ; because when he was once 
 administering the sacrament, the wine falling short, he sent 
 for more, but did not consecrate it afresh, accounting the 
 former consecration sufficient for what was applied to the 
 same use, at the same time. The examination which he 
 underwent at his trial, was as follows ; 
 
 Johnson. If it please your honours, may I not submit 
 myself, and declare the truth of things as they were done ? 
 
 Lord Chief Justice. Yes, you may. 
 
 J. I stand here indicted for three points. The first is, 
 that I have not repeated the words of the institution ; or, as 
 they commonly call it, I did not consecrate the wuie, when 
 I delivered it to the communicants. — Secondly, that I have 
 not married with the rinoj. — Thirdly, that I liave not used 
 the cross in the administration of baptism, and have left 
 out the whole sentence tor that purpose.+ — Unto these 
 charges, I answer, that respecting the co7itenipl, as expressed 
 in the indictment, I plead, not guiltj/. And as to the first 
 ot those charges, I answer under my protestation, that at no 
 time, in celebrating the communion, have 1 omitted any 
 prayer or words of the institution, which the book pre- 
 scribeth, but have used them in as full and ample a manner 
 
 * Parte of a Register, p. 101—105. 
 
 + In Mr. Johnson's indictment, he was charged with having solemnized 
 matrimony, between one Leonard Morris and Agnes Miles, without usinaj 
 the ring. And having baptized a male child that he did not kn.iw, he did 
 not malie the sign of the cross on its forehead, nor use the following words: 
 " \ye receive this child into the congregation of Christ's Hock, and do sign 
 " him with t'.ie sign of the cross," as contained in the Book of Common 
 Prayer: " And that he did the same voluntarily, and in contempt of the 
 " qoeen and her laws, and against the peace of the realm."— MS. Register, 
 p. 199. b 1 a . 
 
182 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 as they are appointed. Only upon a certain occasion, when 
 the wine taih.d, I sent for more, which I delivered to the 
 people, using tiie words appointed in the book to be used 
 in the delivery of the sacrament, not again repeating the 
 words of the institution : partly, because, as I take it, being 
 an entire action and one supper, the words of the institution 
 at first delivered were suthcietit ; and partly, becanse, in the 
 Book of Conmion Prajer, there is no order appointed to 
 which I could refer the case. And as to the second, I 
 answer that once or twice, I did not use the ring. For 
 looking into the mass-book, I found the wor.'swith which 
 the papists hallow the ring ; and because this seemed to me 
 no l*ss derogatory to the death of Christ, than holy bread 
 and holy water, I thought as other persons had omitted 
 those, 1 might omit this. 
 
 Commissioner. There is no such thing in the Book of 
 Common Prayer. 
 
 Dean. He speaketh of the mass-book. 
 
 Bishop. Then you compare the mass-book and the com- 
 mon prayer book, and make the one as bad as the other. 
 
 J. My lord, I make no such comparison. But after I 
 •w^s complained of to my ordinary, Dr. Watts, archdeacon 
 of Middlesex, who reprehended me, 1 used the ring, as I 
 have good and sufficient witness. Since, therefore, I did 
 in this default correct myself, I refer mys; If to your honour's 
 discretion, whether I have herein stubbornly and contemptu- 
 ously broken the law. — As to the third charge, 1 answer, 
 that I have omitted to make the sign of the cross, but not of 
 contempt. But seeing I have already suffered seven weeks 
 imprisonment, with the loss of my place and living, I 
 beseech you, be indifferent judges, whether this be not 
 sufficient for so small a crime. 
 
 Mr. Gerard. You were not sent to prison for that, but for 
 your irreverent behaviour, 
 
 J. I trust, sir, I did not behave myself more irreverently 
 than I do now. Whereas the indictment is, that I omitted 
 the whole prayer, " We receive this child," &lc. This is 
 frdse ; for I never administered baptism without using that 
 prayer, though I omitted making the sign of the cross. 
 
 B. Those two are but trifles. The chief is the consecra- 
 tion of the sacrament. For, as it had not the word, it was 
 no sacrament, and so the people were mocked. 
 
 J. My lord, I did not mock the people ; for it was a 
 sacrament. 
 
 D. St. Augustin saith, <' That the word must be added to 
 
R. JOHNSON. 18S 
 
 the element, to make a sacrament." You lacked the word, 
 therefore, it was no sacrament. 
 
 J. I had the word. 
 
 B. How had you the word, when you confess that you 
 recited not the institution ? 
 
 J. I had recited the institution before, and that was 
 sufficient. 
 
 D. Yea, for that bread and wine that was present ; but 
 when you sent for more bread or wine, you should agaiu 
 have rehearsed the words of the institution. 
 
 J. The book appointed no such thing. 
 
 B. Yes, sir, the book saith, you shall have sufficient 
 bread and wine, and then the prayer of the institution 
 must be recited. Now, as you had not sufficient, you 
 should, therefore, have repeated the institution. 
 
 J. There is no such caveat, nor proviso, appointed in the 
 book. 
 
 B. But that is the meaning of the book. 
 
 J. Men may make what meaning they please ; but I refer 
 myself to the book, whether or not it be so appointed. 
 
 D. You are not forbidden to use the repetition. 
 
 J. Neither am I commanded. 
 
 D. I will prove this to be the meaning of the book. For it 
 is said in the prayer, " these creatures of bread and wine :" 
 so that the book hath respect to the bread and wine there 
 present, and not to any other. Therefore, if there be any 
 more brought, it must be consecrated afresh, by the w ords 
 of the institution. 
 
 J. I pray you tell me one thing. Are the words of the 
 institution spoken for the bread, or for the receivers ? 
 
 D. For both. 
 
 J. I deny that. For the evangelist declares, that Christ 
 said unto his disciples, to teach them for what end and pur- 
 pose they should take the bread. 
 
 D. Then the word is of no force. 
 
 J. I deny that. The word is necessary to the substance 
 of the sacrament. But this is not the question : we both 
 confess this. Herein is the controversy, whether it be ne- 
 cessary for the institution to be repeated, seeing it is but 
 one and the same action, and the same communicants 
 as before, for whom the words are spoken. If it had 
 not been the same supper, or if the communicants had 
 been changed, it would have been necessary to rehearse the 
 institution. 
 
 B. You like yourself very well, and you are stubborn 
 
J84 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 and arrogant. I have before heard of jour stubborn heart, 
 but now I perceive it. 
 
 J. My lord, who he is that liketh himself so well, and is 
 so stubborn and arrogant, that Lord, who trieth the hearts 
 of all, must judge. 
 
 • B. Why, you being unlearned, stand stublx)rHly against 
 us all, and so no learning will satisfy you. 
 
 J. I would fain understand with what words Christ did 
 consecrate. 
 
 Dr. Wilson. With this word, hen^dixit. 
 
 J. Be it so. But we know not the words with wh'ch 
 Christ did henedkere. Therefore, we must consecrate with 
 we know not what. 
 
 L. C. J. Ah ! Johnson. Is this your submission ? 
 
 J. I must needs defend my own innocence. 
 
 G. Johnson, you in a manner confess as much as you 
 are charged with. For you confess, that when the words of 
 the institution were recited, you had no wine, 
 
 J. I do not confess that. I had both bread and wine. 
 
 G. But you had not that wine. 
 
 J. No. 
 
 G. Therefore it was not consecrated. 
 
 J . The words before repeated were sufficient for i\\^ con- 
 secration. 
 
 D. Then, widi those words you consecrated all the wine 
 in the tavern. 
 
 J. No, sir, it was the wine that was brought from the 
 tavern to the church, and of a common wine, was appointed 
 to be a sacramental wine, to represent Christ's blood 3 and 
 this is consecration. 
 
 D. Why then, with you, the word is of no force. 
 
 J. It is not of force to bring any holiness to the sacra- 
 ment. I trust you do not think that the word maketh the 
 bread any holier when used in the sacrament. 
 
 W. Yes, it is holy bread. 
 
 B. It is a holy sacrament. 
 
 J. That I confess. But holiness is in the use and end, 
 not in the substance. For otiierwise you would make a 
 magical enchantment of it, and not a consecration. Dr. 
 Cranmer, in his book on the sacrament, saith, " There 
 Cometh no holiness to the bread by consecration." 
 
 G. If thou ^Yert well served, thou wouldst be used like 
 a magician. 
 
 J. Whatever your judgment may be, I stand or fall to 
 my Qwn Lord. ^ 
 
R. JOHNSON. 185 
 
 B. You know not wliat harm you have done, by defend- 
 ing an error before this company, bringing them so into 
 doubt, tluit they know not which way to take. 
 
 J. My lord, I d<^fend no error. I maintain the truth. 
 D. Nay, you maintain a horrible heresy. 
 Bromley. Yea, if you were well served, you should fry 
 fi faggot. 
 
 J . As you say that I maintain a heresy, I pray you shew 
 me by Avhat commandment I am bound to the precise words 
 of the institution. 
 
 - D. As the Avord in baptism is, " I baptize thee in the 
 name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:" so 
 the word in the Lord's supper is the rehearsal of the 
 institution. 
 
 J, Buliinger was of another mind ; for he saith, '^ The 
 consecration of sacraments is not by the nature, will, com- 
 mand, or precept of Christ, nor from the authority of any 
 other." 
 
 D. Where doth he say this ? 
 
 J. Sermon vi. decad 5. 
 
 D. You falsify his Avords. 
 
 J. No, 1 cite them right. And the churches of Geneva 
 and Scotland consecrate with other Avords, Avithout using the 
 words of the institution, except in preaching. 
 
 D. You slander those churches, as appeareth from their 
 OAvn words, which I have here in a book. 
 
 J. I have not slandered those famous churches. Let their 
 liturgy witness. And as to that book, there is nothing in it 
 which I do not believe. But I pray you, my lord of 
 London, answer me one question. Must consecration be 
 performed before the delivery of the elements, or after I 
 
 B. I Avill not ansAver it. 
 
 J. It is only a question. I pray you answer it. 
 
 B. Answer it thyself. 
 
 D. It shall be answered. The consecration must go be- 
 fore ; for Christ gave a sacrament, which could not be 
 without the Avord. Consecration, therefore, must go before. 
 
 J. But Christ spake the Avord after the distribution. For 
 he first gave them the bread, and then said, " Take, eat, thijs 
 is ray body." 
 
 D. And what then? 
 
 J. Then, according to what you say, Christ did not con- 
 secrate aright. 
 
 D. You defend a horrible heresy : for you reject the 
 t^^ord. 
 
!86 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 J. rdo not reject the word, but would understand wliat 
 the word meaneth. '- 
 
 D. It meaneth the institution of Clirist. 
 
 J. All writers do not so understand it. Some by the 
 •word, undei-stand the promises, as Musculus, BuUinger, 
 Pekr Martyr, and Calvin. 
 
 D. The word is not the promise. 
 
 J. These learned men so take it. Herein I am content 
 to refer myself to the judgment of the learned. 
 
 L. C. J. Here is my lord of London, a prelate of tlie 
 realm, and a bishop, and this gentleman, Mr. Dean ; dost 
 thou think they are not learned? 
 
 J. I neither despise, nor deprave their learning. But as 
 to the words of the institution, I say, they are to be consi- 
 dered, either as they are expressly set down by the evan- 
 gelist ; or, as other words are used equivalent to them, 
 declaring the sum and substance of them, and, in either 
 case, the institution is wliole and sound. Consecration may 
 be taken either according to the consecration of the papists, 
 who say, " This is my body, and this is my blood ;" or, as 
 the best writers in our time, take it for the rehearsal of the 
 promises and thanksgiving to be enjoined; and whichsoever 
 of these two be accepted, seeing 1 used the words of delivery, 
 there was sufficient consecration. 
 
 L. C. J. Let us make an end of it. Charge the jury. — 
 The witnesses were then called and sworn, some of v/hora 
 were known papists, and others had done penance for the 
 foulest crimes, against whom no exception would be taken ; 
 and Mr. Johnson being by their verdict found guilty, was 
 condemned to one year's imprisonment, and immediately 
 sent back to the Gatehouse.* 
 
 The hard treatment Mr. Johnson received from Bishop 
 Sandys, and the other commissioners, as appears in the 
 above examination ; with the heavy sentence pronounced 
 upon him, after having endured some close and severe 
 imprisonment already, were, surely, more than proportionate 
 to any crime with which he was charged, even supposing 
 he had been guilty. Indeed, whether the principal tljing 
 with which he was charged was good or evil, was matter of 
 mere opinion, and a point much to be disputed. But right 
 or wrong, lie must be punished. 
 
 During the execution of the heavy sentence, and about 
 two weeks after his trial, Mr. Johnson wrote a letter to 
 
 * Parte of a Register, p. 105— in. 
 
R. JOHNSON. 187 
 
 Bishop Sandys, dated March?, 1574, in -which he earnestly 
 pleads for more kind treatment. He thus observes, " Our 
 Saviour saith. Blessed are the mercifu/, for they shall obtain 
 mercy : And tlie apostle. He shall have judgment without 
 mercy^ that hath shewed no mercy. 1 wonder what mercy 
 you, and the rest of the commissioners, hope ibr, and what 
 judgment you look for, seeing for trifles an I of no weighty 
 nay of no truth, as I doubt not you are persuaded in your 
 own consciences, you not only mock and molest men, de- 
 prave and deprive them, but to their great poverty and 
 utter ruin, and without any bowels of mercy, you condimn 
 them to long imprisonment. Where hath God given any 
 such com.mandment ? Where hath Christ given any .such 
 precedent ? Where did the apostles put any such thing in 
 practice? If you say, that we hold errors, are schismatics, 
 and promote sects ; then do you the part of a teacher, to 
 reform our errors, to reduce schismatics to unity, and tQ 
 dissuade sectaries from dissention. Your office and ! unc- 
 tion, yoiir name and title, your degree and profession, youi' 
 knowledge and religion, yea the apostles, Jesus Christ, and 
 God himself, requireth this at your hands. You know who 
 saith, If a man he oxertaken in a fault, ye which are spiri* 
 tualy restore such a one in the spirit of meekness. Compare 
 your doctrine in time past, and your doings now, and see 
 how they agree. We may say as the prophet said : The 
 Lord God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, and he 
 hath delivered them into your hand, and you hate persecuted 
 them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven. 
 
 " If to imprison and famish men, be the proper way to 
 instruct the ignorant and reduce the obstinate, where is the 
 office and work of a shepherd, to seek that which was lost, 
 and bring home that which went astray ? We beseech you, 
 therefore, to gather something out of the Old and New 
 Testament, that you may reduce tliose who go astray, and 
 heal that which is bruised and broken. And I pray you, 
 let us feel some of your charitable relief, to preserve us from 
 death, under this hard usage ; especially as you have been 
 the chief cause of my trouble, I desire you to be some part 
 of my comfort. Let pity requite spite, and mercy recom- 
 pence malice. Thus beseeching God, that you may proceed 
 faithfully in all the duties of a bishop, I commend you to 
 Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. 
 
 " Robert Johnson."* 
 
 • Parte of a Register, p. 117, 118. 
 
2«8 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Mr. Johnson, at the same time, presented a petition to 
 the queen or council, desiring to be restored to his former 
 liberty of preaching, from which he was restrained by tJie 
 foregoing heavy sentence. This petition, together with a 
 letter from the court, dated Greenwich, March 19, 1573, 
 were sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop 
 of London, pressing tlieni to take the case into considera- 
 tion, and take such order therein as shoukl appear most 
 convenient. The council also sent another letter to the 
 Bishop of London, dated Greenwich, May 16, 1574, signi- 
 fying that their lordships were given to understand, that 
 Mr. Johnson, committed to the Gatehouse for noncon- 
 formity, was very sick and likely to die, unless he might 
 enjoy more open air. Therefore they commanded his grace 
 to give order tor the poor afflicted man to be bailed, and 
 upon sureties to be removed to his own house, but not to 
 depart thence without further order.* 
 
 All these efforts were, however, without any good effect. 
 The relentless prelate continued inflexible. Mr. Johnson 
 experienced neither his lenity, nor his charity, nor any olher 
 favour : for the good man died soon after, a prisoner in the 
 Gatehouse, through the cruelty of his imprisonment, and 
 his extreme poverty and want.f Herein, surely, his inhu- 
 man persecutors would be highly gratified. Bishop Sandys, 
 who was at the head of these proceedings, is said to have 
 been " a man very eminent for his learning, probity, and 
 prudence ;"t but, surely, it maybe questioned whether he 
 exercised these excellent qualifications on the present occa- 
 sion. This is even admitted by his partial biographer : for 
 he observes, that during the above period, the <y:ood bishop 
 proceeded so vigorously against the puritans, that his doings 
 brought public reproach on his name and reputation.^ 
 
 Mr, Johnson wrote a letter, a little before his death, to the 
 Dean of Westminster, another zealous promoter of his 
 persecution. This letter is still preserved. |( Mr. Strype 
 charges Mr. Johnson as a false accuser, and, in 1609, as 
 reviling the puritans. But the fact of his being dead several 
 years before either of these events are said to have taken 
 place, at once acquits him of the twofold charge. Some 
 other person of the same name, who was a rigid churchman, 
 we believe to have been guilty of those crimes.5 
 
 • Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxi. p. 383, 384. 
 
 + Parte of a Re<!;i>(er, p. 1 11, 118. 
 
 + Lp Neve's Lives, vol. i. part ii. p. 69, S Ibid. p. 31. 
 
 8 Parte of a Register, p. 112-116. f Strype's Parker, p. 323, 329. 
 
TAVERNER. 189 
 
 Richard Taverner, A. M. — This distinguished person 
 was born at Brisley in Norfolk, in the year 1505, and 
 educated first in Bennet college, Cambridge, then in the 
 university of Oxford. The famous Cardinal Wojsey having 
 founded a new college at the latter place,* furnished it with 
 all the best scholars in the nation ; amor.g whom were 
 Taverner, Tindal, Frith, Goodman, and many others. Here 
 Mr. Taverner and his brethren were soon called to the trial 
 of their faith. They were men of good learning and grave 
 judgments, and Mr. Taverner was famous for his knowledge 
 of music ; but conferring touether about the corruptions of 
 the church, they were presently accused to the cardinal, and 
 cast into prison. They were confined in a deep cell under 
 the college, where salt fish was wont to be preserved ; so 
 that by tlie filthiness and infection of the place, several of 
 them soon lost their lives. Mr. Taverner, however, escaped 
 the fatal malady. Though he was accused of hiding one 
 Mr. Clark's books under the boards of his school, the 
 cardinal, on account of his music, exempted him, saying, 
 "He is only a musician;" a?id so he was released. f He 
 liad a good knowledge of the Greek language, philosophy, 
 and divinity ; but about this time he removed or was expelled 
 from the university, and became a student at the imis of 
 court. Here, when he read any thing in the law, he made 
 his quotations in Greek. In the year 1534, he was taken 
 under the patronage of Lord Cromwell, principal secretary 
 to Henry VIH. ; by whose recommendation the king after- 
 wards made him one of the clerks of the signet. This place 
 he kept till the accession of Queen Mary, having been held 
 in high esteem by King Henrj'^, Edward VI., and the Duke 
 of Somerset, the lord protector. 
 
 In the year 1539, he published " A Recognition or Cor- 
 rection ot the Bible after the best Exemplars." It was 
 printed in folio, dedicated to the king, and allowed io be 
 publicly read in the churches. But upon the fall of Lord 
 Cromwell, in 1540, the bishops causing the printers of the 
 Bible in English to be cnst into prison and punished, Mr. 
 Taverner, as the reward of his labours, was sent (o the 
 
 * Cardinal Wolsey possessed, for some years, all that power and grandeur 
 which could be enjoyed by the greatest favourite, and most absolute mi- 
 nister, under an arbitrary prince. He exercised as absolute a power in the 
 church, as he had done in the state. His abilities were eqaai to his great 
 offices, but these were by no means equal to his ambition. He was the 
 only man that ever had the ascendancy of Henry VHI., but afterward; fell 
 into disgrace. — Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 92. 
 
 f Fox's Martyrs, vol. ii. p. 209, 251, 
 
l90 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Tower. Here, however, he did not continue lona^ ; for, 
 having fully acquitted himself before his judges, he was 
 soon after released, and restored to his place and the king's - 
 favour. He was about this time, a member of parliament, 
 and held in high esteem by men of piety and worth. Upon 
 King Henry's coming to tlie parliament house in 1545, 
 and exhorting the members to charity, unity, and concord, 
 he published a translation of Erasmus, entitled " An Intro- 
 duction to Christian concord and unitie in matters of 
 Religion." 
 
 In the year 1552, Mr. Taverner, though he was not 
 ordained, obtained a special license subscribed by King 
 Edward, to preach in any part of his dominions •. and he did 
 not fail to make use of the liberty granted him. He preached 
 from place to place through the kingdom ; also at court 
 before the king, and in other public places, wearing a velvet 
 bonnet or round cap, a damask gown, and a chain of gold 
 about his neck ; in which habit, he sometimes preached in 
 St. Mary's church, Oxford, in the days of Queen Elizabeth. 
 When Queen Mary came to the crown, he retired to his 
 country house called Norbiton-hall, in Surrey, where he 
 continued during the whole of her reign. Upon the acces- 
 sion of Elizabeth, he presented her majesty with a congra- 
 tulatory epistle in Latin, for wliich she exceedingly respected 
 him, placed great contidence in him, and, besides offering 
 him the degree of knighthood, put him into the commission 
 of peace for the county of Oxford. Here numerous con- 
 cerns were entrusted to him, and, in 1569, he was made 
 high sheriff of the county. Notwithstanding his high 
 i^ation, he did not relinquish his ministerial labours, but 
 continued preaching as he found opportunity. While he 
 was in the office of high sherifl", he appeared in St. Mary's 
 pulpit, with his gold chain about his neck, and his sword 
 by his side, and preached to the scholars, beginning his 
 sermon with the following words: — " Arriving at the mount 
 *' of St. Mary's, in the stony* stage where I now stand, I 
 ** have brought you some fine biskets, baked in the oven of 
 " charity, and carefully conserved for the chickins of the 
 *' church, the sparrows of the spirit, and the sweet swallows 
 *' of salvation. "t This way of preaching was then mostly 
 fashionable, and commended by the generality of scholars 
 
 * Wood says the pulpit of St. Mary's was then of fine carved stone; 
 but it was taken away in 1654, when Dr. John Owen was vice-chancellor, 
 and a pulpit of wood set up in.its place. — Athen<E Oxon. ■vol, i. p. 144. note, 
 
 + fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 6ik . . • 
 
HARVEY. 191 
 
 tn those times. This celebrated reformer and zealous non- 
 conformist to the church of England, laid down his head 
 in peace, July 14, 1575, aged seventy years. He died at 
 his manor-house, at Wood-Eaton, in Oxfordshire, and 
 his remains were interred with great funeral solemnity, in 
 the chancel of the church at that place.* 
 
 His Works. — I. The Sum or Pith of the 150 Psalmes of David, 
 reduced into a forme of Prayers and Meditations, with other certaiue 
 •odly Orisons, 1539. — 2. Correction of the Bible, aheady mentioned. 
 ■^-3. The Epistles and Gospels, with a brief Postill upon the same, 
 from Advent to Low Sunday, drawn forth by divers learned men for 
 the singular commoditie of all good Christian Persons, and namely 
 of Priests and Curates, 1540. — 4. The Ejnstles and Gospels, with a 
 brief Postill upon the same, from after Easter till Advent, 1540. — 5. 
 Fruite of Faith, containing all the Prayers of the holy Fathers, 
 Patriarks, Prophets, Judges, Kings, renowned Men, and Women, in 
 the Old and New Testament, 1582. — 6. Various Poems in Latin and 
 English, and several Translations of the works af other learned men. 
 
 . R. Harvey was a zealous and learned minister in the 
 city of Norwich, a divine of puritanical principles, and 
 brought into troubles for his nonconformity. Having 
 spoken against the pompous titles, and the government of 
 bishops, and other ecclesiastical officers, he was summoned. 
 May 13, 1576, to appear before his diocesan at Norwich. 
 Upon his appearance before his lordship, he was imme- 
 diately suspended ; when the dean, who pronounced the 
 sentence, behaved himself towards Mr. Harvey, not as a 
 judge, but a most angry tyrant. f 
 
 Mr. Harvey having received the ecclesiastical censure, and 
 conceiving himself to have been hardly used, wrote a letter to 
 the Bishop of Norwich, in which he addressed his lordship 
 with considerable freedom and boldness. The substance of 
 this letter is as follows : — " I am moved in conscience," says 
 he, " to address you in this way, that I may give a further 
 account of my behaviour. I think you may see, if you 
 shut not your eyes, how the man of siji, I mean the pope of 
 Rome, hath so perverted and corrupted the doctrine of 
 Christ, that not one free spot of it now remaineth. In like 
 manner, touching the discipline and government of the 
 church, although our Saviour, w ho is the only king of his 
 church, sate in the seat of judgment, with the crown of life 
 on his head, and the sceptre of righteousness in his hand ; 
 
 « Wood's Athense Oxon. vol. i. p. 143—145. 
 
 t Strype'9 Anuals, vol. ii. p. 448. 449.— Parte of a Register, p. 339. 
 
192 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 that man of sin plucked him from his tlirone, and placed 
 liiraself upon it, having on his head the initre of death, and 
 in his hand the sword of cruelty and blood. These things 
 I hope you know. 
 
 " We find in the scriptures of truth, that when Clirist 
 ruled and reigned in his church, his officers vt ere bishops or 
 pastors, and elders and deacons. But when the pope set 
 aside this government, he appointed new governors in the 
 church, as cardinals, archbishops, lord-bishops, deans, 
 chancellors, commissioners, and many others. The doc- 
 trine and government of the church being thus thrown 
 down, it pleased the Lord in his time to shew us favour. 
 By ir.eans of our good prince, he hath purged the doctrines 
 of our church from the errors of popery; and was ready 
 to have restored unto us true discipline, if it had not been 
 prevented by our own slackness and imthankfuhu ss. But 
 you prelates turn the edge of the sword against us, and 
 stand in the way to keep us from the tree of life. The 
 government of the church is much the same as it was under 
 popery. The pope's officers, you know, still bear rule; 
 and, therefore, the reins of government are not in the 
 hands of Christ, but in the hands of antichrist. And 
 though you hide yourselves under the shadow of the prince, 
 saying, that she created you and your authority ; you per- 
 versely attempt to deceive the world, and yon miserably abuse 
 the name and goodness of our prince. For how long were 
 your names and offices in full force before our prince was 
 born ? How then will you make her authority the origin of 
 your jurisdiction ? 
 
 " Moreover, as Jesus Christ is the only lawgiver in his 
 (hurch, and as he alone has power and authority to appoint 
 its officers, if any king or prince in the world appoint any 
 other officers in the church, than those which Christ hath 
 already allowed and appointed, we will lay down our necks 
 upon the block, rather than consent to them. Wherefore, 
 do not so often object to us the name of our prince ; for you 
 use it as a cloak to cover your cursed enterprizes. Have 
 you not thrust out those who preached the word of God 
 sincerely and faithfully? Have you not plucked out those 
 preachers whom God fixed in his church ? And do you 
 think that this ph a, / did hut execute the law, will excuse 
 you before the High Judge."* It does not appear what 
 effect this bold address had on the mind of the reverend 
 
 * Parte of a Register, p. 3G3— 370, 
 
DEERING. 193 
 
 ptelate; nor whether the good man ever procured his 
 restoration. 
 
 Mr. Harvey appears to have written <' A Treatise of the 
 Church and Kingdom of Christ," a copy of which is still 
 preserved, thougli most probably it was never published.* 
 The Oxford historian gives a very curious account of one Mr. 
 Richard Harvey, who lived about the same time, but he does 
 not appear to have been the same person.t One Mr. Richard 
 Harvey of Pembroke- hall, Cambridge, took his degrees in 
 Arts in 1581 and 1585. This was probably the same person 
 as that last mentioned.^ 
 
 Edward Deering, B. D. — This learned and distin- 
 guished puritan was descended from a very ancient and 
 worthy family at Surreuden-Dering, in Kent; and having 
 been carefully brought up in religion, and the rudiments of 
 sound learning, completed his education hi Christ's college, 
 Cambridge. Here he made amazing progress in valuable 
 knowledge, and became an eminently popular preacher. He 
 was fellow of the house, was chosen proctor in 1566, and 
 Lady Margaret's preacher the year following.^ This, in- 
 deed, was not sufficient to protect him from the fury and 
 persecution of the prelates. 
 
 In the year 1571, being cited before Archbishop Parker 
 and other commissioners, he was charged with certain 
 assertions, which, it is said, he maintained and subscribed 
 before them. These assertions were the following : " That 
 breaking the laws of civil government is, in its own nature, 
 no sin, but only on account of scandal. — That Christ's 
 descent into hell relates only to the force and efficacy of his 
 passion ; but that neither his body, nor his soul, went to 
 that place. — That it is lawful to take oaths, when the forms 
 are written or printed, to determine the sense of the imposer ; 
 but to make use of the book, as a circumstance of solemnity, 
 is a sacrilegious addition. — That the clerical garments, 
 which are derived from popery, are full of offence, and 
 appear to me directly against the truth. "|| It does not 
 appear, however, what punishment was inflicted upon him 
 for these assertions. 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 533—654. 
 t Wood's Athenae Oxen, vol. i, p. 173, 174. 
 t Baker's MS. Collec. vol. ii. p. 381. 
 S MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 262. (2.) 
 
 II Strype's Parker, p. 326.— Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxxvi. p. 337. 
 VOL. I. O 
 
194 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Mr. Deering was domestic chaplain to the unfortunate^ 
 Duke of Norfolk, (who, in the above year, lost his head on 
 Tower-hill,) and was tutor to his children. In this situation, 
 lie conducted himself with great propriety, and much 
 to the satisfaction of his noble patron.* When the duke 
 was imprisoned for his treasonable connections with the 
 Queen of Scots, Mr. Deering thus addressed him : " You 
 once earnestly professed the gospel; but now dissimulation, 
 ambition, and hypocrisy hath bewitched you. You know 
 how many times I dissuaded you from your wicked servants, 
 your popish friends, and your adulterous woman. Alas ! 
 my lord, your high calling hath so bridled my words, that 
 I could not speak to you as I would : my words were too • 
 soft to heal so old a disease."f 
 
 In the year 1572, he became lecturer at St. Paul's, 
 London ; where, on account of his great learning, ready 
 utterance, and uncommon boldness, he was amazingly 
 followed. This being grievous to certain ecclesiastical 
 persons, it was deemed most proper to silence him. This 
 was accordingly done the very next year. Our' historian 
 intimates, that he was a great enemy to the order of bishops. 
 This was, indeed, the case with most of the puritans. They 
 generally looked upon the episcopal office, as appointed in 
 the church, to be equally a popish invention, and contrary 
 to its original design, according to the INew Testament. He 
 further informs us, that Mr. Deering was intimately ac- 
 quainted with tlie Lord Treasurer Burleigh, with whom he 
 often interceded, in behalf of the suffering nonconformists.^ 
 
 While he was lecturer of St. Paul's, he was charged with 
 having spoken certain things, which, by interpretation, were 
 said to reflect upon the magistrate, and tend to break the 
 peace of the church. Therefore, by an order from the 
 council, his lecture was put down. Persons were appointed 
 to watch him continually, to take advantage of what he 
 delivered ; and when he was brought under examination for 
 delivering certain things offensive to the ruling powers, he 
 utterly denied that he had said any such thing, and declared 
 that the charges were mere slanders. Indeed, upon his 
 appearance before the attorney-general and the bishop of 
 London, the bishop frankly acknowledged that he could 
 not accuse him.§ What a pity then was it, that so excel- 
 lent a preacher as he is denominated, who had so large a 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 130. 
 
 f MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 262. (2.) 
 
 t Stripe's Annals, vol. ii. p. 190. § Ibid. p. 269, 
 
DEERTNG. 195 
 
 congregation, and when such preachers were much wanted, 
 should be put (o silence ! 
 
 In September this year, he wrote to the treasurer, request- 
 ing that he might no more appear before the council, but 
 be judged by the bishops themselves, at any time and place 
 they should appoint. In order to tlie restoration of his 
 lecture, he requested that judgment might not be deferred ; 
 that he might be charged with some impropriety, either in 
 his words or actions ; and that upon the knowledge of 
 which, his honour might himself be able to judge what he 
 deserved. He beseeched his lordship to inquire into his 
 character, and examine his actions, till he could find only 
 two persons who had heard him speak evil : but if such 
 evidence of his ill behaviour could not be obtained, he 
 intreated him to become his friend. He urged further, that 
 his lordship would either believe his own judgment, having 
 himself sometimes heard him, or the report of multitudes, 
 who were his constant hearers. And if his lecture might 
 not be restored, as he was persuaded it was his duty to seek 
 the good of souls, he earnestly prayed that he might have 
 liberty to preach in some other place. 
 
 Though the treasurer was undoubtedly willing and de- 
 sirous to serve him, he obtained no redress ; but was cited 
 to appear before the court of the star-chamber, when several 
 articles were exhibited against him. But before his appear- 
 ance to answer these articles, he wrote a long letter to 
 Burleigh, dated November 1, 1573, in which he addressed 
 him with great spirit and freedom, concerning his own case, 
 and several important points of controversy. This letter 
 was as follows : 
 
 " Grace and peace from God the Father, &c. 
 
 *' Bear with me, I beseech your honour, though I trouble 
 *' you ; and let the cause of my grief be the discharge of my 
 *' boldness. It behoveth me to discharge myself from 
 " slander, lest the gospel should be reproached in me. And 
 *' it behoveth you to obey this commandment, Recehe no 
 *• accusation against a preacher without good and sufficient 
 *' witness. I know, my lord, you will not do it. I have 
 *' good evidence of your equity in this behalf. Yet I am 
 *' bold to put you in mind of the word of Christ, which you 
 ** cannot possibly too often remember. I ask no more than 
 '' what is due to me, even from her majesty's seat of govern- 
 '^ raent and justice. If I have done evil, let me be punished % 
 ** if not, let me be eased of undeserved blame. I crave no 
 *^ partiality, but seek to answer, and to make you (including 
 
196 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " the other lords of the council) judges of my cause ; before 
 " whose presence 1 ought to fear, and the steps of whose 
 *' feet I humbly reverence. If, before your honours, J. 
 " should be convinced of these pretended crimes, with what 
 <' shame should I hide my face all the days of my life ! 
 *' Where were the rejoicing that I have in God, in all things 
 " that he hath wrought by me ? Where were their comfort, 
 " who have so desirously heard me ? Where were the good 
 " opinion of many, and all the good-will you have shewed 
 " me ? I am not so ignorant, that I see not this. Therefore 
 " persuade yourself, that I am on sure ground. Trial shall 
 *' teach your eyes and ears the truth. And to persuade your 
 " heart, I give unto you my faith, I cannot accuse myself 
 *' of any thought of my mind, in which I have not honoured 
 " the magistrate, or word of my moulh, in which I have not 
 *' regarded the peace of the church. And I thank God, 
 *' who of his unspeakable mercy, hath kept for m^e this con- 
 *' science against the day of trouble. 
 
 " If you muse now, how these slanders have risen, you 
 *' may easily know, that the malice of satan is great against 
 " the ministry of the gospel. I know I have given no 
 " cause, more than I have confessed ; and with what words 
 " I have spoken, I desire to be judged by the hearers. And 
 " so much the more bold I now speak to you, because my 
 " lord of London, of late told me, before Mr. Attorney 
 " and Mr. Solicitor, that he could not accuse me of any 
 '' such tiling. As 1 was glad to hear this discharge, so I 
 " should have been much more glad, if, upon so free a con- 
 *' fession, he would favourably have restored me to my 
 *' lecture. Though it be somewhat strange to punish, a 
 " man before he offend, lest hereafter he should offend; yet 
 " J am contented with il, and leave it unto them, who 
 " should be as much grieved as myself to see so great a con- 
 ii gregation dispersed." 
 
 Mr. Dcering next ])rocccds to prove the lordship and 
 c/riV government of bisliops to be unlawful, and contrary to 
 scripture. " The lordship and civil government of bishops," 
 says he, " is utterly unlawful. The kingdom of Christ is 
 " a spiritual govenunent only. But the government of the 
 " church is a part of the kingdom of Christ. Therefore, 
 ^•' the government of the church is only a spiritual govern- 
 " iiient_. What the kingdom of Christ is, and what 
 " government he hath established in it, learn not of me, but 
 " of God himself. What can be plainer than the words of 
 " Chrij>t ? My kingdom is not of this world? How plainly 
 
DEERING. 197 
 
 " doth St. Paul say, The weapons of our warfare are not 
 ^^ carnal? Let him, therefore, who is the King of kings, 
 " have the pre-eminence of government. And let him, 
 " whose dominion is the kingdom of heaven, have the sword 
 " and the sceptre that is not fleshly. Let not a vile pope, in 
 " the name of Christ, en^ct a n<'w kingdom, which Christ 
 "never knew: a kingdom of this world, which, in the 
 " ministry of the gospel, he hath condemned. This kind of 
 "•' rule hath set all out of order, and in confusion, mingled 
 " heaven and earth together. — As the minister hath nothing 
 " to do with the temporal sword, so it much less becometh 
 " him to be called lord. The reason is plain from scripture. 
 " Ministers are called^5^er«f of men, labourers in the harvest, 
 *' callers to the marriage, servants of the people, laorkmen, 
 " stewards, builders, planters, &c. In all of which, they are 
 *' removed from a lordship oyer the people. And again, 
 " they are called fellow-elders, fellow-helpers, fellow- 
 " workmen, fellow-soldiers, fellow-servants, fellow-travel- 
 " lers, &c. In which names, they are forbidden lordship 
 " over their brethren. And, surely, it must be great rashness 
 " to refuse so mnny names, which God hath given us, and 
 " take another, which importeth dominion over others. Can 
 " we doubt then in the question of lordship ? We appeal to 
 " Christ, and the words of his mouth, to decide the contro- 
 '' versy. The disciples had this contention, as well as 
 " ourselves. They strove much, who should be highest ; 
 " against which strife, our Saviour Christ pronounceth this 
 " sentence, He that is greatest among i/ou, let him be as the 
 " least. And whosoever of you will be the chief shall be 
 " servant of all. This is a brief account of the superiority 
 " in the ministry. And this shall for ever determine the 
 " controversy, though all the wisdom in the world reply to 
 " the contrary. If a lord bishop find his titles ^iyt^n hira 
 " here, let him rejoice in his portion. If he have them not 
 " hence, he shall not have them from us : we will not so 
 '' dishonour him who hath ffiven the sentence." 
 
 Anerwards, speaking of bishops in the primitive church, 
 and those in modern times, he makes the following distinc- 
 tions : " The bishops and ministers then, were one in degree : 
 " wozy they are divers. — There were many bishops in one 
 " town : now there is but one in a whole country. — No 
 " bishop's authority was more than in one city : now it is in 
 " many shires. — The bishops then used no bodily punish- 
 '' menis : now they imprison, fine, &c. — Those bishops 
 ^' could not excommunicate, nor absolve, of their own 
 
198 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ^' authority : now they may. — Then, without consent, they 
 '^ could make no ministers : now they do. — They could 
 *' confirm no children in other parishes : they do now in 
 ^' many shires. — Then they had no living of the church, but 
 <' only in one congregation : now they have. — Then they 
 *^ had neither officials, nor commissaries, nor chancellors, 
 *' under them. — Then they dealt in no c/xJiY government, by 
 *' any established authority. — Then they had no right in 
 " alienating any parsonage, to give it in lease. — Then they 
 *' had the church where they served the cure, even as those 
 *' whomwenowcallpflm/i mimsters.''^ — This bold and excel- 
 lent letter contains many other interesting particulars, too 
 numerous for our insertion.* Upon the appearance of Mr. 
 Deering in tJie star-chamber, the following charges were 
 brought against him : " That he had spoken against god- 
 fathers and godmothers. — That he had asserted that the 
 statute of providing for the poor was not competent to the 
 object. — That he had said, he could provide tor them in a 
 better way, by committing them to be kept by the rich. — 
 That, at a public dinner, he took off" his cap, and said, 
 * Now I will prophesy, Matthew Parker is the last arch- 
 bishop that shall ever sit in that seat :' and that Mr. Cart- 
 wright a^iA, Accipio omen.^* 
 
 To acquit himself of these charges, he presented an 
 address, November 28th, to the lords of the council, who 
 constituted the above court. In this address, he proves his 
 innocence, and establishes his own reputation. He says 
 here, " Against godfathers and godmothers, save only the 
 name, I spake nothing. — That I said the statute of provision 
 for the poor was not competent to the object, or any such 
 words, 1 utterly deny : I commended the statute. — That I 
 said I could provide for the poor, I utterly deny, as words 
 which I never spake, and thoughts which were never yet in 
 my heart. And if I had spoken any such thing, I had 
 spoken wickedly, and accordingly deserved punishment. 
 And thus much I profess and protest, before the seat of 
 justice, where I dare not lie. — In the last place, I am charged 
 with taking off my cap, and saying, ' Now I will prophesy, 
 Matthew Parker is the last archbishop that shall ever sit in 
 that seat : and that Mr. Cartwright said, Accipio omen.^ To 
 this I answer, that I have confessed what I said ; and here I 
 send it, witnessed by the hands of those who heard it, I 
 put off no cap, nor spake of any prophesy."+ 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 270 — 279, 
 + Ibid. Appendix, p. 55—58 
 
DEERING. 19Q 
 
 However before Mr. Deering could be restored to his 
 beloved ministerial work, the bishop or the archbishop 
 required him to acknowledge and subscribe to the four 
 following articles: — " 1. 1 acknowledge the Book of Articles, 
 agreed upon by the clergy in the Synod of 1363, and con- 
 firmed by (he queen's majesty, to be sound, and according 
 to the word of God." 
 
 In reply to this, he excepted against the article of the 
 consecration of bishops and archbishops, as contained in 
 the said book. " To what purpose," says he, " is this 
 article put in ? What reason is there to make all subscribe 
 unto it ? Who dare make so bold an addition to the word 
 of God, as to warrant these consecrations to be tied unto it ? 
 Let him allow of it, who hath the profit of it : and he that 
 liketh it not, let him have no bishopric. I would, therefore, 
 gladly make this exception. Also, the article touching 
 homilies, to which, because they are made by man, I dare 
 not give my absolute warrant, that they are, in all things, 
 according to the word of God. And when I set my hand 
 unto it, I must needs avow that which I know not. I would, 
 therefore, make this addition. As far as I know." 
 
 " 2. That the queen's majesty is the chief governor, next 
 under Christ, of the church of England, as well in eccle- 
 siastical, as civil causes." — " The second article," says he, 
 " I freely acknowledge." 
 
 " 3. That in the Book of Common Prayer, there is 
 nothing evil, or repugnant to the word of God ; but that 
 it may be well used in this our church of England." 
 
 To this he excepts, " That in the book, there are many 
 phrases and hard speeches, which require a favourable 
 exposition. There are many things, though well meant, 
 when first appointed, which were certainly ill devised, 
 being first used by papists. And, therefore, being still kept 
 in the Prayer Book, they are offensive. — That day in which 
 there is no communion, certain prayers are to be said after 
 the offertory. What this offertory is, and what it meaneth, 
 I cannot tell. And to account our prayers as offertories, I 
 dare not warrant that it is according to the word of God. — 
 In this book, we are commonly called by the name of 
 priests; which name, besides importing a popish sacrificer, 
 and so is sacrilegious, cannot possibly be given to us, and to 
 our Saviour also. — On Christmas-day, we say, ' Thou hast 
 given us thy Son this dajy, to be born of a virgin.' The 
 same words we use all the week after, as if Christ had 
 been bom anew every day in the week. If it be said, this 
 
goo LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 is hid a trifle, the more lonth I am to subscribe, that it is 
 according to the word of God. — In one of the prayers, we 
 say, ' Grant us that, which, for our unworthint ss, we dare 
 not ask.' These words cannot be excused. They fis^ht 
 directly against our faith. We must come boldly to the 
 throne of grace, and doubt not of ol)taining mercy, in 
 whalever God has promised. These and such other things, 
 thus standing in the prayer book, make many fearful of 
 subscribing, that everj/ part of it is a<;cording to the word 
 of God." 
 
 " 4. That, as tlic public preaching of the word, in the 
 church of England, is sound and sincere; so the public 
 order, in the ministration of the sacraments, is consonant to 
 the word of God." 
 
 Upon this he observes, " How can I tell,' that all preach- 
 ing in ^i^ngland is sound and sinceris', when I hear not all 
 preachers ? And sometimes those whom I do hear, preach 
 neither soundly, nor sincerely : but this is the fault of man. 
 — And that tlii! public order, in the ministration of the 
 sacraments, is according to God's word, I cannot simply 
 confess. There is an order how women may baptize. All 
 reformed churches have condemned this, aqd how can I 
 allow it ? All learned men write against the questions 
 and crossings in baptism: and why should I, with my 
 hand, condemn all their doings ? The wafer cake in 
 many churches, is thought intolerable ; and our own act 
 of parliament for avoiding superstition, hath appointed 
 other bread : what then if I should dislike it ? 
 
 *' Another reason why I cannot subscribe both to this 
 article and the first, is the one contradicting the other. In 
 the first 1 must subscribe to all the homilies : in this, to all 
 the ceremonies ; and yet our homilif s condemn many of our 
 ceremonies. In tlie homilies it is said, ' That the costly and 
 manifold furniture of vestments lately used in the church, 
 is Jewish, and maketh us the more willingly, in such 
 apparel to become Jewisii.' If I subscribe to this, how can 
 I subscribe to the ceremoni( s used in cathedral churches, 
 where the priests, deacon, and subdeacon, are in copes and 
 vestments ? In the homilies, it is said, ' That piping, 
 singing, chanting, playing on organs, &c. greatly displease 
 God, and filthily defile his holy temple.' If 1 must sub- 
 scribe to this, then I must not subscribe to the contrary, even 
 that all our cewmonies are good, and acording to the word 
 of God. How can I say, that our doctrine, our sacraments, 
 our prayers, our ceremonies, our orders, eyeu that all is 
 
DEERING. 201 
 
 according to the word of God ? A person having a con- 
 science, or no conscience, must needs be tried here : and 
 blessed is he that is not oft'nfled. See, I beseech you, what 
 wronij; I sustain, if 1 be urged to this subscription. While 
 any law bound me to wear the cap and surplice, [ wore both. 
 When 1 w fs at lib rty, surely 1 would not wear them for 
 devotion. I ni ver persuaded any to refuse th< in, nor ain I 
 cliar^e.l with ever preaching against them. Thus, accord- 
 ing to my promise, 1 have set down how far 1 would yield 
 in these articles which your worship sent me. If 1 seem 
 curious, or to stand upon little points, conscience, it siiould 
 be remembered, is very tender, and wdl not yield contrary 
 to its persuasion of the truth. I have sent you these articles, 
 subscribed with mine own hand, and sealed with my heart, 
 even in the presence of God ; whom I h.nmbly beseech, for 
 Christ's sake, to give peace unto his church, that her 
 ministers may rejoice, and her subjects be glad. 1 conclude, 
 desiring God to make you rich iu all grace, to liis honour 
 and glory. December 16, 1573."* Here we see the evil 
 of requiring suhscrii:tion to articles and creeds of human 
 composition. To yield in such a case as this, would rack 
 the conscience of ever}^ honest man. 
 
 Twenty other articles were, about the same time, presented 
 to Mr, Dcering in the star-chamber; to each of which, he 
 gave a particular answer. These articles were de igned, 
 says Mr. Strype, to make exact inquiry into his principles 
 and opinions, concerning the church, its usages, practices,- 
 and clergy, and the queen's authority ; and he might, with 
 truth, have added, that it assumed all the appearance of a 
 tyrannical and cruel inquisition. Mr. Deering, in the 
 preface to his answers io these articles, thus expressed him- 
 self: — " I most humbly beseech your honours, to remember 
 my former protestation, that I have never spoken against 
 the book of prayers; and in my book in print, 1 have 
 spoken openly for the allowance of it. I resort to commoa 
 prayers ; and sometimes, being requested, 1 say the prayers 
 as prescribed. If I be now urged to speak what I think, as 
 before an inquisition, there being no law of God requiring 
 me to accuse myself, I beseech your honours, let ray 
 answer witness my humble duty and obedience, rather than 
 be prejudicial and hurtful to me. This 1 most humbly 
 crave; and under the persuasi(m of your favour, I will 
 answer boldly, as 1 am required." These articles, which so 
 
 • Parte of a Register, p. 81—85. 
 
202 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 much discover the spirit of the times, and the answers which 
 Mr. Deering presented to the court, though at some length, 
 "we here present to the curious and inquisitive reader. They 
 "were the following : 
 
 Article I. Is the book entitled " Tlie Book of Common 
 Service," allowed by public authority in this realm, to be 
 allowed in the church of God, by God's word, or not ? 
 
 Answer. The similitude of this book, to that form of 
 prayer used by the papists, leads me to think it declineth 
 from those laws, Deut. vii. 25., xii. 30., xviii. 9. Also, its 
 great inconvenience in encouraging unlearned and indolent 
 ministers to conclude, that the mere reading of the service 
 is sufficient. These are some of the reasons why I cannot 
 subscribe, that all the book is allowable by the word of 
 God. Some other things, the bishops themselves confess to 
 be faulty. 
 
 2. Are the articles set down by the clergy in Synod, 
 and allowed by public authority, according to God's word, 
 or not ? 
 
 I confess, as I am persuaded, that the articles of faith are 
 good. I think the same of the articles about traditions, an 
 oath before a judge, the civil magistrate, the doctrine of the 
 homilies, &c. But that which relates to the consecration of 
 arclibisliops and bishops, I can by no means confess as 
 godly, and according to the word of God. 
 
 3. Are we lied in all things, by God's word, to the 
 order and usage oi the apostles and primitive church, 
 or not ? 
 
 No doubt we are bound to whatsoever was the usual order 
 of the apostles. When St. Paul had said to Timothy, 
 " Thou li:ist fully known my doctrine, manner of life, 
 purpose," &c. &c. lu; adds, continue in the things which 
 thou hast /earned. And he chargeth the Philippians, 
 Those things zchieh ye have both learned and received^ and 
 heard and seen in me, do. 
 
 4. Is there any right ministry, or ecclesiastical govern- 
 ment, at this time, in the cliurch of Enghuid, or not ? 
 
 If, by right, you mean such a calling as the word of God 
 reqnire'th : a>, 1 Tim. iii. 2., Acts i. 23., xiv. 23,. 1 Tim. iv. 
 14., I am sure you will confess it is not right. If you 
 me Ml ;j right ministration of i he doctrine and sacraments, I 
 hun.bly «onf(s;^, that no man ought to separate himself 
 from the church. Concerning gov* rnment, see the seventh 
 article. 
 
 3. Maj nothing be in the church, either concerning cere- 
 
DEERING. 203 
 
 monies, or governnijent, but that only which the Lord in 
 his word, commandeth ? 
 
 Such ceremonies as do not necessarily appertain to the 
 gospel of Christ, may be changed ; observing ftiways that 
 which St. Paul hath commanded, Phil. iv. 8., 1 Cor. xiv. 26. 
 
 6. Ought every particular church or parish in England, 
 of necessity, and by the order of God's word, to have its 
 own pastor, elder, and deacons, chosen by the pef)ple of 
 that parish ; and they only to have the whole government of 
 that particular church, in matters ecclesiastical ? 
 
 Wherever this government hath been, the choice hath 
 been by certain persons, with the allowance of the people, 
 so far as I ever read. But what is most requisite at the 
 present time, I leave to those whom God hath set ia 
 authority. 
 
 7. Should there be an equality among all the ministers of 
 this realm, as well in government and jurisdiction, as in the 
 ministration of the word and sacraments ? 
 
 That all ministers are called to the preaching of the 
 word, and the ministration of the sacraments, no man, I 
 think, will deny. Touching government or governors, the 
 Holy Ghost calleth them fellow-minislers, fellow-elders, 
 fellow-officers, fellow-soldiers, fellow-labourers, fellow-ser- 
 vants : and St. Peter expressly forbids them being fords over 
 God's heritage. St. John evidently condemnetli the lordly 
 dominion of Diotrephes, in commanding and excommuni- 
 cating by his own authority. Our Lord himself, refused to 
 exercise any lordly dominion ; and when his disciples 
 strove for superiority, he expressly forbad them, and 
 reproved them for aspiring after it. Though ministers are 
 worthy of double honour, singular love, great reverence, 
 and all humble duty, I dare, by no means, make them lords 
 in the ministry, nor give to any one of them authority 
 above the rest. 
 
 8. Are the patrimonies of the church, such as bishops* 
 lands, the lands belonging to cathedral churches, the glebe 
 lands, and tithes, by right, and God's word, to be taken 
 from them ? 
 
 Render unto Cccsar, the things which are CoRsar's ; and 
 unto God, the things that are God''s, is a rule always 
 binding. Every prince who feareth the King of kings, 
 must make sufficient provision for the ministry, then for 
 the poor, then for schools and the universities, in such a 
 degree as may supply the wants of the ministry j with- 
 
204 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 out which the spoil of the church is most unnatural 
 sacrilege, 
 
 9. Are the ministers of this realm, of whatsoever calling, 
 now in place, lawful ministers; and their administration, 
 and ecclesiastical actions, lawful and effectual ? 
 
 This article, so far as I can see, is the same as the 
 fourth. 
 
 10. Is it not convenient at a marriage, to have the com- 
 munion, and the newly married persons to comnmnicate ; 
 and, at a funeral, to have a sermon ? 
 
 I would have communions at such times as the church 
 appoints. On those days, if there be a marriage, it is 
 meet that the parties communicate. As to the funeral 
 sermons, they may be used. Yet, if there be any incon- 
 venience, by hurting or offending the church, they ought 
 to be omitted. 
 
 11. Is it lawful for any man to preach, besides he who is 
 a pastor ; and may a pastor preach out of his own flock 
 without a license ? 
 
 None may preach but a pastor, and he, on just occasion, 
 being requested, may preach out of his own flock. But, 
 surely, if he have no license to preach, he hath no license 
 to be a pastor. 
 
 12. Is it better and more agreeable to God's word, and 
 more for the profit of God's church, that a prescribed order 
 of common prayer be used, or that every minister pray 
 publicly, as his own spirit shall direct him ? 
 
 An ordinary prayer is very necessary, that it may be 
 familiar to the people : but, as every parish will have its 
 occasions and necessities, so it is necessary, that the 
 minister be able to pray in the congregation, according to 
 the necessities of the people. 
 
 13. Are the children of parents, who are perfect papists, 
 to be baptized ? And are infants within God's covenant, 
 and have they faith ? 
 
 If parents are obstinate, and perfect papists, wanting 
 nothing of the spiritual wickedness of antichrist, and are so 
 accounted by the church, their children are not to be 
 admitted to this sacrament, though we exclude them not 
 from the election of God : but if the parents be not cast out 
 of the church, we may admit the children; yet not as 
 having that faith which cometh by hearing, but as being 
 within the covenant : / ain their God, and the God of their 
 children. 
 
DEERING. 205 
 
 14. May any ecclesiastical persons have more eccle- 
 siastical livings than one?* 
 
 For one man to have many parsonages, where he cannot 
 possibly reside, is great wickedness. And seeing Christ hath 
 purchased his church with his own blood, whosoever enjoys 
 several livings, considers very little the words of St. Paul : 
 Take heed unto all the flock^ over which the Holy Ghost 
 hath made you overseers^ to feed the church of God. I, 
 therefore, humbly beseech your honours, to have this care- 
 fully reformed. 
 
 15. May one be a minister, who has no particular flock 
 assigned him ? And may an ecclesiastical person be exer- 
 cised, also, in a civil function ? 
 
 A minister can no more be without a charge, than a king 
 without a kingdom. No man that warreth entangleth him- 
 self with the affairs of this life. And I am sure whatsoever 
 person seeketh after civil offices, wanteth that love which 
 should most abound. Our Saviour refused to be judge in 
 the division of lands. Yet 1 judge not him, who, on 
 special occasions, seeketh to do good to others. 
 
 16. Are all the commandments of God needful for sal- 
 vation ? 
 
 All the commandments are necessary for all men in all 
 places, and are ever to be observed. And as Christ was 
 minister, not of earthly things, but heavenly; so the 
 observance of all his commandments is necessary to salva- 
 tion; and the breach of the least of them, if imputed to 
 us, hath the just recompence of eternal death. 
 
 17. Has the Queen of England authority over the 
 ecclesiastical state, and in ecclesiastical matters, as well as 
 civil ? 
 
 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, whether 
 he be an apostle, or evangelist, or prophet, or whatsoever he 
 be. This subjection is not against his calling. Princes 
 have full authority over all ecclesiastical and civil persons, 
 and equally over both, to punish offenders, and to praise 
 well-doers. Only this is the difference in the sovereignty 
 over both. The commonwealth cannot be without the 
 magistrate ; but if all magistrates fall from the church, we 
 must still hold this article, " I believe in the catholic 
 church." For Christ, and not the christian magistrate, is 
 the life and head of the church. In the commonwealth, 
 
 ♦ What could the commissioners design by proposing this question ? Did 
 ihey imagine it was a crime to speak against pluralities, the great plague of 
 the christian church, and at which even papists blush? 
 
g06 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 the prince maketh and repealeth laws, as appears most for 
 the safety of tlie state, and the benefit of (he people; but in 
 the church, there is only one Lawgiveu, even Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 18. Is the Queen of England the chief governor under 
 Christ, over the whole church and state ecclesiastical in this 
 realm, or but a member of it ? And may the church of 
 England be established without the magistrate ? 
 
 This is answered under the seventeenth article. 
 
 19. Is the Queen of England bound to observe the 
 judicial laws of Moses, in the punishment and pardon of 
 criminal offences ? 
 
 We are sure that the law of Moses, was, to the people of 
 Israel, an absolute and a most perfect rule of justice ; so 
 that all laws ought lo be made according to its equity. Yet, 
 to decide on all particular cases, dare I not. It belongeth 
 to the Lord to say, I will pardon, or I will destroy. 
 
 20. May the Queen of England, of herself, and by her 
 own authority, assign and appoint civil officers ? 
 
 I never knew a man who doubted this article. And sure I 
 am, that her majesty, in her wisdom, may do as she thinketh 
 best.* 
 
 These were the articles proposed to Mr. Deering in the 
 star-chamber, and this was the substance of those answers 
 which he presented to the court in writing. In these 
 answers, says Mr. Strypc, he made 'oery ill reflections upon 
 the reformation and religion of the established church. f 
 Whether this remark be consistent with christiaji liberality, 
 or even common justice, every reader will easily judge. What 
 could be the design of the commissioners in proposing such 
 inquiries ? Some of them relating wholly to matters of state, 
 seem designed to ensnare him. Others were evidently 
 intended to draw him either to approve, or to censure, the 
 corruptions of the church. And in general, it is extremely 
 manifest, that they were put to him, to rack his conscience, 
 and to get something out of him ; to make him an offender 
 by his own confession. " For my part," says Mr. Peirce, 
 *' when I consider the abominable tyranny of all such pro- 
 ceedings, and the barbarous wickedness of sifting the secrets 
 of mens' hearts, about those matters, of which perhaps they 
 never spoke any thing in their lives ; I heartily bless my 
 God that he did not cast my lot in those days, but reserved 
 me for times of greater equity and freedom."^ 
 
 * Parte of a Register, p. 73— 80.— Strype's Annals, vol. ii, p. 280,281. 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 452. % Peirce's Vindication, part i. p. 81. 
 
DEERING. ' SOT 
 
 During Mr. Deering's suspension, the Bishop of London, 
 out of good nature, it is said, interceded with the treasurer, 
 to procure the consent of the council for his liberty to preach 
 again at St. Paul's ; upon these conditions, that he taught 
 sound doctrine, exhorted to virtue, dissuaded from vice, and 
 meddled not with matters of order and policy, but left them 
 to the magistrate : and, he said, he believed Mr. Deering 
 would be brought so to do. He thought these gentle deal- 
 ings the best, for the present, and would quiet the minds of 
 the people. He thought a soft plaster, in such a case, much 
 better than a corrosive. But the treasurer, we are informed, 
 disliked the advice, and sharply reproved the bishop for 
 giving it At length, howev<T, he prevailed; got Mr. 
 Deering's suspension taken oft", and, notwithstanding his 
 puritanical answers to the above articles, procured his resto- 
 ration to his lecture.* 
 
 The lords of the council having restored him to his 
 beloved work of preaching, the archbishop and several of 
 the bishops were much offended. Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, 
 wrote a warm letter to the treasurer, signifying his great 
 disapprobation of the conduct of the council in restoring 
 him, even as a mjin sound in the faith, and by their own 
 authority, without consulting spirUual men, whose business 
 it was to determine in such cases : and that they ought not 
 to have determined a matter relatins; to religion without the 
 assistance of those who belonged to the ecclesiastical func- 
 tion. Mr. Deering was, indeed, restored in consequence of 
 • the answers he gave to the articles, which articles, it seems, 
 were collected out of Mr. Cartwright's book against Whit- 
 gift. Though Bishop Cox said his answers were fond and 
 untrue, the lords of the council thought otherwise, and were 
 satisfied with them. The bishop urged, that in these mat- 
 ters they ought to have consulted the judgment of learned 
 divines, adding, " in all godly assemblies, priests have 
 usually been called, as in parliaments and privy councils." 
 And in the warmth of his zeal, he seemed inclined to move 
 the queen's majesty to oppose and recall the decree of the 
 council: but he trusted that the treasurer would, in his 
 ttJwcfow and goc?/^ zeal, undertake to do it himself, f Our 
 author further adds, that when Mr. Deering and three of his 
 brethren were first cited into the star-chamber, the Bishop of 
 London remained silent, for which the queen afterwards 
 bitterly rebuked him.;}: 
 
 • Strype's Parker, p, 426. + Ibid. p. 426, 427. 
 
 t Queea Elizabeth was a lady of a proud and imperious spirit; and 
 
208 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Although Mr. Deering was again allowed to jireach^ his 
 troubles v^ere not ended. The Bisliop of London, by whose 
 influence he had been restored, appeared soon to repent of 
 what he had done. When he waited upon the bishop, 
 informing hiin that the council, by their letters, had restored 
 him to his lecture, his grace said he would see the letters, 
 or he should not preach, and added, '" That unless he 
 preached more soberly and discreetly than before, he would 
 silence hira again." Mr. Deering replied, '•" If you do 
 forbid me, I think I shall obey." His obedience was, 
 indeed, soon brought to the test ; for the bishop silenced 
 him presently after. He brought complaints against him in 
 the star-chamber, and urged the treasurer to procure an 
 order from the queen to put down his lecture. He wrote 
 also to the Earl of Leicester, signifying how much he disliked 
 Mr. Deering's continuance. This was going tlie right way 
 to work, and he was sure of success. Accordingly, the 
 business was brought before her majesty., who commanded 
 him to be silenced ; and a warrant being sent to the bishop 
 for this purpose, he was again suspended.* 
 
 In the year 1574, the famous Dr. Thomas Sampson being 
 laden with old age and infirmities, was desirous of Mr. 
 Deering succeeding him in his lecture at Whittington- 
 college, London, for which there was a stipend of ten pounds 
 a year. The company of cloth-Avorkers had the power of 
 nomination, and the archbishop had the allowance. Dr. 
 Sampson had no doubt of the company's approbation, but 
 doubted the favour of the archbishop. And, indeed, his 
 doubts were not without foundation; for his grace being 
 moved to allow of Mr. Deering, in case he should be nomi- 
 nated by the company, he utterly refused. Dr. Sampson, 
 however, wrote to Burleigh, the treasurer, earnestly intreat- 
 ing him, in this case, to use his influence with the archbishop. 
 In this letter, he oljserved, that though the archbishop did 
 not himself like to take pains in the congregation, he should 
 
 usually carried things with a very high hand, expectincr all to bow to her 
 will and pleasure. This arbitrary temper she exercised over her oivn 
 clergy, as well as others. Dr. Nowell, dean of St. Paul's, and one of the 
 queen's chaplains, having spoken less reverently of the sign of the cross, in 
 a sermon preached befoie her majesty, she called aloud to him from her 
 closet window, commanding him to retire from that ungodly digression, and 
 return to his text. — On another occasion, Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex 
 not exactly agreeing in a point of political prudence, this sovereign lady 
 was so exceedingly provoked, that she gave him a box on the ear, and bid 
 him " go and be handed J'— Hey lin's Hist, of Refor. p. 124. Edit. 1670.— 
 Rafin's Hid. vol. ii. p. 149. 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 42^*. 
 
DEERING. 209 
 
 not hinder or forbid others, who were both able and willing. 
 He could say of Mr. Deering, that his grace of Canterbury 
 could find no fault with him, either in his doctrine or his 
 life. Also, that it was no great promotion, but a place in 
 which, by the labours of Mr. Deering, he doubted not that 
 her majesty's subjects would be much profited. It was all 
 to no purpose. The archbishop remembered his former 
 nonconforr^ity, but especially his puritanical answers to the 
 articles in the star-chamber; and, therefore, remained in- 
 flexible, and would not admit hira.* 
 
 At length, Mr. Deering being worn out by hard labours 
 and manifold troubles, fell sick ; and perceiA^ng his disso- 
 lution to approach, he said to his friends, " The good Lord 
 pardon my great negligence, that, while I had time, I used 
 not his precious giffs more for the advancement of his glory, 
 as I might have done : yet I bless God, that X have not 
 abused those gifts to ambition and vain studies. When I 
 am dead, my enemies will be reconciled to me ; excepting 
 such as knew me not, or such as have in them no sense of 
 the truth. I have faithfully, and with a good conscience, 
 served the Lord my God, and my prince." A brother 
 minister standing by him, said, " It is a great blessing to 
 you, that you shall depart in peace, and be taken from 
 many troubles, which your brethren shall behold and suiFer." 
 To whom he replied, " If the Lord hath appointed that 
 his saints shall sup together in heaven, why do I not go to 
 them ? But if there be any doubt or hesitation resting on 
 my spirit, the Lord reveal the truth unto me." Having for 
 some time lain still, a friend who attended him, said, that 
 he hoped his mind had been employed in holy meditation ; 
 to whom he thus replied : " A poor wretch and a miserable 
 man that I am, the least of all saints, the chief of all sinners ! 
 yet I trust in Christ my Saviour. Yet a little w hile, and we 
 shall see our hope. The end of the world is coming upon us ; 
 and we shall quickly receive the end of our hope, which we 
 have so much looked for. Afflictions, diseases, sickness, 
 and grief, are only parts of that portion which God hath 
 allotted us in this world. It is not enough to continue some 
 time in his ways ; we must persevere in the fear of the Lord 
 to the end of our days. F'or in a moment we shall be taken 
 away. Take heed, therefore, that you do not make sport of 
 the word of God, nor lightly esteem so great a treasure. 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 469, 470. 
 TOL. I. " p 
 
210 LIVES OF THE PLTIITANS. 
 
 Blessed are lliey ^vlio, while they have tongues, use them to 
 God's i^lory." 
 
 As the hour of his dissolution approached, being raised 
 up in bed, his friends desired him to say something to tlieir 
 editication and comfort. The sun shining in his face, he 
 thus addressed them : " As tliere is only one sun in the 
 World, so there is only One righteousness, and one commu- 
 nion of saints. If I were the most excellent creature in the 
 world, oquiil in righteousness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 
 yet would I confess myself to be a sinner, and that I expected 
 salvation in the righteousness of Jesus Christ alone : for we 
 all stand in need of the grace of God. As for my death, I 
 bless God, I find and feel so much comfort and joy in my 
 soul) that if I were put to my choice, whether to die or live, 
 I would a thousand times ratlier choose death than life, if it 
 was the holy will of God." He died soon after, June 26. 
 1576.* 
 
 Fuller denominates Mr. Deering a pious man, a painful 
 preacher, and an eminent divine ; but disaffected to bishops 
 and ceremonies.! Mr. Strype says, he was disliked by the 
 bishops, and some other great personages, as a man vain and 
 full of fancies, because he would tell them of their common 
 swearing and covetousness. He would not associate with 
 persecutors ; and was much grieved when the benefice of a 
 great parish was given to an unpreaching minister. Yet, 
 says he, it was Mr. Deering's common fault io tell lies.t 
 Does not this look like a slander ? What did the excellent 
 Dr. Sampson say of him, as already noticed, who knew him 
 well ? Surely, if this had been his common fault, having so 
 many enemies constantly and narrowly watching him, his 
 sin would have found him out. Granger gives a very 
 different account of him. " The happy death," says he, 
 *' of this truly religious man, was suitable to the purity and 
 integrity of his life."^ He is classed with the other learned 
 writers and fellows of Christ's college, Cambridge.|| 
 
 Mr. Deering was a man of great learning", and a fine 
 orator; but in his sermon before the queen, February 25, 
 1569, he had the boldness to say, " If you have sometimes 
 said (meaning in the days of her sister Mary,) tanquam ovis, 
 as a sheep appointed to be slain ; take heed you hear not 
 
 * Account annexed to Mr. Deering's Lects. on Heb,— Fuller's Abel 
 Redivivus,p. 341, 342. 
 
 f Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix, p. 109. % Strype's Parker, p. 381, 429. 
 
 S Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 215. jj Fuller's Hist, of Cam. p. 92. 
 
ALDRICH. 211 
 
 now of the prophet, tanquam indomka juvenca, as an un- 
 tamed and unruly heifer."* For this, he was forbidden 
 preaching any more at court; and surely, says Fuller, the 
 queen still retained much of her former disposition, as a 
 sheep, in not inflicting a greater punishment, for so public 
 a reproof + 
 
 Mr. Clark relates the following anecdote, shewing the 
 amiableness of his truly christian spirit. Mr. Deering being 
 once at a public dinner, a gallant young man sat on the 
 opposite side the table, who, besides other vain discourse, 
 broke out into profane swearing ; for which Mr. Deering 
 gravely and sharply reproved him. The young man 
 taking this as an affront, immediately threw a glass of beer 
 in his face. Mr. Deering took no notice of the insult, but 
 wiped his face, and contmued eating as before. The young 
 gentleman presently renewed his profane conversation ; and 
 Mr. Deering reproved him as before; upon which, but 
 with more rage and violence, he flung another glass of beer 
 in his face. Mr. Deering continued unmoved, still shewing 
 his zeal for the glory of God, by bearing the insult with 
 christian meekness and humble silence. This so astonished 
 the young gentleman, that he rose from the table, fell on his 
 knees, and asked Mr. Deering's pardon ; and declared, that 
 if any of the company offered him similar insul(s, he would 
 stab them with his sword.:j: Here was practically verified, 
 the New Testament maxim, " Be not overcome of evil, but 
 overcome evil with good." 
 
 His Works. — I. A Sermon at the Tower of London, 1569. — 2. A 
 sparing Restraint of many lavisli Untruths, M'liich Master D. Harding 
 doth challenge in the first Article of my L. of Salisburjes Reply, 1569. 
 — 3. Certaine godly and comfortable Letters, full of Christian Conso- 
 lation, 1571. — 4, Twenty-seven Lectures, or Readings, upon part of 
 the Epistle to the Hebreucs, 1576. — 5. A Sermon preached before the 
 Queen's Majesty, the 25th day of February, 15G9, from Psalm Ixxviii. 
 70., 1584. — 6. Abriefeand necessarie Catechisme, or Instruction very 
 needful to be known to all Householders. — All these were collected 
 and published in one volume, in 4to., 1697. 
 
 Thomas Aldrich, A. M. — He was son of John Aldrich, 
 who was twice chosen mayor of the city of Norwich, 
 and member of several parliaments for that city. His father 
 being a public character, introduced him to public notice, 
 
 * Sermon before the Queen, Feb. 25, 1569. 
 + Fuller's Church Hist, b. ix. p. 109. 
 t Clark's Examples, p. 600. Edit. 1671, 
 
212 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 and obtained his preforment to several ecclesiastical bene- 
 fices. He was made archdeacon of Sudbury, prebendary 
 ot Westminster, master of Bennet college, Cambridge, 
 proctor of the university, and rector of Hadleigh in Suf- 
 folk.* About the same time, he became chaplain to Arch- 
 bishop Parker, and was appointed one of the commissioners 
 for visiting and reforming the papists in the county of 
 Norfolk. + Notwithstanding all these worldly allurements, 
 together with a flattering prospect of much higher advance- 
 ment, he espoused the cause of the despised puritans; 
 became a zealous nonconformist, and one of their leaders in 
 the university of Cambridge. 
 
 It is observed, that, May 20, 1571, Mr. Aldrich preached 
 at Thetford, in Norfolk : May 21st, he preached at Wy- 
 mondham : May 22d, he preached at Matshall : May 24th, 
 he preached in St. Clement's church, Norwich : and the 
 next Lord's day. May 27th, he preached in the Greenyard, 
 before the mayor and citizens. He was, therefore, no indolent 
 labourer in the Lord's vineyard.:}: 
 
 Mr. Aldrich being master of the above college, and refusing!, 
 from a scrupulous conscience, to take the degrees required 
 of those in that office, was brought into many troubles, 
 and at length, to avoid expulsion, resigned his mastership of 
 the college. Many other grievous complaints are said to have 
 been brought against him, most probably about his noncon- 
 formity. In one of these complaints, he is said to have 
 called the archbishop " the pope of Lambeth and Bennet 
 college." Dr. Whitgift, at this time one of the heads of the 
 university, took an active part in these severities. This was 
 in the year 1573 ; but some time previous to these troubles, 
 Mr. Aldrich voluntarily resigned his prebend at West- 
 minster.^ It is, indeed, acknowledged, that as he objected 
 taking the degrees, upon the ground of a scrupulous con- 
 science, the treatment he met with was rather too severe.^ 
 
 The author last cited, however, brings many foul accu- 
 sations against him. He observes, that Mr. Aldrich was 
 charged, not only with refusing to qualify for his office, but 
 with evil goverimient of his college, in neglecting its 
 exercises and discipline ; with things prejudicial to its 
 temporal interests ; and with various other things, to the 
 number of twenty. And the troubles of the college did not 
 
 * Blomefield's Hist, of Norfolk, vol. ii. p. 468. 
 
 + Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 925. 
 
 X Strvpe's Parker, p. 254. \ Ibid. p. 429— 433.— Whitgift, p. 4t. 
 
 II Master's HisU of C. C. C. p. 112. Edit. 1753. 
 
LEVER. 213 
 
 end with his resignation. For the masters and fellows, says 
 he, were afterwards under the necessity of appealing to 
 Chancery, to oblige hira to account for several sums of 
 money which he had received, and had not paid ; to restore 
 many writings, the private seal of the master, and some 
 other things; and to discharge the various debts which he 
 liad contracted. These, however, were not recovered till 
 after his death, which happened in the year 1576.* These 
 are certainly very heavy charges! But how far he was 
 guilty, is not easy now to ascertain. He was a man well versed 
 in the learned languages, also in the French and Italian. + 
 The Oxford historian says, that he was deprived of his 
 prebend for notorious nonconformity; but, upon his re- 
 pentance and reconciliation, that he was admitted to another 
 prebend, in 1576, the year in which he died.j It is not 
 easy to reconcile this with the account given above from Mr. 
 Strype. 
 
 Thomas Lever, B.D. — This celebrated divine was born 
 of respectable parents at Little Lever in Lancashire, and 
 educated in the university of Cambridge. After taking 
 his degrees, he was chosen fellow, then master of St. John's 
 college; in which office he succeeded Dr. William Bill, 
 and was the seventh master of the house. ^ He was a 
 famous disputant, a celebrated scholar, and remarkably 
 zealous in the advancement of true religion. || He was 
 ordained both priest and deacon, in the year 1550, by 
 Bishop Ridley, afterwards martyr in the Marian persecu- 
 tion, and was a most eloquent and popular preacher to the 
 close of the reign of King Edward.n This learned prelate 
 had a very high opinion of him, and esteemed him famous 
 for his bold and plain preaching. Speaking of the preaching 
 of Latimer, Bradford, Knox, and Lever, he said : " They 
 ripped so deeply in the galled backs of the great men at 
 court, to have purged them of the filthy matter festered in 
 their hearts; as, insatiable covetousness, filthy carnality, 
 voluptuousness, intolerable pride, and ungodly loathsome- 
 ness to hear poor mens' cases and God'sword ; that they 
 could never abide them above all others."** Afterwards, 
 
 * Master's Hist, of C. C. C. p. Ill, 112. 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 289. + Wood's Alhenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 725. 
 
 ^ Baker's MS. Collec. vol, i. p. 146. 
 
 B Strype's Cranmer, p. 163. 
 
 t Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 146. »» Strype's Parker, p. 211. 
 
214; LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 when Ridley was cast into prison, and not long before he 
 was committed to the flames, he wrote a letter to his friend 
 Grindal, then in exile, in which he made affectionate and 
 honourable m<'n<ion of Mr. Lever, as one of the persecuted 
 servants of Christ.* 
 
 In the above year he preached two sermons, the one at 
 Paul's cross,+ the other before the king, which, it is said, 
 woiild in that day have spoiled any man's preferment. As 
 lie delivered several thuigs on these occasions, illustrating 
 the history of the time, and particularly shewing the state 
 of learning, the way of living, and the course of sludy, as 
 well as the manner of preaching, in those days, we shall 
 take notice of one or two passages; which serve also to 
 describe the author in his spirit and address. Having 
 spoken in commendation of King Henry's bounty, in giving 
 j£200 annually, towards the exhibition of five learned men, 
 to read and teach divinify, law, physic, Greek and Hebrew, 
 and of his munificence in founding Trinity college, and 
 other bounties, he proceeds as follows : 
 
 " Howbeit, all they that have knowen the universitye of 
 *' Cambryge, sense that tyme that it dyd fyrst begynne to 
 *' receive these greate and raanyefolde benefytes from the 
 *' kynges magstye, at youre handes, have juste occasion 
 *' to suspecte that you have decyved boeth the kynge and 
 *' universitie, to enryche yourselves. For before that you 
 *^ dyd begynne to be the disposers of the kynges lyberalitye 
 *' towards learnynge and poverty, ther Avas in houses be- 
 ** longynge unto the universitye of Cambryge two hundred 
 " students of dyvynytye, many verye well learned : whyche 
 ** be nowe all clene gone, house and name ; younge towarde 
 " scholers, and old fatherlye doctors, not one of them 
 " lefte. One hundred also of an other sorte, that havynge 
 '' rich frendes or bey ing benefyced men dyd ly ve of theym- 
 " selves in ottels and innes, be eyther gon awaye, or elles 
 " fayne to crepe into colleges, and put poore men from 
 " bare lyvynges. Those bothe be all gone, and a small 
 ** number of poore godly dylygent students now remaynynge 
 '* only in colleges be not able to tary, and contynue 
 '* their studye in the universitye, for lacke of exhibition 
 " and healpe. There be dyverse ther which ryse dayly 
 " betwixt foure and fy ve of the clocke in the mornynge ; 
 
 * Fox's Martyrs, toI. iii. p. 347. 
 
 + Paul's cross was a pulpit, in the form of a cross, which stwod nearly 
 in the middle of St. Paul's churchyard, where the first reformers used 
 frequently to preach unto the people. . 
 
LEVER. 215 
 
 '' and from fy ve untill sjxe of the clocke, use common 
 " prayer, wytli an exhortation of God's worde, in a common 
 " chappell ; and from sixe unto ten of the clocke, use ever 
 *^ eyther private study or common lectures. At tenne of 
 " the clocke they go to dynner, lyhere as they be contente 
 "• Vk^yth a penye pyex:e of biefe amongest foure, havynge 
 '* a fewe porage made of the brolhe of the same byefe, 
 " wythe salte and otemel, and nothynge els. 
 
 *' After thys slender dinner, they be eiiher teach inge or 
 " learnyngc untyll fyve of the clocke in the evening, 
 " whcnas they have a supper not much better than theyr 
 " diner. Immedyatelye after the wyche, they go eyther to 
 '* reasonynge in problemes or unto some other studye, untyl 
 " it be Hyne or tenne of the clocke ; and there beyngc 
 *^' wj^thout fyre, are fayne to walke or runne up and downe 
 *' halfe an houre, to gette a heate on their feete, when they 
 "go to bed."* 
 
 Notwithstanding the licavy pressures under which the 
 university, and particularly St. John's college, groaned, of 
 which Mr. Lever complains in his sermons, occasioned by 
 the hungry courtjers invading the ecclesiastical preferments ; 
 yet his college greatly flourished, as well in religion as in 
 sound learning. The reformation in no place gained more 
 ground, or was maintained with greater zeal, than in this 
 college, and under the worthy example and just government 
 of this master. This Avas manifest in the day pf trial; 
 when he, with twenty-four pf his fellows, quitted their 
 j)laces and preferments, to preserve their own consciences. + 
 
 Mr. Lever was a zealous advocate fpr the reformation, as 
 well as genuine piety. He held a correspondence with his 
 numerous friendg ; and among his l/gtters, the following, 
 which contains information not unworthy of notice, is given 
 as a specimen of his sentiments and address. It is addressed 
 io the learned Roger Ascham ; and though there is no year 
 mentioned, it appears from the contents to have been written 
 November 13, 1551, and about the time when he was pre? 
 ferred to the mastership of his college.:}: 
 
 " To Roger Ascham, 
 
 " My salutation in Christ. I have received your letters 
 " written unto me. As concerning a privilege to be pro- 
 " cured for you, so that the reading of Greek in Cambridge 
 " might be free from Celibalus, and such acts as the fellows 
 
 . * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 147, 148. + Ibid. p. 149, 150, 
 
 t Ibid, Tol. xxxii. p. 496, 49]. 
 
216 LIVES OF THK PURITANS. 
 
 *' of the house be bound unto. I have also shewed Mr. 
 " Cheek your request, and have as yet no answer from him. 
 «= Your letters of news written to all the fellows of St. 
 *' John's, are as yet reserved there, and come not as yet 
 *' unto my sight. As touching the imprisonment of the 
 *' Duke of Somerset and his wife, the Earl of Arundel, the 
 *' Earl Paget, Lord Gray and others, that be lately put 
 " into the Tower, other men that know more than I do 
 *' may write unto you better than I can. The bishoprics of 
 *' Lincoln, Rochester and Chichester, be as yet void, and 
 '* appointed as yei certainly to no mnn for as much as 1 know. 
 " Mr. Home is dean of Durham, Dr. Redman is deceased, 
 " and Dr. Bill by the king is appointed master of Trinity 
 *' college, Cambridge, and I to succeed him in the master- 
 *' ship of St. John's. Dr. Redman being in a consumption 
 *' did look certainly for death, and did ever talk of religion 
 *' as one who had clean forsaken the world, and look and 
 " desire to be v»ith God. I will shew you part of such talk 
 " as Mr. Young of Cambridge did hear of Dr. Redman 
 *' himself, and did shew unto me afterwards. First, Dr. 
 " Redman being desired to answer to questions of religion 
 " his judgment, did say, that he would answer betwixt God 
 "and his conscience, without any worldly respect. Then 
 '' being demanded what he thought of the see of Rome, he 
 " said, it wa^ the sink of iniquity/ : but do not you also think 
 '* that we have a stinking ■pump in the church of England? 
 '* To the demand o^ piirgaton/^ he said, there was no such pur- 
 *• gatory as the schoolmen do imagine ; but when Christ shall 
 " come surrounded with tire from heaven, then all meeting 
 " him shall tliere be purged, as I think, said he, and as 
 *' many authors do take it. And to make the mass a 
 '^ sacrifice for the dead, is to be plain against Christ. And 
 <^ to the proposition, faith onli/ justijieth, he answered, that 
 «' was a comfortable and sweet doctrine, being rightly under- 
 " stood of a irue and lively faith, and that no works could 
 «' deserve salvation: no, not the works of grace in a man 
 " that is justified. When he was asked what he thought of 
 ^'' iransubstantiation, be said, he had studied that matter 
 <« these twelve years, and did find that TertuUian, Irenasus 
 *« and Origen, did plainly write contrary to it, and in the other 
 *' ancient writers it was not taught nor maintained. There- 
 " fore, in the schoolmen, he thought he should have found 
 '' plain and sulficient matter for it ; but in them there was 
 " no good ground, but all was imaginations and gross errors. 
 <* Concerning the presence, he said, that Christ was in the 
 
LEVER. 217 
 
 " sacrament really and corporally, as Mr. Young told me ; 
 *' and yet being asked whether that was Christ's body wliicli 
 *' we see the priest lift up, he said that Christ's body 
 ". could neither be lifted up, nor down ; and carrying it 
 *' about to be honoured, he said, was an evil abuse. Also, 
 " he said, that evil men do not receive Christ's body, but 
 " the sacrament thereof. He advised j^Ir. Young to study 
 " the scriptures, and to beware of men. He said also that 
 *' the book which my lord of Canterbury last set forth 
 " of this matter, is a wonderful book, and willed Mr. 
 " Young to read it with diligence. Mr. Young said to me, 
 " that A\hereas he was aforetime as ready and willing to 
 " have died for the transubstantiation of the sacrament, as 
 *' for Christ's incarnation ; he is now purposed to take 
 *' deliberation, and to study after a more indifferent sort, to 
 *' ground his judgment better than upon a common consent 
 " of many that have borne the name of Christ. I trust that 
 " jiot only Mr. Young, but many otliers are drawn from 
 " their obstinacy unto more indifierency, by Dr. Redman's 
 *' communication. 
 
 " If I be master of St. John's college, I shall be desirous 
 " to have you at home, and not unwilling that you should 
 " have and enjoy any privilege that may encourage you to 
 " a better knowledge of the Greek tongue.* Since I wrote 
 *' last, there be dead of your acquaintance Dr. Neveyear, 
 " Dr. Redman, and Dr. Bell the physician. All other your 
 " friends and acquaintance are in good health. When you 
 " talk with God in meditation and prayer remember me. 
 " Consider ; be vigilant ; pray, pray, pray. Scribbled at 
 •' liondon, 13 November. 
 
 " Faithfully yours, 
 
 " Thomas Lever.'* 
 
 On the death of King Edward, and the return of popery 
 and persecution, Mr. Lever withdrew from the storm, fled 
 beyond sea, and was involved in the troubles at Frankfort. 
 It does not, however, appear that he took any active part in 
 
 * Roger Ascham, to whom this epistle was addressed, was one of the 
 T>rif;htest geniuses and politest scholars of his age. He was public orator of 
 tlie university of Cambridge, and Latin secretary to Edward VI. » (^ueen 
 Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, the last of whom he taught to write a fine 
 hand, and instructed in the Greek and Latin languages, of which he was a 
 consummate master. His letters are valuable hoth for style and matter, 
 and are almost the only classical work of the kind written by an English- 
 man ; yet with all his learning and refinement, he was extravagantly fond 
 of archery, dicing and cockfighfing. — Wood's Athence Oxon. vol. i. p, 695. 
 Granger's Biog. Hist, vol. i. p. 276. 
 
218 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 those disgraceful broils, but was invited thither to be one of 
 the pastors of the church, and a judicious mediator between 
 the contending- parties. Herein his worthy service utterly 
 tailed. He also visited the learned protestants at Stras- 
 burgh, Basil, Zurich, Berne, Lausanne, and Geneva ; among 
 whom he discovered great learning, sound doctrine, and 
 godly discipline, especially in Bullinger and Calvin ; as he 
 wrote to hi§ intimate friend Mr. John Bradford, then in 
 confinement previous to his martyrdom.* While Mr. Lever 
 was in a state of exile, he lived chiefly at Arrau in Switzer- 
 land, where he was chosen pastor to the English church. The 
 members of this church, under his pastoral care, are said to 
 haye lived together in godly quietness among themselves, 
 and in great favour with the people among whom they 
 were planted. Upon the arrival of news of the queen's 
 death, and a prospect of better days in his own country, he 
 united with his brethren at Arrau, in addressing a most 
 affectionate letter of congratulation to their brethren in 
 exile at Gencva.+ 
 
 On the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Lever returned 
 Lome, but not to the mastership of his college, haying 
 ]t)rought with liim, it is said, " that unhappy tincture which 
 disqualified him for his preferment."! This was his non- 
 conformity. Having acted upon the genuine protestant 
 principles, in matters of peremony and discipline, while in 
 a foreign land, he wished to act upon them now he was re- 
 turned to his native country, and was desirbus that the 
 reformation niigh< be carried on towards perfection. 
 
 He wa§ a celebrated preacher at court, and was often 
 called to preach before the queen. He had so much influ- 
 ence over her majesty, that he dissuaded her from assuming 
 the title of Supreme Head ; for which, though he did it 
 with great temper, he was severely censured by persons of 
 another spirit. § It was this which gave the first and great 
 ofitnce to the ruling courtiers. Though they had heard 
 him with great attention in the days of King Edward, they 
 would not amend their lives under Queen Elizabeth, nor 
 would many of them attend upon his muiistry. He 
 entered upon the married state soon after his return from 
 exile, and sooner than he could do it with safety. His 
 marriage, as well as his puritanical principles, appears to 
 
 * Troubles at Frankeford, p. 30.— Strype's Annals, vol. i, p. 131. 
 + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 159, 161. 
 X Baker's MS. Collec. vol i. p. 159. 
 ^ Sirype's Annals, vol. i. p. 132. 
 
LEVER. 219 
 
 have been some hiuderance to his return to the mastership 
 of his college.* 
 
 In the year 1561, according to Mr. Strype, he was pre- 
 ferred to a prebend in the church of Durham, and to the 
 mastership of Sherhorn hospital, near Durham ; the former 
 of which, he says, in one place, he supposes Mr. Lever was 
 deprived of for nonconformity, and in another, that he 
 resigned it in the year 1571. f In addition to this informa- 
 tion, he tells us that upon Mr. Lever's return frum exile, he 
 obtained no other preferment besides that of the mastership 
 of the above hospital, which he kept to his death : yet he 
 mentions him as Archdeacon of Coventry, and in this 
 capacity, sat in the convocation of 1562, and subscribed the 
 Articles of Religion.]: It is extremely difficult, not to say 
 impossible, to reconcile these accounts of the learned and 
 voluminous historian. By another v/riter, he is said to 
 have been collated to the mastership of the above hospital, 
 January 28, 1562 ; and, the year following, to his prebend 
 in the church of Durham; both of which, he supposes Mr. 
 Lever held by connivance from Bishop Pilkington, who 
 had formerly been one of the fellows in the university.^ 
 
 Archbishop Parker having pressed conformity to the 
 habits and ceremonies, sequestered and deprived many 
 learned and faithful ministers. This was a great affliction 
 to the Lord's servants. They were exceedingly tempted 
 and tried. The sorrow of most ministers was, indeed, very 
 great ; and they murmured, saying, " We are killed in 
 our souls, by this pollution of the bishops. We cannot 
 perform our ministry in the singleness of our hearts. We 
 abide in extreme misery, our wives, and our children, by 
 the proceedings of the bishops, who oppose us, and place 
 ignorant ministers in our places. "|| Mr. Lever, therefore, 
 addressed an excellent letter to the Earl of Leicester and 
 Sir William Cecil, dated February 24, 1565, in which he 
 exposes the extreme hardships under which the puritans 
 laboured, by the imposition of the habits and ceremonies ; 
 and earnestly solicits them to use their utmost endeavours to 
 procure some favour for his silenced brethren, who had 
 been lawfully admitted into the ministry, and had always 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 152. 
 
 + Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 133. — Parker, p. .S25. 
 
 J Strypp's Annals, vol. i. p. 290. vol, ii. Appeo. p. 15, 
 
 S Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 150. 
 
 i Ibid. vol. xxvii. p. 388, 389. 
 
220 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 faithfully preached the gospel. In this letter, he expressed 
 himself as follows :* 
 
 " Wherefore in the universities and elsewhere," says he, 
 <' no standing but sinking doth appear ; when, as the office 
 and living of a minister shall be taken from him, who, once 
 lawfully admitted, hath ever since diligently preached, 
 because he now refuseth prescription of men in apparel ; 
 and the name, living, and office of a minister of God's word, 
 allowed to him who neither can nor will preach, except as a 
 mere form. — Now there is notable papistry in England and 
 Scotland proved and proclaimed by tlie preaching of the 
 gospel, to be idolatry and treason, and how much idolatry 
 and treason is yet nourished in the hearts of many, God 
 knoweth ; and how the old stumbling-blocks are set up in 
 many things and many places, especially the crucifix in 
 England, and the mass in Scotland, before the faces of the 
 highest, is daily seen by idolaters and traitors with rejoicing 
 and hope; and by christian and obedient subjects with sorrow 
 of heart and fear of the state. 
 
 " If, in the ministry and ministers of God's word, the 
 sharpness of salt by doctrine to mortify affections, be rejected, 
 and ceremonial service, with flattery to feed affections, be 
 retained, then doth Christ threaten such treading under foot, 
 as no power nor policy can withstand. 
 
 *' Now, therefore, my prayer unto God, and writing to 
 your honours, is, that authority in England, and especially 
 you may for sincere religion refuse worldly pleasure and 
 gains. You ought not to allow any such corruptions among 
 protestanfs, being God's servants, as to make papists to 
 rejoice and hope for a day, being God's enemies : but rather 
 cause such abolishing of inward papistry, and outward 
 monuments of th<" same, as should cause idolatrous traitors 
 to grieve, and faithful subjects to be glad : such casting 
 ibrth of the unsavoury ministry and ministers, as might make 
 only such as have the savoury ness of doctrine and edification 
 to be allowed to that office, seeing such ministry only may 
 preserve princes, and priests, and people from casting and 
 treafling under foot : and so not deceiving and leaving the 
 godly in distress, to perish with the ungodly ; but ever 
 travelling to deliver, d«-fend and help the godly, fill by 
 God's providence and promise they be delivered and pre- 
 served from all danger, and in continuance and increase of 
 
 * Baker'sMS. Collec. vol. sxi. p.559— 561.— Strype'sParkCir, Appen.lT. 
 
LEVER. f21 
 
 godly honour ; which God for his mercy in Christ grant 
 unto the queen's majesty, unto you and all other of her 
 honourable council, amen. By yours at commandment, 
 faithfully in Christ, 
 
 ^' Thomas Lever." 
 
 Mr. Lever was a person greatly beloved, especially by 
 persons of learning and real worth ; but tlie above letter was 
 most probably without its desired eft'ect. He was a most 
 learned and popular preacher at court; and though he 
 was a decided nonconformist, he obtained a connivance for 
 some time. In the year 1566, when many excellent minsters 
 were silenced for refusing the habits and ceremonies, he is 
 said to have been still allowed to preach ;» but the year 
 following, he was deprived of his prebend in the church of 
 Durham. + 
 
 There were at this period numerous puritans confined in 
 the various prisons about London, for refusing conformity 
 to the established church ; when Mr. Lever wrote a letter, 
 dated December 5, 1568, to those who were confined in 
 Bridewell. In this excellent letter, he first endeavours to 
 comfort the prisoners under their manifold afflictions ; then 
 declares that though the popish garments were not in them- 
 selves unclean, he was resolved, by the grace of God, never 
 to wear the square cap and surplice; " because," says he, 
 " they tend neither to decency nor edification, but to 
 offence, dissention, and division in the church of Christ." 
 He would, therefore, use his utmost endeavours to get them 
 abolished ; and adds, *' that he would not kneel at the 
 communion, because if would be symbolizing wi<h popery, 
 and would look too much like the adoration of the host.";}: 
 Though he was a fixed nonconformist, he v/as a man of 
 a peaceable spirit, and of great moderation, and constantly 
 opposed to a total separation from the church. 
 
 These excellent qualifications could not screen him from 
 the persecutions of the times : for he was not only deprived 
 of his prebend, as observed above, but, in June 1571, he 
 was convened before Archbishop Parker and others of the 
 high commission at Lambeth. What prosecution he under- 
 went on this occasion, we are unable fully to ascertain, only 
 our historian by mistake observes, that he resigned, or was 
 deprived of, his prebend.^ 
 
 ♦ Strype's Parker, p. 223. f Baker's MS. CoUec. ?ol. i. p. 151. 
 
 t MS. Register, p. 18, 19. 
 
 { Str^^pe'g Parker, p. 325.— Grindal, p. 170. 
 
229 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Mr. Lever was a person of great usefulness. He spent 
 great pains in promoting the welfare of his hospital, not 
 only by preaching and other religious exercises, but by 
 recovering its temporal privileges. On account of the 
 corrupt management of its estates, which were rented by 
 several persons one of another, its pecuniary income was 
 very much reduced, and even almost lost : but by his zealous 
 and vigorous efforts, it was effectually recovered. His 
 endeavours in this business reflect much honour on his 
 character.* In this situation he spent the latter part of life 
 in great reputation and usefulness, and died in the month 
 of July, 1577. His remains were interred in the chapel 
 belonging to the hospital, and over his grave was the 
 following plain monumental inscription erected to his 
 memory :t 
 
 Thomas Lever, 
 
 preacher to King Edward vi. 
 
 He died in J uly, 
 
 1577. 
 
 A few weeks previous to his death, Mr. Lever received a 
 letter from the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, dated 
 June 18, 1577, requiring him, in her majesty's name, 
 to put down the prophesyings within his archdeaconry. t 
 Had he lived a little longer, he would in all probability 
 have felt the severities of persecution from the new Bishop 
 of Durham, as was the case with his brother Whittingham ; 
 but God took him away from the evil to come. Fuller 
 says, that whatever preferment in the church he pleased, 
 courted his acceptance ; but is greatly mistaken concerning 
 the time and place of his death.^ Mr. Strype denominates 
 him a man of distinguished eminence for piety, learning, 
 and preaching the gospel. || Mr. Gilpin says, he was a man 
 of excellent parts, considerable learning, and very exemplary 
 piety ; that, in the days of King Edward, he was esteemed 
 an excellent and bold preacher; and that he was the 
 intimate friend of the celebrated Bernard Gilpin.i Mr. 
 Baker has favoured us with the following account of him : 
 " Preaching," says this writer, " was indeed his talent, 
 "which, as it was thought fit to be made the only mgredient 
 in his character, so he continued in it to the last, even after 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 513, 514. 
 
 + Ibid.— Baker's IMS. Collec. vol. i. p. 151. 
 
 X MS. Register, p. 284. § Fuller's Werthies, part ii. p. 284; 
 
 y Strype's Parker, p. 211. 
 
 5 Gilpin's Life of Bernard Gilpin, p. 249. Edit. 1780. 
 
MERBURY. 223 
 
 he was deprived. Tims much may be gathered from the 
 printed Register, that will give a very authentic character 
 of the man. From the passage, it appears, that he was a 
 useful preacher, and permitted to preach after his depriva- 
 tion ; that he was inoffensive in his temper ; and that no 
 sufferings could provoke him. In the days of King Edward, 
 when others were striving for preferment, no man was more 
 vehement, or more galling in his sermons, against the waste 
 of church revenues, and other prevailing corruptions of the 
 court ; which occasioned Bishop Ridley to rank him with 
 Latimer and Knox. He was a man of as much natural 
 probity and blunt native lioncsty as his college ever bred : a 
 man without guile and artifice ; who never made suit to any 
 patron, or for any preferment ; one that had the spirit of 
 Hugh Latimer. No one can read his sermons without ima- 
 gining he has something before him of Latimer or Luther. 
 Though his sermons are bold and daring, and full of rebuke, 
 it was his preaching that got him his preferment. His 
 rebuking the courtiers made them afraid of him, and pro- 
 cured him reverence from the king. He was one of the 
 best masters of his college, as well as one of the best of men 
 the college ever bred."* He was succeeded in the mastership 
 of his hospital by his brother, Mr. Ralph Lever, another 
 puritan divine. Mr. Henry Lever, his grandson, and Mr. 
 Robert Lever, his great-grandson, were both ejected by the 
 act of uniformity in 1662. f 
 
 His Works. — 1. Seniion on Rom. xiii. 1 — 7., 1550. — 2. A Sermon 
 preached the Ihyrd Sondaj e in Leute before the Kj nges Majestic, 
 on John vi. 5 — 14., 1550. — 3. A Sermon preached at Paul's Cross, the 
 14th day of December, on 1 Cor. iv. 1., 1550. — 4. The right Way from 
 the Danger of Sin and Vengeance in this wicked World, unto godly 
 Wealth and Salvation in Christ, 1575.— 5. A Commentary on the 
 Lord's Prayer.— 6. The Path-way to Christ. 
 
 Francis Merbury was minister at Northampton, and 
 brought into many troubles for nonconformity, being several 
 times cast into prison. November 5, 1578, he was convened 
 before the high commission ; when he underwent the 
 following examination before Bishop Aylmer, Sir Owen 
 Hopton, Dr. Lewis, Mr. Recorder, and Archdeacon MuUins, 
 in the consistory of St. Paul's, London : 
 
 • Baker's MS. Collec. vol. i. p. 146. 152. 
 f Palmer's I^oDcoa. Mem. vol, iii. p. ^8, 78. 
 
«24 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Bishop. Merbury, where have you been since your last 
 enlargement ? 
 
 Merbury. At Northampton. 
 
 B. You were especially forbidden to go to that place. 
 For there you did all the harm. 
 
 M. I was not, neither in justice may be inhibited from that 
 place. Neither have I done harm there, but good. 
 
 B. As you say, sir. 
 
 M. Not so. I refer myself to the judgment of God's 
 church at that place. 
 
 B. The last time, you found more favour than you 
 deserved, and more than you shall find hereafter; and yet 
 you vaunted that you had rattled the Bishop of Peterbo- 
 rough, and in like manner you would treat me. 
 
 M. If your ears be open to every sycophant, you will 
 have slanders enow : but for proof, bring forth mine 
 accusers. For if bare words will serve your purpose, you 
 may as well accuse me of high treason. 
 
 B. Well, sir, what have you to say against my lord of 
 Peterborough, or me ? 
 
 M. Nothing ; but God save you both. 
 
 B. Nothing! Why, you were wont to bark much of 
 dumb dogs. A re you now weary of it ? 
 
 M. I came not to accuse, but to defend. Yet because 
 you urge me for advantage, I say, that the bishops of 
 London and Peterborough, and all the bishops in England, 
 are guilty of the death of as many souls, as have perished 
 by the ignorance of the ministers of their making, whom 
 they knezo to be unable. 
 
 B. Whom such have I made ? 
 
 M. I accuse yon not particularly, because I know not 
 your state. If you have, you must bear the condemnation. 
 
 B. Thy proposition is i'alse. If it were in Cambridge, it 
 "would be hissed out of the schools. 
 
 M. Then you had need hire hissers. 
 
 B. If I, finding one well qualified with learning, admit 
 him, and he afterwards play the truant, and become igno- 
 rant, and by his ignorance slay- souls, am I guilty of their 
 death ? 
 
 M. This is another question. I distinguish and speak of 
 them which never were able. 
 
 B. Distinguish ! thou knowest not a distinction. What 
 is a distinction ? 
 
 M. It is the severing of things which appear to be the 
 same. 
 
MERBURY. 225 
 
 B. Nay, lliat is differentia* 
 
 M. Different, quoi non sunt anibigua ; but we distinguish 
 those things only which are ambiguous ; as, you differ 
 not from the Bishop of London; but 1 nuiy distinguish 
 between you and the Bishop of London, because you are a 
 man though you were without a bishopric. 
 
 B. Here is a tale of a tub. How many predicaments are 
 there ? 
 
 M. I answer you according to your question, if I say 
 there are enow of seven. Why do you ask me questions so 
 impertinent ? 
 
 B. How many prcdicables be there ? Where didst thou 
 learn loijic ? 
 
 M. The last time you spoke of good behaviour ; but this 
 is something else. 1 am iio logician. 
 
 Rt corder. Merbury, use my lord more reverently; He 
 is a peer of the realm. I perceive your words are puffed 
 up with pride. 
 
 M. I speak only the truth. I reverence him so far as he 
 is reverend ; and I pray God to teach him to die. 
 
 B. Thou speakest of making mmisters. The Bishop of 
 Peterborough was never more overseen in his life than when 
 he admitted thee to be a preacher in Northampton. 
 
 M. Like enough so, in some sense. 1 pray God those 
 scales may fall from his eyes. 
 
 B. Thou art a very ass; thou art mad ; thou art cou- 
 rageous ; nay, thou art impudent. By my troth, I think he 
 is mad : he careth for nobody. 
 
 M. Sir, I take exception against swearing judges. I 
 praise God I am not mad, but sorry to see you so much out 
 of temper. 
 
 B. Did you ever hear one more impudent. 
 
 M. It is not impudency, I trust, to answer for myself. 
 
 B. Nay, I know thou art courageous ; thou art fool- 
 hardy. 
 
 M. Though I fear not you, yet I fear the Lord. 
 
 R. Is he learned ? 
 
 B. Learned ! He hath an arrogant spirit. He can scarce 
 construe Cato, 1 think. 
 
 M. Sir, you do not punish me because I am unlearned. 
 Howbeit, I understand both Greek and Latin. Make trial 
 of me, to prove your disgrace. 
 
 * What ridiculous trifling was this! Yet this is the prelate whom Mr. 
 Strype extols on account of his great learning, and deep knowledge of 
 divinity.— S^r^pe's Aylmtr, p. 255. 
 
 VOL. 1. Q 
 
226 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. Thou takest upon thee to be a preacher, but there is 
 nothing in thee. Thou art a very ass, an idiot, and a /oo/.' 
 M. I liumbly beseech you, sir, have patience, and give 
 this people a better example. Through the Lord, I am 
 what I am. I submit the trial of my sufficiency to the 
 judgment of the learned. But this wandering speech is not 
 logical. 
 
 Hopton. Mr. Merbury, how do you prove all the bishops 
 in England, to be guilty of the death of as many souls as 
 have perished, by the ignorance of the unable ministers 
 which they have made ? 
 
 M. If they ordain unmeet or unable ministers, they give 
 unto them imposition of hands too hastily, to do which, the 
 apostle saith, they are partakers of other mens' sins. 
 
 B. The Greek word importeth nothing but the examina- 
 tion of their lives. 
 
 M. It is general enough to include both ; and it is before 
 set down in the Epistle as a positive law. " A bishop (a 
 word formerly used in a more general sense) must be apt to 
 teach ;" and, according to the apostle, if he be not so 
 approved to your conscience, you communicate with his 
 sins. 
 
 B. What sins are those, I pray thee ? 
 
 M. Soul-murder. 
 
 B. How dost thou prove that ? 
 
 M. The words of the prophet are, " My people are 
 destroyed for lack of knowledge." And who should teach 
 them knowledge ? 
 
 B. Knowlecige ! Have they not tlie homilies and the 
 catechism ? It is more, methinks, than they will learn. 
 
 M. Yes, or their parish priest either, to any purpose, in 
 many places. 
 
 B. Why then, by thy saying, it seems they have too 
 much of this already. 
 
 M. And too little of the other. 
 
 B. What other? 
 
 M. I mean preaching. What can an ignorant minister 
 see in those things more than a book-learned parishioner ? 
 
 B. Ol thou \vouldst have all preaching. Are not the 
 iiomilies sermons ? 
 
 M. God giveth his own blessing to his own appointed 
 means, which is preaching, not reading. 
 
 ♦ Such was (he language from a lord bishop, whom Mr. Strype highly 
 commends as an exact logidan^ and a man of universal teaming f~-Strype''s 
 ■ lylntfr, p.2i0. 
 
MERBURY. 227 
 
 B. Mark you what his words insinuate. He condemneth 
 reading in churches ; and seemeth to affirm, that they are 
 all damned, whose minister is not a preacher. You see 
 what he is. 
 
 Dr. Lewis. By St. Mary, these be pernicious errors. Sir, 
 what say you of them ? 
 
 M. Mr. Doctor, I allow of the reading of the scriptures 
 in the church ; for Christ read Esaias in the temple, and 
 expounded what he read. I am no judge. God hath 
 extraordinary supplies, when he takes away the ordinary 
 means ; but it is good for us not to tempt God, but thank- 
 fully to use his ordinary means. 
 
 L. Go to the purpose. If I present a man to my lord, 
 whom I take to be a true man, and he prove a thief, am I 
 giiilty of his theft ? Neither is the bishop guilty of the faults 
 of ministers, of whom there is good hope when he maketh 
 them. 
 
 M. Sir, you argue a paribus, but your reason holdeth not. 
 
 L. Why? 
 
 M. You may try him who would be a spiritual thief 
 before you trust him : but you cannot try the other till he 
 have stolen something. 
 
 L. What trial would you have more than this : he is a 
 honest man, and in time likely to prove learned? 
 
 M. Then, in the mean time, the people perish. You 
 will not commit your sucking child to a dry nurse, be she 
 ever so honest. 
 
 L. A good life is a good sermon ; and such ministers slay 
 no souls, though they be not so exquisite. 
 
 M. To teach by example only, is good in a matron whom 
 silence best becometh: but the apostle telleth Titus, that 
 " ministers must be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort 
 and to convince the gainsayers." 
 
 B. This fellow would have a preacher in every parisli 
 church ! 
 
 M. So would St. Paul. 
 
 B. Where wouldst thou have them ? 
 
 M. In Cambridge, in Oxford, in the inns of court, yea, 
 and some in prison, if more were wanted. We doing our 
 part, the Lord would do his. 
 
 B. I thought where thou wouldst be. But where is the 
 living for them ? 
 
 M. A man might cut a large thong out of your hide, and 
 that of the other prelates, and it would never be missed. 
 
258 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. Go thou on to contrive. Thou shalt orderly dispose 
 of our livings. 
 
 M. That is more than you can do yourselves. If rich 
 livings be the fault, they are to blame who have too much. 
 Whatever be the cause, the church feeleth the smart. 
 
 Mullins. Sir, in the beginning of her majesty's reign, 
 there was a defect of able men ; and the church was con- 
 strained to take such as it could get, upon the recommenda- 
 tion of noblemen. 
 
 M. I speak of later times. As for noblemen, they are no 
 sureties tor us ; and as to the defect, it cannot wholly 
 dispense with the word. A minister must be able to teach. 
 
 Mull. Then you would have a preacher, or none at all ; 
 and so the church would be unserved. 
 
 M. It would be better to have nothing, than that which 
 God would not have. 
 
 B. How dost thou prove that God would not have them, 
 when we can get no better ? 
 
 M. Doth he not say, " Because thou hast rejected know- 
 ledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest 
 unto me?" 
 
 B. Thou are an overthwart, proud, puritan knave.* Thou 
 •wilt go to Northampton ; and thou wilt have thine own 
 sayings till thou die. But thou shalt repent. 
 
 M. I am no puritan. 1 beseech you to be good to me. I 
 have been twice in prison already ; but I know not why. 
 
 B. Where was he before ? 
 
 Keeper of the Gatehouse. With me, my lord. 
 
 B. Have him to the Marshalsea. There he shall cope 
 with the papists. 
 
 M. I must go where it pleaseth God. But remember 
 God's judgments. You do me open wrong. I pray God 
 forgive you.+ 
 
 Mr. Mcrbury was then carried to the Marshalsea ; but 
 how long he remained in prison we are not able to learn. 
 Notwithstanding the cruelty with which the good man was 
 treated, he was not a person of severe principles, but 
 acted with great moderation ; and afterwards, with 
 liberty of interpretalion, became much more conform- 
 able. | A minister of the same name was afterwards 
 
 • * This prelate was much accustomed to use foul language. He called 
 Bishop Bonner, because he was remarkably corpulent, " My Lord Lubber 
 of London." — Strype's Aylmer, p. 275. 
 
 f Parte of a Register, p. 381—386. % Baxter's Second Plea, p. 41. 
 
WHITTINGIIAM. 229 
 
 fjeneficed in the city of London ; but whether he was the 
 same person api>ears rather doubtful.* 
 
 William Whittingham, A. M. — This excellent divine 
 was born in the city of Chester, in the year 1521, and 
 educated in Brazen-nose college, Oxford. In 1545, he 
 became fellow of All-Souls college. Afterwards, being 
 accounted one of the best scholars in the university, he was 
 translated to Christ-church, then founded by Henry VIII. 
 In the year 1550, he travelled into France, Germany, and 
 Italy, and returned towards the close of the reign of Edward 
 VI. Upon the accession of Queen Mary, and the com- 
 mencement of her bloody persecution, lie fled from the 
 storm, and retired to Frankfort, where he settled among the 
 first of the English exiles. Here he was the first who took 
 the charge of the congregation, but afterwards resigned to 
 Mr. John Knox. Mr. VVhittingham and his brethren having 
 comfortably settled their church at Frankfort, invited their 
 brethren, who had taken refuge in other places, to come to 
 them, and participate of their comforts : but on the arrival 
 of Dr. Cox and his friends, instead of union and comfort, 
 they were soon deeply involved in discord and contention; 
 and many of them, in a short were time, obliged to leave the 
 place. Our historian observes, that when '• Dr. Cox and others 
 with him came to Frankfort, they began to break that order 
 V. hich was agreed upon : first, by answering aloud after the 
 minister, contrary to the determination of the church ; and 
 being admonished thereof by the seniors of the congregation, 
 he, with the rest who came with him, made answer, that they 
 would do as they had done in England, and that they would 
 have the face of the English church. And the Sunday 
 following, one of his company, without the consent and 
 knowledge of the congregation, got up suddenly into the 
 pulpit, read the litany, and Dr. Cox with his company 
 answered aloud, whereby the determination of the church 
 was broken. "f These imperious exiles having, by very 
 ungenerous and unchristian methods, procured the use of 
 the church, Mr. Whittingham said, he did not doubt that it 
 was lawful for him and others to join themselves to some 
 other church. But Dr. <^ox sought that it might not he 
 suffered. Then Mr. Whittingham ol3served5 that it would 
 be great cruelty to force men, contrary to their consciences, 
 
 ♦ Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 406,422, 519. 
 + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 31. 
 
230 LIVES OF THE PURITAxNS. 
 
 to obey all their disorderly proceedings ; and ofiercd, if the 
 magisirate would be i)leased to give them the heaving, to 
 dispute the matter against all the contrary party, and 
 prove, that the order which they sought to establish, ought 
 not to take place in any reformed church. In this they 
 were expressly prohibited, and even forbidden meddling 
 any more in the business. They ventured, however, to 
 offer, as their last refuge, to refer the whole matter to four 
 arbitrators, two on eacli side ; that it might appear who was 
 fau'ity, and they might vindicate themselves from the charge 
 of schism : but the proposal was rejected ; and after this 
 unkind and unchristian treatment, they left the place.* Mr. 
 Whittingham being, in eft'ect, driven from Frankfort, went 
 to Geneva, where he was invited to become pastor to the 
 English church. He refused, at tirst, to accept the charge; 
 but, by the earnest persuasion of John Calvin, he complied 
 ■with their invitation, and was ordained by the layingonof the 
 hands of the presbytery. During his abode at Geneva, he 
 was employed with several other learned divines, in pub- 
 lishing a new translation of the Bible. This was after- 
 •wards called the Geneva Translation, a particular account 
 of which is given in another place. f 
 
 Soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. 
 Whittingham returned home; and presently after his 
 arrival, was nominated to accompany ihc Earl of Bedford 
 on his mission to the court of France. Upon his return 
 from France, he accompanied the Earl of Warwick, in his 
 defence of Newhaven against the French. There he was a 
 preacher for some time ; and, as Wood observes, though 
 he was ready in his ministerial function, he dissuaded his 
 hearers against conformity, and the o;;servance of the rites 
 and ceremonies of the English church. Yet, such was the 
 high esteem which this excellent earl had for him, that, 
 about 1563, he was the means of procuring from the queen, 
 his preferment to the deanery of Durham.^ He was a very 
 learned and popular preacher ; and in September 1563, he 
 preached before the queen. ^ During this year, the ruling 
 prelates proceeded to a more rigorous imposition of the 
 clerical habits; therefore, Mr. Whittingham wrote a most 
 pressing letter to the Earl of Leicester, intreating him to use 
 bis interest to prevent it. In this letter, he expressed him- 
 
 * Troubles at Frankeford, p. 38—51. 
 
 + See Art. Coverdale. 
 
 t Wood's Athene Oxon. vol. i, p. 153.— St rype's Annals, vol. i. p. 32T. 
 
 ^ Stryi)e's Parker, p. 135. 
 
WHITTINGHAM. 231 
 
 self with considerable freedom, upon tlie painful subject; 
 the substance of which was as follows :* 
 
 " I understand," says he, " they are about to compel us, 
 contrary to our consciences, to wear the po])ish apparel, or 
 deprive us of our ministry and livings. Yet when I con- 
 sider the weighty charge enjoined upon us by Almighty 
 God, and the exact account we have to give of the right 
 use and faithful dispensation of his mysteries, I cannot 
 doubt which to choose. He that would prove the use of 
 the apparel to be a thing indifferent, and may be imposed, 
 must prove that it tendeth to God's glory : that it agreeth 
 with his word; that it edifieth his church; and that it 
 maintaiueth christian liberty. But if it wantetli these 
 things, then is it yot inditibrent, but hurtful. And how can 
 God's glory be advanced by those garments which anti- 
 christian superstition has invented to maintain and beautify 
 idolatry? What agreement can the superstitious inven- 
 tions of men, have with the pure word of God ? What 
 edification can there be, when the Spirit of God is grieved, 
 the children of God discouraged, wicked papists confirmed, 
 and a door open for sucii popish traditions and antichristian 
 impiety? And can that be called true christian liberty, 
 where a yoke is laid on the necks of the disciples ; where 
 the conscience is clogged w ith impositions ; where faithful 
 preachers are threatened with deprivation ; where the regular 
 dispensation of the word of God is interrupted; where 
 congregations are robbed of their learned and godly 
 pastors ; and where the holy sacraments are made subject 
 to superstitious and idolatrous vestments ? 
 
 " Your lordship will thus see, that to use the ornaments 
 and manners of the wicked, is to approve of their doctrine. 
 God forbid, that v/e, by wearing tiie popish attire, as a thing 
 merely indifferent, should seem to consent to their supersti- 
 tious errors. The ancient fathers with one consent, acknow- 
 ledge that all agreement with idolatry, is so far from being 
 indifferent, that it is exceedingly pernicious. Some will say, 
 that the apparel is not designed to set forth popery, but for 
 good policy. Will it then be deemed good policy, to 
 deck the spouse of Christ with the ornaments of the Baby- 
 lonish strumpet, or to force her faithful pastors to be 
 decorated like superstitious papists ? God would not permit 
 his people of old, to retain any of the Gentile manners for 
 
 * Strype's Parker, Appcn. j). 43 — 47. 
 
2S2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 the sake of policy, but expressly forbad their imitation of 
 them, and commanded them to destroy all the appurtenances 
 of idolatry and superstition. And, in the time of llie 
 gospel, our Lord did not think it good policy, either to wear 
 the Pharisaical robes himself, or to suffer any of his disci- 
 ples <o do it ; but condemned it ;is altogether superstitious. 
 When 1 consider that Jereboam maintained his calves in 
 Dan and Bethel, under t!ie plausible name of policy, it 
 makes me tremble to see the popish ornaments set forth 
 under the same pretence. For if policy may serve as a 
 cloak to superstition and papistry, then crowns and crosses, 
 oil and cream, images and cnndies, palms and beads, with 
 most of the other branchis of antichrist, may again be 
 introduced. 
 
 " It is well ktiown, that when Hezekiah, Josiah, and otlier 
 famous princp-, promoted the reformation of religion ac- 
 cording to the word of God, they compelled not the 
 ministers of God to wear the apparel of Baal's priests, but 
 utterly destroyed all their v stments. Hezekiah commanded 
 all the npptmlaf>'es oi superstition and idolatrv, to be car- 
 ried out of the Temple, and to be cast into Kedron. Josiah 
 burnt all the vestments and other things belonging to Baal, 
 and his priests, not in Jerusalem, but out of the city. All 
 this was done according to the word of the Lord, who 
 commanded that not only the idols, but all things pertaining 
 to them, should be al)horred and rejected. And if we com- 
 pel the servants of Christ, to conform unto the papists, I 
 greatly fear we shall return again to popery. 
 ' " Our case, my lord, will be deplorable, if such compul- 
 sion should be used against us, while so much lenity is used 
 towards the papists. How many papists enjoy their liberty 
 and livings, who have n- ither sworn obedience to the queen's 
 majesty, nor discharged their duty to their miserable flocks! 
 These men laugh and triinu; h to see us t rented thus, and 
 are not ashamed of bo'ssting, that they hope the rest of 
 pop(>ry will soon return. My noble lord, pity the discon- 
 solate churches. Hear the cries and groans of many thou- 
 sands of God's poor children, hungering and thirstino- after 
 spiritual food. I need not appeal to the word of God, to 
 the hLstory of the primitive church, to the just judgments of 
 God pour* d out upon the nations for lack of true reforma- 
 tion. Judge ye betwixt us and our enemies. And if we 
 seek the glory of God alone, the enjoyment of true christian 
 liberty, the overthrow of all idolatry and superstition, and 
 
WHITTINGHAM. 233 
 
 to win souls to Clirist ; I beseech your honour to pity our 
 case, and use your utmost endeavours to secure unto us our 
 liberty."* 
 
 What effect this generous letter produced, we are not 
 able to learn. Mr. Whittinghani was a man of an excel- 
 lent character and admirable abilities. Tins was well 
 known at court. Therefore, some time after his settlement 
 at Durham, Secretary Cecil being made lord treasurer, be 
 was nomiinated to the secretary's place ; and, says Wood, if 
 he had sought after this office, and uiadc interest with his 
 noble friend, the Earl of Leicester, he might have obtained 
 
 * Bishop Pilkingfon of Durham wrote a letter, at the same time, to (he 
 same noble person; in which he addressed him as follows : — '' Cunsider, I 
 " beseech your honour, how that all countries, which have ret'ornied 
 " religion, have cast away the popish apparel with the jjope ; and yet we, 
 " who vvould be taken for the best, contend to keep it as a holy relic. 
 •' Mark, also, how many ministers there be here in all countries, who are 
 ♦' so zealous, not only to forsake the wicked doctrine of popery, but ready 
 " to leave the ministry and their livings, rather than be like the popish 
 " teachers of such superstitions, either in apparel or behaviour. This 
 •' realm has such scarcity of teachers, that if so inany worthy men should 
 ♦' be cast out of the ministry, for such small matters, many places would be 
 " destitute of preachers; and it would give an incurable otfence to all the 
 *' favourers of God"s truth, in other countries. Shall we make that so 
 " precious, which other reformed churches esteem as vile.' God forl)id. 
 " If we foi?ake j)opery as vvicked, how shall we say their apparel 
 *' becomes saints and professors of true holiness? St. Paul bids us refraia 
 "from all outward shew of evil; but, surely, in keeping this popish 
 " apparel, we forbear not an o'ltward shew of much evil., if popery be 
 "judged evil. How christian jieace shall be kept in this churcli, ^vheD so 
 " many, for such small things, shall be thrust from their ministry and 
 *' livings, it passes my simple wit to conceive. We must not so subtilly 
 " dispute what christian liberty would sutler us to do, but what is most 
 " meet and edifying for christian charity, and promoting true religion. 
 " But, surely, how popish apparel should edify, or set forth the gospel 
 " of Jesus Christ, cannot be seen of the multitude. How much it rejoices 
 " the adversaries, when they see what we borrow of them, and contend for, 
 " as things necessary, 'i'he bishops wearing their white rockets began first 
 *' by Sisinius, an heretic bishop of the Novatians ; and these other have the 
 " like foundation. They have so long continued and pleased popery,^ 
 " which is beggarly patched up of all sorts of ceremonies, that they could 
 " never be rooted out since, even from many professors of the truth. 
 " Though things may be borne with for christian liberty's sake for a time, 
 *' in hope to win the vveak; yet, when liberty is turned to necessity, it is 
 " evil, and no longer liberty ; and that which was for winning the weak, is 
 '' become the confirming of the froward. Paul used circumcision for a 
 *' time as of liberty; but when it was urged of necessity, he would not 
 " bend unto it. Bucer, when he was asked why he did not wear the 
 " square cap, made answer, because my head is not square. God be mer- 
 *' ciful to us, and grant us uprightly to seek his honour with all simplicity 
 *' and earnestness." Tliis prelate, who had been an exile in the days of 
 Queen Mary, was a man of great learning, piety, and ni'xieration, and a 
 constant friend to the persecuted puritans. — Sfr^z/'e's Parker, Appen. 
 p. 40,41. 
 
234 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 it ; but he was not in the least anxious for court preferment.* 
 During the severities inflicted ujioji liie nonconformists, in 
 the former part of Queen Elizabelli's reign, when good men 
 were obliged to conform, or be deprived of their livings 
 and ministry, it is said that Mr. Whittingham at first 
 refused, but afterwards subscribed. f And in Ihe year 1571, 
 by the itistiga(ion of Arc];bishop Parker, he was cited 
 before Grindal, archbishop of York: but the particular 
 cause of his citatioii, or wliat prosecution he underwent, at 
 least at that time, does not appear.^ 
 
 While Grindal lived, wl)o, towards the close of life, 
 connived at the nonconformists, Mr. Whittingham and his 
 brethren in the province of York, were not much inter- 
 rupted ; but Dr. Sandys was no sooner made archbisliop, 
 than he was brought into troubles, from wliich the stroke of 
 death alone could deliver him. In the year 1577, the new 
 archbishop resolved to visit the whole of his province, and 
 to begin with Durham, where Dean Wliittingham had 
 obtained a distinguished reputation, but had been ordained 
 only according to the reformed church at Geneva, and not 
 according to the English service book. The accusations 
 brought against him contained thirl //-Jive articles, andfortiy- 
 nine interrogatories ; but the principal charge was his 
 Geneva ordination. Mr. Whittingham refused to answer 
 the charge, but stood by the rites of the church of Durham, 
 and denied the archbishop's power of visitation in that 
 church, upon which his grace was pleased to excommuni- 
 cate him. Mr. Whittingham then appealed to the queen, 
 who directed a commission to the arclibishop, Henry Earl 
 of Huntington, lord president of the north, and Dr. Hutton, 
 dean of York, to hear and determine the validity of his 
 ordination, and to inquire into the other misdemeanours 
 contained in the articles. The president Mas a zealous 
 favourer of the puritans, and Dr. Hutton was of Whitting- 
 bam's principles, and boldly declared, " That Mr. Whit- 
 tingham was ordained in a better sort than even the arch- 
 bishop himself." The commission, therefore, came to 
 nothing.^ 
 
 Sandys being sorely vexed at this disappointment, as well 
 as Whittingham's calling in question his right of visitation, 
 pbtained another commission directed to himself, the Bishop 
 
 * Wood's Afhense Oxon. vol. i. p. 15i. 
 + Strype's Grindal, p. 98. 
 X Ibid, p, 170.— Strype's Parker, p. 326. 
 ^ Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 481, 519—521. 
 
WHITTINGIIAM. 235 
 
 of Durham, the Lord President, tlie Chancellor of the 
 Diocese, and some others in whom he could confide, to visit 
 the churcli of Durham. The chief design of this was to 
 deprive Mr. Wiiittingham, as a mere layman. Upon his 
 appearance before the commissioners, he produced a certifi- 
 cate under Ihe hands of eight porsjns, signifying the manner 
 of his ordination, in these words ; — " it pleased God, by the 
 *' suffrages of the whole congregation (at Geneva) orderly 
 " to choose to Mr. W. Whittingliam, unto the office of 
 *' preaching the word of God and ministering the sacra- 
 " ments ; and he was admitted minister, and so published, 
 " with sucJi other ceremonies as are there used and accus- 
 " tomed."* It was then objected, that there Avas no mention 
 made of bishops or superintendants, nor of any external 
 solemnities, nor even of imposition of hands. Mr. Whit- 
 tingliam replied, tliat the testimonial specified in general the 
 ceremonies of that church, and that he was able to prove 
 his vocation to be the same as all other ministers of Geneva. 
 Upon this the lord president said, " I cannot in conscience 
 agree to deprive him for that cause alone. Tiiis," he added, 
 " would be ill taken by all the godly and learned, both at 
 home and abroad, that we allow of popish massing priests 
 in our ministry, and disallow of ministers made in a 
 reformed church." The commission was, therefore, ad- 
 journed, and never renewed. t 
 
 The archbishop's proceedings against Mr. Whittingham, 
 were evidently invidious ; and they greatly sunk his reputa- 
 tion, both in town and country. His calling Whittingham's 
 ordination in question was expressly contrary to the statute 
 of 13 Eliz. by which, says Mr. Strype, " The ordination of 
 foreign reformed churches was made valid; and those 
 who had no other orders, were made of like capacity with 
 others, to enjoy any place of ministry in England."^ 
 Indeed, the Oxford historian says, Mr. Whittingham did 
 good service to his country, not only against the popish, 
 rebels in the north, but in repelling the Archbishop of York, 
 from visiting the church of Durham. Yet he denominates 
 him a lukewarm conformist, an enemy to the habits and 
 ceremonies, and an active promoter of the Geneva doc- 
 trine and discipline ; and he brings many severe charges 
 against him, styling them works of impietij. He caused 
 several stone coffins, belonging to the priors, and laid in the 
 cathedral of Durham, to be taken up, and appointed them 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 523. t Ibid. p. 524. % ^^'^^' 
 
236 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 to be used as frouglis for horses and swine, and their covers 
 to pave his owii house. He defaced all the brazen pictures 
 and imagery work, and used the stones to buikl a washing- 
 house for himself. The two holi/ water stones of tine marble, 
 very artificially engraven, with hollow bosses very curi- 
 ously wrought, he took away, aiid employed them to steep 
 beef and salt lish in. He caused tlie image of 8t. Cuthbert, 
 and otiier ancient monuments, to be defaced. And the 
 truth is, he could not ejidure any thing that appertained to 
 a monastic life.* How far Mr. Whittingham was concerned 
 in these works of impieti/, it is not in our power to ascer- 
 tain ; and how far he is censurable for these things, is left 
 with the reader to determine. 
 
 With an evident design to reproach liis memory, Dr, 
 Bancroft says, that Mr. Whittingham, with the rest of his 
 Geneva accomplices, urged all states to take arms, and 
 reform religion themselves by force, rather than suftbr such 
 idolatry and superstition to remain in the land.f And a late 
 writer, with the same ill design, observes, " that when he 
 returned from exile, he imported with him, much of the 
 leaven of Geneva. "| 
 
 He was, however, a truly pious man, opposed to all 
 superstition, an excellent preacher, and an ornament to reli- 
 gion and learning. He died while the cause of his depri- 
 vation, tor n(;t being ordained according to the rites of the 
 English church, was depending, .lune 10, 1579, in the 
 sixty-fifth year of his age. Wood informs us, though 
 without the smallest evidence, that he virdoillingl^ suhmilted 
 to (he stroke nf death. S His remains were interred in the 
 cathedral at Durham. 
 
 This learned divine wrote prefaces to the works of several 
 learned men : as, Mr. Goodman's book, entitled " How 
 supciior powers ought to be obeyed," &c. He published 
 the translations of several learned works, and he turned 
 part of the Psalms of David into metie. These arc still 
 used in the church of England. Those which he did, have 
 W. W. prefixed to them, among which is Psalm cxix. ; as 
 may be seen in the Common Prayer Book.y 
 
 ♦ VVood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 154. 
 
 + Bancroft's Uangeroiis Positions, p. 6?. Edit. 1640. 
 
 i Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 114. ^ Athense, p. 155. 
 
 II The other persons concerned in turning the Psalms info metre, were 
 Messrs-. TIjomas Sternliold, Johi) Hopkins, and Thomas Norton, all eminent 
 in their day, and zealous in promoting the reformation of the church. The 
 parts which they performed have the initials of their names prefixed to 
 them, as may be seen iu the Common Prayer Book. — WoocCs Athencc, vol. 
 i. p. 62, 63, 153. 
 
LAWRANCE. 237 
 
 Mr. Lawrance was a man of great piety, an admired 
 preacher, and incumbent in the county of Suffolk. He 
 discovered great modesty, was unbiameable in his life, sound 
 in doctrine, and a laborious and constant preacher. He was 
 first employed in the ministry in the above county, about 
 the year 1561, where he continued to labour about six years 
 with great acceptance and usefulness. But in the year 1567, 
 he was silenced by Archbishop Parker's visitors for noncon- 
 formity. The good man having received the ecclesiastical 
 censure, several persons of quality in that county, who knew 
 his excellent character and great worth, wrote a letter to the 
 archbishop, earnestly soliciting his restoration. This letter, 
 dated October 27, 1567, was as follows : 
 
 " Our humble commendations and duties remembered to 
 your grace. Great necessity doth occasion us to write to 
 jou for one Mr. Lawrance, lately a preacher ; of whose 
 great modesty, unbiameable life, and sound doctrine, we have 
 good experience, having with great diligence been well 
 exercised among us these five or six years. He commonly 
 preached twice every Lord's day, and many times on the 
 working days, without ever receiving any thing. His 
 enemies cannot accuse him of any thing worthy of reproach, 
 as we testified to your grace's visitors, and desired them that 
 he might still continue his preaching; for we knew very 
 well that we should have great need of him. Now we see 
 it more evident. For there is not one preacher within a 
 circuit of twenty miles, in which circuit he was wont to 
 preach. 
 
 " Thus we have thought good to certify your grace of 
 the necessity of our country, and diligence and good 
 behaviour of the man ; trusting that your grace will either 
 restore him again, or send us some other in his room ; which 
 we most earnestly desire. Commending the same to Almighty 
 God, and praying that he may preserve your grace. Your 
 grace's to command, 
 
 " Robert Wingfield, Thomas Peiton, 
 
 William Hopton, Thomas Colby, 
 
 Robert HopTON, Thomas Playless."* 
 William Cavendish, 
 
 Though it does not appear what success attended their 
 application, nor yet how long Mr. Lawrance remained 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 889, 890. 
 
238 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Tinder the ecclesiastical censure, he was afterwards restored 
 to his beloved ministry. 
 
 This, however, was not the end of his troubles : for in 
 the year 1579, he was again suspended by the Bishop of 
 Norwich, for not observing all the ecclesiastical rites and 
 ceremonies. Upon his suspension, his people soon expe- 
 rienced the loss of his excellent labours. Mr. Calthrop, a 
 gentleman of distinguished eminence in the county, and the 
 lord treasurer Burleigh, therefore, applied to the bishop for 
 his restoration. But his grace observed, that what he had 
 done in suspending him, was by virtue of the queen's 
 orders, requiring him to allow no ministers to preach who 
 were not in all things perfectly conformable to the rites and 
 ceremonies ot the church. Mr. Calthrop urged the great 
 want there was of such excellent preachers as Mr. Law- 
 rance, for whose fitness for the work of the ministry he 
 would undertake to obtain the testimonial of the chief 
 gentlemen in the county. But all was unavailable: the 
 good man still remained under the episcopal censure.* 
 
 Mr. Lawrance was greatly beloved by persons of a reli- 
 gious character throughout the county where he lived, and 
 his suspension was the cause of much sorrow and grief to 
 all who knew him. Therefore, in the month of April, 1580, 
 the above worthy persons made a second application to the 
 bishop, but with no better success. The bishop remained 
 inflexible, and declared that unless the treasurer com- 
 manded him, he Avould not restore Mr. Lawrance without 
 perfect conformity. So he still continued under sus- 
 pension, i 
 
 John Handson was curate of St. James's church, Bury 
 St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, and brought into trouble for non- 
 conformity. He refused to wear the surplice, not only in 
 time of divine service, but even in the administration of the 
 sacrament ; saying, that by law he thought himself not bound 
 to wear it. He was examined by the chancellor to the 
 Bishop of Norwich ; but it docs not appear what penalties 
 were then inflicted upon him. This was in the year 1573.t 
 In 1581, he was again brought into trouble by his diocesan, 
 Dr. Freke, who suspended him for nonconformity. The 
 bishop gave an account of this affair, in a letter to the trea- 
 surer, dated April 19th, this year. 
 
 ♦ Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 585, 586. f Ibid. p. 660. 
 
 % Strype's Parker, p. 4§2. 
 
IIANDSON— WRIGHT. 239 
 
 Mr. Handson having; continued for some time under the 
 episcopal censure, the treasurer, after due examination of 
 the case, wrote to the bishop in reply to his letter, desiring 
 that the good man might be restored to his ministry. At 
 the same time, Sir Robert Jermin, Lord North, and some 
 others, wrote to his grace, requesting the same favour. Sir 
 Robert, in his letter, said, " That his lordship had examined 
 Mr. Haiidson's case at length, but, in his opinion, very 
 indiscreetly, in many of the principal points ; that they 
 knew his ministry to have been very profitable to great 
 numbers ; that they who sought to remove him, were 
 adversaries, rather than friends to the truth ; that, as to faith 
 and manners, he was ever held a sound teacher ; that in these 
 indiflerent things (meaning the matters of conformity) he 
 had never laboured nmch ; and that, from these considera- 
 tions, he requested the bishop would allow him the free exer- 
 cise of his ministry." But the angry prelate stood resolute, 
 and declared peremptorily, that he never would, unless Mr. 
 Handson would publicly acknowledge his fault, and enter 
 into bonds for his good behaviour in future. Other 
 applications were made to the bishop, to take off his suspen- 
 sion ; but whether he ever became so favourably disposed, 
 we have not been able to learn.* 
 
 Robert AVrigiit. — He lived fourteen years in the 
 university of Cambridge, was a very learned man, and tutor 
 to the Earl of Essex, botli in school learning and at the 
 university. Being dissatisfied with episcopal ordination, he 
 went to Antwerp, where he was ordained by the laying on 
 of the hands of the presbytery. Upon his return to Eng- 
 land, Lord Rich of Rochford, in Essex, made him his 
 domestic chaplain ; and he constantly preached and admi- 
 nistered the sacrament in his lordship's chapel, but in no 
 other place, seeing the bishop utterly refused him a license. 
 He was an admired preacher ; and, for his great seriousness 
 and piety, was universally beloved by the clergy in the 
 county. While his noble patron lived, he protected him 
 from danger ; but this excellent lord was no sooner dead, 
 than Dr. Aylmer, bishop of London, laid hands on him : 
 and for saying, " That to keep the queen's birth-day as an 
 holiday^ is to make her an «cfo/," he was coiumitted to the 
 Gatehouse, where he continued a long time.t 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. 15, 21. + Strype's Aylmer, p. 83— 8T. 
 
240 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Hav'mg lain in prison several months, lie petKioncd the 
 bishop to be brought to trial, or adinitled to bail. But all 
 the answer he could obtain of his grace, was, that he 
 deserved to lie in prison seven 7/ ears. This very hard usage, 
 togedier with iMr. Wright's open and undisguised honesty 
 and piety, moved the compassion of his keeper ; and, his 
 poor wife being in child-bed and in great distress, he gave 
 him leave, with the private allowance of the secretary of 
 state, to make her a visit at Rochford, upon his parole. 
 But it so liiippened, that Dr. Ford, the civilian, met him on 
 the roud, and acquainted the bishop with his escape; who, 
 falling into a violent passion, sent immediately for the 
 keeper, and demanded his prisoner. The keeper pleaded 
 the great compassion of the case; but all was unavailable. 
 For the bishop threatened to complain of him to the queen, 
 and have him turned out of his place. Mr. Wright, liaving 
 received information of his keeper's danger, returned imme- 
 diately to his prison, and wrote as follows to the lord trea- 
 surer in his behalf:—" Oh! my lord," says he, " I most 
 humbly crave your lordsliip's fovour, that I may be de- 
 livered from such unpitiful minds; and especially, that your 
 lordship will stand a good lord to my keeper^ that he may 
 not be discouraged from favouring those who profess true 
 religion." This was wriiten in May, 158S. The keeper 
 was therefore pardoned.* 
 
 The bishop, however, was resolved to have full satisfac- 
 tion of the prisoner ; and, bringing him before the high 
 commission, he was examined upon certain articles concern- 
 ing the Book of Common Prayer ; the rites and ceremonies ; 
 praying for tlie queen and church; and the established 
 form of ordaining ministers. He was, moreover, charged 
 with preaching without a license, and with being a mere 
 layman. To which he replied, " that he thought the Book 
 ol" Common Prayer, upon the whole, was good and godly, 
 but could not answer for every particular. Tiiat as to rites 
 and ceremonies, he thought that his- resorting to churches 
 where they were used, w"as a sutlicient proof, that he did 
 not utterly condemn them. That he prayed tor the queen, 
 and for all the ministers of God's word ; consequently, tor 
 archbishops, bishops, &c. That he was only a private 
 chaplain, and knew of no law that required a license for such 
 a place. But he could not acknowledge, that he was a mere 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ili. p. 123, 124. 
 
 ? 
 
WRIGHT. 241 
 
 layman^ Laving preached seven years in the university with 
 a license, and being since that time regularly ordained, by 
 the laying on o: tlie hands of ihe presbytery at Antwerp." 
 
 The bishop having charged Mr. Wright with saying, 
 " That ih ■ elec(io;i oi minist, rs ought to be by their flocks,'* 
 he acknowledged ihe charge, and supposed it was no error; 
 adding, " Thut he was hnnselt" thus chosen by his flock at 
 Rochtord ; that in his opinion, every minister was a bishop, 
 though not a /o?y/ bisho^;; and that his grace of London, 
 must be of the same opiiiion ; because when he was last 
 before him, he n buked Mr. White for striking one of his 
 parisfiion(M:§, alleging that text, A bishop 7nust be no 
 striker: which had been impcrlinent, if Mr. Wiiite, who 
 was oidy a minisicr, had not been a bishop.^^ Wi-e:i he was 
 charged with s:iying, " That the minis. ers who only used 
 the common prayer, were dumb dogs /' he said, " the 
 phrase, though used in scriptine, has very s! Idom been in 
 my mouth, on any (<ccpsi(m Avhatever. But it can never be 
 proved, that I ever called any man, especially any preacher, 
 by that name. Yet a man who is professedly the pastor of 
 a flock, and does not preach at all, may, according to the 
 design of the prophet, (ieserve tlie name of dumb dog." 
 
 Aylmer also charged him with saying, "There were no law- 
 ful ministers in the church of England ; and that those wJio 
 are called ministers, are thieves and murderers." To this, Mr. 
 Wright said, " 1 will be content to l^e condemned, if I bring- 
 not two hundred godly, preaching ministers, as witnesses 
 against this accusation. 1 do as certainly believe, that there 
 are lawful ministers in England, as that there is a sun in the 
 sky. In Essex, I can bring twenty godly ministers, all 
 preachers, who will testify that they love me, and have 
 cause to think that 1 love and reverence them. I preached 
 seven years in the university of Cambridge with approba- 
 tion, and have a testimonial under the hands and seals of the 
 master and fellows of Christ's college, being all ministers, 
 of my good behaviour."* 
 
 This excellent divine having been a considerable time in 
 the Gatehouse, in September, 1582, became willing to sub- 
 scribe to the allowance of the ministry of the church of Eng- 
 land, and the Book of Common Prayer. Yet Bishop 
 Aylmer required his friends to be bound in a good round 
 sum, that henceforth he should never preach, nor act, con- 
 trary to the same. Upon these conditionsj his grace was 
 
 * Strjpe's AnnaU, toI. iii. Appen. p. 38 — 43. 
 VOL. I. R 
 
242 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 not unwillin;^ to grant him favour, if the queen approved of 
 it.* It is, indeed, very doubtful whether tlie favour was 
 ever obtained : for the unmerciful proceedings of the above 
 prelate against the puritans, were almost unparalleled.f 
 
 Bernard Gilpin, B. D. — This celebrated person was 
 bom of an ancient and honourable family, at Kentmire in 
 Westmoreland, in the year 1517, and educated in Queen's 
 college, Oxford. He made the closest application to his 
 stucli<"S, and uncommon progress in useful learning. Having 
 determined to apply himself to divinity, he made the scrip- 
 tures his principal study ; and with a view to his better 
 acquaintance with them, he resolved by the greatest Indus* 
 try to gain a thorough knowledge of the Greek and 
 Hebrew languages. He had not been long thus employed 
 before he was noticed as a young man of excellent parts and 
 considerable learning; and became exceedingly admired 
 and beloved for the sweetness of liis disposition, and the 
 politeness of his manners. At the usual term, he took hi*; 
 degrees in Arts, and was elected fellow of his college. His 
 reputation was, indeed, so great, that he was chosen to 
 supply tlie college newly founded by Cardinal Wolsey.:}: 
 
 * Str.vpe's Aylmer, p. 81. 
 
 + The zeal and assiduity of Bishop Ajimer in defence of (he church of 
 England, is said to have recommended him to the particdlar favour of 
 Queen Elizabeth. Though in the early part of his life he declaimed against 
 Ihe wealth and splendour of bishops, and spoke with vehemence against 
 their lordly dignitt/ and civil authority, and was an avowed advocate of what 
 was afterwards ciiWed puritaniS7n ; yet, as he rose in ecclesiastical prefer- 
 ment and worldly grandeur, he changed his opinions, and became the most 
 violent in the opposite sentiments. And notwithstanding he is styled a 
 person of extraordinary wisdom, a worthy prelate, and a blessing to the 
 church ; he was certainly one of the most unfeeling and cruel persecutors, 
 of which the puges of history afford sufficient proof. He was preceptor to 
 Lady Jane Grey ; and, on the accession of Queen Mary, he went into exile. 
 His escape was very remarkable. Being a little man, the merchant of the 
 ship in which he made his escape, put him into a isiine butt, with a partitina 
 ii^ (he middle ; so that he was inclosed in one end of the cask, while th? 
 seaccAeri drank wine drawn out of the other.— He was a man of great 
 courage, and had one of his own teeth drawn, to encourage Queea 
 Elizabeth to submit to a similar operation. When he wished to rouse the 
 attention of his audience while he was preaching, he usually took his 
 Hebrew Bible out of his pocket, and read them a few verses, and then 
 resumed his discourse. He was remarkably fond of bowls, even on the 
 Lord's-day, when he commonly used very unbecoming language, to tJie 
 great reproach of bis character, — Strype's Aylmer, p. 215 — 292. — Wood's 
 AthencE, vol. i. p. 611.— Bio^. Britan. vol. i. p, 384—391, Edit, 1778.— 
 Granger'' s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 208, 
 
 t The following memoir of Mr. Gilplo it chieSy collected from the 
 " British Biography,"' vol. iii. p.OS— . 
 
 j> 
 
GILPIN. 243 
 
 Mr. Gilpin having been trained up in the popish religion, 
 still continued a steady son of that church ; and in defence 
 of popery, had held a disputation with John Hooper, after- 
 wards bishop of Worcester, and the famous martyr. This 
 was in the reign of Henry VIII. ; but upon the accession of 
 King Edward, Peter Martyr being sent to Oxford, delivered 
 public lectures upon divinity in a strain to which that 
 university had been little accustomed. He attacked the 
 Romish doctrines in a manner that alarmed the popish 
 party ; which induced them to unite, and make as strong an 
 opposition as they were able. Mr. Gilpin having gained 
 considerable reputation in the university, the popish party 
 were exceedingly solicitous to engage him in a public 
 defence of their cause, and made the most pressing applica- 
 tions for this purpose. But they found his zeal mucJi 
 cooler than their own. Indeed, he was not satisfied with 
 the cause of the reformers, having never had a sufficient 
 opportunity of acquainting himself with their principles : 
 but, on the otlier hand, he had never been a bigotted papist; 
 and had discovered, in his dispute with Hooper, that 
 several of the Romish doctrines were not so well supported 
 by scripture, as he had before supposed. While his mmd 
 was thus unsettled, he thought himself ill qualified to defend 
 either side by public disputation. His inclination was to 
 stand by as an unprejudiced observer ; and to embrace the 
 truth, whether he found it among papists or protestants. 
 By much importunity, however, he at length yielded, and 
 the next day appeared in public against Peter Martyr.* 
 
 Mr. Gilpin being thus drawn into the controversy against 
 his inclination, was determined to make it as useful as possi- 
 ble to himself. By bringing his old opinions to the test, 
 he hoped that he should be enabled to discover whether 
 they were justly founded, or he had hitherto been involved 
 in error. He resolved, therefore, to lay aside as much as 
 possible, the temper of a caviller ; and to follow truth, from 
 which he Avas determined nothing should make him swerve. 
 Having commenced the dispute, he soon foimd the argu- 
 ments of his adversary too strong for him. They came so 
 forcibly authorized by the testimony of scripture, that he 
 
 * Dr. Peter Martyr, a celebrated reformer, was born in Florence, and 
 invited to England by the Protector Somerset and Archbishop Craniner. In 
 the year J 348, he was made regies professor of divinity at Oxford, and, in 
 1550, installed canon of Christ-chanh. His numerous works, which are 
 !n Latin, consist chiefly of coraiiientaries on the scriptures, and pieces on 
 controversy. On the accession of Queen Mary, and the commencement of 
 persecution, he desired to withdraw, and died at Zurich. November 12, 
 15Q2.— Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 141. 
 
244 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. - 
 
 could not help frankly acknowledging they were of a very 
 different nature troin the wire-drawn proofs and strained 
 interpretations, in which he had hitherto acquiesced. The 
 disputation, therefore, was soon over. Mr. Gilpin had too 
 much honesty to defend suspected opinions. He yielded to 
 the force of truth; and owned publicly, that he could not 
 maintain what he undertook to defend ; and therefore deter- 
 mined to enter no more upon controversy, till he had 
 gained that full information which he was anxious to 
 obtain.* 
 
 Mr. Gilpin being thus staggered by his opponent's argu- 
 ments, the first step he took, after imploring divine assistance, 
 was to commit to paper, the substance of the dispute. Also, 
 he resolved to enter into a strict examination of the whole, 
 but especially those points in which he had found himself 
 the most closely pressed. At the same time, he began with 
 great assiduity to examine the scriptures, and the writings 
 of the fathers, with a particular view to the controversy 
 betwixt protestants and papists. The first result of his 
 inquiries, cooled his zeal for popery, and gave him a more 
 favourable opinion of the doctrines of the reformation. In 
 this unsettled state of mind, he communicated his thoughts 
 to his friends, and particularly to Tonstal, bishop of 
 Durham, who was his mother's uncle, and his great friend. 
 The advice he received induced him to examine the scrip- 
 lures and the fathers with still greater attention ; and at last 
 he became thoroughly convinced, that there were numerous 
 sore abuses and corruptions in the church of Rome, and that 
 a reformation was highly necessary. 
 
 As an academic litis affords the greatest leisure for study, 
 Mr. Gilpin was resolved still to continue wholly employed 
 in the pursuit of knowledge. He had too just a sense of 
 the ministerial work, to rush upon it hastily, or to be 
 unacquainted with the qualifications requisite to the dis- 
 charge of it ; and too mean an opinion of himself, to think 
 he was yet possessed of them. He thought more learning 
 was necessary in that controversial age, than he had yet 
 acquired. And his chief argument with his friends, who 
 were continually urging him to leave the university, was, 
 that he was not yet sufficiently instructed in religion himself 
 
 * Peter Martyr was much concerned for Mr. Gilpin's welfare, and used 
 to say, he cared not much for his other adversaries; but for Gilpin, who 
 spoke and acted like a man of integrity, he was much troubled. He there- 
 fore often prayed that God would convince him of his error, and convert 
 him to the truth ; which the Lord was pleased afterwards to do,r^Fuller' s 
 Abel Eedivivus, p. 353. 
 
GILPIN. 245 
 
 to teach others. The christian ministry, said he, was an 
 arduous work, especially in those times ; and protestantism 
 could not sutler more than by the rawness and inexperience 
 of its teachers. These thoughts continued to attend him at 
 Oxford till the thirty-fifth year of his age. About this time, 
 the vicarage of Norton, in the disocese of Durham, becoming 
 void, his friends, with some ditficulty, prevailed upon him 
 (o accept it. Accordingly, he was presented to this living 
 in November, 155^. But before he entered upon his 
 important charge, he was appointed to preach before King 
 Edward at Greenwich. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin was resolved on this occasion to censure the 
 prevailing avarice and corruptions with honest freedom, and 
 ordered his sermon accordingly. He began by first 
 addressing the clergy. He was sorry, said he, to observe 
 amongst them so manifest a neglect of their function. To 
 get benefices, not to take care of their flocks, was their great 
 object. Half of them were pluralists, or nonresidents, and 
 such could never fulfil their charge. He was shocked, he 
 said, to hear them quote human laws against the word of 
 God. If such laws did exist, they were the remains of 
 popery, and ought to be repealed. For while mens* 
 consciences would permit them to hold as many livings as 
 they could get, and discharge none, it was impossible the 
 gospel could have any considerable success. 
 
 From the clergy he turned to the court ; and observing 
 the king was absent, he was obliged to introduce that part 
 of his sermon, by saying, it grieved him to see those absent, 
 who, for example's sake, ought to have been present. He 
 had also heard other preachers remark, that it was common 
 for them to be absent. Business might, perhaps, be their 
 excuse ; but he could not believe that serving God would 
 ever hinder business. If he could, he said, he would make 
 them hear in their chambers. However, he would speak to 
 their seats, not doubting that what he said would be carried 
 to them. — " You, great prince," said he, " are appointed by 
 God to be the governor of this land,; let me then htre call upon 
 you in behalf of your people. It is in your power to redress 
 them ; and if you do not, the neglect must be accounted for. 
 Take away dispensations for pluralities and nonresidence, 
 and oblige every pastor to hold only one benefice ; and, as 
 far as you can, make every one do his duty. Your grace's 
 eye to look through the realm, would do more good than a 
 thousand preachers. The land is full of idle pastors. And 
 how can it be otherwise, while the nobility, and patrons of 
 
246 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 livings, put in just who will allow them to take out most 
 profit ? It wouid be good, if your grace would send out 
 surveyors, to see how benefices are bestowed. It is no 
 wonder thntyour people are coutinudly rising up in rebel- 
 lion, when they have no ii)structors to teach them their 
 duty. If some remedies be not applied to these evils, we 
 are in danger of falling into more ignorance, superstition, 
 and idolatry, Uian we tver were in v/hile under lt\e Bi.-hop 
 of Home. This must, indeed, be the case, if some proper 
 methods be not taken to prevent it ; for benefice s are every 
 where so plundered and robbed by patrons, that in a little 
 time no one will bring up his children (o the church. It is 
 amazing to see how the universities are diminished within 
 these few years. And I must tell your grace, that all these 
 evils will be laid to your charge, if you do not exert your- 
 self to prevent them. For my part, I will do my duty: I 
 will tell your grace what corruptions and abuses prevail, 
 and pray to God that he will direct your heart to amend 
 them." 
 
 He next addressed the nobility and magistrates. He told 
 them, that they all received their honours, their powers, and 
 their authority, from God, who expected they would make 
 a proper use of such gifts ; and would certainly call them to 
 an account for the abuse of them. But he saw so much 
 ambitious striving lor these things at court, that he was 
 afraid they did not all consider them in their true light. 
 He observed, that the spirit of avarice was crept in among 
 them; thai the country cried out against their extortions; 
 and that when the poor came to seek for justice in London, 
 the great men would not see them ; but their servants must 
 first be bribed. Oh ! said he, with what glad hearts and 
 clear consciences might noblemen go to rest, after having 
 spent the day in hearing the complaints of the poor, and 
 redressing their wrongs. For want of this, he said, they 
 were obliged to seek their right among lawyers, who quickly- 
 devoured every thing they had, and thousands every term 
 were obliged to return worse than they came. — " Then,'* 
 said he, " let me call upon you magistrates, and put you in 
 mind, that if the people are debtors to you for obedience, 
 you are debtors to them for protection. If you deny 
 this, they must sufier ; but God will assuredly espouse their 
 cause against you. And now, if we search for the root of 
 all these evils, what is it but avarice ? This it is that maketh 
 the bad nobleman, the bad magistrate, the bad pastor, the 
 bad lawyer." — Having thus freely addressed his audience. 
 
GILPIN. 247 
 
 he concluded his sermon with a warm exhortation, that all 
 would consider these thine^s, and that such as found them- 
 selves faulty would amend Their lives.* 
 
 Such was the manner in which Mr. Gilpin entered on the 
 work of the ministry ; and such was the sense he had of the 
 sincerity and faithtulnfss necessary to the proper discharge 
 of it. Whatever appeared to be his duty, appeared also to 
 be his interest ; and he was never swayed by hope or fear. 
 He considered himself in some degree chargeable with those 
 vices of which he had the knowledge, if he failed to rebuke 
 them. His plain dealing on this occasion was therefore well 
 taken, and recommended him to the notice of many persons 
 of the first rank. And Sir William Cecil presented him 
 a general license for preaching. 
 
 Soon after this, he repaired to his parish, and with 
 beeo ! ing seriousness entered upon the duties of his function. 
 Though he failed not occasionally to use the king's license 
 in other parts of the country, he considered his own parish 
 as requiring his principal labours. He chiefly preached 
 on practical subjects ; and seldom touched on points of 
 controversy, lest by attempting to instruct, he should only 
 mislead. Tliough he was fully resolved against popery, he 
 did not see protestantism in its clearest light ; and was 
 scarcely seMled in some of his religious opinions. Hence by 
 degrees he became extremely diflident, which gave him great 
 uneasiness. He thought he had engaged too soon in the 
 work of the ministry ; that he ought not to rest in giving 
 his hearers merely moral instructions; and that, as the 
 country was overspread with popish errors, he did ill in 
 pretending to be a teacher of religion, if he were unable to 
 oppose those errors. 
 
 These thoughts made deeper impressions upon his mind 
 every day ; and being: at length extremely unhappy, he 
 wrote to Bishop Tonstal, then in the Tower, giving him an 
 account of his situation. The venerable prelate advis-d 
 Gilpin to provide a trust i/ curate for his parish, and to 
 spend a yeir or two in Germany, France, and Holland ; by 
 which means he might have an opportunity of conversing 
 with meji celebrated for learning, both papists and pro- 
 testants. Mr. Gilpin having long earnestly desired a 
 conierence with learned men abroad, was much pleased with 
 the advice. And as to the expense, Tonstal observed, that 
 his living would do something towards his maintenance, and 
 
 * This sermon is publistied with Carlefon and Gilpin's Life of Bernard 
 ^ilpin, and is the only thing he ever published. 
 
248 LIVES OF TFIE PURITANS. 
 
 he would make up all deficiencies. Tliis, bowevor, did not 
 remove the difiiciiliy from bis mind. Mr. Gilpin's views of 
 the pastoral oilice were so correct, that he tlj ought no excuse 
 could justify m^nresideaci' for so considerable a ume as he 
 intended to be abroad. ITc, thereto e, could not think of 
 supporting- himself widi aiiy part of he incoaie of his !ivir5g. 
 Yet he was resolve! io go abroal : and if h.i stayed only a 
 sliort time, he would iciy o:i the frugal wianagemejit of the 
 little money he possciscd, and leave i'lc rest io the bishop's 
 generosity. lie siccordinoly rtsigncd his Uving, and set out 
 for London, to receive liis last orders irorn the bishop, and 
 to embark for the coiitinejsf. 
 
 The account of his resignation got to London before 
 himself; aiKlTonsial, anxious for his kinsman to thrive in 
 the world, was much concerned about it. " Here are your 
 friends," said his grace, " eac'cavouring to provide for you, 
 and you are taking every mediod to frustmle their endea- 
 vours. But 'ue v/arned ; by these ccnirses you will presently 
 bring yourseif to a morsel of bread." Mr. Gilpin begged 
 the bishop would attribute what lie had done to a scrupulous 
 conscience, which would not permit him to act otherwise. 
 "Conscience!" roplieil the bishop, " why, you might 
 have had a dispensation." " Will iny dispensation," an- 
 swered Gilpin, " restrain the tempter, in my absence, from 
 endeavouring to corrupt t!te p.^ople committed to my care ? 
 Alas! i fear it would he hui an ill excuse for llie harm done 
 to my flock, if i s'iould say, w!ien God sliall call me to an 
 account of my stevt^ardsuip, tliat I was absent by dispensa- 
 tion." This reply put ti'.e bishop a littie out of humour. 
 But after his te!iiper cooled, this, instance of Mr. Gilpin's 
 integrity raised him still higlier in the prelate's esteem. 
 jL*^evertht less, Tonstal would trequentiy chide him for his 
 qualms of coa^cience, as he called them ; and often told 
 him, that if he did not look better to his own interest, he 
 would certainly die a beggar." 
 
 Before his departure, die bishop entrusted him with his 
 Treatise on the Eucharist, in manuscript, desiring him to in- 
 spect the printing of it at Paris. Upon his arrival in Holland, 
 he travelled to Mechlin, to see his brother George, there 
 prosecuting his studies. Afterwards, he went to Louvain, 
 resolving there to abide. He made frequent excursions to 
 Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, and other places, where he 
 usually spent a few weeks with persons of reputation, both 
 papists and prolestants. But Louvain being the principal 
 place for students in divinity, was his chief residence. Here 
 
GILPIN. 249 
 
 some of the most celebrated divines on both sides of the 
 question resided; and the most irnportant topics in divinity 
 were discussed Avith great freedom. 
 
 Mr. Ciilpiii's lirst business v/as to get hhnself introduced 
 to men emiueui. f ^r leariiing ; to who. a his own address and 
 altuinnu nts were no mean recomuKJudation, and supplied 
 the place of long acquaintance. He attended upon all 
 public readings aud disputations. He conimit{e(l everj 
 thing material lo writing; re-examined all his own opinions; 
 proposed his doubts to friends in private ; and, in every 
 respect, made tlie best use of liis time. Hereby', he began 
 to oht jin more correct views of the doctrines of the re- 
 formation ; he s:»w things in a clearer and stronger light, 
 and felt great satisfaction in tlie change he had made. 
 
 While he was thus prosecuting his studies, and making con- 
 siderable improvement in useful knowledge, he was suddenly 
 alarmed, togeth(!r with numerous other protestants in those 
 parts, by the melancholy news of the 'death of King Edward, 
 and the accession of Queen Mary. This news, however, 
 ■was attended with one favourable circumstance, which was, 
 the release of liishop Tonstal from the Tower, and his restora- 
 tion to his bishopric. Soon after, Tonstal finding a rich 
 living vacant in his diocese, made the offer of it to Mr. 
 Gilpin ; supposing that by this time he might have got 
 over his former scruples. But Mr. Gilpin still continued 
 inflexible in his resolution not to accept any benefice 
 without discharging the duties of it. He, therefore, gave 
 the bishop his reasons for not accepting his kind offer, in 
 tlie following letter, dated from Louvain, November 22, 
 1554: 
 
 " Right honourable and singular good lord, my duty 
 " remembered in most humble manner. Pleaseth it your 
 " lordship to be informed, that of late my brother wrote to 
 *' me, that in any wise I must meet him at Mechlin ; for he 
 " must debate with me urgent affairs, such as could not be 
 " dispatched by writing. When we met, I perceived it 
 *' was nothing else but to see if he could persuade me to 
 ^' take a benefice, and continue in study at the university ; 
 " which if I had known to be the cause of his sending for 
 " me, I should not have needed to interrupt my study to 
 " meet him. For I have so long debated that matter Avith 
 " learned men, especially with the holy prophets, and m.ost 
 " ancient and godly writers since Christ's time, that I trust 
 *' so long as I have to live, never to burden ray conscience 
 *' with having a benefice, and lying from it. My brother 
 
250 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 « said, that your lordship had written to him, that yoii 
 " would gladly bestow one on me ; and that your lordship 
 " thought, and so did other of my friends, of which he 
 " was one, that I was much too scrupulous in that point. 
 " Whereunto I always say, if I be too scrupulous, as I 
 " cannot think that I am, the matter is such, that I had 
 " rather my conscience were a great deal too strait, tlian a 
 *' a little too large. For I am seriously persuaded, that I 
 " shall never oil'end God by refusing to have a benefice, 
 " and lie from it, so long as I judge not evil of others; 
 *' ^\hich, I trust, I shall not; but rather pray God daily, 
 <' that all who have cures may discharge their office in his 
 ♦' sight, as may tend most to his glory and the profit of his 
 " church. He replied against me, that your lordship would 
 *' give me no beriefice, but what you would see discharged 
 " in my absence, as well or better than I could discharge it 
 " myself. Whtrennto I answered, that I would be sorry, 
 '• if I tiiought not that there were many thousands in 
 '' England, more able to discharge a cure than I find myself. 
 " And therefore 1 desire they may take both the cure and 
 " the profits also; that they may be able to feed both the 
 *' body and tie soul, as I think all pastors are bounden. 
 " As tor me, I can never persuade myself to take the projilj 
 " and another take tlie pains : for if he should teach and 
 *■• preach as faithfully as ever St. Austin did, y^i I should 
 *' not think myself discharged. And if I should strain my 
 *' conscience herein, I strive with it to remain b^re, or in any 
 *• other university, the unquietness of it would not suffer 
 *' me to profit in my study at all. 
 
 " I am here, at this pnsent, I thank God, very well 
 " placed for study auiong a company of learned men, joining 
 *' to ihe friers minors ; having free access at all times to a 
 <' notable library among the friers, men both well learned 
 *' and studious. 1 have entered acquaintance with divers 
 " the best learned in the town ; and for my part was never 
 «' more desirous to h\arn in all my life than at present. 
 ' Wherefore, I am bold, knowing your loidship^s singular 
 " good will towards me, to open my mind thus rudely and 
 " plainly unto your goodness, most humbly beseeching yon 
 " to suffer me to live without charge, that I may study 
 " quietly. 
 
 ^^ And whereas I know well your lordship is careful how 
 « I should live, if God should call your iordship, beiu^ 
 " now aged, I desire you will not let that care troubfe you. 
 " For if I had no other shift, I could get a lectureship, I 
 
 ( 
 
 i 
 
GILPIX. 251 
 
 *^ Tinow, shortly, either in this university, or at least in some 
 *' abbey hereby ; where 1 should not lose any time ; and this 
 *' kind of life, if God be pleased, I desire before any 
 *' benefice. And thus I pray Christ always to have your 
 *' lordship in blessed keeping. By your lordship's humble 
 " scholar and chaplain, 
 
 " Berxard Gilpin." 
 
 The bishop was not offended with this letter. The 
 unafF. cted piety which it discovered disarmed all res^nt- 
 mrnt, and led him rather to admire a behaviour, in which 
 the motives of conscit^nce shewed themselves so much 
 superior to those of interest. " Which of our modern 
 " gaping rooks," exclaims Bishop Carleton, "could eudca- 
 " vour wi(ii greater industry fo obtain a benefice, than this 
 " man did to avoid one!" Mr. Gilpin having got over this 
 affair, continued some time longer at Lou vain, daily im- 
 proving in religious knowledge. And having remained 
 about two years, he went to Paris ; where his first care was 
 (he printing of Tonstal's book, which he performed entirely 
 to the bishop's satistaction, and received his thanks for it. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin having spent three years on the continent, 
 was fully satisfied in all his former scruples. He was firmly 
 convinced of the errors and evil tendency of popery ; and of 
 the truth and importance of the doctrines of the reformation. 
 Therefore, in the year 1556, he returned to England, 
 though the persecutions of Queen Mary were carrying on 
 with unabating fury. Tonstal received his kinsman with 
 great kindness ; and soon after his arrival, gave him the 
 archdeaconry of Durham, to which the rectory of Easington 
 was annexed. He immediately repaired to his parish, 
 where he preached with great boldness against the vices, 
 errors, and corruptions of the times ; also, by virtue of his 
 office as archdeacon, he took great pains to reform the 
 manners of the clergy. His free and open reproofs soon 
 roused the malice of proud ecclesiastics, who used every 
 method in their power to remove so inconvenient a person. 
 It soon became their popular clamour, that he was an 
 enemy to the church ; a scandal izer of the clergy ; a 
 preacher of damnable doctrines ; and that if he was spared 
 much longer, religion must sufter from the heresies he was 
 daily propagating.* Indeed, a charge of heresy, consisting of 
 
 ♦ Mr. Gilpin, in a letter to his brother, makes the following observa- 
 tion: — " After I entered upou the parsonaj;e of Easington, and began io 
 " preach," says he, " I soon procured many mighty and grievous adversa- 
 " ries J for (hat I preached against pluralities and nonresidence. Some said, 
 
252 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 (hirteen articles, was soon drawn up against him ; and lie 
 was accused in form before the Bishop of Durham, But 
 the bishop, who was much acquainted with the world, 
 easily found a method of disrai>siiig the cause, so as to 
 protect his nephew, without endaiigering himself. The 
 malice of his enemies, Imwever, could not rest ; and they 
 created him so much trouble, and on account of the 
 extreme f'tigne of keeping both his places, he begged 
 leave of the bishop to resign either the archdeaconry or his 
 parisli. But the bishop observing that the income of the 
 former was not a sufficient support without the latter, and 
 that he was unwillijig they should be separated, Mr. Gilpin 
 tiierefore resigned tJiem both. 
 
 The bishop soon after presented him to the rectory of 
 Hougliton-le-Spring, in the county of Durham. The living 
 was valuable; but the duties of it were proportionably 
 laborious. The parish contained no less than fourteen 
 villages ; and the instruction of the people having been so 
 exceedingly neglected, popery was arrived to its full 
 growth of superstition. Scarcely any traces of true Chris- 
 tianity were indeed left. Nay, what little remained, was 
 even popery ilself corrupted. Here all its idle ceremonies 
 were carried to a greater extent than in most other places, 
 and were looked upon as the very essentials of religion. 
 And how these barbarous people were excluded from all 
 means of better information, appears from hence, that 
 through the neglect of the bishops and the justices of peace, 
 King Edward's proclamations for a change of worship, had 
 not been even heard of, in that part of the kingdom, at the 
 time of his death. Such was tlie condition of the parish of 
 Houghton, when first committed to the care of Mr. Gilpin. 
 He was grieved to see ignorance and vice so lamentably 
 prevail; but he did not despair. He implored the assist- 
 ance and blessing of God, and was much encouraged. The 
 people crowded about him, and heard him with great 
 attention. They perceived him to be a very difterent 
 teacher from those to whom they had been accuslomed. 
 
 After the acceptance of Houghton, Tonstal uryed him to 
 accept of a stall in the catliedral of Durham ; telling him, 
 that there did not exist the same objection against this as 
 against the archdeaconry, it being altogether a sinecure; 
 
 " aU who preached that doctrine became heretics soon after. Others found 
 "great fault, for thai I jirearhed repentance and salvation by Christ; 
 " and did not make whole »> riiions, as the;y dicj, about transubstantiation, 
 " purgatorj, holy-water, images, prayers to saints, and such like." 
 
GILPIN. 253 
 
 and that he could have no reasonable pretence for refusing 
 it. But Mr. Gilpin resolving not to accept it, told the 
 bishop, that by his bounty he had already more wealth, 
 than he was afraid, he could give a gaod account of. He, 
 therefore, begged that he might not liave any addilional 
 charge; but that his lordsliip v/ouh'. besioAv his preferment 
 on some one who stood in greater need of it. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin now lived "retired, and gave no immediate 
 offence to the clergy. The experience he had of their 
 temper, made him more cautious not to offend them. He 
 was, indeed, more cautious than he afterwards approved. 
 For in tuture life he often taxed his behaviour, at this 
 period, with weakness a^.d cowardice. But all the caution 
 he could use availed nothing. He was soon formally 
 accused a second time before the Bishop of Durham ; who 
 again found means to protect him. The malice of his 
 enemies, however, succeeded in part. From this time, 
 TonstaFs favour towards him visibly declined ; and to shew 
 his dislike of heresy, and of his kinsman's conduct, he 
 struck him out of his will, though he had before made him 
 his executor. The loss gave Mr. Gilpin very little uneasi- 
 ness. His heart was not set upon the things of this world. 
 It was no less than he exj^ected, nor more than he had 
 provided for. He was, indeed, sorry to see the bishop dis- 
 gusted ; and would have given up any thing, except his 
 conscience, lo have satisfied him. But a good conscience, 
 he was assured, was the best friend in the world ; and he 
 was resolved not to part with that, to please any man upon 
 earth. 
 
 His enemies, in the mean time, were not silenced. They 
 were so exceedingly enraged by their second failure, that 
 they caused thirtij-lwo articles, expressed in the strongest 
 terras, to be exhibited against liim, before Boimer, bishop of 
 London. Here they went the right way to work. Bonuer 
 was a man exactly suited to their purpose, nature having 
 formed him for an in{}uisitor. The fierce zealot at once 
 took fire, extolled so laudable a concern for religion, and 
 promised that the heretic should be at the stake in a fort- 
 night. Mr. Gilpin, wlio was no stranger to the burmng 
 zeal of the Bishop of London, received the account with 
 great composure, and immediately prepared for martyrdom. 
 Laying his hand on the shoulder of a favourite domestic, 
 he said, " At length they have prevailed against me. I am 
 " accused to the Bishop of London, from whom there will 
 " be no escaping. God forgive their malice, and give me 
 
254; LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " strength to undergo the trial." He then ordered his 
 servant to provide a long garment, in which he might go 
 decently to the stake, and desired it might be got ready 
 with all expedition; "for I know not," said he, "how 
 " soon I may have occasion for it."* As soon as he was 
 apprehended, he set out for London, in expectation of the 
 fire and faggot. But on his journey to the metropolis, we 
 are informed, that he broke his leg, which unavoidably 
 detained him some time on the road. The persons con- 
 ducting him, took occasion from this disaster maliciously lo 
 retort upon him a frequent observation of his, viz. " That 
 nothing happens io us but what is intended for our good." 
 And when they asked him whether he thought his broken leg 
 was so intended, he meekly replied, that he had no doubt 
 of it. And, indeed, so it soon appeared in the strictest 
 sense. For before he was able to travel, Queen Mary died, 
 and he was set at liberty. Thus he again escaped out of 
 the hands of his enemies. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin having obtained this providential deliverance, 
 returned to Honghton through crowds of people, express- 
 ing the utmost joy, and blessing God for his happy 
 release. The following year he lost his friend and relation 
 Bishop Tonstal;+ but soon procured himself other friends. 
 Upon the deprivation of the popish bishops, the Earl of 
 Bedford recommended him to the patronage of Queen 
 Elizabeth, who offered him the bishopric of Cf^rlisle; and 
 according to Wood, he was much pressed to accept it.| 
 The Bishop of Worcester, his near relation, wrote to him 
 expressly for this purpose, and warmly urged him to accept 
 the offer, declaring that no man was more fit for such kind 
 of preferment.^ After all, Mr. Gilpin modestly refused. 
 No argnments could induce him to act contrary to the 
 dictates of his conscience. The accounts given us l)y 
 Bishop Nicolson and Dr. Heylin of Mr. Gilpin's behaviour 
 on this occasion, are extremely disingenuous : they both 
 ascribe it to his lucrative motives. The former intimates 
 that the good man knew what he was about, when he 
 refused to part with the rectory of Houghton for the 
 bishopric of Carlisle : the latter supposes that all his 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sup. p. 72. 
 
 + Bishop Tonstal was one of the politest scholars of the age, and a 
 man of the most amiable character. He published a book, entitled De 
 ^rte Suppulandi, which was the first book of arithmelir ever printed i» 
 England, and passed thiough many editions. — Granger, vol, i. p. 95. 
 
 j Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 593. 
 
 ^ Fullers Church Hist. b. ix. p. 63. 
 / 
 
GILPIiV. 235 
 
 scruples would have vanished, might lie have had the old 
 temporalities undiminished. Both these writers seem to 
 have been very little acquainted Avith Mr. Gilpin's cha- 
 racter, lie considered his income in no other light, than 
 that of a fund to be managed for the pul)lic good. The 
 bishop's insinuation, therefore, is contradicted by every 
 action in Mr. Gilpin's life : and Dr. Heylin's is most 
 notoriously false, for the bishopric was offered him with 
 the old temporalities undiminished.* 
 
 It is certain that Mr. Gilpin was reckoned among the 
 nonconformists of his time; and though he had several 
 reasons for rejecting the offered preferment, that which 
 prevailed most with him, was liis disaffection to some 
 points of conformity. + It was his fixed opinion, tliat no 
 human invention should take place in the churcli, instead of 
 a divine institution. The excellent Bishop Pilkington, 
 who succeeded Tonstal at Durham, connived at his non- 
 conformity ; and excused him from subscription, the use of 
 the habils, and a strict observance of the ceremonies.^ But 
 the bishop could screen him only for a season. For upon 
 the controversy about the habits, about the year 1566, he 
 was deprived for nonconformity ; ^ but it is extremely 
 probable he did not continue long under the ecclesiastical 
 censure. The year after he was offered and nominated to 
 the bishopric of Carlisle, he was offered the provostship of 
 Queen's college, Oxford ; but this he declined also. His 
 heart was set on ministerial usefulness, not ecclesiastical 
 preferment. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin continued many years at Houghton without 
 further molestation, discharging all the duties of his function 
 in a most exemplary manner. When he first undertook 
 the care of souls, it was his settled maxim to do all the 
 good in his power; and accordingly his whole conduct 
 was one direct line towards this point. His first object 
 ivas to gain the affections of his people. Yet he used no 
 servile compliances : his means, as well as his ends, were 
 good. His behaviour was free without levity, obliging 
 without meanness, and insinuating without art. He con- 
 descended to the weak, bore with the passionate, and coin- 
 plied with the scrupulous. Hereby he convinced them 
 how much he loved them; and tlms gained their high 
 esteem. He was unwearied in the instruction of those 
 
 * Biog;. Britan. vol. vii. Sup, p. 72. 
 
 t MS. Remarks, p. 117. t Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 345. 
 
 ^ Calatny's Account, vol. i. Pref, 
 
256 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 wnder his care. He was not satisfied with the advice he 
 gave them in public, but taught them from house to house ; 
 and disposed his people to come to him with their doubts 
 and diiliculties. And even the nproofs which ho gave, 
 evidently proceeding from friendship, and given with gen- 
 tleness, very seldom gave offence. Thus, with unceasing 
 assiduity, he was employed in admonishing the vicious, and 
 encouraging the well-disposed. And in a few years, by 
 the blessing of God upon his endeavours, a greater change 
 was effected throughout his parish, than could have been 
 expected. 
 
 Mr. Gilpin continued to discliarge the duties of his 
 ministerial function in the most conscientious and hborious 
 manner. Notwithstanding all his painful industry, and the 
 large scope of labour in his own parish, he thought the 
 sphere of his exertions v/ere too confined. It grieved his 
 righteous soul to behold in all the surrouviding parishes so 
 much ignorance, superstition, and vice, occasioned by the 
 shameful neglect of the clergy. The ignorance nud public 
 vices in that part of the country, were very remarkable. 
 This appears from the injunctions of Arciibishoj) Grindal 
 in J570; among which were the following: — " That no 
 " pedlar shall b_* admitted to sell his Avares in the church 
 " porch in divine service. — That paris'ii clerks shall be able 
 *' to read. — That no lords of misrule, or suuniier lords and 
 *' ladies, or any disguised persons, morrice-dancers or 
 " others, shall come irreverently into the church, or play 
 " any unseemly parts v/itu scoOs, jests, wanton gestures, 
 *' or ribbald talk, in the time of divine service."* Such was 
 the deplorable condition of the people. Therefore, to supply 
 as far as he was able, what was manifestly wanting in others, 
 Tie used regularly every year to visit the most neglected 
 parishes in Northumberland, Westmoreland, Cumberlajid, 
 and Yorkshire : and that his own people might not suffer, 
 he was at the expense of keeping an assistant. Even in 
 those wild parts of the country, he never wanted an 
 audience ; and was the means under God of rousing many 
 to a sense of religion, and the great importance of their 
 salvation. 
 
 There is a tract of country on the borders of Northumber- 
 land, called Reads-dale and Tyne-dale ; which, of all other 
 places in the north, were the most barbarous. It was 
 inhabited by a kind of desperate banditti, who lived chieflT 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. vii. Sup. p. 73, 
 
GILPIN. 257 
 
 by plunder. In this wretched part of the country, "where 
 no one Avould even travel if he could avoid it, Mr. Gilpin 
 never failed to spend some part of the year, labouring for 
 the good of their souls. He had fixed places for preaching, 
 and punctually attended. If he came where there was a 
 church, he made use of it ; but if there were none, he used 
 to preach in barns, or any other large buildings, where great 
 crowds of people were sure to attend. In these itinerating 
 excursions, his labours were always very great, and he often 
 endured the most amazing hardships. 
 
 This excellent servant of Christ sometimes gave incon- 
 lestible evidence of his firmness in reproving the vices of 
 the greatest as well as the poorest. Having at one time 
 made the requisite preparations for his journey to Reads- 
 dale and Tyne-dale, he received a message from Dr. Barns, 
 bishop of Durham, appointing him to preach a visitation 
 sermon on the following sabbath. He therefore acquainted 
 the bishop with his engagements, and the obligation he was 
 under to fulfil them, begging his lordship at that time to 
 excuse him. As the bishop returned no answer, he con- 
 cluded that he was satisfied, and set out on his journey. 
 But, upon his return, he was greatly surprised to find 
 himself suspended. After some time, he received an order 
 to meet the bishop and many of the clergy, when the bishop 
 ordered Mr. Gilpin to preach before them. He pleaded 
 his suspension, and that he was unprepared ; but the bishop 
 immediately took off his suspejision, and would admit of no 
 excuse. Mr. Gilpin then went up into the pulpit, and 
 preached upon the high charge of a christian bishop. In 
 the sermon, after exposing the corruptions of the clergy, he 
 boldly addressed tlie bishop in these words : — " Let not 
 '* your lordship say, that these crimes have been committed 
 *' by others, without your knowledge ; for whatever either 
 " yourself shall do in person, or suftcr through your con- 
 '' nivance to be done by others, is wholly your own. 
 " The.efore, in the presence of God, angels, and men, T 
 *' pronounce you to be the author of all these evils. Yea, 
 " and ill that strict day of general account, I will be a 
 <' witness to testify against you, that all these things have 
 '^ come to your knowledge by my means ; and all these 
 "" men shall b( ar witness thereof, who have heard me speak 
 ** to you this day." 
 
 This great freedom alarmed all who wished well to Mr. 
 Gilpin. They said, the bishop had now got that advantage 
 over him which bis enemies had lojig sought to obtain. And 
 
 VOL. T. s 
 
258 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 when tbey expostulated with him, he said, " Be not afraid. 
 The Lord God ruleth over all. If God may be glorified, 
 and his truth propagated, God's will be done concerning 
 me." Thus be assured them, that if his discourse answered 
 the purpose he intended, he was regardless what might befall 
 himself. Upon his going to the bishop, to pay his compli- 
 ments before he went home, the bishop said, " Sir, I 
 purpose to wait upon you home myself;" and so accom- 
 panied him to his house. As soon as Mr. Gilpin had 
 conducted him into the parlour, the bishop suddenly turned 
 round, and seizing him by the hand, said, " Father Gilpin, 
 " 1 acknowledge you are fitter to be the Bishop of Durham, 
 " than I am to be the parson of your church. I ask 
 " forgiveness of past injuries. Forgive me, father. I know 
 *' you have enemies ; but while I live Bishop of Durham, 
 *' be secure : none of them shall cause you any further 
 " trouble."* 
 
 The benevolence and hospitality of Mr. Gilpin were the 
 admiration of all the country. Strangers and travellers 
 found a cheerful reception at his house. All were welcome 
 that came : ar.d every sabbath, from Michaelmas to Easter, 
 he expected to see all his parishioners and their families. 
 For their reception, he had three tables well covered : the 
 first for gentlemen, the second for husbandmen and farmers, 
 and the third for the labouring poor. This kind of hospi- 
 tality he never omitted, even when losses or scarcity 
 rendered its continuance rather difficult. He thought it 
 was his duty ; and that was a deciding motive. Even when 
 he was from home, the poor were fed, and strangers enter- 
 tained, as usual. Every Thursday throughout the year, a very 
 large quantity of meat was dressed wholly for the poor ; and 
 every day they had as much broth as they wanted. Twenty- 
 four of the poorest were his constant pensioners. Four times 
 in the year a dinner was provided for the poor in general, 
 when they received a certain quantity of corn and a sum of 
 iponey ; and at Christmas they had always an ox divided 
 among them. Whenever he heard of any persons in distress, 
 whether in his own parish or any other, he was sure to 
 relieve them. As he walked abroad, he frequently brought 
 home with him poor people, and sent them away clothed as 
 well as fed. He took great pains to acquaint himself with 
 the circumstances of his neighbours, that the modesty of 
 sufierers might not prevent their relief. But the money best 
 
 *, Wood says, that Bishop Bajrns was a constant favourer of puritanisra, 
 — Athena Oxon, vol, i. p. 607. 
 
GILPIN. §59 
 
 laid out, in bis opinion, was that which encouraged industry. 
 He (o(;k great pleasure in making up the losses of those who 
 were lab*Tious. If a poor man had lost a beast, he would 
 send him another in its room : or if the farmers had at any 
 tinw a bad harvest, he would make them an abatement in 
 their tithes. Thus, as far as he was able, he took the mis- 
 fortunes of his parish upon himself, and, like a true 
 shepherd, exposed himself for his flock. 
 
 In the distant places where he preached, as well as in his 
 own neighbourhood, his generosity and benevolence were 
 coiitinuaily manifested, particularly in the parts of Northum- 
 berland where he preached. Upon the public road, he 
 never passed an opportunity of doing good. He was often 
 known to take oft' his cloak, and give it to a poor traveller. 
 " When he began a journey to those distant places," it is 
 said, " he would have ten pounds in his purse ; and at his 
 coming home, would be twenty nobles in debt, which he 
 would always pay within a fortnight after." 
 
 Among the many instances of Mr. Gilpin's uncommon 
 benevolence, was the erection and endowment of a public 
 grammar school. His school was no sooner opened, than 
 it began to flourish ; and there was so great a resort of young 
 people to it, that in a little time the town could not accom- 
 modate them. For the sake of convenience, however, he 
 fitted up his own house, where he had seldom fewer than 
 twenty or thirty children. The greater part of these were 
 poor children, whom he not only educated, but clothed and 
 maintained. He was also at the expense of boarding many 
 poor children in the town. He sent many of his scholars to 
 the university, and devoted sixty pounds a year to their 
 support during their continuance there. The common 
 allowance for each scholar was ten pounds annually ; which 
 to a sober youth was at that time a sufficient support. And 
 he not only procured able teachers for his school, but took 
 a very active part himself in the constant inspection of it. 
 To increase the number of his scholars, one method which 
 he used was rather singular. Whenever he met Avith a 
 poor boy upon the road, he would make trial of his abilities 
 by asking him questions ; and if he was pleased with him, 
 would provide tor his education. Among those educated 
 at his school, and sent to the university, were Dr. George 
 Carleton, afterwards bishop of Chichester, who published 
 Mr. Gilpin's life ; Dr. Henry Airay, and the celebrated Mr. 
 Hugh Broughton. 
 
 Towards the close of life, Mr. Gilpin went through his 
 
260 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 laborious exercises with great difficulty. By extreme 
 fatigue for many years, his constitution was worn down, and 
 his health much impaired. He thus expressed himself in a 
 letter to a friend : " To sustain all these travels and troubles, 
 1 have a very weak body, subject to many diseases ; by the 
 motions whereof, I am daily warned to remember death. 
 My greatest grief of all is, that my memory is quite decayed : 
 my sight faileth ; my hearing faileth ; with other ailments, 
 more than I can well express." While he was thus strug- 
 gling with old age and an impaired constitution, as he was 
 one day crossing the market-place at Durliara, an ox ran 
 at him, and pushed him down with such violence, that it was 
 thought it would have occasioned his death. Though he 
 survived the shock and bruises he received, he was long 
 confined to his house, and continued lame as long as he 
 lived. 
 
 During his last sickness, he made known his apprehen- 
 sions to his friends, aisd spoke of death with happy 
 composure of mind. A few days previous to his departure, 
 he requested that his friends, acquaintance, and dependents, 
 might be called into his chamber ; and being raised in his 
 bed, he delivered to each of them the pathetic exhortation 
 of a dying man. His remaining hours were employed in 
 prayer, and broken conversation with select friends, speaking 
 often of the sweet consolations of the gospel. He finished 
 his laborious life, and entered upon his rest, March 4, 1583, 
 aged sixty-six 3 ears. 
 
 Such was the end of Mr. Bernard Gilpin, whose learning, 
 piety, charity, labours, and usefulness, were almost un- 
 bounded. He possessed a quick imagination, a strong 
 memory, and a solid judgment; and greatly excelled in 
 the knowledge of languages, history, and divinity. He was 
 so laborious tor the good of souls, that he was usually called 
 the Northern Apostle ; and he was so universally 
 benevolent to the necessitous, that he was commonly styled 
 the Father of the Poor. He was a thorough puritan 
 in principle, and a most conscientious nonconformist in 
 practice, but against separation. Being full of faitli and 
 good v\orks, he was accounted a saint by his very enemies; 
 and was at last gathered in as a shock of corn fully ripe. By 
 his last will and testament, he left half of his property to the 
 poor of Houghton, and the other half to a number of poor 
 scholars at the university.* 
 
 * Wood's Atbenae Oxon. vol, i. p. 70S. 
 
GILPIN. 261 
 
 Mr. Gilpin, from the earliest period, was inclined to 
 serious thoughtfulness. This wjss discovered by the follow- 
 ing circumstance. A begging friar coming on a Saturday 
 evening to his father's house, was received, according (o the 
 custom of those times, in a very hospitable manner. The 
 friar made too free with the bounty set before him, and 
 became thoroughly intoxicated. The next morning, how- 
 ever, he ordered the bell to toll for public worship; and 
 from the pulpit, expressed himself with great vehcn:ience 
 against the debauchery of the times, but particularly against 
 drunkenness. Young Gilpin, then a child on his mother's 
 lap, seemed for some lime exceedingly affected by the 
 friar's discourse ; and at length, with the utmost indignafion, 
 cried out: "Oh, mamma, do you hear how this fellow 
 *' dares speak against drunkeimess, and was drunk himself 
 " last night !" 
 
 The disinterested pains which Mr. Gilpin took among 
 the barbarous people in the north, and the great kindness 
 he manifested towards them, excited in them the warmest 
 gratitude and esteem. One instance is related, shewing 
 how greatly he was revered. Being once on his journey to 
 Reads-dale and Tyne-dale, by the carelessness of his 
 servant, he had his horses stolen. The news quickly spread 
 through the country, and every one expressed the highest 
 indignation against it. While the thief was rejoicing over 
 his prize, he found, by the report of the country, whose 
 horses he had stolen ; and being exceedingly terrified at 
 what he had done, he instantly came trembling back, con- 
 fessed the fact, returned the horses, and declared he believed 
 the devil would have seized him immediately, if he had 
 taken them off, when he found they belonged to Mr^ 
 Gilpin. 
 
 The hospitality of this excellent person was not con- 
 fined in its objects. Strangers and travellers found the 
 kindest entertainment in his house. And even their beasts 
 were so well taken care of, that it was humorously said, 
 " If a horse was turned out in any part of the country, he 
 would immediately make his way to the rectory of Hough- 
 ton." — The following instance of his benevolent spirit, 
 is preserved. As he was one day returning from a 
 journey, he saAV several persons crowding together in a 
 field; and supposing some disaster had happened, he rode 
 up to them, and found that one of the horses in a team had 
 suddenly dropped down, and was dead. The owner be- 
 moaning the greatness of his loss, Mr. Gilpin said, " Honest 
 
262 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 man, be not discouraged; I'll let you have thai horse of 
 mine," pointing at his servant's." " Ah ! masier," replied 
 the countryman, " my pocket will not reach such a beast as 
 that." " Come, come," said Mr. Gilpin, " take him, take 
 him ; and when I demand the money, then shalt thou pay 
 me ;" and so gave him his horse. 
 
 The celebrated Lord Burleigh being once sent into 
 Scotland, embraced the opportunity on his return to visit 
 his old acquaintance at Houghton. His visit was without 
 previous notice ; yet the economy of Mr. Gilpin's house 
 was not easily disconcerted. He received his noble guest 
 with so much true politeness, and treated him and his whole 
 retinue in so affluent and generous a manner, that the 
 treasurer would often afterwards say, " he could hardly 
 have expected more at Lambeth." During his stay, he 
 took great pains to acquaint himself with the order and 
 regularity of the house, which gave him uncommon 
 pleasure and satisfaction. This noble lord, at parting, 
 embraced his much respected friend with all the warmth of 
 affection, and told him, he had heard great things in his 
 commendation, but he had now seen what far exceeded all 
 that he had heard. " If Mr. Gilpin," added he, "I can 
 " ever be of any service to you at court or elsewhere, use 
 " me with all freedom, as one on whom you may depend." 
 When he had got upon llainton-hill, which rises about a 
 mile from Houghton, and commands the vale, he turned 
 his horse to take one more view of tbe place, and having 
 fixed his eye upon it for some time, he broke out into this 
 exclamation : " There is the enjoyment of life indeed ! 
 '' Who can blame that man for refusing a bishopric ? What 
 " doth he want, to make him greater, or happier, or more 
 " useful to mankind ?"* 
 
 Dr. Ilichard Gilpin, an excellent and useful divine, ejected 
 by the Act of Unitbrmity in 1662; and Mr. William 
 Gilpin, author of " The Lives of eminent Reformers," were 
 both descendants of Mr. Gilpin's family.t 
 
 John Copping. — This unhappy man was minister near 
 Bury St. Edmunds, a zealous puritan of the Brownist per- 
 suasion, and a most painful sufferer for nonconformity. In 
 the year 1376, he was brought into trouble by the commis- 
 
 * Biog. Britan, vol. vii. Sup. p. 75. 
 
 + Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol, i. p. 388. — Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. 
 p. 163. 
 
COPPING. 263 
 
 s:iry of the Bishop of Norwich, and committed to prison at 
 Bury. He is said to have maintained the iolluwing 
 opinions : " That unpreaching ministers were dumb dogs. — 
 Tliat whoever keeps saints' days, is an idolater. — That 
 the queen, who had sworn to keep God's law, and set forth 
 God's glory, as appointed in the scriptures, and did not 
 perform it, was perjured." And it is added, that for the 
 space of six months, he had refused to have his own child 
 baptized; "because," he said, "none should baptize his 
 child who did not preach ;" and that when it was baptized, 
 he would have neither godfathers nor godmothers. TJiese 
 were the great crimes alleged against him ! Mr. Copping 
 Laving for these oft'cnces remained in prison two years, and 
 still refusing to conform; December 1, 1378, he underwent 
 an examiiiation before Justice Andrews, when the above 
 false and malicious opinions, as they are called, were proved 
 against him.* The good man continuing steadfast to his 
 principles, and still refusing to sacrifice a good conscience 
 on the altar of conformity, was sent back to prison, where 
 he remained nearly five years longer. What shocking bar- 
 barity was this ! Here Mr. Elias Thacker, another Brownist 
 minister, was his fellow prisoner. The two prisoners having 
 suffered this long and painful confinement, were indicted, 
 tried, and condemned for spreading certain books, said to 
 be seditiously penned by Robert Brown against the Book 
 of Common Prayer. The sedition charged upon Brown's 
 book, was, that it subverted the constitution of the esta- 
 blished church, and acknowledged her majesty's supremacy 
 only in cinil matters, not in matters ecclesiastical. The 
 judges took hold of this to aggravate their ofl'ence to the 
 queen, after they had passed sentence upon them, on the 
 statute of 23 Eliz. against seditious libels, and for refusing the 
 oath of supremacy. Having received the sentence of death, 
 they were both hanged at Bury, in the month of June, 
 1583. Such, indeed, was the resentment, and even the 
 madness, of the persecutors of these two servants of Christ, 
 that, previous to their death, all Brown's books that could 
 be found, were collected together, and burnt before their 
 cyes.+ Under all these barbarities, the two champions for 
 nonconformity continued immoveable to the last, and died 
 sound in the faith, and of holy and unblemished lives. But, 
 to hang men for spreading a book written against the church 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 532, 533. + Ibid. vol. iii. p. 186. 
 
g64 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 only, appeared extremely hard, especially at the very time 
 tvhen Brown himself was pardoned and set at liberty. 
 
 Thomas Underdown was minister of St. Mary's church 
 in Lewes, in the county of Sussex, but was brought into 
 trouble for nonconformity. By a special warrant from 
 Dr. LongM'orth, visitor to Archbishop Whitgift, dated 
 November IS, 1583, he was summoned to appear in the 
 ecclesiastical court at Lewes.* Upon his appearance in 
 the court, he was immediately required lo subscribe to 
 Whitgift's three articles. lie signifi<-d his readiness to 
 subscribe to the Jirst and third of those articles, but, 
 hesitating about the second, he was immediately suspended. 
 At the same time, Mr. William Hopkinson, vicar of Sale^- 
 hurst, Mr. Samuel Norden, minister of Hamsey, Mr. 
 Thomas Hely, minister of Warbleton, with many others in 
 the same county, were cited and suspended, for refusing 
 subscription, though their refusal was not out of contempt, 
 but because to them some things appeared doubtful.t 
 
 These ministers having received the ecclesiastical censure, 
 ventured to lay their case at the feet of the archbishop. 
 They appeared before his grace at Lambeth, December 5th, 
 in the same year ; when they entered upon the following 
 conference : 
 
 Underdown. We are become suitors to your lordship, 
 out of the diocese of Chichester, being urged thereunto by 
 the hard dealing of Dr. Longworth ; who hath suspended 
 us from the exercise of our functions, for not subscribing 
 to certain articles, pretended to be sent by your lord- 
 ship ; and to request your favour to be released from the 
 same. 
 
 * Dr. Longworth sent the following; warrant or citation to all the 
 ministers within the archdeaconry of Lewes, requiring them to appear 
 before him: — "These are to command you in her majesty's name, to 
 *' Sppear personally in St. Michael's church in Lewes, the 20th day of this 
 " present November, between the hours of eight and ten o'clock in the 
 " forenoon, then and theie to perform all such duties and injunctions, as I 
 *' am to impose upon you, from the Archbishop's grace of Canterbury, as 
 " appeareth by a special letter directed to me in that behalf. Fail you 
 " not hereof, upon pain of the law which will necessarily ensue upon the 
 *' default which you shall commit in these premises. From Lewes, 
 " November 18, 1583. 
 
 " Signed your loving friend, 
 
 " John Longworth." 
 
 MS. Register, p. 396. 
 
 + Ibid. p. 395, 396.— Strype's Whitgift, p. 128, 129. 
 
UNDERDOVVN. 2G5 
 
 Arclibisliop. I am so far from releasing you from jour sus- 
 pensions, that I declare it to have been orderly done ; and 
 I approve and justify the same, and shall further proceed 
 against you unless you subscribe. 
 
 U. My lord, we have subscribed to the first and third 
 articles, but desired respite for the second. And though we 
 have used the Book of Common Prayer, so far as concerned 
 our ministry, we cannot with a good conscience, subscribe 
 to every particular in that book. 
 
 A. If you use tiiat to which you will not subscribe, you 
 dissemble. And how much respite would you have, after 
 the exercise of twenty-five years ? 
 
 U. Every thing in the book doth not pertain to our 
 ministry; and in some things we are left to our liberty; 
 but this subscription bindeth us to give our full consent to 
 the whole, and thus abridgeth us of the liberty which the 
 book alloweth. 
 
 A. What do you dislike in the Book of Common 
 Prayer ? 
 
 U. We do not say dislilie, my lord ; but there are man j 
 things doubtful, and about which we are not yet resolved. 
 
 A. What are the points doubtful, which you wish to 
 have resolved ? I will endeavour to satisfy you, if you will 
 be satisfied. 
 
 U. We desire to know what book your lordship would 
 have us to subscribe unto. For there are many copies, 
 wliich differ in many points of great weight ; and those 
 which have been printed last, have most declined to super- 
 stition. 
 
 A. I mean the book which is now used for divine service 
 and administration of the sacraments in the church of 
 England. 
 
 U. That is not the book established by law, according to 
 1 Eliz., but diflereth in more points from the book of 5 
 Edward VI. than the law of the land alloweth. 
 A. And what is the difference ? 
 
 U. They difier in the following points and some others : 
 The kalenders are not the same ; the first lessons on all 
 saints' days are appointed out of the apocrypha ; the kalender 
 appoints the saints' eves to be observed by fasting : it putteth 
 in the popish saints : it prescribeth a number of holy-days : 
 and it omitteth the advertisement after the communion, to 
 avoid the popish adoration in kneeling at the sacrament. 
 A. The kalenders are not of the substance of the book. 
 U. They form a principal part of the book, and have a 
 
§66 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 chief interest in tlie directions there given : and the statute 
 calleth it a part. 
 
 A. What other doubts have you wliich you wish to be 
 resolved ? 
 
 U. The book prescribeth certain parts of the apocrypha 
 to be read in public worship, which contain gross errors, 
 both in doctrine and practice; and leaveth out some parts 
 of canonical scripture. 
 
 A. All the apocrypha is not appointed to be read, but 
 those parts which are most edifying-. And the ancient 
 fathers permitted them to be read in the church. 
 
 U. Not some detached parts only, my lord, but whole 
 books are appointed. 
 
 A. What errors in doctrine and practice do they contain ? 
 
 U. Raphael maketh a lie, Tobit v. 15. 
 
 A. If this be a lie, then the angels lied to Abraham, by 
 seeming to have bodies and to eat, when they had no bodies 
 and did not eat : And Christ, when he seemed to intend 
 going farther than Emmaus : And God, when he destroyed 
 not Ninevah. 
 
 U. The cases are not alike. — Again, the devil is said to 
 have loved Sara, Tobit vi. 16., which is fabulous. 
 
 A. Is it strange to you that the devil should love men 
 and women ? Do you think the devil doth not love ? 
 
 U. In Ecclesiasticus xlvi. 20. it is said, that Samuel 
 preached after he was dead. 
 
 A. h is controverted whether this were Samuel or some 
 evil spirit. 
 
 U. What writers are of this opinion ? 
 
 A. What point of faith is it to believe it was Samuel ? 
 
 U. A principal point, my lord ; for Rev. xiv. 13. it is 
 said, that the souls of the righteous are in the hands of 
 God, and rest from their labours ; which is not true, if 
 they be at the call of a witch or sorcerer, to do those 
 things which while they lived, they would not have done. 
 
 A. Cannot the Lord dispense with them, and allow them 
 to come, being called? 
 
 U. He dispenseth with things according to his word. 
 And, surely, he Avould not condemn such abominations, and 
 encourage them. 
 
 A. It is no matter whether we believe the one or the 
 other. What is your next error ? Are there any other 
 faults in the apocrypha ? 
 
 U. There are many others, which at this time we 
 remember not. 
 
UNDERDOWN. 267 
 
 A. Is there any other reason ^vhy you will not subscribe 
 to the Book of Common Prater ? 
 
 U. Yes, my lord, there are many others. For if we 
 subscribe to the book, we must subscribe to the massing 
 apparel : as copes, vestments, tunicle, &c. 
 
 A. Whatever you are discharged from by any article or 
 injunction, you arc not required to subscribe unto it in the 
 book. 
 
 U. Who then shall interpret how far our subscription 
 shall extend ? 
 
 A. That will I and the other bishops do, who know best 
 what the book and subscription meaneth. 
 
 U. But, my lord, we dare not subscribe without protesta- 
 tion. 
 
 A. I will have no protestation. You are not called to 
 rule in this church of England ; and you shall not rule, but 
 obey. And unless you subscribe, you shall have no place 
 in the ministry. Is there any other thing which hindereth 
 your subscription ? 
 
 U. The rubric requireth that after the reading of the 
 Nicene creed, an homily shall be read, either one already 
 set forth by public authority, or hereafter to be set forth ; 
 and we think it is absurd to subscribe to the use of things 
 not yet published. 
 
 A. You need not trouble yourself about that. Have you 
 any thing else ? 
 
 U. If we sul)scrlbe, we must subscribe to private baptism,^ 
 and the baptism of women, directly contrary to the word of 
 God. 
 
 A. Though baptism were unlawfully performed, yet 
 being once performed, it is not to be repealed ; and seehig 
 it has the seal of the prince, it may not be condemned, 
 though not performed by an ordinary minister. 
 
 U. We acknowledge the necessity of b;iptism, and that 
 he who administereth it, does not make thisacrau:ent better; 
 yet from the words of Christ, " Go teach and baptize," it 
 appears that he who administers this sacrament should 
 be a minister of the word. 
 
 A. Whosoever shall siy it is of tlie substance of the 
 sacrament, that he who baptizeth must be a minister, I will 
 proceed against him as an heretic. I say, moreover, it is 
 not lawful for women to baptize ; yet if they do baptize, 
 their baptism is valid, and ought not to be set aside. 
 
 U. Seeing the .'acrament is not saving, Imt the seal of 
 God's promises, there is no need of them to baptize. 
 
268 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 A. If I had a child dying without baptism, I should be 
 doubtful of its salvation. 
 
 U. V/e think, my lord, that it is not the want of baptism, 
 but the contempt of it, and that not of his friends, but the 
 person himself, that doth condemn. Yet we believe and 
 teach the lawfulness and necessity of childrens' baptism, and 
 that it ought to be performed by ministers. 
 
 A. The book doth not speak of women ; and it is called 
 private because of the place, not the persons. 
 
 U. The circumstances of it can admit of no other sense. 
 For it may be administered when there is not time to say 
 the Lord's prayer. 
 
 A. There may not be so much time after the minister is 
 come. 
 
 U. We know that the baptism of a certain nobleman by 
 the midwife was allowed and defended by the Book of 
 Common Prayer. 
 
 A. You should have complained of this abuse, that the 
 parties might have been punished. 
 
 U. Your lordship knoweth the opinion of most persons 
 upon this point, and that they practise accordingly. 
 
 A. It is not the fault of the book, if in this case it be 
 misunderstood. 
 
 U. The practice was condemned in the convocation, 
 when your lordship was prolocutor. 
 
 A. True : and you are to take away the superstition 
 attached to it, by preaching against it. — Have you any other 
 thing to mention ? 
 
 U. We object against private communion. 
 
 A. Strange, indeed ! Do you not think it lawful for two 
 to communicate alone ? If there were only two persons 
 together in time of persecution, or in a wilderness, or in the 
 world, would you have them not to communicate ? 
 
 U. Such communion, if the church were there, would 
 not be private. But we live in a time of gospel light and 
 peace ; therefore, the communion which your lordship 
 defendetli, savours too much of the popish liousel. 
 
 A. The minister is not compelled to do it, but only 
 suffered if he will. 
 
 U. But if we subscribe, we must subscribe unto this as 
 a convenient order appointed by the book. We have 
 many other things ; but we tear to be tedious. There are 
 many others who are suspended, and are waiting your 
 lordship's pleasure. 
 
 A. Why did they not all come ? I would have endea- 
 
UNDERDOWN. 269 
 
 voured to satisfy them. You seem to be sober and discreet 
 men. I would not have you depend on any vain fancies ; 
 but be ruled and enjoy your places, which, without this 
 subscription, you shall not hold. 
 
 U. If our ministry have been useful to souls, we thank 
 God for it ; and we desire to keep our places, if it may be 
 done with peace of conscience. 
 
 Hely. If we may subscribe with a good conscience, it is 
 what we desire. But, my lord, if we subscribe to the 
 book, do we not subscribe to the translation of the Bible, 
 which the book appointeth to be read ? That translation is 
 faulty and incorrect in many places. 
 
 A. Mention some place. 
 
 H. In the Psalms.* 
 
 The first day's conference thus broke off; but by order 
 of the archbishop, they all attended the next morning; 
 when they appeared before the archbishop, (he bishops of 
 London, Salisbury, and Rochester, and the dean of West- 
 minster. The archbishop having rehearsed the substance of 
 what had passed the preceding day, with some enlarge- 
 ment upon the devil's loving women, the Bishop of London 
 spoke as follows : 
 
 Bishop. If you had read either divinity or philosophy, 
 it would not be strange to you that the devil should love 
 women. 
 
 U. My lord, we have not learned any such divinity. 
 
 A. You must subscribe. It will be much to your ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 Hopkinson. We cannot subscribe, my lord, without pro- 
 testation. And we have not so far examined every point, 
 that we can subscribe at present, therefore we desire longer 
 respite. 
 
 B. What respite would you have, after the use of the 
 book twenty-tive years ? If you be not skilful in the 
 knowledge of it, in so long a time, it seems as if you had 
 not used it much. 
 
 Hopk. There are many things in the book which belong 
 not to us, or to our ministry, therefore we desire favour in 
 this subscription. 
 
 A. You shall subscribe or you shall enjoy no place in 
 the ministry. And because you are the first who have 
 been thus far proceeded against, in this cas?, you shall be 
 made aa example to all others. 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 39T-— 401. 
 
270 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Hopk. If your lordship will deal thus hardly with us, 
 we must give up our places. 
 
 A. If you do give them up, I can furnish them with as 
 sufiicieiit men as you are, and yet conformable. 
 
 B. Rochester. There are many learned men who are now 
 in want of livings. These will fill up their places. 
 
 A. You of Sussex have been accounted very disorderly 
 and contentious ; and her majesty hath been informed of 
 you; and I mean to proceed strictly with you. 
 
 U. My lord, the ministers of Sussex have been as well 
 ordered as any in the kingdom, until one Shales came 
 among them, and broached certaui points of popery and 
 heresy, which hath been the cause of all those troubles. 
 
 A. it would h .ve been a wonder, if you had not been 
 quiet, seeing you have all done as you pleased, without the 
 least controul : the devil will be quiet so long. Why do 
 you not accuse the man ? and you sliall see how I will deal 
 with lum. 
 
 B. Roches. Wliat were his points of popery and heresy ? 
 U. My lord hath been informed of tiiese things already. 
 
 A. I remember you found fault yesterday Avith holy- 
 days. 
 
 B. Have we not as good reason to maintain the holy-days 
 established by law, as you have to make them when you 
 please ? 
 
 Hopk. We make no holy-days. 
 
 B. What do you else, when you call the people together 
 unto sermons on working-days ? 
 
 Hopk. Wiier) we have sermons, the people go to work 
 before sermon, and return to work after sermon, as on other 
 days : but to do this on the holy-days, they might be pre- 
 sented and punished, as hath been lately witnessed. 
 
 A. I see whence you have most of your doubts. Mr. 
 Cartwright and I might have been better employed, espe- 
 cially he, who began the contest.* If you have any more 
 doubts, propose them now, seeing there are so many of the 
 bishops to answer them. 
 
 H. In the rubric before confirmation, salvation is ascribed 
 to baptism. For whosoever is baptized, is said to be 
 undoubtedly saved. 
 
 A. Is there any such thing in the book ? 
 
 H. Yes, my lord, those are the words. 
 
 * This statement is incorrect. Bin. Cartwriglit did not begin the con- 
 test; but Whitgift himself engaged first in the controversj'. — See Art. 
 Cartwright. 
 
UNDERDOWN. ^f 
 
 A. Let us see the book. 
 
 Hartwell. They are the last words of the rubric. 
 
 A. The meaning of the book is to exclude the popish 
 opinion of confirmation, as if it were as necessary as baptism. 
 Therefore, those who have been baptized have all outward 
 things necessary to salvation, even without confirmation. 
 
 H. The words may be taken in another sense, and, there- 
 fore, may not be subscribed witliout some deliberation. 
 
 Dean. I wonder you do not subscribe, seeing there is 
 nothing in the second article which is not in the third, and 
 you are willing to subscribe the third. 
 
 (J. We have subscribed to the third already ; and seeing 
 all things contained in the second are contained in the third, 
 we desire you to be satisfied with that subscription. 
 
 B. Not so. 
 
 Norden. How do your lordships understand these words, 
 *' Receive the Holy Ghost, for the office of a priest ?" 
 
 A. Not imperatively, but optatively ; and this speecli is 
 much the same as that other, " I baptize thee," &c. 
 
 B. We cannot give the Holy Gliost. 
 
 B. Roches. Do you not think, that when we use these 
 words, we do communicate something ? 
 
 U. I think not, my lord. For persons return from you 
 no better furnished, than when they came unto you, if we 
 may form our opinion from their practice. 
 
 A. We hope you are now resolved, and will now sub- 
 scribe. You are imlearncd, and only boys in comparison 
 of us, who studied divinity before most of you were born. 
 
 U. We acknowledge our youtli, ray lord, and have no 
 high opinion of our learning. Yet we hold ourselves 
 sufliciently learned to know and teach Jesus Christ, as the 
 way of salvation. 
 
 Hopk. If we subscribe under such interpretations, our 
 subscription may become dangerous to us hereafter, when 
 no interpretation may be allowed ; therefore, we desire 
 some protestation. 
 
 A. I will admit no protestation. 
 
 Dean. Come, Mr. Hopkinson, subscribe. My lord will 
 favour you much, and help you against your adversaries. 
 
 Hopk. We must be better advised, Mr. Dean. 
 
 A. Go into the garden, or elsewhere, and consider of this 
 matter, and return here again. 
 
 These divines having retired for some time, after con- 
 sultation among themselves, they returned and consented 
 
272 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 to subscribe, on condition that their subscription should 
 not be required to any thing ai^ainst the word of God, or 
 contrary to the analogy of faith ; and that it should not be 
 extended to any thing not already contained in the Book of 
 Common Prayer. Also, to avoid all cavilling, Mr. Under- 
 down protested, that the book of consecration did not belong 
 to them, and that they could not subscribe to it ; yet he 
 acknowledged the ministry of the churcli to be lawful. To 
 these conditions the archbishop and bishops agreed ; and the 
 ministers accordingly subscribed. Afterwards, Mr. Under- 
 down having requested that the cross in baptism might not 
 be urged, the conversation was briefly renewed, as follows : 
 
 A. You must use the cross, or the statute will reach 
 you. 
 
 Hopk. Because it is intended as a significant sign, and is 
 a new mystery in the church, we take it to be contrary to 
 the second commandment. 
 
 A. Remember, it is required in the rubric. 
 
 N. It scemeth hard that the child must be asked whether 
 it believe, and will be baptized. 
 
 A. The child is not asked, but the godfathers. 
 
 N. The godfathers and godmothers are several ; therefore, 
 if this were the meaning of the book, the number should be 
 altered. 
 
 U. There are in our county many more of our brethren 
 suspended for not subscribing. We beseech you that they 
 may enjoy the same benefit, if they will subscribe as we 
 have done. 
 
 A. I am content. 
 
 B. Roches. Are there any more who have refused ? 
 U. Yes, my lord ; there are above twenty in all. 
 B. Are there so many in your county ? 
 
 German. There are some who have subscribed, and are 
 greatly troubled in mind for what they have done. What 
 9o you think they had best do ? 
 
 A. Let them come to me, and I hope to satisfy them.» 
 In the conclusion of the above conference, Mr. Under- 
 down and his brethren were dismissed, when they returned 
 home; and December 11th, being assembled in open court 
 at Lewes, they were publicly release^ from their suspen- 
 siQns, wJiere the business ended. 
 
 • MS. Register, p. 401—406. 
 
SANDERSON. 273 
 
 Mr. Sanderson was minister at Lynn in Norfolk, and 
 troubled for his nonconformity. In the year 1573, he was 
 charged, together with the people of the town, with having 
 impugned the Book of Common Prayer. This was, indeed, 
 a sad crime in those days.* February 8th, in that year, the 
 following articles were exhibited against him in the eccle- 
 siastical court : 
 
 1. " That he had called the curate of the place, a dumb 
 dog, and a camelion priest. 
 
 2. " That he said the curate would not say the morning 
 prayer, but would bid the popish holy-days, and say the 
 popish service (meaning the common prayer) for those days. 
 
 3. " That, January 17th, lie declared in the pulpit, that 
 they who formerly employed their labours, and their goods, 
 for the benefit of their poor and afflicted brethren, were now 
 become judges over them; they sat in judgment upon 
 them ; and, like the Galatians, had received another gospel. 
 
 4. " That he exhorted the people to pray unto God, to 
 change the heart of the queen's majesty, that she might set 
 forth true doctrine and worship. 
 
 5. " That he said the apostle Paul would have contention 
 for the truth, rather than suffer any inconvenience to enter 
 into the church of God. 
 
 6. " That, January 24th, he said, that if either bishops, 
 deans, or any others, or even an angel from heaven, preached 
 any other doctrine than that which he then preached, they 
 should hold him accursed, and not believe him. 
 
 7. " That he called the appointed holy-days, Jewish 
 ceremonies ; and the churching of women, Jewish purifica- 
 tions ; and said, that many persons made the queen's laws 
 their divinity. 
 
 8. " That, February 7th, he said in his sermon, that 
 unpreaching and scandalous ministers were one principal 
 occasion of the present dearth." + 
 
 Upon the examination of Mr. Sanderson, though we do 
 not find what penalty was inflicted upon him, one Francis 
 Shaxton, an alderman of the place, accused him of having 
 delivered these opinions and assertions in two of his sermons, 
 and even said he heard them, when, in fact, he was in 
 London at the very time when the sermons were preached. 
 
 * " On Christmas-day last," says the Bishop of Norwich, in his letter 
 to Archbishop Parker, " some of the aldermen went to church in their 
 scarlets, and some would not; some opened their shops, and some shut them 
 up ; some eat flesh on that day, and others eat fish." Surely, then, it was 
 high time to punish these rebellious people ! — Strypis Parker, p. 452. 
 
 f MS. Register, p. 191. 
 
 vol,. I. T 
 
274 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 In the year 1583, Mr. Sanderson's name is among those of 
 the Nortblk divines, bein^ upwards of sixty in all, who were 
 not resolved to subscribe to Whitgift's three articles.* 
 
 John Hill was minister at Bury St. Edmurtds, and, for 
 omitting the cross in baptism, and making some trivial 
 alteration in the vows, was suspended by the high commis- 
 sion. Not long after receiving the ecclesiastical censure, 
 he was indicted at the assizes for the same thing. Upon 
 his appearance at the bar, having heard his indictment read, 
 he pleaded guilty. Tlien said Judge Anderson, before 
 whom he appeared, what can you say that you should not 
 suffer one year's imprisonment ?+ Mr. Hill replied, " the 
 law hath provided that I sliould not be punished, seeing I 
 have been already suspended for the same matter, by the 
 commissary." Upon this, the judge gave him liberty to 
 produce his testimonial under the hand and seal of the 
 commissary, at the next assizes. Accordingly, at the next 
 assizes, his testimonial was produced and read in open court, 
 when his discharge as founded thereon according to law 
 being pleaded by his counsel, he was openly acquitted and 
 dismissed. 
 
 Notwithstanding his public acquittance in open court, at 
 the Lent assizes in 1583, the good man was summoned again 
 by the same judge, and for the same crime. When he apj")eared 
 at the bar, and heard the charges brought against himself, 
 Le greatly marvelled, seeing he had been already discharged 
 of the same things. He was obliged t6 attend upon the 
 court many times, when being known to be a divine of 
 puritan principles, nothing more was done than he was 
 always bound to appear at the next assize. At length, 
 however, the judge charged him with having complained 
 of their hard usage. And, surely, he had great reason for 
 so doing. To this charge Mr. Hill replied, " I have 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 436. 
 
 t Sir Edmund Anderson, lord chief justice of tiie common pleas, was a 
 most furious and cruel persecutor of the puritans. He sat in judgment 
 upon Mary, Queen of Scots, in October, 1586; and the next year presided 
 at the trial of Secretary Davison, in the star-chamber, for signing the 
 warrant for the execution of that princess. His decision on that nice point 
 was, "That he had donejMs<um, non juste; he had done what was right in an 
 " unlawful manner, otherwise he thought him no bad man." " This was 
 excellent logic," says Granger, " for finding an innocent man guilty. But 
 upon the queen's order, and no-order, he was obliged to find him guilty, 
 upon pain of being deprived of his office."— Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 235. 
 
J. HILL— N. BROWN. 275 
 
 spoken no untruth of jour honours." Anderson then shewed 
 him the copy of a supplication, demanding whether he had 
 not set his hand to it; and Mr. Hdl answering- that he 
 thought he had, the angry judge said, " we shewed you 
 favour before in accepting your plea, but we will shew you 
 no more." Mr. Hill then replied, " I hope your lordships 
 will not revoke what you have done, seeing you have 
 discharged me of this matter already." The judge then 
 answered, " that which we did, we did out of favour to 
 you." Here the business closed, and Mr. Hill was sent to 
 prison, being charged with no other crime than that of 
 which the same judge had acquitted him. He continued in 
 prison a long time ; but whether he was ever restored to his 
 ministry, is very doubtful.* 
 
 Nicholas Brown, B. D. — This learned divine was 
 fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, and one of the 
 preachers to the university, but dissatisfied with the disci- 
 pline of the national church. In the year 1573, he was 
 brought into trouble for two sermons which he preached in 
 the university. For the erroneous and dangerous doctrines 
 supposed to be contained in these sermons, he was several 
 times called before the heads of colleges, and, after repeated 
 examination, was kept for some time in a state of confine- 
 ment. Dr. Whitgift, afterwards the famous archbishop, 
 was a leading person in these severe proceedings. 
 
 Upon Mr. Brown's appearance before his learned j udges, 
 he was required to retract his dangerous positions; which, at 
 first, he utterly refused ; but afterwards, it is said, he 
 complied. These dangerous positions Avere contained in 
 the two following articles : " That in his two sermons, he 
 uttered doctrine and reasons tendins: to infrino-e the order 
 and manner of creating and electing ministers, and the 
 regimen now used in the church of England. — And that no 
 priests made in the time of popery ought to have any 
 function in the church of England, except they be called 
 afresh. "+ These doctrines, said to have been delivered in 
 his sermons, contain all the crimes with which he was 
 accused even by his enemies. He was, therefore, required 
 to make the following recantation, in the place, and before 
 the congr(!gation, where he had delivered the sermons : 
 
 " Whereas, I preaching in this place, the Sunday before 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 314 . f Strype's Parker, p. 391, 392.. 
 
276 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ' Christmas, and January 25, last past, was noted to liave 
 ' preached offensively ; speaking as well against the manner 
 ' and form of making and ordering of ministers and deacons 
 ^ in the church of England, as by law established : also, 
 ' against such priests as were made in the time of King 
 ' Heiny and Queen Mary, saying that they were not to be 
 ' admitted into the ministry without a new calling. I now 
 ' let you understand, that I never meant so. For I do here 
 ' acknowledge and openly protest, that the manner and 
 ' form of ordering ministers and deacons in the church of 
 * England, now established, is lawful and to be allowed. 
 ' Also, that the priests made in the time of King Henry and 
 ' Queen Mary, now allowed, and now exercising any 
 ' function in the church, are lawful ministers of the word 
 ' and sacraments, without any new ordering, otherwise than 
 ' is prescribed by the laws of this realm."* 
 
 Mr. Brown refused to comply with the above tyrannical 
 requisition. He would not defile his conscience by doing 
 that which Avas contrary to the convictions of his own mind. 
 He considered it to be Iiis duty to obey God, rather than 
 men, though they were the spiritual rulers of an ecclesias- 
 tical establishment. He was, therefore, detained in prison 
 a considerable time, but afterwards obtained his release. 
 Notwithstanding this, his troubles were not over. After 
 his deliverance from prison, he was repeatedly convened 
 before the vice-chancellor and heads of colleges. On one 
 of these occasions, the vice-chancellor commanded him to 
 deliver another sermon in St. Mary's church, on a particular 
 day, and at the usual hour of public service, requiring him 
 to read openly and distinctly a paper, which the vice- 
 chancellor should deliver to him. He also charged him " to 
 accomplish the same humbly and charitably, without any 
 Jlouting, girding, twisting, or overthzcariing any man, and 
 without using any words or gesture tending to the discredit 
 of any person, or to the stirring up or maintaining of any 
 contention or dissent ion. "f That which the learned eccle- 
 siastic delivered to him, and commanded him to read before 
 the public congregation, was a kind of revocation of his 
 opinions ; but he remained inflexible, and would not comply 
 with the tyrannical imposition.! 
 
 On account of the cruelty with which he was treated, he 
 presented his distressing case to Lord Burleigh, the chan- 
 cellor, who warmly espoused his cause, and sent a letter to 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 391, 392.— Baker's MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. S5, 56. 
 t Ibid. vol. iii. p. 393, 396. { Ibid. p. 399, 400. 
 
N. BROWN. 277 
 
 ihe vice-cliancellor, dated June 26, 1573, in which his 
 lordship wrote as follows : — " Mr. Brown was with rae," 
 says he, " five or six days past, to entreat me, that by my 
 means to you and others, he might forbear the execution of 
 a certain order by you as vice-chancellor prescribed, to 
 jjronounce a certain declaratory sentence, in a sermon to be 
 made by him now at the commencement. In wliicli matter 
 I had no disposition to deal ; yet by the importunity of his 
 sorrowful petition, and purpose not to offend in any such 
 cause wherewith he hath been charged, I did with my pen 
 write suddenly a few lines, to shew my inclination to have 
 him favoured, and so dismissed him. Since whicJi time, 
 he is this day returned to me with a letter from Sir Thomas 
 Smith, the queen's majesty's principal secretary, whereby 
 you sliall see how I am entreated to procure more favour 
 for him. And yet without hearing you and others, who best 
 know his cause, I dare not precisely require any alteration 
 of your orders, but do recommend the party, who hath a 
 good report, to be as favourably ordered, as he may find 
 his repair to me hath in some measure relieved him, without 
 hurting the public cause of good order."* 
 
 This pacific address from the treas\irer proved ineffectual. 
 The tyrannical vice-chancellor and his reverend colleagues 
 refused to observe the generous instructions of the chan- 
 cellor. Mr. Brown still remained under their ecclesiastical 
 oppressions; and on account of the cruel usage he met 
 with, he again laid his distressing case before Burleigh, 
 July 6, 1573; but whether with any better success, we 
 have not been able to learn. + 
 
 The year following, a puritan divine of the same name, 
 and no doubt the same person, was concerned in Undertree's 
 sham plot, when many letters were forged in his name. 
 After examination, his innocence, with that of his brethren, 
 was made openly and perfectly manifest. + Upon Mr. 
 Brown's removal from the university, he became minister at 
 Norton in Suffolk, where he was afterwards molested for 
 nonconformity. For, in the year 1583, on the publication 
 of Whitgift's three articles, he refused subscription, and, 
 with many others, was immediately suspended. How long 
 he continued under the ecclesiastical censure, or whether 
 he was ever restored, we are unable to ascertain.^ 
 
 * Sfrype's Parker, vol. xxix. p. 371, 372. 
 
 + Ibid. vol. iv. p. 56. t Ibid. p. 466. 
 
 S MS. Register, p. 436, 437. 
 
278 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Richard Crick, D.D. — He was chaplain to the Bishop 
 of Norwich, arid much commended for his learning and 
 sobriety. In the year 1573, he preached at Paul's cross; 
 and havin^ in his sermon commended Mr. Cartwright's 
 reply to Wiiitgift, a special messenger was sent from Arch- 
 bishop Parker to apprehend him. Though at that time he 
 escaped the snare, he afterwards fell into the hands of tlie 
 high commissioners, by whom he was deprived of his pre- 
 ferment in the church at Norwich.* 
 
 Dr. Crick being silenced, and many of his brethren in 
 the same diocese, they united in presenting a supplication 
 to the council, that they might be restored to their beloved 
 ministry, and allowed again to preach the glad tidings of 
 the gospel. This supplication was dated September 25, 
 1576 ; a further account of which is given in another place.l 
 Afterwards, he and many of his brethren, being the silenced 
 ministers in that diocese, presented their humble submission, 
 to their diocesan, dated August 21, 1578. In this submis- 
 sion, they request to be restored to their ministry, promising 
 to subscribe to the articles of faith and the doctrine of the 
 sacraments, according to the laws of the realm. They 
 profess, at the same time, tliat the ceremonies and govern- 
 ment of the church arc so far to be allowed, that no man 
 ought to withdraw from hearing the word and receiving 
 the holy sacraments, on account of them. They also ofler 
 to the bishop, their reasons for refusing to subscribe, 
 requesting to have their difficulties removed, without which 
 they could never subscribe in the manner required.:]: This 
 excellent divine, therefore, remained a long time under 
 deprivation. Though he was afterwards restored to his 
 ministry, yet, upon the publication of Whitgift's three 
 articles, he was again suspended, with many others, for 
 refusing subscription. § 
 
 Anthony Gilby. — This pious and zealous noncon- 
 formist was born in Lincolnshire, and educated in Christ's 
 college, Cambridge, where he obtained a most exact know- 
 ledge of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. He 
 constantly laboured to promote a further reformation ; and 
 having published his sentiments of the habits, ceremonies, 
 and corruptions in the church, more openly than many of 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 421, 427. 
 
 + See Art. John More. J Ibid. 
 
 § MS. Register, p. 437. 
 
CRICK— GILBY. 279 
 
 his brethren, he is represented by some of our historians, as 
 a fiery and furious opposer of the discipline in the church 
 of England.* 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen IMarj, and the commence- 
 ment of her bloody persecution, he became an exile in a 
 foreign land. He was among the first mIio retired to 
 Frankfort, where he was deeply involved in the troubles 
 occasioned by the officious intert'erencc of Dr. Cox and his 
 party. When the order of church discipline, higl^ly 
 esteemed by many, was presented to the whole congregation, 
 and rejected by the zealous episcopalians, " Mr. Gilby, with 
 a godly grief, as was openly manifest, kneeled down before 
 them ; and with tears in his eyes, besought them to promote 
 the desired reformation, solemnly protesting, that, in this 
 matter, they sought not themselves, but the glory of God 
 only : adding, that he wished the very hand which he then 
 held up, might be struck off, if godly peace and unity 
 could thereby be promoted. "f Such was his truly generous 
 spirit ; and such his fervent zeal for the peace and unity of 
 the church I Upon the unkind usage at Frankfort, Mr. 
 Gilby removed to Geneva. Afterwards, he united with bis 
 brethren in writing a letter to those who still remained at 
 Frankfort, defending the lawfulness of their departure, 
 against the slanderous reports of those who stigmatized them 
 as schismatics. This letter, signed by eighteen persons, 
 among whom was the famous Mr. John Fox, breathes a 
 most condescending, humble, and healing spirit. t During 
 Mr. Gilby's abode at Geneva, he assisted Coverdale, 
 Sampson, and other learned divines, in the translation of the 
 Bible. § 
 
 After the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our divine 
 returned from exile, and was greatly admired and beloved 
 by all who sought a thorough reformation of the English 
 church. He is, indeed, exceedingly reproached by several of 
 our bigotted historians. Dr. Bancroft says, that Mr. Gilby, 
 with the rest of the Geneva accomplices, urged all states by 
 degrees, to take up arms, and reform religion themselves by 
 force, rather than suffer so much idolatry and superstition 
 to remain in the land.jl Another peevish writer, with an 
 evident design to blacken his memory, says, " That in 
 obedience to John Calvin, the supreme head of Geneva, 
 
 * Fuller's Worthies, part ii. p. 167. 
 
 + Troubles at Frankeford, p. 30. t Ibid. p. 4T. 
 
 (j See Art. Coverdale. 
 
 II Bancroft's Dangerous Positions, p. 62. Edit, 1640. 
 
S80 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 doth his dear subject and disciple Anthony Gilby, and 
 others of that fraternity, shoot their wild-fire against the 
 statutes of England ; by wliich they sliew their schism 
 and madness, more than their christian prudence."* This is 
 wholly the language of misrepresentation and abuse. 
 
 Notwithstanding these calumnies, Mr. Gilby enjoyed tlie 
 favour of several of the nobility, men of excellent character 
 and high reputation. The Earl of Huntington, who was his 
 constant friend and patron, presented him to the vicarage of 
 Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire; where, through the 
 blessing of God on his ministry, he was made exceedingly 
 useful. Here he obtained a distinguished reputation, 
 when the worthy carl used to style him Father Gilhy.\ 
 Bishop Hall, who probably had some acquaintance with 
 liim, denominates him " a reverend and famous divine ;"t 
 and he is said to have lived at Ashby " as great as a bishop." 
 He was highly esteemed by some of the learned prelates, 
 as well as many of the most celebrated divines of the age, 
 with whom he lield a friendly correspondence. The fol- 
 lowing is tlie copy of a letter, which he received from the 
 Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry :§ 
 
 " To my loving friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Gilby, 
 
 " at Ashby. 
 
 " With my hearty commendations to you Mr. Gilby. I 
 " received your letter but now and heretofore, to the which 
 " I proposed to have made some answer by this time ; but 
 " either lack of convenient messenger, or some otlier present 
 "business, have stayed; and, therefore, these are in few 
 ** words to signify to you, that such reports as you have 
 " heard of me, touching Stretton, were untrue, (I thank 
 " Almighty God) and so saying to my brother. Augustin 
 " added these words, that I marvelled much if you did 
 '^ judge as you wrote. Notwithstanding, I was not dis- 
 " pleased with your writing, but accepted the same as 
 '' friendly and lovingly as I can any man's writing. 
 
 " It is plain Ihat many enormities remain uncorrected, 
 " either for lack of knowledge thereof, or else through the 
 " corruption of mine officers, or otherwise through negli- 
 '' gence or forgetfiUncss of myself; yet when I have proof 
 " of them, I either call the offenders myself, or charge mine 
 
 * Foulis' Hist, of Plots, p. 36. 
 
 + Nichols's Hist, of Leicestershire, vol. ii, p. 026. 
 
 % Life of Bp. Hall prefixed to his Works. 
 
 S Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xxxii. p. 434. 
 
GILBY. 281 
 
 " officers ^vitli the srirae. Concerning that evil man, Sir 
 " William Radish, I engage to have him called as soon as 
 
 " I can, to answer his doings and such sayings as . 
 
 " Touching the person of Stretton, I will do that which 
 " lieth in me to displace, for the which I have given charge 
 *' divers times to mine officers. I would not have my 
 " brother Dawberry to do any thing touching the same ; for 
 *' the matter will not pass through at Lichfield. I will then 
 " send you word, and use your counsel. And thus omitting 
 " all other matters, till we shall have occasion to meet 
 " together, I commit you and good Mrs. Gilby (whose 
 " health and happiness I wish) to the goodness of Almighty 
 « God ; this 12 day of Nov. 1565. At Eccleshall-castle. 
 " Your loving friend and brother in Christ, 
 
 " Thomas Coven, and Lichfield." 
 
 The above letter, justly deemed a curiosity, shews at 
 once the great intimacy and familiarity which subsisted 
 betwixt Mr. Gilby and the bishop, and the high esteem and 
 respect in which our divine was held by his learned diocesan. 
 Mr. Gilby was a celebrated scholar, and a most profound 
 and pious divine, and admirably qualified for the transla- 
 tion of the holy scriptures. The famous Dr. Lawrence 
 Humphrey, with whom he held a frequent correspondence, 
 had the highest opinion of him. Several of the doctor's 
 letters to Mr. Gilby are now before me, one of which, though 
 very short, it will be proper here to insert; which is as 
 follows :* 
 
 " To his worshipful and good friend Mr. Ant. Gilby. 
 
 " Salutation in Christ Jesus. Albeit your days are evil 
 " and your time short ; yet I pray you be occupied in the 
 " gift which God has betowed upon you, in translating the 
 '^ prophets, and conjoin somewhat also out of the Rabbins 
 " or Chaldee Paraphrast, that may be a testimony of your 
 " industry, and an help for your son. We must do what we 
 " may, and what we cannot must leave to God. The Lord 
 " be merciful to us. Commend me to your good wife. 
 " Oxon. March 5. 
 
 " Yours in the Lord, 
 
 " Lawrence Humphrey." 
 
 This letter appears to have been addressed to our divine 
 towards the close of life, but there is no particular year 
 
 * Baker's MS. CoUec, vol. xxxii. p. 431. 
 
ass? LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 specified in the date. Several other letters from Dr. 
 Tliomas Sampson, Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, and other 
 celebrated divines, addressed to Mr. Gilby, are now before 
 me. Such of them as are particularly illustrative of the 
 history of the times, will be Ibund inserted in their proper 
 places. 
 
 The liigh respect in which Mr. Gilby was held, Avas no 
 screen against the persecution of the tyrannizing ecclesias- 
 tics. Therefore, in the year 1571, Archbishop Parker 
 binding the clergy to a more exact conformity, by wearing 
 t]ie habits and observing the ceremonies, commanded 
 Archbisliop Grindal of York, to prosecute him for non- 
 conformity. But Grindal, who, towards the close of life, 
 was averse to all severe measures, signified to his brother of 
 Canterbury, that as Mr. Gilby dwelt in Leicestershire, and 
 out of his province, he could not proceed against him; and 
 so referred his case to the commissioners in the south. 
 Hence it is extremely probable that he was now summoned, 
 with several other learned divines, before Parker and his 
 colleagues at Lambeth ; but of this we have no certain in- 
 formation.* It appears, liowever, pretty evident, that he 
 was silenced from his public ministry, either at this, or at 
 some other time.t 
 
 Mr. Gilby, according to Fuller, stands first on the list of 
 learned writers, who received their education in Christ's 
 college, Cambridge.^ He was author of a work, entitled 
 '• A Viewe of Antichrist, his Lawes and Ceremonies in our 
 English Church unreformed," 1570. The first part of this 
 humorous piece is called " The Book of the Generation of 
 Antichrist the Pope, the revealed Child of Perdition and 
 his Successors ;" and is so singular and curious, that, for 
 the satisfaction of the inquisitive reader, the substance of it 
 is here transcribed. The ecclesiastical genealogy is ex- 
 pressed as follows : 
 
 The devil begat darkness. Darkness begat ignorance. 
 Ignorance begat error and his brethren. Error begat free- 
 will and self-love. Free-will begat merit. Merit begat 
 forgetfulness of the grace of God. Forgetfulness of the 
 grace of God, begat transgression. Transgression begat 
 mistrust. Mistrust begat satisfaction. Satisfaction begat 
 the sacrifice of the mass. Sacrifice of the mass begat 
 popish priesthood. Popish priesthood begat superstition. 
 
 * Sfrype's Parker, p. 320.— Griudal, p. 170. 
 + Nichols's Defence, p. 21. Edit. 1740. 
 t Fuller's Hist, of Cam. p. 92. 
 
GILBY. 283 
 
 Superstition begat hypocrisy the king. Hypocrisy the 
 king- begat lucre. Lucre begat purgatory. Purgatory 
 begat the foundation of pensions, and the patrimony of the 
 church. Pensions and patrimony begat the mammon of 
 iniquity. Mammon begat abundance. Abmidance begat 
 fuhiess. Fuhiess begat cruelty. Cruelty begat dominion 
 in rulinir. Dominion beo:at ambition. Ambition be^at 
 simony. And simony begat the Pope, and his brethren the 
 cardinals, witli all their successors, abbots, priors, arch- 
 bishops, lord-bisliops, archdeacons, deans, chancellors, 
 commissaries, officials, and proctors, with the rest of the 
 viperous brood. 
 
 The pope begat the mystery of iniquity. The mystery 
 of iniquity begat divine sophistry. Divine sophistry begat 
 rejection of the holy scriptures. Rejection of the holy 
 scriptures begat tyranny. Tyranny Ijegat murder of the 
 saints. Murder begat despising of God. Despising of 
 God begat dispensation of offences. Dispensation begat 
 license for sin. License for sin begat abomination. Abomi- 
 nation begat confusion in matters of religion. Confusion 
 brought forth travail of the spirit. Travail of the spirit 
 brought forth matter of disputation for the truth ; by which 
 that desolator, antichrist the pope, hath been revealed, and 
 all other antichrists shall in due time be revealed. And 
 tiiey are antichrists, who make laws for the church, contrary 
 to the truth, and deprive, imprison, and banish the members 
 of Christ, both preachers and others, refusing obedience 
 thereunto. — Most of the points in this curious genealogy, 
 are supported by an appropriate portion of scripture.* 
 Though Mr. Toplady styles the author, " a very acrimo- 
 nious puritan ;" yet he adds, " that as far as matters of mere 
 doctrine were concerned, it is in perfect harmony with the 
 creed of the church of England. "t 
 
 As Mr. Gilby was a zealous opposer of the ecclesiastical 
 corruptions, and constantly desirous to obtain a more pure 
 reformation, he could not escape the severe animadversion 
 of the contrary party. For having said, " that the habits 
 and ceremonies used in the churcli of England, were carnal, 
 beggarlj^, anticliristian elements," Dr. Nichols has treated 
 him with much scurrility and abuse. But, surely, if the 
 apostle might call the Jewish ceremonies carnal^ when God 
 himself had appointed them ; Avhy might not Mr. Gilby say 
 
 * Parle of a Register, p. 56, 57. 
 
 f Toplady 's Historic Proof, vol, ii. p. 356. 
 
284: LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 the same of the popisli ceremonies, which lie never appointed ? 
 If the one called Jewish ceremonies, vceak and beggarly 
 elements ; why might not the other call the popish ceremo- 
 nies, beggarlij and antichrhlian pomps ? The celebrated 
 Bishop Ridley, once a zealous defender of the ceremonies, 
 when the surplice was forced upon liim, bitterly inveighed 
 against it, calling it foolish, abominable, and not fit for a 
 player on the stage. The excellent Bishop Jewel called the 
 garments, relics of popery. Why then is Mr. Gilby so 
 bitterly censured for saying, they were popish fopperies, 
 jRotnish relics, rags of antichrist, and dregs of disguised 
 popery?* Mr. Gilby publicly declared, adds the above 
 writer, " that if he was suffered to preach some time longer, 
 being so conceited of his popular eloquence, he would 
 shake the very foundations of the English church. "+ 
 Wliether he was, indeed, thus conceited of his own superior 
 eloquence, and whether he ever made any such declaration, it 
 is not now very easy to ascertain. If Dr. Nichols had any 
 authority for what lie has asserted, he would certainly have 
 done his own cause no injury, but have conferred a favour 
 upon the public, by bringing it forwards. However, ad-' 
 mitting the twofold charge, it reflects no great degree of 
 honour upon the rulers of the church, that so eloquent, 
 learned, pious and useful a divine, should be condemned to 
 silence. 
 
 This worthy servant of Christ appears to have lived to a 
 very great age, but we cannot learn the particular time of 
 his death. The last of the letters addressed to him, that we 
 have seen, is one from Dr. Sampson, dated March 8, 1584 3 
 when he must have been living.^ 
 
 His Works.— 1. An Answer to the Devilish Detection of Stephen 
 Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, 1547. — 2. A Commentary on the 
 Prophet Micah, 1651. — 3. An Admonition to Enghind and Scotland, 
 to call them to Repentance for their Declension and Apostacy from 
 the Truth, 1557.— 4. A Viewe of Antichrist, &c. already mentioned. 
 — 5. A Godly and Zealous Letter written to Master Coverdale, M. 
 Turner, M. Sampson, M. Doctor Humphrey, Mr. Lever, M. Crowley, 
 and others that labour to roote out the Weedes of Poperie, 1570. — 6. 
 A pleasant Dialogue between a Soldier of Berwick and an English 
 Captain, wherein are largely handled and laid open such Reasons as 
 are brought for Maintenance of Popish Traditions in our English 
 Church. 
 
 * Peirce's Vindication, part 11. p. 8, 9. 
 + Nichols's Defence, p. 21. Edit. 1740. 
 X Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xxxji, p. 443. 
 
EDWIN. S85 
 
 John Edwin was a man of great learning and piety, a 
 zealous and constant preacher, and many years vicar of 
 Wandswortli in Surrey, but was prosecuted for noncon- 
 formity. He was cited before tlie Bishop of Winchester; 
 and, upon his appearance, April 30, 1584, he underwent 
 the following examination : 
 
 Bishop. Where do you dwell ? 
 
 Edwin. At Wandsworth in Surrey. 
 
 B. Where were you brought up ? 
 
 E. For the most part at Wandsworth. 
 
 B. What in no school ! 
 
 E. Never in any public school, only some tune at 
 Rochester. I have lived at Wandsworth forty-two years, 
 and have been vicar of Wandsworth twenty-five years, 
 during which time, I thank God, I have not been idle. 
 
 B. Where were you made minister ? 
 
 E. I was made minister when Dr. Parker was created 
 Archbishop of Canterbury, by the Bishop of Bangor, who, 
 by the command of the archbishop, made me minister in 
 Bow-church, London. 
 
 B. Do you use to catechize ? and how do you perform it ? 
 
 E. I catechize every Lord's day before evening prayer, 
 and in the midst of evening prayer. 
 
 B. Have you not subscribed ? 
 
 E. No. 
 
 B. Why not? 
 
 E. My Lord, I perceive that you wish us to signify our 
 allowance of the Book of Common Prayer. There is no 
 cause why I should be called in question for this matter ; 
 for I use the book, and do not refuse it, and I speak not 
 against it. These are manifest proofs that 1 aUow of it. 
 
 B. Many of you who say so, will not confess what you 
 have done, neither what you will do. Therefore you must 
 subscribe. 
 
 E. I consider it a greater allowance to use a thing, than to 
 subscribe unto it. 
 
 B. So you think and say it is unreasonable and unlawful 
 to require you to subscribe. 
 
 E. Do you gather this, my lord, from what I have said ? 
 
 B. No. 
 
 E. Then all is well. 
 
 B, But you must subscribe, or shew some cause why you 
 wijl not. 
 
 E. My lord, if no excuse will serve, but I must subscribe, 
 
286 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 or shew some cause why I refuse, I will shew your lordship 
 three reasons: As, 1. There are some thins^s in the Book 
 of Common Prayer against the word of God, and, there- 
 fore, repugnant to the word of God. — 2. My next reason — 
 
 B. Nay, stop ; let us talk of the first. 
 
 E. 1 like your order well. And to prove what I have 
 said, I refer you to the words of the rubric, before the office 
 of confirmation, where it is said, " That no man shall think 
 any detriment will come to children by deferring their 
 confirmation ; he shall know for truth, that it is certain 
 hy God's word, that children being baptized have all things 
 necessary to sahation, and be undoubtedly saved."" 
 
 B. You must not take it as the words import. 
 
 E. No, my lord ! Is it not your pleasure that we should 
 subscribe to the things in the book ? Or, is it your pleasure 
 that we should subscribe to your interpretation of those 
 things ? 
 
 B. You must subscribe to the sense of what is contained 
 in the book. 
 
 E. If we must subscribe to the sense, then must you 
 amend your article. For your article, to which you require 
 us to subscribe, saith, that there is nothing in the Book of 
 Common Prayer repugnant to the word of God. 
 
 B. If you were to subscribe to the gospel, would you sub- 
 scribe to the words, or the sense ? 
 
 E. I would subscribe to the words * 
 
 B. You lie. 
 
 E. My lord, I beseech you let us have good words. I say 
 again, we must subscribe both to the words and to (he sense, 
 
 B. But I say nay. For where Christ saith, " I am the 
 door," will you subscribe to the words ? 
 
 E. My lord, mistake me not. I say we must subscribe 
 to the sense and the words; and where the words ai^ 
 figurative, we must subscribe to the sense. But when the 
 words and sense are the same, and without any figure, then 
 we must subscribe to both. 
 
 B. What think you of the words of Christ, " My father 
 is the husbandman," and, " the word was made flesh ?" 
 
 E. If you compare Gen. i. with the words going before 
 those you have mentioned, you will see that we must sub- 
 scribe to the sense of the words. 
 
 * Here, as Mr. Edwin attempted to proceed, his .grace suddenly and 
 passionately iuterrupted him. 
 
EDWIN. g87 
 
 B. " The word was made flesh:" I am sure you will not 
 say, the Godhead of Clirist was made flesh. 
 
 E. No, my lord, and I am as sure you will not say, that 
 the manhood of Christ Avas made flesh, without his God- 
 liead. But, my lord, allow me to prove my assertion. 
 
 B. Tell me, what is the English of verhum ? 
 
 E. I can prove out of the Greek, the Hebrew, and the 
 Syriac, that the word verbum^ as near as it can be rendered 
 in English, signifieth a thing. Allow me to prove my 
 assertion. 
 
 B. I confess we must subscribe both to sense and words, 
 
 E. Then in this we are agreed. 
 
 B. In the place you cited from the book, the meaning is, 
 that those who are baptized, and therewith receive tlie grace 
 of that sacrament, being of the number of the elect, are 
 undoubtedly saved. 
 
 E. I beseech your lordship to read the words of the 
 book, and let it be seen how you can give it that interpreta- 
 tion. But I wish to mention a second reason, and that is 
 the administration of the communion to an individual person 
 in private. How doth this agree with the word of God, 
 and with the word communion ? 
 
 B. The doctrine contained in the sacrament, belongeth 
 to wise and learned men to determine. You had best 
 exercise yourself in catechizing, and let this alone. 
 
 E. My lord, you must bear with me. For I think God 
 requireth it at our hands, that we learn and teach all things 
 revealed in his holy word. 
 
 B. In some parts of Saxony, tliere are various articles of 
 religion prohibited from beuig taught ; and we ought to be 
 content and thankful for the liberty we enjoy. 
 
 E. I cannot, without tears, remember the marvellous 
 benefits we enjoy by the freedom of the gospel, which I 
 pray God may never be interrupted. I must, also, call to 
 mind, and I do also remember, the innumerable comforts 
 and benefits we enjoy under the government of our most 
 gracious Queen Elizabeth, whom, I beseech God, long io 
 continue and bless. But are these sufficient reasons for us to 
 yield to any thing against the word of God ? 
 
 B. The communion in private is a single communion. 
 
 E. How can the words single and communion be made to 
 agree ? 
 
 B. I do not say they can. 
 
 E. Why then do you join them together ? 
 
288 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. In the time of Justin Martyr, being two hundred 
 years after Christ, the sacrament, in time of persecution, 
 was carried from house to house, because the people dare 
 not come together. And on one occasion, tlie sacrament 
 was sent by a boy to a sick man. Mho earnestly desired 
 to receive it. 
 
 E. But, my lord, your bringing forward the example of 
 primitive christians is to no purpose. Our question is, 
 whether the Book of Common Prayer containeth any thing 
 repugnant to the word of God. And, my lord, I think no 
 good man will deny that the two places I have mentioned 
 are repugnant to the word of God. 
 
 B. VVhat I do you condemn all who have subscribed ? 
 Do you say they have all acted wickedly ? 
 
 £. You misunderstand my words. What I speak, I 
 speak with consideration, and I know what I say. 
 
 B. What o'clock is it ? 
 
 E. We have not yet done. I told you I had three 
 reasons. 
 
 B. I have had more ado with you than all the rest. 
 
 E. You have not yet finished with me. As I said, I have 
 three reasons ; and I trust you will hear them before you 
 proceed against me. 
 
 B. What are your other reasons ? 
 
 E. If you will promise that we shall examine them, I 
 will mention them ; but if not, it is unnecessary. 
 
 B. I had rather persuade many learned men than you. 
 
 E. I speak not of learning, but of conscience ; and my 
 conscience, without persuasion, will not yield. Hitherto in 
 my ministry, I have enjoyed a good conscience, founded 
 upon the word of God ; and, my lord, with as good a con- 
 science, by the help of God, will I be removed from it, 
 or I will not be removed.* 
 
 Here the examination broke off, and the good man de- 
 parted most probably under suspension or deprivation. His 
 two other reasons for refusing to subscribe, which he designed 
 to have mentioned, were, " That in the Book of Common 
 Prayer, there are some things contrary to the laws of the 
 realm. — And that there are some things which maintain 
 and encourage some of the grossest errors and heresies of 
 poperi/.'^f 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 576—579. + Ibid. 
 
BRAYNE. 289 
 
 Edward Brayne was a learned divine of Cambridge, 
 and g-reafly harassed for refusing subscription to Wiiitgift's 
 lliree articles, accounting them contrary to scripture and the 
 dictates of his own conscience. Having received two 
 canonical admonitions, he united with his brethren in the 
 diocese of l^ly, in writing the following peaceable letter to 
 the archbishop, dated March 12, 1584 : — " Whereas two 
 canonical admonitions are already passed upon us, for r 'fusing 
 to subscribe to things, some of which we know not, and 
 others we greatly doubt. We are, therefore, bold to offer 
 our humble supplication unto you, as well as crave your 
 lordship's favour that a longer space of time may be granted 
 ns, endeavouring and praying daily with our whole hearts 
 for the peace of the church. Wherefore, if it shall please 
 your lordship, we wish either to be freed from all subscrip- 
 tion, excepting to her majesty's authority, and the articles 
 of religion, as by law required, or to give us so long a 
 time, that we may suificiently consider the su])ject, and be 
 persuaded that we ought to subscribe ; or if, at length, we 
 cannot subscribe, to submit ourselves to suffer pujiishment, for 
 the peace of the church. In the mean time, we condemn 
 not those who have subscribed, and we desire that they may 
 not condemn us. Thus if it shall please Almighty God to 
 move your lordship to have compassion on our troubled 
 consciences, we shall praise God and manifest our thankful- 
 ness to you."* 
 
 It does not, however, appear that this letter had anj' 
 good effect on the mind and conduct of this severe prelate. 
 His grace remained inflexible. Therefore, May 24, 1584, 
 Mr. Jirayne and his brethren presented a supplication to 
 the lords of the council ; in Avhich they protest their aversion 
 to popery, and their inviolable loyalty to the queen, having; 
 already sworn obedience to her authority, and subscribed 
 the articles of religion, and were ready to do the same 
 again, if required. That they abhorred ail error, heresy, and 
 schism, and made use of the Book of Common Prayer, 
 and endeavoured both in doctrine and conversation, 
 to maintain a conscience void of offence towards God and 
 men. And that being commanded to subscribe to many 
 things not required by law, they humbly crave their lord- 
 ships to accept of the following reasons for their refusal, 
 and to be a means of releasing them from the subscription 
 n^quired : 
 
 * MS. Register, p. S33, 33i. 
 VOL. I. r 
 
290 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 *' Some things," say they, «' appear to us repugnant to 
 (he word of God ; as the allowance of an unlearned 
 ministry, reading the apocrypha in the service of God, 
 private b'lptism, and the government of the church. And 
 to us many things appear very doubtful, some of which it 
 is impossible for us to practice with a good conscience. 
 Yet, as we judge not others in the practice of them ; so we 
 desire that we may not be judged by them, but left to our 
 liberty in not subscribing. There are other things to the 
 use of which we have subscribed, because they are tolerated 
 for a time, and imposed upon us by the laws of the church ; 
 yet we see not how they agree with the word of God, and 
 cannot approve of them. But if we offend against any 
 law of the church or statute, Ave humbly crave such favour 
 and clemency as is not contrary to law ; but if this 
 caimot be obtained, we submit ourselves to the censures of 
 the law, still avowing our peaccableness both in church and 
 state. 
 
 " We, therefore, must humbly on our knees, beseech 
 your honours, that we may be freed from the subscription 
 now urged upon us ; or have so much time allowed us to 
 examine and consider the case, as your wisdoms shall 
 think fit ; or we must give up our places for the peace of 
 the church. For we most humbly confess before God and 
 the elect angels, that to subscritje as now required, we 
 should act contrary to the doctrines of faith and repentance 
 which we have taught among the people of our charge : 
 We should subscribe to some things against our consciences, 
 to many things with a doubtful conscience, and most of all 
 with an ignorant conscience ; from all such dealing the 
 Lord ever preserve us. We commend to your wise consi- 
 deration the indignity and reproach which is likely to be 
 cast upon us and our ministry, being accounted disloyal 
 and seditious against her majesty ; but we nuich more 
 commend to you our doubtful, fearful, and dis<ressed con- 
 sciences, and the miserable state of our poor and distressed 
 people hungering after the word of life, who, when they are 
 ileprived of us, almost despair of having a learned and 
 godly ministry. If they might have better than ourselves, 
 we should rejoice, and be much more content. We bless 
 the Lord, that the people of our charges are free from 
 heresies and seditions, and most of them from gross crimes, 
 and all, so far as we know, are faithful subjects, and many 
 of them are known and approved christians. But what 
 may befall them when they are left as sheep without 
 
BRAYNE. 291 
 
 a slieplicrd, we leave to your honoured wisdoms to 
 judtre. 
 
 " We have only to add our humble apology for now 
 soliciting the favour of your honours. We have forborne 
 applying to you as long as we possibly could, and perhaps 
 till it is too late, as three canonical admonitions have already 
 passed upon us, and our deprivation is threatened ; whicli- 
 sentence, two of us have already tasted. We have used 
 means by our right worshipful and some of her majesty's 
 justices, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who have 
 used their earnest suit for us with the archbishop, both by 
 their letters and private conference; but hitherto to no 
 purpose. Such dealing may seem favourable to them who 
 treat us thus, but to us it seemeth very hard. Our release 
 from this hard dealing by your kind favour, will provoke 
 us to pray for your honours' present peace and prosperity, 
 and that when you have done with ail things here, you may 
 receive the crown of glory."* 
 
 Notwithstanding this supplication, or their letter to the 
 archbishop, in the month of July this year, Mr. Brayne 
 was cited to appear before his grace and other high com- 
 missioners at Lambeth. Having attended several times 
 according to appointment, and being required to take 
 the oath ex officio, to answer the interrogatories of the 
 court, he refused, unless he might first see them, and write 
 down his answers with his own hand. His grace refusing 
 to grant him the favour, immediately gave his canonical 
 admonitions, once, twice, thrice; and caused him to be 
 registered for contempt, and suspended from his ministry. 
 '• But," says the good man, " God knoweth how far con- 
 tempt was from ray heart, and, I trust, my words and 
 behaviour will witness the same."+ But guilty or not 
 guilty, the tyrannical archbishop cut hira off from all 
 public usefulness in the church of God. 
 
 Mr. Brayne being silenced from his beloved work, wrote 
 a very appropriate letter, dated July 6th, to the Lord 
 Treasurer Burleigh, giving him an account of the hard 
 treatment he had met with. In this letter, he earnestly 
 solicited the treasurer's kind favour and interference ; but 
 whether it proved the means of procuring his restoration, 
 appears extremely doubtful. + The treasurer, indeed, used his 
 ^tmost endeavours. He applied to the archbishop, signifying 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 455—457. 
 
 + Strypc's Whitgitt, p. 163. + Ibid, p. 164. 
 
g92 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 his dissatisfaction with his lordship's urging ministers, by 
 bis method of examination, to accuse themselves ; and then 
 to pmiish them upon their own confessions. He furtlier 
 observed, " that he would not call his proceedings captious, 
 but they were scarcely charitable. That he would not 
 offend his grace ; and was content that he and the Bishop 
 of London, might use Mr. Brayne as their wisdoms should 
 think fit. But when by examining him, it was only meant 
 to sift him with twenty-four articles, he had cause to 
 pity the poor man."* Such was the wisdom, the boldness, 
 and the sympathy of this celebrated statesman ; but his 
 generous efforts appear to have been without effect. t 
 
 Barnaby Benison was minister in London, a divine of 
 good learning, and suspended and imprisoned for several 
 years, by Bishop Aylmer, on pretence of some irregularity 
 in his marriage. The bishop charged him with being 
 married in an afternoon, and in the presence of two or tlirec 
 hundred people, by Mr. Field, a nonconformist. For this 
 singular crime, in the year 1579, he was committed to the 
 Gatehouse, where he continued till towards the close of the 
 year 1584. Mr. Strype, with a design to blacken his 
 memory, observes, " that he studied for some time at 
 Geneva ; and upon his return to England, was fraught with 
 innovation and disobedience." He undoubtedly was dis- 
 
 « Strype's Whitgift, p. 160. 
 
 + Lord Burleigh was a decided friend to the persecuted puritans, and 
 often screened them from the inhuman proceedings of the prelates, or 
 procured their release from bonds and imprisonment. On account of his 
 great abilities, indefatigable application, amazing capacity for business, and 
 immoveable integrity, he is deservedly placed at the head of our English 
 statesmen. His capacity for business appears from the following passage 
 in his life : — " Besides all business in council, or other weighty causes, and 
 *' such as were answered by word of mouth, there was not a day in term 
 " wherein he received not threescore, fourscore, or a hundred petitions, 
 " which he commonly read that night, and gave every man an answer the 
 •' next morning as he went to the hall. Hence the excellence of his 
 "memory was greatly admired; for when any of these petitioners told 
 " hiin their names, or what countrymen they were, he presently entered 
 " into the merit of his request, and having discussed it, gave him his 
 " answer." This was his practice towards persons in all circumstances. He 
 would answer i\\e poorest, as well as others, from his own mouth. When 
 at anytime he was forced to keep his chamber, or his bed, he ordered that 
 poor suitors should send in their petitions sealed ; and upon every petition 
 be caused his answer to be written, and subscribed it with his own hand. 
 " He was prayed for by the poor, honoured by the rich, feared by the 
 
 " bad, and loved by the good." Biog. Britan. vol. iii. p. 39 J. 
 
 Edit. 1778. 
 
BENISON. 293 
 
 obedient to the tyrannical proceedings of the bishops. Our 
 author adds, " that he fixed his station in London, refused 
 to go to church, gathered conventicles, and sought to 
 promote schism and confusion in the city. That the 
 bishop finding in him unspeakable disobedience, and he 
 refusing the oath usually tendered by the high com- 
 mission, (meaning the oath c^ ^«o, by wliich he would 
 have become his own accuser,) was committed to prison. 
 And," our learned historian asks, " what could the bishop 
 have done less ?"* 
 
 It is not very difficult to find out many things, which his 
 lordship might not have done less than this, even admitting 
 that Mr. Benison was deserving of punishment. Four or 
 five years' confinement in prison is a penalty of no small 
 magnitude, and appears greatly disproportionate to any 
 crime Avith which he was charged. And, indeed, Mr. 
 Strype himself intimates as much, in the very next words : 
 '' But," says he, " it seems the bishop overshot himself, 
 and did not proceed so circumspectly in the imprisonment of 
 him for so long a time. For Mr. Benison's cause being 
 brought before the lords of the council, the bishop was 
 judged to have dealt too hardly with him ; for which, there- 
 fore, he received a reprimand. "+ 
 
 Mr. Benison having suffered so long a confinement in 
 prison, applied both to the queen and council ; and in the 
 statement of his own case, he declares concerning his mar- 
 riage, the irregularity of which was the crime alleged 
 against him, " That he had invited only forty persons to the 
 solemnity, and only thirty attended : that he was married 
 in tlie morning, and according to law : that when the bishop 
 sent for him, charging him with sedition, he cleared himself 
 to his lordship's satisfaction ; but that after he went home, 
 he gave a private order under his own hand for hira to be 
 apprehended and sent to the Gatehouse ; and that he was 
 there shut up in a dungeon eight days, without knowing the 
 cause of his imprisonment." Moreover, when Mr. Benison 
 was first apprehended and carried to prison, he was 
 plundered of a great part of his household furniture ; his 
 valuable library was utterly spoiled and taken away, and 
 he suffered great losses in various other ways.J Dr. 
 Hammond, and his faithful friend Mr. John Fox, who were 
 
 » Strvpe's Aylmer, p. 209, 210. + Ibid. 
 
 X Ibid. p. 211,212. 
 
294 LIVES OF THE PURITAJVS. 
 
 both at the wedding, and witnessed the wliole proceeding-, 
 went to the bishop, and assured him, that he was faultless 
 in those things charged against him. But his lordship 
 remained indexible, and would not release him without 
 such bonds tor his good behaviour and future appearance, 
 as the prisoner was unable to procure. Mr. Benison, in 
 his letter to the queen and council, concludes in the fol- 
 lowing moving language : * 
 
 " Thus I continue," says he, " separated from my wife 
 before 1 had been married two weeks, to the great trouble of 
 her friends and relations, and to the staggering of the patient 
 obedience of my wife. For since my imprisonment, his 
 lordship has been endeavouring to separate us, Avhom God, 
 in the open presence of his people, has joined together. 
 Wherefore, I most humbly beseech your godly honours, 
 for the everlasting love of God, and for the pity you take 
 upon God's true protestants and his poor people, to be a 
 means that my pitiful cry maybe heard, and my just cause 
 with some credit be cleared, to the honour of God and lier 
 majesty, whom for ever I esteem more than all the bishop's 
 blessings or bitter cursings : and that I, being now half 
 dead, may recover again to get a poor living with the little 
 learning which God has given me, to his glory, to the 
 discharge of some part of my duty, and to the profit of my 
 country." This was Mr. Benison's impartial statement of 
 his own case ; upon the reception of which, the lords of the 
 council were so moved, that they sent the bishop the follow- 
 ing letter ; f 
 
 " Ilampton-court, November 14, J 384. 
 
 *^ Whereas, Barnaby Benison, minister, has given us to 
 " understand, the great hinderance he has received by your 
 "hard dealing with him, and his long imprisonment, for 
 " which if he should bring his action against you of jfalse 
 " imprisonment, he would b?/ law recover damages, which 
 " would touch your lordship's credit. We have, therefore, 
 " thought fit to require your lordship to use some consi- 
 " deration towards him, in giving him a reasonable sum of 
 " money to repay the wrong you have done unto him, 
 " and to supply the hinderance he hath incurred by your 
 " hard dealings with him. Therefore, praying your 
 " lordship to deal with the poor man, that he piay have 
 " occasion to turn his complaint into a good report unto 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 591. + Ibid. p. 589. 
 
BENISON. 293 
 
 " us of your charitable dealing. We bid you farewell. 
 " J^igned, 
 
 " Bromley, Chan. Francis Knolles, 
 
 " WjL. BURGHLEY, J AMES CuoFT, 
 
 " Amb. Warwick, Walter Mildmay, 
 
 " Fr. Bedford, Christ. Hatton 
 
 5 
 
 *' Robert Leicester, Fr, Walsingham. 
 " Charles Howard, 
 
 Upon the bishop's reception of the above letter, he 
 returned this answer : — " I beseech your lordships to 
 " consider, that it is a rare example thus to press a bishop, 
 '' for his zealous service to the queen and the peace of the 
 " church, especially as the man was found worthy to be 
 " commit led for refusing to go to church, and other instances 
 " of nonconlbrmity, to say nothing of his contemptuous 
 " behaviour towards me. Nevertheless, since it pleasetU 
 " your lordships to require some reasonable sum of money, 
 " J pray you consider my poor estate and great charges, 
 " together with the great xaunt the man will make of his 
 " conquest over a bishop. I hope, therefore, your lordships 
 " will be favourable to me, and refer it to myself, either to 
 " bestow upon him some small benefice, or otherwise to help 
 " hun as opportunity offers. Or if this shall not satisfy the 
 *' man, or not content your lordships, leave him to the trial 
 *•' of the law, wliich, I hope, will not be so plain for him as 
 " he taketh it. Surely, my lords, this and the like must 
 " greatly discourage me in this poor service of mine in the 
 '' commission ; wherein, if I seem remiss, I pray you impute 
 " it to the troubles and infirmities of old age."* 
 
 The manner in which the bishop answered the accusations 
 against him, is a sufhcient evidence that his conduct could 
 not be defended. What reparation Mr. Benison obtained 
 for the injurious treatment he received, or whether any, 
 does not appear. But he was certainly too wise to go to 
 law with a bishop of the high commission court, who having 
 but little conscience, exercised much cruelty; and who, 
 notwithstanding his poor estates and great charges, left 
 behind him at his death several very large estates, properties 
 out upon mortgage, and above sixteen thousand pounds in 
 money. + These were inunense riches in those days. Mr. 
 Strypej represents Aylmer's ill treatment of Mr. Benison as 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 589. 
 
 f Strype's Aj Imer, p. 172, 194.— Neal's Puritans, vol, i. p. S84, 
 
 I Strype's Aylmer, p. 205. 
 
296 LIVKS OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ilie slander of his enemies; as if bis lordship had dealt witli 
 liim only according to his deserts ; but what degree of 
 justice there is in this representation, the foregoing- state- 
 ment of facts win best determine. 
 
 William Negus was minister at Leigh in Essex, but 
 suspended by Bishop Aylmer in the year 1584. Mr. Negus 
 gives us the following account ot (his ecclesiastical censure : 
 — " The cause of my suspension," says he, " was this : being 
 convened before the bishop at Waitham, and he demanding 
 whether I had worn the surplice since my coming to Leigh, 
 my answer was, that I had it not, so I had not refused it. 
 There was none offered mc, nor was there a surplice in the 
 parish. He then inquired wliether I would wear it, when 
 there was one provided. My answer was, that I desired his 
 favour to proceed in my ministry, until a surplice was 
 procured ; and that he knew my unwillingness to w ear it. 
 He was not satisfied with this answer, but urged me to say 
 that I would, or that I would not wear it. But I abiding by 
 my former answer, and desiring that I might be accei)ted, 
 he thus concluded : ' Seeing you will not promise to Avear 
 it, we suspend you until you do promise.' "* Tlie good 
 man was thus silenced for refusing to wear the clerical 
 garment. 
 
 Having received the episcopal censure, twenty-eight of 
 his parishioners, who subscribed themselves his hungry 
 sheep not!) without a shepherd, signed a most affectionate and 
 pressing letter, earnestly beseeching him to wear the sur- 
 plice. Though they wished that the linen garment were 
 utterly abolished, they anxiously desired him, for the sake 
 of their advantage, to conform. But he found it impossible, 
 with a good conscience, to wear that garment in the public 
 worship of God, which to him appeared wholly founded in 
 superstition, and the very badge of antichrist; and so he 
 quietly submitted to be deprived. + 
 
 John Stroud was minister first at Yalding, then at 
 Cranbrook in Kot. lie wis a man of good learning, most 
 exemplary piety, peaceable behaviour, and a fiiithful, 
 laborious, and very useful preacher; but was repeatedly 
 persecuted for nonconformity. He entered upon his troubles 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 5G8. + Ibid. 
 
NEGUS— STROUD. 297 
 
 about the year 1567. Having bad in his possession the 
 Book of Ecclesiastical Discipline, he was cited before the 
 chancellor to the Bishop of Rochester ; and confessing the 
 fact, that such a book had been in his haiids, the chancellor 
 said, " it contains treason, rebellion, and h( resy," and im- 
 mediately conmiitted him to prison. Mr. Stroud observing 
 that he hoped he wns not deserving of such hard usage, 
 Avished to give sufficient security, but his offer was utterly 
 disreg.jrdcd. Upon his release from prison, he was for- 
 bidden to preach, and even to teach children, within the 
 parish of Yalding or elsewhere, and commanded to depart 
 out of the diocese in forty days.. This unfeeling and 
 inhuman sentence was sent to the churchAvardens of Yalding, 
 with a strict command to see it fully executed. But aii 
 impartial statement of his case being laid before the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, the cruel sentence was in part reversed. 
 By the license, and under the seal, of the archbishop, he 
 obtained liberty to continue a twelvemonth ; when he re- 
 turned to Yaldrng, hoping to proceed in his ministry 
 without further molestation. 
 
 His liberty, however, was of very short continuance. For 
 in a few months, he was cited, with several others, to appear 
 at Rochester; and the citation was ordered to be read pub- 
 licly in the church at Yalding. Upon his appearance in 
 the court, the churclnvardens w ere first called and examined. 
 The chief article of their examination was, " whether any 
 child or children had been baptized in their parish, when 
 the order prescribed and appointed in the Book of Common 
 Prayer was not in all points observed ; and whose children 
 they were, who were godfathers and godmothers, and 
 whether they answered according to the form required in 
 the said book?" But the churchwardens were too wise to 
 accuse their own minister, and they were ail dismissed. 
 
 Afterwards, both minister and churchwardens were again 
 brought into the bishop's court, at Rochester. The church- 
 wardens were first examined as before ; and in addition to 
 the former interrogatory, their examination was extended 
 to the following articles : — " Whether any one preached at 
 Yalding without a license ? — Whether any preached who 
 were forbidden, and commanded to leave the diocese ?— 
 Whether any such preachers have any unlawful or suspected 
 books, leading to the contempt or derogation of the Book 
 of Conunon Prayer, or of any orders, rites, or ceremonies 
 of the church, as by law established ? or wlio hath in any 
 pjiblic meeting or private conventicle set forth any such 
 
298 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 books, or any doctrine therein contained ? — And M lieJlicr 
 they knew or liad heard, tliat Mr. Stroud had observed or 
 done any of the tilings above named?" 
 
 Mr. Stroud being next caUcd, and required to take the 
 oath ex officio, to answer the inquiries of the court, ho 
 refused till he knew those inquiries. The following inter- 
 rogatories were then read to him: — "Have you now, or 
 have you had in time past, any printing-press and letters, 
 and where are they ? — Have you printed any contentious or 
 rebellious books, and when, and where, and how long since, 
 and what is become of them? — Have you any suspected or 
 unlawful books leading to the contempt of tiic Book of 
 Common Prayer ?" — Mr. Stroud refused to answer these 
 interrogatories, which were evidently designed to make him 
 accuse himself, and told the chancellor that these things 
 belonged to her majesty's commissioners, and not to him. 
 Upon this, the angry and cr\iel chancellor pronounced uj)on 
 him the sentence of excommunication, which he commanded 
 to be publicly announced in the church of Yalding.* 
 He, also, received the sentence of deprivation from the 
 bishop. 
 
 *• The gOod man being thus cast out of the church, and 
 reduced to extreme poverty, was obliged to condescend to 
 the low office of correcting the press, and of publishing 
 books to obtain a livelihood. But even in this occupation, 
 he was not suffered to enjoy quietness. For, having pub- 
 lished Mr. Cartwright's Bei)ly to Whitgift, he was sum- 
 moned, November 25, 1573, before the Bishop of London 
 and other high commissioners, when he underwent the 
 following examination: 
 
 Mr. Stroud being asked what became of Cartwright's 
 books after they were printed, said he delivered thirty-four 
 of them to the Bishop of London ; but the rest were dis- 
 persed abroad. And being asked how he dared to print 
 them a second time, seeing the queen's proclamation was 
 against him, he said they were printed before the queen's 
 proclamation came out, or he would not have printed thpm; 
 upon which, the bishop thus addressed him: 
 
 Bishop. Are Mr. Cartwright's books good and lawful, or 
 not ? And will you defend them ? 
 
 Stroud. As there is no book without its faults, the book 
 of (jod excepted ; so will I not affirm that this book is 
 altogether without faults ; but to defend it I will not. He 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 191—194. 
 
STROUD. 299 
 
 is of age to defend himself. And as for the book, I think 
 your lordship will not utterly condemn it. 
 
 B. I confess there is something- in it godly. It is a very 
 evil book that hath no good tiling in it. But I say the 
 book is wicked, and is the cause of error and dissention in 
 the church. 
 
 Catlin. Wilt thou condemn the Book of Common Prayer ? 
 Is it antichristian ? 
 
 S. For these live years, I have not served in any church; 
 but when 1 have attended, 1 have resorted to common 
 prayer, which, if I had condemned it, I would not have 
 done. Yet if I should allow of all things in our ministry, 
 I should allow of those things which h<s lordship has 
 denied. For he said, in his sermon at Paul's cross, " that 
 there were certain evils in our ministry." 
 
 B. Indeed, I said there were. Yet ought they not to be 
 removed by private, but by public authority. 
 
 S. That is granted. But are those things to be removed ? 
 
 B. Though they may be removed, they are such things as 
 cannot offend the church ; and every true christian ought 
 to bear with them until they be removed. 
 
 S. I have borne with them, or I should not have resorted 
 to the church, as I have done. 
 
 B. Have you been a minister, and now given it up ? 
 Every one laying his hand to tlie plough, ought not to look 
 back, without some special cause. 
 
 S. About five or six years since, I was called before my 
 ordinary, who told me I must subscribe, or lose my livings 
 and be discharged from the ministry. Accordingly, 1 
 refusing to subscribe, he deprived me of my mi'iistry. 
 
 C. Wilt thou receive the communion according to the 
 order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer ? 
 
 S. I have never refused to receive it according to the 
 word of God ; and where I have resorted, I have received it 
 more than six times in the year. 
 
 Goodman. Name one church where thou hast received 
 the communion. 
 
 S. You seek to injure me. 
 
 G. Nay ; we seek to save thee. 
 
 S. I have refused to attend upon idle shepherds; and, as 
 you said they were dumb dogs, there can be no good 
 received from them. Therefore, I beseech you to endeavour 
 to get them removed. 
 
 G. Why, every member of the church of Christ is a 
 sinner. 
 
300 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 B. Shall we then receive no communion ? 
 
 Dyer. What sayest thou of the order of baptism ? Wilt 
 ihou have thy child baptized according to the order pre- 
 scribed in the Book of Common Prayer ? 
 
 S. I have no child to baptize. 
 
 D. Dost thou condemn the order of tlic sacrament of 
 the Lord's supper, the order of churching Avomen, the 
 burial service, or the ceremonies of the church ? 
 
 S. If I had condemned tlv:'in, I would not have resorted 
 to the church, as I have done. 
 
 B. Thou wilt then agree to these three things : — 1. " That 
 thou hast offended against the law in printing Cartwright's 
 book. — 2. That Cartwright's book is neither godly, nor 
 lawful. — 3. That thou dost not condemn the Book of Com- 
 mon Prayer, but wilt receive the sacrament of the Lord's 
 supper, according to the order prescribed." 
 
 S. I say as I have said before, if 1 had condenmed the 
 Book of Common Prayer, I would not have resorted to the 
 church, as I have done. 
 
 Garret. But wilt thou subscribe ? 
 
 S. I will.* 
 
 Upon Mr. Stroud's submission to subscribe, he returned 
 to his beloved exercise, and became minister at Cranbrook. 
 But his troubles were not ended, For, upon the translation 
 of Whilgift to the see of Canterbury, his nonconformity 
 exposed him to the displeasure of the new archbishop, who 
 deprived him ot his ministry, and commanded him to leave 
 the country. But the good man was so universally beloved, 
 that multitudes of peisons in Kent signed petitions to the 
 archbishop, earnestly soliciting his continuance. In one of 
 these petitions, they address his lordship as follows : 
 
 " We know, most reverend father, that Mr. Stroud has 
 been several times beaten and whipt with the untrue reports 
 of slanderous tongues, and accused of crimes whereof he 
 has most clearly acquittetl himself. Most of us have heard 
 him preach Christ truly, and rebuke sin boldly, and have 
 seen him hitherto apply to his calling faithfully, and live 
 among us most peaceably : so that, by his diligence and 
 doctrhie, not only has our youth been instructed, and 
 ourselves have been confirmed in true religion and learning; 
 but we are daily allured by his holy conversation and 
 example, to a christian life, and the exercises of charity. 
 And no one of us, most reverend father, hath hitherto heard 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 1S4— 195, 
 
STROUD. 301 
 
 from Ills own mouth, nor by the credible relation of others, 
 that he has publicly in liis sermons, or privately in conver- 
 sation, taught unsound doctrine, or opposed the discipline, 
 about Tvhich, alas ! there is now so great a controversy. 
 And as he hath given a faithful promise to forbear handling 
 any questions concerning the policy of the church ; so we 
 think m our consciences, he has hitherto performed it. 
 
 " In consideration of these things ; and that our country 
 may not be deprived of so excellent a labourer in the Lord's 
 harvest; that the enemies of God's truth, the papists, may 
 not have cause of joy and triumph ; and that tlie man 
 liimself may not be thus discouraged and wounded to the 
 heart, in receiving condemnation without examination: 
 We, therefore, most humbly beseech your grace, ibr the 
 poor man's sake, for your own sake, and for the Lord's sake, 
 either to take judicial knowledge of his cause, that he may 
 be confronted by his adversaries ; or, of your great wisdom 
 and goodness, to restore him to his liberty of preaching the 
 gospel among us. So we shall heartily thank God, and 
 shall continually pray for you."* 
 
 Besides the above petition, signed by many worthy 
 persons, another was signed by twenty-Jour ministers and 
 others ; a third by George Ely, vicar of Tenderden, and 
 his parishioners ; a fourth by Thomas Bathurst, minister of 
 Stapleherst, and his parisjiioners ; a fifth by William 
 Walter, vicar of Gould hurst, and parishioners ; a sixth by 
 Matthias Water, minister of Frittenden, and parisliioners ; 
 a seventh by Anthony Francis, minister of Lamberhurst, 
 and parishioners ; an eighth by Alexander Love, minister 
 of Ilolvenden, and parishioners; a ninth by Christopher 
 Vinebrook, minister of Helcorne, and parishioners ; a tenth 
 by Matthew Walton, curate of Benenden, and parishioners; 
 an eleventh by William Cocks, minister of Marden, and 
 parishioners ; a twelfth by William Vicar, minister of 
 Tisehurst, and parishioners ; and a thirteenth by William 
 Hopkinson, minister of Salehurst, and his parishioners, f 
 
 So high a reputation had Mr. Stroud among persons of 
 true piety, and holy zeal for the protestant religion. All 
 these petitions, signed by numerous persons respectable 
 both for learning and piety, were presented to Whitgift; 
 but whether they proved the happy means of procuring his 
 lordship's favour, is extremely doubtful. Mr. Stroud was 
 a man of most exemplary piety, and universally beloved, 
 
 ♦ MS. Register, p. 196, 197. t Ibid. 
 
302 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 and a most excellent and peaceable divine, but continually 
 molested and vexed in the ecclesiastical courts. 
 
 John Browning, D. D. — This learned divine was 
 senior fellow of Trinity college, Cambridge, and afterwards 
 domestic chaplain to the Earl of Bedford, but was deprived 
 of his fellowship for his puritanical opinions. Having 
 delivered a sermon in St. Mary's church, in which wen; 
 contained certain heretical opinions, as they were called, he 
 was convened, February 1, 1572, before the heads of col- 
 leges, and commanded to abstain from preaching, till he 
 should be purged from his dangerous heresy. Under these 
 circumstances, he looked upon it to be his duty to obey 
 God, rather than men, and therefore refused to obey their 
 command, and still continued in his beloved work of 
 preaching; on which account he was cast into prison for 
 contempt. Whatever were the pretended charges of his 
 enemies, his principal crime was his nonconformity.* 
 
 Dr. Browning having remained for some time in prison, was 
 at length released, upon giving bond of two hundred marks, 
 and obtaining two sureties bound in forty pounds each, for 
 his appearance to answer such charges as should be alleged 
 against him, and to abstain from preaching till further leave 
 should be granted.f Being called before his spiritual 
 judges, they resolved, " that if the said John Browning 
 shall from time to time appear and answer, when and 
 wheresoever he shall be lawfully called within the realm of 
 England, to all such matters as shall be objected unto him, 
 touching certain words uttered by him in two sermons, for 
 which he hath been convened before the said vice-chancellor, 
 until he shall be lawfully discharged ; and also shall abstain 
 from preaching, until he shall be permitted or called by the 
 said vice-chancellor, or his deputy, or successors : And 
 further, shall behave himself quietly and peaceably towards 
 the queen's majesty, and all her subjects, and especially 
 within the university of Cambridge, that then the recog- 
 nizance to be void and of no effect, or else to stand and 
 remain in its full power and strength."! The day following, 
 Dr. Bying, the vice-chancellor, sent a statement of his 
 crimes, with an account of the above proceedings, io Lord 
 Burleigh the chancellor.^ 
 
 • Baker's MS. Coilec. vol. iv. p. 55. 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 390.— Wliitgift, p. 46.— Annals, vol. ii. p. 189. 
 
 t Bakers MS. Coilec. vol, iii. p. 392. ^ Ibid. vol. iv. p. 55. 
 
BROWNING. 303 
 
 Dr. Browning himself, after his release from prison, ap- 
 peared before the chancellor, subscribed a submission with 
 his osvn hand, and was so far acquitted that he was sent 
 back to the university, and the vice-chancellor and heads 
 were urged to re-admit him to his former office and prefer- 
 ment. But. this will best appear in Burleigh's own words, 
 addressed to the vice-chancellor and heads, which were as 
 follows : — " Having received from you a declaration of two 
 errors committed by this bearer, John Browning, in his 
 sermons, one of them containing matter of heresy, and the 
 other tending to sedition, I have caused him to be further 
 examined hereupon, in the presence of Sir Thomas Smith, 
 her majesty's principal secretary ; and finding as well by 
 the relation of Mr. Secretary, as by his own confession 
 subscribed with his hand, that he utterly ablioileth them 
 both, and affirmeth that he hath been much mistaken in the 
 same, I thought it best, for preserving the university's 
 reputation, and for the reverence of the church of God, 
 wherein he is a minister, to suppress the memory and 
 notice of the said errors, especially that which may be 
 drawn to an interpretation that he should be justly thought 
 seditious and offensive. Therefore, my advice is, that 
 you should receive him again into his place ; and if he 
 shall willingly acknowledge before you the same doctrine, 
 and misliking of the foresaid errors, w hereof I mean to send 
 you his confession under his hand, and then he may con- 
 tinue quietly among you."* 
 
 Though he returned to his office in the college, and to his 
 public ministerial exercise, his troubles were not over. Having 
 taken his doctor's degree at Oxford, two years earlier than 
 be ought to have done, brought upon him many fresh 
 trials. For this singular offence, which some deemed a 
 mere trifle, and others accounted a very grievous crime, he 
 was deprived of his fellowship, and in effect expelled from ' 
 the university. This oppressive sentence was inflicted upon 
 him in a most clandestine and illegal manner by Dr. Still, 
 and even above four years after taking his degree at Oxford. 
 This was done a long time after Dr. Still had signified his 
 approbation of his taking the degree, by allowing him 
 to deliver public lectures in the chapel, according to the 
 statute of the university, and by allowing him to be incor- 
 porated in the same degree at Cambridge. He also con- 
 firmed to Dr. Browning his fellowship and place in the 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. toI. xxix. p. 368. 
 
304 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 college, not only by sufl'ering- him quietly and peaceably 
 to enjoy it, with all the privileges tlicreof, for more than 
 three years, but also elected him by his own voice to be 
 senior bursar of" the college, and to be vice-master for two 
 years l)y two separate elections.* 
 
 Moreover, Dr. Still's conduct was in many particulars 
 most shameful. He proceeded against Dr. Browning with 
 great injustice and inhumanity. Not content with illegally 
 depriving him of his office and benefice, he would not suffer 
 him to dine in the hall of the college, nor any one to eat or 
 drink with him. When Dr. Browning kept his chamber in 
 the college, this inveterate enemy v/ould not permit any of 
 his friends or acquaintance to come to him, or converse 
 with him ; and those of his friends who had any private 
 intercourse with him, he strictly examined by threatenings 
 and oaths to confess what had passed, with a view to accuse 
 them from their own mouths. He also complained in this 
 case to a foreign judge, expressly contrary to the statute of 
 the college. And though he caused the name of Dr. 
 Browning to be struck out of the buttery, he commenced an 
 action of .^300 against him, merely on supposition that he 
 had done the same by him. He, moreover, procured a 
 restraint of Dr. Browning's liberty, by watching him and 
 keeping him in his cliamber for some time as in a prison. 
 Not satisfied with theses tyrannical proceedings, he assaulted 
 Dr. Browning's lodgings in a most violent manner, and 
 broke open his doors, and dragged him out of his chamber, 
 to the great injury of his body; notwithstanding the Earl 
 of Bedford by his letters had previously required all pro- 
 ceedings against him to be stayed, till the cause slumld be 
 heard. To finish the business, this cruel oppressor of 
 the Lord's servants prohibit( d Dr. Browning's pupils, ser- 
 vants and friends, from coming near him, or bringing him 
 any thing to eat or drink, intending to starve him to death. t 
 
 During these rigorous and illegal proceedings, the Earl 
 of Bedford, as intimated above,t wrote to the Chancellor 
 Burleigh, desiring his lordship not to give his consent to 
 the sentence pronounced upon Dr. Browning, till after he 
 had heard both parties. He spoke, at the same time, in 
 high commendation of his character; that he had good 
 
 « Baker's MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. 45, 46. + Ibid. 
 
 :|: Francis Earl of Bedford was a celebrated statesman, and a constant 
 friend to the perse««4ed puritans. At his death he left twenty pounds to 
 be <riven to a number of pious ministers, for preaching twenty sermons at 
 Cheney, Woburn and Welshburn, — MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373. (22.) 
 
S. TURNER— J. WARD. 305 
 
 experience of his sound doctrine, his useful preaching, and 
 exemplary conversation, saying, that his deprivation was 
 hard dealing.* If his deprivation of his fellowship was 
 hard dealing, what must all the other proceedings have 
 been ? These troubles came upon him in the jear 1584 : 
 but we do not find that this persecuted servant of Christ 
 obtained any relief. 
 
 Stephen Turner was minister of Arlington in Sussex, 
 but much troubled for nonconformity. About the year 1584, 
 being convened before hiseccksiastical judges, and required 
 to subscribe to Whitgift's three articles, he refused, saying, 
 that he was willing to subscribe as far as the laws of the 
 realm required. With an evident design to ensnare his 
 conscience, or accuse him upon his own confession, he was 
 asked whether the Book of Common Prayer contained any 
 thing contrary to the word of God ; when he observed, that 
 he was not bound by law to answer such an inquiry. Also, 
 when he was asked whether he would use the form of prayers 
 and administration of the sacraments, as prescribed, and no 
 other, he replied, that he did not consider himself bound 
 by law to answer. He was then suspended from his 
 ministry.+ Having remained a considerable time under the 
 ecclesiastical censure, he sent the following certificate to 
 certain persons of quality : " These may certify your 
 honours, that I, Stephen Turner, minister of Arlington in 
 Sussex, have been suspended from my charge this year and 
 a quarter, for refusing to subscribe, no other matter being 
 laid to my charge.":j: 
 
 John Ward was a celebrated puritan divine, and many 
 years the laborious minister of Haverhil in Suffolk. After- 
 wards, he appears to have become minister of Writtle, near 
 Chelmsford, in Essex ; but, about the year 1584, he was 
 suspended by Bishop Aylmer, for not wearing the surplice. 
 On account of his nonconformity, though he was a most ex- 
 cellent and peaceable man, Aylmer drove him from one place 
 to another, by which means he was exceedingly harassed, 
 and not suffered to continue long in any one situation.^ 
 
 * Strype's Parker, 391. + MS. Register, p. 569. 
 
 X MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 419. (1.1.) 
 ^ MS. Register, p. 384, 742. 
 
 VOL. I. X 
 
S06 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 He subscribed the " Book of Discipline,"* and united 
 with his brethren in their endeavours to promote the 
 desired reformation of the church, meeting with them 
 in their private associations. + This persecuted servant 
 of Christ died at Haverhil, where his remains were interred. 
 Upon his grave was a monumental inscription erected 
 to his memory, of which Fuller gives the following 
 translation : t 
 
 Grant some of knowledge greater store, 
 
 More learned some in teacliing ; 
 Yet few in life did lighten more, 
 
 None thundered more in preaching. 
 
 Mr. Ward was an excellent divine, of whom the famous 
 Dr. William Whitaker had the highest opinion, and used 
 to say, " Give me John Ward for a text."^ Mr. Richard 
 Rogers, the worthy puritan minister of Wethersfield in 
 Essex, married his widow. Mr. Ward had four sons in the 
 ministry. Samuel and Nathaniel were puritan divines of 
 distinguished eminence, Mr. Ward, the ejected noncon- 
 formist, was most probably his son.|| 
 
 Edmund Rockrey, B. D. — He was fellow of Queen's 
 college, Cambridge, and a person distinguished for learning 
 and abilities, but was brought into many troubles on account 
 of his nonconformity. He was a man of great reputation, 
 and, in the year 1569, was chosen one of the proctors of the 
 university .n The year following, he was convened before 
 the ruling ecclesiastics, and required to enter into a bond of 
 forty pounds, to appear from time to time before the vice- 
 chancellor or his deputy, until such matters should be 
 determined and ended as were and should be laid against 
 him. After appearing several times before the vice- 
 chancellor, Dr. Whitgift, and the heads of colleges, it was 
 decreed, " that he should remain, continue, and quietly 
 keep his chamber as a true prisoner, till the matters objected 
 against him should be ended."** 
 
 It appears very probable that he continued under con- 
 
 * Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
 + Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xv, p. 79. 
 
 :J: Fuller's Worthies, part iii. p. 70. § Firmia's Real Christian, Pref. 
 
 g Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. iii. p. 284. 
 
 ^ Fuller's Hist, of Cam. p. 141. 
 
 « * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. iii. p. 377, 378. 
 
ROCKREY. 307 
 
 finement a long time : for towards the close of the year 
 1571, he was again several times brought before the vice- 
 chancellor and heads of colleges ; when " Dr. Whitgift 
 willed him to acknowledge and confess his fault, and openly 
 to revoke his rashness in the same place, and before the 
 same company, where he had given the offence ;" and in 
 the conclusion, he was required to make the following public 
 recantation : 
 
 [■ *' For as much as on Sunday, being the 26th of No- 
 ^' vember, in this place before you, I disorderly stood up, 
 *' (after that Dr. Chadderton, having commandment from 
 " the vice-chancellor, had given warning that we should 
 *' not speak against such statutes as the queen's majesty had 
 *' sent to the university,) and spoke words tending to the 
 *' complaining of such things as were then by our master 
 " spoken, to the discrediting of some about the queen's 
 '* majesty ; saying, that godly princes might be deceived by 
 " hypocrites and flatterers, as David Mas by Shebna, or 
 *' such like ; and to the derogation of the said statutes, and 
 " condemnation of some of them, saying, that they tended 
 *' to the impairing of the liberty and privileges of the 
 *' university, and that some of them were directly against 
 " God's word. I therefore acknowledge my rashness and 
 " indiscreelness in so doing, and am heartily sorry for them, 
 *' desiring you to think as it becometh dutiful subjects to 
 " think of the queen's majesty, her counsellors and laws, and 
 '' reverently obey the same, as I for my part intend to do, 
 " God willing, to the uttermost of my power. In witness 
 *' whereof, I have subscribed this confession with my own 
 " hand, and deliver the same here in your presence, to 
 *' our master, to be by him also delivered to Mr. Vice- 
 *' chancellor."* 
 
 From the above, we see the crimes with which Mr. 
 Rockrey was charged, together with the proceedings of these 
 ruling ecclesiastics. He seems to have refused making this 
 recantation. He would not defile his conscience, by 
 subscribing that which appeared to him contrary to truth, 
 as well as a tyrannical invasion of christian liberty. Though 
 he was several times summoned before his superiors, it is 
 probable, our author adds, that he still continued in the same 
 mind A 
 
 Mr. Rockrey scrupled wearing the habits, for which, 
 during the above troubles, he was deprived of his fellowship, 
 
 • Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. iii. p. 382, 383- f Ibid. p. 384- 
 
308 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 and in effect, expelled from the university. Lord Burleigh, 
 the chancellor., procured his restoration, with a dispensation 
 from wearing the habits for a twelvemonth, at the expiration 
 of which, he Was admonished three times by the master of 
 the college, to conform himself in wearing the apparel. But 
 he could not with a good conscience comply, and, therefore, 
 was finally expelled, as an example to keep others in a 
 state of obedience.* He was one of the prebendaries of 
 Rochester, where he was justly esteemed an admired and 
 popular preacher ; but, about the year 1584, was suspended 
 from his ministerial function, and conthiued under the 
 ecclesiastical censure many years.t 
 
 H. Gray was k puritanical minister in Cambridge, and 
 one of the preachers to the university. He delivered a 
 sermon in St. Mary's church, January 8, 1586, in which he 
 was charged with asserting the following opinions : — " That 
 the church of ^England doth maintain Jewish music, contrary 
 to the word of God, which alone ought to sound in his 
 church. — That it is contrary to the same word, to use in 
 sermons the testimonies of doctors and profane writers. — 
 That to play at dice or cards is to crucify Christ. — That 
 there are in this church du7nb dogs, Jereboam's priests, and, 
 Chemarins, that have place at the upper end of the altar, 
 which by the word should have no place in the church. — . 
 That it is thought there be some among us who send over 
 news to Rome and Rheims, and would have us all murdered. 
 — That whoever would, might fill his hand, and be minister 
 among us, as in the time of Jereboam ; whereby it cometli. 
 to pass that some go about the country to offer their service, 
 for ten pounds a year and a canvas doublet. — And that we 
 celebrate the joyful time of the nativity throughout the land 
 as atheists and epicures, "t 
 
 For these assertions, alleged against him, he appears to 
 have been called befbre the ruling ecclesiastics, when he 
 gave the following answers to the various accusations: — 
 ^^ Concerning music, I had no set treatise against it, but 
 only I made this simile, that set music and its curious notes^ , 
 is an imitation of the Jewish music ; and because it is not 
 understood, it may delight, but not edify: so affected and 
 curious eloquence, which the people cannot understand, 
 may affect and delight the outward sense, but it cannot enter 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. u. p. 434. + MS. Rrgister, p. 285,585. 
 
 I Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxx. p. S94. 
 
GRAY— MOORE. 309 
 
 and descend inlo the heart. — Concerning citing of fathers 
 and profane authors, I did not teach that it was simply 
 iinhiwful ; but when we are to teach the simple people, and 
 to instruct and build the conscience, we are not to stuff our 
 sermons with authorities of fathers or sentences of profane 
 writers. — Concerning carding and dicing, I spake only 
 against the unlawful use of it, and shewed the abuse of the 
 celebration of the nativity. — I said that we have dumb 
 dogs, and some such as were once Chemarins, when I did 
 not, neither w as it my purpose to, enter any question whether 
 they might, or might Jiot, lawfully be ministers. — I said, it 
 is thought there be some among us, who are not of us, who 
 lurk here to spy out what is done, that they may give notice 
 to Rome ; and they lie among us, that they may point out 
 and set forth which of us should first go to the fire, when the 
 days of mourning for Jacob should come : where I desire 
 that my meaning may be thus interpreted, that I did not 
 notice particulars, but spake only upon the probable 
 suspicion, to stir us up to be diligent in searching whether 
 there be any papists among us, who are the Lord's and her 
 majesty's enemies. — 1 said, for want of restraint, every man 
 may fill his hand, and consecrate himself, alluding to 2 
 Chron. xiii. I would have this to be considered, that in 
 citing or alluding to any place, every word is not to be 
 observed, but the drift and purpose for which it is alleged. 
 — I said, that we have some ministers who are not worthy 
 to stand in the belfrey, but they sit at the end of the altar. 
 I protest this to have been my meaning, that those who were 
 altogether unfit for the ministry, did supply the places of 
 those who ought to have been learned ministers."* 
 
 These were Mr. Gray's answers to the foregoing accusa- 
 tions. But it does not appear what prosecution was entered 
 against him. 
 
 Robert Moore was rector of Guisely in Yorkshire, 
 and prosecuted for nonconformity. January 9, 1586, he 
 was cited before the Archbishop of York and other high 
 commissioners, when twenty charges were exhibited and 
 aggravated against him; but he so judiciously answered 
 them, and so fully proved his own innocence, that he was 
 acquitted by law. Upon the complete failure of the prose- 
 cution, the angry archbishop charged Mr. Moore with 
 
 « taker's MS. Collec. vol. xxx. p. 395. 
 
310 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 having said that he could not preachy calling him an old 
 doating fooL This Mr. Moore denied upon his oath. When 
 they failed in the proof of this charge also, his lordship was 
 more angry than before; and seeing they could procure 
 no evidence for any of their accusations, the good man Avas 
 dismissed, and appointed to appear the week tbllowing. 
 
 January 16th, Mr. Moore appeared before the archbishop 
 and nine other commissioners, when he was again charged 
 with the same crimes, and they said that now they could 
 prove him guilty. To this he replied, (hat as he had already 
 cleared himself of all charges, except that of refusing to 
 observe in all points the Book of Conunon Prayer, which he 
 did not out of contempt, but from conscience ; so, notwith- 
 standing the malice of his enemies, he still stood on sure 
 ground, and no honest man could prove him guilty. Upon 
 this, he was immediately threatened with imprisonment and 
 utter ruin, if they should proceed against him according to 
 law. In the conclusion, he was obliged to enter into a bond 
 of a hundred pounds to observe the Book of Common 
 Prayer, and was then dismissed. 
 
 The archbishop and his colleagues were aware of the 
 disgrace that would necessarily fall upon their own heads, 
 if Mr. Moore should escape without submission. Thereibre, 
 they cited him a third time; and upon his appearance, 
 presented him with the form of a recantation, requiring him, 
 as the condition of obtaining their favour, to confess and 
 read the same publicly in his own church. But he abso- 
 lutely refused to purchase his liberty at so dear a rate, 
 declaring that he would be cast into prison, and even put io 
 death, rather than thus dishonour the Lord by lying against 
 the Holy Ghost and his own conscience. He was, therefore, 
 again dismissed ; but two of his servants were conmiitted to 
 prison.* 
 
 From the examination of Mr. Higgins, churchwarden of 
 Guisely, before the above commissioners, January 10, li3S6, 
 "which is now before me, Mr. Moore is evidently acquitted 
 of the principal charges alleged against him. The 
 uprightness of his deportment, and the purity of his 
 character, were thus made manifest, even in the face of his 
 enemies. He was a zealous, faithful, and laborious minister, 
 spending his strength and his long life for the salvation of 
 souls, f 
 
 It is observed of our divine, that he survived most of his 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 7S7. -f Ibid. p. 788-T90. 
 
E. GELLIBRAND. 311 
 
 brethren, having lived to a great age. He baptized a 
 child after he entered upon the benefice of Guiseley, and 
 afterwards buried the same person threescore years of age, 
 being rector of the place sixty -three years. He built the 
 present stately parsonage house there.* 
 
 - Edward Gellibrand. — This learned and pious divine 
 was fellow of Magdalen college, Oxford, and a person of 
 distinguished eminence among the puritans in that univer- 
 sity. He was much concerned for a further reformation of 
 the church, and ever zealous in promoting the desired 
 object. The letters from the classis in Loudon and other 
 places, were commonly addressed to him, and, by the 
 appointment of the brethren, lie usually answered them. 
 January 12, 1585, he wrote a letter to Mr. John Field, 
 signifying how he had consulted several colleges about 
 church discipline, and a further reformation ; and that many 
 were disposed to favour it, but were afraid io testify any 
 thing under their hands, lest it should bring them into trouble. 
 This letter, which, in the opinion of Dr. Bancroft, tended 
 to promote sedition, was the followmg : — " I have," says 
 Mr. Gellibrand, " already entered into the matters whereof 
 " you write, and dealt with three or four of several colleges, 
 *' concerning those among whom they live. I find that 
 *' men are very dangerous in this point, generally savouring 
 " reformation ; but when it comes to the particular point, 
 ',* some have not yet considered of those things for which 
 '' others in the church are so much troubled. Others are 
 '' afraid to testify any thing Avith their hands, lest it should 
 "breed danger before the time. And many favour the 
 " cause of reformation, but they are not ministers, but 
 " young students, of whom there is good hope, if it be not 
 *' cut oil" by violent dealing before the time. As I hear of 
 " you, so I mean to go forward, where there is any hope ; 
 " and to learn the number, and certify you thereof." The 
 candid reader will easily judge how far this letter tended to 
 promote sedition, being merely designed to effect by the 
 most peaceable means, a more pure reformation of the 
 church. f He united with many of his brethren in sub- 
 scribing the " Book of Discipline."^ 
 April 7, 1586, Mr. Gellibrand was cited before Archbishop 
 
 * Tboresby's Vicaria Leodiensis, p. 65. 
 + Bancroft's Dangerous Positions, p. 74, 75. 
 - J.Neal's Puritans, ^ol, i. p. 423.- 
 
312 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Whitgift, Bishop Cooper of Winchester, Bishop Piers of 
 Salisbury, and other high commissioners. When he was 
 called before their lordships, and the charges alleged against 
 him had been read, the reverend archbishop thus addressed 
 hira: — " You have spoken against the ecclesiastical state 
 and governors, as confirmed and established by tlje laws of 
 this land. You have inveighed against the swelling titles of 
 bishops and archbishops. I'ou are full of pride and arro- 
 gancy, and the spirit of pride hath possessed you. And 
 you have preached against the Bishop of Winchester, by 
 which you have discouraged men from doing good to the 
 church." Then said the Bishop of Winchester, " If you 
 had read any of the ancient fathers, or ecclesiastical 
 histories, you could not have l)cen ignorant, that the office 
 of archbishops was from the time of the apostles, though 
 the name be not found in the scriptures. Other churches 
 do not condemn ours, as we do not theirs. This discipline 
 which you dream of, may peradventure be convenient for 
 Geneva, or some such free city, wliicli hath half a dozen 
 villages joining to it ; but not for a kingdom. You are a 
 child, yea, a babe." 
 
 Mr. Gellibrand, craving leave to answer for himself, re- 
 plied to these accusations, and said, " Concerning preaching 
 against the Bishop of Winchester, I am guiltless. I was 
 not present at his sermon, nor did I hear of his sermon till 
 after I had preached, according to my oath already taken.^' 
 •And being charged with speaking against the consecration 
 of bishops and archbishops, he replied, " My words were 
 littered simply as the occasion offered from a note of Beza 
 on Heb. ii. 10. And concerning my exhortation to those 
 who suffer persecution for the sake of Christ, it was neces- 
 rarily deduced from my text, in which the sufferings of 
 christians are called the sufterings of Christ." Then said 
 ])r. Cosin, " Such ifs are intolerable under the government 
 of so gracious a prince. And it is a most grievous thing 
 that you have made discipline a part of the gospel." 
 
 The archbishop next charged hira with having made a 
 comparison between Jesuits, and nonresidents, saying, " You 
 make nonresidents worse than Jesuits, and in this com- 
 parison there is neither truth, nor charity, nor honesty, nor 
 Christianity. I myself have been one of those whom you 
 call nonresidents, and have done more good by preaching, 
 partly in my own cure, and partly in other mens', than you 
 will do as long as you live. The church hath not been 
 built by you, nor such as you j but hy those whom you 
 
GLOVER. 313 
 
 call nonresidents ! !" Upon Mr. Gellibrand's attempting to 
 answer, he was in<errupted, and not allowed to proceed. 
 And when Dr. Cosin charged him with speaking against the 
 laws of the land, he replied, " I have long been of this 
 opinion, and so have many others, that nonresidents are 
 allowed by law." 
 
 Mr. Gellibrand being charged with seducing her majesty's 
 subjects, and with bringing the archbishop and bishops into 
 contempt, which, it was said, gave much encouragement to 
 papists ; he replied, " I never entered upon any discourse 
 about the government of the church, but delivered the true 
 sense of the scriptures." When he was urged to a further 
 consideration of the charges brought against him, and to 
 submit to the court, he was carried out, until the commis- 
 sioners determined what punishment shoidd be inflicted 
 upon him. After some consultation, he was called in, 
 when the archbishop thus addressed him : — " You deserve 
 not only to be sequestered from your ministry, but to be 
 expelled from your house, banished from the university, 
 and cast into prison; and all this we could inflict upon 
 you ; but we will not deal thus with you, if you will 
 revoke your errors, and give satisfaction for your offences." 
 The good man was, therefore, suspended from his ministry, 
 obliged to enter into a bond of a hundred pounds, either to 
 revoke his errors in such form as their lordships should 
 appoint, or to make his appearance at Lambeth at any time 
 by them to be determined, when they would further proceed 
 against him.* But it docs not appear Avhether he recanted, 
 or was brought under additional hardships by the relent- 
 less prelates. 
 
 Edward Glover was a nonconformist to the church of 
 England, as well in doctrine, as in ceremonies. He appears 
 to have mixed faith and works in the article of justification, 
 and to have denied the doctrine of predestination; for 
 which, in the year 1586, he, together with some others, was 
 apprehended by Archbishop Whitgift, and cast into prison. 
 These persons, denominated " a poor handful of free-will 
 men," it is said, could not assemble in a private conventicle, 
 without attracting the rod of ecclesiastical censure, and 
 suffering by means of the archbishop, the rigorous penalty 
 of imprisonment. But whatever were their character and 
 
 *. MS. Register, p. 801— 803. 
 
3U LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 opinions, they were so far excusable to the Lord Treasurer 
 Burleigh, that he warmly espoused their cause, and wrote 
 a letter to the archbishop in tiieir favour.* In all proba- 
 bility, says Mr. Toplady, Burleigh's humane application 
 to the primate, in behalf of these tlieological delinquents, 
 procured them a gaol-deliver}, and set the free-will men 
 corporally free. This he conjectures from the letter of thanks, 
 which Mr. Glover afterwards wrote to the treasurer. Mr. 
 Glover, says he, lays all the cause of his and his brethren's 
 imprisonment, on their dissenting from Luther's doctrine 
 of justification without works, and from Calvin's doctrine 
 of unconditional predestination ; and loudly complains of 
 the " iniquity and tyranny" of their prosecutors : which 
 included a tacit fling at the archbisliop himself. Had they 
 not just cause to complain both of iniquity and tyranny ? 
 And was not the archbishop the very person who exercised 
 this cruel oppression ? Without approving of their senti- 
 ments, it may be asked, what greater right had he to cast 
 them into prison, merely for difference of religious opinions, 
 tlian they had to cast him into prison, for the same cause ? 
 His lordship having the sword in his own hands, will afford 
 no satisfactory answer to this question. But our author 
 farther observes, " the bishops had just as much regard for 
 the free-will men, as St. Paul had for the viper he shook 
 into the fire."+ This representation, which contains too 
 much truth, will remain a stigma upon their character, and 
 a reproach to their memory, as long as men are disposed to 
 examine the impartial records of history. 
 
 John Walward, D. D. — He was professor of divinity 
 at Oxford, and a man of great learning, but involved in 
 much trouble for nonconformity. He was summoned 
 before the high commission, April 7, 1586, and appeared 
 before Archbishop Whitgift, Bishop Aylmer, the Bishops 
 of Winchester and Sarum, and other commissioners, at 
 Lambeth. And for having taught, that the order of the 
 Jewish synagogue and eldership, was adopted into the 
 christian church, by Jesus Christ and his apostles; and 
 asserting that the same was designed as a perpetual modal 
 of church government, he was enjoined a public recanta- 
 tion, and suspended from his public exercises in the univer- 
 sity, till it should be performed. As the whole of this 
 
 * Strype'g Annals, vol. iii. p. 431. 
 -^ ToplaUy's Historic Proof, vol. ii. p. 
 
 p. 201 , 202, 
 
WALWARD. 315 
 
 »flfair, attested by the hand of Abraham Hartwell, notary 
 public, is now before me, it will be proper to tran- 
 scribe it. 
 
 The above commissioners decreed, " That the said John 
 Walward shall, upon some Sunday in the afternoon, deliver 
 a sermon in the parish church of Alhallows in Oxford, whereia 
 he shall not in any way, either covertly or openly, impugn 
 any part of the government ecclesiastical now received and 
 used in the church of England; but shall stir up all his 
 hearers to unity, peace, obedince, and the good liking of 
 the laws, orders, and present government of this church; 
 and shall, also, in such his sermon publicly and distinctlj 
 read, without any addition, diminution, or alteration, the 
 Ibrm of words following, signifying that he is so enjoined 
 by authority for his demerits." Then follows the form of 
 his recantation, expressed in these words : 
 
 " Whereas J, John Walward, the 22d of February last, 
 " preaching in this place, amongst other thiiigs, did utter, 
 " ' That the order of a Jewish synagogue governed by an 
 " eldership, which I untruly affirmed to be still observed in 
 " Germany and Spain, was established by Jesus Christ and 
 " his apostles to continue for ever, to admonish, to suspend, 
 *' to interdict, and to excommunicate in every congregation: 
 '^ that the same was practised by the apostles, and long after 
 " in the better times of the church : that those who are put 
 *' in authority, according to the laws of this land, by the 
 *' bishops and other ecclesiastical persons, to see such 
 " censures executed, are not sufficiently warranted thereto, 
 *' but are in danger of God's heavy judgment; therefore, 
 <' the pastor of the congregation where the offender d welletli, 
 " hath an interest, and ought to have a dealing therein.* 
 " And, whereas, I did then also affirm matter to the de- 
 *' praving of the office of archdeacons, and the canons agreed 
 " upon in the last convocation, and confirmed by her 
 " majesty's authority : and did avouch a necessary, sub- 
 " stantial, and unalterable platform of government and dis- 
 " cipline to have been left by Christ, for hearing, ordering, 
 '^ and determining all cases and causes of censure, which I 
 " then said ought of necessity to be by the ministry and 
 *' presbytery of the congregation where the offender 
 " dwelleth, to the impeaching of her majesty's authority 
 " in causes ecclesiastical, to the discredit of the present 
 " government of the church of England wherein I live, to 
 '' the breach of the unity and peace of it, and to an ill 
 " example and offence to others. And further, whereas I 
 
316 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " jiiomifed after inj said sermon, if I might be suffered io 
 " continue my divinity lecture, 1 would not meddle in any 
 *' matters tending to the disturbance of the peace and unity 
 *' of the church, or just oflence of any. I did, notvvith- 
 *' standing, shew myself the same man I was before, by 
 *^ bitter and factious speeches, and complaining that I was 
 " thus treated, as I thought, without just desert. I do here, 
 " tiiercfore, in the sight of God, and you, my brethren, 
 " frankly ackngwledge, my unadvised dealing herein, and 
 *' my oversight in the former points, heartily desiring you 
 *' all to be satisfied with this my imfeigned and humble 
 " submission."* 
 
 When Dr. Walward appeared before his ecclesiastical 
 judges, he was obliged to enter into a bond of one hundred 
 pounds to make this debasing public recantation ; and in case 
 he failed to perform it according to the order and form pre- 
 scribed, he should not only forfeit his hundred pounds, but 
 within four days appear again at Lambetli, to receive such 
 censure as his case might deserve. For the better execution 
 of the above decrees, a letter was addressed to the vice- 
 chancellor of Oxford, requiring and authorizing him to 
 see that they should in all points be duly executed ; and in 
 case of Walward's failure in complying with them, to bring 
 him again before the high commission at Lambeth. + This 
 learned divine was thus debased by the tyrarmical prelates ! 
 He was compelled to sacrifice the right of private judgment, 
 and the liberty of conscience, at the shrine of their usurped 
 power and authority. 
 
 John Gardiner was the laborious minister of Maiden 
 in Essex, but deprived of his ministry, and most cruelly 
 treated. His sufferings would have moved the compassion 
 of any man, excepting Aylmer, bishop of London. The 
 bishop committed him to Newgate for matters scandalously 
 laid to his charge seven years before, of which he had even 
 been cleared by a regular course of law. He requested his 
 lordship, that he might be bailed ; and if he was found 
 guilty, that he might have punishment without mercy. 
 The account of his barbarous usage is given in a supplica- 
 tion which Mr. Gardiner sent to the bishop, dated Septem- 
 ber 7, 1586 ; in which he expressed himself as follows :^ 
 
 MS. Rfgistcr, p. 800. i Ibid. p. 801. S l^id, p. 753. 
 
GARDINER— STANDEN. 317, 
 
 *« To the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop 
 
 " of London. 
 *^ My duty in ]iumble-wise remembered, my lord. I am 
 <' cast Into INewgate by your lordship, for a matter which 
 " about seven years past, was slanderously raised against 
 " me. I was by course of law cleared, and the Lord God 
 " who searcheth the hearts, before whom you and I shall 
 " shortly appear, doth know, and him I call to witness, 
 " that I was and am falsely accused. I have been extremely 
 " sick in prison. I thank God, I am amended, but am yet 
 " so ill, that the physicians say my infection from the prison 
 " will be very dangerous. I have a poor wife and five 
 " children, who are in a lamentable case. I had six at the 
 " beginning of my imprisonment ; but by reason of my 
 " sickness in prison, and my wife being constrained to 
 *' attend upon me, one of my children, for want of some- 
 *' body to oversee them, was drowned in a tub of wort, 
 " being two years and a half old. If your lordship have no 
 " compassion on me, yet take pity upon the widow and 
 " fatherless, (for in that state are now my wife and poor 
 " infants) whose tears are before the Lord. I crave only 
 '' to be bailed; and if I am found guilty of any breach of 
 " law, let me have extremity without any favour. Your 
 " lordship's to command in Christ. 
 
 " John Gardiner." 
 
 It does not appear how long Mr. Gardiner remained in 
 prison, nor what other punishment he endured. He was 
 a member of the presbyterian church erected at ^Vands- 
 worth in Surrey ; and he united with his brethren in sub- 
 scribing the " Book of Discipline."* 
 
 Nicholas Standen was educated in the university of 
 Cambridge; he became rector of St. Magaret- Pattens, 
 London ; but was deprived, it is supposed, for noncon- 
 formity, in 1568.f He was a learned and religious man, an 
 orthodox divine, and ever zealous for a reformation of tha 
 church ; often meeting with his brethren to promote the 
 desired object. About th(? year 1570, he was chaplain to 
 the Earl of Warwick, in his expedition against the rebels 
 in the north.J In 1572, he was a member of the presby- 
 
 » Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. lOS.—Neal's I'uritans, vol.. i. p. 42S. 
 + Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. i, p. 409. 
 t MS, Chronology, vol. ii, p. 373. (S.) 
 
S18 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 terian church erected at WandsAvorth in Surrey.* About 
 two years after this, he was accused of being concerned in 
 Undertree's sham plot; and with Mr. Bonham, another 
 puritan minister, was cast into prison : but upon their ex- 
 iamination, being found innocent, they were both acquitted, 
 and released by order of the council. + Mr. Standen and 
 Mr. Bonham were convened before the high commission 
 for nonconformity, and committed to prison, where they 
 remained a long time. After having endured a shameful 
 confinement, together with the sickness of the prison, they 
 were released by order of the queen, as will appear more at 
 large in another placet 
 
 Mr. Standen, with other nonconformable ministers, wrote 
 an answer to this question, " Whether the ministers, for 
 certain ceremonies laid upon them under pretence of policy 
 only, may forsake their ministry ?" Upon this question, he 
 gives his opinion with great freedom, particularly against 
 the use of the cross in baptism. He proves with great 
 clearness, that the use of the cross in that ordinance, is 
 ■wholly founded in superstition ; that it can answer no good 
 purpose whatever, but oftentimes a bad one ; and conse- 
 quently, that it ought to be laid aside.^ This divine being 
 always anxious to obtain better regulations in the church, 
 united with his brethren about the year 1586, in subscribing 
 the « Book of Discipline."!] 
 
 John Field, A. M.— This excellent divine was a great 
 sufferer in the cause of nonconformity. There having been 
 several persons of the same name, has rendered it rather 
 difficult to distinguish them ; yet this Mr. John Field 
 appears to have been fellow of Lincoln college, Oxford. 
 Wood intimates, that he was afterwards a famous preacher 
 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London; but this is rather 
 doubtful.** It is certain, however, that he was the excellent 
 minister of Aldermary church, in the city. 
 
 The puritans having in vain sought for a further reforma- 
 tion from the queen and the bishops, resolved in future to 
 apply to the parliament, and stand by the constitution. 
 Accordingly, they made all tlie interest in their power 
 among the members, and compiled a treatise, setting fortk 
 
 • Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 103. + Strype's Parker, p. 466. 
 
 t See Art. Bonham. 
 
 S MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 373, (8.)— Parte of a Register, p. 409. 
 Ij Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. *• AtheniE Oxon. vol. i. p. 188. 
 
FIELD. 319 
 
 ?heir numerous grievances in one view. This was drawn 
 up by Mr. Field, assisted by Mr. Thomas Wilcocks, and 
 was revised by several of the brethren. The work was 
 entitled " An Admonition to the Parliament ;" with Bcza's 
 letter to the Earl of Leicester, and Gualtcr's to Bishop 
 Parkhurst, for reformation of church discipline, annexed. 
 It contains the platform of a church ; the manner of electing 
 ministers ; with their several duties, and their equality in 
 government. It then exposes, with some sharp language, 
 the corruptions of the hierarchy, and the tyrannical proceed- 
 ings of the bishops. The Admonition concludes with a 
 petition to both houses, that discipline, more consonant to 
 the word of God, and agreeable to the foreign reformed 
 churches, may be established hy law. Their attempt to 
 procure an establishment of their own opinions, Mr. Peirce 
 justly observes, was the greatest fault in the book, or in any 
 of the attempts which the puritans made. With unan- 
 swerable evidence they exposed the corruptions of the 
 established ecclesiastical government, and particularly the 
 persecution and tyranny by which it was upheld. But 1 
 fear, says he, could they have obtained their desire of the 
 parliament, the platform which they proposed, must have 
 been established by some persecuting laws ; which I cannot 
 find that Christ ever appointed his ministers to use for the 
 advancement of his kingdom. All compulsion, and all 
 enforcing of ecclesiastical discipline, by civil penalties, is 
 quite contrary to the spirit of Christianity.* Mr. Field and 
 Mr. Wilcocks presented the Admonition themselves to the 
 parliament ; for whicJi, J uly 7, ] 572, they were sent to 
 prison ; and after examination, they were, by the instigation 
 of the bishops, committed to Newgate.t Upon this, the 
 book, already printed, was suffered to go abroad, and it 
 passed through no less than four editions in about two years, 
 notwithstanding all the vigilant endeavours of the bishops to 
 suppress it.^ 
 
 The two prisoners were indicted, and sentenced to suffer 
 imprisonment one whole year, which they did accordingly. 
 After having suffered confinement some months in a most 
 loathsome prison, by which their health was greatly 
 impaired, they petitioned their noble friend, the Earl of 
 liCicester, to procure their removal to some other prison, 
 where they should meet with better usage. Their wives 
 and children also presented a petition to the same 
 
 * Peirce's Vindication, part i. p. 84, 85. t MS. Register, p. 118. 
 J Strype's Parker, p, 347. 
 
320 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 nobleman, earnestly desiring bim to move the queen to 
 discharge them from prison, on account of their great 
 suft'erings, and their extreme poverty and want. But tliese 
 two petitions were without effect.* The prisoners still 
 remained in close confinement, enduring many extreme 
 hardships; and though they were committed to prison 
 three months previous to receiving the sentence, and 
 remained in prison twelve months after conviction, according 
 to the cruel tenor of the sentence, they could not, even at 
 the expiration of that period, obtain their liberty. Under 
 these afflictive circumstances, they presented the following 
 petition to the lords of the council : 
 
 " Whereas, right honourable lords, your poor and daily 
 <' orators, John Field and Thomas Wilcocks, being indicted 
 " before the lord mayor and court of aldermen, in the city 
 '^ of London, upon a statute of the first year of her majesty's 
 *' most happy and gracious reign, entitled ' An Act for the 
 " Uniformity of Conunon Prayer,' &c. were adjudged to 
 *' suffer imprisonment by the space of one whole year, which 
 <' they have already fully endured, according to the effect 
 *' of the said statute. And now being given to understand, 
 <' that they cannot be discharged otherwise than by a special 
 *' order from your good lordships, they most humbly, and 
 *' for Jesus Christ's sake, pray and beseech your honours, 
 <' to take pity of their great poverty and extreme necessity, 
 *' now come upon them and their poor wives and children, 
 *' through their so long imprisonment. And that in your 
 *' accustomed clemency, so graciously and continually 
 *' extended towards all her majesty's subjects, you will also 
 " vouchsafe, in compassion to their great misery, take order 
 *' for their enlargement. And as in duty they are bound, 
 " so they and theirs will daily pour out their hearty prayers 
 " to Almighty God, for his merciful favour, and most 
 *' gracious protection, to be extended to your lordships for 
 *' ever, Amen."f 
 
 During their imprisonment, they also petitioned the Earl 
 of Leicester, humbly entreating him to be a means of 
 forwarding their petition to the council. In this petition, 
 they express themselves thus : — " This in all humility 
 ** sheweth unto your iionour, that yoiir poor and faithful 
 " orators, John Field and Thomas Wilcocks, upon October 
 *' 2, 1572, by virtue of a certain statute made the first year 
 ^' of her majesty's reign, were convicted and committed to 
 
 » MS. Regis<er, p. 118. f Ibid, p. IIT.. 
 
FIELD. • 321 
 
 ^' prison, there to continue for the space of one whole year, 
 " and have now endured patiently all that time, besides a 
 " quarter of a year before conviction, to their great charge 
 *' and utter undoing. May it, therefore, please your honour, 
 " for the tender mercies of God, and iji consideration of 
 *' them, their poor wives and children, to be a means with 
 " the rest of her majesty's most honourable privy council, 
 " to whom they have exhibited their most humble supplica- 
 " tion that they may be released and discharged, and as much 
 '' as in your honour lieth, to promote and further the same. 
 *' So they shall be greatly comforted, after this their tedious 
 " and long imprisonment; and they Avill not be unmindful 
 *' to pray for your lordship's great and continued pros- 
 *' perity."* It does not, however, appear whether they 
 were released, or still detained in a state of confinement. 
 
 During the imprisonment of these two divines. Dr. 
 Whitgift published his " Answer to the Admonition," in 
 which he brought many severe charges against its authors: 
 as, " That they were disturbers of good order : enemies fo 
 the state ; and as holding many dangerous heresies." To 
 these slanderous cliarges, they wrote a reply, entitled " A 
 brief Confession of Faith, written by the Authors of the first 
 Admonition to the Parliament, to testify their Persuasion in 
 the Faith, against the uncharitable Surmises and Suspicions 
 of Dr. Whitgift, uttered in his Answer to their Adrnomtion, 
 in Defence both of themselves and their Bretiiren." This 
 Confession was Avritten from Newgate, dated September 4, 
 1572, and contains a very judicious and comprehensive 
 statement of their religious opinions, upon the principal 
 doctrines of the gospel. f 
 
 In the month of September this year. Archbishop Parker 
 sent one of his chaplains to confer with the two prisoners in 
 Newgate, most probably with a view to convince them of 
 their supposed errors, and bring them to a recantation. 
 During this conference, they acknowledged themselves to be 
 the authors of the Admonition, saying, " We wrote a book 
 in parliament time, which should be a time of speaking and 
 writing freelj-, justly craving redress and reformation of 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 118. 
 
 f Upon the holy scriptures, they say, ** We bold that they alone ought 
 *' to be preached, and the whole of them preached, and nothing kept back ; 
 *' and that it is not lawful for men, or for angels, to add any thing thereto, 
 *' or take any thing therefrom. And we affirm, that no antiquity, custom, 
 ** interpretation, or opinion of men, no, nor statute or ordinance of any 
 ** pope, council, parliament, or prince, may be set against the word of 
 «< God."— /Jirf. p. 119—132. 
 
 VOL. I. y 
 
322 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 many abuses, for which we are so uncouvteously ireated/^ 
 A parlicular account of this conference is given in another 
 place.* 
 
 There being no prospect of any further reformation of 
 the church by the legislature, some of the leading puritans 
 agreed to attempt it in a more private way. For this 
 purpose, they erected a presbytery at Wandsworth iu 
 Surrey ; which, being seated on the banks of the Thames, 
 was convenient for the brethren in London. Among the 
 members of this society was one Mr. Field, lecturer of 
 Wandswortl), and undoubtedly this painful sufferer for 
 nonconformity. The formation of this presbytery is said to 
 have been in the year 1572 : in which case, it must not have 
 been in the month of November, as sonle have supposed^ 
 but previous to the month of July ; for on the seventh of 
 July, this year, Mr. Field and Mr. Wilcocks were committed 
 io prison, and remained in close confinement, at least till 
 towards the close of 1573. 
 
 Mr. Strype observes, that while these sufferers for 
 conscience were closely confined in Newgate, they were 
 frequently visited by their brethren, Urs. Fulke and 
 Humphrey, and Messrs. Wyburn, Cartwright, Deering, 
 Lever, Crowley, Johnson, and Brown. And upon their 
 appearance before the council, they were told, that unless 
 they could obtain the queen's pardon, they must be banished 
 from their country, for the singular crime of disliking the 
 Book of Common Prayer ;f though at that time tliere was no 
 law in existence requiring such punishment. Whether they 
 ever sought to her majesty for pardon, we are not able to 
 learn ; only in 1574, Mr. Field, we find, was minister of 
 Aldermary church, London. J Though he was released from 
 prison, his troubles were not over. In the year 1577, he was 
 cited before Bishop Aylmer, who pronounced him ohsl'mate, 
 for having taught children in gentlemens' houses, cojitrary 
 to the prohibitions of the archbishop. Bishop Aylmer, 
 therefore, recommended that both Mr. Field and Mr. 
 Wilcocks might be sent into the most barbarous parts of 
 Staffordshire, Shropshire, Lancashire, or other places, where, 
 his lordship observed, they might be profitably employed 
 in reclaiming people from the ignorance and errors of 
 popery. § 
 
 What the bishop recommended was undoubtedly a more 
 
 * See Art. Wilcocks. + Strype's Parker, p. 413, 
 
 X MS. Kegisfer, p. 5i85. ^ Strype's Aylmer, p. 55, 56. 
 
FIELD. 323 
 
 moderate kind of punishment tlian close confinement front 
 one year to another, in a fiKliy, cold prison; and was, 
 indeed, exceedingly moderate for a prelate of his tyrannical 
 principles. Accordingly, Mr. Field was silenced or sepa- 
 rated from the people of ills cliarge. The parishioners of 
 Aldermary, at the same time, used every effort in their 
 power to procure his restoration. They applied to the 
 Archbishop, as well as to the Bishop of London, but without 
 success. They also presented two supplications to t'le Earl 
 of Leicester, being one of the council, to be a means of 
 promoting his restoration. 
 
 These supplications are now before me, in one of which 
 they expressed themselves as follows : — " We, in m.ost 
 ^' humble-wise, beseech your honour, that whereas of late 
 *' we did to our comfort enjoy, one Mr. Field to be our 
 *^ preacher, who laboured painfully amongst us for the 
 *' space of four years, in preaching the w ord or God, and 
 '' catechizing our youth, teaching obedience both to God 
 *' and our prince, and keeping us in good order. Whereas 
 *' since his restraint and inhibition, we -^re leit as scattered 
 *' sheep upon the mountains, and have none ordinarily to 
 *' break unto us the bread of life, than which a greater evil 
 *' cannot come upon us. Hearing that God of liis great 
 *' goodness hath made you the honoured instrument of 
 " restoring many, we, your humble suppliants, beseech 
 " you, even for the cause of God, to be a means also for us. 
 " We feel persuaded that, if the matter be fairly examined, 
 *' there will be no cause found in him why he should 
 " be sequestered from us. For we arc able to witness to 
 *' your honour, even in the presence of Him who seeth all 
 *' hearts, that to our knowledge he ever behaved himself 
 " wisely and faithfully, as became a true minister of Jesus 
 " Christ. The things urged against him were never hindered, 
 " impugned, or any way resisted by hira, but were duly 
 ^' kept and observed. And seeing that which he received 
 ** was out of our purses, witliout any burden upon the 
 *' church whatever, we cannot help feeling ourselves hardly 
 *' treated, that without cause he should be taken from us. 
 " We have used what means we could with the Archbishop 
 *' and Bishop of London ; but as we could learn of them no 
 *' cause of his sequestration, so we could receive no favour- 
 " able answer for his restoration. We beseech your honour, 
 *' therefore, in behalf of ourselves, our wives, our children, 
 *' and our servants, so to stand forth our good lord in this 
 f' our necessary and holy suit, as (hat by your merms, he 
 
324 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 *' may be a2:ain restored : So shall many hearts be made 
 " glad ; and we shall evermore pray for your honour's long 
 '' and happy sta(e. Your honour's poor suppliants ever to 
 " command, ofthe parish of Aldermary, in London."* 
 
 How long Mr. Field continued under the ecclesiastical 
 censure, or whether he was ever restored to his charge at 
 Aldermary, appears extremely doubtful. 
 
 The next account we meet witli of this excellent divine, 
 is, that in 158S, he was engaged, with several other learned 
 men, in a disputation with certain papists in. the Tower ; 
 but our information is so extremely scanty, that he is only 
 said to have taken an active part in those learned disputa- 
 tions,+ and to have collected and published an account of 
 them, after it had undergone the examination of the persons 
 who engaged. In 1584, we find him brought into other 
 troubles, when he was suspended by the Bishop of London. 
 The cause of his suspension was, his admitting an assembly 
 of ministers at his house, among whom were several Scotch 
 divines. These divines being disaffected to the hierarchy, 
 the assembly was declared to be an unlawful conventicle. 
 Mr. Field was, therefore, suspended from his ministry, for 
 entertaining them, and the rest were deprived for refusing 
 subscription.! How long he continued under suspension, 
 and whether he was ever restored, is very uncertain. He 
 died in February, 1587, when his remains were interred in 
 Cripplegate church, London. Mr. Field, a short time before 
 Jiis death, united with his brethren in subscribing the " Book 
 of Discipline."^ 
 
 His Works. — 1. Praj^ers and Meditations for the use of private 
 Families, 1581. — 2. A Caveat for Parsons Howlet, concerning his 
 iintimelje I'iightc, and Scriching in the clear Day Lighte of the Gospel, 
 neeessarie for him, and all the rest of that darke Brood, and uncleane 
 Cage of Papists, 1581. — 3. Exposition of the Symbol of the Apostles, 
 1581. — 4. A godly Exhortation, by occasion of a late Judgment of 
 God at Paris Garden, 1583. — He published Translations of many of 
 Calvin's Sermons, and tlie productions of other learned men. 
 
 John Huckle was pastor of the church at Aythorp 
 Roding in Essex, but prosecuted by Bishop Aylmer, for 
 nonconformity. Mr. Strype is pleased to stigmatize him 
 as a busy body, an enemy to the peace of the church, a 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 285. 
 
 t Strvoe's Anuals, vol. ii. p. 647.— Life of Parker, p. 219.— Churton's 
 Life of Nowell, p. 278. 
 
 J MS. Register, p. 460, 568, 569. § Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
IIUCKLE. S25 
 
 (i^nsi^ressor of its orders, an impugner of the common prayer, 
 a gatherer of night-conventicles, and a busy disputer against 
 the Athanasian creed ; and, therefore, to reclaim him from 
 his dangerous errors, the bishop suspended him from his 
 ministr}'.* 
 
 Upon his suspension, Mr. Huckle laid his case before the 
 lords of the council, and procured the following letter, dated 
 from Greenwich, May 4, 1584, addressed to the bishop :f 
 
 " Our hearty commendations to your lordship. 
 ^' The bearer, John Huckle, minister of the word of God, 
 ' hath been here before us, who, wi(h his confession of faith 
 ' and solemn protestation, doth seem to detest Arianism, and 
 ^ every other tlie like heresy with which he may be charged ; 
 ' and offereth to subscribe Athanasius's creed, and to testify 
 ' to the world, by any other means, his sincere and un- 
 ' feigned belief of the doctrine contained in the same. And 
 ' so far as we can find, he is a man clear and sound in 
 ' religion, and no other matter, according to our knowledge, 
 ' can be proved against him. We, therefore, see no cause 
 ' why he should be any longer suspended from the exercise 
 ' of his ministry ; and we pray your lordship, that you will 
 ' now, upon his recognition, revoke your suspension, and 
 ' treat him with all convenient favour ; whereby he may be 
 ' the better encouraged, and the more able to discharge the 
 ' duty belonging to him. And so we bid your lordship 
 ' hearty farewell. Your very loving friends, 
 
 " William Burghley, Ed. Warwick, 
 *' Fr. Knolles, Fr. Walsingham, 
 
 " Charles Howard, Hen. Sydney." 
 
 Such vras the opinion and commendation of these distin- 
 guished persons, but the bishop was of another mind; and, 
 notwithstanding Mr. Huckle's protestation and readiness to 
 subscribe, the hard-hearted prelate refused to restore him. 
 This appears from his lordship's answer to the council's 
 letter; wherein he says, " if I should res'.ore him, I 
 could not answer for it before God, her majesty, my own 
 conscience, nor the church of God."t Such was the 
 sentiment of this relentless prelate! He was unwilling to 
 rescind his own determination, though recommended so to 
 do by the greatest persons in the land ; therefore, Mr, Huckle, 
 w ith many others, who fell into the hands of this lordly 
 ecclesiastic, remained under suspension, at least for several 
 
 ■■» Strype's Aylmer, p. 108. + M.S. Register, p. 5S4. t Ibid. 
 
326 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 years ; and whether be was ever restored, is extremely 
 doubtful. In the year 1587, he was among the suspended 
 ministers of Essex, who, to obtain some redress of their 
 grievances, presented a supplication to parliament, an 
 account of which is given in another place.* . 
 
 John Fox, A. M. — This celebrated man, usually deno- 
 mitJcated the English Marty rologist, was born of respectable 
 parents at Boston in Lincolnshire, in the year 1517, His 
 lather dying when he was young, and his mother marrying 
 again, became under the guardianship of bis father-in-law. 
 At the age of sixteen, he was sent to Brazen-nose college, 
 Oxford ; and afterwards he became fellow of Magdalen 
 college, in the same univershy. In the days of his youth, 
 he discovered a genius and taste for poetry, and wrote 
 several Latin comedies, upon subjects taken from the 
 scriptures. 
 
 For some time after his going to the university, Mr. Fox 
 was strongly attached to the superstitions and errors of 
 popery. He was not only zealous for the Romish church, 
 and strictly moral in his life, but rejected the doctrine of 
 justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ, 
 and concluded himself to be sufficiently safe by trusting in 
 the imaginary merit of his own self-denial, penances, alms- 
 deeds, and compliance with the ceremonies of the church. 
 Afterwards, by the blessing of God upon his studies, he was 
 delivered from this self-righteousness, and led to submit 
 himself to the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And by his 
 indefatigable researches into ecclesiastical history, together 
 with the writings of the fathers, but especiailly by his 
 thorough acquaintance with the holy scriptures, he was 
 convinced of the immense distance to which the church of 
 Rome had departed from the faith, and spirit, and practice 
 of the gospel. 
 
 In order to make himself a more competent judge of the 
 controversy, which now began to be warmly discussed 
 betwixt protestants and papists, he searched all the ancient 
 and modern hittories of the church with indefatigable 
 assiduity. His labours to find out the truth were indeed so 
 great, that, belbre be was thirty years of age, he read all the 
 Greek and Latin fathers, all the schoolmen, and the decrees 
 of councils, and made considerable progress in other 
 
 * See Art. George Gifford. 
 
FOX. 327 
 
 branches of useful knowledge. During this close applica- 
 tion, he avoided all kinds of company, and betook himself 
 to tlie most solitary retirement, often spending whole nights 
 in his study. At length, from this strict and severe applica- 
 tion, having forsaken his old popisli friends, and from the 
 dubious manner in Avliich he spoke, when he was obliged to 
 give bis opinion on religious subjects, but, above all, from 
 his sparing att( ndance on the public worship of the national 
 church, in which he had been remarkably strict, he was 
 suspected of alienation from her constitution and ceremonies, 
 ajid of being infected with heresy. 
 
 Mr. Fox having found the truth, soon became bold and 
 courageous in the profession of it, even in those dark times 
 of popery. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the 
 people of God in the cause of truth, than enjoy the pleasures 
 of sin for a season. Being deeply impn ssed with the 
 declaration of our Lord, " Whosoever is ashamed of me, 
 and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, 
 of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh. 
 in the glory of his Father, witii his holy angels;" he deter- 
 mined to venture the loss of all things for the sake of Christ; 
 and, therefore, openly professed himself a protestant. This 
 lie had no sooner done, than he was publicly accused of 
 heresy, and expelled from the college. His adversaries, 
 indeed, thought they dealt favourably in suffering him to 
 escape with his life. This was in the year 1545.* Wood, 
 by mistake, says, he resigned his fellowship, and left the 
 university, to avoid expulsion. + 
 
 Mr. Fox being expelled from the university, lost the 
 favour of his friends and relations. As he was convicted 
 of heresy, they thought it unsafe, and were therefore 
 imwilling, to countenance or protect him. His father-in- 
 law, in particular, seized this opportunity of withholding 
 from him the estate which his own father had left him. 
 While he was thus forsaken and oppressed, God, in the 
 hour of extremity, raised up an unexpected friend and 
 patron, in Sir Thomas Lucy of Warwickshire. This worthy 
 person took him into his house, and made him tutor to his 
 children. Here he found a comfortable asylum from the 
 storm of persecution. While in this situation, he married a 
 citizen's daughter of Coventry, but still continued in Sir 
 Thomas's family till his pupils were grown up. Afterwards, 
 
 * Life of Mr. Fox prefixed to his " Acts and Monuments of the 
 Martyrs." 
 
 f Athens Oxoo. vol. i. p. IS6. 
 
328 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ■with some difficulty, he procured entertainment sometimes 
 at the house of his tkther-in-iaM, and sometimes at the liouse 
 of his wife's father in Coventty , till a little before the death 
 of King Henry VIII., when he removed to London. 
 
 For a considerable time after his removal to the metro- 
 polis, having- no employment, nor yet any preferment, he 
 was again reduced to extreme want. However, by the 
 kind providence of God, he was at length relieved, in the 
 following remarkable manner : As he was sitting one day in 
 St. Paul's church, his countenance being pale, his eyes 
 hollow, and like a ghastly, dying man, a person, whom he 
 never remembered to have seen before, came and sat down 
 by him, and accosting him willi much familiarity, put a 
 sum of money into his hand, saying, " Be of good comfort, 
 Mr. Fox. Take care of yourself, and use all means to 
 preserve your life. For, depend upon it, God will, in a 
 few days, give you a better prospect, and more certain 
 means of subsist<>nce." Though he could never learn from 
 whom he received this seasonable relief, within three days 
 of that memorable event, he was taken into the family of 
 the Duchess of Richmond, to be tutor to the Earl of 
 Surrey's children, whose education was committed to her 
 care.* 
 
 Mr. Fox continued in this honourable family, at Ryegate 
 in Surrey, during part of the reign of Henry VIII., the 
 whole of Edward VI., and part of Queen Mary's. Bishop 
 Gardiner, a most bloody persecutor, in whose diocese he 
 found so comfortable and safe a retreat, would have brought 
 him to the stake, had he not been protected by the Duke of 
 Norfolk, who had been one of his pupils. Mr. Fox, it is 
 said, was the first person who ventured to preach the gospel 
 at Ryegate; and with deep concern, Gardiner beheld the 
 heir to one of the noblest families in England, trained up, 
 mider his influence, to the protestant religion. This pre- 
 late formed various designs against the safety of Mr. Fox ; 
 and sought by numerous stratagems, to eff(.'ct his ruin. The 
 good man, who was less suspicious of the bishop, than the 
 bishop was of him, was obliged, at length, to quit his 
 native country, and seek refuge in a foreign land. The 
 duke, who loved and revered him as a father, sheltered him 
 from the storm as long as he was able; and when Mr. Fox; 
 was obliged to flee for safety, he took care to provide him 
 with every comfortable accommodc^tion for the voyage, 
 
 * Life of Mr, Fox. 
 
FOX. S2§ 
 
 He set sail from Ipswich, accompanied by his wife, and 
 some other persons, who left the country on a similar 
 account. The vessel had no sooner ^^ot to sea, than a tre- 
 mendous storm arose, which oblia:ed them to return to port 
 nixt day. Having with great difficulty reached the land, 
 Mr. Fox Mas saluted with indubitable information, that 
 Bishop Gardiner had issued warrants for apprehending him, 
 and that the most diligent search had been made for him, 
 during his absence at sea. He, therefore, prevailed npoa 
 the noaster of the ship to put to sea again, though the 
 attempt was extremely dangerous ; and in two days, they 
 arrived at Newport in Flanders. Thus, by the kind provi- 
 dence of God, he a second time, narrowly escaped the 
 fire.* 
 
 After his arrival in Flanders, Mr. Fox travelled to 
 Antwerp, then to Frankfort in Germany; where he was 
 involved in the troubles excited by the officious and unkind 
 proceedings of Dr. Cox and his party. + The first settlers 
 at Frankfort being driven from the place, Mr. Fox re- 
 moved to Basil in Switzerland, to which city many of his 
 fellow exiles accompanied him. Basil was then one of the 
 most famous places in Europe, for printing; and many of 
 the English refugees, who retired thither, procured their 
 subsistence by revising and correcting the press. By this 
 employment, Mr. Fox maintained himself and his family. 
 Also, at Basil, he laid the plan of his " Acts and Monu- 
 ments of the Martyrs," which he afterwards, with immense 
 labour, finished in his own country. Mr. Strype is, liow- 
 ever, very incorrect when he intimates that our author 
 published his first book while he was in a state of exile. :{; 
 
 Having mentioned the above celebrated work, commonly- 
 called Fox's " Book of Martyrs," it will be proper to give 
 some account of this fruit of his Herculean labour. We 
 have already observed that the author directed his attention 
 to this work, during his residence at Basil ; but he reserved 
 the greatest part of it till his return to his native country, 
 that he might procure the authority and testimony of more 
 witnesses. It appears from the author's own notes, that he 
 was eleven years in compiling this great work ; and in this, 
 ns well as in some others of his labours, Mr. Fox was 
 favoured with the particular assistance of several distin- 
 guished persons. Among these were Mr. John Aylraer, 
 
 * Life of Mr. Fox. , . 
 
 -^ Troubles at Frankeford, p. 30, 47, 50. 
 
 + Strype's Cranmer, p. 358. 
 
SoO LIVES OF THE PURiTANS, 
 
 afterwards Bisliop of London ;* Mr. Edmund Grindnf, 
 afterwards Archbisliop of Canterbury ; and Mr. Thomas 
 Norton, afterwards a celebrated lawyer, member of parlia- 
 ment, and a noted puritan, who married the only daughter 
 of Archbishop Cranraer. From the last of these, our author 
 is said to have derived the greatest assistance.+ It also 
 appears that Grlndal, besides his constant counsel and 
 advice in the course of the work, supplied our author with 
 numerous materials, which, when he had digested and me- 
 thodized them, were of great use to him. During Grindai's 
 exile, he established a correspondence in England for this 
 purpose, by which means, accounts of most ot the acts and 
 sufferings of those who were persecuted in Queen Mary's 
 reign, came to ids hands; and it is said to have been owing 
 io GrindaFs strict and tender regard to truth, that the work 
 was so long in hand ; for he rejected all common reports 
 and relations tliat were carried over, till more satisfactory 
 evidence could be procured. It was by his advice, that 
 Mr. Fox at first printed separately the acts of some parti- 
 cular persons, of whom any sure and authentic memoirs 
 came to hand, till materials for a more complele history of 
 the martyrs, with their persecutions and sufterings, could 
 be obtained. In pursuance of this advice, Mr. Fox pub- 
 lished at Basil, various histories of the English bishops and 
 divines, in single pieces, soon after tlieir respective persecu- 
 tions and martyrdoms. 
 
 Mr. Fox at first undertook to publish his laborious work 
 in Latin ; but by the advice of Grindal, it was printed in 
 Latin and English, for more general usefulness. It was 
 publisljed in London in 1563, in one thick volume folio, 
 with this title, " Actes and Pdoimmenls of these latter 
 perillous days touching matters of the Churche, wherein 
 are comprehended and described the great persecutions and 
 horrible troubles that have been wrought and practised by 
 the Romish prelates speciallye in this realme of England 
 ^nd Scotland, from tlie yeare of our Lorde a thousand unto 
 the time now present," &c. A fourth edition was printed 
 in London in 1583, in two volumes folio, and it was re- 
 printed in 1632, in three volumes folio. The ninth edition 
 was printed in London in 1684, in three volumes folio, with 
 copper cuts, the former editions having oidy wooden ones.J 
 
 * SJrype's Aylmer, p, 11. 
 
 + MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 243 (2), 243 (3.) 
 
 X Biog. Brifan. vol. iii. p. 2022, 2023. Edit. 1747.— Wood's Atlienie 
 Oxoa. vol. i. p. 187. 
 
FOX. 331 
 
 To this edition there is frequent reference in the present 
 volume. 
 
 Several writers have laboured to depreciate the memory 
 of Mr. Fox, by insinuating that his History of the Martyrs 
 coniaiiied many misrepresentations and falsehoods. Dr. 
 Collier, who embraces all opportunities to lessen his reputa- 
 tion and undervalue his work, accuses him of disin- 
 genuity and ill nature, and says, he ought to be read with 
 great caution. He tells us, that a vein of satire and coarse 
 language runs through his martyrology, and instances 
 the case of the cruel Bishop Gardiner, whom he styles 
 *' an insensible ass, who had no feeling of God's spirit 
 in the matter of justification."* He charges Mr. Fox with 
 other improprieties and inconsistencies, and adds, " I cannot 
 perceive the martyrologist had any right to Elijah's sarcasm. 
 His zeal without doubt was too much imbittered. He was 
 plainly ridden by his passion, and pushed by disaffection, 
 towards profaneness."+ It is readily acknowledged, that 
 Mr. Fox sometimes discovers too warm a temper ; and it 
 was almost impossible it should be otherwise, considering 
 the circumstances under which he wrote, and those cruel 
 proceedings which he has handed down to posterity. This 
 was too common among our zealous reformers, who, it 
 must be confessed, were sometimes hurried forwards to 
 lengths by no means jutifiable. 
 
 Wood observes, " that as Mr. Fox hath taken a great deal 
 of pains in his work, and shewed sometimes much judgment 
 in it; so hath he committed many errors therein, by 
 trusting to the relations of poor simple people, and in 
 making such martyrs as were living after the first edition 
 of his book came forth, though afterwards by him excused 
 and omitted.''^ Admitting all this, what does it prove? 
 It is very justly observed, that as to private stories, Mr. 
 Fox and his friends used the utmost diligence and care, that 
 MO falsehood might be obtruded on the reader, and were 
 ever ready to correct any mistakes that might happen.§ 
 Though he might be misinformed in several parts of his 
 intelligence; yet these he corrected, as they came to his 
 knowledge. Indeed, these were mconveniences which must 
 attend the compiling of so large a body of modern history, 
 as Mr. Fox's chiefly was. No man is likely to receive, from 
 
 * Collier's Eccl. Hist, vol. ii. p. 45, 233. h Ibid. p. 43, 375, 586. 
 
 X Wood's Athense, vol. i. p. 187. 
 
 h Biog. BritaD. vol. iii. p. 2024. Edit. 1717. 
 
332 LIVES OF THE PUUITANS. 
 
 various hands, so large a mass of information, and alt be 
 loLUid perfect truth, and when digested to be found witliout 
 the least trait of error. What is the weight of all the 
 objections offered in contempt of the Foxian martyrs, to 
 overthrow so solid and immoveable a fabric ? It is com- 
 piled of so many undeniable evidences of popish bar- 
 barity, that its reputation will remain unsullied to the 
 latest period of time. The Acts and iMonuments of the 
 Martyrs have long been, they still remain, and will 
 always continue, substantial pillars of the protestont church ; 
 of more force than many more volumes of bare argu- 
 ments, to withstand the tide of popery ; and, like a 
 Pharos, should be lighted up in every age, as a warning to 
 all posterity.* 
 
 The indefatigable Strype passes the following encomium 
 on the work : — " Mr. Fox," says he, "hath done such exqui- 
 site service to the protestant cause, in shewing from abundance 
 of ancient books, records, registers, and choice manuscripts, 
 the encroachments of popes and papelins, and the stout 
 oppositions that were made by learned and good men in all 
 ages, and in all countries, against them ; especially under 
 King Henry and Queen Mary in England. He hath pre- 
 served the memoirs of those holy men and women, those 
 bishops and divines, together with their histories, acts, 
 sufferings and deaths, willingly undergone for the sake of 
 Christ and his gospel, and for refusing to comply with the 
 popish doctrines and superstitions. And Mr. Fox must 
 not pass without the commendation of a most painful 
 searcher into records, archives, and repositories of original 
 acts, and letters of state, and a great collector of manu- 
 scripts. The world is infinitely indebted to him for 
 abund mce of extracts thence, and communicated in these 
 volumes. And as he hatli been found most diligent, so 
 most strictly true and faithful in his transcriptions. "+ 
 
 No book ever gave so deep a wound to the errors, 
 superstitions, and persecutions of ix>pery ; on which account 
 the talents, virtues, and labours of Mr. Fox rendered him a 
 fit object of papal malice and enmity. No man could be 
 more hated and calumniated than he was by his enemies. 
 His name, together witii some others, was inserted at Rome 
 in a " bede-roll," or list of persons who were appointed to 
 be dispatched ; and the particular mode of his death, as by 
 
 * Biog. Britan. vol. ii. p. 556. Edit. ITTS. 
 + Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 239, 241. 
 
FOX. 33$ 
 
 burning or hanging, pointed out, when the design of 
 invading and over-running fJngland should be acconi- 
 plislicd.* By order of Queen Elizabeth, Mr. Fox's History 
 of the Martyrs was placed in the common halls of 
 archbishops, bishops, deans, archdeacons, and heads of 
 colleges, and in all churches and chapels throughout the 
 kingdom. + 
 
 On the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our learned divine 
 returned from exile, and was cordially received and cour- 
 teously entertained by his noble pupil, the Duke of 
 Norfolk;! who maintained him at his house, and settled a 
 pension upon him at his death. Afterwards, in 1572, when 
 this unhappy duke was. beheaded on Tower-hill, for his 
 treasonable connections with the Queen of Scots, Mr. Fox 
 and J)r. Nowell, dean of St. Paul's, attended him upon the 
 scaffold.^ 
 
 Mr. Fox lived many years highly esteemed and favoured 
 by persons of quality. Bishops Grindal, Parkhurst, Pilk- 
 ington, and Aylmer; also Sir Francis Walsingham, Sir 
 Francis Drake, Sir Thomas Grcsham, and many others, 
 were his powerful friends. By their influence, they would 
 have raised him to the highest preferment ; but, as he could 
 not subscribe, and disapproved of some of the ceremonies, 
 he modestly declined their offers. Indeed, he was offered 
 almost any preferment he pleased, but Mas more happy in 
 declining them, excepting a prebend in the church of 
 Salisbury. H 
 
 For the space of three years after his return from exile, 
 Mr. Fox had no preferment whatever : and in a letter to 
 his friend Dr. Lawrence Humphrey, he says, " I still 
 " wear the same clothes, and remain in the same sordid con- 
 " dition that England received me in, when I first came 
 " from Germany : nor do I change my degree or order, 
 " which is that of the mendicants, or, if you will, of the 
 
 * Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 271, 972. 
 
 + Mr. Fox's Acts and Monuments of the Martyrs, and Bishop Jewel's 
 Reply to Harding, continued to be thus honoured till the time of Archbishop 
 Laud. This domineering prelate no sooner understood that the learned 
 authors maintained, " That the communion table ought to stand among the 
 people in the body of the church, and not altar-wise, at one end of it," 
 than he was displeased, and ordered their books to be taken out of the 
 churches. — Wood's AthencB, vol. i. p. 187. — Prgnne's Cant. Doom-e, p. S8. 
 
 J Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 132. 
 
 ^ Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 208. 
 
 Ij Wood's Athense Oxon. vol. i. i?. 186. 
 
SM LIVES OF THE PUPaTANS. 
 
 <' friars preachers.'"* Thus did this grave and leRtncd 
 divine pleasantly reproach tlie ingratitude of the times. 
 He continued without the least preferment till the jear 
 1563, when Secretary Cecil procured him the above pre- 
 bend ; which, with some difficulty, he kept to his death. 
 Tliis was all the preferment he ever obtained. 
 
 In the year 1564, the Bishop of London having preached 
 the Emperor Ferdinand's funeral sermon, in the cathedral 
 of St. Paul's, it was ordered to be printed, and to be trans- 
 lated into Latin, " by the ready and elegant pen of John 
 Fox."t During the same year. Archbishop Parker attempted 
 to force the clergy into a conformity to the established church ; 
 for which purpose he summoned all the London ministers to 
 appear at Lambeth, when they were examined upon the 
 following question : " Will you promise conformity to the 
 apparel by law established, and testify the same by the sub- 
 scription of your hands ?" Those who refused were imme- 
 diately suspended, and after three months, deprived of their 
 livings.^ To prepare the way, Mr. Fox was summoned 
 first, that the reputation of his great piety, niiglit give the 
 greater countenance to their proceedings. When they 
 called him to subscribe, he took his Greek Testament out of 
 Lis pocket, and said, To this I zcill subscribe. And when 
 the commissioners required him to subscribe the canons, he 
 refused, saying, " I have notliing in the church but a pre- 
 bend in Salisbury, and much good may it do 3"ou, if you 
 take it from me."§ His ecclesiastical judges, however, had 
 not sufficient courage to de])rive so celebrated a divine, w ho 
 held up the ashes of Smithfield before their eyes. It ought 
 liere to be observed, that Mr. Strype is guilty of a twofold 
 mistake, when he says, that, in 1566, Mr. Fox had no 
 ecclesiastical living; and that though he was no approver 
 of the habits, he was not summoned before the ecclesiastical 
 commissioners.il 
 
 Though Mr. Fox refused subscription and conformity to 
 certain ecclesiastical ceremonies, he behaved with great 
 moderation, and disapproved of the warmth of the more 
 
 * The remains of popish superstition were so prevalent in the church of 
 England, especially among the ruling prelates in the time of Queen Eliza- 
 beth, that for many years, the eating of flesh was prohibited, during the weeks 
 of Lent ; yet, in certain cases, dispensations were granted. Accordingly, 
 Mr. Fox being a man of a weak and sickly constitution, this favour was 
 conferred upon him by Archbishop Parker! ! — Strype' s Parker, p. 112, 178. 
 
 + Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 106. % Strype's Grindal, p. 98. 
 
 S Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 76.— Heylin's Hist, of Refor.p. 337. 
 
 11 Strype's Parker, p. 223. 
 
FOX. 335 
 
 rigid and zealous puritans. And while lie expressed his 
 dislike of separation, he was exceedingly grieved about 
 those things which gave the occasion.* Speaking of Blum- 
 nekl, a wicked persecutor of the pious Mr. Hapelson, for not 
 wearing the surplice, he said, " It is a pity that such baits 
 *' of popery are left to the enemies, to take chrititians in. 
 *' God take them away from us, or us from them. For God 
 '• knoweth they are the cause of much blindness and stri^ 
 •' among men."+ 
 
 At the above period, Mr, Fox presented a Latin 
 panegyric to the queen, for having granted indulgence to 
 several nonconformist divines. But in the year 1575, he 
 addressed iier majesty on a very different occasion. During 
 this year a most severe persecution was raised against the 
 anabaptists in London, ten of wJiom were condemned, eight 
 ordered to be banished, and two to be executed. Mr. Fox, 
 therefore, wrote an excellent Latin letter to the queen, in 
 which he observes, " That io punish with the flames, the 
 bodies of those who err rather from ignorance, than obsti- 
 nacy, is cruel, and more like the church of Kome, than the 
 mildness of the gospel. I do not write thus," says he, 
 " from any bias to the indulgence of error ; but to save the 
 lives of men, being inyself a masi ; and in hope that the 
 offending parties may have an opportunity to repent, and 
 retract their mistakes." He then earnestly entreats that the 
 fires of Smithiield might not be rekindled ; but that some 
 milder punishment might be inflicted upon them, to prevent, 
 if possible, the destruction of their souls, as well as their 
 bodies.:t But his remonstrances wore ineffectual. The queen 
 remained inflexible ; and though she constantly called 
 him Father Fox, she gave him a flat denial,, as to saving 
 their lives, unless they would recant their dangerous errors. 
 They both refusing to recant, were burnt in Smithlield, 
 July 22, 1575 ; to the great and lasting disgrace of the 
 reign and character of Queen Elizabeth.^ 
 
 * Fuller's Church Hist. b. \x. p. 106.— Strype's Parker, p. 223, 234, 
 
 f Baxter's Second Plea, p. 56. 
 
 t Fullers Church Hist. b. ix. p. 104, 105. 
 
 § On Easter Sunday in this year, a congregation of Dutch anabaptists was 
 discovered, without Aldgate, London; when twenty-seven persons were 
 apprehended and cast into prison, four of whom, bearing fagots at 
 Paul's cross, recanted their dangerous opinions. The two who were 
 executed were John Wielmakcr and Hendrick Ter Woort ; or, as some of 
 bur historians call them, John Paterson and Henry Terwoordt. Previous 
 to their execution, they suffered sixteen weeks imprisonment. The Dutch 
 congregation in London made earnest intercession to the lords of the 
 couacil, to obtain their pardon ; but all to ao purpose. The two unhappy 
 
336 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Mr. Fox was a man of great humani<j and uncommon 
 liberality. He was a most laborious student, and remark- 
 ably abstemious; and a most learned, pious, and judicious 
 divine, and ever opposed to all methods ot" severity in 
 matters of religion. J3ut as he was a nonconformist, he was 
 shamefully neglected. " Although the richest mitre in 
 England," says Fuller, " would have counted itself pre- 
 ferred by being placed upon his head, he contented himself 
 with a prebend of Salisbury. And while proud persons 
 stretched out their plumes in ostentation, he used their 
 vanity for his shelter ; and was more pleased to hatie worth, 
 than to have others take notice of it. And how learnedly 
 he wrote, how constantly he preached, how piously he 
 lived, and how cheerfully he died, may be seen at large in 
 his life prefixed to his book."* And even Wood denomi- 
 nates him a person of good natural endowments, a sagacious 
 searcher into antiquity, incomparably charitable, and of an 
 exemplary life and conversation, but a severe Calvinist, 
 and a bitter enemy to popery .+ 
 
 This celebrated man, having spent his life in the most 
 laborious study, and in promoting the cause of Christ and 
 the interests of true religion, resigned his spirit to God, 
 April 18, 1587, in the seventieth year of his age. His 
 death was greatly lamented ; and his mortal part was 
 interred in the chancel of St. Giles's church, Cripplegate, 
 London; where, against the south wall, was n monumental 
 inscription erected by his son,$ of which the following is a 
 translation : 
 
 In memory of John Fox, 
 
 the most faithful Martyrolof^ist of our Eng:lish Church, 
 
 a most diligent searcher into historical antiquities, 
 
 a most strong bulwark 
 
 and fighter for Evangelical Truth ; 
 
 who hatii revived the Marian Martyrs 
 
 as so many Phoenixes, 
 
 from the dust of oblivion, 
 
 is this monument erected, 
 
 in grief and affection, 
 
 by his eldest soir Samuel Fox. 
 
 He died April 18, An. Dom. 1587, 
 
 in his seventieth year. ^ 
 
 meo must perfume Smithfield with their ashes. It is, however, extremely 
 surprising that Fuller attempts to palliate, and even to justify, the cruel 
 tarbarity exercised upon these unhappy men. — Strypes Annals, vol.ii. p. 
 ^SO.—BrandVs Hist, of Re for. vol. i. p. 315. Edit, il 20. —Fuller's Church 
 Hist. b. ix. p. 103. 
 
 * Fuller's Abel Redivius, p. 381. + Athen© Oxon. vol. i. p. 186. 
 
 X Staw's Survey of Loaioa, b. iii. p. S3. 
 
FOX. 337 
 
 Mr. Fox, during; his residence at Basil, preaching to his 
 fellow exiles, confidently declared in his sermon, " Now is 
 the time for your return to Eui^land, and I bring you the 
 news by the command of God." For tliesc words he was 
 sharply reproved by some of his brethren ; but, remarkable 
 as it may appear, they afterwards found that Queen Mary 
 died the very day preceding the delivery of this sermon, and 
 so a way was open for their return home.* 
 
 It was Mr. Fox who had the memorable interview with 
 Mrs. Honiwood, often related by historians. This pious lady 
 was under most distressing doubts and fears about the salva- 
 tion of her soul, and her sorrow became so grievous, that she 
 sunk in despair. This so affected her bodily health, that 
 she appeared to be in a deep consumption, and even on the 
 very brink of death, for about twenty years. In vain did 
 the ablest physicians administer their medical assistance; 
 and in vain did the ablest ministers preach comfort to her 
 soul. At length, Mr. Fox was sent for; who, on his 
 arrival, found her in a most distressed and languishing 
 condition. He prayed with her, and reminded her of the 
 faithfulness of God's promises, and of the sufferings of Christ 
 for her soul. But all he could say appeared ineffectual. 
 Not in the least discouraged, he still proceeded in his 
 discourse, and said, "You will not only recover of your 
 bodily disease, but also live to an exceeding great age ; and 
 which is yet better, you are uiterested in Christ, and will go 
 to heaven when you die." She, looking earnestly at him 
 as he spake these words, with great emotion, answered, 
 " Impossible ; I am as surely damned, as this glass will 
 break," and immediately dashed a Venice glass, which she 
 liad in her hand, with great violence to the ground ; but the 
 glass received not the smallest injury. The event, indeed, 
 proved according to the words of^ Mr. Fox. Though Mrs. 
 Honiwood was then sixty years old, she recovered from her 
 sickness, and lived the rest of her days, being upwards of 
 thirty years, in much peace and comfort.t 
 
 * Fuller's Abel Red. p. 380.— Clark's Marrow of Eccl. Hist. p. 793. 
 
 f Mrs. Honiwood, in tlie days of Queen Mary, used to visit the prisons, 
 and to comfort and relieve the confessors. She was present at the burning 
 of Mr. John Bradford in Smithfield, and was resolved to see the end of his 
 sufferings. But the press of the people was so great, that her shoes were 
 trodden off her feet ; and she was obliged to go barefoot from Smithfield to 
 St. Martin's, before she could procure a new pair for money. This excel- 
 lent lady had three hundred and sixty-severf children lawfully descended 
 from her : sixteen from her own body, one hundred and fourteen grand- 
 children, two hundred and twenty-eight great-grandchildren, aad nint 
 
 VOL. I. z 
 
33$ LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Mr. Fox was uncommonly liberal to the poor and dis- 
 tressed, and never refused giving to any who asked for 
 Jesus's sake. Being once asked whether he remembered 
 a certain poor man whom he used to relieve, lie said, 
 *' Yes, I remember him, and I forget lords and ladies to 
 remember such." — As Mr. Fox was going one day from 
 the house of the Bishop of London, he found many people 
 begging at the gate ; and having no money, he immediately 
 returned to the bishop and borrowed five pounds, which 
 he distributed among the poor people. After some time, 
 the bishop asking him for the money, Mr. Fox said, " I 
 have laid it out for you, and have paid it where you owed 
 it, to the poor that lay at your gate;" when his lordship 
 thanked him for what he had done.* 
 
 As Mr. Fox was going one day along the streets in 
 London, a woman of his acquaintance met him ; and as 
 they discoursed together, she pulled out her Bible, and with 
 too much forwardness, told him she was going to hear a 
 sermon ; upon which, he said to her, " If you will be 
 advised by me, go home again." But, said she, then wlicrt 
 shall I go to church ? To which he immediately replied, 
 *^ When you tell no body of it."+ 
 
 Mr. Fox, it is said, used to wear a strait cap, covering 
 his head and ears; and over that, a deepish crowned, 
 shallow-brimmed, slouched hat. His portrait is taken with 
 his hat on, and is supposed to have been the first English 
 engraving with a hat.f 
 
 His Works. — 1. De Christo Triumphante, 1551. — 2. De censura 
 seu excommunicatione ecclesiastica, 1551, — 3. Tables of Grammar, 
 1552. — 4. Commentarii rerum in Ecclesia gestarum, 1554. — 5. Arti- 
 culi, sen Aphorismi aliquot Johannis M'^iclevi &c., 1554. — 6. CpUec- 
 tania quaedam ex Reginaldi Pecocki Episc. &c., 1554. — 7. Opisto- 
 graphia ad Oxonienses, 1554. — 8. Locorum corrnnunicam Logica- 
 lium tituli & ordinationes &c,, 1557. — 9. Probationes & Resolntiones 
 de re & malaria sacram^nti Encharistici, 1563. — 10. De Christi 
 erucifixo, 1571. — 11. De Oliva Evangelica, 1587. — 12. Concerning 
 Man's Election to Salvation, 1581. — 13. Certain Notes of Election, 
 1581. — 14. De Christo gratis justificante, contra Jesuitas, 1583. — 
 15. Disputatio contra Jesuitas & eorum argument*, 1585. — 
 
 great-great-grandchildren. She lived a most pious life, and died a most 
 christian death. May 11, 1620, in the ninety-third year of her age. Her 
 remains were interred in Markshall church in Essex, where there was a 
 monumental inscription erected to her memory. — Fuller's Worthies^ 
 part ii. p. 85. 
 
 * Fuller's Abel Redivivus, p. 382. 
 
 + Clarke's Marrow of Ercl. Hist. p. 796. 
 
 % Peck's Desiderutae Curiosa, val. i. 1. zv. p. 9. 
 
J.WILSON. S39 
 
 16. Eicasmi, sen Meditationes in Apocal. S. Joliannis, 1587. — 
 
 17, Papa Confutatus. — 18. A brief Exhortation, to be read in the 
 time of God's Visitation. — He published several translations of the 
 ■works of other learned men : but his most celebrated work is his 
 " History of the Acts and Monuments of the Martyrs," commonly 
 called " The Book of Martyrs." 
 
 John Wilson was born in the parish of Kildwick in 
 Yorkshire, and ordained deacon according to the order of 
 the church of England ; when he obtained a license from the 
 Archbishop of York to preach at Skipton, in the same 
 county. He was a pious, faithful, and useful preacher, 
 but endured much severe usage for nonconformity. Arch- 
 bishop Sandys receiving complaints against him, sent his 
 pursuivant with all haste to apprehend him, and bring him 
 before the high commission. Upon his appearance before 
 their lordships, and inquiring what charges were alleged 
 against him, he was told that he must obtain two sureties to 
 be bound in two hundred pounds for his future appearance'; 
 Accordingly, he obtained the securities demanded, and, 
 January 9, 1587, appeared again before the archbishop 
 and other commissioners at Bishopsthorp, when he under- 
 went the following examination : 
 
 Archbishop. You are brought before us for certain 
 disorders, contempts, and disobedience, by you committed, 
 to which you must answer as they shall be objected against 
 you. 
 
 Dean. Yon must answer as truly as if you were sworn. 
 
 A. He must be sworn, and answer upon his oath. Hold 
 him a book, and let him. take the oath. 
 
 Wilson. If the law require me to be sworn, I am con- 
 tented. But I think it doth not compel a man to accuse 
 himself; and I hope I shall not be urged to do more than the 
 law requireth. 
 
 • A. If you refuse to be sworn, answer as you will ; but be 
 sure, if I prove any thing against you which you deny, you 
 shall smart for it. 
 
 W. Let me have the law, and spare not. But because I 
 mean to deny no truth objected against me, whether I be 
 sworn or not, I am, therefore, contented to answer upon my 
 oath. (He then took the oath.) 
 
 A. Read the first article against him. 
 
 Fathergill. You have taken upon you to execute the 
 pffice of a minister for the space of three years, without any 
 warrant so to do. 
 
340 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 W. I know not what law maketh known the minister's 
 duty. I must, therefore, be informed of this, before I can 
 answer. 
 
 A. Tell him. 
 
 Hudson. It is to say service, to preach the word, to 
 minister the sacraments, to marry, and to bury the dead. 
 
 W. I have not done all these things without the law. 
 
 A. What warrant of law have you ? 
 
 W. I have the orders for the office of a deacon, according 
 to law. 
 
 A. Shew unto us your orders. (Here Mr. Wilson pro- 
 duced his orders, which was read by the dean, but nothing 
 was observed.) 
 
 W. Write, Mr. Proctor, that I am deacon, according to 
 law. 
 
 A. What say you of your preaching ? At what churches 
 have you preached ? 
 
 W. At all the churches near Kildwick.* Mr. Proctor, 
 record this. 
 
 A. You must always have that refuge to fly to. 
 
 W. My lord, I am sworn. There may be more, though 
 I do not remember them. I dare not upon mine oath set down 
 an uncertain tiling as certain ; therefore, I say, these are all, 
 so far as I recoiled. 
 
 A. What authority then had you to preach ? 
 
 W. I had your grace's authority in writing. 
 
 A. That was only upon condition that the people would 
 receive you, and be willing to hear you. 
 
 W. I know not what was the condition. I followed the 
 direction under the hand of Mr. Cock, in wliich I am sure 
 no such thing was expressed. 
 
 Cock. My lord, I wrote that it was your grace's pleasure 
 that he should preach at Skiplon, imtil your return from 
 London, if he behaved himself according to law. 
 
 A. I ordered you to write no such thing, unless the people 
 would receive him willingly, as Mr. Palmer said they 
 would. 
 
 C. My lord, they are ill-natured people, and would 
 willingly receive none. 
 
 A. You have said service without surplice, and not 
 according to the Book of Common Prayer. 
 
 W. That is not true. 
 
 A. You have not used the surplice in reading the service. 
 
 * Here Mr. Wilson, by request of Ihe archbishop, named, as far ai h« 
 could recollect, all the churches in which he had preached. 
 
J. WILSON. 341 
 
 W. I have no pastoral charge. I said service only in the 
 absence of tlie pastor, which was very seldom ; and, on 
 those occasions, I thought I Avas not bound to use it. 
 
 A. You say not the service according to tlie book. 
 
 W. I do. 
 
 H. You use a prayer of your own at the beginning. 
 
 W. Tliat is not true, Mr. Proctor. 
 
 A. Let me know the order you have observed. 
 
 W, 1 first read one of the portions of scripture appointed, 
 and then exhorted the people to the confession of their sins. 
 That being done, I read some of the Psalms, after that two 
 chapters, and then the sermon. 
 
 A. Then you say not according to the book. 
 
 W. Yes, my lord, that which 1 rpad is according to the 
 book. 
 
 A. But you omit many things. 
 
 W. And so I may according to law, especially when there 
 is preaching, or any more profitable exercise. 
 
 A. More profitable exercise ! that is, your talkmg. 
 
 W. I am sure that preaching is more profitable than 
 reading. And I am sure your lordship will not deny, that 
 my talkmg, being out of the word of God, is more profitable 
 than saying service. 
 
 A. Nay, you have your tongue at your will. What is 
 the next article ? 
 
 F. When you should say the epistle and gospel, accord- 
 ing to the book, you will not call them the epistle and 
 gospel, but the portion of scripture. 
 
 A. Have you never administered the sacraments ? 
 
 W. No. 
 
 H. Did you never christen ? 
 
 W. Some few times, though very seldom. 
 
 A. Did you use the sign of the cross ? 
 
 W. No, my lord, I said the words, but did not use the cross, 
 
 A. Did you say, " I sign thee with the sign of the cross ?" 
 
 W. No. 
 
 A . Tell me then what words you used. 
 
 W. " We receive this child into the congregation of 
 Christ's flock, that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to 
 confess the faith of Christ crucified upon the cross." 
 
 H. Did you never minister the communion? 
 ■ W. No. 
 
 H. What, neither the bread, nor the cup ? 
 
 W. Yes, I have ministered the cup by the appointment 
 ©f the pastor, being warranted in tliis by law. 
 
$i2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 A. Did you ever receive the communion ? 
 
 W. Yes, my lord. 
 
 A. Where? 
 
 W. AtKildwick. 
 
 A. At whose hands ? 
 
 W. At the hands of the pastor. 
 
 A. When ? 
 
 W. At the last communion, if I remember right. 
 
 A. You must ever take this advantage. 
 
 W. My lord, seeing I answer upon mhie oath, you should 
 not think the worse of me, because I am so careful not to 
 speak wrong, or that which is not true. 
 
 H. You do not bury the dead according to the book. 
 
 W. I do. 
 
 H. You do not meet the corpse at the church-stile, and 
 walk before it into the church. 
 
 W. Though I have sometimes done this, the book doth 
 hot bind me to do any such thing. 
 
 H . You do not read the prayers and places of scripture 
 appointed. 
 
 W. I do. 
 
 H. Ypu omit the prayers. 
 
 W. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I do not. 
 
 A. What is the next article ? 
 
 F. You have gone from your own ordinary, without his 
 consent, and have received orders from another bishop. 
 
 W. My own ordinary giveth no orders ; but if his con- 
 sent be his dimissary, I had his consent. 
 
 A. If you have his dimissary, shew it us. 
 
 W. See, it is here, my lord. 
 
 A. What is the next article ? 
 
 F. You have taken upon you to say service without any 
 authority by license or toleration from your ordinary. 
 
 W. I have all the authority which the orders of a deacon 
 can give ; and I hope that is sufficient to say the service. 
 
 F. You confess yourself that you were born in Kildwick 
 parish. 
 W. Yes. 
 
 F. Do you acknowledge yourself to belong to this diocese, 
 and submit yourself to tlie authority of your diocesan ? 
 W. I acknowledge all this. 
 
 A. You have a haughty and a proud spirit. 
 W. I confess, my lord, I am not free from any one sin ; 
 but I hope that sin hath not so great a power over me aa 
 you represent. 
 
J. WILSON. S43 
 
 A. Nay, you care not for mine authority. 
 
 W. My lord, I reverence your authority. 
 
 Swinborn. That is not likely, Mr. Wilson, seeing yott 
 Lave so much disobeyed. 
 
 W. And that disobedience is no likely argument to dis- 
 prove my reverence of his authority. If your argument 
 were good, few subjects Avould be found who reverence 
 even the queen's authority. 
 
 A. You can speak for yourself I warrant you. But 
 what say you of your calling ? The scripture mentions 
 only the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, 
 ^nd doctors. Which of these then have you ? 
 
 W. The office of a doctor or teacher. 
 
 A. Where do you exercise it ? 
 
 W. At Kildwick. 
 
 A. Who called you ? 
 
 W. The minister and the people of that place earnestly 
 entreated me to teach and instruct them. 
 
 A. Tush ! that is nothing. 
 
 W. But it hath been something in time past. 
 
 A. Lo ! this fellow would have ministers to be elected by 
 consent of the people ! 
 
 W. My lord, the word of God is plain enough upon that 
 point, and this you know well enough yourself. Your grace 
 made this sufficiently manifest in refusing me to be at. 
 Skipton, unless the people would consent to receive me. 
 
 A. That I did, because I would not intrude you upon 
 them. 
 
 W. Then it follows, that j^ou think intrusion is not the 
 dght calling ; and on the contrary, that the right calling is 
 by the consent or choice of the people. 
 
 A. There is no end to your talk. 
 
 W. Yes, my lord, but I had the license of your own 
 word for that place. 
 
 A. That is true ; but it was a donor. 
 
 W. And when the donor came, I stayed. 
 
 A. Yes, but you have preached there since that time. 
 
 W. I have, indeed, preached there once ; which, I hope, 
 is not so great a crime, but that your grace will deal 
 favourably with me, and thus cause me the more to revere 
 and esteem you.* 
 
 Mr. Wilson's first examination being concluded, the good 
 man was taken awaj and sent to prison, where he remained 
 
 ♦ MS. Register, p. 782—784. 
 
3U LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 for some time. At length, he was brought to a second 
 examination at Bishopsthorp, when the archbishop opened 
 the business by affirming, that Mr. Wilson had been guilty 
 of the most wilful disobedience, and malicious contempt. 
 His lordship used very opprobrious language, as if he had 
 been arraigned for treason or rebellion, exulting, at the same 
 time, in his own favourable dealing with him. Also, lie 
 dcclored that before Mr. Wilson should be discharged, he 
 should confess both in open court, and publicly in the 
 church, how greatly he had oifended ; to which Mr. Wilson 
 made the following reply : 
 
 W, My lord, I hope you will find it more difficult to 
 prove me guilty of those odious crimes which you say I 
 am guilty of, than to charge me with them. And as to 
 your favour, when I find it, I shall acknowledge it. Hitherto 
 I have felt nothing but extremity, bringing my ministry 
 into open disgrace, and my person into public reproach. 
 
 A. You see the stubbornness of this fellow. I purposed 
 to have discharged him, the second day of his imprison- 
 ment, and would have done it, if he had sued for it. 
 And though he hath now been a week in prison, the pride 
 of his heart would not let him once sue for his liberty. 
 
 W. It was neither my pride, nor my stubbornness, as you 
 uncharitably misrepresent, and slanderously magnify against 
 me; but my ignorance of the prisoner's duty, that i did 
 not suf to your grace for liberty. 
 
 A. We shall never make an end, if we babble with him 
 thus. Will you yield to the conditions ?* 
 
 W. My lord, I b^'seech you consider those conditions 
 with impartiality, and, I hope, your grace will not urge 
 me. My imprisonment will greatly injure my ministry, 
 and bring reproach upon my person; but to do open 
 penaice before the people, will be worse than all. Therefore, 
 I beseech your lordship not to reward one evil, by inflicting 
 another which is much greater. 
 
 A. These are only your imaginations. Tell us plainly : 
 Will you subscribe the bond ? 
 
 W. My lord, I must take all the care in my power to 
 preserve my ministry from the contempt of the wicked. 
 And seeing how much harm it would be likely to do to the 
 church of God, I cannot in any wise subscribe unto it. 
 
 ♦ The conditions here referred <o, and afterwards often mentiooed, 
 •were, that he should confess before the archbishop, and publicly in (he 
 church where he had preached, the great oflfcnce he had committed, and 
 enter into a bond to fulfil the same. 
 
J. WILSON. 545 
 
 A. See again the stubbornness of this arrogant fool ! But 
 I tell thee, thou may and shalt subscribe unto it. 
 
 W. And I answer, that, by the help of God, I neither 
 may, nor ever will, subscribe unto it. Such unmerciful 
 and cruel dealings are too bad among professing christians. 
 The Lord grant me patience, and I shall be satisfied. 
 
 A. I always thought what a stir we should have with 
 him. But thou persuadest people to meetings and private 
 conventicles. 
 
 W. My lord, you now remind me of a duty which I 
 have hitherto neglected ; but by the grace of God I will 
 remember it hereafter, and will exhort the people of God to 
 meet together, and to edify and comfort one another with 
 what they have learned. And this, by the help of God, I 
 mean to do ; though I hear that for so doing, one of the 
 Lord's servants is committed a close prisoner. 
 
 A. Will you then defend his doings to be lawful ? 
 
 W. I will defend the lawfulness oif God's people meeting 
 together, to confer upon the points of religion or the 
 doctrines taught them out of the word of God, to sing 
 psalms, and to pray together. I hear of no other things for 
 which he was committed. And I am sure your grace will 
 not deny these things to be lawful. 
 
 A. But he gathered night-assemblies^ contrary to law. 
 Will you defend them also ? 
 
 W. Certain religious householders requested him and 
 others to meet at night in their houses. Sliall we then say 
 that he collected night-assemblies ? I do defend by the word 
 of God, that to meet together for the above purposes, whether 
 in the night or the day, is lawful. Yet I would have per- 
 sons to satisfy the law of the realm, as much as they can 
 with a good conscience. 
 
 A. If we follow him thus, we shall never come to an end. 
 Will you subscribe the bond ? 
 
 W. I have answered that already. I refuse not to do 
 any thing that is lawful. If you can prove out of the word 
 of God, that I may do it with a good conscience, I aiu 
 ready to yield ; otherwise I cannot, and I will not, subscribe. 
 I will be bound, however, to leave your province in a 
 fortnight. 
 
 S. You had then better go out of his grace's province 
 to make your submission. 
 
 W. That is more than I say, Mr. Swinborn : but I 
 would rather go out of his province and twenty others; 
 
346 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 jea, out of the world, and this soul out of this body, than 
 I would subscribe to that submission. 
 
 A. I hear that in prison thou hast great liberty, and that 
 thou lovest it. It is that which maketh thee so bold and 
 stubborn, but I will remove thee thence. 
 
 W. I have no cause to complain of my keeper. And as 
 to my liberty, it is confined within the walls of the castle. 
 I know not how you would liave me handled, unless you 
 would have me into tlie lower prison, where you would 
 soon have my skin for your fees : But you can do nothing, 
 except it be given you from above. 
 
 A. I tell thee plainly, that if tliou wilt not yield, I will 
 remove thee to Hull jail, and afterwards to other places. 
 
 W. My lord, the word of God will strengthen and 
 comfort me, more than your threatenings can hurt me or 
 make me afraid. I care not for all your prisons. Remove 
 me wheire you please. God will strengthen me against all 
 your extremities. I will not yield so long as I live, 
 and so long as the word of God persuades rae to the 
 contrary. 
 
 A. Thou art an arrogant puriian. 
 
 W. Gross errors and slanderous abuses have been cast 
 upon the godly in all ages. Your charges against me 
 are uncharitable and unjust. 
 
 A. Thou art a rebel, an enemy to her majesty, and an 
 underminer of the state. 
 
 W. These speeches savour not of the spirit of God. I 
 am as true a subject, and as good a friend to her majesty 
 and the state, according to ray ability, as you are. 
 
 A. I tell thee, the queen said, that these puritans are 
 greater enemies to her than the papists. 
 
 W. What just cause she had so to say, all the world 
 knoweth; and the Lord vaU one day judge the numerous 
 traitorous conspiracies that hiive been detected. When did 
 any, who are slanderously called puritans, give the least 
 cause of any such suspicion ? Their lives and writings 
 testify to all the world, how far they are from such things. 
 Therefore, they who charge them with these things, Jiave 
 the greater sin. 
 
 A. If we suffer thee to prattle, thy tongue will never 
 cease. Therefore, that we may make an end of it, I 
 counsel thee to admit the conditions proposed. 
 
 W. If your grace will sh-w rae the least warrant from 
 the word of God, I am ready to submit. Though you 
 
J. WILSON. 347 
 
 call my answers by what name you please, they are not 
 deserving of your reproach. 
 
 A. Will you yield to the conditions ? 
 
 W. My mind is so well settled already, that I can see no 
 reason to alter it. Therefore, I cannot yield to the con- 
 ditions. 
 
 A. Perhaps you think it is very hard dealing to be tied 
 to read it. Will you then yield, if we give you liberty to 
 use your own words ? 
 
 W. I strive not about the manner , but the matter ; and 
 I utterly refuse to do any such thing, either in my own 
 words or any others. 
 
 A. What ! surely you can say two words, even that you 
 have preached without license. In so doing, you shall 
 have my favour more than you think of. 
 
 W. My lord, let me have your favour only according to 
 my behaviour in a good and just cause; but the word of 
 God will persuade more than either your threatenings or 
 promises. So while I see the word of God favouring me 
 in the present case, 1 will never yield to speak two words, 
 nor even one word, to any such purpose. 
 
 A. Choose then for yourself, whether you will be excom- 
 municated out of my diocese, or return to prison, or yield 
 to the conditions required. 
 
 W. My lord, I hope that christian charity and brotherly- 
 dealing will not bring me into any of those extremities. 
 
 A. No ! but you shall observe one of them.* 
 
 Mr. Wilson's second examination being thus concluded, 
 he was immediately sent back to prison. After confine- 
 ment for some time, by the appointment of the archbishop, 
 he appeared before the commissioners at the dean's house in 
 the city of York, his grace being absent. Upon the com- 
 mencement of his third examination, a new bond was pro- 
 duced, in which he was required not to exercise any part of 
 his ministry within the archbishop's province, without 
 further license; nor, during his silence, allowed to come 
 within Kildwick church, the place of his ordinary labours. 
 This being read, he was addressed as follows : 
 
 D. Mr. Wilson, what say you of this ? 
 
 W. I say it is marvellously strange dealing, that one 
 extremity must drive out another. Excommunication 
 from Kildwick church must drive out the public confession 
 before required. Will you neither sutler me to preach 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 7S4— 786. 
 
348 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 there, nor to hear others ? This is very hard dealing. God 
 Avilling, I will never yield unto it. 
 
 D. Do as you please. Do as you please. 
 
 W. I was born and broug'ht up in that parish, and I am 
 bound to attend there by the laws of the realm. Do you 
 then sit here to execute the law, and will you bind me to 
 act contrary to the law? 
 
 Palmer. Erase it, erase it, for shame ! Kis a thing never 
 before heard of, that a man sliould be bound from attending 
 at his own parish churcli. 
 
 Proctor. I will put this in its place, " that he shall never 
 come tliere to preach." 
 
 W. Will you put in that, Mr. Proctor ? Will you first 
 exclude me from his Avhole province, and then exclude me 
 iirom that particular place ? 
 
 D. What else have you for him to do ? 
 
 P. He must confess that before us, which he would not 
 acknowledge publicly in the church. 
 
 D. Then read it unto him. 
 
 W. I will confess these things neither publicly, nor pri- 
 vately. But if you allow me, I will separate those things 
 which are true, from those which are false. 
 
 D. Giye hini the paper. 
 
 He then took the paper, and told them what was tnie, 
 and what was false. This being done, and the good man 
 having bound himself to preach no more in the archbishop's 
 province, he was released, ascribing honour and praise to 
 God for his merciful deliverance.* 
 
 Mr. Wilson having obtained his liberty, though excluded 
 from all usefulness in the province of York, went to Lon- 
 don, and, during the same year, frequently preached at 
 Alhallows in Thames-street, Also, by the allowance of the 
 minister of St. Michael's, Cornhill, he delivered a sermon 
 there ; for which Bishop Aylmer silenced him the very next 
 day, and summoned him, and the church-wardens of Alhal- 
 lows, to appear before him the Saturday following. Mr. 
 Wilson not seeing the bishop's officer when he left the 
 information at his lodgings; nor knowing what warrant 
 he had for what he did, refused to appear. But one of the 
 church-wardens appeared, when, though the bishop was not 
 present, Dr. Stanhope pronounced upon them both the 
 sentence of exconununication ; upon the one for not ap- 
 pearing, and upon the other for suffering Mr. AVilson to 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 784— "TSe. 
 
J. WILSOX. 349 
 
 preach without a license. This excellent minister was thus 
 exercised with tribulations in the south, as well as in the north. 
 At length, our divine finding that the high commissioners, 
 with Aylmer and Whitgift at their head, were anxious to 
 apprehend him ; that they had issued several warrants for 
 this purpose ; that a printed order was sent to all the churches 
 in London and its vicinity, that none should preach without 
 a license ; and that his name, with several others, was par- 
 ticularly mentioned,* he wisely concealed hmiself for a 
 season, and retired into the north. Towards the close of 
 the year, he returned to London ; and after his arrival, Mr. 
 Glover and Mr. Weblin, two of his cordial friends living 
 in the parish of Alhallows, waited upon Archbishop Whit- 
 gift at Lambeth, soliciting his favour in behalf of Mr. Wilson. 
 They had no sooner mentioned his name, than his lordship 
 asked, " What that factious fellow who intruded himself 
 into the church in Cornhill, and there delivered a seditious 
 sermon ?" " Yes," said Mr. Glover, " that is the man ; 
 but he hopeth to clear himself of all faction, intrusion, and 
 sedition." " Let him then come to me any day after to- 
 morrow," said the archbishop, " and I will say more about 
 him." Therefore, December Ist, Mr. Wilson and his friends 
 
 • The worthy divines whose names accompanied this order, were Mr. 
 Wilson, Mr. Davison, Mr. Barber, Mr. Wi^ginton, Mr. Gifford, Mr. Carew, 
 and some others. The order itself, dated August 16, 1587, being descrip- 
 tive of the spirit of the times, was the following: — " Whereas sundry 
 ""ministers, preachers, have lately come into the city of London and 
 ** the suburbs; some of them not being ministers, some iiaviog no suffi- 
 " cient warrant for their calling; and others having been detected ia 
 " the country, have taken upon them lo preach publicly in the city, to the 
 '^ great infamy of their calling: and some of them in their preaching, 
 " have stirred up the people to innovation, rather than sought the peace of 
 " the church. These are, therefore, in her majesty's name, by virtue of 
 " her high commission for causes ecclesiastical to us and others directed, 
 " strictly to enjoin, command, and charge, all parsons, vicars, curates, and 
 '* church-wardens, of all churches in the city of London and the suburbi 
 " thereof, as well in places exempt as not exempt, that neither they nor 
 *' any of them, do suffer any to preach in their churches, or to read any 
 " lectures, they not being in their own cures; but only such whose licenses 
 *' they shall first have seen and read, and whom they shall find to be 
 " licensed thereto, either by the queen's majesty, «r by one of the univer- 
 " sities, or by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Bishop of 
 *' London, for the time being. And that this may be published, and take 
 " the better effect, we will that a true copy thereof shall be taken and 
 '* delivered to every curate and church-warden of all the churches afore- 
 " said. Signed, 
 
 " John Canterbury, Ed. Stanhopb, 
 
 " John London, Ric. Cosixs." 
 
 " Val. Dale, 
 
 MS. Register, p. 836. 
 
550 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ■waited upon his grace at Lambeth ; and upon their appenr- 
 ance, after asking Mr. Wilson his name, wliere he v/as bom, 
 and where educated, the archbishop thus addressed him : 
 
 Archbishop. Did not you intrude yourself into a church 
 in Cornhill, and there preach a seditious sermon ? 
 
 • Wilson. That I preached there is certauily true ; but 
 there was nothing seditious. And as to intrusion, I will 
 prove upon the oath of honest men, that I had the minister's 
 consent, both before and after I came into the church. 
 
 A . Did you not then intrude yourself ? 
 
 W. I will prove, I say, upon the oath of honest men, 
 that it is an impudent falsehood. 
 
 A. Say you so. I did not know this before. 
 
 W. It is malice that hath propagated these things. 
 
 A. But why did you not remain in your own country ? 
 
 W. Because I cannot and may not place myself where 
 I please, much less in mine own country ; for I must go 
 where 1 am called, and be placed where the Lord shall 
 appoint. 
 
 A. If you will then be placed here, you must subscribe 
 to certain articles. 
 
 W. I will subscribe to any thing that is lawful. 
 
 A. Do you mean any thing according to law ? 
 
 W. Surely, I dare very well say so. But I meant the 
 law of God, which is the only rule of conscience. 
 
 A. You must subscribe to those articles. 
 
 W. I must first see them, and then I can answer you. 
 
 A. There is good reason why you should see them ; and 
 therefore I refer you to my lord of London. If he will 
 allow you, I will not disallow you. But you Londoners, 
 (speaking to Mr. Glover and Mr. Weblin) are so much 
 given to novelty, that if there be one man more new than 
 others, him you will have. 
 
 Glover. Surely, my lord, we cannot be justly accused 
 of novelty. For we have had neither new nor old at our 
 church since I knew the place, having now only a drunken 
 reader, who can do us no good. 
 
 A. Well, 3^ou know my mind about this matter. 
 
 Stanhope. You must be sworn. 
 
 W. To what must I be sworn. 
 
 S. You shall know that afterwards. 
 
 W. No, by your leave, sir, I will see the articles before 
 I take any oath. 
 
 S. No, you may not see them till you are sworn. 
 
 W. I will not swear till 1 see them. It is hard-dealing 
 
J, WILSON. 3H 
 
 to make men swear to they know not what. You may ask 
 me things which it is not lawful for me to make known. 
 
 S. What are those things ? 
 
 W. It is against the law of the land, that a man should 
 be sworn to accuse himself. And by this oath, you may- 
 urge me to disclose the secret things of my heart, or the 
 secrets of my friends, both of which are uimatural and 
 unlawful. Such dealing is intolerable and cruel. Let me 
 see the articles ; and if 1 may lawfully answer them, I will 
 do it upon my oath. 
 
 S. Let him then see the articles. 
 
 W. Setting aside all circumstantial questionSj I will 
 answer these articles upon my oath. 
 
 S. Well, all other matters shall be set aside. 
 
 W. I will make a true answer to these articles, so help 
 me God.* 
 
 S. I can tell you, Mr. Wilson, if you mean to preach here, 
 you must also minister the communion, at least thrice cverj 
 year. 
 
 W. There is one to do that in the place already. 
 
 S. That is no matter. You must join him in that action, 
 to shew that you do not divide your ministry. 
 
 W. My ministry shall be to preach the word only. 
 
 S. The laws of the realm allow of no such ministry. 
 
 W. But the laws of God do. 
 
 S. But I am set to examine the laws of the realm. 
 
 W. And I am set to maintain the laws of God, and to 
 declare the truth of them. 
 
 S. It must be as I tell you. And that is not all ; you 
 must subscribe to certain articles. 
 
 W. What are those articles ? 
 
 S. I think they are here. Bead them, and tell rae what 
 you think of them. 
 
 W. I thuik it is imlawful to subscribe to them. 
 
 S. What is there you dislike ? 
 
 W. Many things, and the second article altogether. 
 
 S. Shew me this at large. 
 
 * These articles, nineteen in number, consist of certain things professedly 
 collected from his germon at Cornhill. They are said to have been hit 
 expressions, and are mostly against pluralities, nonresidents, and idle, 
 ungodly, and nonpreaching ministers- In one of them he is charged with 
 having said of such ministers, " They eat up the sins of the people." AaS 
 in another, " That by the word of God, it is necessary that every congre- 
 gation should have a preaching minister." This is a specimen of the 
 treasonable charges brought against Mr. Wilson; but the whole, together, 
 with hi« answers, is too lonj to be inserted. — MS. BegUter, p. 829'— 83S. 
 
352 LIVES OF tHE PURITANS. 
 
 W. I fear you seek some advantage against me. 
 
 S. I promise you, that you shall have no hurt for any 
 thing you may speak here. 
 
 W. I dislike private baptism by laymen or women. 
 
 S. You know my lord of Canterbury denies that the 
 book alloweth any such thing. 
 
 W. It is too plain to be denied. And though he do 
 deny it, he alloweth that if a woman or any private person 
 perform the action, it is a sacrament, and is not to be 
 renewed by the minister. Where there no other things, 
 this is suiBcient to keep me from subscribing. 
 
 S. But if you may have favour in that point, will you 
 yield to the rest ? 
 
 W. I wish they were such things, that I could yield to 
 them. 
 
 S. What else then do you dislike. 
 
 W. The book of making bishops and ministers. 
 
 S. Why so? 
 
 W. Because I find no such thing done by one man, and 
 in that manner, in the word of God. 
 
 S. Then I can say nothing toypu. 
 
 W. But I could say something to you, sir, if you would 
 patiently hear me. 
 
 S. What is that ? Say what you please. 
 
 W. If you can shew me any statute, now in force in 
 England, which requireth me to subscribe to the Book of 
 Common Prayer, to the book of making bishops and minis- 
 ters, and to the whole book of articles ; I will promise before 
 you and these people, that I will subscribe. But if I 
 offer my hand to subscribe, as far as any statute doth 
 require, why is the offer not admitted ? or by what law can 
 it be rejected ? 
 
 S. There is a statute which alloweth these things. This, 
 I think you will not deny. 
 
 W. I do not deny it. But where is the statute which 
 commandeth subscription to them ? 
 
 S. The bishops have a commission from her majesty, to 
 deal in those matters according to their own discretion. 
 
 W. But neither their commission, nor their discretion, 
 may oppose the discreet laws made by her majesty and 
 parliament. If they do, I dare boldly say, that they abuse 
 her majesty, her subjects, and their own commission. 
 
 S. Take heed what you say. You must yield to this 
 subscription, or you cannot be admitted. Besides, you are 
 no proper minister, and v/ere never authorized to preach. 
 
J. WILSON. 353 
 
 W. That is a slander. For I am a deacon, and was 
 licensed to preach by the present Archbishop of York. 
 
 S. What think you of the titles of grace, lord, and others 
 of the same kind ? 
 
 W. I think the law doth require them. 
 
 S. Do you take them to be lawful ? 
 
 W. Yes, they are lawful, if you mean according to law.* 
 
 Here the conversation closed, when Mr. Wilson was sus- 
 pended, and admonished to appear l3efore the Bishop of 
 London and other commissioners, on the Tuesday following. 
 This was the unkind usage he met with, though at the 
 beginning of the conference, he was promised that no evil 
 should befall him for what he might say. The reader will 
 here see how little such persons were to be trusted. How- 
 ever, according to appointment, the good man appeared 
 before the bishop. Dr. Stanhope, Dr. Walker, Mr. Mullins, 
 and others. When he was called, his lordship said 
 nothing, but left the management of the case wholly to 
 the other commissioners, when his former opponent thus 
 addressed him : 
 
 S. Mr. Wilson, you remember certain articles exhibited 
 against you, as collected out of your sermon preached at 
 St. Michael's in Cornhill. You also confessed that you were 
 not a minister, but a deacon, and licensed to preach by the 
 present Archbishop of York, and not by my lord of London. 
 
 W. I remember these things well, and many others. 
 
 Mullins. It was not necessary that all things should be 
 set down. 
 
 W. Neither was it necessary he should mention only 
 those things, when I spoke many others. 
 
 S. Well, sir, you remember I did suspend you from 
 preaching, which sentence, by the judgment of the court, 
 must stand. As for other matters. Dr. Walker and Mr. 
 Mullins will attend unto them next term. 
 
 W. It is hard dealing to keep a man so long in suspense, 
 and for so small a matter. I am chargeable either to myselfj 
 or iriends, or both. I have been almost a month in town 
 already, and now I must be put off so long a time. This is 
 more than christian charity would do. Therefore, I pray 
 you, sir, that I may have a more speedy dispatch. 
 
 S. You may apply to them, and they will perhaps make 
 greater haste in this matter. (Mr. Muliins having read the 
 charges against Mr. Wilson, thus addressed him :) 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 828—833. 
 VOL» T. 2 A 
 
354 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 M. What are these things ? Who is the accuser ? And 
 who is accused ? 
 
 W. Who is the accuser, I know not ; but they say they 
 are articles objected against me. 
 
 M. Who troubleth us with such things ? There is no 
 accuser; and no man accused. There is no man or thing 
 particularly mentioned, but all is expressed in general 
 terms. What can we do with such things ? 
 
 W. I cannot tell. But I suffer the greater wrong, being 
 carried up and down, and tossed to and fro, for nothing. 
 
 M. Who began this matter ? And who bade you follow it ? 
 
 W. Who began it, I know not. But I am appointed to 
 desire you to make an end of it.- I have been much troubled 
 in your courts ; and my friends have been much charged 
 in paying money, I cannot tell for what. 
 
 M. I wish their money was in their bellies. 
 
 W. I wish rather it was in their purses. But, I pray 
 you, sir, let the case be ended. 
 
 M. I have other business to mind. 
 
 W. If my case be of so small a moment, you may soon 
 finish it. I pray you, therefore, let charity move you to 
 make an end of it, that I may be no more troubled about it. 
 
 Walker. The more we consider your case, the worse we 
 find it. There are such words and sayings as become a 
 railer, rather than a sober preacher. 
 
 W. The words and sayings are not mine, but the 
 malicious accuser's, who set them down thus to make me the 
 more odious. 
 
 Walk. Why then do you confess them to be yours, in 
 your answer ? 
 
 W. I do not confess the words, but the substance of the 
 matter. For the register would not take down my answers 
 in mine own words, but would write them as they are there. 
 
 Walk. I tell thee they are full of bitterness, malice, and 
 slander. 
 
 W. Sir, I came for your certificate to make an end of it, 
 as you promised me. 
 
 Walk. I tell thee, thou shalt have none of our certificate. 
 The register shall have it, and not shew it thee till the ircxt 
 term. 
 
 W. That is very hard dealing. 
 
 Walk. What say est thou ? Do we do thee any wrong ? 
 
 W. Yes, sir, even you. 
 
 Walk. What sayest thou, boy ? Thou hast neither learn- 
 ing, nor manners in thee. 
 
ELLISTON. 355 
 
 W. I have no less for what you say. And as to manners, 
 you have no great cause to find fault. 
 
 Walk. Thou art an ass ; thou art a dolt ; thou art % 
 beardless boy. Thou hast neither learning, nor humanity 
 in thee. 
 
 W. Your words, sir, do not make me worse. We must 
 and do bear these things at your hands, and have never 
 requited you with the like. 
 
 Mr. Wilson having received the above abusive language, 
 was obliged to depart without the examination of his case, 
 and without obtaining his certificate, though his ecclesias- 
 tical judges had promised to give it him. He waited upon 
 them repeatedly for the same purpose, but with no better 
 success ; and it appears extremely doubtful whether he ever 
 obtained it, or whether he was ever restored to his ministry.* 
 
 John Elliston was a most diligent and pious minister, 
 beneficed at Preston in Northamptonshire, where he laboured 
 much to reform his parish, by frequent preaching and 
 catechizing. But he endured manifold troubles for his non- 
 conformity. His enemies being inclined to popery, brought 
 complaints against him to the chancellor of Peterborough, 
 that he did not wear the surplice, read the litany, nor use 
 the cross in baptism. He was, therefore, indicted at the 
 assizes ; but after his case was heard before the judge, he 
 was dismissed. Mr. Elliston having left an account of his 
 various troubles, let us hear him speak for himself. 
 
 " Having been pastor of Preston," says he, " about ten 
 weeks, and being desirous to instruct the people according 
 to my ability, some of my parishioners, persons much 
 inclined towards popery, complained of me to Dr. Ellis, 
 the chancellor, and the case was heard before the judge at 
 the assizes, when I was charged with not wearing the 
 surplice, not reading the litany, and not using the cross in 
 baptism ; but was acquitted and dismissed. After this, they 
 exhibited a charge against me to Dr. Scambler, bishop of 
 Peterborough, consisting of sixteen articles. Upon my 
 appearance before tlie bishop, February 10, 1584, he 
 asked me whether I would subscribe ; but when I refused, 
 he treated me with much abusive language. 
 
 " The first article charged against me, was, that I did not 
 wear the surplice. — I said, I did not refuse it, and so denied 
 the charge. 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 832—834. 
 
356 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " The second article was, that I did not use the cross in 
 baptism. And when the bishop asked me why I did not, 1 
 replied, that I did not use it, because it was not required in 
 the word of God. At this lie scoffed, saying, neither is it 
 required what kind of boots you shall wear. I replied, 
 that my boots were not offensive, and what kind I shall wear 
 is at my discretion, and therefore lawful ; but God hath 
 set down the holy sacraments in his word, and not left the 
 ordering to our discretion. He then abused me as before. 
 
 " In the next place, when he asked me why I catechized 
 all persons, both old and young, I replied, that 1 had the 
 charge of all, and must, therefore, instruct all. When he 
 said that old people should not be catechized, and that they 
 did not stand in need of it^ I desired him to promote, and 
 not to hinder good things. 
 
 " Another charge was, that I omitted the litany on 
 sabbath days. When I replied, that I preached on sabbath 
 days, he said, that whether I preached or not, the litany 
 must be read. When he asked why I kept persons from 
 the communion, I answered, because they would not submit 
 to be examined. He then said, that I should admit them, 
 if they could say the Lord's prayer and ten commandments. 
 
 " There were many other articles charged against me," 
 says Mr. EUiston, " to each of which I answered as the 
 occasion served. At my departure, he suspended me, 
 saying, 1 should not remain in his diocese if I would not 
 subscribe. I said, if I do not remain in your diocese, the 
 earth is the Lord's, and he hath a place for me to live in ; 
 and so I departed. 
 
 " March 6th following, he cited me, and several other 
 ministers, to appear before him, and required us to sub- 
 scribe. And May 30th he cited me a third time ; but not 
 having sufficient warning, he deprived me before I could 
 appear before him. I, therefore, appealed against his 
 unjust sentence, and told him tliat he did not deal with me 
 witli uprightness, though I wished to discharge my duties 
 with a good conscieace ; and Ihat he treated others with 
 great kindness, if they would only subscribe, though they 
 liad neither learning nor honesty. But if you go about to 
 discredit us, you will gain no credit to yourself. Atter 
 this I had four jonrnies to Peterborough ; and though it was 
 at least thirty-six miles from Ihe place where I lived, I 
 went seven ti:iies in little more than one year. 
 
 " April fit!) I went to London for an inhiljition ; and 
 upon my return^ I went again to Peterborough, to Iiave it 
 
CROWLEY. 357 
 
 served on (he bishop. And on ascension-day, Archbishop 
 Whitgift cited me to appear before him, who, by this 
 means, sought to prevent me from prosecuting my appeal. 
 When I appeared before the archbishop, he urged me to 
 subscribe, but I refused. He then said, he had matter 
 against me in the high commission ; and 1 was therefore 
 examined, but obtained leave to return home till the next 
 term. But before the next term, the archbishop sent his 
 pursuivant for me. This was my third journey to London. 
 
 " When I appeared before his grace, two articles were 
 brought against me. 1. 'That at morning prayer on 
 Whit-sunday, I did only read two psalms and two chapters, 
 and then preached. And, 2. TJiat preaching out of the 
 second psalm, and railing against my enemies, I affirmed, 
 that they would all be damned, who troubled me.' But 
 when they heard my answers to those articles, I was dis- 
 missed; though the fees of the pursuivant, and other 
 expenses, were very considerable. After this I was called 
 up to London several times, and appeared sometimes before 
 the Archbishop, and sometimes before the Bishop of London. 
 
 " These my troubles," says the good man, " endured 
 almost three years, during which time, I had ten journies 
 to London, seven to Peterborough, many to Leicester and 
 Northampton, and one to Cambridge."* By the expense 
 unavoidably attending so many journies, Mr. Elliston was 
 .alnriost ruined. He was also a long time deprived of his 
 living. He was a zealous and peaceable nonconformist, 
 and, in the year 1587, was a member in the classis at 
 Daventry, and often attended the associations of the 
 puritans. A minister of the same nami; was preferred to 
 the rectory of Chignal-Smeby in Essex, in the year 1597, 
 but resigned it by death previous to September 20, 1617; 
 when the next incumbent entered upon the benefice. We 
 are not able to learn whether this was the same person. f 
 
 Robert Crowley, A. M. — This distinguished person 
 , was born in Gloucestershire,:}: and educated in Magdalen 
 college, Oxford. In the yeaf 1542, having been at the 
 university eight years, he was elected probationer fellow. 
 Upon the accession of King Edward, he removed to 
 London, and was for some time a printer and bookseller, 
 and preached occasionally as opportunity oftered. He was a 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 579—582. + Newcourt's Repert. Eccl. vol. ii. p. 139. 
 + Fuller says he was born in NortbamptoDsbire. — Worthies, pt. ii. p. 290. 
 
358 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 man of excellent parts and eminent piety, and received 
 ordination from Bishop Ridley, afterwards the famous 
 martyr.* Upon the accession of Queen Mary, he withdrew 
 from the storm, and fled to Frankfort, where he was involved 
 in the troubles occasioned by Dr. Cox and his party. His 
 name, together with the names of many of his brethren, is 
 annexed to " The Form of Discipline reformed and con- 
 firmed by the Church and Magistrates of that city."f 
 
 Upon the death of Queen Mary, and the accession of her 
 sister Elizabeth, Mr. Crowley returned from exile, and 
 obtained some preferment in the church. In the year 
 1563, he had the prebend of Mora, of which, however, he 
 was deprived in 15G5 ; most probably for nonconformity. 
 In 1566, he became vicar of St. Giles's, near Cripplegate, 
 London, where he was much followed and respected. In 
 1576, he was collated to the vicarage of St. Lawrence 
 JeAvry, in the city, which, however, he did not hold long; 
 for the living became void in 1578. t It appears also, that 
 soon aft<!r his return from exile, he became archdeacon of 
 Hereford. He sat in the convocation of 1562, and sub- 
 scribed the articles, together with the paper of requests then 
 presented to the house, desiring a further reformation of the 
 church.^ He was a learned and popular preacher ; there- 
 fore, October 15, 1559, he was nominated to preach the 
 sermon at Paul's cross. 
 
 E^rly in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, one Campneys, 
 a turbulent and abusive pelagian, sought to disturb the 
 peace of the church, by publishing a book against the 
 received doctrine of predestination, though he had not the 
 courage to afiix his name to it. This virulent publication 
 was answered by Mr. Crowley and Mr. John Veron, one 
 of the queen's chaplains, and both the learned replies were 
 approved and licensed by public authority. || 
 
 Soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, her majesty 
 "was greatly offended with many of the clergy, especially 
 those in the city of London, for refusing to wear the square 
 cap, the tippet, and the surplice. " And it is marvellous," 
 says Mr. Strype, " how much these habits were abhorred 
 by many honest, well-meaning men, accounting them the 
 relics of antichrist, and that they ought not to be used in 
 the church of Christ. Mr. Crowley called them conjuring 
 
 * Wood's Athenae, vol. i, p. 190.— Stiype's Parker, p. 219. 
 
 + Troubles at Fiankeford, p. 114. 
 
 :J: Newcourt'b Repert. Eccl. vol. i. p. 181. 
 
 ^ Strype's AniiaU, vol. i. p. 290. vol. ii. Adden. to Appen. p. 15. 
 
 li Toplady's Historic Proof, vol. ii. p. 184, 18&. 
 
CROWLEY. 359 
 
 garments ofpoper?/^ and would not, therefore, be persuaded 
 to wear them."* Previous to the year 1566, this worthy 
 servant of Christ was suspended ; and though the cause of 
 his suspension is not mentioned, it was, undoubtedly, his 
 nonconformity to those rites and ceremonies which he 
 accounted popish, superstitious, and unlawful. 
 
 During the same year he was involved in other troubles. 
 For in the month of April, seeing a corpse coming to be 
 buried at his churcli, attended by clerks in their surplices 
 singing before it, he threatened to shut the church-door* 
 against them ; but the singing-men resisted, being resolved 
 to go through with their work, till the alderman's deputy 
 threatened to put them in the stocks for breaking the peace. 
 Upon this, they slunk away. But complaint was made to 
 Archbishop Parker and other commissioners, and Mr. 
 Crowley was summoned to appear before them. Accord* 
 ingly, April 4th, he appeared before the Archbishop, the 
 Bishop of London, and the rest of their colleagues. During 
 his examination, says our author, there fell from his lips 
 several fond paradoxes, tending to anabaptism. These 
 fond paradoxes, as he is pleased to call them, were the 
 following : When speaking of a call to the ministry, he 
 said, " A man may have a motion in his conscience to 
 preach, without any external call. And, as pastor, he 
 would resist the surplice-men." When the commissioners 
 asked him whether he would resist a minister thus sent to 
 him, (meaning in his surplice) he said, " That till he was 
 deprived, his conscience would move him so to do." These 
 are his fond paradoxes, said to be of so dangerous a ten- 
 dency I When the archbishop discharged hira from his 
 flock and his parish, he refused to be deprived contrary to 
 law, saying, " he would be committed to prison, rather than 
 suffer a wolf io come to his flock." The good man was, 
 therefore, deprived of his living, separated from his flock, 
 and committed to prison. Also, the alderman's deputy 
 mentioned above, for taking his part against the surplice- 
 men, was obliged to enter into a bond of a hundred 
 pounds, to be ready when called. " So gentle," says Mr. 
 " Strype, w^s oyr archbishop in his censure of so great a 
 fault !"+ 
 
 How long Mr. Crowley remained a prisoner, we have not 
 been able to learn. Certain it is, that he continued under 
 
 » Stryp«'8 P«rlc«r, p. 151. + Jbid. p. 218. 
 
360 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 confinement some time. The mild archbishop informed 
 the secretary how he had dealt with him, and that he could 
 not have treated him otherwise, considering his behaviour, 
 and especially his saying, that he would not sulFer the wolf 
 to come to his flock. By the wolf, Mr. Crowley appears to 
 have meant a minister in a surplice ; and this expression 
 seems to have been a very material part of the crime for 
 ivhich he was censured. The Lord's day following his 
 deprivation and commitment, the archbishop sent Mr. 
 Bickley, his chaplain, to preach in his place. 
 
 In the year 1582, Mr. Crowley was very diligent in dis- 
 puting with certain popish priests, confined in the Tower, 
 under sentence of death. With one of them, named Kirby, 
 he took much pains, and laboured to the utmost of his 
 power, to convince him of his error, in maintaining the 
 lawfulness of the pope's deposing princes. He attended 
 them to the place of execution, where he used all his endea- 
 vours to convince Kirby of the absurdity of those principles 
 for which he was about to suffer. He urged from Rom. 
 xiii. and John xix., that, as princes receive their authority 
 from God alone, they could not be deposed by any other 
 power. When Kirby asked whether a prince guilty of 
 turcism, atheism, or infidelity, might not be deposed, it is 
 said, that Mr. Crowley and the rest of the ministers 
 answered very learnedly in the negative. On this occasion, 
 our divine observed, " That if a prince fall into any such 
 errors, he is indeed punishable. But by whom ? Not by 
 any earthly prince ; but by that heavenly prince, who gave 
 him his authority ; and who, seeing him abuse it, will, in 
 justice, correct him for so doing."* 
 
 Mr. CroAvley was a man of a most holy and exemplary life, 
 a pious, learned, and laborious preacher, and much beloved 
 by his people.t Mr. Strype denominates him a learned and 
 zealous man, possessing great parts and eminent piety4 
 Wood says, that he lived to a considerable age, and spent 
 his life chiefly in labouring to propagate and settle the 
 protestant religion.^ He was a most learned and laborious 
 writer, as appears from his numerous works, many of which 
 were written against the errors of popery. He died June 
 18, 1588, and his remains were interred in the chancel of St. 
 Giles's church, where he had been vicar. The following 
 
 * Strype's Parker, pi 219. + MS. penes me. 
 
 X Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 136. — Life of Parker, p. 219. 
 § Wood's Atheose Oxen. vol. i. p. 191. 
 
CROWLEY. 361 
 
 monumental inscription, engraven on a brass plat^, was 
 afterwards erected to his memory :* 
 
 Here lieth the body 
 
 of Robert Crowley, clerk, 
 
 late vicar of this parish, 
 
 who departed this life the 18 day of June, 
 
 in the year 1588. 
 
 His Works.— 1. The Supper of the Lord after the true meaning 
 of the Sixth of John, and the xi of the 1 Epistle to the Corinthians. 
 And incidentally in the Exposition of the Supper, is confuted the 
 Letter of Mr. Thomas More against Joh. Frith, 1533.— 2. Confuta- 
 tion of Nicholas Shaxton, Bishop of Sarum, his Recantation of 
 13 Articles at the Bvuning of Mrs, Anne Askew, 1546.— 3. Explicatio 
 petetoria (ad Parliamentum) adversus expilatores plebis, published 
 in English in 1548. — 4. Confutation of Miles Hoggard's wicked Ballad 
 made in Defence of Transubstantiation of the Sacrament, 1548. — 
 5. Tlie Voice of the last Trumpet blown by the seventh Angel, con- 
 taining twelve Lessons, 1549. — 6. Translation of the Psalms of David, 
 1549.— 7. The Litany with Hymns, 1549.-8. David's Psalms turned 
 into Metre, 1549. — 9. The Visions of Pierce Plowman, 1550. — 10. 
 Pleasure and Pain, Heaven and Hell. Remember these four and all 
 shall be well, 1550.— 11. Way to Wealth, wherein is plainly a most 
 present Remedy for Sedition, 1550. — 12. One and thirty Epigrams, 
 wherein are briefly touched so many Abuses, that may, and ought to, 
 be put away, 1550. — 13. An Apologie of those English Preachers an(l 
 Writers, which Cerberus the Three-headed Dog of Hell, chargeth 
 with false Doctrine under the name of Predestination, 1566. — 14. Of 
 the Signes and Tokens of the latter Day, 1567. — 15. A Setting open of 
 the subtle Sophistry of Tho. Watson, D. D. which he used in his two 
 Sermons preached before Qu. Mary, in Lent 1553, concerning the 
 real Presence in the Sacrament, 1569. + — 16. Sermon in the Chappell 
 at Gilde-hall in London, 29 Sept. 1574, before the Lord Mayor and 
 the whole state of the Citie, on Psalme cxxxix. 21, &c., 1575. — 17. 
 Answer to Tho. Pound in six Reasons, wherein he sheweth that the 
 Scriptures mustbejudged by the Church, 1581. — 18. Brief Discourse 
 concerning those four usual Notes whereby Christ's Catholick Church 
 is known, 1581. — 19. Replication to that lewd Answer which Frier 
 Joh. Francis (of the Minimies order in Nigeon, near Paris) hath 
 made to a Letter that his Mother caused to be sent to him out of 
 England, 1586. — 20. Deliberate Aunsweare to a Papist, proving that 
 Papists are Antichristian Schismatics, and that Religious Protestants 
 . are indeed true Catholicks, 1587. — 21. The Schoole of Vertue and 
 Book of good Nurture, teaching Children and Youths their Duties, 
 1588. — 22. Dialogue between Lent and Libertie, wherein is declared 
 that Lent is a meer Invention of Man. 
 
 * Stow's Survey of London, b. iii. p, 83. 
 
 + Mr. Strype says, that these* sermons being very much admired, and 
 preventing many from embracing the protestant religion, ought to have 
 been answered much sooner. — Slrype's uinnals, vol. i. p. 540. 
 
362 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Nicholas Crane was educated at Cambridge, a divine 
 of great learning, and a zealous nonconformist. He was 
 minister of Roehampton in Surrey, but falling under the 
 displeasure of the prelates, he was more than once cast into 
 prison, and at last he died in Newgate, for nonconformity. In 
 the year 1569, Mr. Crane, and Mr. William Bonham, were 
 licensed to preach by Bishop Grindal. Their licenses are 
 said to have been granted upon condition that they should 
 avoid all conventicles, and all other things contrary to the 
 order established in this kingdom. 
 
 Afterwards, the two divines were apprehended and cast 
 into prison for nonconformity, where they remained more 
 than twelve months, and were then released. But persisting 
 in their nonconformity, and not keeping to the exact order 
 established in the church of England, Mr. Crane was 
 silenced from preaching within the diocese of London, and 
 Mr. Bonham was again committed to prison ;* but it does 
 not appear how long they continued under the ecclesiastical 
 censure. f 
 
 Mr. C;ane was a leading man among the nonconformists 
 of his time, and, in the year 1572, united with his brethren 
 in th(; erection of the presbyterian church at Wandsworth 
 in .^'urrey.J His exceptions against subscription to the 
 Book of Common Prayer, are still on record. They were 
 delivered most probably upon h.s appearance before the 
 ecclesiastical commissioners, and were chiefly the follow-- 
 ing : — '• He excepted against reading the apocryphal books 
 in public worship, to the exclusion of some parts of canoni- 
 cal scripture: — Against lliat part of tlie ordination service, 
 receive the Holt/ Gho&U S^c. : — Against the interrogatories in 
 baptism ])roposed to infants who cannot give any answer : — 
 Agair.st the cross in baptism, which has been often used to 
 supeistitious purposes: — Against private baptism, which 
 the Book of Common Prayer allows to be administered by 
 persons not ordained : — Against the gospel appointed to be 
 i«ad ihc sabbath after Easter, which is taken from the 
 mass book, and is manifestly untrue when compared with 
 scripture. He concludes by observing, that if these and 
 some other things equally erroneous, were reformed, it 
 would please Almighty God ; the ministers of Christ would 
 be more firmly united against their common enemy, the 
 papists ; many of God's ministers and people now weeping, 
 
 * Sf.e Art. Bonham. 
 
 + Sirype's Grindal, p. 153 — 155. — MS. Chronology, \ol. ii, p, 406. (6.) 
 
 X Fuller's Church ili^t. b. ix. p. 103. 
 
CRANE— HUMPHREY. 363 
 
 would rejoice ; many able students would be encouraged to 
 enter the ministry ; and <he religion of Jesus Christ would 
 more extensively prevail."* 
 
 In the year 1583, Mr. Crane, with nine other learned 
 divines of Cambridge, wrote to Mr. Thomas Cartwright, 
 warmly recommending him to publish an answer to the 
 Rhemist Translation of the New Testament.f Afterwards, 
 he was cast into prison for refusing conformity to the 
 established church. He subscribed the petition presented 
 to the lord treasurer, and signed by about sixti/ proiestant 
 nonconformi<its, (hen cosifined in the various prisons in and 
 about London, I Mr. Strype has placed this petition in the 
 year 1592 : but it should have been earlier. Mr. Crane 
 died in Newgate, in the year 1588,§ where many of his 
 suffering brethren shared the same fate.|| 
 
 Lawrence Humphrey, D.D. — This celebrated puritan 
 wns born at Newport-Pagnel in Buckinghamshire, about 
 the year 1527, and educated first in the university of 
 Cambridge, then in Magdalen college, Oxford, where, in 
 1549, he became perpetual fellow, and was chosen reader of 
 Greek in 1552. Having applied himself closely to theolo* 
 gical studies, he entered, about the same time, into the sacred 
 function. He remained at Oxford, some tiiue after the 
 accession of Queen Mary and the commencement of her 
 severities ; but, at length, by the permission of the presi- 
 dent, vice-president, and others of his college, was allowed 
 to go abroad. " In the opinion of all," says the Oxford 
 historian, " he was much commended for his life and con- 
 
 • Parte of a Register, p. 119—124. + See Art. Cartwright. 
 X An abstract of this most moving petition is given in another place.' — 
 See jirt. John Greenuiood. 
 
 ^ Account pre6xed to *• Parte of a Register." 
 
 j] Great numbers perished in the various prisons where they were long 
 confined and most cruelly used. Among the rest, was one Mr. Roger 
 Rippon ; who, dying in Newgate, his fellow prisoners put the following 
 inscription upon his coflin : 
 
 '♦ This is the corpse of Roger Rippon, a servant of Christ, and her 
 •' majesty's faithful subject ; who is the last of sixteen or seventeen which 
 " that great enemy of God, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with his high 
 " commissioners, have murdered in Newgate within these five years, 
 *' manifestly for the testimony of Jesus Christ. His soul is now with the 
 " Lord ; and his blood crieth for speedy vengeance against that great 
 " enemy of the saints, and against Mr, Richard Young, (a justice of the 
 " peace in London) who in this and many the like points, hath abused hh 
 '• power, for the upholding of the Romish antichrist, prelacy, and priest- 
 hood. He died A, D. Iij92."— S^r^/j?*'* Annalsy voL iv. p. 133. 
 
 <( 
 
364 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 versation, and for bis wit and learning ; and was permitted, 
 for the benefit of liis studies, to travel one year into foreign 
 parts, on condition that he kept himself from such places 
 as were suspected to be heretical, or favourers of heresy, 
 and that he refrained himself from the company of those 
 who are, or have been, authors of heresy or heretical 
 opinions." Having thus obtained liberty to leave the 
 country, he went to Zurich, where he joined the English 
 protestant exiUs, and, not returning at the end of the year, 
 was deprived of his fellowship.* During his exile, we find 
 his name subscribed to a letter from the exiles at Zurich, 
 to their brethren at Frankfort. This letter is dated October 
 23, 1554.+ 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, Humphrey re- 
 turned home. But having held a correspondence with the 
 learned divines at Geneva, during his absence, he is said to 
 liave returned to England, so much the Calvinicm, both in 
 doctrine and worship, that the best that could be said of him 
 was, that he was a moderate and conscientious noncon- 
 formist. Upon his return he was immediately restored to 
 his fellowship, and, by her majesty, nominated queen's 
 professor of divinity in the university of Oxford, being 
 accounted the fittest person in the kingdom for that office. 
 He soon after took his degrees in divinity, and was elected 
 president of Magdalen college, though not without much 
 opposition from the popish party.; In this situation, many 
 persons, afterwards famed for their celebrity, were brought 
 up under him; among whom was the famous Sir Thomas 
 Bodley.§ 
 
 In the following account of this celebrated divine, we shall 
 have frequent occasion to mention his worthy and intimate 
 friend, the famous Dr. Thomas Sampson. They were persons 
 of great reputation, especially in Oxford, and were highly- 
 distinguished for their learning, piety, and zeal in promoting 
 true religion. But their learning, piety, and zeal, were no 
 sufficient screen from the prosecution of the high commission, 
 
 * Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 195. 
 
 + Troubles at Fiankefcrd, p. 10— 12. 
 
 :}: Wood's Athenae, vol. i. p. 195. 
 
 ^ Sir Thomas Bodley was celebrated as a statesman, and as a man of 
 letters; but incomparably more, in the ample provision he has made for 
 literature, in which he stands unrivalled. In 1599, he opened his library, 
 ealled the Bodleian Library, at Oxford, which will perpetuate his memory 
 as long as books shall endure. He drew up the statutes of the Tbrary; 
 •wrote the memoirs of his own life ; and died Jan. 28, 1613,-^Ibid. p. 3^$, 
 321.— Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 233, 271. 
 
HUMPHREY. 365 
 
 for refusing- to wear the popish habits. Accordingly, March 3, 
 1j()4, both Humphrey and Sampson, Avith four other divines, 
 were cited before Archbishop Parker and his colleagues, at 
 Lambeth. Upon their appearance, the archbishop urged , 
 the opinions of foreign divines : as, Peter Martyr and Martin 
 Bucer, with the view of bringing them to conformity. This, 
 indeed, proved inefieclual; for their judgments remained 
 unconvinced. They requested that they might be dismissed, 
 and return to their usual exercises at Oxford ; but this the 
 archbishop refused, intending to bring them before the 
 council. Atter attendance for some time, they jjrepared a 
 supplication, in a very elegant, but submissive style, Avhich 
 they presented to the Archbishop, the Bishops of London, 
 Winchester, Ely, and Lincoln, and other commissioners. 
 
 In this supplication, they protested before God, liow 
 great a grief it was to them, that there should be any dis- 
 sention about so small a matter as woollen and linen, as they 
 styled the cap and surplice. But it comforted them, that, 
 under Christ, the captain of salvation, they all professed 
 tlie same gospel, and the same faith ; and that in the matter 
 of liabits, each party followed the dictates of their own 
 minds, where there was often room for liberty, and always 
 for charity. They alleged the authorities of Augustin, 
 Socrates, and Theodoret, to shcAV that in their times, there 
 was a variety of rites and observances in the churches, yet 
 unity and concord. They had many and powerful reasons 
 for this address : as, " That their consciences were tender, 
 and ought not to be grieved. — That they were not turbu- 
 lent, nor obstinate, nor did they study novelty, nor refuse 
 to be convinced, nor attempt to disturb the peace of the 
 church. — That they were certain, that things in themselves 
 indifferent, did not always appear indifferent, even to 
 persons of a tender conscience. — And that the law for 
 restoruig the ceremonies of the Romish church, was con- 
 nected with bondage and superstition." They also added, 
 " Because these things do not seem so to you, you are ijot 
 to be condemned by us ; and because they do seem so io 
 us, we ought not to be condemned by 3'ou." They beseech 
 their lordships, therefore, that if there be any fellowship in 
 Christ, they would follow the direction of divine inspiration, 
 about thincs in their own nature indifferent, " that every 
 one might be persuaded in his own mind."* 
 
 They wrote, also, to the Earl of Leicester, but all to no 
 
 ♦ Strype's Parker, p. 162, 163. 
 
B66 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 purpose. They could not procure their release ; but were 
 obliged to continue their attendance. The commissioners 
 themselves were very much divided in their opinions. Some 
 wished to have their reasons answered, and the habits 
 enforced : others were for a connivance. But the arch- 
 bishop, who was at the head of the commission, would abate 
 nothing. For April 29th, he peremptorily declared in open 
 court, " That they should conform to wear the square cap 
 and no hats, in their long gowns ; to wear the surplice with 
 non-regent's hoods in the choirs, according to ancient 
 custom; and to communicate kneeling, Avith wafer bread; 
 or immediately part with their preferment." To this they 
 replied, that their consciences would not suffer them to 
 comply, whatever might be the consequences.* Upon this, 
 they were still kept under confinement ; but the storm fell 
 chiefly upon Dr. Sampson.+ 
 
 In one of their examinations, during this year, the arch- 
 bishop put the following questions to them, to which they 
 gave the answers subjoined. 
 
 Question. Is the surplice a thing evil and wicked, or is 
 it indifferent? 
 
 Answer. Though the surplice in substance be indifferent, 
 yet in the present circumstance it is not, being of the same 
 nature as the garment of an harlot, or the apparel of 
 idolatry ; for which God, by the prophet, threatens to visit 
 the people. 
 
 Q. If it be not indifferent, for what cause ? 
 
 A. Because things consecrated to idolatry are not indif- 
 ferent. 
 
 Q. May the bishop detesting popery, enjoin the surplice 
 to be worn, and enforce his injunctions ? 
 
 A. It may be said to such a one, in the words of Tertullian, 
 <' If thou hatest the pomp and pageantry of the devil, 
 whatsoever of it thou meddlest with, is idolatry." Which, 
 if he believe, he will not enforce. 
 
 Q. Is the cope a thing indifterent, being prescribed by 
 law for decency and reverence, and not in respect of super- 
 stition or holiness ? 
 
 A. Decency is not promoted by a cope, which was de- 
 vised to deface the sacrament. St. Jerome says, " That the 
 gold, ordained by God for the reverence and decency of 
 the Jewish temple, is not fit to be admitted to beautify the 
 church of Christ;" and if so, how much less copes brought 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 164. + See Art. Sampson. 
 
HUMPHREY. 367 
 
 ill by papists, and continued in their service as proper 
 ornaments of their religion. 
 
 Q. May any thing that is indifferent be enjoined as godly, 
 for the use of the common prayer and sacraments ? 
 
 A. If it be merely indifferent, as time, places and such 
 necessary circumstances of divine worship, for which there 
 may be ground brought from scripture, we think it may. 
 
 Q. May the civil magistrate constitute by law, an absti- 
 nence from meats on certain days ? 
 
 A. If it be sufficiently guarded against superstition, he 
 may appoint it, due regard being had to persons and times. 
 
 Q. May a law be enacted io make a difference in the 
 apparel of ministers from laymen ? 
 
 A. Whether such prescription io a minister of the gospel 
 cS Christ be lawful, may be doubted ; because no such 
 thing is decreed in the New Testament. Nor did the pri- 
 mitive church appoint any such thing, but chose rather to 
 have their ministers distinguished from the laity by their 
 doctrine, not by their vestments. 
 
 Q. Ought the ministers going in popish apparel, io be 
 condemned for so doing ? 
 
 A. We judge no man. To his own master he standeth 
 or falleth. 
 
 Q. Ought such preachers to be reformed or restrained, 
 or not ? 
 
 A. Irenasus will not have brethren restrained from bro- 
 therly communion, for diversity in ceremonies, provided 
 there be unity of faith and charity ; and it is desirable to 
 have the like charitable permission among us. 
 
 To these answers, they subjoined several additional 
 arguments against wearing and imposing the habits : as, 
 *' Apparel ought not to be worn, as meat ought not to be 
 eaten; but according to St. Paul, meat offered to idols 
 ought not to be eaten, therefore popish apparel ought not to 
 be worn. — We ought not to give offence in matters of mere 
 indifference ; therefore the bishops who are of this opinion, 
 ought not to enforce the habits. — Popish garments have many 
 superstitious mystical significations, for which they are 
 consecrated ; we ought, therefore, to lay tliera aside. — Some 
 suppose our ministrations are not valid, or acceptable to 
 God, unless performed in the apparel; we apprehend it, 
 therefore, highly necessary to undeceive the people. — 
 Things indifferent ought not to be made necessary, because 
 then their nature is changed, and we lose our libetty. — And 
 if we are bouad to wear popish apparel when commauded. 
 
368 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 •we may be obliged to have shaven crowns, and to make us«? 
 of oil, spittle, cream, and all other papistical additions to 
 the ordinances of Christ."* 
 
 Humphrey and Sampson having thus openly and fully 
 delivered their opinions, a pacific proposition was drawn 
 up, which they both subscribed, with the reserve of the 
 apostle. All things are lawful^ hut all things are not expe- 
 dient. All things are lawful^ hut all things edify not. Upon 
 this, it seems, they were both released. Dr. Humphrey, 
 about the same time, wrote a very excellent letter to the 
 queen, in which he addressed her majesty as follows: — 
 *' Kings being kindled with zeal for the house of God, 
 " have removed all the relics of superstition ; so that no 
 " token thereof remained. This form and pattern of 
 *' reformation is then perfect, when there is no blemish in 
 " the face, and -when, in religion and ceremonies, nothing 
 " is taken from the enemies of the truth. You know, that in 
 " things indifterent, especially those which are in contro- 
 " versy, it is lawful for every man, without prejudice to 
 " others, to have his full persuasion, and that the con- 
 " science ought not in any case to be bound. That the 
 *' matter which we handle is agreeable to religion and 
 <^ equity, I think there is no man that doubteth. Seeing, 
 " therefore, the thing which we request is honest, and 
 <' that which is commanded is doubtful ; and they who make 
 " the request, are your most loving and obedient subjects, 
 « and ministers of the word, why should your mercy, O 
 " queen ! which is usually open for all, be shut up from 
 " us ? You being the prince will not give place to your 
 " subjects ; yet being merciful, you may spare them who 
 " are in misery. You will not disannul a public decree; 
 " yet you may mitigate it. You cannot abolish a law ; 
 *' yet you may grant a toleration. It is not meet you 
 " should follow every man's affections ; yet it is most right 
 " and convenient, that the mind and conscience be not 
 " forced. 
 
 " We do not go about, O most gracious queen, to bear 
 " rule, who ought to be subjects ; but we would that reason^ 
 >^ the queen of queens, should rule, and that the humble 
 " entreaty of the ministers of Christ, might obtain that which 
 " religion commandcth. Wherefore, O most noble prince, 
 " I do in most humble sort, request and earnestly desire, 
 " that your majesty would seriously and attentively consider 
 
 - « Strype's Parker, p. 166— ni. 
 
HUMPHREY. S69 
 
 " the majesty of the glorious gospel, the equity of the cause, 
 " the small number of workmen, the greatness of the 
 *' harvest, the multitude of tares, the grievousness of the 
 '' punishment, the lightness of the fault, the sighs of the 
 *' good, the triumphs of the wicked, and the mischiefs of 
 " the times/'* By using these urgent endeavours, and 
 having many friends at court, he, at length, obtained a 
 connivance and a toleration. 
 
 Dr. Humphrey having procured his liberty, the Bishop 
 of Winchester presented to him a small living, in the 
 diocese of Salisbury, but Bishop Jewel, his professed 
 friend, and intimate acquaintance, refused to admit him ; 
 and protested he never would admit him, till he obtained 
 some good assurance of his conformity.+ Jewel's great 
 objection against admitting him, was his nonconformity; 
 upon which, said he, " God is not the author of confusion, 
 but of peace; and diversity in the worship of God, is 
 deformity, and a sufficient cause of deprivation.'- Dr. 
 Humphrey, in a letter to the bishop, dated December 20, 
 1565, replied, " That his lordship's objection had but little 
 ground to rest upon. — That he never was the author of 
 confusion. — That he had ever lived in peace and concord 
 with his brethren, and in due obedience to his superiors, 
 and, by the grace of God, was still resolved so to do. — 
 And that if diversity in outward ceremonies be deformiti/, 
 if it be any confusion, if it be a sufficient cause of depri- 
 vation, if conformity be a necessary part of the ministry ; 
 if all this came not from the pope," said he, " and if it 
 existed before popery, then I am much deceived. But 
 whatever he called it, whether order or disorder, it was of 
 very little consequence. He assured his lordship, that he 
 did not mean to innovate, nor to violate their ecclesiastical 
 ordinances." Though he had obtained the patronage of his 
 grace of Winchester, and the favour of the archbishop, 
 and the benefice was only very small. Jewel seems to have 
 remained indexible ;X for it does not appear that he was 
 admitted. § 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. vi. p. 333, 354. 
 
 + MS. Register, p. 873. — Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 421. 
 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 183, 186. 
 
 ^ Though Bishop Jewel was a zealous churchman, he was of a different 
 spirit from many of his brethren. In a letter dated May 22, 1539, he 
 wrote, " that the Queen (Elizabeth) refused to be called Head of the 
 Church; and adds, that title could uot be justly given to any mortal, it 
 being due only to Christ; and that such titles had been so much abused by 
 antichrist, that they ought not to be any longer continued." — Simpson's Plea 
 for Religion, p. 146. Edit. 1810. 
 
 VOL. I. 2 B 
 
SZQ LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Upon the publication of the advertisements, for enforcing 
 a more strict conformity, Dr. Humphrey wrote to Secretary- 
 Cecil, earnestly desiring him to use all his influence towards 
 stopping their execution. In this letter, dated April 23, 
 1566, he says, " I am sorry that the old sore is broken out 
 again, to the calamity of many, and to the wonder and 
 sorrow of all. The cause is not so good, in my poor opinion, 
 as it is represented. The trouble is greater than we imagine. 
 The inhibition of preaching, how strange and lamentable ! 
 The cries of numbers awaken the pity of God and man. 
 The book of advertisements contains many things, which, 
 on many accounts, are much disliked by wise men. The 
 execution of it, which has hitherto been vehement, has 
 greatly agitated and spoiled all. I humbly request you to 
 be a means with the queen's majesty, to put a stop to the 
 execution of it, and that the book may sleep in silence. 
 The people in these days, require other kind of advertise- 
 ments. We stand in need of unity and concord; but 
 these advertisements have produced greater "cariety and 
 discord than was ever known before. To your wisdom and 
 goodness, I refer all."* 
 
 About the same time, he wrote a very warm and affec- 
 tionate letter to the bishops, boldly expostulating with them 
 about their corrupt and unchristian proceedings. He says, 
 " The gospel requireth Christ to be openly preached, pro- 
 fessed, and glorified; but, alas! a man qualified with 
 inward gifts, for want of outward shews in matters of cere- 
 mony, is punished : and a man only outwardly conformable, 
 and inwardly unfurnished, is exalted. The preacher, for 
 his labour, is beaten ; the unpreaching prelate offending, 
 goes free. The learned man without his cap, is afflicted: 
 the man with his cap is not touched. Is not this a direct 
 breach of God's laws ? Is not this the way of the pharisees ? 
 Is not this to wash the outside of the cup, and leave the 
 inside uncleansed ? Is not this to prefer mint and annis, 
 to faith, and judgment, and mercy ? Is not this preferring 
 man's traditions before the ordinance of God ? Is not this 
 a sore disorder in the school of Christ ? — Charity, my lords, 
 would first have tauglit us, equity would lirst have spared 
 us, brotherly-kindness would have Avarned us, pity would 
 have pardoned us, if we had been found transgressors. God 
 is my witness, that I think honourably of your lordships, 
 ' osteeming you as brethren, reverencing you as lords and 
 
 »'Strype's Parker, p. sn. 
 
HUMPHREY. STl 
 
 masters of the congregation. Alas then ! v,hy have you 
 not some good opinion of us ? Why do you trust known 
 adversaries, and distrust your brethren ? We confess one 
 faith of Jesus; we preach one doctrine; we acknowledge 
 one ruler upon earth : in all these things we are of your 
 judgment. Shall we be used thus then for the sake of a 
 surplice ? Shall brethren persecute bretliren for a forked 
 cap, devised for singularity by our enemy ? Shall we 
 fight for the papers coat, now that his head and his body 
 are banished out of the land ? Shall the labourers, for lack 
 of this furniture, lack their wages, and the church their 
 preaching ? Shall we not teach ? Shall we not exercise 
 our talents as God hath commanded ? My lords, before 
 this take place, consider the cause of the church; the 
 triumphs of antichrist ; the laughter of satan ; and the 
 sighing, sorrowing, and misery of your fellow-creatures."* 
 
 In July 1566, Dr. Humphrey and Dr. Sampson wrote to 
 BuUinger at Zurich, giving him a particular account of 
 their opinions and nonconformity. " We do not think," 
 say they, " that prescribing the habits is merely a civil 
 tiling. And liow can that habit be thought decent, which 
 was brought in to dress up the theatrical pomp of popery ? 
 The papists glory in this our imitation of them. We ap- 
 prove of rules to promote order, but this ought not to be 
 applied to those things which destroy the peace of the 
 church, and which are neither necessary, nor useful ; and 
 tJiat tend not to any edification, but only to recommend 
 those forms which most persons abhor. The papists glory 
 in this, that these habits were brought in by them ; for the 
 proof of which, they vouch Otho's constitutions and the 
 itoman pontifical. 
 
 '^ In King Edward's time, the surplice was not univer- 
 sally used, nor pressed upon the clergy, and the copes then 
 taken away, are now restored. This is not to extirpate 
 popery, but to plant it again ; and instead of going forwards 
 in the work of reformation, is going backwards. We do 
 not make religion to consist in habits ; but only oppose 
 those who do. We hate contention, and are ever ready to 
 enter into a friendly conference about this matter. We do 
 not desert our churches, and leave them exposed to wolves, 
 but, to our great grief, are driven from them. And we 
 leave our brethren (meaning those who conformed) to stand 
 or fall to their own master, and desire the same favourabl* 
 
 * Amei's Fresh Suit, pad ii. p. 269—272. 
 
372 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 forbearance from them. All that is pretended is, that the 
 habits are not unlawful. But they ought not to be taken 
 from our enemies. 
 
 " We are far," say they, " from any design of making a 
 scliism, or of quarrelling. We will not condemn things 
 indifferent, as unlawful. We wish the occasion of the con- 
 tention removed, and the remembrance of it for ever buried. 
 They who condemn the papal pride, cannot like tyranny in 
 a free church. The doctrine of our church is now pure, 
 and why should there be any defiect in our worship ? Why 
 should we borrow any thing from popery ? Why should 
 we not agree in rites, as well as in doctrine, with the other 
 reformed churches ? We have a good opinion of our 
 bishops, and bear with their state and potnp. We once 
 bore the same cross with them, and preached the same 
 Christ with them ; why then are we now turned out of our 
 benefices, and some cast into prison, only about the habits ? 
 We pray that God may quiet these dissentions, and send 
 forth more labourers into his vineyard."* 
 
 " But the dispute," say they, " is not about the cap and 
 surplice. There are other grievances which ought to be 
 redressed, or dispensed with : as music and organs in 
 divine worship. — The sponsors in baptism answering in the 
 name of the child. — The cross in baptism. — Kneeling at the 
 sacrament, and the use of unleavened bread. — The want of 
 discipline in the church. — The marriage of the clergy is not 
 legitimate, but their children are looked upon as bastards. — 
 Marriage is not to be performed without a ring. — Women 
 are not to be churched without a veil.— The court of 
 faculties ; pluralities ; licenses for nonresidences, for eating 
 flesh in Lent, &c. — Ministers have not free liberty to preach, 
 without subscribing to the use and approbation of all the 
 ceremonies."f 
 
 During the above year. Queen Elizabeth paid her pom- 
 pous visit to the university of Oxford, on which occasion 
 our author distinguished himself in a public disputation 
 before her majesty. Every day the queen was entertained 
 with academical exercises of different kinds ; in which the 
 wits of the ablest men in that age, were stretched io the 
 utm.ost, to merit the applause of so illustrious an audience. 
 The queen, together with her train of courtiers, was present 
 at a divinity act, in which Dr. Humphrey was defendant; 
 and Drs. Godwin, Westphaling, Overton, Calfchill, and 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. iii. p. 310—312. 
 + Ibid. Records, p. 335, 
 
HUMPHREY. 373 
 
 Peirce, were opponents. Bishop Jewel acted on this occasion, 
 as moderator. At the conclusion, her majesty delivered 
 a speech in praise of the learned disputants.* 
 
 This learned divine was, at length, favoured with a tole- 
 ration for about ten or eleven years ; and about 1576, he 
 consented to wear the habits. Wood says, in the year 
 1570, but Mr. Strype, 1576, he was made dean of Glouces- 
 ter; and in 1580, he was removed from the deanery of 
 Gloucester, to that of Winclicster. This he kept to his 
 death.+ He was particularly intimate with the Lord 
 Treasurer Burleigh, who, even before he consented to wear 
 the habits, moved the queen to prefer him to a bishopric: 
 but, as Burleigh informed him, his nonconformity seemed 
 to be the chief impediment in the way.:{: The Earl of 
 Leicester, iij his letter to the university of Cambridge, 
 dated March 26, 1567, makes very honourable mention of 
 him, and most warmly recommends him to the office of 
 vice-chancellor of that university ; " who," says he, " is 
 every way a right worthy man.'% Dr. Humphrey Avas 
 intimate with Mr. Gilby, a celebrated puritan, at Ashby-de- 
 la-Zouch in Leicestershire, with whom he held a friendly 
 correspondence. Some of his letters to this venerable divine 
 are now before me, addressed " to his worshipful and well 
 beloved friend Mr. Anthony Gilby, at Ashby ;" in one of 
 which he writes as follows :|| 
 
 <' My salvation in Christ Jesus. 
 
 *' I thank you for your good counsel. I would I were 
 " as well able as I am willing. Though many brethren and 
 " nobles also Avish; yet we must pray that God may open 
 " the queen's majesty's ears to hear of a reformation; for 
 " there is the stay. And openly to publish such admoni- 
 " tions as are abroad, I lilie not ; for in some parts and 
 " terms, they are too broad and overshoot themselves. A 
 ** book, indeed, I gave as a present of mine office and 
 " cognizance of the university, a Greek Testament, with 
 ** mine additions or collections, to stir up her majesty to 
 *' peruse the book, and to reform the church, by it, in cer- 
 " tain sentences. I have there declared, and in a word or 
 " two using orations, the copy whereof 1 send you. The 
 ^' Lord Jesus bless you and yours. Oxon. Jan. 17, 1572, 
 <• Yours, L. HuMPHBEV," 
 
 » Biog. Britan. vol. iv. p. 2230. Edit. 1747. 
 
 + Wood's AthenaeOxon. vol. i.p. 195.— Sfrype's Annalf, vol. ii.p. 451. 
 
 % Ibid. vol. i.p. 430. 
 
 ( Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xvii. p. 256. 
 
 y Ibid. vol. 2ixii. p. 431. 
 
374 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 As Dr. Hiimplirej was many y^ars president of Magdalen 
 college, Oxford, public professor of diyiniiy in the univer- 
 sity, and several times vice-chancellor; so the Oxford his- 
 torian, who denominates him the standard-bearer of the non- 
 confonnists, says, that he stocked his college with such a 
 generation of noncoiiformists, as could not be rooted out of it 
 many years after his death ; and that he sowed in tiie divinity 
 schools, such seeds oi' Calvinism^ and such hatred oi^popert/y 
 as if nothing but divine truth was to be found in the one, and 
 nothing but abominations in the other. Nevertheless, he 
 adds, Humphrey was a great and general scholar, an able 
 linguist, and a deep divine ; and who, for the excellency 
 of his s'yle, the exactness of his method, and the solidity of 
 his matter, was superior to most theologians in his day. 
 Archbishop Matthews said, " Dr. Humphrey hath read 
 more fathers, than Campian the Jesuit ever saw ; devoured 
 more than he ever tasted ; ^md taught more than he ever 
 heard or read."* He had the honour of seeing many of his 
 pupils become bishops, while he, who was every way their 
 superior, was denied any considerable preferment, on 
 account of his puritanical principles. At length, after a 
 life of much labour and hard study, he died in the month of 
 February, 1589, aged sixty-three years. Fuller styles hira 
 a moderate and conscientious nonconformist, and says, that 
 at his death, he bequeathed a considerable quantity of gold 
 to Magdalen college. f Granger says, he was one of the 
 greatest divines, and most general scholars, of his bge ; and 
 that when Qaeen Elizabeth visited the university, he and 
 Bishop Jewel entertained her majesty with a public theo- 
 logical disputation.^ The remains of Dr. Humphrey were 
 interred in the inner chapel belonging to Magdalen college, 
 where a monumental inscription was erected to his memory, 
 of which the following is a translation :^ 
 
 Sacred to the Memory 
 
 of Lawrence Humphrey, D. D. 
 
 twenty-eight years Regius Professor 
 
 and Governor of this College. 
 
 His eldest daughter, 
 
 JusTiNiA Dormer, 
 
 erected this monument to the memory 
 
 of her venerable Father. . 
 
 He died in Fcbioiary, 1589, 
 
 aged 63. 
 
 * Wood's Athenas Oxon. toI. i. p. 1§5, 196. 
 .+ Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 234. 
 "X Granger's Biog. Hisf. vol. i. p, 211. 
 ^ Wood's Hist, el Aotiq. lib. ii. p. 203. 
 
SAMPSON. ^ 375 
 
 ■ His Works. — 1. Epistolade Graecis Uteris, & Hoineri lectione & 
 imitatioue, ad Praesideai, &c., 1558. — 2. De Religione Conversatioiie 
 -& Reformatione deque Priniatiis Regum, 1559. — 3. De Ratioiie 
 Interpretandi Authores, 1559. — 4. Optimates sive de NobiUtate, 
 cjusque antiqua origine, iiatura, officiis, disciplina, &c., 1560.* — 
 it. Oratioues Woodstochiae habitae ad illiistress. R. Eliz., 1572. — ■ 
 6. De Vita et Morte Joliannis Juelli : Ejusq ; verae Doclrinae 
 Defensio, cum Relutatione quorundam Objectoium, Hardingi, 
 Saiideri, &c., 1573. — 7. De fenneuto vitando : conscio in Matt. xvi. 
 Marc. viii. Luc. xii., 1582. — 8. Jesuitismi pars prima, 1582. — 
 9. Jesuitismi pars secuuda, 1584, — 10. Apoiogelica Epistola ad 
 Academiae Oxoniensis Chancellarium, 1585. — 11. Seven Sermons 
 against Treason, 1588.— 12. Conscio in die Cinerum.-^Many of tiiese 
 articles were translated and publisiied in Englisli. 
 
 / 
 
 Thomas Sampson, D. D. — This celebrated divine was 
 born about the year 1517, and educated in the university of 
 Oxford. Afterwards he studied at the Temple, became a 
 zealous protestant, a distinguished preacher, and instru- 
 mental hi the conversion of John Bradford, the famous 
 martyr. He married the niece of old Bishop Latimer. He 
 was ordained by Archbishop Cranm^r and Bishop Ridley^ 
 who, at his request, dispensed with the habits. He was highly 
 esteemed by these two reverend prelates. He was preacher 
 in the army of Lord Russel, in his expedition against the 
 Scots. In the year 1551, he became rector of Alhallows, 
 Bread-street, London ; the year following he was preterred 
 to the deanery of Winchester ; and he continued a famous 
 preacher to the death of King Edward.f Upon the 
 accession of Qneen Mary, he concealed himself for some 
 time. During this period, he and Mr. Richard Chambers, 
 another zealous protestant, collected money in London, for 
 the support and encouragement of poor scholars in the two 
 universities. But it was no sooner discovered, than they 
 were both obliged to flee for their lives. For, August 16, 
 1554, Mr. Bradford, Mr. Becon, and Mr. Veron, were 
 apprehended and committed to the Tower ; and Sampson 
 was to have been committed the sam^ <iay, and was even 
 sought after for this purpose, in the house in which Mr. 
 
 ♦ Mr. Strype highly coainiends this work, both for the excellency of its 
 matter, and the elegancy of its style. In this work, the author, speaking 
 of astrology, says, " Thjs science above the rest was so snatched at, so 
 " beloved, and even devoured by most persons of fashion, that they needed 
 " no incitements to it, but a bridle rather : not to be set on, but rather 
 *' taken off from it. And that many had so trusted to this, that they almost 
 «" distrusted God." — Strype s Cranmer, p. 338.— ii»o^. Britan. toI. iii. p. 
 *87. Edit. ms. 
 
 t Strype's Cranmsr, p. 192, 292.— Troubles at Frankeford, p. 168, 
 
376 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Bradford was taken. Because he could not be found, the 
 Bishop of Winchester fumed exceedingly, as was usually 
 the case wiih angry prelates.* Thus, having narrowly 
 escaped the fire, he fled to Strasburgh, where he was much 
 esteemed by the learned Tremelius.+ He was intimately 
 acquainted wilh most of the learned exiles, and particularly 
 John Jewel, afterwards the celebratt d Bishop of Salisbury. 
 By the joint advice of Dr. Sampson, Dr. Edwin Sandys, 
 and Mr. Richard Chambers, Jewel was induced soon after 
 his arrival on the continent, to make a public confession of 
 Lis sorrow, for his late subscription in favour of popery. J 
 Sampson, during his exile, was concerned in writing 
 and publishing the Geneva Translation of the Bible.§ 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth, our learned 
 divine returned home. While on his journey, being 
 informed that a bishopric was designed for him, he wrote to 
 Peter Martyr for his opinion and advice, whether it was 
 lawful to swear " that the queen was supreme head of the 
 church under Christ." He thought that Christ was the 
 ow/y supreme head of the church, and that no account of 
 any interior head was to be found in scripture. He thought, 
 also, that the want of discipline in the church of England, 
 rendered it impossible for a bishop to perform his duty. 
 The method of electing bishops, appeared to him, totally 
 different from the primitive institution : the consent of 
 neither clergy, nor people, being so much as asked. The 
 superstitious dress of bishops seemed to him very unbecom- 
 ing. He wrote to his learned friend, not that he expected a 
 bishopric would be offered him ; but he prayed to God 
 that it might not. He resolved to apply himself to preach- 
 ing the gospel, and to avoid having any share in the 
 government of the church, till he saw a thorough reforma- 
 tion, both in doctrine and discipline. 
 
 Upon the reception of Peter Martyr's answer, Sampson 
 replied, January 6, 1560, saying, " We are under sad 
 apprehensions, concerning which, we desire an interest in 
 your prayers. We are afraid lest the truth of religion, in 
 England, should either be overturned, or very much 
 darkened. Things still stick "svith me. I can have neither 
 ingress, nor egress. God knows how glad I should be io 
 have an egress. Let others be bishops, I desire only to be 
 
 ♦ Fox's Martyrs, vol. iii. p. 76. 
 
 + Wood's AthensB Oxon. vol. i. p. 192. 
 
 :J: Biog. Britan, vol. iv. p. 2759. Edit. 174T, 
 
 4 See Art. Coverdale. 
 
SAMPSON. 377 
 
 a preacher, and no bisliop. There is yet a general proliibi- 
 tion of preaching ; and still a crucifix on the altar at court^ 
 with lights burning before it. And though, by the queen's 
 order, images are removed out of the churches all ovt-r the 
 kingdom, yet the people rejoice to see that this is still kept 
 in the queen's chapel.* Three bishops officiate at the altar : 
 one as priest, another as deacon, and a third as sub-deacon, 
 all in rich copes before the idol : and there is sacrament 
 witijout any sermon. Injunctions are sent to preachers 
 not to use freedom in reproving vice." He then asks 
 Martyr, Bullinger, and Bernardin, what they thought of 
 these things ; and whether, if similar injunctions were sent to 
 all churches, the clergy ought to obey, or suffer deprivation 
 rather than comply. 
 
 May 13th he wrote again, signifying that a bishopric had 
 been offered him, but he had refused to accept it ; for which, 
 he desired Peter Martyr not to censure him, till he became 
 acquainted with the whole matter. He rejoiced that 
 Parkhurstt was made Bishop of Norwich. And Norwich, 
 it seems, was the bishopric offered to him. + This illustrious 
 divine, therefore, refused the offered preferment, because he 
 was thoroughly dissatisfied with the episcopal office, the 
 popish habits, and the superstitious ceremonies. 
 
 During the three first years of Queen Elizabetli's reign. 
 Dr. Sampson delivered the rehearsal sermons at Paul's cross, 
 and is said to have been appointed to do this on account of 
 his wonderful memory and fine elocution ;§ and in her royal 
 visitation in the north, he was the visitor's preacher. In 
 the year 1560, he became dean of Christ-church, Oxford. 
 To procure his settlement in this public situation, the 
 members of the house wrote to Lord Dudley, urging him 
 to prevail upon the queen, in behalf of Sampson. In this 
 letter, subscribed by twenty -two persons of distinguished 
 
 * Dr. Sampson having laid a Common Prayer Book, (adorned wifh 
 fine cuts and pictures, representing the stories of the saints and martjrs,) in 
 the queen's chapel, for her use, it is said, that she severely reprimanded 
 him for so doing, and told him, " That she had an aversion to idolatry, and 
 " to images and pictures of this kind. — That he had forgot her proclama- 
 " tion against images, pictures, and Roman relics in churches. — And she 
 " ordered that no more mistakes of this kind should be committed within 
 " the churches of her realm for the future." It seems difficult to reconcile 
 this, to her majesty's conduct in still retaining idolatrous worship in her 
 own chapel. — Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 239. 
 
 + Bishop Parkhurst, who was an exile in the days of Queen Mary, was 
 a person of great learning, a worthy prelate, and always a decided friend 
 to the nonconformists. — MS. Chronology, \o\. i. p. 213, {2.) 
 
 + Burnet's Hist, of Refor. vol. iii. p. 291, 292. 
 
 ^ Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 838. 
 
378 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 learning, tliey say, " TJiat as for Dr. Sampson, after well 
 considering all the learned men in the land, they found none 
 to be compared to him, for singular learning and great 
 piety, having the praise of all men. And that it was very 
 doubtful, whether there was a better man, a greater linguist, 
 a more complete scholar, or a more profound divine."* 
 Afterwards, Dr. Sampson, Dr. Lawrence Humphrey, and 
 Mr. Andrew Kingsmill, all celebrated puritans, were the 
 only protestant preachers in the university of Oxford.+ 
 
 Dr. Sampson sat in the convocation of 1362, and sub- 
 scribed the Articles of Religion. This being finished, 
 many learned members of the lower house, presented to the 
 house a paper of requests, chiefly relating to matters of 
 discipline, in which they desired an allowance in a number 
 of important particulars. His name is among those who 
 subscribed. J While the convocation was discussing th(5 
 subject of discipline, the prolocutor, with Dr. Sampson and 
 Dr. Day, presented to the upper house a book called 
 Catechismus pucrorum ; to which all the members of tlie 
 lower house had unanimously given their consent. They 
 left the book with their lordships ; but there, unfortiuiately, 
 it remained without any further notice.§ Afterwards, his 
 scruples and objections against the prescribed habits and 
 ceremonies, being known at court. Secretary Cecil urged 
 him to conform, adding, " That lie gave offence by his 
 disobedience, and that obedience was better than sacrifice.'* 
 To this, Sampson, in a letter to this honourable person, 
 replied, " That in the law, God commanded all idols to be 
 destroyed, with all the ceremonies belonging to them ; 
 prohibiting as much the ceremonies, as the idols themselves. 
 That the godly kings of the Jews dealt with idols, idolatry, 
 and the appurtenances accordingly. That the Lord 
 threatened to punish those who should retain such 
 ceremonies and fashions, in time of reformation. That 
 Christ did not communicate in any traditions devised by 
 the Pharisees ; but reproved them, and warned the apostles 
 to take heed of them. Therefore, all ceremonies devised 
 and used by idolatrous papists, ought to be rejected, 
 destroyed, and forbidden. And though men in authority 
 command otherwise, yet he, who thus followeth the mind of 
 God in his word, doth yield that obedience, which is better 
 
 ■» Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 432, 433. 
 
 + Wood's AlhenjE Oxon. toI. i. p. 193. 
 
 t S»r>'pe's Annals, vol. i. p. 290, 298. ii. Adden. p. 15= 
 
 ^ Churton'g Life of Nowell, p. 96. 
 
SAMPSON. 379 
 
 than sacrifice." He observed further, *' That the conduct 
 of the primitive christians, in refusing such things, was void 
 of blame. — That to prescribe a certain uniform array for 
 ministers, came out or the corrupt state of the church. — 
 That all roionnations ought to be framed according to 
 the original and pure state of the church. — That if the 
 reformation would not admit this, but would determine the 
 reverse, he could not see how this should bind him, who 
 knew and desired greater purity. — That these were 
 only some of the reasons which constrained him to do 
 as he did. — And that as he put no restraint upon others, 
 but left them to the Lord, so he desired to be leit in like 
 manner."* 
 
 In the year 1564, Dr. Sampson and his much esteemed 
 friend, Dr. Humphrey, were cited before the high com- 
 mission, at Lauibetli, an account of which is given in another 
 place. + After being harassed for some time, Humphrey, 
 at length, obtained a toleration; but Sampson suffered 
 deprivation, and was removed from the university. The 
 proceedings of the commissioners were severe enough, even 
 in the opinion of Dr. Heylin ; who adds, " that he was 
 worthily deprived, and that, by this severitj/, the puritans 
 found what they might expect."t Some of the learned 
 lawyers, however, disputed the legality of his deprivation, 
 and were of opinion, that the commissioners were involved 
 in a premunire. Indeed, Sampson was deprived not only 
 of his deanery, but of his liberty too, and was kept for 
 some time in a state of confinement : nor was he able, 
 without much trouble, to procure his release.^ He was 
 succeeded in the deanery of Christ-church by Dr. Thomas 
 Godwin, afterwards Bishop of Bath and Wells.H 
 
 In the year 1573, our learned divine was struck with the 
 dead palsy on one side ; and having enjoyed, for some time, 
 the lecture at Whittington college, London, for which he 
 received fen pounds a year, he resigned it into the hands of 
 his patrons. It was in the gift of the company of cloth- 
 workers, to whom he recommended Mr. Edward Deering, 
 whom they chose for his successor ; but this divine being 
 silenced for nonconformity. Archbishop Parker utterly 
 refused his allowance.il Mr. Deering was a man of great 
 
 * Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 433, 434. f See Art. Humphrey. 
 
 t Heylin's Hist, of Presby. p. 250. 
 
 ^ Sirype's Parknr, p. 186, 187. 
 
 Ij Biog. BriUn. vol. iv. p. 2230. Edit. 1747. S Ibid, p. 469, 470. 
 
380 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 learning, exemplary piety, and an excellent preacher ; and 
 the benefice being very small, it reflects not a little upon the 
 severity of this prelate. 
 
 In March this year, Dr. Sampson sent a letter, written 
 by another person, to the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, signify- 
 ing, that God had been pleased to take from him the use of 
 half his limbs, though not his senses ; which was the occasion 
 of his using the hand of another. And though this disease 
 was to him as the messenger of death, he tlianked God, 
 that he was ready to depart in peace. He was, indeed, 
 constrained, before his heavenly father called him home, to 
 trouble his lordship once more. He, therefore, earnestly 
 solicited him to use his utmost endeavours to promote the 
 necessary reformation of the church, and herein recom-» 
 mended the directions in Bucer's book on the Kingdom of 
 Christ. " My lord," says he, " though the doctrine of the 
 gospel is preached in the clmrch of England, the govern^ 
 ment of the church, as appointed in the gospel, is still 
 wanting. The doctrine, and the government, as appointed 
 hy Christ, are both good ; and are to be joined together, 
 and not separated. It is a deformity to see a church, 
 professing the gospel of Christ, governed by those canons 
 and customs, by which antichrist mleth his synagogue. 
 Martin Bucer wrote a book to King Edward, upon this 
 subject, entitled De Regno Christi. There you will see 
 what is wanting of the kingdom of Christ, in the church 
 of England. My lord, I beseech you to read this fiiithful 
 and brief epitome of the book, which 1 have sent you; and 
 I beseech you to lay it to heart. It is the cause of Jesus 
 Christ and his church, and very much concerneth the souls 
 of men. Use your utmost endeavours, that, as Christ 
 teacheth us in tJie church of England, he may also rule 
 and govern us, even by the laws of his kingdom. Help, 
 my lord, in this good work oi the Lord your God. By so 
 doing, you will serve him who is King of kings, and he 
 will acknowledge your good service, when all kings and 
 lords shall appear before him. My good lord, use your 
 authority for the glory of Christ, and the peace and 
 welfare of his churcli. You cannot employ your authority 
 in a better cause."* To this advice, the treasurer returned 
 a christian reply, saying, " that ht very much appro vt;d of 
 wliat was urg;"d, but was unable to do all that he recom- 
 mended." Dr. Sampson, aJso, reiurned hiraa very appro- 
 
 * Stripe's Anaals, vol. ii. p. 365^367. 
 
SAMPSON. 381 
 
 priafe answer, reminding liim how much he did at the com- 
 mencement of the reformation ; that his will ai>d his power 
 were not lessened, but increased ; and that, seeing others 
 sought a reformation by stopping both preaching and 
 government, the state of the church stood now as much in 
 need of his assistance as ever.* 
 
 The following year he wrote to Grindal, formerly his 
 companion in exile, but now advanced to the high dignity 
 of Archbishop of York. Several letters passed betwixt 
 them. Dr. Sampson reminded him of his former low 
 condition, and cautioned him against being too much exalted 
 w ith his present high title. Grindal, who was certainly 
 different from many of the other dignitaries, told him, he 
 did not value the title of lord, but was chiefly concerned to 
 discharge the duties of his function faithfully, until the 
 great day of the Lord Jesus. To this, Sampson replied, 
 " You say, you are not lordly, nor value your lordly estate^ 
 in which, I hope, you say true. Yet I must further 
 observe, that if you whom worldly policy hath made a 
 lord, be not lordly, but keep an humble and a loving brother, 
 and minister of Christ, shall I say you are a phoenix ? 1 
 will say that you are by the special grace of God, most 
 happily preserved. Yet your state, your port, your train 
 of waiting-men in the streets, your gentleman-usher going 
 before you with bare head, your family full of idle serving- 
 men, and the rest of your w orldly appendages, look very 
 lordly. Perhaps the same policy which makes you a lord, 
 also charges you with this lordly state. But doth the Lord 
 Jesus, whose minister you rejoice to be, charge you with 
 it? Such a number of idle serving-men is unprofitable 
 and unsuitable to the minister of Christ; and, surely, such 
 persons ought not to be maintained by the patrimony of the 
 church. If policy have, therefore, charged you with them, 
 it is very desirable that policy should discharge you ; and 
 that the patrimony of Christ may be employed in the 
 support of labourers in the Lord's harvest, and the poor 
 members of his church. But if you take this lordly state 
 upon you, without the charge of policy, your fault is the 
 greater : This is one of the great evils which popery hath 
 left in the church of England." 
 
 As the archbishop had pitied his poverty and lameness^ 
 he further adds, " I do not remember that I ever com- 
 plained of the one or the other. If I did of the first, I was 
 
 » Strype's Parker, Appen, p. 177, 178. 
 
S82 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 lo blame ; for I must have complained before I suflered 
 want. Touching my lameness^ I am so far from com- 
 plaining, that I humblj thank God for it. It is the Lord's 
 hand which hath touched me. He might have smitten or 
 destroyed me : but of his most rich favour and mercy 
 through Jesus Christ, as a loving father, he hath dealt thus 
 tenderly with me. 1 bless and praise his name for it. If he 
 see that my poor labour will be of any further service in his 
 church, he will heal me: but if he have determined by this 
 lameness, to lead me to my grave, the Lord give me grace 
 to say with Eli, ' It is the Lord, let him do what seeraeth 
 him good.' I shall labour, as well as I am able, till I drop 
 into the grave. Though I am in bonds, those bonds are 
 from the Lord ; and if it were put to my choice, I would 
 rather carry them to my grave, than be freed from them, 
 and be cumbered with a bishopric."* 
 
 ,Dr. Sampson having been presented to the mastership of 
 the hospital at Leicester, upon his being seized with the 
 palsy, he retired to this situation, where he spent the 
 remainder of his days. Here he was of great service to the 
 hospital,, in restoring its privileges and endowments. An 
 account of this is related at some length, to the great 
 honour of his character.! He was intimate with all the 
 leading puritans, with whom he held a friendly correspond- 
 ence. Among these was the venerable Mr. Gilby of Ashby. 
 His letters to tliis celebrated divine are now before me, one 
 of which, dated Leicester, March 8, 1584, was as follows : 
 " My constant salutation in the Lord. 
 
 " 1 do hereby thank you for your loving letter which you 
 " sent me last. I have well advised upon your godly 
 *' counsel ; but I am not so forward in the matter as you do 
 *' think. I do not take upon me to set down a platform of 
 " reformation. 1 do only desire that meet men may be called 
 " by authoritj', to consult thereupon. In which assembly 
 " I could find in mine heart to be a door-keeper, though it 
 *' were only to keep out dogs. I have a mind to proceed 
 *' in that which I proposed. The Lord direct me by his 
 *' grace to do that which is good in his sight. Thus 
 *' praying you to pray for me, 1 commit you to God. 
 
 " Yours in Christ, 
 
 " Tho. Sampson. 
 
 " P S. Until ambition and proud Pope xxiii. be pulled 
 " down, there is no hope for any good to be done in con- 
 
 * Strype's Parker, Appen. 278-280. 
 + Strype'g Anr.als, vol. ii. p. 3S1 j 382. 
 
SAMPSOxN. ' 38^ 
 
 " sultation. Bishops are no meet men. They are too partial ; 
 "and the university-men will never yield in disputation. 
 ••< Pray for reformation by the power of the word preached."* 
 In the above year, Dr. Sampson was concerned in pre- 
 senting a supplication to the queen, the council, and the 
 parliament, for a further reformation of the church. It was 
 entitled " A Supplication to be exhibited to our sovereign 
 lady, Queen Elizabeth, to the honoiuable Lords of her most 
 honourable Privy Council, and to the High Court of Par- 
 liament." This supplication, consisting of thirty -four 
 articles at considerable length, enumerates many grievances 
 still retained in the church, and, upon very powerful 
 grounds, humbly solicits a peaceable and speedy redress: 
 but is too long for our insi'rtion.t To this supplication. 
 Dr. Sampson prefixed an address, in which many com- 
 plaints are enumerated; among which are the following: 
 " We have not vigilant, able, and painful preaching pastors 
 resident among us, to teach us the word of God, by 
 preaching and catechising. We have some kind of pastors, 
 but many of them, do not reside on their benefices. Some 
 of them are licensed to two, and some to three benefices. 
 If our bishops provided a remedy for this evil, we would 
 not complain. But they are so far irom providing a remedy, 
 that they increase the evil daily. They arc constantly 
 making ministers, who will only read out of a printed 
 book, what they are compelled to read ; and, with this, the 
 bishops are sufficiently satisfied. Though they want the 
 gift of teaching, they boldly seek to obtain the place of 
 teachers. And, seeing that pastors are commanded to feed 
 the flock of God, over which the Holy Ghost makes them 
 overseers, surely it is very preposterous and presumptuous, 
 to ordain those men to be pastors who cannot feed the flock. 
 The pastors whom the Lord allows and esteems, are such as 
 feed his people with knoi£led^e and understanding. Such did 
 our Saviour send forth. Such did his apostles require; 
 that, by sound doctrine, they might convince the gain- 
 sayers, apt to teach, rightly dividing the word of truth. 
 
 " We might," says he, " greatly increase our complaint. 
 For the good and useful teachers among us, are much 
 discouraged. Some of them are displaced and silenced, 
 not because they do not teach us plainly and faithfiiUy, but 
 because of their nonconformity to the unprofitable cere- 
 monies which men have devised. We most humbly beseech 
 
 * Baker'3 MS. Collec. vol, xxxii. p. 433. 
 + Strjpe's Annals, vol, iii. Appen. p. 68— SI. 
 
m LIVES OF THE PUUITAIVS. 
 
 your highness and honours, to call to your remembrance, 
 that they who do well may receive that praise and coiniort 
 which they deserve. This hard treatment of our pastors, 
 brings us into great distress. We are sure, that when the 
 bishops deprive our preaching and laborious pastors of 
 their livings, and stop their mouths, so that they cannot 
 teach us the will of our God ; they undertake to do that for 
 which they must give an account, in the great day of the Lord. 
 We have great need of such pastors as can and will teach us 
 the way of the Lord. We have no need at all of idle cere- 
 monies, which do not in the least edify in true godliness. 
 Silencing our preaching pastors, who would feed our souls 
 with the provision of God's word ; and imposing upon us mere 
 readers, furnished with unprofitable ceremonies, is taking 
 jfrom us the bread of life, which God hath prepared for us, 
 and feeding us with the unprofitable devices of men."* The 
 supplication was sent to the treasurer, followed by two 
 letters from Sampson, entreating his lordship to do every 
 thing in his power to forward the business ; but all proved 
 ineffectual.+ The ruling prelates, with Archbishop Whitgift 
 at their head, remained inflexible. 
 
 Dr. Sampson was a divine highly celebrated for learning, 
 piety, and zeal in the protcsfant cause, and was greatly 
 esteemed in all parts of the kingdom. Upon his retiring to 
 Leicester, he employed the remainder of his days chiefly in 
 the government of his hospital, and his beloved work of 
 preaching. And having spent his lite in much labour, 
 and many troubles, he died in great tranquillity, and com- 
 fort in his nonconformity, April 9, 1589, aged seventy-two 
 years. t His mortal part was interred in the chapel belong- 
 ing to his hospital, where was a monumental inscription 
 erected to his memory, of which the following is a trans- 
 lation :§ 
 
 To the Memory 
 
 and honoui- of Thomas Sampson, 
 
 a very keen enemy to the Romish hierarchy 
 
 and popish snpeistitions, 
 
 but a most constant advocate of gospel truth. 
 
 For twenty-one years 
 
 he was the faithful Keeper of this Hospital. 
 
 Being justly entitled 
 to the high esteem of the Christian world, 
 
 » Strype's Annab, vol. iii. Appen. p. 222 — 227. 
 
 + Strype's Whitgift, p. 184. 
 
 i Wood's Athense, vol. i. p. 193. 
 
 \ Wood's Hist, et Antiq. lib. ii. p. 254. 
 
FULKE. S85 
 
 liis sons John and Nathaniel 
 
 erected this monument to the memory of their 
 
 beloved Father. 
 
 His Works.' — 1. A Letter to the Professors of Christ's Gospel, in 
 the parish of Alhallows in Bread-street, London, 1554. — 2. A Warning 
 to take heed of Fowler's Psalter, 1.578.— 3. Brief Collection of the 
 Church and the Ceremonies thereof, 1581. — 4. Prayers and Meditations 
 Apostolike, gathered and framed out of the Epistles of the Apostles, 
 1692. — He collected and published several Sermons written by his 
 old friend, Mr. John Bradford. 
 
 William Fulke, D. D. — This celebrated divine was 
 born in London, and educated in St. John's college, Cam- 
 bridge, where he was chosen fellow in 1564. He was a 
 youth of great parts, and a very high spirit. When he 
 was a boy at school, having a literary contest with the 
 famous Edmund Campion, and losing the silver pen which 
 was proposed to tlie victor, he is said to have been angry 
 and mortified to a degree almost beyond conception. Before 
 he became fellow of his college, he spent six years at 
 ClifFord's-inn, where, in compliance with the wishes of his 
 father, he was employed in the study of the law. But 
 upon his return to the university, not liking the law, he 
 directed his studies to other objects more congenial to his 
 wishes; with which his father was so exceedingly offended, 
 that though he was a man of considerable property, he 
 refused to afford him support. Young Fulke, not dis- 
 couraged by the unnatural treatment of his parents, was 
 resolved to persevere in his literary pursuits, and to make 
 his way through the world as well as he could. This he 
 did, by his uncommon endowments, with the greatest ease. 
 He studied with intense application, the mathematics, the 
 languages, and divinity, and became a most celebrated 
 scholar in each of these departments. 
 
 This learned divine espoused the principles of the 
 puritans at a very early period ; and in the year 1365, he 
 preached openly and boldly against the popish habits and 
 ceremonies incorporated with the ecclesiastical establish- 
 ment. This presently roused the attention of the ruling 
 ecclesiastics, when he was cited before the chancellor of the 
 university. Though our author does not say what prose- 
 cution he underwent, nor what penalty he suffered, the 
 chancellor declared his determination to proceed against 
 him with rigour, and that he should find no comfort while 
 
 VOL I. 2 c 
 
S86 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 persisting in tliis wantonness, as he was pleased to call his 
 nonconformity ;* and we may suppose he was as good as 
 his word. The deficiency of information is, however, sup- 
 plied by another author, who observes, that on account of 
 his puritanism, he was expelled from his college ; when he 
 took lodgings in the town, and procured a support by the 
 delivery of public lectures.f 
 
 Dr. Fulke having gained a most distinguished reputation, 
 so early as the year 1569, he was upon the point of being 
 chosen master of St. John's college, by a very considerable 
 party, who had the highest value for him. This greatly- 
 offended Archbishop Parker, who, seasonably interposing, 
 put a stop to his election. t The jealous archbishop could 
 not bear that " Fulke's head should be thus stroken," as he 
 expressed it ; and he knew it was best to crush puritanism 
 in the bud. About the same time, the Earl of Leicester, a 
 constant friend and patron of such men, received him 
 under his hospitable roof, and made him his domestic 
 chaplain. Also, during the above year, he was charged with 
 being concerned in certain unlawful marriages ; but upon his 
 examination by the Bishop of Ely, he was acquitted, and 
 the charge proved to be altogether a calumny. He presently 
 recovered his reputation. Though wliile he remained under 
 the public odium, he voluntarily resigned his fellowship ; 
 yet his iimocency was no sooner proved, than he was 
 re-elected by the college.^ 
 
 In the year 1571, the Earl of Essex presented Dr. Fulke 
 to the rectory of Warley in Essex, and, soon after, to the 
 rectory of K( dington in Suilblk. About this time, he took 
 his doctor's degree at Cambridge, and was incorporated in 
 the same at Oxford. The year following, he accompanied 
 the Earl of Lincoln, then lord high admiral, as ambassador 
 to the court of France. || Upon his return, he was chosen 
 master of Pembroke hall, and Margaret professor of divinity, 
 in the university of Cambridge. He was succeeded in his 
 mastership by Dr. Andrews, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, 
 and afterwards successively Bishop of Chichester and 
 Winchester.! 
 
 Dr. Fulke was particularly intimate with Mr. Thomas 
 
 * Strype's Parker, p. 197. Appen. p. 72. 
 
 + Middleto'i's Eiograpliia Evangelica, vol. ii. p. g62. Edit. 1780. 
 
 t Strype's Parker, p. 280. § Ibid. 
 
 II Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 240, 
 
 S Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. vi. p. 295. 
 
FULKE. 3&r 
 
 Cartwright; knew well his great wortli; and united 
 with other learned divines in warmly soliciting him to 
 answer the Rheraish Testament. But when he found, that 
 by the tyrannical prohibition of Archbishop Whitgift, Mr. 
 Cartwright was forbidden to proceed, he undertook to 
 answer it himself. His work was entitled " A Con- 
 futation of the Rhemish Testament," 1589 ; in which he 
 gave notice, that the reader might some time be favoured 
 with a more complete answer from Mr. Cartwright.* That 
 which occasioned the publication of the Rhemish Testament 
 was as follows : — The English papists in the seminary at 
 Rheims, perceiving, as Fuller observes, that they could no 
 longer " blindfold their laity from the scriptures, resolved 
 to fit them with false spectacles ; and set forth the Rhemish 
 translation," in opposition to the protestant versions. Fulke 
 undertook, and successfully accomplished, an entire refuta- 
 tion of the popish version and commentary. The late Mr. 
 Hervey passed a very just encomium on this noble per- 
 formance : which he styles, ''a valuable piece of ancient 
 controversy and criticism, full of sound divinity, weighty 
 arguments, and important observations. Would the young 
 student," he adds, " be taught to discover the very sinews 
 of popery, and be enabled to give an effectual blow to that 
 complication of errors ; I scarce know a treatise better 
 calculated for the purpose, "t 
 
 In the year 1582, Dr. Fulke, with several other learned 
 divines, was engaged in a public disputation with certain 
 papists in the Tower. He was a person in every respect 
 qualified for the undertaking. He had to contend with 
 Campion, his old school-fellow, with whom he had ibrmerly 
 contested for the silver pen. And it is observed, evidently 
 ■with a view to reproach his principles, and depreciate his 
 memory, that " Dr. Fulke and Dr. Goad, being puritani- 
 cally inclined, and leaning to Calvin's notions, afforded 
 Campion, on one or two points, an advantage which his 
 cause did not give him over the real principles of the 
 English church. "t We should have been extremely 
 happy, and it would have been some addition to our stock 
 of knowledge, if our learned author had mentioned those 
 points, and stated the superior advantage they afforded the 
 learned Jesuit, above the real principles of the ecclesiastical 
 establishment. He did not, surely, mean to insinuate, that 
 
 * Peirce's Vindication, part i. p. 103. 
 
 + Toplady's Historic Proof, vol. ii. p. 196, 197. 
 
 J Churton's Life of Nowell, p. 278. 
 
388 LIVES OF THE PURItANS. 
 
 puritanism and Calvin's notions approach nearer to popery, 
 than the church of England. 
 
 Dr. Fulke was author of a work, entitled " A brief and 
 plain Declaration, containing the desires of all those faith- 
 fiil Ministers who seek Discipline and Reformation of the 
 Church of England, which may serve as a just Apology 
 against the false Accusations and Slanders of their Adver- 
 saries," 1584. Here he sufficiently declares his sentiments^ 
 relative to church discipline and matters of nonconformity. 
 Though Mr. Dudley Finner's name is prefixed to the work, 
 Dr. Fulke was its author.* He was a very holy man, and 
 a divine of uncommon learning and abilities, but ever 
 scrupled some points of conformity. Wood styles him a 
 good philosopher, and a pions and solid divine.f Granger 
 observes, that he gained a great reputation by his writings 
 against Cardinal Allen, and his " Confutation of Hcskins, 
 Sanders, and Rastell, three pillars of Popery," 1559. Dr. 
 Fulke was, for a considerable time, says he, a warm 
 advocate for the principles of Ibe nonconformists ; but in 
 process of time, got the better of his prejudices, and made 
 a near approach to the doctrine and discipline of the 
 established church. t This author, for the satisfaction of 
 his readers, ought to have proved, from good authority, 
 that Dr. Fulke's principles of nonconformity arose from 
 prejudice, and to have shewn how near he afterwards 
 approached towards the ecclesiastical establishment. 
 
 As Dr. Fulke delivered his sentiments openly and freely 
 on this subject, in the works that he published, let him 
 speak in his own language. Giving his opinion of a bishop, 
 according to the use of the church, and of the scripture, 
 he affirms, " That for order and seemly government, there 
 was always one principal, to whom by long use of the 
 church, the name of bisliop was applied ; yet in the 
 scripture a bishop and an elder is of one order and 
 authority."^ " And," says he, " there ought to be in 
 every church or congregation an eldership, which ought to 
 have the hearing, examination, and determination of all 
 matters pertaining to the discipline and government of that 
 congregation."!! Giving his sentiments of the cross in 
 baptism, he makes the following observation : " Many, it is 
 
 * MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p, 419. (I (5.) 
 
 + Wood's Atheik^e, vol. i. p. 724. 
 
 j Granger's Biog. Mist. vol. i. p. 215, 216. 
 
 ^ Pv'iition of Prelates Exatnined, p. 15. Edit.. 1641. 
 
 11 Paget's Church Government, p. 203. 
 
FULKE. 399 
 
 true," says he, " speak of the sign of the cross ; but they 
 speak besides the book of God ; and therefore their reasons 
 are to be rejected. For men must not compare, or join the 
 cross with the king's stamp; for lie appointed no such 
 thing whereby his servants might be known, but only 
 baptism.''''* These sentiments afford sufficient evidence, 
 that lie was a puritan in his views of the ceremonies and 
 discipline of the church. 
 
 This eminent servant of Christ, after a life of great 
 labour and usefulness in the church of God, was released 
 from all his toils, and received into everlasting joy, in the 
 month of August, 1589; when his remains were interred in 
 the chancel of the church at Kedington already mentioned. 
 Afterwards a monumental inscription was there erected io 
 his memory, of which the following is a translation, with 
 the lines subjoined in English :f 
 
 In Memory 
 
 of William FuLKE, D. D. 
 
 Master of Pembroke hall, Cambridge, 
 
 and Pastor of this church of Kediiigtoii.J 
 
 In testimony of his continued love 
 
 iath Robert Wright, Professor of Divinity, 
 
 and present pastor of this church, 
 
 erected this monument. 
 
 His body was committed to the ground 
 
 August 28, 1589, 
 
 and lies in this chancel in hope of the resurrection 
 
 at the coming of Cluist. 
 
 In deepest learning, with a zealous love. 
 
 To Heaven and Truth, could privileges prove 
 
 To keep back death, no hand had written here 
 
 Lies Reverend Fulke, till Christ in clouds appear. 
 
 His Works will shew him more free from all error, 
 
 Rome's foe. Truth's champion, and the Khemist's terror. 
 
 Dr. Fulke, the twelfth of the month in which he died, 
 made his last will and testament, which it may not be 
 improper to insert in this place. It was as follows :§ 
 
 " In the name of God, amen. I William Fulke, clerk, 
 D. D. being of sound mind and memory, God be praised, 
 make here my last will and testament. First, I comrar^nd 
 my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Saviour and 
 Redeemer, yielding most humble aiid hearty thanks unto his 
 majesty for all his mercies bestowed upon me, most vile and 
 
 ♦ Sion's Plea, p. 99. + Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. ii. p. 292. 
 X Here there appears to have been some mistake in the spelling of the 
 transcriber, vvhicli we have taken the liberty to correct- 
 ^ Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. iii. p. 327—329. 
 
390 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 unworthy wretch, but especially for his mercy shewed unto 
 me in Jesus Christ, in whom I believe to have remission of 
 my sins, and to be justified by his blood. My body I 
 commit to the earth, from whence it was taken, in steadfast 
 hope of a glorious resurrection unto life everlasting, 
 through the mercy and merits of the same Lord Jesus 
 Christ. Concerning my earthly goods, wherewith God 
 liath blessed me, I give all my lands freehold and copy, that 
 are deviseable by law, or the custom of the manor, unto 
 Christopher my eldest son, and to the heirs male of his body 
 lawfully begotten, and for default of such heir, to William 
 Fulke my younger son, and to the heirs male of his body 
 lawfully begotten, and for default of such heirs, unto my 
 heirs female, to be equally divided among them : and 
 this I understand both of such lands as I have in possession, 
 and also of those lands whereof I have the remainder or 
 reversion of the last will of Christopher Fulke my dear 
 father. 
 
 " Also I give and bequeath the customary lands that I 
 have in Tanton called the Fullance, to William Leonard 
 my brother-in-law, upon condition that he shall convey 
 them over to my son Christopher, if the custom of the 
 manor will permit it ; but if the custom of (he manor will 
 not permit such conveyance, then I will that Margaret my 
 wife, Avithin one year after my departure, shall surrender 
 the same to the use of my son Christopher, or else to have 
 no benefit of this my last will and testament. 
 
 " I will that my antiquities shall be preserved to the use 
 of Christopher my son, if he shall have delig^ht in them at 
 his full age, or else to the use of my son William at the like 
 age, if he shall have delight in them, or else to be sold to some 
 one that delights in antiquities, and the price to be equally 
 divided among my daughters. Also I will that my books 
 be preserved to the use of Christopher my son, if it shall 
 please God to call him to the study of divinity, or else to 
 the like use of William, if God shall call him to the same 
 study : but if neither of them shall study divinity, I will 
 that they shall be sold to the most advantage, and the price 
 of them to be equally divided among my daughters. 
 Whereas I owe ten pounds and some odd money to Pem- 
 broke hall, I will tliat the same be paid into the hands of him 
 that shall succeed master in my room, in the presence of the 
 treasurer of the college. Also in respect of divers benefits 
 I have received of the said college, for a sign of thankfulness, 
 I give unto the master and fellows of the college of Mary 
 
rULKE. 391 
 
 V^alence, one piece of plate made in fashion of an acorn, 
 with a cover, Avhich I Avill have to be called Dr. Fulke his 
 cup, to be used only at commencements and solemn feasts. 
 
 " The rest of all my goods moveable, as money, plate, 
 cattle, household stuff, prized reasonably according to the 
 value, I will to be equally divided between Margaret my 
 wife and my four daughters, Mary, Hester, Elizabeth and 
 Ann, to be delivered unto them at the full age of twenty-four 
 years; or at the day of their marriage, if it sjiall please God 
 that they shall marry before that age : so that they match in 
 the fear of God, with the consent of their mother, if she be 
 living, or of tlieir uncle Samuel, if he be living. And if 
 any of them depart this life before their marriage, or the 
 year before said, then I will that their portion be equally 
 divided among them that are living. Also where I have a 
 lease for three lives of a farm in Horsheath which is set over 
 to my son Christopher, I will that my tiirce daughters shall 
 enjoy it successively, as they be named in the same, and 
 that my son Christopher shall make conveyance unto them 
 so soon as he shall be of lawful years. I will that the 
 profit of my lands, until my son Christopher come to full 
 age of twenty-one years, my wife's dowry excepted and 
 ten pounds a year abated for the education of my son 
 Christopher, shall be by my executors preserved and equally 
 divided between my wife and my four daughters, in manner 
 and form aforesaid. 
 
 " Also, I make Margaret my wife, and Samuel Fulke my 
 brother, executors of this my will, in witness whereof, I have 
 set my hand and seal this twelfth day of August, in the one 
 and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Queen 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 " William Fulke." 
 
 The above will was proved October 9, 1589, before 
 Humphrey Tyndall, deputy to Tho. Nowell, vice-chancellor 
 of Cambridge. Our celebrated divine was author of many 
 other learned works besides those already mentioned, most 
 of which were written against the papists. 
 
 His Works. — l.Anti-proguosticon contra Predictiones Nestratlami, 
 Lovi, Hilli, &c., 1560.— 2. Sermon at Hampton-Court, 1571.— 3. Con- 
 futation of a Libelle in Forme of an Apology made by Frocknam, 
 1571. — 4. A goodly Gallery, or Treatise on Meteors, 1571. — 5. 
 Astrologorum Ludus, 1571. — 6. Metpomaxia, sivi, Ludus geome- 
 tricus, 1578. — 7. Responsio ad Tho. Stapletoni Cavillaliones, 1579. — 
 8. A Retentive against the Motives of Richard Bristow; also, a 
 
392 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Discovery of tlie Dangerous Rock of the Popish Church, 1580. — 9. 
 A Defence of the Translation of the Holy Scriptures in English, 1583. 
 — 10. Confutation of Will. Allen's Treatise in Defence of the Usurped 
 Power of the Popish Priesthood. 
 
 John Garbrand, D. D. — He was bom in the city of 
 Oxford, educated in grammar learning- at Wickham school, 
 near Winchester, and in 156S, was admitted perpetual 
 fellow of New College, Oxford. Afterwards, he became 
 rector of North-Crowley in Buckinghamshire ; and by the 
 favour of Bishop Jewel, obtained some preferment in the 
 church of Sarum. In 1382, he took his degrees in divinity. 
 Upon the death of Jewel, whom he highly admired, he 
 collected and completed several of his learned works : As, 
 1. A View of a Seditious Bull sent into England from Pius V. 
 Pope of Rome, 1569= — *?. A short Treatise of the Holy 
 Scriptures, 1582. — 3. An Exposition on the two Epistles to 
 the Thessalonians, 1582. — 4. Certain Sermons preached at 
 Paul's Cross, 1 583. — 5. A Treatise of the Sacraments, gathered 
 out of certain Sermons preached at Salisbury, 1583. Dr. 
 Garbrand died towards the close of the year 1589, and his 
 remains were interred in the church of North-Crowley. 
 Wood says, he was accounted a good poet, an eminent 
 theologian, and a noted preacher, but a severe puritan.* 
 By his last will, he gave a quantity of his books to New 
 College library. 
 
 Dudley Fenner was a divine of excellent learning and 
 piety, and, for some time a celebrated tutor in the university 
 of Cambridge, where he had Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Travers, 
 and other distinguished persons for his pupils. Upon his 
 removal from tlic university, he became minister at 
 Cranbrook in Kent; but being dissatisfied with the 
 episcopal ordination of the church of England, he went to 
 Antwerp, and was ordained according to the manner of the 
 reformed churches at that place, renouncing his former 
 ordination.f During his stay at Antwerp, he preached, 
 with Mr. Cartwright, to the English congregation in that 
 city. But upon his return to England, he was brought into 
 many troubles for nonconformity. In the year 1583, 
 universal subscription to Whitgift's three articles being 
 required of the clergy, Mr. Fenner and sixteen of his 
 
 * Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 194, 195. 
 
 + Faller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 198.— Hey Hb's Hist of Pres.p.290. 
 
GARBRAND— D. FENNER. 393 
 
 brethren, all ministers of Kent, wailed upon his lordship, 
 and signified that they could not subscribe with a good 
 conscience. Therefore thry humbly desired to know the 
 result of his proceedings, and whether they might be 
 favoured with a license to continue in their beloved work of 
 preaching. This they did, in a letter addressed to the 
 archbishop, dated January SO, 1584 ; in which they express 
 themselves as follows :* — " Our duty in most humble 
 *' manner unto your grace presented. Whereas our coming 
 *' to your lordship in so great a company, was that every 
 *' one might be resolved, being in your lordship's judgment 
 *' offensive. Notwltlistanding many of our doubts have 
 *' been heard, and by your lordship's great pains, favourably 
 ** interpreted, we were in the end dismissed without any 
 *' certainty of your lordship's pleasure. We have thought 
 " it meet, therefore, to signify these two tliinsjs to your 
 *' grace: — 1. That we are not resolved in our consciences, 
 <' of the most of our former doubts, and have yet manj 
 *' others not mentioned, which we judge of equal weight. — 
 ^' 2. That seeing we are not in our consciences, satisfied 
 *' to subscribe, we humbly desire to understand your grace's 
 *' favourable purpose, in proceeding with us, and whether 
 '* we shall receive license to depart or no. 
 
 " Your grace's most humble to command in the Lord. 
 
 " Dudley Fenner, Robert Golleford, 
 
 " Joseph Nichols, John Elvin, 
 
 " Joseph Minge, Lever Wood, 
 
 " George Caslocke, William Knight, 
 
 " WiLLtAM Evans, Anthony Hilton, 
 
 " James Grove, Theophilus Calver, 
 
 *' George Ely, John Mayo, 
 
 " Richard Holden, John Grimestone.'* 
 
 " Anthony Brimstone, 
 
 In the conclusion, the archbishop suspended them all ; 
 upon which, Sir Thomas Scot and twenty-six respectable 
 gentlemen in Kent, feeling the great loss of so many 
 excellent ministers being silenced, all waited upon his lord- 
 ship. From the conversation which they had witli the 
 archbishop, now before me, it is manifest how exceedingly 
 solicitous they were to procure their restoration. But his 
 grace being immoveable, their generous endeavours proved 
 iiieffectual.t Mr. Fenner contmued under suspension many 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 326. 
 
 + MS. Chronology, vol. i. p. 332. (3 | 1) (3 | 3.) 
 
394 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 years, even to the time of his death; and most probably 
 his brethren shared no better fate.* 
 
 Upon their suspension, being slanderously aspersed from 
 
 the press, by one who subscribed himself R. S., they were 
 
 vindicated against the foul reproaches of this scurrilous 
 
 writer. This vindication is at considerable length, though 
 
 probably it was never printed. t Mr. Feimer, that he might 
 
 silence calumny, gave a written testimony, that he was 
 
 suspended merely for refu«ing subscription to Whitgift's 
 
 articles. This testimony, dated June 12, 1585, was as 
 
 follows : — " I, Dudley Fenner, was suspended from the 
 
 ' execution of my ministry, for this cause only, that I 
 
 ' refused to subscribe to the two last articles generally pro- 
 
 ' pounded to the ministers at the time of subscription. And 
 
 '• til is my suspension was pronounced by the archbishop 
 
 ' hi)nself. Indeed, I appeared before him and the rest 
 
 ' of her majesty's commissioners, to answer unto other 
 
 ' articles, but this was after my suspension ; neither did I 
 
 ' receive any censure or other pain in that behalf, after my 
 
 ' answer to the said articles. This, being lawfully called 
 
 •' thereto, I am ready to confirm by oath. 
 
 " Dudley Fenner.''^ 
 Upon Mr. Fenner's appearance before the archbishop 
 and other commissioners, at the time specified in the above 
 testimony, he received much unkind usage. Though he 
 was a man of distinguished learning and piety, the proud 
 archbishop called him a boj/, a knave, a slanderer, a 
 libeller, and other foul names, equally contrary to truth, and 
 reproachful to his archiepiscopal character.^ Dr. Grey 
 stigmatizes him " on account of his vile republican princi- 
 ples, with holding that it was lawful to take away the life of 
 a king ;"" for which, if the good man had been punished more 
 severely, than by seven years' suspension, the learned doctor 
 could not but think he would have deserved it.|| Such were 
 the illiberal notions of these bigotted churchmen! 
 
 Some time after Whitgift suspended Mr. Fenner, he was 
 committed to prison for nonconformity. And having suf- 
 fered twelve months' imprisonment, upon a general sub- 
 scription to the articles, as far as the law required, with a 
 promise to use the Book of Common Prayer, and no other, 
 he is said to have been released. He joined his brethren in 
 
 » MS. Register, p. 585. + Ibid. p. 272—290. % Ibid. p. 588. 
 
 S MS. Remarks, p. 403. 
 
 H Grey's Review of l«Jeal, p. 72. 
 
D. FENNER. 395 
 
 subscribing the •• Book of Discipline."* Afterwards, on 
 account of the severities of the times, there being no 
 prospect of enjoying his liberty in the ministry, or some 
 further troubles awaiting him, he was obliged to flee from 
 the storm, when he went to Middleburgh, where he died 
 towards the close of the year 1389. + His widow became 
 the famous Dr. Whitaker's second wife. 
 
 Mr. Fenner, who is styled " an eminent light, yea, a 
 bright-burning candle in his time,"]: was a man of distin- 
 guished learning and abilities, and the author of many 
 excellent works, some of which were upon the contro- 
 versies of the times. Among these, was " A Defence of the 
 godly Ministers against Dr. Bridges' Slanders, with a true 
 Report of the ill Dealings of the Bishops against them." 
 This work was finished a month only before the author's 
 death. ^ Dr. Bridges having asserted, that the purKans 
 •were not grievously afflicted, unless it was produced by 
 their own deserts, Mr. Fenner made the following reply : — 
 *' Is it no grievous affliction, by suspension to be hung up 
 between hope and despair for a year or two, and in the 
 mean time, to see the wages of our labours eaten up by 
 loiterers ? Nay, our righteous souls are vexed with seeing 
 and hearing the ignorance, the profane speeches, and evil 
 examples, of those thrust upon our charges ; while we 
 ourselves are defamed, reproached, scofied at, and called 
 seditious, and rebellious; cited, accused, and indicted, 
 and yet no redress to be found. All this we have 
 patiently borne, though we come daily to the congregations 
 to prayers, to baptisms, and to the sacrament, and by our 
 examples and admonitions have kept many from those 
 excesses Avhereunto their rashness of zeal would have car- 
 ried them. And though to such as you, who swann with 
 deaneries^ double benefices, pensions, advowsons, reversions, &c. 
 these molestations may seem light; yet, surely, upon every 
 irreligious man's complaint, to be sent for by pursuivants, 
 to pay two-pence for every mile, to find messengers, to 
 defray our own charges, and all this by such as can hardly 
 provide for themselves and their families, it is not only 
 grievous, but heart-burning. 
 
 " We will not justify ourselves in all things," says h^, 
 " but acknowledge, that when coming by dozens and scores 
 
 * Neal's Hist, of Puritans, vol. i. p. 406, 423. 
 + Wood's Athenae Oxon. vol. i. p. 172. 
 i Paget's Church Government, p. 86. 
 ^ MS. Register, p. 587. 
 
■396 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 before (be bishop, after half a day's disorderly reasoning", 
 some not being heard to the full, some railed on and mis- 
 called, none with lenity satisfied, but all suspended from 
 our office, because we refused to subscribe to his two 
 last articles, there might afterwards pass from us some 
 unjustifiable expressions. This we are willing to impute 
 to ourselves."* The foliowine: is a list of Mr. Fenner's other 
 learned productions. 
 
 o 
 
 His Works. — 1. An Answer to the Confutation of John Nichols, 
 1581. — 2. A Counter-Pojson, niodestlie written for tiie Time, to make 
 Answere to the Objections and Reproaches, wherewith the Answerer 
 to the Abstract, would disgrace the Holy Discipline of Christ. — 3. A 
 Defence of the Reasons of tlie Counter-Poj'son,for maintainance of the 
 I'lldershippe, against an Answere made to them by Doctor Copequot, 
 in a publike Sermon at Panics Crosse, upon Psalm Ixxxiv., 1584.t 
 — 4. A Commentry on Canticles. — 6. The Order of Houshold 
 Government. — 6. An Interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. — 7. An 
 Interpretation of the Epistle to Philemon. — 8. A short Table of 
 Religion out of tlie first Table of the Law. — 9. A Treatise of the 
 Sacrament. — 10. A profitable Treatise of Lawful and Unlawful 
 Recreations. — 11. The Art of Logic and Rhetoric plainly set forth. — 
 12. Sacred Theology, in Ten Books.]: — 13. The Consideration of th» 
 Admonition of Mr. Vaughan. A MS. copy of this work is now 
 before me, but most probably was never published. 
 
 CuTHBERT Bainbbigg was fcIlow of Christ's college, 
 Cambridge, and a popular preacher in the university, but 
 was brought into trouble for nonconformity. Having 
 preached at St. Mary's church, January 5, 1589, he was 
 summoned before the vice-chancellor. Dr. Nevil, and 
 heads of colleges, who, tor the dangerous doctrines said to 
 be contained in his sermon, immediately sent him to prison. 
 This affair, with a similar one of Mr. Francis Johnson's,^ 
 excited the attention of the university for a twelvemonth. 
 
 Mr. Bainbrigg's text on this occasion was Luke xii. 
 49., " I am come to send fire upon earth," &c. Certaui 
 articles wt re collected from the sermon, and he was re- 
 quired to declare upon his oath, what he had delivered 
 relative to those articles.|| Both he and Mr. Johnson 
 appeared before their learned inquisitors, January 23d ; and 
 
 • Parte of a Register, p. 392, 393. 
 
 + The two last articles are published in " A Parte of a Register." — See 
 p. 412—527. 
 
 I The MS. of this learned work, and apparently in Mr. Fenner's own 
 Band, is still preserved in Dr. Williajaas'slibrary^ Redcross-street, London. 
 
 ^ See Art. F. Johnson. 
 
 H Strype's Whitgift, p. 296. 
 
BAINBRIGG. S97 
 
 refusing to answer upon their oath, they were committed to 
 prison. The reason of their refusal being demanded, they 
 made this three-fold protestation: — 1. " That Ave do from 
 our hearts, reverence your authority set over us by God. — 
 2. That we refuse not an oath, as if it was unlawful on all 
 occasions. — 3. That we are neither afraid, nor unwilling 
 to acknowledge and defend that which we have openty 
 taught, if any person shall impugn it, or charge it to be 
 imlawful." 
 
 March I3th, they underwent another examination, when 
 they protested, " That if they had committed any crime, 
 Uieir only objection against taking the oath, was, that by so 
 doing, they might be constrained to bring matter of accusa- 
 tion against themselves, which was contrary both to the 
 word of God, and the laws of the land." And appearing 
 again April 18tli, they protested, " That if the oath then 
 oiFered to them, could be shewn to be warranted by the word 
 of God, and the laws of the land, they were ready to take 
 it." 
 
 Their case exciting so much attention, was, at length, 
 sent up to Lord Burleigh, chancellor of the university. 
 Upon this, they further protested, " That if they might be 
 suffered to appear before his lordship, they would clear 
 themselves of the charges brought against them, or willingly 
 suffer any condign punishment. — And that if their accusers 
 would charge them with thase things with which his lordship 
 had been made acquainted, they would themselves, or by 
 witness, disprove the charges, or suffer any kind of punish- 
 ment they dc^served : adding, that they were ready to answer, 
 according to their honourable chancellor's letter, which 
 required simply their answer, zanthout anrj oaihr They 
 further observe, that they preached their sermons at the 
 usual time and place, as they were required ; and in the 
 hearing of many hundreds of persons, both of the town 
 and university, who were sufficiently able to satisfy their 
 judges. But tor them, merely by their office, to search 
 what they delivered, by extorting it from them upon their 
 oath; in this case, if they were guilty, they would be 
 obliged to accuse themselves. This they looked upon as 
 contrary to the word of God, and the established laws of 
 the realm.* 
 
 The vice-chancellor and heads sent the following 
 information to Burleigh the chancellor, containing, it is 
 
 * Strype's Axinals, vol, iii. p. 5S9~591, 
 
398 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 said, the chief points relative to the imprisonment of the 
 two divines: — " Tliat the court would have been hard 
 indeed, in these proceedings, if all good means had not 
 been first used. — That their proceeding is according to the 
 canon law and the law of the realm. — That it is according 
 to the former precedents of the university. — That the 
 university, without this course, is hardly to be governed. — 
 That by the relation of the physicians, as Avell as Mr. 
 Bainbrigg himself, he was not sick. — That they have had 
 liberty to attend their recreations in the fields, and their 
 public exercises in the town." 
 
 To each of these points the two prisoners gave the 
 
 following answers : — The vice-chancellor confesseth the offer 
 
 of the oath to have been hard, but that all gentle means were 
 
 first used. Let the m€ans, say they, be examined. They 
 
 were convened upon the delivery of their sermons, when 
 
 articles were brought against them. They offered to answer 
 
 these articles, but were refused; and tliey were required to 
 
 swear to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the 
 
 truth. They humbly desired that they might not be 
 
 pressed to swear, because it was impossible for them to 
 
 deliver every thing uttered in their sermons of an hour and 
 
 half lojig. It is very hard to try the conscience of a 
 
 man, to take the holy name of God in witness of that which 
 
 he knoweth he cannot perform ; and it is contrary to the 
 
 law of God to offer in his name, to do that which is 
 
 impossible. 
 
 Their reasons not being admitted, the ministers prayed 
 the vice-chancellor, that they might be informed by the 
 law of God and the realm, that they might and ought 
 thus to swear, protesting their willingness to yield thereto ; 
 but, if this could not be done, they desired that they might 
 be spared. They were then committed to prison ; and, at 
 the time these answers were given, they had been detained 
 upwards of twenty weeks, without being admitted on bail. 
 Hence it may appear, say they, that no very gentle means 
 have been used. On the contrary ; that all gentle means 
 have been refused, is, indeed, too apparent. For about six 
 weeks after their commitment, Sir Henry Knevett and Sir 
 William Bowes, knights, oflered bail to the vice-chancellor 
 and Dr. Feme, which was rejected. Sir William Bowes 
 afterwards renewed his application and his offer, but with 
 no better success. He prayed them to be well informed of 
 the issue, about which, he conceived, they were greatly 
 mistaken. He recommended thera to fake down the fact 
 
BAINBRIGG. 399 
 
 concerning the prisoners in writing, then for two lawyers of 
 «ach party to set down the law; and if the law would 
 justify their proceedings, the prisoners should submit: but 
 if it should appear otherwise, let them be enlarged, and 
 they should complain no further. He also observed, that 
 if the lawyers should not agree in any points of law, the 
 cause, with the reasons of this difference, should be laid 
 before the chancellor, and by him finally determined. 
 These generous proposals the vice-chancellor and his col- 
 leagues utterly rejected, and would agree to no determina- 
 tion unless it were by two lawyers whom they should 
 themselves appoint, or by the high commission in the 
 presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Certain eminent 
 persons, heads of colleges in tlie university, became earnest 
 suitors to have them bailed, but all to no purpose. 
 
 The two prisoners were informed by their learned counsel, 
 that upon the refusal of the oath, tendered them ex mero 
 officio, they ought not to have been detained in prison, 
 without bail, as might be proved by the laws of the land, 
 and by the equity of the statute made 25 Henry VHI. 
 Also, the counsel conceived them greatly mistaken in the 
 whole of their proceedings. For, while they founded 
 these proceedings on the statute of the university, they 
 found therein neither the offer of the oath, which was done 
 ex mero officio, being jurisdiction ecclesiastical ; nor im- 
 prisonment proceeding from civil power; two different 
 authorities compounded in the present action. 
 
 Though the above proceedings were said to be according to 
 the precedents of the university, the vice-chancellor refuse<l 
 to shew, or suffer to be shewn, the register of any such 
 precedent. Neither could it be found that any such prece- 
 dent had ever occurred, excepting one solitary instance 
 when Dr. Bying was vice-chancellor. At the same time, 
 Dr. Goad, provost of King's college ; Dr. Whitaker, master 
 of St. John's college; and Mr. Chadderton, master of 
 Emanuel college, all protested that they would have no hand 
 in these proceedings. Also among the ^fifteen heads o^ 
 colleges, only jive, and of the six other doctors, only two^ 
 would join in these disgraceful oppressions. 
 
 Notwithstanding Mr. Bainbrigg was charged with coun- 
 terfeiting sickness, the physician wliom he employed, 
 declared the contrary under his own hand. And the 
 prisoners, so far from being allowed to go out of their 
 prisons, as was represented to the chancellor, only took 
 the liberty once to go to their college on a special occasion, 
 
400 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 wbcn tlieir keeper was checked by the vice-chancellor. 
 And having made earnest suit for liberty to attend public 
 service at St. Mary's church, with their keeper, on a 
 Lord's day, their request was rejected by the vice-chan- 
 cellor, saying, " You must pardon me, I neither can 
 uor will."* 
 
 Mr. Bainbrigg and Mr. Johnson having suffered 
 numerous and grievous hardships, laid their distresses 
 before Burleigh the chancellor, in the following letter :f 
 " Right honourable and very good lord. 
 
 " May it please your good lordship once again to 
 *' admit the humble suit of us poor prisoners, now having, 
 <' as your lordship understandeth, of long time so con- 
 " tinned in the university of Cambridge, without bail 
 " or mainprize. And, first, may it please your honour 
 *' to understand, that we are not committed for any thing 
 *' uttered by us in our sermons, but only because we 
 « did not yield to take a corporal oath, to deliver the 
 " truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, of 
 " what we spake in our public sermons, and thereby to 
 *' accuse ourselves, if in any thing we had offended. 
 *' Without oath we have already openly in the consistory 
 <* (a,ccording to your honour's first letters) answered to 
 *' whatsoever we Avere charged with ; notwithstanding 
 *' which, we still continue imprisoned, only because we 
 *^ refuse to take their unlawful oath. We have great cause 
 *' to believe, that your honour ha(h been already a very 
 *' good lord unto us, in keeping from us that extremity 
 " which we greatly feared ; for whicli we shall continually 
 " pray the lord to reward sevenfold in your lordship's 
 <' bosom. Yet because your lordship's first letters only 
 *' (which upon information against us) were imparted to 
 " the rest of the heads of houses, and read also unto us ; 
 *' but the two late letters sent from your honour, private 
 *' only to Mr. Vice-chancellor, were not communicated in 
 *' the vkhole to the heads present in the university. We 
 *' see no hope of release, except we yield to that hard 
 " condition, which we have before set down to your 
 ''lordship, but are likely to be tired with imprisonment; 
 " although in so good a cause, God witnessing us, we hope 
 '* never to give over, 
 
 " Wc are again bold to fly unto your lordship for relief, 
 " desiring your honour to consider of our long imprison- 
 
 ♦ Bakers MS. Collec. vol. iv. p. 83—85. ^- Ibid. p. 82, 8S- 
 
BAINBRIGG. 401 
 
 *' ment, only for refusing to take the oath : whereby we 
 *' are greatly restrained of that liberty which other scholars 
 '' do enjoy ; and our bodily health is so endangered as one 
 *' of us hath been constrained very inconveniently in the 
 " place to take physic. Our duties, also, to our pupils, 
 *' whom their parents have committed unto us, are very 
 *' much hindered ; besides our common duties as fellows 
 " of our college and scholars of the university, all the 
 *' benefits whereof we want, together with the hearing of 
 " the word of God preached, and participation of the 
 ** sacrament administered ; our private studies in the time 
 ** of our preparation for the ministry of the gospel, long 
 '' interrupted, and much disappointed ; our good name 
 *' among our friends abroad and strangers every where, 
 '' that hear of our imprisonment, but not of the cause, 
 " greatly impaired ; and our exhibition, which should have 
 *' been employed to the maintenance of our studies, 
 " exceedingly wasted in the charge of the prison. In all 
 *' which considerations we hmnbly beseech your good lord, 
 " that by your lordship's good favour, we may obtain 
 " at length, some release of that long imprisonment, 
 " which we doubt not your lordship judgeth sufficiently to 
 *' have met with our offence. 
 
 " We refuse not to answer any matters wherewith we 
 '' can be charged, to put in bond or suilicient surety to 
 " appear, either before your lordship, or before our gover- 
 " nors here, when we shall be called. Besides, our fellow- 
 ••' ships, the only stay of living that we have, will sutficiently 
 " bind us hereunto. This is the whole sum of our suit, 
 " which we refer wholly to your honour's wisdom and 
 *' equity. The Lord Almighty bless your honour with 
 *' long life, increase of honour in this life, and everlasting 
 ^' life in the world to come, amen. From our prison in 
 ^' Camb. May 22, 1589. 
 
 Your honour's most humble supplicRnts, 
 
 CuTH. Bainbrigg, Fran. Johnson." 
 
 Tlie vice-chancellor and heads- of colleges laid the case 
 before the high cominission. This was going the sure way 
 to work. The high commissioners denominated the sermons 
 of the two prisoners, factious, slanderous and offensive, and 
 authorized the vice-chancellor and his colleagues to examine 
 and proceed against the preachers, according to their 
 discretion.* The dangerous doctrines said to have been 
 
 « Baker's MS. Collec. toI. vi. p. 185. 
 VOL. I. D 2 
 
402 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 contained in Mr. Bainbrigg's sermon, were collected intd 
 certain articles ; to each of which he delivered his answer 
 in writing, as follows : 
 
 Art. 1. That some who seek preferment, pay money for 
 it themselves ; and pay their money beforehand. 
 
 Ans. I said, that the excellency of a public function in 
 the church or commonwealth, consisted in labour and 
 diligence for the good of the public, rather than in any 
 pomp or outward shew. Jesus Christ came into the world, 
 not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto others. And 
 if the example of Christ were followed, men would, with 
 Moses and Jeremiah, labour for the welfare of their fellow 
 creatures, when they are called so to do, rather than seek 
 preferment with such anxiety, even buying it with money 
 when it cannot be obtained on more easy terms. 
 
 2. That there are persons who have a bar standing 
 between them and the fire ; that if need be, they may strike 
 the fire out of the hands of those who bring it ; and that this 
 bar is your statutes and positive laws. 
 
 Ans. That principal word in the article, namely, your^ 
 I never used at all. I only said, positive laws and statutes 
 had been abused by men in all ages as a bar, either to keep 
 the fire of the word of God from them, or to strike it out of 
 the hands of those who bring it. I observed, that is not a 
 Jiian of wisdom, fearing God, who does not know and 
 acknowledge, that there must be good order, both in church 
 and commonwealth, and will reverence it with all his 
 heart, as one of the excellent appointments of God. He 
 will acknowledge the excellency and necessity of wholesome 
 laws, by which the members of society are united, 
 strengthened, and beautified. Yet I snid the wise and 
 learned knew and would acknowledge, that though these 
 laws were useful and necessary, they were imperfect rules 
 of man's obedience, and, therefore, no sufficient bar to keep 
 off the word of God, which requires more obedience than 
 any human laws or statutes whatsoever. The laws of men, 
 being imperfect, should always give place to the perfect 
 laws of God. 
 
 I also observed, that when men are reproved for their 
 sins, they should not regard so much how they may acquit 
 themselves before men, and by human laws, though in some 
 cases even this is necessary, as to try all things in the court 
 of conscience, and by the word of God : much less should 
 they strike the fire of the word out of the hands of those 
 who bring it, and require more obedience of man than the 
 
BAINBRIGG. 403 
 
 laws demand. Offences, indeed, against positive laws 
 must needs be punished, le^t others, by too much lenity, be 
 encouraged to do evil ; yet with great prudence, especially 
 in the case of a minister, k.st the innocent be oppressed and 
 injured. There must be great care, that the church be not 
 deprived of the word, which is so excellent a treasure, and 
 which the Lord hatli committed to his ministers. 
 . 3. That there is extremity used, especially in the execu- 
 tion of laws. 
 
 Ans. I did not say there was extremity in the execution 
 of laws. It seems that they who thus accuse me, wholly 
 misunderstood my meaning when I recommended mutual 
 forbearance; but especially in inferiors towards their 
 superiors. 
 
 4. The fire of the word is put out, by stopping the 
 mouths of those who bring it. 
 
 Ans. I never used the words, putting out the fire, nor 
 stopping their mouths. 
 
 5. If you mind, indeed, to awake : As if he meant to 
 reflect upon the sleepiness of the doctors' sermons usually 
 delivered there. 
 
 Ans. I said thus, directing myself to the doctors. If 
 you desire, indeed, that they (meaning the townsmen) 
 should awake out of sleep : if you would have them forsake 
 the works of darkness, and have Jesus Christ heard among 
 them, provide that Jesus Christ may be more frequently 
 preached among them. 
 
 6. That eloquence is base. 
 
 Ans. I did not speak against good eloquence ; because, 
 I said, of all gifts, there were non<? more excellent in itself, 
 nor more profitable to society. But I spoke against the 
 ridiculous eloquence of some in our days, which consisteth 
 principally in an outward shew, and is disgraceful to the 
 majesty of the word of God. 
 
 7. That ceremonies are no sooner spoken of, than they 
 are snatched at. 
 
 Ans. I said, I could not help wondering that those men, 
 who, hearing the ceremonies spoken of without distinction, 
 would snatch at the word of God, in order to make a 
 minister a transgressor. Wliereas the Lord himself hath 
 spoken against idle and unprofitable ceremonies, both in 
 the Old and the New Testament.* 
 
 From the above statement, the reader will be able to 
 
 • Strype's Annals, vol. iii. Appen. p. 266, 267. 
 
404 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 judge with what degree of justice Mr. Bainbrigg's opinions 
 were denominated factious, slanderous, offensive and 
 dangerous. To put an end to these oppressive measures, 
 the chancellor interposed, and wrote to the vice-chancellor 
 and heads, requiring that the two fellows might not be dealt 
 with so rigorously.* A further account of Mr. Johnson is 
 given under that article, to which the reader is referred. 
 But Mr. Bainbrigg was still in the hands of his enemies ; 
 and they were determined to make him feel their smarting 
 rod. The cruel ecclesiastics, contrary to Burleigh's express 
 order, wou'd not release him, till they had thoroughly 
 humbled him. Therefore, they required him to make the 
 following recantation, publicly, before the congregation 
 where he had delivered his sermon : 
 
 *' Whereas in a sermon made by me in this place, Jan. 
 ' 5th last past, I was taken to charge the ministry of the 
 ^ church of England, that they were unlike Moses and 
 ' Jeremiah, that refused a charge being called ; for that 
 ^ they do seek for livings, and buy them with their money, 
 ' when they do fall. I do acknowledge that howsoever my 
 ' words were taken, I think it lawful in a good conscience, 
 ' for the good of the church, to desire livings. Neither did 
 ' I say, as some did take me, that our statutes of the 
 * university, and positive laws of the realm, are as a bar to 
 ' strike the fire of the gospel out of the hands of the 
 ' preachers, who be the Lord's messengers ; but I think 
 ' reverently of good and wholesome laws, such as are 
 ' established by the queen's authority, as well in the 
 ' university, as in the rest of her dominions. 
 
 " And touching preachers, if any of them have by lawful 
 ' authority been put to silence, I think as charity requireth, 
 that the magistrates who have dealt therein, have been 
 moved thereto by conscience, for the discharge of their 
 honest duty in that behalf. 
 
 " I acknowledge, also, a godly use of eloquence in this 
 place, and that the ceremonies of our church established 
 by authority, being in themselves neither impious nor 
 unprofitable, are not here to be reproved by any private 
 man's conceit, but redress to be sought where it may be 
 had, if it be necessary in regard of any ceremony, whereby 
 offence may be taken."t 
 The above retraction, it is said, was subscribed by Mr. 
 Bainbrigg's own hand, and he was enjoined to declare tlic 
 
 » Strvpe's Annals, vol. iii. Appen. p. 592. 
 + Baker's MS. CoUcc. vol. ti. p. 185, 186. 
 
LITTLETON. 405 
 
 same in tlie pulpit of St. Mary's church ; but whether h« 
 performed the latter we have not been able to learn. After 
 this, he was most probably released from prison, and was 
 restored to his fellowship in the college, which he appears 
 to have enjoyed in the year 1590.* The year following he 
 was chosen one of the proctors of the university. + 
 
 Edmund Littleton was a zealous puritan, who took an 
 active part in promoting the associations. Though it does 
 not appear at what place he exercised his public ministry, 
 he was a man of considerable eminence, and always desirous 
 to obtain a more pure reformation of tlie church. He 
 united with his brethren in perfecting the " Book of 
 Discipline ;" and when it was finished, he joined with them 
 in subscribing it. J On account of his zeal and activity to 
 promote the desired ecclesiastical discipline, he was appre- 
 hended, with many of his brethren, in the year 1590, and 
 carried before the high commission. He and some others 
 were of opinion, that it was their duty to take an oath in 
 all cases, when required by their superiors. He, therefore, 
 took the oath ex officio^ and discovered many things 
 relative to the associations ; for which he was most probably 
 released. S 
 
 When he was apprehended, his papers were seized, and 
 carried away, and produced as evidence against him and his 
 brethren. Among these was the following declaration, 
 subscribed by the persons whose names are subjoined. 
 
 " The brethren assembled together in the name of God, 
 having heard and examined by the word of God, and 
 according to their best abilities and judgment, a draught of 
 discipline essential and necessary for all times, have thought 
 good to testify concerning it as follows : — We acknowledge 
 and confess the same to be agreeable to God's most holy 
 word, so far as we are able to judge or discern of it, 
 excepting some few points, which we have sent to our 
 reverend brethren of this assembly, for their further reso- 
 lution. 
 
 " We affirm it to be the same which we desire to be 
 established in this church, by daily prayer to God, which 
 we promise (as God shall offer opportunity, and give us to 
 discern it so expedient) by humble suit unto her majesty, 
 her honourable council and the parliament, and by all 
 
 ■■* Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. 592. + Fuller's Hist, of Cam. p. 149. 
 X Neal'8 Puritasi, vol. i. p. 423. § Strype's Wbitgift, p. 331— 33S. 
 
4:06 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 other lawful and convenient means, to further and advance, 
 so far as the laws and peace of the present estate of our 
 church will suffer it, and not enforce the contrary. We 
 promise to guide ourselves and to be guided by it, and 
 according lo it. 
 
 " For a more special declaration of some points more 
 important and necessary, we promise uniformly to follow 
 such order, when we preach the word of God, as in the 
 book is by us set down, in the chapters of the office of 
 ministers ot the word, of preaching, of sermons, of sacra- 
 ments, of baptisms, and of the Lord's supper. 
 
 " Further, also, we follow the order set down in the 
 chapters of the meetings, as far as it concerneth the 
 ministers of the word. For which purpose, we promise to 
 meet together every six weeks in classical conferences, 
 with such of the brethren here assembled, as for their 
 neighbourhood may fit us best, and such others as by their- 
 advice, we shall desire to be joined with us. 
 
 " The like we promise for provincial meetings every 
 half year fmm our conferences to send unto them, being 
 divided according to the order following. Also, that we 
 will attend the general assembly every year, and at all 
 parliaments, and as often as by order it shall be thought 
 good to be assembled. 
 
 " John Oxenbridge, Thomas Cartwright, 
 
 Humphrey Fenn, Matthew Hulme, 
 
 Edward (lETXiBRAND, Anthony Nutter, 
 
 Hercules Cleveley, Daniel Wight, 
 
 Leonard Fetherston, Edward Lord, 
 
 John Ash bye, Edmund Littleton."* 
 
 From th(^ above curious declaration, we have a more 
 clear and correct insight into the proceedings of the 
 puritanical associations, and into the nature and design 
 of their intended ecclesiastical discipline, than from all the 
 raillery and misrepresentation of Dr. Bancroft and other 
 bigott'd historians. The private assemblies of the puritans 
 are htigmaiized by these writers, as having been dangerous, 
 seditious, and amounting almost to treason ; but the above 
 paper will sufficiently refute and expose the shameful 
 slander. 
 
 » Baker's MS. CoUec. toI. xv. p. 71. 
 
LORD— KING. 407 
 
 Edward Lord was some years vicar of Woolston in 
 Warwickshire, but greatly persecuted for nonconformity. 
 During Mr. Caitwright's exile at Guernsey and Antwerp, 
 he took care of his hospital at Warwick ; for which 
 that reverend divine allowed him part of the profits, and 
 gave the rest to the poor.* He subscribed the " Book of 
 Discipline," and united with his brethren in their private 
 assemblies; for which, in the year 1590, he was appre- 
 hended, and convened before the high commission and 
 fetar-chamber, and cast into prison, where he remained a long 
 time.f He underwent many examinations before his 
 spiritual inquisitors, but refuse d to take the oath fx officio. 
 On one of these occasions, he is said to have inquired 
 *' what would become of archbishops, bishops, &c. when 
 the reformation should thrust them from their rich livings, 
 that the country might not be pestered with beggars ?" He 
 gave some account of various private meetings and con- 
 ferences among the brethren ; and said, " that the painful 
 preaching ministers now, are worse suppressed, than by the 
 papists in the time of Queen Mary, who professed open 
 enmity against them, and had law against them, which is 
 otherwise now with us,"]: Mr. Lord was an eminently 
 holy man, an able preacher, and anexcellent divine. Upon 
 his deprivation at the above period, he was succeeded in 
 the pastoral office at Woolston by Mr. Hugh Clark, another 
 excellent puritan. § 
 
 Andrew King was a divine of considerable eminence, 
 but, in 1573, was apprehended and cast into prison for 
 nonconformity. Being brought before the lords of the 
 council and the high commission, and examined concerning 
 some of Mr. Cartwright's opinions, and not answering to 
 the satisfaction of his spiritual inquisitors, he was sent 
 back to prison, and threatened with banishment if he would 
 not conform. II What other sufferings he underwent at this 
 time, we have not been able to learn. However, in the 
 year 1590, he was again apprehended, together with Mr. 
 Cartwright and many others, and cast into prison, where 
 he remained a long time. During his imprisonment, he 
 and his brethren were often carried before the high 
 commission and the star-chamber, where they met with 
 
 * Clark's Lives annexed to Martyr, p. 20. + See Art. Cartwright. 
 
 t Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xv. p. 74, § Clark's Lives, p. 20, 12?. 
 !] Strype's Parker, p. 412, 413. 
 
408 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 most tyrannical and cruel usage.* On one of these 
 occasions, the following interrogatories were proposed to 
 him : — " Whether have you refused 1o use, or have you 
 used in your sermons, the queen's majesty's whole title by 
 law established under her, namely, defender of the faiths 
 in all causes, and over all persons, as well ecclesiastical as 
 civil, in these her realms and dominions, and supreme 
 governor next and immediately under God ? For what 
 cause have you so refused, or not used Ihe said style? 
 and were you admonished to use it ? — Whethfr did you 
 know or had heard before the 19th day of November, 1588, 
 the said day was by and under her majesty's authority 
 appointed to be solemnized and celebrated with thanksgiving 
 unto God, for our happy deliverance from the intended inva- 
 sion of the Spaniards? And did you that day, nevertheless, 
 absent yourself from the parish church, and neither said 
 divine service, preached, nor procured any other, then and 
 there to do it ? What was the cause, and what was your very 
 true and only purpose and intent in so doing ?"+ Tliough 
 Mr. King refused the oath ex officio, these inquiries were 
 evidently designed to force him to accuse himself, and then to 
 condemn him upon his own confession : but it does not appear 
 what answers he gave, gr whether he absolutely refused. 
 
 Malancthon Jewel was a zealous minister of Christ, 
 but met with much cruel usage for his nonconformity. He 
 was tried at the public assize at Exeter, and condemned 
 upon the statute for confirming the Book of Common 
 Prayer, to sutler five months' imprisonment. He met with 
 this unjust and inhuman treatment, though he had pre- 
 viously applied to the bishop, for the removal of his 
 doubts and scruples, but could not obtain the favour.^ In 
 the year 1590, he was again apprehended, and cast into 
 prison : he was frequendy taken before the high commis- 
 sion and the star-chamber, and remained under confinement 
 about two years. ^ 
 
 Though he refused the oath ex officio, the following in- 
 quiries were proposed to him, and he was required to give 
 his answer: — "Whether have you devised, penned, re- 
 ceived, or delivered any English books or pamphlets, 
 being contrary to the laws or statutes of this realm, since 
 her majesty's proclamation in that behalf? And have you 
 
 * See Art. Cartwright. + Baker's MS, CoUec vol. xv. p. 78. 
 
 t MS. Register, p. 585. § See Art. Cartwright. 
 
JEWEL— SNAPE. 409 
 
 afBrmed of them, or some of such books, at Houlsworthj in 
 the county of Devon, or elsewhere, (in commendation of 
 them) that thej contained no untruths : nor used words to 
 the like efi'ect ? How many of every sort of such books 
 have you had, of whom, and how have you bestowed them ? 
 — Whetiier in your speeches, sermons, or some of them, 
 have you thought or affirmed, that it is of necessity, and in 
 all places, to have churches governed by elderships of 
 pastors, doctors, elders, or such like ? Or, that the offices 
 of archbisliops and bishops, as they are practised in this 
 realm, are the offices of antichrist; and that the archbishop 
 and lord bishops, as you term them in contempt, were 
 beasts, members of antichrist, and chimney sweepers ; and 
 that they persecute godly ministers ; and by persecuting 
 them, did purify them, and pollute themselves ? — Whether 
 liave you taught openly, that no jailer ought to receive 
 any man (though he be committed by any authority) into 
 their prisons, except they first know the cause, that such 
 were certainly offenders ? And that her majesty's judges of 
 assize, who affirmed that you have submitted yourself and 
 promised -conformity, did belie you, with other terms of 
 reproach ? And affirmed in pulpits, that justices were 
 now become tynants ? or have you used any words to the 
 like eft'ect of these, or any of them ? when, and where ? — 
 Whether did you baptize the child of one Asher, a pre- 
 tended minister, who then made a public profession of his 
 faith ; and amongst other things, said ' he believed Christ 
 had appointeil his churches to be governed by pastors, 
 doctors, elders, and deacons,' and in that faith desired 
 baptism for his daughter, whom he named. The Lord is 
 Near; and did you thereupon, and in that faith and profes- 
 sion baptize the child ?"* — How tyrannical and ridiculous 
 were these proceedings » \Vhat answers Mr. Jewel gave, 
 or whether he absolutely refused io answer, we cannot 
 learn. 
 
 Edward Snape was educated most probably in the 
 university of Cambridge ; afterwards he became minister at 
 St. Peter's church, Northampton. He was a decided non- 
 conformist, a laborious preacher, and a zealous advocate for 
 a more pure reformation of the church. It is observed, 
 
 ♦ Baker's MS. Collec. toI. xv. p. 77. 
 
410 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 that when the parishioners of St. Peter's in Northampton 
 understood that he did not account himself a lull minister, 
 till he should be chosen by some particular congregation, 
 they immediately chose him to be their minister.* 
 
 In the year 1576, Mr. Snape and Mr. Thomas Cart- 
 wright were invited to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, 
 to assist tJic ministers of those places, in framing the 
 necessary discipline for their churches. Dr. Hcylin, who 
 could never speak well of such men, charges these two 
 divines with imposing their discipline upon tlie people of 
 those islands ; than which he could not have asserted a more 
 palpable falsehood. t They were averse to every species of 
 ecclesiastical imposition, and were called to those places 
 only to give their instructions and advice ; and this peevish, 
 calumniating writer, must surely have known this. The 
 two divines were meu of distinguished learning and abili- 
 ties. They lalioured to have the discipline of the church 
 wholly regulated by the New Testament ; and, therefore, 
 they were admirably qualified for the important undertaking. 
 After the comfortable settlement of those churches, Mr. 
 Snape returned to England, and preached the gospel for some 
 time in the diocese of Exeter ; where, it is said, he sowed the 
 seeds of nonconformity ; but it is added, that the vigilant and 
 stout prelate, Dr. Cotton, plucked them up before they came 
 to perfection. I This, however, is a very detective account 
 of his labours in those parts. For it is observed, that Mr, 
 Snape, Mr. Eusebius Paget, and Mr. John Holmes, three 
 excellent nonconformists in the diocese of Exeter, were 
 exceedingly zealous and laborious to promote true religion ; 
 and, by their frequent and useful preaching, they were 
 made a blessing to very many both of the clergy and 
 common people,^ Mr. Snape having laboured in those 
 parts for some time, returned to his ministerial exercise at 
 Northampton, where he most probably continued several 
 years.ll 
 
 About the year 1586, he united with his brethren in sub-i 
 scribing the " Book of Discipline ;"i[ and in 1590, he was 
 brought into trouble on account of the associations held in 
 Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and other counties. He 
 was a zealous and an active member of these assenib,lies ; for 
 
 * Bancroft's Dangerous Positions, p. 114. 
 
 + Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 293. % Fuller's Worthies, part ii, p. 206. 
 
 ^ MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 679. (3.) 
 
 11 Heylin's Hist, of Pros. p. 276, 290. f deal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
SNAPE. 41J 
 
 which he wps convened before the high commission, when 
 numerous charges were exhibit'd against him :* as, " That 
 he had certain books in his possession, entitled ' A D«-ftnce 
 of the Ecclesiastical Discipline.'— That he refused to baptize 
 a child, unless it was called by some scripture name.t — That 
 in his public ministry, he did not r< ad the confession, abso- 
 lutions, psalms, lessons, litany, and some other parts of the 
 Book of Common Prayer. — That he renounced his callng 
 to the ministry by the bishop's ordination. — And that he 
 urged others to renounce their calling in like manrK r." — 
 Such were the crimes with which our divine was charged ! 
 
 Mr. Smtpe, and many of his brethren, for crimes like 
 tliese, were summoned before the high commission at Lam- 
 beth, and required to take the oath ex officio, to answer all 
 interrogatories which might be proposed to them. This 
 they utterly refused, unless they might first see them. And, 
 says Dr. Heylin, when the interrogatories were ev n shewed 
 them, Mr. Snape, apprehensive of danger to himself and 
 his brethren, still refused to take the oath. An unpar- 
 donable crime was this, in the opinion of this author ! It 
 should be recollected, that Mr. Snape and his persecuted 
 brethren did not positively engage to answer, even upon 
 the sight of the interrogatories ; they only refused to take 
 the oath, and to give their answer, till they had seen those 
 interrogatories; and, after they had seen them, they 
 should be better able to judge whether it was lawful or 
 imlawful. 
 
 Mr. Snape's letters having been intercepted, were produced 
 against him; and when he refused to accuse himself and his 
 brethren, he was immediately sent to prison. Our author 
 adds, " This struck great terror into all the brethren, who 
 now began to apprehend the dangers into which they were 
 fallen by their former insolences. ":|: A pitiful triumph, 
 indeed ! — Another writer observes, that when Mr. Snape 
 was examined before the high commission at Lambeth, in 
 
 » Strype's Whitgift, p. 329— 331. 
 
 + The following curious fale is told of Mr. Snape : — " There goes a 
 story," says Dr. Heylin, " that one Hodgkingson of Northampton, having 
 a child to he baptized, repaired to Snape, to do it for him; and he 
 consented to the motion, but with promise that he should give it some 
 rame allowed in srripture. The holy action being so far forwards, that 
 they were come to the naming of the infant, they named it Richard, being 
 the name of its grandfather. Upon this a stop was made, and he would 
 not be persuaded to baptize the child, unless its name were altered ; and the 
 god-father refusing to do this, the child was carried home unchristeued*" — 
 HeyHn"* Hist, of Pres. p. 293. 
 
 I Ibid. p. 302, 303. 
 
4J2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Aprilj 1590, thirty-six articles were delivered to him in 
 •writing-, which, as an inducement to take the oath, he was 
 allowed to read. These articles related to the persons, 
 places, and times of their associations, and the subjects 
 discussed on those occasions. Upon a second examination, 
 and still refusing the oath, he was committed close 
 prisoner.* 
 
 Though we are unable to learn whetlier he continued to 
 refuse the oath, he certainly gave his answer to at least pajt 
 of the interrogatories. He underwent many severe ex- 
 aminations before the high commission, and the star- 
 chamber; and on one of these occasions, he gave the 
 following answers, containing, it is said, " a true account of 
 that which Edward Snape confesseth, he wrote and gave 
 forth:" 
 
 1. " Touching the substance of my calling to the ministry, 
 I affirm, that 1 had it of the church of God, being ap- 
 proved by tlie godly and learned neighbouring ministers, 
 and chosen to the function by the people of my charge. 
 Touching that allowance wliich I had of the bishop, I take 
 it to be a thing merely civii, belonging to a civil magistrate, 
 vvhicli authority he hath by act of parliament; and which, 
 therefore, I miglit lawfully receive at his hands, for the 
 peaceable execution of my ministry. 
 
 2. " Touching the use of the Book of Common Prayer, 
 I V, ill use it only in those things which are justifiable by 
 the word of God. And if it can be proved unto me, by 
 sound reasons out of that word, that it is utterly unlawful 
 to use any part of it, I will cease to use it at all. 
 
 3. " Touching the calling of ciders, I do promise to use 
 all holy and lawful means, for the procuring of it. 
 
 4. " Touching the surceasing of my ministry, I do 
 also promise, that though I shall be inhibited by the bishop, 
 yet, if the greater part of the communicants of my charge, 
 shall require the continuance of my ministry ; and shall 
 also bind themselves to minister competently to my neces- 
 sities ; and shall have the consent of the godly neighbour- 
 ing ministers, bonds or liberty, I will not surcease. 
 
 5. " Touching obedience to the bishops, I promise not 
 to yield myself subject to them, in any things but such a» 
 are civil; and otJierwise to disclaim any of their authority 
 over me, as they are taken for ministers. 
 
 6. " To conclude. Whatever I use in my ministry, 
 
 * MS. Chronology, yol. ij. p. 435, (2.)- 
 
SNAPE. 41S 
 
 which shall be proved out of the word of God, to be 
 unlawfal, I Avill leave it : and whatsoever I use not, which 
 may be also proved out of the word of God that I ought to 
 use, I will, God willing, use it."* 
 
 Also, on one of these occasions, when Mr. Snape ap- 
 peared before his ecclesiastical inquisitors, he confessed, 
 and said, " It was agreed upon in the classical and 
 general assemblies, that dumb ministers were no ministers of 
 Christ, and that the ministers should preach to promote a 
 pure ecclesiastical government. "f 
 
 Mr. Snape is said to have confessed in effect the whole of 
 that with which he and his brethren were charged. He 
 acknowledged that he moved the mayor of Northampton 
 io unite with other towns, in presenting a supplication to 
 the queen, humbly beseeching her maj(;sty to hear theit 
 cries, and grant them a more pure ecclesiastical discipline. 
 He joined with his brethren in their association at Warwick, 
 in 1588 ; when they declared against private baptism, 
 reading apocryphal books and homilies in the church, com- 
 municating with unlawful ministers and the government of 
 bishops and archbishops, and for the erection of a better 
 discipline. 
 
 He is said, also, to have used the following rash expres- 
 sions, against the persecuting prelates : — " I pray God 
 strengthen our faith, and arm us with patience ; and then 
 let the devil and his deputies the bishops, do what they 
 can. In the mean time let us take our pennyworths of 
 them, and not die in their debt. It fareth with us as with 
 the prisoners in popery. God send us their comfort." And 
 he compared the established church, under the oppressions 
 of the bishops, " to Babel and the Ked Dragon, dyed red 
 with the blood of the saints."^: Oppression will make a 
 wise man mad. 
 
 At one of Mr. Snape's examinations, the following curious 
 interrogatory was proposed, to which he was required to 
 give his answer : — " Have you said and signified this, viz. 
 * How say you, if we devise a way to take oft' all the anti- 
 christian yoke and government of bishops, and will jointly 
 erect the discipline and government all in one day, in such 
 sort as they shall never be able to prevail to the contrary ? 
 But peradventure, it will not be this year and half?' Or, 
 did you use any words io the like effect, or tending or 
 
 * Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xv. p. T2. 
 
 + Baxter's Second Plea, p. 32. 
 
 X Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xv. p. 73, 74. 
 
414 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 sounding that way ? To whom, when, and where, and wliat 
 was your meaning-, and only meaning thereby?"* Sucli 
 inquisilio'i was ceitainly designed to ensnare his conscience, 
 and to compel him to become his own accuser, even in the 
 presence of his judges. 
 
 After having suffered eleven months' close imprisonment, 
 Mr. Snape united with many others under similar oppres- 
 sions, in presenting a supplication to the lord treasurer, 
 humbly desiring to be admitted to give bail. At the same 
 time, Archbishop Whitgift sent them a form of submission, 
 which they unanimously rejected. A particular account of 
 these transactions is given in another p!ace.+ But when he 
 was released from prison, we are not able to learn. 
 
 The following anecdote is related of this persecuted 
 servant of God. Mr. Snape, it is said, being cast into 
 prison by the bishops for nonconformity ; and a!l his 
 money being expended by his long confinement, he met 
 with much unkind usage from the jailer. The good man 
 being one day on his knees in fervent prayer to God, and 
 the window of his chamber boing open, observed something 
 thrown into the room; but he resolved to finish his prayer, 
 before he examined what it was. When he rose from his 
 knees, he found, to his great surprize, a purse full of gold 
 lying on his chamber floor. By this unexpected supply, 
 he was more comfortable in his situation, and enabled to 
 make his keeper belter natured ever atter-t The Lord 
 hearcth the i/oim^ ravens when they cry ; how much more 
 will he hear his afflicted people ! 
 
 John Holmes was brought up under Bishop Jewel, and 
 was an excellent preacher, and a man of great piety. 
 Bishop Woolton of Exeter having obtained a good opinion 
 of him, presented him to the benefice of Keane in Devon- 
 shire. He no sooner entered upon his public charge, than 
 he began to labour as a faithful steward of the manifold 
 mysteries of God. Being deeply concerned for the weKare 
 of his flock, he manifested a strong affection for their best 
 interests. He embraced every opportunity of affording 
 them the best instruction, particularly by his catechetical 
 exercises, a practice to which they had been very little 
 accustomed. He also faithfully reproved their gross vices 
 and disorders; for which he was complained of to the 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xt. p. T6. + See Art. Cartwright. 
 
 X Mather's Hist, of New Eng. b. iii. p. 10. 
 
HOLMES— GREENHAM. 415 
 
 ibishop ; who, though he had been minister of the same 
 place, deprived him of the living. In the year 1590, 
 Humphrey Specot, esq. presented Mr. Holmes to the 
 rectory of Tetcote, in the same county ; but the above 
 prelate refused him institution, and put him to numerous 
 troubles, pretending that Mr. Holmes was an inveterate 
 schismatic, merely because he could not with a good 
 -conscience observe every punctilio of conformity. 
 
 Richard Greexham, A.M. — This most excellent 
 servant of Christ was born about the year 1331, and 
 educated in Pembroke hall, Cambridge ; where he took his 
 degrees in Arts, and was chosen fellow.* Upon his 
 removal from the university, he became pastor to the 
 congregation at Drayton, near Cambridge ; where he con- 
 tinued many years, not sparing himself to promote the 
 salvation of souls. He was a hard student, and constantly 
 rose, winter and summer, at four o'clock in the morning. He 
 always preached twice on a Lord's day, and catechised 
 the young people of his parish. He usually preached four 
 times and catechised once, during the week ; and for the 
 greater convenience of his people, (hese week-day services 
 were observed early in the morning. He took such 
 uncommon pains, and was so remarkably ardent, in his 
 preaching, that at the conclusion of the service, his 
 perspiration was so great, that his shirt was usually as wet 
 as if it had been drenched in water. He was more 
 concerned to be useful, than to obtain any worldly 
 emolument whatever ; therefore, he refused several lucrative 
 preferments when offered him. He naturally cared for 
 souls, and manifested on all occasions a warm concern 
 for their salvation. At the same time, he was not unmind- 
 ful of their temporal comfort, but abounded in acts of 
 liberality to the poor and distressed ; for which he and his 
 family often suffered want. In addition to his public 
 ministerial labours, he had a remarkable talent for comfort- 
 ing afflicted consciences ; and in this department the Lord 
 greatly blessed his endeavours. Having himself waded 
 through the deep waters, and laboured under many painful 
 conflicts, he was eminently qualified for relieving others. 
 The fame of his usefulness in resolving the doubts of 
 inquiring souls, having spread through the country, 
 
 » Baker's MS, CoUec. Tol. ii. p. 378. 
 
W LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 multitudes from all quarters, flocked to him as to a wise 
 physician, and by the blessing of God, obtained the 
 desired comfort. Numerous persons who to his own know- 
 ledge had laboured under the most racking terrors of 
 conscience, were restored to joy and peace in believing. 
 When any complained of blasphemous thoughts, his advice 
 "was " do not/<^flr them, but abhor them."* 
 
 Mr. Greenham was a man remarkable for peace. He 
 "was celebrated for promoting peace among those who were 
 at variance, and in labouring incessantly for the peace of 
 the church of God. He was a most exact and conscientious 
 noncorjformist, choosing on all occasions to suffer, rather 
 than sacrifice a good conscience. Though he cautiously 
 avoided speaking against conformity, or those things which 
 to him appeared objectionable in the established church ; 
 lest he shoidd give the least offence, he was suspended from 
 his ministry, for refusing to subscribe and wear the habits.f 
 He was of opinion that rites and ceremonies introduced into 
 the church of Christ, without the warrant of scripture, 
 were of no real advantage, but productive of much super- 
 stition ;t therefore, he prayed that all such things, as 
 hinderances to the success of the gospel, might be taken 
 away. To subscribe to any thing besides the word of 
 God, or not collected from that sacred volume, he durst 
 not,. but peremptorily refused.^ 
 
 Whoever will read his letter to Dr. Cox, bishop of Ely, 
 will easily perceive what manner of spirit they were of, 
 who could bear hard upon so excellent and peaceable a 
 divine.fl When he was called before the bishop, upon a 
 complaint of his nonconformity, he discovered at once, his 
 prudence, peaccableness, and good sense. His lordship 
 observing that there was a great schism in the church, asked 
 him whether the blame was attached to the conformists, oT 
 nonconformists. To which Mr. Greenham immediately 
 replied, " that it might be attached to either, or to neither. 
 For," said he, " if both parties loved each other as they 
 ought, and did acts of kindness for each other, thereby 
 maintaining love and concord, the blame would be on 
 neither iside; but which party soever made the rent, the 
 charge of schism belonged to them." The bishop is said td 
 
 * Clark's Lires annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 12 — 14. 
 
 + Parte of a Register, p. 86—93. 
 
 + Greenham's Works, p. 278. Edit. 1601.' 
 
 ( Parte of a Register, p. 88, 89. 
 
 y Thi» letter ispreserred, but too leng for our latertlou. — Ibid. p. 86—93. 
 
GREENHAM. 417 
 
 have been so well satisfied with this answer, tliat he 
 dismissed him in peace.* Mr. Greenham united with his 
 brethren in snbscribing the " Book of Discipline. "t 
 
 This worthy divine having laboured in the ministry at 
 Drayton about twenty-one years, removed to London, and 
 became minister at Christ-chnrch, where, in about two 
 years, he finislied his labours. He died a most comfortable 
 and happy death, in the year 1591, aged sixty years. 
 Fuller, wlio siys he died of the plague, observes, that he 
 was an avowed enemy to nonresidents, and wondered 
 how such men could find any comfort in their wealth. 
 " For," he used to say, " they must see written upon all tl^ey 
 have, this is the price of b/ood."" Our author adds, that he 
 was most precise in his conversation, a strict observer of the 
 Lord's day, and that no book made a greater impression upon 
 the minds of the people, than his " Treatise on the Sabbath," 
 which greatly promoted the observance of it through the 
 nation.:}: Mr. Strype denominates him a pious minister, but 
 not well affected to the orders of the established church.$ 
 
 Mr. Greenham was an excellent writer, for the time in 
 which he lived. His works, including Sermons, Treatises, 
 and a Commentary on Psalm cxix., came forth at different 
 times, but were collected and published in one volume 
 folio, in 1601. The excellent Bishop Wilkins speaks in 
 high commendation of his sermons, classing them with the 
 most valuable in his day.|| And his commentary, says Dr. 
 Williams, is admirable, for the time in which it was written, 
 both for style and method ; and, like all the productions of 
 tills author, is full of spiritual unction. 5 
 
 The above edition of Mr. Greenhani's works was 
 published by Mr. Henry Holland, and dedicated to the 
 Countess of Cumberland and the Countess Dowager of 
 Huntington. In this dedication, it is observed as follows : 
 *•' I come as in the name of the faithful servant of Christ, 
 Mr. Richard Greenham, a man well known unto your 
 honours, and to those most religious patrons of all piety and 
 good learning, the Right Honourable Earls of Huntington, 
 Warwick, and Bedford, of blessed memory, which novr 
 sleep in the Lord. Of them was he much reverenced in his 
 life-time ; of your honours much lamented after death ; for 
 you know the loss of such to be no small rack unto the church 
 and people of God. Such experience and good liking 
 
 * Clark's Lives, p. 13. + Neal's Purifans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
 t Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 219, 220. S Strype's Aylmer, p. 152. 
 
 Ij Discourse ou Preaching, p. 82, 83. ? Christian Preachar, p. 4*1 . 
 TOL. I. 2 E 
 
418 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 have your honours had of this man of God, of his godliness 
 and gravity, and of the manifold gifts of God in liim, that 
 I need say no more, as any way doubting of your honour- 
 able acceptation." 
 
 ]n the edition of his works, published in 1612, there is a 
 dedication by Mr. Stephen Egerton, another excellent pu- 
 ritan, to Sir Marmaduke Darrell and Sir Thomas Bloother, 
 knights, part of which is as follows: — " Surely, if one 
 Leathen man could gather gold out of the writuigs of 
 another, how mucli more may we, being christians, gather 
 not gold only, but pearls and precious stones out of 
 the religious and holy labours of Mr. Richard Greenham, 
 being a most godly brother ; yea, more than a brother, 
 even a most painful pastor, zealous preacher, and reverend 
 father in the church of God ; of whom I am persuaded that 
 for practical divinity he was inferior to few or none in his 
 time." 
 
 This pious divine had a strong and an unceasing attach- 
 ment to the house of God. He used to say that ministers 
 ought to frequent those places most where God hath made 
 them most useful. Having once found the sweetness of 
 gaining souls, thither should they be most desirous to resort. 
 He had so conscientious a regard for the ordinance of 
 public worship, that, however weak might be the talents of 
 the preacher, he constantly esteemed it his duty, as Avell as 
 his happiness, to resort to the house of the Lord. 
 
 Giles Wig gin ton, A. M. — This zealous puritan wa» 
 born at Oundle in Northamptonshire, educated in Trinity 
 college, Cambridge, and, in 1566, made second scholar in 
 the college. He went to the university under the patronage 
 and recommendation of Sir Walter Mildmay,* and was 
 educated under Ur. Beaumont, master of the above college. 
 Afterwards, he was chosen fellow of the house, though 
 much opposed by Dr. Whitgift, then master of the college. 
 He took his degrees in arts in 1571, having made great 
 progn ss in the knowledge of divinity and the Greek and 
 
 * Sir WaUer Mildmay was a constant friend to the persecuted noncon- 
 formists, and founder of Emanuel college, Cambridge, which afterward* 
 became the very nursery of puritanisin. He was surveyor of the court of 
 argumentation in the reign of Henry VIII., and privy counsellor, 
 chancellor, and under-treasurer of the exchequer to Queen P^Hzabetb. 
 He is celebrated by Caniden, and other historians, for his uncommon 
 merit in his privn»e and public character. — Fulhr's Ilist. of Cam. p. 146> 
 Wl.— Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 233. 
 
WIGGINTON. 419 
 
 Hebrew languagos. He continued some years longer at 
 Cambfidgr, and, vrben be quitted tbe university, was 
 possessed of great learning aiid many excellent endowments. 
 
 Mr. Wigginton baving compL ted bis studies at the 
 university, was preseii<ed to tbe vicnrage of Sedburgli, in 
 the North Riding of Yorkshire ; but being a zealous non- 
 conformist, be became a great sufferer in tbe common 
 cause. In the year 1581, Archbishop Sandys, writing to 
 the Bishop of Chester, in whose diocese our divine lived, 
 thus reproaches bis nonconformity : — " Your lordship," 
 says he, " shall do well to better Mr. Wigginton, a young 
 man very far out of frame ; who, in my opinion, will not 
 accept of you as bis ordinary or bishop ; neither would I 
 accept of him being in your place, as a preacher of my 
 diocese. He labouretb not to build, but to pull down, and, 
 by what means be can, to overthrow the state ecclesi- 
 astical."* He probably thought the ecclesiastical state so 
 far corrupted and decayed, that it was incapable of the 
 amendment that was desired ; and, therefore, he might 
 wish and endeavour by all peaceable means, to have it 
 pulled down, and a more pure discipline and government 
 erected. 
 
 B. ing afterwards in London, he was appointed in the 
 year 1584, to preach before the judges, in St. Dunstan's 
 church. Information of this coming to the ears of 
 Whitgift, then Archbishop of Canterbury, be sent a 
 pursuivant to Mr. Wigginton's lodgings in the dead of the 
 night ; and, finding him in bed, forbade him preaching, and 
 required him to give bond for his appearance the next day, 
 at Lambeth. All this he did without any written warrant. 
 Upon his appearance at Lambeth, and refusing the oath 
 ex officio, to answer certain articles altogether unknown to 
 him, the archbishop, after using much reviling and 
 reproachful language, committed hira to the Gatehouse, 
 where he remained nine weeks within one day. At the 
 expiration of this period, the merciful archbishop released 
 him, and gave him canonical admonition, charging hira 
 not to preach in his province without further license. + 
 
 In the year 1585, upon tbe information of one Edward 
 Middleton, a man of profane character, and a suspected 
 papist, Whitgift gave orders to bis brother Sandys of York, 
 to proceed against Mr. Wigginton, even to deprivation. 
 He was therefore cited before Chadderton, bishop of 
 
 * Baker's MS. Collec. ▼ol. jxviii. p, 366. + MS. Register, p. 759. 
 
4§0 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Chester, when tzcelve charges v/ere exhibited against him ; 
 and, in the end, he was deprived of his ministry ; and one 
 Colecloth, a minister of immoral character, was sent to take 
 possession of tJie living. Afterwards, by the favour and 
 influence of several persons of quality, he was agaio 
 restored. 
 
 In the year 1586, our divine, being in London, was again 
 apprehended by one of Whitgift's pursuivants, and carried 
 before liis grace i\t Lambeth ; who, for refusing the oath to 
 accuse himself as before, committed him to the White-lion 
 prison, where he was treated with the utmost barbarity. 
 We shall give the account in his own words. " In the 
 month of May," says he, " I was in London ; and was 
 sorely vexed by the archbishop's pursuivants, who appre- 
 hended me, and took me to Lambeth. At Lambeth, I was 
 shamefully reviled and abused by the archbishop and those 
 about him, as if I had been the vilest rebel against my 
 prince and country. He then committed me to the keeper 
 of the prison in Southwark, who, by the archbishop's strict 
 charge, so loaded me with irons, confined me in close 
 prison, and deprived me of necessary food, that in about 
 five weeks, I was nearly dead." Such were the unfeeling 
 and inhuman proceedings of this persecuting arch-prelate. 
 
 While in this deplorable condition, Mr. Wigginton 
 wrote to a certain nobleman, soliciting hira to use his 
 utmost endeavours to obtain his deliverance from such 
 cruel usage. In this letter, dated from the White-lion, 
 June 1, 1586, he expressed himself as follows : — " I desire 
 *' you to make known my lamentable case to her majesty's 
 *' honourable privy council, or to her majesty herself, that 
 " the cause of my imprisonment may be examined, and 
 *' that I may be delivered from this hard usage. For I 
 " deshe jusiice, and not mercj/, being conscious of my own 
 " innocency. My old adversary, the archbishop, hath 
 " treated me more like a Turk, or a dog, than a man, or a 
 " minister of Jesus Christ. I heartily commend you to 
 " God. Giles Wigginton."* 
 
 He further proceeds in this account of himself, and says, 
 " At length, my life being in so great danger, 1 was removed 
 to another prison in London. And some time after this, 
 I was brought again to Lambeth ; when, for refusing to 
 answer as before, after much slanderous usage, the arch- 
 bishop suspended me from preaching in his province, 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 769. 
 
WIGGINTON. 421 
 
 and, in a certain way, deprived me of my living at Sed- 
 burgh : but for my final deprivation, he sent me to Sandys, 
 archbishop of Vork. 
 
 " When by the extremity of my sickness in prison, I was 
 constrained still to abide some time in the city ; and wlicn, 
 in the opinion of learned physicians, I was on my death-bed, 
 the archbishop sent two pursuivants, commanding me to 
 appear before him again at Lambeth; which 1 being 
 unable to do, he pronounced against me the sentence of 
 deprivation and degradation.* After ray departure, the 
 Earls of W^arwick and Huntington, without my solicitation, 
 did earnestly sue unto him tor my restoration ; but he 
 absolutely refused, signifying, that he had already written 
 to the patron of the living, for the presentation of another 
 to the place."+ 
 
 Upon Mr. Wigginton's recovery from sickness, he 
 returned to Sedburgh, and ofF( red himself to preach in the 
 church, but was refused the pulpit. He, thereibre, preached 
 in various places, and particularly in his own house, where 
 he had a considerable assembly ; and looking upon himself 
 as the pastor set over the people by the Lord, he adminis- 
 tered both the ordinances of the gospel. This coming to 
 the knowledge of Whitgift, by his instigation an attach- 
 ment was sent forth from Archbishop Sandys, " To all 
 justices, mayors, sherifts, bailiffs, constables, and all other 
 her majesty's officers and subjects, within the province of 
 York, or to any of them, to apprehend him, and commit 
 him to the castle of Lancaster, in the province of York.":}: 
 Accordingly, Mr. Wigginton being soon ailer on a jour- 
 ney, was apprehended at Boroughbridge, arrested by a 
 pursuivant from the archbishop, and carried to Lancaster 
 castle, being the distance of fifty miles, in a severe, cold 
 winter. There he was shut up in close prison among 
 felons and condemned prisoners, and more basely used than 
 they, or the recusant papists. From hence he sent an 
 account of his case to Sir Walter Mildmay, his worthy 
 patron, and one of the privy council ; wherehi he expressed 
 himself as follows :§ 
 
 ♦ Whitgift, says Hume, was a zealous churclman, who had signalized 
 his pen in controversy ; and wlio, having in vain attempted to convince 
 (he puritans by argument, was now resolved to open their eyes by power, 
 and by the execution of penal statutes. — Hist, of Eng. vol. v. p. 183. 
 
 + The person presented to the living, was one Edward Hamptou, a man 
 anlearned, and openly profane. — MS, Hegister, p. 760 — 765. 
 
 :{ Ibid, p. 767. ^ Ibid. p. 753, 734, 
 
422 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 " Right honourable and beloved in Christ. 
 " Since my late deprivation at J^ambeth, I have both 
 preached and ministered the sacramcnfs, to my fiock at 
 Sedburgh ; nor could I tiid any rest in my co^isci' nee till 
 I had done this.* And asl have not dep nd.d oo a.iy m ui's 
 opinion, in what I have done, so the Lord hatlt abund- 
 antly blessed me with heavenly comforts in wy owj' soul, 
 and under my painful sufFevings : and abunda..<^y blessjd 
 my labouis among those v»hora he coinn.itf; d to my care. 
 
 " 1 have (urncd my ba; k upon tho^e antichrisiian and 
 unlawful prociedings which were used against me, my 
 ministry, and my flock. This was necessary in these days 
 of prelatical and popish superstition. Bnt I must inform 
 you, that as I was lately on my journey as f;ir as Borough- 
 bridge, my wife big with child, and the othrr branches of my 
 family being with me, I was there arrosie \ bv a pursuivant, 
 and brought to this place, a distance of fifty miles, in this 
 cold winter. The chief ciuse of tins usage, is my 
 preaching and administrating the sacraments among my 
 flock, after my de})rivation. Dr. Sandys used me hardly, 
 in causing me, and those who were with me, to remain four 
 days at Boroughbridgc, and in senc'iing me this distance, to 
 this noisome prison, in cold winter, when there were better 
 prisons near at hand. I am here within the iron gate, in a 
 cokl room, among felons and condemned prisoners, and in 
 various ways, worse used than they, or recusant papists. 
 Therefore, my suit to your honour, is, that it wouU! please 
 your honour to use some means, as God shall direct you, 
 whereby I mny be delivered out of the hands of my cruel 
 enemies. And that it may please your honour to further 
 the reformation of our English church, especially in this 
 present parliament ; that the faithful ministers of Christ may 
 not be silenci'd by the prelates ; that good christians may 
 not be brought into trouble, for refusing those rites and 
 ceremonies which are the inventions of men; and that a 
 learned and godly minister may be appointed to every 
 congregation. 
 
 " You are now one of the oldest nobles in our land. 
 Your days are few and wearing out ; therefore, let them 
 be spent to the honour of Christ. Thus we shall pray for 
 
 * About one hundred and forfy of Mr. Wigginton's people, for the sad 
 crime of hearing him preach a<(er his deprivation, were cited to appear 
 at York and other place?, at the distance of sixty or eighty miles, most of 
 whom were excommunicated by the ecclesiastical commissioners. — MS. 
 Megistcr, p. 770. 
 
WIGGINTON. 423 
 
 you, "while you live, and esteem your posterity when you 
 are with Christ in the kingdom of heaven. The Lord both 
 
 fuide and bless your honour, and his whole church. From 
 lancaster castle, February 28, 1587. 
 
 " Giles VVigginton, pastor of Sedburgh." 
 
 It does not appear what effect was produced by the 
 above letter, nor how long Mr. Wigginton remained a 
 close prisoner ; but in about two years, he was brought 
 into other troubles by Whitgift, his old adversary. 
 In the month of December, 1588, being in London, the 
 archbishop's pursuivant apprehended him at his lodgings, 
 while he was in bed, and carried him to Lambeth, upon 
 suspicion of being one of the authors of Martin Mar- Prelate. 
 At Lambeth, he appeared before the Archbishop, the 
 Bishop of Winchester, Dr. Aubery, Dr. Cosin, Dr. Good- 
 man, and other high commissioners ; when he underwent 
 the following examination : 
 
 Archbishop. There is a book, called Martin Mar- 
 Prelate, a vile, seditious, and intolerable book ; and you 
 are suspected to be one of its authors. Therefore, you are 
 to swear what you know concerning it. 
 
 Wigginton. You do well to let me know what I have to 
 swear to. But let me know, also, who are my accusers. 
 For I do not menu to accuse myself. 
 
 A. We will take your answers upon your word alone. 
 What say you to these articles following ? Have you any 
 of those books ? or have you read or heard any of them 
 read, or any part of them, at any time ? 
 
 W. 1 will not answer to accuse myself. Let my 
 accusers stand forth and proceed against me. You have 
 known my mind upon this point, many years. 
 
 A. Have you had any of them, and how many ? How 
 came you by them ? What did you do Avith them ? In 
 whose hands are they ? And by whose means did you 
 obtain them ? 
 
 W. I had rather accuse myself, than other persons ; but 
 I will accuse neither. Let mine accusers, and proper 
 witnesses according to the laws of God and the realm, 
 proceed against me. I expect no comfort in accusing 
 myself, or my neighbour. 
 
 A. Have you bought, sold, given, dispersed, handled, 
 or any way dealt in any of them ? and in what sort ? 
 
 W. I account it as unnatural for me to accuse myself, as 
 k) thrust a knife into my thigh. The matter, I understand, 
 is doubtful and dangerous j therefore, I will accuse neither 
 
424 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 myself nor others. '' Tn the mouth of two or three 
 v/itiiesses, let every word be established." The hcalhen 
 judge said, " 1 will hear thee when thi^ie accusers are come." 
 
 A. Do you know die auUior, writ< r, or printer of that 
 book ? ])id you make or help to make, write, or print it, 
 or any part of it, or see any part of it before it was printed ? 
 
 W. I did neither make, write, nor print it, nor any part 
 of it, nor see any part of it before it was printed. 
 
 A. Did you not d; liver some copies of it in the country, 
 one to Mr. Moore, and another to Mr. Cartwright ? 
 
 W. I understand, what you well know, that many lords, 
 and other persons of quality, have obtained and read the 
 book. And supposing 1 have done the same, it will, in my 
 opinion, be more to your credit, to examine all sorts about 
 it, and not poor persons only, according to your custom. 
 
 A. Whom do you believe, think, suspect, or conjecture, 
 to be the author, writer, or printer of it, or any part of it, 
 or any way helper towards it ? Did you make any oath, 
 or vow, or promise, to conceal the same ? 
 
 W. What I believe, think, suspect, or conjecture, or 
 have vowed or promised, I am not bound to make known. 
 I answer as before, I would rather accuse myself, than my 
 neighbour. 
 
 A. What printing press, or furniture for printing, have 
 you known, within the two years last past ? 
 
 W. I know of none, as 1 told you before. 
 
 A. Y(s, but you are verily suspected of it. Public 
 fame is against you. 
 
 W. I thank God, I am not infamous; nor will I borrow 
 of any man. But, by the grace of God, I will live a true 
 subject, the benefit of whom I claim, and wish to enjoy. 
 
 A. But what do you say about the case of Atkinson of 
 Sedburgh, as mentioned in the book ? Did not you minister 
 this report of Atkinson, nor any thing else towards the 
 book? Have you the note of Atkinson's hand for it, or 
 who hath it ? 
 
 W. I did not minister any such thing. For if I had 
 done it, I would have reported the same story in another 
 form. Atkinson told it to many others besides me, whose 
 names I reserve in silence. 
 
 A. Did you not say to the pursuivant, as you came in 
 the boat, that you had seen the second Martin, called 
 " The Epitome ?" 
 
 W. Let the pursuivant stand forth, and accuse me, if he 
 will. 
 
WIGGINTON. 425 
 
 Bishop. You have preached pernicious doctrine. 
 
 W. What do you mean by pernicious doctrine ? I 
 preadi that doctrine which promotes the glory of God, and 
 the sal V a- ion ot his pc^ople. 
 
 B. We have the queen's authority and commission in our 
 hands. 
 
 W. I pray for you, that you may do well ; but this I 
 tell you, that while I profess to serve God, all that I do 
 is not the service ot God : so while you challenge the 
 queen's authority and commission, all that you do is not 
 the queen's authority and commission. 
 
 A. The papists ant. wer altogether like you. 
 
 W. The papists eat bread, asid so do 1 : and I fear not 
 to do like them in any good thing. Yet I hope you will 
 make a difference betwixt me and papists. 
 
 A. Not in that point. 
 
 W. It is well known that you mistake my design, and I 
 yours ; but I wish you well. 
 
 A. I care not for your wishes. 
 
 W. My wishes and prayers, though they be sinful, will 
 do you no harm. 
 
 A. I desire them not, and would be loath to come under 
 them. 
 
 W. Love me not the worse for being plain with you. 
 
 Cosin. No, you are not so plain ; for you do not direcllj 
 answer. 
 
 W. Martin himself, I understand, will come forth, and 
 defend his matters, if he may have fair trial. 
 
 A. Record that, Mr. Hart well. 
 
 W. It is well known that I am as ready to read and lend 
 that book as any person, in a good and lawful manner. Yet 
 I will not accuse myself, and thus do myself hurt, and you 
 no good. And I would rather have to speak well, than ill ' 
 <jf you hereafter. 
 
 Goodman. If we be ill, whom do you mean ? 
 
 W. All are ill, and need reformation. 
 
 Aubery. Did not you tell Mr. Martin, your keeper at (he 
 Compter, that he could not find out the author of the book? 
 
 W. Mr. Martin is a simple man, and imagines from the 
 title of the book, that I am the author. 
 
 A. Is Mr. Perry then the author of the " Demonstration," 
 or of Martin Mar- Prelate ? 
 
 W. I think he is not. And I think you are greatly 
 deceived in charging him with it. 
 
 A. There are many lies in Martin. 
 
426 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 W. You must then confute them. 
 
 A. You despise the high commission. Why do you 
 wear a cloak above your gown ? 
 
 W. As a woman just come out of child-bed, I am just 
 come out of the Compter, and dress thus, fearing the 
 cold. 
 
 A. You make a wise comparison of yourself. Such 
 women must be k< pt warm. 
 
 W. Then let them be kept warm.* 
 
 The commissioners having finished the examination of 
 Mr. Wigginton, and finding him, after using all the inqui- 
 sition their wits could devise, unwilling to accuse himself 
 or otiiers, they dismissed him from their presence, while 
 they consulted what they should do. And being again 
 called in, the meek and lowly archbishop tlius addressed 
 him : — " Forasmuch as you have refused to swear, and to 
 answer as we have required you, and so, by law, have con- 
 fessed yourself to be guilty of the accusations charged 
 against you; and as 3^ou have at sundry times, and in 
 divers ways, shewed your contempt of our ecclesiastical 
 authority, and of this pur high commission, which the 
 queen hath given unto us, and which you shall obey and 
 yield unto, before 1 have done with you ; therefore, your 
 former enlargement shall now be taken away, and you 
 shall be kept chtse prisoner in the Gatehouse, until you 
 shall yidd m these matters ; and when you are so disposed, 
 you may send us word. In the mean time go your way. 
 Away with ])in> pursuivant. "+ He was then carried to the 
 Gatehouse,:}; where he remained a long time ; and though 
 repeated intercessions were made to the archbishop for his 
 release, it was all to no purpose. Mr. Wigginton was a 
 pious man, a zealous minister, and a learned divine, and 
 was living in the year 1591 ; but he most probably con- 
 tinued in the Gatehouse for several years, until the general 
 banishment of the puritans. § 
 
 This great sufferer in the cause of nonconformity, during 
 
 • MS. Register, p. 843—848. + Ibid. 
 
 "^ The warr.iut sent to the keeper of the Gatehouse, was as follaws : — 
 " Herewitii pe seinl you oue Giles Wigginton, whom we will and require. 
 " viia, and in her m.ijesty's name, do stiictly charge and command you to 
 " retain in your custoiiy, by virtue of her highness's commission for causes 
 " errlesiastical to us and others directed, and him safely to keep and 
 *' detain, uniil you shall have further direction from us. And hereof fail 
 •'you not, as jou will answer lo the contrary at your peril. Given ad 
 ♦' Lambeih, December 6, 1588."— J4id. p. 848, 849. 
 
 S MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 441.(8.) 
 
WIGGINTON. 427 
 
 his confinement in prison, had some correspondence with 
 Hacket, the zealous enthusiast, wlio is said to have devised 
 mad plots a-^ainst the gov'rnraent ; for which he was 
 hangsd, drawn and quartered. Whatever acquaintance 
 or correspondence he had with this man, he never approved 
 of his opinions and practice. However, from his slight 
 connection with Hacket, Coppinger, and Arthington, his 
 memory has suffered greatly from the scurrilous pen of Dr. 
 Cosui, one of the high commission jn the above exaniina(io:i ; 
 and herein h^ is followed by other historians.* On this 
 account, it will be proper to give a circumstantial state- 
 ment of the case, even allowing his enemies to be judges. 
 
 That Wigginton held correspondence with these men in 
 (he matters ot their conspiracy, and that there was mutual 
 correspond! nee betwixt him and th m in all their plots for 
 advancing their discipline, is manifest, says our author, by 
 the confession of Arthington, who said, " That he heard 
 Hacket singing certain songs, who wished that Arthington 
 had some of them. For it was a very special thing, and, 
 said he, Mr. Wigginton hath a great many of them.'* 
 This is one evidence of their mutual and united con- 
 spiracy ! 
 
 Coppinger, it is said, had once a conference with Wig- 
 ginton, in the presence of Arthington, concerning his 
 extraordinary calling. On this occasion, Mr. Wigginton re- 
 fused to be made acquainted with Coppinger's secrets, saying, 
 *' You are known to be an honest gentleman, and sworn to 
 the queen, and therefore 1 will not be acquainted with 
 those things which God hath reveahd unto you for the 
 good of your sovereign. "+ Hacket also declared, that he 
 heard Mr. Wigginton say, " That if the magistrates do not 
 govern well, the people might draw themselves together, 
 and see to a reformation." This dangerous opinion, it is 
 said, may be gathered from one of his letters, in which he 
 said, " Mr. Cartwright is in the Fleet, for refusal of the 
 oath, and Mr. K. is sent for, and sundry worthy ministers 
 are disquieted. So that we look for some bickering 'ere 
 long, and then a battle, which caimot long endure." Cop- 
 pinger and Arthington told Wigginton, " That reforma- 
 tion and the Lord's discipline should now forthwith be 
 established, and therefore charged him in the Lord's name, 
 to put all christians in comfort, that they should see a joyful 
 alteration in the state of church government shortly. "$ 
 
 * Strype's Whitgiff, p. 305.— Collier's Eccl, Hist, vol ii. p. 3?7— 329. 
 f Ccsjn's Conspiracy, p. 67. Edit. 1699. J Ibid. p. 58, 62. 
 
428 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 They also told him, " That they were provoked to pro- 
 nounce him the holiest minister of all others, lor dealing so 
 plainly and resolutely in God's cause above all ministers, 
 which God would manifest one day to his comfort." At 
 another time, they came to him and said, " We are come 
 to you now to bring you certain news of great comfort, 
 viz. That we have seen Jesus Christ this day, in lively and 
 extraordinary shape or fashion presented unto us, not in 
 Lis body ; for he sitteth at the right hand of God in heaven, 
 until the last judgment; but in his eflectual or principal 
 spirit, whereby he dwelleth in William Hacket, more than in 
 any creature upon the earth."* Such are the grievous crimes 
 with which Mr. Wigginton is charged ! These facts, with 
 a few others equally ridiculous, contain all the evidence of 
 his uniting with Hacket and his companions, in their 
 mad plots to overturn the government! As our informa- 
 tion is from the pen of one of his bitterest enemies and 
 persecutors, we may presume it is not given at all in 
 his favour, but in some degree to his disadvantage : the 
 impartial reader will, therefore, judge for himself, hov/ far 
 he was guilty. 
 
 After the most minute investigation, it appears to me that 
 Mr. Wigginton's character and memory have suffered great 
 injury from the above bigotted historian, and from those 
 who imitated his example. One of them, speaking of 
 Hacket and his companions, observes, " that one of this 
 good brotlierhood was Wigginton, as brainsick a teacher as 
 any of the club, and as staunch an enemy to government. "+ 
 The reader will easily perceive the injustice and falsehood 
 of this representation. For, if this statement be correct, 
 why did not his enemies proceed against him, as well as 
 against the other conspirators ? They were in possession 
 of all the evidence that ever appeared against him, and he 
 was now a prisoner in the Gatehouse ; why then did they 
 not punish him according to his deserts? This, surely, 
 was not owing to their too great lenity^ or their want of 
 inclination. 
 
 During Mr. Wigginton's imprisonment, he published two 
 pamphlets. One was on " Predestination ;" the other was 
 entitled " The Fools Bolt ; or, a Fatherly Exhortation to a 
 certain Young Courtier." The latter is said to have been 
 " conceived mto an hallhig rhyme-''' and written chief! j 
 against the governors of the chur-ch. 
 
 ♦ Cogin's Conspiracy, p. 87, 8S. + Kennet's Hist, of Eng. vol. ii. p. 553. 
 
T. BARBER. 429 
 
 Tho*ias Barber was many 3-ears the learned and pious 
 Biinister of Bow-church, Loudon ; where he preached four 
 times a week, to a large and aflectionate congregation. 
 But his excellent learning, piety, and labours, could not 
 protect him from the persecution of the times. In the 
 month of June, 1584, he was called before Archbishop 
 VVhitgift and other high commissioners, and required to 
 take the oath ex officio, to answer the interrogatories of the 
 court. Knowing that by taking this oath, he should be 
 liable to accuse himself ; therefore, to avoid further trouble, 
 he refused, and was Immediately suspended. After receiv- 
 ing the ecclesiastical censure, his parishioners, to the number 
 of one hundred and twenty, whose names are now before 
 me, signed a petition to Sir Edward Osborne, the lord 
 mayor, and the court of aldermen, to procure his release. 
 But that court could do nothing for them.* 
 
 Mr. Barber having continued in a state cf suspension 
 several years, the archbishop, at length, offered to release 
 him, on condition that he would subscribe with his own 
 Isand, the following protestation, dated December, 1587 : — 
 " I (!o faithfully promise, and by these presents subscribed 
 *' with mine own hand, do testify, that I will not, by word. 
 " or deed, publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, 
 *' impugn, deprave, or reprehend, any government, rite, 
 <' order, or ceremony, by law established, and retained in this 
 " cimrcli of England : But^ on the contrary, to my power, 
 ** will, by God's grace, observe and seek the peace of the 
 " church of England, and will from time to time, adjoin 
 *' myself in public prayer, preaching, and, admonitions 
 " thereunto, and will frequent them diligently, and none 
 " other assemblies, meetings, or conventiclcs."+ Mr. 
 Barber was a man of too much learning, piety, and good 
 •sense, to bind himself from exercising the right of private 
 judgtnent, in things sacred. This godly and peaceable 
 divine, therefore, claiming the right of thinking and acting 
 in these things according to the dictates of truth and hLs own 
 conscience, firmly refused to be tied down with such 
 episcopal cords. But how much longer he continued 
 under suspension, it does not appear. 
 
 Mr. Barber was one of the additional members of the 
 presbyterian church erected at Wandsworth in Surrey; 
 and his name is among those learned divines who subscribed 
 the " Book of Discipline. "^ About the year 1591, he was 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 458, 459. + Ibid. p. 5S8, 826. 
 
 X Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
iSO , LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 taken into custody, and examined, with several of hig 
 brethren, relative to the a.ss(x;iatio:is of the puritans ; and 
 being required to take the oath ex oj/icio, he openly con- 
 fess<^d, and discovered their assemblies, with the manner in 
 which they were conducted.* 
 
 Robert Cawdrey. — He was a divine of good reputa- 
 tion for learning and piety, but a great sufferer for noncon- 
 formity. Having ent( red into the sacred function about the 
 year 1566, he was presented by Secretary Cecil, to the 
 rectory of South Luffenham in Rutlandshire ; but after'- 
 wards brought into manifold troubles for refusing to conform. 
 Alter he had been employed in the ministry about twenty 
 years, he was cited betbre Bishop Aylmer and other high 
 commissioners ; when he was charged with having omitted 
 some parts of the Book of Common Prayer in public 
 worship and the administration of the sacraments, and with 
 having preached against certain things contained in the 
 book. Though he only omitted the cross in baptism, and 
 the ring in marriage, having used the greatest part of the 
 service, he was required to take the oath ex officio,, to 
 answer all such articles as the tyrannical commissioners 
 should propose; which, says Mr. Strype, he refused ; and 
 was, there lb re, not only suspended, but utterly deprived of 
 his ministerial exercise.! 
 
 He might, indeed, at first refuse the oath ; and the state- 
 ment of our learned historian might so far be correct : yet 
 it is evident from the case at considerable length, now 
 before me, that he afterwards complied, and, accordingly, 
 gave his answers to the various articles. These articles, 
 dated November, 1586, together with his answers, were the 
 following : 
 
 I. " That you are a deacon or minister and priest 
 admitted. Declare by whom, and what you were ordered ; 
 and likewise that your ordering was according to the book 
 in that behalf by law provided. 
 
 Ans. " I am both deacon and priest. I was made 
 deacon by Dr. Bullingham, late bishop of Lincoln, and 
 was made priest by Dr. Scambler, late bishop of Peter- 
 borough. I was made deacon about twenty years ago, and 
 minister about sixteen, which, I believe, was done accord- 
 ing to the book in that behalf provided. 
 
 * Strype's Whitgift, Appen. p. 159—166. 
 + Strype's Aylmer, p. 129, 130. 
 
CAWDREY. 43i 
 
 2. " That you deem and judge your ordering, admission, 
 and calling info the ministry, to be lawful, and not repugnant 
 to the word of God. 
 
 Ans. " If 1 were now to be made a minister, I would 
 not enter into the ministry according to that order. 
 
 3. " That you have sworn as well at your ordering, as 
 at your institution, duty and allegiance to the queen's 
 majesty, and canonical obedience to your ordinary and his 
 successors, and to your metropolitan and his successors, or 
 some of them. 
 
 Ans. " When I was instituted, I took an oath, but do not 
 remember the tenour of it ; and whether I was sworn at mj 
 ordering, or not, I do not remember. 
 
 4. " That by a statute made in the first year of the 
 queen's majesty, a virtuous and godly book, entitled ' The 
 Book of Common Prayer and administration of Sacra- 
 ments, and of other rites and ceremonies in the Church of 
 England,' was authorized and established in full force, and 
 so remaineth. 
 
 Ans. " I believe this article to be true in every part. 
 
 5. " That by the said statute, all and singular ministers 
 within her majesty's dominions, are bound to say and 
 use a certain form of morning and evening prayer, and 
 administration of each of the sacraments, and all other 
 common and open prayer, in such form and order as is 
 mentioned in the said book, and not otherwise. 
 
 Ans. " I believe this article to be true in every part. 
 
 6. " That in the said statute, her majesty and parliament 
 assembled, do in God's name, earnestly charge and require 
 all the archbishops, bishops, and other ordinaries, that thej 
 shall endeavour, to the utmost of their knowledge, that the 
 due and true execution of the said act may be had 
 throughout their dioceses and charges, as they shall answer 
 before Almigiity God. 
 
 Ans. '• I believe this article to be true. 
 
 7. " That within the space of three years, two years, one 
 year, half a year, three months, two months, or one month, 
 last past, you have baptized divers infants, or at least one 
 infant, otherwise and in other manner than the said book 
 prescribeth ; and have wittingly added thereunto, diminished 
 therefrom, or altered according to your own fancy, divers 
 or some parts thereof; and especially you have not used 
 the sign of the cross upon the forehead, with the words in 
 the said Book of Common Prayer prescribed to be used. 
 Declare how many you have so baptized: and for what 
 
*3§ LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 cause, consideration, and intent, with tlie circumstance of 
 the words by you used or diminished. 
 
 Ans. " 1 have not used the sign of the crossdnthe sacra- 
 ment of baptism. And in reciting the interrogatories to the 
 godfathers, I spoke in the plural number, saying you, 
 instead of thou. I could not have done it according to 
 the order of the said book, or otlu^rwise than as I have done, 
 I think, with a safe conscience. And since I entered upon 
 my bene fice, I have baptized divers children, but 1 cannot 
 remember how many. 
 
 8. " That within the time aforesaid, you have divers 
 and sundry times, or at least once, ministered the sacrament 
 of the Lord's supper to the communicants or some of them, 
 standing or walking, and have not used the form of words 
 in that behalf appointed and proBcribed in the said Book of 
 Common Prayer. Declare the circumstances thereof, and 
 for what cause or consideration you have done this. 
 
 Ans. " I have often ministered the sacrament of the Lord's 
 supper within the time mentioned ; and therein I have dis- 
 tributed the bread and wine to the communicants as I found 
 them, some standing, some sitting, and some kneeling ; but 
 never to any walking. And as to the prayers appointed in 
 that behalf, and the words at the institution, 1 have followed 
 the exact order of the book. 
 
 9. " Within the time aforesaid, you have used either no 
 form at ail, or have used some other than that which the 
 said book prescribeth, in the burial of the dead ; and have 
 refused or omitted using or saying divers v/ords appointed 
 and prescribed in tliat behalf, in the said book. Declare the 
 circuffistances thereof, and for what cause or consideration 
 you have done this. 
 
 Ans. " Within this year or two, in the burial of the - 
 dead, I have not read the whole service; because I am 
 persuaded that some parts of it do nourish superstition. I 
 have omitted this clause. In sure and certain hope of the 
 resurrection to eternal life, and some others of the like 
 tendency. And besides reading the chapter appoint(^, I 
 have expounded some part of the scripture appointed to be 
 read at funerals. 
 
 10. " That within the time aforesaid, you have openly in 
 your sermons or sermon, preached or rather inveighed 
 against the Book of Common Prayer, and the authority of 
 archbishops and bishops. You said that the Book of 
 Common Prayer is a wicked thing, fie upon it ! fie upon it ! 
 that lords spiritual ought not to be lords over their brethren ; 
 
CAWDREY. 433 
 
 and that nonresident ministers are ministers of antichrist. 
 Declare as before, the circnmstances thereof, and for what 
 cause or consideration you have done this. 
 
 Ans. " About six weeks since, I preached the lecture at 
 Uppingham, being thereto appointed, taking for my text 
 Col. i. 3 — 7. I tlien observed, as naturally arising from the 
 words, that there was an equality among the ministers of 
 Christ ; and that Epipliras, the faithful minister of Christ, 
 as mentioned in the text, was not a nbnresident, and 
 had not one charge in this country and another in 
 another country. I then spoke of the benefits of a faithful 
 ministry, and said that the want of it is the cause of 
 ignorance, superstition, atheism, conspiracy, and rebellion. 
 And in the warmth of my zeal, seeing the book tolerateth 
 an ignorant and unfaithful ministry, 1 said, ' it is a vile 
 book, fie upon it !' "» 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey delivered the above answers upon his oath, 
 in the presence of Bishop Aylmer, Dr. Stanhope, and Dr. 
 Walker. These spiritual rulers Urns obliged the good man 
 to take an oath, with a view of making him accuse himself. 
 This was the constant practice of the high commission 
 court. Mr. Cawdrey having given his answers to the charges 
 brought against him, he was ordered to appear again in the 
 month of December, to answer certain articles, mostly the 
 same as those already noticed. Upon his appearance at the 
 time appointed, after a long examination, without coming 
 to any conclusion, he was cited to appear a third 
 time in the month of February following. Upon his third 
 appearance, being required to subscribe, and to enter into 
 an engagement to wear the surplice, he refused, and was 
 kept some time in a state of confinement. During his 
 examination, the Bishop of London, urging him to wear the 
 surplice, thus addressed him : 
 
 Bishop. Suppose you were able to keep four or six 
 servants in livery, and one or two of them should refuse to 
 wear your livery, would you take it all in good part ? Are 
 not we the queen's servants ? And is not the surplice the 
 livery which she hath appointed to be worn ? And do you 
 think she will be content if we refuse to wear it ? Besides^ 
 the long prayer which you use before your sermons, is 
 nothing but bibble babble^ bibble babble. 
 
 Cawdrey. Every kingdom divided against itself must 
 needs come to desolation. So when protestants set themselves 
 
 • MS. Register, p. 790—792. 
 VOL. I. 2 F 
 
434 LIVES OF THE PUIUTANS. 
 
 against protestants, and deal more severely with them than 
 with papists, confusion must follow. 
 
 B. We do not deal hardly with you, but the laws of the 
 realm. We are only ministers to execute the law. 
 
 C. You turn those laws against us, which were made 
 against the papists. We think it is very hard dealing that you 
 and your brethren, the bishops, do punish us for not observ- 
 ing the Book of Common Prayer in every point, especially 
 as neither you, nor most of the bishops in England, have 
 observed it in all points these twenty-eight years. 
 
 B. Wherein do we not observe it ? 
 
 C. Because you do not confirm children, as the book 
 enjoins you to do. By the book we are charged not to 
 receive persons to the conununion, until they have been 
 confirmed by the bishop : so we are brought into a painful 
 extremity, and must either offend God, by keeping the 
 j)eople from the conununion, or the book, by admitting 
 them without confirmation. If persons can examine 
 themselves, and be able to give a reason of their faith, we 
 may not, we dare not, refuse them the communion, though 
 the book forbids us to admit them till after they have been 
 confirmed by the bishop. 
 
 B. Why, what canst thou say against it ? 
 
 C. More than can be said for it. For, you well know 
 it is a popish ceremony, and not warranted by the word of 
 God; therefore, you justly omit it. And why may not we 
 omit other points, more superstitious and offensive than this, 
 without being brought into trouble ?* 
 
 B. You shall not depart unless you will subscribe to use 
 the book in every point, and engage to wear the surplice. 
 
 C. These are things in which 1 am not yet resolved. I 
 have not wore the surplice since I entered into the ministry; 
 and if I could be persuaded to wear it, my parishioners 
 would be offended, and all the papists and atheists in the 
 country would triumph. Therefore, I pray you, give me 
 sufficient time to deliberate upon it. 
 
 B. I will, if you will give sufficient security for your 
 appearance here next sitting. 
 
 C. That I will do. 
 
 B. But if thou go home, thou wilt confer with thy 
 fellows, and they will persuade thee not to wear the surplice. 
 Therefore, I will keep thee here, and will not let thee go.t 
 
 * Here the l)ishop was much offended, and immediately suspended Mr. 
 Cawdrey from preaching in any part of the kingdom. 
 + MS. Register, p. 792—794. 
 
CAWDREY. 435 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey being kept for some time in a state of 
 confinement, was brought before the liigli commission. 
 May 5, 1587. Though his case was not then considered ; 
 yet seeing a worthy minister out of Essex deprived, for not 
 observing in every point the Book of Common Prayer, and 
 not wearing the surplice ; and fearing that he should him- 
 self soon share the same fate, he presented a supplication to 
 his worthy friend and patron, the Lord Treasurer Burleigh. 
 This supplication, dated May 10, 1587, was as follows :» 
 
 " In most humble and dutiful manner, may it please 
 your honour to be advertised, that as your poor orator, in 
 November last, preaching a sermon at Uppingham, in a 
 lecture regularly holden there, happened to speak against a 
 point of the communion book, and was forthwith accused 
 to the high commissioners ; (though by whom he knoweth 
 not) and being sent for by them, was compelled against the 
 law to swear to answer such articles or interrogatories as 
 they ministered unto him. This being done, your humble 
 suppliant did appear again ; and after conference with the 
 Bishop of London, he suspended him from his ministry, 
 and so hath been suspended these twelve weeks. And 
 because your said orator hath so answered the said 
 interrogatories, as that by law no advantage can be taken 
 against him, the said bishop doth now urge him to subscribe, 
 and wear the surplice; for refusing to do which, he 
 threateneth to deprive your suppliant, as of late he hath 
 done some others. And seeing that is the only living he 
 hath enjoyed for above sixteen y<^ars, and was thereunto 
 presented by your honour, may it please your good lord, 
 even out of a tender regard to the cause of God and his 
 poor suffering church, to extend your lawful favour towards 
 him in this behalf, who hath behaved himself so honestly 
 and uprightly during these sixteen years at Lufienham, 
 every way according to his calling, and as becometh his 
 profession ; as, your honour allowing him a convenient 
 time, he doubteth not to procure sufficient testimony from 
 the worshipful and ministers of that county. And so your 
 said orator shall be most dutifully bound to pray unto 
 Almighty God for your good health, with much increase 
 of honour, and your everlasting comfort. Your honour's 
 most obedient servant, 
 
 " Robert Cawdrey." 
 
 The treasurer, upon the reception of this supplication, 
 
 ♦ MS. Register, p. 796, 797. 
 
^r 
 
 436 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 sent to the bishop, inquiring what were the charges againit 
 Mr. Cawdrey, and wishing to know the reasons of his hard 
 dealing with him. He requested, at the same time, that liis 
 grace would send him the articles, and Mr. Cawdrey 's 
 answers, before any further steps were taken. Notwith- 
 standing this, Mr. Cawdrey appearing before the com- 
 mission the very same day, and his answers being read, the 
 bishop demanded what he had to say. He then said, " If 
 my answers there set down will not sufficiently acquit me 
 of all accusations, I then crave, as I have a right to do, 
 that I may enjoy the benefit of her majesty's gracious 
 pardon." Dr. Stanhope, the bishop's chancellor, observed, 
 as there was an exception against him in the statute, that 
 would do him no good. But the exception, replied Mr. 
 Cawdrey, related to the papists and recusants only ; and the 
 statute being produced and examined, his statement was 
 found correct. 
 
 This disappointment being extremely vexatious to his 
 tyrannical persecutors, the angry prelate addressing his 
 brethren upon the commission, said, " It is no matter 
 •whether it be so, or not ; he shall be sworn to answer new 
 articles." Accordingly, he was constrained to swear, and 
 give direct answers to the two articles following : — 
 " Whether he would hereafter observe the Book of Com- 
 mon Prayer in every point, or not. — And whether he would 
 wear the surplice, or not." To the former of these articles, 
 he said, " I will so far as I may according to the word of 
 God, and with a good conscience." And to the latter, he 
 said, " I am not yet resolved so to do." The bishop then 
 appointed him to appear again on the SOth of the same 
 month. But previous to his next appearance, the lord 
 treasurer, after an impartial hearing of botli parties, sent 
 an express order to the bishop, to dismiss him, and trouble 
 him no more. This was extremely galling to Aylmer, who 
 replied, that as he was only one of the commission, he 
 could do nothing without the other commissioners ; adding, 
 " he must appear on the day appointed, and we will 
 consider his case according to equity and conscience."* 
 But little equity and conscience was to be expected from 
 Bishop Aylmer and his brethren of the high commission. 
 This will, indeed, appear before the close of the present 
 narrative. 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey, in the above painful circumstances, made 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 794, 795. 
 
C4.WDREY. 4S7 
 
 a second application to the treasurer, giving him a correct 
 account of the bishop's proceedings, and further soliciting 
 his favour and assistance. His letter, dated nine days 
 after the former, was as follows :* 
 
 " My honourable lord, I am bound most humbly to 
 thank God for your honourable and good favour in this my 
 great vexation, having now for the space of more than nine 
 weeks, been bound over to answer from time to time. It 
 grieveth me to be importunate with you in the midst of so 
 many of your affairs, especially as you are in a poor state 
 of health, from which 1 beseech God to restore you ; but, 
 my good lord, my miserable state even forceth me. Not- 
 withstanding your favourable message and letters to the 
 Bishop of London in my behalf, he still keepeth me from 
 performing those duties which I owe to God, my people, 
 and my wife and children ; and he seems as if he meant to 
 wear me out. I having lately claimed before the high 
 commission, the benefit of her majesty's gracious pardon, 
 the bishop then caused me to take a new oath, and to 
 answer new articles ; namely, whether I would in every 
 point observe the Book of Common Prayer; and whether I 
 would wear the surplice. These being answered, he 
 appointed me to appear again the 30th of this month, when 
 my case will be further considered. Will it, therefore, 
 please your good lordship, even at this time, to use such 
 means to procure my discharge, as to your godly wisdom 
 shall appear most proper ? To you, next under God, I fly 
 for refuge in this case. I protest, I am not obstinate in any 
 one thing, as He knoweth whom I am most loath to 
 displease. I am your honour's, &c. 
 
 " Robert Cawdrey." 
 
 But the treasurer being sick, Mr. Cawdrey could receive 
 no answer to the above letter ; therefore, upon the arrival of 
 the day appointed, he appeared again before the conunis- 
 sion. When he was called, and his accusations were read, 
 the bishop asked him what he had to say against their pro- 
 ceeding to pronounce upon him the sentence of deprivation, 
 " To which 1 answered," says the good man, '^ that so far 
 as my knowledge and counsel serve, I cannot see how you 
 can deal so hardly with rae. For if the rigour of the law 
 should be extended against me for speaking against the 
 book, the penalty, as set down in the statute, is only half a 
 year's imprisonment, and the loss of my living to hex 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 79T. 
 
438 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 majesty for one whole year : and the same statute saitli it 
 must be wilfully and obstinately persisted in, which is not 
 the case with me. Besides, the said trespass is already 
 remitted by her majesty's gracious pardon; therefore, 
 you have no just cause of deprivation." The bishop, 
 addressing Mr. Cawdrey, said, " If you will abide by such 
 order as I and the other commissioners shall appoint ; and 
 will openly recant, in such places as we shall determine, those 
 blasphemous speeches which you have uttered against that 
 holy book, and use it in every point, then we will stay our 
 proceedings." To this tyrannical proposal, Mr. Cawdrey 
 only said, " I would not do that for all the world." 
 
 One of the commissioners entreated him not to be 
 obstinate, but to submit to their order ; " for," said he, " we 
 hear that you live honestly, are well thought of in your 
 country, are a good housekeeper, and have a wife and 
 many children ; therefore, take our good advice." To 
 which he thus replied : " Both my wife and children shall 
 go a begging, rather than I will offend God and my own 
 conscience. And further, if you can justly charge me with 
 any one instance of wickedness in life, or any ialse doc- 
 trine, during the lime I have been in the ministry, or at 
 any time before, let the sentence of the law be inflicted 
 with the utmost severity." " False doctrine!" said the 
 angry prelate, " I will stand to it, that whosoever shall say 
 the book is a vile and filthy book, Avhich hath epistles and 
 gospels, psalms and holy prayers in it ;* I say flatly he is an 
 heretic, take the law upon me who will." 
 
 Afterwards, Mr, Cawdrey requested io have some time 
 for further deliberation, but it could not be granted. Then, 
 to give them all the satisfaction in his power, he made the 
 following protestation : — " If you can charge me with 
 holding any point of doctrine, which I cannot prove to be 
 true, both by the word of God, and the judgment of those 
 learned writers, whose works you, the high commissioners, 
 have authorized to be printed and allowed in England ; 
 then let me have no favour at all." Notwithstanding all 
 that he could say, the excellence of his character and 
 doctrine was utterly disregarded, so long as he refused to 
 come up to the standard of conformity. The bishop, 
 therefore, pronounced upon him the sentence of depriva- 
 tion, discharging him from the ministerial exercise in any 
 
 * His lordship might, with equal propriety, have observed the same of 
 the popish mass book. For, as our author justly affirms, it contains 
 epistles and gospels, psalms and holy prayers. 
 
CAWDREY. 4S> 
 
 part of the kingdom.* Mr. Slrype, indeed, observes, that 
 he was not only deprived, but continuing in his disobe- 
 dience, he was also degraded by the higli commission at 
 Lambeth ; and that he was charged, not only with noncon- 
 formity, but want of learn ing.f 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey, aware of the two-fold charge, presented 
 the following humble vindication of himself to the lord 
 treasurer: " As to my learning," says he, " though I 
 have none to boast of; yet, seeing I have been employed in 
 study, and have exercised myself in expounding the scrip- 
 tures and preaching the word of God, almost twenty years, 
 I hope God hath blessed me with some small measure of 
 knowledge. I appeal to the people of my charge, and the 
 good success of my ministry among them, which is a great 
 comfort to my soul. I desire your lordship to examine me 
 upon some portion of scripture, and I hope you will not 
 find me so utterly void of learning, as to be wholly unfit 
 to be exercised in the ministry. Indeed, I acknowledge, 
 that, with respect to my important calling, and the ability 
 that is requisite to a proper discharge of it, I am very unfit 
 for the sacred fnnction. Yet it aflfordeth me some comfort, 
 that God in mercy hath so far blessed my labours, that 1 
 hope my people know as well as most, how to " render unto 
 Caesar the things which are Ccesar's, and unto God the 
 things which are God's." — And as to the charge of not 
 using the Book of Common Prayer, I have always used it, 
 and still purpose to use it. Only I humbly request, that I 
 may not be more narrowly searched into, and more hardly 
 dealt with, than many others ministers in England. ":|: 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey having received the sentence of depriva- 
 tion, and being dissatisfied with the ecclesiastical censure, 
 was urged to submit his case to the further determination 
 of Archbishop Whitgift and Bishop Aylmer; but he 
 utterly refused, for the following reasons: — " Because he 
 was persuaded in his conscience, and it was manifest from 
 lamentable experience, that the lord bishops countenanced 
 nonresidents, made many ignorant and idle shepherds, and 
 dealt with great severity against many godly muiisters for 
 not observing the popish ceremonies : — Because they would 
 allow any papist or atheist, being accused before them, to 
 have a copy of their interrogatories and other proceedings; 
 but the ministers, who could not in conscience observe some 
 
 * MS. Register, p. 795, 
 
 t Life gf Aylmer, p. 130, 131. | Ibid. p. J32, 133. 
 
440 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 ceremonies, could neither know their accusers, nor enjoy 
 the benefit of subjects: — Because, though tlie bishops con- 
 demned nonresidence as odious in itself, and injurious to 
 the church of God ; yet they tolerated it, and dispensed 
 with it : — x4nd because the said bishops did molest and 
 deprive ministers for preaching the very same doctrines 
 which they had themselves printed and published to the 
 world." On these grounds, he was unwilling to submit 
 his case to the determination of the two ecclesiastical 
 judges, whose tender mercy was cruelty.* 
 
 It will be proper also to observe, that he was no sooner 
 brought under the ecclesiastical censure, than he made 
 fresh application to the treasurer. He wrote two letters, 
 the one dated May 31st, being the day following his 
 censure, and the other the 3d of the following month. In 
 these letters he gave an impartial account of the hard usage 
 lie had met with, earnestly soliciting his lordship's favour- 
 able attention to his unhappy case.+ Upon the reception of 
 these letters, the lord treasurer, convinced of the injuries he 
 had received, warmly espoused his cause; and engaged 
 Attorney Morrice,| to undertake Mr. Cawdrey's defence, 
 even after his suspension and deprivation. The learned 
 lawyer, therefore, held the bishop's sentence to be null and 
 void in law ; because Mr. Cawdrey's benefice was not in 
 Aylmer's diocese, and so not within his jurisdiction; and 
 that the sentence was his lordship's sentence alone, and not 
 the sentence of the commissioners. For by law the sen- 
 tence should have been given in the name of all the com- 
 missioners present, and not in the name of one of them by 
 the consent of the others, as in the present case. In 
 addition to this, the bishop had declared expressly in his 
 decree, that the cause was controverted before him by virtue 
 
 • Life of Aylmer, p. 134—138. + MS. Register, p 797, 798. 
 
 :): Attorney James Alorrice was a most able and learned barrister, a man 
 of great piety, a zealous opposer of vice, and an avowed friend to the 
 reformation. He was attorney of the court of wards, a member of par- 
 liament, and a zealous and courageous defender of the rights and liberties 
 of the people, against all oppression. In the parliament of 1392, he 
 moved the house to inquire into the proceedings of the bishops in spiritual 
 courts, and how far they could justify their inquisition, their subscripiions, 
 and their binding the queen's subjects to their good behaviour, contrary to 
 the laws of God and the realm ; their compelling men to take oaths to 
 accuse themselves ; and to deprive, degrade, and imprison them, and 
 keep them in prison during their own pleasure. At the same time, he 
 offered two bills to the house; one against the oath ex officio, and the 
 other against the illegal proceedings of the bishops, in which he was sup- 
 ported by Sir Francis Knollys and other great statesmen. — Strme't 
 IVhitgift, p. 387, 388. 
 
CAWDREY. 441 
 
 of his office, "whicli could not be before the commissioners. 
 And if the cause were depending before his lordship, by 
 virtue of his office, how could the judgment, said Morrice, 
 be any other than liis own ? 
 
 And as to the sentence itself, the attorney held it to be 
 contrary to law. For by law several otlier censures and 
 punishments, as admonition, excommunication, and seques- 
 tration, were to be inflicted previous to deprivation. But 
 in Mr. Cawdrey's case, that sentence which is the most 
 severe, and ought to have been inflicted last, was inflicted 
 first. This, therefore, was contrary to the statute, and not 
 warranted by any of the queen's ecclesiastical laws.* Thus 
 Mr. Attorney Morrice endeavoured to make it appear, that 
 the bishop's proceedings were illegal and oppressive. 
 
 But the arguments of the learned barrister proved 
 ineffectual. They were too weak to soften the mind of 
 this relentless prelate. Mr. Cawdrey refusing to submit 
 himself to the illegal and severe proceedings, was brought 
 before Archbishop Whitgift and other high commissioners. 
 He appeared at Lambeth, May 14, 1590; and after being 
 severely threatened, he was degraded and deposed from the 
 ministry, and made a mere layman. On this occasion, 
 Whitgift urging him to conform, Mr. Cawdrey replied, 
 saying, " I never refused to conform, as far as the law 
 requires, and as a minister of Christ is in conscience bound." 
 And one of the commissioners observing, that he was 
 deprived for speaking against the Book of Common Prayer, 
 our divine replied, " that is not true ; for it appears from 
 my answers to the articles upon my oath, that it was for 
 speaking against an inconvenience attending the book. If 
 it were taken," says he, " as you have represented, and 
 taken in the worst sense it could be, there was no depriva- 
 tion by law, for the first offence. And according to law, I 
 should have been indicted at the next assizes following, 
 but was not; therefore, 1 am clear by the statute. "+ 
 
 Upon these tyrannical proceedings, Mr. Attorney Morrice 
 recommended the lord treasurer to make the Bishop of 
 London feel his lawless severities; and, said he, happily 
 some remorse of conscience may move him to be more 
 favourable. Though it might be offensive, he observed, to 
 find fault with judicial proceedings, there was no evil in 
 seeking to help the injured, to maintain law and justice, 
 and to make ecclesiastical judges more careful of their 
 
 * Strype's Ajlnaer, p. 131, 132. + Ibid. p. 139, 140. 
 
442 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 proceedings in future. You need not be afraid of their 
 frowns, especially as jou have the law on your side.* 
 But the attorney soon drew down their vengeance upon his 
 own head.f For this bold adventure in defending Mr. 
 Cawdrey against the oppressions of the prelates, and for the 
 motions which he made in parliament, as intimated in the 
 above note, he was seized in the house by a serjeant at arms, 
 discharged from his office in the court of the Duchy of 
 Lancaster, disabled from any practice in his profession as a 
 barrister at law, and kept some years prisoner in Tutbury 
 castle, Staffordshire. t 
 
 Mr. Cawdrey having experienced the above illegal and 
 cruel usage, was advised to appeal to the court of exche- 
 quer, and proceed against his diocesan's chaplain, who had 
 taken possession of his living. He made his appeal ; and 
 in the year 1591, the jurisdiction of the high commission 
 court, together with its severe proceedings against Mr. 
 Cawdrey, was argued before all the judges. Dr. Aubery, 
 a learned civilian, and one of the high commissioners, 
 confessed that their proceedings were not warrantable by 
 the letter of the statute, and that no statute of the realm 
 would justify the said proceedings; but what they had 
 done was founded upon the old canon law still in force. 
 And though their proceeding by way of inquisition, forcing 
 the man to accuse himself, was warranted by no law what- 
 ever, the judges being of the same mind as the commis- 
 sioners, confirmed their tyrannical proceedings, and left 
 Mr. Cawdrey, with his family of eight children, to starve 
 as a mere layman. Besides the good man having twenty' 
 two journies to London, the suit cost his friends a round 
 sum of money. § But, as Mr. Neal justly observes, it was 
 
 * Strype's Aylmcr, p. 143, 144. 
 
 f Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 320. 
 
 % This castle, now in a state of ruin, was formerly a spacions and strong 
 place. Here Mary Queen of Scots, was, for a considerable time, in a 
 state of confinement. This was occasioned by a jealousy and a quarrel 
 arising betwixt her and Queen Elizabeth, when the latter, for her own 
 safety, caused the former to be imprisoned. But what is most curious, 
 during the queen's imprisonment in this castle, her extravagance was so 
 great, that when she bathed, she bathed in wine. And in addition to the 
 immense quantity of wine required for bathing, two tuns a month were not 
 sufficient for her ordinary use. The Earl of Shrewsbury, in whose custody 
 the queen was kept, and who appears then to have been governor of the 
 castle, therefore applied to the lord treasurer, stating her extraordinary 
 expenses ; at the same time, soliciting some favourable allowance from the 
 public treasure. Also there is preserved a most curious letter, from the 
 Queen of Scots, to Queen Elizabeth, dated from Tutbury castle, March 14, 
 1669.— Strype's Annals, vol. i. p, 538, 539. Appen. p. 61, 62, 
 
 ^ Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 317.— Stry|)e's ^ylpaer, p. 145, 146. 
 
CAWDREY. 445 
 
 a brave stand for the rights and liberties of the subject; 
 and it so much staggered the archbishop, that he afterwards 
 declined (he business of the commission, and sent most of 
 his prisoners to the star-chamber. 
 
 Mr. Cawtlrey having endured these troubles for the space 
 of five years, and being almost ruined ; the treasurer, his 
 constant friend, compassionately fe<'ling his manifold cala- 
 mities, still warmly espoused his cause. He not only urged 
 his diocesan, who had sequestered his living, and given it 
 to his chaplain, to allow liim some annual pension ; but 
 requested that so excellent and useful a preacher might be 
 again restored to his ministry : in each of which, however, 
 he most probably failed.* Mr. Cawdrey united with his 
 brethren in subscribing the " Book of Discipline. "f 
 
 He was author of " A Treasurie or Store-house of Simi- 
 lies, both Pleasaunt, DelightfuU and Profitable for all 
 Estates of Men in general!, newly collected into Heades 
 and Commonplaces," 1609. In the preface to the reader 
 prefixed to this work, the author observes that he had 
 begun another work, which he at first purposed to have 
 united with it. This he calls " A Treatise of Deffinitions 
 of the principal words, points, and matters that a preacher 
 shall have occasion to speak of;" which he promised, God 
 sparing his life, to publish in a separate work, soon after the 
 former ; but whether it ever came forth, or what other 
 things he published, we have not been able to learn. 
 
 In the above work, Mr. Cawdrey openly declares his 
 sentiments on the necessity and importance of an exact 
 christian discipline among the churches of Christ, and 
 gives his opinion with great freedom concerning igtiorant, 
 idle and insufficient ministers. The minister, says he, who 
 undertakes to feed the flock of Christ, by preaching and 
 catechising, and who has no knowledge to perform this 
 duty, or having sufficient knowledge, yet is nonresident, 
 and absent from them, and thus sufl^ereth the people to 
 perish for want of knowledge, such a one before God, is a 
 soul-murderer. Mr. Daniel Cawdrey, ejected in 1662, waj 
 his son.|: 
 
 * Heylin's Hist, of Pres. p. 140, 147. 
 
 + Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. 
 
 % Palmer's Noncon. Mem. vol. iii. p.2T* 
 
444 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 Lever Wood was minister at Brenchley in Kent, but 
 was much persecuted for nonconformity. Upon the publi- 
 cation of Whitgift's three articles, in 1583, he and sixteen 
 of his bretliren, all ministers of Kent, waited upon the 
 archbishop at Lambeth. When they appeared before his 
 grace, they declared that they could not, with a good con- 
 science, subscribe to his articles, and desired to know 
 whether they miglit still proceed in their ministry.* But, 
 instead of obtaining his lordship's approbation, they were 
 all immediately suspended, and Mr. Wood, with some 
 others, if not the whole, w as cast into prison, where he con- 
 tinued twelve montJis. At the expiration of that period, 
 upon his subscription as far as the law required^ and pro- 
 raising to use the Book of Common Prayer, and no other, 
 he was released from prison. f 
 
 His troubles, however, were not over. He still continued 
 under suspension. Tiierefore, he made interest at court, 
 that he might be restored to his former labours. He 
 applied to Sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state,^ 
 who interceded with the archbisnop for his restoration to 
 jhis ministry, but without success. Whitgift would not 
 remove the ecclesiastical censure, and allow Mr. Wood to 
 preach, unless he would subscribe without the least reserve, 
 and practise a perfect conformity.^ And the good man's 
 conscience not allowing liim to do this, he remained under 
 suspension at least eight years. He was under his lord- 
 ship's censure in the year 1591, and whether he was ever 
 restored is extremely doubttul.H 
 
 Humphrey Fenn. — This most learned and venerable 
 divine was several years minister at Northampton, and 
 above forty years a laborious and faithful preacher in 
 Coventry, and uncommonly successful in liis ministry ; yet 
 
 * See Art. Dudley Fenner. + Neal's PurHans, vol. i. p. 406. 
 
 % Sir F."«.ncis WalslDgbam was a steady promoler of the reformation ; a 
 zealous and constant friend to the puritans ; and a most relebrated states- 
 man. His talent for business, his eloquence, insinuating address, universal 
 intelligence, and profound secrecy, are tnenlioned by all our hisiorians. 
 He was ccaployed by Queen Elizabeth in the most irrzpcrtant embassies, and 
 advanced to the post of secretary of state; notwithstanding whicb, he 
 was so far from accumulating a fortune, that he spent his patrimony in the 
 service of the public, and was. buried in the ni^ht, at the expense of his 
 friends, through fear of bis corpse being arrested for debt : a fault which 
 few statesmrn since his time have been guilty of. He died April 6, 1590. — 
 WelwQod''s Memoirs, p. 9 — 12.' — Granger^s Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 232. 
 
 § Fuller'sChurchHist. b. ix. p. 162, 163.— Strype's Whitgift, p. 226, 237. 
 
 I MS. Register, p. 585. 
 
WOOD— FENN. 445 
 
 he underwent many troubles for nonconformity. While in 
 the former situation, he experienced the cruel oppressions 
 of the times, and was apprehended and committed to 
 close prison, where he remained a long time. During his 
 confinement, the inhabitants at Northampton presented a 
 supplication to Queen Elizabeth, humbly and earnestly 
 beseeching her majesty to grant his release, and his restora- 
 tion to his beloved ministry. In this supplication they 
 affirmed upon their dutiful allegiance, that during his 
 abode in that place, he had lived an honest and a peaceable 
 life, and gave a high character of his diligence in preach- 
 ing, his obedience to God, and to those in authority. It 
 does not appear, however, whether this application was at 
 all successful. It is very probable he never returned to his 
 charge at Northampton . 
 
 Having at length obtained his release, he most probably 
 entered upon his ministerial charge in the city of Coventry. 
 The oppressed puritans being desirous to be eased of their 
 heavy burdens, Mr. Fenn was unanimously chosen by the 
 London ministers, to accompany the Earl of Leicester, in 
 a presentation of their afflictions and desires to those in 
 authority ; but with what success, we have not been able to 
 learn. He consented to this appointment, saying " that lie 
 was ready to run, whenever the church commanded him." 
 It is said to have been his opinion, that impropriations, 
 which were attached to her majesty, to colleges, &c. ought 
 to be set to the pastors ; and that all tythes, which are 
 appendages by some composition, should be paid to the 
 ministers in specie. It is also observed, that he accounted 
 it unlawful to receive the sacrament at the hands of a dumb 
 minister, or to attend the ordiiiary service of the church 
 without a sermon.* 
 
 Upon the publication of Whitgift's three articles, and the 
 persecutions which followed, he Avas cited to Lambeth, and, 
 refusing to subscribe, was immediately suspended. When 
 he appeared before the archbishop, he was urged by many 
 arguments, to subscribe ; and he, on the contrary, endea- 
 voured to answer those arguments, stating his reasons for 
 refusal. This was as follows : 
 
 Archbishop. Your subscription is required bv the statute 
 of 13 Eliz. 
 
 Fenn. That statute extendeth no further than the confes- 
 sion of christian faith, and the doctrine of the sacraments. 
 
 • Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xt. p. 73, 78. 
 
446 LIVES OF THE PURITANS*. 
 
 A. There is provision in the statute of 7 Eliz., lliat the 
 queen, with her high commissioners, or the archbishop, 
 ?nay take furth( r order. 
 
 F. The proviso of 7 Eliz. can have no relation to 13 
 Eliz., which was some years after. And the proviso 
 expresseth how far it is to be extended : not to taking 
 away and establishing ceremonies. 
 
 A. But so much of the canon law is still in force, as is 
 not contrary to God's word ; and you have promised 
 canonical obedience. 
 
 F. But the question is, whether the things required be 
 agreeable to God's word ? And not only so, there is no 
 canon which requires us to subscribe to the judgment of 
 our ordinary. 
 
 A. That I allow ; but the law hath charged the bishop, 
 to see that all things for the ministry be duly observed, as 
 by law established ; and I take this order for the more 
 effectual execution of thirjgs already established. 
 
 F. Your care and diligence in the execution of laws 
 must be according to law, and not contrary to law ; that is, 
 by admonition, by suspension, by sequestration, or by 
 deprivation, as the case may require. But these proceed- 
 ings are not according to law ; but an inquisition into our 
 hearts and consciences, for which there is no law. 
 
 A. I make this a decree and order for the whole of my 
 province, and, therefore, is to be observed as if it had been 
 made betbre. 
 
 F. No one person, nor any number of persons, hath 
 authority to make decrees or constitutions, except in con- 
 vocation ; which must be called together by the king's writ : 
 As 25 Henry Vlll. and 1 Eliz., which is entitled, " The 
 Submission of the Clergy." 
 
 A. I have the queen's consent. 
 
 F. But that consent was not according to law provided 
 in this behalf. Nor was it done in convocation. 
 
 A. I have the consent of my brethren and some others. 
 . F. That was not according to the order of convocation, 
 wherein we are to have our free choice of clerks.* 
 
 Mr. Fenn remained under suspension a long time, during 
 the whole of which period his cure was totally neglected.+ 
 But by the kind favour of the Earl of Leicester, as appear* 
 from his letter to the archbishop, dated July 14, 1585, he 
 was at length restored to his ministry, when he returned to* 
 
 • MS. Register, p. $92. t Ibid, p. 145. 
 
WIGHT. 447 
 
 his charge in Coventry.* The same honourable person 
 also promised, that he would treat with the bishop of Lich- 
 field and Coventry, to obtain his favourable allowance. 
 Though this excellent divine might probably enjoy peace 
 and quietness for a season, his troubles were not ended. 
 In the year 1591, an information was exhibited against 
 him and many of his brethren, for being concerned in the 
 classis, atending their associations, and subscribing the 
 " Book of Discipline ;" when they were all apprehended, 
 and committed to prison. A circumstantial account of 
 these proceedings, together with their examinations and 
 endeavours to procure their deliverance, is given in 
 another place.f These worthy sufferers, during their 
 confinement, presented a long letter to the queen, dated 
 April, 1592, in vindication of their own innocency.j: It 
 does not, indeed, appear how long a time they remained in 
 prison, after that period. 
 
 Upon Mr. Fenn's release, he most probably returned to 
 Coventry, where he spent the rest of his days. He died in 
 a firm attachment to those principles for wliich he suffered. 
 Mr. Clark observes, that he was famous for his ministry and 
 nonconformity in the city of Coventry ; and that in his last 
 Avill and testament, he made so full and open a protesta- 
 tion against the hierarchy and ceremonies, that when his will 
 was tendered to be proved, the prelates, or those of their 
 party, would not allow it to have a place among the records 
 of the court.§ 
 
 Daniel Wight was a zealous minister of Christ, but 
 greatly harassed for many years, on account of his noncon- 
 formity. It is very probable that he preached at some 
 place in London or its vicinity. In the year 1573, when 
 Mr. Johnson and others were sent to the Gatehouse, Mr. 
 Wight and several of his brethren were committed to New- 
 gate. We do not, however, find how long he remained 
 under the bondage of his enemies.|| As Mr. Johnson after- 
 wards died under the pressure of his rigorous confinement ; 
 so Mr. Wight afterwards obtained his liberty, and was 
 restored to his ministry. He subscribed the " Book of 
 Discipline," and took an active part in the associations ; for 
 
 * Strype's Whitgift, p. 226. + See Ar^. Thomas Cartwright. 
 
 X Strype's Annals, toI. iv. p. 85. 
 
 ^ Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 160. 
 
 II Baker's MS. CoUec. vol. xxiU. p. 441, 442. 
 
448 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 which his study was broken open, and searched, and his 
 private papers were carried away. Those papers contained 
 some of the resolutions agrei d upon at their associations ; 
 among which were the following : — " That private baptism 
 is unlawful. — That the sign of the cross ought not to be 
 used in baptism. — That the calling of bishops is unlawful. 
 — That the people ought to be taught church discipline. — 
 That ministers ought to be called by their flocks. — And 
 that no minister ought to subscribe to the Book of Common 
 Prayer."* These were the dangerous resolutions and 
 opinions of Mr. Wight and his brethren, for which they 
 were apprehended and cast into prison. They were most 
 shamefully reproached and insulted in the high commission 
 and star-chamber; and were under confinement in the year 
 1592, having been in prison nearly two years. Whether 
 Mr. Wight continued much longer in bondage, we cannot 
 ascertain.f 
 
 William Proudlove was a respectable puritan minis- 
 ter, who, about the year 1562, became vicar of Fansley in 
 Northamptonshire; and in 1577, he became rector of 
 Lamport in the same county. J He united with his 
 brethren in their private associations, and took an active 
 part in promoting the desired ecclesiastical discipline ; for 
 which, in the year 1590, he was apprehended and cast into 
 prison, where he remained a long time.^ He was often 
 carried before the high commission and the star-chamber, 
 when he underwent the severe scrutiny and examination of 
 his ecclesiastical inquisitors ; but refused the oath ex officio. 
 On one of these occasions, the following interrogatories 
 were proposed to him : 
 
 " Whether have not you put in practice that opinion 
 or determination of those that labour for a discipline and 
 government by eldership, whereby they hold, that a godly 
 minister is not to rest in or obey the suspension or depriva- 
 tion of bishops or their officers, as it is practised in the 
 church of England ? — Whether were you suspended or 
 excommunicated by your ordinary, and, nevertheless, did 
 preach and execute your ministry, during such suspension 
 or excommunication ; and what moved you so to do ?— 
 Whether have you besides the presentation by the patron, 
 
 * S(rype's Whitgift, p. 291, 292. + See Art. Cartwright. 
 
 % Bridges's Hist, of Northamptonshire, vol. i. p. 95, 113. 
 \ See Art. Cartwright. 
 
J. MORE. 449 
 
 and institulion of the bisliop, unto your late benefice, 
 a trial, examination, ordination, calling, and approbation 
 by some of your brethren and neighbouring ministers 
 assembled in classes or conference ? In what manner 
 and form 'was it performed ? By whom, when, and 
 ■where ?"* What could his tyrannical judges mean by these 
 iniquitous proceedings, unless it was to force him to become 
 his own accuser, and prove him guilty from his own con- 
 fession ? 
 
 John More. — This learned and pious divine was fellow 
 of Christ's college, Cambridge, where he most probably 
 received his education. After his removal from the uni- 
 versity, he became a very popular and useful preacher at 
 St. Andrew's church in the city of Norwich ; but here he 
 met with persecution on account of his nonconformity. 
 Having refused to wear the surplice, principally on account 
 of the offence which it gave to others, he was convened 
 before the bishop of the diocese, who told him that it was 
 better to offend a few private persons, than to offend God 
 and disobe^rthe prince. His lordship, indeed, gives hira 
 this honourable character : " I have not known that lie has 
 at anytime spoken against her majesty's book of Injunc- 
 tions, nor can I find any manner of stubbornness in him. 
 And surely," adds the bishop, " he is a godly and learned 
 man, and hath done much good in this city."t Pie was a 
 zealous champion for the purity of the gospel, and a bold 
 opposer of all false doctrine, as appears from his public 
 contest with the famous Dr. Pern of Cambridge. f What a 
 pity then was it, that a divine, endowed with sucii excellent 
 qualifications, should have been interrupted in his public 
 ministry. 
 
 The prelates rigorously imposing tlie ceremonies upon 
 the clergy, Mr. More, with his brethren in and about 
 Norwich, were amono- the numerous sufferers. These 
 divmes, seeing the approaching storm, prepared for it by 
 presentmg their hural)le supplication to the lords of the 
 council, dated Worn Norwich, September 25, 1576. In 
 tliis supplication they declare their great readiness to yield 
 their bodies, their goods, and their lives in the service of 
 
 * Baker's MS^. Collec. vol, xv, p. 76, 77. 
 + Strype's Parker, p. 452. 
 f Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. SS'^. 
 VOL. I. 2 G 
 
450 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 their prince ; yet they dare not yield to the intended con- 
 formity. Having enlarged upon the manifold evils 
 necessarily arising from such rigorous impositions, they 
 conclude in these words : " As to ourselves," say they, 
 *' we dare not for all the world yield to those ceremonies. 
 *' And it' the bishop proceed to urge them upon ministers, 
 " as he hath begun, it will bring the most awful ruin upon 
 *' the church. There are already nineteen or txQenty 
 *' exercises of preaching and catechizing put down, by 
 *' the silencing of ministers in this city. We, therefore, 
 '' humbly crave your assistance, both with our prince 
 *' and the bishops. The Lord God direct your honours 
 " in this affair, and in all your other concerns, that 
 ^' they may be for the profit of the church of God and 
 *' the advantage of our land. Yours most humbly in the 
 *' Lord, 
 
 *' John More, George Leeds, 
 
 " Richard Crick, Richard Dowe, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts, William Hart."* 
 
 If Mr. More and his brethren were not brought into 
 trouble previous to their application to the council, it is 
 certain they were suspended not long after. This will 
 appear from their own words, in the following submission, 
 dated from Norwich, August 21, 1578, and presented to 
 their diocesan : — " The ministers," say they, " whose names 
 " arc imdcrwritten, humbly crave favour to be restored to 
 " their preaching, upon subscription to all those articles 
 " which concern tiic confession of the true christian faith 
 *' and doctrine of the sacraments, according to the words 
 " of the statute. And concerning ceremonies, order, and 
 " government, they acknowledge that they are so far toler- 
 "• able, that for the same, no man ought to withdraw 
 ^' himself from hearing the word of God, and receiving the 
 " sacraments ; nor, on the same account, ought any minister 
 •' to refuse to preach the word of God, and to administer 
 " the sacraments, 
 
 " John More, Richard Dowe, 
 
 " Ricliard Crick, George Leeds, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts, John Mapes."! 
 " Vincent Goodwin, 
 
 * MS. Register, 256. + Ibid. p. 295. 
 
J. MORE. 451 
 
 From the above submission it is obvious that Bishop 
 Maddox had not sufficiently examined the subject, or that 
 his materials of information were defective, when he affirms 
 that Mr. More does not appear to have been suspended.* 
 It is not, indeed, equally clear how long he remained under 
 the episcopal censure, nor whether his submission was at all 
 available. About the year 1584, after the publication of 
 AVhitgift's tiirre articles, we find this excellent divine and 
 upwards of sixty others, all ministers of Norfolk, not 
 resolved to subscribe. And about the same time, the minis- 
 ters of Norwich, being grievously oppressed with the seve- 
 rities laid upon them, presented to the archbishop their 
 reasons for refusing subscription, earnestly soliciting the 
 resolution of their scruples and objections; but I do not 
 find what satisfaction they obtained.t Dr. Ames styles 
 Mr. More a most heavenly man, and the light and glory of 
 the church. J Mr. Granger gives the following account of 
 him : " This worthy person," says he, " was about twenty 
 years minister of St. Andrew's in Norwich; where he was 
 held in great veneration for his general knowledge in the 
 sciences, his exact skill in the learned languages, and, above 
 all, for his extensive learning and indefatigable labours as 
 a divine. He constantly preached thrice every Sunday, 
 and was much admired for his excellent talent that way. 
 He refused very considerable preferments, which would 
 have been attended with less labour than his cure at Nor- 
 wich, only because he thought he could be more useful in 
 that city." This author, giving an account of the different 
 modes of dress at this period, observes, that " Mr. John 
 More of Norwich, one of the worthiest clergymen in the 
 reign of Elizabeth, gave the best reason that could be 
 given for wearing the longest and largest beard of any 
 Englishman of his time ; namely, ' That no act of his life 
 might be unworthy of the gravity of his appearance.' "^ He 
 died in the year 1592. Fuller includes him among the 
 learned writers, being fellows of Christ's college, Cam- 
 bridge ; and says, he made the excellent map of the Land of 
 Palestine, II 
 
 In the last will and testament of Mr. Thomas Merburie, 
 
 * Vindication of the Church of England, p. 341. 
 
 + MS. Register, p. 286, 436. 
 
 :t Ames's Fresh Suit, Appen. p. 18. 
 
 ^ Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. i. p. 217, 218, 288. 
 
 II Fuller's Hist, of Camb, p. 92. 
 
452 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. 
 
 of the above college, dated December 1, 1571, and proved 
 the 5th of the same month, honourable mention is made of 
 Mr. More ; and Mr. Merburle bequeathed to him all liis 
 books in divinity, and made him one of the supervisors of 
 Lis will.* 
 
 * Bakers MS. Collec. vol. iii, p. 314. 
 
 / 
 
 END OF VOL. 1, 
 
 HUGHES, PRINTER, MAIDEN-LANE, COVENT-GARDEK. 
 
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