The life and acts of John Whitgift, the third and last Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the whole digested, compiled, and attested from records, registers, original letters, and other authentic MSS. taken from the choicest libraries and collections of the Kingdom, together with a large appendix of the said papers

Front matter

-CO

^00

I CD

Chap. I

J. HE Archbishop's proceedings with Popish recusants. Consider- Anno 1590. ations about the liberty granted them. The Archbishop's dealings with the Puritan sort. They are prosecuted by the ecclesiastical commission ; and in the Star-chamber. Articles, in number twenty, charged upon those in Warwick and Northampton. The Archbishop's information of divers matters of fact of these men. P. 1 .

Chap. II

Cartwright summoned before the ecclesiastical Commissioners. Articles against him. Refuseth to answer upon the oath ex officio. Committed to the Fleet. And under the Queen's displeasure. His letter to the Lord Treasurer thereupon. That Lord's advice to the Archbishop concerning Cartwright. Tracts by Morice and Dr. Cosin, for and against that oath. Other tracts of that argument. Some other Puritan Ministers brought before the commission : Hubbock, Kendal, Buccock. Their cases. P. 22.

CHAP. IIL

Udal and Penry, two Puritans, condemned to die, for seditious books by them written. Demonstration of Discipline. Remonstrance to the Demonstration, in answer thereto. Danger of Puritanism. Pearj's books : An Humble Motion. Dr. A 2 iv CHAPTERS

Bancroft's Sermon ; answered. An argument against Bishops' superiority, as dangerous to the Queen's safety. Managed by Mr. Treasurer KnoUys ; communicated to the Archbishop. A courtier publisheth a book in favour of Bishops. Knollys is checked by the Queen for meddling against the established government of tlie Church by Bishops. P- 37.

Chap. IV

Rejwrt of a Presbytery in St. John's college, Cambridge, examined. Dr. "^^Tiitaker, the Master, denies it to the Vice-Chancellor, The Chancellor of the University consults with the Archbishop. Articles concerning Presbyteries and Classes to be disowned by those of St. John's : drawn up by the Archbishop. Dr. Whitaker vindicates himself from false reports. The Dean of Lincoln convented before the Archbishop, for words used in his sennon. The Archbishop's letter thereupon to the residentiaries. The Archbishop to the Bishops, to certify the Clergy's arms. Visitations. Public prayers appointed. P. 56.

Chap. V

Anno i59i.Cartwright and the rest come before the Lords in the Star-chamber. Some account of this appearance. Sir Francis Knollys will not be concerned. The Queen apprehends danger from Puritans as well as Papists. Cartwright appears before the High Commissioners. Account of what was then done. Speeches then made ; of the Bishop of London, Dr. Bancroft, and Dr. Lewin, to him : with his answers. The effect of the principal matters in the bill of complaint against him and his fellows. P. 70.

Chap. VI

Further account of the Puritans' troubles in the Star-chamber. Information agtunst them. The Attorney General's judgment of them. Two writings of the Archbishop against them, considered by a lawyer. Their petition to the Council, and to the Archbishop, for their liberty. Granted by him. A letter of some Doctors of the University to the Lord Treasurer, to favour peaceable preachers. Divers Puritans deposed. Cartwright's plea for their classes. A brief narrative of the proceedings with the Puritans in the Star-chamber. Divers interrogatories refused by them to answer unto. P. 8 1 .

AND CHIEF MATTERS. v

Chap. VII

The Archbishop appointed to send Divines to confer with Ud:U, &c. condemned for sedition. Udal makes a declaration of his judgment. Is pardoned. Troubles of Eusebius Pagitt. His moving letter to the Lord Admiral. Beza vindicates himself to the Archbishop in respect of this Church. The Archbishop to the Bishops, for catechising and confirming children. The Minister of the French Protestant Church in London applies himself to the Archbishop. Bishops consecrated. Visitations. A controversy between Mr. Broughton and Dr. Reynolds of Oxon. The Archbishop, umpire. His judgment of Broughton, and of his works. Makes an order for the hospitals of St. John and Herbaldown in Canterbury. P. 96.

Chap. VIII

The Archbishop requires a certificate concerning the Clergy from Anno 1592. the Bishops. Speeches in Parliament against and for the Bishops. Letters of Sir Francis Knollys on this argimient. Lewin, the Civilian, his speech about Bishops' government in monarchies. This bill against them stopped, the Queen being displeased with the Parliament for meddling in matters of the Church. P. 120.

Chap. IX

Beal, Clerk of the Council, vindicates his doings in the Parliament against the Bishops. His letter to that end. A Convocation. Dr. Andrews preaches before them. Contents of his sermon. Address of Deans and Prebendaries of the new foundations, in behalf of their revenues. Visitation of the hospitals of Saltwood and Hith ; and All Souls college, Oxon. A Bishop Suffragan of Colchester consecrated. Bishops confirmed and consecrated. Vacations of dioceses, and visitations of them. A copy of the Ecclesiastical Polity presented to the Lord Treasurer by the author, Mr. Hooker. The Archbishop concerned in a case between the Lord Sandes and his Lady. P. 129.

Chap. X

Recusants in the Archbishop's diocese. Directions from the Anno 1693. Privy Council for making inquiry after them. The Archbishop sends to the Bishops for contribution for Priests converted. Survey of the pretended Discipline, set forth by Dr. Bancroft. The Archbishop's excellent letter to Beza ; expostulating with

VI

CHAPTERS him about his writings against this Church. Dr. Saravia and Dr. Sutcliff accused by Beza. Vindicated by the Archbishop. Baza's sharp words of Sutcliff considered by Saravia, and reproved. P- 150. *^ CHAP. XL Penry seized. His address to the Queen, with other writings of his : for which he was found guilt)- of felony: and condemned. His Declaration and Protestation before his death. His character. Barrow and Greenwood, for seditious books, condemned and executed. Conferred with. Their characters. Pardon offered them, but refused. Barrow's letter. The Archbishop reflected on therein. Barrow's dangerous principles concerning this Church. A benefit done to the University of Cambridge by the Archbishop. Their epistle gratulatory to him.

P. 175.

Chap. XII

Anno 1594. Commission to the Archbishop to sun^ey all ecclesiastical courts and their officers. His letter to the Bishops for that end. Articles sent them for inquir}-. The Archbishop stirs against new books of concealments. His letter to the Lord Keejjer. Mr. Hooker sets forth his Ecclesiastical Polity. Benefices conferred upon him by the Archbishop. Saravia sets forth a book in defence of the order of Bishops ; dedicated to the Archbishop. Saravia's character. Dr. Robert Abbot dedicates to the Archbishop his account of a disputation with a Popish Priest in Worcester. P. 193.

CHAP. XIIL Several vacant sees supplied ; viz. York, St. David's, London, (Fletcher, the Bishop thereof, falls under the Queen's displeasure, suspended,) Norwich, Landaff. The Queen's farmers refuse to contribute towards the repair of a parish church. The Archbishop's letter thereupon. Hugh Broughton's contest \vith the Archbishop about the article of Christ's Descent into Hell.

P. 213.

Chap. XIV

Anno 1595. Mr. Broughton fails of preferment ; notwithstanding his taking Orders by the Archbishop's advice. Is displeased. He is about a new translation of the Bible. WTiereof he acquaints the Lord Treasurer and the Archbishop. Cartwright at Guernsey. The Predestinarian controversy arises ; occasioned by a determination in the Schools, and by a Clerum at St. Mar\''s,

AND CHIEF MATTERS. vu

Cambridge. The points asserted there. Baret, the preacher thereof, retracts. Appeals to the Archbishop. The Archbishop writes in his behalf to the Heads : and blames them. Dr. Saravia's judgment of the doctrines asserted in the Retractation.

P. 222.

Chap. XV

Baret's petitions to the Archbishop, to declare the true doctrine in these points. The Heads decline the Archbishop's judging of Baret's business. Justify their own proceedings. Their letter to the Archbishop. The true doctrine stated by them, in a paper sent to the Archbishop. The Archbishop's second letter to the Heads. Sends for Dr. Somes, about a sermon of his. His letter on that occasion to the Heads. The Heads' third letter to the Archbishop. And Dr. Whitaker's to him in favour of the Heads. The Archbishop acquaints the Lord Treasurer of the matter between the Heads and him. Their petitions to the Archbishop to take order that no doctrines be vented tending to innovation. And their reasons. P. 243.

Chap. XVI

Baret examined upon articles of doctrine, by the Archbishop's order. His answers. Whitaker's animadversions thereupon ; and the Heads, in a letter to the Archbishop. The Archbishop gives his judgment of both. His resolution about these matters. Baret's second examination at Lambeth. His confession. A favourable retractation for him to make at Cambridge. Which he delays to do. The Archbishop draws up a recapitulation of Baret's business. P. 262.

CHAP. XVIL

Whitaker's Clerum about the controverted points. The Lambeth Articles. The Archbishop of York's judgment of them. The Archbishop's letter to the University for submission to them. Their answer and thanks. His further private instructions to the Vice-Chancellor, upon these propositions coming to the Queen's knowledge. Her letter to the Archbishop about them. The Lord Treasurer's thoughts of them. The Heads offended with Dr. Baro for his Clerum on these points. Whereupon he writes to the Archbishop. Account of Baro given the ArchbiviU CHAPTERS

shop by the Vice-Chancellor. The Archbishop's directions to the Vice-chancellor. P. 278.

Chap. XVIII

The process in the Vice- Chancellor's Court against Dr. Baro, His apology for himself to the Treasurer. Who takes his part, in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor. Baro writes to Dr. Andrews at Lanibeth ; and to the Archbishop, concerning the matter charged upon him. Appeals to him : who continues him in his place. His letter of thanks to the Archbishop. The Archbishop of York sends him a treatise of Predestination to print. The Archbishop of Canterbury inquires of him about Preachers in the north, and other matters. That Archbishop's answer ; and his opinions of the Lambeth Propositions. P. 297.

Chap. XIX

Dr. Whitaker dies. The Archbishop's esteem of him. Desires his notes and writings. The Vice-Chancellor's letter to him about Whitaker's death. His places vacant ; filled. Overal chosen Public Professor. The Archbishop's doubt of him, as factious. His opinion of the Propositions. The Archbishop sends for Covel, for preaching an offensive sermon at St. Mary's. The Archbishop agrees with Broughton about the descent of Christ into hell. His relation to the Archbishop about what passed him at Geneva, with Beza and others. The reasons they were displeased with him. The Archbishop's foundation of his hospital at Croydon. The poor of the hospital at Herbaldown petition him. The Archbishop's care of the poor of Kent upon a dearth. Confirmations and consecrations of Bishops. P. 315.

Chap. XX

Anno 1596. The Archbishop sends two circular letters to the Bishops ; one for redeniijtson of captives ; the other for fasting and prayer, by reason of a dearth. Philips, Preacher at St. Mary Overy's, suspended. Orders made by the Archbishop, &c. for the commons of the Students of Christ Church, Oxon, Some Puritan Ministers pretend to cast out devils. Darrel, one of them, brought before the Archbishop and Commissioners. His story : imprisoned and dci)Osed. Confirmations and consecrations of Bishops. Bishop Bilson ; his writings. One Gerard recom-

AND CHIEF MATTERS. ix

mended for Chester. Lands concealed belonging to Eastbrldge hospital discovered to the Archbishop. A letter of foreign news sent to the Archbishop by Castoll, French Minister.

P. 334.

Chap. XXI

Mr. Broughton takes offence at the Archbishop, for hindering his Anao 1597. preferment, and his intended new translation of the Bible. Challenges Dr. Andrews to a disputation about the descent. Bishop Bilson, by the Archbishop's advice, preaches against Christ's suffering of hell-torments. The occasion of printing his discourse. The various opinions concerning the descent, drawn up for the use of the Lord Treasurer. Broughton represents the Church of England's sense thereof against a Jew; which was, that Christ's descent was his going to paradise.

P. 355.

CHAP. XXIL

The condition of the Roman Catholics. Mr. George More's letter concerning them : and his motion for a toleration of them. Some notable sentences collected by the Archbishop, concerning war and peace with Spain. The Archbishop recommends one for knight of the shire for Kent. Bills and complaints brought into Parliament against abuses in the spiritual courts : as, licences for marriages : probat of wills : excessive fees. The Queen's message to the House hereupon. Regulation of matters ecclesiastical. Orders of Convocation. Visitation of the church of Canterbury. , P. 367.

Chap. XXIII

Consecration of Dr. Bancroft for Bishop of London. The great character given of him by the Archbishop, and of his services. Mr. Broughton disappointed of this bishopric ; angry with the Archbishop again. The great dilapidations of St. Paul's, and the Bishop's houses. Other Bishops translated and confirmed. Mr. Hooker's fifth book of Ecclesiastical Polity comes forth. Some things of note in his dedication thereof to the Archbishop.

P. 385.

Chap. XXIV

Disciplinarian heats abate by the Archbishop's labours. The ec- Anao 1598. clesiastical commission checked by prohibitions. Reasons drawn up against them. The Archbishop writes to the Bishops

VOL. II. b

X CHAPTERS

about abuses in marriages : and to send up the names of ^1 such as took holy Orders ; and of such as stood excommunicate. Admonition sent to the Archbishop's Courts about absolving recusants exconmiunicate. Letters of the Archbishop for charitable contributions. Confirmations and consecrations of

Bishops. ^' ^^^•

Chap. XXV

Anno 1599. A Rabbi of Constantinople writes to Broughton, to explain the old prophecies, as fulfilled in our Messiah. Broughton urgeth the Archbishop and the nobility, in several letters, to get him authorized by the Queen to undertake that work. Blames their delays. The Sabbatarian doctrine checked by the Archbishop. Requires of the Bishops certificates of their court-fees. His hospital at Croydon finished. The chapel dedicated and consecrated. The Archbishop's purchases. Heton, Bishop of Ely, consecrated. Some account of him. A licence of the Archbishop to teach school. The Archbishop hinders the mustering of singing-men belonging to his cathedral. P. 406.

Chap. XXVI

Anno 1600. The Archbishop's courts disturbed by prohibitions. Divers prohibitions specified. Queries about them offered to the Lords by the Bishops. A letter of Bancroft, when Archbishop, in behalf of the Civilians, injured by the temporal Judges. Some business between the Archbishop and the University of Cambridge. Remarkable books now set forth; dedicated to the Archbishop: Sto\^'s Annals; Dr. Willet's Synopsis Papismi. The Archbishop makes search for Mr. Hooker's three last books. New Offices of Prayer. P. 427.

CHAP. XXVIL

Anno 1601. The Archbishop's letter, requiring the Bishops, with the rest of the Clergy, to send light horse, upon the Pope's and Spaniard's invading Ireland. A Parliament. Bills put in there against Bishops' leases ; and against pluralities and nonresidences ; and against Commissaries' frequent courts. A Convocation : what was done there. The Archbishop's letters to the Bishops concerning their courts, &c. Complained much of in Parliament. Tlie abuses, under several articles, the Archbishop requires the Bishops to redress, according to former constitutions. P. 44 J .

AND CHIEF MATTERS. xi

Chap. XXVIII

Punishments for clandestine marriages, and absolutions granted by the Archbishop. The Archbishop granteth licences for killing of flesh in Lent, in his liberties in Canterbury. Writes to his

■ Steward about the abuses of them. Confirmations and consecrations of Bishops. The Archbishop informed of an ignorant empiric and astrologer at Lambeth. Writes to the College of Physicians about him. His licence to build a place of sepulture ; and for the appropriating it to the family. Thomas Cartwright alive, and quiet. P. 453.

Chap. XXIX

Controversy between the Archbishop and Mayor of Canterbury Auno leoa. about licences to butchers in Lent. Lands of the late priory of Dover lying in Charleton^ belonging to the Archbishop's see. The Archbishop visits All Souls college. The Queen dies. The manner of her sickness and death. The Archbishop and some other Bishops present with her, and assist at her last devotions. Some account thereof related at St. Paul's the Sunday after her death. The Archbishop crowneth King James and Queen Anne. P. 460.

Chap. XXX

The Archbishop sends Dr. Nevill into Scotland, to wait upon the Anno 1603. new King. His inquiry of the Archbishop concerning the state of religion and of the Clergy, The Archbishop writes to the Bishops hereupon, for special reason. The King inquires after recusants. Upon the Privy Council's letter, the Archbishop sends order to the Bishops for keeping the 5th of August, the day of the King's deliverance from an assassination. And upon the King's letters he writes to them for a collection to be made for Geneva^ besieged by the Duke of Savoy. How well that city had deserved for maintaining the Gospel, and harbouring the professors of it. P. 469.

CHAP. XXXL

The Puritans' diligence with the new King by books and petitions. Henry Jacob's book. The Archbishop's endeavours with the King, in favour of the Church of England. The King's letter to him. These things produce a solemn conference before the King. His proclamation for the same. The Archbishop of York to our Archbishop hereupon. An account of what the xii CHAPTERS AND CHIEF MATl^ERS.

Archbishop said at the conference. Letter of the Bishop of Durham to the Archbishop of York after the conference. The King's private letter concerning it. A note of such things as were to be reformed by his order upon this conference. P. 478.

Chap. XXXII

Commissions to the Archbishop and other Bishops, and to certain Lords of the Privy Council, for regulation of matters of the Church; pursuant to the conference. The Archbishop falls sick. His disease. His Christian departure. His character. Buried at Croydon. Traduced by a libel. The author of it censured in the Star-chamber. His monument. Epitaphs. Two new Bishops consecrated. His gifts. Books in manuscript given to Trinity college. P. 502.

Chap. XXXIII

Anno 1604. The King sets forth two proclamations in favour of the Church of England ; viz. one against Papists, and the other against such as refused the Liturgy. And therein is shewn what was done about it at the conference. The Council's letter to the Archbishop of York. And his to the Lord Cranbom, concerning the Puritans and Papists. A Convocation summoned. A new translation of the Bible in hand with ; being one of the things resolved upon at the conference. The Archbishop's fears about it. The King's letter to the Bishop of London, giving orders for it. That Bishop's letter to the Bishops thereupon. Measures to be taken for the translators. The conclusion. P. 5 1 9,

THE 325

LIFE AND ACTS

OF

ARCHBISHOP WHITGIFT.

BOOK IV.

Chap. I

The Archbishop^ s proceedings ivith Popish recusants. Considerations about the liberty granted to them. The Archbishop's dealings ivith the Puritan sort. They are prosecuted in the ecclesiastical commission : and in the Star-chamber. Articles, in number twenty, charged upon those of Warivick and Northampton. The Archbishop's information of divers matters of fact of these men. The Archbishop takes notice of Carttvright's answer to the Preface of the Rhemists' Testament.

It was now the thirty-second year of Queen Elizabeth's Anno 1590. reign, and the Archbishop was arrived to the sixtieth year buho^'arof his age : and had sat in the archiepiscopal chair of Can- rived to his terbury seven years ; all which time almost, with great so- ' ^^ licitude and pain, struggling with the enemies of the established Church, of both sorts. And had by this time gotten the better of them, though he was still in combat with them : proceeding steadily forward, as he had already done, to keep the Church of England on foot, according to the first constitution of it iir the happy Reformation.

VOL. II. B

BOOK Which I shall go on to shew, according as matter hath ^^ ' occurred to me from authentic records and papers.

Anno 1590. There was now again great apprehensions of Popery, by

^.^^ reason of the flocking of Seminary Priests into the reahii,

of*t"e ' notwithstanding the executions lately done upon several

Archbishop ^f them. Which occasioned this year a proclamation to

in conimis- * '■

sion against be Set forth against such as should harbour them. A great recusants. ^^^^^ Popish rccusants Avhich were taken up, were convented before the Archbishop and Commissioners at Lambeth, since Michaelmas, being of divers countries and places in England. A brief account of what was done with them is as followeth, according to a certificate sent from the ecclesiastical commission to the Lord Treasurer. Certificates tc Seygj^i being con vented, submitted to eo to church, and

thereof sent . ^ tt^ i ^ ^ ^

up. " receive. One Welman, of Chich S. Osiths, m Essex,

'"'^'^^ " took his corporal oath to come orderly to church, where- " of he afterwards certified accordingly. And some were " bound to appear, and appeared not : whose bonds were " decreed to be certified, [in order to be put in execution.] " Henry Foster was committed to the Counter in Wood " street : enlarged again : and committed to the custody " of his father, upon sufficient bands given by his father, " to keep him safe prisoner. That he shall be forthcom- " ing : upon warning, not to depart the realm, and for " conference." This was the moderate course taken with the recusants at this time.

Further, " John Halsey, of London, physician ; com- " mitted to the Fleet : and after, upon his band in 500/. " to remain true prisoner in his chamber in London j and " for his allegiance, was enlarged out of the Fleet, to the " end to confer with the Bishop of Winton.

" William Ashburnham, of Ashburnham in Sussex, " committed to the Marshalsea.

" John Hil, of Hil-End, in the county of Wigorn, called, " but appeared not. And his band decreed to be certified.

" John Mannock, of Naylond, in the county of Suffolk, " Gentlenmii, committed to the Clink ; was afterwards enlarged, upo)i the death of his father, for a tune ; upon chap. band to appear again at a certain time ; and for his good '

*' behaviour and conference. But he appeared not accord- ^""o i590. " ingly. And therefore his band was decreed to be certi- " lied ; and an attachment against him.

" Giles Mannock, likewise of the same place, was com- *' mitted, and enlarged for a time. And is since returned *' to prison.

" John Gifford, Gentleman, committed prisoner to Mr. " Ernely, with special commandment to keep him safe ; *' and discharge the trust reposed in him.

" Anne Lee, wife of Richard Lee, of in Warwick-

" shire ; bound to confer with Mr. Heycroft, the preacher " there. Who certified, that she would not be conformed. " And thereupon an attachment decreed against her.

" Robert Fitz-Herbert, son of John Fitz-Herbert, of So- " mersale Herbert in Derbyshire, Gentleman, upon his " father's band, to resort to church, was discharged.

" Nicolas Chaplain, of Sanfordparva, Essex, upon his " appearance submitted himself 5 and entered band for the " continuance of his conformity in coming to church. " Whereof he afterward certified."

To which I will subjoin a consultation, upon the foresaid information and certificates, for the securing of the realm at this time, when the Spaniards and other Popish potentates promised themselves help, in their resolved attempts upon this land, from the Roman Catholics here. They seemed to be the thoughts of the Lord Treasurer Burghley; the paper being writ by the hand of Mr. Maynard, one of his secretaries : and bore this title :

u4 consideration to be had, to withstand the dangers to groic hy sufferance of a multitude of recusants, to be at liberty.

" First, The numbers are greater than be certainly consider- " known. And yet upon the view of the certificates of the security"' " late Commissioners for Jesuits, there may be gathered against re- " some estimation of them in every country : and espe- this danger-

jj cf ous time.

BOOK " cially such to be noted as have livelihood and credits in ^^' " their countries, both with their neighbours and their te-

Anno 1590.« nants.

327 « The number of such as of late years were restrained,

" being men of possessions, are not above , who were

*' fit to be newly restrained. And yet with signification " unto them, that the same is not to be done so much for " doubt of any disloyal attempts by themselves, as to no- " tify to the rebels and enemies abroad, that whatsoever ** outward and inward trouble the enemy or the rebels " would hope to stir up within the realm, they are not to " look nor hope to have any assistance by those which " shall be committed. As it is very well known, that the " rebels ordinarily do labour to persuade the enemy to " have such assistance.

" Besides the commitment of these, there would be " choice made of others of like quality in remote parts of " the realm : but especially in maritime countries. Who " may be stayed in their countries, and committed to cus- " todies in castles, or such other places ; where they may " be restrained of their liberties. And to that end, com- " missions might be given in the north, to the Lord Pre- " sident and Council there. And in Lancashire and Che- " shire, to the Earl of Derby ; and in Wales, to the Lord " President and Council there : to make choice of such " persons and places as shall be thought, upon direction " given, to be meet.

" Item, It shall be convenient, that in other countries, " especially the maritime, that the mean sort of recusants " being obstinate, and of bodily ability to do hurt, might " be committed to the custody of the Sheriffs, with condi- " tion to be sustained of their own livelihood.

" Iterriy It were convenient, that no notable recusant " should be suffered to continue near the sea-side. But " either to be commanded to some inward habitation " within the country : and to be bound with sureties not « to depart thence without necessary cause, to be allowed " by two Justices of the peace next adjoining. Or if they

" will refuse these conditions, to be committed into gaol CHAt>. " for the summer time. L__

" Item, Where there be many men's wives that be re-^""'' ^^^^' " cusants, although their husbands resort to the church, ** and thereby avoid the penalty of the law : the wives " would be indicted and condemned, and committed ei- " ther to prison, or the penalty levied upon their hus- " bands' lands and goods. For though the husband will " allege, that he cannot convert his wife to obedience ; yet " he may yield her to imprisonment, or redeem her liberty " with penalty.

" That the arms of the recusants may be sequestered, " to the custody of some of the Justices." But now we turn to the other sort of disaffected persons to this Church.

The Archbishop was very busy this year, as soon as the ^^'"'***''^ ^'^ Parliament was over, more effectually to deal with that discipline sort of the Puritans, who had laboured so much to brinsr '" ^^^^^'

' o ampton,

in the new discipline, and to abolish the whole settlement Warwick, of the Church of England, both in the Liturgy and govern- moned'up ment thereof. And had of their own heads, (without leave t" the ecor knowledge of the temporal rulers,) set up a different oo manner of government of their own, for ecclesiastical matters. And many Ministers, even incumbents of livings, had submitted thereunto, and were parts of their synods and meetings, privately convented; and especially in Northampton and Warwick : where Mr. Cartwright was the chief president and orderer of affairs among them. Several of these Ministers, in these towns and counties, were summoned up to the commission ecclesiastical : and divers articles were administered there to them, to give in their answers to. Which they refused to do, though it was manifest, by letters and other writings which were found and taken in their houses, that they were culpable in the most of them. As namely, in that of holding classes and synods : and in subscribing to their book of discipline j and putting the same into practice. And these were the articles, (which will let in further knowledge of these Disciplinarians and their assemblies,) sent by the Archbi-

b3 commission.

H THE LIFE AND ACTS

BOOK shop to the Lord Treasurer, inclosed m a letter to him, '^" dated July the 16th, 1590, from Lambeth, viz.

AQnoi59o. 1. First, They have agreed upon, and appointed amongst 3-28 themselves, certayne general meetings, which they call wherewith synods; and others more particular in several shiers, in they were dioccses, which they call classes.

2. Item, Some of the especial places, so appoynted for the synods, are London, Cambridge at tymes of Commencement, and Sturbridge fay re, and Oxforde at the Act. Because at these tymes and places they may assemble with least suspicion.

3. Item, In the said synods, those there assembled treat and determine of such matters as are eyther propounded anew, or have been debated before in the classes, as fyt to be considered on, and provided for. And likewise what course shall be holden by the Ministers in theyr several places. Which being concluded upon by the synod, it is holden autentical, and is decreed to be put accordingly in execution.

4. Item, In the classis, being a more particular assemblie of certeyne Ministers in several shiers, or dioceses, (according to the appoyntment of the general synods,) meeting in some private place, for the most part, after a prayer there conceaved, and a sermon or exercise made; it is signifyed to some that were present, what hath been determined in the last synod. And then they do deliberate, as wel for the better execution thereof, as also what further points they think convenient to be presented to the consideration of the next synod.

5. Item, According to this platt, sondrie, or at least one such synod or synods, have been holden, at every or some of the said places and tymes afore specifyed : and namely, at or about Sturbridge fayre tyme last at Cambridge.