Christian History Institute Presents Pastwords #155: Royalist Challenges Conventional Church History by Henry Fouilis ©2007

FOULIS, HENRY. The History of the Wicked Plots and Conspiracies of Our Pretended Saints: The Second Edition. Oxford: Printed by Hen. Hall for Ric. Davis M.DC.LXXIV. [1674] Henry Foulis (1638-1669) Fellow of Lincoln's College, took holy orders, but devoted himself to historical studies. He wrote this work, the first edition of which was published in 1662, against the Catholics & Presbyterians. Allibone quotes Athen. Oxon: "Which book, tho' full of notable girds against that party, yet it hath been so pleasing to the royalists, (who have found much wit and mirth therein,) that some of them have caused it to be chained to desks in public places, and in some country-churches, to be read by the vulgar. But as by publishing of this book he hath much displeased the Presbyterians, of whom some have fallen foul upon him in their writings for so doing; so hath he more displeased another party [Catholic]..."

THE PREFACE

eader, not to trouble thee with a long and tedious Courtship and Complement (according the common practice) nothing to the purpose: I shall only tell thee two or three things relating to the following Papers.

Some three years ago, viz. 1659, through the dissention and obstinacy of two wicked Parties, the Rump and Army, the Nation was almost ruin'd; sometimes this, and sometimes that, and other times God knows what, being chief Lords of mis-Rule: Insomuch, that in one Fortnight, viz. in October, we laid under the last of three several Authorities; every Party pretending nothing but Zeal, the Good of the People, and the Power of Godliness, yet designed to destroy all before them. And having got the Revenues of the King, Church, Loyal Nobility and Gentry; began to gape after the Lands of the Universities: This one action being able to pleasure them in two respects, The fingering of some Riches, [though King Henry VIII said, they were too small to wipe out the reproach]; And the overthrow of Learning.

To this purpose, Sir Henry Vane, and others imploy'd several Pulpiteers and Pen-men, to thunder out the Vanity of Human Learning. and at the same time, as well as before, Baxter and other Presbyterians, made it their business to throw what Aspersions they could, upon the Episcopal Party: all which were presently confuted, by the Learned and Loyal Champions of the King and Church, the famous Dr. Hammond, Dr. Heylin, and Mr. Pierce.

Yet the Brethren began to associate themselves into Bands, getting what Gentry and others they could to joyn with them, vilifying and abusing the Reverend Church, whilst the other Phanaticks persecuted them with their hellish Authority.

The Nation being thus entised to prejudice by the multitude of Pamphlets, which dayly multiplyed and flew about the Cities and Countrey, the Poet came into my head:

Semper ego auditor tantum, nunquamne reponam?

Since all the World is madd why should not I? So, getting some Ink and Paper, to it I go; and the better to put the People into their right wits again; presently drew up above thirty sheets by way of History, whereby they might see the Villanies, Perjury, Tyranny, Hypocrisie, etc. of the Presbyterian as well as the other Sectaries, [as it is in the first two Books, only some small things added since the happy Restoration of his Majesty]. And this Collection (with some other things in Vindication of the Universities, Human Learning, the Church, etc.) I had finish'd before the end of the Committee of Safeties Dominion, as I shew'd to several Friends in the University.

In the mean time up cometh the Worthy General Monk, and Re-inthrones the Secluded Members; which made me throw by any farther thoughts of my Papers, perceiving the Nation resolved for Kingship, and the Governments being then again turn'd Presbytery; A small vexing those Gentlemen, might have been a prejudice to his Majesty, and a punishment to my self, not forgetting their Imprisonment of Dr. Griffith.

And for ever might they have laid unregarded and in Oblivion, had not the wickedness of the Covenanters, even since the Kings coming in, clamoured them into my Remembrance, by their perpetual railing against the Bishops; Preaching, Prating, and Pamphleting up Sedition and Faction, and by endeavouring to make the People believe them to be the only Saints, and men of Honesty: which made me think it not amiss, to publish these following sheets, somewhat to undeceive the Ignorant, the better to keep them from joyning with these Sectaries, and to shew them what small reason they have to cry Persecution, and Trumpet out their own Commendations.

You may perceive, by the brevity of some Chapters, that I did not intend to make a large History of these mens Rogueries, but only a short Essay for the Peoples satisfaction; for, had I otherwise resolved, I had Materials enough to raise up a farr greater Fabrick. I have been exact in Timing the Actions; and in the Quotations, not being ashamed, as some of late, to tell from what Store-houses, I fetch'd the Matter: For some things I name two or three Authors, or more; thereby endeavouring to do the Reader a Courtesie, who through this variety, may probably have one of the Books, where he may see the passage itself, which is not to be laid to mine account as long as I name mine Author. The Third Book I added) whilst the other two were Printing), in some snaps and pieces of Time, which now and then I could borrow from my beloved Idleness.

As for the Style, you must do with it as Men do with their Wives, take it as you find it, for better or for worse: yet will the Brethren censure me beyond Redemption, call me a Bolsec, a Gretser, a Feu-ardentius, and what not: Look upon me as a Shimei, a Rabshakeh, a Thersites, and such like; and all this, because I speak truth, giving things their proper Titles, not dwindling the wickedness of Rebellion, Perjury, Murder, etc. under the notion of Gods Cause, the Covenant, and Justice: and in this an honest Poet, with a favourable Translation, will defend me;

Difficile est Satyram non scribere; nam quis iniquae

Tam patiens urbis, tam ferreus, ut teneat se?

We must be angry; Who can choose but frown,

When traytors thrive by a Rebellious Town?

If my fault be only speaking tartly, the then Dr. Reynolds, will assure this to be no such crime, by telling them that there is sometimes a Necessity of sharp Rebukes: and Mr. Hickman in this, will stifly plead mine Innocency, when he tells the World, in these words, that _____ If at any time, I seem to depart from that meekness of spirit which is required in a Minister, I shall desire that it may be considered, not only what is fit for me to speak, but what is meet for them to hear. If I were to mention their fact, who took the Reliques of Peter Martyr's Wife's carkase out of the Grave, and after buried them in a Dunghill, would you not allow me to call it Unchristian, and Inhumane? etc. And in another place, either himself, or his Friends, have bestirr'd themselves notably to plead the necessity and justness of my keenness, by declaring to all people, that _____ if any where I have used more sharpness then is pleasing to men, ___ I shall only say, that their hard grateing hath sharpened my style, and made it more keen and piercing, than I could have allowed myself to use towards a good-natured Adversary. 'Tis almost morally impossible for him who contends with a fiery and furious Antagonist, sometimes not to be a little over-heated.

But yet I am very willing to lye under the lash of their severest Titles, provided, they will be so ingenious, as to distribute Justice with an equal hand. If they look upon me as an hot-headed Rayler, for calling them Rebels and Traytors (and what can be more true?) I wonder how they can quit John Calvin from the same Epithet, who call'd those who could not agree to his will, Profane, Impudent, Brasen-faced, Impostours, Fools, wicked Forgeries, Perfidious, Uncharitable, Peevish, Hangman, Plague, void of Grace, Knaves, Serpents, devils, Filthy Dog etc.

If they censure me as an impudent and sawcy Fellow, for calling them Hypocrites, I hope, they will give the same Title to John Knox, the Father of the Scotch Presbytery, and a great assistant to these in England. This man had so got the knack of villifying, that his tongue could be no Slander. Passing by those of inferiour Rank, take some of his Complements to Queen Mary, calling her several times a wicked Woman, tells her, that she was not sober, merciful, but cruel and wicked, Mischievous, false, dissembling, unconstant, proud and a Breaker of Promises, an open Traitoress to the Imperial Crown of England. Nor is this all, but he calls her Reign, The Monstriferous Empire of a wicked Woman, the yoke of the Devil, her most Tyrannical Iniquity, that most unhappy and wicked Womans Authority, that reigneth in Gods wrath, an usurped Government, etc. and calls his own Queen Regents actions, Idolatry, Avarice, and Cruelty.

If they think me malepert for calling them Schismaticks, they cannot handsomely quit Marshal, Calamy, Young, Newcomen, and Spurstow, of the same guilt, for terming the Reverend Bishop Hall, false and confident, self-confounding-man, and of a confident boldness, and that his Book is full of falsities and contradictions: For ranting against Episcopacy as an Iron and Insupportable yoke, unjust Opposition, uttering words bordering upon Blasphemy. A Stirrup for Antichrist to get into the Saddle, Corrupt Prelates, that they discountenance, discourage, oppose, blaspheme Preaching, that they are Rotten Members, Sons of Belial. And then thunder out strange things of their Intolerable Oppressions, and Tyrannies, Drunkenesse, Profaness, Superstition, Popishness of the English Clergie; and then talk of their Cruelty, Tyranny, scandalous Sins, hateful Enormities; and that the Bishops do encrease Popery, Superstition, and Profaneness. And to make their malice compleat, would gladly bear the people in hand, that it hath been the Bishops great design, to hinder all farther Reformation, to bring in Popery, and Libertinism, to keep and beat down the Preaching of the Word, to silence the faithful Preachers, to oppose and persecute the most zealous Professors, and to turn all Religion into a pompeous out side, and to tread down the Power of Godliness.

If they think me uncivil for hinting at their Perjury, they cannot but be as angry with their Brethren in Scotland, the Committee of Estates for calling that Famous, Loyal, and Religious Marquess of Montross, several times Excommunicate Traytor, Viperous brood of Satan, declared Traytor, whom the Church hath delivered into the hands of the Devil, and the Nation doth generally detest and abhorr, Impudent braggard, lyer and malicious man, perfidious Traytor, a Child of the Devil, Dissembling Hypocrite, of a mean and desperate Fortune, vain man, miserable miscreant, malicious man; and accuseth him of wickedness, base treacherous practises, Rebellion and Treason; and then fairly conclude that he is a person justly excluded from civil Society for his Treasonable Practises, and Excommunicated from the Church for his abominable Transgressions. And this way of Presbyterian slandring is bravely imitated by their gude Kirk, who call the same noble General, That Excommunicated and forfeited Traytor, That wretched man, that Monster of men that excommunicat wretch, unnatural Man, that perfidious and proud Atheist; and then also concludes their Charity, that he is delivered into the hands of the Devill.

If they have a bad opinion of me, forgiving them now and then, some names, which they think are attributed by way of Reproach, they can have no better thoughts of Mr. Hickman, for scornfully calling, the learned Dr. Pierce a Wanton wit, uncharitable, one that tumbles out his ugly Tropes, and rowls himself in his raling Eloquence, a deplorable Dilemmatist, a doughty Disputant; accuseth him of Malice, Railing, Impudence and Nonsense. That his Book is full of bitter girds and scurrilous gibes, and that himself foams out of his own shame, and waxeth worse and worse. The same party calls Mr. Hobs a Prodigious Writer, and Commune Dei Hominumque Odium. And terms the learned and ingenious Author of Tilenus Funior, an Ethiopian scribler, poor fellow, and accuseth him of Impudence. Nor is this all: but throws his venom upon the late Supporter of Learning, the Reverend Arch-Bishop Laud, by affirming that the flourishing of him was the decaying and languishing of Church and State. Nor could either body well recover, but by spewing out such evil instruments as he and Buckingham. So that it seems, in his opinion, there was a necessity of murthering them both.

The same Gentleman can also tell you, who sufficiently abused and vilified the Learned Dr. Heylin and Mr. Pierce, and at last, threw his malice to the purpose upon the poor sequestrated Episcopal Divines, telling the World that a greater part of them were unsavory salt, fit only to be cast upon the Dunghill. And, if reports be true, he can also tell you who not long since call'd the Bishops Schismaticks, and threw great reproaches upon the party.

I could also tell you, how Mr. White, once a great Brother in Authority, scandalized those who adhered to the King in the late Wars. And what wicked Epithets, another Brother threw upon the Book of Common Prayer, and severall others, as Prynne, Vicars, Leyton, and others mentioned in this Book: But that it would be too tedious both for myself and Reader.

Should I tell you of the abominable railing, scolding and brawling of Barlee, Bagshaw, and Baxter, (three noted B's), you would bless your self, to see these people, who pretend to all Sanctity and Holiness, to have so much of the Devil in their mouths.

Thus have I stopt their rage against me, by making them more angry: And, if this do not satisfie them, I shall treble it the next time; yet might all this have been spared, if they would as patiently throw Lyes and Scandals upon their betters. But these People do not love to be touch'd on their sores, though it be to cure them. They say, 'tis one way to find a Thief, to note who blusheth at the discourse of stealing; but these men are farr from that sign of Grace.

Tell them but of the sins belonging to their Religion, as Treason, Schism, Perjury, etc. they will presently fly in your face, though take no great notice of other Peccadiglio's, like the baker in the Play, who took all names and reproaches without any offence: but, being once by chance call'd Mealstealer, was so inraged, that he would have spoiled all their sport, unless they had left off such close Reflections. And thus much in part, to pay them home with their own Coyn.

As for the Author, whilst a School Boy, he was too much sway'd to Presbyter, and delighting in the Stories of our Times, had none to peruse, but May, Vicars, Ricraft, and such like partial Relators: By which means, believing with the Ignorant, all thing in Print to be true, was perswaded to incline to the wrong side.

But, a little before his going to the University, lighting by chance upon Dr. Bate's Judicious Book Elenchus Motuum, he found the Laws and true Government to be opposite to his former Readings, and therein the knavery and juglin of their Opposers, strange things which he had never heard of before. Which, with some other assistance, so farr prevail'd with him, that in a short time he threw off Father Schism, and ever since, like little Loyal John in the Epitaph,

For the King, Church, and Blood-Royal,

He went as true as any Sun-Dial.

As for the Learned in History, neither Preface nor Book was intended for them; And as for those who are not somewhat studied this way, though they are not able of themselves to search out the Truth, yet are they not obliged to believe all in Print. If they finde something in these Papers not agreeable to the Canting Tales of every zealous Brother, let them not censure mine as false, because the other pretends himself to be a Saint. These People, though they make a great deal of noyse, being commonly the most ignorant and partial in Humane Story.

To say, no more: if we believe every thing in Mr. Sam Clark's Story Books, we shall with him, make wicked men, Saints; Rebels, good Subjects; and Schismaticks, the best Churchmen; which, all should desire to be really perform'd, who wish the Honour of his Majesty, Peace of the Church, Prosperity and Happinesse of the Nation.

St. George's day,

1662

The beginning of the Presbyterians; with the wicked Principles of the

Ring-leaders of that Factious Sect

Having thus hinted upon the Kings Prerogative, the Origin of the Commons, and their Priviledges, by which 'tis plain, that the King is Supream, and, by Consequence and good Law, Treason to warr against him: I shall now shew, that the Parliament, and not himself, was the first beginners of these late Confusions; the true rise of which, I must fetch higher, then the Presbyterian Party will give me thanks for.

And as a leading Card to this Discovery, we must observe, that a rebellious itching humour of incroaching upon, and railing against lawful Authority, was the main foundation of our miseries; the source of which frantick temper, I must draw from Geneva, whose Disciples are commonly carryed on with more violence than the furious Rhosne, upon which the City boasts her situation.

In this City, John Calvin confirmed his Presbyterian-Discipline, in the same year, that Ignatius Loyola, the first founder of the Jesuites, was chosen their first General in a solemn manner, viz. 1541. And just a hundred years after, [1641] was the famous and reverend Church of England, over-run and clowded by the Calvinistical Proselytes. And, as these two Orders of Presbytery, and Jesuitism, took their rise together; so have they gone hand in hand through a blind zeal, not only to derogate from, but extirpate all Civil Authority not conductible to their Interests. And, as Calvin's Presbytery, at first, was begot by Rebellion and Treason, [they expelling from Geneva, their lawful Prince and Magistrate]: So have their Children (following the foot-steps of their Parents,) as, what is in the bone, will never out of the flesh, made it their business, to terrifie the World with this truth, that, as Schism, so Sedition and they, are inseparable. And in this, they have been no way hindred, by Their Lord and Master John Calvin, whose inconsiderate zeal, in some things, was such, that it was so far from sparing any, that it would throw its fury at Kings and Queens: Witness his irreverent expression, thrown against Queen Mary calling of her Proserpine, telling us, that she outstrips all the Devils in Hell. And in this way of Rhetorick, do other of his dear sons follow him; as, John Knox calls the same Queen wicked Jezabel, and Devil, and her Rule the monstriserous Empire of a wicked Woman. And another Brother, viz. Anthony Gilby, calls her a Monster, and one wanting no will to wickedness. And yet this Lady, whom they so much abuse and vilifie, was (as our Authentick Chronicles assure us), a Woman truly pious, merciful, and of most chast and modest behaviour, and every way to be prais'd if you consider not her Errour in Religion. A character so glorious, that I fear few of our Disciplinarians dare pretend to. But, their only railing against Princes, doth not shew half their malice; for, they have found out fine wayes, not only to dethrone, but murther their Kings, by their not only approving of such wickedness, but perswading thereto. And this power Calvin acknowledgeth to lye in the Parliament, consisting of the three Estates in each Kingdom, telling them, that they are perfidious, and betrayers of their Trust, if they do not restrain the Enormities of Kings. And with him agrees one of our English Non-conformists, Dudlie Fenner, and allows the King to be taken away, either by Peace, or Warr. And, what a stiff Enemy he was to our English Church, you may imagine, by the education of his two Scholars, Tho. Cartwright, and Walter Trevers. And Robert Rollock, one of the Scottish Brethren, confirms this way of King-killing, under the notion of Tyrants. But, How furiously doth John Knox, his Countrey-man, incite the people to rebellion? telling them, that Reformation of Religion belongs as well to the Commonalty, as Kings, and other Magistrates. And, that the common people, may demand of their Kings true Preachers; and, that others [i.e. in his sense, Bishops], may be expell'd: But, if the Rulers will not, then they may provide themselves, which they may defend and maintain against all that shall oppose them. And, that they may with-hold the fruits, and profits, from their false Bishops and Clergy. And he tells them, that their Princes, Rulers, and Bishops, are criminal of Idolatry, and Innocent Bloud and Tyranny. And, that no person, whatsoever, is exempted from punishments, if he can be manifestly convicted, to have provoked, or led the people to Idolatry: And, that the punishment of Idolatry, Blasphemy, and such like, doth appertain to the people as well as others. And all these incitements, are, because the Queen was a Roman-Catholick, of which he tells the Lords; that, if they grant Priviledge, or Liberty, they shall assuredly drink the Cup of Gods Vengeance, and shall be reputed before his presence, Companions of Thieves, and maintainers of Murtherers: And, that he might make them more willingly throw-off all Obedience, he perswades them; that, It is not Birth, nor Propinquity of Bloud, that makes a King Lawful; and plainly tells them, that the Rule of a Woman is unlawful. And these brave Doctrines he got printed at Geneva, 1558. July 14. from whence he sends them into Brittain, to move the people into Rebellion. From the same place doth Beza afterwards write to Knox, then in Scotland, to perswade him to extirpate Episcopacy, though the being of it might cause Peace and Unity. And of this mind, was his Patron, John Calvin, who profest, that he could not Exercise the office of a Minister, unless the Presbyterian Government was confirmed and setled in Geneva. From this City, did Beza write into England, to perswade them from all Formalities and Ceremonies used in our Church: and, from this place sprang all our Troubles about Non-conformity. All This, which hath been said, as the Opinion of private men, was publickly concluded on as Orthodox in Scotland, if you will give credit to one of their chief Patrons, Buchanan, one who hath done an irreparable mischief to Princes, by his villainous and wretched Book De Jure Regni apud Scotos, a poysonous Well, from whence the Long Parliament, and our late Common-wealths-men, have drawn most of their Pleas and Arguments. And is no small demonstration of the Authours Impudence, to dedicate it to King James, too good a Master for such a wretched Servant. Nor were these things any way denyed, in the same Nation, of late dayes, when 1638. August 27. it was ordered, That the ablest man, in each Parish, should be provided to dispute of the King's Power in calling Assemblies; and, what they meant by this, is no hard matter to discern, considering, that not only they had, the month before, maintained the power of Convocating to lye in themselves; but also, the same year, had actively derided the King's Authority; and, the next year, bid him Battle. And, how little many of their Presbyters have since mended their manners, may appear by that impudent piece of Non-sense, Malice, and Treason, spoken by one of their Grandees, Mr. Robert Duglas, at our King's Coronation in Scotland, and by him call'd a Sermon; but, how unbefitting that name (as we now take the word to signifie) is appropriated, let any, that dare call himself loyal and rational, be judge. And truly, what itching ears for Innovation, and against Regal Authority, some of the forrain Presbyters have, is something palpable from the Letter of Gisbertus Voetius, wherein, he doth not only commend Prynne's Soveraign Power of Parliaments; but faith, that it ought to be translated into several Languages. And, what Pleas they may suck out of such Books against Monarchy, cannot be ignorant to those who have seen what mischief the counterfeit Name of Junius Brutus, (a fit name for such a murtherous mind), though the true Authour is supposed to be Beza) and that printed in divers Languages, hath laid open to those who are willing to perpetrate wickedness. And how consentaneous to the Doctrines laid down in these Pamphlets, their Actions have been, their often Rebellions in France, but, more especially, in the dayes of Lewis the 13th will shew us, whom, though he had pardoned several times, yet would they never keep Articles; but upon every advantage, fly to their Arms again; looking upon Regal Authority, only as a Bug-bear to affright Children, hoping in time, by dwindling it to nothing, to raise themselves to Superiority.

And, how many men, by these false Positions, may be drawn to Schism and rebellion, is manifest from this one Example: In King James his time, one Knight, a young Divine, Preach'd at St. Peters in Oxford, and in his Sermon, maintain'd the Presbyterian Doctrines above specified; for which, being call'd in question, he laid the fault upon some late Divines in forraign Churches, who had mis-guided him in that point, especially, on David Pardus, who had asserted these Doctrines; upon which, his Comments on the Romans, was publickly and solemnly burnt at Oxford, [1622. June 6.] Cambridge, and St. Paul's Cross in London. The famous University of Oxford, in a full Convocation, concluding, [25 June, 1622.] That such assertions were contrary to Scripture, Councils, Fathers, the Faith and Profession of the Primitive Church, and monarchy it self, and therefore condemned them as false, wicked, and seditious. And did also affirm, That according to the Scriptures, it is not lawful for Subjects, upon any terms, to resist their King or Prince, no, not to take up Arms against him, either for Religion, or any other account whatsoever. And for more sureness, they did also Decree, that every one before he took a Degree, should swear to this: The opinion delivered in the sentence of these two famous Universities, I shall value more, than of an assembly or Classis made up of all the Presbyterians in the World. The consideration of these Disciplinarian Maximes, I believe, did make our ingenious Satyrist cry out.

....Our Zeal. drunk. Presbyters cry down

All Law of Kings and God, but what's their own.

If you desire to see any more of their wild and extravagant Principles, you may consult Arch-Bishop Bancroft's Industrious Book, a piece that I am sorry, is so scarce as it is, and that for want of Reprinting; while Giles Calvert's shop dayly labors with the multitude of Fanatick Pamphlets, and such Books, as Smectymnuus', must be printed and printed again; and that, with the addition of a long Preface by a great Time-serving divine.

The illegal, malepart and impious Plots and Designes of our

Schismatical Presbyterians in England, in the Raigns of Queen Elizabeth, King

James, and King Charles; till the beginning of the wicked Long-Parliament.

Nor was this hot-brained humour fostered alone in Scotland; but England also tasted the fiery tryal of their madd pranks: Queen Elizabeth no sooner setled in her Throne, but the Zealots deface all Monuments and Pictures in Churches they met withall; nor did the ashes of the dead lie undisturb'd which caus'd the Queen to set forth a proclamation against such violations.

But these men, having their malice stopt against Stones and Glass windores, will vent it against those, who can be sensible of injuries. Goodman, Whittingham, Gilbie, and others, having learn'd their lessons at Geneva, came roaring over against our English Church; venting their venom not only by their Preachments and Conventicling, but also in Print. The latter of these, viz. Anthony Gilby, [of whom formerly, born in Lincolnshire, and of Christs College in Cambridge], tearmed our Ceremonies Liveries of Antichrist, accursed Leaven of the blasphemous Popish Priesthood, cursed patches of Popery and Idolatry.

Nor must the Ceremonies alone suffer, but the Reverend Bishops too, by others of the same gang, as Throgmorton, Penry, Fenner, Udal, and such like Bravado's, calling them Antichristian, Petty-Popes, Bishops of the Devil, cogging and cozening Knaves, dumb Dogs, Enemies of God, etc. And, for our Worship, they affirmed it to be an impious thing to hold any thing common with Rome, and from this Argument they refused to come to Divine Service. But at last, such was the vigilancy of the Queens Council, that the fautours of these seditious Non-conformists were found out: and Sir Richard Knightly, and Sir ....Wigston, were fined in the Starr-Chamber, for receiving the Printers and Publishers of such Schismatical Books; the celler of one of the Gentlemen bringing forth, like Lucian, some foul mouth'd Pamphlets against the Church, or other.

Neither do these men mount their Battery only against the Church, but also throw their wild-fire and indignation against the Queen and their Supream Authority: witness Mr. Edward Deering of Kint's Sermon, in which (how unworthily, let others judge) he compared her Highness to an untamed Heifer; and Christopher Goodman in a Book, publickly vindicated Wiat's Rebellion, affirming, All who took not his part, were Traytors to God, his people, and their Countrey.

And as some Common-Lawyers, towl'd away by inticing tongues, and Gold of the Non-conformists, wrote against the Authority of Bishops; so some pretending to the Civil and Canon-Law, were obliged to oppose and deny the Queens Supremacy in Causes Ecclesiastical. Nor might these fore-mentioned things seem strange, since they were easily to be vindicated from some of the Geneva Notes upon our Bible, where you may find the Disciplinarians highly to complain against Asa, because he did not kill his Mother, furiously calling of it lack of zeal and foolish pity: And maliciously to compare our Archbishops, Bishops, Doctors, and such like degrees, with the Locusts, though they carelessly seem to quit themselves in the exit. And, yet these are the very same men who profess to Queen Elizabeth, That their Applications are such as may most appertain to Gods glory, though how hide-bound they were at the same time from Charity, may appear by their then slandering the Reverend and Learned Bishops with the ignominious title of Ambitious.

Thus was Authority begun to be blasted by the Puritans; a name now almost an hundred yeares old, beginning in 1564 as Fuller thinks, though Dr. Heylin out of Genebrard, makes it two yeares younger, though in a later History he seems to moderate it's original between both, viz. 1565. And these were so denominated, as the word implyes, and Genebrard, and experience tells us, because they thought themselves so much purer then other Christians, that they would not perform Divine Service with them; utterly rejecting all Forms used in the Primitive Ages, and looking upon all decent Garbes to be unlawful in Church-affairs, if different from the common wear, or rather if not according to the Geneva-cut. The Antiquity of this Name is very ancient, as we may see in the old Hereticks, who presumptuously call'd themselves Cathari, [i.e. Puritans] the same with the Novatiani, with whom the Parmenianistae in supposed purity did something agree; and by this Name of Cathari, I find Johnstonus in his large History to signifie our Non-conformists.

The Queen perceiving these men to sleight both her and the Bishops, and to act only by the advice of private persons, as Mr. Tho. Cartwright, [who affirm'd, That we ought rather to conform our selves in Orders and ceremonies to the fashion of the Turks, then to the Papists] Mr. Travers, etc. who had their inspirations and commands from Geneva; thought fit, for example sake and fear, to let the Law, so much by them violated, take her course; whereby Capping and Thacker were hang'd at Saint Edmondsbury in Suffolk, Barrow and Greenwood were executed at Tyburn, Coppinger dyed in Prison, and Hacket was hang'd by the Cross in Cheapside; the two last were more extravagant then the rest, falling to open blasphemy. Nor did John Penry a Welshman escape: this was the man who made those scurrilous Pamphlets against our Church under the title of Martin Mar Prelate; a man so much guilty of his own villanies, that, with Cain, he feard death from every mans hand, and therefore was forced to sculk and ramble amongst his brethren for protection: so that his Antagonist was not amisse, when he sang of him thus.

He was taken at Stepney, and condemned for felony, and hang'd at Saint Thomas Waterings: Upon whose death, an honest Northern Rimer made these Couplets.

The Welshman is hanged,
Who at our Kirk slanged
And at our state banged,
And brened are his buks.
And though he be hanged,
Yet he is not wranged.
The De'vl; has him fanged
In his kruked kluks.

Besides these, Udal, Billot, Studley, and Bouler were condemned; yet, through the Queens mercy, were reprived: and Cartwright, and some others were imprisoned.

These round dealings did a little terrifie the rest of them, and gave a check to the furiousnesse of the wiser fort. But yet having some of the Nobility their Patrons, (whether for Conscience or Policy, let others judge:) as Leicester, Lord North, Burleigh, Shrewsbury, Warwick, Walsingham, Sir Francis Knollys, Mr. Beal, Clerk of the Council, and others, they took heart again, & proceeded in their Consultations and Actions, as formerly: Nor was Arch-bishop Grindal thought to be so vigilant, as his place required: for which, he got the Queens displeasure.

Yet formerly, had they kept meeting of some of their Ministers, to carry on their intended innovations, but privately for fear of discovery. The first known to be kept in England, was at Wandsworth in Surry, 1572. Novemb. 20. Another they had at Cockfield in Suffolk, where threescore of their Minister met, 1582. May 8. where they consulted concerning our Common-Prayer-book, Canonical Apparel, and other Ceremonies of the Church, though they had no call, but their own presumption.

And because they resolved to be vigilant, they had another Synod, [passing by one, also the same year at Cambridge,] where was drawn up a form of Discipline, (scorning to submit to Ours, or Authority) by which they were to be guided; of which, thus a painful and learned Antiquary will inform us: Inventing out of their own corky brains, a new, certain, no-form of Liturgy to themselves, thereby to bring into the Church all disorder and Confusion. And in the same Assembly, they made a Collection for their Scottish brethren, who fled into England, for their guilt of high Treason; and what loyalty can be expected from such traiterous Assistants, let moderate men judge: though I am apt to give some credit to one of our old English Versifyers.

Nor Queen in her Kingdom can or ought to sit fast

If Knox or Goodman's books blow any true blast.

After this, another Synod was held at Coventry, 1588. June 10. where they imperiously condemned the reading of Homilies, Crosse in Baptism, that Bishops ordination by them and their authority are all unlawfull: and that a Bishop is neither Doctor, Elder, nor Deacon. And besides all this, they decree, that occasions are to be sought to bring the people in liking to their Discipline, and that those deeper apprehensions shall be drawn to it by all private allurements possibly. And these positions with others, were carryed cunningly abroad to be subscribed by all, to make their faction more unanimous.

And many other Meeting and Assemblies they had at London, Oxford, Cambridge, and other places, to carry on their designs as appears by the confession of Mr. Thomas Stone, and the Collections of the Right Reverend Bancroft.

And so powerful were they grown amongst some of the Nobility and gentry, that at the Parliament at Westminster, [1585.] they were so vigilant by their whispering with the Members day & night, that if the Queen had not interposed her authority, they might have given the Bishops a scurvy list, by the assistance of their Schismaticall Brethren, by them voted into the House. To this Parliament, the Non-conformists having framed another Book, by them called, A Book of the Form of Common Prayers, etc. in which, was contained the substance of their pretended Discipline. To this Representative, I say, in them having great hopes, they presented this book; With this Petition---May it therefore please your Majesty---that it may be Enacted---that the Book hereunto annexed---Intituled, A Book of the Form of Common prayers, Administration of Sacraments---and every thing therein contained, may be from henceforth authorized, put in use, and practised throughout all your Majesties Dominions. By this they shewed themselves no enemies to set Forms of Prayer; but only that they, not others, should have the honour of making it: Like the Cardinal, who confess't that Reformation was necessary, but was vext, that Luther should undertake it. And at the Dissolution of this Parliament, Queen Elizabeth takes special notice of our Innovators, for finding fault with our orderly Church-government; the which humour she not unfitly terms, New fanglednesse.

I might here tell you of many more bold actions in this Queen's time, used by these Renegadoes as a very serious & learned Gentleman calleth them: But only one shall instance for an hundred, to shew you how partial they were in all their dealings, as to make the Proverb true, that Kissing goeth by favour; and this shall be one of their grand Masters. viz. Mr. Snape: and thus it was in brief. Mr. John Nelson of Northampton, one of their Elders or Deacons, had his Worship's daughter classically got with child, by his serving-man, [nor durst the Elders maid associate with the same species, that the Mistris doth]; For this Snape brings the poor man to publick repentance and ignominy amongst his neighbours: nor do I blame him, if he had used the Gentlewoman so too, and impowred to do it; but she, O she! was the Daughter of a rich brother; and Sectaries were of old, observed to gain most by pleasuring simple women, and colloguing with those who had full coffers. She therefore, good soul! was esteemed to run counter to the Primitive Fall; there the woman, but here the man, or rather poverty is judged the tempter: But because the Country had both eyes and ears, therefore a marriage was thought most plausible to vindicate the Brethren; the which was accordingly performed by a lame Souldier of Barwick, by the appointment of Snape; by whose order, the same Souldier had married many others at the same place. And it may be, Barebone's Parliament drew their new model of coupling, from this Swashbuckler.

These, and many other innovating and cross-grain'd actions, you may find storied down by their almost-own Fuller: for so may I well take the boldnesse to call him, since they would never desire a more complyable Historian: And therefore these may carry the more probability with the Reader, let his education be either sound or rotten.