ason of state, mic Queen-Mother, who was very desirous to de- r the recovery of tak divides itself e gotten any other the people were punished for stepping into it. IV. The more to advance blind superstition, he ordered, that all the pews in the churches should be so altered, that the people might kneel with their faces eastward, towards the communion table, so set altar-wise as afore said; and that there should be no seats in the chancel above, or on either side, even up with the said table. V. He enjoined, that every minister, after he had finished the reading of some part of the morning-prayer at the desk, should go out from the same to the holy table, set altar-wise, as to a more holy place; and and against the there, when no communion was to be admieatest king of the "The said Matthew Wren, being popishly nistered, read at the said table a part of the sercfore fittest tees and superstitiously affected, did, at his first com- communion service, now commonly called, ich will add muteing to be bishop of Norwich, in 1635, endea- The Second Service,' whereby the conscivour, by sundry ways and means, to suppress ences, both of the minister and people, have the powerful and painful preaching of the word been not only very much offended and grieved; of God; did introduce divers orders and in- but also the service itself was made very unjunctions, tending to superstition and idolatry; profitable to the people, who could not hear did disturb and disquiet the orderly and settled what was said or prayed in that place. VI. estate of the ministers and people, and churches That both he in his own person, his chaplains, of that diocese, to the great prejudice of his and others of the clergy following his example, majesty; the great grief and disquiet, and did, ever after the table was so set altar-wise, hazard of the estates, consciences and lives of use and perform such, so many, and so frequent many of his loyal subjects there; to the ma-howings and adorations before and towards wall strengthenifest bringing in, and increasing of prophane-the said table, as have been dangerous examness, ignorance, and disobedience in the common people, as by the particulars ensuing may appear. I. Whereas many chancels of churches, i likewise firess during all the time of queen Eliz. king James, and of his maj. that now is, had laid and been continued even and flat, without any steps ret, to preserve The restora Germany; which co greatness and VISS cart of that most mously-sunering y's sister, his highs ascending towards the east-end of the same; to be highly d and are, by the rubrick in the book of Com house, by this king mon-Prayer, ordered to continue as they were, ples to draw others to the like superstitious gestures; and have given great scandal and offence to the sound, sincere, and well-affected Christians. VII. He enjoined all the people to come up to the rail to receive the holy communion, and there kneel, and do reverence before the holy table, placed altar-wise; and gave directions to the ministers not to administer the communion to such people as should e of time to begin and so ought to have continued: he, of his not so come up, and do such reverence as afore in hath so much which probably De humble motion & 1. presently, to mpose a ce of the cause 1 of this Mantis rer (sir H. Va t Rosetti, the F nd.-A message king, concer P. 132 own mind and will, without any lawful warrant said; and that the minister should, within the rail, deliver the bread to such people only as should so come up and kneel before the said table as aforesaid. This was to the offence of the consciences of many good people; who, for fear of idolatry and superstition, durst not come to kneel at the said rail before the table so placed altar-wise; and many people not coming up thither, though presenting themselves upon their knees in the chancel, have not had the communion delivered unto them; and afterwards, for not receiving, have been excommunicated. VIII. He did enjoin and command, that there should be no sermons on the Lord's days, in the afternoon, or on the week days at all, without his licence. And also enjoined, that there should be no catechizing, but only such questions and answers as are contained in the book of the Common Prayer; not allowing the ministers to expound, or open, the same to the people; he and his under-officers affirming in public places, that such an exposition might be as ill as a sermon. And, the more to hearten and confirm the people in prophaning the Lord's day, he enjoined the ministers to read publickly, in their churches, a book published Touching Sports on the Lord's day?' for not reading whereof, some ministers were, by the command and di sermon; and for not observing some ot gal innovations of him and his under-offi and upon his directions and injunctions godly and painful preaching ministers. number of 50, excommunicated, susper deprived, and otherwise censured and s to the undoing of many of them, the and children; and they could not be a without giving promise to conform to rections, editis & edendis; by means some ministers were enforced to dep realm into Holland, and other parts beyo others, of Norwich, to remove into oth peaceable dioceses; and some of them secuted, as hath been suspected to be th of their deaths; the terror of which proc hath caused other ministers to leav cures and go away; and if a stranger pi at the cure of such person suspend preach were enjoined penance, and ot troubled.-XIV. That, during the time bishop of Norwich, he did unlawfully the inhabitants of the several parishes that diocese, to raise the floors of the cha their respective churches; to rail in the munion-tables; to remove the pews and and to make other alterations in their tive churches; in the doing whereof the habitants were put to great, excessive a necessary charges and expences, amoun the whole, to 5000/. and upwards; whi charges and expences he did, by u means and courses, enforce the said inha to undergo: and such of the said inhabit did not obey the same, he did vex, t and molest by presentments, citations, munications, tedious and frequent journi by attendances at the courts of his char and other his officials-XV, That, for no rections of the said bishop, suspended, some deprived, and some otherwise troubled. By all which, knowledge was suppressed, and ignorance and prophaneness introduced in that diocese. IX. There having been formerly two kinds of ringing of bells, and calling people to the church, in that diocese, viz. one kind when there were only prayers to be read, and anether kind when there were both prayers to be read and a sermon preached; whereby the people did apply themselves to the service of God in those places, where both prayers and preaching was to be: he, to hinder the people in their good desires of serving of God and edifying their souls, did command and enjoin, that there should be no difference in ringing of bells to church, when there was a sermon, and when there was none.X. Whereas many godly ministers, for the preventing of the great sin in the people of un-church-wardens permitting such per worthy receiving the holy communion of the Lord's Supper, did use to preach 2 or 3 days before every Communion, a preparation sermon, to prepare and instruct the people in the right and worthy receiving of the communion: he, the said bishop, did forbid ministers to preach any such preparation sermon in that diocese. -XI. Whereas all God's Ordinances are sanctified and made fruitful by the blessing of God upon them by prayer: be, endeavouring to suppress the power and benefit of prayer, enjoined, that no minister should use any prayer before his sermon; but move the people to pray only in the words of the 55th Canon, made A. D. 1603, (which canon was not warranted by the law,) that no prayer should be used before or after the sermon: and he, in his own person, having been at the sermon in the town of Ipswich, when the preacher did use or make any other prayer, did sit upon his seat, without using, or giving up to the rail to receive the Holy C ing any reverence by kneeling, or otherwise, thereby to discountenance such prayer. And he, commanded and enjoined, that no prayer should be made in the pulpit for the sick; and that such as were prayed for in the Reading Desk, should be prayed for only in the two collects prescribed for the Visitation of the Sick in private houses.-XII. He, the more to alienate the people's hearts from hearing of sermons, commanded and enjoined all ministers to preach constantly in their hood and surplice; a thing not used before in that diocese, and much offensive to the people as a scandalous innovation. And the parishioners of Knatshall wanting a surplice; he did, by his officers, enjoin the church-wardens there, that no prayers should be read in that church till they had got a surplice; which they not getting for the space of two Lord's Days after, had no prayers there during that time.-XIII. That during the time of his being bishop of Norwich, which was about 2 years and 4 months, there were, (for not reading the second Service at the Communion-Table set Altar-wise; for not reading the Book of Sports; for using conceived prayers before and after nion, kneeling there before the table wise, for not standing up at the Gospel, not observing and performing of his un innovations and injunctions, many other majesty's subjects have been, by him, his cellors, visitors, commissaries, and offici his commands and injunctions, much mo disquieted, and vexed in their estate consciences, by the citations to courts attendance there, dismission, fees, excom cations, penances, and other censures. That, by reason of the rigorous prosec and dealings in the last preceding A mentioned, and by reason of the continu perstitious bowing to and before the tab Altar-wise; suspending, silencing, and o away the painful preaching ministers; th pressing and forbidding of sermons and p the putting down of lectures; the suppr means of knowledge and salvation, and ducing ignorance, superstition and prop ness, many of his majesty's subjects, t number of 3000, many of which used tra spinning, weaving, knitting, and maki cloth, stuff, stockings, and other manufac of wool; some of them setting 100 poor p were cited, molested, and troubled, and enjoined penance; notwithstanding many of the said Articles were ridiculous and impossible.XXIII. That the church-wardens and other men sworn at the visitation, were inforced to have their presentments written by clerks specially appointed by such as bought the said visitation; to whom they paid excessive suins of money for the same, some 22 shillings, some more, some less, for writing one presentment, to the grievous oppression of his majesty's poor subjects in that diocese.-XXIV. Whereas, by the laws of this realm, no tythes ought to be paid out of the rents of houses, nor is there any custom or usage in the city of Norwich for such payment; yet the said bishop endeavoured to draw the citizens, and other inhabitants within the said city, against their wills and consents, to pay 2 shillings in the pound, in on work, have removed themselves, families, and estates, into Holland, and other parts beyond the seas, and there set up and taught the natives there the said manufactures; to the great hinderance of trade in this kingdom, and to the impoverishing and bringing to extreme want very many, who were, by those parties, formerly set on work, to the great prejudice of his majesty and his people.-XVII. That be, the said bishop, finding the people distaste las innovations, bath often, in public and priate speeches, declared, in the said year 1636, that what he did in the same was by his majesty's command; whereby he, contrary to the uty of his place which he held under his majesty, being dean of his majesty's chapel royal, and contrary to the duty of a good and faithful subject, endeavoured to free himself from blame, and to raise an ill opinion of his royal majesty in the hearts of his loving subjects.-lieu of the tythes of houses within the several XVIII. That be, the said Matthew Wren, being parishes of the said city, unto the ministers Bishop of Norwich in the said year 1636, in the there of the said respective parishes. And, Tower-Church in Ipswich, and other places, did, the better to effect this his unjust resolution, in his own person, use superstitions and idola- he did, by false and undue suggestions, in the trous actions and gestures in the administration 14th year of his majesty's reign that now is, of the Lord's Supper; consecrating the bread procure his majesty to declare, under his great and wine, standing at the west-side of the seal of England, his royal pleasure, That if any table with his face to the east; and, his back person, within the said city, shall refuse to pay towards the people, elevating the bread and according to the said rate of 2 shillings in the wine so high, as to be seen over his shoulders, pound, unto the minister of any parish within bowing low, either to or before them, when the said city, that the same be heard in the he, after the clevation and consecration had court of Chancery, or in the consistory of the set them down on the table.-XIX. That he, bishop of Norwich: and that, in such case, no the more to manifest his Popish affection, prohibitions against the bishops of Norwich, caused a crucifix, that is to say, the figure of their chancellors, or commissaries in the said Christ upon the cross, to be engraven upon courts of consistory be granted: and if any his episcopal seal, besides the arms of the such writ be at any time obtained, the judges sce-XX. That he hath chosen and employ-so granting the same, upon sight of his highed such men to be his commissioners, ruralness's said order, shall forthwith grant a condeans, and to be his houshold chaplains, whom pitation to the minister desiring the same, he knew stood affected to his innovating with his reasonable costs and charges; which courses, and Popish superstition, and to be said order and decree, under the great seal of crroneous and unsound in judgment and prac- England, tending to the violation of the oaths tice.-XXI. That he hath very much op- of the judges, was devised, contrived, and made pressed divers patrons of churches, by ad- by the said bishop: and afterwards, by his evil mitting, without any colour of title, his own counsels and false surmises, he did obtain his chaplains, and others whom he affected, into majesty's royal consent thereunto; and by livings which became void within his diocese; colour of the order aforesaid, and other the majustly enforcing the true and right patrons doings of the said bishop, the citizens and into long and chargeable suits to evict such in-habitants of Norwich, aforesaid have been incumbents, and to recover their own right; some forced to pay the said 2s, in the pound, in lieu of which he did against his priestly word, of tythes, or est, by suits and other undue given to the said patrons, or their friends, in means, be much molested, and put to great verbo sacerdotis, not to do the same.--XXII. expences, contrary to law and justice.-XXV. That he, and others, in 1635, sold or granted That he assumed to himself an arbitrary power, away the profits of his primary visitation for to compel the respective parishioners in the 5001, over and above the charges of the visita- said diocese, to pay great and excessive wages tion; and, for the better benefit of the farmer, to parish-clerks; commanding his officers, that set forth a book, in 1636, intitled, Articles if any parishioner did refuse to pay such wages, to be inquired of within the diocese of Nor- they should certify him their names, and he wich, in the first visitation of Matthew lord would set them into the high commission-court bishop of Norwich,' consisting of 139 Articles, for example to the rest; and that one or two, and wherein are contained the number of 897 out of Ipswich, might be taken for that purquestions; according to all which the church-pose.--And the said commons, by protestation, wardens were enforced to present, upon pain of perjury: and some church-wardens and others not making presentments accordingly, VOL. II. saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting, at any time hereafter, any other accusation or impeachment against the said Matthew Wren, 3 K ! 1 late bishop of Norwich, and now bishop of Ely; tice." After reading these Articles, the commons resolved, "That Matthew Wren, bishop of Ely, is, in their opinion, unfit and unworthy to hold or continue any spiritual promotion or office in the church or common-wealth; and that the lords be desired to join with this house, to move his majesty to remove the said bishop from his person and service." Upon this, :- wealth; but what have we performed have we perfected? I will once more what my former opinion was: let us I sa gin in the real establishment of our rel and, as i said, all our other determinatio succeed with a better omen; for indeed of our delinquents are linked to this chai depend most on this point; therefo should do well to enter speedily upon the Mr. Speaker, excuse my zeal in this for my mouth cannot imprison what my intends to let out, neither can my tongu ceal that which my heart desires to pro Behold the archbishop, that great ince of this kingdom, lies now like a fire raked up in the embers; but if ever he to blaze again, I am afraid that what I fore he had but in a spark, he will burn to the ground in a full flame. Wherefo us begin, for the kingdom is pregnant w pectation in this point. I confess the inany more delinquents, for the judge other knights walk in querpo; but the only thunderbolts forged in Canterbury I look upon them all but as polluted flowing from that corrupt fountain. it so then, that all depend on religion? are we then so backward in reformin W Sir Philip Parker, knight of the shire for Suffolk, took occasion to speak as follows* Mr. Speaker; I stand not up in my own particular behalf, but in the universal and general name of the whole kingdom. Alas! Mr. Speaker, they depend all upon our exemplary jus-church? Why do we stick in this poin tice; which, if we do fully execute, will not only give great and plenary satisfaction to our nation, but will likewise cause the land to smile hereafter with the blessed beams of prosperous felicity: but if the least error or smallest deliberation be overseen by us, (Oh! it strikes my trembling mind with horror to think on it) how will all things precipitate themselves into ruin most irrevocable? But I speak not this, as if any here would omit, or extenuate, the supremacy of justice in the least thought. To adinonish you of that point, were to bid the moon keep her monthly course, the spheres to reduce themselves in their circumference, or the sun to shine upon the earth. But I speak this only to add a spur unto you, lest we should at any time languish in our Heaven-proceeding journey. The cries of the people have come up to me: the voice of the whole nation tingles in ny cars; and, methinks, I hear cach subject wish, that we would briefly establish the church-government with all expedition, Let us first begin to confirm our religion, and God will bless our other proceedings the better. That was always my opinion, and, I am sure, the expectation of the whole kingdom. How long have we sat here, and how little have we effected? How much time have we consumed, and what little have we performed therein? How long have we laboured in this our daily travel, and as yet have brought forth but an embryo in what we did intend? 'Tis true, I confess, we have tormented ourselves with daily troubles and vexations, and have been very solicitous for the welfare of the common * From the original edition, printed by G. Mabb, in 1641. t not rather proceed in it with all expec For indeed, according to the laws of this dom, as it hath the dignity of pre-emi so let us give it the priority in our dete tions.-Mr. Speaker, think with yours pray, in what faction the church is no what schism; in what confusion of dist sectaries it is promiscuously shaken: the Papists will have their way, the Bro will have their way, the Anabaptists thei the Puritans, as some call them, their wa Jesuitical Priests their way; and, in the rious ways, they make such a labyrinth ligion, that few or none scarce can find o right way. It behoves us therefore, aud pedient, that we should add a period to irregular ways, that the vulgar may no wander in these distracted paths.-Mr.S er, I have now unloaded' my mind weary burthen; and I beseech you dige words, with your serious consideration, i respect of establishing the church govern in true, sincere, perfect, and unpolluted gion; which if we do perform, and fully we shall do great honour to God, get cre ourselves, and give great satisfaction t whole kingdom. This is my opinion; my expectation; this is my prayer; and, ly, this is my hope.' About this time the house of commons an Order to take away all scandalous pic crosses, and figures, within churches or with and sir Robert Harley, knight of the shi Herefordshire, was made the execution this order. Whitlocke adds, That this lous knight, as he terms him, took down crosses in Cheapside, Chairing-Cross, other the like monuments, very impartiall Debate on the King's Manifesto concerning the Palatinate.] July 7. The commons entered into a debate concerning the King's Manifesto about the affair of the Palatinate; and being resolved into a committee of the whole house, and Mr. Whitlocke in the chair. A gold and silver at another time. His majesty's ambassador is now at the diet at Ratisbon where the emperor and other princes are, by friendly treaties, endeavouring to make up the breaches of Germany. If this opportunity be omitted, his highness's affairs will be exceed Impeachment of Six of the Judges.] July 6. | delay: but that sir Janes Whitlocke was not A conference was held between both houses, guilty thereof."* when the commons delivered in six several charges against sir John Brampston, lord chief justice of the King's-bench; sir Robert Berkley, one of the justices of that court; sir Francis Crawley, one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas; sir Humphrey Davenport, lord chief baron of the exchequer; sir Sir Benj. Rudyard made the following Rd. Weston, and sir Tho. Trevor, barons of speech: Mr. Whitlocke; If we may do the said court; in relation to their behaviour the Prince Elector good, by our good word, I in the affair of Ship-Money. Mr. Pierepoint, hope we shall not stick to afford it him. Mr. Waller, Mr, Crew, Mr. Hyde, lord Falk-word spoken in due season is worth more than land, Mr. Newport, and Mr. Gerrard were appointed to carry up the respective charges of Impeachment to the lords, and to desire that the judges might be put to their Answers. All that is entered in the Lords Journals, besides mentioning their names, is an abstract of Mr. Hollis's concluding speech, after the sepa-ingly cast behind-hand. It is true, that our rate impeachments had been spoken to by the other managers. The purport of which was, after some remarks on the misconduct of the before-mentioned judges, a recommendation of sir Randolph Crew to his majesty's favour; who, by chusing rather to lose his office of chief justice of England, than subscribe to the Loan, 1mo Caroli, had distinguished himself as much an assertor of the laws, as the others, in the case of Ship-Money, had appeared the open violators of them. But of the Articles of Impeachment against these Judges we shall take no farther notice, since they are recited at large, not only in Rushworth and Nalson, but also in the State Trials, and most of the historians of these times. Resolutions as to Breaches of Privilege, &c.] This day the house of commons fell upon the matter of their privileges, in the case of Mr. Hollis and others, 4to Caroli, and, after debate, came to the following Resolutions. 1. "That the Warrants of the Lords, and others of the privy council, compelling Mr. Hollis and others to appear before them during that parliament that the committing of Mr. Hollis and others, by the lords and others of the privy council, 4to Caroli, during that parliament: that the searching and sealing of the chambers, studies, and papers of Mr. Hollis, Mr. Selden, and sir John Elliot, being members of parliament, and issuing out warrants for that purpose and that the exhibiting an information, in the court of Star-Chamber, against Mr. Hollis and others, for matters done by them in parliament, being members of parliament, are breaches of privilege. 2. That sir Rob. Heath, sir Humphrey Davenport, sir Heneage Finch, Mr. Hudson, and sir Rob. Berkley, that subscribed the said informations, are guilty of a breach of privilege. 3. That there was a delay of justice towards Mr. Hollis and others, upon the Habeas Corpora, in that they were not bailed in Easter and Trinity term, 5to Caroli. 4. That sir Nicholas Hide, then lord chief justice of the court of King'sbench; and sir Wm. Jones, one of the justices of the said court, were guilty of this treaties heretofore have not been prosperous; the reason hath been, because of the then unhappy difference between the king and his people, which brought a disvalue upon this kingdom abroad. But now, when the world shall take notice of the good understanding between his majesty and his subjects, by an earnest and solemn joining of the whole parliament with his majesty's declaration; the propositions, coming from hence, will carry with them more weight, more authority; which is the way to redeem our engagements at an easy rate, to save those great charges which some do so much fear. If we should be backward in this great work, we shall cancel the obligations of nature, of honour, of reason, of state, of religion; all which bind us to it. Wherefore, my humble motion is, That we may draw up a short round Manifesto to wait upon and afirm the King's Declaration, to be still managed by advice of parliament: this will be safe for ourselves, more powerful and effectual for the Prince Elector.' Sir Symonds D'Exces, member for Sudbury, made a speech upon this subject as follows; which, as it is a faithful abstract of the affairs of Europe, for the last 20 years, deserves particular notice :- Mr. Whitlocke; We have, doring this parliament, fallen upon the debate of the greatest and most important affairs, concerning our own good and welfare at home, that ever were agitated and discussed, at one meeting, in the house of commons. And we are at this present, by the gracious invitation of his royal majesty, expressed in his most just Manifesto read unto us, resolved to take into consideration the most sublime and most dithcult business of the Christian world abroad ; * See an account of this distinction as to the judges, in Whitlocke's Memorials, p. 37, and the proceedings thereupon in the present volume, p. 520. +From the original edition, printed by Francis Constable, 1641. From the original edition, printed by W. Cooke, 1641, |