Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821)/Book II/Chapter II

This is the enhanced reading edition of Book II, Chapter II, prepared according to the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts. It adds descriptive section headings, English translations of Latin passages (with the original preserved), verified internal links, and editorial notes clearly distinguished from Strype's text. Strype's wording, historical spelling, and substance are preserved.

Consecrations and ordinations of Bishops and Ministers by the Archbishop, or his order. His care for the vacant churches. Lent. The Popish Bishops write to the Archbishop: his excellent answer. So doth Calvin write to him about the union of Protestants. A metropolitical visitation. His letter to the Bishops of his province. The Bishop of Ely gives him a certificate of his diocese. Visits Canterbury and Rochester dioceses. Makes statutes for two hospitals in Canterbury.

Consecration of Bishops

THE Archbishop being consecrated and instated in his metropolitical see, the next care was to fill the Church with other worthy Bishops, where the sees were vacant. So on the 21st of December following, next after the Archbishop's consecration, was consecrated, in the Archbishop's chapel at Lambeth, Edmund Grindal, B. D. a native of Cumberland, aged forty, Bishop of London, by the said Archbishop, assisted by Barlow, Scory, and Hodgkins, in surplices, all the ceremonies and rites accustomed being used. This Grindal, as Alexander Nevyl in his book of the Norfolk Rebellion saith, was a man that all his life joined a notable prudence and an ingenious conversation together, and of very sweet and obliging behaviour. With Grindal was also consecrated Richard Cox, a native of Bucks, D. D. aged sixty, Bishop of Ely: Edwin Sandys, born in Lancashire, D. D. aged forty-three, Bishop of Worcester. This

of Carlisle, and Sandys was in 1552 made a Prebendary of Carlisle, and being a member of the University of Cambridge, held divers disputations in the public schools against Papal traditions; and in many of his sermons, being a most eloquent preacher, did acutely and notably confute them. He worthily discharged the office both of Proctor and Vice-Chancellor in his University; and was Head of Katharine hall there. Being Bishop, he would not suffer Papists to remain in his diocese. And herein he was so earnest, that he would not be persuaded to give them any toleration by any prayers or intercessions made to him in their behalf. The fourth person at this time consecrated was Rowland Meyrick, of Wales, LL. D. aged fifty-four, Bishop of Bangor. These were all exiles lately returned home. And I find no more consecrated at this time. The sermon at these consecrations was preached by Alexander Nowel, Chaplain to the said Bishop of London, upon this text, Attendite vobis et universo gregi, &c. ("Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock.")

Scory and Barlow being Bishops before, needed no consecration, but were confirmed in their new bishoprics the day before, being St. Thomas's eve: on which day the elections of the four above mentioned were also confirmed at Bow church, the Archbishop of Canterbury present. So that the Church was now provided with seven Protestant Bishops, besides Coverdale and Hodgkin; who had the characters, but returned not to act in the office of Bishops: and likewise Bale, late Bishop of Ossory, who contented himself with a prebend of Canterbury.

More Bishops Consecrated

January the 21st, five Bishops more were consecrated, viz. Thomas Yong, LL. D. born in Wales, aged fifty-two, was consecrated Bishop of St. David's; Nicolas Bolingham, or Bullingham, LL. D. and the Archbishop's Chaplain, born in Worcestershire, aged 48, consecrated Bishop of Lincoln. He had been Vicar General to the Bishop of Lincoln in King Edward's days. Archbishop Parker intended to prefer him, being very learned in the common and civil laws, to govern his Courts, and to make him one of his Judges: but he was prevented, the Queen advancing

him to this bishopric. John Jewel, B. D. born in Devonshire, aged forty, consecrated Bishop of Salisbury. Richard Davis, a Welshman, M. A. aged fifty, consecrated Bishop of St. Asaph. One Allen was first nominated to the see of Rochester; but died before consecration, or declined it: and so Edmund Guest, B. D. born at Afferton in Yorkshire, aged 51, was consecrated Bishop of Rochester. He was also Archdeacon of Canterbury, and one of the Archbishop's family: a great student in divinity, and arrived to notable degrees of knowledge therein. He and Bollingham tarried in England under Queen Mary's reign; but often changed their holes and lurkingplaces, where they hid themselves for their preservation. Guest became Almoner to the Queen; and wrote divers books mentioned by Bale. He had been a scholar of King's college in Cambridge, where he was admitted anno 1536.

At this consecration Andrew Pierson, the Archbishop's Chaplain and Almoner, preached upon this text, Let your light so shine before men, &c. Two other Bishops, viz. of the province of York, were consecrated March the 2d. James Pilkington, B. D. sometime Master of St. John's college in Cambridge, of a good family in Lancashire, aged forty-five, for Durham; and John Best, a Yorkshire man, sometime of Oxford, aged forty-eight, for Carlisle.

All these Bishops (with some others that were consecrated after them) are conveniently digested in a table in the British Antiquities, with their countries, universities, degrees of school, their holy orders, their ages, and the time of their consecrations. And in the column of their Orders, as. some of them are said to be Priests Regular, as having belonged to some religious order, some Secular, as not; so Pilkington (with one more) is set down Minister Secular, meaning no doubt the same order of priesthood. But the using of that term was to distinguish him from the Popish, massing Priests; and probably to imply his receiving his holy Orders from some Protestant Bishop or Bishops in King Edward's days. Which word Minister became usual in these times for distinction from the idolatrous

Priests of the Romish Church. This I the rather take noII. tice of here, to meet with a libeller near these times, that put forth the book of The Seventieth Archbishop of Canterbury, (that we shall hear more of hereafter,) who makes a great matter of it, that the rest of these Bishops are entitled Anno 1574. Priests, Regular or Secular. The next Bishops that were consecrated were, William Barkley, B. D. born in Lincolnshire, aged forty-two, consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells; and John Bentham, M. A. born in Yorkshire, aged forty-six, consecrated Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry. These consecrations were celebrated March 24. And these were all that were consecrated this year. These were men truly worthy of their episcopal dignity; being all endued with learning and piety, and that had been exiles and confessors for the true religion: those qualifications being chiefly regarded in this choice, rather than either high birth, wealth, or other worldly considerations.

And if Erasmus had sometime took occasion to praise England in making choice of their Bishops for gravity and learning, whereas other countries chose them more for birth and politic respects of worldly affairs; this commendation was now more signally due to the present English government. They were all likewise excellent and constant preachers of God's word. To these Bishops thus made, let me add one Dean, and he an eminent one, now restored, namely, Dr. May; to whom

of St.Paul's. Dr. Henry Cole, the former Dean, seemed to surrender the deanery of St. Paul's, London; which indeed was his under King Edward VI. It is sure that September the 20th, 1559, he delivered these books to Dr. May his successor, viz. a book of Statutes and Ordinances of the new GramHist. of St. mar School of St. Paul's [founded by Dr. Colet, once Dean Paul's, by there. ] Item, a book entitled, Statutes used in Dean Colet's Days. Item, a book entitled, Liber Visitation is Joan. Coleti, Decani Ecclesiæ S. Pauli, Lond in. sub anno Dom. 1506. Item, a book written in parchment of certain statutes collected by Dean Colet, being bound in board, and covered with black leather. This Dean May was nominated and elected for the metropolitan see of York, but died before his consecration: and was buried at his church of St. Paul's, August the 12th, anno 1560, the Bishop of London preaching his funeral ser- Nominated mon in his rochet. for York. And as the foresaid pious and learned men had the Arch-65 bishop's hands laid on them, setting them apart to govern Ordinations the sees; so for furnishing the parishes with subordinate his licence. Ministers to preach and officiate and serve the cures honestly

and conscientiously, the Archbishop instituted now speedily divers ordinations following apace one after another. Thus three days before Christmas, and the day following the consecration of Grindal, Cox, Sandes, and Merick, were ordained twenty-two Deacons and Priests in Lambeth chapel by the Bishop of Hereford, by order from the Archbishop. In January following were ordained by authority from the said Archbishop, to the Bishop of Bang or, ten Deacons and Readers in Bow church, London. In February fourteen more received Orders from the Bishop of Lincoln in the Archbishop's house in Lambeth. And in the next month was another ordination at Lambeth, performed by the Archbishop himself, within his chapel. Which being so weighty a work, and on which the future welfare of the newly reformed Church, and the edification of the people depended, he caused public notice to be given of his intention to celebrate holy Orders to such as should be found fit for their learning and good conversation, and having sufficient letters testimonial of their virtuous and sober demeanor in the places where they then dwelt, or had dwelt for three years last past, and other things by the law required to be had. And moreover, that the Thursday and Friday before the Orders were to be given, the said most reverend Father and his officers would examine such as came to receive the said holy Orders. Three days after this ordination did the Bishop of Lincoln, by order from the Archbishop, ordain in the Chamber of Presence at Lambeth, 155 Deacons and Priests. And yet in the same month was another ordination performed by the said Bishop of Lincoln, of seven in the Archbishop's chapel at Lambeth.

An Order for Serving Vacant Cures

This early care was taken by the Metropolitan to provide Pastors and Curates, not only for filling the vacant churches, of which there were now very many, (the Popish Priests The benefit going away, or refusing to officiate according to the new of these ordinations. book,) but also to supply the parishes with honest men, studious of religion, and lovers of the Gospel; and to train up an order of virtuous men to supply the mortality of others. The Arch For the further effecting of this great work of providing bishop's Ministers at this time, when a great many churches were contrivance for serving shut up, either by reason of non-residency, or desertion of the void churches. the incumbents, or the smallness of the benefits belonging to them, it is worthy of remark, that the Archbishop drew up a writing, (which I have seen under his own hand,) entitled, An Order for serving of Cures now destitute. It was chiefly designed to contrive a method for one Minister to supply several churches near adjoining; taking in the assistance of Deacons and Readers. The said order was to this purport:

" That the Bishops of the dioceses should take special " care, that such were presented to the benefices, whether " of their own collation or of others, that would promise to " be resident: and those to take into their cure some such " other vicarages or parsonages as the Bishops should think meet, according to the worthiness of the persons, and for " the more convenient union of the cures. " Item, Orders to be taken for faculty of pluralities and " the like. " That the person at the receiving of his principal bene" fice, compound for the rest, as they fall vacant; and to " have favourable days of payment for those united bene" fices. And when any able Clerk or Minister will take upon " him to serve any of the said united benefices, the prin" cipal incumbent to be discharged: or to be otherwise ap66 pointed as the Ordinary and Patron agree, with conveni" ent contentation of the Ministers, between themselves. " The Lay-patrons to be advertised by authority of Par" liament, or otherwise, to suffer the cures of their presenta❝tions to be so united for the time in this case of necessity, " without hurt of their rights.

" The said principal incumbent to depute, in every such parish committed to his care, a Deacon, (if it might be,)

" or some honest, sober, and grave layman: who, as a Anno 1559. " Reader, should read the order of service appointed: but " such Reader not to intermeddle to christen, marry, or " minister the holy Communion, or preach or prophesy: 66 " but only to read the service of the day, with the Litany " and Homily, as should be prescribed, in the absence of "the principal Pastor. " The said principal Incumbent or Pastor in course to " resort in circuit to every his peculiars, as well to preach " the word, and to minister the holy Communion, as to

" marry and baptize the children, born since his last being " with them. And the people to be taught by an homily, " that they need not to scruple for the delay of baptism, if " the children depart before they be presented to the Min" ister: considering, that in the primitive Church, the Fa❝thers used but two principal feasts, Easter and Pentecost, " to admit children to the holy font.” But this clause was added by Secretary Cecil's order: and not approved of by Bishop Grindal, (one of those to whom the care of the Reformation was committed,) shewing that this was one of the quarrels in the Cornish rebellion under King Edward, viz. that their children died without baptism. "Yet the Minister or Pastor was not forbid, if he might conveniently, to minister the sacrament of Baptism on the week-day, being required thereunto, and that without pact or covenant of reward, but of charity and zeal; which he " ought to bear to the reasonable request of his people: and " they of their charitable consideration, in respect of time, “ weather, or distance of place, not to molest the said Pastor 66 more than need.

" The Pastor in his circuits to know how the youth pro"fited in the catechism, to be taught them weekly by the " Lector or Minister: and to see that the elder and ancient " folk prepared themselves three times in the year at least " to receive the holy Communion in love and charity. The

" Pastor to refer all causes of great importance [occasioning " difference between the parishioners ] to the Bishop or his ❝ Chancellor, as was provided by the injunctions. " The Pastor, over and above his principal cure, before " some receipt of his possession, not to pay to the Ordinary " for his institution and induction, more than for the fees of "the register only, for all such benefices as were thought to " be of small portion of living, and charged with first-fruits. " The Readers not to be appointed but by the oversight " of the Bishop or his Chancellor: to have their convenient " instruction and advertisement, with some letters testimo" nial of their admission, how to order themselves in the " said charge. The said Lectors or Readers always remove" able upon their disability or disorder, by certificate and " proof thereof. " A convenient rate to be made by the Bishop and his " Council, with the consent of the Patron of the benefices " to be united, what portion to be allowed in stipend to the principal Pastor; what to the Reader; what for ordinary " and extraordinary payments; what for the reparation of " the chancel and mansion-houses, and what might remain " to be distributed to the poor.

" The principal Pastor not to let to ferm over one year, 66 any such benefice united: and that ever at the Annuncia" tion of our Lady: and with the consent of the Ordinary " and Patrons, not above three years. " The fermour to be aided and assisted, as well by the " laws and diligence of the Ordinary, as by the aid of the " next Justices. That the rights, tithes, and other ecclesi❝as tical emoluments, be duly contented and paid: whereby " the charges and persons aforesaid might have due relief ❝ and stipend, according to law, equity, and conscience." I shall make no other observations upon this notable paper, than to take notice of the wise and excellent course the Archbishop took in this present distress, when the churches in such numbers were vacant, to supply and furnish them with Ministers on a sudden; and that all things might be done peaceably and in order.

I find a little hint of our Archbishop this year, seizing on papers for her Majesty's use, as then belonging to the bishoprics of Winchester and London, which I suppose he did by The Arch his authority in the ecclesiastical Commission. And I must bishop seizcrave leave here again to conjecture, these papers were the eth papers. Sir H. Sydexaminations, inquisitions, and judgments of the professors ney's of the Gospel in the late reign, in their imprisonments, con-Memor. fiscation of their goods, and other inhuman and illegal usages 67 Wherein Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, and Boner of London, most fiercely acted their parts. For these doings were now looked into, in order to the setting the unjustly imprisoned at liberty, and making the wronged restitution and satisfaction. of them.

Lent, 1560

The time of Lent was strictly observed, though not super-Observation of Lent. stitiously insomuch that when the Lord North's son desired to be dispensed with for keeping it, he came himself to the Archbishop with a letter from Secretary Cecil for a licence; which ran to this tenor: " That the bearer, Sir Roger North, " son and heir to the Lord North, being to him [the Secre" tary] well known, had, in consideration of his ill estate of " health, and the danger that might follow, if he should be " restrained to eating of fish, prayed him to be means to his " Grace to dispense with him herein. He doubted not but " his Grace should of others also well understand, how re" quisite it was for the preservation of his health that he " should be dispensed withal." This Lent our Archbishop preached twice before the He preaches before the Queen one of his sermons he preached on Palm Sunday, Queen. April 7, 1560; which, in a journal (in a volume of the Cotton library) writ by somebody in those times that was an auditor, is styled a noble sermon. Several sees yet remained vacant, either by the deaths or Consecrations. deprivations of the former Bishops; which in this year following, viz. 1560, were filled. As, Ally was consecrated in July for the diocese of Exeter; Parkhurst for Norwich, in September; Horn for Winchester, and Scambler for Peterborough, in January; Pilkington for Durham, and Best for Carlisle, in March.

The Popish Bishops Write

There were also this year several ordinations of Priests and Deacons instituted, by licences from the Archbishop to the Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Ordinathe Bishop of Exeter; and performed in the churches of St. tions. Pancrase, Alhallows Bread-street, the Archbishop's peculiars, and other churches in London; to the number of seventy persons. The Popish But now to look again upon the Popish Bishops. They Bishops laboured earnestly, according to that little remainder of threaten and curse power they had, to hinder the Church from being filled with the Clergy. Pastors and Ministers, by affrighting the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy (if they could) by denunciations of anathemas, and such like terrors. For the latter end of the last year, viz. 1559, our Archbishop received from Hethe, late Archbishop of York, and the rest of the deprived Bishops, a terrifying letter, loading the Bishops and Clergy, now placed in the Church, with curses and other threatenings, for not acknowledging the Papacy: laying to their charge that, by so doing, they yielded no subjection unto Christ and his Apostles, nor to Councils.

The Archbishop's Answer

The Archbishop shewed this letter to the Queen and Council: and having written an answer to the same, shewed it likewise to them; which extremely pleased her Majesty and the reformed party of her Council. In this excellent letter sent to Hethe and the rest, the Archbishop told them: The Arch" That it was the pride, covetousness, and usurpation of Bishop of Rome, and of his predecessors, which had the bishop's swer to anthem. their territories Archbishop " made the princes of the earth to defend Usher's " and their privileges from that wicked Babylon and her MSS. Bishop. And that whereas he [ Archbishop Hethe] and Hunting the Rom. " the rest of the late expulsed Bishops, had scandalized our Fox. " reformed Clergy within these her Majesty's realms, that they yielded no subjection to Christ and his Apostles; he " answered, that they yielded more than they, the Fathers " of the Romish Church, did. For they, the reformed " Clergy, honoured and adored Christ, as the true Son of " God, equal with his Father, as well in authority as in ma66 jesty, and did make him no foreigner to the realm, as they,

" members and Clergy of the Church of Rome, did; but “ professed him to be our only Maker and Redeemer, and " Ruler of his Church; not only in this realm, but also " in all nations; unto whom princes and preachers are but " servants; the preachers to propose, the princes to execute " Christ's will and commandments: whom they, [of the " Romish party,] and all that desired to be saved, must be" lieve and obey, against all councils and tribunals, that did " dissent from his word, whether Regal or Papal. “ That the Apostles they reverenced and obeyed, as the 68 " messengers from Christ; and did receive their writings " with exacter obedience than Romanists did for that we " would not permit, as Rome and her Clergy did, any to dispense against the Scriptures. And that we never said " with Pighius, that the Apostles wrote certain things, not Pigh. Hierat. l. i. " that their writings should be above our faith and religion, cap.2. " but rather under. That we confessed the Apostles were 66 men allowed of God, to whom the Gospel should be com" mitted

and therefore we received the word from them,

" not as the word of man, but as it was truly the word of " God: assuring ourselves, that it was God's power to save " all that believe. Thus did our Reformation detest their " Romish errors and heinous presumptions: which made " their Romish writers and Popes to add, alter, and dimin" ish, nay, and to dispense with the words that Christ him" self spake, as well as the writings of the Apostles. " That we should and did own such Councils as the Church " of Christ was wont to call, by the help of her religious princes: and did and should own brotherly concord and " communion; so long as they [on the other hand] made no “ breach in faith or charity. But as touching subjection or " servitude, he warned them to take heed, lest they com" mitted treason against the laws of her Majesty's realms: " for that we owed them none. That the blessed angels " professed themselves to be fellow-servants with the saints " upon earth.

What are ye then, said he, or your Bishop

" of Rome; who, with your tribunals and jurisdictions, " would be rulers and lords over the inheritance of Christ ?

" He bade them consider, how St. Peter claimed no subBOOK jection: which St. Cyprian, by these his words thus trans " lated, said: Peter, whom the Lord made first choice of, Cyprian. ad and on whom he built his Church, when St. Paul after Quirin. " strove with him (for circumcision) did not take upon him, " nor challenge any thing insolently, or arrogantly, neither " advanced he himself as chief, or like one unto whom Em" perors, Kings, or Princes, should be subject.' " That because they were so earnest with us of the Re" formed Church of these her Majesty's dominions for subjection to foreign tribunals, to confute them and their er66 rors, he prayed them to behold and see, how we of the " Church of England, reformed by our late King Edward " and his Clergy, and now by her Majesty and hers, " reviving the same, had but imitated and followed the ex" amples of the ancient and worthy Fathers.

And then he

St. Cypri- " prayed them to resolve us, what tribunals did St. Cyprian an's sentences in " and the eighty Bishops of Carthage acknowledge, when the Coun- " he said, Christus unus et solus habet potestatem de actu cil of Carthage.

nostro judicandi; i. e. that Christ only and solely had " the power of judging of our act. And again, Episcopus " ab alio judicari non potest; i. e. A Bishop cannot bejudg" ed by another [ Bishop. ] And again he likewise saith, Ex"pectemus universi judicium Christi; i. e. Let us all expect " the judgment of Christ. " He further entreated these men, before they censured

66 our Reformation and her Majesty, to recollect, what tribu" nals abroad did Policrates, and the Bishops of Asia with " him, acknowledge, when he replied to the Bishop of Rome, " then threatening to excommunicate him and the rest of his " Bishops, Non turbabor iis quæ terrendi gratia objiciun“ tur; i. e. I will not be disturbed for such things as are ob-´ 'jected to affright me." He demanded further, " what tribunals did St. Augustin August. Concil. and the two hundred and sixteen Bishops acknowledge, " African. cap. 29. & " when they decreed, that none appealing over seas (to tri105. " bunals abroad) should be received to the communion with" in Africa ? And when they repelled the Bishop of Rome,

"labouring to please his Legates a latere within their pro- " vince, and willed him not to bring fumosum seculi ty"phum; i. e. the smoky pride of the world into the Church Anno 1560. " of Christ. " Adding, that they had thus far imitated these Fathers " by their Reformation, and denying of unlawful demands " which were proud and usurpal of the Bishop of Rome, to " demand from them of the Clergy within these her Majes" ty's dominions: nay, not only them, but our predecessors, " the British Bishops of old within this realm. For what " tribunals did they ever own, when Augustin came hither " from Rome; when they replied, they owed him none, and " would not be subject ? " That he and the rest of his brethren, the Bishops and 69

" Clergy of the realm, supposed them to be their brethren " in Christ: but they were sorry that they [the Papal Bi66 shops ] should by their perverseness have separated them" selves, not only from them, but from these ancient Fathers, " and their opinions: and that they permitted one man to " have all the members of their Saviour Jesus Christ under " his subjection.

And that this their wilful opinion was not

" the way to reduce kings, princes, and their subjects, to " truth; but rather to blindfold them and the whole Church: " and so lead them into utter darkness.

For, as Gregory Gregor.l.vi. Epist. 24.

" said, Ecclesia universa corruit, &c. the universal Church " sinks, &c." He asked, “ What was it occasioned the Romish writers " to write against the Bishop of Rome ? What was it caused “ Luther, Calvin, and other orthodox Clergymen, to re" nounce Rome and her Church, but this thing, called the Bishop of Rome's tribunal ? That several learned men, " from the time that the Bishop of Rome begun to demand " tribute, and to set up a tribunal, had written, that that very " thing had caused those Bishops to forget their Maker, " and also their Redeemer: and that they, by their demands "to us, to own Rome and her tribunal, had forgotten their " duties to God, with their father the Bishop of Rome: for "that his usurping of a tribunal to make all nations subject

" to his beck, had caused him and his successors ever since " to forget the living God. Anno 1560. " That they, his followers and acknowledgers, partook of " this sin also, and had occasioned the Bishops of Rome to " fall into these errors: for they had made it sacrilege to dispute of what he did, and heresy to doubt of his power; " Paganism to disobey him, and blasphemy against the Holy " Ghost, to act or speak against his decrees. Nay, that which " is most horrible, they had made it presumption in any man, " not to go to the devil after him, without any grudging: " which was so shameful and so sinful a subjection, that Lu“ cifer himself never demanded the like from his slaves in hell. " He bade them consider of these things: and that it " should be the continual prayer of our Reformed Church, " to convert them all to the truth of God's word, and to " obedience to their Sovereign Lady Elizabeth their Queen: “ and in so doing, they would glorify Christ, and the eternal " God in heaven; who alone was the chief and absolute Ruler " of princes." And concluding friendly, subscribed himself, Their faithful brother in Christ. dated March the 26th, 1560.

This notable letter was

Calvin on the Union of Protestants

Calvin And this is the account of the Popish Clergy's letter to writestothe Archbishop the Archbishop, and his behaviour thereupon. There was about union another letter this year sent to him from the hands of a great of Protestants: M. Divine, but of another temper, and for another and a better Park. MS. Hunt. Rom, end; namely, from John Calvin, the great French Reformer: Fox. importing, " how he rejoiced in the happiness of England, " and that God had raised up so gracious a Queen, to be in" strumental in propagating the true faith of Jesus Christ, " by restoring the Gospel, and expelling idolatry, together " with the Bishop of Rome's usurped power. And then " made a serious motion of uniting Protestants together," [as he had done before in King Edward's reign. ] " He en" treated the Archbishop to prevail with her Majesty to " summon a general assembly of all the Protestant Clergy, " wheresoever dispersed; and that a set form and method [i. e. of public service, and government of the Church] " might be established, not only within her dominions, but

" also among all the Reformed and Evangelic Churches " abroad." This was a noble offer, and the Archbishop soon acquaint- Who imed the Queen's Council with it. And they took it into conparts it to sideration, and desired his Grace to thank Calvin; and to the Council. let him know they liked his proposals, which were fair and desirable: yet, as to the government of the Church, to signify to him, that the Church of England would still retain her episcopacy; but not as from Pope Gregory, who sent over Augustin the monk hither, but from Joseph of Arimathea; as appeared by Gild as, printed first anno 1525. in the reign of King Henry VIII.; and so far agreeing to Eleutherius, sometime Bishop of Rome, who acknowledged Lucius, King of Britain, Christ's Vicar within his own dominions. All this being before Rome usurped over princes: yet also renouncing the Romish manner, way, and ceremonies of episcopacy, which were either contrary to God's glory, or the English monarchy. This was a great work, and created seri-70 ous thoughts in the Archbishop's mind, for the framing a proper method to set it on foot. But he had considered but a little while of these matters, when news arrived at Court that Calvin was dead. And how Calvin stood affected in the said point of epi-Calvin for episcopacy. scopacy, and how readily and gladly he and other heads of the Reformed Churches would have received it, is evident enough from his writings and epistles. In his book of the De Necess. reform and. Necessity of reforming the Church, he hath these words: Eccles. Talem nobis hierarchiam exhibeant, &c. " Let them give us “ such an hierarchy, in which Bishops may be so above the rest, as they refuse not to be under Christ, and depend " upon him as their only Head; that they maintain a bro"the rly society, &c. If there be any that do not behave " themselves with all reverence and obedience towards them, " there is no anathema, but I confess them worthy of it.” But especially his opinion of episcopacy is manifest from a letter he and Bullinger, and others, learned men of that sort, wrote anno 1549. to King Edward VI. offering to make him their Defender, and to have Bishops in their Churches for

better unity and concord among them: as may be seen in Archbishop Cranmer's Memorials; and likewise by a writ ing of Archbishop Abbot, found among the MSS. of ArchCran. Mem. b. ii. ch. 15. bishop Usher: which, for the remarkableness of it, and the mention of Archbishop Parker's papers, I shall here set down. Archbishop " Perusing some papers of our predecessor Matthew ParParker's account there- " ker, we find that John Calvin, and others of the Protest of in ❝ant churches of Germany and elsewhere, would have had papers, his found

by Archbi- " episcopacy, if permitted: but could not upon several acshop Abbot. 66 counts, partly fearing the other princes of the Roman Ca" tholic faith would have joined with the Emperor and the " rest of the Popish Bishops, to have depressed the same; partly being newly reformed, and not settled, they had " not sufficient wealth to support episcopacy, by reason of " their daily persecutions. Another, and a main cause was, they would not have any Popish hands laid over their Cler66 gy.

And whereas John Calvin had sent a letter in King

" Edward the VIth's reign, to have conferred with the Cler66 gy of England about some things to this effect, two Bishops, “ viz. Gardiner and Boner, intercepted the same: whereby " Mr. Calvin's offerture perished. And he received an an66 swer, as if it had been from the reformed Divines of those

" times; wherein they checked him, and slighted his propo" sals: from which time John Calvin and the Church of Eng❝land were at variance in several points; which otherwise " through God's mercy had been qualified, if those papers " of his proposals had been discovered unto the Queen's Majesty during John Calvin's life. But being not disco" vered until or about the sixth year of her Majesty's reign, her Majesty much lamented they were not found " sooner which she expressed before her Council at the 66 same time, in the presence of her great friends, Sir Henry Sidney, and Sir William Cecil." The advanBut now from this digression, to turn back to Calvin's lettage the Papists took. ter to our Archbishop; though his unhappy death prevented further good steps that might have been made, in concord between this and the foreign Churches, yet our industrious

and watchful enemies made a fatal use of it, to the dividing us, and keeping us at a distance. For this being known beyond seas, Pius IVth, Bishop of Rome, with the advice of his Cardinals, granted indulgences to several orders of Rome, Archbishop Usher's for to set up new tenets and principles of religions, and they MSS. themselves to be seemingly enemies to that Church; purposely to confound the Protestant religion, and to hinder for the future all general assemblies, (so much desired,) lest thereby a better understanding might be had among Protestants; and thence at length spring a general union and agreement between all of them. And mark how this Popish project wrought. At these indulgences, several of the banished Clergy (newly departed hence) snapped, and participated with the foreign Clergy, who were set on work to distract the common people's capacities, that had renounced the Romish doctrines and usurped powers. Amongst these were Dr. Thomas Lacy; Thomas Tunstal, a Franciscan Friar, and cousin german unto the late Bishop of Durham of that name; James Scot, cousin unto Scot, late Bishop of Chester;-Faithful Comin, a Dominican Friar; (who escaped hanging for his impostures anno 1566;) William Blagrave of the same order, who was hanged at York the same year: for being suspected to be an impostor, he was seized on, and divers treasonable papers were found in his closet: who go-71 ing up the ladder, laughed in the Archbishop of York's face, saying, that those converts that he had drawn unto him, would hate the Church's Liturgy as much as his Grace did Rome. And when the Archbishop desired him to tell the names of those he had deluded, he desired to be excused; hoping they would be ashamed, (as he said,) of their " folly, [which he had led them into, ] and so turn back again " to their mother-principles, and not to heresy." The careful Archbishop's mind was already bent upon A metropolitical visimaking an inspection into the state of the churches of his tation. province: who therefore treading in the steps of his glorious predecessor Cranmer, (when he intended a reformation in his province,) determined upon a metropolitical visitation. And

for that purpose he issued out an inhibition to John, Bishop of Hereford, to visit, because himself intended to visit that diocese May 17. There were inhibitions also to the Bishop Inhibitions of London and other Bishops of the province of Canterbury, to visit. though he would not yet a while visit himself. The reason whereof he gave in the same instruments. Which was, that though he had a power by virtue of his place, to visit all dioceses within his province; yet he would defer it for some time, because of the great poverty of the Clergy, which was brought upon them by the frequency of former visitations:

and therefore he forbade the Bishop of London, and all Since our ears, other Bishops so to do. The words were, " " not without great grief, have sounded, and do still sound, " with the frequent and lamentable cries of our Clergy of " the province of Canterbury; that not only the Clergy, " but all the people are so pressed with continual visita❝tions, and the immoderate exactions of procurations and " other burdens, that, to the great scandal of their state and 66 ministry, they have scarce wherewithal to buy them food " and raiment: we therefore, as we are bound, heartily de" siring to obviate the pressing necessity of the Clergy and " Ministers of our said province of Canterbury, and having " a special care of the quiet and tranquillity of our whole province, and of all persons wheresoever dwelling in the << same; especially in this so busy a time; have thought " good to defer this our metropolitical visitation, to be com" menced and exercised in and through the whole province " of Canterbury, unto another time, wherein we may exerAnd (as it went on) " cise it with the more convenience. " because he understood some of his brethren intended " speedily to visit, therefore he enjoined them upon the " foresaid considerations not to do it, and that under pain " of contempt."

The Arch And that our Metropolitan might with more effect reform bishop will know the as well as visit the dioceses, he sent his letters first to the state of respective Bishops, to inform him of the particular state of the Clergy. their Clergy; what residence, what preaching, what learned

men, what ecclesiastical preferments possessed by mere laymen. A copy of his letter to the Bishop of London, for this purpose, is this that follows:

" After my harty commendations to your Lordship pre-The Archbishop to " mised, these shall be to desire and require you for certain the Bishop " considerations, conducent to the general reformation of the of London. Park, Re" Clergy of the province of Canterbury, to certify me on gist. " this side the first day of February next ensuing, or so speedily as you may conveniently, of the names and sur" names of all and singular persons and Vicars within your " diocese: and how many of them be resident, and where " the absents do dwell and remain: how many of them, as " well of the cathedral church, as of other benefices in your " diocese, be neither Priests nor Deacons; noting also the " names of all such as be learned, and able to preach; and " which of them, being already licensed, do preach accord66 ingly and finally, how many of them do commonly keep hospitality. And thus trusting of your Lordship's good diligence herein, I wish you most hartily well to fare. " From my manor of Lambeth, 18th November, 1560. " Your loving brother, " Mat. Cant." To the Right Reverend Father in God,

the Bishop of London. And such a letter as this was sent to every Bishop of the province of Canterbury. The answer one of the Bishops gave, (viz. Cox, Bishop of 72 Ely,) I shall here subjoin: by which we may guess the mi-The Bishop acof Ely's serable estate the other dioceses were in at this time: and count of his diocese. may withal observe our Archbishop's extraordinary diligence to know inwardly the present condition and needs of the Church, in order to his care and supply thereof. " He certified his Grace, that according to his letters di-His letter to the Arch" rected unto him November the 18th, he had sent him a bishop, transcribed " full certificate, as might possibly be gathered, of all his from the ❝ demands in the same letter contained; signifying also unto MSS. C. c. C. bythe " his Grace, beside the certificate, that of the whole sum ofC. Rev. Mr. "the cures in his diocese, which was 152 parsonages and Will. Lunn.

" vicarages, and other cures; there were duly served but only fifty-two cures. That there were thirty-four bene " fices vacant; thirteen that had neither Rectors nor Vicars; " and fifty-seven enjoyed by non-residents. And upon this " sad account the pious Bishop made this reflection; Mise" randa sane et deploranda hujus dioceseos facies, &c. So pitiable, and to be lamented, is the prospect of this diocese. " And if in other places it be so too, most miserable indeed " is the condition of the Church of England. It is time to 66 pray the Lord to send forth labourers into his harvest. " Nor are we [ Bishops ] in the mean time to sleep. He added, " that he liked the Archbishop's diligence, although he did " not fully apprehend what he drove at by the search that " he made."

Fearing, as it seems, that some advantage might be taken by the enemies of the reformation, when this nakedness of the Church should be known. But undoubtedly the Archbishop designed hereby to apply a remedy to this present disease of the Church. The Bishop's letter bore date from Downeham, Jan. 24, 1560. The church About autumn the Archbishop began to visit his own of Canterburyvisited. church of Canterbury. The persons appointed by him to visit in his name, as appears in the Archbishop's commission to them, were, Thomas Yale, LL. D.; Edward Leeds, Licentiate in Laws; Stephen Nevinson, LL. D.; and Alexander Nowel, B. D. The names of the Dean and Prebenda-The Dean and Prebendaries.

ries this present year, and at this visitation time, were John Butler. Nicolas Wotton, Dean. William Darrel, Vice-Dean. Anthony Seint Leger. John Mills.

Thomas Willoughby. Hugo Turnbull.

Thomas Becon. Theodore Newton. John Bale.

Alexander Nowel. }

Henry Goodrick.

But Theodore Newton was departed the realm by the Queen's licence: nor was he a priest, and so not capable of

The Preachers.

that prebend. The names of the six Preachers were, Lancelot Ridley. Barker. Richard Turner. Edward Burnel. Richard Bisley, alias Beesly. John Prat. The visitation began and continued in the chapter-house

of the church in the month of September.

The particular course of proceedings by the Archbishop's appointment, (who was a punctual man in all his doings,) was in this or- der: That, in the Morning Prayer, the Lessons should be orders of the visitaleft out, for more time to be had for the sermon. That no tion. Regist. Park. more should be taken for the copy of the articles and injunctions but 2d.; and by no clerk for the writing of their presentment or answer, but 4d. for writing and finding clean paper. This setting of fees the good Archbishop thought fit to do, to make the visitation, which used to be very burdensome, as easy as might be, and to check the demands of officers, clerks, and writers, which it seems had been excessive before. The Inquisitors were to be charged. The Ministers and Clerks were to be called, and severally talked with, touching their ministration, doctrine, teaching, and manners. How they entered the ministry; by whom, and upon what testimonies. This done, then the Commissioners should hear and determine quarrels, complaints, and controversies: referring great and weighty matters to the hearing and determination of the most reverend Father in God Matthew, the Archbishop himself. The Articles to be inquired of in this metropolitical visita-73 tion of the most reverend Father in God Matthew, by divine sufferance Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, and Metropolitan, as well in his own church, as in all and singular other cathedral and collegiate churches within his province of Canterbury, were these that follow: I. Whether your Dean, Archdeacon, and other Dignities Articles of Inquiry for [Dignitaries] of your church be resident, or not. Where the cathethey be

what other promotions or livings every one of them drals. Park. Regist.

hath. Whether every one of them be Ministers, or not. Whether they use seemly and priestly garments, according as they are commanded by the Queen's Majesty's injunctions, or not. II. Item, Whether your Prebendaries be resident, or how many of them. Where every one of the rest be. What be their names. What livings they have. What Orders they be in.

How, and in what apparel, they do commonly go.

Whether they do preach in their course

or how often, and

what times in the year they do resort to your cathedral church. III. Item, Whether your divine service be used, and the Sacraments ministered in manner and form prescribed by the Queen's Majesty's injunctions, and none other way. Whether it be said or sung in due time. Whether in all points, according to the statutes of your church, not being repugnant to any of the Queen's Majesty's laws or injunctions. Whether all that were wont, be bound, or ought to come to it, do so still. And whether every one of the church openly communicate in the said cathedral church, at least once in the year. IV. Item, Whether your grammar-school be well ordered. Whether the number of the children thereof be furnished. How many wanteth: and by whose default. Whether they be diligently and godly brought up, in the fear of God, and wholesome doctrine. Whether any of them have been received for money or rewards; and by whom. Whether the statutes, foundations, and other ordinances touching the said grammar-school, the schoolmaster, or the scholars thereof, or any other having doing or interest therein, be kept. By whom it is not observed, or by whose fault, and the like, in all points, you shall require and present of such your chorists, and their master.

V. Item, Whether all other officers and Ministers of your church, as well within as without, do their duty in all points, obediently and faithfully. And whether your Dean, Stewards, Treasurers, Bursars, Receivers, or any officer having any charge, or any ways being accountant to the said church, do make a plain, faithful, and true account, at such days and times as be limited and appointed by the statutes or customs of the said church; making full payment faithfully of all arrearages. Whether any money or goods of the church do remain in any man's hand. Who they be, and what sum remaineth. VI. Item, You shall inquire of the doctrine and judgment of all and singular heads and members of this your church; as your Dean, Archdeacons, Prebendaries, Readers of Divinity, Schoolmasters, Vicars, Petty Canons, Deacons, Conducts, Singingmen, Chorists, Scholars in grammar-schools, and all other officers and Ministers, as well within your church as without.

Whether any of them do either privily

or openly preach or teach any unwholesome, erroneous, or seditious doctrine; or discourage any man, soberly for his edifying, from the reading of the holy Scripture; or in any other point do persuade any not to conform themselves to the order of religion reformed, restored, and received by public authority in this Church of England. As for example; to affirm and maintain, that the Queen's Majesty that now is, and her successors, Kings and Queens of this realm of England, is not, or ought not to be, head, or chief governor of this her people, or Church of England, as well in ecclesiastical causes or matters, as temporal: or that it is not lawful for any particular church or province to alter rites and ceremonies. To edify or extol any superstitious religion or relics, pilgrimages, lightings of candles, kissing, kneeling, or decking of images, or praying in a tongue not known, rather than in English; or to put trust in a certain number of Pater-nosters, or to maintain purgatory, private masses, trentals, or any other fond fantasies invented by men, without ground of God's word: or to say, teach, or maintain, that children, being infants, should not be baptized; or that 74 every article of our Creed, commonly received and used in the Church, is not to be believed of necessity; or that mortal and voluntary sin committed after baptism be not remissible by penance; or that any man after that he have received the Holy Ghost cannot sin, and afterwards rise again by grace to repentance; or that any man liveth without sins, or that it is not lawful to swear, for certain causes; or that civil magistrates cannot punish (for certain crimes) a man with death; or that it is lawful for a man without outward calling to take upon him any ministry in Christ's Church; or that the word of God doth prohibit the regiment of women; or that the word of God doth command sole life, or abstinence from marriage, to any Minister of the Church of

Christ; or any other errors or false doctrine, contrary to the faith of Christ, and holy Scriptures. VII. Item, You shall inquire of the name and surname of all and singular the abovenamed members, officers, and Ministers of this your said church; whether you know or suspect any of them to obtain his room or living by simony; that is, by money, or unlawful covenant, gift, or reward. Who presented him.

Whether his living be in lease, and

by whom it is leased: to whom; upon what rent. Whether he doth pay a pension for it: for what cause, what sum, and by whom. Whether any of them be known or suspected to be a swearer, an adulterer, a fornicator, or suspected for any other uncleanness. Whether any of them do use any suspect house, or suspected company of any such faults, any tavern, alehouse, or tippling houses, at any inconvenient season. Whether any of them be suspected to be a drunkard, a dicer or carder, a brawler, fighter, quarreler, or unquiet person; a carrier of tales, a backbiter, slanderer, batemaker, or any other ways breaker of charity or unity, or cause of unquietness by any means. VIII. Item, Whether you have necessary ornaments and books for your church. Whether your church be sufficiently repaired in all parts. What stock or annuity is there towards reparation of the cathedral church. In whose hands or custody doth it remain. IX. Item, Finally, you shall present what you think necessary or profitable for the Church to be reformed, or of Articles for the dioceses.

new to be appointed or ordained in the same. Besides these Articles, which were for the use of the cathedral churches, there were others, in number twenty-two, by

the Archbishop appointed, suited to the rest of the dioceses. Numb. XI. And what they were may be read in the Appendix, being somewhat too long to be laid here. A present But to look upon the visitation of Christ's Church, Canterment for the cathebury. There was a presentment made by the Prebendaries dral of Can and Petty Canons, & c. by which it appeareth, that the terbury. Park. Regist.

Prebendaries came not daily to the divine service, and that

Statutes for Two Hospitals

the Ministers of the church were negligent in coming to the church. There was drunkenness among some of the Petty Canons, railing and jesting, with great disobedience. Some Anno 1560. of them were great quarrelers. They had but seven Petty Canons, whereas there ought to have been twelve: and to supply the vacant rooms of the Petty Canons, they took men out of the town to serve; who had eight pounds a year apiece. Women did suspiciously resort to the houses of certain of the church. Mr. Bale and Mr. Goodrich presented, that the arms of Cardinal Pole, with the Cardinal's hat, were hung up in the church, which they thought " not decent, nor, tolerable, but abominable, and not to be suffered," as the words of the presentment ran. There were two ancient hospitals, both founded by the Statutes for the Archbishop's predecessors, Archbishops of Canterbury; the tals of St. one, St. John's in the suburbs of Canterbury, situate without John's Harbol-and the north gate of the city; the other, St. Nicolas Harboldown. down, so called from a village of that name, within a mile from Canterbury, in the road from London. On the north side stands the parish church, and on the south of the road the hospital over against the church. They were both pious foundations for very charitable uses; namely, to harbour poor and sick men and women. But both of them were now run into disorder, and many things amiss there. The Archbishop being visitor, the settlement of these houses was one of the first things he took care of, being ever a great friend to all ancient foundations of religion, or learning, or charity. 75 In this first year therefore of his consecration, he framed very wholesome statutes for the upholding and good government of both. Now at this visitation at Canterbury, Dr. Park. Regist. Yale, the Archbishop's Commissary in the said visitation, and his Vicar General, September 18, in the church of St. John's, delivered to the Prior and Prioress of the hospital of St. John's there, the said statutes and ordinances made and conceived by the said most reverend Father: which he willed and commanded to be inviolably observed by them, and the rest of the Brothers and Sisters of that house. And the

same were also given near this time to the other hospital of St. Nicolas. Anno 1560. These statutes began in these words: " Matthew, by the sufferance of God Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate 1ne Archbishop's preface to " and Metropolitan of England, to all Christian people send the statutes. « eth greeting in our Lord. Whereas amongst other things " that do concern our pastoral office, we have before our eyes " the charitable affection and godly zeal that was in divers our predecessors, Archbishops of Canterbury; which " founded and erected two several hospitals, the one of St.

" John's in Northgate, in the suburbs of Canterbury, and " the other of St. Nicolas of Harboldown, nigh unto our see, "the city of Canterbury, for poor, sick, impotent, and needy people, to be relieved and succoured in the same; we know❝ing the provision for the poor to be a thing very accept" able to God in this world, have, for the discharge of our " conscience, thought it our duty unto God to see, as nigh " as we can, and the law of God doth suffer, that the said hospitals be used and ordered according to the minds of " the founders our predecessors." But the statutes are somewhat too long here to be inserted.

In the year 1565.

the Archbishop took some further cognizance of his hospitals, upon some disagreement between the Prior and the Minister for preference, and some other matters, and added five articles to the said statutes. And again in the year 1574. he Numb. XII. added two more: all which may be read in the Appendix. By these good statutes the hospitals are governed to this day. The diocese Thus after they had visited the cathedral church and hosvisited. pitals, they proceeded to visit the diocese. And to the commission, for this purpose granted by the Archbishop, were added and assigned the several sessions, where the Commissioners were to sit, and the times when. As on Thursday September 19, in the church of St. Alphage, Cant. for visiting the deaneries of Canterbury and West Bere; September 20, in the same place, to visit the deaneries of Sandwich and Dover; September 23, in the parish church of Ashford, to

visit the deaneries of Elham and Bridge; September 24, in the same place, the deaneries of Charing and Lymme; September 26, in the church of Sittingbourn, the deaneries of Sittingbourn and Ospring; September 28, in the church of Maidstone, the deanery of Sutton. At this time the Archbishop's visitors, under one, visited Rochester also the church and diocese of Rochester, by virtue of his sited. diocese vicommission granted them: and kept the visitation in the church of Rochester, September 30, Mr. Walter Philips being now Dean there. The visitors were the same that visited the church and diocese of Canterbury; viz. Yale, Leeds, &c. Then Richard Turner, the same man perhaps that had been of great fame for a great while in Kent, for his abilities and sufferings for religion, now Vicar of Dertford, preached a sermon before them. This Turner was towards the latter end of King Edward's reign preferred to a prebend of Windsor: but soon after became a voluntary exile for religion. See more of him in the Memorials of Arch-Cran. Mem. b. ii. ch. 28. bishop Cranmer, who had recommended him for Archbishop of Armagh.

Editorial Notes

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Source: John Strype, The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker, the First Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1821), Vol. I. Enhanced reading edition: section headings, Latin translations, verified internal links, and editorial notes added per the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts. Strype's text faithfully transcribed from the Google Books scan; spelling and substance as in the original.