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

This is the enhanced reading edition of Book II, Chapter V, 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.

The Archbishop with his Assessus. A Declaration to be read by Ministers. Orders for the preserving uniformity among Ministers. The Archbishop's interpretation of the injunctions. The Clergy taxed for reparation of St. Paul's church burnt. This fire gives occasion to a Popish libel: answered by the Bishop of Durham. The Archbishop's certificate concerning the Clergy. The certificate of the London Clergy.

The Archbishop with his Assessus

THE Archbishop, as he had much to do at this time, for the reformation of the Church, and of those that were to serve in it, so he had an Assessus of other Bishops with him at Lambhith, for his assistance, by special commission from the Queen, as it seems, according to a late Act of Parliament.

A Declaration to be Read by Ministers

And as in their first session many wholesome things were concluded upon; so at their second session (which was April 21, 1561, at Lambhith) Articles were agreed upon by our most reverend Father, and Thomas, the other most reverend, the Archbishop of York, with the consent of their brethren the Bishops, to the same: viz. First, that the articles agreed on the first sessions be ratified, confirmed, and put in execution accordingly. Item, That the Readers be once again reviewed, and their abilities and manners examined, &c. with divers other particulars, which I omit. But one chief order by the Archbishop and this venerable assembly appointed, now or near this time, was that which follows: In the Church many popishly affected Priests still kept their hold by their outward compliances; but to make the best provision that could be against such for all times hereafter,

after, all Parsons, Vicars, and Curates, that took ecclesiastical livings or cures, were now bound to make a public declaration, by the order of the Archbishop and the rest of the Bishops; and afterwards to be read by them once every half year before their people: to testify their common consent in certain sound doctrines. That hereby Papists might be refuted, who had slandered the Protestant Ministers, as if there were no agreement and unity of faith among them. This Declaration consisted in eleven articles; the sum whereof was, " That they professed to believe in one living and true " God, and that in the unity of the Godhead were three " Persons of one substance. That they believed whatsoever " was contained in the canonical Scriptures; and that in " them were contained all things necessary to salvation. " That they believed all the articles contained in the three " Creeds. That the Church was the spouse of Christ, " wherein the word of God was truly taught, and the Sa" craments ministered according to Christ's institution, and " the authority of the keys duly used. That it was not law“ ful for any man to take upon him any office or ministry, " but such as were lawfully called thereunto by authority " of the realm. Also, they acknowledged the Queen's Ma"jesty's prerogative and superiority of government over all " states, and in all causes ecclesiastical and temporal in her " own dominions. That the Bishop of Rome, by the word " of God, had no more authority than other Bishops had in " their provinces and dioceses: and therefore that his former power in England was usurped, and for just causes taken " away. That the Book of Common Prayer and Admin is" tration of Sacraments was agreeable to the Scriptures. " That the Sacrament of Baptism was fully and perfectly " ministered, though exorcism, oil, salt, spittle, &c. were " taken away. That private Masses, or receiving the Sa" crament by the Priest alone, were never used among the " Fathers of the primitive Church; and that the Mass is a propitiatory sacrifice for quick and dead, and a means to " deliver souls out of purgatory, is neither agreeable to 92 " Christ's ordinance, nor grounded upon apostolical doctrine.

Resolutions and Orders for Uniformity

"That the sacrament of the holy Communion ought to be administered to the people under both kinds. That they utterly disallowed of extolling images, relics, and feigned 1561. " miracles, and the setting forth God in the form of an old " man, and the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove; and all " worshipping of God according to men's fancies by pil grimages, setting up of candles, &c." This Declaration may be seen at large in the History of the Reformation under Chap. xvii. Queen Elizabeth. Which, though it went forth under the general name of both Metropolitans and all the Bishops, yet it seems to have been chiefly the work of our Archbishop. The Archbishop also about this time framed another use-Resolutions and orders ful writing; which was to serve for the Clergy to practise, for the as the former was for them to declare: and this was to serve Clergy. for uniformity in their ministration, and for maintenance of concord in the Church, till a Synod should meet.

This also was published by the consent of all the Bishops, to be observed in both provinces. They called them Resolutions and Orders, viz. " That licences for preaching that had been " given by the late general visitors, should be called in. “ And that such as should be admitted to preach should be " examined in their doctrine; and to be admonished to use " sobriety and discretion in their teaching; to abstain from busy meddling in matters of controversy; to set out the " reverend estimation of both the Sacraments; and to move "the people to obedience to the Book of Common Service " and the Queen's injunctions: and not to exact unreasonable "rewards of the poor Curates for their coming to preach in " their cures. That public baptism be administered in the " font, not in basins.

Interpretations of the Injunctions

That private baptism be administered in case of necessity, as in peril of death, &c." Other things also were drawn up by the diligent Archbishop in his own name, and in the name of the rest of the injunctions. Bishops: which were Interpretations and Considerations of certain ofthe Queen's injunctions, for the better instructions of the Clergy which are too long to be here set down; but may be found among the Archbishop's own MSS. preserved

St. Paul's Church Burnt

in the Bene't college library, in the volume entitled Synodalia; and in the Annals of the Reformation. In the summer this year, viz. on Wednesday, June the 4th, happened a terrible fire in the magnificent cathedral of London, St. Paul's church;ii. 4th, happened a terrible fire in the magnificent cathedral of Paul's burnt. London, St. Paul's church; which burnt down the lofty spire steeple, struck with lightning within three yards of the top; and the upper roof of the church and aisles, consuming the covering wholly and all done within the space of four hours. Whereat the Queen was much touched, and thought seriously of speedy reparation, judging the religion as well as the honour of the nation concerned in it. And being church-work, she reckoned the Bishops and Clergy should especially be contributors thereunto. She sent therefore a letter to the Archbishop, that he should consult with the Bishops of his province, and the chief of the Clergy, to devise some convenient way for collecting of money from them for that use. But take the Queen's business with the Archbishop in her own words: The Queen " Most reverend Father in God, we greet you well. Alto the Archbishop though we know there needs no means to provoke you to hereupon. " further the re-edifying of the church of S. Paul in our Park. Regist. city of London, being the same, both in respect of Chris" tian religion, and for honour of our realm, a right neces sary work duely recovered: yet to join our authority with your devotion and good-will, we do authorize you by way " of any manner of usual or other good conference with the Bishops of your province, and the principal members of

" the Clergy thereof, to devise upon some contribution of money and relief to be levied and collected of the same Clergy. Wherein we mean neither to prescribe to you " the manner of levying, nor the sum to be contributed; " but refer the same to your wisdom, and the consideration " of so great a work. And if you shall think fit to be in" formed therein upon any special doubt, then to resort to " our Council; who in that behalf shall give you knowledge " and advice of that that shall be convenient. Yeven un" der our signet, at our manor of Greenwich, the 24th day " of June, the third year of our reign."

The Archbishop to the Bishop of London

The Archbishop being backed with this authority, could the better forward this good work. His judgment was, that the Clergy of the diocese of London should contribute the twentieth part of their spiritual promotions, and the Clergy 93 of the other dioceses the thirtieth. So he despatched his letters to the Bishop of London, acquainting him with this his judgment; and desiring him to despatch letters to all the Bishops in his province to this tenor. letter.

But take his own

" After my right hearty commendations to your Lord-The Archbishop to " ship premised. Having received the Queen's Majesty's the Bishop " letters, the tenor whereof I send to you herewith, I have of London. Park. Re thought good, for the better accomplishment of her Magist. " jesty's pleasure herein, to require your Lordship, that not only upon conference with the Clergy of your diocese, you " do resolve yourselves upon such reasonable imposition and

contribution, to be collected and answered of your said Clergy, towards the re-edifying of the church of Paul's, as may seem correspondent to their several estates and

" preferments in living; but also that you do, with all con" venient speed, signify the tenor ofthe Queen's said letters to " the residue of the Bishops of my province; requiring them " to do the like in their several dioceses. Doing your Lord ship further to understand, that I think this rate to be the " least that will be accepted, that the Clergy of your diocese " of London should pay and contribute the twentieth part " of their spiritual promotions; and the Clergy of every other " diocese of my province, being not in their first-fruits, to pay only the thirtieth part of their said promotions, ac cording to the rate taxed in the Queen's Majesty's books. " Always provided, that Stipendiaries and Curates, and all " such beneficed men, which by order of the statute pay no " first-fruits, be not in any wise charged herein, unless it be " by your good persuasion. And that as well your Lord ship for yourself, as also all other my brethren and Bi" shops of this province, by your commandment, do send me your and their resolute order and answer herein, with

" such convenient speed as you and they may. And thus " fare you most heartily well. From my manor of Croydon, the first day of July.

" Your loving brother, " Matthue Cant."

His imposition on his

His Imposition on His Own Diocese

What the Archbishop did in his own diocese may appear

own cese. dioPark. by his letter to Dr. Nevynson, his Commissary General for his diocese of Canterbury; willing him to call together the Regist. Clergy of his diocese, and to resolve with themselves upon

a reasonable imposition and contribution towards the reedification of the church of St. Paul, as might seem reasonable to their several estates and preferments in living.

A Popish Libel Answered

Signifying, that he thought the least that should be accepted was the thirtieth part of their spiritual promotions: and those that be in their first-fruits to pay only the fortieth part, according to the rate taxed in the Queen's books. And such stipendiary Priests as receive twelve pound wages by the year and upwards, to pay the fortieth part. Provided, that they that pay not first-fruits be not in any wise charged, except by good persuasion. This was the substance of his letter writ September 18, 1561. Bishop of Pilkington, Bishop of Durham, a great preacher, made a Durham's sermon at Paul's Cross upon this occasion, namely, the firing n sermo at Paul's Cross this ancient church; which was afterward printed, and enon this occasion. E titled, Ofthe Causes of burning of St. Paul's Church. MSS C. This could not escape a libel scattered about in Westchester; C. C.. C. Miscellan. B. in which were these words: " And now whether the people of this realm be declined from the steps of St. Augustin " [who preached the Christian religion here to the Saxons] " and other blessed Fathers and Saints, which had Mass " and seven Sacraments in the Church, and God was ho" noured night and day in the Church with divine service; " I think there is no man so simple, but he may easily per" ceive, except malice have blinded his heart.

As in St.

The Archbishop's Certificate Concerning the Clergy

"Paul's church in London, by the decrees of blessed Fathers, every night at midnight they had mattins, all the forenoon Masses in the Church, other divine service, and continual prayer: yea, in the steeple, anthems and prayers were had at certain times. But consider how far now contrary, and it is no mervail, if God hath sent down fire to burn part of the church, as a sign of his wrath. And whereas a reverend Bishop [meaning he of Durham] at Paul's Cross did exhort the people to take the burning of Paul's to be a warning of a greater plague to follow to the city of London, if amendment of life be not had in all states. Also, whereasere the said preacher doth re" cite certain abuses of the said church, as talking, buying " and selling, fighting and brawling, although these be very " ill, and worthy much rebuke, yet there be [now] worse " abuses, as blaspheming God in lying sermons, polluting " the temple with schismatical service, destroying and pull ing down holy altars, that were set up by God's blessed men, and there the sacrifice of the blessed Mass minister" ed according to the word of Christ's Catholic Church. " Yea, where the altar stood of the Holy Ghost, they now by " shops have made a place to set their tails upon, and there " sit in the judgment of such as be Catholic, and live in the " fear of God. Some they do deprive from their livings; " some they do commit to prison, except they will forsake " the Catholic faith, and embrace a faith and religion, that " hath no foundation laid by general Councils, nor blessed " Fathers in times past, but invented by heretics, & c." Thus did Papists full of anger catch at opportunities, to vent their displeasure against the Reformation. But the said Bishop Pilkington wrote a learned answer to this libel, which he called a Confutation. Some account whereof is Chap. xxii. given in the Annals of the Reformation. The Archbishop, that he might have an account of the A certificate of the true state of the Clergy throughout his province, had in names and June or July writ to all the Bishops to send him a certifiqualities of all Clergy cate of the names and qualities of all their Churchmen. required. Some had sent up their certificates, others had not. The Park. Regist. Bishops that were thus behind were Sarum, Nor wich, Bath and Wells, Coventry and Litchfield, Exeter, Chichester, and Lincoln.

To all whom, September 18, the Archbishop again wrote, "That forasmuch as he had not received any certificates from them according to his said letter, as he could not but marvail thereat, so he thought good " to require them to certify him of those points on this side " Christmas next. And that their certificates in that behalf " be conceived and made according to a form there en" closed." But to acquaint the reader with the issue of this business, I shall set it down as I take it from the Archbishop's own book, entitled, Certificatorium: which gave an account of all the churches in all the shires, or most of the shires, in England, procured by visitations, either of the respective Bishops and Archbishops or Archdeacons. And first let us read the Archbishop's letter to the Archdeacons, specially, there where the Bishops had been either backward or otherwise employed.

"After my hearty commendations; these shall be to desire and require you for certain urgent considerations to certify me, so speedily as you may, of all and singular Parsons, Vicars, and Curates, within your tiâcator.j " how many of them be resident; and where the absent do ❝ dwell and remain; how many of them be neither Priests nor Deacons; noting the names of all such as be learned " and able to preach; whether married or unmarried; of “ what degree; and which of them, being already licensed " to preach, do preach accordingly; and finally, how many " of them do commonly keep hospitality: and that your " certificate in that behalf be conceived and made according " to the form herein enclosed. And thus trusting of your " diligence herein, I wish you well to fare. From my manor " of Lambeth, the 1st of October, 1561. " Your loving friend, " Matthue Cantuar."

What the form of the certificates sent in was, may be understood by this specimen.

The Certificate of the London Clergy

What the form of the certificates sent in was, may be understood by this specimen.

Church	Incumbent	Orders	Learning	Residence	Dwelling	Preaching	Benefices
Eccles. Christi.	Mr. Becon, Vicar. Baccalaur. Art.	Presbyter Conjugatus.	Doctus.	Non residet.	Degit Cantuar. interdum apud S. Stephan. Lond.	Prædicat Licentiatus.	Sacerdotia duo habet, istud et S. Stephan. in Walbrook.
	Dom. Daniel, Curatus ibidem, non Graduatus.	Presbyter Conjugatus.	Latinè verba aliquot intelligit, non sententiam.	Habet Cubiculum hic. Non alit familiam.	Degit ibidem.	Non prædicat.	Sacerdotium nullum.
S. Andreæ in Holborn.	Rodolph. Whitlyn, Rect. Baccalaur. Juris Civilis.	Presbyter Ordinatus, Conjugatus.	Latinè doctus.	Residet, alitque familiam.	Degit ibidem.	Non prædicat, nec est Licentiatus.	Sacerdotia duo, istud et Burmersh in Cantio.

Observations on the London Clergy

So that in the certificate, information was given of these things, viz. 1. The name of the parish: 2. The name and surname, and degree of the incumbent: 3. Whether he were Priest or Deacon, married or unmarried: 4. Learned or unlearned: 5. Whether he resided: 6. Whether he kept hospitality: 7. Where he dwelt: 8. Whether he were licensed and preached: 9. How many benefices he had. From the view of the archdeaconry of London, as it is set Some observations down in this table, I observe, that the Ministers were gene upon the rally married men; that they had many Curates; that some archdeaconheld three, four, and one five livings together. One Blage, don. Bachelor in Divinity, was Vicar of St. Dunstan's West, and had Whist on and Doncaster in Yorkshire, Rugby in Warwickshire, and Barnet in Middlesex. I observe moreover, that many of them had two livings in London: that few or none of the Curates were graduates: that many of the Vi. cars, nay, and Parsons, were non-graduates: that not above a third part of them were preachers: that as for their learning, thus it was commonly set down: Latinè aliquod verba intelligit. Latinè utcunque intelligit. Latinè pauca intelligit, &c. ("Understands some Latin words. Understands Latin indifferently. Understands little Latin.") In this visitation the parish of Hackney was found well Hackney. provided for, and so was not many other; for in the Certificatory I meet with the Rector and Vicar of Hackney. The Rector's name was John Spenlow, and the Vicar's, Robert Stokes, both Priests, married, and each written doctus. Of The Vicar the Rector I have no more to say; but of the Vicar I have thereof. gathered some further knowledge. He was Bachelor of Divinity, of the University of Cambridge, and came into that vicarage not far from the beginning of King Edward's reign, viz. in the year 1548. He remained incumbent there two and twenty years: a man much respected both for his learning and good behaviour, and had the general love both of the gentle and simple in the parish. He was buried in the chancel of his church, and had a stone laid upon him, (but of late years removed from the true place where his body lay,) with his effigies in brass, and this inscription.

The Vicar of Hackney

Robertus Stokes, vir doctrina et morum probitate insignis, Cantabrigiæ olim Theol. Bacchalaureus fuit, nec non hujus villæ Hackneæ per duos et viginti annos Vicarius; qui anno 1570. octavo calendas Aprilis naturæ concessit: a summis juxta atque ab infimis magnopere desideratus. ("Robert Stokes, a man distinguished for learning and uprightness of character, was formerly Bachelor of Divinity at Cambridge, and also Vicar of this town of Hackney for two and twenty years; who in the year 1570, on the eighth of the calends of April, departed this life: greatly lamented by the highest as well as the lowest.")

The Bishop of Hereford's Certificate

If this be thought by any too minute a matter to be remembered in this history, he must attribute this fault to the long relation and due respect I have to that parish. Bishop of Scory, Bishop of Hereford, with the certificate he returnHereford to the Archbied the Archbishop concerning his church and diocese, wrote shop. MSS. him this letter. C. C. C. C. Certificator. " Right honourable and my very good Lord, I have now " sent unto your Grace a certificate, according to your " Grace's letter to me directed, of the cathedral church, and

" of all parsonages and vicarages within my diocese. There " are divers and many chapels, whereof your Grace's letter " made no mention, which be either unserved, or else served " with a Reader only. I beseech you help that the cathe" dral church may be reformed: that their light may lighten "the darkness of the rest. I am informed, that the copy

" of their privileges is sent unto your Grace, the invalidity " whereof I doubt not but that your Grace perceiveth. " Thus resting at your Grace's commandment, I commit you to the most mighty protection of the Almighty.

" From my house at Whitborn, this first of February. " Jo. Heref."

Editorial Notes

---

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.