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

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This is the enhanced reading edition of Book III, Chapter VIII of John Strype's The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1821), Vol. I. It has been proofread against the original printed pages, and is presented with descriptive section headings, Strype's Latin passages translated, editorial notes, and Strype's footnotes preserved as references. Strype's own words, chronology, claims, and spelling are retained; editorial additions are clearly distinguished.

The Archbishop's proceedings about the habits: chiefly with the London Ministers. Lever's letter to the Earl of Leicester and Secretary Cecyl. The Archbishop endeavours to have his book for apparel allowed by authority. Tender of proceeding to deprivation. The Queen's proclamation for conformity. The Archbishop's care about the Spital Preachers. How to proceed with the London Ministers.

Uniformity Urged Anew

I WILL now go on with some further history of the habits, and shew as well as I can from the records and papers I have seen, (which have not been a few,) what were the proceedings herein afresh towards the conclusion of this year, and onward in the next.

Though the ecclesiastical proceedings seemed to slacken for a while, yet now uniformity began to be urged anew: soon after Christmas the Archbishop and ecclesiastical Commissioners, exercising the authority they had, as far as it would go, and moving the Council for their countenance and concurrence. Towards the middle of January the Archbishop intending to begin a reformation in the Ministers of London, who generally, as it seems, forbore the surplice and other orders prescribed, sent to the Bishop of London[ed 1] to press uniformity in the city, and to assist at a sessions of the commission on such a day prefixed. The Bishop, January 13, returned his answer, promising the Archbishop to be present at the day, and wishing that Bishop Horne[ed 2] and Bishop Cox,[ed 3] men of great wisdom, gravity, and learning, might be present also for the more effectual prosecuting of the business. That indeed for his own part, the matter was grown to that pass, that it was greater than he could remedy, and wanted his Grace's advice; some of the Ministers being very factious. Which he would more at large declare at their next meeting. And then he thought it would be convenient for them to confer together of their method of proceeding in this work.

Thomas Lever's Letter

This and some other meetings seemed to be chiefly preparatory to the general citation of the Clergy of London before them: which happened not before March 26. But the noise of this soon spread in the city, and many preachers were now in danger of being put out of their places. Upon this, divers earnest applications were made anew to the great men of the Court by those of the dissenting party, or by those, that, though they conformed themselves, liked not the imposition and compulsion.

Among the rest, by Thomas Lever's letter hereupon.[ed 4] Lever, Master of Sherborn hospital, near Durham. He was a man of great account for his piety and learning, and abilities in preaching the Gospel, formerly Master of St. John's college in Cambridge, the chief nursery in those times of the favourers of true religion and solid learning; and contemporary there with Cheeke, Cecyl, Ascham, Pilkinton, &c. In King Edward's time he was reckoned one of the most eminent preachers. Insomuch, that Bishop Ridley, in his Lamentation for the Change of Religion in Queen Mary's days, mentioned four preachers then, namely, Latimer, Bradford, Knox, and Lever, to be famous for their plain and bold preaching: saying, "That they ripped so deeply in the galled backs of the great men of the Court, to have purged them of the filthy matter that was festered in their hearts, of insatiable covetousness, filthy carnality and voluptuousness, intolerable ambition and pride, and ungodly loathsomeness to hear poor men's causes and God's word; that they of all other they could never abide." But in Queen Mary's reign he lived an exile in Zurich. This is enough to characterize the man. In the month of February he writ to the Earl of Leicester and Sir William Cecyl the Secretary, that they would shew all the favour that could be to such as, being lawfully admitted to their livings, had ever since diligently preached; that they might not be ejected, only for refusing prescription of man in apparel. In this letter he took notice also "of the decaying sinking condition of all states in England: assigning one cause thereof to be the covetous spoils that were made of impropriations,[ed 5] grammar-schools, and other provisions for the poor. And concerning these impropriations he observed, that the necessary revenues of the Prince, the Bishops, other estates, and the Universities, did rather sink into the corruption, than stand upon the profits of impropriations. And then he assigned one cause beside of the decaying condition of the Universities, viz. in that the office and living of a Minister was taken from him, that once was lawfully admitted, and had ever since diligently preached, because he refused prescription of man in apparel: and the name, living, and office of a Minister of God's word allowed unto him that neither could nor would preach, except it were pro forma tantum.[ed 6] He said moreover, that if in the ministry, and Ministers of God's word, the sharpness of salt by doctrine to mortify affections be rejected, and ceremonial service, with flattery to feed affections, retained; then doth Christ threaten such treading under foot as no power nor policy can withstand or abide. In fine, that the end of his writing to them was, that not any such corruptions might be allowed among Protestants, being God's servants, as should make Papists to joy, and hope for a day, being God's enemies: but rather that there should be such abolishing of inward Papistry, and other monuments of the same, as should cause idolatrous traitors to grieve, and faithful subjects to be glad." The whole letter, for the sake of the author, and to shew the arguments then insisted upon, I have placed in the Appendix.[ed 7]

Lever's Published Works

I will add here, in memory of this grave man, what I find of his published to the world. There were three sermons printed in the year 1573. The first preached in the Shrowds, upon Rom. xiii. from verse 1 to verse 7. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, &c. The second before King Edward, upon John vi. verse 5. to the 14th. When Jesus then lift up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat, &c. The third at Paul's Cross, upon 1 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the Ministers of Christ, &c. Another book also composed by him was printed 1575, entitled, The right Way from Danger of Sin and Vengeance in this wicked World, unto godly Wealth, and Salvation in Christ.

The Book of Articles Sent Again to Court

The Archbishop, in the beginning of March, began again to try if his book of Articles for Ministers' apparel would find any better success at Court, than it had done the year before: when though the Queen's Majesty's letters to him had been very general for uniformity, yet he and the rest in commission consulted and agreed upon some particularities in apparel only. And because by statute they were inhibited to set out any constitution without licence obtained of the Prince, he sent the Articles to the Secretary to be presented, as was said before. But they could not be then allowed: of what meaning, the Archbishop said, he could not tell. Now he sent them again, together with a letter to the Queen; praying the Secretary, that if not all, yet so many as might be thought good, might be returned with some authority, at least for particular apparel. Otherwise he told the Secretary, that he and the rest of the ecclesiastical Commissioners should not be able to do so much as the Queen's Majesty expected of them to be done. His letter to the Queen he sent open, and inclosed in his to the Secretary, desiring him, if he thought it tolerable, to seal it up, and use his opportunity to deliver it.

Why He Had Stayed Pressing Uniformity

In his to the Secretary, dated March the 12th, he told him, "He had made a stop for a while, in urging the Clergy's obedience to the Queen's commands, upon the political considerations which they who were the secret friends to nonconformity urged. But that he did no ways approve of these delays and cold doings. Insomuch that he said, he was much astonished, and in great perplexity to think what event this cause would have in the proceeding to an end. And where he had endeavoured himself to enforce the Queen's pleasure upon all his brethren, and had desired that others would not hinder such proceedings by secret aiding and comfort, he saw, as he told the Secretary, his service but defeated: and then again otherwhiles dulled by various considerations of the state of times, and of doubtfulness in discouraging some good Protestants, if this order should be vehemently prosecuted. Upon such advertisements, he said, he stayed: but he alway perceived much hurt might come of such tolerations. The parties hardened in their disobedience: and at the last the Queen's displeasure incurred, to see how her commandment took little effect."

The Laity's Apparel Laws

There were at that very time laws issued out for the regulation of the apparel of the laity, and for the abstaining from flesh in Lent: and this gave much offence to many. To this the Archbishop compared what he was enjoining upon the Churchmen: "Where order, saith he, for all other men's apparel, and laws for abstinence, so much forced and well set to, might induce an obedience, however a great number may be offended. And they who thought the disorder of the ecclesiastical state might be as soon reformed, if the Bishops had the like helps, seemed to him to speak reasonably." And as there were some great men that secretly aided the Puritans, so there were others, that though they favoured them not, yet now withdrew themselves, and declined, as much as they could, meddling any more in the matter: leaving an odium upon those that honestly furthered the Queen's commands: two of the chief whereof was the Archbishop and the Secretary. Which caused him to add these words; "If I draw forwards, said he, and others draw backwards, what shall it avail, but raise exclamation, and privy mutinyings against your Honour and against me, by whom they think these matters be stirred. I see how other men get their heads out of the collar, and convey the envy otherwhere."

Tender of Deprivation

It was in the power of the Archbishop and Commissioners to deprive and imprison: both which probably were threatened upon occasion. But there were some of these men that offered themselves to lose all; yea, and their bodies to prison, rather than they would condescend. "This wilfulness of theirs, he said, did move him the more, because he could not but think that the Queen's Majesty was unworthily dealt with, thus to be resisted. But these rigorous courses he thought not fit to attempt, having no more warrant and help; lest after much stirring, he might do little in the end but hurt." All this he discoursed with the Secretary, to prepare him the better to further his book of Articles with the Queen. As to the penalty of deprivation, he was tender of inflicting it, for that much depriving with new fruiting, as he styled it, (by which he meant paying first-fruits,)[ed 8] would be taken in malam partem.[ed 9] As though her Majesty drove at covetous by-ends to herself; by drawing money by this means into her own Exchequer: and putting those to extraordinary charge that were deprived; and afterwards were minded to comply, and so be presented again to their livings. And that was the reason he gave the Secretary, why, in the fourth chapter of his book of Articles, they made the pain sequestration[ed 10] rather than deprivation. He was shy also of depriving upon the Queen's verbal order, who had, it seems, commanded him to inflict that punishment, where he should see cause. For he had consulted with lawyers, who were of opinion it was hard to proceed to deprive, having no more warrant but the Queen's Majesty's word of mouth only.

The Spital Preachers

But notwithstanding the Queen's express will and pleasure, and our Archbishop's endeavours, the Ministers refusing the habits had such countenance, that they were much put up to preach public sermons; and they would take the confidence then, and that even before the Queen, to preach without their habits. And it was taken great notice of, that some had preached before her Majesty without tippet, and had nothing said to them for it. Of which some had assured the Archbishop: which so moved him, that he thought good to tell the Secretary of it. The persons also that were prepared by the Lord Mayor to preach the solemn sermons at the Spital[ed 11] the Easter ensuing, were, the Bishop of Durham,[ed 12] a favourer of the opposers of the apparel, or in his room Mr. Beaumont, Master of Trinity college, (how he stood affected may be seen before,) and the two others were Dr. Cole and Mr. Penne, neither of them fully conformable. The allowance of these public preachers lay in the Archbishop. These two last being named to him by certain messengers sent from the Lord Mayor, he said, he could not commend their conformity, and so required others to be placed in their rooms: which then was promised him by another message from the Mayor. But the day after came the Chamberlain of the city, and another with him, to signify to his Grace, that it would be hard to get any other: and therefore they wished to have these two, with the Bishop of Durham or Mr. Beaumont. Upon which the Archbishop told them the Queen's pleasure resolutely: and if they would seek to her Majesty to be dispensed with, that he could not assure them to speed; and so left them to their consultation: charging them yet that they should not suffer the days to be unoccupied, so to derive an envy and mutinying against their Sovereign. All this happened about the beginning of March.

Nor was this business adjusted till above a month after, as I find by a signification given, April the 12th, by the Archbishop to the Secretary, for the satisfaction of the Court, that was now inquisitive what preachers were put up for the Spital this critical time. The Dean of Exeter was appointed for Good Friday; on Monday, Dr. Bemont; for Tuesday, Mr. Young, a Chaplain of the Bishop's of London; and for the third day, the Lord Mayor had sent to the Archbishop to procure Mr. Becon,[ed 13] (of whom honourable mention was made in Cranmer's Memorials, and now one of the Canons of Canterbury,) who, they heard, should preach at the Cross. The Archbishop promised that he would move him to satisfy their desires. And if he could not be obtained, the day was like to be void. But rather than that should happen, for the preventing the raising of a speech, he promised he would get Mr. Bemont to divide his Monday's sermon, and to reserve half till Wednesday. This was his care of those sermons of solemnity, as he styled them.

The City of London Heads the Dissenters

Such was the favour and esteem the Dissenters then had in the city of London. And this the Archbishop very well knew; and had written, and written oft to Court, "That a few in London ruled over this matter; and therefore he thought it advisable to begin there." For their example the rest of the nation were like to follow; and they seemed the most averse of any Ministers in the land to use the habits and observe the rites.

The Queen's Proclamation for Conformity

But now at last upon the late address of our Archbishop to the Queen and Secretary, she forthwith issued out her proclamation, publishing her will and pleasure in print, peremptorily requiring uniformity by virtue thereof. So that now the wearing of the apparel, and obedience to the usages of the Church, became absolutely enjoined; and that upon pain of deprivation and prohibition of preaching: the Queen hereby by her own authority confirming and ratifying that book of Articles that he had a little before sent to the Secretary, or at least so much of it as related to apparel. The Secretary also signified now unto him and the Bishop of London, that it was her Majesty's will, according as his Grace had suggested, that they should resolutely proceed with the London Ministers, and that she would send some persons of honour to join with them, the better to countenance their doings in her name. And withal the Secretary desired to understand after what manner and method they intended to proceed in this weighty matter.

The Method of Proceeding with the London Ministers

Whereupon, March the 20th, he and the Bishop of London came to this result as to their proceedings, after having conferred with men learned in the laws; yet leaving all to the allowance or disallowance of the Secretary.

I. They meant to call all manner of Pastors and Curates within the city of London to appear before them at Lambeth, in the chapel there: and to propound the cause, and say something to move them to conformity, with intimation of the penalty which necessarily will ensue against the recusants.

II. After the general propositions made, as afore, to the whole number, they intended particularly to examine every of them, whether they would promise conformity in their ministrations and outward apparel, established by law and injunction, and testify the same by subscription of their hands.

III. It was intended presently to suspend all such as refused to promise conformity in the premises; and also to pronounce sequestration of their ecclesiastical livings from after the date of our Lady next,[ed 14] being then at hand. And after such sequestration, if they were not reconciled within three months, to proceed to deprivation of their livings by due form of law.

IV. The fourth article related to the sarcenet tippet;[ed 15] that such should wear it as might by the act of Parliament anno 24. Hen. VIII. and none other.

The Archbishop and Bishop was well aware of what would follow. That is, they thought very many churches would be destitute for service the ensuing Easter, by reason of the suspensions; and that many would forsake their livings, and live at printing,[ed 16] teaching children, and otherwise as they could. And they left it to the Secretary's wisdom to consider what tumults might follow, and speeches and talks were like to rise in the realm, and presently in the whole city, by this doing of theirs. Now that the clamour of this might not wholly light upon them, they told the Secretary, that they hoped the Queen, as was purposed, would send some honourable persons to join with them two. They prayed him also that he would consult with whom his wisdom should think most meet, that they might be resolved. That so having summoned them on Friday to appear before them on Saturday, order might be taken with them then, or at furthest a day or two after.

Notes


Editorial Notes

  1. ↑ Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London.
  2. ↑ Robert Horne, Bishop of Winchester.
  3. ↑ Richard Cox, Bishop of Ely.
  4. ↑ Lever's letter to the Earl of Leicester and Sir William Cecil was dated Feb. 24, 1565.
  5. ↑ "Impropriations": ecclesiastical revenues, especially tithes, diverted into lay hands.
  6. ↑ Pro forma tantum: "for form's sake only", i.e. as a mere formality.
  7. ↑ The letter is printed in the Appendix of Strype's original edition (Numb. XLVII.), which is not present in the scan from which this chapter is transcribed.
  8. ↑ "First-fruits": the first year's revenue of a benefice, payable to the Crown upon institution; "new fruiting" is Parker's own phrase for a fresh exaction of them upon re-presentation after deprivation.
  9. ↑ In malam partem: "in a bad sense", i.e. taken amiss, construed unfavourably.
  10. ↑ "Sequestration": the temporary seizure of a benefice's revenues, as distinct from deprivation, the permanent removal from the living.
  11. ↑ The Spital sermons: the solemn Easter sermons preached at St. Mary Spital, London, nominated by the Lord Mayor.
  12. ↑ James Pilkington, Bishop of Durham; cf. Book II, Chapter XXVI.
  13. ↑ Thomas Becon, Canon of Canterbury; cf. Book II, Chapter XIII.
  14. ↑ "Our Lady next": Lady Day, March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, then the legal new year.
  15. ↑ The sarcenet tippet: a thin silk scarf worn over the shoulders; the statute 24 Hen. VIII. limited its use to certain degrees.
  16. ↑ "Live at printing": support themselves by work in the printing trade.

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. Proofread against the original printed pages; enhanced reading edition prepared per the AnglicanWiki Editorial Guidelines for Historical Texts.

Part of Life of Matthew Parker (Strype, 1821). Previous: Book III, Chapter VII. Next: Book III, Chapter IX.

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