AFter the death of George Abbot Archbishop of Canter­bury, William Laud Bishop of London was promoted to that See, and made Archbishop thereof; who at his entrance obtained of the Kings Majesty a Patent for a generall Visitation of all the Diocesses under his ju­risdiction, as well of those that were exempts as o­therwise. And although the foraigne Churches of this Realme were not comprehended in that Patent (for whereas Bishops, Deanes, Archdeacons, Canons, prebendaries, ministers and others were nominated, the forraine Churches were not named) yet the Archbishop presupposed and pretended them to be; and therefore in the visitation of his Diocesse of Canterburie, by his Commissioners in A­prill Anno Domini, 1634. he caused the three forreine churches to be ci­ted to appeare by their deputies in Canterburie; namely of Canterburie, Sandwich, and Maidston, the Deputies of which churches appeared on the 14. day of April, in Master Deanes house before his Commissioners, which were Sir Nathaniel Brent, the Deane of Canterburie, and others, the Bishop of Rochester being sicke and absent; where were

Questions propounded to the Walloone Congregation at Canterburie, and the Dutch Congregations of Sandwich and Maidston, whereun­to they are to make answere in writing, severally, or jointly, on Saterday next in the afternoone, betweene the houres of one and five of the clocke.

First, What Liturgie they use, and whether they have not the English Liturgie in Dutch, or French in use.

Secondly, Of how many desents for the most part they are borne Subiects.

Thirdly, Whether such as are borne Subjects will corforme to the Church of England?

The Deputies were, Gasparus Nieren minister of the Dutch Church of Sandirich; Jeha Bulteel, and Philip Deline, ministers of the French Church in Canterburie. Iohn Miller minister of the Dutch Church of [Page 2] Maidston, and some Elders. Iohn Bulteel was requested by the [...] to [...] the speaker, he therefore answered the Commissioners, that though [...] three forreine Churches were in my Lord Archbishop of Canterburies Diocesse, they were not of his Diocesse, and that they were of the er­empts; and whereas Doctor Warner said, that the Deane and Chapter were of the exempts also, yet were comprehended in the patent and were visited; he answered, they were in a manner doubly exempted, and not contained as they conceived expresly and by name as they were (Deanes, Archdeacons, prebends, and others nominated in the patent) they added also that no Archbishop did ever propound any such question to their Churches; and that it might be easily knowne, and was knowne what Li­turgie they had it being added ordinarily to the end of the psalmes, as it was practised and used in France, Germanie and Holland, in the French Walloone and Dutch Congregations. As for the English Liturgy, it was translated into French, but not in Dutch that they knew; neither was it in use among them, they having their owne Liturgy. Now the Deputies being pressed to answer more particularly to the three questions desired of the Commissioners a longer time to answer to those propositions, be­cause they were to communicate them to their congregations and they of Sandwich and Matdston could not returne an answer so soone. So the Commissioners did prorogue the time and did appoint the day of answe­ring to those questions that day three weekes, namely the fifth of May, Sir Nathaniel Brent, Deane Bargrave and Doctor Iackson, spake of their governmenr and discipline concerning refractary and deboshed perions; and praising them for the care they had of their poore, in setting them on worke, and not permitting them to beg, giving them sufficient mainte­nance. But Doctor Warner could not endure to heare those praises, start­led and snuft at it, using some discurteous words, as if those praises were to the disparagement of the English Churches, &c. notwithstanding some Justices of peace at Sessions, in giving the charge, would often make ho­nourable [...] of the forraigne Churches in England and wish theirs would [...] them, propounding them as patternes and examples to English Churches, concerning their poore, in setting them to worke, and hindering them from begging.

The Church of Canterbury being assembled together, according to its custome namely, the Ministers, Elders and Deacons, and considering it was a subject of great importance, and a matter of consequence, that concerned all the forraign Churches found it sitting to write to the Coetus, that is to say to the two stranger Churches, the French and Dutch Consistory of London, and to aske their councell, advice, and helpe: who re­turneó [Page 3] their answer, that the three Congregations of Canterbury, Sand­wich and Maidstone, should doe well to depute some of every Church, and send them up to London to conferre there, together with the Coetus, about the businesse, as being a subject of great concernment. The Church of Canterbury deputed their two Ministers, John Bulteel and Philip Delme, and two of their Elders, with instructions to conferre with those of London, and gave them in writing the answer to the three proposi­tions, which were to be shewed to the company there but not to be de­livered up to the Arch-bishops Vicar-generall but with the advice and con­sent of the Coetus, and but upon necessity: the Answer was this,

Upon the first Question.

THat we have that Liturgy, which all the Churches of the French tongue, both in France and in the united provinces of the estates have had since the blessed reformation, and which our Churches refuged here have had this sixty or siventy years or more, and which is annexed to the [...] of the book of psalms.

That the English Liturgy is translated into French, but we use it not; we know not whether it be in Dutch or no.

On the second Question.

THat the greatest part of the heads of the families are not borne here, but about a third part; because that the greatest part of the old ones are strangers borne, and many others are newly come since a few yeers.

To the third Question.

THe mentioned in that proposition desire not to doe that which is inquired of; because they see that the [...] of the Church would ensue, both in regard of the entertainment of the Ministry [...] particularly for the subvention of the poore; to the whch they are not onely brought up, but also ingaged by promise made unto God and the church.

Besides, many of the Natives understand not nor speak so well the English as they should, to understand well the Sermons and prayers. Moreover, the families would be divided in the publike exereises of piety; therfore they find it fit and necessary that a [...] be made by all meanes, that they may continue as they have hitherto done: And that, first, according to the pri­viledges since Edward the sixth, both by royall word and promise, with ap­probation of our order, as by letters of the most honourable privy-counsell un­der whom we have and doe as refuged subsist and continue. [...], on the testimony both of the [...] or [...] a [...] of this towne, as also the cer­tificate [Page 4] of the gentry and country concerning our good behaviour, &c.

This was made and subscribed by divers of the said Church, in the name of all the rest, Aprill 27. 1634.

Whereupon the Deputies of the said Church with those of Sandwich went up to London, where they met with the Minister of Maidston, and having conferred together with the Coetus or two forraigne Churches of London; they made this answer in writing to my Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury.

To the which Questions, the answer of the said Churches is,

This Answer was delivered up to Sir Nathaniel Brent by the Deputies at his house in London; who said it was a modest answer and with respect, and that he would deliver it to my Lord; desired them to shew the parent of King Edward the sixth, or a copy thereof, that my Lord might have a fight thereof; who were not willing to shew him the Originall, but gave him a copy thereof (written by a Notarie) to deliver it to my Lord. So taking their leaves of Sir Nathaniel Brent and dilmissed with very cur­teous words, the Deputies returned to their severall Churches and charges.

The Churches were in good hope that their answer would have given my Lord satisfaction and content, and nothing was heard from my Lord or his Vicar-generall for a long time; all seemed husht and asleep, but not dead: for Sir Nathaniel having ended his perambulation and visitation of divers provinces for that yeer, returned to Canterbury, and intimated unto the Ministers of the French congregation, that my Lord was not satisfied nor content with their precedent answer, and had order to cite them to appeare with those of Sandwich and Maidston before him and other com­missioners the 19. of December in Master Sumners house, to heare my Lords injunctions: The Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich appeared at the place & time before them, who propounded the injunctions spake som­what of the English Liturgy, wished it were received in their churches for the glory of the English churches; and seeing that both the english and strangers had but one Religion in substance, why should there be a diffe­rent Liturgy and discipline between them? told them that if they would conser & discourse with the Divines (the Deane and Master Casaubon) they might goe downe into the Garden and there talk and communicate toge­ther: The Deputies answered, they came not there to conserre or dispute together, but to heare what they had to say from my Lord; and because the time to answer to the said injunctions was short, as that the natives should resort to their parish churches the third day of January, and the Li­turgy should be read in the forraine churches the 14. of February; they [Page 6] demanded some more respite for their answer; the commissioners were content to give them time to the first of March, and so Master Sumner by charge of Sir Nathaniel Brent sent them [...] Act, and in this forme.

The like was given unto those of Sandwich, and the Vicar-generall passing through Maidston gave the like charge unto the Minister and El­ders of the Dutch congregation there; the Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich found it fitting that the passages of the businesse should be rela­ted unto their owne churches and thought good to write to the two for­reigne churches or coetus of London, and certifie them what had passed be­tween them and the commissioners; who returned an answer, that seeing it was a case that concerned all the forraigne churches French and Dutch of this Kingdome, and their case was a leading case to the other churches; it was fitting, nay, necessary, that they should be advertised thereof: So the Deputies of both churches Canterbury and Sandwich wrote to all the forreigne churches Dutch and French or Walloon in this Kingdome, en­treating them to send their Deputies to London armed with good instru­ctions and reasons, for the maintaining of the subsistence of their churches, [Page 7] [...] bring with them their writings and priviledges to that end; and to be at London the fifth of February following there to conferre together con­cerning those injunctions. But because the time prefixed seemed some­what long, which notwithstanding cou'd not well be abreviated by [...] of the great distances of the Churches, and their preparation, and that the [...] required haste, for it was thought the Kings Majesty would be gone from White-hall the 16. of the moneth of February, and that some presup­posed that my Lord of Canterbury, might be [...] with complements, in [...] him and offering him their service (although there were others that thought otherwise) requesting him to let them enjoy their priviled­ges as they had hitherto done, and not be troubled but permitted to live in peace; the Deputies therefore of the three forementioned Churches, whom it most and primarily concerned, were counselled to anticipate the time and goe to London; to goe first to my Lord of Canterbury and be­seech him to revoke his injunctions; and in case he would not be moved to recall them, they might prepare matters besore the arrivall of the De­puties of other Churches; and if need were, goe joyntly together to the King: So the Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich went for London and met there the Deputies of Maidston, where consulting together with the Ministers and Elders of the French and Dutch congregation in their Coetus; it was found expedient to goe to the Arch-bishop, to petition him by word of mouth: So the Deputies went to the Vicar-generall, told him the cause of their comming, and the desire they had to speak to my Lord, who told them he would goe to my Lord, and wisht them to be at White-hall at my Lords lodging on the last of January, where the Deputies went at the appointed time: my Lord did not call them into his inward room, but came out into his outward, there being but a curtaine between him and the people; who comming there and sitting in his pontisiciall Chaire, not so much as vailing his Bonnet to the Deputies, who came in the name of their Churches, John Bulteel made this speech unto my Lord in the name of the rest.

But my Lord interrupted him saying, I know your dostrine, parity of Ministers, hatle fellow well met, and used discurteous words, and would heare no more of the speech; telling the Deputies he had appointed the [Page 8] Munday following for the day of hearing, and had no leisure to heare a thing twice; had spoken to his Vicar generall and Sir John Lambe Judge of the Arches to be there at the appointed time, so he put it off and dis­missed then; who much wondred at his harsh salutation and hard words at the first meeting, and began to conjecture what the issue would be, being wo roughly dealt at their first comming, and found the contrary by experi­ence, of what they had heard that my Lord was affable and curteous to those that came to him.

The same Deputies returned to my Lord at the appointed houre, where the soresaid Minister who began the former speech, and had pezed his words the former time, as namely when he said knowing the eminent place he had under the King (he said not under God) for he had it not [...] di­vino, but by the liberality and munificence of the King: The said J. B. omitting that which he had said before, proceeded on.

My Lord made a discourse of his proceedings before he answered to the discourse told them he had a visitation to make in all the Diocesses of his Jurisdiction, and would begin with his owne house and Diocesse, and so with them; he thanked them for their prayers and wishes, and he would pray for them: but whether they prayed for him or no, he would goe on, and would them good, but in a Canonicall way; that he did nothing [Page 9] but that he had communicated it to the King and Counsell, which had been there debated, that their discourse contained some reasons, but he could see no reason that the observation of the injunctions could or would bring such inconveniences; that he had a copy of the patent of King Edward the VI. (which he drew out of his pocket) and said that would not serve them, and that they were much mistaken. He spake often very harshly and bitterly unto the Deputies, and in a jeering and scoffing way, spake very basely of their communion, said, that their Churches used irreverence at their communion sate altogether as if it were in a Tavern or Ale-house, where one drunk to another the Minister beginning and the people following him; that their Ministry & Discipline was not secundum Evangelium, the english was, and Bishops [...] divine, that he would engage his Arch. bishoprick theron, and would dispute with the best of them, that all they did was to take away Bishops, that they were the wise and religious, and he with the rest, the superstitious and idolaters, that they were Israel in AEgypt, that they would make a state in a state, and if they did so, he needs not be there in that place; that their Churches were nests and occasion of scisme, that his intention was to hinder the scisme in Kent, where there are so many factious, who though they were not guilty of death, yet worthy to be punished; that it were better there were no forraigne Churches nor strangers in England, then to have them thereby to give occasion or prejudice to the Church­government of England; that his intention was to governe the Church of England according to the Canons, except the King would restraine him; that he told the King that he would begin with his owne Diocesse, that they vanted they did not feare him nor care for his injunctions, but he hoped the King would maintaine him; he could not abide to heare so much of Churches, and said, there was but one Church, and many such like things; these criminations and scoffes, were not uttered with one breath but intermixed in his discourse.

The Deputies that came not there to dispute and answer every thing but to request and heare what my Lord would say, did answere but now and then as they durst or might, not going beyond their commission, told him that they were not the cause of scisme, and that there were ma­ny such (scismaticks, as he termed them but indeed godly reformed Prote­stants) in those places where no strangers Churches were, as in Devon­shire, Dorsetshire, and other Counties, that they never vanted in that manner, did never exalt their owne discipline, but contented with their owne medled not with theirs; they hoped they should enjoy their pri­viledges as heretofore, that they could shew certificates of their good [Page 10] behaviour, civill and quiet carriage, both of the Mayor, Aldermen, yea, Bourmouth of Canterbury, of the Deane and Chapter of Christs Church, and of the Lords, Knights and Gentry of the Country. He told them, he had heard good report of them, and would not disgrace them so much as to aske for certificates, and that he thought charitably of them, that they were not the cause nor counsellours and maintainers of scisma­ticks, but the permission of the forraigne Churches and discipline was the occasion of many factious persons in his Diocesse. The Deputies told him, that the execution of his injunctions would be the dissipation, yea, the destruction of their Churches, that the ministry and poore could not be maintained; he seemed not to beleeve it, and said, that they were not to regard two or three Ministers; they replyed they did not speak for themselves, but for their Churches; many among them not understanding the english tongue; he said, that was but a designe, and that from the beginning they should have sent their children to the parishes to learne the language and accustome them to it from their in­fancy and youth. In fine, his full resolution was to have his injunctions put in full execution on the day prefixed, and that they should look to it to their perils, and commanded Sir Nathaniel Brent his Vicar-generall to goe on with them: the Deputies said, they had the Kings royall pro­mise, who said he would shew unto the forraigne Churches the same sa­vour which the King his Father had shewed unto them, my Lord said, that they might goe unto the King if they would (as any Subject might doe) and his hand should not be the heavier on them for it; those that were English borne, and the Kings Subjects, should be subject to his ju­risdiction, and if they had any thing to say to him hereafter, they might come to him againe, and so dismissed the Deputies.

Now because mention is made of the certificate and good testimony of the Chapter of Canterbury, it may be fitly inserted in this place.

There was another certificate of the Knights and Gentlemen neere Canterbury, couched in the same tenor and words, and there was one of the Major Bourmouth of Canterbury in the same stile, onely an exception by parenthesis (except some few of them whom the body of the said Congregation did not nor doe approve of.)

The Deputies related to the Coetus what had passed between my Lord Arch-bishop & them, who together found it fitting that they should stay till the fifth of February the day appointed for the assembly of the Synod of all the Deputies of all the stranger Churches in this Kingdome & then and there to make a relation of all the passages which had happened unto that day. The Deputies of the forraign Churches appeared at the appoint­ed time & shewed their letters of credence the persons chosen to be the moderator, the Assistant, and the Scribe of the Synod according to its cu­stome (we intend not to write downe the acts of that Synod in this short Epitome, but onely what concernes this businesse) the Deputies of Kent made a discourse to the Assembly of what they had done, and were ap­proved, as having begun there where they should, namely with my Lord of Canterbury, who otherwise would have been very much offended if they had gone first to the King; who would without doubt have sent them to his Arch-bishop; but they seeing the Deputies could not by their petition to my Lord cause him to revoke his injunctions, and that my Lord told them they might goe to the King if they would, they holding their priviledges from the Kings Majesty immediatly, and not from my Lord, and that they had no other way then to goe directly to the King. there being especially no Parliament assembled at that time: the Synod found it fitting. yea, necessary to send joyntly together some Deputies to the King in the name of the whole Synod, who represented the forraigne Churches of this Kingdome with a petition to his Majesty, and a speech to be made unto him.

[Page 12] The Deputies were Master Marmet, Master Primrose, Master Gaspa­rus, Master Proast, Master Beauuois and John Bulteel Ministers, besides Master Lucie, and Master du Mont Elders, Sir William St. Ravi a French Gentleman was the man, who at the request of the Deputies went to the King to know his mind; who told him he was content to receive a peti­tion but would not heare any discourse: so those that were deputed to that action, on the 12 of February, waited for the King at his comming forth out of his Chappell going to dinner; and Master Marmet one of the Ministers of the French Church of London, accompanied by the fore­said Deputies, Ministers and Elders, gave unto his Majesty the petition: This was the Petition.

The King going to dinner gave the Petition to my Lord Chamberlin to give it to one of the Secretaries; who told the King many conside­rable things in the behalfe of the forraigne Churches which he affected and favoured: to whom the King said, We must beleeve our Archbi­shop of Canterbury in the hearing of Master Gasparus, one of the Deputies.) My Lord Chamberlin came and told the Deputies what [Page 13] he had told the King, and what the King had charged him with, and that he went to give the Petition to Sir John Cooke Secretary: they thanked his Honour for his good will towards them, and care of them; glad that the Petition should fall into the hands of that religious Secretary [...], that good Patriot; and not in the hands of Sir [...] that Popish Secretary, and my Lord of Canterburies creature. The said af­ternoone Sir William Saint [...] waiting on the Kings Majesty in Saint James Parke, give unto his Majesty the Speech in French, which should have beene made unto him in the morning. The Tenour whereof was this, thus translated into English.

This Speech was set downe in its owne language and termes, which cannot be so well expressed in another tongue; for, nunquam tmitator par fit authori: containing, as you see, reasons and arguments sufficient to move his Majestie to permit the continuance of enjoying the privi­ledges granted unto the forraigne Churches, and confirmed by his Prede­cessours and his royall Majesty.

The Sinod held it convenient to depute some of their Assembly to the Duke of [...], to intreat his Highnesse to goe and speake to the Kings Majesty in their behalf (because they had not nor heard any answer from him) that he would be pleased to heare the Deputies of the Chur­ches in his most Honourable Privie Councell. The said Lord, a very re­ligious Prince, who had done much for the Churches in France, spent his meanes and blood for the true Religion, refuged in England, and as a member of the forraigne Churches in England; much in favour with the King, being his Godfather and Cozen, did willingly and freely pro­mise [Page 16] to doe it. The very same day he went to the King, made the mo­tion to him in the behalfe of the stranger Churches. The King and the Duke had some discourse about it; among many words, he said that we were more afraid then hurt; and that his intention was onely touching the first proposition concerning the Natives.

The Synod omitting no meanes for the continuance of the subsistance of their Churches; hoping, as Nicodemus said, the Law judgeth no man before it heare him, and know what he doth; and esteeming that the King, as another Alexander, would give them an hearing as he had given to my Lord of Canterbury, and so reserve an eare for them: in case the King would heare them before his Councell, according to their Petition, chose some of the Company, and that but few who should accompany him, that was to speake in the name of the rest, who had all the writings and papers requisite: the President was chosen to be the foreman, who upon some considetations desired to be excused; whereupon John Bul­teel was elected to be the man; which charge though he refused at the first, yet was faine at last to accept and undergoe it; who among other paper, had two especially which contained the Fundamentals and rea­sons, all which were given into his hands by the Assembly; the reason why it was thought convenient one of the Company should doe it and rather one of Kent then of any other Province, was because if a Coun­cellour had spoken, none of the Deputies should have had the liberty to speake; whereas they could best answer to the Objections and difficulties; and none of the Churches were charged by my Lord of Canterbury at that time, but those of Kent.

The Sinod was glad that the Petition was in Master Secretary Cookes hand, and found it convenient to send to him two of the Company. Ma­ster Primrese and John Bulteel, to solicite him in the cause of the Church that he might well understand the state of their Churches, see their reasons and inconveniences that would arise and arrive upon the execution and observation of the Injunctions; that so by his meanes the King might be the better informed; they presented unto him the funda­mentals and the reasons which were to be presented to the King and his Councell, in two severall papers. As for the Fundamentals, they were these:

The second Paper or writing contained the Reasons in a Petition to his Majesty in this forme.

Now because the Strangers seemed in the opinion of many to be very many in number in this Kingdome, and especially many thousands in London, as if they were Israel in AEgypt, as my Lord of Canterbury said, whereas they are but few; the two forenamed Ministers Doctor Prim­rose and John Bulteel, according to their commission, gave also to Sir John Cooke Secretary, a note and number of the sorraigne Churches and [Page 22] of the Communicants, with the two foresaid papers and writings, that the world might perceive its errour, and being otherwise informed might be reformed in it.

The list of the number of the forraigne Churches which are ten, and the number of the Communicants was in this order.

This is the totall number of the Communicants of men, women and children, men-servants and maid-servants, both strangers and native­borne, in the ten forraigne Churches of this Kingdome, nothing so many as they were presupposed to be.

Nay, there were some Earles, Lords and others who would not beleeve at first that there were so few strangers Protestants in England till it was told them, and this list shewed to them by J. B. Nay, they thought there were many more in London, then that number in the list, but the two soragin Churches in London had no more then 2240 Comunicants as above. True it is, that the royal Exchange seemeth to [...] with them. but they are not all French and Dutch, there are Spaniards, Italians, Por­tugals, and others, and a great number of such Papists live in the [...] and skirts of the City; and therefore John Bulteel told my Lord of Canterbury (who spake often of the great number of strangers in [...] es­pecially) that there were five French [...] to one French [...] ( [...] meant not Walloons protestants,) and my Lord [...] the said party in a kind of anger, where so many were; answered [...] they might be found at Sommerset house, and at the French [...] house, and at Court and elswhere; all the world as well as himselfe could not but take notice of the great confluence of French papists in London, and in part because of the Queens Court.

All this while there was no answer nor reference made by the King to the petition, although he was informed by Secretary [...]: and that [Page 23] the Duke of Soubise was with the King in behalfe of the said Churches, who told him, they desired his Majesty that they might have a hearing, and he seemed to condescend to it by some words he let fall.

But whatsoever the matter was whether it was the businesse of Lon­don Derry in Ireland, between the Kings Majesty and the City of Lon­don, which imployed the Lords of the honourable Privy. Counsell so many dayes in the Starre chamber, being a matter of great importance and much pressed by the Kings Attourney generall, and so were hindered and had no leisure to heare the Churches case and cause; or that the Arch-bishop who was powerfull with the King, was the Remora and hindered it, and that it was his Majesties pleasure to put it off, nay, not to have that matter so publike, nor to have it debated in his presence at the Counsell-Board, we know not.

The Churches seeing the time passed away & hearing of no answer, and perceiving that the time of the execution of the injunctions approached. found it necessary, that not all the Deputies of the Churches but the Deputies of the three Churches only [...] Kent should tender a second pe­tition to his Majesty, for the respiting and deferring of the execution un­till their cause might be heard. And although there were some of the company that thought it fitting the petition should be given to his Maje­sty by the Deputies themselves, & that some short speech should be made by mouth; yet it was thought fitter by the most votes, that the Duke of Soubise who had tendered the first petition, should be requested to ten­der this second petition to his Majesty, who without doubt would bring an answer; whereas if the Deputies gave it, they might he as long with­out an answer as they had been before; but if the Duke of Soubise found it not fitting to doe it, then to entreat one or two of the Gen­tlemen of the Kings Bed chamber to tender it and if they refused to do it, as it may be they [...] not tender it, least they should incurre the Lord Arch-bishop's indignation; then the Deputies themselves were to present it to the King, the petition to be tendered, and the short speech to be made by J. B. The Deputies went to Duke Soubise and besee­ched him that he would continue his good affection towards their Churches and those good offices he had begun, and that he would be pleased to tender unto the Kings Majesty their second petition, and if possible to have an answer, knowing that none of the Kings Subjects no not any Noble-man would venture to doe it, though some of them were familiar with the King and gracious in his eyes, and affected the forraigne Churches and [...] them well, and told to some of the De­puties, that if their cause came to a hearing before the King at the Coun­sell-board, [Page 24] they would speak their mindes, and doe some good offices to the Churches, but durst not oppose the Arch-bishop under board in that businesse, least they should incurre the Kings indignation for his sake, who was so potent and gracious with the King: The Duke of Soubise Noble-man of a curteous disposition, who took to heart the cause of the Churches, and pittied their case, was very willing to accept of that charge and goe to the King, and present him the petion; the Deputies offered to goe with him to the Court, if he thought good, according to the charge given them by the Company, and wait on him, yea, and speak to the King if need were; but the Duke found it not convenient they should goe with him for some reasons, but went himselfe even that day to the King, as having accesse unto him at any time, waited in the chamber of presence the Kings returne from dinner, and delivered this petition unto him in writing.

The second petition of the three forraigne Churches of Kent delivered to the Duke of Soubise, beseeching his Highnesse that he would be pleased to present it to the Kings Majesty.

My Lord Soubise delivered this Petition unto the King, & desired his Majesty to read it, which he did: the King answered him, Je ne puis faire cela; and when the Duke said si vostre Majeste ne le fait point l'ex­ecution seta rude & dure aux Eglises: his Majesty replyed, l'execution ne seta pas si rude qu'ils craignent, and many other words that passed in [Page 25] French betweene the King and the Duke. So having taken his leave of the King, he told the Deputies what had passed, who related it to the Synod.

The Company seeing the King gave no answer at all, or at least not dearely to the Petition of prorogation of time, untill his Majesty had leasure to heare them; and that the time approached, and that there was no appearance to have any other answer from the King, thought it convenient to send some of the Company to my Lord of Canterbury (who seemed over-swayed the King) to know the Kings minde and pleasure and his owne (which was also the opinion of a Councellour of State:) the Deputies therefore of the three forraigne Churches in Kent, whom it concerned primarily, by the advice and votes of the Sinod, went to Sir Nathaniel Brent Vicar generall, and told him that my Lord of Canter­bury gave them permission to goe to the King, which they had done and now came to him to know the Kings pleasure and answer; they told him besides that they had studied the case better since they were with my Lord (for they had kept the principall arguments in the reare) and desi­red to speake to him againe, and to shew him some reasons which he had not seene as yet; they told him also, that the time of the execution of the Injunction was neere, to wit, the first of March; that they could not returne to their Churches at the appointed time, because they had not as yet the Kings answer, and hoped that their Churches might continue their accustomed order. Sir Nathaniel told them that he would speake to my Lord about it, who was not so straight [...] for a weeke or two. He went to my Lord on some occasion and returned, told them they should doe well to goe to my Lord either at Whitehall or Lambeth to know his pleasure concerning the time he would appoint to heare them. The Deputies went to Lambeth and expected his comming from the Councell somewhat late, for there was a cry in the Hall, Hats off and lights, for my Lords grace is at hand: where in the Hall they met my Lord, I.B. told him that his Vicar generall had told them that his grace was content to heare them againe, and therefore they came to know his pleasure, desiring a time when they might be heard. He told them their motions did not please him, because they were not according to his judgement; that he was full of businesse, and knew not when he should be at leisure; but that Sir Nathaniel might pitch upon a probable time he might be at leasure, and so dismissed them.

It might have beene returned to him, his judgement did not please them, because it was not according to their motion; but he held his peace. So when the Archbishop said here above mentioned, that their [Page 26] Discipline and Bishops were jure [...]; they might have answered him, that though Bishops are indeed jure divino; that is to say, Ministers who are Bishops are jure divino; yet there is but one Archbishop jure divino, who is Christ, 1 Pet. 5.4. named there the chiefe Shepheard; but though that was true, yet they did not use such tearmes, because they had no order, and durst not goe beyond the commission. The Deputies sent word to the Vicar generall my Lords minde; who esteemed Satur­day in the afternoone the fittest day. Doctor Primrose and I. B. went to the Duke of [...] that day and there dined, where they had much dis­course together about that businesse; and the said Lord thought it were better not to goe at all there, had not the promise bin made to goe there. So I. B. went from thence by water to Lambeth, where he found the other Deputyes, and went together to my Lord of [...] house, where was Sir Nathaniel Brent, according to his promise; and where had beene a religious Gentleman, who told my Lord many things concern­ing his proceeding, and gave him wholesome counsell, and mollified him in some measure.

My Lord received the Deputies courteously, and spake to them kind­ly; but before he would enter into the businesse, he told them he had something to say to them; to wit, that he had heard say, that they had reported, that he had said they had no ministery among them; and se­condly, that he was very harsh and would give them no hearing as in­deed Doctor Primrose and J. B. had told to divers Lords, how harsh and discourtious he shewed himselfe to the Deputies, who came in the name of their Congregations. J. B. who was the fore-man told my Lord, that for the first they never heard from my Lords mouth those words direct­ly: and for the second, the words he used might be heard publikely, for there was but a curtaine drawne between them and the people that were there; but my Lord said he would not insist thereupon, they presented unto him the two papers containing the fundamentalls and reasons which he read, and said, as for the Orders made by the Counsell they might be changed, and all was to continue so long onely as the King was pleased; and those reasons of State might be presented to the Counsell. Many things passed to and [...] betweene my Lord and the [...] they had told him heretofore which is there omitted in part, that in case the Injunctions were observed there would be a persecution in France, for they had heard that the Cardinall Richelieu should have said if a King, who is a Protestant would not permit two disciplines in his kingdome, why should a King of France a Papist permit two religions; besides they had told him there were divers hundred Papists converted by their Mi­nistry, [Page 27] at least 600. Papists that came from the Archdukes Countrey, that had beene converted by their Ministery in Canterbury, and renounced popery in the space of ten yeers, they might have said a thousand in lesse then twenty yeers; that in the french Church in London there were at one time 47. Papists that abjured popery; that their Congregations were beneficiall to the Engish, especially poor; that the Congregation of the Dutch in Colchester who were 700. Communicants in number, did imploy 17000. English at work in and about Colchester, and that they of Canterbury and Sandwich did set a great number of English at work: My Lord kept the Fundamentals and reasons and took out of his pocket the two Injunctons, and read them, and said, he never commanded the second Injunction about the receiving the English Liturgy (translated into French) in their Churches; nay, he said it was impossible it could be done at that time appointed, namely, the first of March, especially in regard of the Dutch translation, he never minded to tye the strangers to it, nor had given such order, but that the strangers should hold their owne Liturgy; and said, God forbid he should take away their Liturgy or change their discipline, telling his Vicar-generall that he was mistaken, and therefore changed the words of the Injunction, as we shall see anon; notwithstanding Sir Nathaniel Brent could have shewed my Lords hand to both the Injunctions, and the Order above mentioned commanding the two Injunctions to be observed. But my Lord said, as for the other Injunction he would have it observed, namely, that the Natives Subjects to the Kings Majesty should be members of the Parishes, and resort to them; he would not have them to be mungrels (which was a harsh and [...] terme, who knowes what the word Mungrell signifies, so that most Princes of Europe and their issue might be taxed by that phrase.) It was told him that many went to the Parishes, heard Sermons, which might suffice, and that if there were a command, they desired that it might be a command without prohibition: he said, he would not change his Injunction, and that would not hinder but that they might go some­times to the forraigne Churches; and Sir Nathaniel Brent spake to my Lord in their behalfe, and asked him if it would not suffice that the Na­tives went now and then to the Communion, as once or twice a yeere: but my Lord would not permit that, for he should finde an inconveni­ence in that kinde, as of those that put on the Surplice once or twice a yeere.

A proposition was made unto him by Master Miller, about the Mi­nisters of those forraigne Churches that were English borne, Whether they might continue in their charge. He answered, he would not di­sturbe [Page 28] those that were already in the Ministry, but hereafter none should be admitted to be Ministers in their Congregations but those that were strangers &c.

At last, the Deputies requested two things of my Lord: the one, that he would conceive a good opinion of them: the other, that he would be a mediator betweene them and the King (it was the advice of the Sy­nod, for he had said. It was the Kings will and command.) He said, that he had a very good opinion of them, that they were honest and good men. And as for the second, he could not be an intercessour for them, because he was the man that had set this businesse on foot; but if they would make a Petition to him, he would tender it to his Majesty. In fine, ready to dismisse them, he desired an uniformity in the Church, asked the names of the Ministers, wished the Deputies as much good as the greatest friends they had; prayed God to blesse their Ministery and endeavours; tooke his leave of them, and said, he would goe to Service and serve God.

The Deputies had occasion to thanke God, being glad that the princi­pall Injunction was taken off, so were thofe of the Synod and the Duke of Soubise, and my Lord Ambassadour, and some Noble men of the Court of the honourable Privie Councell. As for the Deputies, they had occasion to rejoyce for their Churches good, that the Kalends of March were past (which Julius Casar did not passe) and they and the Churches rejoyced, that the principall or moitie of the Injunctions was taken away; Dimidium facti qui bene caepit habet, and dimidium plus toto: for the observation of that Injunction would have given a dead­ly wound to the Churches, and made a shipracke of them. Qui ve­nit hinc fluctus, fluctus supereminet omnes, Posterior Nono est un­decimoque prior. So that a great number of the Strangers would have beene indangered to have suffered shipracke, and compelled to save themselves on boords like to Saint Paul at Malta among the Bar­barians.

As the Assembly rejoyced that one of the Injunctions was taken a­way, so were they sorry that the other remained; which being obser­ved: would in time undermine the Churches and blow them up. And concerning a Petition mentioned by my Lord about one degree, it was not thought fit to doe it, as being very prejudiciall to the Churches, a thing that the Deputies could not doe, not knowing the resolution of their Churches, and whether they would submit and subject themselves and their posterity. So the Deputies went to Sir Nathaniel Brent, told him, they had beene long absent from their Churches, and intended by [Page 29] Gods grace to returne to them, thanking him for all his favours shewed towards them, praying him to continue them.

In the meane time the Synod thought it fit to send some of their company to thank divers persons for their good affections towards them, and paines taken for them: the Deputie were Doctor Primrese President, John Bulteel, and Master Timotheus with two Elders, Master Lucie, and Master L'Amj, who went to the Duke of Soubise and thanked his Highnesse for the paines he had taken for them, as being the prime man under God who had laboured the most, and most obtained for the Churches, and desired him at his first occasion to thank the Kings Majesty for his royall bounty and favour towards their Churches; he took it very kindly, and promised them his help as much as lay in his power, and to goe to the King and thanke him, and to pray him to conti­nue his royall favour towards the said Churches, especially touching the execution of that part of the injunction, about the natives borne of the strangers and their children, that they might not be liable to the obser­vation thereof: They went also to my Lord Joachimi Ambassador of the Estates of the united Provinces (with whom they dined) and thanked him for his good counsell and advices; he told them his affection was good, offered unto the Churches all kind of good offices and services according to his power: They went to Secretary Cooke and thanked his Honour for all the good offices he had done in their behalfe; who an­swered, Je n'ay rien fait que mon debuoir vous troumtez le Roy fort gra­cious: They also thanked Master Weckerlin in the name of the three forraigne Churches of Kent, and John Bulteel in especiall in his Church­es name, for his love and paines taken for them; they were to thanke others who were absent from Court, as my Lord Chamberlaine, and Sir William St. Ravi: the Deputies of the Churches of London did under­take and promise to thanke them at the returne of my Lord Chamber­laine and St. Ravi, in the name of the Churches of Kent, and their owne: They met Sir Theodore Mayerne Knight, and the Kings prime Physician at Court, and thanked him in like manner, &c. And J. B. thanked Master Burlamacht for his paines taken in the behalfe of their Churches.

Meane while Sir Nathaniel Brent sent to the Deputies of Kent to speak to them, who went to him; he told them my Lord was not satis­fied with their answer, they were booted and ready to returne for Kent, but he told them, they should doe well to speake to my Lord at Court, where they met Sir Nathaniel, who went to my Lord with whom he was not long, because he went to the Chappell to heare the Sermon; so [Page 30] he came to them as they were in the Court, and told them my Lord had no leisure to speak to them any more, but gave him a command to en­joyne them the observation of the Injunction touching natives on the first day of April, which he told them openly in the Court-yard, in the presence of his owne Secretary, and of my Lord's generall Aparitor, (whom he called as a witnesse thereof) so seeing there was no meanes to have further audience of my Lord, businesse creeping on him by the death of the Lord Treasurer that morning, they took their leave of him, and returned to London, where they related to the Synod what had pas­sed; who counselled them that in no manner they should publish the Injunction in their Churches, namely, that the natives should resort unto the parishes where they dwell as absolute members of the Congre­gations in the said parishes, because it tendeth to the destruction of the said Churches, which they are bound to edisie; telling them also that if the execution of the said Injunction were harshly prosecuted, that they should certifie the Coetus thereof, and they would speake to the Duke of Soubise, who would goe to the King and tell his Majesty of it, that he might remedy it according to his royall promise, connselled them to goe home with expedition and follow their charges, March 13. 14. dayes So after thanksgiving to Almighty God and mutuall imbracings of one another in taking their leaves, the Synod brake up, and the Deputies of Kent returned to their houses, Churches and charges, to the comfort of their Churches and Families, and preached on the Lord's day to their Congregation, with thanksgiving to God, to the edification and joy of their flocks.

The Churches of Kent continued their ordinary course untill the moneth of April, and there was an intercourse of letters between some honourable friends at London and the Ministers of Canterbury, who hoped matters would goe well at last, and the Injunction would dye of it selfe. But the Vicar-generall having been at Norwich, and given an Injunction from my Lord to the two forraigne Churches, Dutch and French, concerning the natives, that they were to resort to their parish Churches; the Ministers and Elders of the forraigne Churches of Can­terbury and Sandwich were cited to appeare before my Lords Commis­sioners in his Consistory at Canterbury on April 13. where they appeared; where J. B. said that it was the first time that ever they were in that place, namely, in the Consistory in that manner, the Deane asked him whether he refused Episcopall jurisdiction, whereunto he answered he desired him not to presse that question, they had appeared before my Lord here­tofore; the Deane told them that the Injunction was to be published in [Page 31] their Churches the next Sabbath day by the Ministers; they desired to be excused, as being not their office to disperse or dissipate their stocks, but rather to unite and preserve them; then the Commissioners said, it might be done by the Elders; it was answered, that they answered in their names, they could not doe it, neither for the reason afore alleadged, neither was there any such circumstance in the Injunction, that it should be published by Ministers or Elders; then the Deane said, it might be published by Master Somner or his sonne in the said Churches, where­unto the Deputies answered, that they desired not that also, although they could not hinder it; the Commissioners gave a charge to Master Somner to certifie the Ministers of the parishes, that they might receive all those that would come to their parishes, being natives, and so de­parted.

Master Sumner gave to the two Elders of the two Churches, the de­claration of the Injunction in this forme.

Presently after some of the English Ministers were very busie to pub­lish in their Churches the Injunction touching the Natives with threat­nings by some of the Churchwardens; that they would present those that did absent themselves from the Parishes, going from house to house to admonish the Natives, yea to command them, and which is more to threaten them which was above their comission & more then was enjoy­ned them to do by the act of the Commissionors, who charged them only to receive those that would come to their parishes. This kinde of proceeding made the Church of Canterbury to write to the Caetus or two [...] Churches of London; who returned an answer, that they should doe well to send Deputies to London to conferre with them; [Page 33] whereupon the Church of Canterbury intended to send but one Mini­ster and an Elder (whereas before they had sent both the Ministers) be­cause they would not leave their Church unfurnished of the Ministery and Preaching. So they chose John [...] Minister, and an Elder. Meane while the two Ministers and others of the Church of Canterbury went to the Major, who [...] some of the Aldermen were re­quested to make a Petition in their behalfe to my Lord of Canterbury, shewing unto them the inconveniences would [...] unto their Towne and Corporation, by the observation of the Injunction, especially in re­gard of the poore Natives, by whom they would be very much charg­ed. The Major and the Aldermen were very much sensible of their case and of their owne, imbraced it with [...] and promised to doe what lay in their power in their behalfe; and Petition my Lord not at the strangers request, but as a thing which concerned themselves; and not by Petition in writing onely, but by some person gracious in my Lords eyes whom they would imploy in that businesse.

Whilest these things were a doing, above all expectation and hope Master Somner came unto J. B at his house, told him he had a Letter from my Lords Secretary, which he shewed him; wherein he certified him that my Lord had respited the observation of the Injun­ction to the first of July, whereof he was glad; for although quod dif­fertur non [...], yet there was some hope that matters would goe better. This was related to the French Congregation and the Deputies did put off the voyage if not for altogether, yet at least for a time, hope­ing that cloud would passe over, as Ahanasius said of the persecution of Julian the apostate Emperour, and the Churches might be at quiet. In the meane time, it was thought fit, and now the time and opportunity seemed to be, that the Citie should make a Petition to my Lord in the Churches behalf according to their proffer and promise. So some of them went to the Major pressing him to win time, and that in the opi­nion of some my Lord did as it were expect some such thing; who pro­mised to doe it with as great speed as possibly he could, and had confer­ed with the Major of Sandwich who promised to concurre with him in a Petition to my Lord in that matter and manner, and to that end, and certes vis unita fortior.

The Major of Canterbury sent the Petition to my Lord in these tearmes.

This Petition was sent by the Major to one who was in favour with my Lord and gave it him; who said he would consider it and doe ac­cording as he found it fitting; and a while after sent an Answer to the Major of Canterburies Petition who shewed it to the Ministers of the French Church, and at their request gave them permission to take a Co­pie thereof which they did and returned him the Originall. The super­scription of the Letter was in this forme.

These were the Contents.

This Answer was communicated to the French Congregation by their Ministers, and in May the Deputies presented themselves be­fore the Commissioners in the Consistory, who were the Deane and Do­ctor [...], who told the Deputies, namely, the Ministers of the three sorraigne Churches. [...], Sandwich and Maidston, of the respit my Lord did give till the first of July if they desired it; who an­swered they desired it and a longer respit too if it might be obtained; who [...] they wished it might be in their power to doe it, and so dismissed them. The Deputies wrote to the Coetus in London how mat­ters passed and thought it sitting to send some to London; the Coetus returned their answer that they were sorry to heare of my Lord's reso­lution [...] the [...] of the Churches in the sending of their [...] and would be [...] to give them their best counsell and help: The Deputies of Canterbury, Sandwich & Maidston went up to London, [Page 38] and so much the [...], because the time would be quickly expired; the first day of July was at hand; the King would goe shortly his progresse, and my Lord of Canterbury would after the Tearme goe to his House of Croydon; so they went to the Assembly of the French and Dutch Ministers and Elders of London assembled together in Coetus, and made a Narration of what had passed; the [...] couched an [...] these tearms : Master [...] [...] in the name of the French [...] of Canterbury, that the Major of the said towne had presented a Petition unto my Lord [...] of Can­terbury in favour of the said Church, unto the which he had received no fa­vourable answer. On this relation advice hath been demanded of this com­pany what order they shall take and how they shall proceed to [...] the churches under covert of the tempest, that threatneth them; whereupon it [...] been found good, to communicate all that which is past in [...] Lord the Duke of [...] and to the Lord [...] Knight, Ambassa­dor of the States of the united [...] of the Low [...] and to in­treat them to give their advice how they are to govern themselves in these extremities; and to aske the said advice have been named Mr. [...] Mr Gasparus Mr. Primrose Pastors, and Master Host and Master [...] [...] Elders: Who went to the said Duke and Lord, and they advised the Deputies of Kent to addresse themselves unto the King, and the said Lord Duke offered himselfe to represent unto the King whatsoever they found good and fitting: This relation being made to the [...] by the Deputies, it was thought fit that they should goe first to my Lord of Canterbury to give him a cleere interpretation concerning some [...] of the petition which was presented unto him by the Major of Canter­bury and to use such complements towards him as they shall judge fit, using in the meane time such generall termes without saying any thing to the prejudice of their Churches.

On the 17. of June, the Deputies of Kent were with my Lord, there were divers waited to speak to him about businesse, J. [...]. observed his time seeing my Lord in a merry humour stept to him accompanied with the Deputies my Lord said he might well perceive he had much [...] and he would hold him long; who returned to my Lord this answer that he would not hold him long, and contracted his intended speech in these [...].

Most Reverend Father in God; We come to your grace tothank you most humbly for the favour you have shewed to our Churches, in giving them [...]; we [...] your Grace to be [...] to con­tinue it, and permit them to enjoy those priviledges and [...] which [Page 39] they have had hitherto under our most gracious Soveraigne; [...] the which the families will be divided, the poore no, maintained, and the Churches ruined.

But he interrupted him in the midst of his [...], and said, he would not call back that which he had begun bat would goe forwards with it, that he would not put an heavier burden on them, then on the rest; and that he would goe through all England if he lived but of ne­cessity must begin with them. Now because J. R. saw that he might not be long with my Lord, he did contract his speech as brlesly as possi­ble he could, and told him that in the Petition which the Major of Can­terbury had made to his Grace there were two mistakings; the one touching the trade amongst them as if no English man had knowledge or interrest in them; whereas it was well knowne that they refused none to teach them the trades and that many had learned the trade and French tongue among them: The other mistake was the summe of [...] l. which notwitstanding was [...] l. which the Church had expended on the poore of their Congregation that yeere, and that sometimes they had spent 50 l. a moneth yea and more.

Concerning the ponre, it was told him, it was [...] they could be maintained if the the Natives went to their [...]; because, be­sides the seizing, there were voluntary contributions the one at the Church doo e at every meeting of the Assembly to heare the Ser­mons, whether on the Lord's day or on the week dayes; the other, extraodinary collections when the Churches were in arrerages: He an­swered that the Scripture made not mention of any contribution at the doore of the Church and that there would and might be found another way (whereas notwithstanding Saint Paul. 1 for. 16. 1 [...]. speaks of col­lections for the Saints upon the first day of the week and Christ, Mark 12.41. Luke [...]. 1, 2. fate over against the creafury, and beheld how people cast mony into the creafury, it was cast in a chest, such a one as [...] the Priest caused to be made and lec as one commeth into the house of the Lord where the mony was put in though to another end, 2 Kin. 12. 9. and a cartaine lame man lay daily at the gate of the Tem­ple which is called beautifull to aske almes of them that entred into the Temple [...] 3. 2. for none was to appeare before the Lord empty, Exod. 23. 15. these things might have been told my Lord by them but they found it no [...] to dispute. The Deputies told my Lord that the Injunction would hinder the conversion of Papists strangers, who would not come to their Churches, seeing that baptisme would be want­ing [Page 38] [...] [Page 39] [...] [Page 40] in the Church; he said, they might come as well as before, but they should not be [...] for, there were English men enough; if they came they should be conformable and as or baptisme that was all [...].

Master [...] Minister of the Dutch Church of [...] told him, that there were many that went to the English Church and Com­munion; he said, he would see what they would [...], and [...] they would doe so or no.

Many passages were between my Lord and the Deputies; he said [...] was not made of sower leaven nor did he this [...] envy or [...], but upon good consideration and grounds.

He told the Deputies he had given them respit till the [...] of Ju­ly of his free will and would not have them to [...] he [...] in the businesse, for he did meane to goe through [...] with it; [...] he did it because they shauld not think they had not time enough given them, he would goe a faire way with them if they did as they should: And because there had been some mistakings, and they might know his [...] and have the [...] he would commit the businesse to no [...] but leave it to his Vicar-generals [...].

John Belteel told him the first day of July did approach; he told him for feare of mistakes, he would have nothing done till Sir [...] Brent's returne, were it till the last of August: after some discourse he spake to my Lord concerning the first of Iuly againe and againe, who answered, he was not so [...] for a day, if Sir Nathaniel came not [...] the last of September it should not goe forwards; he replyed that that was not [...], for if Master Somner had no present order from him, he would put the Injunction in execution, and durst not doe otherwise; and therefore he desired his Grace to commend Master Dell his Secreta­ry, to write a Letter to Master Somner about that businesse and respit; my Lord commanded his Secretary to doe it; so the Deputies taking their leaves of him, he said God blesse you. The Deputies related un­to the [...] whereupon the Company thought it fit that the Deputies should returne to their [...], and there [...] for the returne of [...] Nathaniel Brent; the Deputies made a relation of all the passages hereto fore mentioned unto my Lord the Duke of Soubise and my Lord Ambassidour, and some other Lords, [...] and Gentle­men and so departed.

Our purpose is not to speak of the other forraigne Churches in Eng­land [...] of [...], the Bishop of the [...] speaking [...] to the [...], saying it were [...] their Congregations should be [...] then the Church of England should [...] its glory, and for the [Page 41] poore, who sent for them; nor to speake of the Congregations of London or others, but onely of the three forraigne of Kent, which my Lord primarily and principally did question and assault; and who were like David's three Worthies, who endured the great­est [...], stood in the gap, were in the front, received the blowes and bare the reproaches, and did what they could to save and deliver the Churches from the [...] and thraldome whereunto my Lord intended to subject them: whereas the other Churches were but in the reare, who although they were honourable worthies and mighty, and came to the [...] yet [...] attained not unto the first three, 2 Sam. 23 8 19.23 But to [...] to the point, the Deputies of Kent took leave of the [...] and returned home every one to his Church and house. About that time J. [...] received divers letters from divers learned men from beyond the seas, as from Master de Moulin, Master Polyander, Ma­ster Festus Hommius, Master Bugnet, and others in French and in Latin: Wherein one deplores the condition of the forraigne Churches, and [...] the rigor wherewith they were troubled, and prayed God to reme­dy it by his holy [...], another, that God would dispose the heart of my Lord Arch-bishop to follow the wayes of wildnesse; a third, that mens [...] are in God's hand who turneth them as the rivers of waters, where and when he will; Balaam goeth with an intention to curse, but God turneth his words into blessings; Saint Paul goeth to Damas with bloody designes but God changeth him, and and of a persecutor maketh him an Apostle a Paster, and of a Wolfe becomes a Lambe: Another writeth thus, [...] vestrarum nove edicto non tantum pacem [...], [...] & statum [...] ex animo dolemus; Coe erum an nulla affulget spes tanti [...]: Nos quidem sperare jubet [...] clementia, & [...] as vestra qua non desinet, omnem movere lapidem, ut [...] Deus optimus [...] buic vestro [...] clementer benedicat: others [...] God that [...] the tempestuous winds and dangerous tempest to cause a ship­wrack; even he who hath appeased in some sort this tempest, will if he please let you enjoy an assured calme, and will chide the winds that have raised this [...] me; and such like things, and to the said purpose and end. So that the persecution was divulged in many parts of Europe, and the for­raigne Churches had the good wishes and prayers of many beyond the seas for a good and happy issue; [...], and of many godly Ministers and others zealous persons in England; the Deputies telling divers of them that they did what they could, not onely for the good of their owne Churches, but for the good of the English Churches also, theirs being a [Page 42] leading case, for if their Churches were blowne up, the English would in time sinke, and their Pastors persecuted, if [...] doe [...] things in a greene tree, what shall be done in the dry? if such things be done to the forraine Churches who have patent priviledges and [...] and pro­mises from such great Princes for themselves and their posterity, in re­gard of their Discipline, exempted from the subjection of [...] bishops and Bishops; what can the English Churches expect subjected to the power and authority of Prelates? nay what can they not expect but mul­tiplication of Ceremonies innovation in rites introduction of Popery, Socinianisme, Arminianisme, prophanation of the Lords day, new Ca­nons and oathes; persecution, banishment and branding suspension im­prisonment and fining of those godly Pastors that will not submit their necks to that slavish yoake of Babylon, and drinke of the cup of abomi­nations of that purple whore of Rome, and inchantments of Jezabel.

A while after the [...] of [...] found it fitting to thinke of a fit time of a fast and presse it; the occasions thereof being many, the afflictions of Germany, Hannaw being besiedged matters not going very wel in the Low Countries, Skinsken-skonce taken by the [...] a place of great importance and as it were the Key to come into Holland; the neighbour Churches in France, as [...] and Marke [...] very much diminished if not dissipared; and other occasions both in [...] of o­thers and especially of themselves in the feare, apprehension and appea­rance of the dissipation & dispersion, if not of the ruine of their Churches. In particular there was an act made in the last Synod at London in these tearmes; It is lift to the discretion of the [...] of the forraine Churches of London to write betweene this and October to the particular Churches, what they thinke concerning the indiction of a Fast, and vpon the [...] of the said [...] the [...] shall indict the said Fast according to the plu­rality of Votes gathered out of the Letters of the said churches.

My [...] Vicar-generall returning to Canterbury caused the Gover­nours of the stranger Churches of Canterbury and Sandwich to be cited to appeare on the Saturday next in the Consistory. Some of them went to him, and desired they might not appeare in the Consistory; who told them that it was a thing that was to be done in publicke, and that the Commissioners knew my Lords resolution, so they went to the Cathe­drall at the appointed time. They found the Commissioners descending downe the Consistory the Vicar-generall telling them he was content to declare unto them the charge he had from my Lord not in the Consi­story but in the Church where assembled divers persons about [...], and heard what was said unto them; where he told them the sum of the [Page 43] charge, shewed them the publication of [...] Iniunction of those of Nor­wich (who had caused or permitted it already to be read in their Chur­ches, with more hafte then good speed) that they might take a copy of it and cause such a one or the like to be published in their Churches. A­mong other things Master Sumner thought that it was to be published is it was at Norwich and that was said to have beene done by the Mini­sters. [...] the Ministers answered, that they desired as [...] to be excused in that point, as being a thing contrary to their Office; for the duty of Ministers is to endeavour the union, edification, and in­crease of their flockes; and not to publish that which would tend to their discipation or [...]: they added another reason that seeing the two Ministers of Canterbury were of the first degree of Natives, there was no reason they should publish a thing against reason, yea nature; [...] de­clare their children were to goe to [...] Parish-churches, and not to the French Church to heare their Fathers [...]. Afterwards the Deputies of [...] came to Canterbury and they with the [...] of Can­terbury went to Sir [...] and told him, that seeing a Declaration was of [...] to be published they intended to have it done, they of Sandwich by their [...], and [...] of Canterbury by Master Anthony [...] and Scribe to the Politicke [...], seeing it could not be done [...] some [...] of the Spirituall Court; and that not on the next Sab­bath day being a Comman on day but on the Lords day after: where­with he was contented. Then they desired of him, that they might not be more [...] nor [...] the Officers in his absence, then the Eng­lish were; and that none should be molested before he had notice of it: he consented to it, and gave charge to Master Sumner to [...] to it, who promised to observe that order.

They requested also Sir Na haniel to continue his favour towards them: He told them he had done what was in his [...] for them and had spoken so much for them that my Lord was awondered and in a manner [...], that he was more for the forraine [...] then for his [...] and [...]: he had told his grace, that the Ministers were his [...] friends religious and peaceable men, and there were divers [...] and Gentlemen his honourable friends had spoken to him in their [...] and he could doe no lesse; his grace might doe what he pleased; so they thanked him againe and tooke their leaves of him.

Immediately after Master Sumner sent them this Injunction in these tearmes.

But what reason had the Arch-bishop to make a division in many fa­milies and a divorce between the parents and children in the publike ex­ercises of Religion? and what equity and justice was there to enjoyn yea compell them to contribute to the Churches whereof they might be no members, to cause them to be of the English parishes, and contribute to forraigne Churches, let the world judge?

After Sir Nathaniel's departure from Canterbury, the Company [...] the Declaration in French, according as they found it fitting omit­ting some things that were in the Norwich Declaration; it was publish­ed by Master Anthony the Notary on the Lords day Octob. 11. in the afternoon after Sermon and prayer before the Psalme sung in the French Church, which is thus translated into English.

Now although the Archbishop would make the world beleeve that what he did was by command of the King & State, yet it might easily ap­peare that he was the [...] & primum mobile or all the designs. J. B. wrote a word or two to Master Gasparus, minister of the Duth Church of Sandwich about some particular businesse, and gave him a touch what they had done about the Declaration, deuring him to certifie him what they had done, and to send him their Declaration, else they should be faine to give theirs alone to Master Sumner, and translated into [...] according to his desire: who answered, that they had done at Sandwich as had beene done at Canterbury on the same day and the same manner, adding nothing nor taken any thing away, nor changed a word; [...] translated the Declaration that was sent them into Franch for a [...] or modell into Dutch; thinking it was not needfull to write, having promised to publish it. So the Declaration of the Injunction was deli­vered in English to Master Sumner by two French Elders, in the name of both the Churches.

Some two moneths after, the Churches subsisting in peace a small time, there were some [...] either ignorant or malictous, no great good wishers to the stranger Churches, desirons to curry favour with my Lord, or otherwise who might perhaps have a charge to learne whether the Injunction was obeyed; for Doctor [...] on one of the Commissi­oners, read a letter to the Ministers from the Vicar generall, [...] he wrote that my Lord was infolmed that his Injunction was not obeyed and therefore commandeo some of the Dutch Church of Sandwich and of the French of Canterburie to be cited to appeare in a [...] man­ner in his Consistory at Canterbury and to have the Deane and some Prebends there present; and if the Relation were [...] that the Injun­ction was not observed nei her at Sandwich, and much [...] at Canter­bury that the Minis ers should be [...] and the Church [...] shut up, &c. The two Ministers of the French Church told him that they were sorry that my Lord was so [...] in [...], and that he used such threa nings, as if they were [...] or [...] of any such consure, or that my Lord had any such power and authority to doe any such thing to them, who had [...] them [...] that he would not [...] with theirChurches but only with those that were Natives and the Kings Sub­jects, and there was no more reason that they the Ministers should be silenced or the Elders [...], if those that were Natives came to their [Page 47] Church, no more then [...] Ministers should be silenced [...] church, wardens censured, or the doors of churches shut up (which was never seen nor executed) because some of other [...] came to their churches; that the publication had been made openly in the [...] on the Lords day in the audience of the congregation, that the Ministers were not guilty of their [...], who as sheep desired to heare the voyce of their old Pastors, understanding better the French then the English tongue, divers of them besides living in parishes where were no Sermons at all, the Ministers whereof some could not preach at all, some would not or very rarely, and they might come as well to the French church as to any other parish that was not their owne, that it was not for them to present those that did not obey but the church wardens of the parishes where they dwelt were to doe it: that Sir Nathaniel Brent had been entreated not to treat theirs worse then the English, that he had promised none should he presented before he had notice of it, that this informing of my Lord by such malicious [...], who did it to ingra­tiate themselves with my Lord, and my Lord's facile credit to such ru­mours and his menaces with [...] and ands were a great deale more then a presentment, and many other things that were said at that time with much eagernesse: the Doctor told them he was sorry that matters went so, he was but a commissioner and servant to my Lord, told them some passages that had happened between my Lord and their Cathedrall­church. About the same time J. B. visited the Major of the City, who had beene at Landon and at Lombeth with my Lord, and enquired of him if my Lord had made any [...] of their church, who answered, that by occasion he spake of them, saving his patience was abused, which was conceived by the Major to be said in regard of the Injunction, and was thought by him that my Lord had an a king tooth against them. In the meane time J. B. wrote to one of the court, relating what had hap­pened, who speaking to S. C. about it, said he knew not what to say of it as for himselfe he [...] the worst but hoped the best; and in his letters a while after wrote that [...] he nor others had heard any thing of the affaires, so that he hoped the churches should have a calme and serene Ayre after some stormes and cloudy dayes past, or at least should gaine time [...] [...].

In the moneth of [...] [...]. Sir [...] Brent came to Can­terbury where he sent for the [...] of the severall [...] of the City [...] of them if the Injunction was observed and obeyed by the [...] English that were of the second descent; telling them that my Lord had beene informed that it was not kept as it ought to be: [Page 48] most of them or all returned their answer, that it was obeyed as farre as they could perceive, that they that were of their Parishes came to their Churches: He asked one of the Ministers if he would set his hand to that; he said he would signe such a writing, if he required it, but it was not pressed. The French Ministers were somewhat moved to see that there were so many misinformations, and that my Lord should so easily beleeve every false rumour; for except there were some Promoters or pick-thankes in every Church, who could know it? one man could not be at one time in all the Parishes to see; and which is more, to know every stranger native; to know the number in every Parish, and to know whether they were there or no; none could better informe my Lord or Sir Nathaniel Brent, then the Ministers and Churchwardens of the Parishes and complained to Sir Nathaniel Brent of it, who went to Lon­don, where he caused the stranger Churches of London, French, Dutch, and others, to appeare before him at Bowe Church; but of that Visita­tion we intend not to write.

About the same time the Congregation of Sandwich was troubled by one of the Ministers, who went to divers that were in his Parish that were strangers by descent, but borne in England, and that of the first de­degree; and told them, about a fortnight before Easter, that they were to come to his Communion according to my Lords order and pleasure; but Master Gasparus the Minister and the Elders of the Dutch Congre­gation sent, and part of them went to their houses, told them [...] they were not bound to doe it, that there was no such order given bv my Lord, that those that were of the first degree were to goe to the Dutch Church and to the Communion, and not commanded to goe [...] Eng­lish Church and Communion, and need not feare his threatnings.

A while after there were some supercilious and [...] Ministers and church-wardens in Canterbury that dealt [...] with some of the Na­tives beyond the Order and commission and did [...] Natives in their Parishes by menaces and threatnings; among others the church­wardens of one of the parishes, in an imperious and threatning stile sent a note to the [...] Householders and Masters of families of their Parish.

But what the reason was that the first Church-warden, or both, were more forward and strict then the rest of the Towne, is not known, whether their blind zeale to uphold the ceremony of the English Church or knew water would come to their Mill by presentments, or would curry favour with my Lord or were set on it by some of his fol­lowers, or shew their power and authority (Magistratus indicat virum) and to make the parish know what they should expect of them in their office; yet vana sine [...] ira, it is good a curst Cow hath short horns; for a few dayes after there was an election of new Church-wardens, the one of them hoped to continue in his office but whether the parish per­ceived he would be a busie body and intended to do some fine design, he was outed of his place, and another chosen in his stead; so [...] strangers of that parish, though threatned were not pressed to it nor presented, [Page 50] but had their [...] est, and the other strangers also for the time. For the Archbishop who had many Irons in the fire, did not onely trouble the three forraign Churches of Kent, and the other forraign Churches in [...], but did vex the English Churches, advancing superstitious Cere­monies and innovasions, by secret [...] and open violent persecutions having a designe to doe the like in the English Churches and Regiments in the united Provinces of the States Generall. He had an intention to introduce it in Ireland where he was [...] totum (even when he was Bishop of London) having the Lord Deputy, Counsell, Bishops and Clergy at his owne devotion: And as soon as he was Arch-bishop, he began to put on his Master-piece [...] Scotland, in imposing upon them a popish Service book, the Hellena of Greece, and cause of all these con­troversies and fuell of this fire, who supposed his authority not surely setled, nor fully confirmed untill Scotland were conformed; but God raised the [...] of that Nation to oppose it with zeale, indignation and courage; a woman Dux foemina [...], leading the dance: Where­upon they proclaimed them Rebels and Traytors and an Army speedily raised to enforce them to obedience (the [...] popish Clergy and Papists, instigating the King to this warre, and contributing very large­ly, so that it might be called bellum Episcopale and Papale.)

This caused the religious and valiant Scots to raise an Army in their owne defence, and when the two Armies were ready for a bloody en­counter, God who is the Lord of Hosts and God of peace the Stickler and Umpire of both Armies, did cast downe his Warder; whereupon a friendly pacification ensued to the joy [...] both Nations. But the Archbi­shop of [...], did mightily [...] against it as a dishonorable disgrace­full and dis-advantagious peace to King and Kingdome, caused the King to break his promise and to renew the warre imitating Julian the Car­dinall, who [...] Ladislaus King of Hungarie to breake the [...] with Amurath the Turkish Ottaman, fought a battell with that Emperour, and lost his Army and life, for both the [...] King and that Popish Legat Jnlian were slaine. The King called a Parliament to have sup­plies towards the maintainance of that warre, which by the jealousies and feares of the Arch-bishop and such [...], was dissolved to the amaze­ment and griefe of the Subjects: but God who turneth all to the good of his children, turned that dissolution to the benefit and safety of the Kingdome, so that England might say with Themistocles, My children, we had been undone if we had not [...] undone: For had that Parliament continued, it had in all appearance afforded twelve Subsidies which [Page 51] would have fomented that unnaturall warre, and in [...] would have made a [...] quarrell, though otherwise then the Parliament did intend: And that Parliament in all likelihood would have been contented with a superficiall reformation of the Service-book of pray­ers, of the Civill and Commission Court, of the exorbitancy of Bishops, of the irregularity of the Star-Chamber &c. as Luther at the begin­ning intended onely to cry downe the base sale of indulgences and [...] of pardons and goe noe farther.

Now the Scots seeing the precedent Parliament [...], the Kings eare stopped, he could, he would not heare any Petition, from them; entred this Kingdome with a strong Army as farre as Newcastle, not with a sword and trowall, but with a sword and a Petition; not pressing on the Army, though having opportunity and advantage, publishing their De­claration, and sending their Petition to his Majesty for justice in their innocent cause against their violent enemies: The King, whose heart was in the hand of God as the Rivers of water, to turne it which way he pleased, embraceth and entertaineth good counsell at York, where a Treaty was agreed and a cessation of arms, and a [...] called, which may be named a healing Parliament, a Parliament which worketh won­ders.

In this Parliament the Archbishop of Canterbury was impeached of high Treason, and sent to the Tower; to whom might be said that which was spoken to Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester coopt up in the Tower in King Edward the sixth his dayes, by the re­ligious Dutchesse of Suffocke; It is merry with Lambs when the Wolfe is shut [...]. The Archbishop had a long time to repent, had his grace had the grace to doe it; he was not like Sir Thomas Pal­mer who on the [...] on Tower-hill (where he suffered in Queene Maries dayes) thanked God that he had caused him to learne more in one little darke corner of that Tower, then ever he learned by any tra­vell. The Archbishop did not confesse his sinne as Achan (who trou­bled all Israel) did to [...] and gave glory to God: he was according to his [...] beheaded the axe making a divorce betweene his head and body [...], and by the just judgement of God who hath occasioned a divoce betweene the King the head and his faithfull Sub­jects the body.

A yong Martyr at the stake [...], and said, [...] of God shine upon me; and immediately it shone out of a darke cloud, at the [...] of this yong [...], that the [...] was constrained to looke another [Page 52] way: but here, immediately after the [...] of the [...] and death of this old Impostor and Traytor the [...] did shine, the curtaine of the clouds drawne open and the Sonne of God the Saviour of the world seemed to be pleased with that act of justice, but God's justice on offen­ders goes nor alwayes in the [...] path nor the same pace; sometimes the Guest in the Inne goes quietly to bed, before the reckoning for his supper is brought to him to discharge, others pay it before they goe to bed. [...] who dyed exemplary a strange death, his paines, saith Au­stin, encreaseth in hell, according as his [...] encreased on earth, sed nolo [...] esse, we will not enter into Gods private Closet, [...] or dive into his Privy. Counsell: Lackeys that hold their Masten horses before the Pallace of justice, are not to dispute of the causes and sentences of judgement.

Austin saith, Misericordia Dei inter pontem & [...]: My friend judge not me, I judge not thee; betwixt the stirrop and the ground, [...] I askt, [...] I found. So might the Arch-bishop find [...] the Axe and the Block. Howsoever, he a tumbling and a stumbling block is taken out of the way, and removed from troubling the State and the Church: and we leave him to his Lord, Master and Judge, be­fore whom he stands or fals.