There are now two prouinces onelie in England, of which the first and
greatest is subiect to the sée of Canturburie, comprehending a parte
of Lhoegres, whole Cambria, & also Ireland, which in time past were
seuerall, & brought into one by the archbishop of the said sée &
assistance of the pope; who in respect of méed, did yéeld vnto the
ambitious desires of sundrie archbishops of Canturburie, as I haue
elsewhere declared. The second prouince is vnder the sée of Yorke, and
of these; either hath hir archbishop resident commonlie within hir
owne limits, who hath not onelie the cheefe dealing in matters
apperteining to the hierarchie and iurisdiction of the church; but
also great authoritie in ciuill affaires touching the gouernement of
the common wealth: so far foorth as their commissions and seuerall
circuits doo extend.
In old time there were thrée archbishops, and so manie prouinces in
this Ile; of which one kept at London, another at Yorke, and the third
at Caerlheon vpon Uske. But as that of London was translated to
Canturburie by Augustine, and that of Yorke remaineth (notwithstanding
that the greatest part of his iurisdiction is now bereft him and giuen
to the Scotish archbishop) so that of Caerlheon is vtterlie
extinguished, and the gouernement of the countrie vnited to that of
Canturburie in spirituall cases: after it was once before remoued to
S. Dauids in Wales by Dauid successor to Dubritius, and vncle to king
Arthur, in the 519 of Grace, to the end that he and his clearkes might
be further off from the crueltie of the Saxons, where it remained till
the time of the Bastard, and for a season after, before it was annexed
vnto the sée of Canturburie.
The archbishop of Canturburie is commonlie called primat of all
England; and in the coronations of the kings of this land, and all
other times, wherein it shall please the prince to weare and put on
his crowne, his office is to set it vpon their heads. They beare also
the name of their high chapleins continuallie, although not a few of
them haue presumed (in time past) to be their equals, and void of
subiection vnto them. That this is true, it may easilie appéere by
their owne acts yet kept in record; beside their epistles & answers
written or in print; wherein they haue sought not onelie to match but
also to mate them with great rigor and more than open tyrannie. Our
aduersaries will peraduenture denie this absolutelie, as they doo
manie other things apparant, though not without shamelesse impudencie,
or at the leastwise defend it as iust and not swaruing from common
equitie; bicause they imagine euerie archbishop to be the kings equall
in his owne prouince. But how well their dooing herein agreeth with
the saieng of Peter, & examples of the primitiue church, it may
easilie appéere. Some examples also of their demeanor (I meane in the
time of poperie) I will not let to remember, least they should saie I
speake of malice, and without all ground of likelihood.
Of their practises with meane persons I speake not, neither will I
begin at Dunstane the author of all their pride and presumption here
in England. But for somuch as the dealing of Robert the Norman against
earle Goodwine is a rare historie, and deserueth to be remembred, I
will touch it in this place; protesting to deale withall in more
faithfull maner than it hath heretofore beene deliuered vnto vs by the
Norman writers, or French English, who (of set purpose) haue so
defaced earle Goodwine, that were it not for the testimonie of one or
two méere Englishmen liuing in those daies, it should be impossible
for me (or anie other) at this present to declare the truth of that
matter according to hir circumstances. Marke therefore what I saie.
For the truth is, that such Normans as came in with Emma in the time
of Ethelred, and Canutus, and the Confessor, did fall by sundrie means
into such fauor with those princes, that the gentlemen did grow to
beare great rule in the court, and their clearkes to be possessors of
the best benefices in the land. Hervpon therefore one Robert, a iolie
ambitious préest, gat first to be bishop of London, and after the
death of Eadsius, to be archbishop of Canturburie by the gift of king
Edward; leauing his former sée to William his countrieman. Ulfo also a
Norman was preferred to Lincolne, and other to other places, as the
king did thinke conuenient.
These Norman clerkes, and their freends, being thus exalted, it was
not long yer they began to mocke, abuse, and despise the English: and
so much the more, as they dailie saw themselues to increase in fauour
with king Edward, who also called diuerse of them to be of his secret
councell, which did not a litle incense the harts of the English
against them. A fraie also was made at Douer, betwéene the seruants of
earle Goodwine and the French, whose maisters came ouer to see and
salute the king: whereof I haue spoken in my Chronologie, which so
inflamed the minds of the French cleargie and courtiers against the
English nobilitie, that each part sought for opportunitie of reuenge,
which yer long tooke hold betwéene them. For the said Robert, being
called to be archbishop of Canturburie, was no sooner in possession of
his sée, than he began to quarrell with earle Goodwine (the kings
father in law by the mariage of his daughter) who also was readie to
acquit his demeanor with like malice; and so the mischiefe begun.
Herevpon therefore the archbishop charged the earle with the murther
of Alfred the kings brother, whom not he but Harald the sonne of
Canutus and the Danes had cruellie made awaie. For Alfred and his
brother comming into the land with fiue and twentie saile, vpon the
death of Canutus, and being landed; the Normans that arriued with them
giuing out how they came to recouer their right, to wit, the crowne of
England; & therevnto the vnskilfull yoong gentlemen, shewing
themselues to like of the rumour that was spred in this behalfe, the
report of their demeanor was quicklie brought to Harald, who caused a
companie foorthwith of Danes priuilie to laie wait for them, as they
roade toward Gilford, where Alfred was slaine, and whence Edward with
much difficultie escaped to his ships, and so returned into Normandie.
But to proceed. This affirmation of the archbishop being greatlie
soothed out with his craftie vtterance (for he was lerned) confirmed
by his French fréends, (for they had all conspired against the erle)
and therevnto the king being desirous to reuenge the death of his
brother, bred such a grudge in his mind against Goodwine, that he
banished him and his sons cleane out of the land. He sent also his
wife the erles daughter prisoner to Wilton, with one onelie maiden
attending vpon hir, where she laie almost a yeare before she was
released. In the meane season, the rest of the peeres, as Siward earle
of Northumberland surnamed Digara or Fortis, Leofrijc earle of
Chester, and other went to the king, before the departure of Goodwine,
indeuouring to persuade him vnto the reuocation of his sentence; and
desiring that his cause might be heard and discussed by order of law.
But the king incensed by the archbishop and his Normans would not
heare on that side, saieng plainelie, and swearing by saint Iohn the
euangelist (for that was his common oth) that earle Goodwine should
not haue his peace till he restored his brother Alfred aliue againe
vnto his presence. With which answer the peeres departed in choler
from the court, and Goodwine toward the coast.
Comming also vnto the shore and readie to take shipping, he knéeled
downe in presence of his conduct (to wit at Bosenham in the moneth of
September, from whence he intended to saile into Flanders vnto
Baldwine the earle) and there praied openlie before them all, that if
euer he attempted anie thing against the kings person of England, or
his roiall estate, that he might neuer come safe vnto his cousine, nor
sée his countrie any more, but perish in this voiage. And herewith he
went aboord the ship that was prouided for him, and so from the coast
into the open sea. But sée what followed. He was not yet gone a mile
waie from the land, before he saw the shore full of armed souldiers,
sent after by the archbishop and his freends to kill him yer he should
depart and go out of the countrie: which yet more incensed the harts
of the English against them.
Being come also to Flanders, he caused the earle, the French king, and
other of his fréends, among whome also the emperour was one, to write
vnto the king in his behalfe; but all in vaine: for nothing could be
obteined from him, of which the Normans had no liking, wherevpon the
earle and his sonnes changed their minds, obteined aid, and inuaded
the land in sundry places. Finallie ioining their powers they came by
the Thames into Southwarke néere London where they lodged, and looked
for the king to incounter with them in the field. The king séeing what
was doone, commanded the Londoners not to aid nor vittell them. But
the citizens made answer, how the quarrell of Goodwine was the cause
of the whole realme, which he had in maner giuen ouer vnto the spoile
of the French: and therevpon they not onelie vittelled them
aboundantlie, but also receiued the earle and his chiefe fréends into
the citie, where they lodged them at their ease, till the kings power
was readie to ioine with them in battell.
Great resort also was made vnto them from all places of the realme, so
that the earles armie was woonderfullie increased, and the daie and
place chosen wherein the battell should be fought. But when the armies
met, the kings side began some to flée to the earle, other to laie
downe their weapons, and not a few to run awaie out right; the rest
telling him plainelie that they would neuer fight against their owne
countriemen, to mainteine Frenchmens quarrels. The Normans also seeing
the sequele, fled awaie so fast as they might gallop, leauing the king
in the field to shift for himselfe (as he best might) whilest they did
saue themselues elsewhere.
In the meane season the earles power would haue set vpon the king,
either to his slaughter, or apprehension; but he staied them, saieng
after this maner: The king is my sonne (as you all know) and it is not
for a father to deale so hardlie with his child, neither a subiect
with his souereigne; it is not he that hath hurt or doone me this
iniurie, but the proud Normans that are about him: wherfore to gaine a
kingdome, I will doo him no violence. And therewithall casting aside
his battell ax he ran to the king, that stood altogither amazed, and
falling at his féet he craued his peace, accused the archbishop,
required that his cause might be heard in open assemblie of his
péeres; and finallie determined as truth and equitie should deserue.
The king (after he had paused a pretie while) seeing his old father in
law to lie groueling at his féet, and conceiuing with himselfe that
his sute was not vnreasonable; seeing also his children, and the rest
of the greatest barons of the land to knéele before him, and make the
like request: he lifted vp the earle by the hand, bad him be of good
comfort, pardoned all that was past, and freendlie hauing kissed him
and his sonnes vpon the chéekes, he lead them to his palace, called
home the quéene, and summoned all his lords vnto a councell.
Wherein it is much to read, how manie billes were presented against
the bishop & his Normans; some conteining matter of rape, other of
robberie, extortion, murder, manslaughter, high treason, adulterie;
and not a few of batterie. Wherwith the king (as a man now awaked out
of sléepe) was so offended, that vpon consultation had of these
things, he banished all the Normans out of the land, onelie thrée or
foure excepted, whome he reteined for sundrie necessarie causes,
albeit they came neuer more so néere him afterward as to be of his
priuie councell.
After this also the earle liued almost two yeares, and then falling
into an apoplexie, as he sat with the king at the table, he was taken
vp and carried into the kings bedchamber, where (after a few daies) he
made an end of his life. And thus much of our first broile raised by
the cleargie, and practise of the archbishop. I would intreat of all
the like examples of tyrannie, practised by the prelats of this sée,
against their lords and souereignes: but then I should rather write an
historie than a description of this Iland.
[Sidenote: Anselme.]
Wherefore I refer you to those reports of Anselme and Becket,
sufficientlie penned by other, the which Anselme also making a shew,
as if he had bin verie vnwilling to be placed in the sée of
Canturburie, gaue this answer to the letters of such his fréends, as
did make request vnto him to take the charge vpon him. "Secularia
negotia nescio, quia scire nolo, eorum námque occupationes horreo,
liberum affectans animum. Voluntati sacrarum intendo scripturarum, vos
dissonantiam facitis, verendúmque est nè aratrum sanctæ ecclesiæ, quod
in Anglia duo boues validi & pari fortitudine, ad bonum certantes, id
est rex & archiepiscopus, debeant trahere, nunc oue vetula cum tauro
indomito iugata, distorqueatur à recto. Ego ouis vetula, qui si
quietus essem, verbi Dei lacte, & operimento lanæ, aliquibus possem
fortassis non ingratus esse, sed si me cum hoc tauro coniungitis,
videbitis pro disparilitate trahentium, aratrum non rectè procedere,
&c." Which is in English thus: Of secular affaires I haue no skill,
bicause I will not know them, for I euen abhor the troubles that rise
about them, as one that desireth to haue his mind at libertie. I
applie my whole indeuor to the rule of the scriptures, you lead me to
the contrarie. And it is to be feared least the plough of holie
church, which two strong oxen of equall force, and both like earnest
to contend vnto that which is good (that is the king and the
archbishop) ought to draw, should thereby now swarue from the right
forrow, by matching of an old shéepe with a wild vntamed bull. I am
that old shéepe, who if I might be quiet, could peraduenture shew my
selfe not altogither vngratfull to some, by féeding them with the
milke of the word of God, and couering them with wooll: but if you
match me with this bull, you shall sée that thorough want of equalitie
in draught the plough will not go to right, &c: as foloweth in the
[Sidenote: Thomas Becket.]
processe of his letters. The said Thomas Becket was so proud, that he
wrote to king Henrie the second, as to his lord, to his king, and to
his sonne, offering him his counsell, his reuerence, and due
correction, &c. Others in like sort haue protested, that they owght
nothing to the kings of this land, but their counsell onelie,
reseruing all obedience vnto the sée of Rome.
And as the old cocke of Canturburie did crow in this behalfe, so the
yoong cockerels of other sées did imitate his demeanor, as may be
séene by this one example also in king Stephans time, worthie to be
remembred; vnto whome the bishop of London would not so much as sweare
to be true subiect: wherein also he was mainteined by the pope, as
appeareth by these letters.
"Eugenius episcopus seruus seruorum Dei, dilecto in Christo filio
Stephano illustri regi Anglor[=u] salut[=e], & apostolic[=a]
benediction[=e]. Ad hæc superna prouid[=e]tia in ecclesia pontifices
ordinauit, vt Christianus populus ab eis pascua vitæ reciperet, & tam
principes seculares, quàm inferioris conditionis homines, ipsis
pontificibus tanquam Christi vicarijs reuerentiam exhiberent.
Venerabilis siquidem frater noster Robertus London episcopus, tanquam
vir sapiens & honestus, & relligionis amator, à nobilitate tua benignè
tractandus est, & pro collata à Deo prudentia propensiùs honorandus.
Quia ergò, sicut in veritate comperimus cum animæ suæ salute, ac suæ
ordinis periculo, fidelitate quæ ab eo requiritur astringi non potest:
volumus, & ex paterno tibi affectu consulimus, quatenus prædictum
fratrem nostrum super hoc nullatenus inquietes, immò pro beati Petri &
nostra reuerentia, eum in amorem & gratiam tuam recipias. Cùm autem
illud iuramentum præstare non possit, sufficiat discretioni tuæ, vt
simplici & veraci verbo promittat, quòd læsionem tibi vel terræ tuæ
non inferat: Vale. Dat. Meldis 6. cal. Iulij."
Thus we sée, that kings were to rule no further than it pleased the
pope to like of; neither to chalenge more obedience of their subiects
than stood also with their good will and pleasure. He wrote in like
sort vnto quéene Mawd about the same matter, making hir Samsons calfe
(the better to bring his purpose to passe) as appeareth by the same
letter here insuing.
"Solomone attestante, didicimus quòd mulier sapiens ædificat domum;
insipiens autem constructam destruet manibus. Gaudemus pro te, &
deuotionis studium in Domino collaudamus; quoniam sicut relligiosorum
relatione accepimus, timorem Dei præ oculis habens, operibus pietatis
int[=e]dis, & personas ecclesiasticas & diligis & honoras. Vt ergo de
bono in melius (inspirante Domino) proficere valeas, nobilitat[=e]
tuam in Domino rogamus, & rogando monemus, & exhortamur in Domino,
quatenus bonis initijs exitus meliores iniungas, & venerabilem fratrem
nostrum Robertum London episcop[=u], pro illius reuerentia, qui cùm
olim diues esset, pro nobis pauper fieri voluit, attentiùs diligas, &
honores. Apud virum tuum & dilectum filium nostrum Stephanum, insignem
regem Anglorum efficere studeas, vt monitis, hortatu, & c[=o]silio
tuo, ipsum in benignitatem & dilectionem suam suscipiat, & pro beati
Petri, & nostra reuerentia propensiùs habeat commendatum. Et quia
sicut (veritate teste) attendimus eum sine salute, & sui ordinis
periculo, præfato filio nostro astringi non posse; volumus, & paterno
sibi & tibi affectu consulimus, vt vobis sufficiat, veraci & simplici
verbo promission[=e] ab eo suscipere, quòd læsionem vel detrimentum
ei, vel terræ suæ n[=o] inferat. Dat. vt supra."
Is it not strange, that a peeuish order of religion (deuised by man)
should breake the expresse law of God, who commandeth all men to
honour and obeie their kings and princes, in whome some part of the
power of God is manifest and laid open vnto vs? And euen vnto this end
the cardinall of Hostia also wrote to the canons of Paules, after this
maner; couertlie incoraging them to stand to their election of the
said Robert, who was no more willing to giue ouer his new bishoprike,
than they carefull to offend the king; but rather imagined which waie
to kéepe it still maugre his displeasure: & yet not to sweare
obedience vnto him, for all that he should be able to do or performe
vnto the contrarie.
"Humilis Dei gratia Hostiensis episcopus, Londinensis ecclesiæ
canonicis spirit[=u] consilij in Domino. Sicut rationi contraria
prorsus est abjicienda petitio, ita in hijs, quæ iustè desyderantur,
effectum negare omninò non conuenit. Sanè nuper accepimus, quòd
[Sidenote: Forsitan naturalem.]
Londinensis ecclesia, diu proprio destituta pastore, communi voto, &
pari assensu cleri & populi, venerabilem filium nostrum Robertum,
eiusdem ecclesiæ archidiaconum, in pastorem & episcopum animarum
suarum susceperit & elegerit. Nouimus quidem eum esse personam, quam
sapientia desuper ei attributa, & honestas conuersationis, & morum
reuerentia plurimùm commedabilem reddidit. Inde est quòd fraternitati
vestræ mandando consulimus, vt proposito vestro bono (quod vt credimus
ex Deo est) & vt ex literis domini papæ cognoscetis, non tepidè, non
lentè debitum finem imponatis: ne tam nobilis ecclesia, sub occasione
huiusmodi, spiritualium, quod absit, & temporalium detrimentum
patiatur. Ipsius námque industria credimus, quòd antiqua relligio, &
forma disciplinæ, & grauitas habitus, in ecclesia vestra reparari: &
si quæ fuerint ipsius contentiones, ex pastoris absentia, Dei gratia
cooperante, & eodem præsente, poterint reformari. Dat. &c."
Hereby you sée how king Stephan was dealt withall. And albeit the
archbishop of Canturburie is not openlie to be touched herewith, yet
it is not to be doubted, but he was a dooer in it, so far as might
tend to the maintenance of the right and prerogatiue of holie church.
And euen no lesse vnquietnesse had another of our princes with Iohn of
Arundell, who fled to Rome for feare of his head, and caused the pope
to write an ambitious and contumelious letter vnto his souereigne
about his restitution. But when (by the kings letters yet extant) &
beginning thus; "Thomas proditionis non expers nostræ regiæ maiestati
insidias fabricauit," the pope vnderstood the botom of the matter, he
was contented that Thomas should be depriued, and another archbishop
chosen in his sted.
Neither did this pride staie at archbishops and bishops, but descended
lower, euen to the rake-helles of the clergie and puddels of all
vngodlinesse. For beside the iniurie receiued of their superiors, how
was K. Iohn dealt withall by the vile Cistertians at Lincolne in the
second of his reigne? Certes, when he had (vpon iust occasion)
conceiued some grudge against them for their ambitious demeanor; and
vpon deniall to paie such summes of moneie as were allotted vnto them,
he had caused seizure to be made of such horsses, swine, neate, and
other things of theirs, as were mainteined in his forrests. They
denounced him as fast amongst themselues with bell, booke and candle,
to be accurssed and excommunicated. Therevnto they so handled the
matter with the pope and their friends, that the king was faine to
yéeld to their good graces: insomuch that a meeting for pacification
was appointed betwéene them at Lincolne, by meanes of the present
archbishop of Canturburie, who went oft betweene him and the
Cistertian commissioners before the matter could be finished. In the
end, the king himselfe came also vnto the said commissioners as they
sat in their chapiter house, and there with teares fell downe at their
feet, crauing pardon for his trespasses against them, and heartilie
requiring that they would (from thencefoorth) commend him and his
realme in their praiers vnto the protection of the almightie, and
receiue him into their fraternitie: promising moreouer full
satisfaction of their damages susteined; and to build an house of
their order in whatsoeuer place of England it should please them to
assigne. And this he confirmed by charter, bearing date the seauen and
twentith of Nouember, after the Scotish king was returned into
Scotland, & departed from the king. Whereby (and by other the like, as
betweene Iohn Stratford and Edward the third, &c:) a man may easilie
conceiue how proud the cleargie-men haue beene in former times, as
wholie presuming vpon the primassie of their pope. More matter could I
alledge of these and the like broiles, not to be found among our
common historiographers: howbeit reseruing the same vnto places more
conuenient, I will ceasse to speake of them at this time, and go
forward with such other things as my purpose is to speake of. At the
first therefore there was like and equall authoritie in both our
archbishops: but as he of Canturburie hath long since obteined the
prerogatiue aboue Yorke (although I saie not without great trouble,
sute, some bloudshed & contention) so the archbishop of Yorke is
neuerthelesse written primate of England, as one contenting himselfe
with a péece of a title at the least, when (all) could not be gotten.
And as he of Canturburie crowneth the king, so this of Yorke dooth the
like to the quéene, whose perpetuall chapleine he is, & hath beene
from time to time, since the determination of this controuersie, as
writers doo report. The first also hath vnder his iurisdiction to the
[Sidenote: Twentie one bishoprikes vnder the sée of Canturburie.
Onelie foure sées vnder the archbishop of Yorke.]
number of one and twentie inferiour bishops, the other hath onlie
foure, by reason that the churches of Scotland are now remooued from
his obedience vnto an archbishop of their owne, whereby the greatnesse
and circuit of the iurisdiction of Yorke is not a little diminished.
In like sort each of these seauen and twentie sées haue their
[Sidenote: Deanes.]
cathedrall churches, wherein the deanes (a calling not knowne in
England before the conquest) doo beare the chéefe rule, being men
especiallie chosen to that vocation, both for their learning and
godlinesse so néere as can be possible. These cathedrall churches haue
[Sidenote: Canonries.]
in like maner other dignities and canonries still remaining vnto them,
as héeretofore vnder the popish regiment. Howbeit those that are
chosen to the same are no idle and vnprofitable persons (as in times
past they haue béene when most of these liuings were either furnished
with strangers, especiallie out of Italie, boies, or such idiots as
had least skill of all in discharging of those functions, wherevnto
they were called by vertue of these stipends) but such as by preaching
and teaching can and doo learnedlie set foorth the glorie of God, and
further the ouerthrow of antichrist to the vttermost of their powers.
These churches are called cathedrall, bicause the bishops dwell or lie
néere vnto the same, as bound to keepe continuall residence within
their iurisdictions, for the better ouersight and gouernance of the
same: the word being deriued à cathedra, that is to saie a chaire or
seat where he resteth, and for the most part abideth. At the first
there was but one church in euerie iurisdiction, wherinto no man
entred to praie, but with some oblation or other toward the
maintenance of the pastor. For as it was reputed an infamie to passe
by anie of them without visitation: so it was a no lesse reproch to
appeare emptie before the Lord. And for this occasion also they were
builded verie huge and great, for otherwise they were not capable of
such multitudes as came dailie vnto them, to heare the word and
receive the sacraments.
But as the number of christians increased, so first monasteries, then
finallie parish churches were builded in euerie iurisdiction: from
whence I take our deanerie churches to haue their originall, now
called mother churches, and their incumbents archpréests; the rest
being added since the conquest, either by the lords of euerie towne,
or zealous men, loth to trauell farre, and willing to haue some ease
by building them neere hand. Vnto these deanerie churches also the
cleargie in old time of the same deanrie were appointed to repaire at
sundrie seasons, there to receiue wholesome ordinances, and to consult
vpon the necessarie affaires of the whole iurisdiction; if necessitie
so required: and some image hereof is yet to be seene in the north
parts. But as the number of churches increased, so the repaire of the
faithfull vnto the cathedrals did diminish: whereby they now become
especiallie in their nether parts rather markets and shops for
merchandize, than solemn places of praier, wherevnto they were first
erected. Moreouer in the said cathedrall churches vpon sundaies and
[Sidenote: Ordinarie sermons.]
festiuall daies, the canons doo make certeine ordinarie sermons by
course, wherevnto great numbers of all estates doo orderlie resort:
and vpon the working daies thrise in the wéeke, one of the said
canons, or some other in his stéed, dooth read and expound some péece
[Sidenote: Ordinarie expositions of the scriptures.]
of holie scripture, wherevnto the people doo verie reuerentlie
repaire. The bishops themselues in like sort are not idle in their
callings, for being now exempt from court and councell, which is one
(and a no small) péece of their felicitie (although Richard archbishop
of Canturburie thought otherwise, as yet appeareth by his letters to
pope Alexander, Epistola 44. Petri Blesensis, where he saith; Bicause
the cleargie of his time were somewhat narrowlie looked vnto, "Supra
[Sidenote: The bishops preach diligentlie, whose predecessors
heretofore haue béene occupied in temporall affairs.]
dorsum ecclesiæ fabricant peccatores, &c:") they so applie their minds
to the setting foorth of the word, that there are verie few of them,
which doo not euerie sundaie or oftener resort to some place or other,
within their iurisdictions, where they expound the scriptures with
much grauitie and skill; and yet not without the great misliking and
contempt of such as hate the word. Of their manifold translations from
one sée to another I will saie nothing, which is not now doone for the
benefit of the flocke, as the preferment of the partie fauoured, and
aduantage vnto the prince, a matter in time past much doubted of, to
wit, whether a bishop or pastor might be translated from one sée to
another; & left vndecided, till prescription by roiall authoritie made
it good. For among princes a thing once doone, is well doone, and to
be doone oftentimes, though no warrant be to be found therefore.
[Sidenote: Archdecons.]
They haue vnder them also their archdeacons, some one, diuerse two,
and manie foure or mo, as their circuits are in quantitie, which
archdeacons are termed in law the bishops eies: and these (beside
their ordinarie courts, which are holden within so manie or more of
their seuerall deanries by themselues or their officials once in a
moneth at the least) doo kéepe yearelie two visitations or synods (as
the bishop dooth in euerie third yeare, wherein he confirmeth some
children, though most care but a little for that ceremonie) in which
they make diligent inquisition and search, as well for the doctrine
and behauiour of the ministers, as the orderlie dealing of the
parishioners in resorting to their parish churches and conformitie
vnto religion. They punish also with great seueritie all such
trespassers, either in person or by the pursse (where permutation of
penance is thought more gréeuous to the offender) as are presented
vnto them: or if the cause be of the more weight, as in cases of
heresie, pertinacie, contempt, and such like, they referre them either
to the bishop of the diocesse, or his chancellor, or else to sundrie
[Sidenote: High commissioners.]
graue persons set in authoritie, by vertue of an high commission
directed vnto them from the prince to that end, who in verie courteous
maner doo sée the offendors gently reformed, or else seuerlie
punished, if necessitie so inforce.
[Sidenote: A prophesie or conference.]
Beside this, in manie of our archdeaconries we haue an exercise
latelie begun, which for the most part is called a prophesie or
conference, and erected onelie for the examination or triall of the
diligence of the cleargie in their studie of holie scriptures.
Howbeit, such is the thirstie desire of the people in these daies to
heare the word of God, that they also haue as it were with zealous
violence intruded themselues among them (but as hearers onelie) to
come by more knowledge through their presence at the same. Herein also
(for the most part) two of the yoonger sort of ministers doo expound
ech after other some péece of the scriptures ordinarilie appointed
vnto them in their courses (wherein they orderlie go through with some
one of the euangelists, or of the epistles, as it pleaseth the whole
assemblie to choose at the first in euerie of these conferences) and
when they haue spent an houre or a little more betwéene them, then
commeth one of the better learned sort, who being a graduat for the
most part, or knowne to be a preacher sufficientlie authorised, & of a
sound iudgement, supplieth the roome of a moderator, making first a
breefe rehearsall of their discourses, and then adding what him
thinketh good of his owne knowledge, wherby two houres are thus
commonlie spent at this most profitable méeting. When all is doone, if
the first speakers haue shewed anie peece of diligence, they are
commended for their trauell, and incouraged to go forward. If they
haue béene found to be slacke, or not sound in deliuerie of their
doctrine, their negligence and error is openlie reprooued before all
their brethren, who go aside of purpose from the laitie, after the
exercise ended, to iudge of these matters, and consult of the next
speakers and quantitie of the text to be handled in that place. The
laitie neuer speake of course (except some vaine and busie head will
now and then intrude themselues with offense) but are onelie hearers;
and as it is vsed in some places wéekelie, in other once in foureteene
daies, in diuerse monethlie, and elsewhere twise in a yeare, so is it
a notable spurre vnto all the ministers, thereby to applie their
bookes, which otherwise (as in times past) would giue themselues to
hawking, hunting, tables, cards, dice, tipling at the alehouse,
shooting of matches, and other like vanities, nothing commendable in
such as should be godlie and zealous stewards of the good gifts of
God, faithfull distributors of his word vnto the people, and diligent
pastors according to their calling.
But alas! as sathan the author of all mischéefe hath in sundrie
manners heretofore hindered the erection and maintenance of manie good
things: so in this he hath stirred vp aduersaries of late vnto this
most profitable exercise, who not regarding the commoditie that riseth
thereby so well to the hearers as spekers; but either stumbling (I
cannot tell how) at words and termes, or at the least wise not liking
to here of the reprehension of vice, or peraduenture taking a
misliking at the slender demeanours of such negligent ministers, as
now and then in their courses doo occupie the roomes, haue either by
their owne practise, their sinister information, or suggestions made
vpon surmises vnto other procured the suppression of these
conferences, condemning them as hurtfull, pernicious, and dailie
bréeders of no small hurt & inconuenience. But hereof let God be
iudge, vnto whome the cause belongeth.
[Sidenote: Ministers & deacons.]
Our elders or ministers and deacons (for subdeacons and the other
inferiour orders, sometime vsed in popish church we haue not) are made
according to a certeine forme of consecration concluded vpon in the
time of king Edward the sixt, by the cleargie of England, and soone
after confirmed by the thrée estates of the realme, in the high court
of parlement. And out of the first sort, that is to saie, of such as
are called to the ministerie (without respect whether they be married
or not) are bishops, deanes, archdeacons, & such as haue the higher
places in the hierarchie of the church elected; and these also as all
the rest, at the first comming vnto anie spirituall promotion, doo
yéeld vnto the prince the entire taxe of that their liuing for one
whole yeare, if it amount in value vnto ten pounds and vpwards, and
this vnder the name and title of first fruits.
With vs also it is permitted, that a sufficient man may (by
dispensation from the prince) hold two liuings, not distant either
from other aboue thirtie miles; whereby it commeth to passe, that as
hir maiestie dooth reape some commoditie by the facultie, so the
vnition of two in one man dooth bring oftentimes more benefit to one
of them in a moneth (I meane for doctrine) than they haue had before
peraduenture in manie yeares.
Manie exclame against such faculties, as if there were mo good
preachers that want maintenance, than liuings to mainteine them. In
déed when a liuing is void, there are so manie sutors for it, that a
man would thinke the report to be true and most certeine: but when it
commeth to the triall, who are sufficient, and who not, who are staied
men in conuersation, iudgement, and learning; of that great number you
shall hardlie find one or two, such as they ought to be: and yet none
more earnest to make sure, to promise largelie, beare a better shew,
or find fault with the state of things than they. Neuerthelesse, I doo
not thinke that their exclamations if they were wiselie handled, are
altogither grounded vpon rumours or ambitious minds, if you respect
the state of the thing it selfe, and not the necessitie growing
through want of able men, to furnish out all the cures in England,
which both our vniuersities are neuer able to performe. For if you
obserue what numbers of preachers Cambridge and Oxford doo yearelie
send foorth; and how manie new compositions are made in the court of
first fruits, by the deaths of the last incumbents: you shall soone
sée a difference. Wherefore, if in countrie townes & cities, yea euen
in London it selfe, foure or fiue of the litle churches were brought
into one, the inconuenience would in great part be redressed.
And to saie truth, one most commonlie of these small liuings is of so
little value, that it is not able to mainteine a meane scholar; much
lesse a learned man, as not being aboue ten, twelue, sixteene,
seuentéene, twentie, or thirtie pounds at the most, toward their
charges, which now (more than before time) doo go out of the same. I
saie more than before, bicause euerie small trifle, noble mans
request, or courtesie craued by the bishop, dooth impose and command a
twentith part, a three score part, or two pence in the pound, &c: out
of our liuings, which hitherto hath not béene vsuallie granted, but by
consent of a synod, wherein things were decided according to equitie,
and the poorer sort considered of, which now are equallie burdened.
We paie also the tenths of our liuings to the prince yearelie,
according to such valuation of ech of them, as hath beene latelie
made: which neuerthelesse in time past were not annuall but
voluntarie, & paid at request of king or pope. Herevpon also hangeth a
pleasant storie though doone of late yeares, to wit 1452, at which
time the cleargie séeing the continuall losses that the king of
England susteined in France, vpon some motion of reléefe made, granted
in an open conuocation to giue him two tenths toward the recouerie of
Burdeaux, which his grace verie thankefullie receiued. It fortuned
also at the same time that Vincentius Clemens the popes factor was
here in England, who hearing what the clergie had doone, came into the
conuocation house also in great hast and lesse spéed, where, in a
solemne oration he earnestlie required them to be no lesse fauourable
to their spirituall father the pope, and mother the sée of Rome, than
they had shewed themselues vnto his vassall and inferiour, meaning
their souereigne lord in temporall iurisdiction, &c. In deliuering
also the cause of his sute, he shewed how gréeuouslie the pope was
disturbed by cutthrotes, varlots, and harlots, which doo now so abound
in Rome, that his holinesse is in dailie danger to be made awaie
amongst them. To be short when this fine tale was told, one of the
companie stood vp and said vnto him; My lord we haue heard your
request, and as we thinke, it deserueth litle consideration and lesse
eare, for how would you haue vs to contribute to his aid in
suppression of such, as he and such as you are doo continuall vphold,
it is not vnknowen in this house what rule is kept in Rome.
I grant (quoth Vincent) that there wanteth iust reformation of manie
things in that citie, which would haue béene made sooner, but now it
is too late: neuerthelesse I beséech you to write vnto his holinesse,
with request that he would leaue and abandon that Babylon, which is
but a sinke of mischiefe, and kéepe his court elsewhere in place of
better fame. And this he shall be the better able also to performe, if
by your liberalitie extended towards him, vnto whome you are most
bound, he be incouraged thereto. Manie other words passed to and fro
amongst them, howbeit in the end Vincent ouercame not, but was
dismissed without anie penie obteined. But to returne to our tenths, a
paiement first as deuised by the pope, and afterward taken vp as by
the prescription of the king, wherevnto we may ioine also our first
fruits, which is one whole yeares commoditie of our liuing, due at our
entrance into the same, the tenths abated vnto the princes cofers, and
paid commonlie in two yeares. For the receipt also of these two
paiments, an especiall office or court is erected, which beareth name
of first fruits and tenths, wherevnto if the partie to be preferred,
doo not make his dutifull repaire by an appointed time after
possession taken, there to compound for the paiment of his said
fruits, he incurreth the danger of a great penaltie, limited by a
certeine statute prouided in that behalfe, against such as doo intrude
into the ecclesiasticall function, and refuse to paie the accustomed
duties belonging to the same.
They paie likewise subsidies with the temporaltie, but in such sort,
that if these paie after foure shillings for land, the cleargie
contribute commonlie after six shillings of the pound, so that of a
benefice of twentie pounds by the yeare, the incumbent thinketh
himself well acquited, if all ordinarie paiments being discharged he
may reserue thirtéene pounds six shillings eight pence towards his
owne sustentation, and maintenance of his familie. Seldome also are
they without the compasse of a subsidie, for if they be one yeare
cleare from this paiement, a thing not often seene of late yeares,
they are like in the next to heare of another grant: so that I saie
againe they are seldome without the limit of a subsidie. Herein also
they somewhat find themselues grieued, that the laitie may at euerie
taxation helpe themselues, and so they doo through consideration had
of their decaie and hinderance, and yet their impouerishment cannot
but touch also the parson or vicar, vnto whom such libertie is denied,
as is dailie to be séene in their accompts and tithings.
Some of them also, after the mariages of their children, will haue
their proportions qualified, or by fréendship get themselues quite out
of the booke. But what stand I vpon these things, who haue rather to
complaine of the iniurie offered by some of our neighbors of the
laitie, which dailie endeuor to bring vs also within the compasse of
their fifteens or taxes for their owne ease, whereas the taxe of the
whole realme, which is commonlie greater in the champeigne than
woodland soile, amounteth onelie to 37930 pounds nine pence
halfepenie, is a burden easie inough to be borne vpon so manie
shoulders, without the helpe of the cleargie, whose tenths and
subsidies make vp commonlie a double, if not troublesome vnto their
aforesaid paiments. Sometimes also we are threatned with a Meliùs
inquirendum, as if our liuings were not racked high inough alreadie.
But if a man should seeke out where all those church lands were, which
in time past did contribute vnto the old summe required or to be made
vp, no doubt no small number of the laitie of all states should be
contributors also with vs, the prince not defrauded of his expectation
and right. We are also charged with armor & munitions from thirtie
pounds vpwards, a thing more néedfull than diuerse other charges
imposed vpon vs are conuenient, by which & other burdens our case
groweth to be more heauie by a great deale (notwithstanding our
immunitie from temporall seruices) than that of the laitie, and for
ought that I sée not likelie to be diminished, as if the church were
now become the asse whereon euerie market man is to ride and cast his
wallet.
The other paiments due vnto the archbishop and bishop at their
seuerall visitations (of which the first is double to the latter) and
such also as the archdeacon receiueth at his synods, &c: remaine still
as they did without anie alteration, onelie this I thinke be added
within memorie of man, that at the comming of euerie prince, his
appointed officers doo commonlie visit the whole realme vnder the
forme of an ecclesiasticall inquisition, in which the clergie doo
vsuallie paie double fées, as vnto the archbishop. Hereby then, and by
those alreadie remembred, it is found that the church of England, is
no lesse commodious to the princes coffers than the state of the
laitie, if it doo not farre excéed the same, since their paiments are
certeine, continuall, and seldome abated, howsoeuer they gather vp
their owne duties with grudging, murmuring, sute, and slanderous
speeches of the paiers, or haue their liuings otherwise hardlie valued
vnto the vttermost farding, or shrewdlie cancelled by the
couetousnesse of the patrones, of whome some doo bestow aduousons of
benefices vpon their bakers, butlers, cookes, good archers, falconers,
and horssekéepers, in sted of other recompense, for their long and
faithfull seruice, which they imploie afterward vnto their most
aduantage.
Certes here they resemble the pope verie much, for as he sendeth out
his idols, so doo they their parasites, pages, chamberleins, stewards,
groomes, & lackies; and yet these be the men that first exclame of the
insufficiencie of the ministers, as hoping thereby in due time to get
also their glebes and grounds into their hands. In times past
bishopriks went almost after the same maner vnder the laie princes,
and then vnder the pope, so that he which helped a clerke vnto a see,
was sure to haue a present or purse fine, if not an annuall pension,
besides that which went to the popes coffers, and was thought to be
verie good merchandize. Hereof one example may be touched, as of a
thing doone in my yoonger daies, whilest quéene Marie bare the swaie
and gouerned in this land. After the death of Stephan Gardiner, the
sée of Winchester was void for a season, during which time cardinall
Poole made seizure vpon the reuenues and commodities of the same,
pretending authoritie therevnto Sede vacante, by vertue of his place.
With this act of his the bishop of Lincolne called White tooke such
displeasure, that he stepped in like a mate, with full purpose (as he
said) to kéepe that sée from ruine. He wrote also to Paulus the fourth
pope, requiring that he might be preferred therevnto, promising so as
he might be Compos voti, to paie to the popes coffers 1600 pounds
yearlie during his naturall life, and for one yeere after. But the
pope nothing liking of his motion, and yet desirous to reape a further
benefit, first shewed himselfe to stomach his simonicall practise
verie grieuouslie, considering the dangerousnesse of the time and
present estate of the church of England, which hoong as yet in balance
readie to yéeld anie waie, sauing foorth right, as he alledged in his
letters. By which replie he so terrified the poore bishop, that he was
driuen vnto another issue, I meane to recouer the popes good will,
with a further summe than stood with his ease to part withall. In the
end when the pope had gotten this fleece, a new deuise was found, and
meanes made to and by the prince, that White might be bishop of
Winchester, which at the last he obteined, but in such wise as that
the pope and his néerest friends did lose but a little by it. I could
if néed were set downe a report of diuerse other the like practises,
but this shall suffice in stéed of all the rest, least in reprehending
of vice I might shew my selfe to be a teacher of vngodlinesse, or to
scatter more vngratious séed in lewd ground alreadie choked with
wickednesse.
To proceed therefore with the rest, I thinke it good also to remember,
that the names vsuallie giuen vnto such as féed the flocke remaine in
like sort as in times past, so that these words, parson, vicar, curat,
and such are not yet abolished more than the canon law it selfe, which
is dailie pleaded, as I haue said elsewhere; although the statutes of
the realme haue greatlie infringed the large scope, and brought the
exercise of the same into some narrower limits. There is nothing read
in our churches but the canonicall scriptures, whereby it commeth to
passe that the psalter is said ouer once in thirtie daies, the new
testament foure times, and the old testament once in the yeare. And
herevnto if the curat be adiudged by the bishop or his deputies,
sufficientlie instructed in the holie scriptures, and therewithall
able to teach, he permitteth him to make some exposition or
exhortation in his parish, vnto amendment of life. And for so much as
our churches and vniuersities haue béene so spoiled in time of errour,
as there cannot yet be had such number of able pastours as may suffice
for euerie parish to haue one: there are (beside foure sermons
appointed by publike order in the yeare) certeine sermons or homilies
(deuised by sundrie learned men, confirmed for sound doctrine by
consent of the diuines, and publike authoritie of the prince) and
those appointed to be read by the curats of meane vnderstanding (which
homilies doo comprehend the principall parts of christian doctrine, as
of originall sinne, of iustification by faith, of charitie, and such
like) vpon the sabbaoth daies, vnto the congregation. And after a
certeine number of psalmes read, which are limited according to the
daies of the month, for morning and euening praier, we haue two
lessons, wherof the first is taken out of the old testament, the
second out of the new, and of these latter that in the morning is out
of the gospels, the other in the after noone out of some one of the
epistles. After morning praier also we haue the letanie and suffrages,
an inuocation in mine opinion not deuised without the great assistance
of the spirit of God, although manie curious mindsicke persons
vtterlie condemne it as superstitious and sauoring of coniuration and
sorcerie.
This being doone, we procéed vnto the communion, if anie communicants
be to receiue the eucharist, if not we read the decalog, epistle and
gospell with the Nicene créed (of some in derision called the drie
communion) and then procéed vnto an homilie or sermon, which hath a
psalme before and after it, and finallie vnto the baptisme of such
infants as on euerie sabaoth daie (if occasion so require) are brought
vnto the churches: and thus is the forenoone bestowed. In the after
noone likewise we méet againe, and after the psalmes and lessons ended
we haue commonlie a sermon, or at the leastwise our youth catechised
by the space of an houre. And thus doo we spend the sabaoth daie in
good and godlie exercises, all doone in our vulgar toong, that each
one present may heare and vnderstand the same, which also in
cathedrall and collegiat churches is so ordered, that the psalmes
onelie are soong by note, the rest being read (as in common parish
churches) by the minister with a lowd voice, sauing that in the
administration of the communion the quier singeth the answers, the
créed, and sundrie other things appointed, but in so plaine, I saie,
and distinct maner, that each one present may vnderstand what they
sing, euerie word hauing but one note, though the whole harmonie
consist of manie parts, and those verie cunninglie set by the skilfull
in that science.
Certes this translation of the seruice of the church into the vulgar
toong, hath not a litle offended the pope almost in euerie age, as a
thing verie often attempted by diuers princes, but neuer generallie
obteined, for feare least the consenting thervnto might bréed the
ouerthrow (as it would in déed) of all his religion and hierarchie:
neuerthelesse in some places where the kings and princes dwelled not
vnder his nose, it was performed maugre his resistance. Vratislaus
duke of Bohemia, would long since haue doone the like also in his
kingdome, but not daring to venter so farre without the consent of the
pope, he wrote vnto him thereof, and receiued his answer inhibitorie
vnto all his proceeding in the same.
"Gregorius septimus Vratislao Bohemorum duci, &c. Quia nobilitas tua
postulat, quòd secund[=u] Sclauonic[=a] lingu[=a] apud vos diuinum
celebrari annueremus officium, scias nos huic petitioni tuæ nequaquàm
posse fauere, ex hoc nempe se voluentibus liquet, non immeritò sacram
scripturam optimo Deo placuisse quibusdam locis esse occultam; ne si
ad liquidum cunctis pateret, fortè vilesceret, & subiaceret despectui,
aut prauè intellecta à mediocribus in errorem induceret. Neque enim ad
excusationem iuuat, quòd quidam viri hoc, quod simplex populus quærit
patienter tulerunt, seu incorrectum dimiserunt: cum primitiua ecclesia
multa dissimulauerit, quæ à sanctis patribus postmodum, firmata
christianitate & religione crescente, subtili examinatione correcta
sunt: vnde id nè fiat, quod à vestris imprudenter exposcitur,
authoritate beatri Petri inhibemus; téque ad honorem optimi Dei huic
vanæ temeritati viribus totis resistere præcipimus, &c. Datum Romæ,
&c."
I would set downe two or thrée more of the like instruments passed
from that see vnto the like end, but this shall suffice, being lesse
common than the other, which are to be had more plentifullie.
As for our churches themselues, belles, and times of morning and
euening praier, remaine as in times past, sauing that all images,
shrines, tabernacles, roodlofts, and monuments of idolatrie are
remooued, taken downe, and defaced; onelie the stories in glasse
windowes excepted, which for want of sufficient store of new stuffe,
and by reason of extreame charge that should grow by the alteration of
the same into white panes throughout the realme, are not altogither
abolished in most places at once, but by little and little suffered to
decaie, that white glasse may be prouided and set vp in their roomes.
Finallie, whereas there was woont to be a great partition betwéene the
quire and the bodie of the church; now it is either verie small or
none at all: and to saie the truth altogither needlesse, sith the
minister saith his seruice commonlie in the bodie of the church, with
his face toward the people, in a little tabernacle of wainscot
prouided for the purpose: by which means the ignorant doo not onelie
learne diuerse of the psalmes and vsuall praiers by heart, but also
such as can read, doo praie togither with him: so that the whole
congregation at one instant powre out their petitions vnto the liuing
God, for the whole estate of his church in most earnest and feruent
manner. Our holie and festiuall daies are verie well reduced also vnto
a lesse number; for whereas (not long since) we had vnder the pope
foure score and fiftéene, called festiuall, and thirtie Profesti,
beside the sundaies, they are all brought vnto seauen and twentie: and
with them the superfluous numbers of idle waks, guilds, fraternities,
church-ales, helpe-ales, and soule-ales, called also dirge-ales, with
the heathnish rioting at bride-ales, are well diminished and laid
aside. And no great matter were it if the feasts of all our apostles,
euangelists, and martyrs, with that of all saincts, were brought to
the holie daies that follow vpon Christmasse, Easter, and Whitsuntide;
and those of the virgine Marie, with the rest vtterlie remooued from
the calendars, as neither necessarie nor commendable in a reformed
church.
[Sidenote: Apparell.]
The apparell in like sort of our clergie men is comlie, & in truth,
more decent than euer it was in the popish church: before the
vniuersities bound their graduats vnto a stable attire, afterward
vsurped also euen by the blind sir Johns. For if you peruse well my
chronologie insuing, you shall find, that they went either in diuerse
colors like plaiers, or in garments of light hew, as yellow, red,
greene, &c: with their shooes piked, their haire crisped, their
girdles armed with siluer; their shooes, spurres, bridles, &c: buckled
with like mettall: their apparell (for the most part) of silke, and
richlie furred; their cappes laced and butned with gold: so that to
méet a priest in those daies, was to behold a peacocke that spreadeth
his taile when he danseth before the henne: which now (I saie) is well
[Sidenote: Hospitalitie.]
reformed. Touching hospitalitie, there was neuer anie greater vsed in
England, sith by reason that mariage is permitted to him that will
choose that kind of life, their meat and drinke is more orderlie and
frugallie dressed; their furniture of houshold more conuenient, and
better looked vnto; and the poore oftener fed generallie than
heretofore they haue béene, when onlie a few bishops, and double or
treble beneficed men did make good cheere at Christmasse onelie, or
otherwise kept great houses for the interteinment of the rich, which
did often see and visit them. It is thought much peraduenture, that
some bishops, &c: in our time doo come short of the ancient gluttonie
and prodigalitie of their predecessors: but to such as doo consider of
the curtailing of their liuings, or excessiue prices whervnto things
are growen, and how their course is limited by law, and estate looked
into on euery side, the cause of their so dooing is well inough
perceiued. This also offendeth manie, that they should after their
deaths leaue their substances to their wiues and children: wheras they
consider not, that in old time such as had no lemans nor bastards
(verie few were there God wot of this sort) did leaue their goods and
possessions to their brethren and kinsfolks, whereby (as I can shew by
good record) manie houses of gentilitie haue growen and béene erected.
If in anie age some one of them did found a college, almeshouse, or
schoole, if you looke vnto these our times, you shall see no fewer
déeds of charitie doone, nor better grounded vpon the right stub of
[Sidenote: Mariage.]
pietie than before. If you saie that their wiues be fond, after the
deceasse of their husbands, and bestow themselues not so aduisedlie as
their calling requireth, which God knoweth these curious surueiors
make small accompt of in truth, further than thereby to gather matter
of reprehension: I beséech you then to looke into all states of the
laitie, & tell me whether some duchesses, countesses, barons, or
knights wiues, doo not fullie so often offend in the like as they: for
Eue will be Eue though Adam would saie naie. Not a few also find fault
[Sidenote: Thred-bare gownes from whence they come.]
with our thred-bare gowns, as if not our patrones but our wiues were
causes of our wo. But if it were knowne to all, that I know to haue
beene performed of late in Essex, where a minister taking a benefice
(of lesse than twentie pounds in the Quéenes bookes so farre as I
remember) was inforced to paie to his patrone, twentie quarters of
otes, ten quarters of wheat, and sixtéene yéerelie of barleie, which
he called hawkes meat; and another left the like in farme to his
patrone for ten pounds by the yéere, which is well woorth fortie at
the least, the cause of our thred-bare gownes would easilie appeere,
for such patrons doo scrape the wooll from our clokes. Wherfore I may
well saie, that such a thred-bare minister is either an ill man, or
hath an ill patrone, or both: and when such cookes & cobling shifters
shall be remooued and weeded out of the ministerie, I doubt not but
our patrons will prooue better men, and be reformed whether they will
or not, or else the single minded bishops shall sée the liuing
bestowed vpon such as doo deserue it. When the Pragmatike sanction
tooke place first in France, it was supposed that these enormities
should vtterlie haue ceased: but when the elections of bishops came
once into the hands of the canons and spirituall men, it grew to be
farre worse. For they also within a while waxing couetous, by their
owne experience learned aforehand, raised the markets, and sought
after new gaines by the gifts of the greatest liuings in that
[Sidenote: Number of churches in France.]
countrie, wherein (as Machiauell writeth) are eightéene
archbishoprikes, one hundred fortie and sixe bishoprikes, 740 abbies,
eleuen vniuersities, 1000700 stéeples (if his report be sound.) Some
are of the opinion, that if sufficient men in euerie towne might be
sent for from the vniuersities, this mischiefe would soone be
remedied; but I am cleane of another mind. For when I consider
wherevnto the gifts of felowships in some places are growen: the
profit that ariseth at sundrie elections of scholars out of grammar
[Sidenote: Pretie packing.]
schooles, to the posers, schoolemasters, and preferrers of them to our
vniuersities, the gifts of a great number of almeshouses builded for
the maimed and impotent souldiors, by princes and good men heretofore
mooued with a pittifull consideration of the poore distressed: how
rewards, pensions, and annuities also doo reigne in other cases,
wherby the giuer is brought somtimes into extreame miserie, & that not
so much as the roome of a common souldior is not obteined oftentimes,
without a What will you giue me? I am brought into such a mistrust of
the sequele of this deuise, that I dare pronounce (almost for
certeine) that if Homer were now aliue, it should be said to him:
"Túque licèt venias musis comitatus Homere,
Si nihil attuleris ibis Homere foras."
More I could saie, and more I would saie of these and other things,
were it not that in mine owne iudgement I haue said inough alreadie
for the aduertisement of such as be wise. Neuerthelesse, before I
finish this chapter, I will adde a word or two (so brieflie as I can)
of the old estate of cathedrall churches, which I haue collected
togither here and there among the writers, and whereby it shall
easilie be seene what they were, and how neere the gouernment of ours
doo in these daies approch vnto them, for that there is an
irreconciliable ods betwéene them and those of the papists, I hope
there is no learned man indéed, but will acknowlege and yéeld vnto it.
[Sidenote: Old estate of cathedrall churches.]
We find therefore in the time of the primitiue church, that there was
in euerie see or iurisdiction one schoole at the least, whereinto such
as were catechistes in christian religion did resort. And hereof as we
may find great testimonie for Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, and
Hierusalem; so no small notice is left of the like in the inferior
sort, if the names of such as taught in them be called to mind, & the
histories well read which make report of the same. These schooles were
vnder the iurisdiction of the bishops, and from thence did they & the
rest of the elders choose out such as were the ripest scholars, and
willing to serue in the ministerie, whome they placed also in their
cathedrall churches, there not onelie to be further instructed in the
knowledge of the word, but also to invre them to the deliuerie of the
same vnto the people in sound maner, to minister the sacraments, to
visit the sicke and brethren imprisoned, and to performe such other
duties as then belonged to their charges. The bishop himselfe and
elders of the church were also hearers and examiners of their
doctrine, and being in processe of time found meet workmen for the
lords haruest, they were forthwith sent abrode (after imposition of
hands, and praier generallie made for their good proceeding) to some
place or other then destitute of hir pastor, and other taken from the
schoole also placed in their roomes. What number of such clerks
belonged now and then to some one sée, the chronologie following shall
easilie declare: and in like sort what officers, widowes, and other
persons were dailie mainteined in those seasons by the offerings and
oblations of the faithfull, it is incredible to be reported, if we
compare the same with the decaies and ablations séene and practised at
this present. But what is that in all the world which auarice and
negligence will not corrupt and impaire? And as this is a paterne of
the estate of the cathedrall churches in those times, so I wish that
the like order of gouernment might once againe be restored vnto the
same, which may be doone with ease, sith the schooles are alreadie
builded in euerie diocesse, the vniuersities, places of their
preferment vnto further knowledge, and the cathedrall churches great
inough to receiue so manie as shall come from thence to be instructed
vnto doctrine. But one hinderance of this is alreadie and more & more
to be looked for (beside the plucking and snatching commonlie séene
from such houses and the church) and that is, the generall contempt of
the ministerie, and small consideration of their former paines taken,
whereby lesse and lesse hope of competent maintenance by preaching the
word is likelie to insue. Wherefore the greatest part of the more
excellent wits choose rather to imploy their studies vnto physike and
the lawes, vtterlie giuing ouer the studie of the scriptures, for
feare least they should in time not get their bread by the same. By
this meanes also the stalles in their quéeres would be better filled,
which now (for the most part) are emptie, and prebends should be
prebends indéed, there to liue till they were preferred to some
ecclesiasticall function, and then other men chosen to succéed them in
their roomes, whereas now prebends are but superfluous additaments
vnto former excesses, & perpetuall commodities vnto the owners, which
before time were but temporall (as I haue said before.) But as I haue
good leisure to wish for these things: so it shall be a longer time
before it will be brought to passe. Neuerthelesse, as I will praie for
a reformation in this behalfe, so will I here conclude this my
discourse of the estate of our churches, and go in hand with the
limits and bounds of our seuerall sées, in such order as they shall
come vnto my present remembrance.