In Johnson's (Geo. W.) _Memoirs of John Selden_, London, 1635, 8vo. pp.
128, 129, is a notice of Dr. Sibthorpe's celebrated Sermon preached at
Northampton, and printed in 1627 with the title of _Apostolike
Obedience_. After stating the difficult experienced in obtaining the
necessary sanction for its publication, owing to Abp. Abbot refusing the
requisite _imprimatur_, the author says that ultimately the licence was
"_signed by Land himself_, and published under the title of _Apostolical
Obedience_." A reference at the foot of the page to "Rushworth, p. 444,"
leads me to conclude that it is on his authority Mr. Johnson has made
this statement; but not having access to the "Historical Collections," I
am unable to examine. At any rate, Heylin, in his _Cyprianus Anglicus_,
Lond., 1671 fol. p. 159., may be understood to imply the correctness of
the assertion.
A copy of this now rare sermon before me {452} proves, however, that the
statement is incorrect. At the back of the title is as follows:--
"I have read over this sermon upon _Rom._ xiii. 7., preached at
_Northampton_, at the assises for the county, _Feb._ 22, 1626,
by _Robert Synthorpe_, Doctor of Divinity, Vicar of Brackley,
and I doe approve it as a sermon learnedly and discreetly
preached, and agreeable to the _ancient Doctrine_ of the
_Primitive Church_, both for _Faith_ and _good manners_, and to
the _Doctrine established_ in the _Church of England_, and,
therefore, under my hand I give authority for the printing of
it, May 8. 1627."