13. A loud Parliament is alwayes attended with a silent Convocation,Anno Regin Eliza. 23. as here it came to pass. The activity of the former in Church-matters, left the later nothing to do.Anno Dom. 1580. Only this account I can give thereof out of our records. First, Arch-Bishop Grindal appeared not at all therein,The acts of a silent Convo∣cation. age, blindness, and dis∣grace keeping the good father at home.Jan. 17. Secondly, John Elmer Bishop of London, was appointed his locumtenens, or Deputy. Thirdly, this Convo∣cation began in St. Pauls (where it continued without any removal) with reading the Letany vulgari sermone, in the English tongue. Fourthly, the Bishops commended three, namely, Dr. Humsries, Dean of Winchester; Dr.So called by mistake in Records, otherwise his name was William.George Day, Dean of Windsor; and Dr. Goodman. Dean of Westmin∣ster, to the inferiour Clergy, to chose one of them for their Referendary, or Prolocutor. Fiftly, Dr. Day was elected, and presented for that office. Sixtly, motion was made of drawing up some articles against the dangerous opinions of the Family of love, a sect then much encreasing, but nothing was effected. Seventhly,Marc. 25. at several Sessions they met,1581 and prayed, and confer'd, and prorogued their meeting, and departed. Lastly, the Clergy granted a Subsidie (afterwards confirmed by the Parliament) and so the convocation was dissolved.14. Now can I not satisfie my self on my strictest enquiry, what Jesu∣ite,Quere, on whom the law was first hanselled. or Priest had the first hansell of that severe Statute made against them. Indeed I finde a Priest,31.John Pain by name, executed at Chelmsford March the 31. (which was but thirteen dayes after the dissolution of the Parlia∣ment) for certain speeches by him uttered, but cannot avouch him for cer∣tainly tried on this Statute.May 28. More probable it is, that Thomas Ford, John Shert, and Robert Iohnson, Priests, executed at London, were the first-fruits of the States severity.15. No eminent Clergy-man Protestant died this year,The death of Bp. Berkelay. save Gilbert Berkelay,25. May 8. Bishop of Bath and Wells,1582 who (as his Armes do attest) was alliXed to the ancient and honourable familie of the Berkelays.16. The Presbyterian party was not idle all this while,A meeting of the Presby∣terians at Cockfield. but appointed a meeting at Cockfield (Mr. Knewstubs Cure) in Suffolke where three-score Ministers of Norfolke, Suffolke, and Cambridge-shire, met together, to coner of the Common-Prayer-Book, what might be tolerated, and what necessary to be refused in every point of it, apparrel, matter, forme, days, fastings, injuctions &c. Matters herein were carried with such secrecy, that we can see no light thereof, but what only shineth thorough one crevise, in a private letterMr. Pigg in his letter to Mr. Field dated May 16. of one thus expressing himself to his friend. Concerning the meeting, I hope all things were so proceeded in as your self would like of, as well for reverence to other brethren, as for other matters, I suppose before this time, some of the company have told you by word, for that was permitted unto you.17. We are also at as great a loss,Another at Cambridge. what was the result of their meeting at the Commencement at Cambridge,Iuly 2. this being all we finde thereof in a Idem Ibidem letter of one to his private friend, concerning the Commencement I like well the motion, desiring it might so come to pass, and that it be procured to be as gene∣rall as might be, which may easily be brought to pass, if you at London shall so think well of it, and we here may understand your minde, we will, we trust, as we can fur∣ther it. Mr. Allen liketh well of the matter.18. The year proved very active,The activity of the Pres∣byterian. especially in the practices of Presbyte∣rians, who now found so much favour, as almost amounted to a conni∣vence at their discipline. For whilest the severity of the State was at this time intended to the height against Iesuites, some lenity of course (by the ve∣ry rules of opposition) fell to the share of the Non-conformists, even on the score of their notorious enmity to the Iesuitical party.19. The city of Geneva was at this time reduced to great difficulties by the Savoyard her potent adversary,Beza's letter to Travers in the behalf of Geneva. and forced to purchase peace on dear an bitter termes, saving that extremity sweetens all things, and her present 0