Memoires of the lives, actions, sufferings & deaths of those noble, reverend and excellent personages that suffered by death, sequestration, decimation, or otherwise, for the Protestant religion and the great principle thereof, allegiance to their soveraigne, in our late intestine wars, from the year 1637 to the year 1660, and from thence continued to 1666 with the life and martyrdom of King Charles I / by Da. Lloyd ...

THE Life and Death OF Dr. IOHN BRAMHALL, Lord Arch••bishop of Armagh, &c.

HE was bred in Cambridge, in Sydney Colledge under Mr. Hulet, a grave and a worthy man, and he shew∣ed himself not only a fruitful Plant by his great pro∣gress in his Studies, but made him another return of gratitude, taking care to provide him a good Im∣ployment in Ireland, where he then began to be great∣ly interested. It was spoken as an honor to Augustus Caesar, that he gave his Tutor an honorable Funeral; and Marcus Antonius erect∣ed a Statue unto his; and Gratian the Emperor made his Master Ausonius to be Consul: And our worthy Primate, knowing the obligation which they pass upon us, who do Obstetricari gravidae

animae, help the parturient Soul to bring forth fruit according to its seminal powers, was careful, not only to reward the industry of such persons so useful to the Church in the cultivating infantes plamarum, young Plants, whose joynts are to be stretched and made streight, but to demonstrate that his Scholar knew how to value his Learning, when he knew so well how to reward the Tea∣cher.

Having passed the course of his studies in the University, and done his Exercise with that Applause, which is usually the reward of pregnant Wits and hard, he was removed into York-shire; where first in the City of York he was an assiduous Preacher, but by the disposition of the Divine Providence, he happened to be engaged at North-Alerton in Disputation with three pragmatical Romish Priests of the Jesuits Order, whom he so much worsted in the Conference, and so shamefully disadvantaged by the evidence of the Truth, represented wisely and learnedly, that the famous Primate of York Arch-bishop Matthews, a learned and an excellent Prelate, and most worthy Preacher, hearing of that Triumph, sent for him, and made him his Chaplain; in whose service he continued until the death of the Primate, but in that time had given so much Testimony of his great Dexterity in the Conduct of Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs, that he grew dear to his Master. In that im∣ployment he was made Prebendary of York, and then of Rippon; the Dean of which Church, having made him his Sub-Dean, he managed the Affairs of the Church so well, that he soon acquired a greater same, and entred into the possession of many hearts, and admiration to those many more that knew him. There, and at his Parsonage he continued long to do the duty of a learned and good Preacher, and by his Wisdom, Eloquence, and Deportment, so gained the affections of the Nobility, Gentry, and Commons of that Country, that as at his return thither upon the Restauration of his most sacred Majesty, he knew himself obliged enough, and was so kinde as to give them a visit, so they by their coming in great numbers to meet him, their joyful Reception of him, their great caressing of him while he was there, their forward hopes to enjoy him as their Bishop, their trouble at his departure, their un∣willingness to let him go away, give signal Testimonies that they were wise and kinde enough to understand and value his great worth. But while he lived there, he was like a Diamond in the dust, (or Lucius Quintius at the plough) his low fortune covered a most valuable person, till he came to be discovered by Sir Thomas Wentworth Lord President of York, whom we all knew for his great Excellencies, and his great, but glorious Misfortunes. This rare person espyed the great abilities of Dr. Bramhall, and made him his Chaplain, and brought him into Ireland, as one whom he belie∣ved would prove the most fit Instrument to serve in that design, which for two years before his Arrival here, he had greatly medi∣tated and resolved the Reformation of Religion, and the Repara∣tion of the broken fortunes of the Church. The Complaints were many, the Abuses great, the Causes of the Church vastly nu∣merous,

but as fast as they were brought in, so fast were they re∣ferred back by the Lord Deputy to Dr. Bramhall, who by his inde∣fatigable pains, great sagacity, perpetual watchfulness, daily and hourly Consultations, reduced things to a more tollerable condi∣tion than they had been left in by Schismatical principles of some and unjust Prepossessions of others for many years before. For at the Reformation, the Popish Bishops and Priests seemed to con∣form, and did so, that keeping their Bishopricks they might en∣rich their kindred, and dilapidate the Revenues of the Church; which, by pretended-Offices, false Informations, Fee-farms at con∣temptible Rents, and ungodly Alienations, were made low as Po∣verty it self, and unfit to minister to the needs of them that ser∣ved the Altar, or the noblest purposes of Religion; for Hospita∣lity decayed, and the Bishops were easily to be oppressed by those that would, and they complained, but for a long time had no helper, till God raised that glorious Instrument the Earl of Straf¦ford, who brought over with him as great Affections to the Church, and to all publick Interests, and as admirable abilities as ever before his time did invest and adorn any of the Kings Vice∣gerents: and God fitted his hand with an Instrument good, as his skill was great. For the first specimen of his Abilities and Diligence in the recovery of some lost Tythes, being represented to his late Majesty of blessed and glorious Memory, it pleased his Majesty upon the death of Bishop Downham, to advance the Do∣ctor the Bi••••oprick of Derry, which he not only adorned with an excellent spirit, and a wise Government, but did more than dou∣ble the Revenue, not by taking away any thing from them to whom it was due, but by resuming something of the Churches Pa∣trimony, which by undue means was detained in unsitting hands; But his care was beyond his Diocésse, and his zeal broke out to warm all his Brethren; and though by reason of the favor and Piety of King Iames, the escheated Counties were well provided for their Tythes, yet the Bishop••icks were not so well, till the Pri∣mato, then Bishop of Derry, by the favor of the Lord Lieutenant, and his own incessant and assiduous labor and wise Conduct, brought in divers Impropriations, cancelled many unjust Alienations, and did restore them to a condition much more tollerable; for he raised them above contempt, yet they were not near to envy; but he knew there could not in all times be wanting too many that envied to the Church every degree of Prosperity: So Iudas did to Christ, the expence of Oyntment; and so Dionisius told the Priest when himself stole the Golden Cloak from Apollo, and gave him one of Arcadian home-spun, that it was warmer for him in Winter, and colder in Summer. And so ever since the Church by Gods blessing, and the favor of Religious Kings and Princes, and pious Nobility, hath been endowed with fair Revenues; inimicus homo, the enemy hath not been wanting by pretences of Religion, to take away Gods portion from the Church, as if his word were intended as an Instrument to rob his Houses.

But when the Israelites were governed by a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and God was

their King, and Moses his Lieutenant, and things were of his ma∣nagement, he was pleased, by making great provisions for them that ministred in the service of the Tabernacle, to consign this truth for ever; That Men as they love God, at the same rate are to make provisions for his Priests. But this to no other end, than to represent upon what Religious grounds the then Bishop of Der∣ry did, with so much care and assiduous labour endeavor to re∣store the Church of Ireland to that splendor and fulness, which did much conduce to the honor of God and of Religion. This wise Prelate rarely well understood it, and having the same advan∣tage and blessing as we have now, a Gracious King and a Lieute∣nent, Patron of Religion and the Church, he improved the ••••po∣sita Pietatis,* 1.1 as Origen calls them, The Gages of Piety, which the Religion of the ancient Princes and Nobles of this Kingdom had bountifully given, to such a comfortable competency, that though there be place for present and future piety to inlarge it, yet no man hath reason to be discouraged in his duty; insomuch, that as I have heard from a most worthy hand, that at his going into Eng∣land, he gave account to the Archbishop of Canterbury of 30000 l. a year, in the recovery of which, he was greatly and principally instrumental. But the Goods of this World are called Waters by Solomon; stollen waters are sweet, and they are too unstable to be stopp'd: Some of these Waters did run back from their Channel, and return to another Course than God and the Laws intended, yet his labours and pious Counsels were not the less acceptable to God and to good Men; and therefore by a thankful and honorable recognition, the Convocation of the Church of Ireland hath trans∣mitted in Record to Posterity, their deep resentment of his singu∣lar services, and great abilities in this whole affair. And this honor will for ever remain to that Bishop of Derry; he had a Zer••bbabel, who repaired the Temple, and restored its beauty; but he was the Ioshuah, the High-priest, who under him ministred this blessing to the Congregations of the Lord. But his care was not determined in the exterior part only and accessaries of Religion, he was careful, he was prosperous in the interior, to reduce that Divine and Excellent Service of our Church to publick and constant Exercise, to Unity and Devotion, and to cause the Articles of the Church of Eng∣land to be accepted, as the rule of publick Confessions and Perswa∣sions here, that they might be populus unius labii, of one Heart and of one Lip, building up our hopes of heaven upon a most holy Faith; and taking away that Shibboleth which made this Church lisp too undecently, or rather, in some little degree, to speak the Speech of Ashdod, and not the Language of Canaan; and the ex∣cellent and wise pains he took in this particular, no man can de∣monstrate or reproach, but he that is not willing to confess that the Church of England is the best Reformed Church in the World. God by the prosperity of his labours, and a blessed effect, gave te∣stimony, not only of the piety and wisdom of his purposes, but that he loves to bless a wise instrument, when it is vigorously exerted in a wise and religious labour. He overcame the difficulty, in defiance

of all such pretences as were made even from Religion it self, to obstruct the better procedure of real and material Religion. These were great things, and matter of great envy, and like the Fiery Eruptions of Vesuvius, might with the very Ashes of Con∣sumption have buried another man. At first indeed, as his blessed Master, most Holy Jesus had, so he also had his annum acceptabilem. At first the product was nothing but great admiration at his stu∣pendious parts, and wonder at his mighty diligence, and observa∣tion of his unusual zeal in so good and great things: But this quickly passed into the natural Daughters of Envy, Suspition, and Detraction, the spirit of Obloquy and Slander. His zeal for reco∣vering of the Church Revenues, was called Oppression and Ra∣pine, Covetousness and Injustice; his care of reducing Religion to wise and justifiable Principles, was called Popery and Arminia∣nism, and I know not what names; which signifie what the Au∣thors are pleased to mean, and the People to construe and to hate. The intermedial prosperity of his person and fortune, which he had as an earnest of a greater reward to so well meant labours, was supposed to be the production of illiberal arts and ways of getting; and the necessary refreshment of his wearied spirits, which did not always supply all his needs, and were sometimes less than the permissions even of prudent charity, they called In∣temperance: Dederunt enim malum Motelli Naevio•• poetae; their own surmises were the three Bills of Accusation, and the splendor of his great 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or doing of good works, was the great probati∣on of all their calumnies. But if Envy be the Accuser, what can be the Defences of Innocence?

Saucior invidiae morsu, quaerenda medola est, Dic quibus in terris sentiet aeger opem?

Our B.S. knowing the unsatisfiable angers of Men, if their Money or Estates were medled with, refused to divide an Inhe∣ritance amongst Brethren: It was not to be imagined, that this great person (invested, as all his Brethren were, with the infirmi∣ties of Mortality, and yet imployed in dividing, and recovering, and apportioning of Lands) should be able to bear all that re∣proach which jealousie, and suspicion, and malicious envy, could invent against him. But 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, said Sophocles: And so did he, the affrightments brought to his great fame andre∣putation, made him to walk more warily, and do justly, and walk prudently, and conduct his affairs by the measures of the Laws as far as he understood, and indeed that was a very great way: But there was aperta Iustitia, clausa Manut, Justice was open, but his Hand was shut, and though every Slanderer could tell a Story, yet none could prove that ever he received a Bribe to blind his Eyes, to the value of a Pair of Gloves. It was his own expression, when he gave Glory to God who had preserved him Innocent. But be∣cause every mans Cause is right in his own Eyes, it was hard for him so to acquit himself, that in the Intrigues of Law, and Diffi∣cult

Cases, some of his enemies should not seem (when they were heard alone) to speak reason against. But see the greatness of Faith and Prudence, and how greatly God stood with him, when the numerous Armies of vexed people, Turba gravis paci placidae∣que inimica quieti, heaped up Catalogues of Accusations, when the Parliament of Ireland, imitating the violent Procedures of the then disordered English; when this glorious Patron was taken from his Head, and he was disrobed of his great defences; when the Peti∣tions were invited, and Accusations furnished, and Calumny was rewarded and managed with Art and Power, when there was above two hundred Petitions put in against him, and himself denied leave to answer by Word of Mouth; when he was long Impri∣soned and Treated, so that a guilty man would have broken into affrightment, and pittiful, and low considerations; yet then he standing almost alone, like Callimachus at Marathon, invested with Enemies, and covered with Arrows, defended himself beyond all the powers of Guiltiness, even with the defences of Truth, and the bravery of Innocence, and answered the Petitions in Writing sometimes twenty in a day, with so much Clearness, Evidence of Truth, Reallity of Fact, and Testimony of Law, that his very Enemies were ashamed and convinced; they found that they had done like Aesops Viper, they licked the File till their Tongues bled, but himself was wholly invulnerable. They were therefore for∣ced to leave their Muster-rolls, and decline their Particulars, and fall to their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to accuse him for going about to subvert the Fundamental Laws; the way by which great Strafford and Canter∣bury fell; which was a device, when all reasons failed, to oppress the Enemy by the bold Affirmation of a Conclusion they could not prove; they did like those Gladiatores, whom the Romans called Re••iaries, when they could not Stab their Enemies with their Dag∣gers, they threw Nets over him, and covered him with a general mischief. But the Martyr King Charles the First, of most Glori∣ous and Eternal Memory, seeing so great a Champion likely to be oppressed with numbers and despair, sent what rescue he could, his Royal Letter for his Bayl, which was hardly granted to him; and when it was, it was upon such hard terms, that his very delive∣ry was a persecution. So necessary it was for them, who intend∣ed to do mischief to the publick, to take away the strongest Pillars of the House. This thing I remark, to acquit this great man from the tongue of slander which had so boldly spoken, that it was cer∣tain some thing would stick, yet was impotent and unarmed, that it could not kill that great same which his greater worthiness had procured him. It was said of Hipp••sus the Pythagorean, that being asked how and what he had done; he answered, Nondum nihil, ne{que} enim mihi adhuc invidetur; I have done nothing yet, for no man envies me. He that doth great things, cannot avoid the tongues and teeth of envy: But if Calumnies must pass for Eviden∣ces, the bravest Hero's must always be the most reproached persons in the world.

Nascitur Aetolicus, pravam ingeniosus ad omne; Qui facere assuerat, patriae non degeneratis, Candida de nigris & de candentibus atra.

Every thing can have an ill name and an ill sense put upon it; but God, who takes care of Reputations, as he doth of lives, by the order of his providence confutes the slander, ut memoria ju∣storum sit in benedictionibus, that the Memory of the Righteous might be embalmed with honor: And so it hapned to this great man, for by a publick warranty, by the concurrent consent of both Houses of Parliament, the libellous Petitions against him, the false Records and publick Monuments of injurious shame were cancell'd, and he was restored in integrum, to that fame where his great labors and just procedures had first Estated him; which though it was but justice, yet it was also such honor, that it is greater than the virulence of tongues, his worthiness and their en∣vy had arm'd against him. But yet the great Scene of troubles was but newly open'd, I shall not refuse to speak yet more of his troubles, as remembring that St. Paul, when he discourses of the glory of the Saints departed, he tells more of their Sufferings, than of their Prosperities, as being that Laboratory and Crysable in which God makes his Servants Vessels of honor to his glory. The storm quickly grew high, & transitum a linguis ad gladios, and that was indeed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Iniquity had put on Arms, when it is armata nequitia, then a man is hard put to it. The Re∣bellion breaking out, the Bishop went to his Charge at Derry, and because he was within the defence of the Walls, the execrable Traytor Sir Phelim O Neal, laid a snare to bring him to a dishono∣rable death; for he wrote a Letter to the Bishop, pretended in∣telligence between them, desired that according to their former agreement, such a Gate might be delivered to him. The Messen∣ger was not advis'd to be Cautious, not at all instructed in the Art of Secrecy, for it was intended, that he should be search'd, inter∣cepted, and hanged for ought they car'd: but the Arrow was shot against the Bishop, that he might be accused for base conspiracy, and dye with shame and sad dishonor. But here God manifested his mighty care of his Servants, he was pleased to send into the heart of the Messenger such affrightment, that he directly ran away with the Letter, and never came near the Town to deliver it. This story was published by Sir Phelim himself, who added, that if he could have thus ensnared the Bishop, he had good assu∣rance the Town should have been his own: Sed bonitas Dei praeva∣litura est super omnem v••alitionem hominis. The goodness of God is greater than all the malice of men, and nothing so could prove how dear that Sacred Life was to God, as his rescue from the dan∣gers. Stantia non poterant tecta probare Deos: To have kept him in a warm house had been nothing, unless the Roof had fallen upon his Head; that rescue was a remark of Divine Favour and Provi∣dence. But it seems Sir Phelim's Treason against this worthy man

had a correspondent in Town, and it broke out speedily; for what they could not effect by a malicious stratagem, they did in part by open force; they turned the Bishop out of Town, and upon trif∣ling and unjust pretences, search'd his Carriages, and took what they pleased, till they were ashamed to take more: They did worse than Divorce him from his Church, for in all the Roman Divorces, they said, Tuas tibi res habeto, Take your Goods and be gone; but Plunder was Religion then. However, though the usage was sad, yet it was recompenced to him, by taking Sanctuary in Oxford, where he was graciously received by that most incompa∣rable and divine Prince; but having served the King in York-shire by his Pen, and by his Counsels, and by his Interests, returned back to Ireland; where under the excellent Conduct of his Grace the now Lord Lieutenant, he ran the risque and fortune of oppressed vertue. But God having still resolved to afflict us, the good man was forced into the fortune of the Patriarchs to leave his Country and his Charges, and seek for safety and bread in a strange Land, for so the Prophets were used to do, wandring up and down in Sheeps Cloathing, but poor as they were, the world was not wor∣thy of them; and this worthy Man, despising the shame, took up his Crosse, and followed his Master.

Exilium causa ipsa jubet sibi dulce videri, Et de siderium dulce levat patriae.

He was not ashamed to suffer where the Cause was honorable and glorious; but so God provided for the needs of his banished, and sent a man who could minister comfort to the afflicted, and courage to the persecuted, and resolutions to the tempted, and strength to that Religion for which they all suffered. And here indeed this great Man was Triumphant, this was one of the last and best Scenes of his life: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Last Days are the best Witnesses of Man. But so it was, that he stood in publick and brave defence for the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England: First, by his sufferings and great exam∣ple, for verbis tantum Philosophari, non est Doctoris sed Histrionis. To talk well and not to do bravely, is for a Comaedian, not a Divine. But this great man did both; he suffered his own Calamity with great Courage, and by his Wise Discourses strengthened the hearts of others. For there wanted not diligent Tempters in the Church of Rome, who (taking advantage of the afflictions of his Sacred Majesty, in which state men commonly suspect every thing, and like men in Sickness are willing to change from Side to Side, ho∣ping for ease and finding none) flew at the Royal Game, and ho∣ped to draw away the King from that Religion, which his most Royal Father, the best Man, and wisest Prince in the World, had Seal'd with the best Bloud in Christendom; and which Himself Suck'd in with his Education, and had Confirmed by Choice and Reason, and Confessed Publickly and Bravely, and hath since Re∣stored Prosperously. Millitiere was the man, witty and bold

enough, to attempt a zealous and a foolish Undertaking; and addressed himself with Ignoble, indeed but Witty Arts, to per∣swade the King to leave what was dearer to him than his Eyes. It is true, it was a Wave dashed against the Rock, and an Arrow shot against the Sun; it could not reach him, but the Bishop of Derry turned it also, and made it fall upon the Shooters head; for he made so Ingenious, so Learned, and so Acute Reply to that Book; he so discovered the Errors of the Roman Church, retorted the Arguments, stated the Questions, demonstrated the Truth, and shamed their Procedures, that nothing could be a greater Argu∣ment of the Bishops Learning, great Parts, deep Judgment, quick∣ness of Apprehension, and sincerity in the Catholick and Aposto∣lick Faith, or of the Follies and prevarications of the Church of Rome. He wrote no Apologies for himself, though it were much to be wished, that as Iunius wrote his own Life, or Moses his own Story, so we might have understood from himself, how great things God had done for him and by him; but all that, he permit∣ted to God, and was silent in his own defences. Gloriosus enim est injuriam tacendo fugere, quam respondendo superare. ut when the Ho∣nor and Conscience of his King, and the Interest of True Religion was at Stake, the Fire burned within him; and at last he spake with his Tongue, he cryed out like the Son of Craesus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Take heed, and meddle not with the King; his Person is too sacred, and Religion too dear to him, to be assaulted by vulgar h••••ds. In short, he acquitted himself in this affair with so much Truth and Piety, Learning and Judgment, that in these Papers, his memory will last unto very late succeeding Generations. But this Reve∣rend Prelate found a Nobler Adversary, and a Braver Scene for his Contention; he found that the Roman Priests, being wearied and baffled by the wise Discourses, and pungent Arguments of the English Divines, had studiously declined to Dispute any more the particular Questions against us, but fell at last upon a General Charge, imputing to the Church of England the great Crime of Schism; and by this they thought they might with most proba∣bility deceive unwary and unskillful Readers; for they saw the Schism, and they saw that we had left them, and because they con∣sidered not the Causes, they resolved to out-face us in the Charge. But now it was that dignum nactus Argumentum, having an Argu∣ment fit to imploy his great abilities,

Consecrat hic praeful calamum calamique labores, Ante aras Domino laeta trophaea suo.

The Bishop now dedicates his labours to the service of God, and and of his Church, undertook the Question, and in a full Discourse proves the Church of Rome, not only to be guilty of the Schism, by making it necessary to depart from them, but they did actuate the Schisms, and themselves made the first separation in the great point of the Popes Supremacy, which was the Palladium, for which they principally contended. He made it appear, that the Popes

of Rome were Usurpers of the Rights of Kings and Bishops, that they brought in new Doctrines in every Age, that they imposed their own devices upon all Christendom as Articles of Faith, that they prevaricated the Doctrine of the Apostles, that the Church of England returned to her Primitive Purity, that She joyned with Christ and his Apostles, that She agreed in all the sentiments of the Primitive Church. He stated the Questions so Wisely, and conducted them so Prudently, and handled them so Learnedly, that I may truly say, they were never more materially confuted by any man since the Questions so unhappily have disturb∣ed Christendom. Verum hoc eos male ussit: And they finding them∣selves smitten under the fifth Rib, set up an old Champion of their own, a Goliah to fight against the Armies of Israel: The old bishop of Chalcedon, known to many of us, replied to this excellent Book, but was so answered by a Rejoynder made by the Lord Bi∣shop of Derry, in which he so pressed the former Arguments, refu∣ted the Cavils, brought in so many impregnable Authorities and Probations, and added so many moments and weights to his dis∣course; the pleasure of the Reading of the Book would be great∣est, if the profit to the Church of God were not greater.

Flumina tum lactis, tum flumina nectaris ibant, Flavaque de viridi stillabant ilice mell••.

For so Sampsons Riddle was again expounded; Out of the Strong came Meat, and out of the Eater came Sweetness. His Arguments were strong, and the Eloquence was sweet and delectable; and though there start up another Combatant against him, yet he had only the honor to fall by the hands of Hector. Still haeret lateri le∣thalis arundo; the Headed Arrow went in so far, that it could not be drawen out, but the Barbed Steel stuck behind. And when ever men will desire to be satisfied in those great Questions, the Bishop of Derry's Book shall be his Oracle. I will not insist upon his excellent Writings, but it is known every where with what Piety and Acumen he wrote against the Manichean Doctrine of Fa∣tal Necessity, which a late witty Man had pretended to adorn with a new Vizor; but this excellent person washed off the Cerusse, and the Meretricious Paintings, rarely well asserted the Aeconomy of the Divine Providence, and having once more triumphed over his Adversary, Plenus victoriarum & trophaeorum, betook himself to the more agreeable attendance upon the Sacred Offices, and usu∣ally and wisely discoursed of the Sacred Rite of Confirmation, Imposed Hands upon the most Illustrious, the Dukes of York and Slocester, and the Princess Royal, and Ministred to them the pro∣mise of the Holy Spirit, Ministerially established them in the Re∣ligion and Service of the Holy Jesus. And one thing more I shall remark, that at his leaving those parts, upon the Kings Return, some of the Remonstrant Ministers of the Low-Countries coming to take their leave of this great Man, and desiring that by his means the Church of England would be kind to them, he had rea∣son

to grant it, because they were learned men, and in many things of a most excellent belief; yet he reproved them and gave them Caution against it, that they approached too near and gave too much countenance to the great and dangerous errors of the Socinians. He thus having served God and the King abroad, God was pleased to return to the King, and to us all, as in the days of old, we sung the song of David, In convertendo captivitatem 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when King David and all his servants returned to Ierusalem.

This great person having trod in the Wine-press, was called to drink, and as an honorary Reward of his great services and abilities, was chosen Primate of this National Church, in which we are to look upon him, as the King and the Kings great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gerent did, as a person concerning whose abilities the world had too great Testimony ever to make a doubt. It is true, he w•••• in the declension of his age and health; but his very rui•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 goodly; and they who saw the broken heaps of Pompey's The•••••• and the crushed Obelisks, and the old face of beauteous Phi∣laenium, could not but admire the disordered glories of such mag∣nificent Structures, which were venerable in their very dust. He ever was used to overcome all difficulties, only mortality was too hard for him; but still his Vertues and his Spirit was im∣mortal; he took great care, and still had new and noble de∣signs, and propsed to himself admirable things. He governed his Province with great justice and sincerity;

Vnus amplo consulens pastor gregi, Somnos tuetur omnium solus, Vigil.

And had this Remark in all his Government, that as he was a great hater of Sacriledge, so he professed himself a publick enemy to non-residence, and would declare wisely and religiously against it, allowing it no case, but of necessity, or the greater good of the Church. There are great things spoken of his Predecessor St. Pa∣trick, that he founded 700. Churches and Religious Convents, that he ordained 5000. Priests, and with his own hands Conse∣crated 350. Bishops. How true this story is, I know not; but we are all witnesses that the late Primate did by an extraordinary contingency of Providence, in one day Consecrate two Arch-bi∣shops, and ten Bishops, and benefit to almost all the Churches in Ireland, and was greatly instrumental to the Re-endowments of the whole Clergy; and in the greatest abilities and incomparable industry, was inferior to none of his most glorious Antecessors. Since the Canonization of Saints came into the Church, we finde no Irish Bishop Canonized, except St. Laurence of Dublin, and St. Milachias of Down; indeed Richard of Armagh's Canonization was propounded, but not effected; but the Character which was gi∣ven of that Learned Primate by Trithemius, does exactly fit this our late Father; Vir in Divinis Scripturis eruditus, sccularis philoso∣phiae juris{que} Canonici non ignarus, Clarus ingenio, Sermone Scholasti∣cus, in declamandis Sermonibus ad populum excellentis industriae: He

was learned in the Scriptures, skilled in secular Philosophy, and not unknowing in the Civil and Canon Laws; he was of an excellent Spirit, a Scholar in his discourses, an early and industri∣ous Preacher to the people. And, as if there were a more particu∣lar sympathy between their souls, our Primate had so great a Ve∣neration to his Memory, that he purposed, if he had lived, to have restored his Monument in Dundalke, which Time, or Impiety, or Unthankfulness, had either omitted or destroyed. So great a lo∣ver he was of all true inherent worth, that he loved it in the very memory of the dead, and to have such great examples to intuiti∣on and imitation of Posterity. At his coming to the Primacy, he knew he should at first espy little, besides the Ruines of Discipline, a Harvest of Thorns and Heresies, prevailing in the hearts of the people, the Churches possessed by Wolves and Intruders, mens hearts greatly estranged from true Religion; and therefore he set himself to weed the Field of the Church, he treated the Adversa∣ries sometimes sweetly, sometimes he confuted them learnedly, sometimes he rebuked them sharply. He visited his Charges di∣ligently, and in his own person, not by Proxies and instrumental Deputations: Quaerens non nostra, sed nos & quae sunt Iesu Christi; He designed nothing that we knew of, but the Redintegration of Religion, the Honor of God, the King, the restoring of collapsed Discipline, and the Renovation of Faith, and the service of God in the Churches. And still he was indefatigable, and, even as the last Scene of his life, intended to take a Regal Visitation. Quid enim vultis me otiosum a Domino comprehendi? said one; he was not willing that God should take him unimployed: But good man, he felt his Tabernacle ready to fall in pieces, and could go no fur∣ther, for God would have no more work done by that hand; he therefore espying this, put his House in order, and had lately vi∣sited his Diocesse, and done what he then could to put his Charge in order; for he had a good while since received the sentence of death within himself, and knew he was shortly to render an ac∣count of his Stewardship; he therefore upon a brisk Alarm of death, which God sent him thea 1.2 last Ianuary. made his Will; in which, besides the prudence and presence of Spirit, manifested in making a just and wise settlement of his Estate, and Provisions for his Descendants, at midnight, and in the trouble of his sick∣ness and circumstances of addressing death, still kept a special sen∣timent, and made confession of Gods admirable mercies, and gave thanks that God had permitted him to live to see the blessed Re∣stauration of his Majesty, and the Church of England, confessed his faith to be the same as ever, gave praises to God that he was born and bred up in this Religion, and pray'd God, and hoped he should die in the Communion of this Church, which he declared to be the most pure and Apostolical Church in the world. He prayed to God to pardon his frailties and infirmities, relied upon the mercies of God, and the Merits of Jesus Christ, and with a singular sweetness resigned up his soul into the hands of his Redeemer. But God, who is the great Choragas and Master of the Scenes of

Life and Death, was not pleased then to draw the Curtains; there was an Epilogue to his life, yet to be acted and spoken. He re¦turned to actions and life, and went on in methods of the same procedures as before; was desirous still to establish the Affairs of the Church, complained of some disorders which he purposed to redress, girt himself to the work; but though his spirit was wil¦ling, yet his flesh was weak; and as the Apostles in the Vespers of Christs Passion, so he in the Eve of his own dissolution, was heavy not to sleep, but heavy unto death, and looked for the last warn¦ning, which seized on him in the middest of his business; and though it was sudden, yet it could not be unexpected, or unpro¦vided by surprize, and therefore could be no more than 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which Augustus used to wish unto himself, a civil and well-natured death, without the amazement of troublesome circumstances, or the great cracks of a falling house, or the convulsions of impatience. Seneca tells us, that Bassus Anfidius was wont to say, Sperare se nullum lorem esse in illo extremo anhelita, si tamen esset, habere aliquantums in ipsa brevitate solatii. He hoped that the pain of the vast dissolu∣tion were little or none; or if they were, it was full of comfort, that they could be short. It happened so to this Excellent Man, his passive fortune had been abundantly tryed before, and there∣fore there was the less need of it now; his active Graces had been abundantly demonstrated by the great and good things he did, and therefore his last Scene was not so laborious; but God called him away something after the manner of Moses, which the Iews express by Osculum Oris Dei, The Kiss of Gods Month; that is, as death in¦deed fore-signified but gentle and serene, and without temptation.

To sum up all, he was a Wise Prelate, a Learned Doctor, a Just Man, a True Friend, a great Benefactor to others, a thankful Be∣neficiary where he was obliged himself: He was a faithful Servant to his Masters, a Loyal Subject to the King, a zealous Assertor of his Religion, against Popery on the one side, and Fanaticism on the other. The practice of his Religion was not so much in Forms and exterior Ministries, though he was a great observer of all the publick Rites and Ministries of the Church, as it was doing good for others. He was like Myson, whom the Scythian Anacharsis so greatly praised, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he governed his Family well he gave to all their due of maintenance, and duely, he did great be∣nefit to Mankind; he had the fate of the Apostle St. Paul, he passed through evil report and good report, as a deceiver and yet true. He was a man of great business, and great resort: Semper aliquis Cydonis domo, as the Corinthian said, there was always some-body in Cydons house. He was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he divided his Life into labour, and his Book; he took care of Churches when he was a∣live, and even after his death, having left five hundred pounds, for the repair of his Cathedral of Armagh, and St. Peters Church in Drogheda. He was an excellent Scholar, and rarely well accom∣plished; first instructed to great excellency by natural parts, and then consummated by Study and Experience. Melancthon was used to say, that himself was a Logician, Pomeranus a Grammarian,

Iustus Ionas an Orator, but that Luther was all these. It was great∣ly true of him, that the single perfections, which make many men eminent, were united in this Primate, and made him Illustrious.

At, at, Quintilium perpetuus sopa Vrget, Cui pudor & justitiae sorer Incorrupta fides, nudaque veritas, Quando ullum invenient parem!

It will be hard to finde his equal in all things: Fort asse tanquam Phaenix anno quingente simo nascitur (that I may use the words of Se∣neca) nec est mirum ex intervallo magna generari mediocria, & in tur∣bam nascentia saepe fortuna producit, eximia vero varitate commendat. For in him was visible the great lines of Hookers Judiciousness, of Iewells Learning, of the Acuteness of Bishop Andrews. He was in more great things than one; and as one said of Phidias he could not only make excellent Statues of Ivory, but he could work in Stone and Brass. He shewed his Equanimity in Poverty, and his Justice in Riches; he was useful in his Country, and profitable in his Banishment. For as Paraeus was at Anvilla, Luther at Wittenburg, St. Athanasius and St. Chrysostome in their Banishment, St. Ierome in his Retirement at Bethlehem, they were Oracles to them that need∣ed it; so was he in Holland and France, where he was abroad; and besides the particular endearments which his friends received from him, he did do Relief to his Brethren that wanted, and supplied the Souldiers out of his Store in York-shire, when himself could but ill spare it; but he received publick thanks from the Convo∣cation, of which he was President; and publick Justification from the Parliament, where he was Speaker: So that although, as one said, Miracul•• instar vitae iter, si longum, sine off ensione percurrere; yet no man had greater enemies, and no man had greater justifica∣tions.

Johannes B••amhall S. Th. Dr. Ecclesiae Anglicanae filius observantissimus, Hybernicae Primas & Pater dignissimus utrinsque vindex acerrimus, Martii 12^mo. 1662/3. Caetera narrabunt posteri Historia enim An. Britanniae & Hiberniae (cujus pars quanta est vir bonus 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Amplissimo praesuli in Epitaphium cedet ut & Ecclesia restaurata in Monumentum. Erat nempe ille ex beatorum Plinianorum numero, quibus deorum munere datum est, aut facere feri∣benda, aut seribere legendae.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tract. 25. in Sl. Matth.
• a 1.2

  1662.