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Observations on the Life of Arch-Bi∣shop Bancroft.
DOctor Richard Bancroft, (whom his Adver∣saries character a better States-man than Divine, a better Divine than Preacher, though upon good occasion he shewed he was all these) was bred in Iesus Colledge in Cambridge, where his parts in discovering the bottom of Presbytery, and his sufficiency when his Patron Hatton's Exa∣miner commended him to Queen Eliz. to be Bi∣shop of London, and to King Iames to be Arch-Bi∣shop of Canterbury. Indeed he was in effect Arch-Bishop while Bishop, to whom Doctor Whitgift in his decrepit age remitted the managing of matters, so that he was the soul of the High-Commission. A great States-man he was, and grand Champion of Church-discipline; having well hardned the hands of his Soul, which was no more than needed for him, who was to meddle with Nettles and Bryars, and met with much opposition.
No wonder if those who were silenced by him in the Church, were loud against him in other pla∣ces.* 1.1 David speaketh of poyson under mens lips; This Bishop tasted plentifully thereof from the mouths of his Enemies, till at last (as Mithridates) he was so habited to poisons, that they became food unto him. Once a Gentleman coming to visit him, presented him a Libel, which he found pasted on his door; who being nothing moved thereat, said, Cast it to an hundred more which lye here on a