Smectymnuus redivivus Being an answer to a book, entituled, An humble remonstrance. In which, the original of liturgy episcopacy is discussed, and quæries propounded concerning both. The parity of bishops and presbyters in scripture demonstrated. The occasion of the imparity in antiquity discovered. The disparity of the ancient and our moderne bishops manifested. The antiquity of ruling elders in the church vindicated. The prelaticall church bounded.

A POSCRIPT.

THough we might have added much light and beauty to our Discourse, by inserting variety of Histories upon several occasi∣ons given us in the Remonstrance, the answer whereof we have un∣dertaken; especially where it speaks of the bounty and gracious Mu∣nificence of Religious Princes toward the Bishops, yet unwilling to break the threed of our discourse, and its connexion with the Re∣monstrance by so large a digression, as the whole series of Historie producible to our purpose, would extend unto: We have chosen rather to subjoyn by way of Appendix, an historical Narration of those bitter fruits, Pride, Rebellion, Treason, Unthankfulness, &c. which have issued from Episcopacy, while it hath stood under the conti∣nued influences of Sovereigne goodness. Which Narration would fill a Volume, but we will bound our selves unto the Stories of this Kingdom, and that revolution of time which hath passed over us since the erection of the See of Canterbury. And because in most things the beginning is observed to be a presage of that which fol∣lows, let their Founder Austin the Monk come first to be consider∣ed. Whom we may justly account to have been such to the En∣glish, as the Arrian Bishops were of old to the Goths, and the Je∣suits now among the Indians,* 1.1 who of Pagans have made but Arri∣ans and Papists. His ignorance in the Gospel which he preached is seen in his idle & Judaical consultations with the Pope, about things clean and unclean; his proud demeanour toward the British Clergy, appears in his Council called about no solid point of faith, but ce∣lebration of Easter, where having troubled and threatened the Churches of Wales, and afterwards of Scotland, about Romish Ce∣remonies, he is said in fine to have been the stirrer up of Ethelbers, by means of the Northumbrian King, to the slaughter of twelve

hundred of those poor laborious Monks of Bangor. His Successors busied in nothing but urging and instituting Ceremonies, and main∣taining Precedency we pass over.

* 1.2Till Dunst••n, the Sa••nted Prelate, who of a frantick Necro∣maacer, and suspected fornicatour, was shorn a Monk, and after∣wards made a Bishop. His worthy deeds are noted by Speed, to have been the cheating King Eldred of the treasure committed to his keeping; the prohibiting of marriage, to the increasing of all filthiness in the Clergy o•• those times; as the long Oration of King Edgar in Stow well testifies.

* 1.3In Edward the Confessors dayes, Robert the Norman no sooner Archbishop of Canterbury, but setting the King and Earl Godwine at variance for private revenge, broach't a Civil War, till the Arch∣bishop was banisht.* 1.4

* 1.5Now William the Conquerour had set up Lankefrank Bishop of Canterbury, who to requite him, spent his faithful service to the Pope Gregory, in perswading the King to subject himself and his State to the Papacy,* 1.6 as himself writes to the Pope, Suasi, sed non persuasi.

* 1.7The treason of Anselm to Rufus was notorious, who not con∣tent to withstand the King, obstinately in money-matters, made suit to fetch his Pall or Investiture of Archiepiscopacy from Rome, which the King denying as flat against his Regal Sovereignty, he went without his leave, and for his Romish good service received great honour from the Pope, by being seated at his right foot in a Synod, with these words, Includamus hunc in orbe nostro tanquam alterius orbis Papam. Whence perhaps it is that the See of Canter∣bury hath affected a Patriarchy in our dayes. This Anselm also condemned the married Clergy.

* 1.8Henry the First reigning, the same Anselm deprived those Pre∣lates that had been Invested by the King, and all the Kingdom is vext with one Prelate, who the second time betakes himself to his old fortress at Rome, till the King was fain to yield. Which done, and the Archbishop returned, spends the rest of his dayes in a long contention and unchristian jangling with York about Primacie.* 1.9 Which ended not so, but grew hot between York and London, as Dean to Canterbury, striving for the upper seat at Dinner, till the King seeing their odious pride, put them both out of doors.

* 1.10To speak of Ralph and Thurstan, the next Archbishops, pur∣suing the same quarrel, were tedious, as it was no small molestation to the King and Kingdom, Thurstan refusing to stand to the Kings doom, and wins the day, or else the King must be accurs'd by the

Pope;* 1.11 which further animates him to try the mastery with Wil∣liam next Archbishop of Canterbury, and no man can end it but their Father the Pope, for which they travel to Rome. In the mean vvhile, marriage is sharply decreed against, Speed 448. and the Legate Cremonensis, the Declamour against Matrimony taken with a Strumpet the same night.

In King Stephens Reign,* 1.12 the haughty Bishops of Canterbury and Winchester bandy about Precedency; and to Rome to end the Duel. Theobald goes to Rome against the Kings will; interdicts the Realm, and the King forc't to suffer it;* 1.13 till refusing to Crown Eu∣stace, the Kings Son, because the Pope had so commanded, he flies again.

Becket's pride and out-ragious treasons are too manifest;* 1.14 re∣signing the Kings gift of his Archbishoprick to receive it of the Pope; requiring the Custody of Rochester-castle, and the Tower of London, as belonging to his Seignorie. Protects murthering Priests from Temporal Sword; standing stifly for the Liberties and Dignities of Clerks, but little to chastise their vices,* 1.15 vvhich besides other erying sins, vvere above a hundred murthers since Henry the Seconds crowning, till that time: to maintain vvhich, * 1.16 most of the Bishops conspire, till the terrour of the King made them shrink; but Becket obdures, denies that the King of Englands Courts have authority to judge him▪ And thus was this noble King disquieted by an insolent Traitour, in habit of a Bishop, a great part of his Reigne; the Land in uproar;* 1.17 many Excom∣municate, and accursed; France and England set to War,* 1.18 and the King himself curbed, and controlled; and lastly, disci∣plin'd by the Bishops and Monks: first, vvith a bare-foot pe∣nance, that drevv blood from his feet, and lastly, with fourscore lashes on his anointed body vvith Rods.

In the same Kings time it vvas that the Archbishop of York striving to sit above Canterbury, squats him down on his lap, vvhence vvith many a cuff he vvas throvvn dovvn.

Next the pride of W. Longchamp, Bishop of Elie,* 1.19 was notori∣ous, vvho vvould ride vvith a thousand horse; and of a Govern∣our in the Kings absence, became a Tyrant; for vvhich flying in Womans apparel he vvas taken.

To this succeeds contention betvveen Canterbury and York, a∣bout carriage of their Crosses, and Rome appeal'd to: the Bishop of Durham buyes an Earldom.

No sooner another King,* 1.20 but Hubert another Archbishop to

vex him, and lest that were not enough, made Chancellour of England. And besides him, Ieffery of York, who refusing to pay a Subsidy within his Precincts, and therefore all his temporalities seaz'd; excommunicates the Sheriff, beats the Kings Officers, and interdicts his whole Province.* 1.21 Hubert outbraves the King in Christ∣mass hous-keeping: hinders King Iohn by his Legantine power from recovering Normandy After him Stephen Langton, set up by the Pope in spite of the King, who opposing such an affront, falls under an interdict, with his whole Land; and at the suit of his Archbishop to the Pope,* 1.22 is depos'd by Papal Sentence; his Kingdom given to Phi∣lip the French King, Langtons friend; and lastly, resignes and en∣feuds his Crown to the Pope.

After this tragical Stephen, the fray which Boniface the next Arch∣bishop but one had with the Canons of Saint Bartholmews,* 1.23 is as pleasant; the tearing of Hoods and Cowles, the miring of Copes, the flying about of Wax Candles, and Censors in the scuffle, can∣not be imagined without mirth; as his oathswere loud in this bicker∣ing, so his curses were as vehement in the contention with the Bi∣shop of Winchester for a slight occasion.* 1.24 But now the Bishops had turned their contesting into base and servile flatteries, to advance themselves on the ruine of the subjects. For Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester persvvading the King to displace English Officers, and substitute Poictivines, and telling the Lords to their faces, that there vvere no Peeres in England,* 1.25 as in France, but that the King might do what he would, and by whom he would, became a firebrand to the civill wars that followed.

* 1.26In this time Peckam Archbishop of Can. in a Synod was tamper∣ing vvith the Kings liberties,* 1.27 but being threatened desisted. But his successor Winchelsey on occasion of Subsidies demanded of the Clergie,* 1.28 made ansvver, That having tvvo Lords, one Spirituall, the other Temporall, he ought rather to obey the Spirituall governour the Pope,* 1.29 but that he vvould send to the Pope to knovv his plea∣sure, and so persisted even to beggerie. The Bishop of Durham al∣so cited by the King flies to Rome.

In the deposing of this King vvho more forvvard, then the Bi∣shop of Hereford?* 1.30 vvitnesse his Sermon at Oxford, My head, my head aketh,* 1.31 concluding that an aking and sick head of a King vvas to be taken off vvithout further Physick.

* 1.32Iohn the Archbishop of Canterbury, suspected to hinder the Kings glorious victories in Flanders,* 1.33 and France, by stopping the convey∣ance of monies committed to his charge, conspiring therein vvith vvish ••he Pope. But not long after vvas constituted that fatall

praemunire, vvhich vvas the first nipping of their courage,* 1.34 to seek aide at Rome. And next to that, the wide wounds that Wickleffe made in their sides. From which time they have been falling, and thence∣forth all the smoak that they could vomit, was turned against the rising light of pure doctrine.

Yet could not their Pride misse occasion to set other mischief on foot.* 1.35 For the Citizens of London rising to apprehend a riotous fer∣vant of the Bishop of Salisbury then Lord Treasurer, who with his fellowes stood on his guard in the Bishops house, were by the Bi∣shop who maintained the riot of his servant, so complained of,* 1.36 that the King therewith seized on their liberties, and set a Governour over the Citie. And who knowes not, that Thomas Arundell Arch∣bishop of Canterbury was a chief instrument and agent in deposing King Richard, as his actions and Sermon well declares.* 1.37

The like intended the Abbot of Westminster to Henry the fourth,* 1.38 who for no other reason, but because he suspected that the King did not favour the wealth of the Church, drew into a most horrible conspiracie the Earles of Kent, Rutland, and Salisbury, to kill the King in a turnament at Oxford, who yet notwithstanding was a man that professed to leave the Church in better state then he found it. For all this,* 1.39* 1.40 soone after is Richard Scroop Archbishop of York in the field against him,* 1.41 the chiefe attractor of the rebellious party.

In these times Thomas Arundell a great persecutor of the Gospel preached▪ by Wikclefs followers,* 1.42 dies a fearfull death, his tongue so swelling vvithin his mouth, that he must of necessity starve. His suc∣cessor Chickeley nothing milder diverts the King, that vvas looking too neerly into the superfluous revenues of the Church, to a bloo∣dy warre.* 1.43

All the famous conquests vvhich Henry the fifth had made in France, vvere lost by a civil dissension in England,* 1.44 vvhich sprung first from the haughty pride of Beaufort Bishop and Cardinall of Winchester, and the Archbishop of York against the Protector,* 1.45 Speed 674.* 1.46 In the civill warres the Archbishop sides with the Earle of Warwick, and March in Kent, Speed 682.

Edward the Fourth, Mountacute Archbishop of York,* 1.47 one of the chiefe conspirators with Warwick against Edward the fourth,* 1.48 and af∣terwards his Jaylor, being by Warwicks treason committed to this Bishop.

In Edward the Fifths time, the Archbishop of York was,* 1.49 though perhaps unwittingly (yet by a certain fate of Prelacie) the unhap∣py instrument of pulling the young Duke of York out of Sanctu∣ary, into his cruel Uncles hands.

Things being setled in such a peace, as after the bloody brawls was to the afflicted Realm howsoever acceptable,* 1.50 though not such as might be wished: Morton Bishop of Ely, enticing the Duke of Buckingham to take the Crown, which ruin'd him, opened the veins of the poor subjects to bleed afresh.

The intolerable pride, extortion, bribery, luxury of Wolsey Archbishop of York who can be ignorant of?* 1.51 selling Dispensati∣tions by his power Legantine for all offences,* 1.52 insulting over the Dukes and Peers, of whom some he brought to destruction by bloody policie, playing with State-affairs according to his humour, or benefit: causing Tournay, got with the blood of many a good Souldier, to be rendred at the French Kings secret request to him, not without bribes; with whom one while siding, another while with the Emperour, he sold the honour and peace of England, at what rates he pleased; and other crimes to be seen in the Articles against him, Holinshed. 912. and against all the Bishops in general, 911, which when the Parliament sought to remedie, being most exc••ssive extortion in the Ecclesiastical Courts, the Bishops cry out; Sacriledge, the Church goes to ruine, as it did in Bohemia, with the Schisme of the Hussites, Ibid. After this, though the Bi∣shops ceased to be Papists;* 1.53 for they preached against the Popes Su∣premacie, to please the King, yet they ceased not to oppugne the Gospel, causing Tindals Translation to be burnt, yea, they agreed to the suppressing of Monasteries, leaving their revenues to the King, to make vvay for the six bloudy Articles,* 1.54 which proceedings with all cruelty of inquisition are set down, Holinsh. pag. 946. till they were repealed the second of Edward the Sixth, stopping in the mean while the cause of Reformation well begun by the Lord Cromwel. And this mischief was wrought by Steven Gardiner,* 1.55 Bishop of Win∣chester. The six Articles are set down in Speed, pag. 792.

* 1.56The Archbishop of Saint Andrews, his hindring of England, and Scotlands Union, for fear of Reformation, Speed 794.

As for the dayes of King Edward the Sixth, we cannot but ac∣knowledge to the glory of the rich mercy of God,* 1.57 that there was a great Reformation of Religion made even to admiration. And yet notwithstanding we do much dislike the humour of those, that cry up those dayes as a compleat pattern of Reformation, and that endevour to reduce our Religion to the first times of King Edward, which we conceive were comparatively very imperfect, there being foure impediments which did much hinder that blessed work.

The three Rebellions. One in Henry the Eighths time, by the [ 1] Priests of Lincoln and Yorkeshire, for that Reformation which

Cromwel had made. The other two in King Edwards dayes. One in Cornwal, the other in York••shire.

The strife that arose suddenly amongst the Peers, emulating one [ 2] anothers honour, Speed, pag. 837.

The violent opposition of the Popish Bishops, which made Martin Bucer write to King Edward in his Book de Regno Christi, lib. 2 cap. 1. and say, Your Majesty doth see, that this restoring a∣gain the Kingdom of Christ, which we require, yea, which the sal∣vation of us all requireth, may in no wise be expected to come from the Bishops, seeing there be so few among them which do understand the power and proper Offices of this Kingdom; and ve∣ry many of them by all means (which possibly they can and dare) either oppose themselves against it, or defer and hinder.

The deficiency of zeal and courage even in those Bishops who [ 4] afterwards proved Martyrs, witness the sharp contention of Ridley against Hooper for the ceremonies. And the importunate suit of Cranmer and Ridley for toleration of the Mass for the Kings sister, which was rejected by the Kings not only reasons, but tears; where∣by the young King shewed more zeal then his best Bishops, 839.

The inhumane butcheries, blood-sheddings, and cruelties of Gardiner, Bonner, and the rest of the Bishops in Queen Maries dayes, are so fresh in every mans memory, as that we conceive it a thing altogether unnecessary to make mention of them. On••ly we fear lest the guilt of the blood then shed, should yet remain to be required at the hands of this Nation, because it hath not publickly endeavoured to appease the wrath of God by a general and solemn humiliation for it.

What the pract••ces of the Prelates have been ever since, from the begininning of Queene Elizabeth to this present day, would fill a volume (like Ezekiels Roll) with lamentation, mourning, and wo to record. For it hath been their great designe to hinder all further Reformation; to bring in doctrines of Popery, Arminianisme, and Libertinisme, to maintain, propagate and much encrease the burden of h••mane ceremonies: to keep out, and beat down the Preaching of the Word, to silence the faithfull Preachers of it, to oppose and persecute the most zealous professours, and to turn all Relig••on in∣to a pompous out-side; and to tread down the power of godliness. Insomuch as it is come to an ordinary Proverb, tha•• when any thing is spoiled, we use to say, The Bishop's foot hath been in it. And in this (and much more which might be said) fulfilling Bishop 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Prophecie, who when he saw that in King Edwards reformati∣on, there was a reservation of Ceremonies and Hierarchy, is credi∣bly reported to have used these words: Since they have begun to taste of our Broath, it will not be long ere they will eat of our Beef.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Beda. Holins••. Speed.
• * 1.2

  Helinsh. out of Capgrave-Osborn, Hig••en.
• * 1.3

  Edw Cons.
• * 1.4

  Holsh. 191.
• * 1.5

  Will. Conq.
• * 1.6

  Speed p. 442.
• * 1.7

  Will. Ruf.
• * 1.8

  Hen. 1.
• * 1.9

  Holshim. 37.
• * 1.10

  Holinsh. 38.
• * 1.11

  Holinsh. 42, 43.
• * 1.12

  K. Stephen.
• * 1.13

  Holinsh. 57, 58, 59.
• * 1.14

  Henry 3.
• * 1.15

  Speed 462. out of Nu∣brigens.
• * 1.16

  Yet this mans life is lately Printed in Eng¦lish, as a thing to be imitated.
• * 1.17

  Holinsh. 70.
• * 1.18

  Speed 469.
• * 1.19

  Holinsh 98. Richard 1. Page 129, 130, 132.
• * 1.20

  144. King Iohn.
• * 1.21

  Speed 503.
• * 1.22

  Speed 509.
• * 1.23

  Hen. 3. Stow 188.
• * 1.24

  Hol. 247.
• * 1.25

  Speed 529.530.
• * 1.26

  Edward 1.
• * 1.27

  Holsh 280.
• * 1.28

  Holsh. 301,
• * 1.29

  Holsh. 315,
• * 1.30

  Edward 2.
• * 1.31

  Speed 574.
• * 1.32

  Edward 3.
• * 1.33

  Speed 586.
• * 1.34

  Holsh. 409
• * 1.35

  Richardpunc;
• * 1.36

  Holsh, 478.
• * 1.37

  Page 506.
• * 1.38

  Henry 4.
• * 1.39

  Page 514.
• * 1.40

  Speed 631.
• * 1.41

  Holsh. 529.
• * 1.42

  Henry 5.
• * 1.43

  Speed 638.
• * 1.44

  Henry 6.
• * 1.45

  Holsh. 596.
• * 1.46

  Page 620.
• * 1.47

  Edward 4.
• * 1.48

  Speed ••99.
• * 1.49

  Edward 5.
• * 1.50

  Richard 3.
• * 1.51

  Henry 8.
• * 1.52

  Hol. 845.462.
• * 1.53

  Speed 784.
• * 1.54

  Hol. 992,
• * 1.55

  Speed 792. Speed.
• * 1.56

  Statut. Hen. 8. Anno 35. cap. 5.
• * 1.57

  Edward 6.