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WHEN most of the Council had combined together, in the Month of October, against the Protector of the King's Per∣son, the Duke of Somerset, and had withdrawn themselves to Ely-House, the King then being at Hampton-Court, and suddenly conveyed by the said Duke to Windsor, upon the fear of Tumult, then I find
the Arch-bishop and but two Privy-Counsellors more with the King and the Protector there. Being here, the good Arch-bishop, though he would not forsake his Friend the Duke, nor the King his Master; yet he did what lay in him to appease and pacify these Heats. And so he with the Lord Paget and Secretary Smith, in their own and the King's Name, wrote an earnest Letter to the Separating Counsellors, and sent it by Sir Philip Hoby. Wherein, as appears by their Answer,
They were charged by the Arch-bishop with creating much Care and Sorrow to the King, and that he thought they had not that Care that beseemed them, of pacifying the present Uproars, and for the preservation of the State from Danger: That they forgat the Benefits they had received from the King's Father, nor were mindful of their Duty of Allegiance: That their Doings bespake Wilfulness; and that the Protector meant nothing but the Safety and Protection of the King, in what he had done; and that he had that consideration of his Duty to God, that the Promise and Oath he made, required.They were advised to do as they would be done unto. And mention was made of Cruelty more than once, charging them obliquely therewith. And in fine he wrote, that He, and those with him, knew more than they did, to whom they writ. Probably he meant, that he knew that this Anger against the Duke arose from the private Malice of some of them, or their Hatred of the Reformation, notwithstanding all the fair Pretences of their Care of the King, and the Protector's Misgovernment.
This Letter the Lords from Ely-house, answered, Charging and commanding the Arch-bishop, and those with him, to have a con∣tinual earnest watch of the King's Person, and that he be not re∣moved from Windsor-Castle, as they would answer the same at their utmost Perils. They wondred much, they said, that they would suffer the King's Royal Person to remain in the Guard of the Duke's Men, and that Strangers should be Armed with the King's Armour, and be nearest about his Person. For, it seems, many of the King's Servants, in this Fear, were removed away. They advised the Arch-bishop, and the Lord Paget, to come over to their Side, and to leave the poor Duke alone. Upon this the Arch-bishop and the others wrote a second Letter, dated October the 10th. Wherein they assured the Lords, that they could, whensoever they pleased to re∣quire it, give such very good Reasons for their so often mentioning Cruelty in their other Letter, as they questioned not, they would be well satisfied with. And so upon the Lord's propounding a Meeting with the King and them, they accorded thereunto, in great prudence willing, for Peace and Quietness, in that dangerous Time, so to do. These Letters are recorded in the History of the Reformation.
The Common-Prayer-Book, and Administration of the Sacra∣ments, by the great care and study of the Arch-bishop, was now finished, and settled by Act of Parliament: which would not down with a great many. But upon the taking up of the Duke of Somer∣set in the Month of October, and laying him in the Tower, it was ge∣nerally said, that now the old Latin-Service should come in again, the common Opinion being, that the Common-Prayer was peculi∣arly
of his procuring. And that there were such Designs among Somerset's Enemies, who were generally favourers of the old Reli∣gion, it is not improbable. The good Arch-bishop thought it now time to interpose in this thing, and to obtain from the Privy-Council, somewhat to confirm the Book of Common-Prayer. So there was in Decemb. 25. a general Letter drawn up to all the Bishops of England: Letting them understand,
That there was no inten∣tion of bringing in again Latin-Service, conjured Bread and Water, nor any such abrogated Ceremonies. And that the abo∣lishing of these, and the setting forth of the Book of Common-Prayer, was done by the whole State of the Realm. That the Book was grounded upon the Holy Scripture, and was agreeable to the Order of the Primitive Church, and much to the edifying of the Subject. And therefore that the changing of that for the old Latin-Service would be a preferring of Ignorance to Knowledg, Darkness to Light, and a preparation to bring in Papistry and Superstition again. The Bishops therefore were bid with all speed to command their Deans and Prebendaries, and all Parsons, Vicars and Curates, to bring to such Places as the Bishops should ap∣point, all Antiphoners, Missals, &c. and all other Books of Service: and that they be defaced and abolished, that they be no let to that Godly and uniform Order set forth. And to commit to Ward any stubborn and disobedient Persons, that brought not the said Books, and to certify the Council of their Misbehaviour. That they should make search, if any of these Superstitious Books were withdrawn or hid. That, whereas there were some Persons who refused to contribute to the buying of Bread and Wine for the Communion, according to the Order of the Book, whereby many-times the Holy Communion was fain to be omitted, to convent such Persons before them, and admonish them; and if they refused to do accordingly, to punish them by Suspension, Excommunication, or other Censure. This was signed by the Arch-bishop and the Lord Chancellor Rich, and four more.
The ABp writes to the Lords at Ely-house.
Their Answer.