Chapter III (4)

And as for Our good people's lawful recreation; Our Pleasure likewise is, _That after the end of Divine Service, Our good people be not disturbed, letted, or discouraged from any lawful recreation, such as Dancing (either men or women), Archery for men, Leaping, Vaulting, or any other such harmless recreations; nor from having of May Games, Whitsun Ales, and Morris Dances; and the setting up of May Poles, and other sports therewith used: so as the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect of Divine Service_. And, _That women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church for the decoring_ [decorating] _of it, according to their old custom_.

But withal, _We do here account still as prohibited, all unlawful games, to be used upon Sundays only; as Bear and Bull baitings, Interludes: and, at all times, in the meaner sort of people by Law prohibited, Bowling_.

And, likewise, _We bar from this benefit and liberty, all such known Recusants, either men or women, as will abstain from coming to Church or Divine Service_: being, therefore, unworthy of any lawful recreation after the said Service, that will not first come to the Church, and serve GOD.

_Prohibiting, in like sort, the said recreation to any that, though conforme_ [conformable] _in Religion, are not present in the Church, at the Service of GOD, before their going to the said recreations_.

Our Pleasure likewise is, _That they to whom it belongeth in Office, shall present, and sharply punish all such, as in abuse of this Our liberty, will use these exercises before the ends of all Divine Services for that day_.

And We, likewise, straitly command, _That every person shall resort to his own Parish Church to hear Divine Service; and each Parish, by itself, to use the said recreation after Divine Service_. Prohibiting likewise, _Any offensive weapons to be carried or used in the said times of recreation_.

And Our Pleasure is, _That this Our Declaration shall be published by order from the Bishop of the diocese, through all the Parish Churches; and that both Our Judges of Our Circuit, and Our Justices of Our Peace be informed thereof_.

Given at Our Manor of Greenwich, the four and twentieth day of May [1618] in the sixteenth year of Our reign of England, France, and Ireland; and of Scotland, the one and fiftieth.

GOD save the King!

THE KING's

MAJESTY's

DECLARATION to His

Subjects,

CONCERNING

lawful SPORTS to
be used.

Imprinted at LONDON by

ROBERT BARKER, Printer to the King's most excellent

Majesty: and by the Assigns of JOHN BILL.
M.DC.XXXIII.

[CHARLES I.'s Preface and Conclusion.]

_Our dear Father, of blessed memory, in his return from Scotland, coming through Lancashire found that his subjects were debarred from lawful recreations upon Sundays, after Evening Prayers ended, and upon Holy Days: and he prudently considered, that if these times were taken from them, the meaner sort, who labour hard all the week, should have no recreations at all to refresh their spirits._

_And, after his return, he further saw that his loyal subjects in all other parts of his kingdom did suffer in the same kind, though perhaps not in the same degree. And did therefore, in his Princely wisdom, publish a_ Declaration to all his loving Subjects concerning the lawful Sports to be used _at such times; which was printed and published, by his royal commandment, in the year 1618, in the tenour which hereafter followeth_.

* * * * *

_Now, out of a like pious care for the service of GOD, and for suppressing of any humours that oppose Truth, and for the ease, comfort, and recreation of our well deserving people: We do ratify and publish this Our blessed father's_ Declaration. _The rather because, of late, in some counties of Our kingdom, We find that, under pretence of taking away abuses, there hath been a general Forbidding, not only of ordinary meetings, but of the Feasts of the Dedication of the Churches, commonly called Wakes_.

_Now, Our express Will and Pleasure is, that these Feasts, with others, shall be observed; and that Our Justices of the Peace, in their several divisions, shall look to it, both, that all disorders there, may be prevented or punished; and that all neighbourhood and freedom, with manlike and lawful exercises be used._

_And We further Command Our Justices of Assize, in their several circuits, to see that no man do trouble or molest any of Our loyal or dutiful people in or for their lawful recreations; having first done their duty to GOD, and continuing in obedience to Us and Our Laws. And of this, We command all Our Judges, Justices of the Peace, as well within Liberties as without, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, and other Officers to take notice of; and to see observed, as they tender Our displeasure. And We further will, that publication of this Our Command be made, by order from the Bishops, through all the Parish Churches of their several diocese respectively._

_Given at Our Palace of Westminster, the 18th day of October [1633], in the ninth year of Our reign._ GOD save the King!

_Lyrics, Elegies, &c. from Madrigals,_
_Canzonets, &c._

JOHN DOWLAND, Bachelor of Music, &c., and
Lutenist to CHRISTIAN IV., King of Denmark.

THE SECOND BOOK OF SONGS OR AIRS.
1600.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THE
LADY LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD.

_Excellent Lady! I send unto your Ladyship from the Court of a foreign Prince, this Volume of my Second Labours, as to the worthiest Patroness of Music; which is the noblest of all sciences. For the whole frame of Nature is nothing but Harmony, as well in souls, as [in] bodies. And because I am now removed from your sight, I will speak boldly; that your Ladyship shall be unthankful to Nature herself, if you do not love and defend that Art, by which she hath given you so well tuned a mind!_

_Your Ladyship hath in yourself, an excellent agreement of many virtues; of which, though I admire all, yet I am bound by my profession, to give especial honour to your knowledge of Music: which, in the judgement of ancient times, was so proper an excellency in women, that the Muses took their name from it; and yet so rare, that the world durst imagine but Nine of them._

_I most humbly beseech your Ladyship to receive this work into your favour; and the rather, because it cometh far, to beg it of you._

_From Elsinore in Denmark, the first of June, 1600._

_Your Ladyship's, in all humble devotion_,

_JOHN DOWLAND_.

To the Right Noble and Virtuous Lady
LUCY, Countess of BEDFORD,

G[EORGE]. EASTLAND.
_To J. DOWLAND's Lute._

_=L= ute! Arise, and charm the air,_
_=U= ntil a thousand forms she bear!_
_=C= onjure them all, that they repair_
_=I= nto the circles of her car;_
_=E= ver to dwell in concord there!_

_=B= y this, thy tunes may have access_
_=E= ven to her spirit, whose flowing treasure_
_=D= oth sweetest harmony express;_
_=F= illing all ears and hearts with pleasure:_
_=O= n earth, observing heavenly measure._
_=R= ight well can she judge and defend them!_
_=D= oubt not of that, for she can mend them!_

To the Courteous Reader.

GENTLEMEN,

If the consideration of mine own estate, or the true worth of money had prevailed with me above the desire of pleasuring you and shewing my love to my friend, these Second Labours of Master DOWLAND--whose very name is a large Preface of commendations to the book--had for ever lain hid in darkness, or at the least frozen in a cold and foreign country.

I assure you that both my charge and pains in publishing it, hath exceeded ordinary [ones]: yet thus much I have to assure me of requital, that neither the work is ordinary; nor are your judgements ordinary, to whom I present it! so that I have no reason but to hope for good increase in my labours, especially of your good favours towards me; which of all things I most esteem. Which if I find in this, I mean shortly, GOD willing, to set at liberty for your service, a prisoner taken at Cadiz: who, if he discovers not something, in [the] matter of music, worthy [of] your knowledge; let the reputation of my judgement in music answer [for] it!

In the meantime, I commend my absent friend to your remembrance! and myself, to your favourable conceits!

_GEORGE EASTLAND._

From my house near _The Green Dragon and Sword_,
in Fleet Street.

_Lyrics, Elegies, &c. from Madrigals, Canzonets, &c._

JOHN DOWLAND.
THE SECOND BOOK OF SONGS OR AIRS.

_To the most famous ANTHONY HOLBORNE._

I saw my Lady weep!
And Sorrow proud! to be advancèd so
In those fair eyes, where all perfections keep.
Her face was full of woe!
But such a woe (believe me!) as wins more hearts
Than Mirth can do, with her enticing parts.

Sorrow was there made fair!
And Passion, wise! Tears, a delightful thing!
Silence, beyond all speech, a wisdom rare!
She made her sighs to sing,
And all things with so sweet a sadness move;
As made my heart at once both grieve and love.

O Fairer than ought else
The world can shew! leave off, in time, to grieve!
Enough, enough! Your joyful look excels!
Tears kill the heart, believe!
O strive not to be excellent in woe,
Which only breeds your beauty's overthrow!

_Lacrimæ._

Flow, my tears! fall from your springs!
Exiled for ever, let me mourn
Where night's black bird, her sad infamy sings!
There, let me live forlorn!
Never may my woes be relieved, since pity is fled;
And tears, and sighs, and groans, my weary days, of all joys, have
deprivèd.

Down vain lights! Shine you no more!
No nights are dark enough for those,
That in despair, their last fortunes deplore.
Light doth but shame disclose!
From the highest spire of contentment, my fortune is thrown;
And fear, and grief, and pain, for my deserts, are my hopes; since
hope is gone.

Hark, you shadows! that in darkness dwell,
Learn to contemn light!
Happy! happy they, that, in hell,
Feel not the world's despite!

* * * * *

Sorrow! Sorrow, stay! Lend true repentant tears
To a woful wretched wight!
Hence! hence, Despair! with thy tormenting fears.
O do not, my poor heart affright!
Pity! Pity, help now, or never! Mark me not to endless pain!
Alas, I am condemnèd ever, no hope there doth remain,
But down, down, down, down I fall;
And arise, I never shall.

* * * * *

"Die not before thy day! poor man condemned!
But lift thy low looks from th' humble earth!
Kiss not Despair, and see sweet Hope contemned!
The hag hath no delight, but moan for mirth!
O fie, poor fondling! fie, be willing
To preserve thyself from killing!
Hope, thy keeper, glad to free thee,
Bids thee go! and will not see thee.
Hie thee, quickly, from thy wrong!"
So She ends her willing song.

* * * * *

Mourn! Day is with darkness fled!
What heaven then governs earth?
O none, but hell, in heaven's stead,
Chokes with his mists, our mirth.

Mourn! Look, now, for no more day!
Nor night, but that from hell!
Then all must, as they may,
In darkness learn to dwell!

But yet this change must change our delight,
That thus the Sun should harbour with the Night.

* * * * *

Time's eldest son, Old Age (the Heir of Ease,
Strength's Foe, Love's Woe, and Foster to Devotion)
Bids gallant Youth in martial prowess please!
As for himself, he hath no earthly motion;
But thinks Sighs, Tears, Vows, Prayers, and Sacrifices,
As good as Shows, Masks, Jousts, or Tilt devices.

Then sit thee down! and say thy _Nunc dimitis_!
With _De profundis_, _Credo_, and _Te DEUM_!
Chant _Miserere_, for what now so fit is
As that, or this, _Paratum est cor meum_!
O that thy Saint would take in worth thy heart!
Thou canst not please her with a better part.
When others sing _Venite exultemus_!
Stand by, and turn to _Noli emulari_!
For _Quare fremuerunt_, use _Oremus_!
_Vivat ELIZA!_ for an _Ave MARI_!
And teach those Swains that live about thy cell;
To sing _Amen_, when thou dost pray so well!

* * * * *

Praise blindness, Eyes! for seeing is deceit.
Be dumb, vain Tongue! words are but flattering winds.
Break Heart, and bleed! for there is no receipt
To purge inconstancy from most men's minds.
And so I waked amazed, and could not move;
I know my dream was true, and yet I love!

And if thine Ears, false heralds to thy heart,
Convey into thy head, hopes to obtain;
Then tell thy hearing, thou art deaf by Art!
Now, Love is Art; that wonted to be plain.
And so I waked amazed, and could not move;
I know my dream was true, and yet I love!

Now none is bald, except they see his brains!
Affection is not known, till one be dead!
Reward for love, are labours for his pains!
Love's quiver made of gold, his shafts of lead.
And so I waked amazed, and could not move;
I know my dream was true, and yet I love!

_To Master HUGH HOLLAND._

From Fame's desire, from Love's delight retired;
In these sad groves, an hermit's life I lead:
And those false pleasures, which I once admired,
With sad remembrance of my fall, I dread.
To birds, to trees, to earth, impart I this;
For she less secret, and as senseless is!
O sweet woods! the delight of solitariness!
O how much do I love your solitariness!

Experience which repentance only brings,
Doth bid me, now, my heart from Love estrange!
Love is disdained, when it doth look at kings;
And Love low placed, base and apt to change.
There, Power doth take from him his liberty!
Her Want of Worth makes him in cradle die!
O sweet woods! the delight of solitariness!
O how much do I love your solitariness!

You men that give false worship unto Love,
And seek that which you never shall obtain;
The endless work of SISYPHUS you procure!
Whose end is this, to know you strive in vain.
Hope and Desire, which now your idols be!
You needs must lose, and feel Despair with me!
O sweet woods! the delight of solitariness!
O how much do I love your solitariness!

You woods! in you, the fairest Nymphs have walked!
Nymphs, at whose sights all hearts did yield to love.
You woods! in whom dear lovers oft have talked,
How do you now a place of mourning prove?
WANSTED, my Mistress, saith, "This is the doom!
Thou art Love's childbed! nursery! and tomb!"
O sweet woods! the delight of solitariness!
O how much do I love your solitariness!

* * * * *

Fine knacks for ladies! cheap! choice! brave! and new!
Good pennyworths! but money cannot move!
I keep a fair, but for the Fair to view!
A beggar may be liberal of love.
Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true,
The heart is true,
The heart is true.

Great gifts are guiles, and look for gifts again,
My trifles come, as treasures from my mind!
It is a precious jewel to be plain!
Sometimes in shell, th' orientest pearls we find.
Of others, take a sheaf! of me, a grain!
Of me, a grain!
Of me, a grain!

Within this pack, pins! paints! laces! and gloves!
And divers toys fitting a country fair!
But my heart, where duty serves and loves,
Turtles and twins! Court's brood! a heavenly pair!
Happy the heart that thinks of no removes!
Of no removes!
Of no removes!

* * * * *

Now cease my wand'ring eyes,
Strange beauties to admire!
In change least comfort lies.
Long joys yield long desire.
One faith, one love,
Make our frail pleasures eternal, and in sweetness prove!
New hopes, new joys
Are still, with sorrow, declining unto deep annoys.

One man hath but one soul
Which Art cannot divide;
If all one soul must love,
Two loves must be denied!
One soul, one love,
By faith and merit united, cannot remove!
Distracted spirits
Are ever changing, and hapless in their delights.

Nature, two eyes hath given,
All beauty to impart,
As well in earth as heaven:
But She hath given one heart!
That though we see,
Ten thousand beauties, yet in us One should be!
One stedfast love!
Because our hearts stand fixed, although our eyes do move.

* * * * *

Come, ye heavy States of Night!
Do my father's spirit right;
Soundings baleful, let me borrow,
Burthening my song with sorrow.
Come Sorrow, come! Her eyes that sings,
By thee, are turnèd into springs.

Come, You Virgins of the Night,
That, in dirges' sad delight!
Quire my anthems! I do borrow
Gold nor pearl, but sounds of sorrow!
Come Sorrow, come! Her eyes that sings,
By thee, are turnèd into springs.

* * * * *

White as lilies was her face!
When She smiled,
She beguiled!
Quitting faith, with foul disgrace.
Virtue, Service, thus neglected,
Heart with sorrows hath infected.

When I swore my heart her own,
She disdained!
I complained,
Yet She left me overthrown!
Careless of my bitter groaning,
Ruthless, bent to no relieving.

Vows, and oaths, and faith assured,
Constant ever,
Changing never;
Yet She could not be procurèd,
To believe my pains exceeding!
From her scant neglect proceeding.

O that Love should have the art,
By surmises,
And disguises,
To destroy a faithful heart!
Or that wanton looking women,
Should reward their friends, as foemen!

All in vain, is Ladies' love;
Quickly choosèd,
Shortly losèd.
For their pride is to remove!
Out, alas! Their looks first won us,
And their pride hath straight undone us!

To thyself, the sweetest Fair!
Thou hast wounded,
And confounded
Changeless Faith, with foul Despair!
And my service hath envièd;
And my succours hath denièd!

By thine error, thou hast lost
Heart unfeignèd,
Truth unstainèd;
And the Swain, that lovèd most:
More assured in love than many,
More despised in love than any.

For my heart, though set at nought;
Since you will it,
Spoil and kill it!
I will never change my thoughts!
But grieve that Beauty e'er was born.
[? But grieve that Beauty e'er was born.]

* * * * *

Woful Heart, with grief oppressèd!
Since my fortunes most distressèd,
From my joys hath me removed.
Follow those sweet eyes adorèd!
Those sweet eyes, wherein are storèd,
All my pleasures best beloved.

Fly, my Breast! Leave me forsaken!
Wherein Grief his seat hath taken;
All his arrows through me darting.
Thou mayest live by her sunshining!
I shall suffer no more pining
By thy loss, than by her parting.

* * * * *

A shepherd in a shade, his plaining made
Of love, and lover's wrong,
Unto the fairest Lass, that trode on grass,
And thus began his song:
"Since Love and Fortune will, I honour still
Your fair and lovely eye!
What conquest will it be, sweet Nymph! for thee!
If I, for sorrow die?
Restore! restore, my heart again!
Which love, by thy sweet looks hath slain!
Lest that, enforced by your disdain,
I sing 'Fie on love! it is a foolish thing!'

"My heart where have you laid, O cruel Maid!
To kill, when you might save!
Why have ye cast it forth, as nothing worth,
Without a tomb, or grave?
O let it be entombed, and lie
In your sweet mind and memory!
Lest I resound on every warbling string,
'Fie! fie on love! that is a foolish thing!'
Restore! restore, my heart again!
Which love, by thy sweet looks hath slain!
Lest that, enforced by your disdain,
I sing 'Fie on love! it is a foolish thing!'"

* * * * *

Shall I sue? shall I seek for grace?
Shall I pray? shall I prove?
Shall I strive to a heavenly joy,
With an earthly love?
Shall I think that a bleeding heart,
Or a wounded eye,
Or a sigh, can ascend the clouds,
To attain so high?

Silly wretch! Forsake these dreams
Of a vain Desire!
O bethink what high regard,
Holy hopes do require!
Favour is as fair as things are!
Treasure is not bought!
Favour is not won with words,
Nor the wish of a thought.

Pity is but a poor defence
For a dying heart:
Ladies' eyes respect no moan
In a mean desert.
She is too worthy far,
For a worth so base!
Cruel, and but just is She,
In my just disgrace.

Justice gives each man his own.
Though my love be just,
Yet will not She pity my grief!
Therefore die I must!
Silly heart! then yield to die!
Perish in despair!
Witness yet, how fain I die,
When I die for the Fair!

* * * * *

Toss not my soul, O LOVE! 'twixt hope and fear!
Show me some ground where I may firmly stand,
Or surely fall! I care not which appear!
So one will close me in a certain band.
When once of ill, the uttermost is known;
The strength of sorrow quite is overthrown!

Take me, ASSURANCE! to thy blissful hold!
Or thou, DESPAIR! unto thy darkest cell!
Each hath full rest! The one, in joys enroll'd:
Th' other, in that he fears no more, is well.
When once the uttermost of ill is known,
The strength of sorrow quite is overthrown!

* * * * *

Clear or cloudy, sweet as April show'ring,
Smooth or frowning, so is her Face to me.
Pleased or smiling, like mild May all flow'ring:
When skies, blue silk, and meadows, carpets be.
Her Speeches, notes of that night bird that singeth,
Who, thought all sweet, yet jarring notes outringeth.

Her Grace, like June, when earth and trees be trimmed
In best attire, of complete beauty's height.
Her Love again, like Summer's days be dimmed,
With little clouds of doubtful constant faith.
Her Trust, her Doubt, like rain and heat in skies;
Gently thund'ring, She light'ning to mine eyes.

Sweet Summer! Spring! that breatheth life and growing
In weeds, as into herbs and flowers;
And sees of service, divers sorts in sowing,
Some haply seeming, and some being yours:
Rain on your herbs and flowers that truly seem!
And let your weeds lack dew, and duly starve!

_A Dialogue._

Humour, say! What mak'st thou here
In presence of a Queen?
Thou art a heavy leaden mood!

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

Princes hold conceit most dear,
All conceit in Humour seen;
Humour is Invention's food.

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

O, I am as heavy as earth,
Say, then, who is Humour now?
Why, then, 'tis I am drowned in woe?

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

I am now inclined to mirth,
Humour I, as well as thou!
No, no Wit is cherished so.

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

Mirth, then, is drowned in Sorrow's brim.
No, no, fool! The light things swim;
Heavy things sink to the deep!

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

O, in sorrow, all things sleep!
In her presence, all things smile;
Humour, frolic then awhile!

_Chorus._ But never Humour yet was true,
But that which only pleaseth you!

[Then follows a piece of instrumental music, entitled
_LOWLAND's Adieu for Master OLIVER CROMWELL._]

_The Sequestration of Archbishop ABBOT_
_from all his Ecclesiastical_
_Offices, in 1627._

+JOHN RUSHWORTH+, Esq., of
Lincoln's Inn.

[It will be necessary, ere long, to establish a _Society for the
Preservation of the Memory of the STUART Kings of England, from
Universal Execration_; so much is it now seen, that, stripped of
the mantle of their Kingship, they were unworthy of the name of
English Gentlemen. Scotland could have sent us many a better bred
family!

What a picture has the good Archbishop given us of the English King
and Court in the first days of the reign of the so called Royal
Martyr. CHARLES, first claiming for himself an unbounded power
over his subjects, and then lavishly bestowing it on his favourite
BUCKINGHAM, is the modern counterpart of NEBUCHADNEZZAR setting up
his golden image "in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon."

Note that this Narrative was written without the faintest
conception or realisation of such a possibility as a national
rising under the guidance of the Long Parliament. The two
characters, of LAUD at _p._ 548, and of BUCKINGHAM at _p._ 574,
are Eye-Witness portraits, and should be included, unabridged, in
every future History of England. Imagine an Archbishop scornfully
speaking (_p._ 548) of Bishop LAUD as "what a sweet man he was
likely to be!"

It should be also remembered that LAUD records in his _Diary_,
that on the 2nd October, 1626 (_i.e._, nine months before the
Archbishop's present Narrative was written), CHARLES I. promised
him the reversion of the Archbishopric, when Doctor ABBOT should
die.]

[_Historical Collections_, i. 435. Ed. 1659.]

Archbishop ABBOT, having been long slighted at Court, now fell under the King's high displeasure; for refusing to license Doctor SIBTHORP's sermon, entitled _Apostolical Obedience_, as he was commanded; and, not long after, he was sequestered from his Office, and a Commission was granted to the Bishops of LONDON, DURHAM, ROCHESTER, OXFORD, and Doctor, LAUD, Bishop of BATH AND WELLS, to exercise archiepiscopal jurisdiction.

The Commission is followeth--

_CHARLES, by the grace of GOD, King of England, Scotland, France,
and Ireland; Defender of the Faith, &c. To the Right Reverend
Father in GOD, GEORGE [MONTAIGNE], Bishop of LONDON; and to
the Right Reverend Father in GOD, our trusty and well beloved
Councillor, RICHARD [NEYLE], Lord Bishop of DURHAM; and to the_
_Right Reverend Father in GOD, JOHN [BUCKERIDGE], Lord Bishop
of ROCHESTER; and to the Right Reverend Father in GOD, JOHN
[HOWSON], Lord Bishop of OXFORD; and to the Right Reverend Father
in GOD, our Right Trusty and Well Beloved Councillor, WILLIAM_
_[LAUD], Lord Bishop of BATH AND WELLS._

* * * * *

_Whereas GEORGE, now Archbishop of CANTERBURY, in the right of the Archbishopric, hath several and distinct Archiepiscopal, Episcopal, and other Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Powers and Jurisdictions, to be exercised in the Government and Discipline of the Church within the Province of Canterbury, and in the Administration of Justice in Causes Ecclesiastical within that Province, which are partly executed by himself in his own person, and partly and more generally by several persons nominated and authorised by him, being learned in the Ecclesiastical Laws of this Realm, in those several places whereunto they are deputed and appointed by the said Archbishop: which several places, as We are informed, they severally hold by several Grants for their several lives, as namely_,

_Sir HENRY MARTIN Knight hath and holdeth by the grants of the
said Archbishop, the Offices and Places of the Dean of the
Arches, and Judge or Master of the Prerogative Court, for the
natural life of the said Sir HENRY MARTIN._

_Sir CHARLES CÆSAR Knight hath and holdeth by grants of the said
Archbishop, the Places or Offices of the Judge of the Audience,
and Master of the Faculties, for the term of the natural life of
the said Sir CHARLES CÆSAR._

_Sir THOMAS RIDLEY Knight hath and holdeth by the grant of the
said Archbishop, the Place or Office of Vicar General to the said
Archbishop._

_And NATHANIEL BRENT, Doctor of the Laws, hath and holdeth by
grant of the said Archbishop, the Office or Place of Commissary
to the said Archbishop, as of his proper and peculiar diocese of
Canterbury._

_And likewise the several Registrars of the Arches, Prerogative,_
_Audience, Faculties, and of the Vicar General and Commissary of
Canterbury, hold their places by grants by the said Archbishop
respectively._

_Whereas the said Archbishop, in some or all of these several Places and Jurisdictions, doth and may sometimes assume unto his personal and proper Judicature, Order, or Direction, some particular Causes, Actions, or Cases, at his pleasure. And forasmuch as the said Archbishop cannot, at this present, in his own person, attend these services which are otherwise proper for his Cognisance and Jurisdiction; and which as Archbishop of CANTERBURY, he might and ought in his own person to have performed and executed in Causes and Matters Ecclesiastical, in the proper function of Archbishop of the Province._

_WE, therefore, of Our regal power, and of Our princely care and providence, that nothing shall be defective in the Order Discipline, Government, or Right of the Church, have thought fit by the service of some other learned and reverend Bishops, to be named by Us, to supply those which the said Archbishop ought or might, in the cases aforesaid, to have done; but, for this present, cannot perform the same._

_Know ye, therefore, That We, reposing special trust and confidence in your approved wisdoms, learning, and integrity, have nominated, authorised, and appointed, and do, by these presents, nominate, authorise, and appoint You, the said GEORGE, Lord Bishop of LONDON; RICHARD, Lord Bishop of DURHAM; JOHN, Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER; JOHN, Lord Bishop of OXFORD; and WILLIAM, Lord Bishop of BATH AND WELLS, or any four, three, or two of you, to do, execute, and perform all and every those acts, matters, and things any way touching or concerning the Power, Jurisdiction, or Authority of the Archbishop of CANTERBURY in Causes or Matters Ecclesiastical, as amply, fully, and effectually, to all intents and purposes, as the said Archbishop himself might have done._

_And We do hereby Command you, and every of you, to attend, perform, and execute this Our Royal Pleasure in and touching the premises, until We shall declare Our Will and Pleasure to the contrary._

_And We do further hereby Will and Command the said Archbishop of CANTERBURY, quietly and without interruption, to permit and suffer you the said GEORGE, Bishop of LONDON; RICHARD, Bishop of DURHAM; JOHN, Bishop of ROCHESTER; JOHN, Bishop of OXFORD; and WILLIAM, Bishop of BATH AND WELLS; any four, three, or two of you, to execute and perform this Our Commission, according to Our Royal Pleasure thereby signified._

_And We do further Will and Command all and every other person and persons, whom it may any way concern in their several Places or Offices, to be attendant, observant, and obedient to you and every of you, in the execution and performance of this Our Royal Will and Command; as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost perils._

_Nevertheless, We do hereby declare Our Royal Pleasure to be That they the said Sir HENRY MARTIN, Sir CHARLES CÆSAR, Sir THOMAS RIDLEY, and NATHANIEL BRENT, in their several Offices and Places; and all other Registrars, Officers, and Ministers in the several Courts, Offices, and Jurisdictions appertaining to the said Archbishop, shall, quietly and without interruption, hold, use, occupy, and enjoy their several Offices and Places, which they now hold by the grant of the said Archbishop, or of any other former Archbishop of CANTERBURY, in such manner and form, and with those benefits, privileges, powers, and authorities which they now have, hold, and enjoy therein or there-out, severally and respectively: they, and every of them, in their several Places, being attendant and obedient unto you, the said GEORGE, Bishop of LONDON; RICHARD, Bishop of DURHAM; JOHN, Bishop of ROCHESTER; JOHN, Bishop of OXFORD; and WILLIAM, Bishop of BATH AND WELLS; or to any four, three, or two of you, in all things according to the tenour of this Our Commission; as they should or ought to have been to the said Archbishop himself, if this Commission had not been had or made._

_In witness whereof, We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents. Witness Our Self, at Westminster, the ninth day of October [1627] in the third year of our reign._

Per ipsum Regem.

_EDMONDS._

Archbishop Abbot's own Narrative.

[RUSHWORTH. _Historical Collections, idem._]

_Pars Prima._

It is an example, so without example, that in the sunshine of the Gospel; in the midst of profession of the true religion; under a gracious King, whom all the world must acknowledge to be blemished with no vice; a man of my place and years, who has done some service in the Church and Commonwealth, so deeply laden with some furious infirmities of body, should be removed from his ordinary habitation, and, by a kind of deportation, should be thrust into one end of the Island (although I must confess into his own diocese), that I hold it fit that the reason of it should be truly understood, lest it may someways turn to the scandal of my person and calling. Which Declaration, notwithstanding, I intend not to communicate to any, but to let it lie by me privately; that it being set down impartially, whilst all things are fresh in memory, I may have recourse to it hereafter, if questions shall be made of anything contained in this Relation.

And this I hold necessary to be done, by reason of the strangeness of that, which, by way of Censure, was inflicted upon me; being then of the age of sixty-five years, encumbered with the gout, and afflicted with the stone: having lived so many years in a Place of great service, and, for ought I know, untainted in any of my actions; although my Master, King JAMES (who resteth with GOD) had both a searching wit of his own to discover his servants, whom he put in trust, whether they took any sinister courses or not; and wanted not some suggesters about him, to make the worst of all men's actions whom they could misreport.

Yet this innocency and good fame to be overthrown in a month! and a Christian Bishop suddenly to be made _fabula vulgi_, to be tossed upon the tongues of friends and foes, of Protestants and Papists, of Court and Country, of English and Foreigners, must needs, in common opinion, presuppose some crime, open or secret; which, being discovered by the King, albeit not fully appearing to the world, must draw on indignation in so high a measure.

I cannot deny that the indisposition of my body kept me from Court, and thereby gave occasion to maligners to traduce me, as, "withdrawing myself from public services, and therefore misliking some courses that were taken": which abstaining, perhaps, neither pleased the King, nor the Great Man that set them on foot.

It is true, that in the turbulency of some things, I had not great invitements to draw me abroad; but to possess my soul in patience till GOD sent fairer weather. But the true ground for my abstaining from solemn and public places, was the weakness of my feet, proceeding from the gout: which disease being hereditary unto me, and having possessed me now nine years, had debilitated me more and more; so that I could not stand at all, neither could I go up or down a pair of stairs but, besides my staff, I must have the service of one at least, of my men, who were not fit to be admitted in every place where I was to come.

And although I was oft remembered by the wisest of my friends, that "I might be carried, as the old Lord Treasurer BURLEIGH was!" yet I did not think my service so necessary for the commonwealth, as his Lordship's, by long experience, was found to be. I did not value myself at so high a rate; but remembered that it was not the least cause of overthrow to ROBERT [DEVEREUX], Earl of ESSEX, that he prized himself so, as if Queen ELIZABETH and the Kingdom could not well have stood, if he had not supported both the one and the other.

Now for me, thus enfeebled, not with gout only, but with the stone and gravel, to wait on the King or the Council Table, was, by me, held a matter most inconvenient. In the Courts of Princes, there is little feeling of [_for_] the infirmities belonging to old age. They like them that be young and gallant in their actions, and in their clothes. They love not that men should stick too long in any room of greatness. Change and alteration bringeth somewhat with it; what have they to do with kerchiefs and staves, with lame or sickly men? It is certainly true, there is little compassion upon the bodily defects of any. The Scripture speaketh of "men standing before Kings." It were an uncouth sight to see the subject sit the day before the Coronation: when, on the morrow, I had work enough for the strongest man in England, being weak in my feet, and coming to Whitehall to see things in readiness against the next day. Yet, notwithstanding the stone and gout, I was not altogether an inutile servant in the King's affairs; but did all things in my house that were to be done: as in keeping the High Commission Court, doing all inferior actions conducing thereto; and despatching references from His Majesty that came thick upon me.

These Relations which are made concerning me, be of certain truth; but reach not to the reason I was discarded.

To understand therefore the verity, so it is, that the Duke of BUCKINGHAM (being still great in the favour of the King; could endure no man that would not depend upon him) among other men, had me in his eye, for not stooping unto him, so as to become his vassal.

I (that had learned a lesson, which I constantly hold, _To be no man's servant, but the King's_: for mine old royal Master which is with GOD, and mine own reason did teach me so) went on mine own ways; although I could not but observe, that as many as walked in that path did suffer for it upon all occasions, and so did I: nothing wherein I moved my Master taking place; which, finding so clearly (as if the Duke had set some ill character upon me), I had no way but to rest in patience; leaving all to GOD, and looking to myself as warily as I might. But this did not serve the turn; his undertakings were so extraordinary, that every one that was not with him, was presently [_instantly_] against him: and if a hard opinion were once entertained, there was no place left for satisfaction or reconciliation. What befell the Earl of ARUNDEL, Sir RANDAL CAREW, and divers others, I need not to report; and no man can make doubt but he blew the coals.

For myself, there is a gentleman called Sir H. S., who gave the first light what should befall me.

This Knight, being of more livelihood than wisdom, had married the Lady D., sister of the now Earl of E.; and had so treated her, both for safeguard of her honour, blemished by him scandalously; and for her alimony or maintenance, being glad to get from him; she was forced to endure a suit in the High Commission Court.

So to strengthen his party, he was made known to the Duke; and, by means of a dependent on his Grace, he got a letter from the King, that "The Commissioners should proceed no further in hearing of that cause; by reason that it being a difference between a Gentleman and his Wife, the King's Majesty would hear it himself." The solicitor for the lady, finding that the course of Justice was stopped, did so earnestly, by petition, move the King, that, by another letter, there was a relaxation of the former restraint, and the Commissioners Ecclesiastical went on.

But now, in the new proceeding, finding himself by justice like[ly] enough to be pinched; he did publicly in the Court, refuse to speak by any Counsel, but would plead his cause himself: wherein he did bear the whole business so disorderly and tumultuously, and unrespectively [_disrespectfully_], that, after divers reproofs, I was enforced, for the honour of the Court and the reputation of the High Commission, to tell him openly that "If he did not carry himself in a better fashion, I would commit him to prison!"

This so troubled the young gallant, that, within few days after, being at dinner or supper (where some wished me well), he bolted it out that "As for the Archbishop, the Duke had a purpose to turn him out of his Place, and that he did but wait the occasion to effect it." Which being brought unto me, constantly, by more ways than one; I was now in expectation, what must be the issue of this Great Man's indignation; which fell out to be, as followeth.

* * * * *

There was one SIBTHORP, who, not being so much as a Bachelor of Arts (as it hath been credibly reported unto me), by means of Doctor PEIRCE, Dean of Peterborough (being Vice Chancellor of Oxford), did get to be confirmed upon him, the title of a Doctor.

This man is Vicar of Brackley, in Northamptonshire; and hath another benefice not far from it, in Buckinghamshire: but the lustre of his honour did arise from being the son-in-law of Sir JOHN LAMB, Chancellor of Peterborough, whose daughter he married; and was put into the Commission of Peace.

When the Lent Assizes were, in February last [1627], at Northampton, the man that preached [_on the 22nd of the month_] before the Judges there, was this worthy Doctor: where, magnifying the authority of Kings (which is so strong in the Scripture, that it needs no flattery any ways to extol it), he let fall divers speeches which were distasteful to the auditors, and namely, "That Kings had power to put poll money upon their subjects' heads": when, against those challenges, men did frequently mourn.

He, being a man of low fortune, conceived that the putting his sermon [_entitled "Apostolical Obedience"_] in print, might gain favour at Court and raise his fortune higher, on he goeth with the transcribing of his sermon; and got a bishop or two to prefer this great service to the Duke. It being brought unto the Duke, it cometh in his head, or was suggested to him by some malicious body, that, thereby, the Archbishop might be put to some remarkable strait. For if the King should send the sermon unto him, and command him to allow it to the press, one of these two things would follow: that, either he should authorise it, and so, all men that were indifferent should discover him for a base and unworthy beast; or he should refuse it, and so should fall into the King's indignation, who might pursue it at his pleasure as against a man that was contrary to his service.

Out of this fountain flowed all the water that afterwards so wet. In rehearsing whereof, I must set down divers particulars; which some man may wonder how they should be discovered unto me: but let it suffice, once for all, that in the word of an honest man and a Bishop, I recount nothing but whereof I have good warrant; GOD Himself working means.

The matters were revealed unto me, although it be not convenient that, in this Paper, I name the manner how they came unto me; lest such as did, by well doing, farther me, should receive blame for their labour.

* * * * *

Well, resolved it is, that "I be put to it! and that, with speed!" and therefore Master WILLIAM MURRAY (nephew as, I think, unto Master THOMAS MURRAY, sometimes Tutor to Prince CHARLES), now of the King's Bedchamber, is sent to me with the written Sermon: of whom, I must say, that albeit he did the King his Master's service; yet he did use himself temperately and civilly unto me.

For avoiding of _inquit_ and _inquam_, as TULLY saith, _I said this_ and _he said that_, I will make it by way of dialogue: not setting down every day's conference exactly by itself, but mentioning all things in the whole; yet distinguishing of times where, for the truth of the Relation, it cannot be avoided.

MURRAY. My Lord! I am sent unto you by the King, to let you know
that his pleasure is, That whereas there is brought unto him, a
Sermon to be printed: you should allow this Sermon to the press.

_Archbishop._ I was never he that authorised books to be printed:
for it is the work of my Chaplains to read over other men's
writings, and what is fit, to let it go; what is unfit, to expunge
it.

MURRAY. But the King will have you yourself to do this, because
he is minded that no books shall be allowed, but by you and the
Bishop of LONDON [_then GEORGE MONTAIGNE_]: and my Lord of LONDON
authorised one the other day, COSENS's book; and he will have you
do this.

_Archbishop._ This is an occupation that my old Master, King
JAMES, did never put me to; and yet I was then young, and had more
abilities of body than I now have: so that I see I must now learn a
new lesson. But leave it with me! and when I have read it, I shall
know what to say unto it. A day or two hence, you shall understand
my mind.

When I had once or twice perused it; I found some words which seemed to me to cross that which the King intended, and, in a sort, to destroy it; and therefore upon his return a day or two after, I expressed myself thus:

Master MURRAY! I conceive that the King intended that this Sermon
shall promote the service now in hand about the Loan of Money:
but in my opinion he much crosseth it. For he layeth it down for
a rule (and because it should not be forgotten, he repeateth
it again) that _Christians are bound in duty one to another,
especially all subjects to their Princes, according to the
Laws and Customs of the Kingdom wherein they live_. Out of
this, will men except this Loan; because there is neither Law nor
Custom for it, in the Kingdom of England.

Secondly. In my judgement, there followeth a dangerous speech,
_Habemus necessitatem vindicanda libertatis_. (For this was all
that was then quoted out of CALVIN, no mention being made of any of
the other words which are, now, in the printed copy.) For when, by
the former rule he hath set men at liberty whether they will pay or
not; he imposeth upon them a necessity to vindicate this liberty;
and _vindicare_ may be extended to challenge with violence, _cum
vi_. But, for my part, I would be most unwilling to give occasion
to Sedition and Mutiny in the kingdom!

Again, here is mention made of Poll Money; which, as I have heard,
hath already caused much distaste where the Sermon was preached.

Moreover, what a speech is this? _That he observes the_
_forwardness of the Papists to offer double according to an Act_
_of Parliament so providing; yea, to profess that they would part
with the half of their goods_: where he quoteth in the margent,
_Anno I. CAROLI, the Act for the Subsidy of the Laity, whereby
Popish Recusants were to pay double_; when indeed there is _no such
Act_!

And in the fifth place, it is said in this Sermon, that _the
Princes of Bohemia have power to depose their Kings, as not being
hereditary_. Which is a great question: such a one as hath cost
much blood; and must not in a word be absolutely defined here, as
if it were without controversy.

I pray you, make His Majesty acquainted with these things! and take
the book with you!

Where it is to be noted, that, all this time, we had but one single copy [_manuscript_]; which was sometimes at the Court, and sometimes left with me.

MURRAY. I will faithfully deliver these things to the King, and then you shall hear further from me!

* * * * *

Some two or three days after, he returneth again unto me, and telleth me, That he had particularly acquainted the King with my objections; and His Majesty made this answer.

First. For the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom, he did not stand
upon that. He had a precedent for that which he did, and thereon he
would insist.

_Archbishop._ I think that to be a mistaking; for I fear there will be found no such precedent. King HENRY VIII., as the Chronicle sheweth, desired but a Sixth Part of men's estates, Ten Groats in the Pound: our King desireth the whole six parts, full out; so much as men are set at in the _Subsidy Book_. And in the time of King HENRY, although he were a powerful King; yet, for that taxation, there began against him little less than a rebellion; so that he held it wisdom to desist; and, laying the blame upon Cardinal WOLSEY, professed that "he knew nothing of the matter."

MURRAY. Secondly. The King saith for the words, _Habemus
necessitatem vindicanda libertatis_; he taketh them to be for him,
and he will stand upon his liberty.

Thirdly. For Poll Money, he thinketh it lawful.

Fourthly. It is true, there was no such Act passed; and therefore
it must be amended. (And yet in the printed book, it is suffered
still to stand! Such slight, and, I may say, slovenly care was had,
by them that published this Sermon.)

And fifthly. For that of Bohemia: he hath crossed it out of the
book.

Some other matters there were, against which I took exception; but Master MURRAY being a young gentleman, although witty and full of good behaviour: I doubted that, being not deeply seen in Divinity, he could not so well conceive me or make report of my words to His Majesty: and therefore I, being lame and so disabled to wait on the King, did move him, that "He would, in my name, humbly beseech His Majesty to send [_WILLIAM LAUD, then_] the Bishop of BATH AND WELLS unto me; and I would, by his means, make known my scruples." And so I dismissed Master MURRAY; observing with myself, that the Answers to my five Objections especially to two or three [of them], were somewhat strange; as if the King were resolved (were it to his good, or to his harm) to have the book go forth.

* * * * *

After one or two days more, the young Gentleman cometh to me again, and telleth me, that "The King did not think it fit to send the Bishop of BATH unto me; but that expecteth I should pass the book."

In the meantime, had gone over one High Commission day; and this Bishop (who used otherwise on very few days, to fail) was not there: which being joined to His Majesty's message, made me, in some measure to smell that this whole business might have that Bishop's hand in it; especially I knowing in general, the disposition of the man.

* * * * *

The minds of those that were Actors for the publishing of the book, were not quiet at the Court, that the thing was not despatched. Therefore, one day, the Duke said to the King, "Do you see how this business is deferred! If more expedition be not used, it will not be printed before the end of the Term: at which time, it is fit that it be sent down into the countreys [_counties_]." So eager was he, that either by my credit, his undertakings might be strengthened; or at least, I might be contemned and derided, as an unworthy fellow.

This so quickened the King, that the next message which was sent by Master MURRAY, was in some degree minatory, "That if I did not despatch it, the King would take some other course with me!"

When I found how far the Duke had prevailed; I thought it my best way, to set down in writing, many objections, wherefore the book was not fit to be published: which I did modestly, and sent them to the King.

1. (Page 2.) These words deserve to be well weighed, _And whereas
the Prince pleads not the Power of Prerogative_.

2. (Page 8.) _The King's duty is first to direct and make Laws._
There is no law made till the King assent unto it; but if it be put
simply to _make Laws_, it will make much startling at it.

3. (Page 10.) If _nothing may excuse from Active Obedience, but
what is against the Law of GOD, or of Nature, or impossible_;
how doth this agree with the first fundamental position: (Page 5.)
_That all subjects are bound to all their Princes, according to
the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom wherein they live._

4. (Page 11.) This is a fourth Case of Exception. The Poll Money,
mentioned by him in _Saint MATTHEW_, was imposed by the Emperor
as a Conqueror over the Jews: and the execution of it in England,
although it was by a Law, produced a terrible effect in King
RICHARD II.'s time; when only it was used, for ought that appeareth.

5. (Page 12.) It is, in the bottom, _View of the reign of HENRY
III._; and whether it be fit to give such allowance to the book;
being surreptitiously put out?