receive the ado, and many conflicts with them. For they had gotten fuch ftrength by his Predeceffor's connivency, that many of them were then planted both within his Province, and particular Diocess: In whofe favour fundry Gentlemen of the chiefeft account there came to entreat the Archbishop, and fome of the younger fort would needs argue and difpute matters in controverfy on their behalf. But he gave fo good fatisfaction unto them all by his mild and temperate Answers (albeit he yielded not unto their Requests) that they loved him after; fome of the chiefeft of them preferring their Sons unto him, and the reft performing many kind Offices and Services towards him. Decem.1584. 55. The next Year following, for For Satisfa farther fatisfaction of fome of the greattion of fome great Perfons, eft, and most honourable Counsellors he with two of State in these Points, the two Archother Bishops bishops, and the Bishop of Winchester Reasons of were pleased to hear the Reasons of Some Minifters fome Minifters that refused to conform for their Nonthemselves unto the Orders of the They fufficient- Church established. At which time ly answer the albeit the faid learned Prelates fufficiSame, ently cleared all their Doubts, and Ex conformity. ceptions; Conference ceptions; yet after this, thefe honourable Perfonages affying much in the Sufficiency and Scholarship of fome others, not yet dealt withal, and fup. pofing that they had been able to have faid much more in defence of them. felves, and the impeaching of the Ecclefiaftical Government established (for so they were born in hand) were defirous to hear at Lambeth the Controverfies further debated on both Sides, at Lambeth, Whereunto the Archbishop, for their debate of the and a further fatisfaction yielded; and after four Controversy, hours Conference spent, thefe Honou- to the Seeming Satisfaction of rable Perfonages profeffed, that they thofe Great would not have believed that the Arch- Personages. bishops Grounds and Reafons had been fo good and ftrong, and the Others fo weak and trivial, but that they heard them once and again with their own Ears; and fo, they faid they would inform her Majefty; feeming to be there well refolved, and alfo perfuaded the Minifters to Conformity. 56. Howbeit afterwards, when those Honourable Perfonages faw that they might not fway (as formerly in the reftraint of Archbishop Grindall) and pre- The Archbishop fer whom they lifted unto Ecclefiaftical perplexed with Promotions; they with fome others D 3 Oppofitions; is grieved. linked H Writes his mind. linked themselves against the Archbi fhop, and gave him, (being yet no Counsellor of State) many thwarts at the Council board, wherewith he was fo much perplexed and grieved to fee things thus carried, as thereupon advifing with fome of his Honourable Friends (whofe affiftance he knew might avail him) if their Affections were not otherwife overfwayed by the potency of fo great Perfonages, he thus imparted his mind in feveral Letters, as followeth. ÒD knoweth how defirous I have G been, ܐ܂ from time to time, to have my Doings approved by my ancient and honourable Friends. For which caufe, fince my coming to this Place, I have done nothing of importance against thefe Sectaries, without good Advice. I have rifen up early, and fate up late, to yield Reafons, and make answer to their Contentions and their Seditious Objections. And shall I now fay, I have loft my labour? Or shall my just dealing with disobedient and irregular Perfons, caufe my former profeffed and ancient Friends, to hinder my just Proceedings, and make them fpeak of my Doings, yea and of my Self, what they lift? Solomon Solomon faith, that an old Friend is better than a new. I trust thofe that love me indeed will not fo lightly cast of their old Friends for any of these new fangled. and Factions Sectaries, whofe fruits are to make divifion, and to feparate old, and affured Friends. In mine own private Affairs I know I shall stand in need of Friends; but, in thefe publick Actions, 1 fee no caufe why I should feek Friends, feeing they, to whom the care of the Commonwealth is committed, ought, of duty, therein to join with me. And if my honourable Friends fhould forfake me (especially in fo good a Caufe) and not put their helping hand to the redrefs of thefe Enormities (being indeed a matter of State, and not of the least moment) I shall think my com ing unto this Place to have bee for my punishment, and my hap very hard, that, when I think to deferve best, and, in a manner, confume my felf to fatisfy that, which God, her Majesty, and the Church, requireth of me, I should be evilly rewarded. Sed meliora fpero. It is ob jected by fome, that my defire of Uniformity, by way of Subfcription, is for the better maintenance of my Book. They are mine Enemies that Say So; but I trust my Friends have a better opinion of me." Why Should D 3 A I fhould I feek for any confirmation of my Book after twelve years approbation? or what fhall I get thereby more than already I have? And yet, if Subfcription may confirm it, it is confirmed long ago by the Subfcription almost of all the Clergy of England before my time, Mine Enemies likewife, and the flanderous Tongues of this uncharitable Sect, report that I am revolted, become a Papift, and I know not what. But it proceedeth from their lewdpefs, and not from any defert of mine. am further burthened with Wilfulness; I hope my Friends are better perfuaded of me, to whofe Confciences I appeal. It is ftrange, that a man of my Place, dealing by fo good warrant as I do, fhould be fo encountred, and, for not yielding, be counted wilful. But I must be content, Vincit qui patitur. There is a difference betwixt Wilfulness and Conftancy. I have taken upon me, by the Place which I hold under her Majesty, the defence of the Religion, and the Rites of the Church of England, to appease the Schifms and Sects therein, to reduce all the Minifters thereof to Uniformity, and to. due obedience, and not to waver with every wind; which also my Place, my Perfon, my Duty, the Laws, her Majefty, and the goodness of the Caufe do require of me, and wherein |