& gerous, and them, but con and others whom he conferred with (albeit The Preachers they held it a work to be wifhed at God's thought the hands) yet by his talk gathered the manner ways of effectof bringing it in, to be fo dangerous, as that ing of it dan they feared the fuccefs, and refused to be refused to be made acquainted with the particular ways made acand means which he had plotted to effect it. quainted with Thereby making choife rather that Coppinger fent he should fhould venture to put it in practife (if he re- run the hamained refolute herein, which they found zard. by him) of what dangerous confequence foever fuch a way might be, than that they, by bewraying of him to Authority, fhould be any means to break off and prevent his Refolution, or quench his Zeal. And thus (with opinion of fafety to themselves) they merchandized the hazard of their Friend's life, or else the rearing of Sedition in the Realm, with the hope that fecretly they nourished, to have the Difcipline (which they dream of) erected. Arthington. Thus Coppinger (remaining ftill more con- Coppinger firmed and fetled in this vein) by his Pew- brought acfellow Wigginton, about Eafter-Term laft, quainted with being (as is aforefaid) brought acquainted Hacket and with Hacket (as with a moft holy man) foon after would needs bring Arthington alfo acquainted with him, as one, whom (upon fo fmall knowledge) he had obferved to be a very rare man. For this purpose he fent for Arthington to Dinner or Supper unto Lawfon's Houfe, near to Paul's Gate, where Arthington met first with Hacket, together with another, whom he calleth a godly man: Of whofe N 3 retires into Yorkshire. Hacket goes alfo into the Country. whofe ordinary talk then had, Arthington liked very well; but had (as he faith) at that time no further conference with him. After which Arthington time, Arthington difcontinued from the City, and remained in Yorkshire until Trinity Term, leaving Hacket and Coppinger behind him, plotting of their purpofes together: What Purposes they had, what Counsel they entred into, and what Conferences they entertained betwixt themselves, and with others, by the Events enfuing, will beft be discovered. After this Hacket stayed not long in London, but defired Coppinger at his departure, to write unto him what fuccefs J.T. had, and withal affuring him, that whenfoever he should write for him, he the faid Hacket would ftreightway come up again. Hereupon Coppinger writ unto him firft at the end of Easter Term,and after again very earneftly to be at London three days before the beginning of Trinity Term laft, but he could not be here fo foon by three or four days. When he was come, he lodged the firft night at Ilington; but fent his Horse down again into the Country, as purpofing to ftay long in London. Then after a night or two (one of which nights he lodged at the faid Lawfon's Houfe by Wiggington's direction) he was provided of a Chamber and of his Board at one Ralph Kaye's House, in Knight-rider-street, by Coppinger's means, and at his Charges, for he coft Coppinger there Eleven Shillings by the Week: But Kayes waxing weary of him (in part for that he feared Coppinger fends for him to London, and provides kim Chamber and Board. feared Hacket was a Conjurer or Witch, in that the Camomil (he faith) in his Garden where Hacket either trod or fate, did wither up the next night, and waxed black) therefore Coppinger provided at his own charges likewise another Room for him, at one Walker's Houfe by Broken Wharf, where he remained until his apprehension. Whilft Hacket was at Kaye's Houfe, he Hacket leaves ufed before and after Meals to pray (as the Queen out feemed) moft devoutly and zealously, but of his Prayers. never for the Queen's Majesty. Hacket alfo told Kayes, That if all the Divines in England fhould pray for Rain, if he said the word, yet it should not rain. The first of the aforefaid Letters which Coppinger writ unto Hacket to move him to come up, doth contain matter of note befides, not unfit to be known. Brother Hacket Coppinger's (faith he) the burthen which God hath laid up- Letter to on me (you being the Inftrument to make me bold Hacket. and couragious, where I was fearful and faint) is greater than I can bear without your help here, though I have it where you are. The workings of his holy Spirit in me, fince your departure, be mighty and great: My zeal of fpirit burneth like fire, fo that I cannot contain my felf, and conceal his mercies towards me. And a little after in the fame Letter, Mafter Thr. is put off till the next Term, the zealous Preachers (as it is thought) are to be in the Star-Chamber to morrow,the Lord by his holy Spirit be with them: My felf (if I can get in) am moved to be there: And I fear (if Sentence with severity be given) I fhall Note. Arthington London, be forced (in the name of the great and fearful God of Heaven) to protest against it: My defire is, that you haft up fo Loon as you can; your Charges fhall be born by me. And somewhat after, thus: If bis most holy Spirit direct you to come, come: If not, ftay: But write with speed, and convey your Letter, and inclose it in a Letter to him who brought you and me acquainted (viz. Wigginton) put not your name to it, for difcovery Direct your Letter thus, To my loving Brother in the Lord, give these my Letters: I put to no name, but the matter you know, which Jufficeth. Pray that the Lord may reign, and that his Subjects may obey: That all Inftruments whatfoever, that fhall be used, may be furnished with fuch gifts and graces as every one have, or fhall have need of: That it may appear, that the Action (now in band) is his own; and therefore he will provide fafety for his holy ones, and deftruction for those who are veffels of wrath; who have accomplished the number of their fins, which call for vengeance from Heaven. Thefe Letters Hacket carried to Pamplin, Schoolmaster of Oundell, to be read unto him, for that himfelf could neither write nor read: But I have not yet heard that he complained there. of to any in Authority. When Arthington alfo about the midst of returns to Trinity Term laft, was returned to London, Coppinger (hearing thereof) came to his Lodging, and then (with many words) extolled and magnified Hacket unto him, for Hacket to him the holieft man that ever was, Chrift only as the Holieft excepted, and one that travelled (together man that ever Coppinger vifits him, and magnifies with Coppinger with him) for the good of the Queen and was, except the Land, but after an extraordinary man- Chrift. ner, and not both by one means. And al- Arthington beit Arthington (as now he faith) defired feems not deftthem to keep their Secrets to themfelves, and rous of their not to trouble him with them, (who had Secrets. other business to attend ;) yet Coppinger im- perfuades him portuned him fo, as he could not avoid, but to hear yield to hear Hacket pray before them (as a Hacket's exman of a fingular Spirit, albeit utterly un- tempore learned of the Book.) The first Prayer of Prayers, which his (that Arthington heard) was åbout four divine, and or five Weeks before their apprehenfion. All effeems him as which Prayers conceived by Hacket (even moft boly fince his apprehenfion) the faid Arthington praised to be fo divine, fweet and heavenly, that thereby he was drawn into a great admiration of him. In all the Prayers that Hacket made in his prefence, Arthington obferved this difference from other mens: That he admires as man. he usually therein defired the Lord to confound a horrible exhim, if he did not feek only his honour and glory ecration used in all things: Which Arthington marking from in his Prayer. time to time in him, and seeing him still to be fo perfectly found and very well, was thereby drawn (together with Coppinger's words and experience of him) to reckon and esteem of him, as of a moft holy man. This Leffon of wifhing themselves confounded, his faid two Scholars (by imitation) did so perfectly learn of him, that to the great aftonishment and horror of fuch The fame used (that afterward examined them) they used by the other this Execration: Wishing themselves confound- two in their ed Affirmations. |