the seas, certainly not without great peril could they cross the ocean into Scotland in the winter-time, which then is wont to be most turbulent and stormy. But the English on the other side, who are not separated from the Scots with any river interposed between them, are able not only in summer, but in winter-time also, to move war against the Scots themselves, who, when there doth rise up even the least occasion of discord between them, are wont suddenly to put themselves effectually into arms. Constrained therefore by these principal respects, without I should expose the interest of my life and country to the hazard of the greatest dangers, I am by no means able to help it, but that even to my greatest disadvantage I must make peace with the English, saving always (as they say) my honour and conscience; because honour doth regard the civil administration whereby to be able afterwards to rule or govern the commonwealth. Then the conscience, as being the form and force Divine given to men to direct them to a good end; which admitting it to be sometimes straitened and bound with calamities, yet nevertheless may it neither for torments, nor for promises of rewards, be ever expelled or deprived from the communion and obedience of the catholic church! But amongst other things, it now happeneth that I must relate to your Holiness one thing most truly bitter unto me; that is, that we are come to those terms of desiring my only son, the heir of the temporal kingdoms, to be delivered by a certain time into the hands of the English, by way of hostage or pledge, reserving to me, nevertheless, the liberty to appoint him such governors and counsellors afterwards, as shall best please me. There is, moreover, granted leave of accession unto him, not only for me, but likewise to all those that for my satisfaction shall be sent into England to visit him. Let not your Holiness for this cause have any doubt but that he shall be not only full of good and holy conversation, but also (though he be amongst an unlucky nation) a perfect member of the catholic and apostolic church, and always ready and prone to help the same. But because that by this my letter I may not extend myself in greater length beyond my duty, I do conclude with this,-that I have determined with myself, nevertheless, to give your Holiness to understand of my estate, and of all these things which for the present do pass between them and me, and if these also which shall happen in the journey of any importance; and because it is a most difficult thing to put all my occasions in writing, I have for that cause informed the bishop of Dublin with all mine occurrences, as him that is, and always hath been, my most faithful nuncio, and most lovingly-affected toward your Holiness and the seat apostolic. May it please your Holiness to give faith unto him, concerning all things whereof he shall treat with you in my

name. Meantime, I pray our Lord God that he, by his most holy grace, protect the catholic church from all the wicked thoughts of her adversaries; in which case all we have fixed our eyes upon your Holiness, as upon a most clear light, expecting of the same continually, in name of his Divine Majesty, your most holy benediction. And all with the same mind do desire unto your Holiness a most long life, to the glory of the most mighty God, and comfort of all the faithful. From Chattesworth in England, the last of October, 1570. "The most devout daughter of your Holiness,

"MARY THE QUEEN."

Whoso consults our state historians in this very juncture of time, shall find the queen of Scots on tolerable terms (daily likely to amend) with queen Elizabeth. Yea, now she was in the vertical of her favour, wherein henceforward she began to decline, principally for practising with the pope and foreign princes.

MADAM,

SECTION III.

TO MRS. ANNE DANVERS, OF CHELSEA.

LET not your maiden modesty be betrayed to a blush, seeing yourself here left alone, surrounded on all sides with masculine Dedications. It will keep you in countenance, if, reflecting your eye either on the first page of this Book, or side-columns of this page; where you shall find the queen of virgins in the front thereof, whose reign in this Book is described. Indeed, a portion thereof, being designed to your late brother, (now glorious saint,) falls of course to you, with his goods and chattels, as his sole executrix. If any Latin letters occur in this Section, I doubt not but God will seasonably provide you such a consort, who, amongst his many other virtues, will change you to a happy wife, and translate them to your understanding.

1, 2. The Death of the Bishops of Exeter and Salisbury. The Praise of Bishop Jewel. A. D. 1572.

ABOUT this time deceased William Alley, bishop of Exeter, a painful preacher; and John Jewel, of Salisbury, of whom largely

before. He was born in Devonshire, bred first in Merton, then Corpus Christi College in Oxford, first pupil to, afterwards fellowexile with, Mr. Parkhurst, in Germany.* After queen Mary's death, Parkhurst durst not for danger return with Jewel, but went a securer way (as he supposed) by himself; though Jewel came safe and sound home, whilst Parkhurst was robbed of all in his return, and relieved by the other at his journey's end, and soon after both of them were made bishops; Mr. Parkhurst of Norwich, and Jewel of Salisbury.

A Jewel (sometimes taken for a single precious stone) is properly a collective of many, orderly set together to their best advantage. So several eminencies met in this worthy man; naturals, artificials, (amongst which I recount his studied memory, deserving, as well as Theodectes the sophister, the surname of Mnemonicus,) morals, but principally spirituals: so devout in the pew where he prayed, diligent in the pulpit where he preached, grave on the bench where he assisted, mild in the consistory where he judged, pleasant at the table where he fed, patient in the bed where he died, that well it were if, in relation to him, secundum usum Sarum, were made precedential to all posterity. He gave at his death to Peter Martyr a golden rose, yet more fragrant for the worth of the giver than the value of the gift; to the city of Zurich, a present which they converted into a piece of plate with Jewel's arms thereon; to several scholars, large legacies; to the church of Salisbury, a fair library; and another, to the church of England; I mean, his learned "Apology." It is hard to say whether his soul or his ejaculations arrived first in heaven, seeing he prayed dying, and died praying. He was buried in the choir by bishop Wivill: two champions of the church lying together; one, who with his sword proffered to maintain the lands; the other, who with his pen defended the doctrine thereof. In the absence of Dr. Humphrey, designed for that service, Mr. Giles Laurence preached his funerals, who formerly, (being tutor to the children of Sir Arthur Darcy by Aldgate in London,) in queen Mary's days preserved Jewel's life, and provided accommodation for his flight beyond the seas.

3. Subscription, why now more rigorously urged.

Hitherto, the bishops had been the more sparing in pressing, and others more daring in denying, subscription, because the canons made in the Convocation, 1563, were not for nine years after confirmed by Act of Parliament. But now, the same being ratified by parliamental authority, they began the urging thereof more severely

Vide supra in the first year of queen Mary.

large "Life of Bishop Jewel."

LAURENCE HUMPHREY in the

than before; which made many Dissenters keep their private meetings in woods, fields, their friends' houses,* &c. I say "private meetings," for "conventicles" I must not call them, having read what one hath written: "That name (which agreeth to Anabaptists) is too light and contemptuous to set forth such assemblies, where God's word and sacraments are administered, even by the confession of their adversaries."

4. The true Notion of a Conventicle.

Indeed, no disgrace is imported in the notation of the word "conventicle," sounding nothing else but "a small convention." And, some will say, Can the infant (the diminutive) be a term of reproach, where the mother (the primitive) is creditable in the acceptation thereof? However, custom, the sole mint-master of current words, hath taken off conventicles, from signifying a small number, to denote the meeting of such (how many soever) in a clandestine way, contrary to the commands of the present lawful authority.

5. Thomas Cartwright presents to the Parliament a

distasted Admonition.

And now Thomas Cartwright, chief of the nonconformists, presents the parliament with a book called "an Admonition," some members taking distaste at the title thereof. For, seeing admonition is the lowest of ecclesiastical censures, and a preparative, if neglected, to suspension and excommunication; such suggested, that if the parliament complied not with this Admonitor's desires, his party (whereof he the speaker) would proceed to higher and louder. fulminations against the parliament. Whereas "admonition" is a soft word in the common (but especially in the Scripture) acceptation thereof, and may with humility on just occasion be tendered from inferiors, to any single persons or Christian corporation. This Admonition contained their grievances who presented it, with a declaration of the only way to redress them; namely, by admitting that platform which was there prescribed. This not finding the entertainment it expected, was seconded by another, more importunate, to the same effect.

6. Bandying of Books betwixt two learned Men, chief of their

Parties.

It will not be amiss to set down what writings, pro and con, passed on the occasion of this book, between two eminent authors

• BISHOP BANCROFT in his " English Scottizing," book iii. cap. 1. CARTWRIGHT'S "Second Reply," page 38.

+ THOMAS

of opposite parties. 1. The "Admonition," first and second made by Mr. Cartwright. 2. The "Answer to the Admonition," by Dr. John Whitgift. 3. The "Reply to the Answer of the Admonition," by Mr. Thomas Cartwright. 4. The "Defence of the Answer," by Dr. John Whitgift. This last kept the field, and (for aught I can find) received no solemn refutation.

7. Several Reasons of Mr. Cartwright's not replying again.

Sundry reasons are assigned of Mr. Cartwright's silence; all believing as they are affected, and most being affected as led by their interest. Some ascribed it to his weakness, who, having spent all his powder and shot in former fights, was forced to be quiet for the future others, to his pride, (undervaluing what he could not overcome,) counting Whitgift's last answer no answer, but a repetition of what was confuted before others imputed it to his patience, seeing otherwise multiplying of replies would make brawls infinite; and, whilst women strive for the last word, men please themselves with the last reason others, to the policy of that party, resolving to go a new way to work, and to turn their serious books into satirical pamphlets. Some few attributed it to Mr. Cartwright's modest respect to his adversary, who had gotten the upper ground of him, (Whitgift being soon after made bishop and archbishop,) though in my mind this would more heighten than abate their opposition.

8. The first Presbytery in England, set up at Wandsworth in Surrey.

The nonconformists, though over-powered for the present in parliament, yet found such favour therein, that, after the dissolution thereof, they presumed to erect a presbytery at Wandsworth in Surrey.* Eleven elders were chosen therein; and their offices and general rules (by them to be observed) agreed upon and described, as appears by a bill indorsed with the hand of Mr. Field, the lecturer (as I take it) of that place, but living in London. Mr. Smith of Mitcham, and Mr. Crane of Roehampton, (neighbouring villages,) are mentioned for their approbation of all passages therein. This was the firstborn of all presbyteries in England; and secundum usum Wandesworth as much honoured by some, as secundum usum Sarum by others.

BISHOP BANCROFT'S "English Scottizing," book iii. cap. 1.