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called Roger Serjeant, a tailor, were apprehended by the Vice Chamberlain of the Queen's household, at the Saracen's Head, in Islington, where the congregation had then proposed to assemble themselves to their godly and accustomable exercises of prayer and hearing the Word of God: which pretence, for the safeguard of all the rest, they yet at their examinations covered and excused by hearing of a play that was then appointed to be at that place." He was burned, Dec. 22d, as was "the deacon of that said godly company and congregation," Cuthbert Sympson also, March 28th following, after having been cruelly racked. It seems that this was a congregation of "Gospellers," who approved of King Edward's Service-book, and had adopted it. The play," being on a Sunday, might have been one of those popish devices called "holy mysteries.' For, "the acting of plays, in churches, seemeth to have been frequent in this and other nations, during the times of popery; as appears from the decretal epistle against them. At the Reformation, and for some time after, those plays and interludes were very common; and, being representations of the corruptions of the monks and the popish clergy, were very acceptable to the people."

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What must not have been the extremity, however, to which Mr. Rough and his church were driven, when they could not assemble but under such a cover? Bonner, and his myrmidon pursuivants, or spies, pursued them with fiendish vigilance, and brought numbers of both sexes to wretchedness, misery, and death. Whoever is at all acquainted with the unparalleled rigour and watchfulness of that age, will be so far qualified to judge of the following disheartening representation :"That which they add of sundry secret congregations in queen Mary's days, in many parts of the land,' is but a boast. very few of them in any. But where they say, that these did, upon queen Elizabeth's entrance, openly profess the Gospel,' it is untrue; there was not one congregation separated in queen Mary's days, that so remained in queen Elizabeth's. The congregations were dissolved, and the persons in them bestowed themselves in their several parishes, where their livings and estates lay. The circumcised were mingled with the uncircumcised; whence came that monstrous confusion against which we witness. And show me one of your ministers continuing his charge in queen Elizabeth's days, over the flock to which he ministered, in queen Mary's days, the persecuted Gospel? It is certain the congregations, whether many or few, were all dispersed; and that the members of them joined themselves to the profane apostate papists, where their outward occasions lay. As, then, a handful or bundle of corn shuffled into a field of weeds, though in itself it retain the same nature, yet cannot make the field a corn-field; so neither could this small handful of separated people in queen Mary's days sanctify the whole

a Acts and Monuments, vol. iii. p. 860-864.

b See Bishop Gibson's Codex; who tells us, under Canon lxxviii. ed. 1713, p. 215, that this profane usage continued so late as 1603.

The Ministers; in their "Certain Positions," &c. See a subsequent chapter, p. 255.

field of the idolatrous and profane multitude in the land, by their scattering themselves amongst them."a

Still, these scattered elements of the dissolved congregations would soon revert and coalesce, on the arrival of the Dutch who fled from the approach of Alva; and the latent sparks of true religion would consequently spread with increasing glow, being confined no longer "in a secret place." Accordingly we find that in 1567 their influence had extended to London, where a meeting of about a hundred persons, in Plumber's Hall, was interrupted by officers, who apprehended" fourteen or fifteen of them."d "Thus began in England, the persecution of Protestants, by their fellow-dissenters from the Church of Rome !"e And following this iniquitous precedent, it proceeded in the like spirit and temper; which is admirably exhibited by one who wrote from knowledge and experience, though he did not rank under the same class with those sufferers in whom we are more immediately interested, but he might equally have applied to himself the warning:

"Thou must prepare thine ears to hear the noise
Of causeless threat'nings, or the foolish voice
Of ignorant Reprovers..

Thou must provide thyself to hear great Lords
Talk, without reason, big imperious words.
Thou must contented be to make repair,
If need require, before the Scorners' chair;
To hear them jeer, and flout, and take in hand
To scoff at what they do not understand!
Or say, perhaps, That of thyself thou makest
Some goodly thing; or, That thou undertakest
Above thy calling-or, unwarranted!

Not heeding from whose mouth it hath been said-
'God's wisdom oft elects what men despise,

And foolish things, to foil the worldly wise!' " [

This having been premised, we proceed by basing our superstructure upon "The disposition awakened by the Reformation, to receive nothing on merely human authority, and to bring every true Christian into that state of constant intercourse with the Supreme Mind which allows no authority and little peculiar sacredness in priests, and is displeased with the outward badges of their high pretensions;" to support which, the "machinery of persecution" already" put together and set up," was now "brought into activity," and produced, in the words of the statesman we are citing, "a pernicious example, little excused by the limited extent of its immediate mischief." s This eminent jurist remarks also, that "the worship of God is a want of the people; they will have it at any cost; and to subject their indulgence of it to the peril of life or fortune, was to breed fanaticism and vengeance." And

a Robinson's Justification of Separation. 1610. p. 460.

b See back, p. 14.

c Luke xi. 33.

Strype's Life of Abp. Parker, bk. iii. ch. xvi. p. 242.

e Sir James Mackintosh's Hist. of Eng. vol. iii. ch. iii. p. 133. 1831. Geo. Wither, "Britain's Remembrancer." 1628. 24mo. cant. v. p. 156. Mackintosh, ut sup.

he subjoins, that "Persecution was never yet employed by a Government, without recoiling upon its authors, in the very evil which it was intended to prevent.' "a Alas! our track runs through scenes of blood and terror! We commence it, at this point, by remarking, that the first public protestation made in favour of our cause had the disadvantage of emanating from an individual who retarded its free course by his personal defection.

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Consorting with others diligently employed in Biblical investigation, ROBERT BROWNE, of Corpus Christi, that is, Bene't College, Cambridge, Master of the Free School, St. Olave's, Southwark, and Chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk, professed to be influenced by similarity of purpose. Although related to the Lord Treasurer Burghley, he was cited in June 1571, to appear, with several Puritans, before archbishop Whitgift; but his high connexions protected him "for the present. Resentment of oppression might explain some of the motives which actuated him in part of his subsequent conduct; for, from what is now known of the real sentiments of several of queen Elizabeth's "most favoured ministers," Browne might be the unworthy promoter of liberal views in mere contradiction to the arbitrary measures of the hierarchy. His intrepidity appears from his making it his boast, that for preaching against bishops and their courts, the ordaining of priests, and the ceremonies, he had been committed to thirty-two prisons, in some of which he could not see his hand at noon. Extraordinary as this seems, his was no uncominon fate; and the result was, that the conduct of the Queen and her ecclesiastics, in resisting the restraints which the Parliament was proceeding to enact, awakened "a brave spirit of liberty." "A message," said the fearless Peter Wentworth, "was brought the last sessions [1572] into the House, That we should not deal in any matters of religion, but first to receive [permission] from the Bishops! Surely this," he continued, "was a doleful message!... I have heard of old parliament-men, that the banishment of the Pope and Popery, and the restoring of true religion, had their beginning from this House, not from the bishops."f

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a Ib. ch. v. p. 283. Experience of this truth has tardily brought the day in which a Bishop of London has denounced the measures of his "order," on this subject. July 27th, 1832, this question having been put, by a Committee of the House of Commons, Is your Lordship aware of any instance in which an enactment of penalties has ever been efficient in enforcing moral or religious duties?" His Lordship gave this memorable reply, "I think that the positive enforcement of religious duties by penalties is a mistake; it is a mistake in the principles of legislation !"

b Pagit's Heresiography. (1645.) ed. 1662. 12mo. p. 66.

e Neal's Hist. of the Purit. vol. 1. p. 227. ed. 1822. He was son of Anthony Browne of Tolethorpe, Rutlandshire, Esquire; of "ancient and right worshipful extraction." Fuller's Church Hist. bk. ix. p. 167, and his Worthies, p. 353. d Consult Hume, Hist. Eng. ch. xl. an. 1568 and 1579.

e Fuller, sup. p. 168.

f Wentworth was "a Puritan;" that is, according to a saying of Mr. Butler of Cambridge, given by Dr. Barlow, one of archbishop Whitgift's chaplains, in his account of the Hampton-court Conference, "a Protestant frayed out of his wits:"-and he signalized himself by opening the session, Feb. 8th, 1575-6. His whole speech is recorded in D'Ewes' Journal, p. 238. Hume remarks under un. 1579, that it seems to contain a rude sketch of those principles of liberty

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The rigid rule of the Prelates obstructing the free exercise of religious worship, Browne, who had resided for about a year among some Dutch emigrants in the diocese of Norfolk, retired with several friends to Zealand, better known since as the fatal island of Walcheren. In that then "cradle of liberty," they constituted themselves into a church; and the press being unrestrained, the pastor published his doctrines in "A Book which showeth the Life and Manners of all true Christians; and, how unlike they are unto Turks and Papists, and Heathen folk. Also, The Points and Parts of all Divinity, that is, of the revealed

which happily gained, afterwards, the ascendant in England." Thus religious and civil liberty dawned, suffered, and have prevailed together. In another place, Hume says, "Wentworth was, indeed, by his Puritanism, as well as his love of liberty-for these two characters of such unequal merit arose and advanced together the true forerunner of the Hampdens, the Pyms, and the Hollises, who in the next age, with less courage, because with less danger, rendered their principles so triumphant." App. to Eliz. Note AA. It should be kept in mind, throughout the progress of our Memorials, that in no one respect are we indebted to Churchmen in power for placing liberty on a just basis. "The doctrine of Passive Obedience is strenuously inculcated by the Bishop's Book, 1537, in the exposition of the Decalogue. See Formularies, &c. p. 153. Oxf. ed. And the trial of Dr. Sacheverel shows with what uniformity the doctrine was maintained, from that time till the Revolution of 1688." Life of Abp. Laud, by C. W. Le Bas, M.A. 1836. 16mo. p. 107.

The following letters, addressed to Lord Burghley, in the handwriting of Dr. Freke, bishop of Norwich, are still extant among the Lansdowne MSS. No. 33, arts. 13 and 20.

"My duty to your Lordship remembered: Being informed of many great disorders in the town of Bury and country thereabout, as well in the clergy as in the laity; whereof, besides the general complaint, the High Commissioners at Bury understanding of the same disorders, advertised me thereof by letters, requiring me to take order therein, I did of late in person, with others of my associates in Commission Ecclesiastical for these parts, visit the said town. In the which, finding great divisions amongst the people, some whereof are very desirous in dutiful affection to have her Majesty's proceeding observed; others, on the contrary, being given to fantastical innovations; there were, moreover, divers matters of importance exhibited and proved against Mr. Handson, who is, in very deed, the only man there blowing the coals whereof this fire is kindled. It was therefore thought meet, for the better quiet of that place, that he should be suspended from preaching, unless he could be contented to enter into bond to her Majesty's use hereafter to teach and preach the Word sincerely and purely, without impugning or inveighing against the Communion Book, the order of government, and laws of this realm now established. Which offer refusing, he was and is thereupon inhibited to preach. Whereof

I have thought good not only to inform your Lordship, but also the rest of my Lords of the Council, if so it should like your Lordship. Wherein this bearer is to attend and follow your Lordship's directions; having for your and their Lordships' better information, sent herewith a copy of the article and proof thereof preferred against Mr. Handson, referring the procedure therein taken to your Lordship's judgment and consideration. And herewith I send unto your Lordship other articles ministered against one Robert Browne, a minister, and his several answers thereunto: the said party being lately apprehended in this country, upon complaint made by many godly preachers, for delivering unto the people corrupt and contentious doctrine, contained and set down mon at large in the same articles. His arrogant spirit of reproving being such as is to be marvelled at, the man being also to be feared, lest, if he were at liberty, he would seduce the vulgar sort of the people, who greatly depend on him, assembling themselves to the number of a hundred at a time, in private houses and conventicles to hear him, not without danger of some thereabout.

Will and Word of God, are declared by their several Definitions and Divisions, in order as followeth."a

The following selections so clearly prove the New Testament to be the genuine source whence they are chiefly derived; and, also the Scriptural principles of the Congregational Churches to have been developing themselves from the very earliest stages of the Reformation; that as the passages are not to be found in Browne's words in any other subsequent publication, we deem them far too curious and instructive to be omitted here.

"The New Testament, which is called the Gospel, or glad tidings, is a joyful and plain declaring and teaching, by a due message, of the remedy of our miseries through Christ our Redeemer, who is come in the flesh, a Saviour unto those which worthily receive this message, and hath fulfilled the old ceremonies.-Our calling, in plainer

And so I humbly betake your Honour to God's tuition. Your Lordship's humbly at commandment, Edmond Norwich. Ludham, 19th April, 1581."

66

'My duty unto your good Lordship most humbly remembered: May it please your Lordship to understand that though Mr. Browne's late coming into my diocese and teaching strange and dangerous doctrine in all disordered manner, hath greatly troubled the whole country, and brought many to great disobedience of all laws and magistrates; yet by the good aid and help of my Lord Chief Justice, and Mr. Justice Anderson his associate, the chiefest of such factions were so bridled, and the rest of their followers so greatly dismayed, as I verily hoped of much good and quietness to have thereof ensued, had not the said Browne now returned, contrary to my expectation, and greatly prejudiced these their good proceedings; who having private meetings in such close and secret manner as that I know not possibly how to suppress the same. Am very sorry to foresee that, touching this my diocese, which must, in short time, by him and other disordered persons which only seek the disturbance of the Church, be brought to pass. And, therefore, the careful duty I ought to have to the country being my charge, enforceth me to crave most earnestly your Lordship's help in suppressing him especially, that no further inconvenience follow by this his return: and procuring my Lord Chief Justice and Mr. Anderson such thanks from her Majesty for their painful travail in that behalf, that thereby they may be encouraged to go still forwards in the same: and herewithal, if it would please your Lordship to give me your good advice, how to prevent such dangers as through the strange dealings of some of the gentlemen in Suffolk about Bury, is like to ensue, I should be much bound to your Honour for the same; which gentlemen in winking at, if not of policy procuring the disordered sort to go forwards in their evil attempts, and discouraging the staid and wiser sort of preachers—as by sundry letters which I send your Lordship by this bringer may appear more plainly unto your Honour-will in time, I fear me, hazard the overthrow of all religion, if it be not in due time wisely prevented. And thus leaving the rest to the further declaration of this bringer, I humbly betake your good Lordship to the protection of Almighty God. From Ludham, this 2d of August, 1581. Your good Lordship's humbly at commandment, Edmond Norwich."

With the addition, "Robert Browne. Middleburgh, Imprinted by Richard Painter." 1582. 4to. pp. 112. The contents are comprised in 185 questions and propositions, in tabular columns: headed, "The state of Christians;" paralleled by 126, headed “The state of Heathen;" by 41, “The Antichristian state;" and by 18, "The Jewish state." All these are again paralleled in another column, by as many "Definitions;" and the whole is reduced into analytical principles in phrases and single words. The book is an excellent specimen of typographical arrangement, and is excessively scarce. The only perfect copy we know of, is in the library of the Rev. T. Russell, A. M., editor of Owen, Baxter, &c.

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