. Kings. Great Britain, JAMES I.; France, LOUIS XIII.; Spain, PHILIP III. the Lord's Supper is first observed after the English form, with kneeling, at Holyrood House; contrary to the order of the Church of Scotland: and several Lords forbare to communicate. Tuesday following, the King commands them to communicate after this new manner, the next Lord's Day : but though some Noblemen and Bishops communicate kneeling; yet not half the Noblemen required.a July 17, Tuesday. The Parliament of Scotland meets. Wherein the Lords pass a Bill, that "the King with the Archbishops, Bishops, and such Ministers as he should choose, shall have, in all times coming, full power to conclude matters decent for the external policy of the Kirk, not repugnant to the Word of GOD; and such Conclusions shall have the power of Laws." But fifty-six Ministers protest against it, and the Bill falls; to the King's great displeasure.a July 11. The King goes to St. Andrews to sit in the High Commission Court, upon the Protesting Ministers. The next day, sits therein; and makes a speech, declaring, "We took this order with the Puritans in England; who stood out as long as they were deprived only of their Benefices, preaching still, and living on the benevolence of the people that affected their cause: but when we deprived them of their Office; many yielded to us, and are now become the best men we have. Let us take the like course with the Puritans here!" So they went to work, and deprived three of the Protesting Ministers.a August. King JAMES, returning from Scotland through Lancashire, says: "He rebuked some Puritans and Precise People, for prohibiting and punishing people there for using their lawful recreations and honest exercises (as he calls them) upon Sundays: and publishes his Pleasure, under his own hand, that they should not be prevented for the future."b And September 15, he arrives at London.c,d This year, Master ROBINSON and his Church begin to think of a remove to America, for several weighty reasons, as, 1. The difficulties in Holland discouraged many from coming to a CALDERWOOD. b King JAMES's Declaration (called the Book of Sports) printed, in quarto, London, 1618. © HOWES. d BAKER. Kings. Great Britain, JAMES I.; France, LOUIS XIII.; Spain, PHILIP III. them out of England; and obliged many to return.a 2. By reason of these difficulties, with the licentiousness of the youth, and the temptations of the place, many of their children left their parents; some becoming soldiers, others taking to foreign voyages, and some to courses tending to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls to the great grief of their parents, and fear lest their posterity (through temptations and examples) should degenerate, and Religion die among them. 3. From an inward zeal, and great hope of laying some foundation, or making way for propagating the Kingdom of CHRIST to the remote ends of the earth; though they should be but as stepping stones to others &c.b : Upon their talk of removing, sundry of note among the Dutch would have them go under them; and make them large offers: but choosing to go under the English Government, where they might enjoy their religious privileges without molestation; after humble prayers to GOD, they first debate," Whether to go to Guiana, or Virginia?" And though some, and none of the meanest, are earnest for the former; they at length determine for the latter: so as to settle in a distinct body, but under the General Government of Virginia. Upon which they send Master ROBERT CUSHMAN and Master JOHN CARVER to treat with the Virginia Company; and see if the King would give them liberty of conscience there. November 4. Commissioners for a General Assembly in Scotland having been chosen in presence of the Bishops there; and those nominated who misliked Episcopal Govern a Governor BRADFORD says, on this head, that Many who came to them, and desired to be with them, could not endure the great labour and hard fare, with other inconveniences which they endured: but though they loved their persons, approved their cause, and honoured their suffering, yet they left them, as it were, weeping, as ORPAH did her mother-in-law NAOMI; or as those Romans did CATO in Utica, who desired to be excused and borne with, though they could not all be CATOS. For many, though they desired to enjoy the Ordinances of GOD in their purity, and the liberty of the Gospel with them; yet, alas, they admitted of bondage with danger of conscience, rather than to endure these hardships: yea, some preferred the brisons in England, rather than this liberty in Holland with these afflictions. b Mr. MORTON mentions another reason; which he doubtless had from the original Planters; viz., That the great neglect [i.e., in Holland] of observing the Lord's Day was very grievous to them. (MORTON's New England's Memorial.) Governor BRADFORD's History. Kings. Great Britain, JAMES I.; France, LOUIS XIII.; Spain, PHILIP III ment being not allowed by the Bishops; a General Assembly is, this day, proclaimed at Edinburgh, to meet at St. Andrews on the 25th current. And November 25, the General Assembly meeting accordingly, the Commissioners of seven dioceses are absent, for want of time. The Archbishop of St. ANDREWS, in his sermon, bitterly inveighs against many worthy men of the ministry, deceased; and said, "some of them deserved to be hanged." The King, in his letter, wills the Assembly to conform to his desires; or otherwise threatens that he would use his own authority: and to gratify him, they agree 1. To minister the Communion to the dangerously sick. 2. That the Ministers shall deal the Elements to every one, with their own hands. But deferring the consideration of Holy Days; the King is highly offended.a November 12. Sir EDWIN SANDYS writes from London to Master ROBINSON and Master BREWSTER; wherein he says: "Your Agents have carried themselves with that discretion as is both to their own credit, and theirs, from whom they came: and the Seven Articles subscribed with your names, have given the gentlemen of the Council of Virginia that satisfaction, which has carried them to a resolution to forward your desire in the best sort that may be for your own and the public good &c."b December 15 (I suppose Old Style). Masters ROBINSON and BREWSTER date their letter of thanks, from Leyden, to Sir EDWIN; wherein they write, "We have set down our Requests, subscribed with the hands of the greatest part of our Congregation, and sent them to the Council by our Agent, JOHN CARVER; to whom we have also requested a gentleman of our Company to adjoin himself. And for your encouragement, we will not forbare to mention these inducements. 1. We verily believe and trust the LORD is with us, to Whom and Whose service we have given ourselves, in many trials; and that He will graciously prosper our endeavours, according to the simplicity of our hearts. 2. We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country; and inured to the difficulties of a strange land. CALDERWOOD. b Governor BRADFORD'S History. . Kings. Great Britain, JAMES I.; France, LOUIS XIII.; Spain, PHILIP III. 3. The people are, for the body of them, industrious and frugal; we think we may safely say, as any company of people in the world. 4. We are knit together as a Body, in a most strict and sacred Bond and Covenant of the LORD: of the violation whereof, we make great conscience; and by virtue whereof, we hold ourselves straitly tied to all care of each other's good, and of the whole. 5. And lastly. It is not with us, as with other men, whom small things can discourage; or small discontentments cause to wish ourselves at home again &c."a This year. The Reverend Master PAUL BAINE dies: who had succeeded the famous Master WILLIAM PERKINS as Lecturer, at St. Andrews, Cambridge: but afterwards was silenced by Archbishop BANCROFT'S Visitor, Master HARSENET, for non-subscription and nonconformity.b From 1519, to this year 1617, have been entered in the Register Books of Seville, 1,536 millions of gold, brought to Spain from the West Indies.c January 8. 1618. IR ROBERT NAUNTON sworn the January 26. Archbishop SPOTTISWOOD calls together the Bishops and Ministers, at this time, in Edinburgh; and reads them the King's letter: wherein he wills them to approve the Five Articles under their hands; or the Bishops to suspend them from their Ministry and stipends. The Five Articles are 1. For kneeling at the Lord's Table. 2. Giving the Communion privately to the sick. 3. For Baptizing in private. 4. For Confirmation by the Bishops. 5. For observing the Holy Days of Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday. a Governor BRADFORD'S History. C PERIER. b Life, before his valuable Exposition of the Ephesians. • LLOYD'S State Worthies. d HOWES. . Kings. Great Britain, JAMES I.; France, LOUIS XIII.; Spain, PHILIP III. And January 28. A Proclamation at Edinburgh, for a universal cessation on these Holy Days; and those who refuse, to be punished with rigour as disobedient and rebellious persons, and contemners of the King's Authority: though the General Assembly had not consented; and the Acts of Parliament against them are yet unrepealed.a January 27. Masters ROBINSON and BREWSTER write from Leyden to Sir JOHN WOLSTENHOLME; wherewith they send an account of their Principles, to be communicated to the King's Council: who had received some ill impressions against them, viz.: Touching the Ecclesiastical Ministry, namely, of Pastors for teaching, Elders for ruling, and Deacons for distributing the Church's contributions; as also for the two Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper: we wholly agree with the French Reformed Churches, according to their Public Confession of Faith: though some small differences are to be found in our practice, in some accidental circumstances, as 1. Their Ministers pray with their heads covered: ours, uncovered. 2. We choose none for Governing Elders, but such as are able to teach: which ability they do not require. 3. Their Elders and Deacons are annual; or, at most, for two or three years: ours, perpetual. 4. Our Elders administer their Office in Admonitions and Excommunications for public scandals, publicly before the Congregation; theirs more privately, and in their Consistories.b February 14. SB [or rather SABIN STARESMORE, see p. 3891, who delivered this letter writes, that upon Sir JOHN's reading it; I asked his Worship, "What good news he had for me to write, to-morrow?" He told me, "Very good news! for the King's Majesty and the Bishops have consented. But for your letters; he would not show them at any hand, lest he should spoil all."b March 30. The Provost and Bailiffs of Edinburgh are commanded by a letter from the King, to see that the people observe Good Friday. April 1. The Charge for observing of Holy Days published a CALDERWOOD. b Governor BRADFORD'S History. |