II.

another, without due examination or consideration of the BOOK circumstances, either unawares, or wittingly, through corruption, prove these wills by a proctor. Whereby the party deemes himself to have taken no oath: and therefore may do what he list, as most free. For remedy whereof these superintendents might do great service to us, if any should dy within their deanry, to send for the minister, or some of the parish, to examine the truth of the will without alteration; or the occasion of his dying intestate.

Which all might be very well done at their assembly at prophesies, or preaching every month or fortnight. Whereby all those which otherwise of devotion would not peradventure frequent those exercises, might upon occasion of necessary busines do it. Then the superintendents, upon tryal and knowledge, taking the parties oath, to forth it to the officers, there to be proved accordingly. This one service of the superintendents would stay infinite suites.

And whereas the strength and comfort of God's people consisteth in mutual love, peace, and amity, how many wrangling suites of defamation, tiths, and other causes, shall his wisdom and discretion cut off, before they rise, even at home; for the perfect knowledge he may quickly, or must already needs have of his neighbours causes.

If it be objected, that the archdeacons may prove wills, (although by common law they cannot,) yet let them set down what by prescription or composition they may truly chalenge: and let every man have his own. Or let order be set down, what value the commissary or official shall or may prove. And let them enjoy the same. But in the mean season let not that frivolous delay hinder the course of ecclesiastical discipline: which all good men groan for; and without the which speedily put, and wisely and strongly, in execution, the enemy will even swallow up the state.

And whereas the lewdness of apparitors, scouring of the countries; following their masters trade and exercise; some have been detected of 40 marks bribery in half a quarter of a year, in half a deanry; the superintendent shall cause some honest, religious, quick person, to whom he shall

BOOK upon his credit commit those things he shall be put in trust II. with. Who attending every consistory day upon the court,

may certify and return all processes; and advertise of all abuses needing reformation.

And if the making of ministers be according to the late canon ordered, as well for their competent sufficiency, as public ordering upon due and severe examination of half a dozen of such incorrupt persons, as the bishop shall name, with a testimonial of their allowance, subscribed and delivered to the bishop under their hands: and further, for such as be, upon presentation, made by their patrons, instituted to any benefice, one day in the week, and one time appointed, when and where they come to be examined: and then and there, in presence of the bishop or chancellor, with four, five, or six others, orderly appointed, and requested to take pains therein: that as well the parties sufficiency, thorowly sifted and known; and consideration of the greatness of his charge, the quantity of his living, and the necessity of the time, and the party likewise; to pass their allowance subscribed under their own hands. Which exhibited to the bishop, the bishop then to set to his hand of allowance. And not otherwise to pass the chancellor; to whom the institution by my lord bishops graunt appertaineth.

I do not see, but the minister thus sifted, before his entrance into the ministry, or taking any benefice, and by watchful oversights of superintendents, urged to usual speaking at the exercises, and restrained by admonitions, and other censures ecclesiastical, from their loose, loitering, 154 or gredy, covetous life; the preaching of the gospel, and other usual exercises of religion so frequented; but the word of God would flourish, the enemie be daunted, who could not lurk in any corner; and her majesty have an assured, safe, and quiet government: my lord bishop in part perform his great charge; and his officers enjoy the true comfort of performing their duty to the uttermost of their power. And that which is worth all the world, the number of the elect appear more and more, by the means of preach

ing, the ordinary and effectual means of their vocation. But BOOK this must be done without revocation and it must be ready to be put in execution before it be known to the enemy.

Number XXXIII.

demic.

penes me.

A letter of the lord Burghley, high chancellor of the university of Cambridge, to the vice-chancellor, and the heads of the said university: sending them his determination of two graces: whereof there had been great debate between the heads and the other doctors: sent by Dr. Barrow. AFTER our very harty and loving commendations, with MSS. acawish unto you all in general, and particular, the grace of dec God's Spirit, to lead and conserve you in concord and peace. So as the knowledge of God may encrease among you, that by your altercations and dissensions the enemies of learning and of the gospel have not just occasion to rejoyce thereof; and spread abroad slaunderous reports, to the defamation of the whole body of that famous university. And not without cause do I simply begin thus to write, that from the bottome of my heart, perceiving as I have done by late letters received, sealed with your common seal, and subscribed in the name of you, the vicechancellor and senate; and other letters also from all the heads and masters of colleges, subscribed with their own proper names; that there is arisen some cloud, containing a matter of some tempest of controversy among you. Which, if by some favourable wind of admonition in God's name, the father of peace, it be not blown over, or dispersed, is like to pour out upon the whole body of that university some contagious and pestilent humour of contention, sedition, or some worse thing than I will

name.

And upon the receipt of these contradictory letters, and perusing the grounds and causes thereof, I was somewhat comforted, in that both parties had so courteously and reverently (which I mean in respect of the office I have, to be your chief chancellor) referred the order and direction of

II.

BOOK all these begun controversies to my censure. Wherein although I think by direct laws, ordinances, and antient customs of that university, I might chal nge to my self such a power so to do; yet I cannot but very thankfully and comfortably accept this your courteous and loving manner of yielding to be ordered by me. And therefore I have been more careful how to discharge my self herein. For which purpose, without using any prejudicial conceit of judgment, by mine own consideration of the cause, I did by my special letters partly recommend this controversy, and the whole cause, to the most reverend father in God, my very good lord, the archbishop of Canterbury's grace: requiring him both to consider of your letters, and to hear as well Mr. D. Barrow, coming with the letters from you, the vicechancellor; as Mr. D. Howland, master of S. John's college, coming from all the heads of the colleges; and to peruse the statutes mentioned in this controversy. And to call to his grace also some persons of experience in such university matters. Which I perceive, and so Mr. D. Barrow can inform you, his grace hath done very diligently and painfully, as by his letters his grace hath signified: declaring to me, at good length, what either party hath alledged for maintenance or disallowance of the two motions called graces; whereupon the controversies have princi155 pally arisen. And thereupon his grace hath plainly imparted to me what he thinketh thereof. Wherewith, after some further consideration of the particular chapter of the statutes, against which these graces have been preferred, I do concur. And so, although verbally I have pronounced mine opinion to be, the foresaid doctors being the messagers at this time, whom I think sufficient to declare the same unto either part; yet I have thought my self not discharged in conscience and office, without also expressing my censure and determination, as your chancellor and chief officer. In writing which I most earnestly require per om- ` nes charitates to accept, as from one that herein am touched with no particular affection towards any person; but in the sight of God, whose assistance, by the Spirit of peace, I

have invoked, I do declare my mind as followeth: which, BOOK as your chancellor, I require to be obeyed and allowed.

I do think and judge it meet and necessary, that the two late graces should be reputed as void and none. Whereof one was a motion to have all other doctors, not being heads of colleges, to be joyned with the doctors that are heads of colleges, in the pointing or pricking of officers; though by the statutes the same be expresly limited to the heads. The second was, that doctors in divinity should be compellible to preach as frequently as other younger divines. Which two, called by you graces, though indeed disgraces to the queen's majesties statutes, may percase not be in precise words well avouched; because the same I have not present with me at the writing hereof: yet my meaning is manifest unto you, that I do deem and adjudge them to be void, and not to be accepted, as things to bind any person thereby. And though I have and do see many reasons to move me hereunto, whereof I have expressed some to Mr. D. Barrow; and that I hope there will be none so unruly among you as to impugne this my sentence; yet as briefly as I may in a letter, I will touch to you a few reasons, as followeth.

First, I cannot allow to have any decrease attempted, to please a multitude, to the violation or alteration of any her majesties statutes, so lately with great deliberation and advice made; and by that whole university accepted and approved; except there shall be better consideration aforehand had, than was in those proceedings. Wherein I may not forget to remember you, that in respect of the office I have to be your high officer, and have never shewed my self careless of your causes, it had been at this time meet and convenient, and so hereafter ought to be, to have made me first acquainted; and to have had my clear consent, as well to the violating or changing of your statutes; as I was at first a principal author to procure them to be made. And though I perceive, and hear by some report, that some of you have in your defence alledged, that you had heretofore on your part moved this matter to me, as indeed you

II.