PARKER, for causes ecclesiastical, to review the calendar for the ComAbp. Cant. mon Prayer, to strike out some of the lessons, and appoint others which they should judge more serviceable and instrucA. D. 1560-1. tive. The letter complains, many churches were unrepaired to a scandalous degree; that they were unornamented, and very negligently kept. This indecency and disregard is ordered to be rectified. Towards the latter end, the queen takes notice of her permission of the Common Prayer in Latin to collegiate churches, and commands these commissioners to take care that this allowance of hers may not be disappointed or mismanaged. That there was occasion for some alterations in the calendar, appears by the defectiveness of the last Common Prayer set forth in the reign of king Edward VI. where there was no direction for proper lessons on Sundays; but in a quarto Common Prayer, printed in the year 1560, there is a calendar of first lessons for morning and evening prayer on Sundays throughout the year; and for some Sundays the second lessons are appointed. This Common Prayer was printed before the queen sent her letter to the commissioners above-mentioned, as may be collected from the dates: it is likely, therefore, the archbishop, and the rest, might settle the second lessons for Sundays, then unappointed; and make some farther alterations in the rest of the calendar. Regist. Parker, fol. 215. Strype's Annals, p. 238. On the first of January, this year, the queen came to St. Paul's, and was displeased with dean Noel, for presenting her with a Common Prayer-book with cuts. Her majesty gave him a severe reprimand for this intended respect. The reader may possibly fancy the queen's displeasure was somewhat mysterious upon this occasion, for it was not long since she had discovered herself in favour of images, and was difficultly prevailed with to consent to their removal. Besides, both now and several years forward, she had a crucifix in her chapel. Now if an ornamental figure, or a religious representation was so dangerous, why did her majesty set the example? If any one, I say, asks this question, I must leave him to answer it himself. This summer the queen went a progress into Essex and Suffolk. It seems the figure and behaviour of the clergy did not please her she did not find them everywhere so conformable in their habit, so perfect in their office, nor so discreet in their management, as she expected. She was particularly BETH. disconcerted at seeing their wives in cathedrals and colleges. ELIZAShe issued out an order, therefore, to forbid all heads and members of any college or cathedral church, within the realm, having their wives, or any other woman within the precinct of August 9, such places; the penalty was, forfeiting all ecclesiastical promotions belonging to any cathedral or collegiate church'. Secretary Cecil sent this unacceptable order to archbishop Parker; and, to explain himself the better to Parker's satisfaction, he told him, in a letter, that the queen stood strongly disaffected to matrimony in the clergy; that had it not been for something of courage and dexterity in himself, she had absolutely forbidden churchmen that state; that he was glad to compound with her majesty, and propose this expedient to prevent her going farther. However, he had taken care to send copies of the injunction only to his grace the archbishop of York, and to the chancellors of each university; and that he recommended this method to hinder the instruments coming out in a more public manner. 1561. MS. Petit. Cecil. Strype's Archbishop Parker sent this injunction through his province, Life of Abp. Parker, pursuant to her majesty's order, but was very much dissatisfied p. 107. with the contents. And afterwards, upon his waiting on the queen, he was surprised with her majesty's discourse upon this subject, as appears by his letter to secretary Cecil. He ac- The archbishop's quaints this minister, he was astonished to the last degree to letter to hear so learned and conscientious a princess treat the holy in- secretary stitution of matrimony with so much satire and contempt: such unexpected language put him in a horror, as he speaks. "I wonder," says he, "that state should be made a crime in the clergy, which will stand the test of the last day; and that an engagement which pleases God Almighty should not please her majesty. I am at a loss to understand why her highness should gratify our adversaries so far as to put us under disfavour upon this account. If our reputation is thus disabled, we shall be thrown out of capacity of doing God and her majesty service. As far as my reading and information reaches, it has been the custom of all princes, both Christian and Pagan, to countenance the ministers of religion. They thought this a necessary expedient to recommend the rules of duty, to preserve the force of conscience, and support the government; but now it is our misfortune to be singled out 1 Doubtless Elizabeth was very discreet in her preference of celibacy, yet she might have been more indulgent to the matrimonial propensities of the Protestant clergy. 473. Abp. Cant. PARKER, from the rest of mankind for infamy and aversion: to be exposed to the ignorant and malicious with marks of the last disadvantage: to be censured as if we had no regard to the circumstances of our profession: as if we were wholly resigned to appetite, without the least check of discretion. The queen was so possessed with mismanagement in this matter, that she repented our being trusted with the function, and wished it had been otherwise. This discovery must be sport to the clergy of the late reign. It must be diversion to such people to see in what manner we are handled, and with what distinguishing hardship we are treated by the government. But this we shall pass over with patience, and rest the event with God Almighty. However, I must needs say, we have all of us great reason to be much discouraged. "Her majesty," continues the archbishop, "talked of setting forth injunctions of another nature; but I hope God will stop this motion, and alter her purpose: and that as by the divine assistance she has begun a good work, she will hold on the same course. I do not question but these astus humani, these sallies of passion, were occasioned by misreports, and that her majesty will acquit herself to advantage, and, like Theodosius the Great, take time for a mature deliberation: and not proceed to a sudden resolution in things of the last importance. It would trouble me if the clergy should be forced upon any incompliance, and declare with the apostles, that we must obey God rather than men: but let those who suggest these thoughts be never so considerable, we have no small numbers in our contemptible party, that have courage and conscience enough to sacrifice their lives in defence of their religion." By this last paragraph, it is plain the archbishop was apprehensive the queen had some intentions of returning popery upon them. From hence he proceeds to complain of her forbidding the married clergy to live with their families in cathedrals. "What policy," says he, "can this be, to drive hospitality out of such quarters? To drive away the preachers from the best towns in the kingdom? When such places are well instructed, the example reaches the country, and the villages are kept in order the better: but on the other side, for the dignified clergy to stay at their cathedrals upon such terms of public disgrace, which way is it to be endured? What person that has any regard for his credit will live under affronts, and continue in a place where his character is maimed ELIZAand murdered? To see the clergy thus particularly discou- BETH. raged, when all other people have their liberty, is a melancholy reflection. Besides, this injunction might have had its force in preventing abuses, without disparaging the reputation of the clergy. For my part, I wish I had never engaged in this station, since her majesty has been pleased to discover her disesteem in so remarkable a manner. I have endeavoured to serve her majesty to my power, and I humbly conceive, have done it in no contemptible instances. By the punctual execution of her orders, I have gained the ill will both of Papists and Protestants: but my being conscious of serving God and her highness, made me easy under obloquy and censure. But the reception I had yesterday from her majesty, and the earnest forcing that progress-hunting injunction upon the clergy,—an order drawn up without advising with any ecclesiastic,-this has put me quite under hatches, and indisposed me for all other business; so that I can only mourn to God Almighty, in amaritudine animæ meæ, ut dicam cum Sara, Peto Dominum, ut de vinculo improperii hujus absolvas me, aut certe desuper terram eripias me." Whether the secretary acquainted the queen with this letter, Life of Abp. or what success it had with her, does not appear. However, it shows the archbishop was a plain dealer, and well furnished with courage. of Petit's MSS. Parker. Scots desires a safe-con through the is refused. Upon the death of Francis II. the queen of Scots dispatched The queen of monsieur D'Oisel to desire queen Elizabeth to grant her a safe passage by sea into Scotland, and that D'Oisel might have duct to pass leave to travel through England into that kingdom. Queen channel, and Elizabeth, before a numerous attendance, denied both parts this request. Her reason was, because the queen of Scots had not ratified the treaty at Edinburgh, pursuant to her promise: adding, withal, that provided this was done, she might have a safe-conduct to make her voyage either by sea or land, and be treated like a neighbour and relation. The queen of Scots, disconcerted with this refusal, sent for sir Nicholas Throgmor- 1561. ton, queen Elizabeth's ambassador at Paris, and having ordered the company to withdraw, expostulated with him to this she expostu effect "She told him she did not know how far the disadvan- the ambas tage of her sex and the warmth of her temper might carry her. However, she was resolved not to have so many witnesses ton. lates with sador Throgmor PAR from the rest of mankind for infamy and aversion: to b - Her majesty," continues the archbishop, "talk By this last praph, it is plain the m |