1680.  Sir Henry Hobart and Sir Taylor returned burgesses for this town.—A grampus was taken 22 feet long and 7 feet deep.—Mackerell says, that St James’s church began now to be made a spinning-school for the collectioner’s children; but we know not what he meant by Collectioner.

1681.  The mart this year kept in Common Stath yard.  Nov. 4. a committee appointed to report if the said yard was convenient for keeping the mart there in future—[it probably did not appear to them a convenient place for that purpose, so that the mart was kept there but one year.]

1682.  The mayor, with several aldermen and common council-men met the king at Newmarket, and there presented an Address to him.—A committee this year appointed for erecting a public workhouse: accordingly we find that St. James’s church was now fitted up for that purpose.—Two new May-poles were also this year set up in the town; one in the Market place and the other at the Fort.

1683.  Lord Mowbray, Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the county, entertained at the public charge.—The governor and guardians of the workhouse incorporated, under the dignified names of Master and Brethren of St. James’s Hospital.

1684.  The Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the County, and now Duke of Norfolk, again entertained here at the public charge.—New altar-piece set up at the church, which cost near 200l.—Our Charters were now also surrendered to the king, who on that occasion conferred on the two aldermen, Turner and Taylor, the honour and dignity of knighthood.—On the 18th. of August this year it was ordered at the Hall, that every new-elected alderman, in lieu of the customary treat, should pay 10l. and a common-council-man 20 nobles, for the benefit of the new work-house; which was continued above 40 years.—(see under 1725)—None now admitted to their freedom unless they had taken the sacrament within the preceding year.

1685.  Febr. 10. James the second proclaimed, and an address to him agreed upon, four days after—Nov. 9.  The may-pole in the market place taken down to be replaced by the king’s statue.—The two aldermen Turner and Taylor elected members for the town.—Petition transmitted and recommended to them concerning the decay of the stocking trade here by the introduction of weaving, instead of knitting.  See more about it under 1690.

Aug. 29.  Henry Framingham, now chosen mayor, remitted the usual fee of 100l.  In other respects he was an unfeeling, intolerant being, as appears by the shameful persecution that was carried on here during his mayoralty, and that of his immediate successor, against one of the dissenting ministers and his congregations—see p. 861, &c.

1691.  Dec. 21.  Benjamin Holly’s fine of 30l. for declining the mayoralty mitigated to 21l.

1701.  The Head Porters and Meters being convicted of bribery and defrauding the king of his dues, were all discharged; but about a month after some of them were restored, by giving bond with one security in 20l.—August 29. the elder Pyle appointed Lecturer.—Nov. 24. Noblemen, knights, esquires, and clergymen exempted from tolls here.

1703.  Sept. 24. The Boale, or World’s End, with the houses thereon, and the rights and duties attached to the same, bought of Robert Elsden, by the corporation, for 130l. and 20l. more at the end of five years from that date, (see p. 873)—Towards the latter end of November this year, happened that dreadful national calamity commonly distinguished by the name of the great storm, of whose effects here, see p. 874.

1704.  The gloom of the former year succeeded and dissipated by the triumphs of Marlborough at Blenheim, which occasioned great rejoicings throughout the kingdom, of which Lynn largely participated, as appears by its address to the throne, see p. 874.

1705.  The gentlemen of the counties of Bedford and Huntingdon prefer a serious charge of arbitrary and exorbitant exactions, or extortion against this corporation, see p. 879.

1708.  Lynn harbour said to be now in a most wretched and alarming state, see 888.—In the course of this year also, according to one of our MS. accounts, two children were hanged here for felony, one eleven, and the other only seven years of age.

1714.  Dr. Thurlin’s library deposited in St. Margaret’s church, in a commodious place fitted up for its reception, to which the old church library was at the same time removed: a faculty being obtained from the bishop.—The same year the first commemoration sermon for Framingham was preached at St. Nicholas’s, by Mr. Pyle, for which he had 20s. and 10s. more for reading the Will—which, are still continued.

1715.  The first rebellion in behalf of the Pretender broke out.  See p. 894.

1719.  January 26. Ordered that none be admitted into Gaywood Hospital under 60 years old.

1720.  John Cary junior (father of our late alderman of that name) elected master of the Writing-School—the aldermen Berney and Scarlet being then Governors and Inspectors of the same.

1721.  Our corporation now, apprehensive of losing the navigation of the Cambridge river, (from the representation of a Mr. Stafford of Denver,) which they thought proper to communicate to the corporation of Adventurers.  The result not stated.

1723.  Two new galleries erected in St. Margaret’s church, on the sides of the organ loft; with projections for two particular families.—This year (or during the mayoralty of William Allen, which commenced at Michaelmas,) Thomas German (says one MS.) was hanged here for burglary, on the gallows out of the South Gates—Cooper’s MS. calls him Jarmey, in a memorandum which reads thus—“1723: A night watch set up for all the year, and the king’s watch dropt here, being one Jarmey, who broke into several houses, and was hanged for the same out of the South Gates.”—The same MS. referring to the same year, has this passage—“A great fleet of ships lost on Christmas day; Mr. Vinkerson’s ship right against West Lynn church, laden with coals.”—Dr. Browne this year gave great offence to the Hall and especially the mayor—of which see p. 900.

1724.  The chapel chimes, which formerly played but one tune, were this year altered, and made to play several tunes.

1725.  Ever since 1682 it was customary for each alderman upon his election to give 10l. and each common-council-man 6l. 13s. 6d. towards the Workhouse: but this year Mr. Thomas Allen, being chosen alderman, refused to comply with this custom, and thereby occasioned the cessation of those laudable donations.  (Cooper’s MS.)—From the book of Extracts it seems it was in 1726 Mr. T. A. became an alderman.—The harbour now in a most wretched state, see p. 901.—And this year 1725 (if we are not mistaken, for the last figure is not very plain) Cooper’s MS. mentions a great tide, which happened on the 8th. of March, and came into a Warehouse in Puddin Lane, where was a quantity of unslaked lime, which being wetted became so hot as to set some deals that lay there on fire, so as to endanger the firing of the town.  He seems indeed to say that it was a piece of iron heated by the quick lime which set the deals on fire.

1726.  Henry Southwell, a freeman, charged by the corporation (unjustly it seems) with having violated his oath of freedom, and threatened with disfranchisement.

1727.  The mayor, Mr. Thomas Allen issued an order to the barbers, to prohibit them to shave on Sundays—of which see p. 910.—February 3rd. this year the above Henry Southwell was disfranchised.

1728.  The decree of disfranchisement against Mr. Southwell was rescinded On the 29th. of April this year; of which see further at p. 902, and 3.—Of this year’s mayor, Goodwin, and his successor Taylor, see pages 910 and 11.

1730.  April 6.  Our corporation made a remonstrance to the corporation of the Bedford Level against repairing Denver Sluice: which was probably very right.

1731.  Great complaints of the decrease of trade &c. here this year.  But among the occurrences of this period the most deplorable and shocking was the murder of Ann Wright, a publican, by one George Smith, who had been let into the house in the dead of the night by the servant, Mary Taylor, for which she was burnt at a stake in the Tuesday market-place, and the man was hanged on a gallows, 17 yards distant, on Thursday the 1st. of April, see p. 912 and 914.

1738.  Law-suit between the corporation and alderman Thomas Allen, who was charged with attempting to evade the customary payment of 1d. per quarter for corn sold by him to unfreemen.  See p. 918.

1741.  On the 9th of September a violent hurricane which blew down the spires of St. Margaret’s and St. Nicholas’s and did immense damage all about the country.—St. Margaret’s spire falling on the body of the church demolished a great part of it—the rebuilding began in 1742, and was completed in 1747.—see pp. 919, 20, 21.

1742.  State of the harbour growing still worse, an application to parliament on that occasion was made the latter part of this year: see p. 922, &c.

1745.  The second rebellion in behalf of the Pretender commenced: of its effects at Lynn, see p. 926, &c. also pp. 1073, and 4.

1747.  A contested Election this year between Turner and Folkes; and the most violent perhaps ever witnessed in Lynn: for the particulars see p. 947 to 952.—A great many here now made free gratis, see p. 931.

1749.  Charles Holditch executed for burglary, see the page last referred to.

1751.  William Chaplain, for the murder of Mary Gafferson, was hanged in chains on a gibbet upon South Lynn Common, see p. 932.

1753.  The New Walks laid out and the trees planted.—Also the Tuesday Market-place new paved.—One Jumper condemned for the murder of Jones, was afterwards reprieved and transported for life.

1754.  One Elizabeth Neivel stood in the pillory.—Also one Hannah Clark ducked for scolding.

1755.  Certain profitable appointments attached to our Recordership, and the mayor’s annual salary settled at 100l.—see 933, and 4.

1759.  The West Norfolk militia reviewed on Sayer’s Marsh, by the Earl of Orford, previous to their being called out on actual service.

1760.  Mayor secured from any charges incurred through neglects of gaoler and serjeants.—October 29. the king died in his 77th. year.  In his reign Methodism sprung up in these kingdoms.—see p. 934, 5, etc.—The present inglorious era and disastrous reign now commenced.

1761.  The tower of All Saints or South Lynn church fell down, to rise no more.  See p. 943.—About the same time a large whale was taken here near Darsingham, 56 feet 9 inches long, and 34 feet 4 inches in girth, see p. 944.—A man and his wife transported, he for 7, she for 14 years, the cause not noted.

1763.  December 2.  A dreadful high wind and tide here, which did great damage among the shipping, many of which were wrecked on the coast: cattle and sheep also in vast numbers were drowned in Marshland, and about Snettisham, &c.

1764.  The town served a vile trick by the mayor, which they seem to have submitted to very tamely, see 945.

1765.  A shocking murder committed here by one Rudderham.—See 945, and 6.

1766.  January 27. Rudderham hanged here for the above murder of Leonard Wilson, near the Rope Walk.

1768.  A great contested election here between Turner and Molineux.  See 946.

1769.  The corporation had a great law-suit with Mr. Carr, about the fleet on both sides of Littleport-bridge.  Of this affair see p. 952.—Two men in a boat carried away by the strong current of a land-flood on the 10th of April to sea, and picked up there and brought home on 19th.

1770.  Our corporation suddenly became mighty patriots and violent lovers of liberty.—see 953.—Pilling hanged here for a rape.

1771.  Wilkes visited Lynn, to the no small joy of our patriotic corporation, who entertained him sumptuously and conferred on him the freedom of this ancient borough.  See 954.—Different temper of the town when Thelwall, another great patriot, visited it above 20 years after.  Ibid.

1772.  St. Margaret’s church damaged by a thunder storm.

1779.  On new-years day there was a strong gale and a very extraordinary tide, the highest known here in the memory of man; which overflowed and demolished the sea banks in many places, and did vast damage in and about this town.—The Lynn armed association was also formed in the course of this year, under the command of Captain Thames Day—and continued embodied till 1785.  See 958.

1782.  A woman, named Howard, stood here in the pillory—we know not for what crime.—Towards the close of this year Beeton robbed the mail; and he was executed the 17th of the following February.  See 960.

1783.  Isaac Levi, a Jew lad, robbed, by one Robert Fox, on the road between Lynn and West Winch, and left apparently dead; for which Fox was hanged, 7th. of September, on Hardwick common.

1784.  Another contested election here, when Mr. Fountaine was one of the candidates, but was unsuccessful.—See 961.

1785.  November 5. the Recorder being ill, the mayor, William Bagge, sat as sole judge at our sessions, and upon the conviction of John Bradley and another person, his said worship passed on them the sentence of transportation:—but with what solemnity, if any, we have not learnt.—So late at the 24th of November this year, a Mr. Berry brought to town some young rooks from Mr. Fisher’s Carr at Tilney.

1788.  On the 5th of November the centenary of the revolution was here kept by a select party.  The same was then done at Holkham and other places . . . see 965, and 1083.  About nine days after, it was also kept here at the Hall, by the corporation, with no small parade, and thought by some to rival if not excel the Holkham Fete.—A strange report of an extraordinary adventure of one of our Greenland captains this year—see p. 964.—The autumn and winter of this year were distinguished by the king’s memorable illness, which almost broke the hearts of half his subjects, and overwhelmed the whole nation with grief and dismay.  In this affliction Lynn, without doubt, shared largely:—but it happily proved not of long duration.

1789.  On the 12th of February his majesty was pronounced to be in a state of progressive amendment; and by the 18th of March he was deemed fit to resume the royal functions.  The joy and exultation of the public now equalled their former grief and dismay, and they might be said to have gone from one extreme to the other.  On the evening of the day last mentioned this town was most splendidly illuminated, and exhibited the most unequivocal tokens of its joy, and demonstrations of its loyalty.—See p. 969.—The 23rd of April was observed as a day of thanksgiving for the king’s recovery.—See p. 970.

1791.  The law-suit between this corporation and that of London was determined in favour of the Dentons and other London freemen.—See p. 970.

1792.  Effects of the royal proclamation against tumultuous meetings and seditious writings, and of Reeves’s Crown and anchor association manifested here.—See p. 973.

1794.  In consequence of great complaints of the defective and decayed state of the Fen Drainage, the Eau-brink Cut was proposed and approved of as a remedy.  Our trained bands or armed association again revived—and the Lynn Volunteers, infantry and cavalry, landsmen and marines, blunt-shooters and sharp-shooters, made their appearance among us.  They consisted of different corps, but the most numerous was commanded by Colonel Everard, which was about three years after disbanded:—most of the others still remain, see 977, &c.—A violent thunderstorm happened this year, when a young girl was killed here by the lightening.

1796.  February 23.  Eleven persons lost their lives in attempting to cross the river in the Ferry-Boat—see 978.—The preceding day a Marshland man, of the name of Fuller, going to see the wild beasts, and putting his hand to a Lion’s mouth, narrowly escaped being torn to pieces by him.—April 25.  The Free-masons, went in procession, from the Maid’s Head Inn to St. Margaret’s church, where a sermon was preached to them by Dr. Lloyd, the present Hebrew Professor at Cambridge; all this preparatory or introductory to the instituting and consecrating a new lodge of Lynn Free Masons: see p. 1120, &c.

1797.  A whale, measuring 44 feet, caught in Lynn channel.—An improved method of cleaning Wheat seed discovered by some of our farmers: see p. 979.—The subscription Library established this year; of which see p. 1176.—In April this year, prince William (now duke) of Gloucester visited Lynn, and, after reviewing the Volunteers and dining with the mayor, was admitted to the freedom of this borough.

1798.  Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, under Colonel Taylor, embodied.  Divers other such corps in our vicinity sprung up about the same time—the martial ardour of the time extended even to the priesthood.—On 29 Dec. this year the Thermometer said to be at 3 below 0: see p. 981.

1799.  The Lynn and Wisbeach Packet, and also the inglorious Income Tax commenced their progress and operations: the former with far less success than the latter.—A great controversy soon after arose here about the termination of the century; one party placing it at the close of this, and the other at the close of the following year: so that the controversy rested on this curious ground, whether or not 99 was equal to 100.

1800.  St. Catherine’s Gates, commonly called East Gates, taken down after having stood above 700 years.—Sept. 3. The dearness of provisions caused here a considerable commotion among the common people; and Mr. Forster, a flour merchant, was very roughly treated by some of them.—The attempt of Hadfield upon the king’s life, at the theatre, this summer, caused no small agitation here and throughout the nation: two very loyal addresses were now presented to his majesty, by our corporation and the inhabitants.

1801.  The old building or tower, called the Black Mount, on the town walls, fell this year without doing much damage, as the ropers had just left it, being their dinner time.—816l. 9s. subscribed here this year, to furnish the poor with pease-soup, which was served out to them from the Town Hall thrice a week, by reason of the extreme dearness of provisions.—Also one Peter Donahue executed here for forgery.—The Peace of Amiens excited no small joy here, and the town was illuminated on the occasion.

1802.  A grand Fete given at Refley Spring, when a whole sheep, roasted (says one account,) was served up at dinner, as a peace-offering to the friends of Refley [which friends of Refley, we may suppose, were the gods worshipped there that day.]

1803.  The first act for paving and improving the town was now obtained.—The new-road, from the South gate to St. James’s End, was also made this year.—Also the new Burying ground and Chapel consecrated, by the then bishop of Norwich, Dec. 14.

1806.  In the course of this year there was a very high tide which demolished the remaining ruins of our Lady’s Chapel on the Bridge.—St. Nicholas’s Chapel this same year thoroughly repaired and greatly improved at a considerable expense.

In the summer of this year the Lancasterian School was established here, of which see page 1145.

1809.  In the month of October this year, the memorable Jubilee took place, which was kept and solemnized here with the greatest hilarity and exultation, as if the commencement of the present reign had been the introduction of the very millennium itself.  It was a political manœuvre; and not the first to which the British public have been the dupes.

1810.  This year a negotiation took place, and was carried on for some months, between Mr. William Corston of Ludgate Hill, London, and the Lynn Court of Guardians, in consequence of a proposal from the former, to furnish employment for the female children of the Lynn poor, in plaiting of straw and knitting of hats, on certain terms and conditions: viz. To be provided with a proper house for the manufactory, and a dwelling for the superintendents, together with the loan of a large sum of money, on proper security, for seven years, without interest.—This notable treaty was opened in March, and after a number of Letters had passed between the parties, it was closed by a Letter from the Registrar to Mr. Corston, dated Sept. 15. of which the following is a copy—

“Sir, I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 20th. of August, inclosing answers to my questions respecting your plan for employing the female poor of this borough, which, with the sketch of the proposed building, &c. transmitted to Mr. Dixon, I laid before the Court of Guardians at their meeting, holden on Thursday last; who after having given the matter their most mature consideration, instruct me to inform you, that they entirely decline acceding to your propositions.  I therefore return you the several papers, requesting you will be pleased to accept the thanks of the Court for the trouble you have had in the business.  I am, &c. J. Smeatham.”

So the affair ended; happily or otherwise, we take not upon us to say.

1811.  St. Margaret’s church thoroughly cleaned, white washed, and beautified, at considerable expense.—A new place of worship, called Salem Chapel erected—and premises Purchased, in Tower Street, for the erection of the splendid Methodist minster.—Those premises cost between 8 and 900l. and the subsequent erection will cost between 4 and 5000l. more.—In the early part of this year, if we are not mistaken, Mr. Allen, one of our common—brewers, relinquished his memorable attempt to dig a well, after having sunk to the vast depth of 560 feet and spent a large sum of money without success; so that it seems now that though Lynn is situated in a bog, the ground below is as destitute of water as any spot in the kingdom can well be.  Some praise however seems to be due to Mr. A. for having so long persevered in this arduous undertaking, attended as it was with so much expense and discouragement.  Some curious fossils, and even bones; were said to be discovered there at a great depth.

1812.  This year has been yet distinguished by nothing more than a miserable stagnation of trade, and a probability of the bread and beer and other necessaries of life being dearer than ever.  Nothing, in short, appears to be going on here now with vigour or spirit, but the methodist erection above mentioned and taxgathering; so that were we required to name whatever is here at present in a very thriving state, or rapidly on the increase, we should be able to mention scarce any thing besides these two articles, taxation and methodism.—As to the much talked of Evening Lecture at the Church, it will seemingly be given up at last; our churchmen not having zeal enough to effect its accomplishment.—As to the Dispensary, its prospect of success is far more flattering, and there can be little doubt now of its speedy establishment: large sums have been already subscribed, a house has been purchased, or is about to be purchased, and every thing fairly promises the sure completion of the undertaking, and the full application of its benefits to those classes of the inhabitants for whose behoof or relief the institution is intended.  That it has succeeded better than the proposed Lecture, will perhaps be considered by some people as an indication, that our wealthy churchmen are more ready to provide for the corporeal than for the spiritual accommodation of their neighbours.—Of the notable plan of economy, so laudably adopted, and so steadily pursued during the present mayoralty, to save certain expenses usually attached to that important office, some account has been given at pages 1087, and 1154.—Of the present state of the Workhouse, and the prospect in regard to the future management of it, and of the poor-rates, some further observations, in this latter part of the work, were intended; but our information is too imperfect to admit of our resuming these subjects at present: we can therefore only say, that it is to be feared our sanguine hopes of being greatly benefited by the new plan, or lately adopted system, will, after all, terminate in useless regret and vexatious disappointment.  Whatever they may do on the other side, it seems now pretty clear that our managers are not likely very soon to fall into the sin of being too frugal or economical in the application of the public money. [1215]—Among the extraordinary and memorable events of this year, the tragical exit or assassination of our late premier will be expected, perhaps, to be here noticed: and much as we do deplore that shocking catastrophe, we would fain hope it will operate as a warning to all future ministers, not to trifle with the serious complaints and sufferings of their fellow subjects.  What may be the results of that fatal and melancholy occurrence, and the subsequent changes, it is impossible yet to say.  They seem to have already produced the rescinding of the vile and pernicious orders of council, which had reduced almost half the nation to distress and beggary, and proved how easily the Americans can cramp our manufactories.  Should they also produce a redress of the grievances complained of by the Catholics and other Dissenters, together with a thorough parliamentary reform, and a general peace, we may still escape national perdition, and even hope yet to see brighter and happier days.—The convulsion and expulsion lately experienced at the Independent, or rather Presbyterian chapel, may be also placed among the remarkable occurrences of this year.  That congregation, it is hoped, (and all our other congregations) will no longer tolerate priestcraft, or submit to be priest-ridden.  Whatever may be said of their successors who denominate themselves Independents, our Presbyterian ministers, we believe, were never chargeable with priestly domination.

ERRATA. [1216]

Page 638, last word of the contents of section III, for ineffetual r. ineffectual.—p. 638, l. 8, for fovourite r. favourite—p. 735, l. 9, after them a comma.—p. 773, l. 2, after conscience a semicolon.—p. 782, last line but one, after absentees, a comma. —p. 794, l. 4, for rejected, r. ejected—p. 800, l. 5, after stand, r. by.—p. 803, l. 21, after rubbish, a comma—p. 821, l. 9, for Guyborn, r. Guybon.—same page, l. 19, after even r. the.—p. 835, l. 21, for Assesiation r. Association—p. 847, Note, l. 19, for proceeding r. preceding.—p. 959, last line but one, for egregiously r. eggregiously—p. 1027, note, l. 24, for pastime r. patience.—p. 1087, l. 14, for exegencies r. exigences.—p. 1106 l. 1, comma after here—p. 1127, note, l. 5, for townsnen r. townsmen.—p. 1140, last l. for 1570 r. 1590—p. 1142, note, l. 8, after could r. not. —p. 1147, note, l. 2, after much r. to his.

Whittingham, Printer, Lynn.

FOOTNOTES.

[625a]  Such as the lawfulness of suppressing reputed error by violence, or of contending for the faith and extirpating heresy by fire and sword.

[625b]  For instance, translating the scriptures into the vulgar tongue, and putting them into the hands of the common people, that they might examine and judge for themselves.

[626a]  Bucer owns, as will be seen further on, that their converts considered this doctrine as favourable to their licentious propensities.

[626b]  “I say, (says Calvin,) that by the ordination and will of God Adam fell.  God would have man fall.  Man is blinded by the will and commandment of God.  We refer the causes of hardening to God.  The highest and remote cause of hardening is the will of God.  It followeth that the hidden counsel of God is the cause of hardening.”  [See Barclay’s Apology, Edit. 1703, p. 113, where reference is made to those places in Calvin’s Works where these expressions are found.]  Those who are acquainted with this reformer’s Institution, must know that many passages to the same purpose, and equally strong, occur there.—Others of the reformers come not a whit behind Calvin in the boldness of their language on this topic.—“God (says Beza) hath predestinated, not only unto damnation, but also unto the causes of it, whomsoever he saw meet.  The decree of God cannot be excluded from the causes of corruption.”—“It is certain (says Zanchius) that God is the first cause of obduration.  Reprobates are held so fast under God’s almighty decree, that they cannot but sin and perish.”—“God (says Peter Martyr) doth incline and force the wills of wicked men into great sins.”—“God, (says Zuinglius) moveth the robber to kill.  He Killeth, God forcing him thereunto.”  [See Barclay, as before.]

[628a]  Luth. Serm. in Postill. Evang. 1. Adv.

[628b]  Luth. Serm. Dom. 26, post Trin.

[628c]  Luth. in Serm. conviv.

[628d]  Bucer de regn. Christ. 1, i. c, 4.

[628e]  See Milner’s Letters to Sturges, 3d. Ed. p. 170, 171, &c. a work that contains a great deal of very curious matter on these subjects, and on most of the great points at issue between the catholics and their opponents.

[629a]  Calv. 1. vi. de scand. quoted by Milner, as before.

[629b]  Erasm. Ep. 1. vi. 4.—It appears by the mode of expression here used, that notwithstanding all the unfavourable and unchristian-like effects of their ministry, they actually did, like some modern, labourers in the same vineyard, boldly arrogate to themselves the exclusive name of evangelical ministers, or propagators of the genuine and pure gospel.

[630]  Erasm ad. Frat. Infer. Germ, quoted by Milner, as before, p. 172.

[632]  Mosheim, iii, 313.

[634]  See Milner, as before: 182.—Carlostadius was Luther’s first disciple of any considerable note: and he co-operated with, and supported him with great firmness and ability.  But having ventured to alter the mass, during Luther’s absence in the year 1521, and to deny the real presence, the latter commenced a furious war against him and his followers, and condemned them in terms of the utmost rancor and bitterness.  Melancthon too (misnamed the mild) now calls him “a brutal ignorant man, void of piety and humanity, one more a Jew than a christian.”—a rare specimen of mildness and meekness!

[636a]  See Milner as before, 188.—It is not said how Henry brooked all this; but it was well for Luther that he was not within his reach.  The most curious circumstance is that “Luther, in giving an account of his book, reproaches himself with having been too mild in it towards the king, saying that he did so at the request of his friends, in hopes that his sweetness would gain Henry.”—If such was Luther’s sweetness, what could his sourness, or his bitterness be?

[636b]  Milner, 181.

[636c]  Ibid, 132.—No wonder he should behave as he did to Cariostadius, whose chief crime seems to be his having acted without his authority, though in conjunction with Bugenhagius, Melanancthon, Jonas, &c.  He continued afterwards to persecute him with unrelenting virulence, and nothing would satisfy him short of absolute submission to his sovereign will and pontifical mandates.  His banishment ensued.  He appears to have been one of the best men among the reformers.  It seems, however, that Luther was at last convinced of his misconduct in this affair, and obtained permission for his return from exile.  See Mosheim, IV. 30.

[637]  See Milner, 123.

[638]  See Milner, 185, 186, where the authorities are referred to.

[642]  Their blindness generally proceeded from a fallacious kind of reasoning, which is still very common among their orthodox descendants or successors, but which, like a two-edged sword, cuts both ways.  They plead that they are the people of God, and are in the right way, so that their cause is the cause of God and truth, and therefore the papists are cruel persecutors when they deprive them of their lives or liberties.  When they are reminded of having themselves before now deprived the papists and other christian sects of their liberties and lives, they answer, that that was done very justly, as those sufferers were either seditious persons or heretics, and what they did to them was in the way of suppressing sedition or restraining heresy.  When they are told that the papists excuse and justify their own violent proceedings against the protestants much in the same way and with equal plausibility, they will answer, that what the papists assert is not true.  When they are further told that the papists insist upon the truth of their allegations and the falshood of those of the protestants, they will reply that the papists belonging to a false church and influenced by a lying spirit, are not to be credited, but as for them, being the people of God and followers of the truth, their testimony ought to be received without hesitation.—Thus their reasoning ends just where it began—We are God’s people, and therefore our proceedings are not to be impeached!  No better reasoning can be expected in defence of injustice and persecution.

[644]  Robinson’s Pref. to 3d. vol. of Saurin, p. xii.

[645]  The French protestants, or Gallic Calvinists were no less bigoted and intolerant than their brethren elsewhere.  Their ministers, in 1563, requested that in order to prevent the propagation of heresy and monstrous opinions, the king would be pleased to receive into his royal protection their confession of faith tendered to him in 1561, and the profession of it; and to provide that atheists, libertines, anabaptists, and Servetists should be severely punished.  See Priestley’s Ecclesiastical History, 6, 135.

[646]  See p. 636.

[649]  “He was called up to the cardinal (Wolsey) for heresie, where he was content to subscribe and graunte unto such articles as they propounded unto him.”  Fox A. and M. p. 1736.  This happened in 1529.  In 1531 he was cited before the archbishop of Canterbury, Wareham, on fresh charges of heresy, and forced to sign an abjuration of them—see Fox, p. 4738.  The third time he was called upon, with certain others, to give an account of his opinions, by Henry himself, on which occasion he escaped by an absolute submission of himself to his supreme head in spiritual matters.  His fourth and last recantation was when he was deprived of his bishopric, and committed prisoner to the Tower, where he lay till the end of Henry’s reign, on suspicion of heresy, and for violating the fast and abstinence of Good Friday.—It has been suggested that imprisonment did not constitute the whole of his correction or chastisement on this occasion, as Shaxton bishop of Salisbury was forced to recant his Lutheran opinions, and carry a faggot at the burning of four other protestants, in 1546; and it is not likely that Henry would have been content with less from Shaxton’s fellow prisoner, Latimer, than a solemn abjuration of his doctrine.—See Milner, as before, page, 196.

[650]  See Milner, p. 196.—Latimer’s name is to the sentence of Joan of Kent, who was burnt in 1549.  See Burnet’s Hist. Ref. part ii. b. i. rec. 35.  It also appears from Collier and Fox that he was one of the leading bishops who sat at the trial of Lambert the martyr.—See Milner, as before.

[651]  See his signature to the sentence against Van Parre; in Burnet’s H. Ref. as before.

[652a]  See Milner, 194.

[652b]  Fox A. and M.

[652c]  Collier vol. ii. rec. 22.

[653a]  Heylin Hist. Eliz. p. 89.

[653b]  Collier vol. ii. rec. 24.

[653c]  Collier, as before.

[653d]  Burnet, Collect b. ii. n. 47.

[654a]  The royal pair were married by Dr. Rowland Lee, in the presence of Cranmer, the duke of Norfolk, &c. Nov. 14, 1532.  Heylin Hist. Eliz. p. 89.  Stow fixes the marriage two months later, viz. Jan. 25, 1533.  Elizabeth was born September 7. 1583.

[654b]  The prevailing notion seems to be, that Henry’s wish for a divorce arose from his attachment to Ann Boleyn; but from a paper in the 3rd. volume of the Harieian Miscellany it appears to be unfounded.  We learn from that paper that archbishop Warham was from the first averse to Henry’s marriage with his brother’s widow, but that Fox bishop of Winchester inclined Henry VII. to be for it, as a dispensation from the pope would remove all difficulties.  It appears further that the king (Henry VII.) afterwards thought with Warham: and the day the prince came of age he by his father’s order protested against it as null and void.  His father also with his dying breath persisted in charging him to break it off.  The king continued to have scruples, and at last sent Cardinal Wolsey to France to negotiate a match between him and the duchess of Alencon about August 1527.  After that Lord Rochford came over from France with the picture of the duchess.  His daughter Ann Boleyn, who was in the duchess’ service, came over probably at the same time; and then it was that Henry set his affection upon her.—There can be no truth therefore in the report that she was the cause of alienating the king’s affections from Catherine, and his scrupling the marriage.  The Cardinal returned from France September 30, 1527; and it was not till afterwards that the king expressed to him his attachment to Ann Boleyn.  Harl. Misc. vol. 3. p. 43.

[655a]  See letter in Burnet History Ref. b. iii. p. 200.

[655b]  Burnet, p. 203.

[655c]  The two sentences, the one of attainder for adultery, the other of a divorce because of precontract, did so contradict one another, that one if not both must be unjust.  Burnet.

[655d]  Heylin, Edw. p. 28.

[656a]  Collier, vol. p. 218.  Burnet.

[656b]  See Milner’s 5th Letter to Sturges, whence the above passages or quotations are taken, mostly verbatim.

[657a]  Fuller says: “It cannot be denied that he had a hand in the execution of Lambert, Frith, and other godly martyrs,” adding that he would leave him to sink or swim by himself where he is guilty.  Ch. Hist. b. 5. sec. 2.  He elsewhere accuses Cranmer of arguing against the aforesaid Lambert contrary to his own private judgment; and remarks that “as the latter was burnt for denying the corporal presence, so Cranmer himself was afterwards condemned and died at Oxford for maintaining the same opinion,” b. 5. sec. 6.

[657b]  She is also called Joan Butcher and Joan of Kent—“When he (Cranmer) was on the point of passing sentence upon her, . . . she reproached him for passing the like sentence upon another woman, Ann Askew, for denying the carnal presence of Christ in the sacrament; telling him that he had condemned the said Ann Askew not long before for a piece of bread, and was then ready to condemn her for a piece of flesh.”  Heylin, Edw. vi, p. 89.—As three other protestants, Lassels, Otterden, and Adams were burnt with Askew for the selfsame cause, there is every appearance that Cranmer was as instrumental in their punishment as he was in that of Askew.  (Milner, 207.)

[657c]  See the process of their condemnation in Burnet’s Collect. of Rec. part ii, b. 1, n. 35.

[658a]  In 1538 a special commission was granted to Cranmer, with two other bishops and six other persons, to try summaris el de plano, even though they had not been denounced or detected, all Anabaptists, &c. and to deliver them over to the secular arm.  Collier vol. 2. sec. 46.—Within a month from the date of this commission, viz. Nov. 24. I find two Anabaptists burnt, and four bearing faggots.  Stow.—About a year after this, by virtue of a special commission, Cranmer with certain other bishops tried Alexander Seaton for protestant opinions, and condemned him to bear a faggot and recant at St. Paul’s Cross, which he did accordingly.  Collier, vol. 2 p. 184.  The same year three other Anabaptists were burnt by virtue of the former commission.  Stow—In Edward’s reign certain chiefs (of the Gospellers and Anabaptists) were condemned April 12, 1549, before the archbishop (Cranmer), the bishop of Westminster, and Drs. Cox, May, Cole, and Smith.  Being convicted, some of them were dismissed only with an admonition, some sentenced to a recantation, and others condemned to bear their faggots at St. Paul’s.  Heylin, p. 73.  About the same time John Champneys of Stratford was convented before Cranmer, Latimer, and two other doctors, at which time he was forced to recant upon oath certain “heretical and damnable opinions” concerning regeneration, &c. as also to carry a faggot.  In like manner John Ashton, priest, being convented before Cranmer, abjured his heresies, &c. and took an oath to submit to whatever penance was enjoined.  Ex. Regist. Cranm. Collier part ii. b. i, rec. 35.

[658b]  Milnes, as before, p. 208.

[659a]  Perhaps she meant no more than that he was born free from that natural pollution or hereditary depravity implied in the orthodox doctrine of original sin.

[659b]  Burnet, past ii p, 111, 112.  Milner, p. 208, 209.

[660a]  The two first of these retractions are without date.  The third appears to have been signed Feb. 14.  The fourth is dated Feb. 16; and the last is dated March 13.  See Strype’s Mem. Ecc. vol. iii, p. 134.  Cranmer retracted his recantations and was executed March 21.

[660b]  Milner, as before, 210.

[661]  Stow’s Annals, an. 1546.  Milner, p. 173.

[662a]  Hist. Ref. part ii. p. 226.

[662b]  Heylin’s Hist. Ref.  Edward IV, 1550.  Milner, 174.

[662c]  Strype’s Mem. Eccl. p. 440.

[663a]  Strype’s Mem. Eccl. B. 11. c. xxiii.

[663b]  Camden, Appar. ad Annal Eliz.—Milner 175.

[664]  The unfavourable and ill effects of the reformation on the manners, and morals of the people, both at home and abroad, must be chiefly ascribed to some of the great defects of the system—some of its most prominent features or distinguishing doctrines, as was before suggested—such as justification by faith without works, predestination to perdition as well as to salvation, or election and reprobation representing all human characters and actions (even the most horrid crimes), as emanating or resulting from the decrees of Heaven, or will of God—doctrines which certainly cannot be said to be favourable to practical holiness or virtuous living.  Yet they form a main part of what has been called evangelical religion ever since.  As to their licentious tendency, Luther is known to have gone very far, and expressed himself very strongly on the above doctrine of justification; even so as to speak very slightly of the Epistle of James, calling it “dry, chaffy, and unworthy the apostolic spirit,” for no other reason than its manifest opposition to his views of this doctrine.  He probably deemed that Epistle far inferior to his own writings when he called himself the second Elias and the Chariot of Israel, and said in his book against the king of England, “My ministry and calling are of that excellency that it is in vain for princes or any persons on earth to expect submission or forbearance from me.”  Be this as it may, it is evident, from Bucer’s testimony, (see p. 628) that the reformed converts made a great handle of that doctrine, and considered it as excusing and encouraging their licentiousness: and Bucer was a witness of the effects of the reformation in England as well as on the continent.—As to those reformed doctrines relating to the Divine Decrees, or predestination to perdition as well as to salvation, and which are commonly comprehended under the terms Election and Reprobation, their loose and licentious tendency, must be obvious to every unbiassed mind, seeing they place good and evil, virtue and vice, truth and error, right and wrong, as it were upon a level, and in effect annihilate all the distinctions between them, making the worst as well as the best of human actions to be agreeable to the will of God and the offspring of his eternal counsel or purpose.  Where such doctrines prevail it may be expected that moral restraints will be soon overpowered.

[668]  So far they were evidently of use, and their suppression was a real and public loss, in that view and as things then stood.