I. BOOK the common enemy, the papist, might jest, that the chiefest gospellers are at bitter hatred and contention among themselves. Surely, I need not instruct your lordship, of whom I would learn willingly, that such is the subtil slight and old 61 policy of Satan, that if he may breed dissension or discord among them, in whom there ought to be a sweet harmony and agreement, he is no time more glad or joyful. It is no new thing that the children of God have disagreed: and therefore the sooner in us to be amended. Paul and Barnabas, as the Acts make rehearsal, were at such bitter dissension between themselves, for the receiving of Mark, that the one departed from the other in great heat and choler. The words that past between them were sharp and bitter. But when the Lord saw it so good, they were reconciled again. Whatsoever bitter words have past between us, I for my part do acknowledge mine own imbecillity: and desire your lordship of pardon herein, if I have offended: binding my self, as I have both tendred your state, and defended you, when my words might stand you in sted, so you would bear in silence whatsoever hath proceded on either part. And as the first cause and chiefest occasion was derived neither from you, nor from my self, so I wish the amendment that bred this discord; and wish that in other things he may have the less credit. And surely as I have to thank your lordship, because at my commendations it pleased you to entertain Mr. Mouse, a man both godly and zelous, into your service, so I trust at any time, neither I nor my letters shall commend any unto you which shall not both try themselves godly and honest, and that praise that I give upon them well bestowed. But thus much I must needs inform your lordship of, ⚫that you know as well, that as you give too light credit to some that are always about you, so you procure your self some discredit in giving no heed to these that both love you earnestly, and tender your state accordingly. Thus beseeching your lordship to acquit me with a line or two, to the satisfaction and quietness of my mind, trusting, that for I. all this, your opinion is not diminished of me, who make as BOOK good account of you as of the chiefest bishop of this land, with my unfeigned duty and commendations; desiring the Lord God so to ravish your heart with his holy Spirit, that you may be an ornament to the church, a light to the gospel, and an ey-sore to all the papists, (whose eyes are cast wholly upon you,) I most humbly take my leave of you. From Holt, this 10th of June, 1573. Your lordships every way to command, William Heydon. [Number XXXI.] The same bishop's fatherly and friendly answer to the for mer letter. I AM glad, and I thank God for it, that hath moved Ubi supra. your heart so speedily, and as it were before the sun go down, to forethink your self of such things as of late were don at my house: and whether the cause come of you, be judge your self. You bring unto me a simple old man, spent with labours and turmoils of the world, who through his age and other imperfections, is no longer able to labour for his living, (for so he himself hath reported,) that he should now enter the ministry: his knowledge in the Latin very small; in the scriptures as little: by his occupation a husbandman. The canons do appoint, (and I have given my consent thereto,) that no bishop shall lay his hand upon any that hath been brought up in husbandry. For these be the words of the canon. He confessed to me, that he hath been brought up in husbandry from his youth upwards. What would you have me to do? Should I go clean contrary to that to the which I and all other bishops have subscribed, and set to our hands? You think that your estimation should somewhat be lessened for the denyal of your request. And I know that my estimation should much be appared for granting of the same. Oh! Mr. Heydon, I and all other bishops have made too many such. Necessity drave us to do the same. But to continue so doing, it were a fault 62 BOOK too hainous. Of late years I have had great care in this behalf; and do intend so to continue by God's grace. I. Truly, Mr. Heydon, you must bear with me, although I love you dearly, if I shall not agree to you in matters, in my judgment, offensive to God and my conscience, and slanderous to the church. Remember the old saying, Amicus, sed usque ad aras. Another part of your letter toucheth my credit somewhat; that you should think of me so much lightness, that either would believe, as you say, any about me, farther than there shall be cause; or not credit, nor give heed to such others as both love me, and tender my state. The contrary whereof is true, Mr. Heydon. The which, but for lack of time, I could declare unto you many ways. This saying is not so true, as often uttered against me: which might be left well enough, that acre hath been so much ploughed already. To let these things pass, and to conclude. I thank God for your friendship, and for your great zele, and favour to God's gospel. In which respect I account of you as of a most dear friend. Touching the heat of words passed, let each of us say, Homo sum, nihil humani a me alienum puto. For my part, I forget all, and forgive all unfeignedly; and do heartily rejoyce to understand the like of you. And thus I bid you heartily well to fare. Scribbled in hast with my rude hand. At Ludham, the 16th of June, 1573. Your assured loving friend in Christ, J. Norwic. MSS. Epal. Number XXXII. A discovery of the present estate of the bishopric of St. THE estate of the bishopric of St. Asaph now standeth thus. Most of the great livings within the dioces, some with cure of souls, and some without cure, are either holden by the bishop himself in commendam, or else they are in pos- BOOK session of such men as do dwell out of the country. These are holden by the lord bishop in commendam. I. The archdeaconry: being well worth 400l. yearly. To the which the benefices with cure do belung: Llangrostenin, Diserth, and Rhylyfnwyd. And these without cure: Abergele, rectory, Bettws, R. Llandrillo, in Rhos Porc. Llanrwst, Porc. II. Gwin, R. sine cura, yearly worth 50%. III. Llandrillo in Deirnyon, R. sine cura, worth 80l. IV. Llangwin, R. sine cura, yearly worth 607. V. Llandrinia, R. with three cures, viz. Llandrinio, Llandissilio, Melverley, worth yearly 1607. VI. Llysvayn, R. cum cura, yearly worth 50%. or better. VII. Castell, R. cum cura, yearly worth 50%. VIII. Malloyd, R. cum cura, yearly worth 70%. Nine cures, and seven without cures. The said lord bishop hath had in his commendam six other benefices with cure: the which he resigned upon having of the better, viz. 1. Abergele, vic. 2. Bettws, vic. 3. Gresford, vic. 4. Myvot, vic. 5. Arbistock, rec. 6. Llanyckill, rec. These following are in the possession of them that ly out of the country. Whereof some were collated by the lord bishop that now is. Viz. I. Vaynol, prebend, yearly worth 200 marks, in the possession of D. Yale, of the Arches. II. Llanufyth, preb. well worth a 1007. yearly, in the possession of D. Lewyn, of the Arches. III. Kilken, R. worth 50%. yearly, in the possession of Mr. Tomson, dwelling about London. A sine cure. IV. Skeiviog, R. in the possession of Mr. Henry Mostyn. V. Whittington, R. cum cura, of the patronage of Mr. Albany, in the possession of Mr. Bay-63 shaw, of Litchfield. VI. Oswestrie, vic. of the patronage of the earl of Arundel, in the possession of VII. Machynllaeth, R. in the possession of Mr. Hughes, of Merionythshire. And of antient collation these. I. Meleden, preb. worth yearly 50%. in the possession of Mr. Ireland, of Chester. II. Llanwrst, R. in the possession of D.Jones, of the Arches. III. Llansannan, R. Porc. in the possession of the same. I. I. BOOK IV. Llanarmon, R. in the possession of the dean of Canterbury, Mr. Rogers. V. Estyn, R. in the possession of the same man. VI. Covwen, R. in the possession of D. Mevricks, of Litchfield. VII. Llandyssel, R. in the possession of D. Lewys, the queen's chaplain. There is never a preacher within the said dioces, (the lord bishop only excepted,) that keepeth ordinary residence and hospitality upon his lyving, but D. Powel and D. Morgan, and the parson of Llanvechen, an aged man about 80 years old. By reason of the commendams and absence aforesaid, hospitality now of late is greatly decayed in that dioces. These are clean gone, which of late were great housekeepers. I. The dean. He that now hath the name to be "One Banks, deana, never kept house in all his life: and is an unfit man not. 23 years for that place and calling in all respects, being not past four old. and twenty years old. II. The archdeacon hath been the Parcells of the bishoprick leased, and confirmed by the lord bishop that now is, to the hindrance of his successors. I. The lordship of Meleden (the moyety whereof being in lease before, he bought of Mr. Symon Theloal; to whom he gave the vicarage of Moulde for the same) he hath confirmed for lives, to the use of his own children. II. The rectorie of Llanhasaph he hath, for the sum of 3007. con |