TOGETHER WITH AN APPENDIX OF ORIGINAL PAPERS OF STATE, RECORDS, AND LETTERS BY JOHN STRYPE, M.A.

A NEW EDITION VOLUME 3 (FORMERLY VOLUME 2 PART 1) THE PREFACE.

I MUST acquaint the reader with some reasons that prevailed with me to set forth another volume of our church’s history under queen Elizabeth; and what encouragement I had to take it in hand, and to proceed therein: and then to give some brief account of what I have done.

In the former volume of these Annals was shewn particularly what method was used, and what steps were taken, in that great and happy enterprise of the reformation of this church from the popish errors in doctrine and superstitions in worship, wherein it was deeply plunged in the reign of queen Mary, queen Elizabeth’s immediate predecessor; and how from year to year that good work was carried on, and arrived to some joyful settlement by the twelfth year of the said glorious queen’s government. But because that volume reached no farther, and so seemed to break off somewhat abruptly in the course of that history, and the reader that had gone so far in the reading of these godly proceedings would probably be willing to know more of the progress thereof, and how it went on, I was moved to prosecute the said purpose: and that this distinguishing favour of God to this land might remain on eternal record; and for posterity to know, how the divine blessing accompanied, from year to year, along that queen’s reign, that noble work of delivering prince and people from the usurped tyranny of Rome; and advancing the true knowledge and free profession of the gospel among us: and that, amidst all the opposition, plots, and endeavours, both at home and abroad, from time to time, to overthrow it: which ought to be had in everlasting remorabrance by all the inhabitants of this happy island of Great Britain.

I was also willing to comply with the desires of divers learned men, as well of the clergy as others, studious of our church’s history; who having read the entrance and beginning of this reformation in the former volume, would gladly understand farther of its success, and of the events of it afterwards; and have thought it pity so useful an history should make a final stop so soon, and go no farther.

And indeed I was loath that all my collections, which I have for many years past been making, (for my own satisfaction,) and digesting from abundance of MSS. and original letters and records in the nation, and discovering thence so desirable a piece of our ecclesiastical history, should be lost.

Especially also, being encouraged by the esteem and approbation of these my pains, so publicly given me (in the proposals for the printing this volume) by all our pious and learned archbishops and bishops: as also by the good opinion I have obtained from the prelates, dignified and learned men in the other kingdom of Ireland: which I cannot but acknowledge here, in gratitude to them all.

That which I have done in this volume is, following the method of the former, to set down the various occurrences of the church under each year, as I have met with them. Wherein observations are made of the bishops in each of their dioceses; and of their businesses, cares, and diligence among their respective clergy in the discharge of their function; and of the opposition, troubles, and discouragements they met with; partly by the inconformity of some of their clergy to the liturgy, and the custom and practice enjoined; partly by the creeping in of popish priests and Jesuits, to draw away the queen’s subjects from their obedience, and for the reconciling them to popery; and partly, by means of the endeavour of many, to rend away the revenues from their respective bishoprics.

Here is related also what was done in parliaments, (chiefly with respect to religion,) in convocations, ecclesiastical commissions, and episcopal visitations; and what occurred from the endeavours of the Romanists, and other disaffected parties and factions, to undermine the church and its constitution; and what courses were taken with them from time to time, for the safety of the queen, and preserving the peace of her people.

There will be found likewise set down here divers other important matters, well worthy knowledge, concerning secular, as well as ecclesiastical affairs, in this juncture of queen Elizabeth’s reign; and her concerns and transactions in that busy and dangerous time with foreign princes and states; as Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland; especially where religion was concerned; and being such matters as our historians have slipt over in silence; tending to the praise of that queen and her government, and of the wise counsellors about her.

There will be also met with, in the current of this history, under each year, matters more private, personal and domestic: whereby many particular things of remark will be seen; and notices of some persons of eminence, either for learning or quality, or office of trust, are given: whereby their memories are revived, and that when by this time they are almost sunk into oblivion, though men of figure in their lives-time.

I have also taken the liberty of relating something concerning literature and our universities, and of controversies arising in the colleges, and among the students there; with characters of some of the learned heads and members of the colleges there. Mention also is made of books, especially of more note, which came forth under each year. And some accounts are given of them and their authors also.

I have been wary in this work not to repeat any thing which hath been read before in any other of my writings published; unless I have done it sometimes to improve the history, or to add some enlargements and more particular accounts of what had been more briefly and imperfectly spoken of elsewhere. And where there may be in this work any omissions or defects observed, or matters more lightly touched, they will be supplied to him that will please to consult the Lives and Acts of the two archbishops of Canterbury, Parker and Grindal, contemporary with the times of this history.

In this whole undertaking I have used all faithfulness and impartiality; and set down things according as I found them in the originals, whether letters, records, registers, papers of state, or other MSS. being the imports of them, and often in the same words. So that the reader may the readier depend upon the truth of what I offer. And for the better credit to be given to me, there is an Appendix set at the end of the book: wherein are entered great numbers of useful papers and authentic writings; some taken from the king’s Paper-office, others from the Cotton library, more of them from the Bene’t college library; in short, many more from the best MS. libraries in the kingdom; exactly thence and carefully exemplified by my own pen from the originals.

Perhaps some of the readers of this book may esteem some matters set down there as trivial, and of little import. But I had other thoughts of them, otherwise I should not have suffered any of them to have taken place there: for oftentimes there be matters of moment depending upon things seemingly of smaller account. And on this occasion I may use the words of Mr. Madox, late of the Augmentation office; who gave this answer to such a censurer of a book of his; viz. “That the formulas entered into his book were some of them of little value. He desired such upon this occasion to call to mind the several monuments of antiquity: which at the first sight appeared of little value; but had afterwards been found to serve some not contemptible uses: and that many things in antiquity prove of good use to some, which to others may be of little or no use at all.”

In short, I hope this will prove an useful history. And the greatest and best use of it will be, to observe the wonderful mercy and goodness of God to us in the preservation and continuance of our excellent reformed religion through that queen’s reign, against all the spite and opposition, at home and abroad, to undermine and overthrow it. The benefit and comfort whereof we enjoy to this day. For which success we are beholden under God to the said queen Elizabeth, and her watchful and steady government, accompanied with the prayers of the faithful.