aforesaid, executor. He also bequeaths to his father, Tho. Perkins, and his mother, Anna Perkins, ten pounds a piece, and to every of his brethren and sisters, five pounds a piece, and to his son-in-law, John Hinde, his English Bible."* JOSIAS NICHOLS was a worthy minister of the gospel, an humble servant of Christ, and a man of distinguished eminence in his day. Certain writers in defence of the church and its ceremonies, having charged the puritans with being as factious, seditious, and as great enemies to the queen, as the papists; Mr. Nichols, in answer to these malicious imputations, published a book, entitled "A Plea for the Innocent; or, a Defence of the Puritans," 1602. The author proves that the charges against the puritans were malicious and false. He fully answers all the calumnies and slanders cast upon them, and, with great impar tiality, blames both parties in those things wherein they were culpable. The book is written with great modesty, humility, and temper, and with great reverence of the bishops; in soft and gentle language, with good strength of argument, liveliness of affection, and a deep sense of the common danger then threatening both the church and the state. In this work, he observes, in defence of himself and his brethren, "We subscribe willingly to the book of articles, according to the statute in that behalf provided: viz. to those articles which only concern the confession of the true faith, and the doctrine of the sacraments, as the statute expressly commandeth and limiteth." Mr. Nichols subscribed the "Book of Discipline."§ THOMAS CARTWRIGHT, B. D.-This most celebrated person was born in Hertfordshire, about the year 1535, and educated in St. John's college, Cambridge. He possessed excellent natural parts, applied to his studies with uncommon assiduity, and made amazing progress in the various branches of useful literature. He allowed himself only five hours' sleep in the night, to which custom he closely adhered to the end of his days. Having been about three years at the university, upon the death of King Edward, Baker's MS. Collec. vol. ii. p. 544. + MS. Remarks, p. 535. Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. Plea for the Innocent, p. 21. and the return of popery, he quitted that seat of learning, and became clerk to a counsellor at law. This employment, however, did not prevent the prosecution of his former pursuits. The study of divinity, and those branches of knowledge most calculated for usefulness to a divine, were his chief delight; and to which he still directed the closest application. In this situation he remained till the accession of Queen Elizabeth, when he returned to St. John's college, and in the year 1560, was made fellow of the house. In about three years, he was removed to Trinity college, where, on account of his great learning and worth, he was chosen one of the eight senior fellows. In the year 1564, when Queen Elizabeth visited the university of Cambridge, uncommon preparations were made for her entertainment, and the most learned men were selected for the public disputations. Among these was Mr. Cartwright, whose performance on this occasion discovered such extraordinary abilities, as gave the greatest satisfaction, both to the queen and the other auditors. But many writers have asserted, that he received neither reward nor commendation; and that he was presumptuous of his own good learning, but deficient in a comely grace and behaviour. Indeed, it is added, that he was so vexed by her majesty's neglect of him, that he immediately began to wade into divers opinions relative to the new discipline, and to kick at the government of the established church; growing conceited of his own learning and holiness, and becoming a great contemner of those who differed from him. That this is a most notorious slander, appears partly from the account already given; but especially from the words of another learned historian. From the relation of the queen's reception at Cambridge, says he, there appears no clear ground for any such discontent, as that which is charged against Mr. Cartwright; for, as this relation informs us, the queen approved of them all. In the year 1570, Mr. Cartwright was chosen Lady Margaret's professor of divinity. It is particularly mentioned, that he delivered lectures upon the first and second chapters of the Acts of the Apostles; which he performed with such acuteness of wit, and such solidity of judgment, that they excited the admiration of those who attended. He was also become so celebrated a preacher, that when it * Clark's Lives annexed to his Martyrologie, p. 16, 17. + Paule's Life of Whitgift, p. 9, 10. Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 403. was his turn to preach at St. Mary's, the sexton, on account of the multitudes who flocked to hear him, was obliged, for their accommodation, to take down the windows of the church.* Mr. Cartwright took occasion, in his lectures, to deliver his sentiments concerning church discipline; and because they were unfavourable to the hierarchy, public accusations were soon exhibited against him.+ Archbishop Grindal wrote a letter, dated June 24, 1570, to Sir William Cecil, chancellor of the university, urging him to take some course with Mr. Cartwright; alleging, that in his lectures he constantly spoke against the external policy, and the various offices of the church; in consequence of which, the young men of the university, who attended his lectures in great numbers, were in danger of being poisoned by his doctrines. He, therefore, recommended to the chancellor to silence Cartwright and his adherents, and to reduce them to conformity, or expel them from the college, or from the university, as the cause should require. He also urged that Mr. Cartwright might not be allowed to take his degree of doctor in divinity, at the approaching commencement, for which he had made application. Dr. Whitgift also zealously opposed Mr. Cartwright, and wrote at the same time to the chancellor, communicating not only what Mr. Cartwright had openly taught, but also what he had spoken to him in private conversation.§ Mr. Cartwright vindicated his conduct in a letter to Sir William Cecil; in which he declared his extreme aversion to every thing that was seditious or contentious; and affirmed, that he had taught nothing but what naturally flowed from his text. He observed, that he had cautiously * Clark's Lives, p. 17. +It is said, with a design to reproach Mr. Cartwright, that he and his adherents having delivered three sermons in the college chapel, on one Lord's day, they spoke so vehemently against the ceremonies and the use of the surplice, that, at evening prayer, all the collegians, except three, cast off their surplices, and appeared in the chapel without them!-Paule's Life of Whitgift, p. 12.—Fuller's Hist, of Cambridge, p. 140. Strype's Grindal, p. 162. It is observed, that what Mr. Cartwright delivered in his sermons on one Lord's day, Whitgift, in the same place, always refuted the Lord's day following, to his great commendation and applause. How far this was to his commendation or applause, we do not determine; but how to reconcile Whitgift's practice, in this case, with his own conduct afterwards, when in the most cruel manner he censured the excellent Mr. Walter Travers for the very same thing, will be found, we think, extremely difficult.-Strype's Whitgift, p. 10, 11.-Paule's Whitgift, p. 13.-See Art. Travers. avoided speaking against the habits; but acknowledged his having taught, that the ministry of the church of England had declined, in some points, from the ministry of the apostolic church, and that he wished it to be restored to greater purity. But these sentiments, he said, he had delivered with all imaginable caution, and in such a manner as could give offence to none, excepting the ignorant, the malignant, or those who wished to catch at something to calumniate him; of which things, nearly all the university, if they might be allowed, would bear witness. He, therefore, entreated the chancellor to hear and judge the cause himself. Mr. Cartwright had, indeed, numerous friends, ornaments to the university, by whom he was exceedingly admired, and who now stuck close to him. They came forwards at this juncture; and declared in their testimonial sent to the chancellor, "That he never touched upon the controversy of the habits; and though he had advanced some propositions respecting the ministry, according to which he wished things might be regulated, he did it with all possible caution and modesty." This was signed by fifteen hands; and other letters of commendation were written in his favour, signed by many names, some of whom afterwards became bishops; but all was to no purpose. It was too obvious, that his adversaries were resolved to make him a public example. Chancellor Cecil was, indeed, inclined to treat Mr. Cartwright with candour and moderation ; but his opponents were determined to prosecute him with the utmost rigour and severity. He was cited before the vice-chancellor, Dr. May, and other doctors, and examined upon sundry articles, which he was said to have delivered. The points alleged against him, they affirmed to be contrary to the religion established by public authority; and, therefore, demanded whether he would revoke his opinions, or abide by them. Mr. Cartwright desiring to be permitted to commit his sentiments upon these points to writing, was allowed the favour. He then drew up his opinions in six propositions, and presented them to the vice-chancellor, who admonished him to revoke them; and, upon his refusal, deprived him of his stipend, but allowed him to continue his lecture.§ During this year, Dr. Whitgift was chosen vice-chan * Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 3. + Ibid. p. 2-4. Appen. p. 1-4. Ibid. vol. i. p. 586, 587. Clark's Lives, p. 17.-Strype's Whitgift, Appen. p. 11. cellor, when Mr. Cartwright was presently convened before him. Upon his appearance, Whitgift required him to revoke those opinions contained in his six propositions, to which he had subscribed; and upon Mr. Cartwright's refusal, he pronounced upon him the following definitive sentence: That seeing no admonition would help, but that he still persisted in the same mind, he did therefore pronounce him, the said Mr. Cartwright, to be removed from his said lecture; and by his final decree or sentence, did then and there remove him, and declare the said lecture void; and that he minded, according to the foundation thereof, to proceed to the election of a new reader. And further, he did then and there, by virtue of his office, inhibit the said Mr. Cartwright from preaching within the said university, and the jurisdiction of the same. The six propositions which Mr. Cartwright delivered under his own hand to the vice-chancellor, and which were said to be both dangerous and untrue, were the following: 1. That the names and functions of archbishops and archdeacons ought to be abolished. 2. That the offices of the lawful ministers of the church, viz. bishops and deacons, ought to be reduced to their apostolical institution: bishops to preach the word of God and pray, and deacons to be employed in taking care of the poor. 3. That the government of the church ought not to be entrusted to bishops' chancellors, or the officials of archdeacons; but every church ought to be governed by its own minister and presbyters. 4. That ministers ought not to be at large, but every one should have the charge of a particular congre gation. 5. That no man ought to solicit, or to stand as a candidate for the ministry. 6. That ministers ought not to be created by the sole authority of the bishop, but to be openly and fairly chosen by the people.+ In addition to these heterodoxies and misrepresentations, as the learned historian is pleased to call them, other articles were collected from Mr. Cartwright's lectures; and, as they were accounted both dangerous and seditious, it will * Clark's Lives, p. 17.-Strype's Whitgift, Appen. p. 11. + Ibid. 1 Collier's Eccl. Hist. vol. ii. p. 525. |