queen's majesty's officers, unto whom it may come or appertain." The order itself, dated London, December 11, 1573, was as follows: We do require you, and "therewith straitly command you, and every of you, ❝in the queen's majesty's name, that you be aiding and "assisting to the bearer and bearers hereof, with all the best "means you can devise, for the apprehension of one "Thomas Cartwright, student in divinity, wheresoever he "be, within the liberties or without, within this realm. "And you having possession of his body by your good "travail and diligence in this business, we do likewise "charge you, (for so is her majesty's pleasure,) that he be "brought up by you to London, with a sufficient number "for his safe appearance before us, and other her majesty's "commissioners in causes ecclesiastical, for his unlawful "dealings and demeanours in matters touching religion, and "the state of this realm. And fail you not so to do, every one "of you, with all diligence, as you will answer to the "contrary upon your utmost peril." This order was signed by the Bishop of London, and eleven others of the high commission.*

Mr. Cartwright, however, wisely concealed himself, till he found an opportunity of leaving the kingdom. And God, who provides for the young ravens when they cry, provided for his persécuted servant in this gloomy season. For at this critical juncture, he was unexpectedly invited, together with Mr. Snape, to assist the ministers in the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, in framing the requisite discipline for their churches. This was a favourable dispensation to Mr. Cartwright; who, being forced to abandon his native country, found there a refuge from the storm. These two islands were the only places within the British dominions, where the out-stretched arms of the high commissioners could not reach him. During Mr. Cartwright's abode here, besides attending to the special object of his mission, he laboured in his public ministry, particularly at Castle-Cornet in Guernsey. It appears that he afterwards went again to Antwerp, and a second time became preacher to the English merchants.+

Mr. Cartwright continued at Antwerp several years, but his health having greatly declined, the physicians recommended him, as the most likely means of his restoration, to try his native air. His complaint at length

* Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 282. + Kingdom's MS. Collec. Pref. p. 33.

increasing to so great a degree that his life was thought to be in danger, he wrote to the lords of the council, the Earl of Leicester, and the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, for permission to come home. These two noblemen made honourable mention of him in Parliament. They also interceded with the queen, but could not procure her favour and consent. Nevertheless, he ventured to return once more to his native country. But it was no sooner known that he was landed, than he was apprehended by Bishop Aylmer, and cast into prison. When he appeared before Whitgift, now made Archbishop, he behaved with so much modesty and respect, as greatly softened the heart of his adversary; who, upon the promise of his quiet and peaceable behaviour, suffered him, after some time, to go at large. For this favour, both the Earl of Leicester and Mr. Cartwright thanked the archbishop; but all the endeavours they used could not obtain him a license to preach.+ The earl did every thing for him in his power, and made him master of the hospital at Warwick; where, for some time, he preached without a license, being exempt from the jurisdiction of the prelates. This noble earl, and his brother, the Earl of Warwick, were his constant friends and patrons as long as they lived.

Mr. Cartwright was so celebrated, that King James of Scotland offered him a professorship in the university of St. Andrews; but he modestly declined it. Afterwards, Mr. Cartwright, in the dedication of his "Commentary on Ecclesiastes" to that king, made thankful acknowledgment of the royal favour. The Archbishop of Dublin invited him into Ireland, offering him considerable preferment; and it is said he went into Ireland, but soon returned to England. Indeed, such was his distinguished reputation, that the most celebrated divines, both at

The bishop, to cast the reproach of this from himself, proceeded against Mr. Cartwright, not in his own name, but in the name of the queen ; with which her majesty no sooner became acquainted, than she was greatly incensed against him. Aylmer, poor man ! to make up the breach, wrote to the treasurer, entreating him to use his utmost endeavours to appease the queen's indignation.-Strype's Whitgift, p. 225.-Strype's Aylmer, p. 117. + Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. 340, 341.-Strype's Whitgift, p. 225, 226. Clark's Lives, p. 19.

The Earl of Warwick, who died of an amputation of his leg, was a person of great sweetness of temper, and of unexceptionable character. He was affectionate to his relations, kind to his domestics, and grateful to his friends. He was called by the people, long before and after his death, THE GOOD EARL OF WARWICK.-Biog. Britan. vol. v. p. 443, 444.

Edit. 1778.

Kingdom's MS. Collec. Pref. p. 33.

home and abroad, frequently sought his advice in the most weighty matters."

In the year 1583, Mr. Cartwright was carnestly pressed by many learned persons, to publish a refutation of the "Rhemist Translation of the New Testament." That translation being looked upon by all true protestants, as a work of a very dangerous tendency, designed to promote the errors and superstitions of popery, most persons wished it to be answered by the ablest pen that could be found. And no man was thought so suitable to undertake the laborious work as Mr. Cartwright. Indeed, the queen applied to the learned Beza of Geneva, soliciting him to undertake the answer; but he modestly declined, saying, she had a person in her own kingdom far better qualified to perform the work than himself; and declared that this was Mr. Thomas Cartwright.+ Sir Francis Walsingham, who in this affair, as well as many others, was accounted the mouth and hand of the queen, wrote to Mr. Cartwright, earnestly entreating him to undertake the work, sending, at the same time, one hundred pounds towards the expense, with assurance of such further assistance as he might afterwards deem necessary. The ministers of London and Suffolk, in like manner, urged him to undertake it. He was also warmly solicited by some of the most learned and celebrated divines of Cambridge. In their letter to him, they express themselves in the following manner:-" We "are earnest with you, most reverend Cartwright, that you "would set yourself against the unhallowed endeavours of "these mischievous men, either by refuting the whole "book, or some part thereof. It is not for every one "rashly to be thrust forth into the Lord's battles; but such "captains as are to be chosen from amongst David's "worthies, one of which, we acknowledge you to be, by "the former battles undergone for the walls of our city, "the church. We doubt not, if you will enter this war, "but that you, fighting for your conscience and country, "will be able to tread under foot the forces of the Jebusites, "which set themselves to assault the tower of David.-You "see to what an honourable fight we invite you. Christ's

* Clark's Lives, p. 19.

+ During Mr. Cartwright's exile, travelling to Geneva, he became particularly intimate with Beza; who, at that time, writing to his friend in England, gave him the following character: "Here is now with us your "countryman, Thomas Cartwright, than whom, I think, the sun doth not see a more learned man.”—Ibid. p. 18, 19.

60

Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix. p. 171.-Strype's Whitgift, p. 253,254.

"business shall be undertaken against Satan's champions. "We stir you up to fight the battles of the Lord, where "the victory is certain, and which the triumph and applause "of angels will ensue. Our prayers shall never be wanting "to you. Christ, without doubt, whose cause you defend, "will be present with you. The Lord Jesus much "increase your courage and strength, and keep you very "long in safety for his church's good."* From all these solicitations, Mr. Cartwright was at length induced to undertake the laudable and arduous work; and having once entered upon it, he spared no pains to carry it on to perfection. But, marvellous as it will appear to all posterity, Archbishop Whitgift, by his own sovereign authority, forbade him to proceed.+ Mr. Cartwright meekly obeyed the tyrannical prohibition. The book was left unfinished, to the unspeakable regret of the learned world, but to the lasting reproach of the archbishop, and was not published till the year 1618. Fuller says, Mr. Cartwright perfected the work to the seventeenth chapter of Revelation. But the excellent performance being laid aside many years, became in part mouse eaten; and was not published till the above year. Notwithstanding these defects, says he, it is so complete a refutation, that the Rhemists durst never answer it.‡

Mr. Cartwright was severely persecuted on account of his nonconformity. Although his hospital at Warwick was exempt from the jurisdiction of the prelates, their outstretched and tyrannical power would not suffer him to enjoy peace. He was accused to Bishop Freke of Worcester, a zealous advocate for the church, and summoned to appear in the consistory at Worcester, to answer such charges as were alleged against him. Upon his appearance before his lordship and others, he was addressed as follows: -"Mr. Cartwright, you are hère accused of disturbing the peace and quietness of the church, by innovations, and obtruding fancies and devices of your own or others. You have brought over with you the dregs of Geneva, whereby you would instil into the minds of the queen's subjects, that your doctrine is the only truth to be embraced and

This letter was subscribed by Roger Goad, William Whitaker, Thomas Crook, John Ireton, William Fulke, John Field, Nicholas Crane, Giles Saintler, Richard Gardiner, William Charke, and others, celebrated for their learning and piety.-Clark's Lives, p. 20.-Letter prefixed to Cartwright's Refutation. Church Hist. b. ix. p. 171, 172.

+ Strype's Whitgift, p. 253, 254. Wood's Athenæ Oxon, vol. i. p. 732.

entertained. You had best take heed, that you run not upon the same rock, which the papists themselves split upon, and draw upon yourself the same penalty ordained for those who alienate the hearts of the subjects both from their prince and religion." To these accusations and foul aspersions, Mr. Cartwright, with becoming christian meekness, only said, "I have the word of God for my warrant, and the example of the reformed churches for my guide, in what I have done." Dr. Longworth, on this occasion, boldly challenged him to a public disputation, but Mr. Cartwright wisely declined. He was, therefore, dismissed without receiving any ecclesiastical censure.*

Mr. Cartwright was undoubtedly concerned for the reformation of the church; and he laboured, in the most peaceable manner, to promote it to the utmost of his power. For the accomplishment of this great object, he joined with his brethren in their associations, and united with them in perfecting and subscribing the "Book of Discipline."+ He was one of the heads in these assemblies, and was sometimes chosen moderator. Though, upon his release from prison, he could not obtain his liberty to preach, but still continued under suspension, he constantly attended to his ministerial exercise in his hospital, and preached occasionally at other places, particularly at Banbury. His endeavours to carry on the English reformation towards perfection, were considered as a violation of established customs, and disobedience to the ecclesiastical laws; therefore, in the year 1590, he was summoned to appear before the high commission. Previous to his appearance before this terrible tribunal, he wrote the following excellent and generous letter, addressed "To the right worshipful Mr. Puckering, one of her majesty's serjeants at law :"+

"Having received Mr. Puckering's letter on Wednesday, I came no sooner with it: the cause hath been in part a strain of one of my legs, and in part the importunity of my friends, begging me to stay until I had gotten some ability of my leg, to travel with more commodity. And now that I am come to the town, I bring not the letter myself. The cause is, that being sent for by a pursuivant, I was loath to be attached before I had made my appearance without attachment, and that I might as it were be mine own * Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xxviii. p. 443, 444.

+ Neal's Puritans, vol. i, p. 423.

Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 105, 106.