THe distractions of these times are not unknowne to bee caused by the copiousnesse of Sects, Religions I can­not tearme them, lest I should disalow of that Ax­omatike of King Iames of Blessed memory, for he ack­nowledged but two Religions, the good and the bad, and those were the Protestants and the Pa­pists, the Protestant the true, and the Papists the false, But there are a companie of humerous opi­nions crept in amongst us, 29. not long since were divulged to the view of the whole World, but yet some were omitted, as the Libertines and the Atheists, which are a Sect as well as the rest, [Page 2]although no Religion, but to define them more punctually, they are neither Sect or Religion be­cause they acknowledge no God, but I desire not to bee prolixious in circumstance, but will treat of that which most concerns me; There was a proud Arminian which lately hangd him­selfe by name called Iohn Hobson, once a Student of the Vniversity of Oxford in Trinity Colledge.

A long time was hee a perfect Protestant in being ruled by the Reall Scriptures Alphabet, not wresting it to his own ends or purpose, But he perceiving the times to be altered he would needs exercise the changes, and bee a dancer in the figure, his sole ambition was to make his bad opinion good by antiquity, but at last his an­tiquities deceived him.

England growing to a Reformation, he had so farre studied in that diabolicall practice, that maugre all pietie, he would stil persist in his own opinion, although it were as vaine as his own Carriage, which was none of the best, as I shall instantly declare unto the gentle Reader, which being done, judge the man by his workes.

This man lived in Norfolke nigh unto Lyn, where he had meanes good store, as was appro­ved by his Kinfolks and neighbours there a­bout, to the value of two hundred poundes per annum, besides he was one of the Prebends of Ely, what that came to it is better knowne to D. Wren, if without offence I may so tearme him, then to my self, Doctor Cozens was always his intimate friend, Nicholls, for the title of a [Page 3]Gentleman I will not bestow upon him, by the reason in the Masters Lodge of Trinity Colledg in Cambridg, hee did hold argument, that the Pope of Romes prerogative in ecclesiasticall af­fairs and Civill was more then our King could claim to his prerogative, D. Cozens at that time was Vice-chancelor, and at that time did sup with D. Cumber, before named, (a man not guilty of temporizing faction) he being in com­pany withstood his argument, which Dr. Cozens perceiving, could doe no otherwise for his owne safety, but commit him to safe custody, not­withstanding in a small space he was delivered, Justice being not prosecuted against him, by whose power, judicious Reader thou maist i­magine, I doe not feare to say, it was by Doct. Cozens command that arch Arminian, whose Chappell insteed of sound Doctrine, is adorned with Romish Superstitions, Crosses, Ave Ma­rias, these he more delighted in, then to preach in the Vniversity Church of S. Mary's, but to come to the purpose, this Nicholls was an inti­mate friend of this Iohn Hobson, or rather damna­ble foe, for since it hath apparently proved, hee was the blinder of him, and the causer of his in­tellectuall tenebrosity: This John Hobson was so much by his allurements brought astray, that at length with persecuting Paul, he was not fearfull to hold the garments of those which should stone godly Stephen, true hearted, religious, and pious affected Protestants I meane, the Bishop of Camerbury, he honoured as a God upon earth, and accounted his Doctrine to bee as pure as [Page 4] Pauls was after his conversion, which me thinks hee should not, Paul being a paines taking man to convert the Gentiles, and the other such a one who desired nothing more but to convert the truth. But I conclude in speaking of him, inso­much as the Tower locks are strong enough to bar him, from corrupting any more Cathedralls by making them Altarwise. Occasions still ob­viously have met me, that as yet I have not writ scarce any thing to my theame, but now I shall begin to bee more seriously intended.

This John Hobson long time was a persecu­tor of those which were zealously affected, if bowing would argue a man not to be proud, I might truly affirme him to be humble, but the Arminian sent lately made a distinction, where­fore I must upon force hold the negative part, at length this Dotard, (for I can give him no better Title) the times being altered, hee began to per­ceive his own perversnesse, and being left to him, was perswaded no remission could be afforded, his offences were so hainous, that hee chose ra­ther to die in despaire with Judas, then at the Cocks crowing, (the signe of the most happy Reformation, by this wise Parliament) to repent with Peter, wherefore most miserably contem­plating within himselfe, it was probably affirmed by his Wife which over-heard him, that he not long before his death spake these words.

Long time against my conscience, have I prea­ched and disputed against my knowledge, and have with-holden them which were of an erro­neous [Page 5]opinion like to my self, and now I perceive the mutabilitie of times is at hand, Articles will be preferr'd against mee, and then to be hang'd shall I be sure for seducing of the Kings Liege people, to die at the Gallowes will be a very great shame unto mee, wherefore I will rather chuse to die with Judas, then to be hang'd with Sauls sonnes, which words being spoken, hee went hastily out of his studie, and told his wife he was going to walke, because hee intended to preach on Sunday, notwithstanding shee feared the worst, and would not have suffered him, hee smiled at her, and desired her to let him goe, shee thinking (notwithstanding his former words) he was going to studie, she suffered him.

He feigned as if he had been going to the Gar­den, but went a contrary way to his Barne, so soon as he came, as it was conjectured, he plucked out of his pocket these Verses,