On quitting Cambridge, he became tutor to the two sons of Lord Carey, who, in 1625, was created Earl of Monmouth. He would have it believed that his zeal against the bishops and the church was exhibited at that early period of his history, as is evident from the following story, detailed with due gravity by himself: "in which time, with them sojourning awhile with a religious matron of worthy memory, and having often conference with her, she took such notice of my spirit then, and chiefly of my zeal against the prelates pride and practices, that she said then to some (yet surviving) of me, this young man (said she) will one day be the overthrow of the bishops." The matron's name is given in the margin: "Mrs. Bows, at Aske, near Richmond, in the north."*

This brief extract is a sort of key to Burton's character. It was written, when he was lauded by numbers as a martyr under the domination of Laud. The candid and impartial reader will perceive, that he gave no evidence of a meek and quiet spirit. On the contrary, he must have evinced a spirit in direct opposition to the dictates of the gospel. Nor, with such views, if at that time they were entertained, could he have been over-scrupulous in seeking ordination from an order of men which he wished to cast out of the church.

From this nobleman's family he was placed about the person of Prince Henry. After the death of that youthful prince, he was continued in the same office under Prince Charles, "when," says he, "God stirred up my heart to enter into the ministry, being then above thirty years of age." When Charles was about to enter upon his Spanish journey in 1623, our author was ordered to accompany him, though in what capacity is not mentioned. Fuller's account is by no means flattering to our author, either with respect to his abilities, or to his removal from the service of the prince. "Mr. Henry Burton, minister, rather took a snap than made a meal in any University, was first schoolmaster to the sonnes of the Lord Carey, whose lady was governesse to King Charles when Prince. And this opportunity (say some) more

* A Narration of the Life of Mr. Henry Burton. Wherein is set forth the various and remarkable passages thereof, his sufferings, supports, comforts, and deliverances. Now published for the benefit of all those that either doe or may suffer for the cause of Christ. According to a copy written with his own hand. 4to. London. Printed in the yeare 1643. Pp. 1, 2. In connexion with Leighton I may remark, in reply to a letter in the last number, that I cannot plead ignorance of the existence of the narrative published under his name: but I had it not in my possession when the article was written, and, therefore, could not refer to it. On considering the subject, there appears to me to be room for doubting whether the work be really the production of Leighton. Burton complains of tracts and pamphlets published in his name: and the practice seems to have been common in those strange times. It might have been put forth in Leighton's name to render Laud odious.

† Ibid. 2.

than his own deserts, preferred him to the service of Prince Charles, being designed (as I have heard) to wait on him in Spain, but afterwards (when part of his goods were shipped for the voyage) excluded the attendance. Whether, because his parts and learning were conceived not such, as to credit our English church in foreign countries, or because his principles were accounted uncomplying with that employment."*"

Fuller wrote in 1649; but another writer gives a nearly similar account fourteen years before. "The prince being gone into Spaine, and Mr. Burton, before this time being got into Holy Orders among others of his highness household that were designed to goe thither, this man was one: but whether his indiscretion (which he hath since abundantly manifested) did then minister grounds of suspicion, or whatever the cause were, certaine it is, that hee was put out of the list for that voyage, and that when his goods were ashipboard, which he was fain to take home again, and to stay behinde."+ Before this time, it seems certain that Burton had not openly manifested any dislike to the ceremonies of the church, though he would insinuate, by the story of Mrs. Bows, that he had evidenced his principles during his residence in the family of Lord Carey. Dow, however, says: "Now all this while, and for some space after, he was not any whit popular (I meane gratious with the people) no not in his owne parish, witnesse his seldome preaching, and (when he did preach) his thinne audience: yea so ill was he relisht in those days, that it was usuall with many in his parish (though I do not commend them for it) to inquire who preached, and if it were he, they would forsake their own church and wander elsewhere. Hee did not then inveigh against those which did not preach twice every Lords-Day, which himself did not practise: neither was he noted to express any distaste of the forme of Divine Service used at court in the Royall chappell, or to call it long Babylonish service bellowed and warbled out, nor the use of organs piping: the copes, altar tapers, &c., which were dayly in his eye, did not then offend him, or if, haply, they did not altogether please him, yet he was content to hold his peace and to tolerate them. But to go on. Mr. B. would needs serve his Majesty in the same place as before, when he was Prince of Wales. And he thinking the time now come wherein hee might come even with those whom he conceived to be his hinderers of that his intrusion into the closet, and of his hoped voyage into Spaine (and so of his desired pre

Fuller, Church Hist., book xi. 152.

† Innovations unjustly charged upon the present Church and State. Or an Answer to the most material passages of a Libellous Pamphlet made by Mr. Henry Burton, and intituled an Apologie of an Appeale, &c. By Christopher Dow, B.D. 4to. London: 1637. P. 9.

ferment) hee behaved himselfe in such sort, that his Majesty dismissed him the court and his service: whence being cashiered, and all his hopes of preferment dasht, he betakes himself to the people, as more patient of his criminations, and more apt to side with him against the reverend bishops; and having, by the help of popular applause, advanced from the hatred of some bishops persons to a total dislike of their order; hee made their actions his continual theme, and his sermons and writings so many satyres, and bitter invectives, accusing them of Arminianisme, Popery, and whatsoever might make them odious, and himself gracious with his new masters, the people."*

This description is from an avowed opponent, and must doubtless be taken with certain qualifications. Yet Fuller's account does not materially differ: and we may therefore infer, that Dow's narrative was substantially correct. Alluding to the same circumstance, Fuller says: "The crudity of this affront lay long on his minde, hot stomachs (contrary to corporal concoction) being in this kinde the slowest of digestion. After the venting of many mediate discontents, on the last fifth of November, he took for his text, Pro. 24, 21. This sermon was afterwards printed, charging the prelates for introducing of severall innovations into divine worship, for which, as a libell, he was indited in the Star Chamber."+

Burton's own account may now be contrasted with the preceding extracts. He attributes his not rising at court to the efforts of the clerk of the Royal closet, and yet adds; "This was by the speciall providence of my God still, who would not suffer me to rise high in court, lest I should have been corrupted with the preferments of it. Nor had I learned the art of ambition to climbe up that ladder." It will be remarked, that he does not deny that he had a desire to rise in the court. He merely intimates that he was above submitting to the court arts. It will be observed, also, that he was not removed from the service of the prince, though he was not permitted to accompany him to Spain: for we find him in the court after the accession of King Charles. What, then, was the cause of his removal? Fuller and Dow have given some intimations on the subject; and we may now examine Burton's own account of the same transaction.

Neale, Bishop of Durham, was clerk of the Royal closet; and to him and Laud, Burton attributes his removal. "I saw," says he, "there would be no abiding for me in court any longer. Yet, before I went, I thought I was bound in conscience, by vertue of my place, to informe the King of these men, how Popishly affected they were, simply imagining, that the King either did not so well * Dow, &c., 9, 10.

† Fuller, book xi, 152.

Burton's Narration, 2.

know their qualities, or that perhaps he might be put upon second thoughts, by considering the dangerous consequences of entertaining such persons so neere about him, as I presented to his Majesty in a large letter to that purpose, which letter he read a good part of, I standing before him; but perceiving the scope of it, he gave it me againe, and bade me forbeare any more attendance in my office untill he should send for me. Whereupon, though for the present my spirits were somewhat appalled and dejected, yet going home to my house in London, and there entering into a serious meditation of God's Providence herein, how fairely he had now brought me off from the court, when I saw such Lords were like to domineere, and how I might doe God and his church better service in a more retired life, as wherein I was in no danger of court preferment, thereby to be cowardized from encountering such giants as began already to threaten the hoste of Israel, and against whose power I thought Saul's armour would give me small defence, but much hinder me rather: I hereupon began to recollect my scattered spirits, resolving now after almost twice seven yeares service, quite to forsake the court; which I did signifie by another letter to a friend of mine of great place neare unto the King: so as the King hath said, that I put away him, and not hee me.' ""* In another part of his narrative, he says: My goods were not ashipboard: hereof he cannot say, certaine it is; but certaine it is, I confesse, that I was put out of the list, and that also when my goods were truncked." He adds: “if my plaine dealing against popery be indiscretion, I can hardly to this day, old as I am, and as bitten as I have been, so avoid the suspition, as not to make manifestation thereof, yea, although it had been in Spain itself." And again, relative to the voyage into Spain, "But this he calls this hoped voyage into Spaine. Indeed, if Dr. Dow had been the man, well might he have called it his hoped voyage into Spaine, and so of his desired preferment thereby a bishoprick at least; and I blesse God, that both I escaped the voyage and the preferment too."

In these passages there is nothing to contravene the statements of Dow and Fuller. Indeed, on his own showing, it is clear that he was removed from the court in consequence of his own indiscretion, which was evidently produced by the soreness of feeling at being disappointed in his expectations of preferment in the church. This he chose to attribute to Neale and Laud, though, from his own narrative, it is plain, that the cause was to be found in his own imprudence. Dow had intimated, that Burton was

* Burton's Narration, 3. This remonstrance, or letter, was presented to King Charles in the year 1625, the very year of his accession. It appears probable, therefore, that his disappointment, in not being continued in his post, was the cause of his rash step.-Wood, ii. Fasti. 349. Biog. Brit.

not remarkable at Cambridge for anything except playing well "on an instrument." To this he replies by the following ludicrous challenge: "There be some yet living can testifie, that I was so observed for a Ciceronian, that I was in request for making orations for gentlemen in the Colledge: which I speake not to glory of, but to tell Dr. Dow, that H. B. will at this day dispute with Christopher Dow either in Latin or Greek."*

There are allusions to Burton's residence in the court in some of his earlier publications; and they certainly strengthen the statement of Dow and Fuller. Thus, in a Dedication to the King in 1626, he says: "Most gracious Sovereign, if it be a man's glory to passe by an offence, how much more a King's? who being armed with power to revenge, his pardon is the more glorious, the more gratious. This is your Majesty's glory that you have passed by the offence of your servant; and your glory how beautifully shall it shine forth, if your noble pardon shall be sealed with your royall patronage of this poore Plea."+ So in another Dedication: "I acknowledge myself unworthy to doe your Majesty the least service; and I could have wished this task rather to any other yet the indeleble character of my fidelity, so often reimprinted in my heart by sacred oath in your Highnesse service (besides the habitual affection of a loyal subject) deeply ingaged me (rather than it should be undone) in this addressement."‡ And in another Dedication: "I remember a speech, which his Highnesse, when he was prince, uttered among us, that were his servants; that when he had committed any businesse of trust, though of the highest nature, to a servant, he would never conceive the least suspicion of his fidelity: adding, hee had rather run the hazard of his loyalty, than imbitter his generous trust with mixture of feare. But some of his servants trembling replyed what if he proved treacherous? hath hee not the more free and severe opportunity to worke his wicked ends? But (quoth his Highnesse) my care shall be such in the choyce, as my

* Burton's Narration, 47. Echard says: "He took it very ill that he was not sent as one of the chaplains into Spain: but worse, that Laud, then Bishop of St. David's, should execute the office of clerk of the closet, while Bishop Neil was sick. Inraged at this indignity, as he then conceived it, he put a scandalous paper into the hands of the king, for which, and some other insolencies, he was commanded to depart the court; and being never able to regain admittance, he breath'd out nothing but rage and malice against the king and the bishops: and never desisted, even in his sermons at his parish in London, till he was stopp'd by the present proceedings."-Vol. ii. 124.

† A Plea to an Appeale: Traversed Dialogue wise. By H. B. 4to. Printed at London by W. I.

1626.

The Baiting of the Pope's Bull: or an unmasking of the Mystery of Iniquity, folded up in a most pernicious Breeve or Bull, sent from the Pope lately into England, to cause a rent therein, for his Re-entry. With an Advertisement to the King's Seduced Subjects. By H. B. 4to. Imprinted at London by W. I. for Michaell Sparke. 1627.