78 THE LIFE OF 



CHAP. this. One Houseman, Vicar of Canwedon in Essex for thirty 

 was complained of to the Lord Treasurer and other 

 the Barons in the Exchequer-chamber, at Mr. Attorney 

 General s information, for a supposed intrusion and wrong 

 holding the said vicarage from her Majesty. The Vicar 

 applied to his diocesan ; who, having examined his ancient 

 records, found that his predecessors, the Bishops of Lon 

 don, from time to time, for two hundred years agone and 

 more, had some interest in the patronage of that vicarage 

 by nomination ; and now belonged unto him. Wherefore 

 he engaged himself in this affair, and signified to the said 

 Lord Treasurer his right by his own letter. And that he was 

 informed by learned counsel, that the said suit or complaint 

 could not by law be held or maintained there before him 

 the Lord Treasurer, but was to be returned by trial at 

 common law, where all matters of like nature had usually 

 been heard and determined. Therefore, taking the case 

 upon himself, he moved the said Lord, that he might find 

 such favour, (if, as he added, by law or justice it might 

 be,) that he would either dismiss the Vicar absolutely from 

 his Lordship s Court of the Exchequer; or else, that he 

 would return him with his cause to the common laws of the 

 realm. &quot; Where,&quot; said the Bishop, &quot; he for his possession, 

 &quot; and I for the right of myself and of my successors in the 

 &quot; patronage of that vicarage, may use such defence as the 

 &quot; law doth permit us.&quot; 

 A Presby- Another thing happened in this year ] 585, that gave 

 some concern also to our careful Bishop. It was a Pres 

 bytery set up within his diocese, at Hatfield Peverel in 

 Essex ; the head and teacher whereof was one Carew. Of 

 him and his congregation such information was brought to 

 the Bishop and his fellow-Commissioners, that they could 

 not but summon divers of them, and after examination 

 commit them. But before their commitment he repaired to 

 the Lord Treasurer s house at London, and acquainted him 

 with these persons, and their disorderly principles and prac 

 tices. Whereat he replied in one or two short words taken 

 out of the Scripture, Habetis legem, &c. Whereby he seemed 



