INTRODUCTION. 8g Colonel Goodwill's ; Mr. Moore, to Lord Wharton's ; Mr. Adoniram Byfield, to Sir Henry Cholmley's ; Mr. Nalton, to Colonel Grantham's; Mr. Ashe, either to Lord Brook's or the Earl of Manchester's; and Mr. Morton, to Sir Arthur flasilrigg's ; with many more.. The house of commons had already resolved, " That the Lord's day should be duly observed and sanctified; that all dancing and other sports, either before or after divine service, should be forborn and restrained; that the preaching of God's word be promoted in all parts of the kingdom ; and that ministers be encouraged in this work."1- May 5, 1643, the parliament issued an order, " That the Book of Sports shall be burnt by the common hangman, in Cheapside and other public places," which was done by direction of the sheriff's of London and Middlesex.4 By an ordinance of both houses, it was appointed, " '.Chat no person shall henceforth on the Lord's day, use or be present at anywrestling, shooting, bowling, ringing ofbells forplea- sure, mask, wake, church-ale, games,dancing, sports, or other pastime, under the several penalties annexed." An ordi-, nonce also passed for removing all monuments of supersti- tion and idolatry, commanding all altars and tables of stone to be demolished, communion tables to be removed from the east end of the church, the rails to be removed, the chancel to be levelled, tapers, candlesticks, bosons, &c. to be removed from the communion tables ; and all crosses, crucifixes, and images, to be taken away and defaced. And by another, it was appointed, " That all copes, sur- plices, superstitious vestments, roods, fonts, and organs, be utterly defaced."§ June 12, 1643, an ordinance passed both houses for calling the assembly of divines.li This assembly was not a convocation according to the diocesan modal, nor was it called by the votes of ministers according to the presby- terian way ; but the parliament chose all the members themselves, merely with a view to obtain their opinion and advice, in settling the government, liturgy, and doctrine of the church. Their debates were confined to such things as the parliament proposed. Some counties had two mem- bers, and some only one. But to appear impartial, and Sylvester's Life of Baxter, part i. p. 42. + Nalson's Coilee. vol. ii, p. 482. An act of greater scorn, or greater insolency and disloyal impudence, says Dr. Heylin, was never offered to a sovereign and anointed Prince, than thissevere usage of the Bookof Sports.-Hist. of Pres. p. 465. § Scobell's Collec. pant i. p. 53, 09. g Ibid. p. 42,
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