FIELD. moderate kind of punishment than close confinement from one year to another, in a filthy, cold prison; and was, indeed, exceedingly moderatefor a prelate of his tyrannical principles. Accordingly, Mr. Field was silenced or sepa- rated from the people of his charge. The parishioners of Aldermary, at the same time, used every effort in their power to procure his restoration. They applied to the Archbishop, as well as to the Bishop of London, but without success. They also presented two supplications to the Earl of Leicester, being one of the council, to be a means of promoting his restoration. These supplications are now before me, in one of which they expressed themselves as follows :-" We, in most " humble-wise, beseech your honour, that whereas of late " we did to our comfort enjoy, one Mr. Field to be our " preacher, who laboured painfully amongst us for the " space of four years, in preaching the word of God, and " catechizing our youth, teaching obedience both to God " and our prince, and keeping us in good order. "Wherea,s " since his restraint and inhibition, we are left as scattered " sheep upon the mountains, and have none ordinarily to " break untous the bread of life, than which a greater evil " cannot come upon us. Hearing that God of his great "goodness bath made you the honoured instrument of " restoring many, we, your humble suppliants, beseech " you, even for the cause of God, to be a means also for us. " We feel persuaded that, if the matter be fairly examined, " there will be no cause found in him why he should " be sequestered from us. For we are able to witness to " your honour, even in the presence of Him who seeth all " hearts, that to our knowledge he ever behaved himself " wisely and faithfully, as became a true minister of Jesus " Christ. Thethings urged against himwerenever hindered, " impugned, or any way resisted by him, but were duly " kept and observed. And seeing that which he received " was out of our purses, without any burden upon the " church whatever, we cannot help feelingourselves hardly " treated, that without cause he should be taken from us. " We have used what means we could with the Archbishop " and Bishop ofLondon; but as we could learn of them no " cause of his sequestration, so we could receive no favour- " able answer for his restoration. We beseech your honour, " therefore, in behalf of ourselves, our wives, our children, " and our servants, so to stand forth our good lord in this our necessary and holy suit; as that by your means, he
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