ADDENDA. 523 of the church only through fear of losing the means of their support, and not from any dislike to them.. This, however, is exceedingly improbable. They were certainly in greater danger of losing their cures and support by refusing the ecclesiastical orders, than by a universal conformity. NICHOLAS BEARD was a puritanical curate inone of the churches in Ipswich, but suspendedby the intolerant proceed- ingsof Bishop Wren. The principal cause for which he was thus censured was his refusal to produce his letters of orders and his license to serve the cure. This tyrannical prelate, it is said, was not hasty to restore him, because he had some years before overheard himinveigh very bitterly in his sermon against the state, and against a noble earl and great officer of the realm. His lordship was also informed, that Mr. Beard was of a very turbulent spirit, and was suspected of having been the secret promoter of a riot committed by adangerous concourse of mean people against thebishophimself.+ Had he been suspected of so atrocious acrime, heought to have been tried in a court of justice ; and, if proved guilty by a regular course of law, to have been punished according to his deserts. But guilty or not guilty, his lordship, without waiting the formality of law, was determined to stop his mouth. WILLIAM GREEN was curate of Bromholm, but, about the year 1636, was suspended by Bishop Wren for noncon- formity. It is said that many defects were found in him, par- ticularly his refusal to wear the clerical habit. This was certainly his greatest defect. Afterwards, however, upon his submission, he was absolved, and only his license to preach taken from him, for being illiterate and formerly, a man of trade.# WILLIAM POWELL was minister in the diocese of Nor- wich, and suspended or deprived by the arbitrary proceedings of Bishop Wren. It is said he was treated thus for many defects against the canons, and had absolution soon after granted to his proctor, without coming for it himself." Mr. Wren's Parentalia, p. 96. f Ibid. p. 94. t Ibid. p. 96.
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