322 Mr. NEAL'S11d Vol. of the compared, yea preferr'd to the Gun-powder T'rea- ' fon Plot ; upon which twelve Bifhops were im- prifoned as fo many Traytors, and amongft them the very venerable Bifhop Hall, who defired fome Favour might be (hewn to hisgreat Age, the Ex- ' tremity of the Weather moving him to that Re- ' quell ; which was all in vain, for they were kept under fife Cuftody for half a year together, to the very great detriment of their Healths and E- ftates: They were often brought to the Bar of the Houle, where, upon their Knees, they were mor- tified with a fham Impeachment of high-Trea- fon. It was certainly a ftrange Spirit of Reforma- tion, which at that time pofïe fed the Parlia- ment, to imprifon the twelve Bifhops, for only petitioning to be protested in, and reftored to their ' lawful Rights : and yet had often declared, the ' fame Privilege did undoubtedly belong to the meaneft Perlon. It mutt be own'd, that the Bi- fhops were often Sufferers by their Difcharge from the `Power, for there they had a Place to reft their Heads in ; whereas, when they return'd to their refpeetive Diocefes, they met with an Ordinance of Parliament to feize upon, and turn them out of their Hodes andElates both Real and Perfo- nah : and Bifhop Hall obferves, that one of thofe Sequefrators, who was appointed to feize upon all his Eftate, had been burnt in the Hand, for the Marie of his Truth; a very proper Agent for fuch dirty Work. Thefe Men ufed very diligent Se- ' verity towards the Bifhop, by expofing all his Goods, and very Library to Publick Sale: The Bifhop had nothing left wherewithal to redeem ' them himfelf, but force good Friends bought ' them, and trufted him for the Payment.' Of this good Bifhop, a Friend fpeaks thus * : What have they to anfwer for, who, when they * A Letter to Jofeph Lord Bifhop of Norwich, from H. s. pay. 29. a 641. ' can
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