xlviii NOTES TO INTRODUCTION. thanks to the preachers for the great pains taken in their sermons, requesting the preachers to print the same, and nominating two other preachers for the next fast day. After the calling of the Assembly of Divines, they were usually, if not always, selected from that body. Soon after the death of the King, the ordinance for keeping the monthly fast was repealed and occasional ones substituted ; for which this reason is assigned : " That such times of extraordinary duties of worship are apt to degenerate into mere formality and customary observances." In the Register of Brampton Bryan is the following :- " Memorandum, That whereas Dame Brilliana Harley is lycenset by Thomas Pierson, Rector of this parish of Brampton Bryan, to eate flesh on fast days, in reason of her greate weakness, web licence was made the first day of the month, and for that her greate weak- ness does yet continue, the continuence of the seyd licence according to the statute of Elizabeth, till it shall please God to render her " THOMAS X PIERSON. "March 14, 1632." the mark of A similar notice occurs in the Register of Sellack, in the county of Hereford :- " 1632, ye 16th Nov. Mom, That upon the day and year above written, a license was granted by Richard Prichard, Vicar of Sellack, unto John Viscount Scudamore, his Lady, and their sonne, in respect of manifest sickness and infirmityes, to eat flesh upon dayes prohibited, during the time of their sickness and infirmityes. Registered in the sight of Walter Holland, one of the churchwardens, 22 Nov. 1632." Page xvii. Pierson objected not to the Liturgy, but scrupled the use of the surplice, &c.- " Mr. Pierson's scruples, expressed in his own hand, as follow : - " GROUNDS OF REASONS AGAINST THE CEREMONIES. " 1. I desire to see good warrant for a proper ministering garment under the Gospell. " 2. How a proper massinggarment can be decent for Christ's members of the Gospel, or his service. " 3. Good warrant for ye use of significant ceremonies in God's service such as ours be. " 4. Whether these, being idolatries in Rome, should not be rejected as idolathytes out of God's service. "-MS. Acct. of Rectors of Brampton Bryan in Hari. MSS. Brit. Mus. Page xviii. Stanley Gower.-Jour. H. C. (1 Nov. 1643) directs that Stanley Gower do preach on the next Lord's Day at St. Margaret's, Westminster-being Gunpowder Treason -day. Page xix. Plunder and villanous usage then the practice of the Cavaliers, &c.- " Divers of Worcestershire, under Mr. Dingley, declared for the Parliament, and com- plained of the insolencies and injuries by the garrison of Worcester." Whitelocke gives a specimen of this, but of a later date, 25 Nov. 1645 : A copy of a warrant from Col. Bard, the Governorof Worcester, to the constables for contributions was sent up, wherein
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