Chap. VIII. ffhe HISTORY ofthe PURITANS, afhamed, but will never convince or reconcile; it carries with it a con- wean tempt which flicks in the heart, and is hardly ever, to be removed; nor EGlabgeth,' do I remember any caufe that has been ferved by fuch methods. Dr. c v Bridges anfwered Martin in a ludriçous ftile; but Cooper bi(hop of Win- chfier dici more fervice by his grave and fober reply, with the affiftance of the archbifhop of Canterbury, who being miferably_afperfed; furnithed the bifhop with replies to the particular charges brought againft him. The book is entitled, an Advert:. lenient to the people of England; wherein the Flandersof Martin Mar -Prelate the libeller, are difiincály anfwered. Yet after all, it was impoftible for the bifnops to wipe off from themfelves the charge of perfecution and violation of the laws. To put a flop to thefe pamphlets, the queen Pent a letter to the arch- ,green prohi- bithop, commanding him to make diligent enquiry after the printing prefs,bits them. and iffued out her royal proclamation, dated February the r3th, " for the bringing in all feditious and fchifmatical books, whether printed " or written, to the ordinary, or one of the privy council, as tending to bring in a monttrous and dangerous innovation of all manner of cc- " clefiaftical government now in ufe, and with a rafh and malicious pur- " pofe to diflolve the flate of the prelacy, being oneof the three ancient eftates of this realm under her highnefs, whereof her rnajefty mindeth 't to have a reverend regard; fhe therefore prohibits any of her fubjectsL. of Whit- " from keeping any books in their cuftody, againft the order of the gift, in Rec. '° church, or the rites and ceremonies of it, her majefly being minded NQ' 4" 11 to have the laws feverely executed againft the authors and abettors of " them, as loon as they fhall be. apprehended." As loon as the printing prefs was difcovered, his grace writ to the The enter- treafurer to profecute the perlons with whom it was found ; but like an toiners of able politician, withes it might be done by the lords of the council, t;cpp Jh runing Pf rather than by the ecclefiafücalcommoners, becaufe they had already fuf-ed. fered for fupporting the government, which was wounded through their L. of Whit- fides. Accordingly Sir Richard Knightley, Sir --- Wigflon, who had Fuller' 3Br 4 entertained the p re fs ° together with the printer, and Hum p br y Newman Ix. p. rqq. the difperfer, were deeply fined in the Star - chamber; and others were put to death. The archbifhop being now in his vifitation, had framed twenty-two ar- Whitgift's tides of enquiry, upon which the church- wardens of every parifh were to #ery articter be examined upon oath. , By thefe articles they were to fwear, that of vzfsration. their minifler was exactly conformable to the orders of the church, or elfe to impeach him ; and to declare further, Whether they knew of any of their neighbours or fellow- parifhioners, that were commonBearers, drunk- ards, ujtrers, witches, conjurers, bereticks; any man that had two wives ; or women that had two hatbands; whether they knew any that went to con- X x z venticles
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