Chap III. the HISTORY of the PUttI1'ANs. 515 did his majély pats any at relating to religion, except one, which was K. Charles F. foon after fufpendèd by his royal declaration ; it was to prevent unlawful i6 paftimes on the Lord's day. The preamble lets forth, That the holy keep- ing of the Lord's day is a principal part of the true fervice of God " Therefore it is enacted that there (hall be no affemblies of people out of " their own parifhes, for any fports or paftimes whatfoever ; nor any bear- " baiting, bull-baiting, interludes, common plays, or other unlawful exer- <s cites or paftimes, within their own parifhes, on forfeiture of three (hit- " lings and (ix-pence for every fuch offence to the poor." However this lawwas never put in execution. Men were reproached and cenfured for too firift an obfervation of the Lord's day, but none that I have met with for the profanation of it. His majefty having difmiffed his parliament before they had given him Arbitrary the neceffary fupplies for the war with Spain, refolved to try his credit in methods of borrowing money, by way of loan, of fach perlonsas were belt able to lend; R' i money, uthw. for this purpofe gentlemen were taxed at a certain fum, and had promiffory p, 593. letters' under the privy-feal to be repayed in eighteen months. With this money the king fitted out a fleet againft Spain, which after it had waited about two months for the plate-fleet, returned without doing any action worth remembrance. The ceremonyof the king's coronation, which was not performed till King cors. thebeginningof February, was another expence which his majefty thought nation. fit to provide for by iffuing out a proclamation, that all fuch as had forty Rapin, p.354 pounds a year or more, and were not yet knights, should comeand receive the order ofknighthood, or compound for it. This was a new grievance loudly complainedof in the following parliaments. The coronation was performed by archbifhop Abbot, affifted by bifhop Laud as dean of Weft- nsinj?er, who befides the old Regalia which were in his cuftody, that is, the crown, the fceptre, the fpurs, &c. of king Edward the confeffor, brought forth anold crucifix, and placed it upon the altar. As Coon as the archbifhop had put the crown upon the king's head, and performed the other ufual ceremonies, his majefiy being feated on the throne, ready to receive thehomage of the lords, bifhop Laudcame up to him and read the following extraordinary paffage, which is not to be found in former coronations. Stand and hold fait, from henceforth, the place to " which you have been heir by the fucceffion of your fore-fathers, being " now delivered to you by the authority of Almighty God, and by the " hands ofus, and all the bithops and fervants of God. And as you fee " the clergy to come nearer to the altar than others, fo remember, that in all places convenient you give them greater honour, that the Mediator " of God and man may eftablifh you in the kingly throne, to be a media- " for between the clergy and the laity, and that you may reign for ever Uuu z "with
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