Chap. 1V. The HISTORY of the Pua ITAN S. 54.9; between forty and fifty years of age, of a low ftature, a fair complexion, K. Charles', and well known for his learning and other abilities : But his long and clofe rte, confinement had fo impaired his health, that when hewas releafed he could hardly walk, fee, or hear. The fufferings of this learned man moved the people's compaffion and, I believe, the records of the inquifition can hard- ly furnifh an example of equal feverity. To make the diftance between the church and the puritans yet wider, Innovations, and the terms of conformity more difficult, bifhop Laud introduced fun- introduced, dry pompous innovations in imitation of popery, that had no foundation in the laws of the realm, or the canonsof the church. Thefe were inforced both upon clergy and laity, with all the terrors ofthe highcommy/on, to the ruin of many families, and the raifing very great difturbances in all parts of the kingdom. St. Catherine Creed Church in the city ofLondonhavingbeen lately repaired, Biid pauud' was fufpended from all divine fervice till it was again confecrated ; the forma- catreaodun. of Creed lilyofwhich being very extraordinary, may give us an idea of the fuperftition {1llYeh° of this prelate. On Sunday fanuary 16, 163o. bifhop LAUD came thitherRufhw °. about nine in the morning, attended with feveral of the high commiflìon, and p' 77° . fome civilians : At his approach to the weft door of the church, which was that and guarded by halberdeers, fome who were appointed for that pur- pofe, cried with a loud voice, open, open, ye everla/ling doors, that the king of glory may come in; and prefently the doors being opened, the bifhop, with fome doflors and principal men entered. As Coon as they were come within the place, his lordfhip fell down upon his knees, and with eyes lifted up, and his arms fpread abroad, Paid ; this place is holy; the ground is holy: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Gh f, Ipronounce it holy. Then walking up the middle ifle towards the chancel, he took up Come of the daft, and threw it into the air feveral times. When he approached near the rail of the communion table, he bowed towards it five or fix times, . and returning, went round the church with his attendants in proceflion, faying firft the hundredth, and then the nineteenth pfalm, as prefcribed in the Romanpontificale. He then read feveral colleéts, in one of which he prays God to accept of that beautiful building; and concludes thus: Ce confecrate this church, and feparate it unto thee as holyground, not to be prophaned any more to common ufe. In another he prays, that all thatfhouldPrynne's hereafter he buried within the circuit of this holy andfäcredplace, may rofl campleat h1- in theirfepulcbreo in peace till Chrf's coming to judgment, andmay then rife'ory; p. '14' toeternal life andhappin f . After this, the bifhop letting under a cloth of Rate in the Me of the chancel, near the communion table, took a written book in his hand, and pronounced curies upon thofe who fhould: thereafter prophane that holy place by mutters of foldiers, or keeping pro- fane law-courts, or carrying burdens through it; and at the endof every, curt.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=