584 The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. V. K. Charles I. The reverend Mr. Chauncey late minifter of Ware, but now of"Magern 1634. Lawrence, in the.diocefe of Peterborough, was imprifoned, condemned in colts of fuit, and obliged to read the following recantation, for oppofing the railing in the communion table. Mr. Chaun- rE Hereas I Charles Chauncey clerk, late vicar of Ware, Eland con- cey's recap- " vied for oppofing 'the fetting up a rail about the communion tartan. .t table, and for Paying it was an innovation, a fnare to men's confciences, Prynne, " a breach of the fecond commandment, an addition to God's worfhip, too, 97' " and that which drove me from the place, I do now before this honour- .Rufhw. " able court, acknowledge my great offence, and proteft I am ready to p. 3O1, 316. " declare upon oath, that I am now perfuaded in my confcience, that " kneeling at the communion is a lawful and commendable gefture ; that " the rail is a decent and convenient ornament, and that I was much to " ° blame for oppofing it ; and do promife from henceforth, never by word or deed to oppofe that, or any other laudable rites and ceremonies ufed in thechurch of England." After this he was judicially admopifhed and'difcharged; but the recanta- tion went fo much againft his confcience, that he could enjoy no peace till he had quitted the church of England, and retired to New England, where he made an open acknowledgment of his fin. Sufferings of The church - wardens of Beckington in Somerfetfhire were excommuni- the church- .cated by the bifhop of Bath and Wells, for refufing to remove the corn- wardens ofo munion table from the middle of the chancel to the eaft end, and not Beckington. pulling down the feats to make room for it. They produced a certifi- cate, that their communion table had flood time out of mind in the midft of the chancel; that the ground on which it was placed, was raifed a. foot, and enclofed with a decent wainfcot border, and that none went within it but the minifter, and fuch as he required. This not availing, they appealed to the arches, and at laft to the king; but their appeal was Rulhw rejefted. After they had remained excommunicated for a year, they were p. 300. caft into the common jail, where they continued till the year 1637, and were then obliged to do publick penance in the parifh church of Becking- . ton, and two others, the fhame of which broke their hearts; one of them declaring upon his death-bed foon after, that the penance and fub- mifhoh, fo much againft his confcience, had funkhis fpirits, and was one principal caufe of his death. Laud's at- In the archbithop's metropolitical vifitation this fummer, Mr. Lee one of count of his the prebendaries of Lichfield was fufpended, for churching rofraélory wo- metropaktual in private, for being averle to the good orders of the church, and vífséation. p g g > _Prynne, for ordering the bell-man to give notice in open market of a- fermon. P. 381. Mr. Randal of Tuddington near Hampton -Court Middlefex, was fufpended for preaching a fermon above an hour long on fienday in the afternoon, though
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