Chap. VII. The H I STORY of the PURITANS. 66z were voted unfit for ecclefiaftical promotions. Dr. Layfield archdeacon A Charles I. of Efjex, pleaded his privilege as a member of convocation, according to 64'' an old popith ftatute of Henry VI. but the committee over-ruled it, and voted the doctor into cuftody of the ferjeânt at arms. Dr. Pocklington canon of Windjor and prebendary of Peterborough, was complained of for two books, one entitled the Chr/ianAltar, the other, Sunday no Sabbath, which had been licenfed by Dr. Bray one of the archbifhop's s chaplains. The donor acknowledged his offence at the bar of the houle, confefed that he had not examined the books with that caution that he ought, and made a public recantation in the church of Wemin/ler ; but Pocklington refufing to recant about thirty falfe propofitions, which the bilhop of Lincoln had collened out of his books, was fentenced by the lord keeper, to be deprivedof his eccleeja/licalpreferments ; to befor ever difabled to hold any place or dignity in the church or commonwealth ; never to comewithin the verge of his maje/ly's court ; andhis books to be burnt by the hands ofthe common hangman in the city of London andthe two waiver- fides; both the donors died loon after. The number of petitions that were Pent up to the committee of religion from all parts of the country against their clergy is incredible; Tome complaining of their fuperfti- tious impofitions, and others of the immorality,of their lives, and ne- glen of their cures; which thews the little efteem they had among the people, who were weary of their yoke, regarding them no longer than they were under the terror of their excommunications. Such was the fpirit of the populace, that it was difficult to prevent Mutin5usbe- their out - running authority, and tearing down in a tumultuous manner bavaour of what they were told had been illegally let up. At St. Saviour's South- the peaple. wark the mob pulled down the rails about the communion- table. At Halead in Effex they tore the f rplice and abufed the fervice book ; nay when the houle of commons was affembled at St. Margaret's Wefiminfier, as the prieft was beginning the fecond fervice at the communion-table, fome at the lower endof the church began a pfalm, which was follow- ed by-the congregation, fo that the minifter was forced todefift. But to prevent thefe feditious pranices for the future, the lords and commons . paffed a very fevere fentence on the rioters, and publifhed the following order, bearing date ran. t6. 164o-1. appointing it to be read in all the parifh churches ofLondon, Wejlmin/ter, and the borough of Southwark, (viz.) " That divine fervice [hall be performed as it is appointed by the rotes to papa - 6< ans of parliament, of this realm ; and that all fuch as difturb that vent it. " wholefome order (hall be feverely punifhed according to law." But then it was added, " that the parlons, vicars, and curates of the feve- " ral parifhes, (hall forbear to introduce any rites or ceremonies that 6t
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=