Chap. HI. The HISTORY of the PuRITANS. " enquire;: after the doctrines, lives, and converfation of all minifl:ers and K. Charle. r. "fchool-mafl:ers, and to give information what could be depofed, and ~~ " who could depofe the fame. Seventhly, " Each commi!lioner !hall have five !billings for every day " he fits; and the clerk to receive fome pay, that he might not have " occalton to demand fees for every warrant or copy, unlefs the writings " were very large. Eighth6•, '' Upon the ejecting of any fcandalous, or malignant mi– " nifters, they were to require the pari!hioners to make choice of fome " fit and able perfon to fucceed, who was to have a teftimonial from " the well-affcB:ed gentry and miniftry ; and to take particular care that " no anabaptifl, or antinomian, be recommended. Ninthly, " They were to certify the true val1o1e of each living ; as al– " fo the ell:ate, livelihood, and charge of children which the accufed " perfon had, for his lord!hips direB:ion in the affignment of the fifths. "And LJ!y, " They were to ufe all other proper ways and methods for " fpeeding the fervice." With thefe inflrufiions the earl fent · an exhortation by letter, in the following words, Gentlemen, "I Send you by this bearer a commiffion, with infl:ructions for exe- 'The carrs " cuting the ordinance, &c. within your county. I neither doubt letter. •' of your abilities nor affeB:ions to further this fervice, yet accord- Suff. 8Cier. · h ft r d · h · b h 1' P• 11 ' " wg to t e great tru repo1e m me erem y t e par 1ament, I " muft be earneft with you to be diligent therein. You know how " much the people of this kingdom have formerly fuffered in their per- " fons, fouls, and eftates, under an idle ill-affected fcandalous and in- " folent clergy, upheld by the bilhops; and you can't but forefee, that " their preifures and burthens will frill continue, though the form of " government be altered, unlefs great care be taken to difplace fuch mi- « nifters, and to place orthodox and holy men in every pariih; for let " the government be what it will for the form thereof, yet it will ne- " ver be good, unlefs the parties employed therein be good themfelves. By " the providence of God it now lies in your power to reform the for- " mer abufes, and to remove thefe offenders. Your power is great, and " fo is your trufl:. If a general reformation follows not within your " coun ty, aifuredly the blame will be laid upon you, and you muft ex- " pea: to be called to an account for it, both here and hereafter. For N 2 "my
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