Chap. I. 'Ibe HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. 397 " that the fecond offence lhould befelony without benefit of clergy. Common Common– " bawds, or perfons who keep lewd houfes, are to be fet in the pillory; to :~~~~~· ' ' be whipped, and marked in the forehead with the letter B, and then ~: " committed to the houfe of correction for three years for the firfl: offence; Scobel, p. " and for the fecond to fuffer death, provided the profecution be within ru. " twelve months." June zS. it was ordained, " th at every nobleman who (hall be convie- lb. p. 12~ " ted of prophane curfing and [wearing, by the oath of one or more wit- ' " ne!fes, or by his own confeilion, lhall pay for the firit offence thirty " il1illings to the poor of the.parilh; a baronet, or knight, twenty lhillings; " an efquire ten iliillings; agentleman fix lhillings and eight pence ; and all " inferior perfons three iliillings and four pence. For the fecond offence " they are to pay double, according to their qualities above mentioned. " And for the tenth offence they are to be judged common [wearers and " curfers, and to be bound over to their good behaviour for three years. ·' The like punilhment for women, whofe fines are to be determined accor- " cling to their own or their huihand's quality." Augujl9. an ordinance was pa!fed, for pzmifoing b!afphemous and exe- Againjl bla}– crab!c opinions. Tbe preamble takes notice, that " though feveralla ws p~emous opi-: " had been made for promoting reformation in doetrines and manners, yet szo~·l " there were divers men and women who had lately difcovered monfl:rous 1~0~.e 'P• " opinions, even fuch ·as tended to the ditfolution of human fociety; the " parliament therefore, according to their declaration of Sept. 27. 1649. <' in which they faid, they lhould be ready to ttjl:ify their diJPleajitre '' againjl fuch offenders, by JlriB and elfec1ual proceedings again.fl them ~vho "Jhould abife and turn into licentioufnefs, the liberty given in matters if " religion, do therefore ordain and enacr. " THAT any perfons not difiempered in their brains, who iliali " n1aintain any meer creature to be Gocl, or to be infinite, almighty., " &c. or that jhal! deny the ho!inds if God; or Jba!l maintain, that all " aBs if 'll}ickednds and unrighteou.fnefs are not forbidden in holy ftripture ; " or tbat God approves of them. Any one who jba!lmaintain, tbat afis " if drunkennifs, adultery, )wearing, &c. are not in themfelves jhamiful,. " wicked, jinjul, and impious; or that there is not any real difference be– <c tween moral good and evil, &c. all fuch perfons {hall Iuffer fixmonths " imprifonment for the firfi offence ; and for the fecond iliall be banilhed ; " and if they return without licence thall be treated as felons.'~ Thoug~
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