Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 1 · Letter 19 – Floating text 22
MOſt Reverend Father in God, and my very Honourable good Lord, my humble ſervice preſented to your Grace. I received upon the 12th of October laſt, a Letter from your Grace, dated the 4th of the ſame MonethMonth; wherein your Grace hath required me by a commandment from His Majeſty, to ſend for ſome of the graveſt of my Clergie, and ſuch as ſtand beſt affected to the Church and Government, out of the ſeverall parts of my Dioceſſe, and by them to inform my ſelfe, how the annuall Feaſts of the Dedications of their Churches have beene kept within their ſeverall Pariſhes this laſt yeare, and how free they have beene from diſorders. Now according to His Majeſties pleaſure and Commandment herein, preſently after receipt of your Graces Letter, I ſent forth my Letters into all the ſeveral Deaneries within my Dioceſſe, for ſome of the better* ſort of Clergy out of every Diviſion, part and corner of Somerſetſhire to come unto me, and ſo They were the deboyſteſt and worſt in the Country;they did upon certaine dayes appointed by me; And I finde by the ſeverall Anſwers of threeſcore and twelve Miniſters, Benificed men, in whoſe Pariſhes theſe Feaſts are kept, as followeth. Firſt, that they have been kept not onelyonly this laſt yeare, but alſo for many years before, as long as they have lived in their ſeverall Pariſhes, without any diſorders. Secondly, that upon the Feaſt dayes, (which are for the moſt part every where upon Sundayes) the Service of the Church hath bin more ſolemnly performed, and the Church hath bin better frequented, both in the Forenoons, and in the Afternoons, than upon any Sunday in the yeare. Thirdly, that they have not known or heard of any diſorders in the Neighbouring Towns, where the like Feaſts are kept. Fourthly, that the people do very much deſire the continuance of thoſe Feaſts. Laſtly, that all theſe Miniſters are of opinion, that it is fit and convenient theſe Feaſt dayes ſhould be continued, for a memoriall of the Dedications of their ſeverall Churches, for the civilizing of people, for their lawfull Recreations, for the compoſing of differences by occaſion of the meeting of friends, for the increaſe of love and unity, as being Feaſts of Charity, for the reliefe of the poore, the richer ſort keeping then in a manner open houſe, and for many other reaſons.
This is the ſumme of their ſeverall free and voluntary Anſwers, which I have in writing under their owne hands, and will be ready to ſhew if they be required: which courſe I tooke, becauſe it might not bee given our hereafter by thoſe who condemne theſe Feaſts, that I did miſtake either their words, or their meaning. And I doe verily believe, that if I had ſent for an hundred more of the Clergie within my Dioceſſe, I ſhould have received the ſame Anſwer from them all; becauſe not one of thoſe Miniſters who appeared before me (although they are almoſt all of them as yet ſtrangers unto mee, and moſt of them ſtrangers one to another) varied in the ſubſtance of his Anſwer from the reſt; nay moſt of them agree in their very phraſes and words, and yet all of them gave their Anſwers ſeverally. So that I may liken theſe ſeventy and two Miniſters in this matter, unto the Septuag…nt, or ſeventy two Interpreters, who agreed ſo ſoone in the Tranſlation NOTE.of the old Teſtament.
Now as I have made a true report of the Anſwers of theſe Miniſters, ſo I deſire to ſet downe ſome obſervations of mine owne, which I have collected out of their Anſwers.
I finde that throughout Somerſesſhire, there are not only Feaſts of Dedication, but alſo in many places Church-ales, Clerkes-ales, and Bid-ales. The Feaſts of Dedications are more generall and generally they are called Feaſt-dayes, but in divers places they are call'd Revell-dayes, they are not knowne amongſt the ignorant people by the name of Feaſts of Dedication; but all Schollers acknowledge them to be in the memory of their ſeverall Dedications, and ſome Miniſters of late have taught them ſo: Divers Churches here are Dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and they are kept upon Trinity Sunday; but almoſt all thoſe Feaſts which are kept in memory of the Dedication of Churches unto Saints, are kept upon ſome Sundayes, either before or after the Saints dayes; becauſe (as I conceive) on the weeke dayes the people have not had leiſure to celebrate theſe Feaſts. And I finde that almoſt all the Feaſts of Dedication are kept in the Summer time, betweene our Lady-day and Michaelmas, becauſe that time of the yeare is moſt convenient for the meeting of Friends from all places; in ſome places they have ſolemne Sermons Preach't by Divines of good note, and alſo Communions upon their Feaſt dayes; and in one place in this County, the Pariſh holds Land by their Feaſt: And one Miniſter (who hath been a great Travailer) hath inſerted in his anſwer, that in ſome reformed Churches, namely in Switzerland, theſe Feaſts of Dedication are obſerved.
I finde alſo that the people generally would by no meanes have theſe Feaſts taken away, for when the Conſtables of ſome Pariſhes came from the Aſſizes about two years agoe, and told their neighbours that the Judges would put down theſe Feaſts, they anſwered, that it was very hard if they could not entertain their kindred and friends once in a yeare, to praiſe God for his Bleſſings, and to pray for the Kings Majeſty, under whoſe happy Government they enjoyed peace and quietneſſe; and they ſayd, they would endure the Judges penalties, father than they would breake off their Feaſt dayes. It is found alſo true by experience, that many Suits in Law have bin taken up at theſe Feaſts by mediation of friends, which could not have bin ſo ſoone ended in Weſtminster Hall.
Moreover, I finde that the chiefeſt cauſe of the diſlike of theſe Feaſts amongſt the Preciſer ſort is, becaoſe they are kept upon Sundayes, which they never call but Sabbath dayes, upon which they would have no manner of Recreation, nay, NOTE.neither Roſt, nor Sod: And ſome of the Miniſters who were with me have ingenuouſly confeſſed, that if the people ſhould not have their honeſt and lawfull Recreations upon Sundayes after evening Prayer, they would go either into tipling houſes, and there upon their Ale-benches talke of matters of the Church or State, or elſe into Conventicles.
Concerning Church-ales, I finde, that in ſome places the people have bin perſwaded to leave them off, in other places they have bin put down by the Judges NOTE.and Juſtices, ſo that now there are very few of them left: but yet I finde, that by Church-ales heretofore many poore Pariſhes have caſt their Bells, repaired their Towers, beautified their Churches, and raiſed ſtocks for the poore; and not by the ſins of the people (as ſome Humouriſts have ſayd:) but by the Benevolence of people at their honeſt and harmleſſe ſports and paſtimes; at which there hath not bin obſerved ſo much diſorder, as is commonly at Fairs and Markets.
Touching Clerke-ales (which are leſſer Church-ales) for the better maintenance of Pariſh Clerks, they have bin uſed (untill of late) in divers places, and there was great reaſon for them; for in poore Countrey Pariſhes, where the wages of the Clerke is very ſmall, the people thinking it unfit that the Clerke ſhould duly attend at Church, and loſe by his office, were wont to ſend him in Proviſion, and then feaſt with him, and give him more liberality then their quarterly payments would amount unto in many years. And ſince theſe have bin put down, ſome Miniſters have complained unto me, that they are afrayd they ſhall have no Pariſh Clerks for want of maintenance for them.
There is another kinde of publique meeting call'd a Bid-ale, when an honeſt man decayed in his eſtate, is ſet up again by the liberall Benevolence and Contribution of friends at a Feaſt, but this is layd aſide almoſt in eueryevery place.
But I feare I have wearied your Grace with this impertinent diſcourſe of Countrey Feaſts: yet while I am in this diſcourſe of Feaſts, I may not forget one thing wherein I have bin deſired by a grave and learned Divine dwelling neere Taunton to move your Grace, and that is, that your Grace would be a means that the Judges in their Lent Circuit might not ſit and condemne people on that great Feaſt day of the Annunciation.
And ſo having carefully endeavoured to performe His Majeſties Commaundement; I caſt my ſelfe down at His Majeſties feet, humbly begging His gracious pardon if I have erred in any point: And I deſire no longer to live, than I may be able to do God, and His Majeſty ſervice in the Church; which although other Biſhops can performe with greater abilities than my ſelfe, yet none ſhall perform the ſame with more readineſſe, diligence, and fidelity than I will doe: And ſo praying for the continance of your Graces health and happineſſe, I leave your Grace to Gods bleſſed Protection, and humbly reſt,
Your Graces ever to be Commanded, Guil. Bath and Wells. Wells 5th Novemb. 1633.
The next Aſſizes after this Certificate, the Archbiſhop ſent for Chiefe Juſtice Richardſon, and commanded him to revoke the former Order made at the Aſſizes, againſt Wakes, telling him, it was His Majeſties pleaſure he ſhould reverſe it: But he having no ſuch command from the King Himſelfe, neglected to do it; whereupon the Archbiſhop made a new complaint to His Majeſty againſt the Judge; who thereupon ſent for the Judge, and commanded him publikely to Reverſe that Order the next Aſſizes, as he would anſwer the controay at his perill; notwithſtanding he alleaged, hee had done it at the requeſt of the Juſtices of Peace in the County, with the generall conſent of the whole Bench, and upon view of diverſe ancient preſidents in that kinde: Whereupon Judge Richardſon the next Sommer Aſſizes 1634. in his charge, informed the Juſtices, Grand-Jury, and Country; That hee at their Requeſt, together with his Brother Denham, had made a very good Order for ſuppreſſing unruly Wakes, and Revells, wherein he thought he had done God, the King and Country good ſervice; but ſome ill affected perſons had miſinformed His Majeſtie concerning this Order, who had given him an expreſſe command to reverſe it; which he conceived was hardly in his power to do becauſe it was no Order made by himſelfe, but by the joynt conſent of the whole Bench, and a meere confirmation and enlargment of diverſe Orders made by the Iudges and Iuſtices in that Circuit, in Queen Elizabeths, King James, and King Charles their Reignes, before ever he came into thoſe parts: for which he produced theſe following Preſidents.
The firſt was an Order made at a Seſſions in Somerſetſhire in the 38. of Queene Elizabeth.
Orders made by the Iuſtices Aſſembled at Bridgwater Seſſions the 10th of September, Anno Reg: Elizabetica 38. &c.
THat no Church Ale, Clerkes Ale, Bid Ale, or tipling be ſuffered, And that ſuch only be ſuffered to tipple as be or ſhal be lawfully licenſed according to the Order made in this Seſſions.
SIGNED;
Iohn Popham
Alexander Popham
Iohn Court
Henry Waldron
Edward Hext.
George Sydenham,
Thomas Horner,
Iohn Colles,
Iohn May,
Iohn …odney.
The ſecond was this Order of Seſſions made at the ſame place, whereto he found the name of one Thomas Philips, ſubſcribed; but he knew not who he was (at which Sir Robert Philips, his Sonne, who ſticled for theſe Wakes, was much incenſed, as conceiving it a meere jeare againſt him.)
At the Seſſions at Bridgwater, the 28th of September 1594.
IT is is Ordered and agreed, that no Church-Ale be admitted to be kept within any part of this ſhiere. And that by the Juſtices of the Peace of the Lymits, notice thereof bee given to the ſeverall pariſhes within their Lymits, and that ſuch as ſhall offend in keeping any ſuch be duely puniſhed.
Iohn Popham, Lord …hiefe Iuſtice.
George Sidnam Knight,
Henry Barkley Knight.
George Speak
Henry Waldron,
Alexander Colles,
Iohn Frances,
Alexander Popham
Iohn Lancaſter,
Edward Hext,
Thomas Phillips.
The third was an Order of Seſſions made in the County of Devon, Anno 1599.
This Order was agreed on by all the Queenes Majeſties Iuſtices of the Peace at the Chapter Houſe Aſſembled the 10th day of January, 1599. Anno 41. Elizabethae.
ANd for as much as it appeareth that many enormities [that with modeſtie cannot be expreſſed] heretofore have hapned by Church Ales and Revells in this County of Devon: It is therefore Ordered that Church-Ales and Revells ſhall bee hence forth utterly ſuppreſſed. And if contrary wiſe in contempt of this Order preparation be made for any to be kept, any Juſtices of this County forthwith ſend for ſuch as make preparation, to admoniſh them to make ſtay thereof, and upon their refuſall in that behalfe, or proceeding therein, to bind them that make ſuch preparation to the good behaviour, and to appeare at the next Seſſions of the Peace to bee holden within this County of Devon, then and there to endure ſuch puniſhment as either by the Lawes of the Realme or Order of this Court ſhall bee inflicted upon them for their contempt and diſobeying this Order.
The fourth was this following Order made at the Aſſizes in Devonſhire, Anno 1615.
From the Aſſizes held at the Caſtle of Exeter, Iuly 24. 1615. Anno 13. Jacobi, &c. Sir Laurence Tanneld, and Serjeant Mountague, Juſtices of Aſſize, &c.
THe ſeverall Manſlaughters committed at two Church-ales within this County, ſince the begining of this preſent MonethMonth of Iuly, and further advertiſements given now unto the Court of the continuall prophanation of Gods Sabbath, at theſe and other ſuch like unlawfull meetings, miniſters unto this Court juſt occaſion NOTE.to recite an Order formerly ſet downe by the Reverend Judges of Aſſize, at the Aſſizes holden for this County, the 19th day of Iuly, in the yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of England, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, &c. the 11th, and of Scotland the 46th, that Order being as followeth, viz. It is Ordered by the Court, in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies daily ariſing, by meanes of Revells, Church-Ales, and Bull-baitings, that all ſuch Revells, Church-ales, and Bull-baitings be from henceforth utterly ſuppreſſed; and if hereafter it ſhall be made known unto the Juſtices of the Peace of this County, of any ſuch to be ſet up, or hereafter uſed, that then the Juſtices of the Peace within their ſeverall Diviſions, take courſe, as well for the ſpeedy apprehending and puniſhment of idle and lewde people drawne together to ſuch places, as for the binding over of the Perſons uſing tipling, and for the inflicting of further puniſhment upon all offenders in ſuch places, as in their diſcretion ſhall be thought fit. And to the end that this Order may be the better obſerved; NOTE.It is Ordered, that this bee ſpeedily publiſhed in every Pariſh Church within this County.
The fift was an Order made in the ſame County, Anno 1627.
An Order made by Sir Iohn Walter Knight, Chiefe Baron of his Majeſties Exchequer and Sir Iohn Denham Knight Juſtices of Aſſize for, &c. at the Caſtle of Exon the XXIII. of July 1627.
WHereas diverſe Orders have bin heretofore made by the Judges of Aſſize for the ſuppreſſion of all Ales and Revels, thoſe ſame Orders are now confirmed at this Aſſize, and again Ordered by the Court in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies NOTE.daily ariſing by means of Revels, Church-Ales, Clerks-Ales and publike Ales that they be from henceforth utterly ſuppreſſed. And if hereafter it ſhall be made knowne to the Juſtices of Peace of this County of any ſuch to be kept or hereafter uſed, that then the Juſtices of the Peace within their ſeverall diviſions take courſe as well for the ſpeedy apprehending and puniſhment of idle vagrant people, drawne together to ſuch places, as for the binding over of the perſons uſing ſuch tipling, and for inflicting of ſuch puniſhment upon all Offendors in ſuch places as the Law doth inflict. And to the end that this Order may be the better obſerved, it is further Ordered that the Clerke of Aſſize ſhall leave a Copy hereof with the Clerk of the Peace, and the under Sherriffe, and from them or one of them, every Conſtable ſhall take a Copy for his ſeverall hundred and liberty, and ſhall particularly NOTE.deliver a Copy to the Miniſter of every Pariſh within his ſeverall hundred and libertie, and ſhall take a note of every Miniſter under his hand, of the day upon which hee received it from him; and that every Miniſter which ſo receiveth it ſhall publiſh it yearely in his Pariſh Church the firſt Sunday in February. And it is likewiſe further Ordered, that every Conſtable ſhall at every Lent Aſſize preſent to the Judges of this Circuit, a note of the receipt of the ſaid Order under the hands of the ſaid Miniſters. And for the further avoyding of the concourſe of idle people, it is further Ordered, that ſuch perſons as uſually carry up and downe Bulls and Beares to baite [being Rogues by Statute] ſhal be puniſhed as Rogues, for the further prevention of ſuch inconveniences as uſually happen upon ſuch meetings.
Per me Symon Spatchurſt Clericum Aſiiſor.
The 6. an Order made by Baron Denham at the Aſſizes in Somerſetſhire, Anno 1627. upon a Petition of divers Miniſters.
To the Honourable Sir John Denham Knight, one of the Barons of His Majeſties Exchequor, and Iuſtice of Aſſize for the County of SOMERSET.
The humble Petition of the Miniſters, whoſe names are ſubſcribed.
Sheweth;
THat whereas at the laſt Summer Aſſizes held for the County of Dorſet; there was an Order made for the ſuppreſſing of all Revells, Church-Ales, and other publike Ales [amongſt other things] as by the Copie of the ſaid Order hereunto annexed appeareth.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly deſire that Your Lordſhip would be pleaſed to grant the like Order at this Aſſizes for the ſuppreſſing of the like Ales and diſorders in this County of Somerſet.
So they ſhall alwayes pray for Your Lordſhips long health and proſperity,
Adam Abraham
Iohn Ford.
William …yllet.
Iohn Fathers.
Ralph Turner.
George Drake.
15. Marcii 1627.
Let the Clerke of the Aſſizes draw up the like … for his County. Iohn Denham.
Which former Order being warranted by ſo many Preſidents, Iudge Richardſon ſaid, hee conceived hee had no power abſolutely to reverſe; but being commanded to do it, by His Majeſtie, he did as much as in him lay revoke it; but yet doubted not, that if the Iuſtices of Peace would truly informe His Majeſty of the grounds of the former Order, and of the great diſorders occaſioned by Wakes, and Churchales His Majeſty would give Order to revive it; but how ever, he muſt make this Order for the preſent, which he cauſed he Clerk of Aſſizes to enter.
VVHereas divers Orders have been heretofore made by the Judges of Aſſize, for the ſuppreſſing of Church-ales, Clerks-ales, Wakes, Revells and ſuch like within this County of Somerſet, which were formerly made by the Judges, by reaſon of many diſorders and miſdemeanours ariſing upon the meeting of multitudes of people out of other Pariſhes. It is now Ordered by his Lordſhip, that all former Orders heretofore made by any Judges or Iustices, for the ſuppreſſing of Church-ales, Clerks-ales, Wakes and Revells be revoked [as much as in him lyeth] and made utterly voyde. And that it may be lawfull for all perſons freely to uſe any lawfull Recreation or Exerciſe at ſuch meetings, but with this advice, that they be carefull that no outrages or miſdemeanours commonly ariſing at ſuch Church-ales, Clerk-ales, Wakes and Revells be done or committed.
Hereupon, all the Juſtices of Peace then preſent, immediately after they had dined, drew up this Petition to His Majeſty, which they Signed with all their hands, and then ſent it up to London by Iohn Harrington Eſquier, then Cuſtos Rotulorum in that County, with order to deliver it to the Right Honourable Earle of Pembrook, Lord Lievtenant of the County, to preſent it to His Majeſty. Who repairing to London accordingly, ſhewed the Petition to Maſter Prynne, and the Earle being then in the Country, whence he would not returne in twelve dayes ſpace, he adviſed with him what courſe to take for preſenting the Petition to His Majeſty in the mean time, leſt the Archbiſhop hearing of it, ſhould prevent the ſame: The Archbiſhop having notice of this Petition from Sir Robert Philips and Biſhop Pierce, to prevent the delivery and expected good effect thereof; preſently cauſed the Declaration for Sports publiſhed by King Iames, with ſome additions of his owne at the end concerning Wakes, and Feaſts of Dedication, relating the Order of Judg Richardſon for ſuppreſſing them, to be reprinted and publiſhed in His Majeſties Name, before the Petition delivered, the Copy whereof, is here ſubjoyned.
To the KINGS moſt Excellent Majeſtie.
The moſt humble Petition of the Iuſtices of the Peace, of the County of Somerſet.
MOſt humbly Shewing; That whereas heretofore there have bin from time to …e ſeverall good Orders made by the Iuſtices of Asſize, and Iuſtices of the Peace, for the County of Somerſet, for the restraining and ſuppresſing of certaine diſordered Aſſemblies in that County, called Church-ales, Clerkes-ales, Bid-ales, Wakes, and Revells, by reaſon of many diſorders inſeperably accompanying the ſame; wherby the ſaid Aſſemblies have for the moſt part for a long time beene forborne and not uſed, to the great good and quiet of the ſaid County.
Now ſo it is may pleaſe Your Majeſty, that by occaſion of a Declaration publiſhed the laſt Aſſizes by the Lord Chiefe Iuſtice of the Kings-Bench, for reſtoring of Wakes and Revells, and Revering of all Orders made againſt them, and by reaſon of a rumour thereof spread in the Countrey ſince the laſt Lent Aſſizes, not onelyonly all the diſorders aforeſaid of Prophanation of the Lords Day, riotous tipling, contempt of NOTE.Authoritie, Quarrells, Murthers, &c. frequently over-flowing the ſaid Aſſemblies, have increaſed this Summer, but even the other diſorderly Aſſembliss of Church-Ales, Bid-Ales, Clerkes-Ales, condemned by the Lawes, have againe beene ſet up to the great prejudice of the Peace, plenty, and good Government of the County.
May it therefore pleaſe Your moſt Excellent Majeſtie, to grant us ſome more particular Declaration herein, That Your Majesties Command concerning Revells may not be thought to extend farther then to the upholding of Civill Feaſting betweene Neighbour and Neighbour in their Houſes, and the orderly and ſeaſonable uſe of manly Exerciſes and Activities, which we all ſhall be moſt ready to maintaine: And that we may have Your Majeſties Favour and Allowance to ſuppreſſe all the forementioned unlawfull Aſſemblies of Church-Ales, Clerks-Ales, and Bid-Ales, and to puniſh all the forementioned diſorders as heretofore we have done, Wherein Your Petitioners have no other end, than to do Your Majeſtie faithfull ſervice, and to preſerve the good Government of the County.
John Lord Pawlet,
William Portman,
John Stowell,
Ralph Hopton,
John Symmes,
William Frauncis,
John Harrington,
Robert Cuffe,
Richard Cole,
Edward Powlet,
William Every,
Anthony Stocker,
William Capell,
George Powlett,
Francis Popham,
Edward Rodeney,
Francis Dodington,
John Horner,
William Baſſit,
John Windham,
Robert Hopton,
George Speke,
Thomas Lutterell,
William Walrond,
Gerrad Wood.
The delivery and good effect of this Petition, was prevented by the publiſhing of this Declaration by this Archbiſhops meanes; who to juſtify himſelfe herein, ex poſt facto procured this enſuing Warrant, without any Date at all, (written with his own hand, and found in his Study by Mr. Prynne, together with the Printed Declaration for Sports, endorſed with his owne pen) to be Signed by His Majeſty, to juſtifie NOTE.himſelfe, if queſtioned for it upon any future occaſion.
CHARLES. R.
CAnterbury, See that Our Declaration concerning Recreations on the Lords day after Evening Prayer, be Printed.
By all theſe Premiſed evidences, it is moſt apparent, that the Archbiſhop was the principall Actor in the publication of this Licentious Book, to Gods, and his Majeſties diſhonour, which we ſhal further evidence by this writing under his owne hand.
The Declaration concerning Lawfull ſports on the Lords day, His Majeſty Commanded me to ſe it Printed. The motives to it were, 1. A generall and ſuperſtitious opinion conceived of that day. 2. A Booke ſet out by Theophilus Brabourne, 1628. Iudaiſme upon Chriſtian principles, and perverted many. 3. A great diſtemper in Somerſet-ſhire, upon the forbiding of the wakes, in the ſowerneſſe of this opinion; an Act of a Iudge that rid that Circuit, March. 15. 1627. And followed by another. 1630. And his Majeſty troubled with Petitions, and motions by ſome cheife men of that county on both ſides. 4. His Royall Fathers example upon the like occaſions in Lancaſhire
After the publiſhing of this Declaration, the Lord Richardſon returning from his Circuit, was by the Archbiſhops means convented before the King and Lords at the Councell Table, about the forementioned Paſſages in his Charge, in juſtification of the order againſt Wakes, according to his duty, and for revoking it in ſuch a ſlight manner, as much as in him lay; for which he was ſo ſhaken up by the Archbiſhop, that comming very dejectedly with tears in his eyes out of the Councel Chamber, the Earle of Derſet ſeeing him in ſuch a ſad condition, and demaunding him how he did? he anſwered, Very ill my Lord for I am like to bee choaked with the Archbiſhops Lawn-ſleeves. And for this cauſe alone, (as he and others conceived) he was by the Archbiſhops means (to his great griefe and loſſe) put from Riding the Weſterne, and enforced to Ride the Eſſex Circuit, reputed the meaneſt of all others, which no Chiefe Iuſtice, but the puny Iudge, or Serjeants only uſed to Ride; notwithſtanding the Lord Cottington and others earneſtly moved His Majeſty, that he might ride ſome other Circuit.
After this, the Archbiſhop intending to make this Declaration for Sports, an Engine to inſnare; ſuſpend ſilence, and root out all conſcientious, preaching Miniſters throughout the Realm, by degrees the better to uſher in Popery, Ignorance, and prophaneſſe; enjoyned all Miniſters to read this Declaration perſonally in their Churches, in time of Divine Service; & ſuch who out of conſcience refuſed to read it were by the Archbiſhops own ſpeciall direction ſuſpended from their office and Benefice, Excommunicated, vexed in the High-commiſſion and ſome of them there ſentenced and deprived of their livings for this pretended crime, though againſt no Law or Canon of God or man; for proofe whereof, theſe enſuing teſtimonies were produced.
Firſt, Sir Nathaniell Brent atteſted upon Oath, that when he was appointed by the Archbiſhop as his Vicar Generall, to Viſit within the Dioceſſe of Canterbury, the Archbiſhop himſelfe gave him a ſpeciall charge to convent all Miniſters before him, who would not read the Booke for sports on the Lords day, and to ſuſpend them for it; and that he gave them particular order, by name to ſuſpend, Mr. Culmer, Maſter Player, and Mr. Hieron, three eminent preaching Miniſters in Kent, for not Mr. Culmers. Mr. Players, and Mr. Hierons caſes.reading the ſayd Booke of Sports: Whereupon, he did (much againſt his will and judgement) ſuſpend them all ab Officio, & Beneficio, and forced ſome of them to allow twenty pound a peice or more, to Officiate the Cure during their ſuſpenſion. After which, he received another ſpeciall command from the Archbiſhop, to ſuſpend Mr. Wilſon, for the ſelfe-ſame cauſe, whereupon he did accordingly ſuſpend him.
Maſter Richard Culmer, depoſed at the Lords Barre upon oath, that he being Miniſter of Goodneſton in the County of Kent, Mr. John Player Miniſter of Kennington, and Mr. Thomas Hieron Miniſter of Hornhill in the ſaid County, they were all three convented by the Archbiſhops direction before Sir Nathaniell Brent, for not reading the Booke for Lords-day ſports, and after that, all three of them ſuſpended from their Miniſtry and Livings in the Archbiſhops Conſiſtory, for the ſame. Whereupon, they ſoone after repaired to Lambeth to the Archbiſhop, and there joyntly Petitioned him for Abſolution from this unjuſt Suſpenſion; who reading their Petition, and underſtanding the cauſe of their ſuſpenſion, for not reading that unwarrantable Declaration, the Archbiſhop gave them this peremptory Anſwer; If you know not how to obey, I know not how to grant; whereupon they continued thus ſuſpended about three whole yeares and ſeven Moneths, not being permitted to preach or inſtruct their people, to their great griefe, and the profits of their Livings were ſequeſtred towards the maintenance of Deboiſt unedifying Curates, who ſeldome preached. And though this Deponent did divers times afterwards Petition the ſaid Archbiſhop to take off his ſuſpenſion, yet he refuſed to do it, calling him refractory fellow, and ſaying, it ſhould continue; and ſo it did, he being not only deprived of his Miniſtry, but alſo of all the profits of his Living, having himſelfe, his Wife, and 7. ſmall Children to provide for; which ſuſpenſion and ſequeſtration continued upon him till the Scotts comming in, and then the Archbiſhop Abſolved him, more out of feare of the Scots, than good will; ſo as hee might juſtly ſay, Gramercy good Scott, for his liberty.
Maſter Thomas Wilſon a godly learned Miniſter (now of the Aſſembly) depoſed Mr. Thomas VVilſons caſe.at the Barre; that the Archbiſhop himſelfe ſent for him to Lambeth, and demanded of him, whether he had publikely read the Booke of Sports in the Church? to which he anſwered, no; whereupon the Archbiſhop replied; I Suspend you for ever from your office and Benefice till you read it: whereupon hee was ſuſpended, and his Living ſequeſtred for foure years ſpace. After which, he was brought into the high-Commiſſion at Lambeth, by the Archbiſhops means, and there Articled againſt for not reading the ſaid Booke, to his great coſt and vexation.
Maſter Prynne atteſted, that Mr. Wrath, and M. Erbery, were brought up out of Wales, Mr. William Iones out of Gloceſterſhire, and divers others from other Mr VVraths. Mr. Erberies. and Mr. Iones caſes.parts into the High-Commiſſion at Lambeth, for not reading this Declaration for Paſtimes on the Lords day, and the keeping of Wakes, and Church-ales; and that hee found this following Petition concerning the ſame ſubject among Sir Iohn Lambs ſequeſtred papers, with an Anſwer to it under the Archbiſhops owne hand, manifeſting his owne direction for proſecuting of one Henry Page, a godly Vicar, in the high-Commiſſion, for refuſing to read this Declaration, and expreſſing his diſlike thereof.
To the moſt Reverend Father in God, William, Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury his Grace, Primate, &c.
The humble Petition of Francis Thompſon, Gent.
IN all Duty ſheweth, That whereas one Henry Page Vicar of Sedbury in the County of Hereford, having taken upon him the Cure of Soules, there hath many times uſed divers and ſundry ſcandalous and ignominious ſpeeches in the Pulpit and elſewhere, and more eſpecially upon the fourth Commandement: both by preaching, and otherwiſe, he hath in contempt of the Kings moſt Excellent Majestis Declaration, concerning the lawfulneſſe of Recreations upon Sundayes and holy-daies after time of Divine Service, and in deriſion and ſcorne of the Booke ſet forth by His Majeſty to that purpoſe, often amongſt other his opprobrious and diſgracefull ſpeeches, uttered theſe words following concerning the ſame, viz. Is it not as lawfull to plucke at a Cartrope upon the Sabbath day, as at a Bell-rope? Is it not as lawfull for a VVeaver to ſhoot his ſhuttle in the Sabbath day, as for a man to take his Bow to ſhoote? And is it not as lawfull for a VVoman to ſpinne at her wheele, or for a man to go to Plough or Cart, as for a man in the Sabbath day to dance that deviliſh round? All which words, and divers other of the like kind, your Petitioner will be bound to prove unto your Grace, and the honourable Court of high Commiſiion. May it therefore pleaſe your Grace for the Reformation of the ſayd Mr. Page, and ſatisfaction of his Pariſhioners conſciences, and other inhabitants there abouts, who daily flocke unto him, by reaſon of inveigling them with ſuch his Doctrine, to grant an Attachment or Letters Miſſive to iſſue out againſt him the ſayd Page, to bring him to Anſwer to ſuch Articles as ſhall bee exhibited into the ſaid Court against him. And your Petitioner as in duty, ſhall daily pray for your Graces long life and happineſſe.
NOTE.I deſire Dr. Merrick to conſider of the ſuggeſtions of this Petition, and take order for Letters Miſſive if he ſee cauſe.
Aug. 30. 1638. W. Cant.
Among which Papers he likewiſe met with this Certificate, manifeſting that not only Sir Nathaniell Brent, but Sir Iohn Lambe in the Archbiſhops Metropoliticall Viſitation, did peremptorily enjoyne all miniſters in the Archbiſhops name to read this Declaration for ſports on the Lords Day to the people in Churches, to animate them to prophan it, though not preſcribed in his printed viſitation Articles.
To the Right VVorſhipfull Sir John Lambe, Knight, Doctor of Law, Commiſſary to the Lords Grace of Canterbury, for the Archdeaconry of Huntington, &c.
THeſe are to certifie, that Thomas Gibbs Maſter of Art, and Curate of Hitchin in Hartfordſhire, within the Archdeaconry of Huntington, according to your Injunction at the Viſitation there holden, did diſtinctly and treatably read upon the 29th of Aprill, being Sunday at Morning Prayer, after the reading of the firſt Leſſon, appointed for the day (moſt of the Pariſh then being preſent) the Book intituled, The Kings Maieſties Declaration to His Subiects, concerning lawfull ſports to be uſed.
William Lindall D. D.
Edward Radcliffe Eſ que .
Iohn Skinner.
Edward Hurſt,
Thomas Draper,
William Hurſte
Churchwardens.
And with 3. Petitions of Mr. Valentines to the Archbiſhop, ſuſpended for not reading the Book of ſports, referred to Sir Iohn Lambe, who endorſed on one of them with his owne hand, that he had received incloſed therein A Bribe of five pound.
Beſides, in the Abſtract of the Archbiſhops Metropoliticall Viſitation, in the yeare 1635. found in his Study by Maſter Prynne, there are theſe Paſſages concerning the Booke of ſports. Maſter Fairfax Curate of Rumborough, Charged with inconformity, hath faithfully promiſed to read the Declaration for lawfull ſports. I ſuſpended NOTE.one Maſter Pegges of VVeeford, ex nunc pro ut ex tunc, in caſe he did not read the Kings Declaration for ſports on Sunday ſeven-night following. There are divers in Surrey that refuſe to read the Kings Declaration for lawfull ſports on Sundayes, beſides thoſe that ſtand ſuſpended for the fault. Doctor Howell a very worthy Divine, gave me a note of their Names; they are Maſter Whitfield of Ockly, Mr. Garth. of Wouerſh, Mr. Ward of Pepper-harrow, and Mr. Farroll of Purbright, all of them of the Lecture of Guilford, and ſome of them of the Lecture of Darking, who were afterwards proſecuted for it. All theſe are unfallible Evidences, that the Archbiſhop was the originall principall Author & enforcer of this Declaration upon Godly Miniſters againſt both Law and conſcience, himſelfe & his Servants playing ſome times at Boules upon the Lords own day, to give good example unto others, and perſecuting thoſe with infinit ſeverity to the ruing of their Flocks, Families, who out of conſcience durſt not publiſh it: Of which we ſhal produce one ſignal example more in the caſe of Mr. Lawrence Snelling a reverend, Godly, learned Miniſter deprived in the High Commiſſion, for not reading this Declaration. Mr. Snelling himſelfe Mr. Snellings Caſe.reſtified upon Oath, that he was ſuſpended from his Miniſtry, Living, excommunicated, and ſoone after that brought into the High Commiſſion at Lambheth, and there ſentenced to be deprived from his benefice, looſing the profits thereof, full foure yeares ſpace, only for refuſing to read this Declaration for ſports. That Hee there pleaded in his owne defence the Law of God & of the Realme, the Authorities of Councells, Fathers, and late Writers of all ſorts: That the Declaration it ſelfe appeared not to be his Majeſties, though publiſhed in his name, it being not enrolled in any Court, nor publiſhed under his great Seale as all Proclamations, & Briefes to be read in Churches are: that there was no command at all of the Kings it ſhould be read by any in Churches, much leſſe by Miniſters; no puniſhment threatned nor preſcribed for not reading it no authority given to Archbiſhops, Biſhops, High Commiſſioners, or any other perſons to queſtion, ſuſpend or puniſh any Miniſter for not reading it; and being a meere civill, not Eccleſiaſticall Declaration, not enjoyned by any Eccleſiaſticall Canon or Authority, but temporall only, no Eccleſiaſticall Iudges could take cogniſans of it, much leſſe inflict any eccleſiaſticall cenſure for it, eſpecially in the high Commiſſion, it being no offence with in the Statute of 1. Eliz. ch. 1. or the Kings Commiſſion Eccleſiasticall, whereby the High Commiſſioners ſit, & ſo not queſtionabl by them. Al which particulars he put into his anſwer & defence, but the Archbiſhop gave order not to accept his Anſwer or defence as he tendred them, ſaying openly in Court, That whoſoever ſhould make ſuch a Defence as he had don, it ſhould be burnt before his face, and he laid by the heeles for his paines; whereupon the Commiſſioners expunged what they pleaſed out of his Anſwer and defence, and then cenſured him: Mr. Gellibrand, depoſed the ſame with Mr. Snelling, whoſe cenſure was there produced out of the High-Commiſſion records, and here ſubjoyned.