INDEX
EXPURGATORIUS
ANGLICANUS:
OR
A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE PRINCIPAL BOOKS
PRINTED OR PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND,
WHICH HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED,
OR BURNT BY THE COMMON HANGMAN,
OR CENSURED,
OR FOR WHICH THE AUTHORS, PRINTERS, OR PUBLISHERS
HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED.
BY W. H. HART, F.S.A.
PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.
LONDON:
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE.
1873.
HART, PRINTER,] [SAFFRON WALDEN.
54.
A short view of the long life and raigne of Henry the Third, King
of England. Presented to King James. Printed 1627. 4to. Published
anonymously. (By Sir Robert Cotton.)
This tract was reprinted in the first number of Morgan's Phœnix
Britannicus, 1641, and also in the fourth volume of the Somers
Collection of Tracts, 1651.
The printers were threatened with proceedings in the Court of High
Commission for printing the same without licence, and Sir Robert
Cotton, who admitted the authorship, also ran some risk, as appears
from the following letter of the Bishop of London (dated February
15th, 1627) to Secretary Conway, and also the examinations of the
stationers and printers.
My very honorable good Lord,
May it please your Lordship, I have found a booke intituled A view
of ye long life and raigne of Henry ye third, King of England,
which I send your Lordship with the examinations of all that I find
guilty of ye setting of it forth under ye hand of ye Register by
whom before me there examinacions were taken. The parties ar in
custody and I meane to proceede against them by ye High Comission
for printing ye booke without licence, leaving the matter of state
to your Lordship's wisdome. Sir Robert Cotton acknowledgeth he
writt the booke some 15 yeares agone, but denies that he hath
any knowledg of or hand in ye now printing of it. Good my Lord,
give me leave uppon such occasions as this to repayre to your
Lordship, whose wisdome will mutch strenthen my poore endeavors
to his Majestie's service in this kind, or any other that lies in
my ability and power; and so with my most humble acknowledgment
of all your noble favours, I pray to God hartily to bless your
Lordship, and remayne
Your Lordship's humble servant,
Geo. London.
From my House, February 15th, 1626.
Februarii 15to,
1626.
A briefe of the severall examinations taken before the Lord Bishop
of London thes weeke, touching the booke entituled A veiwe of the
long life and raigne of Henry the third, King of England.
Benjamin Fisher, a stationer of the City of London, acknowledgeth
that he caused five hundred of those bookes to be printed, and no
more; five sheets whereof were printed by one Okes a printer, and
one other sheete whereof was printed by Breward Alsope and Thomas
Fawcett, two other printers.
Of these books Fisher saith they have vented four hundred and twenty
or thereabouts, and names some of the parties unto whom they have
vented them: viz.--one hundred of them to one Peter Horson, the rest
to severall stationers in the country, and that he bought the copy
thereof of one Alsope a printer, and saith it was printed without
licence.
This Alsope being examined where he had the copy saith he bought
it of one Ferdinando Ely, a broker in bookes, and that the said
Fisher sent Alsope to buy it of Ely, that he the said Alsope payd
unto Ely xijd. for it, and having bought it delivered it presently
unto Fisher, who caused it to be printed. Alsope he saith that he
printed of that sheet delivered unto him as many as should make upp a
thousand books of that sort, besides some waste sheets.
Ferdinando Ely being examined, denieth upon his oath that he ever
had the copy of the said book, or that he sold it to Alsope, but
afterwards uppon better remembrance saith that about two yeares since
he sold a copy of a small book to the said Alsope, but what was
the contents of it, or for how much money he sold it, he doth not
remember.
Peter Horson being examined, confesseth that together with a letter
he received an hundred of those books wanting two from the said
Fisher, which letter importeth that they were printed at Dort, and
that the author of them was Sir Robert Cotton, and saith it is a book
well penned; he hath dispersed divers of them and nameth some of the
parties unto whom.
Okes the printer saith his sonn printed part of that book whilest he
Okes the father was prisoner in the Compter, and saith that as his
sonn told him he printed five hundred of them and no more, and saith
they were printed for Benjamin Fisher aforesaid.[41]
Ita Testor { Thomas } deputatus Registrarii
{ Mottinshed } Regis.
55.
Religion and Allegiance. Two Sermons. By Roger Manwaring. 1627.
These two sermons were preached by Roger Manwaring, D.D., before
his Majesty on the 4th July and 29th July, 1627, and were
afterwards published under the before mentioned title, for which
Manwaring was brought to the bar of the House of Lords. On the 14th
June, 1628, that House gave judgment thus:--
1.--That Dr. Manwaring shall be imprisoned during the pleasure of
the House. 2.--That he be fined £1000 to the King. 3.--That he
shall make such submission and acknowledgment of his offences as
shall be set down by a Committee in writing both at the bar and in
the House of Commons. 4.--That he shall be suspended three years
from the exercise of his ministry. 5.--That he shall hereafter be
disabled from any ecclesiastical dignity. 6.--That he shall be for
ever disabled to preach at the Court hereafter, and 7.--That his
Majesty be moved to grant a proclamation for the calling in of his
books, that they may be burnt in London and both Universities.
The following is the proclamation:--
A Proclamation for the calling in and suppressing of two Sermons,
preached and printed by Roger Manwaring, Doctor in Divinity,
intituled Religion and Allegiance.
Whereas Roger Manwaring, Doctor in Divinity, hath lately preached
two Sermons, the one upon the fourth, the other on the nine and
twentieth of July last, and after caused them to bee printed,
and bound up into one volume, and intituled by him Religion and
Allegiance; in which sermons, although the grounds thereof were
rightly laid to perswade obedience from the subjects to their
sovereigne, and that for conscience sake; yet in divers passages,
inferences, and applications thereof trenching upon the lawes of this
land and proceedings of parliaments, whereof hee was ignorant, hee
so farre erred, that hee hath drawen upon himselfe the just censure
and sentence of the High Court of Parliament, by whose judgement
also that booke stands condemned. Wee, taking this into our serious
consideration, and beeing desirous to take away all occasions of
scandall or offence, have thought fit that those sermons, in respect
of those inferences and applications which hee made thereon, bee
totally suppressed.
And to that purpose, wee doe hereby straitly charge and command all
and every person and persons whatsoever, in whose hands any of those
bookes now are, or hereafter shall be, that they foorthwith deliver,
or cause the same to be delivered, to the Bishop or other ordinary
of that diocese or place where hee or they at any time are, if it
be not within either of our Universities; and if it bee in either
of the Universities, that then he or they deliver the same to the
Vicechancellour of that Universitie, to whom wee doe heereby give
speciall charge and command to cause them to be utterly suppressed.
And wee doe further charge and command, that no man hereafter presume
to print the sayd sermons or either of them againe, upon paine of
our high displeasure, and of such further punishment, as for their
presumption in that behalfe, may any way bee inflicted upon them.
Given at our Court at Whitehall, the foure and twentieth day of June,
in the fourth yeere of our reigne of Great Britaine, France, and
Ireland.
God save the King.
Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, Printers to the
King's most excellent Majestie. MDCXXVIII.
On the 21st of June, Manwaring made a humble submission to the House
of Lords, and after the session was over, the fine was remitted, the
Doctor himself released from prison, two livings given him, and in
1636 he became Bishop of St. Davids.
56.
An Appeal to the Parliament; or Sion's Plea against the Prelacie.
Printed the year and moneth wherein Rochell was lost. (1628.)
This book was written by Alexander Leighton, a Scotch doctor of
physic and divinity, father of the Archbishop. In this book the
author calls bishops men of blood, ravens, and magpies; he declares
the institution of episcopacy to be anti-christian and satanical;
the Queen is a daughter of Heth, and the King is corrupted by
bishops to the undoing of himself and people; and he approves of
the murder of Buckingham. Language such as this could hardly have
been passed over unnoticed. But it was not till June 4th, 1630,
that the author was brought before the Star Chamber. There was no
difficulty in pronouncing him guilty of seditious and scandalous
writings; and he was sentenced to a terrible and barbarous
punishment. Besides a fine of £10,000, and degradation from the
ministry, he was publicly whipped in Palace Yard, made to stand
two hours in the pillory, one ear was cut off, a nostril slit
open, and one of his cheeks branded with the letters S.S. (Sower
of Sedition.) After this he was sent off to the Fleet Prison.
At the end of a week, "being not yet cured," he was brought out
again, underwent a second whipping and repetition of the former
atrocities, and was then consigned to prison to life, where he
actually spent eleven years. In April, 1641, his sentence was
reversed by the House of Commons, and he received such consolation
as it could afford him, when it was decided that his former
mutilation and imprisonment had been entirely illegal.
57.
A true relation of the unjust, cruel, and barbarous proceeding
against the English at Amboyna in the East Indies, by the
Neatherlandish Governour and Councel there. 1624.
This book was ordered to be suppressed by a warrant from the
Council, dated September 7th, 1631; but the prohibition was
revoked, and all restraint upon the sale of the book removed in the
following month.[42]
58.
An examination of those things wherein the Author of the late Appeale
holdeth the doctrines of the Pelagians and Arminians to be the
doctrines of the Church of England. By George Carleton, Doctor of
Divinitie and Bishop of Chichester. London, 1626.
This book was suppressed as appears from a letter from Sir Francis
Nethersole to Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, dated February 14th,
1629, wherein the writer says, "The printers have preferred a
petition, alleging that of late books written against Arminians
have been suppressed, especially one written by Bishop Carleton,
but others written in their favour have been licensed."[43]
59.
The Reconciler.
Babel no Bethel, that is, the Church of Rome no true visible Church
of Christ. By H(enry) B(urton), Rector of St. Matthew's, Friday
Street. 1629.
Maschil unmasked, in a treatise defending this sentence of our
Church, viz., the present Romish Church hath not the nature of the
true Church. By Thomas Spencer. London. N. d.
The Church of England's old antithesis to new Arminianisme. By
William Prynne. London, 1629.
On April 20th, 1629, articles were exhibited by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners against the printers and publishers of these books,
among whom was Michael Sparkes, stationer, who had been committed
to the Fleet "for printing and publishing offensive books without
license or warrant." In his answer to the articles objected
against him by the Commissioners, Sparkes denies the present
binding authority of the decree in the Star Chamber for regulating
printing, as directly intrenching on the hereditary liberty of the
subjects' persons and goods, and being contrary to Magna Charta,
the Petition of Right, and other statutes. He presumed that Court
would no way infringe the liberties of his Majesty's subjects,
which his Majesty professed in his late declaration that he would
constantly maintain. He admits that he printed "Babel no Bethel,"
but conceives that there was nothing contrary to the established
doctrine of the Church of England therein, and that he had endured
a hard imprisonment already for the same, which he hopes will
excuse his further answer. He says that some part of Mr. Prynne's
book was printed by Augustine Matthewes, and other part elsewhere.
He conceives the book itself to be a just and necessary defence of
the Church of England against the Arminians. He refuses to confess
the printer that printed part of the book, and thinks the Court
will not desire it, in regard that he (the printer) has done all to
the glory of God, the honour of the King, the good of the Church,
and the welfare of the doctrine of the Church of England and the
religion established.[44]
60.
Rome's Ruin. 1631.
Articles were exhibited by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners against
Michael Sparke, James Bouler, Nicholas Bourne, and Henry Overton,
servant of Mrs. Shefford, of London, stationers, charging them with
having caused to be printed without license this "scandalous book,"
wherein are passages taxing not only the whole state, but also some
particular bishops and persons of eminent place in the church.[45]
61.
De regno Hiberniæ Sanctorum Insula Commentarius, Authore Illustriss,
ac Reverendiss. Domino D. _Petro Lombardo_ Hiberno, Archiepiscopo
Ardmachano, totius ejusdem Regni Primate, olim in Alma Universitate
Lovaniensi S. Theol. Doctore, & quondam Præposito Ecclesiæ
Cathedralis Camaracensis, &c. Lovanii, 1632.
This book was ordered to be suppressed and prosecuted by Lord
Deputy Strafford, at the direction of the King.
62.
Histrio Mastix. The Player's Scourge, or Actor's Tragedie. By William
Prynne. London, 1633.
In this remarkable book the author speaks in such unmeasured terms
of "women actors" that it was considered to be a special attack
on the Queen, who had herself taken part in the performance of a
pastoral at Somerset House. Therefore on February 7th, 1632/3,
Mr. William Prynne, utter barrister of Lincoln's Inn, was brought
to the Court of Star Chamber on the information of the Attorney
General for writing this book, and at the same time were brought
up Michael Sparkes and William Buckner, the one for printing and
the other for licensing the same book. The book was condemned to be
burnt, and Mr. Prynne was adjudged to be put from the bar and to
be for ever incapable of his profession, to be expelled from the
Society of Lincoln's Inn, to stand in the pillory in Westminster
and Cheapside, to lose both his ears, one in each place, and with
a paper on his head denoting his offence; to pay a fine of £5000
to the King, and be perpetually imprisoned. Buckner was sentenced
to imprisonment according to the course of the Court, and to pay
a fine of £50 to the King. Sparkes was sentenced to pay a fine of
£500 to the King, and to stand in the pillory in Cheapside without
touching his ears, with a paper on his head to declare his offence.
The sentence against Prynne was executed the 7th and 10th days of
May following.
63.
A Defence of the most ancient and sacred Ordinance of God, the
Sabbath Day. Second edition, corrected and amended. By Theophilus
Brabourne, Clerk. 1634, circa.
I have not been able to meet with a copy of this book, but there
is at the British Museum a volume by the same author, which may
be the first edition of the one now under consideration. It is
entitled "A discourse upon the Sabbath Day, wherein are handled
these particulars ensuinge. 1.--That the Lord's Day is not Sabbath
Day by divine institution. 2.--An exposition of the 4 commandement
so farr forth as may give light unto the ensueinge discourse; and
particularly here it is showne, at what time the Sabbath Day should
begine and end, for the satisfaction of those who are doubtfull in
this point. 3.--That the seaventh day Sabbath is not abolished.
4.--That the seaventh day Sabbath is now still in force. 5.--The
author's exhortation and reasones, that nevertheless there be no
rente from our church as touchinge practise. Written by Theophilus
Brabourne. Printed the 23rd of Decemb., Anno Dom., 1628."
In 1634 Brabourne was cited before the Court of High Commission for
writing this book, and in his answer he confessed to have composed
and caused to be printed beyond sea five hundred copies of the
same, in which he was alleged to have broached "erroneous heretical
and judaical opinions." Being admonished to renounce his opinions,
he acknowledged himself to be a Sabbatharian, and as much bound to
keep the Saturday's Sabbath as the Jews were before the coming of
Christ. The Court pronounced him a Jew, a heretic and schismatic,
and adjudged him worthy to be severely punished. He was ordered to
be deprived of all his ecclesiastical livings and dignities, and to
be deposed and degraded from his holy orders and function in the
university, pronounced excommunicate, fined £1000, condemned in
expenses, ordered to make a public submission _conceptis verbis_
at such times and places as the Court should appoint, and remanded
back to prison until the Court advise on some other course for
delivering him over to the secular power if he persisted in his
opinions.
64.
Flagellum Pontificis et Episcoporum Latialium. Auctore Johanne
Bastwick. 1635.
This book, "though professing to be directed against the Church of
Rome, 'tis more than manifest," Laud says, "that it was purposely
written and divulged against the Bishops and Church of England."
For this Bastwick was cited before the High Commission Court, when
thirty seven articles were charged against him. He was acquitted of
all the charges except one, and that was his maintaining bishops
and priests to be the same order of ministers, or, as he expressed
it himself, "Impingitur horrendum crimen quod infulis et apicibus
jus divinum negaverim, quod Episcopi et Presbyteri paritatem
asseruerim." For this he was condemned to pay a fine of £1000,
to be excommunicated, to be debarred from the practise of his
profession, his book to be burnt, and he himself to pay the costs
and remain in prison till he recanted; and "that is," he says,
"till domesday in the afternoone."
65.
A divine tragedie lately acted: or a collection of sundry memorable
examples of God's judgments upon Sabbath breakers. By William Prynne.
London. 1636.
News from Ipswich, discovering certaine late detestable practises of
some domineering lordly prelates. By the same. Ipswich. 1636.
The first mentioned book was directed against Noye, the Attorney
General, who, it was made out, was visited with a judgment from
heaven whilst laughing at Prynne as he stood in the pillory.
For writing and publishing these books, the latter of which was
styled "a pernicious damnable scurrilous invective and libel," an
information was exhibited in the Star Chamber against the author,
and on the 14th June, 1637, he was sentenced to lose his ears in
the Palace Yard at Westminster, to be fined £5000 to the King, and
to perpetual imprisonment. He was also condemned to be stigmatized
in the cheeks with two letters, S. and L., for a seditious
libeller; and on the 30th June, the sentence was carried out with
barbarous cruelty, but at the beginning of the Long Parliament
Prynne was liberated.
66.
The Lord's Day, the Sabbath Day, or a Brief Answer to some passages
in a late Treatise of the (Lord's) Day: digested dialogue-wise
betweene two Divines, A. and B. 1636.
In March, 1637, articles were objected by the Commissioners for
Causes Ecclesiastical against James Hannum, of St. Clement Danes,
London, wax chandler, for selling this book, as well as Bastwick's
Apologeticus. He was required, by virtue of his oath, to set down
how many of the said books he had uttered, vented, or sold, and of
whom he had them and to whom he sold them. He was also charged
with knowing that these books were never licensed to be printed or
sold, but were printed by stealth by some friend of his. Also that
one or more of the said books was lately taken in his house.[46]
67.
ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΩΝ, sive Apologeticus ad Præsules Anglicanos
criminum Ecclesiasticorum in Curia Celsæ Commissionis. Autore Johanne
Bastwick, M.D. 1636.
This was written by Bastwick, while he was in confinement in
the Gate House Prison, in answer to a book by Thomas Chowney, a
Sussex gentleman, who maintained that the Church of Rome was a
true church, and had not erred in fundamentals. For writing and
publishing this book, as well as the Litany (presently described),
an information was exhibited in the Star Chamber against Bastwick,
and on June 14th, 1637, he was sentenced to lose his ears in the
Palace Yard at Westminster, to be fined £5000 to his Majesty and to
perpetual imprisonment. He was confined in the castle or fort of
the Isles of Scilly, but was liberated by the Long Parliament.
68.
An Apology of an Appeale. Also an Epistle to the true-hearted
Nobility. By Henry Burton, Pastor of St. Matthewe's, Friday Street.
1636.
For God and the King. The summe of two Sermons preached on the fifth
of November last in St. Matthewe's, Friday Streete, 1636. By Henry
Burton, Minister of God's word there and then.
Burton was born at Birsall in Yorkshire in 1579. He was educated at
St. John's College, Cambridge, and became Rector of St. Matthew's,
Friday Street about 1626. He had been Clerk of the Closet to Prince
Henry, and afterwards to Prince Charles; a position in which
he was not continued when Charles became King. In this bitter
disappointment he produced the books now under consideration, for
which he was prosecuted in the Star Chamber, and sentenced to lose
his ears in the Palace Yard at Westminster, to be fined £5000 to
the King, and to perpetual imprisonment. He was confined in the
Isle of Guernsey, but was liberated at the beginning of the Long
Parliament.
69.
The Letany of John Bastwick, Doctor of Phisicke, being now full of
devotion, as well in respect of the common calamities of plague
and pestilence, as also of his owne particular miserie, lying at
this instant in _Limbo Patrum_. Printed by the speciall procurement
and for the especiall use of our English Prelats, in the yeare of
remembrance, Anno 1637.
The answer of John Bastwick, _Doctor of Phisicke_, to the exceptions
made against his Letany by a learned Gentleman, which is annexed to
the Litany itselfe, as Articles superadditionall against the Prelats.
This is to follow the Letany as a second part thereof. Printed in the
yeare of remembrance, Anno 1637.
The Answer of John Bastwick, _Doctor of Phisicke_, to the information
of Sir John Bancks, Knight, Atturney universall. Printed in the yeare
1637.
XVI New Quæres proposed to our Lord Prælates. Printed in the yeare
M.DC.XXXVII.
The first mentioned book, the "Letany" was at first only shown to
a few friends in manuscript, but afterwards it came to be printed
in this way. John Lilburne, afterwards a Lieutenant Colonel in the
Parliamentary army, and who behaved with such gallantry at Marston
Moor, was introduced to Dr. Bastwick in 1637, and was so much
pleased at hearing the Letany, that having a little ready money at
command, he undertook to get it printed in Holland. Bastwick was at
first averse to this, as he distrusted a friend of Lilburne's who
would have to assist in disposing of the impression. His scruples
however were overcome, and the Letany, together with the "Answer
to the Information of Sir John Bancks, Kt., Atturney Universalle,"
committed to the press. The first edition realized a handsome
profit; but Archbishop Laud got scent of the publication, laid
hold upon the disperser, and made him confess who was the chief
actor in the affair. Accordingly when Lilburne landed with another
impression, he was seized along with his cargo, and the books burnt
by the hands of the common hangman. Lilburne, and Wharton, (who
dispersed the books) were further cited to the Star Chamber, and
on February 13th, 1638, sentenced to be remanded to the Fleet,
there to remain till they conformed themselves to the order of the
Court, and to pay £500 apiece to his Majesty's use; and before
their enlargements out of the Fleet, to become bound with good
sureties for their good behaviour. Lilburne was to be whipped
through the streets from the Fleet to the Pillory at Westminster,
and together with Wharton to be set in the said Pillory, and from
thence returned to the Fleet, there to remain. This sentence was
carried into execution on April 18th, 1638, and the same day the
Court passed the following further sentence upon Lilburne "for
uttering sundry scandalous speeches, and scattering divers copies
of seditious books among the people," while he was in the pillory,
that he should be laid alone with irons on his hands and legs
in the wards of the Fleet where the basest and meanest sort of
prisoners were used to be put, and that the Warden of the Fleet
take special care to hinder the resort of any persons whatsoever to
him; and particularly that he be not supplied with money from any
friend, and that all letters, writings, and books brought to him be
seized and delivered to their Lordships; and all persons visiting
him to be reported to the Board. However, in November, 1640, on
petitioning Parliament he was liberated.
70.
Britannia Triumphans: a Masque presented at Whitehall by the King's
Majestie and his Lords on the Sunday after Twelfth Night, 1637. By
Inigo Jones, Surveyor of His Majestie's Workes, and William Davenant,
Her Majestie's Servant. London, 1637.
This masque is said to have been suppressed from the statement on
the title page of it being acted on a Sunday, and the clamour it
excited.
71.
Sunday no Sabbath. A Sermon preached before the Lord Bishop of
Lincolne at his Lordship's visitation at Ampthill in the County of
Bedford, August 17th, 1635. By John Pocklington, Doctor of Divinitie,
late Fellow and President both of Pembroke Hall and Sidney College in
Cambridge, and Chaplaine to the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord
Bishop of Lincolne. London, 1636.
Altare Christianum, or the Dead Vicar's Plea. Wherein the Vicar of
Gr. being dead yet speaketh and pleadeth out of antiquity against him
that hath broken downe his altar. Presented and humbly submitted to
the consideration of his superiours, the governours of our Church. By
John Pocklington, D.D. London, 1637.
For writing these books Pocklington was deprived of all his
livings, dignities, and preferments, and prohibited the King's
Court. These proceedings were instituted against him at the
instigation of Archbishop Williams. On February 10th, 1641, the
House of Lords ordered that these two books should be publicly
burnt in the City of London and the two Universities by the
common hangman; and on March 10th, the House ordered the Sheriffs
of London and the Vice-Chancellors of both the Universities
forthwith to take care and see the order of the house carried into
execution.[47]
72.
An Introduction to a Devout Life, 1637.
This is a translation of the "Praxis Spiritualis, sive Introductio
ad vitam devotam," by the celebrated Catholic divine, St. Francis
de Sales. Archbishop Laud in writing to his Vice-Chancellor in
1637, speaks thus of the book, "There was an English translation
of a book of devotion, written by Sales, Bishop of Geneva, and
intitled Praxis Spiritualis, &c., licensed by Dr. Haywood, then
my chaplain, about the latter end of November last; but before
it passed his hands, he first struck out divers things wherein
it varied from the doctrine of our Church, and so passed it.
But by the practice of one Burrowes (who is now found to be a
Roman Catholic) those passages struck out by Dr. Haywood were
interlined afterwards, and were printed according to Burrowes's
falsifications. The book being thus printed, gave great and just
offence, especially to myself, who upon the first hearing of it,
gave present order to seize upon all the copies, and to burn them
publicly in Smithfield. Eleven or twelve hundred copies were seized
and burnt accordingly."[48]
The following is the proclamation for suppressing the book:--
"By the King.
"A proclamation for calling in a book entituled An Introduction to
a Devout Life; and that the same be publikely burnt.
"Whereas a book entituled An Introduction to a Devout Life, was
lately printed by Nicholas Oakes of London, and many of them
published and dispersed throughout the realme, the copy of which
book being brought to the Chaplaine of the Lord Archbishop of
Canterbury for licence and allowance, was by him, upon diligent
perusall, in sundry places expunged and purged of divers passages
therein tending to Popery. Neverthelesse, the same book, after
it was so amended and allowed to be printed, was corrupted and
falsified by the translator and stationer, who between them
inserted again the same Popish and unsound passages; and the
stationer is now apprehended, and the translator sought for, to
be proceeded against according to justice. His Majesty, out of
his pious and constant care to uphold and maintain the religion
professed in the Church of England in its purity, without error
or corruption, doth therefore hereby declare his royall will and
pleasure to be, and doth straitly charge and command all persons,
of what degree, quality, or condition soever, to whose hands any of
the said bookes are or shall come, that without delay they deliver
or send them to the Bishop or Chancellor of the Diocesse, whom
his Majestie requireth to cause the same to be publikely burnt,
as such of them as have beene already seized on have been by His
Majestie's expresse command; and to this His Majestie's royall
pleasure, he requireth all his loving subjects to yeeld all due
conformity and obedience, as they will avoid the censure of high
contempt.
"Given at our Court at Whitehall, the fourteenth day of May in the
thirteenth yeare of our reigne.
"God save the King.
"Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's most
excellent Majestie; and by the Assignes of John Bill. 1637."
73.
The Jubilee of Jesuits. Circa, 1640.
In this book it was contained that the Papists should fish in
troubled waters while the King was at war with the Scots, with
prayers in it for the holy martyrs that suffered in the Fleet sent
against the heretics in England, 1639. It is undoubtedly the same
work as is entitled "Jubileum sive speculum Jesuiticum opera et
studio I.L.W.O.P.," of which there is a reprint in the British
Museum dated 1643. On the 14th November, 1640, Thomas Chude and
John Clay were called in before the House of Commons to testify
touching this book, when Chude declared he had one in his custody;
he had it from a woman at Redriffe, wife to H. Goodwell, a cobbler,
whose wife was a Papist; he delivered the book the same day he had
it to the Sheriff of London, Sheriff Warner.[49]
74.
Information from the Estaits of the Kingdome of Scotland to the
Kingdome of England. 1640.
By a proclamation of March 30th, 1640, "against libellous and
seditious pamphlets and discourses sent from Scotland," this
tract was prohibited on account of its containing "many most
notorious falsehoods and scandals to the dishonour of His Majesty's
proceedings with his subjects in Scotland."
75.
Mr. Maynard's Speech before both Houses in Parliament, upon
Wednesday, the 24th of March, in reply upon the Earle of Strafford's
Answer to his Articles at the Barre. 1641.
On April 6th, 1641, it was ordered by the House of Commons that
enquiry should be made after the printer and venter of this speech,
and that all diligence was to be used in suppressing the same.[50]
A copy exists in the British Museum Library.
76.
The Anatomy of Et cætera. Or the unfolding of that dangerous Oath
in the close of the Sixth Canon, As it was contrived by the Bishops
and some of the Clergie in their late Oath Ex Officio, cunningly
obliging the Consciences of His Majestie's Subjects to observe and
obey whatsoever errours they would impose. Condemned and dissected
in a passionate Conference betwixt the two zealous Brothers Roger
and Ralph, penned at the first injunction of the new Canons, and
now publisht since their abolishment. By an Oxfordshire gentleman.
London, 1641.
On August 24th, 1641, it was resolved by the House of Commons that
Richard Heren should be sent for as a delinquent by the Sergeant at
Arms for printing this pamphlet; and also that Thomas Bray, an Oxon
scholar, who turned the pamphlet out of poetry into prose should
also be sent for as a delinquent.[51]
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It commences
thus:--
"Two of the zealous Tribe being inspired, as they tearmed it, and
having a greater parcell of the spirit than at other times, after a
great deal of chat, now concerning this thing, and now concerning
that thing, at last drew themselves as far as the _New Canons_,
where they read, but yet you must not thinke that it was without
rubbes and jarres, but comming to the _Sixth Canon_ that ended
with _Et cætera_, at the very sight of which he swelled as much as
_Goliah_ with his weaver's beam, and thus began to break forth in
these or the like tearmes.
"_Roger._ I that have behaved my selfe so well, that now I am in
sincerity elected a Zealous Brother, I that having my worth seen
am for it rewarded with twenty Nobles _per annum_, besides what
I collect every year from our Female Charity, considering with
myselfe what a vile and indiscreet thing these new Oathes and
Canons are, I am even wrapt besides my selfe, and with this very
word, or letter, or syllable, or whatsoever it is, I must and will
dissect it.
"_Ralph._ Why brother _Roger_? Art thou of so shallow capacity as
thou makest thyselfe to be? Have patience pray, and rather finde
fault with the Printer than with the thing printed, or rather with
him which set the Printer on worke than with the Printer himselfe,
these times are corrupted, for why? corrupt men have ruled us here
in this Land.
"Here could _Roger_ hold no longer, but like to a Beardog, he
yawnes, and barkes, and bawles, saying,
"_Roger._ In sincerity brother _Ralph_, thou doest not know what an
urging this is to me, see what a vile mishapen monster it is, this
_Et cætera_, God blesse us! is a Limbe of the Devill;" &c., &c.
And it concludes thus:--
"Well, these two Zealous Brothers had dranke so long together that
they played the beasts, like a couple of drunken rogues, &c., and
then they must needs quarrell, and make themselves and Religion
in them to be scoffed egregiously, and indeed it is an ancient
proverbe, _When theeves fall out, true men come by their goods_.
"It chanced that Roger gave Ralph some words in his drinke, which
did not very well please him, which made Ralph break out beyond the
bounds of modesty, and told him that he was a dissembling knave,
and that he could prove him so, for said Ralph, _Is it not the
part of a knave to carry another man's wife so far as Banbury in
Oxfordshire, and there to live with her, and keep her as your owne
wife? fie, fie, for shame_.
"_Nay_, said Roger, _hic-up, if you go to that, hic-up, you are as
arrant a knave as my selfe, hic-up, for do you remember, you Slave
you, how you wisht your wife in the Low Countries, to say, that
you were her brother, because she was fair, and that it might be
said that you imitated Abraham, when he was a good man, whereas
thou art a stinking Rogue._
"Thus they brawled, and scolded, and scolded, and brawled, till
they fell asleep, in which pickle I left them."
77.
The order and course of passing Bills in Parliament. 1641.
On June 3rd, 1641, the House of Commons referred to the Committee
concerning printing, the consideration of the printing of this
book, and they were to report to the House what they thought fit
to be done therein; and to send for the printer thereof, and the
parties who conceived themselves to be prejudiced by that false
copy.[52]
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.
78.
The true relation of the French Ambassage. 1641.
On July 12th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the printing
of this pamphlet be referred to the Committee for printing,
where Sir Edward Dering had the chair; and on the 18th November
following, it was further ordered that Alsop the printer should be
summoned to attend and answer such matters as should be objected
against him concerning the printing of this pamphlet, and that some
course was to be considered for preventing inordinate printing for
the future.[53]
79.
The Copy of a Letter sent from the Earle of Holland to an Honourable
Lord at the Parliament. 1641.
On August 20th, 1641, the House of Commons referred to the
Committee concerning printing to enquire who printed this letter,
and to take some course and propound it to the House for preventing
the inordinate licence of printing. On enquiry it was found that
Thomas Symonds was the printer, and it was resolved that he should
be sent for as a delinquent for printing this letter without any
order of Parliament, after that he was acquainted with the order
of the House inhibiting the printing of anything concerning the
proceedings of that House.[54]
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.
80.
Sir Kenelme Digbye's Honour Maintained by a most couragious Combat
which he fought with the Lord _Mount le Ros_, who by base and
slanderous words reviled our King. Also the true relation how he went
to the King of France, who kindly intreated him, and sent two hundred
men to guard him so far as Flanders. And now he is returned from
Banishment, and to his eternall honour lives in England. Printed at
London for T. B., 1641.
A pamphlet of five pages, of which there is a copy in the British
Museum Library. On the title page is a rough woodcut representing
two men fighting a duel.
On November 24th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the
Committee for printing should enquire after the printing of this
book.[55]
81.
A terrible outcry against the loytering exalted prelates. By H.
Walker. 1641.
On December 20th, 1641, the House of Commons resolved that Walker
should be sent for as a delinquent by the Sergeant at Arms for
being author of this pamphlet; and the printing of this and
other books by the same author was referred to the Committee for
printing.[56]
82.
Noli me tangere is a thinge to be thought on. Or Vox carnis sacræ
clamantis ab Altari ad Aquilam sacrilegam. Noli me tangere ne te
perdam. 1642.
On January 31st, 1641/2, the House of Commons referred this book
to the Committee for printing, to enquire out the author and the
printer thereof.[57] It has an engraved frontispiece wherein is
represented an "_Altare_," upon which an offering is consuming in
fire, "_Ignis sacer_;" above the offering is "_Sancto nomini caro
sacra_." An eagle grasps at part of the offering, "_offam rapit
Aquila carbone adhærente_;" another eagle hovers above, with a
second portion, "_Portat ad pullos in nido_," and flying towards
a nest, "_Aquilæ nidus_," which is in the branches of a tree. On
the trunk of the tree is "_Ardet carbone nidus quo perit soboles
impiæ genitricis_." An Eye is visible in clouds, inscribed "_Vidit
offensus Oculus supremi_;" also a clenched fist, above which is
"_Percutit extensa manus supremi_." Rays proceed from the eye
downwards over the altar and its adjuncts, and are respectively
inscribed "_Advertit peccatorem in progrediendo_," "_Aspicit
peccatorem in peccando_," "_Acceptat sacrificia peccatorem
condonando_," and "_Accipit peccatorem sacrificia comburendo_."
A ray is directed to the nest, and inscribed "_Animadvertit in
peccatorem posteros plectendo_." The old British Museum Catalogue
ascribes the authorship of this tract to Mr. Ephraim Udall.
83.
The Lord Digbies Speech in the House of Commons to the Bill of
Attainder of the Earle of Strafford, the 21 of April, 1641. Printed
in the yeare 1641.
On July 13th, 1641, the House of Commons resolved that this speech
contained untrue and scandalous matters concerning the proceedings
of the Committees of the Lords and Commons, and that the publishing
and printing of that speech by Lord Digby, after a vote passed in
that House, was scandalous to the proceedings of that House, and a
crime; and it was also ordered that all the books so printed should
be publicly burnt on the following Friday, in various parts of
London by the Common Hangman.[58]
A copy exists in the British Museum Library.
84.
Master Glyn's Reply to the Earle of Strafford's defence of the
severall Articles objected against him by the House of Commons.
London. Printed for Lawrence Chapman, 1641.
On May 11th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that this speech,
which was printed and went under Mr. Glynne's name, should be
suppressed and the printer punished: and the Master and Wardens of
the Stationers' Company were to attend the House to employ their
best endeavours accordingly.[59]
A copy exists in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and
contains 56 pages.
85.
Verses lately written by Thomas, Earle of Strafford. 1641. A folio
broadside, containing nine seven-line stanzas.
On May 14th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the
consideration of printing these verses be referred to the Committee
for printing of books.[60]
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. The verses are
as follows:--
(I.)
"Go, Empty Joyes,
With all your noyse,
And leave me here alone,
In sweet sad silence to bemoane
Your vaine and fleet delight,
Whose danger none can see aright,
Whilest your false splendor dimmes his sight.
(II.)
Goe and insnare
With your false ware,
Some other easie Wight,
And cheat him with your flattering Light;
Raine on his head a shower
Of Honours, favor, wealth, and power;
Then snatch it from him in an houre.
(III.)
Fill his big minde
With gallant winde
Of Insolent applause;
Let him not fear all-curbing Lawes,
Nor King nor People's frowne,
But dreame of something like a Crowne,
And climing towards it, tumble downe.
(IV.)
Let him appeare
In his bright Sphere
Like _Scynthia_ in her pride,
With star-like troups on every side;
Such for their number and their light,
As may at last orewhelme him quite,
And blend us both in one dead night.
(V.)
Welcome, sad Night,
Griefe's sole delight,
Your mourning best agrees
With Honour's funerall Obsequies.
In _Thetis'_ lap he lies,
Mantled with soft securities,
Whose too much Sunshine blinds his eyes.
(VI.)
Was he too bold,
That needs would hold
With curbing raines, the day,
And make _Sol's_ fiery Steeds obay?
Then sure as rash was I,
Who with ambitious wings did fly
In _Charles_ his Waine too loftily.
(VII.)
I fall, I fall;
Whom shall I call?
Alas, can he be heard,
Who now is neither lov'd nor fear'd.
You, who were wont to kisse the ground,
Where e're my honor'd steps were found,
Come catch me at my last rebound.
(VIII.)
How each admires
Heav'n's twinkling fires,
When from their glorious seat
Their influence gives life and heat.
But O! how few there ar',
(Though danger from that act be far)
Will stoop and catch a falling star.
(IX.)
Now 'tis too late
To imitate
Those Lights, whose pallidnesse
Argues no inward guiltinesse:
Their course one way is bent.
The reason is, there's no dissent
In Heaven's high Court of Parliament.
London, printed 1641.
86.
The Saint's Beliefe. By John Turner. 1641. A folio broadside.
On May 18th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that this
publication be referred to the Committee for printing as concerning
the printer; and that the Stationers' Company be strictly required
to use all their endeavours to suppress those copies; and that John
Turner, who names himself the author, be sent for as a delinquent
for his boldness in causing a new belief to be printed without
authority, during the sitting of parliament.[61]
The accompanying folding page contains an exact reprint, line
for line, of this eccentric paper, of which a copy exists in the
British Museum Library.
THE
SAINTS
BELIEFE.
[Sidenote: a Gen. 1, 1. Prov. 16, 4. b 1 Joh. 5, 7. c Joh. 10, 30. 1
Joh. 5, 7. d Gen. 1, 2. Joh. 1, 1, 2, 3. e Ro. 3, 24. Ephe. 1, 7. f
Psal. 97, 10. Phil. 4, 7. g Tit. 2, 11. Jo. 11, 25. h Col. 2, 9. Mat.
1, 23. i 1 Tim. 2, 5. Act. 2, 22. Heb. 7, 24. k 1 Joh. 4, 9. Joh. 3,
17. l Isay. 7, 14. Luk. 2, 7. m John 11, 48. John 19, 12, 15, 16. n
Mat. 27, 35. o Joh. 19, 33. p Luk. 23, 43, 46. q Joh. 19, 41, 42. r 1
Cor. 15, 4. s Act. 1, 9, 10, 11. Joh. 20, 17. t Heb. 1, 3. u Act. 3,
21. w 1 Joh. 2, 12. Joh. 1, 29. x 1 Thes. 4, 16, 17. y Mat. 25, 32. z
Mat. 1, 2, 36.]
_I Beleeve in one Almighty_ God, [a] _Creator and maker of all
things, [b] distinguished in three, Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost:
[c] but not divided, [d] all working together in the Creation, [e]
Redemption, [f] preservation, [g] and salvation of Man_. _The Son
our_ Lord Jesus Christ, [h] God [i] _and Man_; [k] _begotten and
sent by the Father; [l] conceived and born of the Virgin Mary,
[m] suffered under the Roman power_, Pilate _being Judge; [n]
crucified [o] dead, [p] and his soule immediately received by_ God
_his Father; [q] and his body buried; [r] rose againe the third
day according to the Scriptures; [s] and ascended into heaven;
[t] sits at the right hand of_ God; [u] _whom the heavens must
contain for a time; [w] in whom all our sins are forgiven; [x] and
from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead; [y]
before whom every one shall appeare, [z] to give an account [a] of
every evill thought, [b] idle word, [c] vaine oath, and [d] wicked
action_. _And I beleeve in the Holy Ghost, [e] sent by the Father
and the Sonne to teach and leade [f] his Elect in all truth, [g]
instituting by his Apostles particular Churches here on earth,
and no other; [h] every ordinance of _God_ belonging to every one
of them; [i] all of equall authority, no one being greater or
lesser then other, either in power or priviledges; [k] who must
serve him as he hath commanded in his holy Scriptures; [l] both
in ordinances, [m] and order, [n] in their own Faith; [o] with a
pure conscience; [p] all Beleevers being bound in duty to have and
hold communion in some one of them; [q] and that every Church hath
power from GOD to elect and ordaine their own Officers, [r] receive
in Beleevers, [s] and Excommunicate any one of them that lives in
transgression, without the helpe or assistance of any; [t] no one
member being more free then another. [u]_
_And I beleeve I am bound in conscience to GOD to honour and obey
my Father, Mother, King, Master, and every Officer under him,
whether they be Christians, irreligious, Idolaters, or Heathens.
The Commandement requires obedience to every one of them of what
Religion soever they be equall, and alike. [w] And I beleeve the
bodies of the just shall rise to life everlasting, [x] and the
wicked to everlasting perdition, &c._
a Gen. 6, 5. 1 Cor. 3, 20. b Mat. 12, 36. c Exo. 20, 7. Mat. 5, 34,
35, 36, 37. Jam. 1, 26. d Rev. 22, 12. Mat. 25, 41, 45, 46. e Joh.
14, 26. Joh. 15, 26. Joh. 16, 13. f Col. 3, 12. 1 Pet. 1, 2. Rom.
9, 11. g Mat. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Rev. 1, 11. Gal 1, 2. h 1 Cor.
3, 21, 22, 23. Psal. 149, 7, 8, 9. i 2 Cor. 12, 13. 1 Cor. 5, 12,
13. k Joh. 15, 10, 14. Joh. 5, 39. l Rev. 22, 18. Deut. 5, 32. Mat.
28, 20. m Col. 2, 5. 1 Cor. 14, 40. 1 Cor. 15, 2. Levi. 10, 1, 2. 1
Chro. 13, 9, 11. 1 Chro. 15, 13. Num. 15, 16. n 2 Tim. 1, 13, 14.
Mat. 9, 22. Mark 16, 16. Heb. 11, 6. o 1 Tim. 19, 1. Joh. 3, 20. p
Heb. 10, 25. Mat. 18, 17, 18, 19, 20. q Acts 6, 2, 3, 5. Act. 14,
23. Act. 1, 15, 23, 26. Ezek. 33, 2. Numb. 8, 10. r 2 Cor. 2, 7, 8.
Joh. 3, 10. s Mat. 18, 17, 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 5, 12, 13. Acts 11,
2, 3, 4. t Ro. 2, 11. Deut. 1, 17. Jam. 2, 9. Acts 11, 2, 3, 4. u
Ro. 13, 2, 3, 4, 5. Exo. 20, 12. Ephes. 6, 5, 10. 1 Cor. 15. Mat.
25, 34. x Isay. 30, 33. Mat. 25, 41, 46.
_Pro._ 22, 6. Teach a Child in the trade of his way, and when he is
old he shall not depart from it.
1 _Thes._ 5. Try all things, keep that which is good.
_Acts_ 17, 11. These were also more noble men then they which were
of Thessalonica, which received the Word with all readinesse, and
searched the Scriptures dayly, whether these things were so.
1 _Sam._ 15, 22. To obey is better then sacrifice, and to hearken
then the fat of rammes.
By me JOHN TURNER, Prisoner of our _Lord Jesus Christ_ (committed
by the Bishops) neare 14 yeares; for affirming CHRIST JESUS _hath
left in his written word sufficient direction to order his Church
and Children in his worship: So that nothing may be done, over
nor above, nor besides, what is commanded therein, by a Precept,
an Example, or a true gathered consequence_; which I dare not but
affirme, though I die for the same. And now delivered (as abusively
Imprisoned all this time) by the most Honourable
Lords in Parliament, 1641.
1 _Cor._ 15, 57. Thanks be unto God which hath given us victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
87.
The declaration of Colonel Goring to the House of Commons upon his
examination concerning the late conspiracie against the state and
kingdome. With the report of that worthy gentleman, Mr. Fynes, to the
House of Commons from the Committee upon the examination of severall
gentlemen concerning the same, 19th June, 1641.
On June 28th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that this book be
referred to the Committee for printing, and they were to use their
best diligence in enquiring as to the printer.[62]
88.
The Protestation protested, or a short remonstrance showing what is
principally required of all those that have or doe take the last
Parliamentary Protestation. 1641.
On July 10th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the Committee
for printing should take this book into consideration, and examine
the printer thereof, and discover the author; and on August 24th
following, it was further ordered that Gregory Dexter, printer,
who printed this pamphlet and was therefore committed prisoner to
the Gatehouse, should be bailed.[63] A copy of this book is at the
British Museum, and a manuscript note on the title page ascribes
its authorship to H. Burton, of whom mention has been previously
made.
89.
The Brownists' Conventicle: or an assemble of Brownists, Separatists,
and Non-Conformists, as they met together at a private house to
heare a Sermon of a brother of theirs neere Algate, being a learned
Felt-maker. 1641.
On the title page of this curious tract (of which there is a copy
in the British Museum Library) there is a woodcut which represents
four men seated at a table after a meal, and listening to one
who appears half an idiot, and is named "_simple Robin_"; on the
right is a man kissing a woman, and saying, "_A little in zeale
good sister Ruth._" The tract refers to the numerous "Hereticks,
Schismaticks, Novellists, Separatists," and other sects of
this time, including Thraskites or Sabbatarians, Banisterians,
Brownists, Anabaptists, Familists, Adamists, "who have their
private meetings when they will not heare the Word preached nor
have the Sacrament administered unto them but naked, not so much as
fig-leave breeches upon them, thinking thereby to imitate our first
parents in their innocency."
On July 12th, 1641, this tract was referred by the House of Commons
to the Committee for printing.[64]
90.
The order and form for Church Government by Bishops and the Clergy of
this kingdom. N. d.
On July 23rd, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that this pamphlet
be referred to the Committee for printing; and that the author and
printer be enquired after.[65]
91.
The Heads of severall Petitions and complaints made against, 1.--Sir
John Connyers, Lieutenant Generall of the Horse in the Northerne
expedition. 2.--Dr. Heywood, of St. Gyles in the Fields. 3.--The
Parishioners of St. Mary Woolchurch. 4.--Dr. Fuller of St. Giles,
Cripplegate. 5.--Mr. Booth, of St. Botolph's, Aldersgate, Touching
the Rayles about the Communion Table, the Pictures in Glasse
windowes, and weekely Lectures; and read before the Committee,
October 16, 1641. London, Printed for John Thomas, 1641.
On October 23rd, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the
Stationers' Company should enquire and inform the House who printed
this "scandalous pamphlet."[66] A copy exists in the British Museum
Library. It is in quarto, and contains four pages.
92.
A Petition directed to the House of Lords by the inhabitants of the
County of Herts. 1642.
This is contained in a tract of which there is a copy in the
British Museum Library, entitled: "Two Petitions of the Knights,
Gentlemen, Freeholders, and others of the Inhabitants of the County
of Hertford. The one to the Right Honourable House of Peeres, the
other to the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Honourable
House of Commons assembled in Parliament. Delivered by at least
4000 Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants of the
County of Hertford, January 25, 1641. London." Printed by a perfect
copy for John Wright, dwelling in the Old Bailey. 1642.
On the title page of this tract is a small woodcut representing
an old man standing under a tree, from which he is lopping some
branches, with a scroll over his head inscribed "noli altvm sapere."
On January 25th, 1642, the House of Commons ordered that a
Committee should examine who printed this petition, and who was
the author of it, and brought it to be printed. Martin Eldred, of
Jesus College in Cambridge, on being brought to the bar, said that
he did not compose the petition, but one Thomas Herbert, once of
Trinity College, did compose it; and that he was in the company of
Herbert when he composed it, and that it was composed at the Sign
of the Antelope, and afterwards sold it to John Greensmith for two
shillings and sixpence. John Greensmith the stationer was called
in, and confessed that Eldred and Herbert brought the petition
unto him, and that one Barnaby Alsop, of Bread Street, printed it;
he also confessed that he had printed sundry pamphlets of these
men's composing: viz.--_Good News from Ireland_, and _Bloody News_,
and the _Cambridge Petition_, and that he had two shillings and
sixpence a piece for them. It was thereupon resolved that Eldred
and Greensmith should be committed prisoners to the Gatehouse,
and that Herbert and Alsop should be sent for as delinquents; but
shortly afterwards Eldred and Greensmith were liberated.[67]
The following is a copy of the petition complained of:--
"To the Right Honovrable the
Hovse of Peeres now assembled
in Parliament.
"The humble Petition of Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other
inhabitants of the County of Hertford
"Sheweth,
"That the Petitioners having hitherto with much patience waited
for, and with great confidence expected the happy progresse of
this Parliament, and therein the removall of all those grievances
under which they have a long time groaned, and the perfect
Reformation of Church and Commonwealth, They are now constrained
to represent unto this Honourable House, the manifold feares,
troubles, and distractions wherewith they are incompassed, ariseing
from that hellish and bloody rebellion in _Ireland_, acted by the
Papists against our Bretheren by Nation and Religion, apparently
threatning the losse of that Kingdome, the extirpation of the
Protestants Religion there, and extreame prejudice, if not ruine
of this Kingdome, From the want of timely and powerful supplies
to suppresse those Rebells, the not granting ample Commissions
to those who have bin ready to take up Armes against them, the
not passing of the Acts for impressing Soldiers to that service,
and the delayes in acceptance of the worthy offer of the South
Nation to send 10,000 Soldiers thither, From the continuance of
the Prelacy, and multitude of erronious and scandalous Ministers
in this Kingdome; the Insolency of the Papists their being armed:
the want of execution of Justice against Priests and Jesuits
already condemned, and other notorious Delinquents; the many
desperate plots and designes attempted against the Parliament
and Kingdome by the Popish and Prelaticall party; the great
and unparrelled breaches lately made upon the Priviledges of
Parliament, endangering the overthrow of the very being thereof,
and the destruction of divers of its Members, worthy Patriots of
their Country; the not disclosing and punishing of those persons
who counselled the same; The unpreparednesse of the sea Forts
and other strengths of this Kingdome by Sea and Land against
any Invasions, and the continuance of divers of them in unsafe
hands, wherein the Parliament (and in them the whole Kingdome)
cannot confide, the delay of putting the Kingdome into a posture
of Warre, for their better defence; the misunderstanding between
his Majesty and the Parliament, and the want of Compliance by
this Honourable House with the House of Commons, in entertaining
those many good Motions and passing those necessary Bils presented
to you from that House for the Common good. All which springs
and causes of your Petitioners' feares and distractions, having
occasioned the totall decay of trade, and great scarcity of money,
and thereby impoverishing and unsetlement of the whole Kingdome,
and tending so exceedingly to the indangering of his Majestie's
honour and dignity, and the peace and safety of this Kingdome:--the
Petitioners doe verily beleeve, that as the same received their
first being from the Popish and Prelaticall party, so have they
hitherto beene continued, and will be (it is to be feared) daily
increased by the Voting of the Popish Lords and Bishops in this
Honourable House (whose interests in respect of Religion, their
owne standings, or otherwise are at this time so contrary to the
happinesse of this Kingdome) and by the continuance of wicked
Councellors and evill Ministers of State about his Majestie.
"The Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that all the foresaid
Causes and springs of their feares and troubles may be speedily
removed: And (for the effecting thereof) that the evill Councellors
and others hindring the publike good may be taken from his
Maiestie, and the voting of the Popish Lords and Bishops removed
out of this Honourable House; And that the Petitioners (who shall
be ever ready to hazard their lives and Estates for the deffence
of the King and Parliament, the Priviledges of the same, and in
speciall those noble Lords and Gentlemen in both Houses, whose
endeavours are for the publike good) may have liberty to protest
against all those as enemies to this Kingdome, who refuse to joyne
with those Honourable Lords and the House of Commons for the
putting of the Kingdome into a way of safety under the Command of
such persons as the Parliament shall appoint.
"And your Petitioners shall daily pray, &c."
93.
The Resolution of the Roundheads to pull downe Cheapside Crosse.
Being a zealous Declaration of the Grievances wherewith their
little Wits are consumed to destruction. And what things they
in their wisedome (yet left them) conceive fit to bee Reformed.
Also the Answer to the Rattle-Heads, Concerning their fictionate
Resolutions of the Round-Heads. Wherein is explained every particular
therein contained against them, with many godly Counsells to Doctor
_Little-wit_: the Composer of their former scurrilous and illiterate
Pamphlet. London, printed 1641.
On February 1st, 1641/2, the House of Commons ordered that this
pamphlet should be referred to the Committee for printing; and
Stephen Buckle, in St. Martin's, London, who was said to be the
printer, was ordered to attend the Committee.[68]
A copy of this curious pamphlet is in the British Museum Library.
It commences thus:--
"Whereas we are through our great ignorance and obstinacy growne
to a most seditious and malignant head, and the hornes of that
head (though of a maine length) not able to support our arrogant
faction, as appeares by our last being soundly slasht and
bastinadoed by a mad crew called the Cavallery; and whereas a great
part of us have shut up our shops because wee could no longer keepe
them open, which kind of shutting up proceedeth commonly from
our vast expence in White broths, Custards, and other luxurious
Dishes provided for the Edification one of another. And whereas the
multitude, called true Protestants, endeavour to hold up Bishops,
to maintaine good Order, Discipline, and Orthodox preaching in the
Church, Learning and Arts in the Universities, and peace in the
Commonwealth; all which is nothing but Idolatry, superstition,
prophanenesse, and plaine Popery: and further, whereas wee (who are
nothing properly but _Roundheads_ and _Prickeares_) who are in most
scandalous manner termed Puritans, Holy Brethren, the Zealots of
the Land, and which in sincerity wee never were, or ever will be:--"