[277] "The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons in this Later Age;" by
Samuel Clarke. Folio, 1683. A rare volume, with curious portraits.
[278] Alexander Ross's laborious "View of all Religions" may also be
consulted with advantage by those who would study this subject.
[279] "The Hypocrite Discovered and Cured," by Sam. Torshall, 4to.
1644.
[280] There is a pamphlet which records a strange fact. "News from
Powles: or the new Reformation of the army, with a true Relation of
a Colt that was foaled in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, in
London, and how it was publiquely baptised, and the name (because a
bald colt) was called Baal-Rex!" 1649. The water they sprinkled from
the soldier's helmet on this occasion is described. The same
occurred elsewhere. See Foulis's History of the Plots, &c., of our
pretended Saints. These men, who baptized horses and pigs in the
name of the Trinity, sang psalms when they marched. One cannot
easily comprehend the nature of fanaticism, except when we learn
that they refused to pay rents!
[281] That curious compilation by Bruno Ryves, published in 1646,
with the title "Mercurius Rusticus, or the countrie's complaint of
the barbarous outrages committed by the sectaries of this late
flourishing kingdom," furnishes a fearful detail of "sacrileges,
profanations, and plunderings committed in the cathedrall churches."
[282] The festival of Corpus Christi, held on the first Thursday
after Trinity Sunday, was the period chosen in old times for the
performances of miracle-plays by the clergy, or the guilds of
various towns; for an account of them see vol. i. p. 352-362.
[283] There is a little "Treatise of Humilitie, published by
E.D.--Parson, sequestered"--1654; in which, while enforcing the
virtue which his book defends, he with much _naivete_ gives a strong
opinion of his oppressors. "We acknowledge the justice and mercy of
the Lord in punishing us, so we take notice of his wisdom in
choosing such instruments to punish us, _men of mean and low rank,
and of common parts and abilities_. By these he doth admonish all
the honourable, valiant, learned, and wise men of this nation; and
as it were write our sin, in the character of our punishment; and in
_the low condition_ of these instruments of his anger and
displeasure, the rod of his wrath, he would abate and punish our
great pride."