THE VINDICATION OF THE Vicar of Istleworth, in the County of Middlesex. From a scandalous Pamphlet, containing one and twenty Articles; invented by some, closely; subscribed unto but by six, publicly; presented but by one, openly; and now vented in print surreptitiously (in the name of the whole Parish) by a Nobody. Whereunto are likewise added certain notorious Impieties and Misdemeanours of Gilbert barrel Attorney, the Promoter: which shall be fairly and fully proved, upon just occasion. By William Grant Vicar of Istleworth aforesaid. One Bow, six Strings, Shafts one and twenty shot, Discover plain a most malicious Plot: Yet in this malice, thus it doth befall, Or short, or wide, or over, they are all, But only one, * article 11 As good luck was, that hit him; His use of Scripture-phrase, will surely split him. Printed in the year 1641. To the Reader. Courteous Reader, MY hope is, that innocency shall have thy free leave to speak in a still voice; when envy, and malice, and uncharitableness shall cry so loud, and spare not: when it shall be told in Gath, and published in the streets of Ascalon, which was never so much as whispered in the bedchamber; or once so much as thought upon in the hidden closet of the heart. Lend also one glance to a modest Vindication, as thou hast done, formerly, to a shameless Calumniation; and suspend thy censure, till the truth itself shall have time to break forth through such malignant clouds; and appear in its own native lustre. W. G. THE PETITION. THat the Parish of Istleworth is very populous, and full of Gentry and Citizens, and hath for these forty years last passed, had several Lecturers there maintained at their own charge: and of late, one Mr. William jemmet, Chaplain to the Right Honourable, the Earl of Northumberland, a learned Divine, and of approved life, and conversation; who hath been for these fourteen years licenced by the Chancellor for our Lecturer, and accepted for such by Reverend Learned Doctors, prebend's of Windsor, successively Vicars of Istleworth aforesaid; until of late▪ one Mr. William Grant, Chaplain to the Bishop of Gloucester, by the procurement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is become the Vicar there; who hath put out the said Mr. jemmet, and in his place, employed one Mr. Bifeld, a man of a very scandalous life, to be Lecturer there, until the Parishioners were preferring a Petition to the Parliament against them both: the said Mr. Grant being a man also erroneous in opinion, scandalous in life, an exactor of undue fees, wholly unfit for that Sacred Function, as will appear in the following particulars, here humbly offered unto your grave consideration. The Answer. 1 That the Parish is indeed very populous, having in it no less than a thousand communicants at the least; and yet, of all these, there were but six hands against me in the petition; to wit, Richard Dawnton, William Smith, Gilbert barrel▪ George Rushly, Gera Strong, john Vincent: and I think I may boldly say it, that there is never a Parish in the whole Kingdom again, where there are so many communicants, but that there are six men in it, that doestand disaffected to their Minister. 2 That it is also full of Gentry and Citizens; but, for Citizens, there is not so much as one hand against me; and, for Gentry, for aught I know, there is but one, if one: two of them are Carpenters, a third, a Miller; a fourth, a Baker; a fift, an Attorney; the sixth, whether a gentleman or no, I know not. 3 That I am no Chaplain to the Bishop of Gloucester, neither ever was; and, that the only motive, which induced him to confer his right in this Vicarage of Istleworth upon me, was merely his respects unto my Father, john Grant, Doctor of Divinity, who had formerly been his Tutor in Trinity College, in the University of Cambridge. 4 That all that the Archbishop of Canterbury did in it, was only in writing unto the Dean and Chapter of Windsor, that, if the right of presentation were in the Bishop of Gloucester (as it was, by a Chapter Act) I might not be deprived of it; he having under his hand, conferred it upon me. 5 That the Vicarage, being a very poor thing of itself, I was ready, and willing for to supply the place wholly myself, that so I might add to my means, and make them a competency: whereupon I gave Mr. jemmet the Lecturer, a sufficient time to provide himself in; in which, he did provide, and is now settled elsewhere, and that, in a better condition than he was before, as I shall bring very good proof, from his own mouth; withal declaring himself to be well enough, if they would let him alone; and so, for his part, he suffered no damage by it. 6 That I found Mr. Bifield Curate of the place, when I came unto it; and all that I have done, is to retain him so still. Concerning the scandalousness of his life, alleged, as the Courts of Justice stand open for them against him; so, for my part, I am persuaded, he is able of himself, to answer for himself. 7 For the erroniousness of my opinions, and scandalousness of my life, and exaction of undue fees, I shall give answer to them, in their due place and time. Article. 1. 1 THat Mr Grant hath, ever since the Fast day in July last, put out the said Mr. jemmet from being Lecturer, though himself confesseth, that he hath nothing against his life and conversation, but that he did it, that he might root out the puritanes there; and notwithstanding that the same Mr. jemmet hath many small children▪ most of them bred in the same parish. Answer. For the putting out of Mr. jemmet, it is already answered: but that I should use any such phrase, that I did it to root out the Puritans, it is as bold and as foul a calumny, as malice itself could possibly have invented, or dishonesty broached. And, had they not both conspired, and strove together in it, of itself it had died in the Author's brain that forged it. Indeed, I was once upon occasion, taxed with it openly, before Sir Edward Spencer, and Sir Francis Darcy, by one Gilbert barrel Attorney; but, when I demanded of him at that same time, what witness or proof he had of it, he answered, that one Mr. Lyster would avouch it; who no sooner heard of it, but did utterly disclaim it at several times, both unto me and others; and will be ready, at any time (as he hath often told me) to witness the contrary to his face. Article 2. 2 That Mr. Grant did promise Mr. barrel, being Churchwarden (in the word of a Priest) that if the said Mr. barrel would promise to pay him ten pounds a year (which accordingly was done) then the said Mr. jemmet should be received again to be Lecturer, and added this execration; let this wine never pass thorough me (taking the glass and drinking it off) if I make not good this promise: yet nevertheless he put him out, as aforesaid, within six or eight weeks after that promise and execration. Answer. All this I utterly deny; and call God to record upon my soul, that he may as well say, that I denied the Trinity; or that I blasphemed the Holy Ghost: and should account it one of the greatest afflictions that ever befell me, should it have been said by any but him, who is a man so generally known what he is. But, as for him, he openly professed, before Sir Edward Spencer, and many more, upon occasion, that he was almost drunk at the same time; and so indeed, I know not what dreams he might have afterwards; for, it is an execration that I have heard himself often using. Article. 3. 3 That Mr. Grant patteth holiness in places, and therefore threatened to present the said Mr. barrel, being Churchwarden, for coming once within the rail about the Communion Table, for to receive the money which was collected at the Sacrament; and to put it into the poors box, according to the Rubric, saying; none must come there but the Priest, for that it was holy ground. Answer. That the said Mr. barrel, being Churchwarden, not coming himself to the Communion, not having been so much as once a Communicant with us, for this twelvemonth together, came running into the Church, at the end of it; and, most uncivilly, snatched away all the money that was given to the poor, as I was in telling it upon the Communion Table; and said, that he would dispose of it himself alone; and, that I should not know so much as what there was; whereupon I said, that I would present him for that his rude, and uncivil action, and intrusion, it having been always the custom of my predecessors in the place having told the money) to dispose some part of it to such poor people, as he knew to be necessitous; and to give the rest to the Churchwardens, to be disposed of as occasion served. But, that I should say, that it was holy ground, and none should come there but the Priest, is merely an addition of his own brain to aggravate the Article; and is as false as God is true. Article. 4. That the said Mr. Grant boweth to the Table when he goeth to it to say his second Service; and at all other times, as often as he goeth by it, and also, when the word Jesus is named, though his face be towards the West (when his Curate names that word) yet he than turns to the Table, or to the East, and boweth himself. Answer. 1 That there be many of the parish sitting at the seats about the Communion Table; and some of them, at my coming in, rising up, or moving themselves▪ in their respects unto me, happily I may have bowed or bended towards them (as in civility I could do no less) but to the Table I never did. 2 That, for my reading of the second Service at the Communion Table, I never did it, but only on communion days, which we are enjoined by the Rubric, established by Act of Parliament. 3 That it was no innovation of mine, but was used to be read there before ever I came into the parish. 4 That this Mr barrel that now accuseth me for reading of it there, was the sole occasion that ever it was read there, complaining unto Doctor Duck of him, who was then Curate, as a Puritan, and nonconformist, for not reading of it there; Whereupon (whether by injunction, or no; I know not) it was read there. 5 That when the word jesus is named, I do bow myself, it is freely confessed, as it is alleged; and so doth the promoter too, not only at the word jesus, but also of the Father too, or of the holy Ghost, which I do not. But that, though my face be towards the west, I should immediately upon it, turn it towards the East, let any man but the promoter say it, and I will acknowledge what I never was guilty of. Article. 5. That being desired by the Churchwardens to forbear reading the second Service at the Communion Table, he answered, he would not do it to please the Puritans; and, that he dares not do otherwise; For, if it should be told the Archbishop, all the friends he had should not be able to persuade the said Archbishop, but that he was afavourer of the Puritans. Answer. That I do indeed remember a motion made by Mr. barrel to this purpose, and it was in the presence of one Mr. Lyster, who can also testify with me, that my only answer was this, that, if it had not been used to be read there before, it should never have been put in use by me; but having been used there before, I would not meddle with the altering of it, without injunction, or permission, which afterwards when once I had from Doctor Duck, in his visitation, I presently did. Article. 6 6 That he hath affirmed, that the marrying of the Clergy, is the undoing of the Clergy. Answer. Not unlikely but I have; neither know I, as yet any reason, why I should recant it: for, for my part, I know not (as yet) any thing that makes more to the undoing of Clergy men, or other; or, that will bring more misery upon them, than the estate of wedlock rashly run into, before there be sufficient means to support it. Article. 7. 7 That he hath said, that it will never be well with the Church of England until confession be set up in it. Answer. This Article I utterly deny. Article. 8. That he hath spoken against the Doctrines of Predestination. Answer. What I have spoken against them sleeping, I am not able to say; but certain I am, that waking, I never did: as for the Pulpit, I have learned better obedience to authority than to meddle in it with points forbidden; and, for other, table or winter fires discourses, to my knowledge, I never spoke so much as a syllable concerning them to any of my parish, but only once to one gentleman, who inviting me to supper, in private discourse after it, desired my opinion in those points: my answer was (as I well remember) that for my part, I thought it better a great deal for a man to employ his thoughts in the working out of his own salvation, than curiously to busy them in God's disposal of others. Article. 9 9 That he hath affirmed, that pictures are laymen's books; and that it is lawful to have them in Churches, and Chappells; and hath desired the Churchwarden to set up the picture of a Saint in the Chancel; and that he carrieth to Church with him a testament full of crucifixes, and pictures. Answer. 1 That happily I might say in occasional discourse (at the courteous table, and hospitable entertainment of Gilbert barrel Attorney) that pictures are laymen's books, as from the mouth of Gregory the great, whose speech it was, I do not deny it; but, that I should affirm it, as mine own opinion, I defy it. 2 That I might also (at the same time and place) say some such thing, as that, for mine own part, I was not scandalised, or offended at the sight of them in Churches; But that I should absolutely affirm the lawfulness of them in respect of others, or ever spoke unto him for to set up the picture of a Saint in the chancel, I utterly deny, and abhor it. 3 That I do carry to Church with me a Testament full of pictures I confess it, but it was such a one as was printed in Scotland; and I have carried it but sometimes neither; only, when I have not been to preach myself; and that, never for the pictures sake, but only in regard of the book of Common-Prayer, which is in it, having it in no book else beside; this promoter himself having long before my time (witness the whole parish) most commonly and frequently brought the very same kind of book along with him to the same Church. Article. 10. 10 That he hath affirmed, that he had rather hear an organ (ten to one) in the Church, than singing of Psalms; which, scoffingly, he calls Hopkins his Jigs; and commanded the Clerk, not to read them in the Church, so that the unlearned could not sing: and further, threatened to present the Churchwarden, if he would not present one, who on Sunday read the Psalm to one that stood near him. Answer. That I might also say in occasional discourse, at the time and place aforesaid (for all's but tabletalk, with one whose brain runs upon wheels, and, at that time, ran upon nothing more, than such like discourses, some Priest, or Jesuit having been the last company he was in, whom he is well known to have much and often converse with) I say, that I might have also, at the same time and place, seemed to approve of, for my own particular, the use of Organs in the Church, and to disapprove some particular expressions in Master Hopkins; the gross mistakes that often slipped from an old dotard, in his reading them to the congregation, and the unbeseeming noise that was made in the Church, when they were read by several men, in several corners, I do not deny: But that I had rather hear an Organ, ten to one, than singing of Psalms; that I should call them Hopkins his Jigs, command the clerk not to read them, that the unlearned might not sing; and threaten to present the Churchwarden, if he would not present one that read them, I also utterly deny and abhor it. Article. 11. 11 That he useth very unbecoming speeches in his Sermons, as speaking of some popish tenants, he said, marry, as good luck is, we have the Scripture against them; and, at another time, of the devil's tentations, marry, as good luck was, God was stronger than the devil. Answer. All the unbecoming speeches I have used in my Sermons, so mouthed out against in the pamphlet, are only one phrase twice used (the phrase of, good luck is) which if I have (though never as is alleged) for my precedent and example, I find it as often used in holy writ: Good luck have thou with thine honour, says the Psalmist; And again, It fortuned (writes St. John) that there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee; and jesus was at it: and if Mr. Pamphleter be such a master of speech as he pretends to, he should do well to translate the Bible anew, that his ears may not be any more offended with the unbecoming expressions of the old Translators of it. Article. 12. 12 That he calleth the book of Martyrs, a book of lies. Answer. That I am not of such a judgement, neither ever was. Article. 13. 13 That he said, that all good fellowship was laid aside in the parish, but he will bring it in again, and maintain it; and would have wine and tobacco for all that would come to his Vicarage house on Sundays after Prayers, and he doth make it good, harbouring there at such times, the deboist sort tippling. Answer. That I ever said such words, I utterly deny and defy it. Indeed when I took possession of the Church, those gentlemen of the parish, who came along with me in seeming courtesy to it, came also after along with me into the Vicarage house; and, among other words (as I well remember) I told them, if they would be pleased, to refresh themselves in it I should take it kindly; and, it may be, I might use the phrase, that a glass of wine, or a pipe of tobacco should be for them that pleased. But, why this speech of mine, that was spoken to those gentlemen (merely in courtesy, upon my first acquaintance with them, and out of an honest desire, to hold and maintain brotherly love, and mutual charity amongst my neighbours) should be so traduced, as that I desired to make the same a tipplinghouse for the deboist sort, let the reader judge; or how I could possibly be so well versed in the parish, where I had never in all my life time been before, or had ever so much as heard of the place till it was void; as to say, all good fellowship was laid aside in it, I do not desire to be mine own judge in it. 2 That I should make it good, as they say, by harbouring there at such times the deboist sort tippling: it must needs be a secret aspersion upon their betters, who have been there with me at such times in a civil way, and cast a most foul and unrequitable imputation upon myself, who was never yet found guilty in that kind, but do challenge all the world to produce, and make good the least debauchedness or tippling that was in it, since I came into the Place. Article. 14. That he hath said, that the Sabbath-day is no more than another day; and that Christmas-day is an higher day than the Sabbath-day; and that it is a greater day than all the Sabbaths in the year: and he also maintains the book of Sports. Answer. That which I said, was at Sir john Offlyes table, at dinner in Christmas week last passed; The occasion was, upon the great commendation that one William Smith a Baker, gave of the Sermon that had been preached in my Church on Christmas-day; whereupon, for my own part, I professed much dislike of it, for that he said plainly in it, that it was superstition to observe that day: and so in process of words, further added, that it was as great and as high a day as the Sabbath-day; in respect of its meaning and signification; and my reason was, That the Sabbath-day was first instituted in memory of the Creation, but Christmas-day in memory of our Redemption. Article 15. 15 That he will not suffer any to pray for the sick in the Pulpit; but useth the Prayer appointed for visiting the sick. Answer. That I have used the Prayer appointed for visiting the sick, and also wished my Curate to do the like, I do not deny; but that I should ever forbid, or not suffer the praying for them in the Pulpit, it is a most notorious untruth, having often (as is well known) not only suffered it, but also practised it myself. Article 16. 16 That he is an ordinary Gamester at Cards, sitting up until two or three in the morning. Answer. That I have indeed played at Cards in my Parish, and in Christmasse-time often, and sometimes, it may be, late; but yet, never near so late as spoken of; and always with those that were of good fashion and quality, where I was invited; And only for honest, and civil recreation; never for lucre, or for any sum that's worth mentioning: And therefore, that I should thereupon, be thus scandalously reported of as an ordinary Gamester (having, as fare as I yet conceive, the same use of Christian liberty, in a fair way, as others have) I leave it to the censure of the World. Article 17. That when one, preaching there, reproved soule-murdering Ministers, the said Mr. Grant said, that if he had been as near the Pulpit, as the Bishop of Lincoln was to Doctor Heylin, he would have pulled him out of the Pulpit. Answer. This Article is in part answered already. This Preacher, they speak of, that reproved so stoutly soule-murdering Ministers, was he that preaching on Christmasse-Day last passed, said in his sermon, that it was superstition to observe that Day. Whereupon, I, being asked by a Gentleman that sat in the Pew with me, why I would suffer such a fellow to preach in my Pulpit, my answer to him, in his care, was this, how can I help it? but, if I were as near unto him, as the Bishop of Lincoln was to Doctor Heylin, I would also give a knock: And this was all to a syllable. Article 18. 18 That we shall have no Lecturer, if we will not take such a man, as he will put in; And that if we will not be so contented, we shall be contented with one Sermon in a month, that he will preach. Answer. This Article is utterly false: For I can bring very good witness, of some of the best of the Parish, who will be ready to testify with me, that I proffered, that if they would bring any man whatsoever, that came recommended unto me, under the hands of Doctor Holdsworth, Doctor Styles, and Doctor Gouge, he should be welcome; and have the free-liberty of my Pulpit as Lecturer; And have also often said it in open Vestry to them all (which will also be testified, and cannot be denied) that let every man in the Parish that paid any thing towards a Lecturer, have his free voice also in the choice, that so the major part of the whole Parish might carry it; And then, in the name of God, they might choose whom they pleased. Article 19 19 That he takes away part of the Clarks wages, and gives it to a Boy that rubs his horses heels. Answer. That, when I came first to the Place, I found one Laurence Rutter Officiating the Place of Parish Clark; but yet, not having any right at all unto it, or legal possession of it, he offered me (upon my coming) a sum of money, for to continue, and establish him in it; my answer was, that establish him I would not; but, as long as he should carry himself as befitted, I would continue him in it; And for his money, bade him only give a neighbour's Boy, that looked to my horse, five shillings a quarter, whiles I could provide myself of a man, he being himself an old man, and not able to do it for me; and that was all that I would require of him; which accordingly for two quarters, and no more, he did. Now, I was so fare from taking from his wages, that whereas he had formerly given eight pounds a year out of the Place, to the maintenance of a wife and children of the former Clerk, by the imposition of some of these Promoters, who had been the means to bring him in, and to turn the other out, that I took it off to fifty shillings, and bade him only give the woman twelve pence a week, and keep the rest to himself: So fare was I from diminishing the wages of the Place. Article 20. 20 That he exacts money for attendance upon Funerals, and other undue fees, four or five times as much as have been within these seven years; challenging, and taking by force, money which is due to the Churchwardens for the time being, for Burials in the Church, and Church-Porch. Answer. 1 That, when I had waited at a Funeral, from two of the clock till six before they went to the Church with the Corpse, I did indeed, put down in my Bill for Attendance in the general; but, no sum at all concerning it in the particular; leaving it wholly to themselves. 2 For undue Fees, I never took any, or ever (at any time) more than was accustomed. 3 For taking by force, money that was due to the Churchwardens, for the Burials in the Church, or Church-Porch, is a most abominable falsehood: Indeed, when a child, once, was buried in an Isle at the upper end of the Chancel, I then conceived, and so do still, that money for the ground belonged to me; Whereupon▪ I received the money for it into my own hands▪, from the Clerk who had it in his hands, and gave it presently as shall be proved into the hands of one of the Churchwardens, for to keep by itself▪ till the right did appear. Article 21. 21 That he receiveth the money collected at the Sacrament, and saith that it is money offered; And therefore doth belong to him being Priest there. Answer. That, when ever I received it, which was seldom, this Promoter, for the most part coming into the Church on the sudden, and snatching it away, I did immediately distribute every farthing of it amongst the poor, And, as for my saying, that it was money offered; and that it did belong to the Minister, I meant it only of his disposal;▪ for, that was the Point in controversy. Thus, The Bow is broke; Strings cracked; the Shafts all lost: Assaulting and insulting malice crossed. The aforesaid notorious impieties, and misdemeanours of Gilbert barrel Attorney. 1 THat the said Gilbert Barrel, hath been seen coming out of the Queen's Chapel, in time of Mass; and himself hath reported, that he sat there in a Romish Priests habit. 2 That being asked, why he went to Mass, he answered, that therefore he did it, because he would not go in a crowd, but turn Papist before hand. 3 That he seriously professed, if he were to begin the world again, he would be a Jesuit, rather than of any other profession. 4 That he plainly affirmed, he had rather hear a Romish Priest preach, than any one, or all the Ministers of the Church of England: And that, if one should hear one of them but once, he would hardly hear any of those of our Religion again. 5 That he commonly brings Pamphlets to the Church, and reads them in time of Divine Service and Sermon: And, at one time he brought a Ballad, which having read himself, he gave to a Gentlewoman in the next Pew to read it also. 6 That being overtaken in his way to London, by a Gentleman, who discoursing concerning the great distraction that was in the Commonwealth, by reason of delaying of justice upon those two great men, the late Earl of Strafford, and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Delaying of justice? says Master barrel; I speak really and upon my conscience, they are absolutely two of the most pious and religious men, that are in the Kingdom of England. 7 That when the Rails about the Communion-Table, were riotously broken down by a Tumultuous Company of the said Parish, it being in question before the Justices at Brainford, he said openly, before the same Justices, that it was his act and doing; that he himself did command it to be done, and would justify the doing thereof. 8 That being bound to the Peace, he ran at my servant with a pitchfork, when he came only to make Tith-Hay upon his ground; and swore with many oaths, to be his death. 9 That upon occasion he said (before very good witness) there being speech made of David's murder and adultery; his murder and adultery says Master barrel, if he had not committed murder, it had been no matter for his adultery. 10 That he often said and avouched, that if ever he fall out with any man, he will never be reconciled; and if ever it lie in his power, he will do him the greatest mischief he can. 11 That he did most maliciously, and vexatiously (without any just ground or cause) arrest the foresaid Vicar twice in the Term last passed, and threatneth to do the same day by day, to the great interruption of him in his Ministry, who is Lecturer in the Collegiate Church of Westminster, to preach there twice a week in the Term time; and was disabled by such vexatious suits to perform the same. 12 That one Laurence Rutter, in the Parish of Istleworth, having been displaced by the whole parish from officiating the place of Parish-clarke for most notorious misdemeanours, committed and confessed by him; the said Gilbert barrel notwithstanding endeavoured to introduce him again, by most unjust and indirect means, as namely by using the name of the Right Honourable the Earl of Northumberland in open Court, without any order at all from him; who, upon notice thereof, disclaimed it openly, and declared himself displeased thereat; by means whereof the Judges, being falsely possessed by him that it was his Lordship's pleasure to have him restored, made a rule, that unless William Grant should refer his cause to the determination of the said Earl, that writ should issue forth to restore him, which accordingly did; and was recalled again by the aforesaid Judges, upon information of his Lordships disclaiming such abuse of his name. And notwithstanding, that the same Laurance Rutter was displaced by the whole parish, and another man chosen by them, and sworn and licenced for the place by the Civil Law; neither could find any relief upon his motion at the Common Law, but was also indicted for his misdemeanour at the sessions in Hicks his Hall; and there bound upon it unto his good behaviour for a twelvemonth; and after all this, was forbidden by the justices of Peace at their sessions in Brainford by a warrant under their hands, not to make any disturbance, in the Church by officiating, but to suffer Henry Bennet quietly to officiate there, until such time as he was evicted by law, being sworn and licenced thereunto; notwithstanding all this, I say, the said Gilbert barrel doth still encourage, and command the aforesaid Rutter, that was thus displaced; to officiate the place of parish▪ Clark, to the high affront and contempt of justice, and continual disturbance of the whole congregation. 13 May 2▪ 1641. Gilbert barrel Attorney, did openly and publicly disturb William Grant, Vicar of Istleworth, as he was preaching in the pulpit to his congregation, by most uncivil words and actions, by laughing, and jeering in his face on the sudden, and immediately after that reading of a pamphlet, and refusing and denying openly to lay it aside, or to sit out of sight, being requested thereunto by the said Vicar as he was in preaching; insomuch, that not being able to proceed in his Sermon (as he himself then professed) he broke off in his Sermon twice, at the first time called for a Psalm, and the second time dismissed us. Upon this misdemeanour the said Gilbert barrel was indicted at the sessions in Hicks his Hall last passed; and it was found Billa Vera against him by the Iury. 14 july 18. 1641. The said Gilbert barrel laid violent hands on one Henry Bennet, Parish-Clark of the foresaid parish, to pluck him out of a pew, where he was appointed by the Vicar to sit for to officiate; and again, getting within him, heaved and thrust at him with like violence, in the time of Divine Service: who being admonished by the Curate beforehand, that he disturbed the whole Congregation; do I said he? I will disturb it more yet: And presently thereupon, fell upon the foresaid disturbance. Upon this misdemeanour also, he was indicted at the forenamed Session, & it was likewise found Billa vera against him by the foresaid Jury. 15 That the foresaid Gilbert barrel (for the space of eleven or twelve weeks together, lately passed) did most notoriously disturb the whole Congregation, almost every Lord's day, in some scandalous way, or other; As namely, sometimes by quarrelling and brawling with this and that man; sometimes by laughing and jeering; and sometimes clapping his hat on his head on the sudden, and running out of the Church in a most uncivil manner, both in time of Service, and Sermon. One bow, one string, and shafts, though not so many, Be broke, or cracked, or snapped by him, or any. Sic clavis simul & pellitur, & infigitur. FINIS.