THE COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO AN HONOURABLE Lord, by Doctor Paske, Subdeane of CANTERBURY.  
London printed, September 9 1642.   

THE COPY OF A Letter sent to an Honourable LORD.  
My ever honoured Lord,  
DId it not conduce unto the Public, I should not presume to interrupt your Lordship's weighty affairs, but the long experience of your Lordship's zeal for Religion, and vigilancy for your University of Cambridge, hath assured me of your Lordship's Patronage of our whole Church in general, and (as the case now stands) of this Mother-Church in particular: We expected peace, but have found much trouble from the Troopers sent among us: With what barbarousness they have behaved themselves at Rochester, and in other parts of this County, I leave to the Relation of others, and beg your Lordship's patience only to be informed what hath happened here with us, and wherein I am more nearly concerned by mine office in the absence of our Dean.  
Colonel Sandis arriving here with his Troops on Friday night, presently caused a strict Watch, and sentines to be set, both upon the Church, and upon our several houses, to the great affright of all the Inhabitants. This done, Sergeant Major Cockaine came to me, and in the name of the Parliament, demanded to see the Arms of the Church, and the Store-powder of the County, which I presently shown him, when he possessed himself of the Keys, and kept them in his own custody. The next morning we were excluded the Church, and might not be permitted to enter, for the performance of our Divine exercises, but about 8. of the Clock, Sir Michael Linesey, attended with many Soldiers, came unto our Officers, and commanded them to deliver up the Keys of the Church to one of their company, which they did, and thereupon he departed: When the Soldiers entering the Church and Choir, Giantlike began a fight with God himself, overthrew the Communion Table, toare the Velvet Cloth from before it, defaced the goodly Screen, or Tabernacle work, violated the Monuments of the dead, spoiled the Organs, broke down the ancient Rails and Seats, with the brazen Eagle that did support the Bible, forced open the Cupboards of the Singing men, rend some of their Surplices, Gowns, and Bibles, and carried away others, mangled all our Service-bookes, and Books of Common-prayer, bestrowing the whole Pavement with the Leaves thereof; A miserable spectacle to all good eyes: But as if all this had been too little to satisfy the fury of some indiscreet Zealots among them (for many did abhor what was done already) they further exercised their malice upon the Arras hang in the Choir, representing the whole Story of our Saviour; wherein observing divers figures of Christ (I tremble to express their Blasphemies) One said, here is Christ, and swore that he would stab him; another said, here is Christ, and swore that he would rip up his bowels, which they did accordingly, so fare as the Figures were capable thereof, besides many other villainies: And not content therewith, finding another Statue of Christ in the Frontispiece of the South-Gate, they discharged against it, forty shot at the least, triumphing much when they did hit it in the head or face, as if they were resolved to Crucify him again in his Figure, whom they could not hurt in Truth.  
Nor had their fury been thus stopped, threatening the ruin of the whole Fabric, had not the Colonel, with some others come to the relief and rescue.  
The Tumults appeased, they presently departed for Dover, from whence we expect them this day, and are much afraid, that as they have already vilified our Persons, and offered extreme indignity to one of our Brethren, so they will plunder our houses at their return, unless the care of the Mayor, the Colonel, and some Members of the House of Commons (Sir Edward Masters, and Captain Nut now with us) who have promised to present their knowledge to that Honourable House) do prevent the same.  
YOur Lordship will be pleased to pardon my hasty expressions, which proceed from a grieved heart, and I am confident the Honourable Houses of Parliament being rightly informed herein, will provide against the like abuses and impieties in other places; In the mean time we submit with patience to the Providence of him who can and will bring good out of evil, which is the earnest Prayer of  
Your Lordship's most obliged Servant. Christ-Church Cant. Aug. 30. 1642.