[191] Though they were reestablished in 1660 they were forever shorn of their ancient glory.

[192] The names of some of these broadsides, pamphlets, etc., have already been given.  To these may be added, The Spiritual Courts epitomised in a Dialogue betwixt two Proctors, Busie Body and Scrape-all, and their discourse of the want of their former imployment.  Others will be found in Mr. Stephen’s Catalogue.

[193] That is, a portable stone altar which had been consecrated and could be set up anywhere for mass.

[194] See order of the Wilts justices issued against such offenders, Oct., 1577. Hist.  MSS.  Com.  Rep. on MSS. in Var.  Coll., i (1901), 68.

[195] See indictment of an Essex jury at quarter sessions in 1585 against one Glasscock who spoke lightly of the ceremony of baptism, and rent out of a prayer book certain leaves where the ministration of baptism was set forth. Hist MSS.  Com.  Rep., x, Pt. iv, 480.

[196] Presentment to the Wilts justices, loc. cit. supra, 69 (1588), For excessive zeal of the justices of assize in Suffolk see State Papers Dom.  Eliz., 1591-4, P. 275 (Address of Suffolk gentry to Privy Council in 1592.  They complain of indictments against ministers on very trivial pretexts).  For the answer of the Council to this petition see Strype, Ann., ii, Pt. i, 268-9 (Lords write to judges to consult the spirit not the letter of law, and add their own suspicions that informers are mainly to be blamed if justice has miscarried).

[197] State Pap., loc. cit.

[198] Indictment of Essex jury, Hist.  MSS.  Rep., loc. cit. supra.

[199] Ibid.

[200] Information of the Wilts justices against one Dearling, parson of Upton Lowell, loc. cit. supra, 68 (1585).  Cf.  Chelmsford Acc’ts, Essex Arch.  Soc., ii, 212 (An item paid the clerk of assizes for framing the indictment of Chelmsford Hundred “against Puritisme.” 1592).

[201] These would be—­to cite the principal—­the ordinary upkeep of the church with its services and all its appurtenances whatsoever (see previous chapter); the finding of clerk and sexton; the care of the poor; maintaining of the local roads and bridges; purchasing and repair of parish armor, and mustering of parish contingents; contributions for prisoners and maimed soldiers; the keeping of the parish butts and the stocks; the destruction of frugivorous birds and animals (the statutory “vermin"), etc.

[202] The act-books are full of “detections” for being an “uncharitable person,” for “not giving to the poor,” etc.  See pp. 41 ff., supra.