THE VINDICATION OF THE Vicar of Istleworth, in the County of Middlesex.
From a scandalous Pamphlet, contayning one and twenty Articles; invented by some, closely; subscribed unto but by six, publiquely; presented but by one, openly; and now vented in print surreptitiously (in the name of the whole Parish) by a No-body.
Whereunto are likewise added certaine notorious Impieties and Misdemeanours of Gilbert Barrell Attorney, the Promoter: which shall be fairely and fully proved, upon just occasion.
By William Grant Vicar of Istleworth aforesaid.
Printed in the yeare 1641.
To the Reader.
MY hope is, that innocency shall have thy free leave to speake in a still voice; when envy, and mallice, and uncharitablenesse shall cry so lowd, and spare not: when it shall bee tould 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 shamelesse Calumniation; and suspend thy censure, till the truth it selfe shall have time to breake forth through such malignant clouds; and appeare in its owne native lustre.
THE PETITION.
THat the Parish of Istleworth is very populous, and full of Gentry and Citizens, and hath for these fortie yeares last past, had severall Lecturers there maintained at their own charge: and of late, one Mr. William Iemmet, Chaplaine to the Right Honourable, the Earle of Northumberland, a learned Divine, and of approved life, and conversation; who hath been for these fourteen years licensed by the Chancellour for our Lecturer, and accepted for such by Reverend Learned Doctors, Prebends of Windsor, successively Vicars of Istleworth aforesaid; untill of late▪ one Mr. William Grant, Chaplaine to the Bishop of Glocester, by the procurement of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is become the Vicar there; who hath put out the said Mr. Iemmet, and in his place, employed one Mr. Bifeld, a man of a very scandalous life, to bee Lecturer there, untill the Parishoners were preferring a Petition to the Parliament against them both: the said Mr. Grant being a man also erronious in opinion, scandalous in life, an exactour of undue fees, wholly unfit for that Sacred Function, as will appeare 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 lesse than a thousand communicants at the least; and yet, of all these, there were but six hands against mee in the petition; to wit, Richard Dawnton, William Smith, Gilbert Barrell▪ George Rushly, Gera Strong, Iohn Vincent: and I think I may boldly say it, that there is never a Parish in the whole Kingdome again, where there are so many communicants, but that there are six men in it, that doestand disaffected to their Minister.
[Page 5]2 That it is also full of Gentry and Citizens; but, for Citizens, there is not so much as one hand against mee; and, for Gentry, for ought 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 sixt, whether a gentleman or no, I know not.
3 That I am no Chaplaine to the Bishop of Glocester, neither ever was; and, that the only motive, which induced him to conferre his right in this Vicaridge of Istleworth upon mee, was meerely his respects unto my Father, Iohn Grant, Doctor of Divinity, who had formerly been his Tutor in Trinity Colledge, in the University of Cambridge.
4 That all that the Archbishop of Canterbury did in it, was only in writing unto the Deane and Chapter of Windsor, that, if the right of presentation were in the Bishop of Glocester (as it was, by a Chapter Act) I might not be deprived of it; hee having under his hand, conferred it upon mee.
5 That the Vicaridge, being a very poore thing of it selfe, I was ready, and willing for to supply the place wholly my selfe, that so I might adde to my meanes, and make them a competency: whereupon I gave Mr. Iemmet the Lecturer, a sufficient time to provide himselfe in; in which, hee did provide, and is now setled elsewhere, and that, in a better condition than he was before, as I shall bring very good proofe, from his owne mouth; withall declaring himselfe to be well enough, if they would let him alone; and so, for his part, hee suffered no dammage 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 retaine him so still. Concerning the scandalousness of his life, alleadged, as the Courts of Justice stand open for them against him; so, for my part, I am perswaded, he is able of himselfe, to answer for himselfe.
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. Iemmet from being Lecturer, though himself confesseth, that hee hath nothing against his life and conversation, [Page 6] but that hee did it, that hee might root out the puritanes there; and notwithstanding that the same Mr. Iemmet hath many small children▪ most of them bred in the same parish.
Answer.
For the putting out of Mr. Iemmet, it is already answered: but that I should use any such phrase, that I did it to root out the Puritans, it is as bould and as foule a calumny, as mallice it selfe could possibly have invented, or dishonesty broached. And, had they not both conspired, and strove together in it, of it selfe it had died in the Authors 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 Barrell Attorney; but, when I demanded of him at that same time, what witnesse or proof hee had of it, he answered, that one Mr. Lyster would avouch it; who no sooner heard of it, but did utterly disclaim it at severall times, both unto me and others; and will be ready, at any time (as he hath often told me) to witnesse the contrary to his face.
Article 2.
2 That Mr. Grant did promise Mr. Barrell, being Churchwarden (in the word of a Priest) that if the said Mr. Barrell would promise to pay him tenne pounds a yeare (which accordingly was done) then the said Mr. Iemmet should be received againe to be Lecturer, and added this execration; let this wine never passe thorow me (taking the glasse and drinking it off) if I make not good this promise: yet neverthelesse hee 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 soule, that hee 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 mee, should it have been said by any but him, who is a man so generally known what hee is. But, as for him, hee openly professed, before Sir Edward Spencer, and many more, upon occasion, that hee was almost drunk at the same time; and so indeed, I know not what dreames he might have afterwards; for, it is an execration that I have heard himselfe often using.
Article. 3.
3 That Mr. Grant patteth holinesse in places, and therefore threatned to present the said Mr. Barrell, being Church-Warden, for comming once within the raile about the Communion Table, for to receive the money which was collected at the Sacrament; and to put it into the poores box, according to the Rubrick, saying; none must come there but the Priest, for that it was holy ground.
Answer.
That the said Mr. Barrell, being Church-Warden, not comming himselfe to the Communion, not having been so much as once a Communicant with us, for this twelve-moneth together, came running into the Church, at the end of it; and, most uncivilly, snatcht away all the money that was given to the poore, as I was in telling it upon the Communion Table; and said, that hee would dispose of it himselfe 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 uncivill action, and intrusion, it having been alwayes the custome of my predecessors in the place having told the money) to dispose some part of it to such poore people, as hee knew to be necessitous; and to give the rest to the Church-Wardens, to bee disposed of as occasion served. But, that I should say, that it was holy ground, and none should come there but the Priest, is meerely an addition of his owne 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 hee then turnes to the Table, or to the East, and boweth himselfe.
Answer.
1 That there be many of the parish sitting at the seats about the Communion Table; and some of them, at my comming in, rising up, or moving themselves▪ in their respects unto mee, happily I may have bowed or bended towards them (as in civility I could doe no lesse) but to the Table I never did.
[Page 8]2 That, for my reading of the second Service at the Communion Table, I never did it, but only on communion dayes, which wee are enjoyned by the Rubrick, established by Act of Parliament.
3 That it was no innovation of mine, but was used to bee read there before ever I came into the parish.
4 That this Mr Barrell that now accuseth mee for reading of it there, was the sole occasion that ever it was read there, complayning unto Doctor Duck of him, who was then Curate, as a Puritan, and non-conformist, for not reading of it there; Whereupon (whether by injunction, or no; I know not) it was read there.
5 That when the word Iesus is named, I doe bow my selfe, it is freely confessed, as it is alleadged; and so doth the promoter too, not only at the word Iesus, but also of the Father too, or of the holy Ghost, which I doe not. But that, though my face be towards the west, I should immediately upon it, turne 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 Church-Wardens to forbeare reading the second Service at the Communion Table, hee answered, hee would not doe it to please the Puritans; and, that hee dares not doe otherwise; For, if it should be tould the Archbishop, all the friends hee had should not be able to perswade the said Archbishop, but that hee was afavourer of the Puritans.
Answer.
That I doe indeed remember a motion made by Mr. Barrell to this purpose, and it was in the presence of one Mr. Lyster, who can also testifie with mee, 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 mee; 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 hee 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 runne into, before there be sufficient meanes to support it.
Article. 7.
7 That hee hath said, that it will never be well with the Church of England untill confession bee set up in it.
Answer.
This Article I utterly deny.
Article. 8.
That hee hath spoken against the Doctrines of Predestination.
Answer.
What I have spoken against them sleeping, I am not able to say; but certaine 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 spake 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 deale for a man to employ his thoughts in the working out of his own salvation, than curiously to busie them in Gods disposall of others.
Article. 9.
9 That he hath affirmed, that pictures are lay-mens books; and that it is lawfull to have them in Churches, and Chappells; and [Page 10] hath desired the Church-Warden to set up the picture of a Saint in the Chancell; and that hee carrieth to Church with him a testament full of crucifixes, and pictures.
Answer.
1 That happily I might say in occasionall discourse (at the courteous table, and hospitable entertainment of Gilbert Barrell Attorney) that pictures are lay-mens books, as from the mouth of Gregory the great, whose speech it was, I do not deny it; but, that I should affirme it, as mine own opinion, I defie 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 scandalized, or offended at the sight of them in Churches; But that I should absolutely affirme the lawfulnesse of them in respect of others, or ever spake unto him for to set up the picture of a Saint in the chancell, I utterly deny, and abhorr it.
3 That I doe carry to Church with mee a Testament full of pictures I confesse 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 my selfe; 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 himselfe having long before my time (witnesse 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 hee hath affirmed, that hee had rather heare an organ (ten to one) in the Church, than singing of Psalmes; which, scoffingly, hee calls Hopkins his Jiggs; and commanded the Clarke, not to read them in the Church, so that the unlearned could not sing: and further, threatned to present the Church-Warden, if hee would not present one, who on Sunday read the Psalme to one that stood neere him.
Answer.
That I might also say in occasionall discourse, at the time and place [Page 11] aforesaid (for all's but table-talke, with one whose braine runnes upon wheels, and, at that time, ran upon nothing more, than such like discourses, some Priest, or Jesuite having been the last company hee was in, whom hee 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 grosse mistakes that often slipt from an old dotard, in his reading them to the congregation, and the unbeseeming noyse that was made in the Church, when they were read by severall men, in severall corners, I doe not deny: But that I had rather heare an Organ, tenne to one, than singing of Psalmes; that I should call them Hopkins his Jiggs, command the clarke not to read them, that the unlearned might not sing; and threaten to present the Church-Warden, if hee would not present one that read them, I also utterly deny and abhorre it.
Article. 11.
11 That hee useth very unbecomming speeches in his Sermons, as speaking of some popish tenents, he said, marry, as good luck is, wee have the Scripture against them; and, at another time, of the divells tentations, marry, as good luck was, God was stronger than the divell.
Answer.
All the unbecomming 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 alleadged) for my president and example, I find it as often used in holy writ: Good luck have thou with thine honour, sayes the Psalmist; And againe, It fortuned (writes St. John) that there was a wedding in Cana of Galile; and Iesus was at it: and if Mr. Pamphleter be such a master of speech as hee pretends to, he should do well to translate the Bible anew, that his eares may not be any more offended with the unbecomming expressions of the old Translators of it.
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 hee will bring it in againe, and maintaine it; and would have wine and tobacco for all that would come to his Vicaridge house on Sundayes 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 defie it. Indeed when I tooke possession of the Church, those gentlemen of the parish, who came along with mee in seeming curtesie to it, came also after along with me into the Vicaridge 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 glasse 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 (meerly in curtesie, upon my first acquaintance with them, and out of an honest desire, to hold and maintain brotherly love, and mutuall 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 bee 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 voyd; as to say, all good fellowship was laid aside in it, I doe not desire to bee 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 mee at such times in a civill way, and cast a most foule and unrequitable imputation upon my selfe, who was never yet found guilty in that kind, but doe challenge all the world to produce, and make good [Page 13] the least debauchednesse 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 Sabbathday; and that it is a greater day than all the Sabbaths in the yeare: and he also maintaines the book of Sports.
Answer.
That which I said, was at Sir Iohn Offlyes table, at dinner in Christmas week last past; The occasion was, upon the great commendation that one William Smith a Baker, gave of the Sermon that had bin preached in my Church on Christmas-day; whereupon, for my owne 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 processe 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 onely suffered it, but also practised it my selfe.
Article 16.
16 That hee is an ordinary Gamester at Cards, sitting up untill two or three in the morning.
Answer.
That I have indeed played at Cards in my Parish, and in Christmasse-time [Page 14] often, and sometimes, it may be, late; but yet, never neare so late as spoken of; and alwayes with those that were of good fashion and quality, where I was invited; And onely for honest, and civill recreation; never for lucre, or for any summe that's worth mentioning: And therefore, that I should thereupon, be thus scandalously reported of as an ordinary Gamester (having, as farre as I yet conceive, the same use of Christian liberty, in a faire 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 hee had been as neare the Pulpit, as the Bishop of Lincoln was to Doctor Heylin, hee 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 hee that preaching on Christmasse-Day last past, said in his sermon, that it was superstition to observe that Day. Whereupon, I, being asked by a Gentleman that sate 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 neare 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 wee shall have no Lecturer, if wee will not take such a man, as hee will put in; And that if wee 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 witnesse, of some of the best of the Parish, who will be ready to testifie with me, that I proffered, that if they would bring any man whatsoever, that came recommended unto mee, under the hands of Doctor Holdsworth, Doctor Styles, and Doctor Gouge, he should be welcome; [Page 15] 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 voyce 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 chuse 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 heeles.
Answer.
That, when I came first to the Place, I found one Lawrence Rutter Officiating the Place of Parish Clark; but yet, not having any right at all unto it, or legall possession of it, he offered mee (upon my comming) a summe 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 himselfe as befitted, I would continue him in it; And for his money, bade him onely give a neighbours Boy, that looked to my horse, five shillings a quarter, whiles I could provide my selfe of a man, he being himselfe an old man, and not able to doe 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 farre from taking from his wages, that whereas he had formerly given eight pounds a yeere out of the Place, to the maintenance of a wife and children of the former Clark, by the imposition of some of these Promoters, who had been the meanes to bring him in, and to turn the other out, that I took it off to fifty shillings, and bade him onely give the woman twelve pence a week, and keep the rest to himselfe: So farre was I from diminishing the wages of the Place.
Article 20.
20 That he exacts money for attendance upon Funerals, and other undue fees, foure or five times as much as have been within these seven yeeres; challenging, and taking by force, money which is due [Page 16] to the Church-Wardens for the time being, for Burialls in the Church, and Church-Porch.
Answer.
1 That, when I had waited at a Funerall, 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 generall; but, no summe 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 Church-Wardens, for the Burialls in the Church, or Church-Porch, is a most abominable falshood: Indeed, when a child, once, was buried in an Isle at the upper end of the Chancell, I then conceived, and so do still, that money for the ground belonged to mee; Whereupon▪ I received the money for it into my own hands▪, from the Clark who had it in his hands, and gave it presently as shall be proved into the hands of one of the Church-Wardens, for to keep by it selfe▪ till the right did appeare.
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 seldome, this Promoter, for the most part comming into the Church on the sudden, and snatching it away, I did immediately distribute every farthing of it amongst the poore, And, as for my saying, that it was money offered; and that it did belong to the Minister, I meant it onely of his disposall;▪ for, that was the Point in controversie.
Thus,
The aforesaid notorious impieties, and misdemeanours of Gilbert Barrell Attorney.
1 THat the said Gilbert Barrell, hath been seen comming out of the Queens Chappell, in time of Masse; and himselfe hath reported, that he sate there in a Romish Priests habit.
2 That being asked, why he went to Masse, he answered, that therefore hee did it, because he would not goe in a crowd, but turn Papist before hand.
3 That hee seriously professed, if hee were to begin the world againe, hee would bee a Jesuite, rather than of any other profession.
4 That hee plainely affirmed, hee had rather heare a Romish Priest preach, than any one, or all the Ministers of the Church of England: And that, if one should heare one of them but once, hee would hardly heare any of those of our Religion againe.
5 That hee 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 himselfe, hee 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 Common-wealth, by reason of delaying of justice upon those two great men, the late Earle of Strafford, and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Delaying of justice? sayes Master Barrell; I speak really and upon my conscience, they are absolutely two of the most pious [Page 18] and religious men, that are in the Kingdome of England.
7 That when the Railes 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 hee himselfe did command it to be done, and would justifie the doing thereof.
8 That being bound to the Peace, he ranne at my servant with a pitchfork, when he came only to make Tith-Hay upon his ground; and swore with many oathes, to be his death.
9 That upon occasion he said (before very good witnesse) there being speech made of Davids murther and adultery; his murther and adultery sayes Master Barrell, if hee had not committed murther, it had been no matter for his adultery.
10 That he often said and avouched, that if ever he fall out with any man, hee will never bee reconciled; and if ever it lie in his power, he will do him the greatest mischiefe he can.
11 That hee did most malitiously, and vexatiously (without any just ground or cause) arrest the foresaid Vicar twice in the Terme last past, and threatneth to doe 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 weeke in the Terme time; and was disabled by such vexatious suites to perform the same.
12 That one Lawrence Rutter, in the Parish of Istleworth, having bin displaced by the whole parish from officiating the place of Parish-clarke for most notorious misdemeanours, committed and confessed by him; the said Gilbert Barrell notwithstanding endeavoured to introduce him againe, by most unjust and indirect meanes, as namely by using the name of the Right Honourable the Earle of Northumberland in open Court, without any order at all from him; who, upon notice thereof, disclaimed it openly, and declared himselfe displeased thereat; by meanes whereof the Judges, being falsely possessed by him that it was his Lordships pleasure to have him restored, made a rule, that unlesse William Grant should referre his cause to the determination of the said Earle, 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 [Page 19] of his name. And notwithstanding, that the same Laurance Rutter was displaced by the whole parish, and another man chosen by them, and sworne and licensed for the place by the Civill Law; neither could find any reliefe upon his motion at the Common Law, but was also indited for his misdemeanour at the sessions in Hicks his Hall; and there bound upon it unto his good behaviour for a twelve-month; and after all this, was forbidden by the Iustices 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, untill such time as hee was evicted by law, being sworn and licensed thereunto; notwithstanding all this, I say, the said Gilbert Barrell 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 Iustice, and continuall disturbance of the whole congregation.
13 May 2▪ 1641. Gilbert Barrell Attorney, did openly and publickly disturbe William Grant, Vicar of Istleworth, as hee was preaching in the pulpit to his congregation, by most uncivill words and actions, by laughing, and jearing 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 hee was in preaching; insomuch, that not being able to proceed in his Sermon (as he himselfe then professed) hee broke off in his Sermon twice, at the first time called for a Psalme, and the second time dismissed us. Upon this misdemeanour the said Gilbert Barrell was indited at the sessions in Hicks his Hall last past; and it was found Billa Vera against him by the Iury.
14 Iuly 18. 1641. The said Gilbert Barrell laid violent hands on one Henry Bennet, Parish-Clark of the foresaid parish, to pluck him out of a pew, where hee was appointed by the Vicar to sit for to officiate; and againe, 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 disturbe it more yet: And presently thereupon, fell upon the foresaid disturbance. Upon this misdemeanor also, he was indited at the forenamed Session, & it was likewise [Page 20] found Billa vera against him by the foresaid Jury.
15 That the foresaid Gilbert Barrell (for the space of eleven or twelve weeks together, lately past) did most notoriously disturbe the whole Congregation, almost every Lords day, in some scandalous way, or other; As namely, sometimes by quarrelling and brawling with this and that man; sometimes by laughing and jearing; and sometimes clapping his hat on his head on the sudden, and running out of the Church in a most uncivill manner, both in time of Service, and Sermon.