BOOK

I.

Answer. The commissioners of sewers of the Isle, having made a law that the occupiers of fishings and all waters should cleanse their waters, I leased Laurence Johnson and others certain waters heretofore; not binding my self to scowre them. Notwithstanding he refused to do any cost upon them; nor would suffer his under tenants to do it. 101 And to bragg out the matter the better, he hath let them over to Austin Styward, and occupieth them himself under him. Notwithstanding this summer past, I have scored them at my own charges for the necessity of the country. And yet he complaineth that he is troubled.

2. Item, The bishop onely of malice, and without any just cause, caused the said Johnson to be bound to the good abearing.

Answer. This is maliciously uttered. He compared my wife in his talk to Jezabel, for a matter which she never heard of. Which was complained of to the justice. Who wrot unto me, that he was content to submit himself. Which notwithstanding he did not perform. And at the next sessions, he denyed that he had offended me, but said openly in the face of the court, that I had done him wrong. Whereupon the justice bound him to the good abearing. For the which how outragiously the lord North before a good number, intolerably taunted the chief justice, because he presumed to touch his man, it doth plainly appear. Be sides this, it is witnessed to me and other justices, that the said Johnson did prick forward one Bownet to complain of me to the honourable council. And besides that, I was credibly informed from time to time, how leudly and un dutifully he hath used his tongue against me and others. Whereupon I discharged him of mine underkeepership. And straitways the lord North took him to be his man.

3. Item, The bishop took certain kine from Johnson without warning, and contrary to covenant.

Answer. It is false that any kine was taken from him contrary to covenant. For I let him have twelve kine from year to year: which were all I had in my park at that time. And for that he liked not of the bargain that my servant

made with him, but said, he was a looser by them, they BOOK were taken again, when the year was ended.

4. Item, The bishop took a common marsh from the town of Somersham, and demised it by lease to his wife's brother.

Answer. It is utterly untrue that I have let a common. But true it is, that I have let a lease unto mine auditor of a several marsh pertaining to my self and my successors; containing about xx acres, lying in Bluntesham parish. Which neither I nor divers of my predecessors made any account of: for that it was for the most part always drowned, and at this hour is. And because he doth intend to bestow cost to drain it, and bank it, to keep it hereafter from drowning, I was the willinger to let him have it.

I.

APPENDIX.

BOOK II.

Number I.

Jan. 29, 1576.

The names of all such, as be certified into the exchequer, to be fugitives over the sea, contrary to the statute of an. 13 Eliz. &c. And in what countries they inhabited.

A prayer composed by Pilkington, afterwards bishop of Durham, suited to the beginning of the reformation of religion under queen Elizabeth.

MOST righteous Judge, and merciful Father, which of love didst punish thy people [the Jews] being negligent in building thy house: that by such sharp correction, they might be stirred up to do their duty, and so have pleased thee: wee acknowledge and confess before the world and thy divine majesty, that we have no less offended thee in this behalf then they have don. And that for all the sharp

BOOK plagues which you laid upon us, we could not awake out of II. our dead sleep, forgetting the earnest promotion of thy

glory and true religion: but rather consented to the persecution of thy true and faithful people. Until now of thy unspeakable goodness, by giving us a gracious queen, and restoring the light of thy word, thou hast letten us tast of the tresures of thy mercy. Wee fall down therefore flat before the throne of grace, desiring pardon of this great negligence, and of all our former offences, and pray thee, that thou wilt not deal with us as we have deserved: but as of thine own free will thou promisedst thy people, falling earnestly to thy work, and restoring of thy temple, that from thence forward thou wouldest bless all their works and fruits, overthrow their enemies, and save thy people: that thou wouldest make that house also more glorious than the first, by the preaching of thy gospel: so we desire thee for Christ's sake, to be no less good and gracious Lord unto us, yet once again going about to restore thy true religion, trodden down and defaced by the cruel papists.

Send forth, O Lord, many such faithful preachers, as will set out thy glory unfeignedly. Open the hearts of thy people, that they may see how far more acceptable unto thee is the 104 lively preaching of thy holy word, than all the glittering ceremonies of popery. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from all our enemies. Save and preserve our gracious queen as thine own signet. Endue her and her counsil with such reverend fear of thee, that, all policy which is contrary to thy word set apart, they may uprightly seek and maintain thy true glory, minister justice, punish sin, and defend the right. Confound, most mighty God, and bring to nought all the devices of such as go about to overthrow thy word and true worship. Open our eyes, that we may see how dearly thou hast loved us in Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord. Hold us fast, O Lord of hosts, that we fall no more from thee. Grant us thankful and obedient hearts, that we may encrease daily in the love, knowledge, and fear of thee. Encrease our faith, and help our unbelief. That we being provided for, and relieved in all our needs by thy fatherly care