The Diary of Thomas Burton: 27 January 1657-8

Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 2, April 1657 - February 1658. Originally published by H Colburn, London, 1828.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'The Diary of Thomas Burton: 27 January 1657-8', in Diary of Thomas Burton Esq: Volume 2, April 1657 - February 1658, (London, 1828) pp. 372-373. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/burton-diaries/vol2/pp372-373 [accessed 24 April 2024]

Wednesday, January 27, 1657.

The House, according to former order, met to keep a day of public humiliation. The exercises began at ten o'clock, and held till half an hour past five. (fn. 1)

Mr. Calamy's (fn. 2) text was Isaiah ix. 12.

Mr. Griffith's (fn. 3) text was 2 Chronicles xx.

Both were very good sermons. The first smelled Presbyterian; the other was for church government, but against imposing spirits; and it tasted a little of Court holy water.

The first professed himself never to have been a Court flatterer.

The exercises being done, it was moved that the ministers have the thanks of the House, and that they print their sermons, &c.

Mr. Scot and Major-General Haines were against their being printed, because preached within ourselves.

It was then moved for a collection for the poor, and agreed without putting any question.

Mr. Speaker said, he hoped he need not put a question upon it. (fn. 4)

Major Audley, and Alderman Gibbes and others, moved that speedy course be taken for ministers' maintenance, especially in Wales and the northern parts, which Mr. Griffith complained of much in his sermon, especially for poor Wales.

Footnotes

  • 1. The sermons at this period were very long, especially on public occasions. Thus Dr. Barrow occupied " three hours and an half" in delivering his famous Spital Sermon, "On the Duty and Reward of Bounty to the Poor." See Brit. Biog, vi. 322; Biog. Brit. i 637.
  • 2. See supra, p. 320, note. When "Monk had taken up his quarters in the city," while maturing his treachery in favour of Charles Stuart, though he "continued to make solemn protestations of his affection and fidelity to the Commonwealth-interest," Ludlow "resolved to make him a visit," and "was admitted, when Monk had taken leave of Mr. Edmund Calamy, and others of the clergy," with whom he had been "conferring in a private gallery." Memoirs, ii. 832, 833, 878.
  • 3. See supra, p. 321, note *.
  • 4. It was " Ordered; and that Mr. Darnall, the clerk-assistant, do attend near the door within the House, to receive the same as the members pass out." Journals. The following Orders are among the Parliamentary provisions for the poor:— "Dec. 4,1640.—Any member not taking a place upon his entering the House, or going from it to the disturbance of the House, or speaking aloud to hinder business, to pay One Shilling, to be divided between the serjeant and the poor. "Feb. 14,1643.—Such members as come after nine o'clock, to pay One Shilling to the poor." Parl. Guide (1784), pp. 455, 456.
PreviousTable of contentsNext