1569-] TH RISING OF THE NORTH. 117 The bishops, who were sure of Elizabeth's counten- ance in persecuting Puritans, could not trust to be sup- ported if they meddled with the other side ; and it was not till her present alarm that the Queen was roused to preachers that lately came thither to preach. Few churches have their quarter sermons according to the Queen Majesty's injunctions. ' In Boxgrave is a very fair church, and therein is neither parson, vicar, nor curate, but a sorry reader. 'In the Deanery of Medhurst there are some beneficed men which did preach in Queen Mary's days, and now do not nor will not, and yet keep their livings. ' Others be fostered in gentlemen's houses, and some betwixt Sussex and Hampshire, and are hinderers of true religion and do not minister. Others come not at their parish church nor receive the Holy Communion at Easter ; but at that time get them out of the country until that feast be passed and return not again until then.
- They have many books that were
made beyond the seas and they have them there with the first ; for ex- hibitioners goeth out of that shire and diocese unto them beyond the seas. As to Mr Stapleton, who, be- ing excommunicated by the Bishop, did fly and avoid the realm, these men have his goods and send him money for them. ' In the church of Arundel cer- tain altars do stand yet still to the offence of the godly which murmur and speak much against the same. ' They have yet in the diocese in many places thereof images hidden and other Popish ornaments ready to set up the mass again within 24 hours' warning, as in the town of Battle and in the parish of Linde- field, where they be yet very blind and superstitious. ' In the town of Battle, where ft preacher doth come and speak any- thing against the Pope's doctrine, they will not abide, but get them out of the church. ' In many places they keep yet their chalices, looking to have mass again, whereas they were commanded to turn them into communion cups after our fashion, keeping yet weight for weight. Some parishes feign that their chalices were stolen away, and therefore they ministered in glasses and profane goblets. ' In many places the people can- not yet say their commandments, and in some not the articles of their belief. ' In the cathedral church of Chi- chester there be very few preachers resident of thirty-one prebendaries scarcely four or five. ' Few of the aldermen of Chi- chester be of a good religion, but are vehemently suspected to favour the Pope's doctrine ; and yet they be justices of the peace.' MSS. Domestic, Rolls Souse.
