Page:VCH Bedfordshire 1.djvu/395

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY divine service,' and for not wearing a surplice at the time of common prayer. Oliver, the vicar's son, was also presented for being absent from evening prayer on Sundays and robbing an orchard. The quarrel between the vicar and churchwardens continued for a long time, as similar pre- sentments were made against the former in 1616, which were not pro- ceeded with. At the same time the vicar presented John Barnes, the churchwarden, for refusing to forbid the playing of 'stooleball,' football and swearing on Sunday. 1 The visitation of Archbishop Laud in 1 634 (deputed to Sir Nathaniel Brent) showed Puritan influence to be strong in the county ; but only one deprivation is recorded at this time — that of Peter Bulkley, rector of Odell, ejected for refusing to wear the surplice or to use the sign of the cross in baptism. The visitation was especially directed to the restora- tion of the chancels ; but very few details are preserved. 2 Conspicuous among those who sympathized with the reforms of Laud were Hugh Reeve, rector of Ampthill, Dr. Pocklington, rector of Yelden and fellow of Pembroke Hall, and Giles Thorne of St. Mary's, Bedford ; the two latter were deputy commissioners for the archbishop in the ecclesiastical courts of the county. 3 It was therefore not surprising that when the tables were turned, and the Parliament undertook to reform the Church by measures even more drastic than Laud's, these three men should be reckoned under the head of ' superstitious, innovating and scandalous ministers,' and removed accordingly. The county of Bedford was one of those which sent in a petition for the abolition of episcopacy on 25 January 1640— 1.* Several private petitions came in at about the same time. The first was against Dr. Pocklington, whose books, Altare Christianum and Sunday no Sabbath had made him a marked man. The Lords were asked to call him to answer the charge of idolatry and superstition, and for defending in his pamph- lets those ' innovations unhappily introduced into the Church.' 6 The next was a petition from one parishioner of Ampthill, on behalf of the rest, praying for an inquiry into the popish doctrines and practices of Hugh Reeve, and annexing articles ' whereby it doth plainly appear that he is at heart a popish recusant.' 6 A third came from John Wallinger, churchwarden of St. Paul's, Bedford, complaining of the treatment he had received from Giles Thorne, Dr. Pocklington, and others in the ecclesiastical courts. 7 Another was sent in by the vicar of Stevington against Dr. Walter Walker, late ecclesiastical commissary for Bedford- shire, because of his exactions, and his enforcing of ' ceremonials of bowings, wearings of surplices, officiating within the communion rails,' 1 Hist. MSS. Com. iii. 275. 2 Cat. of S. P. Bom. Chas. I. 1634. p. 205 ; and History of the Willi) Hundred, W. M. Harvey, p. 366 (for the deprivation of Peter Bulkley). The entry in the parish register of Pertenhale under the date 1634, recording that the church possessed 'a Communion table and rails, a silver chalice and paten, a pewter flagon and a holland surplice,' has evidently some reference to this visitation {Beds N. and Q. ii. 319). 3 S. P. Dom. Chas. I. ccccxcix. No. 89, 1643 (Depositions of John Wallinger). ' Hist, of the Engl. Church under the Commonwealth, Dr. W. A. Shaw, i. 26. 6 Hist. MSS. Com. iv. 39, 13 Jan. 1 640-1. 6 Ibid. 16 Jan. 7 Ibid. p. 4S, 8 Feb. I 337 43