History of the Puritons in England and the Pilgrim Fathers (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849 edition. Excerpt: ...honourable that which it pleased, and for just that which. profited; and becoming a court of law to determine civil rights; and a court of revenue, to enrich the treasury--the Council-table, by proclamations, enjoining to the people that which was not enjoined by the laws; and the Star Chamber, which consisted of the same persons in different rooms, censuring the breach and disobedience to these proclamations, by very great fines, imprisonments, and corporal severities, (cropping of ears, slitting of noses, branding of faces, whipping and gagging.) That any disrespect to any acts of state, or to the persons of statesmen, was, in no time more penal, and the foundations of right never more in danger to be destroyed." ca? 11 'Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. iv. b. iv. e. 19-33. f Rushworth, voL iv. p. 478. 1 Commonwealth of England, by Sir Thomas Smith, 13.11., ch. 3 Rnahworth, vol. ii. p. 473. I History of the Rebellion, b. i. Ill. BOOK III. CHAP. II. Archbishop Laud. This odious and oppressive court, together with that of the High Commission, was abolished by statute in the sixteenth year of Charles's reign, to the general joy of the whole nation, when the monarch was forced to yield to the Parliament. In close connection with the Star Chamber, we must no-tice the character and proceedings of Aacnarsnor Laun-" a fellow of mean extraction, and arrogant pride." "The irregular and superfluous severity with which the Puritan party visited the political crimes of this prelate in his old age, has awakened the no small indignation of posterity. But those who condemn that severity, would be themselves as unjust to overlook the crimes by which he brought that punishment upon him. His reputation is...