The Sufferings of the Clergy of the Church of England During the Great Rebellion, Abridged by R. Whittaker (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. Parochial Clergy. Lewis Alcock, Rector of North Stoneham.--He had been Chaplain to the Earl of Southampton in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and Rector of this living about fifty-five years, when he was sequestered. He was also plundered and barbarously used, and what much aggravated his sufferings was, that one of the most busy actors in rifling his house was a fellow he had taken and bred up from a boy, and at length made a bailiff. This villain had been a trooper in the Parliament army, and from thence came to North Stoneham to dragoon his old master, who with great meekness saw him ransack his whole house, until at last he had found the surplice, which he put on, girded his sword about it, and so rode off in triumph through the parish; at which the pious, good old man could no longer contain, but fell into a bitter passion of weeping. After his living had been sequestered, and his successor appointed, the old gentleman (who was naturally stout, and noted for his courage and bravery) was resolved to dispute the title with him as far as he could, and accordingly put himself upon his guard to keep possession of the parsonage-house at least. For this purpose he caused his bed to be brought down into his parlour, kept his guns and pistols charged, had a watch every night, and declared himself resolved not to deliver up the possession of his house to the usurper but with his life; upon which the person who had intruded into his living was forced to betake himself to another house until the death of Mr. Alcock, which happened June 15th, 1647, in the 87th year of his age. "He was a person of a sober, pious, and every way exemplary conversation. He was a wise, pacific man, a famous arbitrator, and composer of differences to prevent suits at law, an...