Wren's Anatomy, Discovering His Notorious Pranks, and Shamefull Wickednesse

Résumé du livre

The frontispiece of this tract exhibits Matthew Wren, formerly Master of Peter House, Cambridge, and successively Bishop of Hereford, Norwich, and Ely, seated at a table, with two labels proceeding from his mouth. One of them is inscribed, "Only Canonicall prayers" as if addressed to four men in black, who are described as "Altar-cringing Pristes". On the other label is, "no afternoon sermons" as if addressed to two laymen, "Church-wardens for Articles" who, with their hats in their hands, approach the table. The pamphlet recounts with much acerbity the alleged birth, parentage, education, and conduct of Bishop Wren, with especial reference to his treatment of Samuel Ward, preacher, of Ipswich, who is described: "Among many other honest, good, and gracious men, who felt the sting of this venomous Scorpions taile, that ancient, famous, good, and painfull man, Master Ward of Ipswich, was one". The person thus named was the "inventor" of the print described as "The Destruction of the Spanish Armada, 1588, and the Detection of the Gunpowder Plot" 1605. This woodcut was used for the title-page of Prynne's pamphlet, "Newes from Ipswich: discovering certaine late detestable practices of some dominiering Lordly Prelates" &c., by M. White, December 30, 1641. In the latter the words "Altar-cringing Pristes" appear as "Altar Cringing Priest". These sentences refer to the practice of bowing to the altars of churches in the diocese of Norwich, as encouraged by Bishop Wren.