The Wrens Nest Defiled, Or Bishop Wren Anatomized, His Life and Actions Dissected and Layd Open: with a True Relation of His Persecuting of Godly Preaching Ministers, Etc

Résumé du livre

The text of the pamphlet refers to the conduct of Matthew Wren, Bishop of Norwich, in treating "painful ministers" with harshness, driving them out of their offices, churches, and country; and, since 1636, compelling the people to "come up to the Rayles to receive the holy Communion, and there kneele, and doe reverence before the holy Table placed Altarwise, and gave directions to the Ministers, not to administer the Communion to such people as would not so come up, and doe such reverence as before-mentioned; and that the Minister should within the Rayle deliver the bread to such people onely as should so come up and kneele before the said Table placed Altarwise as aforesaid: this was to the offence of the con sciences of many good people, who for feare of Idolatry and Superstition, durst not come to kneele at the said Raile; and many people not comming up thither, though presenting themselves upon their knees, in the Chancell, have not bad the Comunion delivered unto them: & afterwards for not receiving, having beene Excommunicated, as namely, John Shymery, Samuell Dunckom, Peter Fisher, Thomas Newton, Edward Bedwell, Edmund Day, John Frowar, and many others". Also by enjoining the reading of the Book of Sports in the churches on "the Sabboth day" suspending those who neglected this injunction, and depriving others who preached sermons preparatory to receiving the holy Sacrament, and neglected other orders, of whom fifty were excommunicated; some were so persecuted "as hath beene suspected to be the cause of their deaths, as namely Mr. Scot", and others, This pamphlet was evidently published about the time of the committal of the Protesting Bishops to the Tower, December 30, 1641. The charges against Wren are given at greater length than the above in "Articles of Impeachment of the Commons against Matthew Wren" &c.