printed in the nineteenth volume of Rymer's Fœdera. On his part, Corbet certified that he had suppressed the lectures of some factious men, and particularly that he had suspended one Bridges, curate of St. George's parish, Norwich; but, upon submission, he had taken off his suspension. Among others, he had heard complaint of Mr. Ward', of Ipswich, for words in some sermons of his, for which he was called before the High Commission. From the following conciliating epistle I conclude that Ward submitted, and was restored to his cure: 4 He was author of a curious sermon, printed in 1627, 4to. under the title of "Woe to Drunkards," which was republished with king James's Counterblast, and other philippics against tobacco and coffee, 4to. 1672. Upon the intrusion of the Book of Sports, Ward told his congregation that "the Church of England was ready to ring changes on religion, and that the Gospel stood on tip-toe ready to be gone." For these words he was suspended. "Salutem in Christo. "My worthie friend, "I thank God for your conformitie, and you for your acknowledgment: stand upright to the church wherein you live; be true of heart to her governours; think well of her significant ceremonyes; and be you assured I shall never displace you of that room which I have given you in my affection; proove you a good tenant in my hart, and noe minister in my diocese hath a better landlord. Farewell! God Almightie blesse you with your whole congregation. "From Ludham Hall, the 6 of Oct. 1633. your faithful friend to serve you in Christ Jesus, "RICH. NORWICH 5." 5 Harl. MS. No. 464. fol. 13. The zeal of Laud did not rest here: he set sedulously about suppressing the Dutch and Walloon congregations, of which there were several in London, Norwich, and other places. manner. It will be perhaps necessary to observe, that the Dutch, the Walloons, and the French, who had continued to refuge in England from the reign of Edward the Sixth, had obtained many privileges from former kings, and among others, the liberty of celebrating divine service after their own, that is, the presbyterian, Their congregations were scattered over the kingdom; and at this period there was at Norwich one of the Dutch, and one of the Walloons, the latter of which carried on an extensive manufacture of woollen cloths, for the vending of which, they in 1564 obtained a lease of the chapel of St. Mary the Less, which they fitted up as a hall or mar ket-place for that purpose. Where they performed divine service before the year 1619 I know not, but in that year Samuel Harsnet licensed the Walloon congregation to use during his pleasure the Bishop's chapel, or chapel of the Virgin Mary. This indulgence was continued during the government of his successor, Francis White. But the intolerance of Laud would be content with nothing short of conformity; Corbet consequently prepared to dislodge them by the following characteristic letter: "To the minister and elders of the French church, in Norwich, these: "Salutem in Christo. "You have promised me from time to time to restore my stolen bell, and to glaze my let * Blomefield's History of Norfolk, vol. ii. p. 522. fol. tice windows. After three yeeres consultation (bysides other pollution) I see nothing mended. Your discipline, I know, care not much for a consecrated place, and anye other roome in Norwiche that hath but bredth and length may serve your turne as well as the chappel : wherefore I say unto you, without a miracle, Lazare, prodi foras! Depart, and hire some other place for your irregular meetings: you shall have time to provide for yourselves betwixte this and Whitsontide. And that you may not think I mean to deale with you as Felix dyd with St. Paul, that is, make you afraid, to get money, I shall keepe my word with you, which you did not with me, and as neer as I can be like you in nothinge. "Written by me, Richard Norwich, with myne own hand, Dec. 26, anno 1634." The congregation remonstrated to Laud, in |