A List of the Rectors of Ripple

( 237 ) A LIST OF THE EECTORS OF EIPPLE. COMPILED BY REV. H. L. BEARDMORE, M.A., EECTOE OP BIPPI/E, Erom the Begisters at Lambeth Palace and other sources, with Notes. Names of Rectors. Date of Institution. Patrons. 1. JOHN DE STANEYWEYE. ? circa 29 Sep. 1294. A John de Staneyweye, Parson of Rippill, is mentioned in the Close Rolls, 22 Edw. I. (1294), but there is doubt whether he was Rector of Ripple in Kent or in Worcestershire. 2. RICHARD COLHYN. 4 Mar. 1313-14. John Colhyn. 3. WILLIAM DUEANT. 15 May 1323. John Colhyn of Sellynge. 4. ROBERT DE MEBOTJRNE. 3 July 1349. William de Clynton, Earl of Huntington. (From Sede Vacante Register, Canterbury, Register G-, f. 119.) 5. RICHARD DE LOKKE- 1 Jan. 1350-51. William de Clynton, LEYE. Earl of Hunfcing- (Reg. Islip, f. 255b.) ton. 6. JOHN DE PAKYNTON. 25 April 1357. Sir John Clynton. On the death of the last. 7. JOHN DE G-ROVEHULL. 8. RICHARD DE OALDRE- 23 Dec. 1361. Sir John Clynton. FORD. On the resignation of John de G-rovehull. 9. JOHN WHITLOK. 1366. (Sede Vacante, Register Q-, f. 151a (Canterbury) : " John Whitlok, Rector imtitutus ob defeotu Bectoris. absentantis illioite.") 238 A LIST OE THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 10. JOHN BRIDD. 28 April 1372. Sir John Clynton. On the resignation of John Whitlok. 11. JOHN MORTON alias MORTEM. Archbishop Courtenay's Register has " Mortem." In the Lincoln Diocesan Register and in Patent Roll, 6 Rich. IL, pt. i., m. 11 (where the exchange with his successor is entered), the name is Morton. 12. MAURICE BOTREAUX. 13 Nov. 1383. Sir John Clynton. On the resignation of John Morton. M. Botreaux exchanged with John Morton from the Rectory of Wyng, Rutland, Diocese of Lincoln (Line. Dioc. Reg. and Patent Rolls). In the Sede Vacante Register at Canterbury there is written, under date 28 Sept. 1396, " Commissio ad substitutendum capellanum ad celebrandum in ecclesia de Ryple ob defectum Rectoris domini Mauricij ab ea sine causa racionabili absentantis, etc." It appears that Botreaux had been absent for upwards of five years. 13. HENRY WYT. circa 1419. This Rector is incidentally mentioned under date 10 April 1419 in Reg. Chichele, i., f. 115a. 14. WILLIAM TONMAN. 24 April 1429. Feoffees of Sir William de Clynton (Reg. Chichele, i., f. I75a.) and Say. 15. WILLIAM PERCIER. 16. NICHOLAS CONNOLL. 26 June 1455. John, Lord of Clyn- On the death of Wm. Percier. ton and Say. 17. THOMAS SCOTT aUas 1460. ROTHERAM. (Novum Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Hennessey.) Born at Rotheram in 1425; Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge; Rector of St. Vedast in the .City of London; Prebendary of Netheravon in Sarum; Provost of Beverley and Wingham; Chaplain to Edward IV.; Bishop of Rochester and then of Lincoln; finally Archbishop of York 1480 until his death 1500. He built Schools Gate at Cambridge and library at end of that building. He completed Lincoln College, Oxford (begun by Bishop A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 239 Fleming), and he added five fellowships. He founded a school at Rotheram, built the great kitchen at Whitehall and several offices at Southwell. At Bishopthorpe he built the hall, housekeeper's room, bakehouse, kitchen, drawing room, dining room, study, and other rooms above. He died of the plague at Cawood, Vorks, 29 May 1500; buried in York Minster in tomb built by himself, which still exists. He left a chalice to Ripple Church under his will, also one to Wingham, Kent, where he had been Provost. He left several vestments to Luton Church, Beds, where his mother and brother are buried. The Sistory of Luton Ohurch, by the late Rev. H. Cobbe (published by Bell and Sons, 1899), tells of Scott's gifts to that Church, pp. 195, 284. On p. 350 it is mentioned that in all probability his mother's tomb is in the Wenlock Chapel of Luton Church St. Mary; the estate of Someriss in Luton having passed from the family of Wenlock to that of Rotheram in 1471. 18. JOHN DRAKE. 20 April 1478. John, Lord of Clynton and Say. 19. THOMAS PHILLIP alias 1 Dec. 1490. The Guardian of CAUTON. John de Clynton. Name, etc., from Register M, D 13, and C, f. 147a. 20. WILLIAM OOUPER. 21 Oct. 1494. John, Lord of Clyn- On the resignation of Thoma3 Phillip. ton and Say. Register M, D 13, and C, f. 157". 21. JOHN DENBYE. circa 1530. John Denbye is incidentally mentioned in 1530 as one of the witnesses to the will of Henry Hudspeth, Vicar of Tilmanstone. {Archceologia Cantiana, Vol. XX., p. 109.) 22. WILLIAM MANN. 13 May 1556. Edward Clynton, On death of John Delamar alias Denbye. Lord of Clynton and Say. 23. CHRISTOPHER BURTON. 16 Aug. 1568. George Durborne, On death of Wm. Mann. pro hac vice, by Also Curate of Walmer; buried at Ripple. concession of Sir Thomas Kemp. 24. CHRISTOPHER DOWS- 26 April 1598. William Crayford of INGE, M.A. Mongham Magna, On death of Ch. Burton. Also Curate of W&lmer \ buried in Ripple Church. 240 A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 25. JOHN FRANCIS, M.A. 23 Sep. 1616. Anne Crayford, On death of Ch. Dowsinge. widow of Edward Crayford, late of Mongham Magna, Esq. In 1628 two cottages were built as a parish poorhouse on land given by John Gookin of Ripple Court. They were built by subscription. (Ripple Church Register.) On 31 May 1888 the cottage standing next them was burnt down. On the following day the parish cottages caught fire from the smouldering ruins and were destroyed. They were not insured, and have never been rebuilt. The land on which they stood is used as a garden for parishioners, two being chosen each year to occupy it. Whilst Francis was Rector three documents were signed by theparishioners, the originals of which, with the signatures, are in the Church Register. The first of these, dated 5 May 1641, is " A Protestation made by the Honourable House of Commons . . . . for the upholding and maintaining of the true Protestant religion according to the doctrine of the Church of England." This was signed by twenty-six parishioners on 15 Aug. 1641. The second is the " Solemn League & Covenant," which was sworn to by both Houses of Parliament in Sept, 1643. It was signed by thirty people of Ripple on 28 Feb. 1643-4. The third is " The vow & Covenant appoynted by ye Lords and Commons . . . . June 27, 1643." This was signed in this parish on 23 July 1643 by twenty-six persons. 26. ANTHONY BROOMSTONE. 24 April 1645. Anne Crayford. On resignation of John Prancis. Also Curate of Walmer; buried at Ripple. In the Bishop's Certificates the name is given as Bramstone, but in the Church Register of his burial, 7 Jan. 1647, it is Broomstone. 27. WILLIAM STANLEY. 24 Oct. 1648. On the death of the last. He was nominated, and probably not instituted, 24 Oct. 1648 (see Shaw's History of the Church, vol. ii., p. 361). He was also Curate of Walmer. On his tombstone in the nave of the Church the name is spelt Standly, but in the registers he signs as Stanley, A LIST OE THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 241 and the name stands so in the registers at Lambeth. He died 16 Dec. 1680, aged 68. His widow Elizabeth died in 1700 at the age of 75. Their tombstones were erected by a kinsman Stephen Stanley. A Stephen Stanley, yeoman, was buried at Ripple 10 Oct. 1731. The Parish Registers contain no entries of baptisms between 1655 and 1681, no marriages between 1654 and 1683, no burials between 1654 and 1680. There is a note, " The registers neglected for 26 years in the time of W. Stanley, Rector." 28. HENRY YORKE. M.A. 4 April 1681. Nordash Rand, Esq. On the death of Wm. Stanley. A kinsman of the first Earl of Hardwicke. In 1703 Elizabeth Yorke, the Rector's wife, left under her will a " Patina " to Ripple Church. In 1835, the Rector (Mandale) having applied to the Earl of Hardwicke for a new chalice, the latter gave a£17, with which one was purchased, and also an oak green-lined box for the Communion plate. The Earl made it a condition of this gift that the ancient patina, which has the donor's name upon it, should be deposited in his Lordship's Parish Church at Wimpole, Cambs. In 1835 John Baker Sladen of Ripple Court gave a silver paten, and the old paten was presented to him. (Ripple Church Register.) Henry Yorke was buried at Ripple. 29. EDWARD LLOYD, B.A. 19 Dec. 1712. John Paramore, gent.* On the death of H. Yorke. Lloyd was Curate of Mongham till 1717, Rector of Betteshanger from 1716, and became Curate of Walmer in 1724. He was buried in Ripple Church. " Edward Lloyd, A.B. of Xtchurch Coll., Oxford, in 1703, was inducted into the Rectory of Ripple December 20th, 1712. " E. Lloyd, A.M., Rector of this Parish and Curate of Mongham, was inducted into the Rectory of Betteshanger July 17th, 1716, and on Midsummer 1717 left his curacy to serve upon his two small Rectories in his own person. "E. Lloyd, A.M., Rector of Ripple and Betteshanger, was admitted into the Curacy of Walmer by Archbishop Wake at Croydon, Sept. 5, 1724." (Ripple Church Register.) Lloyd made a memorandum in the Register as follows: "I found the Parsonage House and out-houses in a very dilapidated condition, for which I had little or nothing allowed me, having had to deal * Nordash Rand, who married Ursula, widow of Wm. Crayford, sold the advowson to J. Paramore in trust for the Rev, Edward Lloyd, VOfc, XXVII, B 242 A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. with an obstinate executor, well versed in the knavish part of the law, and very resolute to insist upon it." In the Register is written (level with the above and on the opposite page), "Phil. York, attorney of Dover, father to the present Lord Chancellor, 1737." This entry is in Lloyd's handwriting. The Lord Chancellor then was Philip, Lord Hardwicke. It seems very probable, therefore, that Philip Yorke of Dover was the " obstinate executor." Philip Yorke died in 1721, his son becoming Lord Chancellor in 1736. In 1732 Lloyd rebuilt the Rectory at his own cost. The following entry is found in the Parish Registers :— "The Parsonage House of Ripple was rebuilt from the very foundation in the year of our Lord 1732, at the sole expense of Edward Lloyd, Rector, by Joseph Iggulden of Deal, Carpenter, and John Nookes of Sholden Bank, Mason, who separately contracted to finish the shell thereof, with glazing, doors hung and priming, for the sum of One hundred and forty two pounds Ten shillings, besides the use of all materials of the old Building which were fitting to be used. The whole expense may be computed at £150. " 1732. Memorand.—That on July 30, 1717, I signed to an indenture made between me and Capt. Robert Bowler for an exchange of a piece of Land, in length 110 ft., in Breadth 15, on these conditions only, viz,, that of pleasuring a gentleman with a commodious avenue to his House, when the exchange was no detriment to me, and that of obtaining a wall in the room of a fence, which had hitherto been expensive to me. I hope no successor will ever complain of this exchange, for I cannot apprehend that it can ever be prejudicial to any. At the time of the Exchange I esteemed it so small a favour that I declare before God I neither had nor asked for any gratification on this account. Witness my hand : Edward Lloyd." (Ripple Church Register.) Captain Robert Bowler was buried in a vault in the chancel of Ripple Church by the leave of Lloyd, who was Rector and Patron, 24 June 1734, Ed. Lloyd is invariably styled B.A. in Lambeth Registers, even at the institution of his successor. But in Ripple and Great Mongeham Registers he is described as M.A. from 1716. 30. JOHN APSLEY. 16 Sep. 1741. Rev. Hugh Lloyd* On death of Ed. Lloyd. Rector of Llangy- Buried at Ripple. hafd, co. Denbigh. A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 243 31. JOHN WILLIAMS. 1761. Lucy Jones, by ber two On death of Apsley. guardians (co. of Flint). Ellen Bennet, co. Denbigh. L«cy „ „ The benefice was vacant for a short time after the death of Apsley, in Oct. 1760, owing to a dispute regarding the patronage between John Williams and William Rogers (Proceedings of Grant of Institution at Doctors' Commons, Tuesday, 21 April 1761, Rev. Wm. Rogers against Rev. John Williams, Grene Proctor for Rogers and Stevens for Williams.—Lambeth Reg., Seckor, f. 313). In 1761 a Dispensation was passed for John Williams to hold Rectory of Ripple with the Vicarage of Benenden (Hasted's Kent). 32. WILLIAM ROGERS. 1 May 1763. (1) Lucy Jones,* co. of On resignation of J. Williams. Flint, by her two Buried at Ripple. guardians, Tho. Pennant of that co., Esq.,and Bell Lloyd of Pontipridd, Esq. (2) Ellen Bennet, co. Denbigh,spinster. (3) Tho. Huddlestone of Liverpool, ironmonger, and Lucy his wife. 33. HENRY LLOYD, B.A. 30 Dec. 1767. (1) Lucy Jones of Celyn, On death of W. Rogers. co. of Flint, spinster. (2) Tho. Mesham of Enloe,co.ofFlint, and Ellen his wife. (3) Tho. Huddlestone and Lucy bis wife. 34. JOHN KENRICK, M.A. 14 Nov. 1769. (1) Charles Fysshe Pal- On resignation of H. Lloyd. mer of Kenlyn, co. Also Rector of Betteshanger from 1776. Flint, Esq., and Buried in Ripple Church. Lucy his wife. (2) and (3) As for 33. * Lucy Jones, Ellen Bennet, and Lucy Huddlestone were heirs-at-law to Edward Lloyd, and consequently the three patrons. R % 244 A LIST OE THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 35. CHARLES PHILPOT, M.A. 5 Oct. 1793. (1) 0. P. Palmer of On death of J. Kenrick. Luckley, co. of Buried in Ripple Church. Berks, Esq., and Lucy his wife. (2) Ellen Barrett of Denbigh, widow. (3) T. Huddlestone of Liverpool and Lucy his wife. Dispensation to Charles Philpot of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Chaplain to Robert, Earl of Harborough, already possessed of the Rectory of Ripple, co. Kent, valued at £5 19s. 4|d., yearly value £200 being, to be collated to the Rectory of St. Margaret-at- Cliffe in the same county, valued at £6 10s., yearly value £100, not more than four miles apart, to hold the said benefices 26 May 1813. (Lambeth Reg., Act Book, 1813—1826.) There is a tradition that Philpot was the Rector who planted the excellent apple trees on Ripple Rectory lawn near the Church. 36. ROBERT MESHAM, M.A. 29 May 1823. (1) Tho.Huddlestoneof On death of Charles Philpot. May Hall, near Buried in the Church. Liverpool, Esq. (2) Oh. Fysshe Palmer of Bedford, Esq. Mesham was also Vicar of Bromham-cum-Oakley, Beds. 37. BLAIN MANDALE. 27 Nov. 1827. 0. F. Palmer of East On death of R. Mesham. Court in parish of Oakingham,Berks. New Communion plate was given to the Church in 1835 (see note on No. 28). In 1847 a vestry was built on the south side of the Church, the door to it being just below the west gallery. In 1861 the Church was rebuilt, and a vestry was then placed on the north side of the chancel. There is a small brass to Mr, Mandale's memory in the chancel, and a lych-gate was erected to his memory by his only daughter Jane Mandale in 1888. In 1828 Mr. Mandale built a vault in chancel adjoining south wall. His infant son was buried here 1829, his wife 1866, and the Rector himself 16 Oct. 1870. John Baker Sladen of Ripple Court died 31 Oct. 1860. He left to the Church £200 in Consols, for supplying bread to the poor during January and February each year on Sunday afternoons, A LIST OE THE RECTORS OE RIPPLE. 245 38. GEORGE CRAWFORD 19 July 1870. J. A. Johnson, Esq.* OAFPIN, M.A. On the death of B. Mandale. In 1871 Mr. Cafiin built the bay-window in the room in the Rectory, now known as the morning room (then the drawing room), at a cost of £16. In 1878 encaustic tiles were laid in the sanctuary and the altar was raised. Mr. Caffin resigned in 1878 to take his father's living of Brimpton, Berks. There he died (8 Feb. 1895) and was buried. 39. HENRY NORRIS BER- 25 Mar. 1879. Sir Robt. Sinclair, NARD, M.A., LL.B. Bart., of Sfceven- On'the resignation of Caffin. son, N.B. In 1881 Mr. Bernard considerably enlarged Ripple Rectory, to a great extent at his own cost. The governors of Queen Anne's Bounty advanced £700, but the total cost was about £1700, including an addition to the west of the morning room, formerly the drawing room, and the room above. In 1888 the parish cottages were burnt down (see note on No. 25). In January 1888 a hot-water heating apparatus was put in the Church (taking the place of an ordinary stove), at a cost of about £12 12s, On 21 Aug. 1896 the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Benson) officially visited the Church, the first record of such a visit by an Archbishop. In 1896 Mr. Bernard obtained an endowment of £2000 for the living of Ripple, he himself very liberally subscribing to meet grants from the Archbishop, the Diocesan Society, and Queen Anne's Bounty. H. N. Bernard resigned the living in April 1897. 40. HENRY LESLIE BEARD- 25 June 1897. Col. Arthur Mesham, MORE, M.A. B.A. Oxon, D.L., On resignation of the above. J. P., of Trefnant, co. of Denbigh. In 1897 an organ was purchased for Church. On 15 June 1899 an addition of a quarter of an acre to churchyard was consecrated by the Bishop of Dover, the land having been given by the late Mr. Chas. Churchill of Weybridge. Iu 1900 arch was cut into vestry from chancel, and oak stalls were placed in chancel. The choir boys wore cassocks and surplices, gifts of Mrs. Beardmore, * The presentation for this turn was purohased on hehalf of G. Q. Caffin from the patron, Rev. A. B. Mesham. 246 A LIST OE THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. for first time on Christmas Day, 1900. The first recorded confirmation in Ripple Church was held by the Bishop of Dover 17 May 1901. List of Rectors set up in the Church October 1904. THE PATRONAGE OF RIPPLE, FROM EDWARD LLOYD TO THE PRESENT TIME. Nordash Rand, who married Ursula, widow of William Crayford, sold the advowson to John Paramore, in trust for the Rev. Edward Lloyd, who died without issue in April 1741. The advowson passed to Margaret and Barbara Lloyd, daughters of David Lloyd of Glanywern Llandyrnog, co. Denbigh. (a) Margaret Lloyd married Arthur Bennet of Glanywern Bennet Llandyrnog. She died in 1742, leaving one son, who apparently died early, and two daughters Ellen or Eleanor and Lucy. Ellen or Eleanor Bennet married Thomas Mesham of Enloe Hall, near Hawarden, co. Flint, 1761. She married secondly Dr. Onslow Barrett. Lucy Bennet married Thomas Huddlestone of Liverpool in 1761. (b) Barbara Lloyd married Lewis Lloyd, Esq., of Hafadrroyd, co, Carnarvon. She married secondly, in 1732, Rev. Thomas Jones (no issue), the Vicar of Llanasa, co. Flint. By this second marriage there was a daughter Lucy, who was born in 1746. Lucy Jones married in 1768 Charles Fysshe Palmer, Esq., of Llanfyllin, co. Montgomery. A son, Charles Fysshe Palmer, was born in 1769, and he married Madeline, widow of Sir Robert Sinclair, Bart., and second daughter of Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon. Thus the advowson of Ripple was brought into the families of Fysshe Palmer, Huddlestone, and Mesham. Sir Robert Sinclair, Bart., obtained the alternate presentation through the marriage of C. P. Palmer with the widow of Sir Robert Sinclair, Bart. The Huddlestone family became merged with the Mesham family, and jointly held the advowson. A.D. 1905. The present patrons, with alternate presentation, are:— (i) Colonel Mesham, B.A. Oxon., D.L., J.P., of Pontruftydd, Trefnant, co. Denbigh. He is the son of the late Rev. A.B. Mesham, Rector of Wootton, Kent, who was alternate patron ; he is grandson of Rev. Rob. Mesham, who was Rector of Ripple 1823 to 1827. A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 247 This Rector married at Ripple (25 July 1825) Lucy, daughter of William Stacy Coast, Esq., of Ripple House, his second wife. He died in July 1827, and his widow afterwards lived at the Shrubbery, Walmer ; she died at Ramsgate in December 1865 at the age of 85. Colonel Mesham's great-grandfather was the above Thomas Mesham of Enloe Hall, who married Ellen Bennet. (ii) The Hon. Mrs. Pelham Sinclair of St. Lawrence, Isle of Wight, is the other patron. She is the daughter of the late Admiral Sir John Gordon Sinclair, 8th Baronet. 21 July 1628. Memorand. yl ye house y4 Henery Durband now dwelleth in, scituate and standing vppon yc lord's waste adiojning to Mr. William Warren his land, called ye Myll feeld, on ye south, <_ to the King's high way north, was builded at ye cost and Charges of ye whole Parish for ye behalf of the Parish, to place any pore in it whom they shall thinke fit, And this was done by ye consent of ye lord of ye man'our of Ripple Court then being, who was Mr. Thomas Gookin, vppon condition y' ye parish should pay vnto him and his heyres foure pence by ye yeare if it be required of them, so y' yB house doth belong to ye Parish and not to any particulare person. This house was builded in ye yeare 1621, Valentyne Standly being then Overseer for yc pore, and defraying in ye parishes behalf ye charges layd out about ye same. In witnesse of ye truth of this, we whose are herevnder written doe subscribe our names : JOHN GOOKIN. John Francis, Rector. John Elgare -f his marke. Valentyne Standly -f* his marke. Henery Elgare + liis mark. The particulars about building that house:— To Richard Mackney was giuen for carriage of the house straw and clay ij8. To John Elgare for carrying of wood and clay iiij3 vjd. To Valentyne Standly for carriage of bricke & stone & Thatch iijs vjija_ Mr. Warren gave in clay, Tymber, & Money iij8 vja. Thomas Gookin, Gentl., gave in tymber, thatch, Latts, and money xxviij8 vjd. John Elgare in Tymber ij8. 248 A LIST OE THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. Valentine Standly in Tymber ijs xd. Thomas Hollaway in Tymber & Carriage iijs vjd. Henery Durband in Tymber, straw, & Thatch ix8, ffor which he received of ye Overseer ixs. To ye Carpenter xvj3. To John Button for thatching vs vjd. To John Elgare for woode which he bought for riddling & thatching rods iiijs iiijd. To Thomas Hollaway for his Boy 2 dayes to serve ye mason at xijd ye day ij8. To ye Smyth for yron worke viij8 vijd. To yc Mason xiiij8. Sum'a tl. v11 viij3 xjd. VALENTYNE STANDLY, Oversere + his marke. Die Mercurij quinto Maij 1641. A protestation made by the honorable house of Com'ons assembled in parliament for ye vpholding and mayntayning of ye true protestant Relligion according to the doctrine of ye Church of England. The words of ye protestation are as followeth : I, A. B., doe in the presence of allmighty God promise, vow, and protest to inayntayiie and defend, as far as lawfully 1 may, wth my life, power, and estate the true reformed protestant Relligion expressed in ye doctrine of the Church of England, agaynst all popery and Popish innovations wthin this Realme, contrary to ye same doctrine And according to ye duty of my Allegiance, his maiestyes Royall person, honor, and estate : As also ye power and priviledges of parliaments, the lawfull Rights and libertyes of the subiect, aud every person that maketh this protestation in whatsoever he shall doe in the lawfull pursuance of the same. And to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppose and by all good wayes and meanes endeavor to bring to Condigne punishment all such as shall eyther by force, practise, Counsells, plotts, conspiracyes, or otherwise doe any thing to ye contrary of anything in this present protestation conteyned. And further that 1 shall in all iust and honorable wayes endeavor to preserve the vnion and peace betweene the 3 kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and neither for hope, feare, nor other respect shall relinquish this promise, vow, and protestation. A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RfPPLE. 249 Whereas some doubts have been raysed by severall persons out of this house concerning the meaning of these wordes conteyned in the protestation lately made by the members of this house (viz.) The true reformed protestant Relligion, expressed in ye doctrine of ye Church of England, agaynst all popery and popish in'ovations contrary to ye same doctrine, This house doth declare that by those words was aud is meant onely ye publiq' doctrine professed in the sayd Church so far as it is opposite to popery and popish in'ovations, And that the sayd words are not to be extended to the mayntayning of any forme of Worship, Discipline, or Government, nor of any Rites or ceremonyes of ye sayd Church of England. August 15* 1641. We whose names are vnder written have willingly made the protestation above written, and doe witnesse it with the subscription of o'r names:— John ffratmcis, Hector. Thomas ffrancis. John Gookin. Edward ffrancis. John Stanley. Richard Crayfford. flinch Wilkes. Joshua Jacob. John Taylor. Matthew Raye. Edward Cocke. Steuen Stanley. Edward Castell. Richard Mackney. William Buruill. Daniell Longe. Thomas Mackney. John Philpot. John Mackney. Steuen Harloe. Edward Sfcapeles. Pall Sim'ones. Edward Browning. William Morris. John Castell. Nicholas Cornelius. The vow and covenant appoynted by ye Lords and Commons to be taken thorowout the whole kingdome, June 27, 1643, touching yB Plot agaynst London and other ye like Plots. I, A. B., in humility and reverence of ye Divine Maiesty declare my herety sorrow for myne owne sins and the sins of this nation, which have deserved ye calamities and iudgments y* now lie vppon it, And my true intention is by God's grace to endeavour the amendment of myne owne wayes. And that I do abhorre and detest ye wicked design lately discovered. And that I never gave nor will give my assent to the execution thereof, but will, according to my power and vocation, oppose and resist the same and all other of the 250 A LIST OF THE RECTORS OE RIPPLE. like nature. And in case any other designe shall hereafter come to my knowledge, I will make such tymely discovery as I shall conceiue may best conduce to the preventing thereof. And whereas I doe in my conscience believe that the forces raysed by ye two houses of parliament are raysed and continued for theire iust defence, and for ye defence of ye true protestant Relligion and libertyes of the subiect agaynst ye forces raysed by the king, I doe here in the presence of almighty God Declare, Vow, and covenant that I will, according to my power and vocation, assist the forces raysed and continued by both houses of parliament agaynst the forces raysed by yB king wtbout theire consent: And will likewise assist all other persons that shall take this oath in what they shall doe in pursuance thereof; And will not directly nor indirectly adhere vnto nor shall willingly assist the forces raysed by the King wthout the consent of both houses of parliament; and this vow and covenant I make in the presence of almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, w"1 a true intention to performe the same, as I shall answer at ye great day, when the secrets of all hearts shalbe disclosed. We whose names are vnder written have willingly taken the vow and covenant above written, and doe witnesse it with ye subscription of o'r names, July 23,1643 :— John ffrancis, Rect, John Rennolls, John Stanley. Matthew Ray, Junior. flinch Wilkes. Thomas ffrancis, Matthew Ray, senior. Edward ffrancis. Edward Cocke. Edward Castell. Willi'm Buruill. The mark of Richard + Mackney. The marke of Daniell + Long. The mark of Mathew 4-Baldueke. ffrancis Mackny. The mark of William 4- Noure. The marke of William -f- Kenett. The mark of Thomas + Mackney. Themarkeof Anthony + Holman. Edward Gardiner. Richard Smyth. John Kenneit. The mark of -f- Robbert Kenett, Themarkofcrestopher-J-Perkins. Walther Wilkes. The mark of Thomas •+• Amis. 1643, ffebruarey 28th. A solemne league and covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happynesse of y° king, and ye peace and safety of y° 3 kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, A LIST OE THE RECTORS OE RIPPLE. 25 1 taken by ye parishioners of Ripple ye day and year above written. We noble men, Barons, Knyghts, gentlemen, Citisens, Burgesses, Ministers of ye Gospell, and com'ons of all sorts in the kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by ye providence of God living vnder one King and being of one reformed relligion, haveing before o'r eyes ye glory of God and ye advancement (of) ye kingdom of o'r Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, yc honour and happynesse of ye king's maiesty and his posterity, and ye true publiqe liberty, safety, and peace of ye Kingdomes, wherin everyone's private condition is concluded, and calling to mynde the treacherous and bloody plotts, conspiracies, attempts, and practises of ye enemyes of God agaynst ye true Relligion and profession thereof in all places, especially in these 3 kingdomes, ever since yc reformation of Relligion, and how much theire rage, power, and presumption are of late and at this tyme encreased and exercised, wherof ye deplorable estate of the Church and kiugdoine of Ireland, the distressed estate of ye Church and kingdoms of Englaud, and the dangerous estate of ye Church and kingdoms of Scotland are present and publicke testymonyes. We have now at last (after other meanes of supplication, remonstrance, protestations, and sufferings) for ye preservation of o'rselves and our Relligion from vfcter ruine and destruction, according to the com'endable practise of these kingdomes in former tymes atid y" example of God's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemne league and covenant, wherin we all subscribe aud every one of us for himself wth our hand lifted vp to ye most high God doe sweare— I. That we shall syncerely, really, and constantly, thorow the grace of God, eudeavour in our severall places and callings y° preservation of yc reformed Relligion in ye Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, aud government, agaynst our com'on enemyes, y° Reformation of Relligion in ye Kingdomes of England and Irelaud, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to y° word of God and yD example of ye best reformed Churches, and shall endeavor to bring ye Churches of God in the 3 Kingdomes to the nearest coniunction and vniformity in Relligion, Confession of fayth, fforme of Church government, Directory for worship and catechiseiug, that we and o'r posterity after vs may as Brethren live in ffayth and Love, and yc Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of vs. 252 A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. I I . That we shall in like manner without respect of persons indeauour the extirpation of popery, prelacy, that is, church gouernment by arch bishops, bishops, there chancellours and commissaries, deanes, deanes and chapters, archdeacons, and all other ecclesiasticall officers depending on that hirarchy, superstition, heresie, schisme, prophanenesse, and whatsoeuer shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godlinesse, lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receiue of their plagues, and that the lord may be one and his name one in the three kingdoms. I I I . We shall with the same sincerity, reallity, and constancy in our seuerall uocations endeauor with our estates and hues mutually to preserue the rights and priuiledges of the parliaments and the liberties of the kingdomes, and to preserue and defend the king's maiesties person and authority in the preseruation and defence of the true religion and liberties of the kingdomes, that the world may beare witnesse with our consciences of our loyaltie, and that we haue no thoughts or intentions to diminish his maiestie's iust power and greatnesse. IV. We shall allso with all faithfulnes endeauor the discouery of all such as haue been or shall be incendiaries, maliguants, or euill instruments by hindering the reformation of religion deuiding the king from his people, or one of the kingdomes from another, or making any faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this league and couenant, that they may be brought to publicke triad and receiue condigne punishment, as the degree of there offences shall require or deserue, or the supream iudicatories of both kingdomes respectiuely or others hauiug power from them for that effect shall iudge conuenient. V. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed peace between these kingdomes denyed in former times to our progenitors is by the good prouidence of god granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and setled by both parliaments, we shall each one of us according to our place and interest indeuour that they may remaine conioyned in a firme peace and union to all posterity, and that iustice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent articles. VI. We shall allso, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdome, assist and defend all those that enter into this league and couenant in the maintaining and persuing thereof, and shall not suffer ourselues A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. 253 directly or indirectly by whatsoeuer combination, perswasion, or terrour to be diuided and withdrawn from this blessed union and coniunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part or to giue ourselues to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of god, the good of the kingdomes, and the honour of the king, but shall all the dayes of our hues zealously and constantly continue therein agaynst all opposition, and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoeuer, and what we are not able ourselues to suppresse or ouercome we shall reueall and make knowne that it may be timely preuented or remoued, all which we shall do as in the sight of god. VII. And because these kingdomes are guilty of many sins and prouocations against god and his son Jesus Christ, as is manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we professe and declare before god and the world our unfayned desire to be humbled for our own sins and the sins of these kingdomes, especially that we haue not as we ought ualued the Inestimable benefit of the gospell, that we haue not laboured for the purity and power thereof, and that we haue not endeauoured to receiue christ in our hearts nor to walke worthy of him in our Hues, which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us; and our true and unfained purpose, desire, and endeauour for our selues and all others under our power and charge both in publike and in private in all duties we owe to god and man to amend our Hues, and each one to go before another in the example of a reall reformation; that the lord may turn away his wrath and heauy indignation, and establish these churches and kingdomes in truth and peace, and this couenant we make in the presence of almighty god the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to performe the same as we shall answer at that great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed : most humbly beseeching the lord to strengthen us by his holy spirit for this end, and to blesse our desires and proceedings with such successe as may be deliuerance and safety to his people and encouragement to other christian churches groaning under or in danger of the yoke of antichristian tyranny : to ioyne iu the same or like association and couenant to the glory of god, the enlargement of the kingdome of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquility of christian kingdomes and commonwealths. We whose names are under written haue willingly taken the 254 A LIST OF THE RECTORS OF RIPPLE. league and couenant aboue written, and doe wittnesse it with the subscription of our names ffebruary the 28, 1643:— John ffrancis, Rector. John Gookin, Tho. Gookin, John ffrancis. Richard Cheeyny. The marke of Richard •+• Mackney. John Stanley, ffinch Wilkes. Matthew Ray. Richard Smith. Nicholas Hollingburn. Marsh [?]. The marke of Sidrach •+> Mackney. Tho. Sheafe. The marke of Anthony -f Holman. The marke of Robert + Kennet. The marke of Edmund + Chidwick. The marke of Christopher -f- Perkins. The marke of Jhon + Kennet. Edward Casstels. Edward Coke. Edward ffrancis. ffrancis Makny. The marke of Richard -j- Brise. Walther Wilkes. The marke of Thomas + Makny. The marke of Samuell + Penn. Richard Sheafe.