“Oct. 29, 1596. Constant, filia Thomæ Lorde, baptisata fuit.
“March, 1621. Rejoyce, filia Thomæ Lorde, baptisata fuit die 10, et sepulta die 23.
“November, 1646. Bethshua, doughter of Mr. John Lorde, minister of Salehurst, bapt. 22 die.”
These entries are of the utmost importance; they begin at the very date when the new custom arose, and are patronized by three ministers in succession—possibly four, if Thomas Lorde was also a clergyman.
Heley’s case is yet more curious. He had been prescribing grace-names for his flock shortly before the birth of his first child. He thus practises upon his own offspring:
“Nov. 7, 1585. Muche-merceye, the sonne of Thomas Hellye, minyster.
“March 26, 1587. Increased, the dather of Thomas Helly, minister.
“Maye 5, 1588. Sin-denie, the dather of Thomas Helly, minister.
“Maye 25, 1589. Fear-not, the sonne of Thomas Helly, minister.”
Under rectorial pressure the villagers followed suit; and for half a century Warbleton was, in the names of its parishioners, a complete exegesis of justification by faith without the deeds of the law. Sorry-for-sin Coupard was a peripatetic exhortation to repentance, and No-merit Vynall was a standing denunciation of works. No register in England is better worth a pilgrimage to-day than Warbleton.[32]