Index Expurgatorius Anglicanus / Or, a descriptive catalogue of the principal books printed or published in England, which have been suppressed, or burnt by the common hangman, or censured, or for which the authors, printers, or publishers have been prosecuted

by W. H. Hart

179.

A vindication of the Ministers of the Gospel in, and about London, from the unjust aspersions cast upon their former actings for the Parliament, as if they had promoted the bringing of the King to capitall punishment. With a short exhortation to their people to keep close to their Covenant-Ingagement. London. 1648.

On February 3rd, 1648/9, the House of Commons ordered that this book should be taken into consideration, and that the authors, publishers, printers, and subscribers to the same should be examined; and that a Committee should take information of such as had already preached, published, or printed seditiously the proceedings in bringing the King to justice; and also that they should prepare and bring in an ordinance to restrain public preaching and printing anything against the proceedings of the House of Commons and the High Court of Justice in relation to bringing the King to justice.[141] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 11 pages.

180.

To the Right Honourable, the Supreme Authority of this Nation, the Commons assembled in Parliament: An Appeal, in the humble claim of justice, against Tho. Lord Fairfax General of the English Army, raised and declared to be raised, for the propagation and defence of impartial Justice, and just Liberty in the Nation; by Captain William Bray. For, and on the behalf of himself, and all the Officers and Souldiers, and other the free People of this Nation, that are for Righteousnesse, Settlement, and Peace. London. 1649.

On March 19th, 1648/9, Captain Bray appeared before the House of Commons, and being demanded whether this was his book or not, and whether it was an appeal of all those in whose name it was made, he answered that it was his book, but it was done without the consent or knowledge of any of the soldiery or people on their behalf, and he doubted not that they would justify and engage for it. Being again asked why he did it, and by whose licence it was printed, he answered that "although it be a declared principle by the army, that it is contrary to the privilege of the nation, to answer to any interrogatories at all; but he having formerly prepared an appeal, which he laid aside, expecting the proceedings of the army would have been according to justice and equity, he engaged himself freely for the public, and for execution of justice; but finding himself to be dealt with as he hath remonstrated, and the case being thus, he appealed to this supreme authority: wherein he expects relief according to justice and righteousness; and shall sit down in such sentence: and saith, it was printed by the authority of reason and justice; which is declared to be supreme to all men." And being demanded by whose commission he was made a captain; he answered, by the General's Commission in Colonel Lilburne's regiment, in one case remonstrated in the Petition, and in another case by the Committee of Kent; but that he had not the punctilio of a commission in the last business; but his engagement with Colonel Reynolds, for maintenance of truth and righteousness, far above any punctilio of commission "according to right, reason, justice, and righteousness."

It was thereupon resolved that this book was "scandalous as to the General and Council of War; and tending to stir up sedition in the people and mutiny in the army," and that Captain Bray should be committed to Windsor Castle during the pleasure of the House.[142] A copy of this pamphlet is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 19 pages.

181.

The Alcoran of Mahomet translated out of Arabique into French by the Sieur Du Ryer, Lord of Malezair and Resident for the King of France at Alexandria. London. 1649.

On March 19th, 1648/9, the House of Commons ordered that this book, which was then in the press, should be seized, and the printer taken into custody, and subsequently the Council of State was directed to suppress all the books, and the further imprinting of the same.[143]