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

This "treasonable parchment in writing" was read by the House of Commons on May 27th, 1661, and was ordered to be burnt on the following day at the Old Exchange, London, by the Common Hangman, at full Exchange time, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock.[152] A printed copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio.

191.

The Obstructours of Justice. Or a Defence of the Honourable Sentence passed upon the late King, by the High Court of Justice. Opposed chiefly to the serious and faithfull Representation and Vindication of some of the Ministers of London. As also to the Humble Addresse of Dr. Hamond to His Excellencie and Councel of Warre. Wherein the Justice and Equitie of the said Sentence is demonstratively asserted, as well upon clear texts of Scripture, as principles of Reason, grounds of Law, Authorities, Presidents, as well Forreign as Domestique. Together with a brief Reply to Mr. John Geree's Book, intituled Might overcoming Right: wherein the Act of the Armie in garbling the Parliament, is further cleared. As also, some further Reckonings between the said Dr. Hamond, and the Authour, made straight. By John Goodwin. London. 1649.

After the Restoration of King Charles the Second, this book was called in by proclamation, and burnt by the Common Hangman. John Goodwin, the author, was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and a Nonconformist, but of a different stamp to the generality of them. He had a clear head, a fluent tongue, a penetrating spirit, and a marvellous faculty in descanting on scripture, and must be owned to have been a very considerable man.[153] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 146 pages, and a postscript of one page.

192.

The Royal Charter granted unto Kings by God himself: and collected out of his Holy Word in both Testaments. By T. B., Dr. in Divinitie. London. 1649.

Thomas Bayly was the author of this work, and for writing the same he was committed to Newgate. A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in octavo, and contains 144 pages.

193.

An Act declaring and constituting the people of England to be a Commonwealth and Free State. 1649.

This "traiterous writing in parchment" was read by the House of Commons on May 27th, 1661, and ordered to be burnt on the following day by the Common Hangman at the Old Exchange in London, at full Exchange time, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock.[154] The burning of this and other Acts was witnessed by Samuel Pepys, as appears from the following passage in his Diary: "1661. 28th May. With Mr. Shipley to the Exchange, and there saw the hangman burn, by vote of Parliament, two old Acts; the one for constituting us a Commonwealth, and the other I have forgot; which still do make me think of the greatness of this late turne, and what people will do to-morrow, against what they all, through profit or fear, did promise and practise this day."[155] A printed copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio.