The Child's Instructor; or a new and easy Primmer.
For writing and publishing this book, Benjamin Keach, of Winslow, in the County of Bucks., was tried at the Aylesbury Assizes on the 8th of October, 1664, and found guilty; and the following sentence was passed on him by the Judge.
"Benjamin Keach, you are here convicted of writing and publishing a seditious and scandalous Book, for which the Court's judgment is this, and the court doth award, That you shall go to gaol for a fortnight, without bail or mainprise; and the next Saturday to stand upon the pillory at Ailsbury for the space of two hours, from eleven o'clock to one, with a Paper upon your head with this inscription, For writing, printing and publishing a schismatical book intitled, The Child's Instructor, or a new and easy Primmer. And the next Thursday to stand in the same manner, and for the same time, in the market of Winslow; and there your Book shall be openly burnt before your face by the common hangman, in disgrace of you and your doctrine. And you shall forfeit to the King's Majesty the sum of £20 and shall remain in gaol until you find sureties for your good behaviour and appearance at the next assizes, there to renounce your doctrine, and make such public submission as shall be enjoined you."
According to this sentence he was kept close prisoner till the Saturday following, and then about eleven o'clock was carried to the pillory at Aylesbury, where he stood full two hours to a minute, was denied the liberty of speaking to the spectators, and "had his hands as well as his head carefully kept in the pillory the whole time. On the Thursday following he stood in the same manner and for the same time at Winslow, the town where he lived, and had his book burnt before him. After this, upon paying his fine, and giving sufficient security for his good behaviour, he was set at liberty; but was never brought to make a recantation."[188]
Among the State Papers of the period is preserved the following letter from Thomas Disney, apparently minister of Stoke Hamond, Bucks:—[189]
"Honoured Sir,
And loving Brother this Primer owned by Benjamin Keach as the Author and bought by my man George Chilton for five pence of Henry Keach of Stableford Mill neare me, a miller; who then sayd that his brother Benjamin Keach is author of it, and that there are fiveteene hundred of them printed. This Benjamin Keach is a Tayler, and one that is a teacher in this new fangled way, and lives at Winslow a market towne in Buckinghamshire. Pray take some speedie course to acquaint my Lord Archbishop his grace with it, whereby his authoritie may issue forth that ye impression may be seized upon before they be much more dispersed to ye poysoining of people; they contayning (as I conceive) factious, schismaticall, and hereticall matter. Some are scattered in my parish, and perchance in noe place sooner, because he hath a sister here and some others of his gang, two whereof I have bought up. Pray let me have your speedie account of it. I doubt not but it will be taken as acceptable service to God's Church, and beleeve it a very thankefull obligement to
Stoke hamond in
Bucks—64
May 26th
Honoured Sir
Your truely loving Brother
Thomas Disney.
(Addressed)