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

The Reconciler.

Babel no Bethel, that is, the Church of Rome no true visible Church of Christ. By H(enry) B(urton), Rector of St. Matthew's, Friday Street. 1629.

Maschil unmasked, in a treatise defending this sentence of our Church, viz., the present Romish Church hath not the nature of the true Church. By Thomas Spencer. London. N. d.

The Church of England's old antithesis to new Arminianisme. By William Prynne. London, 1629.

On April 20th, 1629, articles were exhibited by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners against the printers and publishers of these books, among whom was Michael Sparkes, stationer, who had been committed to the Fleet "for printing and publishing offensive books without license or warrant." In his answer to the articles objected against him by the Commissioners, Sparkes denies the present binding authority of the decree in the Star Chamber for regulating printing, as directly intrenching on the hereditary liberty of the subjects' persons and goods, and being contrary to Magna Charta, the Petition of Right, and other statutes. He presumed that Court would no way infringe the liberties of his Majesty's subjects, which his Majesty professed in his late declaration that he would constantly maintain. He admits that he printed "Babel no Bethel," but conceives that there was nothing contrary to the established doctrine of the Church of England therein, and that he had endured a hard imprisonment already for the same, which he hopes will excuse his further answer. He says that some part of Mr. Prynne's book was printed by Augustine Matthewes, and other part elsewhere. He conceives the book itself to be a just and necessary defence of the Church of England against the Arminians. He refuses to confess the printer that printed part of the book, and thinks the Court will not desire it, in regard that he (the printer) has done all to the glory of God, the honour of the King, the good of the Church, and the welfare of the doctrine of the Church of England and the religion established.[44]

60.

Rome's Ruin. 1631.

Articles were exhibited by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners against Michael Sparke, James Bouler, Nicholas Bourne, and Henry Overton, servant of Mrs. Shefford, of London, stationers, charging them with having caused to be printed without license this "scandalous book," wherein are passages taxing not only the whole state, but also some particular bishops and persons of eminent place in the church.[45]

61.

De regno Hiberniæ Sanctorum Insula Commentarius, Authore Illustriss, ac Reverendiss. Domino D. Petro Lombardo Hiberno, Archiepiscopo Ardmachano, totius ejusdem Regni Primate, olim in Alma Universitate Lovaniensi S. Theol. Doctore, & quondam Præposito Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Camaracensis, &c. Lovanii, 1632.