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

88.

The Protestation protested, or a short remonstrance showing what is principally required of all those that have or doe take the last Parliamentary Protestation. 1641.

On July 10th, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that the Committee for printing should take this book into consideration, and examine the printer thereof, and discover the author; and on August 24th following, it was further ordered that Gregory Dexter, printer, who printed this pamphlet and was therefore committed prisoner to the Gatehouse, should be bailed.[63] A copy of this book is at the British Museum, and a manuscript note on the title page ascribes its authorship to H. Burton, of whom mention has been previously made.

89.

The Brownists' Conventicle: or an assemble of Brownists, Separatists, and Non-Conformists, as they met together at a private house to heare a Sermon of a brother of theirs neere Algate, being a learned Felt-maker. 1641.

On the title page of this curious tract (of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library) there is a woodcut which represents four men seated at a table after a meal, and listening to one who appears half an idiot, and is named "simple Robin"; on the right is a man kissing a woman, and saying, "A little in zeale good sister Ruth." The tract refers to the numerous "Hereticks, Schismaticks, Novellists, Separatists," and other sects of this time, including Thraskites or Sabbatarians, Banisterians, Brownists, Anabaptists, Familists, Adamists, "who have their private meetings when they will not heare the Word preached nor have the Sacrament administered unto them but naked, not so much as fig-leave breeches upon them, thinking thereby to imitate our first parents in their innocency."

On July 12th, 1641, this tract was referred by the House of Commons to the Committee for printing.[64]

90.

The order and form for Church Government by Bishops and the Clergy of this kingdom. N. d.

On July 23rd, 1641, the House of Commons ordered that this pamphlet be referred to the Committee for printing; and that the author and printer be enquired after.[65]