London in Modern Times: or, Sketches of the English Metropolis during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.Unknown
History
London in Modern Times: or, Sketches of the English Metropolis during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.
Unknown
London (England) -- History -- 17th century; London (England) -- History -- 18th century
While the earlier stages of the struggle to which we have referred were
going on, some distinguished men in London, on both sides, were removed
from the scene of strife into the peaceful mansions of their Father's
house. Two in particular are worthy of mention here as of the gentler
cast, who, though they differed, felt that charity had bonds to bind
the souls of godly men together, stronger than any difference of
ecclesiastical opinion could break. Dr. Twiss, an eminent and learned
Presbyterian clergyman, the prolocutor of the assembly of divines, died
in London in 1646. He had refused high preferment and flattering
invitations to a foreign university. Forced from his living at Newbury
by the royalist party, and detained in London by his duties in the
assembly, for which he received but a very small allowance, he had to
struggle with poverty. Indeed, he was so reduced, that when some of
the assembly were deputed to visit him, they reported that he was very
sick and in great straits. He was buried in the Abbey, "near the upper
end of the poor folk's table, next the vestry, July 24th; thence, after
the Restoration, he was dug up and thrown into a hole in the churchyard
of St. Margaret's, near the back door of one of the prebendaries'
houses." In the same year died Jeremiah Burroughs, of the Independent
school, and preacher to two of the largest congregations about London,
Stepney, and Cripplegate. "He never gathered a separate congregation,
nor accepted of a parochial living, but wore out his strength in
continual preaching, and other services of the Church. It was said the
divisions of the time broke his heart. One of the last subjects he
preached upon and printed was his Irenicum, or attempt to heal
divisions among Christians." Under the ascendency of the Presbyterians
in London, the old church ceremonies of course were abandoned--churches
were accommodated to the simplicity of worship preferred by the party
in power. Superstitious monuments, images, and paintings, were
removed; the crosses in Cheapside and Charing Cross pulled down. Even
St. Paul's Cross, because of its form and name, was not spared, though
hallowed by the remembrance of the great Reformers, who had there so
effectively preached. Religious festivals were abolished, not
excepting Christmas--a measure to which the citizens did not quietly
submit, old habits and predilections being too strong to be overcome by
law. In 1647, on that day most people kept their shops shut, and many
Presbyterian ministers occupied their pulpits. Time, however, was
allotted for recreation; and it was arranged "that all scholars,
apprentices, and other servants should, with the leave of their
masters, have such convenient reasonable relaxation every second
Tuesday in the month, throughout the year, as formerly they used to
have upon the festivals." It may be added, that stage plays were
forbidden, and the theatres in London closed; galleries, seats, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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