Contents of the fikst volume

an able divine, receives 39J. from the commissioners of the county : That Weetlee and

Roughlee desire to be annexed and made a parish.

16th. That GOODSHAW, not parochial, has a chapelry consisting of 70 families ; but

no minister or maintenance, saving a messuage and backside, value 10s. ; but that the

inhabitants desire to be made a parish.
17th. That WHYTEWELL, not parochial, has a chapelry of 11G families, but no minister

or maintenance. The inhabitants desire to be made a parish.

18th. That NEWCHURCH IN ROSSENDALE is parochial, and consists of Dedwen dough,

Tunsted, Wolfenden Booth, and part of Wolfenden and Bakcop ; in all, 300 families :

Minister, Mr. Robert Dewhurst, an able divine, who receives no allowance but what the

inhabitants give, who desire to be made a parish.*

Thus we see that out of one overgrown parish it was proposed to the commissioners to

carve no less than seventeen ; a change of little importance in itself, and probably intended

to answer no other purpose than that of placing the Clergy on a footing of entire equality,

better suited to the genius of a republic than subordination. Let not these men, however,

be defrauded of the praise which they really deserve ; for, if they made their ministers

equal, they paid them almost equally well ; and, if none of their preferments were adequate

1 That is, I suppose, by the Classis. We are not informed what was the offence.

2 What was now become of the valuable estate belonging to this church, which escaped the Commissioners of Pious

Uses under Edward VI. and still belongs to it ?

2 F 2

220 HISTORY OF WHALLEY. [BOOK II. CHAP. III.

to the rewards of superior merit, all afforded enough to raise them above sordid poverty,

and to secure them from utter contempt.

And, for the incumbents themselves, though bigoted beyond measure to an ecclesi-

astical government in which every one was nattered by bearing a part, though narrow in

their tempers and detestable in their politics, yet, by zeal and diligence in their ministry

by sobriety, and even severity in their conversation, they had acquired an influence over

the minds of their hearers, which too many who followed them, under a better establish-

ment, have forfeited and lost. Hence the formidable separation which took place on the

subsequent exclusion of these men from their pulpits ; and hence, in part, the origin of

modern sects, almost without number and without name, which threaten, but too obviously,

the downfall of our civil and ecclesiastical establishments. Dislike, indeed, will always be

conceived, with or without cause, against every thing which bears the stamp of legal

authority ; but this is a reason for more, and not less, circumspection in the clergy.

" Offences will come ; but woe unto that man," and above all, to that minister, "by whom

the offence cometh." Under the present state of ecclesiastical discipline, too little can be

done by the most conscientious diocesan. Of fornication, adultery, incest, though notorious

enough to scandalise a whole neighbourhood, it is not easy to procure legal evidence. But

a process like the Fama clamosa in the Church of Scotland (which condemns, with great

reason, him who, above all others, ought to abstain from the " appearance of evil," and

will not,) would remove the bold offender, who now defies authority, and disgraces his

function with impunity. Let not this short digression be thought unseasonable : it is,

unhappily, very far from being unconnected with the present subject.

Yet, the ample testimonies here given to the ability of these men are to be received

with some degree of caution. Several of them, however, were graduates : and Jolly, who

distinguished himself long afterwards, in a scene which will be noticed below, though

credulous, and perhaps enthusiastic, was not devoid of literature. How they became pos-

sessed of their benefices, and with what circumstances of justice or cruelty their predeces-

sors were excluded, we are nowhere told. 1 The Presbyterian discipline was set up in this

county as early as 1645 or 1646, and is known to have continued till the year 1650, in

which this inquisition was taken. 2 The whole county was divided into nine classes ; but in

which of these the parish of Whalley was included I have not been able to learn, as none

of their proceedings are extant but those of the second class, consisting of Bury, Bolton,

Middleton, Rochdale, Radcliffe, and Dean ; and these exhibit a medley of carelessness,

injustice, and disorder, which prove that men not altogether unqualified to teach may yet

be very unfit to govern. 3
Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, p. i. p. 40. One of their proceedings was, to deny baptism to base children:

another was, to thrust unordained persons (unordained even by their own forms) into churches and chapels, from

whence, after proof of ignorance or misconduct, they removed them with equal facility, annulling all the baptisms they

had administered.

2 It seems then to have been superseded by the Independent or Congregational plan.
3 Since this was first printed, I have been favoured, by the late L. N. Starkie, esq. of Huntroyd, with an original

BOOK II. CHAP. III.J

PARISH CHURCH AND VICARAGE.

221

At the close of the last century, Whalley became the scene of a long and desperate

conflict, which was carried on by prayers, arguments, and mutual defiances, between nine

Puritan ministers, at the head of whom was the above-mentioned Thomas Jolly, and a

supposed demoniac of Surey (now Surey Barn) named Richard Dugdale. After all, it is

MS. formerly belonging to Mr. Alexander Norris, of Hall in the Wood, near Bolton, entitled " Ministers' Orders."

From this book it appears that every hundred in the county had its Classis, under the Presbyterian Government. It

is dated 1649. I transcribe the following particulars relating to the hundred of Blackburne :

Mr. John Bell, Minister at Accrington Chappel.

By an Order of this Comm. 5th Dec. 1645, there is 40Z. p. an. allowed to an able Divine at Accrington Chap.
Mr. Bell is approved by the Classis att Whalley, 9th Nov. 1647.

Mr. John Briars, Min r at Padiam.

By an Order of the Com. of this County, 13 Jul. 1648, there is 331. 10s per an. allowed to Mr. John Bryars

Min r of Padiham, and 251. 2s. 6d. due in arrears att Midsomer before.

Mr. Bryars is nominated in the Ordinance for the Classis.

Mr. Henry Morres, Min r at Burnley.

By an Order from the Com. of this County, Jul. 1 3, 1648, there is 24 /. Os. per an. allowed to Mr. Hen. Morres,

and 18/. 4s. due in arrears at Midsomer before.

Mr. Morres is nominated in the Ordinance for the Classis.

Mr. Rich. Redman, Min r of Lowchurch, in Walton.

By Order of the Committee, there is 40Z. per an. allowed to Mr. Redman. Min r of Low Ch.
Mr. Redman is nominated in the printed Ordinance for the Classis. Hee is p d till the 14 Aug. 1647.

Mr. Rob. Marsden, Min r att Clytherow.

Itt appeares, by the certificate of John Howorthe, that ther is payd from Mr. Ashton, of Whaley, to the Min r

of Clitherow, 111. 10s. and from the King 31. 10s. And by Order of the Com. of this County, of the 20th Nov.

1645, there is allowed to Mr. Rob. Marsden 2ol. augmentation, to make upp the rest 40^. per an.
Mr. Marsden is approved by the Com. of Divines at Preston, Aug. 12, 1645.

Mr. James Shaw, Min r at Balderston Chappel.

By Order of the Com. of this County, 25th Sept. 1646, ther is 40Z. per ann. allowed for a Min r at Balderston.

Hee was approved on, as Min r at Balderston, by the Com. of Divines att Bolton, July 7th, 1646. He

is paid upp till the 8th of Oct. 1647, by Charles Gregory.

Mr. Jonas Browne, Min r at New Church in Pendle.

By Order of the Com. of Lane. 2nd Feb. 1647, ther is allowed him and his successors 40J. per an. and 201.

then in arreare.

Hee is approved on, by the Comm. of Ministers at Whalley, March llth, 1646.

Mr. John Worthington, Min r of Tockholes Chappell.

By an Order of this Comm. of the 25th Dec r 1646, there is 40Z. per an. allowed to an orthodox Divine, to

officiate the Cure at Tockholes Chappel.

Mr. Worthington was ordained at Manchester, for Ouldham, 15th April, 1647.

Mr. George Whittaker, Min r att Downham.

By Order of the Com. of this County, 13 Jul. 1648, there is 301. per an. allowed to Mr. Geo. Whittaker,

Min r of Downham, and 15Z. then in arreare ordered to be payd him.

Mr. Whittaker is approved by the Com. of Min r April 1st, 1645.

Mr. John Horrox, Min r att Colne.

By an Order from the Dep. Lieutenants, of the 26th June, 1645, there is 132. 10s. augmentation allowed to

Mr. John Horrox, Min r at Colne.

Mr. Horrox is approved, by the Comm. of Divines, the first of April, 1645.

222 HISTORY OF WHALLEY. [BuOK II. CHAP. III.

more than probable that the man was either a lunatic or impostor : the latter, un-

doubtedly, if we are to believe the tradition of the place, which reports that he was

effectually exorcised by a threatened commitment from a neighbouring magistrate.
Of this transaction, however, the triumphant party, for so they deemed themselves,

thought fit to publish a most injudicious and ill- written narrative, which has been employed

by an acute, though concealed, enemy of Christianity, to discredit the miracles of the

primitive Church ; and through them, it is to be feared, those of the Gospel itself. 1 They

Mr. James Rigby, Min r at Church Kirke.
By an Order from the Com. of this Countie, of the 3d Aug. 1648, there is 30 J. per an. allowed to Mr. James

Eigby, Min r at Church Kirk, and his successors there.

Mr. Eigby was ordained, by the Presbytery of Blackborne, at Church Kirke, 1st of Aug. 1648.

Mr. Eich. Eedman, Min r at Law Clmrch.

By an Order from the Com. for plund d Min, of April 21, 1647, there is 40Z. per an. out of the Eectory of

Exton, sequestered from James Anderton, Pap. allowed to a Min r at Low Church.

Mr. Eedman is nominated, in the Ordinance, for the Classis.

Mr. Alex. Gilbert, Min r at Tockholes Chap.

By an Order of the Com. of this Countie, of the 25th of Dec r , 1646, there is 40/. per an. allowed to an

orthodox Divine, to officiate at Tockholes Chap.

Mr. Gilbert was ordained Min r here Apr. 10th, 1649.

Mr. Edward Lapage, Min r at New Church, in Pendle Forrest.

By an Order, formerly entered for Mr. Browne, there is 40Z. per an. allowed.

Mr. Lapage is approved by the Classis, at Whaley, 8th of May, 1648.

Mr. Joshua Bernard, Min r at Over Darwin Chap.
By an Order of the Com. at Manchester, of the of Jan. 1648, there is 40/. per an. allowed to Mr. Ber-

nard, Min 1 ' at Over Darwin, together with the arrears due unto him.

By a Certificate of the Inhabitants of the Chappelrie of Over Darwin, it appears that Mr. Bernard was in

arreare for twoe yeares and a q r , ending the 3rd of Dec r , 1649.

Mr. Bernard was ordained the 4th of Dec r , 1649, at the Chappel of Over Darwin, by the Classis of

Blackborne Hundred.

Mr. Eichard Smethurst, Min r at Samsbury Chappel.
By an Order of 13 Dec. 1649, there is 40/. per an. allowed to Mr. Eich. Smethurst, Min r at Samsbury

Chappel, and the arreares due unto him.

Mr. Smethurst was ord d by the Minst. of Blackborne Classis, and sent to Samlisbury Chappell by them

the 4th of Dec. 1649.

By a Certificate the 10th Dec r , under the handes of the Chappelrie, it appeares that he hath served here

20 weekes.

(On a loose piece of paper.)
By Order of the Comm. of this Countie, of 18th Oct. 1649, there is 402. per an. allowed to Mr. James Critchly,

Min r at Langoe Chappel, and 20/. for his arrear.

Mr. Critchley was approved for that place by the Classis, at Whally, 10th Jul. 1649.
(Under LOYNSDALE Hundred.)
In another hand: ~| Mr. John King, Min' at Chipping.
This should be in > B 7 Order from the Committee of plundered Min, 17th June 1647, allowed 27th Aug.
Blackborne Hund. J following, there is bQl. per an. allowed out of the Tythes of Chipping, sequestered from
Christopher Harris, delinquent, to John King, Min r of the Par. Church of Chipping.
1 See Dr. Middleton's Inquiries into the Miraculous Powers, p. 232.

BOOK II. CHAP. III.J

PARISH CHURCH AND VICARAGE.

223

thought themselves happy, no douht, in their exemption from the restraint which a canon

of the Church ' imposes upon such adventures ; but the event has abundantly proved the

wisdom of a constitution, which vests in the ordinary a right to prohibit the inter-

meddling of hot-headed and credulous men in circumstances so delicate and suspicious.

It is to be observed that Mr. Gey, the Vicar of "Whalley, though applied to, prudently

forbore to interfere.

The remote situation of Whalley, and the adjoining benefices, was probably the

occasion of some neglect on the part of Archbishop Parker, of which he was admonished

by Bishop Pilkington, a native of Lancashire. 2 This state of things produced the

following spirited memorial, in which the unknown writer, with great appearance both of

law and reason, strikes at the root of the grievance, and boldly maintains that the

benefices in question were actually disappropriated, and became presentative again. I

have very lately met with this memoir among the Towneley manuscripts.
Instruction for my L d of Canterburies Benefices in Lancashire.
1st. It appereth by the original donations that there was a simple grant, or guift, of the advowsons and

patronages onlie of the parishes and churches of Ratchdale, Blackburn, and Whalley, unto the Abbey of

Whalley, as within is mentioned.
2d. The saide churches at the tyme of the saide sev'all donacions thearof were wholly ancyent,

presentable benefices ; and from tyme to tyme before had been occupyed and possessed by ecclesiastical

incumbents, and nev r till afterwards weare thralled and subjected to the state of Romish impositions.
3d. Aft r that the saide Abbye was possessed and invested in the patronage of the saide sev'all churches

and parishes, the abbot and convent there did then make suite to the b'p of Roomc for the perpetual

appropriations of the saide churches and parishes to the saide Abbey ; and that a vicar perpetual might be

ordayned in every of the saide sev'all churches and parishes, to have cure of sowles, and to be endowed with

a certain penc'on of monye, and glebe lands for their mayntcnance ; which was grawnted accordingly, as

may and doth appear.

4th. It m . By this kind of Romish dispensacyon and popish apostolical ordinac'on (as they tearme it)

the saide churches of free presentable benefices were made poore appropriated vicarages ; and soe ever since

have contynued and remayned, as to my lord of Canterburies grace himselfe is not unknowen.
5th. It. The late King Henry VIII. of famous memorie, depely considering the heavie yokes and

intolerable bondage wherwith all his lovyng subjects were greavously opressed, thro the tyrannie of the

Bishop of Roome, in these and other his dispensations and Romish impositions, did therefore enact and

ordayne, in his High Courte of Parlement, y l all faculties, dispensations, and appropriations whatsoever,

heretofore procured from ye see of Roome, should bee utterly voyded and of none effect.
6th. It m . Forasmuch as y e saide impropriations did precede and take their authority from that

dispensing power and seat of iniquity, and therefore were most justlye abolished and annihilated in law, by

this meanes it came to passe that all benefices by authoritie from the see of Rome were disappropriated, and

brought again to the ancient state of presentative benefices.

7. It m . For the better explayning of y e desolution of the appropriations papistical above mencioned,

for so much as y e same were not onlie derogatorie to y e true religion and service of Almightie God, but alsoe

were verie prejudicial to the ancyent prerogative and royal dignities of the Imperial Crowne of this realme,

it was and is further enacted, in statute above mentioned, that whosoever shal plead in anie court any

Vide 72nd canon.

2 [See the extract already given in page 213, note.]

224 HISTORY OF WHALLEY. [Boon II. CHAP. III.

dispensacyon or appropriacion proceeding from y e Courte of Roome shal therby incur y e penalty of premunire

made 16 Ri. lid.

8. It. Although the statute aforesaide touching the exonerating of y e people of this realme from

popish oppression and foreign impositions was repeled A. 1 Mar. ; yet y e same among others is effectuallye

revived A 1 of cure sov'reign ladie Qu. Eliz. as to those who are learned in y e laws is well knowen.
9th. It m . Forsomuch as after dissolution of y e saide impropriations, by force of y e statutes above

mentioned, the s d abbot and co'vent did nev r seeke for nor obtayne at y e Kinges Maj s hands, nor at y e

ordinarie of y e diocese, anie new impropriacion in law, but only continued the former usurpation and

wrongful intrusion into y* state of y e saide churches, and soe contynued y e same until the dissolution of the

then s d abbey and monasterie. By this it is apparent that y e s d abbot and convente, at y 8 verie instant tyme

of y e dissolution of ther saide monasterie, had noe other state in y e churches and benefices of R. B. and W.

but only jtis presentandi.
10. It" 1 . Where by the Act of Dissolution of Monasteries y e Kinges Majestie had noe other state geven

to him than onoly such interest and state as was invested and remayned in y e saide,abbot and covente, which

was onely jus presentandi, it behoved Mr. Cranemerr, then archbushop of Canterburie, to have sought a

further right and interest in y e saide benefices then eyther remayned in y e s d abbot and co'vente or in y e

Kinges Majestic at that tymc, which because he did not, it doth consequentlie follow that ther was no state

of impropriation in him at all.

11. It" 1 . If the King's Maj.'s letters patent be allowed as offeree to make y saide benefices impropria-

tions, to tliis it may be answered, that y c law of y e land requires consente of y e bushop diooesan, together

with y c incumbent, and a sufficient reservation and endowment of y c fruites, both for reliefe of y 6 poore and

maintenance of y vicars ; all which rights and circumstances ought to be expressed in a solemn authentical

instrument of real composition ; but in these p'tended impropriations of R. B. and W. there is not observed

anie such course of law at all (other than from y e Pope).

12. It m . Forsomuch as no lawful state of impropriation in y c saide church remained or was invested in

Mr. Cranemerr, then a'b'p, it must needes follow y l y e said a'b'p had no right nor authoritie in law to deinyse

and sett to forme y c saide benefices.
13. It" 111 . If either the Kinges Maj 9 prerogative royal, or anie other objection, be laide forth to weaken

y e truth of y c p'missos, yet y e strength of y e comuno law of the lande, together w 1 ' 1 y e statutes of H. IV

Ri. II. and H. VIII. doe apparently carrie such force in right, equitie, and conscience, ag st these and such

like impropriations, as before anie indifferent judge will make the truth hereof manifest.

14. It. The p'misses considered, it behoveth my L d of Canterburie his Grace, not onlie to have a care

of his owne due right in y c p'misses, but alsoe to provide better maintenance for the ministers sevving in y e

severall cures of these benefices ; which being grete p'shes, and contayning among them well nigh 4,000

households in all, it is good reason that y e state of their churches, y e government of y e people, y e right of

their tithes, &c. be gravely and depely considered.
And this the rather for that the inhabitants of these three parishes (under colour of pretended leases

from Mr. Cranemerr,) have bone oppressed w* exactions and fines to y c sum of 6,000 marks and above. Yet

y e poore people are forced, at their owne proper costs and charges, to allow and paye manie of their ministers

wages serving at y c chapells in y e saide p'ishes.

With respect to the operation of the statute 1st George I. on the rights of Mother

Churches over the augmented Chapels which are declared benefices, and those of which

the patronage is alienated, the following clause will prove that they remain what they

were : " That no Rector or Vicar of the Mother Church, having cure of souls within the

parish or place where such augmented Church or Chapel shall be situate, shall thereby be

BOOK II. CHAP. III.]

PARISH CHURCH AND VICARAGE.

225

divested or discharged from the same : but the cure of souls, with all other parochial rights

and duties, shall hereafter remain in the same state, plight, and manner as before the

making of this Act, and as if this Act had not been made." 1 Geo. I. c. x. 4.
So groundless is the doubt of Dr. Burn, whether, in such augmented cures, the duty

of canonical obedience, heretofore owing by the Curate to the Rector or Vicar, does not

cease.
[Undertaking of William le Wolf of KirJclawton, Vicar of Whalley, not to seek any increase

of the new foundation of Whalley Vicarage, 1336.

Universis sancte matris Ecclesie filiis prescntes lifcteras inspecturis : Wiftms dictus le Wolf de Kyrke-

lautoii perpetuus vicarius ecclesie de Whalleye Coventr' et Lich dioc' salutcm in Domino sempiternam.

Habita consideracione ad inmensa et innumera beneficia per religiosos viros dominos meos .... Abbatem

t Conventum Mori Loci Benedict! cle Wlialleye, ordinis Cisterc', dicte dioc', michi .... [erasect] . . . . et

impensa, volen .... [erased] eisdem obsequium gratitudinis impendere ac quantum in me est omnimodam

litem pro temporibus futuris inter dictos Religiosos et me super augmcntacioncm dictc vicarie de Whalleye

precavere : Sacrosanctis inspectis evangeliis et in verbo sacerdocii non ad hoc coactus, set mea mera et

spontanea voluntate ductus, lioc unum eisdem promitto ct fide media veraciter assero, quod ex uunc pro

meo perpetuo dictos Religiosos super Augmentacionem dicte vicarie de Whalleye per me dictum Wiftm non

inquietabo nee per alios quoscunque inquietare procurabo, aliquid ab eisdem aliqualitcr excgendo, contra

formam ordinacionis ven' in Christo patris domini Rogeri de Northburgh Dei gratia Covcntr' et Lich'

Episcopi de eadem vicaria anno Domini M ccc Tricesimo cum cause cogniciono factam, una cum confir-

macionibus Capitulorum suorum, Coventr' et Lich' super eadem ordinacione postmodum subsecutis. Et