An ansvver to the articles preferd against Edvvard Finch, vicar of Christ church by some of the parishioners of the same whereunto is added a just and modest reply to a most scurrilous, scandalous and malicious pamphlet, as by the title may appeare, of an uncertaine author / by Edvvard Finch...

MY ANSVVERE TO EACH ARTICLE in Order, as I delivered it be∣fore the Grand Committee.

Article 1.

FIrst, That the said Master Finch is very officious and observant in worshipping the great Idoll lately erected in the said Church, viz. the Altar.

TO the first, I utterly denyde and doe any offi∣ciousnesse or observancie in worshipping the Altar, as is alleged: onely thus much I con∣fest, That I never came into the Temple to execute my Ministeriall Function, but I gave a decent reverence to God, being his owne house, and not on∣ly at the Administration of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, but also when I came to the Font at the administration of the Sacrament of Baptisme, and with as much reverence and humility, appearing be∣fore so great a Majestie, whose unworthy Minister I was, and am, when I was conducted by the Officer into the Pulpit.

Artic. 2.

That he exacteth sometimes twenty shillings a piece, and many times more, for funerall Sermons, himselfe seldome preaching any of them, and affirmeth his Pulpit to bee his Shop, and therefore must improve it to the utmost.

To the second I confest, that I demanded for the most part of the most able sort, twenty shillings for a Funerall Sermon; to those of an inferiour rancke, I either tooke ten shillings, or upon notice of their ina∣bilitie, (though they were desirous to bury their friend in a fashionable way, being the last duty, or of∣fice of love they could performe for them) I gave it them freely, and not onely forgave them my owne duties, but perswaded the rest of the Officers of the Church to doe the like.

Artic. 3.

That he is very carelesse and negligent in executing his Pastorall dutie, having appeared scarce twice in twelve moneths to Officiat the same, nay, not once in a yeare.

To the third I confest, that by imprisonment, I was inforc't to execute my place by others, allow'd Preachers, sufficient and able men, my selfe not being sufferd to come abroad, without great charges, which I was not able to disburse.

Artic. 4. 5.

••••at he ordinarily preacheth in his Surplice.

That he also weareth his Surplice in going the Perambu∣lation of the Parish.

To the fourth and fifth, I answered, that I held the wearing of the Surplice to be a matter of indiffe∣rencie in it self. But it was ever accustomably worne in that Church: For besides that it is Parochiall, it is also (by the Foundation of H. 8.) Cathedrall, where all solemnities of that nature are used.

Artic. 6.

That he hath not for many yeares beene resident in the Parish, but lets to farme his Vicaridge-house

To the sixth I confest, I let my house, constrain'd thereunto by Imprisonment, as before, but is no Vi∣caridge house as is alleadged.

Artic. 7.

That he maketh no conscience of Oathes, but is a frequent violater of Gods holy Name, by often swearing thereby, with fearefull and horrid Imprecations, and execrations, as was most abundantly proved.

To the seventh, I did (as it was fit for me and eve∣ry good Christian to doe) acknowledge Swearing to be a great and most abominable sinne; but denyed that I ever usde it frequently. But said, that if at any time through passion and forgetfulnesse I had offen∣ded my God that way, I humbly before them crav'd pardon of him in the first place, to give me grace,

that I might never offend any more in that kind, and entreated their Christian compassion to passe it by upon promise of amendment.

Artic. 8.

That he is a common haunter of Tavernes, and Ale∣houses, and is often and openly drunke.

I denyde it, otherwise then upon necessitie, socie∣tie of Neighbours and friends, and I hope without offence, or scandall.

Artic. 9.

That he hath exacted excessive Fees, as ten shillings for a Christning.

I denyde any exaction of Fees, other then my Predecessors had formerly taken, nor so much nei∣ther, and no ten shillings for a Christning, neither came it in proofe.

Artic. 10.

That before he will performe his duty in Burials, and upon other occasions, he will have his lawlesse and unconsci∣onable demands satisfied, whereof some of the Petitioners have complained to the Diocesan, but it seemes his correcti∣on was gentle, for no amendment hath followed.

To the tenth I gave this Answer, that the Article answered it selfe; for it pretended a Complaint, and

a Correction, and n•• man is to be punisht twice for one fault. But before whom this complaint was, and when it was, for my part, I know not of it, nor ever heard of it.

Artic. 11.

That he hath demanded, and taken for Burials of Pa∣rishioners, ten and twelve pounds a piece, and hath shut, or caused to be shut up the Church doores, and not suffered the ground to be broken for Parishioners, untill his undue exactions have beene satisfied.

To the eleventh I denyde it.

Artic. 12. 13. 14. 15.

That he hath administred the Communion to a dying wo∣man, when he was so drunke, that he forgot the Service, failed in rehearsing the Lords Prayer, and at his departure was not able to returne to his place of abode without leading.

That at the same time he caused all present with the said woman to depart the roome, and then enjoyned the sicke par∣tie to confesse unto him all her secret sinnes.

That being so alone with the said woman, he demeaned himselfe so uncivelly, and used such unseemely gestures to∣wards her, that she was faine to cry out for her husband to come in.

That afterwards for performance of this good service a∣bout the said woman, he sent for a Fee of three shillings foure pence.

To these, I confest that I was sent for to admini∣ster

the Sacrament to a dying woman, then dwelling at the George in Warwicke lane. I confest likewise, that I desired two or three women that were there to depart the roome, that I might speake one word to the sicke party. And it was this. If any sin trouble your conscience, you shall doe wel to reveale it, and I will give you the best comfort I can. Shee replyde, she thankt God there was none at all, where∣upon I called in the company immediatly, and wee went to the performance of what I came for, namely, the administration of those holy Misteries of the bo∣dy and blood of our blessed Sauiour. But that I was drunke I utterly denyde it, neither was it positively proved, but meerely by the threats of some of the Prosecutors, as I can make appeare, fairely extorted from them, and that in a doubtfull and ambiguous sence too. The husband and the women acquitted me before the Committee for any ill behaviour, or incivility, or any outcry made by the Woman.

Artic. 16. 17.

That November 5. 1639. he would suffer no Ser∣mon to bee Preached, unlesse out of the Collection for the Poore, he might have a Fee of thirteene shillings and foure pence, but finding the Collection to be small, he tooke ten shillings.

That this last November 5. 1640. he would neither preach himselfe, nor suffer any other to preach.

To these I answered, that I did acknowledge to have received ten shillings for a Sermon on the 5. of November last was Twelumonth, from my then Cu∣rate,

master Thomas Risdon, who came to me from the Parish, as he pretended, with an earnest request, that I would give way to it, and he would preach. But from whence the money came, I profest ingenuously, I did not to that day know, nor doe I yet. It is knowne in my whole practise, for neere upon 11. yeares, I have beene more carefull to adde then to diminish from the poore, which has causde some differences be∣tweene my selfe and some of the Parish, which is still an heart-burning, I am afraid. As for an instance, Master Whales 100. l. mis-imployde contrary to the expresse Will of the Testator; the mis-imploiment of which, I know has beene out of the Poores way many a summe of money, which they feele the smart of. I added over and above, that in regard of the Commemoration of that blessed and happy Delive∣rance on the above named day, at Saint Pauls Church whither some Reverend and grave Divine is, by the right reverend Father in God the Lord B. of London, chosen out of one of the Universities (my Church being so neere there was never any Sermon there be∣fore. But the Right Honourable the Lord Major, the Aldermen his Brethren, with the rest of the grave Citizens of every Parish, doe in a solemne manner go thither. And the next 5. of November I was never so much as askt. If I had, I would willing∣ly have given way to it. And this year there was one.

Artic. 18.

That he and his wife having for many yeares lived a∣sunder with much obloquie, he keepeth company with divers

women, suspected of incontinency.

To this I answer'd, that I knew not any woman I kept company withall, any waies suspected of incon∣tinencie, unlesse it were by such scandalizing Pam∣phleters, who first raisde the same, and study nothing more then to take away men and womens reputati∣ons. Besides, I have answered those Calumnious as∣persions in two severall Courts, and beene freed in both, viz. In the Arches, and upon an Appeale against me in the Court of Delegates.

Artic. 19.

That hee hath since his being Vicar of the said Parish much opposed the Lecture, which without intermission hath for many yeares beene continued in the West end of the said Church, called the Old or Lower Church, (early in the mor∣ning on the Lords day) not suffering any one to preach the same, unlesse he the said Vicar might have extraordinary hire for permitting of it, viz. about fortie pounds at one time, and twenty pounds at another time, and divers other summes at other severall times, and at this present twenty pounds a yeare, and yet not contented therewith, he threatens to arrest the present Lecturer, unlesse he may have his unjust demands satisfied.

This I denyde, And I wonder they were not a∣shamed to make it an Article, since divers of the Pa∣rish know the cleane contrary, and others also Nay, some did professe to me, that I had been very just and earnest in setting it up, and had not deluded them as

others did. And without my paines and zeale in it, they had conceived no hopes of it. For which they gave me many thankes, and said, I should find the love of the Parish ever hereafter, which you may see and judge by the presenting of these Articles, what the requitall of my love shewed to them has found.

Artic. 20.

That he detaineth and keepeth away divers Bookes be∣longing and appe••taining to the said Church.

To this I answered, that by direction from that Honourable Assembly, the Churchwardens recei∣ved the Booke of the Foundation of H. the 8. and the Register book of Burials, Marriages, and Christ∣nings, which was alwaies accustomably left in the Chest in the Church. My selfe having one Key, and each Church-warden another, according to a Canon in that case provided.

Artic. 21.

That many times in receiving his owne exacted Fees for Burials, hee hath also received Duties due to the Church-wardens for the use of the Poore of the said Parish, and de∣tained them to his owne use.

To the last I denyed it, But admitted▪ I said I was responsable by Law; and when the accounts were brought in by the Church-wardens, which alwaies use to be at Easter, I would give satisfaction for what could be made justly appeare to be due to them on my part.