THE DIARY OF THE

REV. RALPH JOSSELIN

1616-1683

THE DIARY OF THE

REV. RALPH JOSSELIN

1616-1683

EDITED FOR THE

ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
«*

BY

E. HOCKLIFFE M.A.

CAMDEN THIRD SERIES
VOL. XV.

LONDON
OFFICES OF THE SOCIETY

6 & 7 SOUTH SQUARE

GRAY'S INN

1908

2-c?

PREFACE

The diary of Ralph Josselin, Vicar of Earles Colne from 1640 to
1683, consists of 185 pages about 8 inches by 5 written very closely
on both sides of the page in a very fine and clear hand. It is bound
in calf with the royal arms stamped on either cover with the letter
G on the one side and the letter K on the other side of the shield ;
doubtless this cover belonged originally to some other book. In the
year 1702 the diary was still in the possession of the family as on
one of the pages are the words u John Spicer his book ; " it will be
seen that a Mr. Spicer married the Vicar's youngest daughter
Rebekah. Its subsequent history is unknown, until it was discovered
among the late Mrs. Oliphant's books after her death ; how it came
into her possession is uncertain.

Less than half the original diary is here published. There are
many entries of no interest whatever — endless thanks to God for his
goodness u to mee and mine, " prayers, notes about the weather
or his sermons, innumerable references to his constant u rheums "
and " poses, " trivial details of every day life, records of visits to
his friends etc. etc. The aim of the present edition has been to
extract so much personal detail as is required to give a picture of
the actual life of the author, and to include everything that possesses
any historical interest. The author's spelling has been carefully
preserved.

The entries in the diary are frequent and are made almost daily
in the earlier years, but from about 1665 onwards the vicar seems
to have made usually only one entry a week.

vi PREFACE

Ralph Josselyn belonged to the ancient family of Josselyn whose
name is supposed to be connected with the town of Josselin in
Brittany, the head of the senior branch of which is the Earl of
Roden. There was a Ralph Josselyn of Roxwell in Essex, yeoman,
whose will was proved on May 4, 1632 ; he had seven sons of whom
the eldest was John. John Josselyn was born about 1583 and died
in 1636, and was the father of the author of the diary ; he had six
other brothers one of whom, Thomas, emigrated to New England
in 1635 ; and in Dr. Shaw's u History of the English Church during
the Civil Wars &c. " will be found the names of other members of
the same family. The following extract from the will of Ralph
Josselyn of Roxwell (the grandfather of the author of the diary) will
show that the family was clearly well to do. u Ralph Josselyn of
Roxwell in the county of Essex yeoman. To wife Dorothy a yearly
rent of £20 for life, she abiding with my sons Ralphe and Symon.
I have given unto my eldest son John his full part of my estate
amounting to £800. To my son Richard £200 for his portion.
To my son Joseph Josselyn £160." It will be seen from the diary
April 30, 1647, that the author after some difficulty with his uncles
received " free and peaceable possession of those parcels of land
given to Joseph ; this land part of our ancient inheritance ; now I
have about £20 per annum in land. " l

Ralph was born on January 26, 1616-17, though, judging from an
entry in the diary under the date January 25, 1654-5, u rose this
morning and I found my birthday was 26 not this day as I thought
hitherto ", he had up to that time reckoned the 25th as the day
of his birth. The greater portion of his life was spent at Earles
Colne of which he became Vicar in the year 1640.

It is an ancient town which owes its prefix Earles to the fact that
the Earls of Oxford were the founders of the Priory which flourished
till the Dissolution. Effigies of some of the family may still be seen
at the Priory, a comparatively modern house near the site of the
ancient monastery. " The 17th Earl of Oxford sold Earles Colne, with

1 My thanks are due to John H. Josselyn Esq. of Ipswich for this information
about the Josselyn family ; also to Mr. Ralph Nevill, F.S.A., for his interest in the
subject.

PREFACE vii

the tombs of his ancestors, to his steward Roger Harlakenden for
£2,000 in Sept. 1583 " and with the Harlakendens of his day our
Vicar was very intimate. The church itself was built in 1532 and
upon the tower may be seen the quarterings of John de Vere, 16th
Earl of Oxford, supported by two reindeer with boar for crest.
From it in the year 1641 u upon an order of the House of Commons
to that purpose we took down all images and pictures and such
like glasses. " The Vicar had come there in 1640, stayed with
Mr. R. Harlakenden, preached on the Lords Day and u upon their
approbacon they desired mee I would come and live with them
as yr minister. " So after he had u passed all with the bishop ",
he took u peaceable possession " in March 1640 and remained
there till his death in 1683.

In the " Valor Ecclesiasticus " the value of the living appears as
£8. 10s. Sd. but from the diary under the year 1640 it will be
seen that the actual value was £80, made up as follows.

Tithes £40. 0. 0.

Mr. Rich. Harlakenden wood and money , 20. 0. 0.

His tenants in contribucon 2. 0. 0.

Mr. Thomas Harlakenden 3. 0. 0.

The town contribucon. 15. 0. 0.

But the Vicar rarely gathered in the whole of this income. l
Ralph Josselyn appears to have begun to keep a full record of his
life only in the year 1644. In that year he wrote u Many things I
have omitted ; but now henceforward I shall be more exact and
particular, " and from that time till the day of his death we have a
full account of his life. Through all the chances and changes of
that time he remains Vicar of Earles Colne. No sketch of his
career need be given here ; its details are plainly recorded in the
following pages and a study of them will give a very graphic picture
of the life of this pious and at the same time business-like clergyman
of the 17th century. By legacies, by profits from his farm, by
augmentations to his living, by his salary as schoolmaster or as

1 Farther information upon this with the text of the Harlakenden endowment
in 1673 will be found in Morant's Essex, ii, 214.

viii PREFACE

Chaplain to Col. Harlakenden's regiment, he gradually amassed a
fortune which enabled him to portion one of his daughters with
u my house I dwell in and land belonging thereto worth £400, and
an £100 ; " to another daughter about a month later he gave
u £500 down and with my blessing sent her away. " u Halfe I
have gained" he writes at another time u hath not been from Colne
but on other occasions. " Clearly he enjoyed a greater measure of
prosperity than many a clergyman of that day.

The price of land, food, cows and pigs, the wages of servants, the
cost of a birthday entertainment, the salary of a schoolmaster, the
excise duty on hops — such details as these will be found scattered
over the various pages of the diary. We may see the books he
reads, we may watch him at work upon his Reconciler, in which he
attempts to reconcile passages of scripture apparently contradictory,
or discussing the choice of elders with other ministers ; we may
hear him lamenting u the heavy burthen of the book of Common
Prayer ; " at another time he tells us how he administers the Sacra-
ment upon Easter day 1665 — u I believe its 22 or 23 years since
received on that day or occasion ; " he is appointed u an assistant
in ejecting of ministers or schoolmasters for inefficiency, " he grum-
bles vigorously at the Quakers, he is summoned to the Bishop's court
in 1669 for not wearing the surplice, and returns "safe ;" he remain-
ed obstinate upon the point apparently till 1680. Under May 17
of that year he writes u Rid to court ; the matter is the surplice which
I see no sin to use and shall endeavour to live as quietly as may be
to the end of my race. "

The picture in fact is full of interesting detail, and perhaps more
than enough has already been said to describe the general character
of the book. Such as Josselyn was, no doubt were many of his
contemporaries ; pious and devout, a preacher of long sermons, a
devoted adherent of the Parliament, a hater of Laud — " that great
enemy of the power of godliness " he writes, u that great stickler
for all the outward pomp in the service of God left his head on
Tower Hill " and in that simple entry there sounds a note of triumph
such as doubtless thrilled many a Puritan of that day. But devoted
as he was to the Parliamentary cause, he yet laments " the black

PREFACE ix

providence of putting the king to death, " and is evidently reconciled
to the return of Charles II. He has all the curious egotism which
is the mark of a certain type of religious mind ; when in one week
he has lost both a child and a u dear friend, " though he laments
their deaths, he seems at the same time to regard them chiefly as a
warning, in fact a " great mercy " sent by God to himself, (vide
June 4, 1650.)

Yet with all his piety, his continued u exercises " and " expound-
ings, his u profitable and spiritual discourses, " he combined a strict
attention to his interests as a farmer, and shrewd business calcula-
tions jostle cheek by jowl with fervid expressions of piety. We hear
that u Huggins is undone," and in the same breath that Josselyn has
taken care to seize his crop for rent.

A kindly if somewhat self-seeking figure he lives again in the
pages of this diary, and when his story ceases abruptly on July 27,
1683, with a broken entry, we feel with real sorrow that we have
parted from a friend.

NOTE.

From a paper on the Harlakenden family contributed to the
Topographer by G. Steinman (Windsor Herald) it appears that
Josselin's diary was in the year 1847 in the possession of the family
of Carwardine which is descended from the Harlakendens. The
diary also seems to have been at Colne Priory in the year 1765.
This information, for which I am indebted to Capt. Geoffrey
Probert, Equerry to H.R.H. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll,
unluckily reached me too late for insertion in the first page of the
Preface.

THE DIARY OF THE

REV. RALPH JOSSELIN

i 61 6-1 683

A THANKFULL OBSERVACON

OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE &f GOODNESS TOWARDS

MEE &? A SUMMARY VIEW OF MY LIFE :

BT ME RALPH JOSSELIN.

Jan : 26 : 1616 : I was borne to the great joy of ffather & An : Dni
mother being much desired as being their third child and as it 1616.
pleased God their only sonne. I had this happiness in my birth
to bee the seed of the righteous, both parents being in the
judgment of man gratious persons : the place of my birth was
Chalke-end my ffathers patrimony : I was the eldest sonne in our
whole ffamily and yett possest not a foote of land, in which yett I
praise God I have not felt inward discontent & grudging ; God
hath given mee himselfe, and he is all and will make up all other
things unto me.

My father, selling his inheritance, retired from Roxwell to 1618 :
Bishops Stortford in Hartfordshire, where my ffather, my mother
being received up into Heaven, gave mee good educacon, by his
owne instruction, example & in schooles as I was capeable, I
having devoted my selfe to the worke of the Lord in the Ministery.

In my infancy I had a gratious eye of providence watching over
mee, preserving me from dangers by fire, a remembrance I shall
carry to my grave on my right thigh ; by knives, being stabd in the
forehead by my second sister, a wild child, but now I hope God
hath tamed & sanctifyed her spirit ; falls from horse, water & many
casualtyes.

But yt which I have most cause to admire was the goodness of
God to preserve mee from poysonous infections from servants, &
bestowing his grace upon me to restrayne mee from lewdnes ;
though full of spirit, and of a nimble head & strong memory,
preserved from many untowardnesses that young boys fall into.
I hope I shall never forgett Gods fitting mee for a scholler, and
giving mee a spirit for the same, from which nothing would divert
mee ; at last God putt it into my fathers heart to listen to mee ;

B

2 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY.

I confessse my childhood was taken with ministers and I heard
with delight & admiracon & desire to imitate them from my youth,
& would be acting in corners. 2. I had a singular affection to
the historyes in the bible, being acquainted with all those historyes
in very yong dayes, & so with divers historyes prophane & civill,
upon which I emulated other languages that I might see what
historyes were in those tongues. 3. My father was a widdowe,
and my corrupt heart feared a mother in law & undoing by her &
truly so it proved in respect of estate as will appeare : & yr fore I
desird to bee a scholler ; so should I make ye better shift if from
home, & bee able to live of my selfe by Gods blessing.

My father, moved by God, yielded to my desires & placed mee
with Mr Leigh, a painfull man to me, whom I have cause to love &
blesse God for his labours, and praise the Lord for his blessings
upon mee ; in the schoole I was active & forward to learne which
contented my master & father : I thank God for his goodness to
mee insomuch as for not saying my lessons I remember not that I
ever was whipt ; once I was for an exercise when my master was
passionate : it might bee I often might deserve it, yett I made it
my aime to learne & lent my minde continually to read historyes :
and to shew my spirit let me remember with greife that wch I yett
feele : when I was exceeding yong would I project the conquering
of kingdoms & write historyes of such exploits. I was much
delighted with Cosmography taking it from my ffather. I would
project wayes of receiving vaste estates & then lay it out in stately
building, castles, libraryes, colledges & such like : & withal wh.
was worse, oh ye strange prodigious uncleane lusts when I was yett
a child ; how often have I walkt with delight to meditate upon
such courses, being too well acquainted with those senes by
bookes which I had ; yett I blesse God who kept mee from all
outwd uncleannesse ; praise bee to him, & for this I desire to loath
& abhorre my selfe.

1631. In processe of time when I was growne up to 14 or 15 yeares of
age my father marryed, upon wch he projected to raise an estate
for mee, as he had sold his patrimony, for which my grandfather
then gave his other lands from him, though the eldest, giving him

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 3

only 101. : wch according to his will was due to mee, which I had
also duly payd to mee after 12 yeares by my two uncles his
executors ; but that plott ' fayled, my father loosing therby above
200/. : besides agst all my intreatyes went to farming, wherby he
lost most part of his estate.

My fathers love was such towards mee that when I was neare 1632
16 yeares old I went to Cambridge to Jesus Colledge, entred March,
pentioner under Mr Tho : Lant my loving and I hope godly &
honest tutor;2 he dealt lovingly with mee, but I was forced to come
from Cambridge many times for want of meanes & loose my time
in the contry ; yett would I endeavour to gett it up & I thank God
notwithstanding all hindrances I was not behind many of my time
& standing : & now my fathers love would budd forth in expressions
of love & teares towards mee exceedingly, living at Bumpsted in
Essex under Mr Symons his landlord & Mr Borradale a godly man
his minister.

I bless my God to restrayne mee by his grace from lewdness ;
and in particular though my father loved me exceedingly & my
mother in law, though I hope an honest woman, yett was of a
somewhat soure spirit, yett I remember not that I ever caused any
debate or division betwixt them for anything, though I was sensible
of her disrespect in somethings towards mee : I can call to mind
not many things in my life : in reference to my father I blesse God
to give mee a spirit carefull to please him so that I had his blessing,
being a joy & not a greife of heart unto him. He was greived that
he should leave mee no estate, & I told him, if he had enough for
himselfe, I hoped God would so blesse mee as that I should, if
need were, bee helpefull to him : tis a continuall comfort to mee to
thinke of my tender love to him, & my care for him in wh I was
able to do his business, for his creditt, for his estate ; much went
through my hand and yett I gave him alwayes a just account, but
only for about 5s. at one time, which I spent upon my selfe in his
imployment & not lavishly.

When I came to Bumpsted I heard Mr Borradale with delight ;

1 i.e. Plan of raising an estate.

3 Words in italics have been supplied to fill up mutilations in the text.

4 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

whom God used as an instrument to doe mee good ; when I heard
him, my use was to walke home alone not with other boys or
company, & stay not in the churchyard but immediately away, &
meditate upon ye sermon & example my self e by the same. I could
not afterwards but relate ye same to him, who heard it with much
joy & comfort ; it was my constant course to performe dutyes of
prayer betwixt God & my selfe twice & sometimes thrice a day, &
to read the Scriptures.

Towards my sisters God gave mee a heart to seeke yr good in
some measure, my father living and dead, & especially my sister
Anna, in hindring her from marrying a widclow, when my father
had cast her of, and in reconciling her unto him agayne & this I did
before I was 17 yeares old. When my father was dead, in my
poverty, I blesse God I did not forgett to doe for them.

Besides w* I sayd before of my slips, twice was I mistaken ignor-
antly & unadvisedly ; my God forgive & pardon the same to mee
in the bloud of his Christ, which I desire most earnestly ; and I
had too much familiarity with a neare & deare freind of mine,
though I praise my God who kept mee from uncleannesse : the
Lord tooke her away young, yett he gave mee all opportunity first
to bemoane it with her, and to intreate her to seeke of God pardon
& forgivenes for the same : I blesse the Ld for that Spirit, yfc having
beene a cause with others of erring, the Ld gave mee grace to lament
it with ye partyes & aske them forgivenes, & advising them not to
bee mislead by my example. I desire to look upon y* branch '
always in respect of my selfe with trembling, and Gods preservacon
with thankefulnes : oh ye opportunityes yt I have had in the affect-
ion of this friend ; I should not have thought yr had been yl want-
onnes in youth if my experience had not manifested the same.

In Cambridge in my study es I was close & dilligent : my fault
was to omitt too many mornings by reason of my tenderness, either
in bed or by ye fire : ye supersticons of ye Church were a perplexity
then unto mee. God gave mee mercy in blessing me with love and
prospering in ye Colledge, few fallings out, but one to speake, by or

1 Tendency.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 5

rashnes, wch wee lamented as being upon a Sabbath day when wee
should have been at publique ordinances ; their God kept from
infection strangely.

For my health, God was good unto mee ; preserving mee
from the small poxe when I have oftentimes beene neare & in
danger.

While I was in this way compassed with mercyes being newly 1636
come up to Cambridge, on Tuesday night Oct : 25 came up my
brother Hodson about 10 a Clocke at night and brought mee word
my father was sicke, speechlesse, senseles, and like to dye : I rid
home that night but had not ye comfort to have one word from him
that he knew mee, so as on ffriday Octob : 28 my ffather gave
up the ghost, and is now in rest, in joy & glory : he was about 53
yeares old or very nigh, and I wanted one quarter to 20. Now was
my condicon sad, young, & freindles & pennyles, my father
making no will. Octob : 30, wee buryed him in Bumpsted Church-
yard : with greife of heart I layd him into the grave, but my God
lives for evermore. My mother in law tooke not as 1 conceived a
course to doe us justice ; wee could not agree, I departed from her,
tooke my degree at Cambridge Batchelor of art, with money I hd
from her, and putt my selfe into apparell, so that of 20/. my share
in my fathers estate I spent 10/. before ffeb : 1, 1636.

But now wl course should I take ? Sometimes I thought upon
my fathers farme, then upon the law, but God and the perswasions
of Mr Borradale & Mr Thornlecke setled mee againe upon Cam-
bridge ; well, I tooke my degree & in ffeb : ult. Mr Thornlecke had
word that one Mr Kempe of Sutton in Bedfordshire wanted an
usher. I resolved to goe over thither with yr letter, but I wanted
money for my jorney : oh how ashamed was I to aske : one 'Edward
Bell upon my intreaty lent me 5s. to pay my charges ; oh how
hardly with teares in my eyes did I looke upon upon my condicon ;
much a doe I procured a horse & a sadle : my proud heart thought
ys was very meane : in tedious wheather I went my jorney : prov-
idence cast mee upon a carryer y1 went y1 way, otherwise I could
not have performed my jorney ; I escaped some danger at Potton
of miring, sett up my horse their & downe that night to Mr Kempes

6 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

late ; he entertayned mee, but in conclusion he was provided of an
usher and so my jorney was lost ; home I came with a sad heart, a
tyred horse, & empty purse ; I rid almost all night because I neither
would nor could pay another dayes horse hire ; when I was come
home I borrowed 10s. of Mr Thornlecke to carry mee into Norfolke
to my Unckles : thither I went, having payd my former 5s. ; my
Uncle Benton entertaynd mee with love & pity & offered mee to
stay a while with him ; here was providence, abroad I had none,
money none, and frends were not so kinde as I expected ; oh but
my God tooke mee up & had a care of mee, forever blessed bee his
name. Now I was as it were at an anchor, when loe within 2 dayes,
on Satturday at night, comes in a messenger with the offer of a
place unto mee ; it came about thus ; Mr Kempe had a letter sent to
him from Mr Neale of Deane in Bedfordshire to helpe him to an
Usher ; he sent over kindly to Mr Thornlecke, and he to mee in
Norfolke ; my Uncle Benton advised mee to accept the place ;
I lookt upon it as a gratious providence, returned to Bumpsted,
payd thee messenger, and resolved into a country & among persons
that I never heard of before : all my things at Cambridge I sold to
my sister Anna & in conclusion I gave her them : I made even with
all the world, provided mee my horse, and suite of clothes, and
coate which I borrowed at I/. 13s. 4d. upon my Uncle Miles his
creditt : when I had fitted all, disposed my bookes & some linnen
in my trunke, I left it with a carryer to bring after mee : I tooke
horse & rid towards Huntington ; I had in my purse, the charges of
my jorney deducted, I/. 5s. 9d. I was indebted 10s. above that
formerly expressed for my coate : when I came upon the bridges
betwixt Godmanch ester & Huntington, I ruminated upon Jacobs
speech, with my staffe I passed over this Jordan : my condicon was
lowe, I went I knew not whither ; if I had not sett downe in this
place, I had been undone : well I considered what a plentif ull
returne Jacob had : I considered, loe in this condicon thus lowe, a
litle money, a few bookes and only 101. my mother still ought mee
of my part in my fathers estate ; I stayd and went softly and made
this coven* with God to serve him & wi ever became of mee, to use
no unlawful and dishonest way for my subsistance or prefernA

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 7

In this my sad heart was somew1 cheard ; at ye foote of the bridge
the prisoners were begging ; my heart pittyed them in yr distresse
and out of my poverty I gave them 3d. ; riding on my jorney, I
found I could not well reach to the end yl night, upon wch I tooke
up my inne at Spalditch ; their was some charge unexpected : the
next morning March 24 : 1636 : anno aetatis the twentieth & some-
what upwards I came to Deane, alighting from my horse and
calling at the doore ; the gentlewoman of the House welcomes mee
into her parlor & calls her housband : it rejoyced mee to see their
faces, they expressed goodness in their countenances ; well in con-
clusion I agreed to stay ; the present schoolemr was not yett gone,
but I was to enter upon it as from the next day, he laying it downe March :25:
as that day the end of the quarter : my entrance was harsh, 10/. 1637.
per annum was I to pay for my diett : 3 schollers afforded mee : 71. ;
the first quarter was worth 4/. to mee & I had hopes of increase
dayly : now was I in a hopefull way ; I applyed my selfe to my
schoole & studyes ; I was much ingaged to Mr Dillingham for his
love & respect : I read through all Chamier ! there & abridged
him. I had acquaintance at my Ld Mandevilles of Kimbolton
Castle and the use of his library by meanes of Mr Merrill his chap-
laine : I rid sometimes into Essex & Norfolke ; once per annum
payd my debts, received my money of my mother, had ye counte-
nance of my freinds having now no need of their helpe. Having
stayd yr 2 yeares, at Spring 1639 at Easter coming out of Norfolke, 1639.
I was taken sicke with an ague & fever, which brought me lowe, as
if it would have by a deepe consumption layd mee in the grave ; my
friends feared mee, yett I did not, but trusted in God for recovery,
who sett mee on my leggs againe : in a word at Deane I bought
mee bookes, clothes, & saved some money : upon Michaelmas day,
anno: 1639, I preached my first sermon2 at Wormington in North-
amptonshire at the intreaty of Mr Elwes upon Acts, 16. 31 : some
discontents were in my head so that Mr Gifford of Olny coming to
mee & preferring mee 127. per annum & my diett, to bee his Curate,
I went over to Olny in Buckinghamshire & left Deane Octob : 4

1 Daniel Chamier, 1570-1621 : wrote de Oecumenico Pontifico.

2 He was not ordained deacon till December.

8 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

1639, being ffriday ; my stocke was 201. 7s. 9d. in money & about
I/, owing mee, so that I putt up in money besides all my expences
about 10/. in money & pd my debts.

Olny : The first quarter at Olny I was only assistant to him in his
schoole : the first Lds day being Octob : 6 was my eye fixed with
love upon a mayd, & hers upon mee, who afterwards proved my
wife : Decemb : 13 my uncle Mr Joslin in Norfolke sent mee ye
offer of a place by him ; but my affection to that mayde that God
had layd out to be my wife would not suffer mee to stirre, so I
gave the messenger 5s. & sent him away : in that month of Decem-
ber I was ordayned Deacon by the Bp of Peterburg. The charges
amounted to I/. 14s. 9d. in my jorney. In my returne I preached
at Deane, Decemb. 25l. & coming home from thence I read
prayers at Olny, and that day found Jane Constable the mayde
before mentioned in our house, which was the beginning of our
acquaintance. The next Lds day I preached at Olny on Acts 16.
31. & so also on Jan : 1 Newyears day : at night invited to supper
to Goodman Gaynes. I went in to call Goodwife Shepheard, and
their my Jane being, I stayed with her, which was or first proposall
of the match one to another, which wrought a mutuall promise one
to another Jan : 23 : and by all or consents a contract. Sept. 28.
1640 : and or marriage Octob : 28 following. Now henceforward
I preached once a fortnight & Mr Gifford gave me 10s. per quarter
more out of his love for my paynes : here I lived with them very
comfortably & contentedly ; wee used Shovelboard for our recreaton
of which I grew weary presently : about latter end of ff eb : I was
ordayned minister at Peterburg by ye Bp. & 6 ministers : I would
not bowe towards the Altar as others did & some followed my

1640. example ; charges amounted to I/. 6s. Wd. That spring I went up
to Cambridge to visit for my degree of Mr in arts as or custome was :
charges their and for my gowne and cassocke amounted to 191. 18s.
& somewhat upwards : this was a hard pull ; from thence I went
to Norfolke, & coming home to preach at Olny fayr, flouds were
so great as I narrowly escaped drowning in divers places. I hope
I shall never bee unmindfull of Gods goodness to mee in my pre-
servason. Likewise at Olny mighty fall from a chimney into a place,

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 9

where I walked presently, l as soone as I was passed by. Now
being Mr of Arts & minister I began to thinke of marrying, being
sure to my wife, but I could not see any convenience how to live.
Beginning of July I was at Cranham in Essex & preachd their 2
sermons : about growing in grace ; my uncle & all the towne
desird mee to live with them, and I seemed not much agst it : to
Olny I return, & having had some offers from my Ld Mandevill
which I durst not accept, least I should loose my selfe in a loose
family, I repayred to Kimbolton thrice to try providence, but neither
time fitting mee, I resolved, twas not Gods pleasure to raise mee
that way. I sought him for direction, and about August I was
continually perswaded ere 3 months God would lay out a way for
my livelyhood ; one day in September getting a part in private to
seeke unto God for his direction, as I ended prayer, God perswaded
mee I should have a present answer of my desire ; as I stood up at
window I heard one inquire for mee. I went downe and it was
one sent from Cranham to intreate mee to live with them ; his name
was Goodman Tavener ; at length wee came to this conclusion that
ye minister allowing 247. per annum & my uncle my diett or 10/.
& the Towne 10/. more I would come over to them ; home he
came, made up my proposicons and came over for mee : ffriday
Sept : 25 I went my jorney : 26, at London wee mett the joyfull
newes of this Parliam1 that is now sitting, 1644, and God long con-
tinue for his glory, and his Churches good. I was first contracted
to my deare wife at Cranham ; I waited 3 weekes for their
Minister ; he coming over, wee concluded, so as sent a wagon for
my stuffe and came to Olny & marry ed Wednesday. Octob. 28, 4
yeares after my ffathers death. On Monday following wee began or
jorney & Nov. 4. came safe to Cranham ; returning I thought of
my thoughts at Huntington Bridge, & God had brought mee backe,
increased with wife, goods, and parts ; loe this was the Lords doing,
twas merveylous towards mee.

Being come to Cranham I taught schoole at Upminster, which Cranham:
was great trouble, but no great advantage unto mee ; yr I had a 1640.

1 Just before.

10 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

loving people, but I could not injoy my health, being continually
subject to Rheumes ; I wanted ye conveniency of a house, & offers
began to be made to mee so as to my parishes great greife it was
probable I would remove from them ; the Inhabitants of Houne-
church layd in for mee and made mee good offers of 80/. per annum,
viis et modis, certayne, without any trouble on my part : only to
preach twice on the Lords day, without medling with other dutyes.
Being in ys condicion Mr Wharten of ffelsted was with a freind
of his at Upminster and I having some business with him went
over to see him, when I found they had told him I was removing
from them, upon wch he propounded Earles Colne in Essex a place
in a very good ayre ; ye meanes he sayd was about 50/. per annum :
the towne was able to make it more ; upon y8 I promised him to
goe over upon notice from him ; being ill I had word from him
that they desired mee on the next Lords day. In the meane tyme
one of the Towne came over to mee, March. I came over & my
loving Uncle Ralph Josselin with mee ; wee came that night to
Mr Rich : Harlakendens ! at the priory : I was affected with that
family exceedingly & the situation of the Towne : the next day
being the Lords day I preachd ; upon yr approbacon they desired
mee I would come & live with ym as yr Minister ; I in a word
answered them, if they would make the meanes a competency such
as I could live on, wch I conceived was 80/. per annum, I would
embrace ; they gladly entertained it & valewed it thus to mee :

Per annum.
Tithes they would make good at . . . 40/. Os.

Mr Rich : Harlakenden : wood & money 201, Os.
Earles f Comit. TT. . .., _. _

„ , H _ His tenants in contribucon : . 21. Os.

Colne I Essex

Mr Tho : Harlakenden : 31. Os.

And the towne contribucon . . . . 15/. Os.

The House, close, churchyard and the dues that accrewed to
the Minister, they conceived to bee worth 10/. per annum : thus,
being Gods providence in it, I accepted yr offer, and their was this
proposicon more, y4 if I found not the Towne as good as yr words,

1 Cromwell was related to this family £ stayed once or twice at the Priory.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 11

upon 6. months warning wee would part : they desired mee to
keep a ffortnight lecture, which though I did not engage my selfe
by promise to keepe, yett I did for sometime : things thus acted,
wee posted up to London & passed all with the Bp. so that,

March : I tooke peaceable possession, returned to Cranham & 1640.
after a fortnights stay I brought my wife over, my Uncle and
Goodman Robson accompanying mee ; but not one man of Earles
Colne came to meete us on the way, neither did any come to
welcome us to Towne, which seemed to mee an unkind part, & made
mee suspect that I was deceived in the disposicon of the people.

Well, I stayed with Mr R. Harlakenden untill Apr. 1641, when 1641.
wee went to board with Mr Edw. Cressener ; wee pd 5/. per
quarter ; here wee lived, quietly, and very contentdly. I would
not desire better usage, tis but ye due commendacon of yr love &
respect to us. I fell to my worke in ye Ministery, & now I began
to prepare my house ; money came not in from the Towne as was
expected. In a word I layd out my 201. and Mr Harlakenden, 201.
The Towne should have raysed 201. more, but yr was none would
take any care for it : to this day they have not brought in SI. that I
can give an account of ; this was a little trouble wn my quarters
came : one or 2 was gatherd not by their care but by my procuring
men to doe the same ; 2 persons refused at first ; my 31. 15s. per
qter. fell under 31. the first quarter, neither did any take care to
make it up : when tithes came I must doe it my selfe : I com-
pounded : with all my toyle, I thinke y* yeare I could make them
amount not above 331. and since they are come to lesse, & all the
losse to this day hath fallen upon my shoulders : I confesse I was
stumbled at yr dealings, & some abuses offered mee about the
Protestacon, so that I wonderd at the people, and supposed it
would grow bad indeed, that made so bad an entrance ; in the
country I must confesse I had many private guifts, which helpd to
make amends for the towne losses.

June, I rid to my fathers, * left my wife yr, came home by
Deane, & June 28, I rid to Olny in a day ; my father came home

1 Father-in-law's.

12 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

with us, who was much affected with Colne and delighted to bee
with us until his death. July, wee rid to my Lady Denies, and
then I began to have some hopes of my wives breeding which
proved so indeed to or great joy & comfort, blessed bee the name
of the Ld. Returning I applyed my selfe that summer to hasten yc
compleating the House fitt for our winter dwelling, which being in
some measure effected Octob. 20 : with a mayd Sarah Browne to
whom wee gave I/. 18s. per annum, wee came up to or owne house
in ye high streete ; no neighbor came to wellcome us to or house
but Mrs Cousins with 2 from Gaynes Colne, & Mrs King & her
sonne & daughter one night : I esteemed it some disrespect and
unkindnes, but such expressions I perceive now are not so much
used in or towne as in others.

This Michaelmas, upon an order of the House of Commons to
that purpose wee tooke downe all images & pictures and such like
glasses : thus this winter passed away a time of hopes, & yet
sometimes feares, but the King being returned out of Scotland,
Jan : 5. 1641 : he attempted the house of Commons in case of the
5 members; but being disappointed he packd away from the house
and came to them not to this houre, Aug : 8. 1644, & in ffeb :
following the Q. went over beyond seas ; thus spinning out my
1642. time, I began a litle to be troubled with some in matter of separa-
con. My wife now growing bigge & ill, my mother * came from
Olny to us upon a Tuesday lecture day, April : 12 : after sermon,
having waited upon God in his house, my wife called her women
and God was mercifull to mee in my house, giving her a safe
deliverance, & a daughter which on Thursday April : 14 was
baptized by the name of Mary, Mr Rich : Harlakenden, Mr John
Litle, Mrs Mary Mildmay & my wives mother being witnesses. I
entertayned my neighbors all about ; it cost me 61. & 13s. 4d. at
least : they shewed much love to mee from all parts : God blessed
my wife to bee a nurse, and our child thrived, and was even then
a pleasant comfort to us : God wash it from its corruption &
sanctify it and make it his owne : but it pleased God my wives

1 Mother-in-law.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 13

breasts were sore, wch was a greivance & sad cutt to her, but with

use of means in some distance of time they healed up : this Spring

times grew fearful in the rising of the yeare ; about Midsummer

wee began to raise private armes : I found a musquett for my part

and the King was beginning to raise an army. The Parliam1 did

the like. Aug : 1 : wee met at Colchester to underwrite, where for

my p*, for my affection to God & his gospell, having endeavoured

publike promoting it beyond my estate, I underwritt & payd in

to Mr Crane, 10/., but my Rings wanted something, so it fell

short nigh 3s. Being at London I provided for my selfe Sword,

H albert, Powder and Match ; the drums now also began to beate

up ; for my part I endeavoured to encourage others to goe forth ;

our poore people in tumults arose & plundered divers houses,

papists & others, & threatened to goe farther, which I endeavored

to supresse by publique & private meanes ; Edgehill battle being

fought, Wednesday following being the fast day, I was told the

newes as I was going downe the churchyard to sermon ; the time

& place hinted the answer of our prayers on the Ld8 day, being the

day & the time of battle, when I was earnest with God for mercy

upon us agst our enemies. Upon this the contry was raised & I for 1643.

my part sent a man out with a months pay, but he returned

presently but spent the most of my money. In spring now my

wife weaned her daughter and began to breed again : God gave us

both our health in a greater measure than I had had before or my

wife of late dayes. I should have mentioned or associating l in wch

service I underwritt a whole armes 2 ; they went out to or great

charge, and did litle or no good.. I began now to find my meanes

grow scant, yl notwthstanding all our industry & good husbandry

and many guifts, yl I could have but litle ; upon wch I gave notice

to the Towne to prevent it that I might not bee forced to leave

them. June : 10 : 1643 my wives father dyed ; the Lord prepare

us for our latter ends, & give us mercy with him through Jesus

Christ. New Towne came to mee to remain : ffordham, Thaxted,

& I went & preached with the last but would not accept the

1 The Eastern Association.

2 cf. p. 13. line 8.

14 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sequestracon. In July upon occasion of a plot l to betray the City
there was another new Coven1 * propounded & begun to bee pressed.
I tooke it but the state lett it fall ; things were now sad with us,
Waller routed, 3 & ffairfax, 4 & Bristol lost, & Hull like to be
betrayed, 5 the City divided : Essex's army also came to nothing,
but God remembered us in our low estate.

August : 2 : being Wed : I was taken very ill with a quotidian
ague ; I had 3 fitts ; the phisitian told mee I would have one harsh
one more, but on ffriday night, seeking God for my health that if it
pleased him I might still goe on in my calling, I was strangely
perswaded I should have no more fitts ; neither had I : Lord lett
mee never forgett thy goodnes.

My Towne also rather than I should goe from them, seeing
some likely hood of the same, agreed to raise mee, for that yeare,
10/. more, which was payd in with about perhaps 10s. losse. But
now I layd downe my Lecture which I had kept unto ys day.

Septemb. 20 : I joyned with Mr Wharton in a day of humiliacon
at my Lady Edens & while wee were praying, God was blessing
our forces in that great fight neare Newbery, where the E. of Essex
had the better agst the Kings forces.

Or ffriends at Olny were miserably plundered at Olny : and I lay
in peace without disturbance & my family.

In November, Stanway men made mee a proffer of ye Seques-
tracon ; I yielded not ; they gott it for mee, yett I did not accept of

1 Waller's Plot.

8 "After this revelation everything was possible for Pym. On the 6th he
" made his report on Waller's Plot. Lords and Commons alike were carried
" away by their indignation. The imposition of a vow or covenant, which a
" few days before had little chance of acceptance, was now voted by the Com-
" mons with scarcely a dissentient voice. Those who took it, engaged them-
" selves to support the forces raised in defence of Parliament against those raised
" by the King ' so long as the Papists now in open war against the Parliament
" shall by the force of arms be protected from the justice thereof. ' " (Gardiner,
Great Civil War, i, 149). July in the diary is apparently a mistake for June.

3 July 10, at Roundway Down.

4 July 30, at Adwalton Moor.

5 By the Hothams.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 15

ye same ; oh Ld my desire is to serve thee in Colne if it please thee ;
I seeke not great things, only blesse me with thy grace & mine,
& make mee an instrum1 to doe good to ye soules of others.

Decemb. 29 : or towards morning Decemb : 30 indeed, 2 houres
before day, being Satturday morning, my wife was deliverd of her
son, which Jan : 14 : was baptized by the name of Thomas ; MrTho:
Harlakenden & my Aunt Shepheard were his witnesses ; God gave
my deare wife strength to nurse, health both to her selfe & babe ;
wee were scared with or chamber chimney hearth firing but,
espying it in time, it was prevented from any great hurt. This was
a great mercy : so hath God kept mee upon my way, by land
& water, prevented falls from horse, preserved mee in falling, for
which, oh my soule, bee thankefull.

March : 29 : keeping a day of Humiliacon at my Lady Hony- 1644.
woods ; while wee were praying, God was making Waller victorious
over Hopton, neare Alsford: l and turned backe the forces of Rupert
that wee feared would have come on after they had routed or
forces at Newark * ; oh the sonnes of Jacob never seeke the Ld in
vayne. Going in April to Cranham I was taken ill with a cold
which sadly afflicted mee for about 3 weekes, but God delivered
mee, & gave mee more health, & cheerfulness & content in himselfe,
wife, children, his wayes, my people than formerly ; so that my
earnest desire is still towards them. July : first weeke I rid forth
to Sr Tho : Hony woods Regim1, to Newport Pannell, Northampton,
to the Randevow of Sr Will : Waller & Major Browne, neare Geton
pastures ; visited my freinds and came home safe; my wife, family,
freinds and all in health ; many things I have omitted that may
be found in my notes, almanack ; &c. But now henceforwards I
shall be more exact & particular ; thus much to this pr sent day.
Aug : 8 : 1644. Aug. 5.

I have bought a part in a shippe : it cost me 14/. 10s. God send
mee good speed with the same ; I have put my part in a bagge of
hops to Sunderland ; my sister Mary is come under my roofe
as a servant, but my respect is & shall be towards her as a sister ;

1 Battle of Cheriton, near Alresford, March 29.

2 Relieved by Prince Rupert, March 21.

16 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

God might have made mee a waiter upon others ; or former mayde
Lydia Weston having dwelt with mee 1 yeare & almost 3 qters
marryed into our Towne, the first that marryed out of my family.

The plague, y1 arrow of death, is sadly at Colchester, brought by
a woman that came to visitt her freinds ; their have already divers
dyed ; what a mercy of God is it to respite our Towne ; Ld spare
it, and lett not or sins, or covetousness & pride of ye poore in the
plenty of their Dutch worke l cause thee to bee angry with us ; I
heard from my Mother at Olny of her present health, and also of
my sisters ; the spotted fever 2 is in towne with them, whereof
divers have dyed.

Aug. 12. God good to mee all weeke last past, in my health, in my estate,
comforts, freinds, in my family my deare wife and babes ; mercifull
in carrying mee on in my calling ; enabling mee for his Sabbath,
whereon I made my last mocon (to respect of my present resolucon)
to my parish, to bee careful to gather up my means for mee yi I
might not want ; if they did not, though I shall not cease to love
them, yett I must of necessity serve providence in another place ;
Lfl stirre up yr hearts to embrace this offer if yu have a will to use
mee here, if not, I am thine, thy will be done. And now Ld I
confesse my selfe unworthy of this goodness in many respects,
especially my carriage towards yee ; make mee more painfull &
dilligent in my place, & profitable, more cheerful & contented in
my family ; helpe mee & heele mee ; I blesse thee for delivering
mee from grosse wickednes ; keepe me in thy pouer to salvacon.

Aug. 26. This weeke my sister Hannah came over to mee, I sent her away
in some hopes to helpe her about her house, & with some expres-
sions of love ; Lord remember mee & mine & hers in mercy. Aug:
20 : being with my men when they layd the hall floure & cutting
downe the walls for the doore, an handsaw wch was used agst mee,
missed my face very narrowly ; Ld make mee to prise that mercy ;
the plague continued & increased at Colchester, our towne yett

1 Dutch refugees had settled at Colchester in the reign of Elizabeth & estab-
lished there the trade in Bays (Baize) and Says. A specimen of the work of
some of the Dutch weavers may be seen in Colchester Castle.

2 Typhus fever.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 17

in safety ; Ld keepe that distroying arrow from among us. Times
now very sickly. Ed. Clarke my Christian freind taken si eke &
very neare death, divers in our towne & others sickly ; Ld sanct-
ify thy hand to them ; my wife suddenly ill, yett through mercy
well againe ; Mr Nettles of London carryed through towne in a
coach deprived of his senses, & very mad as they reported ;
leaping over the pales I scratchd my face, but God bee praised I
had no further hurt though I might if providence had not preser-
ved mee, & also in or fall wn my wife and I pulling downe a tree
with a rope with or pulling all fell together, but no hurt God bee
praised : such falls my children have many times & yett safe ;
Mary fell out of the parlour window with her face agst the bench
& had no hurt ; a strange providence, all ye witt of the world could
not have given such a fall & preserved from hurt, to God bee the
praise.

A dronkard came into my house ; Lord thy name be blessed in Aug. 27.
keeping mee from yi sin : I chid him ; he seemed apprehensive of
what I sayd, the Lord amend him & pardon this sin to him &
sanctify him.

Was the publike day of humiliacon. Aug. 28.

This weeke God was good to mee in my health, and in my Sept. 1.
familyes, and in preserving our towne from ye plague, in keeping
our sicke neare ye grave from falling into the same, in the hopes of
raysing some up againe. Lord sanctify this hand to us all. My
ffreinds Mr Benton & his wife with us which shortned my time for
studdy, yett God inabld mee in some measure for ye Sabbath : God
good to mee in my course towards my family. Ld. keepe us in
perfect peace all the day long, subdue my corruptions ; my sister
Mary received her things from Walden which wee feard had
miscarryed ; Lord blesse mee in all my wayes, direct mee by thy
Spirit, helpe mee agaynst vaine thoughts and imaginacons and
preserve mee and mine ; God gave us very good newes this weeke ;
wee heard of divers hopkills burnt downe at Captain Chipburnes,
and Knights of Hinningham ; wee preserved from fire, Lord still
keepe us. Wee heard the lost shippe belonging to Colchester was
taken by the Irish rebells richly laden ; L(l preserve ours in ye

c

18 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

waves : — oh bee my God and of my Spouse, & our seeds after us,
fitt mee for my calling and condicon, and blesse mee in the same.
I heard my Cosin Abrahams sonne was dead, my Cousin Benton
miscarryed & now through mercy up again ; Ld, lett thes things
cause mee to love ye my God, who sparest mine & dealest more
gently with mine, & sanctify thy hand to them.

Sept. 3. Visited a sicke man one Guy Penhacke who was much troubled
in mind upon his life : he had strong temptacons from Sathan.
I urged him to a Coven* with God to bee a new man if he
recovered.

Sept. 4. Mr Will : Harlakenden & my brother Jeremy came from ye
army to us ; in good health preserved from so many dangers, by
enemies & sicknesses.

Sept. 5. Stung I was with a bee on my nose, I presently pluckt out ye
sting, & layd on honey, so that my face swelled not ; thus divine
providence reaches to the lowest things. Lett not sin oh Lord that
dreadful sting bee able to poyson mee.

Sept. 6. Liberty of the sermon at Halsted. Sr Tho : Honywood gave
mee great respect for my love in going forth with him towards the
army ; payd my ordinary for mee. I heard y1 a child in ye towne
was burnt almost to death, & mine safe ; oh mercy and goodness to
bee adored.

Sept. 8. I heard vile things of one E. C. which I should not have
believed ; God in mercy keepe mee and mine from the like ; Ld
pardon all my sins, Sabbath & weeke day & fitt mee to doe thee
more honour in my place.

Sept. 9. In a breviat of Arch Bp Laudes life, I find how the strings of his
legge brake without any stepping awry. Ld how many sad wrinches
have I had in my walking, and yett thou has preserved mee ; lett
thy gracious protection be still over mee for good.

This day I heard the dolefull newes of the E. of Essex his losse
in the West, ! all his ordnance & ammunicon being a prey to the
enemy ; it was a sad providence, and speakes o1' sins aloude and
Gods continuing his displeasure in lengthening the warre ; yett oh

1 At Lostwithiel.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 19

my heart be encouraged in the Ld, he is the same still, and the
time of the enemyes ruine is not one houre thee farther of for
this yr success, nay it may bee yr blasphemyes shall hasten yr ruine
as it did Rabshakehs and his Mra.

I rid to Colchester ; my horse stumbled, God preserved mee Sept. 14.
from danger, God was pleased to give mee good dispatch in my
busynes for ye towne to ye whole Committee ; ! Sr Tho : Honywood
payd my ordinary for mee. I had conference with Mr Ellis : he
told mee separacon from ye true church was lawfull in some cases,
as being not rightly constituted ; so did Luther from ye papists &
yett yr was a true church among them. Wee from ye Lutherans,
whom wee owne as churches, & so the Independents from us. As
I came home I heard or shippe was returned safe from Sunderland ;
the plague is wee hope almost stayd at Colchester.

This weeke the Ld gratious to mee & mine in or health, (only Sept. 15.
my wife somew11 ill,) and children much comfort. My brother
returned to the army againe ; this was sad weeke for ye affayres of
ye Kingdoms ; the Ld can give a turne when it pleases him, and on
him wee will wayte for ye same.

My good ffreind Mr Harlakenden sold one bagge of hops for mee Sept. 17.
wherin I was advantaged II. 15s. This was Gods good providence.

We had a collection for one Hastivile, a ffrench Baron y1 Sept. 22.
forsooke ye popish religion & all his honours for ye Protestant
religion ; I might have beene a beggar whereas I am yett a giver.

Wee began this day to put the County into a posture of Sept. 24.
defence ; it will cost mee an armes. 2

Was a day of publique humiliacon ; it would make a man bleed Sept. 25.
to see how regardless people are of the same, nothing moves
them ; a load of wool was passing upon the road, our men stopt
the same ; oh that men would give an outwd reverence to the
wp of the Lord.

I rid to Wethersfeild, injoyed the company of good freinds, saw Oct. 1.
some manuscripts of things in K. James & Charles his time of
consequence ; I had yr a good bargaine of bookes.

1 The Committee of Defence.
3 Cf. p. 13.

20 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Oct. 3. I payd 4s. excise for 2 bagges of hoppes ; much love in my
freinds the Commissioners who payd my ordinary for mee.

Oct. 6. This day I published & exhorted subscriptions for Sr Will Bre-
theton l yi noble Cheshire Gentlemen : I cannot blesse God over
all my people ; only indeed a few contributed ; those that did, did
it voluntarily.

I now gave over to gather my quarters my selfe ; I left that worke
to the Towne ; divers brought up their quarters for yr owne parti-
culars, but I would not receive them. I doe not perceive the Towne
intends to stirre in it ; Gods will be done, I am content.

Oct. 7. In ye morning I went out and God gave mee more than ye day
before I layd out in ye publique ; I never found I lost any thing by
imploying my selfe that way, but God sent mee in more by my
freinds, beside ye comfort in my conscience to have done in his
cause. I went up to Goodman Bridges & bought his hops at an
easy rate. I was used yr kindly. When I came home Stissted men
where with mee about yr reference to Mr Boroughs & my selfe,
whether Mr Archer or Mr Templer had ye clearer call to yr towne :
I found God had gratiously kept my daughter Mary who was
strucke with a horse.

Oct. 9. At Halsted, Mr Borough & I mett upon Stissted busynes, about
a minister for them ; the towne was divided, & would not condis-
cend one to another ; oh wofull, sad divisions.

Oct. 13. Exhorted to contribucons for Sr Will. Brereton, obtayned a litle;
whoever I have done yi is not right in thy eyes, Lord, pardon y6
same.

Oct. 14. A frost & snow, very cold. I rid to Stisted to assist in ye choyse
of yr minister ; both parts stiff e, divided, a most sad towne, no care
almost of any thing ; I spoke to them but could not drawe it to a
conclusion, though I hope to a good forwardness ; Mr Alstone made
a serious offer to mee of 10/. out of his owne purse, and great
likelyhood to carry it, if I would yeald to them, but I would not ; I
was ingaged in ye busynes & yrfore would not endeavo1" any such
thing to my selfe : ye place hath 140 acres of glebe & ye tith are

1 Sir William Brereton, a prominent parliamentary commander in Cheshire
and its neighbourhood.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 21

worth, about 1007. per annum. This day Mr Newbold received or
money for Sr Will : Brereton ; ys day invited & promised to assist
in a day of humiliacon at Markeshall :

Red. in 3 bags of hops from Goodman Bridge at 40s. ye hundred ; Oct. 17.
ye weight was 7 hundred & 3 qters ; goodman Burton run a share
with mee.

Spent part of ye day at Goodman Clarke in settling matters Oct. 18.
betwixt Mr Harlakenden & him. At night Mr Commissary gene-
rail l was with us, told us my Ld Manchester was advancing towards
ye King. Their is expectacon of a battle.

This day 3 of my townesmen made an entrance in gathering ye Oct. 19.
Towne contribucon : it ought to bee at ye least 5/. every quarter,
and yett I shall not make much above 70/. per annum. Wee
resolved to try what ye Parliam1^ would doe for us, for the augmenta-
con of our small living.

This day I injoyd at dinnr ye society of Mr ffarringdon ; I saw a Oct. 23.
young rooke y1 fell out of the nest in the priory yard ys day ; I
have not knowne ye like in all my dayes y* they should build &
breed at this time of the yeare.

Heard from my deare freind Mr Harlakenden from Cambridge ; Oct. 24.
this day I begun to practice dayly in Hebrew & Greeke : God
blesse me yrin yt yrby I may come to more perfect knowledge of
the sense of ye Scriptures.

A day of or marriage entring or 51 yeare ; God good to mee in y* Oct. 28.
relacon, blessed bee his name for ever, my sonne well again.

Bought 2 pigges for 9s. the first beasts yl ever I bought in all my Oct. 29.
dayes hitherto.

I heard the report of or successe agst the Kings forces * ; oh lett Oct. 30.
God have the glory of or deliverances.

Concerning the increase of our living by the Parliam* yr was no Nov. 4.
hope from them for the present ; all yi was to bee done was to be
expected from the Impropriator, and yl was Mr Harlakenden : I
cannot thinke he will mount higher than he hath already done.

1 i.e. of the Commissariat : vide p. 22. "Mr W. Harlakenden, Commissary General
to the Earl of Manchester. " There was also a Commissary General of Horse.

2 The second battle of Newbury : October 27.

22 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

One old Turner, 84 y. old, dwelling in ye house with one Mark-
ham a separatist, ys day drowned himself e ; Ld thy judgmts are
secret and righteous.

Nov. 9. This day I injoyed the society of my deare ffreind Mr Harlaken-
den who came from the Committee to spend a Sabbath with us,
and then returne ; told us of a man in Some, Camb : y1 is about 150
yeares old who had 6 wives 32 children, and very lately carryed 2
comes 1 of pease 2 furlongs, 8 bushels a qter of a mile.

Nov. 10. This wreeke ye Ld was gratious to mee & mine in or health,
plenty, peace, inward & outward comfort, ffreinds ; I & my wife
were both ill in or stomaches ; I heard our ship was come home
safe ; more mercy yett : read an order wherby alehouses are in ye
power of the well affected & the minister of ye parish.

Nov. 1 1 . Mary my daughter was preserved from hurt by the fall of a
waynscott doore at ye priory ; thy name Lord be praised ; my
deare ffreind Mr ffs : children tooke yr leave of us ; this day I
counted 50/. to him to improve for mee ; the Lord blesse it for
the good of my family, he that endeavors not their good is worse
than an infidell.

Nov. 15. Three of my parishioners, Rob : Cortle, John Read, Rich : Apple-
ton, gathered up Michaelmas qter ; instead of 5/. they brought me
31. Os. Id ; divers refuse to pay, divers used them crossely, inso-
much as they were much discouraged. I am beholding to them
yett for yr particular love.

Nov. 27. A day of publike humiliacon, the Ld was good to mee in the
same ; our proposicons for peace are gone to the King.

Nov. 28. Mr W. Harlakenden, Commissary generall to the Earl of Man-
chester was with us in good health. I was at Sr J : Jacobs, he
went backe in some part from his promise to mee, but I know no
remedye.

Dec. 3. Mr Harlakenden went towards London, God prosper him ; heard
sad newes of ye Earl of Manchester, 2 I hope its false.

1 Coomb or comb, a measure of corn containing 4 bushels.

2 " With every sign of bitter irritation, he (i. e. Cromwell) ascribed every
" mistake that had been committed to the personal wrong-headedness of Man-
" Chester. " (Gardiner, Great Civil War, i. 83.)

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 23

My Lady Honywood sent us tokens 1 shee invited mee to a day Dec. 10.
of humiliacon, but I could not for many occasions.

Dind at a strange vaine wedding; a poore man gave curious Dec. 11.
ribbands to all, gloves to ye women and to the ringers, yett their
was very good company.

Heard of the strange vote 2 of ye house of Commons to call home Dec. 13.
their members.

All this weeke God was good to mee & mine in inward & out- Dec. 15.
ward mercy es ; in my health, in my sight ; when I began to pray
with confidence my eyes mended. I gatherd liberally for a poore
Ministers widow who was plunderd & housband slaine.

This day my noble freind Mr Harlakenden was made Major of Dec. 18.
the Horse by the Country & my good freind Captaine Haynes
Major of the foote ; ye contry did acquitt themselves very well in
ye choice and worke of the day in my estimacon.

I made a serious exhortacon to lay aside ye jollity & vanity of ye Dec. 22.
time custome hath wedded us unto, & to keepe the Sabbath better
which is the only Lds day we are commanded to observe.

This day Court kept in Towne ; ye Jury of Colne Comit. chose for 1644 :
constables 2 men very unfitt to order ye alehouses & loose people Jan- 8.
of ye Towne.

The Arch Bp, y1 grand enemy of the pouer of godlynes, that great Jan. 10.
stickler for all outward pompe in the service of God, left his head
at Touer hill London, by ordinance of parliam1.

This day one of the butchers brought mee in a quarter of mutton, Jan. 17.
told not who sent it but went his way. I shall inquire whose love
it was, & be thankfull for ye same. He that gives to the poore
lends to ye Ld. I have often observed my liberality, or rather my
poore mite, imployed for ye publike, or upon others indigent, hath
returnd in with gaine and advantage. I must observe ye weeke : on
mooneday I sent to my poore Sister 3s. & some other small things
to others not worthy6 mentioning : nowy8 weeke I received 91. from
Sr John Jacob which was in part due long before, and promised but
was not payd untill now ; divers invitacons of freinds to yr houses:

1 Small gifts.

2 The Self-denying Ordinance.

24 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

one sends me a parcel of plums & sugar, another a quarter of good
mutton, another a fatt goose, another a capon and cheese, an
unexpected income of a summ of mony layd out before ; God good
to my family & nacon.

Jan. 19. This weeke yr was divers passages of providence for the good
of the church in disappointing the attempts and plots of the enemy

Jan. 28. The contry mett to choose yr officers ; they waved yr former
Collonels & nominated Mr Harlakenden Col ; Mr Haynes Major
of Horse ; Mr Cooke Col., Mr Crane Lieut., Coll. Jermaine Major of
foote, men honest and I hope faithf ull ; how it will be reconciled
with the former election I know not, but I feare : det bona Deus.

Jan. 30. Mrs C : gave me in kindnes 3s. to buy mee a satten cappe, and

my wife. 2s.

ffeb. 1. Received advertisem* yfc Mr Montjoy had payd my money to
Mr Harlakenden : I am glad it falls out so well for mee.

ffeb. 12. Preacht at Chelmsford by desire of ye standing Committee ; dind
with them and received thanks from them.

ffeb. 17. This day Mr Harlakenden rid with his son to Stortford School ;
the Lord blesse him yr ; heard good newes from Plymouth, but
very sad concerning the divisions yi are in our armyes ; Lord
heale them for thy mercies sake, and give us one heart & spiritt.

ffeb. 18. The regiments of ye County reduced to 2 ; l a base busines in or
pts of ye County, but its likely to bee a shame to ye authors.

ffeb. 20. Overheard a separatists sermon agst learning, a most poore
peice.

ffeb. 23. When I came out of ye pulpitt I read a letter from Mr Harla-
kenden wherein he writes excellent newes from Scarborough,
taking by storme the sands, Church, 120 ships, 32 peice of ordnance
and endangering the Castle ; the Lords name bee praised and
magnifyed for the same ; the Treaty 2 is likely to hold some time
longer.

March. 2. This weeke my wife aguish, but pretty chearfull ; hott within
very much, but now using cringes, sugar & rose water coold.

1 Troops raised by the Eastern Association had been quartered in Hampshire
and Surrey.

2 The Treaty of Uxbridge, which came to an end at this time.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 25

God was good to mee in my jorney to Braintree and home March. 4.
agayne, keeping me safe and prospering the worke wee had in
hand, in ye free choice and election of officers, without any consid-
erable opposicon, although much was perfected and intended ;
ye division consisted of 10 hundreds ; the officers were ye same
men, and chosen into ye same places as formerly Jan : 28 : 1644.

My Cousin Abraham Josselin came to us from New England, March,
about by ye Canaryes, after a sad long jorney & one tedious fight 6. 7. 8.
with a Kings pyratt : heard by him of ye wellfare of ye plantacon
for which God bee praised ; this summer N. E. l had divers losses
at sea, and scarce any before : wee rid to my Cousin Bentons ; at
night heard newes of ye routing of my Lord ffairfax his forces, *
which was reported as a very great losse, endangering much
ye North parts of England.

This weeke I saw ye Directory, 3 and an Ordnance of Parliam1 to March. 23.
take away ye heavy burthen of ye booke of Common prayer in all
ye parts of ye same ; this day God was good to mee in ye publike
exercise ye sacram1 of baptisme, in gatherings for divers poore :
I made a serious mocon to all to joyne with the Magistrate in a
civil reformacon.

Our fayre day, through mercy freer from disorder yn at some March.25.
other times.

March. A darke day in respect of our intelligence ; matters 1645 :
went ill in ye west ; or forces compelled to retreate 4 & somewhat March.29.
worse was feared by Waller and Holborne ; in ye Northwest the
enemy preserved and releived yr distressed garrisons 5 and by
report fell doune towards us.

Returned the account of ye Towne, wch amounted to 1200/. and March.31.
upward, besides ye charge of trayne bands and associacon, which
amounted unto ISO/, at least.

An anabaptist of our parish being pressd for a souldier, I writ April. 10.

1 New England.
* A false report.

3 The first ordinance for the Directory was agreed to on March 5. 1645.

4 Waller had abandoned Somerset and Dorset.

5 Rupert relieved Beeston Castle, but his farther advance was checked.

26 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

and procured his release ; Lord learne mee to doe ym good agst yr

reproaches towards mee.
June. 22. My sister Mary went downe to ye priory ; the Lord make her fitt

for her place and give her favour in ye sight of ym shee serveth ;

Jone my mayd came to us.
May. 19. Payd 2 yeares tenth to ye Parliem* messenger, I/. 14s. 2d. ; ye

messenger received from me for his paynes, 3s. ; his power was

harsh ; his carriage was yet indifferent curteous ; tis a tryall to bee

thus dealt withall ; I blesse God my spirit was under, and I hope

ever shall.
June. 1. Ye newes was sad to us wards yfc ye king was coming downe to

Newarke, had faced Leicesf ; God knowes how soone wee may

bee alarmed indeed.

June. 2. At home an alarme, Leicester lost.
June. 7. An alarme to raise or regiment of Horse ; ye feild officers from

home ; I was resolved to have sent orders to have raised ym,

but ye Coll. coming home at night I only assisted him in his worke

that night.

June. I was out with or regiment ; wee marchd to Walden, musterd,
10. 11. 12. I sung Psalmes, prayd & spake to or souldiers on ye Common at

Walden & also at Hals ted ; God was good to us in accommadating

us, and preserving us ; Mr Josselin of Chelmsford brake his legge

at Walden, his horse threw him ; or souldiers resolute, some

somewhat dissolute ; the Collonel was pleased to honor mee to

bee his Comrade ; I shall never fforgett his great love & respect.

I rid to my sister at Walden ; I had not seen her in divers yeares ;

the Lord hath made a difference in our outward condicons ;

I gave her & her children 6s. Lord yu canst doe more yn returne it

againe to mee.
June. 14. At my Lady Hony woods wee agreed to meet on Tuesday to

seeke God for or armyes and I went to prayer ; even while wee

were in prayer our armyes were conquering. l
June. 17. Mr Sedgwicke, Mr Grey, and my selfe, kept a day of humiliacon

at Markshall.

1 At Naseby.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 27

This day was I ordered by ye Committee as Constant Chaplyn June. 18.
to attend upon Coll : Harlakenden's regiment at Masten and to
receive 10s. per diem as a salary for the same ; this morning
if not last night was Leicester taken ; oh ye speedy returne of
or prayers.

This was a weeke of much mercy to my family ; to mee my June. 22.
eyes better, my daughter recovered, I was designed to a place of
service in ye army. Lord inable mee for it arid make me faithfull
and usefull in the same to ye nation in ye great victory and the
consequences of it, as also in smaller fights in divers parts of ye
kingdome ; God was good to me in ye Sabbath his name be praised,
in ye ordinance of baptisme, I baptized after the order of ye Direct-
ory ; I gave notice of a fast, and a day of thanksgiving.

A day of publike humiliacon. June. 25.

A day of thanksgiving for ye great victory in Naseby feilds over June. 27.
ye Kings army, by Sr Tho : ffairfax.

Coll : Harlakenden payd me 50s. for waiting as preacher upon Aug. 10.
his regim1. to Walden ; this is the first mony that I received of
ye States ; God can this way pay in my payings out in his cause
and service.

This day I baptized 3 children. John Read held his own child ; Aug. 17.
the first that I ever baptized so.

In ye night I heard the drummes beat at Nether Yeldham ; it Aug. 24.
proved an alarme upon ye Kings coming downe to Huntington.

ffast day. I preachd once, after yi I rid to my Coll : quarters to Aug. 27.
great Chesterford, when wee had an alarme of ye enemyes advance
to Cambridge, and presently of his intentions to fall upon or owne
quarters.

I preached at Royston one sermon where or quarters were for Aug. 31.
present ; God good to us in or march, in or accomodacons.

Returned home safe with or troops : no damage to any man, one Sept. 4.
horse shott in ye legge through a mistake : my horse eye hurt : God
good to mee in enabling mee for my jorney.

This weeke God good to us in or returnes of peace ; the enemy Sept. 7.
fled before us and gone downe to other parts of ye kingdome.

Some fayling that had promised to goe along with mee, I went Sept. 9.

28 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

alone toward Major Haynes, came safe to Cambridge, heard he
was at Grantham or Lincolne, upon wch I resolved home, & so
went to bed in Sydney Colledge.

Sept. 10. Having ye opportunity of a convoy I resolved to find him out ;
wee came safe to Huntington ; yr I refreshd my selfe with Mrs
Taylor ; hearing that divers of ye Cabs rold (sic) upon y6 road wee
made ready for or defence & marchd on ; before wee came at
Stangate hole, Captaine Warner & divers in his company overtooke
us ; at Stilton I mett ye welcome newes that Major Haynes at 9 of
clocke was at Stamford ; much a doe I perswaded ym to march that
night to Wainsford bridge, 7 miles in ye night ; or supper was a
hard egge, and tough cheese, and pretty course lodging ; blessed
be God wee had any thing.

Sept. 11. I and 3 more in ye morning rid to Stamford 5 miles ; found ye
Major who was riding into Grantham, very glad of my company ;
wee quarterd at Mr Wolphs, a grand malignant here; wee had good
lodging and diett.

Sept. 12. A day of publike humiliacon for Scotland, preachd once at
Sl Maryes Stamford.

Sept. 13. Continued at Stamford. Heard the good newes of Bristol.
Saw y6 sad face of Burleigh house ; a litle surfetted with eating
grapes.

Sept. 14. Lords day : continued at Stamford ; preachd 2 sermons ; very
ill with my cold ; one hurt with his own pistoll upon y®
guard.

Sept. 15. An alarme y* y6 enemy with Horse was entring or quarters, y6
guard sayd they discryed a great body of ym. Ye Major had a fall ;
God preserved him ; it proved false & was soone quieted.

Sept. 16. Wee marched through Rutlandshire a pleast litle County to
Bilsden in Leicestershire. Coll. Rossiter with 4 troopes of horse
came up to us; wee quarterd y1 night at Hough ton at a poore house ;
pittiful blacke bread ; I gott a white loafe crust ; or lodging was
upon straw & a quilt, in or clothes ; I slept well I blesse my God ;
heard y* Montrose was entred England.

Sept. 17. Marchd out with a short breakfast ; randevoud at Leicester,
where Coll. Rossiters troopes marchd from us ; beheld ye ruines of

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 29

a brave house, l sometimes ye Earle of Devonshire's ; nothing
standing but ye stone works ; from hence wee marchd towards
Ashby ; refreshd or selves upon ye way, but or meat smelt ; I
pocketted 2 white loafes agst ye worst.

Quarterd at Ibstocke, Lauds living, now Dr Lovedyns, a great Sept. 18.
Cavalier ; or diett very good, and lodging indifferent.

Marchd in y6 head of two troopes to Rounston in Derbyshire, Sept. 19.
thence to Ashby, much infected with ye plague ; wee faced ye
house ; I prayd with ye Councell of Warre ; wee summond ye
house ; we drew off about night : lost 2 men : one shott in
ye breeches & yett had no hurt ; killed one of ye Cavaliers : heard
ye newes of routing Montrose, Sept. 13. : ye next day to ye ffast :
here I eate some of my bread ; wee had no beere all day long :
marchd backe to Ibstocke : rid in a pretty while before or troops ;
6 men in toune they said of Leichfeld ; it scard our men and
made them ready to run. I was in ye house & heard nothing.
I have cause for ever to praise God for the mercyes of this day ;
one of ye men was slaine on the ground where I had stood closely
a litle before, not knowing of the perdue in the ditch, who shott
ys man presently after.

Marchd through Leicester ; saw ye ruines of some part of ye Sept. 19.
towne ; so to Roulston, quarterd yr ; or usage good.

Randevoud at Shemington. 3 troopes marchd off with Rossiter Sept. 20.
to Grantham, and the other 5 came safe through providence to
Stamford.

Preached 2 sermons at Stamford ; God good to mee in ye same. Sept. 21.
I hope not without good to ye people : wee spoyle one of ye Church
ffeasts ys day ; people are still for yr old wayes.

Left ye Major and came safe to Cambridge ; suppd with y6 Sept. 22.
Comittee ; angerd ym at Huntington.

Returned safe to Colne to my deare wife & freinds, my place Sept. 23.
supplyed in my absence I praise God :

Publique ffast ; preachd once. Sept. 24.

1 Leicester Abbey. It had been the headquarters of the King from May 30 to
June 2, but was demolished by his troops, probably to prevent its being useful to
the enemy.

30 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Oct. 10. Yc County newes about presbytery, l and ye alarme of the Kings

coming with 2000 horse to Newarke.
Oct. 12. Wee gathered for poore Taunton, wherin God was good to mee

in opening my mouth and opening my peoples hearts ; wee gather-
ed 8/. 4s. 4d., beyond any presidents * about us.
Oct. 14. Reported the plague is at Kelvedon. Mr Sawyer chose burgesse

of Colchester, an unworthy act but suitable to the men.
Oct. 16. Came the wellcome newes of ye taking of Basing ; its to be

razed ; of a truth many habitacons are layd waste.
Oct. 18. Heard the newes of Major Haynes his routing 300 of ye enemies

horse and taking an 1 50 of them ; Lord prosper that man ; my

mayde went away ; send mee one Ld that feareth thy name.
Oct. 21. Rid to Chelmsford, motiond my busynes with Mr Archer to

Col. Cooke.
Oct. 23. Finished or busynes : Earl of Warwicke payd my ordinary 2s. 6d :

in so great a meeting not an oath sworne.
Oct. 24. L : Coll : Grimes with us ; God preserved him hitherto from

many dangers, not to loose one drop of blood, no wound, but dry

ones, great blows & bruises.
Oct. 27. This day in ye feilds I found a bucke ; Mr R. H. was with mee,

with his greyhounds ; after much sport wee kild her in ye river ;

this was an unexpected providence.
Oct. 31. Two of Thaxted were with mee early about accepting their

place; I gave them an answer of my unfitnes, advised them to con-
sider how to make the place comfortable for a minister.
Nov. 2. In the Sabbath made a mocon to the Towne, now to settle my

meanes, or else to leave mee to my due liberty ; my sonne troubled

with bleach, but very jocund.

Nov. 5. My townesmen made some beginnings to better my meanes.
Nov. 6. 7- Thaxted men came not ; a good providence, for my townesmen

had not yet settled their busynes.
Nov. 10. My good ffreind Mr Harlakenden perplexed about his shrival-

tey, an offer of an under sheriffe unto him ; Mr Crane with him

about it.

1 vide Gardiner's Great Civil War, iii. 6, 7.

2 Precedents.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 31

Heard of ye returne of Mr Harl : sworne high sheriffe for Nov. 29.
Essex.

Major Haynes wee heard was coming home with his men : 1645 :

Heard of Major Haynes his returne into ye County. Jan- 6.

Received 6 weekes pay of the Major as his chaplayne ; it was Jan. 10.
a good providence of God towards mee to supply all other wants.

Decemb. 8. at night, on Monday, new moone, it began to frize, Long &
and so continued exceeding violent ; ye ice of wonderfull thicknes, Hard
after a months time it thawed, a little, and raynd, but continued Frost-
to frize untill Jan : 28 : it begun to thawe, & raynd ; ye frost
wonderfully in the ground, and the ice of wonderfull thicknes ;
nigh half a yard in some places ; a quarter of an ell at least in my
pond : by reason of thawes it was wonderfull glancy : the thawe
was as earnest as ye frost : admirable in its kind ; y6 frost & ice was
sooner out of ye ground then expected.

Wheras a supply of bookes is necessary for me, & my meanes Jan. 30.
but small to purchase them, I haue layd downe a resolucon, to
buy but few, and those of choise & special concerning and to allott
towards the same a moity of all those moneyes, that providence
doth by guift or otherwise unexpectly & freely supply mee withall ;
and to purchase them at the second hand, out of libraries that
are to be sold.

This day I resolved upon & entred agayne upon the practice ffeb. 4.
of Hebrew ; I find it so usefull that I resolve to spend a good
part of my time therin, and the Lord blesse and prosper my
endeavors yrin.

Rid to Wormingford; kindly entertayned by my Lady Waldgrave. ffeb. 16.
17. bought Mr Pilgrims library for 161. 18 : brought it to Colne
a very rayny afternoone ; the bookes had no hurt, unloaded ym.
die. 19.

Lent Mr W : Harlakenden. 30/. ; God hath shined upon mee & ffeb. 24.
increased us somewhat in the midst of all thes difficult times.

Since the last fast God hath beene gratious to our forces at ffeb. 25.
Chester, in ye West at Torrington ; and though many in South
Wales, especially in Glamorganshire, have revolted, the Lord is
able to turne it to ye best.

32 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

March. 5. A day of P. thanksgiving for Chester, and ye victory at Tor-
rington, God good to mee in ye same.

March. 6. 1645 : carryed 4. qters of barly wch I bought of Mr Litle at

18^. per qter to Goodman Potter to malt for mee.

1646 : Heard of ye route of ye Ld Ashley, thus Gods enemies fall
March. 25. everywhere.

April. 16. Kept a P. day of thanks, for or western successes & over Sr Jacob
Ashly 1 : wherin the lord was good to mee, as also in breaking up
a match of wrestling in the Towne, wherat were gathered nigh
500 people ; Exeter was now in the catalogue of or mercies.

April. 19. I mett Lieu1 Coll. Grimes, who received an 1001. guift from ye

Parliam* for the newes of Exeter which he brought to the houses.

Rosebuds. Wee had damaske rose buds in or garden before the middle of

April this yeare 1646.

May. 8. Good society at the Priory ; Mr Harlakenden returned safe from
London & his company ; newes that the king in a disguise was
gone from Oxford : sic transit gloria mundi : a report that their was a
chardge drawne up against him about the death of King James : its
reported when he was dressing of him the Duke of Richmond
asked him what he meant, what he intended to do, & whither to
goe ; he told him he must goe, but whither he must not tell him.
But I goe, sayd he, to my freinds and thine ; whereupon some
supposed he intended the Scots army & Contry, but I imagine
he intends either to lye hid somewhere or els for Ireland, which
is most probable.

May. 8. At my Lady Honywoods : heard of ye sad end of one Rust, who
drowned him selfe ; my preservacon is of God ; of a monster borne
about Colchester, first a child, yn a serpent, yn a toad which
lapped. The King found in the Scots army ; Lord preserve the
kingdomes in union.

May. 19. P. Day of thankes.

May. 20. This day I had in my garden a full ripe & blowne damaske rose :
May : 17 : the Lds day before, my wife had a fayre bud : I conceived
it argued a very early spring.

1 Defeated at Stow-in-the-Wold.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 33

Day of Humiliacon. May. 29.

My last quarter was now brought in & that fully by Mr Elliston May. 31.
& Mr high sheriffe.

Gatherd nigh 40s. for poore Leicester. June. 21.

This day I held against Gates the Anabaptist, morning & after- June. 29.
noon, argumt that they had no ministry, and yfc particular Christians
out of office had no power to send ministers out to preach ; he
confessd it, and held only to doe what he did as a disciple ; I
shewed him it was contrary to Scripture ; our discourse was without
passion ; the man boldly continued in Towne till Wednesday, exer-
cising all three dayes.

A motion made to buy the widow Rentals land. July. 18.

Mr Harlakenden & I went up to the widdow Rentals, to view the July. 20.
land, which was hers by inheritance ; John Kent her father had an
estate in it for life, if redeemed, but at present, it was in mortgage
for ISO/, to two of Coggeshall ; her father promised to joyne in the
sale ; shee asked me, 220/. as shee had been bidden, and I bid her
her price within 31. and parted till next day.

Wee mett againe, I gave the widdow her price ; her father and July. 21.
shee surrendered it to mee, whereupon wee tore a bond of 300/.
that Kent had given not to trouble the widdow nor her heyres in
the estate ; so I came home very well satisfyed : but going up to
John Read, he holds the surrendr was good for nothing, because
the morgagors stand for present possest of the land ; this perplexed,
especially because of Kents bond that was rent, wherupon I went
up againe to them and giving them bond for their money they
entred both into 300/. bond to strengthen yr act, with any further
surrender at the next Court ; this wee feard Kent would not have
done, but by providence he was willing.

I rid to Colchester to advise with my Cosin Josselin the steward, July. 22.
who advised mee to press the morgagors to surrender to mee, or
Kent & Bentalls act was good for nothing ; wherupon I rid to
Cogshall, and spoke with them & found them very willing to doe
any reasonable demand, wherupon I sent to the steward who came
over unto us,

This day, & kept Court : Coxe Gray surrendered the land to mee, July. 23.

D

34 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

paying them in their money, which I had all of Mr Harlakenden,

to whom againe I surrendered the land for his security.
July. 24. I lett my farme for 3 yeares to Brewer old Spooners sonne in

lawe, without wood to dischardge Lords rent, tith, and pay mee

121. 5s. per annum : I am to get it in repayre and he is to keepe

the same.
July. 25. I put of l the fallow to my tenant for 13s. 4d. rent, and 10s.

plowing ; the rent I promise him, when he leaves it againe.
Aug. 4. Rid towards Chelmsford with Mr high sheriffe a great trayne of

gentlemen, & about 30 liveries ; he dined us all at his owne cost ;

I procured a chamber & entertainm* for the Ministers ; I lay well

accomodated at my Cosin Rogers to God be praise.
Aug. 5. Preached the assize sermon before Judge Bacon, & Seargeant

Turner Judges of Assize on Rom : 12 : 3. 4 : wherin God was good

to mee, for voyce, and memory, and spirit. I dined with the judges

who used mee with respect.
Aug. 8. I stayed all the assize time as chaplayne to Mr high sheriffe

waiting on him at his board to say grace ; he used me very lovingly

& kindly.

Aug. 13. My Cosen Josselins opinion was I had a right to Josephs land.
Aug. 16. Heard of the peace betwixt the Rebells, and the Kings party in

Ireland. Lord helpe, for designes are layd to enthrall us againe,

& againe.
Aug. 28. A comission sat in ye contry for charitable uses to inquire into lands

disposed or moneyes for such end, and had not beene performed.
Aug. 31. This Monday my wife & I rod to Havingfeild : I from thence,

Sep : 1 : to Cranham ; found my uncles well, & fayre respect in

the busines of my uncle Josephs land.
Sept. 6. The plague increaseth & devoureth at London, y6 Lord in mercy

asswage the same.
Sept. 7. Rid to Colchester, God good to mee, going & returning; my Cosin

Josselin told mee my cause in the busines of Josephs land was good,

& he wished mee to proceed therin.
Sept. 8. Sent by Mr Toby Cressener letters to both my Uncles, the exe-

1 Let.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 35

cutors of my grandfathers will to acquaint them with my clayme &
intent to stand by my title unto the land : bought some of Mr Tur-
ners litle pasture with money Mrs M. Church gave mee, whom God
stirred up to bee a faithfull, loving & constant freind to us : the
plague very much in London, and sicknesses in ye contry.

A merveylous wett season, winter coming on very early ; a great Sept. 15.
hop yeare : wheat this yeare was exceedingly smitten & dwindled
& lanke, especially on strong grounds ; all manner of meates
excessive deare, beefe at cheapest 2\d. .per Ib. butter & cheese
very deere & yett it was a very rich grasse yeare.

On Monday Septemb. 14 : 1646 the noble Earle of Essex died : Essexs
his death is a great weakening to the Peerage of England. death.

A Publike thankesgiving. Sept. 22.

This day was a day of much mercy ; some freinds fayling mee, Sept. 23.
I was supply ed with an horse for my jorney, & Mr Jeffery Little
rod with me : this day was exceeding pleasant, the like not in
divers weekes before ; I had like with a packe horse to have been
beaten into a deepe loome pitt but God preserved mee ; I rod safe
& returned safe, praise to the Lord that kept mee. I found my
uncle Simon at home, I made a demand of the land before three
witnesses, wch is in ye box with my writings of Mallories ; my uncle
seemed perswaded & convinced of my right, & to delivr up ye land
to mee wthout any suite or trouble ; when I came home I was very
ill, I had a great inclinacon to vomitt, which through mercy I did
& brought some water off my stomacke ; upon w°h I was well,
went to bed & rested comfortably to ye Ld bee praise.

Mr Lorkyn with mee for his certificate of his qualificacon for a Sept. 26.
minister : to whom I gave my hand : I nevr gave my hand to any
other but only Mr Cane as yett to my best remembrance : & herin
desire of God caution & warynes.

I received a letter from my uncles ; the Lord direct my spirit Sept. 27.
what to doe ; I made a motion to my people, that ye yeare being
out, if they continued yr contribucon & made it good 807. a yeare
I would continue with them God willing ; if not I must cheerfully
serve the providence of God : & so I doe resolve by Gods grace.
Heard of yc tumults at Halsted, great disorders.

36 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sept. 28. Writt to my Uncles to meete at Chelmsford Octob : 8. with either
of us a freind to make a finall end & conclusion in our busines if
possible.

Oct. 1. Bind at Mr Braclyes : my wife went with mee ; Mr Ludgater
brought mee this day my money ; I payd the widdow, now Pen-
hackes wife, all y* I ought her, so that now all my debts are come
into Mr Harlakendens hands.

Oct. 8. Rid to Chelmsford ; yr by 9 of ye clocke and very dry, and so
also homewards, though very much raine fell yi day, and before us
on the road ; my uncles mett, not only Simon ; wee resolved to goe
over to Josephs executrs. Mr Grimston kind in giving mee advice
in my case ; some hopes to get an augmentacon for our living out
of ffeering Berry being an impropriacon of ye Bps of Londons,
whose estate is now sequestrated.

Oct. 11. This weeke the weather continued very wett and sad in respect
of ye season, litle rye & mislen l or wheat sowne.

This weeke I drew up a peticon for augmentacon of or meanes ;
it was presented to Mr Grimston, who promiseth all fayre respect ;
ys was Octob. 9 & 10.

Oct. 14. 15. Rod to my Uncle Hudsons ; God gratious in his providence
towards mee, in providing me with horse, fayre season, out &
home, in finding my way, preserving mee safe in my jorney. My
Uncle Simon mett not, my other Uncles are very confident they
shall injoy the estate, which if they justly doe I am content ; wee
agreed that our Counsell should discourse in the businesse.
Oct. 20. 21. Mr Harlakenden kept his Courts: they were payring Courts,
men coming in with their wives to take up houses ; most poore
people ; one man purchased a house to him & his wife, and
yr heyres, & for want of such heyres to the heyres of the survivor.
Wee chose two honest men for our constables Edw. Clarke &
Christopher Mathew.

Oct. 23. Payd Mr Harlakenden 50/. I borrowed of him.

Oct. 24. Received a letter from Mr Harrington that my money was ready
and that I should have it when I sent for it, for wch I blesse God ;

1 Mixed corn, e. g. wheat and rye.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 37

at night I heard by Major Haynes that our shippe wherin my part
was about 18/. was cast away, three men drowned, but the
merchants saved their goods ; this was the first froune upon my
estate from my first being of age ; the Mr of the shippe oweth mee
about 61. for hoppes, which I duobt will come in heavily.

A wonderfull sad wett season, much corne in many places
abroad, rotted & spoyled in ye fields, grass exceedingly trodden
under foote & spoyled by cattle through the wett which hath
continued almost since the Assizes ; worke very dead, woolle risen
to 16d. in the pound & upwards, butter and cheese, and meate
very deare, and corne rising : litle corne sowne, and a very sad
season still continued ; great divisions & feares of our utter ruine
in ye kingdome.

Mr Sayer writte us word that an augmentacon was conferred Oct. 31.
upon mee out of the impropriacon of ffeering ; if it prove effect-
uall, it will ease mee of much care & enable mee more closely for
my studdyes.

This weeke the wettnes of the season continued with litle or no Nov. 1.
intermission & so it hath continued for above two months.

Heard my 50/. per annum was likely to come to nothing ; Gods Nov. 8.
will be done.

A frost, and pleasant day, at night I was subpenad into the Nov. 12.
Chancery by my Uncle Hudson, & Ri : Josselin : it was in the
businesse of Josephs land.

This day I went to Stansted hall and received 8/. Sr John Jacob Nov. 18.
ought mee ; I feare I had 6d. to much which I intend to restore to
him ; in joy much love and good society at Mr Litles.

This day was y6 P. ffast ; it was wett in ye morning so wee went Nov. 25.
not to Church untill eleven and I continued preaching untill sun
was sett, wherin I found God exceeding good to mee ; the sad
wett season still continued : Some sewd mislain Novemb 23.
et 24 : I shall observe how so late sowne rye prospers ; it was on
lusty lands.

Mr Harlakenden came from London ; he received 56/. for me of Nov. 27.
Mr Harrington ; I made it up, threescore and twelve pounds to-
wards the paymfc of the hundred pounds I borrowed of him.

38 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

He and Sr Tho : Honywood joyntly obtained an order to
receive the bishops rents out of the impropriacon of ffeering 10/.
or 12 : out of Wittam 121. out of Wethersfeild 15/. out of great
Dunmowe 36/, and to divide it betwixt the two townes of Earles
Colne, and Markshall.

Nov. 29. God good to mee in society of divers honest neighbours at
Gdman Mathewes, where speaking concerning our intermission of
the Lords Supper, I told them, that perhaps some feared offending
people in point of my maintenance ; they would deny mee my
stipend, I told them for my part, loving his ordinance, and to
pursue the injoying of it by scripture rules, I would willingly trust
God with my meanes and would not have them intermitt for that :
and this I may doe & trust God who in his way will provide.

Nov. 30. ffinding ye exceeding misse of Hebrew, (whereof, although,
I have a little smattering) yett I begun this day to assume my
dayly studdy yrof, which I intend God willing to prosecute, and
not give over if the Lord give mee life, untill I have obtained
some indifferent skill yrof ; oh my folly to forgett my schoole
entrance, and to neglect this studdy at Cambridge & with no more
dilligence to pursue it since ;

Dec. 6. I went on in my endeavors in the Hebrew, & made good
progress therin, blessed bee my God ; things are duobtfull for the
Scots and us, but Ormond in Ireland playd deceitfully.

Dec. 9. Mr high sheriffe with me ; I drew a peticon for him to ye Lds
to take of his burthen ; he was much afrayd it would continue
another yeare. I ventured with him it would be passed in both
Houses, a sheriffe for Essex, before Christmas, or I was to give
him 5s. for two bokes, which if, ! I was to have them for nothing.
Mr Wm Harlakenden went towards London ; I gave him 5s. to buy
me two Hebrew Grammers ; his cheife occasion was about the
sheriffes businesse.

Dec. 11. Mr Win Harlakenden made a speedy, and safe returne from
London ; our high sheriffe likely to bee of, yr being another passed
by both Houses ; I received my two bookes from him ; I am glad

1 i.e. If a new sheriff were chosen.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 39

he is so neare an end of his troubles, & care in that office ; the
goldsmith of Chelmsford kild and robd upon ye road, as he
returnd from Braintree markett by three troopers ; its Gods mercy
and goodnes that preserves mee, my house, and that I injoy
in safety.

Mr Harlakenden received his dischardge from his shrivaltry, one Dec. 21.
Mr Pyott being sworne in his roome for next yeare ; I hope ere
long he will act as Justice for the good of towne & contry.

On Tuesday. 22 : I saw an order wherin the rents of 121. per Dec. 23.
annum out of ffeering: 121. out of Witham: 15/. out of Wethersfeild
& 361. out of Dunmow, in all 751. was allowed toward the augment-
aeon of my meanes, and ye Ministers of Markshall equally which is
371. 10s. yearly, and this the sequestrators are to pay at the due time.

Monthly fast. I preachd but once ; heard the King was slipt into Dec. 30.
Holland, but I hope its not true.

This day I went downe to the Pryory to Mr Harlakenden & fully Dec. 31.
dischardged my morgage, & made even with him ; I gave him a
bill of my hand for tenne pounds, & then when his fine is payd, I
am in a good forwardnes out of debt.

This day wee begun to digge a well, which I let to ffossett at 9d. Jan. 7.
per foote : WELL.

About Mr ffaulconers businesse :

I distinctly remember that Mr ffaulconer sold to Goodman Taller
of Aldham a portion of tithes, which he had in lease from Sr Robert
Quarles, which anciently did belong to the priory ; he was to
receive 101. presently, and 101. att the making of the deed, or
setting over his right, as Councell should advise, & that within a
short time.

Now wheras Mr ffaulconer saith that Mr Harlakenden was to
assist him so that he might receive something from Sr Robert
Quarles heire, I remember no such agreem* in my presence, but
this I remember, that Mr ffaulconer, giving in bond to redeliver
the deeds to Goodman Taller, was to have the use of them if he
could therby make any advantage agst the heyre of Quarles :

And wheras Mr ffaulconer saith he was to make neither bond or
promise, I remember no such condicon agreed unto : only thus

40 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

much that he was only to set over his owne right, and to bee at no
further charge.

Jan. 18. Went down to Gaines Colne, present at giving possession of
land ; the manner thereof : Any one cutts up a clod & sticke, &
stickes it in ye clod ; the man that is in possession remains alone in
the ground ; he to whom he delivers possession enters to him to
whom he delivers the clod & so possession of the whole according
to agreement ; then he comes forth & leaveth the other in posses-
sion who then presently comes out.

Jan. 29. I am now preparing for London to answer the suites of my
Uncles about Josephs land ; my resolucon is this (by Gods grace)
to repaire to learned Councell, & if they say the right is mine, to
endeavor an arbitracon, and make an end of the controversie
peaceably if possible, and to stand to the end of the arbitrate1"8
whoever ; if I have no right I will no way molest or trouble, but
endeavor that those that have right may in joy it.

ffeb. 2. Rid safe to London, well entertained at Mr Cresseners, but very
weary of my jorney ; I spake with both the seargeants in our
suites ; gave seargeant Turner a peice for his advice in both my
causes ; he declared to mee the way of my Cousin Josselin's
opinion, the issue I leave to providence.

ffeb. 3. Went downe to Westminster, spake with both ye seargeants,
concluded a meeting to end our businesse, March. 3. at London ;
bought a few toyes, payd my tenths to Abbott, returnd safe, to
Cranham, praised bee God, but very weary & sore ; the wind blew
hard in my face.

ffeb. 4. Came home safe, to God bee praise, and received a penny at my
owne doore as a poore man, being unknowne to all mine.

ffeb. 6. Newcastle ours, the King with our Commissioners, & the Scots
going out of the Kingdome ; hope of good agreem1.

ffeb. 21. This weeke heard ye King came die 16. to Homeby with our
Commissioners.

ffeb. 27. Received notice by letter to bee at London March 11. to end
our suite, all parties willing ; I intend God willing to bee their,
although it is ye day after the fast.

ffeb. 28. Cromwell called home from ye army to attend ye affayres of ye

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 41

house according to the ordinance upon which ye new Modell was
raised : reported so but not true.

This day heard that Sr Tho : ffairfax his army was come to March. 6.
quarter in our parts of the kingdome ; the Lord in mercy turne it
unto good ; some of the generalls owne regiment att Halsted.

Rid to London safe, mett my uncle Simon, went downe to March.ll.
Sargeant Turners ; he could not attend to end our businesse ;
went downe to Westminster ; wee delivered two peticons to ye
Lds & Commons to remove the souldiers out of the County ; the
Lords gave us thanks for our good affection, and promised to take
it into consideracon ; went to Mr Kequiches : found his sister
Mrs Elizabeth King sicke of the small poxe, but in good hopes of
her life : as returned into London, I mett my uncle Ri : and
Hudson ; wee went togither, lay togither, and that night & next
morning, wee concluded our business, I to injoy the land, and to
pay to them an 1001. ; came safe to Cranham.

Came safe praised bee God to Colne ; no souldiers with us yett, March. 13.
blessed bee the name of God ; found all mine well, and Mary rid
of her ague, to God alone bee glory and praise ; my charges
besides jorneyes came to I/. 10s. & no more ; the Lord bee praised
for this comfortable, contentfull end, the Lord blesse them & theirs
with ye mony, & mee & mine with the lands.

This yeare I begun in a visitt of the Generall his Excellency 1647 :
Sr Tho : ffairfax, at my lady Veeres in Hinningham, where I had March.26.
the honor and favor to discourse with him, and dine with him ; he
is a man thankefull for respects, and yett casts away honor from
himself ; wee rid outwards on his way with him, tooke or leaves,
and returnd in safety praise bee unto God :

Or constant loving freind Mrs Mary gave my wife a gold ring,
and my selfe a silver tooth and eare picke, as a remembrance
of her love ; my dearest wife would needs also bee so bounteous
as to give mee a silver scale, to use and not loose for her sake.

Above 60 of Major Desboroughs troope quartered with us one April. 5,
night ; I was free through providence ; by them heard the gentle-
men sent up about the peticon, * yl caused the declaracon of both

1 Vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iii, 254, etc.

42 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Houses, were returnd ; the matter quiett ; that all officers in com-
mission were shortly to meete att Walden ; the Lord in mercy
direct affaires for the best, and prevent our jealousies : the souldiers
are civill ; divers of them cast out evill words, agst presbyterians,
and ministers, particularly. L. E. ; (sic) the presbyterians are so bitter,
he did not desire but to quarter with some honest Independent.

April. 6. Captain Laurence, a very faire civil gentleman, with some part of
his troope, came and quartered among us.

April. 28. P. Day of humiliacon.

April. 30. This day rid to Bollinghatch ; all my uncles met, and gave mee
free & peaceable possession of those parcels of land given to
Joseph ; I payd the executors of Joseph 20/, gave them bond
for 80/, received 71. 16s of the mony of my uncle Simon for rent
due : God good in his providence towards us, outwards, and
homewards ; this land part of our antient inheritance ; now I have
about 207. per annum in land, besides my wives land, and my
stocke, but I owe in all about one hundred pounds.

May. 4. Souldiers removed yr quarters from us.

May. 9. This weeke gave us some hopes of blowing over the discontents
of the army, and hopes of accord through the meanes of Skippon
entertaining the command of Ireland, & the houses yeelding to the
souldiers in divers particulars.

May. 12. This day I received in 50s. quarteridge * from the towne, a
greater summ then I had received in divers weekes before.

May. 17. Heard high language of ye souldiers intencons & resolucons,
though I scarce may creditt they should be so bold. Reports of
souldiers foote, abusing of women ; they are now coming towards
us ; ye Lord be our guard & protection from yr violence & insolency.
I had some rugged wordes from one of them, a Lieuten1, about
quartering, wherby I perceive hnw unable poore men are to
containe yr spirits, if ever they are in imployment.

May. 23. This spring was forward ; yett all things continued excessive
deare ; if grass had not come on, our wants would have beene very
great ; wee had plenty of roses ; stilled some May. 22.

1 He should have received £3. 15, o, one fourth of the £15, the sum due to
him yearly.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 43

My towne full of foote souldiers but very quiett & orderly, with- May. 30.
out any disturbance from them hitherto.

Payd Mr H : his fine, 8/. for my land ; he used mee reasonably, May. 31.
and lovingly,

160 souldiers came to quarter in or towne ; they should have June. 1.
marched & disbanded this day, but they refused, fell into dis-
tempers, & marcht towards yr generall ; the Lord in mercy give a
good issue unto things : the souldiers marchd from us, June. 2,
quietly, but afterwards they were a greater burthen where they
became ; it was a providence of God towards us, the lord doe us
good by ye same ; ye reports of the souldiers distempers continued,
and yr words very high ; wee are still in the hands of God, and his
purposes shall and must stand.

This weeke yr is a sad turne and change on the face of the June. 6.
kingdome ; what God will doe wee knowe not, the counsell of
Jehovah shall stand ; the poore ministers are in straites on all
hands, but the name of the Lord, is a tower unto his.

Spent much time & tooke especiall care to drawe up a faire June. 13.
peticon to ye house that they would have a speciall respect to our
safety & ye content of ye army, & this wee did as farre as possible
wthout passionate overswaying affection to either part ; & this we
rather did to prevent the subscribing divers heady peticons that
went up & downe ye contry tending to disturbance.

Wee endeavourd a faire peticon to the house ; it was generally June. 20.
resented in the house ; I hope it will prevent higher ones in the
County from taking place.

Or gentlemen went towards London with our peticon ; the Lord July. 1.
prosper and succeed them in the worke and undertaking, and give
them favor in the eye of our Magistrate. Mett at Mr Owens for
conference ; ye peticon was well accepted, and thankes returned.

The charge agst the 1 1 members was this day delivered into ye July. 6.
House of Commons. l

Thomas Prentice married ; I preachd and married them in a July. 8.
method that gave great content to honest people ; Tho : ffrends
offerd freely ; he tooke about 56 pounds.

1 vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iii, 298.

44 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

July. 26. This day the parliam* was forced by the Londoners in the matter
of their militia ; the busines was plotted, and brake out on this
occasion ; as some report, its like to be the rise of troubles to us ;
the King endeavourd to make escape from the army and joyne
with the Londoners.

July. 27. House of Commons adjourned untill 29.

July. 29. This day the most of the Lords & members being withdrawn,
the members that continued mett, chose a new Speaker one Pelham,
voted themselves a parliam1; Massey was chosen to command the
city forces, Skippen resigning.

Ye army marching up towards London to redresse tumults, the
City makes great preparacons to defend themselves, and impute ye
combustions to ye army, medling with ye militia, wch they told them
would raze ye foundacons and cause tumults.

July. 31. 2 Troopes of Dragoones were sent by the Generall to surprise
the blocke house at Tilbury in Essex to command the Thames,
which was effected.

Aug. 5. Sett apart to seeke God in regard of the straites and difficulties
by reason of ye London tumults ; wee mett at Coggeshall, and yr ye
newes mett us of a preparative accord betwixt ye City & army &
much good newes concerning ye same, ye Ld answering our prayers
while the thought was in our heart ; ye day was very comfortable.
8 ministers prayed & in ye midle one preacht ; God was very good
to us his name have ye praise of all.

Aug. 8. This weeke ye Lord began to bio we over our feares of a new
warre ; the citye was in division & not as one man for a new warre,
blessed bee God ; and that made way, especially by the meanes of
South-warke complying with the army, for an accord, which, in my
apprehension, was one of the greatest acts of the army, performed

July. 27. on so great a city ; a pretended parliament sitting to encourage
them what was in their power, and that from Tuesday when
they had the first notice yrof, by Wednesday sennight following,
in nine dayes the army entring Southwarke Aug. 4, and ye
accorde made that night with London, the army being scattered,
the head quarters at Bedford, some souldiers in Suffolke, others
100d miles and more from London ; they say in their declaracon

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 45

some were gone from them 200 miles ; this was wonderfull in
or eyes.

Times of great sicknes and illnes, agues abounding more then Aug. 15.
in all my remembrance, last yeare and this also ; feavers spotted
rise in the contry ; whether it arise from a distempered and
infected aire I know not, but fruite rottes on ye trees as last yeare?
though more, and many cattle die of ye murraine, this portends
something.

A fayre day ; land is through mercy in a good case, and the seed Aug. 16.
time good ; the Lord send us plenty : all provisions are excessive
deare & scarce to be gotten for our money.

The Lord good in the season which was very faire, and as fitt a Sept. 26.
good time as ever came ; things are at that rate as never was in
our dayes, wheat 8s. malt 4s. beefe. 3d. 1 butter 6d. ob. 2 cheese 4d.
candle 7d. currants 9d. sugar ISd. and every other thing whatsoever
deare ; the souldiers also returning to quarter againe with us, and
that in a great proportion viz : 25 :

Ys day wee had 25 Troops came to quarter with us, somewhat Sept. 27.
bold and vapouring ; through mercy I yett escaped free from them.

P. ff. Some few of the Troopers were with us hearing. Sept. 29.

Troopers removed yr quarters having staid with us 10 dayes. We Oct. 7.
had 25 of Capt. Tailours troops in ffleetwoods regiment.

Ye season was very faire and wholesome ; the plague abated in Oct. 17.
London and Chester blessed bee God ; the kingdome in a strange
unsetled frame.

P. ffast. Oct. 27.

The King Nov : 11 : about or before supper time escaped from Nov. 14.
Hampton Court and went downe to the He of Wight to Coll :
Hammond, who is one of the Coll : of the army (and is to marry
Cromwells daughter) and its conceived this businesse was not
done without the privitie of many great ones in the army ; this is
certaine, letters dated that even, conjecturing whither the King

1 Beef was usually 2d. a pound. " The year 1646 was the first of a series of
six years in which the harvest was deplorably bad. " Gardiner, Great Civil War,
iii, 195.

2 Obolus=halfpenny.

46 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

was gone, mention it as most possible to the He of Wight. Great
endeavors to divide the army, but not effected hitherto.

Nov. 1 8. Payd the last 40/. of the hundred for my land at Roxwell.

Dec. 5. Troopes among us, very erroneous fellowes, but otherwise indiff-
erent civill.

Dec. 25. People hanker after the sports and pastimes that they were
wonted to enjoy, but they are in many families weaned from
them.

1647 : Heard of the votes of the Commons, which seeme to tend to the
Jan. 9. laying aside of the King ; the Lord direct them.

Jan. 13. Our soutdiers removed from us ; I have through providence to
this day never beene troubled to quarter either horse or foote,
nor received any affronts from them.

Jan. 14. Pd in the most part of our 6 months assessmt into the hands of
ye high collector & received dischardges.

Jan. 15. At night, 60 of Major Swallows Troope in Whaley's regiment,
that were on ye guard that night the King removed from Hampton,
came to quarter with us ; though ill I was forced to make the
ticketts. l

This month of January passed without any frost to mention, or

Warme much wett, but was dry, and open, and warme, and free from

January winde even to the admiracon of persons ; roses leaved out : fruite
trees beginning to shoote out and so appricockes more, hedges
budding out, gooseberries had litle leaves on them.

ff eb. 6. This time was a sad deare time for poore people, onely their worke
beyond expectacon continued plentiful and cheape ; money almost
out of the contry.

ff eb. 1 1 . On ffriday morning my wife was delivered of her second son.

ffeb. 20. Y8 night againe my sonne very ill ; he did not cry so much as
ye night before ; whether the cause was want of strength I knowe
not ; he had a litle froth in his mouth continually ; in the morning
yr came some redd mattery stuffe out of his mouth, wch made us
apprehend his throate might be scare : Lord thy will bee done ;
he cheerd up very sweetly at night, and in the night was very

1 i.e. To arrange for quartering the troops in the town.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 47

still ; what God will doe I know not, but it becometh mee to
submitt to his will.

This day my deare babe Ralph quietly fell a sleepe, and is at ffeb. 21.
rest with the Lord ; the Lord in mercy sanctifie his hand unto
mee, and doe mee good by it and teach mee how to walke more
closely with him. This correction though sad was seasond with
present goodnes, for first the Lord had given it us untill both my
selfe & wife had gotten strength, and so more fitt to beare it, then
if in the depth of our sicknes ; the Lord gave us time to bury it in
our thoughts ; wee lookt on it as a dying child 3 or 4 dayes : 3 it
dyed quietly without schreekes, or sobs or sad groanes ; it breathd
out y6 soule with 9 gaspes and dyed ; it was ye youngest, & our
affections not so wonted unto it.

As often times before, so on this day did I especially desire ffeb. 23.
of God to discover and hint to my soule, what is the aime of
ye God of heaven more especially in this correction of his upon
mee ; and when I had seriously considered my heart, and wayes,
and compared them with ye affliction and sought unto God, my
thoughts often fixed on thes particulars :

Wheras I have given my minde to unseasonable playing at
chesse, now it run in my thoughts in my illnes as if I had beene at
chesse ; I shall be very sparing in ye use of that recreacon and
that at more convenient seasons.

Wheras I have walked with much vanitie in my thoughts and
resolved agst it and have served divers lusts too much in thought,
and in actions, wheras both body and soule should bee the Lords
who hath called mee to holynes, God hath taken away a sonne ; I
hope the Lord will keepe my feete in uprightness that I may walke
alwayes with him, and I trust it shall bee my endeavor more
than ever :

And also y1 I should bee more carefull of my family to instruct
them in the feare of God, that they may live in his sight and bee
serviceable to his glory.

This weeke after a long restraint, God was pleased to sett mee March. 19.
at liberty againe ; I went abroad now commonly againe to any of
my freinds & neighbours houses ; in my restraint I read over

48

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Library

1648:
March.31

Meads l " Clavis Apocalyptica, " and Vaser 3 his u Successio " 3 also ;
my wife went to church with mee, the Lord bee praised for this
mercy in raising her up againe.

Made a full end about the library, I receiving from Mr Layfeild
the mony and the residue of the bookes.

Rid to Colchester ; mett Mr Newcomen, & divers other Ministers ;
wee had much discourse concerning falling into practice 4 arfti in
the first place, seing that elders are to bee chosen, by whom shall
it be done ; the parliam1 proposeth by the people yl have taken ye
coven* : others, as Mr Owen, conceived this too broad, & would
have first a separacon to bee made in our parishes, and that by
the minister, and those godly that joyne unto him, and then proceed
to choosing.

April. 6. A hearer at Coggeshall ; heard that the Ministers with earnestnes
endeavord to promote church government.

April. 8. Subscribed a peticon for government to ye parliament, as also an
encouragem* to those London Ministers that appeare agst errors ;
the Lord heale a sad divided kingdome ; Mr Newcomen sent to us
to meete on Wednesday at Mr Thompsons about proceeding in the
matter of church government, but by reason of occasions it was
intended the Wednesday following.

April. 10. Meeting at my house ; our discourse was concerning baptisme ;
Mr Harlakenden was afraid of a writt from my Lord of Oxford
by a stranger from London, but he came about another busin-
esse, by whom I heard of the sad tumult and rising of divers
prentises & other rude people at London, wherin 5 or 6 persons
were slaine.

Our times grow sad, and threaten stormes every day more than

April. 23.

May. 1.

other ; places growe very much disaffected unto the parliam1 ; our
County now sett on a very dangerous peticon, but I hope in my
Towne it is prevented, and not likely to proceed.

Heard a report of a tumult at London, Norwich, and this day at

1 Joseph Mead, B.D., b. 1586, d. 1638.

2 James Ussher, b. 1580, d. 1655.

3 De Ecd»™ Xtianum successione et statu.

4 Adopting the new practices.

Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

49

May. 2.

May. 9.

Rye
blasted.

Colchester, and through mercy all this time wee are in peace : that
at Colchester more in feare and rumor then in anything else, upon
which the Trayne band was raised.

This day I paid unto Thomas Cowell 10/. that formerly I bor-
rowed of him ; now my debts amount to about 50/. I hope through
Gods goodnes towards mee in some short time to pay them all, if
no troubles arise to hinder mee.

This day rid to Castle Hinningham, preached the lecture, on
Cant. 1.3. Dined at the ordinary with the gentlemen, who paid my
ordinary.

Among all ye severall judgments on this nacon, God this spring,
in ye lattter end of April, when rye was earing & eared, sent such
terrible frosts, that the eare was frozen & so dyed, and cometh
unto nothing : young ashes also y* leaved were nipt, and blackt,
and those shootes died, as if the Lord would continue our want,
and penury, wee continuing or sins.

The Lord good and mercifull unto us in good and comfortable May. 14
tidings out of Wales, in quelling the power their in armes 1 in such
a sad time, when all the Contrie cried out against the parlia-
ment and army and mutinies were in most places, plundering
honest men, and continuall threatnings against such. Mens minds
exceedingly inraged ; all the base false reports raised that could
be to dishearten good men, and to encourage others ; multitudes
of base bookes written to stirre up to sedicon, and render the
parliament odious unto the kingdome: truly words cannot convey to (
the understanding of men, the ability to judge what ye times were.

Vile men have lifted up themselves exceedingly, and presumed May. 21
by the people to bring about their old wayes, and that this cause,
thus farre advanced, should fall to ye ground & come to nothing.

The schoole Mr yl is nominated for our towne came over unto mee.

P. ffast, preacht once, I spent three houres.

Our Committee men putt out a declaracon of the sense of the
Counties peticon ; I was earnestly pressed to appeare in it from
them, but I refused.

May. 29.
May. 31.
June. 1.

1 Poyer had seized Tenby Castle and declared for the King.

50 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 2. Our committee men met at Chelmsford and were secured by the
peticoners l ; the morning was very wett, wherby Sr Tho. Honywood
and Coll. Cooke who intended to bee their, were reserved at home
to doe yr country service as they did.

June. 3. Captaine Maidstone brought ye newes2 to Sr Tho. Honywood.
2 Deputy Lieutenants, Mr Tindall, Mr Sawyer, burgesse for Col-
chester, refused to joyne with Sr Th. H., in raising forces to oppose
in our owne defence, wch yett wee agreed to doe, wherin some few
did yr best for yr poore contry : for my part I went daily to
Coggeshall to observe the worke, wherin I was no hindrance ; I
went and returned commonly by my Lady Honywoods whom God
used as a pretious instrument in this worke.

All this weeke full of rumors and feares, the enemies increased
apace ; our Towne went in on Tuesday : 6 : day to Coggeshall, and
were the first of the contry that appeared. June. 8. Mr H. came
in unto us ; wee begun to send out parties of horse this way and
that ; brought of the Magazine from Braintree ; the way was stopt
that wee could have no intelligence. Goring and the Kentish men
were come into Essex ; wee were all young and raw men, yett God
in mercy disposed our spirits to resolvednes and a willing laying
out our selves ; we had many alarmes but all false, the enemy
never attempted on us at Coggeshall.

June. 11. The enemy marcht on to Braintree die : 10 : and this day, being
up and downe, plundering and taking away Mr Nicholson 2 miles
beyond us upwards to Colchester ; our people assembled in armes;
wee were not able to drawe into Church for the keeping the
Sabbath, but were deprived of that opportunity : wee sett good
guards in the towne ; at 8 of the clocke y1 night the enemy advanced
from Braintree to Halsted ; wee heard they intended Colchester,
but wee knew not for certaine this.

June. 12. On Monday morning the enemy came to Colne, were resisted by
our towne men. No part of Essex gave them so much opposicon
as wee did ; they plundered us, and mee in particular, of all

1 Gardiner Great Civil War, iv, 146 puts the date of this as June 4.
1 i.e. Of the siege of Colchester : vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iv, 146, &c.,
for the full account of this siege.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 51

that was portable, except brasse, pewter, and bedding ; I made
away to Coggeshall, and avoyded their scouts through providence ;
I praise God for this experiment ; it is not so much to part with
any thing as wee suppose, God can give us a contented heart in
any condicon, and when or losses may serve to advance Gods
glory, wee ought to rejoyce in the spoiling of our goods ; this day
I borrowed mony for to buy hose, and borrowed a band to wear,
having none in my power. I was welcome unto, and pittied by
my Lady Honywood.

I returned home, mett with danger by our owne men, who by June. 13.
some suddaine accident mistaking mee, fought for mee, but I
escaped their hands through Gods mercy, who in their fury might
have done mee wrong ; I was called for by my freinds and acqaint-
ed that yr was no danger, and espying the men still in the streete,
my poore babe Mary cryed and pittied mee ; but one desired mee
to goe out of her house for feare shee should be plundered : it cutt
my heart to see my life no more regarded by her, and it was the
greatest damper and trouble to my spirit for present that ever I
mett with ; a true freind shewes, if in adversity, and such I found
Mrs Church and her daughter ; I am perswaded it cutt the heart
of the gentlewoman for what shee said, and yrfore I willingly in
my spirit passed the unkindnes by. My deare wife was with
mee, much amazed : I went to my Lady Hony woods that night,
and my wife and all the children, where wee have been kindely
entertained ; the Lord requite her love ; I my wife, and children^
could not shift us, untill my Lady furnished us with ye same ; that
night the Gen. marcht to Colchester, were was a sad skirmish; wee
retreated to Lexden, and resolved to drawe a line about the towne.

I went divers times to the leagure, but through Gods providence,
I mett with no danger, yett the musketts divers times, and the
Drake ! bullet flew with divers noises neare mee.

1 " The drake was a brass field gun used in the Civil War, 9 ft. long, weight
143 cwts., carrying a 5 Ib. shot and a charge of 4 or 5 Ibs. of powder. Many
old pieces of artillery were named from animals, a dragon was a carbine ; cul-
verin came from the French couleuvre, an adder ; a drake and a saker from
birds. " (Note in Verncy Memoirs).

52 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 10. I preacht at Markshall and Mr Clopton for mee ; I preacht in
my litle coate as I goe every day ; I could not with that confidence
venture to Colne at first as afterwards, but being wonted to the
troubles, and rationally considering the same, and submitting unto,
and resting in Gods providence, I was daily more and more
emboldened.

June. 25. This Lords day I preacht at Earles Colne to my owne people,
who were glad to see mee preach to them.

June. 28. This was the P : ff : I was perswaded not to preach, but I did,

and had the greatest audience, I had many dayes before ; but

Wett truly our hearts are not cleansed nor our wayes reformed ; the

summer. Lord goeth out against us in the season, which was wonderfull
wett ; flouds every weeke, hay rotted abroad, much was carried
away with the flouds, much inned but very dirty, and dangerous
for catle ; corne layd, pulled downe with weeds ; wee never had
the like in my memory, and that for the greatest part of the sum-
mer ; it continued to August : 14 : when it rained that it made a
litle floud, and commonly wee had 1 or 2 flouds weekely, or indeed
in the meadowes their was as it were a continuall floud.
July. 2. I preacht at home, and so I did every Lords day that month,
and on the fast day ; wee were not troubled with one alarme, but
the carts went continually to the leagure, and so did persons, that
yr was no distinction made of Sabbath, so that warre truly is
ready to make people more vile, a rare thing to see men made
better.

Aug. 13. The 2 Lords dayes in this month I preacht to my people. My
lady Honywood continueth to afford entertainment still to mee and
to my wife and children.

Aug. 16. A very great floud with the great raines last day & night : the
season sad, and threatning.

The nacons sins are many & sad, Lord lett publike ones be
pardoned ; the nacons judgments are, 1 : continual raine to the
spoyling of much grasse, and threatning of the harvest ; 2 : the
sad charge by warre to the undoing of ye contry ; the sad decay of
trade in reference to our poore, to our undoing except God finde
out some other way of subsistence.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 53

The Warre in the nacon, the divisions among our selves, our
cryings out after peace on any termes to save or skins and estate,
whoever become of others, Lord remove thes judgments from us
for thy name sake.

My Lady sent home my 3 children, gave us 2 paire of sheets : Aug. 16. 17.
our children and wee were yr 9 weekes and 4 dayes and had con-
tinued their still if Mr Honywood had not fell sicke.

Mett in a day of humiliacon at my lady Honywoods ; at night wee Aug. 22.
heard the newes of the Scots rout, a confirmation whereof wee expect.

Dayly raines, but especially this morning, wee found it exceeding Aug. 24.
wett ; it caused a very great floud, aboundance of hay rotten,
much corne cutt and not cutt groweth, and yett men repent not,
to give glory unto God : this day a thanksgiving at ye Hith church l
for ye victory in the North ; 2 the enemy in Colchester demanding
very high termes on which to surrender the towne.

Great hopes that Colchester would have surrendered presently, Aug. 25.
but so great a worke must aske a longer time to effect ye same.

Wee kept a day of humiliacon : yl night wee heard of ye Scots Aug. 22.
route, on Friday the season sett in comfortably, and on ye Lords
day, Colchester agreed to surrender ; speeclie and sweet answers
of prayers.

Colchester yeilded ; infinite numbers of people went thither ; Aug. 28.
ye Councell of warre adjudged 3 to be shott to death. Sr Charles
Lucas, Sr George Lile who accordingly suffered, & SrBarnaby3
Gascoine an Italian who was spared. 4

Aug : 30 : a wett night, and wettish day, as if God would have P- ff-
called men to his wp, but their was no regard of the same ; my
thoughts growe strong within mee to give over preaching at Colne
at Michaelmas, and to declare the same beforehand, to the cheife

1 The Hythe was the landing place for boats arriving from the mouth of
the Colne.

2 At Preston.

3 This should be Sir Bernard.

4 " Gascoine, who had already taken off his doublet to die with his comrades,
was told that he was reprieved. His foreign extraction, combined, it is said,
with the devoutness of his preparation for death, had saved him. " Gardiner,
Great Civil War iv, 204.

54 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

inhabitants ; Lord direct mee what to doe, I have given out
speeches of my enforcement unto it ; I preacht once this day on
Amos 8 : 11. 12, concerning the famine of the word wherin
having occasion to speake of the conditon of this land I delivered
my thoughts to this purpose.

People, when our armies had conquered all our enemies, my
thoughts were sad concerning the displeasure of Gocl remaining
towards England ; and I told you Essex must not escape, which is
come to passe by the marchings of Goring & his army and
plundering many places, persons, the sad ruine of Colchester by
lire, the decay of trade by their losses, the charge of the countie
in mainteyning their forces at the seidge, and sending in provisions
for above 11 weekes for many thousands of horse and foote ; my
thoughts were and are sad concerning England still, not from the
rising of many counties agst the parliam1, the strong invasion of
the Scots upon us, for my thoughts verily were God would breake
them ; but when I consider the decay of the power of godlynesse
among Christians, yr flightinesse of Spirit towards Gods ordinance,
the wofull uncontroulable encrease of all manner of wickednes
among us, ye awe that was on mens hearts towards God and his
wayes being removed, the slighting all the warnings of God in
judgments and by his ministers, maketh mee thinke God is yett
angry, and he will leave our great Counsell to their wonted
partiality in their wayes, and bring more ruine one way or other
on the nacon, or give us up to the cursed wayes of our owne
hearts, taking away his ministers and sts apace from England, and
few arising in their stead.

August. 30. 1648. after ye route of Hamilton, taking of Colchester,
discovery of the City plott, l when all our feares seemed gone, and
our enemies hopes quite dasht.

The raine that fell caused a floud : the Suffolke forces went home
yesterday, all the residue of the army was drawne up in a body,
and almost all the Essex forces were disbanded : the prisoners
were many of them sent unto Kelvedon this night.

1 Vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iv, 196, 197.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 55

A fayre day. Septemb. 1, it was very wett and hindred men in Aug. 31.
yr harvesting ; wee feared it would cause a floud. Major Haines
returned from yc North where they have taken about 13000 prisoners.

The prisoners taken at Colchester are dispersing apace ; divers Sept. 5.
gett away. Sr Wm Compton, yr Sergeant Major Gen, 2 Coll. by
meanes of our waggon- Mr-Generall made an escape. Coll : Cul-
pepper, Coll: Chester. Sr Abraham Shipman, escaped out of Mr
Warrens house.

A publike day of thanks for the great and notable mercy in the Sept. 7.
route and dissipating of the Scotch army l by the forces under
Cromwell and Lambert.

I drunke my beere for 3 or 4 dayes with as much content out of Sept. 10.
a dish as at, sometimes out of a silver bowle. My thoughts much
working within mee about leaving Colne, seing they have not
regarded to bring in promised maintenance unto mee.

Being as it were forsaken and neglected by the inhabitants of Sept. 12.
Earles Colne, and destitute of competent maintenance to live upon,
I sett this morning apart to seeke unto God for direction in this
matter, whether providence called mee away, or whether I should
continue with them still ; now the good Lord who is the God of
prayer answer my desires and request, and make mee to understand
that which is most pleasing in thy sight.

First my case in reference to maintenance is this : first for tithes,
the general maintenance, the last yeare I received in from the
Towne, at severall times, with much calling upon, 25/. 6s. 9d. and
perhaps this yeare may afford thus much ; then Mr Jacob is to pay
47. wch perhaps he will continue to pay : Mr R. Harlakenden he its
likely will performe his 20/. per annum : so their is about 49/., if
the tithes bee gotten in : for the other 31 pound I have not
received 4/. ; but suppose their should 8 or 9/. pound of it bee
paid, ys amounts not unto 60/. by the yeare, out of which I am to
pay taxes, which will amount to 3/. per annum : tenths to the
Parliam1, and reparacons, which will bring it downe to a matter of
50/. a yeare, and for this I have my selfe, wife, 3 children, mayde,

1 At Preston.

56 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

my wife a childing woman, so that this summe cannot at the great
price all things now beare mainteine us in a very lowe manner.

But yr are 2 things more incumbent on mee, and that is to bee
hospitable and mindfull of the poore ; Titus : 1 : 8 : and our Towne
is full of poore, and a roade way, and their are great occasions for
a liberall releiving hand, which those y1 have not cannot performe;
this then brings a scandall on the ministry, as if he had much but
would not releive them.

Farther, a man is bound to provide for his family, and lay up for
them ; this Scripture alloweth, commendeth, requireth : Gen : 30 :
30 : and now when shall I provide for my owne house also : 2
Cor : 2 : 14 : 1 Timoth : 5 : 8 : and in a probable way when a mans
children are young, and he is young, is the fittest time to doe this
duty ; but when the yearely income cannot mainteine, what is
their to lay up ?

Againe, what a distraction it is for men to be intangled with
thoughts of providing for their tables, when wee should be attending
our studdyes : under the law, tithes were brought in to the preists ;
now wee must run out after them ; its a great discomfort when a
man is not mainteined freely, and cheeref ully, though it be sparingly.

Ob : l But God hath increased your estate here at Colne.

Ans : It is true, ye secrett treasures being his, he hath done it ; but
those dayes are past ; how to subsist with any freedome I knowe
not nowe, and if I could I professe I would not remove ; I have
bought something while I lived at Colne, but halfe I have gained
hath not beene from Colne but on other occasions.
Ob : But it may be Colne doth for your maintenance what they are able.

Ans :1. Not ; ye towne is able to mainteine a minister, and his family with
an 100/. per annum, if they were willing : but people are regardles
and careles of the wp of God, as if they could well spare it.

2. Ye litle promised by contribucon and tithes, is payd very
unwillingly : the contribucon not regarded to be gathered of them;
a man or 2 is willing, but not any other are willing so much as to
gather it up from others.

1 Objection.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 57

3. The parliament hath added augmentacons to other livings ;
our townesmen neglect ours ; true an addicon was granted, but it
is ineffectuall, neither doe wee take any course to make it effectuall:

Upon this and many other consideracons, seing my ministry
thus barren, and slighted in Colne, I have cause to be humbled,
and search my heart, and see whether it bee rather a punishment
on mee for my sin, or a providence of God withall to remove mee
from them.

I cannot but acknowledge many iniquities in mee, and neglect Ans : 1.
in my calling, and indeed great unfitnes and inability for this
weighty worke, and this, Lord, I lament from the bottome of my
heart ; & questionles when the Lord makes people neglect their
ministers, yr is a respect to them in it, ! though perhaps not
principally.

But in regard the state of things I stand thus : I have continued Ans : 2.
to beare many wants, contented my selfe with small meanes,
stirred them up to regard ye condicon of the Towne & so others
have also, and yett nothing done but my condicon is worse and
meanes than before ; I continued about 11 weekes at my Lady
Honywoods, and it was knowne it was for want of meanes to
keepe house, yett in all that time, though I was plundered, did my
people consider my condicon, gather up any of the moneyes due
unto mee ? So that it seemeth cleare to mee providence invites
mee away, my heart being also more inclined to lay downe,
having no offers of a place, but leaving it to Gods providence to
provide, then I ever was when I had offerres of good places made
unto mee.

And in this condicon it seemes to mee cleare that I may depart.
I doe not leave them untill they have forsaken mee ; I desire no
great meanes to live richly in the world, but convenient food and
rayment, & the Lord ordaines that they which preach the gospell
should live upon the gospell, and that in many places of Scripture,
1 Corinth : 9 : 14 ; and surely then, when any place doth not
afford him a subsistence, he may observe his providence in going

1 The fault rests partly with them.

58 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

unto another ; and when the preists had not their tithes brought
in whereby they might waite in the Temple but were scattered
into yr severall cities and feilds for bread, here is the worship of
God neglected, the preists leave the Temple : whose sin and fault
was it, being they wanted their meanes of livelyhood ? It was the
peoples, and the princes ; they are blamed for the same, Nehem.
13. 10. 11. and he gathers them togither and setts them in their
places, and provideth for them. v. 13. 14.

So then I lay it downe as a conclusion that my Towne affords me
not a competent maintenance ; if they make it appeare they have,
then lett the blame of it rest on mee, and this is the reason I will
insist on ; and I will not be my owne judge ; lett any understanding
men judge whether 80/. bee not as litle as a man can live on in
thes times, and this place, & seing they doe not, it is a just & a
warrantable reason by Scripture, and nature, to provide otherwise,
according as providence shall direct.

So then, after looking into the Word to be my counsellor and
seeking unto God to direct mee, my resolucon is to acquaint
Mr Harlakenden with my condicon and what I must of necessity bee
inforced to doe ; and if by him and the townesmen I bee provided
for, in paying in my dues last yeare, and in securing the next yeares,
if I live with them ; if not, that then I must, though with lothnes
lay downe at Michaelmas & leave the townesmen to take care of
the same, to provide another minister, & for my perticular to cast
my selfe on Gods providence to provide for mee, as hee seeth best.

This resolucon I intend to prosecute, and to observe God in
the same, and, whatsoever his providences are, to take them with
as much patience and quietnes of Spirit as may bee, and with a
thankefulnes unto God, for wrtsoever he appoints mee unto.

I shall also alwayes acknowledge that their are some in this
Towne, that to their power, and beyond their ability, have beene
loving to mee, and done their part to continue the Ministry of the
word among them, whom it greiveth my soule to part with ; but
for what they have done they will have God and yr owne con-
science bearing them witnesse, and affording them peace and
comfort in whatsoever condicon cometh upon them.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 59

I went downe to Mr R. Harlakenden, acquainted him with my
purpose to leave Colne ; he is sorry, wisheth it were otherwise ;
but yr is no proposall of remedy & indeed ye fault is not particularly
in him.

This weeke die 20. 22, was very wett, the season very sad both
in reference to corne and unto fallowes, very few lands being fitt
to bee sowne upon ; some say that divers catle that feed in the
meadowes dye, yr bowells being eaten out with gravel & durt.

On the 17th of August I intimated that it was probable I should
not very long stay with them, but truly very few in the towne
regard it, or seeme to take any notice of it.

Some of the womenkinde of the parrish desire mee not to Aug. 24.
goe away, and Mr Elliston, who promiseth his endeavor to ye
uttermost to better the meanes, but other men stirre not, say
nothing.

Some time in this weeke I spent in reading Hebrew and I resolve, Oct. 8.
now I am neare 32 yeares old, to sett my selfe more closely to the
studdy of it. Things are yett very deare ; I gave 8s. 2d. for a bushel
of new wheate, the greatest price I ever gave in my time of
housekeeping.

This weeke I bestowed some time in the studdy of Hebrew; vita Oct. 29.
brevis ars longa, and much time I have & doe misspend, and find
it hard to redeeme the time.

In the latter end of October I begun to reade Bell : ' de 15 Oct.
staires or ladder steps to God, a prettie discourse ; it containes
418 pages in 16°. I also read in mornings fferi8 2 Specimen, a
learned discourse, it containeth p. 559 : I observed the most
materiall things in him.

A very rainy day ; heard that Coll : Rainsbrough was stabbed in Nov. 4.
in the North 3 by 2 that pretended to be sent from the Lieu1 Gen.
with a letter unto him.

Wee begun this morning to rise early, and to spend some time Nov. 6.
by fire and candle ; I intend in morning to read over the liberall

1 Robert Bellarmin, Cardinal, b. 1542, d. 1621.

3 Paul Ferri, of Metz, Protestant Divine and Preacher, b. 1591, d. 1669.

3 at Doncaster : for his career see Diet : of Nat : Biography.

60 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Vossius arts, and began with Vossius l Rhet. Tom. 1. in 4°. It containes
institute 433 p.j ceptis aspira nostris, domine, that hereby, being more skild

orat. jn ^g tongue and arts, I may be more usefull in my generacon.
fferrig. This night I perfected the reading of fferius Specimen.
Nov. 13. Begun the reading, and noting the principal things, out of
Hookers 2 treatises concerning church goverm1 by Mr Hooker, called a
survey of the sum of church discipline ; the second treatise by
tises - ^r Cotton, called The way of congregational churches, cleared in
in 2 treatises, one historicall, against Baylie disswasive, the other
polemical. The time I allotted for this was in the f orenoone togither
with my Hebrew studdies ; viz what time I could picke before
dinner, having read Vossius ante solem, and being to learne a part
every morning in the Heb. Gram.

Nov. 15. This night I made an end of reading Bellarmines scale ad Deum,
Bellarmin s a booke that containeth divers sweet meditacons in it, and now I

intend on nights to reade ovr the ecclesiastical history.

Nov. 16. This night I began by candle light to reade the ecclesiastical
Cent. lce history, called the Centuries of Magdeb: This I intend, if God give
mee strength, to read on nights, that therby I may understand the
state and affayre of that body wherof Christ is the head, and
observe from history the witnesse of the several gratious preser-
vacons of Gods truths, and servants in all ages.
Nov. 18. I finisht the reading of Vossius his first tome.
Nov. 30. Mr Harlakenden with me from London : he did nothing about
the augmentacon, neither doe any regard to bring mee in any
moneyes to live upon.

Dec. 11. I was hard putt to it for money receiving none from my people.
Bakers Finisht the reading of Vossius Rhetoricke. I read Bakers Chronic-
Chronicle. les of England 2 now and then for my recreation, and the Archb?8

triall.
Dec. 21. This day Mr Harlakenden and Mr Elliston went about to gather

1 Gerard John, 1577-1649 : Dutch classical scholar and Protestant theologian.

2 Sir Richard Baker, b. 1568, d. 1645. " The Chronicle of the Kings of
England, inexact and uncritical, but written in a pleasant and readable style,
quickly acquired a high reputation. It was continued to 1668 by Edward
Phillips, Mitton's nephew. " (Encycl : Brittau :).

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 61

my money yfc was much in arreare ; they brought me in 31. 6s. and
a good report generally of a willingness in the people to doe some-
thing towards my maintenance.

This day Mr H. and Mr Ell : went to gather up some contribucon Dec. 25.
for me, and found some persons willing to contribute, which were
not yett in the bill ; they brought me in in money 31. which was a
good refreshing to mee.

This weeke I had some moneys from my people. Dec. 31.

I finisht the reading of Sr Ri : Bakers Chronicle ; also this day I Jan. 4.
entred upon a great worke, wherin I intend some care & paines to Bakers
collect the places of Scripture, that seeme different one from Chromcle
another, and the reconciling of them : Lord assist mee with nealt:hiReconcijei-
strength & wisedome for this great worke.

This day 7 yeares King Charles came to demand the 5 members,
and it was thought with an intention to have offered violence to
the house ; this day the Commons of themselves ordered the
tryall of the King ; many men cry out of this worke yi it will
ruine ye kingdome, the army, religion &c. For my part I conceive
it strange, extraordinary, and that it will occasion very much trouble
betwixt the prince, and his freinds, and the joyners in the new
representative, ! but if the worke bee of God it will prosper, if not
it will come to nothing.

Ys day, I went abroad to Sr Tho: Honywoods, I found him home, Jan. 4.
and heard by him good hope that the augmentacon granted by
Parliam1 may prove at last effectuall ; if so, I shall blesse God ; if
not I shall bee content.

This weeke the Lord good and mercifull to me and mine in our Jan. 7.
health, peace, in providing for us, notwithstanding the great clearnes
of every thing, beefe at 3d. ob per pd, wheate 7s. 6d. rye 6s. 4^/.
cheese 4d. butter 6d. ob per pound, and men expect it will bee
dearer and dearer.

1 " The rejection of this ordinance by the few Peers who remained brought
about a fresh resolution from the Lower House, ' that the People are, under God,
the original of all just power ; that the Commons of England in Parliament
assembled — being chosen by, and representing the People — have the supreme
power in this nation ' " etc. (Green, History of the English People, 554).

62 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Divers people in imitacon, or in abuse, sitt with yr hats on when
wee are singing psalmes.

Jan. 13. My hall chamber was finisht by Mr Harrington ; the masons
worke & stuffe one way or other amounted to about 50s. ; the
timber I found, onely he payd the carpenters.

Hooker This weeke I finisht the reading of Hookers discourse about
and church goverm1 ; I find it a peice worthy the perusing, I observed
Cotton. the most materian heads out of it.

Jan. 15. I began to read Smalcius 1 the Socinian, agst the incarnacon of

Smalcius Christ, in latine ; it containeth 29 pages in a large quarto,
p. 29.

Jan. 16. Began to read dilligently over AmamaV Heb : Grammer.

Amama

p. 240.

Jan. 17. Finisht the reading of Smalcius discourse, a man of subtle witt.
This day and ye 18th Mr Harlakenden kept his courts.

Lessius. I read over Lessius, 3 and the treatise with it, and though I am
not satisfied concerning a constant measure of provision, yett I
concurre with him, that a full diet is not best ; plus necat gula quam
gladius ; a slender and a hard cliett and exercise is very much
conducing to or health, and to mine in particular, and therefore my
thoughts are to bee more moderate in my diett then formerly.

33 : yr : 1648 :

Jan. 25. This day I have completed my 32 yeare, & enter now upon

my 33 yr.
Jan. 28. I followed my Hebrew studdies this weeke, but not so seriously

as I intended. I did somewhat also in my reconciler, to the

15th of Genesis.
Jan. 31. Heard K. C. was executed, but that was uncertaine : he was

1 Smalcius, German Unitarian writer, circ. 1620.
. 2 Amama, Dutch Orientalist, 1593-1629.

3 Lessius, Dutch, wrote on the Immortality of the Soul. 1554-1623.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 63

adjudged to dye Jan. 27. 1648. Bradshaw, the lord president,
pronounced sentence ; this day was a fast, a very cold day.

I was much troubled with the blacke providence of putting the ffeb. 4.
King to death ; my teares were not restrained at the passages about
his death ; the Lord in mercy lay it not as sinne to the charge of
the kingdome, but in mercy doe us good by the same ; the small
poxe on some familyes of the towne but spreadeth not, to God be
the glory therof : this weeke I coulcf doe nothing neither in my
Hebrew, nor in my reconciler.

The death of the king talked much of ; very many men of the
weaker sort of Christians in divers places passionate concerning
it, but so ungroundedly, that it would make any to bleed to observe
it; ye Lord hath some great thing to doe; feare & tremble att it, oh
England.

Monday it was debated about Kings and Peeres ; on Tuesday the
house of Commons ordered to null the house of Lords as uselesse,
& on the next day to lay aside the Goverm* by Kings, & to sett up
a councell of state.

Great dearth and want of all things, I gave 4d. per pound for porke. ffeb. 1 8.

I was dealt with to subscribe a manifest of the Minist. agst. the ffeb. 19.
present proceedings, and the Agreem* of the people, l and a
dissent in the matter of the King ; yr are some things are well done,
but for Ministers to intermedle thus in all difficulties of state I,
question the warrantablenes therof, and therfore I could not
concurre ; but my advice is that the civill part might be undertaken
by some able statesman and the religious part by some able
Ministers, and then proceed to a subscription.

That part of the army before Pomfrett hangd a Minister, a ffeb. 25.
Cavalier ; they condemned him for holding intelligence with the
enemy in the Castle, and that he had a hand in betraying the
same ; this weeke their seemed to appear some differences in the
Councell of state, and in the army especially, a dangerous peticon
as they say being sett a foote ; 2 and truly the enemies onely course
is to divide them on the peoples interest and their owne ; for

1 vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iv, 281.

2 vide Gardiner's Commonwealth and Protectorate, i, 34.

64 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

probably, if they l continue united it will cost a sea of bloud, and a
world of trouble to alter what is now in setling.

March. 18. Cheese now at 4d. q. & ob per pound, butter sold by some at
8d : porke 4d. q. or ob, beefe 3d. ob. q. great feare of the decay of
trade.

March. 22. Mr W. H. came home from the assizes ; he was sworne yr justice
of peace ; we have 3 justices now within 2 mile of our Towne on
either hand with him ; the Lord make him serviceable for our
good ; yr are but few in ye countie, its a good providence that wee
are so well supplyed : yr fell out worke for him as soone as he
came home, pretences2 of slaughter ; heard by him that L. Col.
Lilburne and his partie did gather about S1 Albans to goe on with
their pretended principle of libertie, and to ease the subject of
taxes ; tis true yr are burthens on us, and divers pretend to amend
them, but they are but easy easyers; they rather increase then ease
our burthens ; Martin, 3 and some others its sd joyne with him, and
encourage him.

March. 25. I was very neglectfull in my Hebrew studdies this weeke ; but I

Meditacons begun a peice of work which I hope will not be unprofitable to

mee in my spirituall estate, viz. as I read over the Scriptures, some

places yeild me much spirituall solace, matter of rejoyci^g and
some of ingagements, 4 which I take notice of in a booke for that
purpose ; I went on more speedily then formerly in my reconciler;
I finisht Numb : Cap : 12. this weeke.

March. 27. Yesterday I bought mee a new felt, it cost mee, 7s. ; this
morning Mr Nicholsons stable being robbed, Justice Harlakenden
came over to mee ; I made out two hue and cry's after the horse on
the road ; the first that I ever writt in my life.

April. 15. This weeke the Lord was good and mercifull to mee and mine
in all outward mercies, when as their is a great scarcitie of all
things, 5 beefe ordinarily 4d. per lib : butter 7 or 8d. cheese 5d.,

1 The Council and the Army.

2 Charges.

3 Henry Martin, who afterwards abandoned the Levellers.

4 i. e. to God :

5 vide Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protectorate, i, 44.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 65

wheate 7s. 6d. rye 6s. 8d. yett we wanted nothing needfull or
fitting for us.

This day by act was sett apart for a day of humiliacon but was April. 19.
not kept in most places by reason the act was not divulged abroad,
wherby ministers and people might have timely notice to prepare
for the same.

My deare wife had beene very ill for 3 weekes, now towards May. 5.
night paynes came fast on her and shee was delivered before nine
of the clocke of her 5k child, and third sonne, God giving us
another sonne in stead of my deare Ralph whom he tooke away ;
my wife was alone a great while with our good freinds Mrs Mary, and
her mother ; some few women were with her, but the midwife not,
but when God commands deliverance yr is nothing hinders it.

Great difficulties by reason of the proceedings of divers souldiers May. 15.
designed for Ireland.

This day was a day of publike humiliacon; many men in great May. 17.
straites and difficulties in regard of the Levellers attempts to raise
troubles, and many of the souldiers discontents ; God was mercifull
to mee in giving me strength for the duty of the day wherin I
spent publickely above 4 houres.

This day I payed Mr Harlakenden of the priory 121. : I now May. 18.
owe unto him 231. for which I gave him a bill to pay it upon
demand, and I intend God willing to pay him well and truly with
all speed : my lady sent her daughter Mrs Elizabeth and kinswoman
with her cost (sic) to give my wife a visitt ; wee testified the utmost
of our respect unto her. I gave her the choice of any booke in my
library, which shee accepted very kindely and lovingly from mee.

Heard the newes of quashing the Levellers, a glorious rich
providence of God to England.

This weeke the Lord was good to us, in our peace, in health, May. 20.
and providing for us notwithstanding the great scarcity of all
things, rye at 6s. 8d bushel, butter at Id pound, cheese 6d, beefe
5d, lambe 7d.

I received this day my money from Mr Tho : Harlakenden and May. 22.
pd Mr Harlakenden 47. ; I now owe him but 19/. wherof the
greatest part I hope to pay very shortly.

66 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

May. 25. This day I pd for beefe about 4d. ob. q. a pound, and 5d. the
pound for mutton, but beefe was commonly 5d. ye pound : 9s. and
10s. the score, the best in the markets.

May. 26. Begun to read this history !, horis successivis, its in a large octavo,

Sleidans but a smal character and close ; it containes the merveylous

Commen- dawning and spreading of the reformacon of religion in the latter

dayes under Luther, and ye progresse yr of for divers yeares.
Medes Begun to read Mr Medes discourses on several texts, and to
discourses, observe some of ye most materiall things yr in.

June. 3. This day was very warme & comfortable, I gave 8s. 2d. for
a score of indifferent beefe. I spent a litle time in my Hebrew,
did a litle in my meditacons and reconciler to Deut : 12 : and
spent some time in Sleidan, where I observe the strange progresse
of the gospell in Germany and other places, many princes and
families renouncing the pope, and of late yeares none have ;
neither hath the gospell any entertainm1 in Spaine, Italy, Sicily,
and in the territories of the Venetians ; I did somewhat in Medes
discourses.

June. 18. Rid with Mr Harlakenden to Stortford ; 19, wee and Mr H. son
rid to Cambridge where I viewed with delight my old colledge ;
the Mr and fellowes, very good men, hope of yr good : 20, Mr R.
Harlakenden admitted fellow commoner of Jesus.

June. 27. Spent most of this day in a day of prayer, entreating God for
John Burton who was to be cutt of the stone, for my owne distem-
per, that God who healeth his would bee an healing God to mee
and to others.

July. 1. The newes from Ireland this weeke was sad, that the enemy was
come before Dublin ; 2 the Lord in mercy provide for them if it
bee his pleasure, and give us successe against them.

July. 7. Received newes and true that Major Heynes, my good freind, had
procured me 15/. for my pay as chaplaine to the regiment for
Colchester service ; it was a singular kindnes in him towards mee :
my good freind Mrs Mary Church brought mee in 20s, from her
selfe, and 20s. from Mrs Mabel to buy mee a booke.

1 Sleidan, 1506-1556. Historian of the Reformation.

2 Ormond occupied the grounds of Phoenix Lodge on June 21.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 67

This weeke reports were heard from Ireland ; wee looked when July. 8.
Cromwell should goe, but yett he did not. John Burton for whom
wee sought God June 27, was cutt for the stone July 6, and good
hopes he will recover, and doe well ; God of his mercy say Amen
thereunto. Made a collection for Lancashire which is much
afflicted with famine and pestilence.

Ye newes from Ireland this weeke is sad, Culmore Castle lost, July. 14.
and so no releiving of Derry by water : Tredagh likely to be lost,
yr magazine being blowne up with powder by ye treachery of some
aldermen ; tis many times Gods season to helpe when wee are low ;
Cromwell marcht out of London in great state ; ] they goe with
wonderfull confidence ; the issue is in Gods glorious armes dis-
posing.

I began formely and now to bee sensible of a distemper and July. 15.
weaknes in my backe about the reines ; I have had ye same divers
yeares, what it tends to I knowe not.

Kept a day of humiliacon at ye priory, for the good successe July. 18.
of Ireland. I brought home a bible for my sonne Thomas, which
cost me 3s. 2d. : this booke is now very cheap.

Finisht the reading his 26 bookes of Commentaries July 20 : Sleidan.
I begun to reade his discourse on ye 4 empires & finisht it July 29.

Mr Harlakenden would not goe to ye assizes ; the other justices July. 24.
went.

This day I bought of John Beereman a parcell of land, now July. 26.
Sarah Haukesbees ; it containd 3 acres and more ; rent 21. 10s.
besides the lords rent ; it cost mee 36/. 15s. I am to pay all his
mony even downe and to take the rent due at Michaelmaes. I payd
him 15/. home with him ; this is Gods providence to blesse mee,
and to adde to that litle which I have.

This weeke or newes was sad for Ireland ; no forces gone & July. 29.
Tredah, and Trim, and Carickfergus, and Carlingford lost ; Dun-

1 " On July 12 he set out for Bristol with unwonted state in a coach drawn by
six grey Flanders mares and protected by a lifeguard every member of which
was ' either an officer or an esquire '. Above him floated a milk-white standard,
symbolising as it would seem, his hope to bring back whiterobed peace from
amidst the horrors of war. " (Gardiner, Commonwealth & Protectorate, i, 108.)

68 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

dalke beseidged, ! and also Dublin close beseidged by the enemy ;
Cromwell not yett ready to goe over ; publisht this day an order
for a day of humiliacon to seeke unto God, for a blessing on the
forces designed for Ireland ; Gods providence hath beene very
good towards mee ; I have payd since last yeare I was plundered
already full 40/. which I ought and I have payd 15/. on a purchase,
and hope through Gods goodnes to pay of shortly twenty pounds
more ; John Burton came home from London cutt of the stone, his
life spared, his wound healed, I hope cured, answered very sweetly
in or prayers.

Aug. 1. A day of P. Humiliacon for Ireland and a blessing from God
upon ye forces that are designed thither ; the Lord in mercy goe
along with them, and blesse and prosper them ; I expect that
Dublin should become a prey to the enemie ; the Lord alone is
able to prevent it ; we spent from three of ye clocke untill sun
downe at the priorie, in continuing the exercise ; the Lord re-
member us for good for his owne names sake.

Aug. 6. This weeke I went about to gather up some tithes ; I find mony
scarce.

Aug. 14. Sometime reported that Dublin was lost, sometime that a part
of Ormonds army was routed, 100ds, and sometimes thousands
slaine.

Sarah This day wee perfected the agreem1 between John Bearman and
Hausb. my seife . j pav(j him all his money, viz. 211. 10s.; he bated me 5s.
a in regard the lords rent was more yn wee supposed.

Aug. 19. A weeke of harvest, corne abated in price a litle. The glorious
successe in Ireland 2 ye next day after the publicke fast ; the first
rumor I heard of it was August 14, in the morning.

Aug. 29. This day a P. Th : for the great victory over Ormond.

Sept. 7. Mrs Crane gave mee a payre of gloves which she ought me
about a wager when her housband was prisoner with the Cavaliers.

Sept. 10. I was with Mr Harlakenden ; his crop of hops wonderfull small ;

1 Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protectorate, i, no, in.

2 Jones had defeated Ormond at Rathmines on August 2nd. "In the city
wagers were freely offered that Dublin had already surrendered at the
enormous odds of £100 to 5/-." Cromwell only heard the news on August I2th.

RALPH JOSSEMN'S DIARY 69

much about 800 weight upon twentie acres ; my freinds have
given mee enough for my use.

This day I went to visitt Mr Jacob; heard of some stirre at Sept. 11.
Oxford by the regiment their upon the levelling score. l

The disturbances at Oxford over in a good season and by a very Sept. 16.
finger of God ; the rate of things continueth dearer and is likely
to encrease.

At night begun to study a litle before supper, I begun with Oct. 3.

the first part of the Ecclesiastical history of the Magdeburgensis. 2 Magd.Cent.

1. lib. 1.
Colum.372.

I begun about the begining of ys month to reade Senertus 3 Senerti.
institucons in a large 8°. smal print ; this I did in the day time. I118*-

This day I finisht Josephus, of the antiquities of the Jewes, 017
whereof I read a great part, especially where the history of
ye scripture is silent & I intend to read the residue of his booke.

This weeke all things very deare, wheate. 8s. 6d. rye 6s. Oct. 7.
barley 5s. a bushel, cheese 4d. ob, butter Id. ob the pound.

The contry full of reports of Cromwells route in Ireland, but Oct. 28.
its hoped yr is no truth therein.

My boy is now lively, somewhat fuller of spirit, of a good Nov. 1.
memory, a good speller, apt to learne, and attaine the hardest Thomas,
words in his bible or accidence in which he reads. This day we
kept a publicke thanksgiving for the successe against Tredah, and
before we heard the great newes of the taking Wexford, and
putting the garrison, and some say the inhabitants, to the sword.

Ye times were wonderfull hard, wheate at above 9s. and rye Nov. 25.

1 "On Sept. 8 the garrison called on its officers to join in demanding a free
parliament according to the Agreement of the People.... Failing to elicit a
satisfactory response, they seized New College where the Magazine was stored
and placed their officers under arrest." (Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protect-
orate, i, 182.)

2 An ecclesiastical history of the first 1300 years of the Christian Era, in which
the records of each century occupy a volume.

3 Daniel Senertus, 1572-1637. He introduced the study of Chemistry at
Wittenberg. He was accused of blasphemy and impiety on the ground that
he taught that the souls of beasts were not material.

70 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

about 7s. a bushell : God was good to mee in my sonne Thomas
who learned well, and I wish if ever he bee a man he would
remember I undertooke the teaching the schoole at this time
cheifely for his sake, among the boyes, though my highest aime
was to doe good while I live ; God was mercifull to mee in giving
mee and my deare wife bowells towards the poore ; we begun
this weeke to fast our selves a meale or 2 in a weeke, and give
away a meales provision in meate, broth, or money to the poore.
The times were very sad in England so that men durst not travell,
and indeed rich men were afrayd to lye in their houses, robbers
were so many and bold ; men knew not how to carry moneyes,
and many gentlemens houses were sett upon and pilfered : the
affayres of Ireland went well ; the hand of God was notable, that
when our interest was lowe their, then ye natural Irish, and the
meere popish party joyned not with Ormond but rather assisted us; l
but seing no hope from us, when Ormond was lowe, and our forces
begun to prosper, then Oneale and his party fell in with Ormond.
Dec. 1. to 16. This time all things were wonderfull deare, wheate 9s. malt 4s.
8J, rye 7s. 6d, oatemeale 8s, per bushel, and cheese 4d. ob ; all
things deare, yett the season was indifferent warme and drye ;
beggars many, givers few, Lord of thy bounty provide for the
poore ; I constrayned my selfe to doe more then ordinary for our
poore ; it is better to give then to receive ; and yett poore people
were nevr more regardles of God then now adayes.

Dec. 18. This day I rid to Witham, and 19, to Chelmsford, where I
subscribed the Engagement, the first in ye County of Ministers and
ye 13th man of ye County. I subscribed the Engagement 2 as I
considered it stood with yc Coven1 while ye govrment actually
stood establisht ; and my faithfulnes is not to create any troubles,
but seeke ye good of ye Commonwealth.

1 For the convention arranged between Monk and O'Neill, see Gardiner,
Commonwealth and Protectorate i, 87, 88, etc.

2 "I do declare and promise that I will be true and faithful to the Common-
wealth of England as the same is now established, without a King or House of
Lords." (Gardiner, Commonwealth & Protectorate, i, 196). All Members of
Parliament and officials generally were ordered on Oct. n to sign this.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 71

Mr Harlakenden troubled at the greatnes of his sons expenses at Jan. 9.
Cambridge, I writt to Mr Richard, to be frugall of his fathers
purse, i& to improve his time for learning & pietie, God blesse my
advice to him.

This day I began to teach the schollers for Mr Harrington. Jan. 10.

Jan : 4 : 1649 : yr was much mischeife done at London by Jan. 13.
blowing up divers barrels of powder, which blew up divers houses,
and persons ; it was thought neare all 100d ; the fluxe is much in
London, and in some parts of this kingdom ; it hath cutt downe
many of the army in Ireland.

This day Mr Wade of Halsted sent mee a dozen of candle, and Jan. 15.
Mr Hickford a sugar loafe, a liberall & bounteous guift. Mrs Church
gave mee 5s.

Ffeares and jealousies of troubles from among or selves by reason Jan. 24.
of ye ingagement, and other sad affaires among or selves ended the
yeare.

Jan : 25 : 1649 : an : aetatis 34.

I was sensible it entred mee into a new yeare, and I eyed God Jan. 25.
in perticular for his presence with mee.

Mrs Church invited us to supper, where wee were kindely ffeb. 6.
entertaind: Gdee ' Mathew sent us a lovely breast of veale; this love
and kindnes is from God ; at night my right side aked very much.

Made an end with my Tenant ; he is to plowe no more than ffeb. 25.
what is plowed ; he is not to medle with my wood, and to lay
8 load dung on the mowing peice, and to quit the farme at
Michaelmas, 1651.

Gods hand was towards us for good in our children. Maries March. 1,
eyes mended somewhat, & so did little Ralphs ; his glisters 2 did
him good, and the best outward meanes were rose oyntment &
plantayne water steeped with white sugar candie ; this day my
sonne Thomas began to learne his accidence by heart as wee say,
memoriter ; he is now 6 yeares old and about two months.

1 /. e. ' Goody '.

2 Poultices.

72 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

March. 2. Reviewed what I owe, and I perceive all my debts, one and
debts, other, amount to somewhat above 40/. and I have so much and

more owing mee this present day.

March. 15. This day, I was warned to appear at Westminster die 20th.
March. 17. I received 61. of my Committee money l from Chelmsford, and a

botle of sacke from London, from Mr Linch.

March. 18. The subcomittee voted mee 43/. per annum augmentacon.
March. 23. Gave over teaching the schoole for present.

1650. Rid to Braintree ; Coll. Cooke promised to doe for mee what he

March. 26. could in the matter of the schoole ; returnd safe praise to God ;

heard when I came home that ye schoole was disposed. I goe

about this whole businesse with submission to Gods providence,

which I conceive hath layd it out for mee. I payd a considerable

debt this day.

March. 27. Cast up my debts this day and they are 45/. 0 : Id. including
debts. 231. 12s. which I shall owe to Mr Haukesbee, and now my estate is

as followeth.

Value of my estate, which God hath given mee.

Land : Mallories part Bollinhatch )

. , . „ f [• 27/. per annum

2 closes in Colne j

Moneyes in Major Haines hand to bee j ^
payd to Mr John Littell. j

My debts are much about 10/. more than my money es that are
owing unto mee ; this increase is from Gods goodnes, and provi-
dence towards mee.

March. 27. Perfected an agreement with Goodman Paine ; he is to have ye
close at ye old rent 31. per annum until Michaelmas in 1651 ; he is
to lay on 80 load of dung, and sowe it with barley this yeare, and
with oates the next, and when either of his crops of corne are
taken of, then am I to have the pasture, and the layer of my catle
in it for the winters.

April. 11. This day I tooke ye surrender of Sawyers from Mr Wm Haukes-
bee to ye use of my daughter Mary Josselin, and her heyres for

1 The Committee for plundered ministers, vide Jan. 17-1650.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 73

ever ; the purchase cost mee 50/., which I fully paid to him &
received an acquittance from him for it, and bond to make it
good.

Sent a letter to Major Haines to send into New England, con- April. 16.
taining three sheets in my small hand, being a relation of affaires
foreigne, and domestique from ye rendicon of Colchester untill
Aprill. 16. 1650, this present day.

Bee cautious of speaking to Mr Harlakenden in the point of his April. 20.
royaltie, for being intent on the promts of them, he takes it ill, as
I found this day, which I hope shall learne mee some prudence in
the world. I would willingly bee a gainer by other mens
tempers.

Wee made our rate this day; I tooke it kindly from the townesmen, April. 22.
who did not raise my rate upon the close I hold in my owne hands.

It rained a most sweete showre ; God is opening his hand to fill April. 23.
us with his bounty. Mr Harlakenden and I had great discourse
about our Lords rent ; I find & he acknowledges by comparing Lords
the copies, and the rentalls, that 10s for the Aldarcar l part of rent-
Oxenfen is sett on my head, and Kents, and 7s. for Mills l fen &c.
is sett now on Osbornes, and Tills head ; he was somewhat moved;
I blesse God who gave me a patient command of my selfe.

This day Mr Harrington pd mee in 7/, for keeping the schoole,
from Jan. to March 25. 1650 ; he promiseth to dischardge all to
mee, and the moneyes I am out, when he sendeth for his sonnes
things ; the matter of the schoole in a great uncertainty.

Hay was very scarce and cleare, at 3s. and 3s. 4d. per hundred April. 25.
weight.

My tenant this day at Mallories paid mee 6/. 10s for Lady rent, April. 27.
I sett of 10s. for taxes, forgave him ISd. wch was his part of them.

This day Mrs Mary Church made a disposall of her estate, which May. 17.
amounts to 211. per annum in land, the trust whereof, shee layed
on mee, a burthen heavy but I durst not refuse it, in regard
providence lead mee to it.

My litle Mary very weake, wee feared shee was drawing on ; May. 22.

1 Many of these old names still persist down to the present day, e. g.,
Aldercar, Mills Farm, Dagnall, Mallories, Hobstevens.

74 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

feare came on my heart very much, but shee is not mine, but the
Lords, and shee is not too good for her father ; shee was tender of
her mother, thankefull, mindefull of God, in her extremity, shee
would cry out, " poore I, poore I. "

May. 25. Hopes of Maries life especially towards night, but it was onely
hopes ; God is her life, shee shall enjoy it in heaven, not here ;
Ralph ill.

May. 26. This morning all or hopes of Maries life were gone; to the Lord
I have resigned her and with him I leave her, to receive her into
his everlasting armes, when he seeth best ; shee rests free from
much paine, wee hope, in regard shee maketh no dolour ; the
Lord makes us willing shee should bee out of her paine ; my litle
sonne in all peoples eyes is a dying child, Lord thy will bee done ;
thou art better to mee then sonnes and daughters, though I value
them above gold & Jewells.

May. 27. This day a quarter past two in ye afternoone my Mary fell
asleepe in the Lord ; her soule past into that rest where the body
of Jesus, and ye soules of the sts are ; shee was 8 yeares and 45
dayes old when shee dyed ; my soule had aboundant cause to
blesse God for her, who was our first fruites, and those God would
have offered to him, and this I freely resigned up to him ; it was a
pretious child, a bundle of myrrhe, a bundle of sweetnes ; shee
was a child of ten thousand, full of wisedome, womanlike gravity,
knowledge, sweet expressions of God, apt in her learning, tender
hearted & loving, an obedient child to us ; it was free from the
rudenesse of litle children, it was to us as a boxe of sweet ointment,
which now its broken smells more deliciously then it did before ;
Lord I rejoyce I had such a present for thee ; it was patient in the
sicknesse, thankefull to admiracon, it lived desired and dyed
lamented, thy memory is and will bee sweete unto mee.

May. 28. This day my deare Mary was buried in Earles Colne church by
the 2 uppermost seats ; shee was accompanyed thither with most
of the Towne; Mrs Margaret Harlakenden, & Mrs Mabel Elliston layd
her in grave, those two and Mrs Jane Church, & my sister carryed
her in yr hands to ye grave ; I kist her lips last, & carefully laid up
that body, ye soule being with Jesus, it rests yr till ye Resurrection.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

75

Called up this morning to see my deare freind Mrs Mary Church, June. 2.
who departed to an eternall rest and Sabbath about 9 of the
clocke ; my deare Ralph very ill, we cannot long enjoy him ; the
Lord wash his nature from his filth, and defilement, & doe him
good. My deare Ralph before midnight fell asleepe whose body
Jesus shall awaken ; his life was continuall sorrow and trouble ;
happy he who is at rest in the Lord ; my deare wife ill as if she
would have dyed.

This day my deare freind Mrs Mary Church, and my sweete June. 4.
Ralph were buried togither in the church ; I preached her funerall
on Mathew 25, 34 verse ; God hath taken from mee a choyce
speciall freind. In some respect I see great mercy therein, for
Satan lieth in waite to corrupt our affections & that mine were not
was Gods aboundant grace, who keepes mee, that, though I fall,
yett I am not utterly cast downe.

When Mrs Mary dyed, my heart trembled, and was perplexed in
the dealings of the Lord so sadly with us, and desiring God not to
proceed on against us with his darts and arrows ; looking backe
into my wayes, and observing why God hath thus dealt with mee,
the Lord followed mee with that sin no more, " lest a worse thing .
happen unto thee;" and the intimacon of God was he would proceed
no farther against mee or mine, and he would assist mee with his
grace if I clave to him with a full purpose of heart, which I
resolve ; oh my God helpe mee ! oh my God faile mee not ! for
in thee doe I put my trust.

Mrs Church this day delivered unto mee the will of M1'8 Mary June. 6.
deceasd ; many suppose shee hath given mee all her land, others
shee hath given mee nothing, but what is done is Gods providence :
lett Harris ye house at Coggeshall till Michaelmas, the first tenant
that I agreed withall.

In the affaire of Mrs Mary their are divers discourses, but the June. 9.
uprightnes of my heart therein affords through God peace to mee,
and I trust will more & more ; others esteeme I shall loose very
much by it.

Began to teach the schoole ; S children came, but none of their June. 10.
parents. Schoole.

76 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 19. Had some discourse with Mr Harlakenden about Mrs Maries
businesse ; wee agreed very lovingly in the value of the land,
Mrs Marys part, 61. per annum, the other at 107. per annum : the
free at 5/. per annum : he sett both the fines at 20/., he acknow-
ledged they were too hard.

June. 23. I find I goe through y6 matter of ye schoole without any
extraordinary burthen ; ye times of schoole I make my times of
studdy. Ye Lord was good to mee in the Sabbath, in ye word
preacht and opened ; ye unreverent carriage of divers in sitting
with yr hatts on when the psalme is singing is strange to mee.

June. 24. This morning I bought Smiths cow ; her price was 61. 10s. Qd.
I also bought of him the pasture of Dagnall till Michaelmas for
31. 10s.; he is to pay me the tith which I told him of, and to pay
all towne taxes untill Michaelmas ; I am to enter on them on
Wednesday. I borrowed the mony of Goodwife Math : 40s.
I now paid him in hand : if I buy cowes I am to putt them now
on the ground : the Lord my God give a blessing unto mee
herein.

June. 25. Went to Messing, received 10s. of Allhayes, 7s. 6d. of Medcalfe,
11s. Sd. of Bridge Shaw, promiseth his August: 1. Yr is some
improvem1 to bee made towards our repayres, which will cost
nigh 10/. ; this night wee begun to milke our cow bought of
Smith. God good in my iorney, I went 18 miles, spent 6d.

June. 27. This day I fetcht a cow from Westney's of Halstead, it cost
61. 5s ; I had great trouble in ye cowes unquietnes ; God enters mee
into many of my affayres with trouble. I pd Smith 8/. ye residue
of his bargaine ; I lent Polly 20s. ; I receivd in 30s. from my
schoole rents.

June. 28. Heard Huggins was undone; care taken about my rent in seizing
the crop ; Hedge bad mee 18/. per annum. & Dawkin 19/. ; receivd
from Overell 4/. 17s. 6d. rent ; and the gurney (sic) booke from
Mr Harrington.

June. 30. Heard this weeke of ye consuming plague in Ireland. Cromwell

is made Gen : ffairfax hath layd downe the commission.
July. 7. God afflicts Ireland with the plague most sadly, and now
Scotland and wee are likely to engage into bloud ; arise and save

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 77

us, for in thee we trust, and doe us good for thy most holy name
sake wee entreate thee !

Proved Mrs Maries will at Kelvedon, and returned safe; 10, In'd July. 9.
3 jaggs of hay from my vicaridge close ; I had about 45d. of very
good hay. Die 11, I lett my farme at Ardleigh to Hedge for 19/.
per annum for 3 yeare ; one Heckford undertakes ye rent for ye
3 yeares.

Rid to Colchester, dined with ye Commissioners that were yr July. 13.
about the livings of the ministers.

The Publike Courts for or Manors were kept, in which I was July.23.24.
admitted in reversion to all the land of Mrs Mary Church, and my
sonn Tho : to the land of Mr W : Haukesbee.

Mr Bearman came, and I was admitted to both the parcells of July. 25.
his wives land, being now tenant of both manors ; this is not of
my selfe, but it is ye Lords blessing upon mee ; as a pricke in ye
flesh I am troubled with rheumes, my goomes swelling.

Pub : day of Thanksgiving for the route and slaughter of the July. 26.
popish Irish army under Cloghers l command, which I kept with
rejoycing in God, who hath given them blond to drinke, who had
shed yr selves so much.

This day I payd Mrs Church her 20/., so I have now prt her 50/. July. 27.
and 57. to ye poore, and other charges layd out in money, II. 19s. 6d. ;
so in all I have layd out 56/. 19s. 6d. this day on Mrs Maries estate.

Ys day reports common all lost in Ireland, Cromwell beaten, July. 31.
tumults at London ; but their was no truth yr in.

Heard that ye Scots were routed and thousands slaine. * Aug. 2.

Heard reports of great successe in Scotland. Aug. 21.

Resolved henceforwards w1 soever money comes in on guifts,
or curtesies, all incomes, and receipts on the schoole besides the
rents, and whatsoever is saved by preaching at any places, shall
bee layd out in bookes.

Pd : lls. 3d. for driving my fetherbeds & bolsters ; wee made us Aug. 29.
a very excellent downe bed. I payd Mr Harrington. II. 5s.; I owe
him now 21. 10s.

1 Macmahon, Bishop of Clogher.

2 Scotch repulsed at Musselburgh : the number of the slain is exaggerated.

78 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sept. 2. Rid to Colchester ; at yr feast and banquetts ; when I returned
home, I found the small pox at Gdman Abbotts & Burtons.

Sept. 3. This day heard of ye taking Redhouse in Scotland : the Lord
give a good issue to that dangerous affaire. Receivd a bushel of
good new wheate at 5s. 4d. tollfree, a comfortable abatem1 from
10s. & 11s.; the Lord make us thankefull.

Sept. 6. This day my cowes were driven away from Smiths from off his
ground with his, for rent by his landlady. I apprehended it might
have beene some trouble to mee ; I followed after them, overtooke
them, and had my cowes delivered quietly to mee.

Sept. 8. The Scottish affaire very difficult ; give a good issue unto it
for thy glory & peoples good, wee entreate thee ; its not so
much layd to heart as formerly ; heard of the route of the
Scotch army, that 4000 were slaine l 10000 prisoners, 22 peices of
ordnance taken, and this done Septemb. 3; newes London die. 7°.;
this was reported to mee just when I came downe out of pulpitt.

Sept. 1 5. The small pox proceeded no farther this weeke. This weeke
wee returned thankes to God for our Irish victories ; the Scots
victory true ; wee heard of the wellfare of Major Haynes after
or victory, for which the Lord bee praised ; this weeke the
Lady Elizabeth second daughter of ye King dyed in the He of
Wight whither shee and her brother were sent ; this is the first of
them that fell by the hand of God in all thes troubles ; yr are
5 more of them still living, 3 sons & 2 daughters.

Sept. 22. The season is very sad in wet, hinders seed time, raiseth corne
already, rotteth or muttons.

Sept. 26. My schoole lands ordered to pay taxes which will bee 7/. a
yeare to my hindrance.

Oct. 2. The engagem1 is prest in Cambridge to out many honest men,
and to admitt divers young & rude blades because engagers.

Oct. 8. A day of thanks for the great victory in Scotland.

Oct. 23. The engagement outs many deserving men from ye fellowships ;
its thought yr will fall a sad blowe upon the ministry, the univers-
ities and yr meanes ; the report is that one moved whether yr

1 Gardiner says 3,000.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 79

should bee any standing ministry in England, but that is somewhat
too much yett for this early day.

Received my tith from Goodman Abbott, very lovingly & quietly Oct. 28.
for which I blesse my God.

Pose, die. 8, 9, 10. I had a pose, some litle stuffings in my head Nov.
and chest, and on the 13th my gummes swelled as usually. I am
advised to take 5 pils sine quibus esse nolo.

Writt and sent by Mr Harlakenden a lattin letter to Dr Wright, Nov. 11.
in humble thanks for conferring the schoole upon mee.

God taketh away our enemies abroad viz the Prince of Orange ! Nov. 17.
which is a great worke as things stood there and here.

Warrants out to raise the horse & foote in or County, because Dec. 3.
of ye troubles in Norfolke 2 ; this matter is in the darke to us
as yett, though talkt of divers dayes ; God I trust will give a good
issue hereunto ; gave in a perticular of my schoole rents as they
were Septemb. 29. 1650. viz. 627. 3s. 4d. yearly; its pretended to ease
us of or assessments, which if so, I shall bee glad, but I duobt not.

In the morning called up, and acquainted by Mr Harlakenden Dec. 4.
who was sent for to Chelmsford, that the Norfolke businesse was
somewhat allayed, it being only an attempt of a few mad blades
to proclaim the King ; and this proved true, God shewing us the
rod, and telling us what might have been done, but not letting
mans rage prevaile to doe us ye least hurt.

Begun to peruse the Revelacon, and Brightman upon it. Dec. 9.

Revelacon
Brightman

Heard this morning as if Carr and his Scotch forces were Dec. 12.
routed by or horse. 3

Heard farther good newes out of Scotland or army getting Dec. 17.
health, ye enemies now sickening, yr divisions still confirming me
God is casting downe princes and that family in perticular, that
he shall not be crowned, nor reigne long their, but die an
untimely death to himselfe, but in good time for his kingdomes.

1 Died October 27 of small-pox.

2 A Royalist outbreak ; the leaders lost their lives on the gallows.

3 Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protectorate, 381, 382.

80 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Dec. 23. This day sealed a lease of Pickstones to ye widdow Overral for
227. per annum ; ye first lease I sealed of the schoole lands.
24. p(1 Mr Harlakenden my fine for Mrs Maries land viz. 12/.; ye
times are hard ; tis a great mercy that in these declining dayes I
am able to pay any of my debts.

Dec. 29. Still ye Lord keepes us from ye small pox, wch continueth still in
some families.

Dec. 31. This clay heard yl Edinburgh Castle was surrendered Decemb. 24
past to General Cromwell ; nothing can withstand Gods purpose,
nor hinder that which he intendeth to accomplish ; this castle was
counted invincible ; it endured about 15 weekes seidge.

Jan. 1. This day sett of to Mr Richard Harlakenden, his qter. 31. 15s. and
pd in money 4/. 15s. in all 8/. 10s. towards the bond of 25/. due to
him Jan : 27 or 28 next ; now my roll of debts is 777. 18s. Qd.

Jan. 4. Heard for certaine of ye spoiling P. Ruperts fleete upon ye Coast
of Spaine Nov : last ! ; ye Spanish shew great affection to or
Commonwealth a ; ye ffrench since gave ye Spaniard a great over-
throw at Rhetel 3 neare Mouron. Philip one of ye Q of Bohemia's
sons slaine yr.

Jan. 9. Mett at Goodman Matthewes to endeavour to unite so as to
receive ye sacrament of the Lords supper ; divers willing.

Jan. 13. The reports from Ireland as if they intended a generall rising of
all ye Irish to destroy the English, and also from Scotland ; yr
King crowned, 4 they would all rise, and many in England, to
destroy this interest.

Jan. 17. My deare freind Mr W. Harlakenden had an invitacon from
Cromwell to take an imployment with him in y6 army.

Jan. 19. This weeke ye Ld Good to mee and mine in or health, my sonne
recoverd from his ague, my wife this day better yn former, blessed
bee my good God the Lord good especially in giving me a spirit
more free from annoyances of Sathan, I having been a through -

1 " The destruction of Rupert's fleet by Blake was almost complete." (Gardiner,
Commonwealth & Protectorate, i, 338.)

2 Spain recognised the Commonwealth December 26.

3 Turenne and the Spaniards defeated by Mazarin.

4 Charles II. had been crowned at Scone.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 81

fare for many vile uncleane, worldly thoughts, oh deliver mee for
thy goodnes sake.

Now I come to review this last yeare of my dayes past viz 34,
and I find the Lord hath made good the intimation that he sett
upon my heart to provide for mee for my livelyhood : he hath in
mercy given mee an indifferent proportion of meanes from my
people : a large supply from the Com6 for plundered Ministers,
and also somewhat from the Come of the County towards my
losses by Goring, and the death of my deare ffreind Mrs Mary
Church occasioned her to entrust mee with her estate, wch I
question will be no hindrance to mee, who also gave my daughter
Jane one hundred pounds, and this yeare also God gave mee
Earles Colne schoole. The Lord hath beene good to mee in my
health, not so much subject to rheumes and colds, my navel though
sometimes moist, yett not sore; it drieth of it selfe so as I have not
dressed it for about 4 months, neither have I beene much troubled
with my issue in the summer as formerly, nor scene it as yet this
winter; but in these mercies I have found chastisement, the death
of my deare Mary & Ralph, but they were not mine but the
Lords, and Mrs Mary Church all togither in the space of 7 dayes ;
and yett this mingled with mercy, in the preserving my two that
yett live, and giving mee hopes of another seed by my deare wife.

Or publicke affaires ended with peace at home, the nations Jan. 24.
abroad fearing us ; only the Scots having crowned their King,
prepare great armies to invade us.

The summer past yr was a great earthquake in Archipelago,
Candia, and reported by Mrs King an earthquake for a short time
at Geddington in Northamptonshire where shee was : great
inundacons in fflanders, and of ye Seyne by Paris doing great
hurt ; these signes portend something.

35 Yeare of my age. 1650.

Sensible it entred mee into my 35 yeare, Lord bee with mee in Jan. 25.
ye same.

This day preacht in order to the sacrament ; this day I sayd Jan. 26.

82 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

freely clearly as seing it, that one of the bitterest pangs of Englands
travaile was yett to come, in this latter push of the Scots troubles,
and stirrings within our selves.

Jan. 29. Heard from Mr Clopton as if my 40/. per annum were ordered
by ye Com6, and that he had an order to receive 30/. upon which
mony is expected very shortly.

Jan. 30. A day of publike thanks for divers successes in Scotland and at
sea. I apprehend a great noise of trouble over England, and a
great sound of praises of ye saints who shall be delivered from it.

Feb. 9. Yr are expectacons of some bustles in Ireland & Scotland; ffrance
is tampering about Mazarine. !

The Lord was good to mee in ye word & worke of the day ; the
next weeke I appointed two meetings to receive ye names of
persons y1 intend to receive ye sacrament togither, and to receive
informacon concerning yr fitnesse to joyne in yi ordinance ; the
lords presence bee with us yr in for good.

Feb. 1 1 . Mett at my house as appointed ; Gods providence good to us in
it, which I desire never to forgett.

Feb. 23. This week paste ye Lord was good to us in or peace, plenty,
health, and in the meeting of both sacraments this day, which had
not for neare 9 yeares.
Lords This day after the humiliacon at my house wherein Gods pre-

Supper. sence was much, Mr Harlakenden propounded if Christians would,
wee might proceed to administer the Lords supper, which I
entertained with joye, and so did divers ; twas propounded to
divers Christians about us, but wee had no helpe nor joyning from
them but from Wm Cowell ; but meeting privately about it, wee
were still letted, but God gave us a resolucon to goe on ; wherfore
wee desired Mole y* hindred, if he would not helpe to stand of
and not hinder, who dissented, and reckoned no pastors now in
the earth, as wee could gather, disowned baptisme ; I declared if
men did not in some measure owne all ordinances, I could not
owne ym in this : so now wee resolved on the worke how few so
ever would joyne, and to trust God with ye same, & to give

1 Mazarin had returned to France from Briihl in Cologne, whither he had
retired in the previous year. His return had roused much popular feeling.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 83

publike notice to prevent offence, and yett to admitt none but
such as in charity wee reckon to be disciples. Jan : 30, wee
mett at priory ; divers presd yfc persons must make out a worke of
true grace on yr hearts in order to fellowship & this ordinance ;
I was ill with ye toothake, yett I could not but speake, and
turned them to all places in ye Acts, and shewed that beleeving
admitted into Communion, and none rejected that professed faith,
and then if yr lives were not scandalous yi wee could not turne
away from them in this ordinance ; this gave good satisfaction to
our company, wee went on, appointed two meetings at my house
to take names and admitt by joynt consent, ffeb. 11, was ye
first ; when divers came yi wee could not comfortably joyne with,
my heart quakt and our company feared ; before I did any thing,
I sought God in private, and he sweetly answerd mee u who art
thou that art afraid of a man, and fearest not mee, " which came
with life, & brought of my heart upon it ; I spake as God enabled
mee, yfc wee should search peoples knowledge and admonish them
in point of scandall, and Mr Harlakenden agreed with mee; then
praying I dismissed ye company, and gave a liberty to go forth,
and bade our company give in yr names ; most went, few gave in
yr names : Thursday came Feb. 13. when stranger faces appeard.
I sought God, he answerd not ; I was resolved to rest on his
former answer ; I sought again, and he answerd, " I will never
faile ye nor forsake ye, " which word came with power, and
commanded my heart. I admonisht divers, admitted others with
consent ; divers Christians hung backe. Wee mett Feb. 20, in a
day of humiliacon at priory, and yr God was on or hearts and or
company gave up themselves to this worke, about 34. After ye
ordinance was done, and ye collection for ye poore, ye rest
withdrew, wee stayed, & proposed whether any had any thing
agst another yfc wee might joyne as one bread ; wee gatherd for
bread & wine, and proceeded Feb. 23 to celebrate ye ordinance.

We& all sat round and neare ye table ; ye bread was broken not
cutt in blessing it ; ye Lord pourd out a spirit of mourning over
Christ crucified on me and most of ye company, and my soule
eyed him more yn ever, and God was sweete to mee in ye worke.

84 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

No vaine thoughts but wholly intent on ye worke ; no difficulty
among or selves, a savor on my spirit, but not y1 healing to my
soule at present I desired.

Received an account from many of or society of the sweete and
comfortable presence of God with them, the livelynesse of the
actions in breaking the bread, and in powring out the wine ; the
Lords name have the glory of all.

March. 1. Ye season cold and very sad, worke scarce, the poore in a sad
condicon, and its feared it will bee farre worse with the spinner. 1
March. 2. The season cold, and things hard, price of corne and commodi-
ties rise, and litle or no worke ; the worke at present staid
in Scotland ; all things for present quiet in England blessed bee
his name.

March. 5. I bought two cowes of Day at Halsted, & brought them home
this day; they with yr calves cost mee 101. 15s. the Lord prosper
them with mee.
March. 9. The small pox is in 6 families, Lord still preserve mine.

March. 16. Three married women died out of one house of ye small poxe ;
blessed bee God that hath kept mee and mine. The state seeme
to act towards banking meanes for ministers and schooles, which
what it may prove towards mee I knowe not, but to my God I
committ my selfe & wayes, who hath and will provide for mee.

March, 17. Ardleigh taxes at 32s. 7d. ob. ; repayres cost mee, I/. 10s. Qd.
wch I allowed, this day I payd Mr Har : 16s. for use of his bond
on which I owe 10/. I payd R. Johnson 31. ; I owe him 8/.

March. 18. Brownebacke calved, ye first of creatures y1 brought us young ;
God blesse or stocke.

March. 22. Reported y* Cromwell was dead, the Lord liveth, and reigneth,
and dependeth not on any instruments for his worke ; at night
our newes came, and Major Haynes letter of 8 of March which
s(1 the Gen. was sicke and could not bee spoken with.

March. 23. Mr Owen 2 hath a place of great promt given him, vz Deane

1 The weavers, etc., in Colchester & the neighbourhood.

a " As minister of Coggeshall, he attracted the notice of Fairfax on his way to
the siege of Colchester, and by Fairfax he was carried to London, when he was
selected for the arduous duly of preaching before Parliament on the day after

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 85

of Christ-church ; 18 comrs are gone downe to order ye affaires of
ye army in the unfitnes of y° generall to doe it.

Bought two peices timber of Mr Jacobs bayly at 6s. 6d. March. 24.

Sett Day of Halsted a price of my farm called Mallories, viz 1651.
2457. I am very indifferent to sell or not ; Lord direct me in March. 25.
all my outward affaires for ye best ; the small pox appeared
anew in 4 families more, two neare us. Wee lost in attempts on a
castle in Scotland 180 men as its said.

Ye value of my outward estate which God hath given mee. March. 29.

Imprimis land as formerly Malleries ) -,_.

o 11- t, 4. u o i r^ i f 27/. per annum.

Bolhnhatch. 2 closes Colne J

In Mr John Litles hand money as was } -_. _

formerly mentiond. J

This yeare I have pd ye fines for my \

closes at 41. ; built and layd out for I

ye schoole about. 261. )

I have in money on Mrs Maries land \

and ye improvem1 of it March. 25. I 8 1/. 0. 0.

1651. past. j

stocke, 5 cowes at 51. round, my nagge, }

3/,. my hogges and hay, 4/. J

I was then in debt 45/.; now I am about 70/., wch is 25/. more
than last yeare, which taken out of my stocke yr remayneth 71.
wch added to 81, is 88. & so much estate is betterd blessed bee my
God ; but I hope my soule hath gained infinitely from God whom
I praise for all.

the execution of the King ' Sir, ' said Cromwell, tapping the preacher on

the shoulder, when he next met him at Fairfax's house, ' you are the person I
must be acquainted with. ' Taking him aside, Cromwell insisted on carrying
him as his chaplain to Ireland. In 1651 Parliament, doubtless at Cromwell's
instigation, named Owen Dean of Christ Church in succession to Reynolds,

who had refused to take the engagement Some little time afterwards he

appointed him to the Vice-Chancellorship, thus committing the Puritan reorganis-
ation of the University into his hands. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate,
ii, 25. etc.)

86 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

April. 1. Mett to choose officers ; wee agreed not ; most scurrilously
abused by old Wm Adam for dawbing with untempered mortar,
for Kendalls bond, for going to Halsted for 20s. per day.

April. 2. Heard of the relapse of Cromwell, the Lord raise him up. Yr are
2 dead now in the towne of the small pox.

April. 3. Mett, cast up the ovrseers accounts ; it amounts unto 14 quarters
within a litle ; wee chose our officers without any trouble, and did
our business with as much peace and ease as might bee.

April. 6. Cromwell well recoverd ; the boates come to ye ffirth upon wch
wee expect action.

April. 9. This day was goodwife Day with mee ; I perceive shee is re-
solved to give mee my price for my farme of Mallories, and I
intend to lett it goe.

April. 13. The Lords hand is abated in the distempers of ye small pox ;
in the Towne they are up and well in all families except two. Wee
gave over our jangling chiming as they call it.

April. 14. The small pox in a family upland ; feared ye Wid. Rugles will
have it.

April. 20. Many suppose our Commonwealth lost. Spaine & ffrance &
Holland against us. Ireland & Scotland heavy worke, & not to
bee effected ; ye English divided, and worne out with taxes and
burthens, the merchants trade even ruined, and so all tending
to poverty ; but if ye worke be Gods, yr is enough in his arme
to effect the same, and up to him his people looke to bee yr
salvation.

April. 27. Great buzzines as if the D. of Lorraine l would undertake y6
protection of the Irish ; great feares and jealousies are abroad and
among men.

April. 30. This day I surrendered Mallories and the appurtenances to Day
of Halsted and his daughter. I received 193/. downe and bond for
507. more ; they are to pay mee 31. more very shortly ; ye surrender
in Mr Littells hand ; they are to abate ye 14s. for ye wood to my
Tenant.
May. 3. Seaver tooke of mee all the bushes in Dagnal to stubbe up by

1 Charles had applied to him for help, as his father had done before him.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 87

ye rootes & to pull all yc broome ; he is to cleare ye grounds ; for ys I
am to give him 10s. & the broome, which I doe account to bee 13s. O.

Jone Rayner buried of ye small pox taken with conceit l in yi May. 10.
place where often I have smelt a smell.

The smallpox continued in some families in this towne ; its May. 11.
reported that the Irish and the Duke of Lorraine are agreed ; 2 he
is expected in June next to bee with them.

Mrs Wm Harlakenden sicke of ye smallpox ; tooke ym with a May. 12.
conceit of a keepers touching her hand.

Heard as if the Scots were near Carlisle ; the Lord or God stand June. 6.
up for or helpe in whom I putt my trust : the great rumors of this
weeke came to nothing ; Cromwell recovers apace for wch Gods
name bee praised.

The state of England although worne with civill warres, and June. 9.
scarcity and ill trading for many yeares, being but in bad termes
with Holland, 3 and not altogither sure of Spain, proclaimed open
warre with Portugall, 4 and is in open warre with ff ranee, or fleets
being in ye midland Sea 5 ; wee at ye same time are endeavouring
to conquer Scotland, and Ireland ; attempt Silly with a fleet, & yett
send a fleete also to reduce the ilands of Barbados in America ; 6
& yett the nacon is much discontent & divided, yett feareth not ye
attempts of any forreigner against them.

1 As she conceived.

2 vide Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, c. xix.

3 Vide Commonwealth and Protectorate, i, 361.

4 The Portuguese ambassador was on May i6th ordered to leave London
within fourteen days.

5 In the Mediterranean, Penn's fleet had captured some French prizes.

6 " As for the masters themselves, they long lived in harmony in spite of the
distracting influence of the English Civil War. For some time anyone calling
another either Cavalier or Roundhead was bound to give a dinner of pork and
turkey to all within hearing when the offence was committed. Of late, however,
this happy agreement had been brought to an end. Young English Royalists,
smarting from defeat and sequestration, had flocked to the Island, where, headed
by two Devonshire brothers named Walrond, they made themselves masters of

the colony by a combination of force and intrigue Parliament gave orders

to prepare a fleet of seven ships to sail under Aysene for the reduction of
Barbados. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, i, 354.)

88 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 19. Heard of a great route given ye Irish, a very seasonable mercy.
Two families in towne more visited with small poxe.

June. 24. This day I paid Mr Harlakenden 4/. 7s. for his rent for Dagnal ;
the roll of my debts now is about 57/. 13s.

July. 6. Ye successe of or forces in Connaught in Ireland is very great, l
none being able to stand before them ; from Scotland wee expect
action in as much as ye armies are on ye march ; the Lord bee with
or forces to prosper ym. Our ambassadors are returned from
Holland, it is apprehended without doing the businesse for which
they were sent.

July. 13. One or two more in former families sicke of ye small pox. Heard
y1 Mr Love 2 was condemned to be beheaded July 15 ; he and
divers peticon for life, others call for impartiall justice; one Joyce,
y* commanded the guard that surprized the King at Holmeby,
reports y1 the Scots commissioners and divers English engaged to
rule ye King by force & to put divers factious persons of ye Commons
house and in the Country to death.

July. 15. This day I payde to Wm Brand 5/.; I now am out of his debt, but
I owe him love for his great kindnesse to mee ; my roll of debts is

52/. 13s. now 52/. 13s.; it was apprehended Mr Love, a godly Presbyterian
Minister, would loose his head at London this day ; but upon his
peticon, his wives, & the Ministers of London, he was repreived
unto Aug: 15 next; blessed bee ye name of God for this act of
compassion extended towards them.

July. 22. This day Mr Harlakenden went about casting his ponds ; 3 my 8/.
I lent him, he repaid mee, whereof 4/. I paid to Johnson ; I am
now cleare with him but 13s. for a loade of wood ; my roll of debts

487. 13s. now 487. 13s. Od.

July. 25. I lent to Mr Jo : Littell this day 50/ ; I shall make this up an

1 Coote captured Athlone, Loughrea and Ballinasloe.

3 For participation in a plot to put an end to the Council and Parliament and
to restore Charles. Mr Love, a Presbyterian minister, was involved with others;
a strong appeal for mercy was addressed to Cromwell, but Mr Love was executed
on Tower Hill, Aug. 22. Milton appears to have written articles in " Mercurius
Politicus " in support of the sentence.

3 Cleaning the ponds.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 89

100/ ; he had 20/. before, in all, 701 ; he offers mee his meadowe
at 5/. per annum, which I conceive is very deare.

Heard of action in Scotland ; the Scots tooke from us Newarke July. 26.
house in ye West, wherin wee lost 140 men ; wee tooke from them 2500slaine
Callendar house J in the view of yr Campe ; Major Gen Lambert, 1533 pris-
Harrison with his Brigade, in Fife routed a brigade of the Scots, onners
slew a 2000 on the place, tooke many prisoners ; 2 the armies on , most

both sides are marcht, action is expected, the Lord in mercy deadlY

J wounded,
remember us.

Sawe Cromwells letter to Mr Speaker of this Scotch action ; July. 28.
he writes not so like a servant in my minde as when he was in
Ireland.

Heard Aug : 1 that Sligo was taken by storme and 3000 put to Aug. 1.
the sword on the affaire of Scotland. I heare that divers suppose
a weeke or two will putt an end to that businesse. I say, stay till
December next and then judge.

Matters went very well in Scotland; great expectacons of crush- Aug. 10.
ing, and ruining that Scotch army ; some suppose they will for
England ; wee lost about 90 men at Limbericke in Ireland ; that
army very sensible of Gods stroke, and humbled for ye same ; Lord
arise & helpe us ! The Lord was gratious to mee in keeping my
heart in some measure close to him, in helping mee against old
corrupcons ; sometimes they show yr homes, but Gods carpenters
are ready to cutt them of ; wee heard as if ye Polanders had routed
the Cossacks, 3 and their complices ; slaine and wounded on the
place 48000 ; of them, 14000 slaine ; about 80000 slaine & wounded
on both sides ; if so it is the most memorable battaile hath beene
in Europe for an 100 yeares.

Reported for certaine at Colne, that the Scots \vere at Dumfreeze Aug. 11.
entring England, and that Cromwell and his army was then before
Sfc Johnstons ; the Comes in the several counties ordered to take

1 Near Falkirk.

2 About 1500 ; total Scotch force, 4,000 : at Inverkeithing.

3 June 1651. Battle of Beresteczko in Galicia. The Cossacks, led by Bogdan
Khmelnitski, in their revolt against the Poles were defeated here ; they eventually
(1654) transferred their allegiance to the Czar of Russia.

90 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

care of the kingdomes peace ; the forces in the North ordered to

March up towards Alnwicke to resist them.
Aug. 13. Heard ye Scots were in Lancashire, and that they had not mett

with any opposicon ; there emissaries are gone into all the

kingdome.
Aug. 16. Heard ye Scots entred England with yr King & 11 or 12000 men,

August 5, about Carlile on August 6, and were August 10 at Lancaster,

ye 9 at Kendall ; that day, viz ye 10th, Harrison was at Rippon.
Aug. 21. The enemy wee heard was in Cheshire ; all our foote ordered to

march to Dunstable.
Aug. 22. Rid to Colchester ; heard the enemy intended that night for

Lichfeild, but that day he entered Worcester ; or horse ordered all

to march, the County left emptie of all force whatsoever.
Aug. 23. The Scots coming in at first was a great dampe to Gods people

and all men, but they presently recovered and beare up very

comfortably.
Aug. 24. The enemy for London as reported, I feare not but God hastens

him to his fall.
Aug. 27. Heard the enemy had been at Woster ; still sd they intended

London.
Aug. 29. Orders to disarme and secure malignants in the County, and to

raise Voluntiers for the security and defence of ye same ; heard the

action likely to bee at Worcester.
Aug. 30. Heard Derby routed in Lancashire ; divers of quality slaine,

many prisoners ; the levies intended in the West of Scotland

broken. Sterling Castle taken; and our army gone towards Dundee.

Cromwell at Warwicke ; all marching towards Worcest. where

they are before this time.
Sept. 2. At night heard by many hands or freinds abroad were well, and

yl Cromwell was before Worcester & the Scots in it, and their

horse in the Contry round about.
Sept. 5. About noone heard at Colne, yl ye Scots were routed, yr horse

gone ; towards night confirmed yl they fell out of towne, yfc they

were beate in againe ; 4000 slaine, 300 prisoners ; our forces did

gallantly ; done while wee were praying at Markeshall.
Sept. 7. Heard after sermon of the taking of Worcester ; 6000 prisoners,

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 91

2000 more slaine ; even in ye place of prayer I heard it ; God good
to mee this day, though I sinfull & unworthy.

Received a letter from London signifying the Lords Mayors pleas- Sept. 13.
ure unto mee to come up and preach before him, and his brethren the
aldermen at Pauls, which I intended to doe, & serve providence in it.

The weeke past die. 10, wee kept a day of praise unto our good Sept. 14.
& gratious God at Cornelius Brownsons in Earles Colne.

This day our souldiers returned.

This Friday morning my wife was very well delivered of her Sept. 19.
fourth sonne, and sixt child, much about seven of the clocke ; I
intend to name him John.

Rd this day a letter from London y* my Ld Mayor expects mee
at my day ; I shall not faill with Gods leave.

When the Hollander rejoyced in the false newes of or fall, ye Sept. 21.
enemy fell at Worcester ; God hath beene very terrible to Scotland;
many of yr nobility, slaine, imprisond and fled into strange lands
and that in a very short season ; yr breake began Aug. 28, at
Ellett ; yn somewhat more, a litle after at Dumfreeze, then Sep :
1, at Dundee and then Sep. 3, at Worcester, and in yr pursuit they
are even almost all taken ; oh feare, England, and honor God,
least he turne the wheele upon thee also.

30. Pd Mr Harlakenden all lords rent due until Michaelmas past, Lords rn*.
viz. 31. 8s. Sd. ob ; I rd also his qter. I now owe unto him still 10/;45/.12s.6d.
my rol of debts I now esteeme to bee about 45/. 12s. 6d. ; this day
Mr John Littell of Halsted received of mee so much mony as made
up that in his hands an 100/. ; now he oweth mee an ISO/, and his
brother Jeffery, an 100/.

I preached this day at Pauls in London by order from ye Ld Oct. 5.
Mayor ; the audience was great ; my text was Luke 24. v. 28. I
dined with yc Ld Mayor, and by his intreaty preached before him,
at his owne church ; the Lord was good to mee in the worke &
service of the day ; this was the first time that I preached in the
city of London.

Reported that Cardinal Mazarine of France, abiding at Colen in Oct. 12.
Germany, had tampered with the electors and wrought with ye
Major part of them, and wonne them to transferre the Empire from

92 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

ye house of Austria, and to elect the eldest sonne of the Duke of
Bavaria King of Romans.

The Prince of Conde and ffrench King in armes one against
another. l Divers forces in England ordered to bee disbanded ;
Major Generall Deane one of the Admirals chosen to command in
cheife in Scotland.

Oct. 16. Heard Dr Drake had discovered the whole plott, and actors to
bring in ye Scots King; and this weeke came the good newes of their
pardon of the Ministers and the other companions in that businesse.2

Oct. 19. Paid unto Wm Hickford what I owe him viz 121. 8s. ; so yi my
391. 2s. 6d. roll of debts is now but 391. 2s. 6d.

Oct. 22. This day I received 8/. 19s. of Nathan Perry, and made even with
him until the last michaelmas, and now all the lords rent for that
part is payd unto mee, and I am cleare also with my uncle, and all
about the same; this day also I received 47/. 10s. from Goodman
Day of mony for his purchase of Mallories ; heard also as if ye
prince were escaped into Holland, which if, then its likely to con-
tinue or troubles and bring on forreigne ingagements ; God will
have it so, and I am perswaded God will make them fall under us;
its said he was in London in the habit of a footeman & escaped
over in that of a seaman.

It was said by many he was slaine, but what is man unto God ?
his life shall contribute to Gods works more than his death could.

Oct. 24. A day of publicke rejoycing for the eminent victory at Worcester.

Oct. 29. This day lent to Mr Pelham and his sonne on their bond, 50/.

Oct. 30. Now I heare ye King 3 is in France ; I said by October wee should
heare where he was if alive, on this ground that a King is too great
a person to conceale long ; some sd he was kild, some said he was
here & there & they say Lorraine intends to waft over forces into
Ireland, but I feare them not, if this notion hold. Heard Jersey
iland was taken. 4

1 Louis XIV had been declared of age, and Parliament declared Conde and
his followers guilty of treason.

2 The other ministers arrested with Mr Love.

3 He landed at Fecamp on October 16.

4 Not taken till December 12.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 93

Paid Nicholas his 3L 10s. I borrowed of him ; my roll of debts is Nov. 1.
now, 351. \2s.6d. 3$l.l2s.6d.

The King escaping and appearing in ffrance, matters growing very Nov. 2.
high in yi nation ; the state of England in this latter end of Oct-
ober, wonne Jersey Hand in the lap of france and the castle, as also
Man island l and Limbricke in Ireland, * which giveth us hope of
good successe in or affaires at home, yi wee may more vigorously
attend forreigne designes ; the Scots also are much divided, and
divers tender compliance with England.

Received from Mr Harlakenden my sermon at his wives funerall Nov. 16.
which he printed ; I had a litle peice of my drawing printed in
Mr Harlakendens booke, but this was my first at the presse. 3

Writt up to London for our augmentacon businesse. I am now Nov. 18.
in arreare 1 yeare 3 qters ; at 40/. per annum it is 70/. ; if I receive
in all 60/. I will make ye Lord a sharer with it for his worke in new
England to ye sum of 5/. when they gather for the advancement of
the Gospell in new England.

Lent Young of Halsted 31. who was in great straites to make his Nov. 19.
rent up to his landlord ; I bought of him 4 bushels wheate at 4s. 6d.
the bushel ;

The state of England hath in a manner reduced Scotland and
Ireland ; wfc probability is their of continuing their command over
them, for surely the seed of liberty will remaine in those nations,
if not of revenge also ; and if ever our troubles and discords, or yr
happines & valor of some perticular person appeare, they may give
a turne ; to destroy the nations were barbarous, to plant them with
English colonies is very hard and unlikely, and Scotland will not
invite our men, and yett this must be done besides good garrisons.
God who hath done what is done, will effect his owne purpose, and
therefore I beleive it.

The small pox continueth still in Towne in many places. This Nov. 23.
weeke wee heard the house voted Novemb. 18, they would sitt

1 Surrendered October 31.

2 October 27.

3 The sermon was entitled " The State of the Saints departed, God's cordial to
comfort the Saints remaining alive. " Published in London in 1652.

94 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

but 3 yeares more ; the Cavas l give out ye King of Denmarke
is dead, and Charles Stuart called to that kingdome, that he
should marry ye daughter of Spaine — strange things : Its said
the P. of Conde hath sent over unto us for souldiers, but our state
demurre. 2

Nov. 26. Wm Webb and his brother tooke my ditching, to throw the marie
into the feild, to cutt the hedge, sett on one againe, and to goe three
spitt where need is ; to throw of a spitt where I intend to quicke
and to raise it up with new earth ; I am to give them 3d. ob. per
rod, and where worth it 4d.

Dec. 1. This day we kild a good hogge ; through mercy the price of
things, and catle abateth very much ; this afternoone, my litle
Scotch hobby that I bought my sonne Tho. died, the first of such
creatures that ever dyed from mee ; Lord its mercy that it was not
a greater and a nearer losse.

Dec. 7. Heard as if some of Lorraines men were come over into Ireland. 3
Dec. 9. I received 25/. of my augmentacon arreares, which my good

freind Major Haines procured from Mr Stanbridge.

Dec. 12. 13. Rd the 3/. I lent Young ; I paid him 17s. 4d. for four bushels of
wheate ; I paid Nich Hurrel 4/. I borrowed of his mony from my
sister ; I am cleare with him ; Caplin paid me the last of my 5/. and
this day I lent Jo. Smith oatemeale man, 4/. until Dec. 26. Coxal
destitute sent for me to preach, profferd me 20s. but I refused ;
this day wee heard that Ireton Deputy generall of Ireland dyed at
Limbricke in Ireland No: 26. Ludlow who was L. gen. commands
the forces in cheife for the present.

1 ? Cavaliers.

2 He sent over an agent, La Riviere to England to ask for help.

3 " On October 7 Synott returned to Galway with an agreement between the
Duke of Lorraine and the two Commissioners, Plunket and Browne, in accord-
ance with which the Duke was to be styled the Royal Protector of Ireland
holding powers little short of those of Royalty itself. On the 2oth this offer was
summarily rejected by Clanricarde as entrenching on his authority derived from

the King The Mayor and Corporation of Galway even chose an agent of

their own to re-open the negotiation, which the Lord Deputy fiercely denounced.
The Duke was not likely to lead an army into Ireland on the simple invitation of
the Corporation of Galway. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii.)

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 95

Releasd from going to Halsted, saw Manasseh Ben Israel, l or Dec. 20.
the hope of Israel. Lord, my heart questions not the calling home
the nation of the Jewes; thou wilt hasten in its season, oh my God;
oh, thou God of the ends of the whole earth, hasten it Amen ! Saw
the good newes of taking of the private excise on beere; the several
oppressions of men will spew them out in due time so that their
places shall know them no more.

The Holland Ambassadors had yr audience : Dec. 19 * : no Dec. 28.
actions this weeke ; our worke will bee to setle our conquests,
and to order things at home with justice to content ; heard
that 12 men, 4 lawyers & 8 gentlemen are chosen to frame a
moddell of regulating the Law : its said the Gen. in the House
offered them his commission now Ireton is dead ; its question-
ed whether the power of Lieuten^hip shall bee continued to
Cromwell, or which way his place and that government shal bee
managed.

Heard ys day of ye reducement of ye two Hands of Jersey and Jan. 3.
Guernsey to the obedience of parliament. Elizabeth Castle yeilded
Decem : 12 ; ye 15, our men tooke possession according to agree-
ment : Cornet Castle 3 was ye last of ye kingdome of England y* held
out agst ye parliament for ye King y1 was yeilded up.

My eye is on y6 troubles of France ; God is disquieting them. Jan. 6.
In 48 ye Germane peace 4 was concluded ; who would have thought

1 " On November 5 (1655) Manasseh published his Humble Address to the
Protector, defending Jews from calumnies raised against them, arid arguing with
some defect of worldly wisdom, that as England was the only country rejecting
them, their re-establishment would, according to the prophecies, be the signal
for the coming of the Messiah. A few days later he prepared a request for the

admission of his race on an equality with the natives of England Though

the Protector solaced him with a pension, he was forced to cross the seas
discomfited, together with a number of Jews who had accompanied him and
shared his hopes." (Commonwealth and Protectorate, iii, 218-221.)

2 " Before the end of the preceding year the States General, alarmed at the
Navigation Act, resolved to despatch an embassy to procure if possible its

repeal At their first audience they were informed that the Navigation Act

was irrevocable. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, 107.)

3 In Guernsey, surrendered December 17.

4 Peace of Westphalia.

96 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

that had not beene a step to reconcile France & Spaine, or afforded
liberty to forreine princes to ingage agst England ? but ye troubles
of the world shall come on them suddenly as paines of a travailing
woman.

Jan. 18. God good to mee and mine in our outward mercies ; ys is a still
time for present in England ; the French troubles come on, l no
body knoweth why, and so in England no body can state the cause
of the quarrel.
Jan. 24. This day was the last of my 35 yeare.

All ye threats of or enemies ended in ye ruine of ye Scotch designe
at Worcester, and the flight of yr King into France ; all Scotland
even reduced by force, and disbanded on treaty ; our forces also
prospered in Ireland, where ye sword, famine and pestilence hath
made a great waste. Wee are not in good terms with Holland ;
the new hopes of the enemies are that these 2 states will fall out to
cithers ruine and make way for the Spaniard and Stuard to recover
yr owne againe in both.

France is likely to fall into flames by her owne divisions ; this
summer shee hath done nothing abroad. The Spaniard hath almost
reduced Barcelona, ye cheife city of Catalonia, and so yt kingdome ;
ye issue of that affaire wee waite. Poland is free from warre with
the Cossacks but feareth them. Dane and Suede are both in
quiet, and so is Germany, yett the peace at Munster is not fully
executed : the Turke hath done no great matter on ye Venetian,
nor beene so fortunate and martial as formerly, as if that people
were at yr height and declining rather.

The lies of Silly, Jersey, and Guernsey, Man, and all ye proper
possessions of England now reduced, and no great feare of any
power within ; God prevent breaches among our selves, or fleetes
are strong at sea.

Yr have been great inundacions in Spaine at Bilboa, and in
Italy ; letters from Silly mention an earthquake their on Decemb.
25, past.

1 Conde had been declared guilty of treason and France was involved in
civil war.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 97

Jan : 25, 1651. y. 36 of my age.

This was the Lords day, and I was sensible, that it ended my 35, Jan. 25.
and begun my 36 yeare.

Mett at my house ; wee gave a sharpe reproofe to some of or Jan. 27.
company in their weake carriage. I was with Thomasin, poore
troubled heart ; helpe her oh Lord ! heard that Jo : Lilburne, 1
when he received his sentence Jan. 20, 1651, refused to kneele,
wherupon they ordered him to be banisht within 20 dayes wch end
I apprehend ffeb : 8 ;, he said, " I shall outlive this sentence of
yours, as I have all the rest of them. "

Bought 12 bushels white oates at 22s. 6d. only ^ bushell branke2
given in.

A report out of Scotland, as is whisperd from the West yr of, y1 Jan. 31.
the Rebels had burnt Dublin ; this lookt on as a tale, and perhaps
is so, but when such a thing doth come, its a signe to the English
nation of dismal dayes coming on them.

Lett Bowles my ditch at Bridgmans for 6d. per rod. Feb. 10.

Was Iretons funerall. Feb. 6.

Heard yfc 20m. Danes were landed in Scotland, perhaps some, Feb. 30.
not so many ; perhaps none, but surely yr is much trouble yett
coming on England, and wee shall not enjoy y1 constant victorious
successe that wee did formerly ; yett God will crowne the issue
with much good to his remnant. Heard ye Q. & K. were banisht
out of France, they sending ambassadors to us. Both these
proved reports as farre as we could discerne ; ye French troubles
advance.

Went to Halstead ; in my way mett with Captaine Maidstone, Feb. 26.
who prevailed with mee to preach the assize sermon at Colchester
on March 2 next.

Rid to Colchester, where I preacht the assize sermon ; the Lord March. 2.
was good to mee in my comfortable jorny outwards & homewards ;
I bought Mr Dells booke ; cost mee 3s. ; I hope I might doe good,
and receive good from the occasions of that day.

1 Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, 7.

2 Buckwheat. * -

H

98 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

March. 8. This day a sweet warme raine. I sold to Mr Wm Harlakenden
20 Q. hay at 2s. per Q.

March. 24. A review of my outward estate which God hath given mee.
1651 :

Bollinhatch pl. and 2 closes in Colne,

as formerly.
Mallories sold in lieu of yl I have in j ^

Mr J. L. & Mr J. L. hands. J

In Mr P. hands y* wch was in Mr J. L. |

formerly.
25. March 1652. now at hand in mony

& improvemt of Mrs Marie's land.
My stock in all much as last yeare. 32

I was then in debt, 70/. I am now in debt about 12/. so I have
paid 58/. and have added 4 to Mrs Marie's land ; this yeare through
mercy gives mee an improvem* of my estate to about 70/. for which
I desire to give praise & thanks to my good God. I have moreover

in G. Y. hands 10/.

1652. This day I renewed ye resolucon of Aug. 23. 1647 about bookes
to put it in execution, and to sett out the 10th of all receipts in
mony that are paid unto as rents, or profits, towards charitable
uses, thus, viz in 10s. because of giving many things in kinde at the
doore, every 4s. towards bookes and necessary things for my study,
and the other 6s. to dispose towards such charitable uses, as God
shall give mee a fit opportunity for ; and this I desire to doe out of
obedience unto God, and love to the service and commands of God
and Christ.

This day a great eclipse ; see memorials of this day.
June. 9. A fast day in London.

June. 10. Presented Dr Wright with a peice of plate ; cost 5s. 6d. per
ounce ; it cost mee 5/. 19s. 6d. as a token of my love to him in
giving mee ye schoole.

June. 13. The small pox much in London.

June. 20. Many eyes are on our breach with Holland, l and how Lorraine
1 We were at war with the Dutch.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 99

hath lurcht the princes, which speakes the Kings present successe;
God is shaking the earth, and he will doe it.

This day I began to unfold ye assembly catechismes. July. 4.

I received of the Major 15/. which he received of Mr Stanbridge July. 24.
in part of my arreares of augmentacon due unto mee. l

Mr Meredith and his daughter came to Colne with his wife ; ye Aug. 8.
Lord make the young one a blessing unto us all. I pd him 10s. 10s. 18s.
and 18s. to Mr Heckford of Halsted fora suite of clothes, die 10th.

I dreamed formerly of our being in France with or armies and
ye time by November next or ye yeare following in 53 ; now Sept.
4, 1652, or fleet did ye Spaniards a great curtesy in destroying yc
French fleete yi attempted to relieve Dunkirke 2 & for my pfc I
apprehend wee shall warre with France.

Great feare as if wee should not long imploy or poore by reason Sept. 19.
of decay of trade through or breach with Holland.

Received of Major Haines 14/. p1 of 25/. he hath received of Mr Sept. 28.
Stanbridge : the Major hath in hand still ll/.

5. Rd of Major Haines, 111. residue of ye 25/. which he last received Oct. 4.
for mee of Mr Stanbridge ; I have received in all 65 /. in pi of 2
yeares & halfe augmentacon due to me on June : 24 : 1652, past.
I gave to my sister 20s. and my wife a good coate & some other
things.

This day I began a Lecture at Wakes Colne. Oct. 7.

This day was set apart for a publike fast to seeke Gods face in Oct. 13.
regard to ye breach of England and Holland, and that the Lord
would direct them, in the things of his wp. which I humbly beg
the Lord to assist or state in.

Heard ye Danish Ambassador was clapt up, till wee heare some- Oct.* 22.
thing concerning or ships.

1 In Dr Shaw's " History of the English Church " will be found the following
entry "William Stanbridge to the use of W. Clopton minister of Markishall
& R. Jocelyn minister of Earles Colne £ 199.0.0." (from the sale of Bishop's lands).

2 " Blake fell upon the relieving fleet whilst it was still on its way from Calais,
carried seven of the men of war into Dover and captured, destroyed or dispersed
the store ships, with the result that Dunkirk surrendered on the following day.
Commonwealth & Protectorate, ii, 130.

100 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Oct. 29. Made up to Mr Harlakenden ye Justice 25/., viz. 14/. at ye priory

25/. and 111. of the Tickett mony, which wee began to repay this day.
Nov. 5. Received from Mr William Harlakenden I/. 10s. for to buy a

booke, for preaching and printing his wives funerall sermon.
Nov. 25. Rd this day the act for propagation of ye Gospel in New England

among the heathen; I resolve to give SI. my selfe & wife & children,

and to promote it unto ye utmost.
Dec. 2. Heard as if it were ye states intention next yeare to send an army

into Holland, and if not ye Hollanders intended yc like against us.
Dec. 5. Heard of a fight in the Downes with the Dutch. !
Dec. 26. This weeke God was good to mee and all mine in or outward

mercies ; I made a gathring for the Indians. I gave 5/. and my

family, gathered in mony more, 4/. 8s. 6d. and yr was underwritt

more 321.

Dec. 30. Invited to my Lady H. kindly entertained ; heard yr that ye Lon-
doners bought up bayes, hull 2 and ivy wonderfully in London,

being eagerly sett on yr feasts ; oh that my heart were as zealous

for God.
Jan. 1. This wee call new yeares day ; it was a cleare lightsome day;

heard that ye army kept solemne dayes of fasting & prayer, on Jan.

28 & 29, a signe of some great resolucons on foote among them.
Jan. 2. Ye Lord was good to mee in ye sabbath ; I renewed the motion

for new England ; some poore came in, most of ye richer sorte came

in; I received in mony 4/. 17s. 10d. & Mr Cressener subscribed 40s.;

wee have somewhat above 50/. ; blessed bee our God in what wee

shall doe in this worke.

» i " Off Dungeness the two fleets clashed against one another about three in the

afternoon, Blake having still the advantage of the wind. Then followed a scene
the like of which has never again been witnessed in the annals of the British
Navy. Twenty of Blake's ships — some of them hired merchantmen, some of
them men-of-war — held aloof and took no part in the action. The disparity of
numbers, great enough before, now became overwhelming. Blake with but
twenty-five ships was left to struggle against eighty-five. No heroism could count-
ervail such odds, and, after losing two ships, the Garland and the Bonaventure,
Blake was well satisfied to return to Dover, whence on the following day he made
his retreat to the Downs. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, 150.;

2 Holly.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 101

The state issued a proclamation against Jesuites to be gone by Jan. 9.
March 1. next.

Nan came to us. Jan. 18.

Mr Stebbin with mee to propose a businesse unto mee, wherein Jan. 24.
he desired my helpe, I promised it as far as I might.

And now I am sensible this day ends my 36 yeare, in which the
Lord hath beene very good to mee and all my family, his provision
for mee bountifull, though I have been unworthy ; yett I desire in
the uprightnes of my heart to owne & serve my God & follow him
through any condicon.

The great actions this yeare are ye troubles of France, where ye
Princes rather loose than gaine, Orleans fallen of from Conde,
Spaine hath gotten much of France this yeare, filled his kingdome
with troubles assisting ye Princes, winning Gravelin & afterwards
Dunkirke. — Barcellona in Catalonia, and therby even reducing that
kingdome, — Casal in Montferrat and reducing that under Mantua,
to the great prejudice of the French interest.

The Germans quiet, great noise of yr diet, but nothing done as
yett ; the Turkes & the Venetians calmed, and its said now treating
a peace.

The English quiet at home and also in all their dominions, fa-
voured by the Spaniard, courted by ye Portugal with whom wee
have perfected a peace, he buying it ; the French treate us, the
Swedes and wee gaze, but each are sending their agents ; the Dutch
fought us all along this summer at our owne doores, the Dane
seizeth or shipping and stops us in the Sound. !

The Dutch and wee are now making great naval preparations,
and so is the Spaniard.

37 yeare of my. age, 1652. Jan. 25.

Sensible this day entred me into my 37 yeare ; the Lord bee with Jan. 25.
mee therein to keepe mee from sin & temptacon, and preserve

1 " Yet more serious was the news that the King of Denmark, whose good
understanding with the Dutch was notorious, had detained in the Sound twenty
English merchantmen laden with materials for the construction and repair of
shipping." (Commonwealth & Protectorate, ii, 140.)

102 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

mee spotlesse to his owne kingdome, with thee I leave all my
waies.

Feb. 24. Great reports yesterday of our victory over the Dutch. l
Feb. 28. This day I brought divers businesse for my estate into order,
clearing up divers accounts and evening those reckonings that were
on my hand, for which I praise my God ; oh that ye Lord alone
would cleare the account of my soule.

March. 3. Publiq: fast; few in the contry had notice to keepe it. The enemie
begins to appeare both in Ireland & Scotland; its but weakely yet;
the issue of thes things God only knoweth.
March. 6. I was afraid of some trouble at London before this * : blessed bee

God for lengthning out our tranquillity.

March. 19. Pd in unto Mr Crowe for the use of N.E. towards the propagating
the Gospell to the Indians, as a freewill offering from divers inhabit-
ants of Earles Colne, 54/. 11s. Wd.

March. 26. A review of that estate God hath mercifully given mee.
1653.

Lands as formerly.

Mr J. L. as formerly ..... 150/.

Mr Jeff. L. pd in 100 yfc is Mr W. j 100.

H. hands — 3 — J

Mr P. as formerly . . . . \ . 50.

25. March past improver^ of Mrs j increase

Maries land. 4/. 5s. now in total . . J 89. 5. 4/. 5s. Qd.

Stocke as formerly about . . . 32. 0.

In Young's hands 10/. pd. in W. Br. 15. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0.

In Mr W. H. hands 100. 0. 0. 100. 0. 0.

In E. J. hands of W 25. 0. 0. 25. 0. 0.

My debts were 12/. now. 32/. so that

abate ye 20/. out of this 134. 5. 0.

Their remaineth this yeare a great

addicon to my estate, viz 114. 5. 0.

1 After a three days fight off Portland, we took eleven ships of war and thirty
merchantmen.
3 Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, 176-181.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 103

This was the roll of my debts, besides divers engagements in March. 28.
those moneyes which I had appointed unto another use. 321.

Pfl goodman Matthew 211. 10s. ; my roll of debt is now 291. 10s.; April. 3.

291. 10s.

Heard the Spaniards had seized or merchants, because of or stop April. 7..,
of the Hamburg-plate.

Bought some of Mr Westlyes bookes as amounted to 31. 14s. April. 8.
Mr Tomson had one of mee at 4s. 6d. I owe unto him the rest viz.
31. 9s. 6d.

This day the army men turned the Parliament ! out. April. 20.

In regard of ye troubles of the times I resolve to buy no more May. 4.
bookes for present then absolutely needfull untill with the mony set
a part for bookes and givings, I have paid the 31. 9s. 6d. I owe
Mr Tompson, & 5/. 10s. to my sister moneys that I owe for bookes
and that I borrowed to give away.

Heard but not true Cromwell was made Lord High Protector of May. 5.
England ; all apprehend a storme on the ministry.

Heard againe of very great pressing at London, both for sea & land.2 May. 25.

One sett up Cromwells picture 3 at ye exchange & over it 3.
Crownes, and written tis under it divers verses, beginning.

1 The remnant of the Long Parliament.

2 "In the middle of March one thousand men were pressed and it was said —
no doubt with considerable exaggeration — that not a serviceable man was left
behind.... Merchantmen approaching the coast were boarded and the greater
part of their crews carried off. Able-bodied men fled from the sight of the state
ships as they would have done from the plague. Orders were sent to secure
mariners in Jersey and even in Scotland and Ireland. In London a raid was
made on shore, even gentlemen unused to the sea were dragged out of their
beds and hurried on board ship. (Commonwealth & Protectorate, 192).

3 " On May 19 a gentleman stepped into the Exchange and hung up a picture
of Cromwell with three crowns and the words " It is I " above, and underneath
the lines : —

' Ascend three thrones great Captain and Divine
By the will of God, o Lion, for they are thine.
Come priest of God, bring oil, bring robes of gold,
Bring crowns and sceptres, it's now high time ; unfold
Your cloistered bags, your state chests, lest the rod
Of steel and iron of the King of God

104 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Ascend three thrones, brave Captaine, and Divine
by the will of God, o Lyon, for they are thine.

heard as if endeavors were to bring the cheife goverm1 to one
person ; divers pretend the visions of God for it ; the title of King
probably will be waved, and some other pitched on.

June. 1. Rid to London, die. 3° returned safe ; I went & bought not one
booke : Camdens Britannia is buyable for 25s. and Mercators Maps
for 31. 5s.

June. 3. Newes of a dreadful fight at sea, brought up by the fishermen of
our coasts. *

June. 12. Or newes of the fight proved not as reported ; our victory very
great & losses little to speake of ; the Dutch cowed before us, and
stucke not to their worke like men ; 2 this weeke came out the
summons for the councell to meete at Whitehall July, 4 : next.

June. 13. Told ye the Anabaptists, as called, suppose the army agst ye pro-
testant religion, and that they will downe with it as now established;
Lord thy will be done ! I know great things must be done, onely
take the care of the glory of thy great name.

June. 14. Reports yi wee had landed men at the Texell.

June. 20. Sold my blacke bullocke for 21. 11s.

July. 15. Heard ye N. Councell, 5 yi call themselves a Par. of ye common-
wealth of England, have as yr first businesse taken into considera-

Chastise you all in's wrath ; then kneel and pray

To Oliver the torch of Zion, star of day.

Then shout, o merchants, city and gentry sing.

Let all men bare-head cry, God save the King. '

The Lord Mayor, half frightened, took the picture down and carried it to
Cromwell, offering either to restore it to its place or to treat it in any other way
as he might please to direct. Cromwell did but laugh at the poor man's anxiety
to please, telling him that such things were but trifles, not fit to be considered in
such serious times. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, ii, 228).

1 The Dutch lost twenty men-of-war of which eleven were brought in as
prizes.

2 " If there was superiority in tactics it was on the Dutch side.... what the
Dutch admiral lacked was a fleet equal to his merits. " (Commonwealth and
Protectorate, ii, 239.)

3 Barebones Parliament.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 105

tion ye matter of tithes ! ; they speake nothing, but God, and god-
liness ; the issue wee will waite.

Delivered to James Linnet for Sr Tho : Honywood 4 quarters July. 26.
and six bushels oates at 20d. th6 bushell, which is 31. 3s. <\d.

Cald up this morning to heare the thumping, thundering canon, l July. 31.
which filled into country houses, and or beds with the dreadfull
noise ; I have not ever heard the like shooting in my life ; its no
question a terrible sea fight neare our doores between the Holland-
er and us ; the Lord is our hope in all our straites. The roaring
cannon sounded till night ; ye wind high, hundred or hearing of
them very much ; God give a good issue to England in this
ingagement.

Wee shall observe ye effects of this victory by the estate, and Aug. 7.
whether they attempt any thing at land against Holland.

Its looked on as certain that Van-Trump is dead of his wounds. Aug. 17.

Wee gatherd for Marlborough, 31. & more.3 Aug. 28.

MrClopton.

Rd of Mr Clopton 14/. 3s. 9d. & 181. before, my part of 55/. 5s.; Sept. 21.
pd in by Mr Man, ye due for 3 yeares out of Dunmow which is 108/,
ye rest lost ; a day wherin God in many perticulars shewed great
favor unto mee.

Mr Nevill buried ; at ye funeral I first heard ye Dutch peace was Jan. 9.
made, 4 and 10 assured of it from Lady Honywood ; the messenger
found mee praying, and so fitting for death, the fittest duties for ye
peace, though carnal hearts are jocund at it, for this will be the
homes rise, and ye ruine of the protestant interest as one 7 yeares
will lett us know ; and now have at thy skirts, ffrance.

This yeare brought forth notable revolucons at home, in dissolv-
ing parliamts & declaring Cromwell protector who is to rule by a
counsell ; its said after divers bloudy fights now wee have made
peace with the Dutch ; ye ffrench have had a good yeare of it, as
the Sp : last, tooke much from Conde, reduced Bourdeaux, quieted

1 The House refused to abolish tithe.

2 The fight in which Van Tromp was killed.

3 There had been a disastrous fire here in April.

4 The Treaty was not signed till April 5.

106 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

the protestants, maintained them selves in Italy, and done some
feats in Catalonia ; Brest yr port was like another Dunkirk agst us,
& I conceive wee shall remember it in due time ; the German diet
still continues ; they have crowned Ferdinand ye 4th King of
Romans ; the Cossacks and Polish are in armes, the Turke also
agst the Venetian ; things are somewhat calmer then formerly, and
discourses are of a generall peace. Lord my soule waiteth for thy
coming wee intreate thee.

38 yeare now enters, Jan. 25. 1653.

Sensible this was a new yeare to mee, and a yeare of strange
transactions at home and preparacons for the like abroad ; the Lord
keepe mee, in soule and body without spott & without blemish,
for in thy grace and strength is my strength & tower ; oh lett mee
not bee ashamed for in thee I put my trust.
Feb. 31. Heard 2 strange passages of O.C. in his youth, and a strange

passage or 2 of other mens thoughts of him.

March. 10. Rumoured yi peace was wih Holland, & France included, and
that wee were breaking with Spain, who had cosened us of much
prize gold, challenging as his, which it was not.

March. 24. Lands as formerly, & mony as formerly: viz. . . . 440/.

Improvem* of Mr8 Maries lands: 4/. 9s. now in the
whole 931. 14s.

I have pd of all my debts viz 32/. & some odde debts
more, and through mercy I doe not owe any person any
sum of mony.

My stocke is worth much about w* formerly, & I have
in mony more, viz wth Mr Elliston 20. 0. 0

Lent to Robt. Potter, 10/. to Wm Webb, 5/. to Har-
rington of White Colne, 21. 10s 17.10.0

So that my estate is advanced ys yeare about 691. one way &
other, which is much in thes broken daies, for which I desire to
blesse and praise the Lord.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 107

1654.

Heard yr would bee an assembly, and that yr is speech of an April. 2.
high title for the protector viz. Emperor of the South. I am come
to a yeare wch is like to bring forth notable counsells, I will mind
them ; its sd Cromwell was borne in 1600 ye same yeare in which
K. Charles was borne.

Sold 3 bullocks to Mr Elliston at 31. 1 5s. ; he is to pay mee before May. 6.
Christmas next.

Offerd my townesmen my tithes at 47. quarter to dischardge mee May. 15.
of all rates and dues whoever.

Ye season very hott at present; the plague is begun at one end May. 21.
of ye land viz. Chester ; the Lord prevent the spreading of it, if it
bee his good pleasure.

Much mutter yr is in ye country yfc ye Electors must scale indent- June. 22.
ures at ye choice ! ; ye cheife Mag. begins to find a burthen on him.

This day sett a part for ye choice of parliam1 men through the
kingdome, & I sett it a part to seeke God, in behalf of my family.

This day knights chosen in or county ;

13 ; a very small number of choosers appeared, not 500 although July. 12.
it was the sessions time ; ye choice as to yc outsides of men indiffer.
good ; the Lord make them carefull & mindefull of him ; its said
there were a great number of ministers present, an 100 or more.

This day I saw a license under ye hands of the Irish Come for a July. 24.
souldier to marry, 2 and without such license they may not marry,
so that in England yr forbidding ministers to solemnize marriage,
and ye souldiers to marry without yr license.

Heard of ye rout of ye Spanish army at Arras by ye French under Aug. 22.
Turenne.

I heard yfc ye protector was proclaimed Emperour, but for my Aug. 31.

1 " The identure in which under the old system the returning officer joined
with the principal electors in certifying that the persons named in it had been
duly chosen, was changed so as to include a declaration by them that the new
members were debarred from altering the Government ' as now settled in a
single person and Parliament. ' " (Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 8, 9.

2 Marriages between English soldiers and Irish women had been forbidden by
Ireton on May I, 1651.

108 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

part I beleive it not, thinking the time and season is not yett come
for the doing of it.

Sept. 1 . One cald, and told mee, yfc this Friday ye Pro : was to bee
proclaimed Emperour. God good in preserving An in a milke
bowle, and Jane from swouning who let her fall in, and, John in
falling from ye top of ye schoole staires ; God give his angels charge
over us.

Sept. 3. This day ye Parl. was to sitt ; ye Lord in mercy preserve them
from acting any dishonourable thing.

Sept. 10. Parliam* is now sitting, and great strivings are on foote.

Oct. 13. This day ye Parl : appointed a fast at Westminst. & London.
I was sensible of yr condicon & begd God would shew them yc
things to our peace, if ye decree of ruine were not gone forth,
if they had not stumbled in perferring yr own things to ye Lords,
wch I feared ; at night Mr R. H. told me yi Tuesday morning 12
they were shutt out of ye House, l & a guard of souldiers sett on ye
House ; this amazed many men ; I see Gods worke going on.

Oct. 28. Wee eate a messe of green selfe sown pease, sent mee by Good-
man Bridge, a raritie yl I never saw before, but mentioned in the
newes as if common in ye West.

Nov. 29. I bought Wharton's Almanacke wherin are amazing perticulars.

Dec. 8. I thought by this day, England might heare of ye intent of
Blakes fleet 2 ; I heard, 7, it was before Naples.

Dec. 24. Noisd wee had beat a French fleet, 3 but it was not seconded.

Jan. 25. Rose ys morning, and I found my birth day was 26, not ys day
as I thought hitherto ; going down to a fast, my neighbo1" Burton
cald and told mee the parliam1 was dissolved on Monday, 22, at
one of ye clocke by ye Protector, which proved true ; in my night

1 Gardiner, Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 25.

2 Blake sailed for the Mediterranean on October 8. " How useful to Spain
was the appearance of the English fleet in the Mediterranean may be gathered
from the fact that the Duke of Guise was preparing to sail from Toulon at the
head of an expedition designed for the conquest of Naples and that Blake was
ordered to frustrate that undertaking by attacking and ruining his fleet."
(Commonwealth and Protectorate, iii, 373.) The expedition was abandoned.

3 We had taken two French prizes.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 109

vision that night, I thought it was so, and I mett 4 of ye parliam* in
blacke habits, and gownes, walking in London street, or in a great
towne ; the Lord take care of us. I am glad I was about such a
worke when I heard it.

Jan : 26 : 1654 : 39 yeare enters

My dayes passe, thine, o Lord, abide for ever; I shall enjoy thee Jan. 26.
where I shall dwell for ever with thee ; sensible it entred mee a
new yeare, in wch my heart desired Gods presence with mee, as
I desire to praise him, for his abiding presence writh mee ye
last past.

Rose more early than formerly ; heard just as I rose, a lire on ffeb. 13.
Coin green, quencht and no hurt to mention ; blessed bee God :
one cald mee down, gave mee a hint of some trouble at London,
presently sent for to priory ; saw a letter from Major Haines to
call divers to Markshall, to communicate a letter from ye protector
unto them, to acquaint them with the present state of affaires wch
threaten trouble ; I was not desired. Its expected the Cavaliers
will rise, and Charles Stuart come & head them. The Levellers l
are up 300 in the west, its thought Grey & Eyres & Wildman head
them, 2 also the 5i monarchy 3 men in London under Harrison and
Rich 4 ; and wrt if all this bee but in designe ?

Through mercy the great noise of plots vanish, but whether ffeb. 18.
some mens evill intentions will not take place God knowes ; these

1 Commonwealth & Protectorate, 116, 117.

2 " Wildman was seized at a village near Marlborough by a party of horse
under Major Butler on February 10 just as he was dictating a declaration inviting
the people to take up arms against Oliver Cromwell, and was carried off for
security to Chepstow Castle. Grey was apprehended by Hacker and carried to
London and ultimately lodged as a prisoner in Windsor Castle." (Common-
wealth & Protectorate, iii, 118).

3 " The Fifth Monarchy men, while basing their conduct on religious grounds,
directly attacked the existing government on the plea that earthly rule ought
exclusively to be in the hands of the saints." (Commonwealth & Protectorate,
iii, 112.)

4 Rich was brought before the Protector & Council on the i6th.

110 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

things and dayes are very misterious, the Lord bee good to mee
yr in ; the weather is wonderfull uncertain, and moist, I wonder,
when ye plot is noised to bee so much in ye North, why all forces
march to the city, especially from the north ; I feare something is
to be done in London.

Feb. 25. I find that many men great formerly are now in durance,
Harrison by name l ; yr is a lex talionis in or sufferings and surely
ye cup will goe round ; let not man trust in man, for he is but
a lie ; the Levellers & Si Monarchy men are for present most
shot at ; ye Independts in favor ; the presb : not much medling or
medled with.

March. 6. Wett day, rid to Colchester, I find some earnestly oppose
Protector ; others close with him on grounds that carry a faire
face ; the Lord keepe my heart closely & wisely to retain ye doves
innocency. Srt that Rich is committed. 2

March. 8. This day was a day I had thought of as ye bound within wch some
gi action would bee s ; the throning of yc protector really done ; he
will come up higher in the season of it ; I saw a letter from Major
Haines, intimating reall apprehensions of the Cavalier attempts ;
sd ye prince on ye seas.

March. 13. Heard ye Caval. in arms in Wales, Nottingh : Shropsh : Wiltsh :

where they seized ye Judges ; dreamd at night, one told mee up in

Lincolnshire, and I perswaded, they would be crusht and come to

nothing : I saw y6 horse march down a long street.

1655. . I again review my estate. Lands as formerly, and the same

March. 25. personal estate good yfc was last ; yr is added this yeare.

My stocke wch I last yeare valued at 30 I count worth about 20/.
and I am in debt to 2 persons 5/, wch abated, yr remains cleared
96/. 10s.

1 He was arrested with Rich on February 16.

3 " Rich was allowed to remain at liberty for some time longer to attend on his
dying wife." (Commonwealth and Protectorate, iii, 117.)

3 " What really took place on the night of the 8th was the gathering of a few
isolated bodies of enthusiasts at their allotted stations, whilst the great bulk of
the Royalists, refusing to sacrifice life & property in so harebrained an adventure,
remained quietly at home. " (Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 190.)

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 111

W:Web: .... 5/.

MrElliston. . . . 16:10.

,_ _TT TT , or n M Maries

M'W:Harl ... 25. 0.

Edw: Brown ... 20. 0. 9g/. 8s. Od.

Major Hayns ... 30. 0.
In cash:." 15. 0.

111.10.

Thus, though I am unprofitable, God is mindfull of mee, my heart
is to love & serve him.

This day, the Justice and I married Peg. Nevil to Butcher ; the April. 10.
first I intermedled with since the late act * ; the report is of great
officers made at London.

This day wee went a great p1 of the bounds of Earles Colne, and May. 28.
towards Gaine especially ; the season promises hopes of plentie.

Heard, wfc formerly I apprehended, y* Cromwell would bee stiled May. 30.
Emperour. *

A fast on the occasion of the Savoyards ; at the same time imp- June. 14.
risonings of men at home on feare of plots 3 ; horse raising in all
counties of England.

I blesse God for some affection stirring in mee towards his truth, June. 17.
his people, the poore afflicted Savoyards 4 ; wee gathered this day
for Savoy in publique 8/. 12s. 2d.\ the hand of God on mee for
good ; Lord, thy love to mee ingageth my heart to thine, & what I
can doe is thine ; made this collection, 91. 11s. Sd.

Preacht at Gaines Coin, ye quakers nest, but no disturbance; God July. 3.
hath raised up my heart not to feare, but willing to beare, & to
make opposicon to yr wayes in defence of truth ; it is an evill that

1 Passed in 1653, ordering all manages to be solemnised before a Justice of the
Peace.

2 " There is good reason for believing that the preparation of the first great
seal of the Protectorate was delayed because it was still uncertain whether the
new title to be inserted was to be that of King or Emperor. " (Commonwealth &
Protectorate, iii, 161.)

3 Commonwealth and Protectorate, 164.

4 The total amount collected in the country was £38, 232.

112 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

runs much in all places ; some think it will bee dangerous to
Cromwells interest, and is so ; God knows, I doe not, yett I think
he feares them not, & perhaps ye clause in his declaration, not to
disturbe ye minister in exercise, was to hint to them they might doe
it after, if they would, securely, for yi is yr practice.

July. 7. Major Raines expected at Coin, he came not ; yc Protector staid
him above ; some eminent occasion surely interveneth ; the noise
of his crowning is not as formerly, though nearer it may be than
when most talked of.

July. 8. I gathered this day for Mary Peake whose house was burnt
down 31. 15s. Sd.

July. 15. Those called Quakers, whose worke is to revile the ministry '
made a disturbance at Cogshall, and were sent to goale ; oh, many
feare ye Quakers to ruine Cromwell ; tis not words yi alter governmts,
and rout armies ; it must forme it selfe into a military posture first,
and when that appeares, then enemies of ye state, disturbers of ye
peace, seiseth on them.

July. 28. The Quakers set up a paper on the church door at E. Coin.

July. 29. This corner begins to feel ye Quakers ; some of yr heads its said
are among us, the Lord bee our refuge ; an infallible spirit once
granted them, what lies may they not utter, and what delusions may
not poor men bee given up unto ? Lord I see trialls, let me be
fitted for them, and saved through them.

Aug. 3. Heard my augmentation was taken from mee on a mistake, but
was in good part resetled by Major Haines care. Or mouths ful of
a great losse at Hispaniola. Perhaps it will make the good news
that is coming more acceptable, and must rouse us up as Joshua
at Ai.

Aug. 7. Heard as if or successe great in the West Indies & yett or losse

1 u Not only did the Quakers scandalise the clergy by refusing, as Baxter puts
it, to ' have the scriptures called the word of God ', but they railed at ministers
as hirelings, deceivers, and false prophets, bursting into congregations and
directing against the occupant of the pulpit such exclamations as ' Come down,
thou deceiver, thou hireling, thou dog. ' They defended themselves on the
ground of ' the right of all religious persons to contribute to the edification of
the assemblage. ' " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, 197.) Not all who were
called Quakers in those days were connected with the Society of Friends.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 113

of San Domingo true ; perhaps yl was to ingage us the more
earnestly agst Spain, & now if wee can but frame up a religious war
of protestants agst papists, wee shall hinder the nacons from
looking to yr ballancings each other, & ruining ye papists by ye
helpe of protestants, who by yr shipps only can in reason hinder it;
wee shall doe our business, & afterwards make ym smart.

The weeke past God good to mee & mine in many outward Aug. 19.
mercies ; God left a young hog of mine to be bitten by Burtons dog ;
it might have been worse ; they cut his eare & taile & threw him
into the water.

I was with Mr Crane ; they kept yr day of thanks for yr delivery Aug. 27.
from Colchester ; 3 of the nine dead, and 6 alive, Mr Crane, Smith,
Ayloffe, Eden, Barnardiston.

A hog I had died, bit with Burtons mad dog ; blessed bee God Sept. 4.
it was not a child.

The W. Indie busines very dismall. Sept. 20.

My good freind Major Haynes, l and Mrs H. with us. Nov. 1.

Rd of Mrs Haynes, 15/. — 10/. was part of augmentacon that Major Nov. 17.
Haines procured for mee ; blessed bee God that any way provides
for so unworthy a person.

Sd H. Cromwell trounces ye Anabaptists in Ireland. Nov. 25.

A fast publiqu, a cold day & thin audience. Dec. 6.

Great rumors of the Jewes being admitted into England 2; hopes Dec. 16.
yrby to convert them ; the Lord hasten yr conversion, and keepe
us from turning,

Jan : 26 : my 40 yeare enters, 1655.

I desire to consider how my dayes passe, some thinke yr very
world would end in 56, others the beginning of good dayes to the
church, but I expect troubles on ye earth and yr by persons making

1 He had been appointed Deputy Major General for Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex
& Cambridgeshire.

2 Spanish and Portuguese Jews " had for some years been stealing into
England either to escape the terrors of the Inquisition or in pursuit of gain. "
(Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 216)

I

114 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

themselves great, who in themselves or successors, will & shall
deepely afflict the Lord.

Feb. 10. Great noise of people called Quakers ; divers have fits about us.
and yrby come to bee able to speake ; the Lord helpe us to stand
fast against every evill and error.

Feb. 16. Heard for certain yi one Wade, a Quaker as called, comes to our
toune.

Feb. 20. The Protector & his councill having, Aug : 19, 54, passed an
ordinance to eject Ministers & schoolem1"8, the Maj. gen. & his
deputy required to put it in execucon l ; on ys foote the Commiss-
ioners yr in named proceeded and began to act, calling on ys day
all the Ministers, Lecturers, Curates & schoolm68 through ye whole
county to attend them at Chelmsford to give in under yr hands and
churchwardens how they hold yr livings, and how long, wch I
thought was rigour, Exod. 1. 14. I was yr, ye wayes wonderful
dyrty, close, but it raind not ; God good to mee, but my mind was
vain. Mr Sparrow preacht, he commended & encouraged the
Comrs ; for my part I saw no beauty in the day, neither doe I joy
to see ministers put under ye lay power, and thus on yr own head ;
such is ye affection of some yl would bee counted the first freinds of
God and religion, hoped wee should have been sent from thence to
ye Barbados ; Lord remember us for wee are become a reproach.

Feb. 24. Persons in this corner much withdraw from ye word ; mens
minds unsound ; yr is feare of Portugal, yfc he will breake with us,
and yr by or fleets miscarry for want of his ports ; sfl Cromwell
tooke his leave of Mountague * in y6 morning and then spent the
day alone in prayer.

Feb. 29. Heard they tooke up many loose wenches at London, to send
over to Jamaica. s

1 " In all parts the Major Generals found it necessary to impart vigour to the
Boards of Ejectors who had been appointed to carry out the ordinance of 1654
for the ejection of scandalous or inefficient ministers who might have crept into
cures during the times of anarchy. " (Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 239).

2 Edward Montague, who had been appointed to accompany Blake in command
of the fleet.

3 " It was at once rumoured that these women were to be sent to Jamaica, as
the Dutch ambassador quaintly put it, to nurse the sick. " (Commonwealth &

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 115

Sd y1 ye notion of ye 5l monarchy spreads very much in some March. 7.
parts of Norfolke.

Saw Mr Bacon, Mr of requests; he saith or fleet is gone with cou- March. 21.
rage from Plymouth, 43 men of warre, 7 fireships, and victualers. l

God hath entred mee on that stupendous yeare of 1656, of which March. 24.
men have had strange thoughts and though I am not of their minde 1656.
yet I expect notable effects, and the desire of my soule is towards
the Lord to take an especiall care of mee.

Wn I come to view my estate this yeare I find my receipts lesse View of
by 10/. than last yeare, and my expenses about 5/. more, and yett Estate
God increaseth my lot, above 70/. this yeare ; I have paid my debts, March- 28-
my stocke is not worth above 10/. : I count I am now out upon
Mrs Maries land 103/. 6s. Qd. her mother yet living and its not I that
will repine at it ; God bee my porcon, and dayes to her ; I find my
personal estate to amount unto 670/. ; this God hath given mee, and
when he pleaseth he may call for it again.

Heard & true yfc Turners daughter was distract in this quaking April. 9.
busines ; sad are ye fits at Coxall like the pow wowing among the
Indies.

Heard this morning that James Parnel the father of the Quakers April. 11.
in these parts, having undertaken to fast 40 dayes & nights, was
die. 10, in ye morning found dead ; he was by Jury found guilty of
his own death, and buried in ye Castle yard.

Mr R. H. told mee as seing ye letter sent by Fleetwood to release April. 14.
Parnel, but he was dead first ; had he been delivered ye triumph
his partie would have made ! Its sd in ye contry that his partie
went to Colchester to see his resurrection again.

About 100 dipt at Colchester by Tillam a papist convert as he June. 6.
saith, if not still a Jesuite ; oh how giddy and unconstant people are.

Protectorate,) iii, 454.,) The project appears to have been abandoned.

Jamaica was not at this time an attractive island. " So deplorable did the
situation appear about this time on the spot that widows of soldiers preferred to
sell themselves into temporary servitude in other islands rather than keep their
freedom on the accursed soil of Jamaica. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate, iii

454-)

1 Commonwealth & Protectorate, iii, 473.

116 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 12. Sd for certain the tax ] out as formerly ; much ye thoughts of
persons were they would have doubled it ; sfl also yl its concluded
about to call a parliament, and that its thought one cheife end is to
raise more money by them upon ye subject.

July. 5. Newes of another parliament to be called togither, Sept. next.

July. 8. Heard how Dr Owen endeavoured to lay down all ye badges of
schollers distinction in the universities, hoods, caps, gowns, degrees,
lay by all studdie of philosophy ; he is become a great scorne, the
Lord keepe him from temptacons.

July. 17. Heard ye Spaniards routed ye ffrench at Valenchienne 2 ; see ye
issue of ys event.

July. 25. Major Gen : Haines came well to us, heard by him the French
had recovered & routed ye Spaniard.

July. 31. Mrs Church sealed to mee a lease of yl land wch should bee mine
after her decease at 18/. per annum ; the Lord make ye businesse
comfortable to us both.

Aug. 5. Made an end with Shawe ; he is to cutt no more wood nor dam-
age the fence, he is to returne the timber to my dispose ; Roydon
Bridge was witnes to this.

Aug. 14. Mr Harlakenden sold his hops for 7201. to Mr Montjoy & run
a halfe in them ; sweet showers, and dewing weather through
mercy.

Aug. 17. Constant rumours, as if divers old grandees that were common-
wealths men were secured ; mens wayes are full of danger, ye great
ones tumbling down one by another, yc sure standing, and safe
onely in Gods pathes ; this day, Sam Burton, and lame Byat, while
I was reading the chapter, were sitting in the maids seate and
made a disturbance ; the justice commanded the Constable to take
them forth to the cage ; the mother went out of the church and
tooke her son from the Constable, and said her housband paid scott
and lott in the towne, and her son should sitt any where.

Aug. 20. This day was appointed a day for ye choise of Parliam1 men in
all counties of England 3, I sett it apart by prayer and meditacon

1 Assessment tax.

2 Commonwealh and Protectorate, iii, 483.

3 Elections for the second Protectorate Parliament.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 117

to seeke God, Job. 22 ; latter pl much moved mee in perusing it in
the feilds.

The Sectaries did not very much appeare at Chelmsford, not a
quaker in the feild ; noted to bee so ; one Loddington was in the
head of that partie, which hindred the choice, that it could not be
so effected that night, but was adjourned to the next day : between
3 & 4 a remarkable crosse seen in the skie, see in my historical
notes. Or choise was,

Sr Harbotle Grimston. Mr Wakering. Mr H. Mildmay.

Sr Thomas Honywood. Mr Gob: Barrington. Mr Carey Mildmay.

Sr Rich : Evered. Mr Ol : Raymond. Mr Archer.

Sr Tho : Bowes. Mr Templer. Maj : Haines.

Mr Turner.

The Independts. plotted much in ye choise but missed two men
of yr company ; the choise to view is not very good nor very bad,
a strange mixture of spirits ; Lord I cannot trust them with or
Gospel concernmts but I will thee, and I trust yu wilt looke after
them, and not suffer ye nacon to bee wrogt up by thes men into
any evill wi soever.

Heard togither That ye Venetians have given ye Turks a mighty Aug. 24.
overthrow at sea : the Swedes have routed ye Polanders and
retaken Warsow ; the Spaniards taken Conde town ; the Emp.
army on ye March for Italy ; the English attempt and burning ye
Spanish ships at Malaga, the choise of Members for parliam1 ; thes
newes arrived to us in one weeke, with a report yfc at Breme a
voice was heard in the aire, Woe, Woe, Woe.

Gave Sr T. Honywood, the best, & most solemn advice I could ; Aug. 30.
one J. Biford was clamoured on as a witch, and Mr C. thought his
child ill by it ; I could no way apprehend it, I tooke ye fellow alone
into the feild, and dealt with him solemnely, & I conceive ye poore
wretch is innocent as to that evill.

Rob : Abot sen : in the street told Tho. Harvy, u there cometh Aug. 31.
your deluder." Lord, wee are a contempt and scorne, looke upon
ij;, oh Lord, and heale it ; he sat on yc horse blocke as people came

118 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

to church ; Mr H. spoke to him ; the Lord help us against thes

growing evills.
Sept. 4. I begun ye lecture at Wakes Colne ; God good to mee therin ;

heard of a great plott discovered agst the protector ; said on

ye K. of Scots interest whom Spain assists.
Sept. 11. Heard Sr H. Vane was sent to ye He of Wight to Carisbrooke

Castle, the Kings prison, against whom he was a great agent.
Sept. 17. This day appointed for parliam1, I set it apart to seeke God

on their behalfe, y1 they might be instruments for good if possible,

and not circumvented into evill. Mr H. gave mee 31. towards the

5/. he promised mee for his hops.
Sept. 18. 600 foot soldiers yfc came out of Scotland marcht through our

town to Colchester ; great talke of Cavalier attempts again.
Sept. 19. Heard on die. 17. Dr Owen preacht on Isay. 14, 32 ; the Pro-
tector made a long speech before the Parl : men in Painted

Chamber ; orders were in Westminster hall that none should goe

into house till after sermon. They say, above 1 60 were not allowed

by the Councill to sitt, and none might enter without a ticket of

allowance.
Oct. 5. Sacrament of baptisme administred this day, in publiqu, which

was not of a long time before in Colne.
Oct. 8. This morning much overseen in my carriage to my deere wife ;

the Lord pardon it to mee, my heart truly sorrowful.
Oct. 22. A few souldiers quartered in or Town.
Oct. 26. Gave notice of ye fast, read the Declaration * ; the Lord good to

mee in the word ;
Oct. 30. A. P. fast.
Oct. 31. In ye lane sett upon by one called a quaker, the Lord was with

my heart that I was not dismayed ; I had some discourse with him,

the Lord bee my helpe.

Nov. 5. Kept a thanksgiving day for ye Spanish victory.
Dec. 5. A strange darkenes at London like midnight at noone day ; it

was a strange fogge.

1 Probably the Declaration of the previous year, which forbade Royalists whose
estates had been sequestrated, or who had taken part in the war under the late
King, to keep arms in their houses or to maintain ejected clergy or schoolmasters.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 119

Met upon an order from ye Comra of approbation for Ministers at Jan. 14.
London, about Mr Rogers ' in wch busines I desired to bee faithful
to God & my heart, with tendernes to my brother.

Heard Tillam, an Anabaptist pastor, had set up the practice of Jan. 23.
the Satturday Sabbath and indulgeth those of his church that will
to use yr trades ; it being yr Colchester market and observeth the
Lord day.

I heard nothing certain of Dr Wright, by whose death the Jan. 25.
schoole goeth from mee ; Lord how ever yu deale with mee yrin,
yu shalt bee my God.

When I review this yeare past in reference to the affaires of the Jan. 26.
world I find things much at a stand, no new affaire breaking out
but the attempt of the Moscovite against the Swede, which was no
great affaire to view, no eminent turne of affaires in the world,
except it were the going backe of the affaires of Swede in Poland ;
the English tooke a prize from Spain ; in matters of religion the
apostacy proceeds, the pretence of being specially directed by the
spirit is drunke in by persons if almost any pretend therunto, and
one Nailor a in England, was esteemed by some for the Christ, the
King of Israel, for which a Parliament then sitting sentenced him,
but no great discountenance put on the part by the Court ; they
rather winke then frown, yea release them ; God in mercy thinke
on us ; some sett up the Satturday Sabbath ; in reference to my
outward affaires God good to us, and I find I am blessed by him ;
my heart is open to God and charitable deeds as my estate is
enlarged. I find my inward estate mixt of troubles, temptacons,
feares and hopes, finding a refuge under Christs wings whither
I desire continually to resort, a resolution in my heart to abide by
the wp of God and his people through grace whatsoever cometh
theron ; the Venetian gave the Turke a great route at sea, and God
sadly afflicts Italy with the plague ; the protestant troubles in

1 Possibly John Rogers, the Fifth Monarchy preacher.

2 One of Fox early disciples ; Sentenced by Parliament " to be branded,
pilloried, whipped, and imprisoned at pleasure ; all the influence of the Govern-
ment was required to save Naylor from capital punishment. C. Firth. Life of
Cromwell.

120 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Savoy, and Switzerland make no noise, they are under some
troubles in ff ranee, the issue the Lord knoweth.

Jan: 26: 1656, my 41 yeare enters.

The Lords presence bee with mee therin for good, my eye is on
him for ye same.
Jan. 30. Hints as if things wrought towards an extremity between the

Protector & Parliament.

Jan. 31. Heard certainly of Dr Wrights hopeful recovery.
Feb. 1. God good to mee this weeke in taking care of my livelyhood, in
Dr Wrights life, by whose death ye schoole had gone from mee,
worth neare 701. yearly to mee, and besides the comfort to teach
my children, the feare also of a bad neighbor.

Feb. 17. I was straitned for moneys, and this day God ordered it so that
two schooletents brought mee in neare seven pounds, blessed bee
God, who hath not dried up yi spring.
Feb. 20. A day of thanks for ye deliverance of the protector from Sunder-

combs T treason who poisoned himselfe.

Feb. 27. Confident reports that Cromwell was proclaimed King, sd also

wee & oth- wee shall have an House of Lords; some great alteration is in hand,

ers had ^ what ^ wjn; bee time will discover ; only he hath outwitted his

rose buds coac^ors *n former designes, and no duobt his purpose is the like,

in February but none can outwitt the Almighty.

March. 21. Report that wee list and raise men apace under pretence for
Flanders.

1657. 1657

March. 25. When I come to view my estate this yeare, I find my expenses
far deeper then divers yeares formerly, and my receipts more then
ever, God bee blessed. Last year my estate was about 670/. I find
I have about 590/. and I have pd for land to Mr Butcher 150/. and
to Mr Weale 857. which is in whole 235/. so yl I have had a great

1 He had attempted to kill Cromwell on his way to Hampton Court : failing in
this, he attempted to set fire to Whitehall.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 121

increase this yeare of 145/. or yr abouts, with the life & health of
my family, no trouble in my estate ; the Lords love in Christ is my
life and joy. I have received in to my hand Mrs Maries land on
which I am out 108/. 9s. This yeare 1657 is like to bee a boisterous
yeare in the world.

Talke now of a king, the Lord bee our king and lawgiver. March. 28.

Divers men bustle to make X* king ; truly Cromwell will carry April. 17.
it from him at present, but surely yr is a time when Xfc shall reigne
more then inwardly.

Heard this weeke the men that are to make Christ King April. 19.
were plotting agst the Protector, and that he seized on divers
of them.

Heard as if Blake desired landmen to attempt the Canaries. May. 7.

At night Mr Hubbard of London with mee to teach two boys at May. 15.
31. per annum if they come.

John Eldred a scholler y1 brought mee in 40s. yearly went from May. 23.
mee ; the Lord will provide.

Protector proclaimed at Halsted by ye Sheriffs. July. 17.

This day I publisht the act about the Sabbath, * the Lord doe Aug. 30.
good by it.

After hopes of a dry Sturbridge faire it rained very much, so that Sept. 9.
the wayes were exceeding heavy and dirtie, Mr H. had some hopes
to make 500/. of his hops ; the last yeare he made 790/.

A publiq fast in regard of the general visitacon by sicknes, wch Sept. 30.
was a feavor & ague very mortal in some places.

Being up, & riving logs, Mr Elliston came & told mee Dr Wright Oct. 8.
was most certainly dead, I had no warning of his sicknes, I was
troubled that such a providence found mee not better imployed,
and disposed, but I blesse God though I am like to loose 60/. per
annum, yet yi is not much trouble.

Mr Cressener acquainted mee that my Lord of Oxfords Chaplain Nov. 3. 4.
was come to town and he thought about the schoole. Mr R.H.
made some proffers in it, and I desired to observe God therein,
but my owne inclinations rather tend to lay it wholly by, desirous

1 An act to punish ale-house keepers for profaning the Sabbath by permitting
swearing, drunkenness, gaming, etc., in their houses.

122 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

God would open some helpe to mee in carrying on the worke of
the ministry.

Nov. 9. Dr Pullein sent mee an offer to procure mee the schoole, if I
would helpe him to his living ; I had no desire thereto.

Nov. 17. Mrs Marg: Harlakenden having laid out 120/. at London, about
wedding clothes, her father being exceeding angry, I appeased
him, so that though he chid her by letter for her vanitie, yett he
paid the scores

Nov. 25. Rd my copies of my two fift parts of ye farme on Colne Green
from my Cosin Josselin ; yi purchase cost mee about 310/; God
blesse it to mee & mine.

Nov. 27. Dr Pullein was with mee, shewed mee his grant from my Lord ;
he lost the living, for which I am sorry, and I the schoole ; Gods
will be done ; I doe not find any trouble on my spirit in it ; he
desired mee to teach the schoole till spring for halfe the promts ; I
consented ; Lord I blesse thee for that kindnes and mercy.
Dec. 3. Spent some time in prayer at Mr Cresseners, the Lord good to
mee yr in ; about yi time at London, Dr Pullein's busines was put
to that issue, that if ye Earl of Oxford would stand by his present-
aeon of Dr Pullein, he might come into his living ; the Lords name
bee praised for this kindnes, the issue is in thy hand, oh Father.

Dec. 5. Riding over to the Earl of Oxfords to Bently hall, and speaking
with Dr Pullein, a full issue was put to that treaty about the
schoole ; I not having it, in wch disposall of God I desire to bee
satisfied, and sitt down contentedly, knowing that he will order
and direct every thing for good to mee ; I was very sicke at night
and vomited, which I judged a mercy to mee.

Dec. 8. Talke as if some uprore in ye kingdom, the militia horse suddenly
called togither and the army foot called of again towards the sea.

Dec. 12. Saw a booke esp : of Welsh prophecies, which asserts that
Cromwell is the great Conquer01" that shall conquer Turke and Pope.
I have many yeares on scripture grounds and revolutions judged
him or his govern^ and successors, but esp. my heart fixt on him,
to bee most great ; but sad will bee things to Sfcs and him ; this
booke of prophecies giveth mee no satisfaction, but perhaps may
sett men a gadding to greaten him.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 123

Mr9 Margaret Harlakenden married to Mr John Eldred ; her Dec. 15.
father kept the wedding three dayes, with much bounty ; it was
an action mixed with pietie and mirth ; die. 18, the company de-
parted the priory. God gave an emin1 answer of prayer to him &
mee in providing her so good an housband beyond expectation ;
Mr Bridegroom gave mee I/. & Mr H. I/. God in mercy requite
their love and bounty.

If it bee worth writing this tels yi raisins of ye sun were sold at Dec. 27.
12, 14, 16, ISd. per pound.

Received an order to bee an Assistant in Ejecting of Ministers & Jan. 8.
schoolemrs for insufficiency ; had the offer of two schollers, which
I undertake to teach ; the Lord helpe mee in all my callings.

This day was the last of my 41 yeare, in which God hath been Jan. 25.
with mee and blessed mee, and though Dr Wrights death cutt mee
short in the schoole, yett I find my heart quiett, rowling it selfe on
God, and no way questioning his providence to take care of mee.
God hath given mee three children instead of 3 more which I had
buried, and thus my dreame of 3 shoots in my parlor cutt down
and growing up againe is made good.

Abroad in the world matters are likely to bee sad, yet I find not
the apostacy to increase ; this yeare the Emp. of Germany died,
and no other yet chosen in his stead ; his son the K. of Hungary
assisted Poland, wherby the Swedes are driven into Prussia. The
P. of Transilvania forced to retreate home, and was deposed for his
attempt to please yc Turke. Brandenburg made peace with the
Pole and left Swede. The Moscovite was in a manner quiet this
summer, yet the Swede brusht him a little in Livonia. Denmarke
invaded the Swede in Bremeland, to his losse in Juitland ; the
Hollander proclaimed warre agst Portugal & tooke pfc of the Brasile
fleete. The English assisted France agst Spaine & gott footing in
Flanders, the Venetians beate ye Turke, but in the winter he regai-
ned some lies as Tenedos ; the Turke hath issue male. The Q. of
Spain delivered of a sonne, ye King 53 yeares old and no son til
now ; the affaires in Italy & Catalonia not very boisterous. The
Spaniards invaded Portugal by land & tooke some places ; thus
warre breaks out, but no eminent matter was done in the world ;

124 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

the English Protector setled by Parliam1 and a house of Lords in
title erected January 20th.

Jan : 26, 1657, my 42 yeare enters.

Jan. 26. Sensible this days ended my 41 yeare and begun my 42 : the eye
of ye Lord bee on mee for good through the same.

Jan. 28. Old Robert Abbott of or town, being arrested by Mr H. for his
tithes, wch come to 31. and which he might have received within
20s. went to prison, refusing to appear by an attorney ; poore
person he accounts to pay or take tith is to deny Xfc come in the
flesh, and is as outwardly bold and confident in his suffering, as if
some g1 service for X* ; Lord leave mee not under ye power of a
delusion.

Feb. 2. Reported & afterwards confirmed by letter that the Protector had
on Thursday before dissolved the Parliam1. which was true ; wee
shall see what he intends, and what successe his affaires have abroad.

Feb. 14. Times are sad in regard of the rupture of Parliam* ; some great
thing likely to bee acted in the govern^, yet wee are secure ; sd the
Protector demands great sums of mony of ye City, 1,300,000/.

Feb. 22. I bestowed on my daughter Jane a silver tankard cost 41. 16s., on
John a porringer cost 36s wrof Mrs Eldred gave him 32s, & on An
a spoone of 10s. wch Mrs Abbott gave her, the first plate of value
yfc ever I bought ; this day Dr Pullein here ; he hired the Justices
house, and intends to come over very speedily ; though the schoole
bee a great losse unto mee, yet God will provide for mee, and
perhaps it may tend very much to my good and my childrens &
many others.

March. 2. Wee buried An Williams at or chardge ; it cost us 16s.
March. 15. Newes of dangers at home by risings, & from Spain by landing
men out of Flanders.

1658. For my outward estate, I am out on Mrs Maries
March. 26. Lands as last yeare only I have paid for the land ^Q^ 7 4
on the Green, and all charges : it amounted in
whole unto.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 125

I have paid all my debts, and owe not 5s. any where that I know
of, for w611 perticular moneys are not assigned, & laid by ; my stocke
is about 68 ; that I desire to preserve as an estate for my children
which is more then I had in all last yeare. I have gathered 361.
towards Tom's prentiseship, and assigned the arrears of my augmen-
tation due Sept. 29, past, all rents, and moneyes due on bond until
this time which I hope will make yfc sum up an 100£. This yeare
was deepe in expences costing mee about 110/ and yet I blesse
God I received in about an 1001. more unto my estate ; this is Gods
blessing alone : his good will with what I have is better then lands
& treasure : God hath added a child to my number ; I intend hence-
forward to bring into one receipt all my arreares of tith, quarters,
augmentation, and what ariseth from my ministerial imploiment
towards my housekeeping ; which if it effect and adde but 10/.
yearely to my estate I shall have no thoughts of any thing but bless-
ing God in reference to my estate ; however I shall endeavo1' to
bee thankfull & contented.

What ariseth out of my own private estate, the tenth deducted
as formerly, I desire to lay by intire for the good of my family. I
have about 31. in cash for my expence, and good round summes
in arreares. I committ my wayes unto thee, I pray thee smile
upon mee.

I gathered this day for the Poles, and Bohemians yfc were April. 18.
massacred & turned out of all for religion sake, and the
hand of God was with mee for good ; wee gathered 61. 9s
lOrf, ob.

A day of fasting in regard of a sicknes very generall in London May. 19.
and many places in the contry.

This day Dr Pullein came to Towne ; he is our schooleM1". July. 9.

Dismist my schollers to Dr Pullein. July. 12.

I preacht at the sessions on Isay. 53. 10. Jury- 13.

Cromwell died, people not much minding it. Sept. 3.

I was at Sturbridge faire ; Mrs Haynes sent my wife 4 paire of Sept. 8.
gloves for a fayringe.

Very wett weather ; newes scattered of the new Protector's Sept. 12.
sicknes, which proved not true.

126 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sept. 19. Sd Baxter l is dead, a great pillar to Cromwell and his way ; but

not so.
Sept. 25. Heard wheat was in Bedfordshire 11s. bushel ; with us it is 7s.;

this scarcity on a suddain, when there never was a more hopeful

crop on the ground : but by laying & mildewing the strong corns,

a wind that beate out aboundance, and wett in the harvest that

spoiled much, this dearth came unexpected.

Oct. 17. Our officers punisht some travellers, a new worke with us.
Oct. 19. Dr Pullein told mee he would allow me 221. 10s. Od. for my pains

in teaching the schoole.
Nov. 3. Sent or squirrel to the Countesse of Oxford, who sent for it, and

sent us a silver tankard worth about 31. 10s. I esteemed it a mer-
ciful providence to us.
Dec. 8. Susan Hadley begun her yeare, wee are to give her 40s, and I

promise her 4 paire of shoes, if shee give mee & her Mrs content.
Dec. 11. Mrs Harlakenden the younger bestowed a silver candlestand, and

porringer cover on my daughter Mary, whom shee named.
Dec. 20. This morning about 6 of the clocke Mrs Church died.
Dec. 24. Mrs Churchs busines I suppose may bee 50/. advantage unto mee;

besides it leadeth mee into her daughters estate ; Lord lett mee

receive a thankful heart to honcr thee with all, for thou art he alone,

who carest for me.
Dec. 28. Kts chosen at Chelmsford, Mr Charles Rich, & Mr Turner, a

choice not well rellisht by many honest men, but God knowes what

is best.

210 voices carried an election. Turner that had most had not

240 ; divers elections were on this day, called Innocents day. Will

the Parl: bee harmelesse, or suffer themselves, or make others doe

so? secreta tibi deus mi !
Jan. 4. 5. These dayes by a very strange and wonderful! providence of God

I agreed for the farme on the Greene with the Nevils, and had an

estate in all the coppie hold, very lovingly and quietly.
Jan. 23. Remembered the Parliament that most forgett, and very few so

much as speake of them ; a spirit of slumber and remissnes is

wonderfully upon the nation.
1 Richard Baxter.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 127

Jan : 26 : 1658, my 42 yeare ended and 43 entred.

This day was pleasant, I was working abroad, and visiting freinds; Jan. 26.
I am.ful of busines about my farme, the Lord plant, worke with
mee, or all is vain.

I earnestly sought God to direct mee in my going or staying at Jan. 30.
Colne ; things seeme to worke out my remove, and my heart is
much loosned from ye place.

Mr Butcher came from Hinningham with an offer of that place Jan. 31.
unto mee ; Mr Harlakenden of the Priory entertaind it very heavily,
and when I told him I would not leave it for means, he offered
mee an 100/. to apend in 5 yeares as a further addition ; but Feb: 1,
he came up and left against my will 50/. with my wife, as mine if
he or I died, but if wee lived as an engagem1 for 2 yeares and half e
until Sept : 29. 61, and then if he did not purchase 201. yearly and
adde to my means, if living, he would raise and pay out of his
estate 201. yearly, — an act of love not easily matcht, evidencing his
zeale to God and love to my ministry ; o Lord might but Colne
promt by my ministry, I should exceedingly rejoyce. Wee mett
this day, but no body did mention any thing unto mee ; I shall
patiently observe what Colne will say to mee.

I gathered this day to rebuild a church 1 Is. 1 d ; oh how lamely chari- Feb. 20.
ty goeth on such errands, though I prest the worke and exampled it.

Heard of the taking Coppenhagen ! and the sad slaughter made March. 13.
there ! blessed bee God for Englands peace.

A litle past nine a messenger from London brought mee letters ac- March. 25.
quainting mee with my deare freind Harlakendens dangerous sicknes
at Worcester ; my heart feared ye worst, and indeed then he was new
dead. I went down to ye priory, and acquainted Mr H. with it, who
was striking at a mole; he was troubled, but hoped; my heart utterly
under feares; I resolved for London and Worcester, knowing it my
duty to my freinds and Christs serv1 and committed my selfe to (jod
with a sicke servant & 2 poore horses and rid from one a clocke til
past 8, to Burntwood, where I received a letter yl poore Mrs Har-
lakenden was that day gone from London towards her housband.

1 Frequently besieged but not taken by Charles X. of Sweden.

128 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

1659. Nic. ye man with mee being very ill and providence thus turning, I

March. 26. returnd towards Colne and mett Mr Eldred & Elliston from Mr Had.
desirous some one should goe on. I went, and came that night
weary, and sicke with winde to Beaconsfeild, and mist Mrs H., who
hearing on the road the death of her housband, returnd to Uxbridge.

March. 27. Being Lords day I rid to Aynstone in Oxfordshire, the Lord
pardon it to mee. It was a worke of mercy ; I hoped though I
brake the Sabbath, in that I was, as ye preists killing sacrifices,
blamelesse ; men and horses grew better.

March. 28. Monday towards 4 of ye clocke heard at Stowton just by Wood-
bridge of Mr H. death which was a sad cutt to my heart ; but his
gain was death, though my losse.

March. 29. I did wl I could in his busines to prepare for return, visited
Worcester, and stood by the Severne.

March. 30. Ned Mr H. man returned from London with an herse to convey
Mr H. body, wch was embalmed and his bowels buried in Kemsey,
unto Earles Colne.

March. 31. Wee sett out our jorney, about 30 horse accompanying or herse ;
wee arrived that night late at Aynstone. April : 1, at Beaconsfeild.
2, I turned in to see sad Mrs Harlakenden whose only daughter
Mary had newly had the small pox, and came in a dismal tempest,
wherin God safely preserved mee and comforted my heart, to
Romford where wee rested Ap : 3. the Lords day.
April. 4. Wee came to Colne, not one freind meeting us on the way.
April. 5. I buried my deare freind with teares & sorrow & laid his bones
in his bed.

When I come to view outward things I find divers deare freinds dead,
especiall my deare and never to bee forgotten Harlakenden, an estate
of lands coming into my hands so that I may estimate my lands, viz.

John Crows worth . . ...... . . . . 2 II. 8s. 0.

Toms & my close 5. 10. 0.

Sprigs Marsh ...... ; 3. 0. 0.

Bollinhatch » , 7. 16. 0.

Tibbalds . 47. 0. 0.

I am much in debt, but I have mony enough 84. 14. 0.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 129

owing unto mee to clear all my debts, and an 100/. in my purse ;
this is the Lord's bounty-; teach mee to serve thee with a glad and
thankfull heart according to thy great goodnes ; I found this yeare
I saved some mony, and I hope have gaind acquaintance with and
experience of God.

Heard the army had dissolved the Parl : agst the consent of the April. 23.
Protector, ! seized Thirloe, and some others ; it looks sadly.

Assured that the Protector had consented to the army to dissolve April. 27.
both houses of Parliam1.

Heard a sad account of things at London, Protector deserted, April. 30.
army divided ; this selfe seeking, deceitful crew are likely to
receive the recompence of their deceits wherin they have disported
themselves.

The decimated 2 men confined to yr houses & 5 mile for 31 days. May. 5.
Lord, it's mercy I am not an ingaged man in thes hurries.

Matters very quiet in England, Cromwells family under much May. 8.
odium for tiranny &c.

God good to us in or outward mercies ; men gaze on this change, May. 22.
sectaries rejoyce, others gaze, even all are secure ; our society
roundly togither at the Lords table, the Lord accept of us, and doe
us good. The Lord is calling up my son Tom to London, Lord
goe thou with him.

I and my sonne being Wednesday in Whitsonweeke sett forwards May. 25.
for London, wee had sweet shoures before & so coole but dry ; Tom.
riding all the way wee came safe to London 26; on Thursday that aPPrentlce
afternoone Tom at Mr Jo. Cresseners putt on his blue apron. I
did all Mrs Harlakendens busines. My son is to serve 8 yeares ;
his time will expire May 1, 1667 ; in a good time I hope ye
Lord sparing his life, Lord make him like Joseph a blessing to
his Mr.

Mr R. H. made a bequest of the great tithes to mee & the minist- June. 4.
ers of Colne. 1 rejoyce when I draw on any publiq good.

1 Third Protectorate Parliament dissolved by Richard Cromwell, April 22,
when he threw in his lot with the army.

2 An income-tax of 10 per cent, known as the Decimation had been levied from
the Royalists.

J

130 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

June. 11. This day Tom returned from London ; it was a sad amazing

providence to mee but more to my deare wife, God sanctifie all.
June. 12. The small pox came out on Tom, Lord bee mercifull to him, and

spare him for his name sake.
June. 15. Toms pox came out after a treacle possett ; at night they began

to run.

June. 16. Heard so much of Toms foolishnes at London, y1 cutt my heart.
June. 26. God good to mee in the preservacon of my family. Tom came

down into ye hall this day.
June. 28. Made an end of haying from Sprigs Marsh, whence I had about

20 tons hay this yeare.
July. 9. Bought and brought home 3 cowes one pigge and one wennel

from Scots, they cost mee 13/. 13s. 4d. ; God blesse them unto mee.
July. 10. God good to mee in many outward mercies. Tom hearing at the

church window.
July. 17. In some perplexitie about my son, his Mr not being willing to

take him.
July. 21. I began to raise my little house in the orchard, I intend it (if God

please) for a retiring, meditating place to contemplate and view my

God with delight in his word and works and doings in the world ;

other uses will fall in.
July. 30. Alarmed with the Cavaliers intention to make a rising ; the

Councill of State gave it ; God in mercy secure our peace ; this was

some disturbance to mee on the Lords day.
Aug. 10. Our county gentlemen are putting the county into a posture of

defence.
Aug. 16. Spent this day in prayer at Mr Littells on behalf of the nation,

that God would restore our peace, prevent the effusion of bloud ;

I spake from 1 Sam. 30. 6 ; at night wee were alarmd ; the enemy

up in Norfolke, and the prince landed or upon landing.
Aug. 20. The season wett ; our parts quiett ; the country rilled with very

strange amazing reports which were invented to disturbe people, &

putt on others to action.
Aug. 21. A quaker wench came boisterously into ye church up almost to

the deske, I perceived persons expected some disturbance, but shee

staid ye end & then went out quietly, blessed bee God.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 131

It was a sad time in Cheshire, and indeed the kingdom full of Aug. 23.
distractions.

The land again quiet ; the souldiers ordered to their old quarters Aug. 28.
in our parts.

This day a publiq fast, Aug. 31.

Heard by Mr R. H. that ye army had on Wednesday, 12, inter- Oct. 14.
rupted the Parliament. Or sins threaten our ruine, but in all shak-
ings God is ye same, & he will doe for his name sake ; it was done
Thursday 13, and Lambert the cheife agent in it ; some treaty for
accomodation was, but it ended in a dissolucon die. 15°.

Bat. Hatch begun his yeare Octob: 14: and is to continue until Oct. 16.
octob: 13, at night, 1660. he is to have lOd. per diem every
working day, ! and 2 meales meate in the weeke.

Rid in ye wett to Hinningham ; ye country discontent, but very Oct. 25.
still, and secure, yett serious men profess to expect sad & strang
actings ; but ye feare is overly. *

By letter I find a place provided for my son at London ; God Nov. 5.
command his blessing therein for him.

This day my deare son Thomas rid towards London, to bee an Nov. 8.
apprentice ; the God of heaven bee with him.

ffrost continued but no violence, a very sweet season, a quiet Nov. 20.
time in the nacon, yet mens minds exceedingly discontent ; the
souldiers at present give law unto us, God give a law to us all ; my
son Tom arrived safe at London.

Rid towards London, about busines of great import for Mrs Har- Dec. 12. 15.
lakenden wherin God prospered mee ; I bound also Tom to Mr being
Tooky ; his time expireth if God lengthen his life, and he doe well, Thursday-
June 24, 1667, the day the new Parliam1 was proclaimed ; the city
very full of tumults.

Heard the officers who entred into so high an agreem1. Dec: 22, Dec. 26.
on the next day, being 23, came & gave up their commissions to the
speaker ; I hope it is for good ; and that ye care of ye army was by
him left at present unto Okey and Allured, and London very quiett.

1 In 1651 the wages of labourers had been fixed by justices of the peace at
is. 2d. a day.
3 Exaggerated.

132 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Jan. 6. Contry ful of reports, y1 ye secluded members arm to enforce yr
admission ; ye city for a full & free Parliam1 ; Lambert marching in
hast to London ; Lord wee are thine save us.

Jan. 8. Things in the nacon quiet, the souldiers submitting to the Parliam1.

Jan. 15. The season very vehement cold ; this hard weather hath con-
tinued from Novemb: 11 till now. General Monck is coming up to
London, wee shall see to what intent.

Jan. 25. When 1 looke back into yc world I rind nothing but confusions,
hopes of a peace between Spain & France, but sad warres in the
North, the Swedes bustling as a rod tearing the flesh of the nacons,
but not advantaging themselves ; or poore England unsetled, and
her physitians hitherto leading her into deepe waters. Cromwells
family cast down with scorne to the ground, none of them in com-
mand of imployment ; the nacon looking more to Charles Stuart,
out of love to themselves not him, the end of thes things God only
knoweth ; wee have had confusions in England, the issue God only
knoweth.

Jan : 26 : 59, my 43 yeare complete, & 44. entring.

Jan. 26. This day I reckon my birth day, I preacht at Wakes church,

snowy, the way bad, twice I slumpt in & was wett.
Feb. 3. Tibbalds and I had discourse about ye farme for 6 or 9 yeares.

Tibbalds He is to have Crows, Sawyers, Bridgmans, 2 sonnels, Hobstevens

agrem1. & yC meadow : only I am to have ye pightell l by Mr Littels, & 2
acres in Hobstevens, and passage ; the rent 60/. per annum, about
3/. lords rent, pay tithes, ditch 30 rod every yeare, allow 2 load
logs, 1 of small wood.

Feb. 12. A sad and troublesome time at London, the Parliam1. much dis-
pleased with the city and shewing it.

Feb. 14. Heard that Monke had declared for & with the city for a free
parliam1.

Feb. 24. Heard Yorkshire were up and headed by L(1 Fairfax, declaring
for a free parliam1, and until then pay no taxes, expecting the like
through ye nacon ; secluded members admitted into the house.
1 Small meadow.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 133

Worcester jorney.

Mrs Harlakenden & I, with her kinswoman & manservant, sett March. 15.
out in her fathers coach for Wittam wither wee came safe, yett or
wayes excessive dirty ; our coach from London came into or inn
before ye returne of the other ; two mercies God afforded us, safety
and protection on the road, conveniences and quiett at or inn,
whither wee came al wayes in good time ; no raine to trouble us but
one day which I desire to acknowledge as Gods great goodnes. 1 6,
wee dined at Burntwood ; that day afforded a providence not to
bee forgotten of mee but especially of Mrs H : wee came early to
London, and then to businesse, all which I dispatcht at London
not only to our content, but to or delight, but the weather was so
stormy, that it was thought or jorny was not to bee performed. 18,
I preacht twice, dined with the Ld Major ; Lord give a blessing to
the word. 20th, a day that lighted my heart in its providence,
though I apprehended hazard to mee by cold, and I was in great
danger at Stow to have been spoiled by the coach, yett God pre-
served mee, and none of us tooke any considerable cold in the
jorny ; or law triall putt of ; 21st, wee sett out for or jorny ; or
coachman encouragd by the stage coach for Worcester, wee arrived
at or jorneys end March 24th and found all well. 25, I preacht 1660.
twice, ye minist. desirous to leave all his worke on mee, and I very
readie ; God moved and startled people, they said those sermons
would not bee forgotten ; God grant they bee practised ; 26, 27, wee
had but one tenant with us ; riding out into the meadow by Severn
Mrs H. resolved to returne on Friday seing there was no^ busines.
I prayed her patience & submission to Gods will ; at night one came
to us with whom wee could never agree, yett afterwards divers did
to or very great satisfaction. 29, I preacht the Lecture, I hope
with some successe as also April 1 , twice ; on Monday wee kept the
Court, very quietly, and 3, dispatcht or busines and returnd to London
April. 7th, and so home to Colne April 10th, praise to the name of
my gratious God, where I found all well and safe, for which my
soule blesseth him.

When I come to view my outward estate I find my lands as for- April. 14.

134 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

merly. I have paid of divers great debts, putt out my son Tom
prentice which cost mee in mony & clothes about an 100/, ; I have
done very much in repaire and cost on my farmes, and begun to
stocke one ; I am now in debt as in my blew booke ISO/. 4s. 6d. I
guesse not 20s. more that I know of in the world, and there is
owing unto mee, 314/. 15s. Od. ; my stocke is worth about 25/. in
cowes, hogs, corne on the ground ; so God enlargeth my tedder l
daily, yearly. Lord enlarge my heart for thee and thy service,
and continue to blesse mee and mine indeed, and my soule shall
praise thee.

April. 17. Or choise of Kts at Chelmsford, where I saw an evidence of Gods
providence in ruling the world in the disorders and confusions of
publique meetings ; the Godly partie lost their choice, but God will
not loose his right.

April. 23. Heard Lambert made head in opposicon to the present power,
and really appeard in Northamptonshire. 24, heard at dinner that
he was taken and it proved true, quicke and short worke.
April. 25. Parliam1 began ; if wee judge of the temper of the houses (the
Lords house satt) by the ministers they choose to preach unto
them, it presents hopes, being Calamy, Gaudon, Baxter.

May. 6. The spring very excellent ; the nacon runneth into the King
as Israel to bring backe David ; Lord make him ye like blessing to
our England, and let Gods counsell bee in the worke.

jorney. Set forwards for London whither I came safe and thence to

May. 1 1. Greenwich. 12, at night to my deare Harlakenden. 13, I preacht
at Greenwich & prayed by name for K. Charles. 14, I was at
Eltham in Kent. 15, God gave us a verdict in trial ags1 or
adversary at Guildhall barre. 16, I was with deare Harl. again
and returnd from her. 17, God counsell and keepe her safe and
make her a prosperous person. 18, returned to my dearest wife
and found her and all well.

June. 3. Ye King returned in safety, and with hopes of being a blessing
to the nacon.

June. 6. Rid to lay claime to the Kings pardon before ye Maior of
Colchester.
1 Tether.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 135

A great calme in ye contry. The Kings proclamacon agst June. 10.
debaucht courses a cutt to the gentry of England ; oh Lord make
him a nursing ffather to thy people.

A time wherin great armies are on foot, and yett an actuall June. 13.
cessacon of righting in all Europe, except some thing between ye
Moscovite & Pole, the Turke and the Transilvanian ; after this
calme, perhaps some very sudden storme.

This day about a quarter before 3, my wife was delivered of her June. 20.
ninth child, and 51 daughter Elizabeth ; God enter into covenant
with it, and make it his own.

A day of praise for the Kings returne, I preacht on 2 Chron. June. 28.
17. 6, putting on people to pray that mercies may lift up or hearts
in the ways of God ; my spirit in a very wretched temper.

Ministers pittifully put out of their livings while others advanced. July. 22.
Or schoolemr Dr Pullein sd to bee made Bp of London- Derry.
Ld helpe mee to serve and trust in thee for thou art my hope ;
heard of threatnings against mee, but ye Lord is a sheild to mee
who never sought the wrong of others.

Heard divers of my freinds and neighbors in trouble, Lord July. 24.
helpe them out by spirit, freinds, providences, and doe them
good.

Or Dr Pullein sd to bee Arch BP of Tuam, a place in Conaught. July. 29.

The Arch Bp of Tuam with us; people wonderfully neglect ye Aug. 12.
Sabbath, and yett God holds his hand.

Rumourd as if some stirs in Ireland agst Bps and service-booke. Aug. 17.
Ye King moulds the English army to his absolute commands, but
Gods hand is over & above all.

Heard of the death of my wives Uncle Shepheard, wr by a close Aug. 20.
fell to my wife worth about 50/.

Dr Pullein now an Arch Bp being to remove from us, occasioned Aug. 26.
great feastings, which are vain tainting things to or minds ; God in
some measure abased my heart.

Monke, Duke of Albemarle made Lieunt of Ireland.

Preacht at Colchester for Mr Stockdale ; God good to mee going, Aug. 29.
and returning ; dined with Mr Mayor ; sd the act of indemnity past.
Talke as if the honest partie were in hazard of a massacre ; I feare

136 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

some jealous hearts are foolishly at worke ; I cannot thinke such a
wickednes.

This day the King passed the act of pardon ; I was glad I was
so well imployed on a day when so memorable an act was past.
Sept. 15. Heard of the death of the Duke of Gloucester second brother to
ye King, who died of ye smal pox, Sept. 13, and lately before,
Esme Stuart the Duke of Lennox, and this day, sister Bridge.
Sept. 27. In the morning the bullock gave bloud, her bag swelled and so

hedge continued bloud on that bigge till Oct. 17; wee found ye hedge hog

h°gge in ye feild oct. 4 & kild it.

Oct. 5. This day Grace Newton begun her yeare, shee is to have 50s.,
God make her a good servant.

Oct. 11. This day I paid I/. 12s. 6d. for my pole tax. I paid it once
formerly in 41, as I remember, this rate unusuall twice in an age ;
its ground is to disband the army, God in mercy send us peace.

Oct. 17. Heard yi Harrison, and Carew, two of ye Kings Judges were
executed but to that day 8 in all were executed, Jo : Cooke, Hugh
Peters, Tho. Scot, Gregory Clement, Jo. Jones, Adrian Scroope.

Oct. 27. Said the busines of Hides daughter and the Duke of York was
looked on by the King as one of his greatest afflictions ; its said a
contract, and marriage is pretended ; Hides ruine is apprehended.
The Queen was sent for to France ; said to be come ; God preserve
the King ; all ended faire among them.

Dec. 2. God good to us in many mercies ; Gospell liberties and free-
dom yet continued ; feares on many, said lists are taken of the
fanatique, and all honest men that are not as formal as others are so
accounted.

Dec. 24. This day I preacht a sermon of Christ from Jo : 3. 16 ; divers not
there and some in there antique postures.

Jan. 13. Some stirs at London ; Lord doe not give us up to error, it
makes men mad ; how furious were the fift monarchy men at
London a few dayes past, running greedily into ruine ; Lord lett
not particular mens folly bring a generall trouble on them that
desire to feare thy name and bee quiet.

Jan. 20. A restraint put on publiq, private meetings ; all forbidden but in
some church or parochiall chappell.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 137

Jan : 26 : 1660, my 45 yeare entreth.

Lord bee with mee according to thy wonted mercy and goodnes.

A Fast to lament the Kings death. Jan. 30.

Said on this match profferd by Portugall ye the King is married Feb. 24.
to the Princesse de Ligne ; oh Lord what is doing in the world.

This day I heard and then saw the youth openly playing at catt March. 10.
on the green ; I went up, rowted them ; yr fathers sleeping in the
chimny corner ; Lord heale through grace these disorders.

Children very profane ; their parents sitt at home, and they play March. 17.
in the streets openly at catt and other sports.

Rid to choose Kts of the shire ; wee lost it, and my heart quiet ; 1661.
the Lord liveth and reigneth, and, if he putt his own servants and March. 27.
things on suffering, his will bee done. Went on to London ;
returned safe, 30.

When I come to view my expences I rind March. 31.

I have laid out 233/. 9s. 6d. ob.

I have received in all receipts whatsoever
only ... . . 146. 16. 0.

But my stocke wch I valued last yeare at
25/. is worth now about 35/. so though I
have laid out, 87. 6. 5. ob. more then received,
yett on the whole matter I am not abated in
my stocke above 50/. and in lieu of that I am
sure I have laid out above 80/. on the house
on the green.

My roll of debts as in the blew booke are
about. . . -. . .... . . , . . 80/.

Owing unto me 167. 10. 0.

I have in cash towards my building about SOL and my uncle
Shepheard being dead, I have a meadow befalls my wife worth
about SO/, more which when it cometh into my hand I shall value.

This day I sent out a trained armes ; its Gods mercy to estate April. 11.

138 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

me for such a service, though its hard to presse a minister to the
uttermost.

April. 21. Sad discourse in ye nacon, ye Lord prevent or troublesom feares.
April. 22. 23. Dry, to serve the pompous shew, and coronacon at London.
May. 3. Rid into London and saw the triumphal arches, stately vanity ;
no rich cost ; in ye front of one, besides Heathnisme, yr is ys
troubled mee.

A statue of K. James In ye midle above Of K. Charles

promin1 a death
statue of Charles

Divo Jacobo. Imperium sine fine dedi. Divo Carolo.

divers sad perticulars on ye face of ye arch. The high motto being
Eu quo discordia cives, &c. On ye side of Charles, yr was an
effigie of stakes and fagotts to burne people, of ye heads of y6
regicides on poles, and warrelike instrumts broken.

Reported ye Portugal princesse will become protestant & goe to
Chappell with the King : a Spaniard protestant.

May. 7. Rid to London on wch day the citie force mustred in Hide parke
where a remonstrance was gott of the souldiers for restoring Bps.
8, the King in great state rode to parliam1 ; between ye coronacon
and this day, viz May. 5, the Duke of Yorkes onely son died and
was privately buried. 6, some were hurt in ye view by a scaffold
breaking and one kild, if not more : in the throng at ye Commons
doore to goe out to ye King in ye upper house, Alderman ffouk was
sd to loose 50 links of his gold chain. I apprehend this Parliam1.
The convocation mett in Pauls, I saw 12 bishops there &c.

May. 19. The King and Chancellr. moderate in yr speeches, speaking much
of good nature ; ye Lord divert a storm ; it was feard the Act of
Indemnity would bee unraveld.

May. 29. A thanksgiving day for K Charles return to the crown. I preacht,
very few hearers.

June. 23. Scl Bps and their courts are coming in again, Lord helpe us to
walke humbly & wisely.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 139

The quakers after a stop and silence, seeme to bee swarming June. 30.
and increased, and why Lord yu onely knowest.

My soule mourneth to see how quakers and profanesse increas- July. 7.
eth ; Gods holy day is most mens vain day.

Said a stop put to the eagernes of Episcopall men ; men are July. 21.
slippery in yr ways.

Ye price of corne riseth much, much sicknes in many places ; Sept. 8.
the quakers busy about us.

Or Sabbaths yett quiet, and or liberties continued. Nov. 10.

A deare time for corne, rye 7s. and wheat 8s. 6d. per bushel, but Nov. 1 7.
few consider the famine of the word ; and yett men loath the
ordinances of God.

Persons wonderfull profane & neglective of Gods wp. Dec. IS.

This day baptized a child in publiq, not done in 12 months Jan. 12.
before.

Heard as if Spain, France, & Holland were combining agst Jan. 18.
England ; God can make use of adversaries to doe his good.

Jan : 26 : 1661, my 46 yeare entreth.

This day entred my 46. yeare ; God hath been good to mee in Jan. 26.
the dayes past and will in those are to come, and my saved soule
shall praise him.

A publiq fast for the Kings death ; not above 70 persons or Jan. 30.
yrabouts hearing, surely not an 100.

In the night it raind, the wind rose and was 18, violent beyond Feb. 17.
measure, ovrturning a windmill at Colchester, wherin a youth kild,
divers barnes, stables, outhouses, trees, rending divers dwellings ;
few escapd, my losse much, but not like some others ; God sancti-
rie all to us ; throwing clown stackes of chimneys, part of houses ;
the Lady Saltonstall kild in her bed, her house falling. Whitehall
twice on fire that day, some orchards almost ruind. 27, Trees
blown down within priory wall. Timber trees rent up in high
standing woods ; the winde was generall in England & Holland
sea coast, but not in Scotland.

This day, Corbet, Okey, and Barkstead formerly L*. of the Tower, March. 16.

140 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

who were taken in Holland by Sr George Downing formerly scout-
master of Cromwells army, were committed to the tower ; what
changes God maketh in the world.

1662. When I come to view my outward estate, I find my layings out

March. 30. are 1927. 19s. lid. my whole receipts 1177. 15. 9 ; my debts were

Estate. 80^ now at least 86j 5s . mv dekts owing mee were more by 277.

then now; my charge is 1997. 4s. lid. wch exceeds my receipts
817. 10s. but through mercy my stocke is better then last yeare by
some pounds & my building hath cost mee at least an 1007. so yfc
my estate is not impaired, blessed bee my good God.

April. 27. On 19. ffeb. wn Corbett Barkstead & Okey were executed at
Tirburne, Okey said y* prophanes was at such an height, that if
true, as said, England could not stand 3 yeares ; the Court lookt on
this with a jear. The Lords day is most sadly prophaned in all
places, Lord looke on & helpe.

May. 19k On Monday the Act of Uniformity was past. The King hasten-
ed away to his Queen who landed before at Portsmouth, with little
joy to the nacon ; ye nacon pressed cannot smile ; God amend all
& keep us upright.

May. 29. A day of thanks for the Kings restoration in 60.

'June. 1. I had the Act of Uniformity sent mee.

July. 13. Reports as if the King would respitt the penalties on the Act of
Uniformity as to himselfe for a time, God in mercy command it.

July. 15. This night with us being called Sfc Swithinsday, at night it raind;
the old saying is it raines 40 days after ; this 20th its wett and
hath bin since.

Aug. 16. The apparitor at Towne with service books ; he asked 8s.
for them, so or Churchwarden bought none, and I saw him not ;
its a sad case that men are likely to bee put in by this Act of
Uniformity.

Aug. 17. The last Sabbath of or liberty by the Act. God good to mee
therein.

Aug. 19. Preacht last lecture at Castle- Hedingham.

Aug. 24. Some hopes given as if there would bee indulgence given to
ministers for the present until the return of the parliam1.

The London Ministers nigh 80, generally declined preaching ;

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 141

the Bp. tooke care to supply every place, & the like in the country;
some of them petitioned this weeke for liberty as reported.

All hopes of suspension of the Act of Uniformity taken away ; Aug. 31.
God good to mee in my freedome to preach, three ministers &
multitudes of our Christian neighbo1'8 hearing.

A quiet Sabbath, great droves of people flocke to heare. Sept. 7.

Corn fallen much, a good wheat for 5s. 6d. mislain 4s. Sd. ; God Sept. 1 1 .
make us thankfull.

God good to us in many mercies, the continued liberty of his Sept. 28.
words & wp, no interrupcon or disturbance.

Cited this day to the Archdeacons visitation ; or professors had Oct. 10.
rather I should lay down than conforme as J. Day told mee, but I
had it onely from him ; the Lord direct mee. I appeared not.

God good to mee in manifold mercies ; ye booke of common Oct. 12.
prayer laid in ye deske for mee. 19, laid again & used in part in the
morning, but in the afternoon taken away. 26, brought again, but
pitcht & abused.

A cheerly time, and a quiet Sabbath. Mr Crosman, preaching, Nov. 2.
actually sent to prison & some others in danger yrof, yett through
mercy I am quiett. Searching in London for meeters in private
with feare yi they will send such out of the nacon.

New Ministers this- day at Colne Engain, Mr Symonds & at Nov. 9.
Cogshall Mr Jessop ; both of good report ; and now I am left alone
of the nonconformists, what God will doe with mee I know not. I
trust he will bee a hiding place, and help mee that I may worke,
and not wound my spirit.

A snowy bitter rainy windy morning in wch I went to the Court Nov. 12.
at Colchester, cited for procuracons.1 Mine are as large as livings
of 120/. per yeare. I paid & returned well, blessed bee God ; none
of the nonconformists being cited appeared but onely my selfe ; I
reckon that day a good day to mee.

God good to mee & mine in manifold mercies, liberty of his Nov. 23.

1 Certain sums of money which the parish priest paid yearly to the Bishop or
Archdeacon. Formerly the visitor demanded a portion of meat and drink for
his refreshment; these were turned into payments of an annual sum " ad procur-
andum cibum et potum. "

142 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sabbath ; I baptized with the Common Prayer publiquly Wm ffos-
sets child, the whole congregation in a manner staying ; God make
us quiet and peaceable.

Dec. 18. Colchester corporation sent to mee to preach there Dec. 25. I
declined it ; they discourse to choose mee yr weekly Lecturer pro
tempore ; Lord I am willing to doe thee any service, though allways
afraid of that toune as not fitt to deale with yr wrangling spirits.

Jan. 11. Mr Calamy * committed to Newgate for preaching at the place
where he had been minister.

Jan : 26. 1662, my 47 yeare entreth, 46 ended.

Wn I looke backe I find I may set up my Ebenezer; hitherto God
hath holpen mee, and wn I looke forward, this promise is mine,
u I will never faile thee nor forsake thee." I am now setled in a
habitacon of my own on Coin green wch God hath given mee.
Feb. 1. 8. Gods wp is most sadly neglected, and now I feare the use of
Common Prayer will cause a rent & separacon of divers asserters
of ordinances. God setle & stablish mee.

Hard This winter was the hardest I ever remembred : very wett

winter. And cold in Octob. Novemb., on the 24 day wrof it began to

frize & so continued frost & snow very hard, until Feb. 18th. it
began to thaw much, but ye frost scarce full out of the earth.
And this 23 Feb. a litle frost again : 27 to ys day frost; so 28 ;
March. 1, snow lying in my guttar; hence goodly weather.

March. 1. Sd some in or town were digging this sabbath morning, Lord
whither will this profanes tend ? to flat atheism. Lord arise help
for thy mercy sake.

March. 22. The parliam1 viz commons zealous agst papists.

1 He was one of the ejected ministers. He continued to attend his parish
church and on one occasion, in the absence of the appointed minister was pre-
vailed upon to preach. He was committed to Newgate under the Lord Mayor's
warrant on Jan. 6. 1663 being the first of the Nonconformists who got into
trouble for disobeying the act of Uniformity. He was set free by the King's
express orders.

(Diet. : of Nat : Biography.)

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 143

Said the newes sad in Ireland, the rebells regaining yr estates from March. 29.
the English.

When I review my estate, I find my receipts rather more Estate,
than my layings out & yett my building and stocke have cost
mee about 701. I have sold my wives land at 571. 10s. and pd
debts with the mony ; the Lords name bee praised, that
provides bountifully for mee, oh y1 my soule, and mine might
prosper in thy sight.

Commended Mr Elliston to God who died the 16, a wett day. April. 17.

The lord good to mee in the Sabbath freedom of his wp. May. 10.

God good to us in our outward mercies, the liberty of Gods wp May. 17.
is yet afforded mee, and mine in perticular, altough Mr Layfeild
tells me (who was judge at this visitacon) that I am suspended ;
Gods will bee done.

This day or church wardens brought in ye booke of common May. .30.
prayer, wch I used.

Heard of ArchBp. Juxons death, a quiet man, an advantage to June. 7.
that hot partie, as they thinke ; but who knoweth how God may
shackle them ?

News as if ye Portugal neare Lisbon had utterly routed the June. 28.
Spanish army wch was confirmed to bee done neare Evora on May
29, in wch all the English did like themselves valiantly.

The wett yet continues, & so almost continually from April 18th July. 12.
past, now a great floud ; meadows drownd again & again, very litle
hay had in.

God good in ye word, a very thin audience, as if daring Magistracy Aug. 23.
yl begins to punish absentees from publique wp.

At home newes of a trienniall parliam1. Oct. 9.

Sd strang libels cast about in London agst the King, who is for- Oct. 16.
ced to give up house, his table served by a cooke, his Cavaliers
very sadly deboist and unruly ; a good natured prince but sadly
yoked with followers.

Heard of the Q. death. Oct. 23.

Said die. 23. the Q. died. Oct. 25.

Newes of the Q. reviving, a mercy I hope to ye nacon ; now Nov. 1.

144 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

discourse of the phanatique plott ; Lord hide us from ye snares
of men.

Nov. 12. Talks of a Northern plot, yea general ; of the phanatiques, divers
imprisond, & some nonconformist ministers clapt up.

Nov. 15. Many secured as plotters.

Nov. 26. On Thursday morning about seven of the clocke or before, my
deare wife after many sad pains, and sadder feares, in respect of
the unkindlines of her labor, was yett through Gods mercy,
delivered of her 10th child, sixt daughter, and or now seventh
child and 5fc daughter living, for wch mercy my soule blesseth
him.

Nov. 29. Or English merchants would fain breake with the Dutch ; the

whole earth is quiet.

Jan. 3. The quakers meetings are in great places disturbed, driven
from thence, and other meetings of the nonconformists much
omitted.

Jan. 24. Wn I looke abroad thus, in England publiq quiet, and yet
nothing but discontents ; the state brooks no publiq religious
meetings, but legall. Denmarke, Swede, Holland in peace, the
Turkish pirats harsh to or traders in the midland seas ; the great
princes young, Turke about 21 or 22, France, 25, Emp. 23, Swede
a boy, Savoy very young ; the Emperor l at Ratisbone engaging
the Empire to assist agst the Turke, the popish party joyn.
France would have ye auxiliaries commanded by a freind of his &
then he would assist.

The great difference between the pope & ffrance, wch accused
the world y* ye French designes run high, likely to bee agreed by
condescension on ye popes part.

The Polish king carrieth warre to the Moscovites doore with
hope of peace, but yi not likely ; great ende#vors to declare Duke
d'Enguyen, successor in Poland. The Turkes make great pre-
paracons agst Christendom. Apasi 2 gets many places from ye
Emperor submitting to him ; all Germany & Italy in an amaze, the
northern kingdomes quiet ; Spain warring to reduce Portugall.

1 Leopold I.

2 Ruler of Transylvania.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 145

Jan : 26 : 1663, my 48 entred.

Sensible of this day, ending my former yeare with remembrance
of Gods goodnes to mee & mine, hitherto God hath holpen mee,
and seeking God my heart filled with hopes, he will never faile
nor forsake mee.

A freind robd his freind at London and hangd for it, called Col. Jan. 30.
Turner ; Lord deliver us from unreasonable men.

1664.

When I come to review the wayes of God toward mee in the
yeare past, I find it mercy & truth, he still smiles on us ; he hath
added a litle Rebekah to or number & the rest grow up ; my
publiq libertie strangely continued unto mee & people ; I have
purchased this yeare a close cost 28/. for my son Thomas ; my
receipts more than expences by 8/.; receivd 168/. 18s. 4d., laid out
160/. 13s. 2d.-, my stocke as good as last spring, my debts were
then due to mee 201. more than now, so that I have saved clearly
about 8/. and my building wch was at least 40/. : now I have about
15/. in mony & my tenants owe mee 70/., blessed bee God.

God good in or peace, reports of smart penal laws, Lord bee May. 1.
or helpe.

Parl. adjourned until Nov. 20, passing a sharpe act agst cori- May. 16.
venticles.

This day, as a caution to forelooke or ways, and to doe things May. 29.
advisedly, I fell into a great error, bidding to morrow for restaura-
tion day of ye king wch was this day.

The war with Holland proceeds. Ye king abused by infamous June. 5.
pictures, for which lewd courses give occasion.

Discourses aloud of or breache with the Dutch. Called on June. 9.
again to Court for not administring the sacrament.

This day, a day of holy rest, is nowr the sport and pleasure day June. 12.
of the generall rout of people.

The King narroely escaped drowning, July, 5. July. 10.

Small pox much in ye country ; such aboundance of cherries, July. 17.
brought by carts ; one in Colne, July 15, sold 3 pound for 2d.

146 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

uttering a load in or street, a sickly fruite, and great sicknes feared,
but where is the preparation for it ?
Aug. 7. Likely that wee quarrel with ye Dutch.
Sept. 1 1 . God good in the word, I had some apprehension it might bee

my last sermon.

Sept. 14. Was the Bp of Londons primary visitacon 1664 where I having
committed my selfe to God appeared, and through mercy mett
with no rubbs, but my path clear so that I hope I may serve my
Mr with freedom awhile longer, till I see those wondrfull revolu-
cons. Mr Smith a nonsubscriber was threatned by the Bp to bee
made an example : blesse my God, oh soule.

Oct. 2. Sfl wee have great successe agst ye Hollanders in Guinea. l
Oct. 9. This weeke, talk or fleet gone against the Dutch under Rupert,

& peace with Turks.
Oct. 30. This day I gave the sacram1 of the Lords supper : 12 present,

some with great devotion & brokennes of heart.
Jan. 8. News stronger of a Dutch warre.

Jan : 26 : 1664, my 48 y. ended and 49 entred.

Sensible yi this day begun a new yeare with mee, with" thank-
fulnes to God for his continued goodnes to mee & mine, with
hopes that ye Lord will never faile mee nor forsake mee.
Feb. 12. The season warme, the times yett wondrfull hard, no trade by

reason of the Dutch troubles.

1665. 26 March, 1665, Easter day. 12 of us rd ye sacrament of ye
Lords supper publiquly for which I blesse God; I believe its 22 or
23 yeares since rfl on y1 day & occasion.
April. 5. A fast kept for good successe in or naval forces, God in mercy

grant it.

Estate. When I come to view my estate expenses are 141 /. 4s. 9d.
receipts 139/. 4s. 8d. losse 2/. Id. and some debts lesse than last
yeare. I cannot say I either loose or gain directly, yett my thoughts

1 "A little squadron belonging to the African Company, to which also the
King added a couple of vessels, led by Robert Holmes, seized Cape Corso."
Ranke. History of England, iii, 422.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 147

are my outwd estate will this yeare appeare to better. God prosper
my soule.

I began to expound things out of the church catechism for the May. 7.
informacon of youth.

At the visitacon, with respect ; heard of successe agst Smyrna May. 8.
fleet ; the countenances of many ministers sad to eye, Lord heale
or manners.

God good in manifold mercies, the plague certainly in London. May. 14.
9 dyed last weeke, the drought doth not only continue, but ye heat
groweth very much. Lord helpe us to gett into ye gap to turn
away thy wrath.

My personal illnes abateth blessed bee God ; the plague gott May. 28.
into or land at Yarmouth, and London, 14 dying this weeke. God
good to mee in the word preacht, at which or concourse was this
day great ; its good fishing where many are ; catch some, oh Lord,
I pray thee.

The guns mention a great fight yesterday. June. 4.

The plague increaseth to 43 this weeke, the Lord good in or June. 1 1 .
wonderfull successe agst the Dutch, l good in his word, the season
dry, profanes common, piety very rare.

Plague increased to 112. June. 18.

Plague increasd to 168 ; ye season somewhat shouring. 2063 June. 25.
prisoners Dutch at Colchester ; all my 7 children hearing ye word,
in whom bee the divine blessing.

Plague increased to 267, bill 684 ; my son had leave to continue July. 2.
in ye country. God in mercy preserve us, & heale the city ;
medicamts used, but no publiq call to repentance ; the king goeth
to Wilton by Salisbury, the old Queen gone for ffrance : Lawson
or brave seaman dead of his wound ; 2 ye season very moist, Lord
send not all in anger.

This day a day of praise for or victory over the Dutch June 3. July. 4.

God good in or preservacon, the plague feares the Londoners ; July. 9.
they flie before it & the country feares all trade with London :

1 Off Lowestoft.

2 A Yorkshireman who had fought his way from the forecastle of a Hull ship
to be an admiral of the fleet.

148 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

died 1006, of ye plague 470 : the Lord stay his heavy hand : the

season tide l for hay time.
July. 16. London sad days increase. 1268 buried. 725 plague. Lord

hold thy hand.
July. 23. My farm turnd into my hands ; the plague hott, 1089, burials

1761 : Lord hold thy hand, proceed not in wrath.
July. 28. Plague grows hott ; persons fall down in London streets, 1843

of plague, total 2785 : Lord spare thy people.

Aug. 2. First publiqu monthly fast; wee gathered for distressed London.
Aug. 6. God good in the season, harvest comes in well, a great rain wch

ye earth needed to Aug : 1 . A small increase of the plague beyond

w1 feared, viz. 2010, burials 3014.
Aug. 13. To Aug : 9 a great increase of plague, 2817, total 4030. Giles

Cripplegate 690. Lord bee not angry with or prayers ; and now

Colchester is infected, and when will Coin lay it to heart ?
Aug. 1 6. Colchesters infection looketh sadly, by a joyner. Dedham clapt

him into a pest house presently ; God spare y1 place.
Aug. 20. Londons visitacon sad. 3880 plague, 5319 all diseases ; spread

almost over the whole city, and much in ye country ; Lord arise

& helpe. Colchester seeke into ye country for dwellings.
Aug. 27. God good in or preservacon, yet much endangered by Colchester.

A lad of or parish coming thence died in White Colne, feared of

ye infection ; another among us of his company ; Lord preserve

us : the weather sad, but yt day cooling : died at London plague

4227, all 5568 ; God in mercy stop infection : the increase was

small in comparison of what feared.
Sept. 3. God good in or preservacon. Halsted in danger. ye plague

rageth, 6102, total 7496, and twenty some days at Colchester.
Sept. 10. The season cooled and yet the bill Sept. 5 increased, 6978 plague,

8252 died ; they ordered continuall fires in London for 3 days and

nights at every doore ; Lord cease thy hand.
Sept. 16. God good in Colnes preservation, yet Colchester increaseth in

illnes being spread over ye whole town ; after freqt reports of a

most wonderfull increase this weeke it abated through mercy : from

1 Cf. Ticklish.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 149

Sept. 5 to 12, 562 ; yr dying in all 7690, of plague 6544, and towards
the full of the moon.

Thought yr died at Colchester this weeke 184, from Sept. 12 to Sept. 23.
19 : the moon at full on ye 14 ; though the weather cold, and winds
stirring yet their was an increase again and esp. within the wals
where yr died 1493, of the plague 1189 ; this bill was 8297, of the
plague 7165, and yet Coin preserved.

Deaths at Colnehill, and hazards at Coin, and yet preserved, God Oct. 1.
inheritt or praises ; the small pox with Coin at Potters : a great
abatem1 of ye plague at London, 5533, totall 6460 ; and so at Col-
chester, 59 abated, yr dying 1 26 or yr abouts.

Wee remembred poore Colchester in or collection neare 30s. & Oct. 4.
sent them formerly 4/.

To thy goodnes wee own it with praises yfc wee are preserved Oct. 8.
from ye smal pox in or town & plague in the country, wch is hott at
Ipswich, Harwich an 100 dying in 3 weeks: yr graves filly6 church-
yard alreadie, and have called for a new burying place ; at Col-
chester it spreads exceedingly ; this weeke buried 188 ; feares of
Cogshall, Halstead, ffeering. Certainly at Kelvedon up land, Brain- 5720
tree, and yett Colne, sinfull Colne, spared ; my soule records thy 4929
kindnes with meltings for thy mercy ; in ye midst of this sadnes
London begins to cleare up, an abatem1 of above 700 this weeke ;
also Spains King dieth ; that gives or merchants a wondrfull bays
market, so that God finds out ways for or subsistance.

Wednesday, 11, the plague lookt on certainly at Coin-ford hill, Oct. 15.
and yett Coin preserved ; it abates blessed bee God at Colchester
above 50, and 652 at London. At Colchester died 145 ; their
charge above 500/. per month, wherupon the country within 5 miles
round was charged towards there releife.

A wondrfull sweet season, dry, cold and frosts ; God gave a great Oct. 22.
abatem1 to the plague, 3219 in all, plague 2665, decrease 1849 Lon-
don ; praise God : or tax at ye parl. at Oxford encreasd to 140/. per
month for 18 months to begin Jan: next; likelyhoods of the ffrench
warre also ; we assist Bp of Munster with mony: without a trade it
will be very heavy to the nacon ; God good in Colnes preservacon,
although at Colnford hill 7 have died & 3 have plague sores as wee

150 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

apprehend ; at Colchester only 22 abated, died, 106 of yc plague,
121 all.

Oct. 27. Saw ye London bill : Gods name bee praised for ye great abatem1
of the plague, 1413 decrease, total 1806, of the plague 1421. Cam-
bridge, Royston and many other places much abated, scattered
much in the south.

Oct. 29. Over 101 died at Colchester : the plague at Oxford. The
visitacon Court suspended one, & I am free, blesse God, oh my
soule.

Nov. 5. Abated at London again 408 ; burials 1388, 1031 of the plague,
yet at Colchester it increased ; above 20 new houses infected ;
buried there about 147.

Nov. 12. Sd ye plague mortal to many masters of families ; at London it

increased 399 ; in all dying 1787, of the plague 1414 ; abated at

Harwich yet not cleare : at Colchester there died 110. Lord cleare

frost the nacon ; the Dutch snapt some of our Tangier fleet, provision

Nov. 18. ships 2, & 1 fregate, and the ffrench tooke 3 of our Levant merchant
men ; yr is a fleet going to the straits.

Nov. 19. The plague abated a litle at Colchester, viz. to 106 : at London
1050 plag. abated 428, more then ye last increase, the total 1358.

Nov. 26. Frostie weather with wind clearing the aire ; the plague abates
at London, 905 dying in all, of plague 652 : at Colchester also
much abated, blessed bee or preserver, 70 dying this weeke, wee
heare the like from all parts.

Dec. 3. Plague abates at Colchester to 48 : at London 544, plague 333,

544. 333. and wee still preserved blessed bee God.

Dec. 6. Publiqu fast, a very thin audience, yett God good to us in with-
drawing his pestilence & or preservation ; sent Colchester 7/. 10s.
collected at our severall fasts.

Dec. 9. Weather open & warm, the plague decreasing little at Colchester,
there dying 45, but, blessed bee God, abated at London 116, bill
being 428, and Colne still preserved, plague 210.

Dec. 17. Ye plague increasd, the bill burials 442, plague 243, increase 14 ;
so sd at Colchester, 67 of plague, all 71. The weather frosty, begun
Dec : 14. Halsted much strucke with the small pox and a fever
at Colne in divers poore families.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 151

Frost continues, Londons increase 83, plague 280, bur. 525 : sd Dec. 24.
increasd at Colchester (but not), 60.

Frost continues, likelyhood of ill times & trade, yet through Dec. 31.
mercy yr was a great abate of the plague at London, when reports
contrary ; plague 152, total 330. So at Colchester, total 24.

God good in manifold mercies ; though weather open and warme, Jan. 7.
plague increasing at Colchester to 29, yet at London it comes low ;
plague 70, tptal 253, blessed bee God. Ye Dutch & we are pre-
paring to out fleets to sea early, they under Ruyter & wee Monke.

Plague increasd at London to 158, burials 375, 110 increase. Jan. 21.

Thes perticulars I observed in ye generall bill, ending Dec-
emb : 19. 65.

97 Parishes buried 15,209, pi. 9887 \

14 Parishes b. 41,351 28,888 ^ I 97,306

12 P. ... 28 554 21 420 ^males

5 P ..... I2i94 Plague

Christnings 9,967 — increase in burials this yeare 79,009. l
The greatest plague in England since y* in Edward the thirds
time, and yett it continues, as very feirce in many places of England,
this Jan. 26. What God may doe, the weather being now cold frostie,
I know not, but hope well.

Jan : 26 : 65, my 50 entrecl.

I was not aware this begun the yeare, the Lord remember mee Jan. 28.
for good, when my eye is not distinctly on him ; an abatem1 of
plague at Colchester to 36, London 272, plague 79.

Commonly said ye French have proclaimed open warre agst Jan. 30.
England.

My son Thomas went up to London having been with us since Jan. 31.
beginning of June.

1 Annual average of deaths in London

1653-1665 including the Plague Year 19,946.

(Creighton, in Social England, vol. iv. p. 470).

152 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Feb. 4. This month plague abates, 56, total 227, a low bill : Colchester

holds ill still, increasing to 43.

Feb. 11. London reviveth, blessed bee God : plague abated 4 to 52 : ye

burials increased to 231 : hopes of an abatem1 at Colchester, died 28.

Feb. 18. A cleare weeke, yet plague increaseth, London 59, total 249,

Colchester 30. Wee had plenty of sprats this ffeb. 16. God good

to us in his word.

Feb. 25. A very dry season, cold not much, windy ; the plague yet in-
creaseth, 69 London, burials 252 : so said at Colchester 39. Queen
miscarried. My thoughts much about giving over preaching.
March. 4. Plague through mercy abates at London, 42 pi. total 237, but a
great increase at Colchester to 55. Yarmouth cleare. Lord heale
or land, and open or trade, in mercy.
March. 1 1 . Plague decreaseth at London 28, total increase 238 ; some say it

31 died, abates at Colchester.
March. 18. A cold, dry time at London, plague 29, burials 207, very low,

blessed bee God ; Colchester 43.

March. 25. Plague somewhat increaseth at London, dying 33, in all 233 ;
1666. more at Colchester 53, some places cleare.

1666.
April. 1. Wonderfull dry, plague abates at London, viz to 17, total 224,

but it sadly increaseth at Colchester to 70.

April. 8. Plague gentle but increaseth at London viz. 26, total 211 : feare
73. worse at Colchester, 73 ; its at Dedham & several villages, Lord in

mercy remove thy hand.

April. 15. Plague increasd at London to 28, total 195 : sore at Colchester,

dying 90 of plague, total 92 : administred ye sacram1, 16 present.

April. 22. Plague increasd at London to 40, total 215 : at Colchester very

72. ill yet abat. 72 ; it spreads in several places of the country, Lord

arise and helpe.

April. 26. Heard Bp of Munster had made a peace, and Sabbatai l ye Jewes
prophet killed.

1 1626-1676. Born in Smyrna. When 20 years old he proclaimed himself the
Messiah & obtained a great following among the Eastern Jews. He was
imprisoned by the Sultan, Mohammed IV. He then embraced Islam, but the
movement which he started lasted many years.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 153

Plague, blessed bee God, decreasing at London, viz to 24, bur. April. 29.
215 : feares of a great increase at Colchester, 94 died ; a large
audience.

God good in or preservacon, yet sadly called on for ye plague, May. 6.
one dying of spots at night ; it increasd at Colchester sadly to 177,
at London to 40, total 213 : many people resort to ye word, Lord
doe them good by it.

Plague increased at London to 53, total 234, sad at Colchester, May. 13.
dying 174.

London increased to 58, total 236 : its thinly peopled w^oev1" May. 20.
persons speake ; most by-places empty & thought ye deaths were
beyond or counts by far, Lord spare. Feares of Spains quarrelling
us. Sad still with poor Colchester, 161 dying. A trouble coming 161.
up street, where wee found another child stricken, & old Lea not
well.

London abates to 31, total 203. Colchester abates also to 110, May. 27.
and not so mortal at Bocking.

Did my last duty to Sr. Tho : Hony woods dust, laying him up June. 1.
in his earth and long home at Markshal who died at London.

London : pi : 20, tot. 201 : Colchester 101. Rumors of a great June. 3.
fight ; wee prayd heartily for successe, & hope it, though some
cry a losse. l

The publique fast. June. 6.

Plague increasd at London to 27, total 191 : increasd at Colchester June. 10.
at least 20. 12°-

God good in London, yet increasd, total 196, pi. 31 ; increasd at June. 17.
Colchester to 150. 15°-

The sicknes decreasd at Colchester 32, being 112 : at London June. 24.
to 23, total 179. 112-

God good to admiracon in or towns preservation, when so sad July. 1.
in all other places, Cambridge, Oundle, Needham, Braintree, but
above all at Colchester increasing to 180. London, 33, tot. 223.

The land at a low ebbe, or enemies brave it on or coast ; God in July. 4.
mercy, helpe & deliver.

1 vide Bright' s History of England, Vol. II. p. 370.

154 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

July. 8. God good in ye season. I was blamed to neglect a hay day on
yc fast ; in sad skies my hope was God would make it up and he
did. London plague, 35, tot. 222. Colch. 175 : the plague in
many places in yc country hott, the enemy braves us at sea, or fleet
unreadie, threatning invasion, or counsels divided, and very low in
ye esteem of ye nacon.

July. 14. The Dutch continue to brave it on or coast, all or forces upon the
shore east.

July. 15. A very hot season ; plague rageth at Braintree, Colchester 169 ;
at London abated to 33, total increasd to 247.

July. 22. The plague sad in many places of England, or town well, praisd
bee God ; London increasd to 51, total 294 ; Colchester to 178.

July. 24. The guns roard ; 26, said a fight began die. 25 : God shew us
favor.

July. 29. Plague sad at Braintree ; 40, 50 or more dying in a weeke ; at
London, bill increasd to 326, plague decreasd to 48 ; Colchester
abated to 113.

Aug. 5. Plague abates through mercy in country wherin its much spread ;
London, 341, plague 38 : Colchester, 111, Braintree abated from
57 to 23 this weeke.

Aug. 12. London increasd, total 336, pi. 42. Colchester decreasd to 95.

Aug. 19. Or fleet wee have of Holland coast, where they were very suc-
Colch. 71. cessful. ' Plague much in or country, London, 332, plag: 48.

Aug. 23. Day of praise for or victory ovr the Dutch.

Aug. 2.6. The plague abates, London 290: p: 42. Colch: 51: gott into
Cogshall.

Sept. 2. The Dutch again on or coasts, forces raisd, God in mercy send us
peace. London abates, 266, pi. 30. Colchester feard to increase, 57.
This day, begun Londons dismal lire, laying the city, the good-
liest of ye world in ashes ; quis legens hoc temper et a lachrimis.

Sept. 9. This weeke dolefull ; a fire began in London in Pudding lane at
a rfrench bakers about one of the clocke Sept: 2. being Lords day,
and on ye 3 & 4 burnt down almost ye whole city but a litle quarter
from ye tower to Moregate, and as low as Leadenhall Street ; it

1 One hundred and fifty merchantmen were burnt on the Dutch coast.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 155

burnt up all to Temple barre, few perishing in ye flames ; it ceasd
ye 5 at night, on which day being the fast wee prayed heartily,
with teares & faith, yl henceforward God would blesse us. Col-
chester abated to 37, God comand his mercy on or low estate.

Plague abated at Colchester to 25, sad at Cogshall, and other Sept. 16.
places.

London bill was 104 of ye plague in 3 weeks. 16 parishes wthin Sept. 23.
walls, 14 without, by yfc compute 81 (sic) wholly burnt down within
wals & 2 without besides peices of others.

Plague abates at Colchester about 10 or 11 dying. Sept. 30.

At Colchester died 9 ; Cogshall under hope. Oct. 6.

A publique fast in regard of Londons burning, with a collection ; Oct. 10.
gathered 6/.

A wettish time ; plague abates at London 14 & Colchester 7 ; Oct. 14.
litle mention of it. The sacram* of baptism publiquly administred.

In ye low estate of ye nacon 1,800,000, more voted for ye Kings Oct. 21.
supplies : God awake for Englands prosperitie in ys low day.

Plague, Colchester bill 5. Lond: 210. p. 16. Oct. 28.

My son was returnd safe from London : the Lord my God blesse Nov. 4.
him. Col: 4: London, 220, pi. 14 : many hearing, but few practicing.

Pd my son Is. for plums, the first he sold. Nov. 5.

London: 213, pi. 10. Cole. 2; plague abates blessed bee God but Nov. 11.
ye war damps all trade ; the Lord drive his spiritual trade ; feares
still in London ; a Frenchman suffered for firing ye house in
Pudding lane first, by throwing fire into the bavins. l

Kings stables fired ; feares fill us, and yet careles ; plague abated, Nov. 18.
London, 3 & Colch: 3.

I have neglected by reason of wants to lay by of my estate for Estate,
good uses as I once engaged ; the nature of my estate is very much
altered, but I resolve henceforward, to lay by the 10th shilling y.
comes in clearly of mony for all ministerial dues, and the 20th
shilling of rent, and for every quarter of corn I sell, Is., and to
divide this thus — 12s. of 20, for good uses to freinds, and the 8s-
to dispose to ease mee in my own perticulars for 10ths, visittacons,

1 Wood used for lighting fires.

156 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

books, &c. having first out of the whole cleard my debts to town,

&c. wch are about 40s. and the 10th shilling profitt of fatting catle.
Nov. 25. The country cleares of the plague, London, 235, p. 8, increase
Col. 1. after the appointm1 of thanksgiving for decrease.
Dec. 2. Troubles in Scotland ; God continue or peace ; plag: London 7,

bur. 147.

Dec. 5. Heard great hopes of a Dutch peace. Amen good Lord !
Dec. 9. Scots routed.
Dec. 23. Fears of an invasion from ffrance, one wave after another is yl

lives porcon.
Jan. 9. John my son went towards London, the Lord Jesus be with him

for soule & body ; rd a letter from him of his safe arrival there.

Jan: 26. 1666, my 51 entred.

Sensible yfc day entred my 51st yeare, Lord bee with mee therin
for good, & to ye end of my days, and blesse mee and mine, and
let a coven1 bee between us. I was early on my studdies this
morning.

Jan. 27. Heard uncomfortably of my son John. Lord yett in mercy shew
mee favor in him, making him a comfort.

Feb. 15. Sadnes in my family, John returnd.
1667. Wn I come to review my estate, I observe my stocke is fuller

March, than it was last yeare, my debts rather more, but the visible
Estate. advantage is in Wades house wch I have purchased worth 20/. but
8/. was paid before, & in setting up my sonne Thomas to whom I
gave 50/., but 22/. or yrabouts was gold gathered formerly ; I have
built nothing this yeare. I have no moneys by mee, not above 4/.
besides w1 is in my debt booke and y1 is in my sons hands, neither
had I any sum last yeare ; my expenses were 95/. 15s. 4t/., yet I
reckon it a saving yeare.

April. 7. Hopes of peace, but threats of war, and said the Dutch will
presently blocke up the Thames mouth.

April. 28. Going to preach, H. Morly of my parish delivd mee a note of
receipt of my procurations, and yr in notice I was suspended. I
forbore to preach in ye afternoone.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 157

June 6, the Dutch on Harwich coast, Thursday, June 12, Wednes-
day, they attempt Chatham river to destroy or great ships with
successe & continued yr their pleasure ; June 27, they came up
near Gravesend, they put a stop to all trade, and forced us to defend
the whole shore, to or charge & amazem1.

A sad face of or nacon ; ye French sfl in ye downs. June. 23.

The Dutch landed on ye Suffolke shore, attempting Langerfort, July. 2.
but beat of.

One day wee feard the ffrench invasion, then ye papists rising, ye July. 7.
further burning of ye city, the stop of all trade ; l then hope good
men come in place, delinqts called to account, then hopes of peace.

Fears of papists, and of the Courts army at home. July. 14.21;

The Dutch busy on or coasts ; the peace said concluded: the July. 28.
parliam* high agst a standing army ; hopes of England reviving out
of troubles : said the plague in London to 80, increasing from 2 last
weeke ; not so.

The parliam* sent home til Oct. 10, by reason of the peace con- Aug. 4.
eluded July. 21. at Breda betwixt all ye nacons and us at warre.
France prospers in fflanders ; now or fears are of a standing army,
papists and persecution.

The attempt on ys place put a stop to ye French progresse, giving Dender-
them much losse in yr baggage by innundacon, and losse of men by mond.
storme & sally. The Spaniards also had a good bout upon 500 of
yr horse, & on an inrode by yr garrisons into Picardie, yett they
attempt Lisle.

My daughter Jane went to waite on old Mrs Harlakenden ; her Nov. 5.
mother wept for it.

Isaac Hodson 7 Oct. began his yeare, he is to have 3/. per annum.

Parliam1 began. The Keepers speech by order of the King Nov. 10.
good ; Tompkins wth the Commons moved to give the King thanks
for disbanding the armie, putting out papists, darning (sic) patentees,
and laying aside the E. of Clarendon, the late Chancellor ; agreed
too ; a handsome beginning even as I desired.

1 " It was everywhere said that the Court had sold England to the papists, that
a French army was about to land, & the general massacre of Protestants to begin
at last. " (G. M. Trevelyan. History of England under the Stuarts, p. 356.)

158 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Oct. 27. The 23 day the King laid ye first stone of ye exchange, on
wch day 26 years before ye flames began to burn in Ireland.

Jan : 26, 67, 52 years enters.

Sensible this day entred my 52, and completed my 51 yeare ; thus
my dayes flee away, and good see I not the world.

Feb. 9. Discourst ye Dutch chose or King yr Protector. Wee have great
plenty of corne, but scarcity of mony to admiracon.

Feb. 16. A cheerful season, but 10, the sitting down of parl. & actings was
with great distast ; no moderacon heard of, taxes propounded ;
Court careles.

Feb. 20. Preacht Paul Raynhams funeral at Chappel, a great audience :
one Mrs Martin s(1, I being in my coat, if shee should see one
preach a sermon in coat or cloake shee would run out of the church :
thus ordinances left naked.

March. 22. Wn I come to view my estate, I find through mercy all my
children about mee, my eldest sonne trading in the world, and I
hope with Gods blessing, some others able to doe something ; I
find no great gain, and its of mercy I doe not goe behind hand ; my
stocke I thinke is rather better than last yeare ; I have purchased
and paid for an house on the green, cost mee 16/., and I have laid
out at least 61. on it, and I am not in debt, but have 20/. owing mee
since last yeare ; the Lord adde to my graces & comforts, for I find
a decay in nature ; I observe, since the three comets, though wee
had droughts & scarcity of hay, yett plenty & so a great cheapnes
of corne.

1668.

April. 26. Noise of ye peace with France & Spain, and yr invading England.
May. 10. Strange newes of attempts to fire London, of feares of French

mine by yr great comings over.
June. 7. Strange suspicions in mens spirits, the Lord bee our hope &

help ; man buzzeth nothing but amazing feares.
June. 14. This day my bodies sorenes fully visible on mee.
June. 21. A place at* London for An. Lord direct us !

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 159

An went ys 24 towards London ; Lord goe with her, bee the
guide of her youth ! 25, left her by agrem* with Mr Gresham in ye
exchange at London, returned weary & sore, but thankfull to God :
27, my son a great greife, Lord reclaim him from disorderlines !

Haveril faire being on the 15 & Satturday, I went this day & June. 17.
bought 7 heifers, 6 runts1 at 32s. only 2s. abated, God prosper Haverill
them : charge 5s.

An bound on Aug : 20, her time out June 24, 1674, Lord re- Aug. 23.
member her for good !

Heard An ill at London. Sept. 26.

Heard An hopefully upwards of the small pox. Oct. 4.

John went towards London, under a sentence of death, having Oct. 14.
no hopes in him as formerly, the Lord trieth my faith.

Bound John to Mr Buggin at ye Globe in Barbican : he is to Nov. 13.
receive 45/.

God good in many providences ; I was entred my 53 yeare before Feb. 14.
I was aware.

M. Hey with mee ; the King, Duke of York, overturned in a March.21.
coach in Holborn going to ye race at Newmarket : March. 8, the K.
lost his race : 10, the D. of Yorks closset searcht : March 19,
sd robd.

1669.

John sicke of ye small pox. April. 18.

Heard hopefully of Johns recovery. April. 25.

Sd the Q. with child. April. 27.

Rid to Court, whither summoned for not wearing the surplice ; July. 9.
dismissed wthout fee.

Made an end of haying for ys yeare, and my hay very good, God July. 10.
bee praised for ys mercy : it cost mee the least of any yeare,
mowing & making & inning not above 40s. besides my own helpe.

Drought & heat continues, sickly at London, nigh 700 in this Sept. 5.
bill : near 300 of the plague in ye guts. Heard of ye Q. mothers
death, y1 S* Albans hath her joynture of 50,000/. 2 yeare.

Bps visitacon of London at Kelvedon, where committing my selfe Sept. 8.

1 An animal below the usual size.

160 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

to God without sollicitousness, I appeared with quiet, for which I
blesse ye Ld & desire to serve him wth more faithfulnes & care
my remaining dayes : visit, fee, 2s. 4d.

Sept. 12. Drought continues : 707 died at London, mine well.

Sept. 26. I rid to Laclie Veres, 88 years old ; her senses continue, her great
grandchild a man, E. of Lincolne : three homely ladies there ; ye
Lords beauty is best, but bloud gives nothing good.

Sept. 11. Peter hired for another yeare, wch is to end the day after Halsted
faire, & to have 47. 10s. and paire of shoes.

Nov. 11. Went to preach a funeral ; I rd 20s. paire of gloves & blesse God.

Nov. 28. State disturbances, fears of insurrection, charges of treason agst
Orrery & Ormond.

Dec. 11. In ye morning my sons shop broke open, and nigh SO/, of good
stollen : I providentially heard of them & pursued, but returnd,
troubled, yet hoping well.

Dec. 12. Those yfc robbed us were first found by the man I imployd to
pursue ; one escaped with a good part of the goods, the other three
committed to Cambridge jayle, Dec. 13 : my son returnd the 14,
and most of or goods fetcht home, 16 : God alone have the glory.
Jan. 9. Deaths many ; Monke died. I thinke it was on Wednes. Jan 5,
it thundered 3 straks, one very violent with lighting, God preserve us.

Jan. 21. Jonathan Woodthorp of or town, a tanner, askt my consent to
come to my daughter Jane and had it, on this ground especially
that he was a sober, hopefull man, his estate about 500/.

Jan. 26. 69, 54 y. enters.

Sensible of my birth a sinner. Recommended my selfe to Gods
care to blesse mee in all my ways ; fears for my children but I leave
them on Gods care.

Feb. 2. Monks dutches died, Jan. 23, 20 dayes after housband, persons

y1 by bringing in the King came to a vast estate, but base and sordid.

March. 13. Threats of seventy ags1 nonconformists; God can stop all if pleasd:

son returnd : the theives remitted to Chelmsford to bee tried there,

burglary.

March. 16. This day my sons 3 theives condemned at Chelmsford to bee

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 161

hangd ; afterwards they confessed the fact : 18, Jonathan Wood-
thorp, and my daughter Jane, testified yr agreem*. to marry ; God
in mercy blesse them.

The Lds moderate the act agst meetings, opposing magna charta. March. 20.

1670. 1670.

Cow calved ; administred the sacrament, only 14 present. April. 3.

The Kings only sister died suddenly in France, within a few days June. 26.
after her return from Dover, l where the King entertaind her with
all pleasures might bee ; Lord sanctifie this. The ArchBp of Can-
terbury ill, the poore nonconformist hurried ; one Hunnicke a
disturber in or parts.

Begun a jorney into Sussex, returnd Aug. 2, having seen much July. 25.
of Englands glory, Hampton Court, Thames, returnd safe.

My daughter Jane married to Jonathan Woodthorp, or first Aug. 30.
marriage ; the Lord blesse them with his grace & favor ; for porcon
I am to give her 200/.; her clothes, and wedding cost mee 10/.; shee
hath a prettie thing in joynture : blessed bee God who hath thus
provided for mee and mine : her plate & worke is worth 40/., and
shee hath in mony 20/.

Rid to the visitacon, & found no trouble, God bee praised ; Oct. 10.
preached at Halsted.

Peters yeare is to come out Octob. 31, 1671 ; he is to have 5/. Oct. 27.
wages and his mare, going untill Candlemas day.

Purchased a tan office for my son : setled it on Jane for her life. Jan. 19.

Jan: 26: 1670 ; my 55 enters.

Lord thou hast been my God, my hope is in thy mercy ; looke
after mee & mine for soule & body, for on thee I trust.

Johns debauchery in swearing sad, Lord helpe mee; so bad 6, 7, Feb. 4.
that I resolve to put him to his shifts, for the Lords sake lett it
tend to his good.

1 By her agency Charles had recently concluded the Secret Treaty of Dover.

L

162 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

1671. 1671.

March. 26. Day warm & calme ; death hanseld us at Colne this yeare : the

wickednes & iniquity of England increase. Ld Lucas likely to be

sent to tower by Lds for speaking somewhat freely agst the taxes,

wch are heavy beyond measure, the 20th p1 of or yearly state.

Estate. Through Gods blessing I have accomplisht in my estate ye utmost

that I desired by June 24, viz. an 120/. but my stocke is low.
Sept. 24. Being ye last Sabbath of the yeare, I publiquly declared my
submission to yr putting mee away, having for 15 yeares wth held
yr contribucon wch was 251. per annum, as also most of there tithes,
& now y1 wch others allowed, wch I took from God with ye greatest
patience, but from them wth great unkindnes, but I trust God will
turne it unto good: I am thine Lord, though not theirs.
Oct. 8. This day I went down to preach, & found Mr. Sergeant there :
he read Ezech. 2. Lord lett it bee known I have been thy servant
& thou acceptest mee: the 12 psalm was sung ; not one person
spake to mee, coming out of the church: Ld I am dispised, but my
confidence is in thee, & with quietnes I roule my selfe on thee.
Jan. 7. A good faire season: 10, at ye Funeral of ye good Lady Vere
who lived beloved and blessed of God 90 yeares, died lamented
of all.

March. 13. Wednesday rid to London, yfc day Sr Robert Holmes yl fired the
Fly 1 attempted the Smirna fleet ; 16, a declaracon came out for
liberty of conscience: 19, the Dutch warre proclaimed and fast
appointed, both ordered by the King and Councill on the Lords day.

1672. 1672.

April. 17. A fast on occasion of the Dutch warre, which all are against. 2
28, or yrabouts, a monster born in or town ; the grandfather
esteemed religious, but the children wretched.

1 He captured New Amsterdam in the first Dutch war of the reign of
Charles II, & destroyed a large number of Dutch merchant ships at the island
of Vlie.

2 Because the alliance with France was unpopular.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 163

Monday neare 3 a clocke afternoon my daughter Woodthorpe April. 29.
delivered of a son, the first grandchild ; God blesse him with his
Christ.

The Dutch bear up gallantly. May. 26.

The Dutch set on or fleet in Solebay, fight continued. May. 28.

My onely grandchild, John Woodthorp, buried, June 4.

God afflicts the Dutch by French. June. 9.

Sad with Holland, the French prevaile at land. June. 16.

Holland drowns it selfe ; oh ye evil of sin, Ld drown it in June. 23.
Christs bloud.

Sad with Holland, some speake of peace between us. June. 30.

A good season ; litle thought of a Dutch peace ; or Councel so July. 21.
for the French, its likely the Dutch come wholly under them.

Ye souldiers went from us. Nov. 3.

I heard the report of ye French endeavor to reforme in religion ; Nov. 17.
if of God it will prosper ; God grant it true ; it came to nothing at
present.

Being at my daughter Janes at Lexden I was taken in my bed, Nov. 27.
or coming out of it with ye sciatica pain in my hipbone so yi I could
not step, and when I came home not turne my selfe in my bed ;
wholly deprived of strength on y1 side but through mercy God
gave mee in ye use of meanes some helpe ; yr was a surfett with
oysters, wch though they did not nauseat my stomacke, mett with
so much phlegme in my stomacke, & being bound, they lay cor-
rupting in my stomacke. I eate at first litle but dranke wine,
strong beere pretty freely, & yl carried them of, and my vomit had
a tincture of them to Tuesday, Decemb. 3. I sweat, eate well, but
gather strength slowly this being 24 ; but I am under great hopes Dec. 24.
of a perfect recovery & I hope quickly. I had a servant died ; this
a mortal time in or towne, about 15 buried in 7 weeks ; to ye praise
of my good God I record that on the 25, 26, I began to take many
steps without sticke or stay.

This day afternoon I went down to church and preacht, Eccl. Jan. 5.
9. 5. a great audience.

Went to Markshall : my L. Honywood sent her coach for me : Jan. 27.
yr I stayd to March 10, in wch time my Lady was my nurse, &

164

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

March. 10.
1673.

March. 27.
Thomas
Josselin

July. 31.

Ann
Josselin

Oct. 21.
Oct. 28.

Nov. 5.
Nov. 9.

phisitian & I hope for much good : on Thursday, Feb. 27, or
sooner, some red spots appeard on my lame thigh, wch they con-
ceived ye scurvy. I tooke purge & other things for it ; they in-
creased some to a penny breadth, my thigh & leg swelled, but not
on ye other side, & so they did before I went from home, &
continue so still ; God was good to mee in the temper of my heart,
though I am sensible I beare my infirmities about mee, but my
wife taxes mee for great impatience, when I feare yr is a carelesnes
in her &c. & impatience too much, yi beares nothing, but expects
I must beare all ; God inable mee therto, for I have need of
patience when I have done my duty.

Returned home : a wonderful spirit of zeale agst ye papists.

Mr Eldreds cutting day, feasted, gave mee 2 ginneys.

June 15, about one a clocke in ye morning my eldest sonne
Thomas & my most deare child ascended early hence to keep his
everlasting Sabbath with his heavenly Father, and Savior with the
church above ; his end was comfortable, & his death calme, not
much of paine till the Saturday afore.

This morning after 2 of the clocke my deare Ann in her
twentieth year died with mee at Colne ; a good child, following her
brother to London, & from thence hither, to lie in his grave, loving
in their lives & in their death they were not divided, lying in the
same grave.

About 5 of the clocke, my daughter Jane deliv'1 of a daughter,
which wee baptized that day.

This day my wife & I have been married 33 yeares ; this day my
son sold Bollinhatch for 1231. for wch I have been bid ISO/. God
blesse mee in the dispose of the mony.

Gods deliverances a hope to us ; he will deliver agst ye feares of
popery at present in England, the duke marrying Modena's daughter.

Frost and snow, the Parl. prorogued.

Jan. 26, 1673, 58 enters.

Jan. 26. Sensible this day begins my 58 yeare, in which I desire Gods
presence & blessing with mee.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 165

My leg occasions thoughts of the dropsie ; the Lord I looke unto Feb. 1.
to bee my phisitian.

On ys day the K. in ye house of Lords declared to them & Fast. 11.
Commons y1 the peace was made with the Dutch, safe, honble, & he
hoped lasting ; the D. of Yorks marriage by the French interest
with Modena, his inclinacon to the R. religion, the great offers of
ye French to ye English to continue ye war, hastned the peace.

Parliam1 prorogued to Nov. 10 ; K. speech smooth, a disappointm1 22.

to ye country ; no notice of it in the Thursday gazet.1 They toucht
Arlington, succession not in a papist, Ireland, where ye papists are
mighty, & popery here & would give no mony ; God waited to
bee gracious by them to make a peace with ye Dutch.

Reports of a new Parliam1 ; all change, only God abides ye same. March. 22.

25. March. 1674. 1674.

Receivd an 1001. of the purchase mony for the land at Roxwell March. 25.
& two ginneys for my wife.

A cloud brake at Ratlesden in Suffolke & did much mischeife. May. 1.

Gave Ned Harris Is. on condicon to be sober quarter of a year May. 12.
& spend only 2d. at a sitting, with a real intent & prayer to God &
counsell for his good ; Lord second it ; he tooke it kindly ; sd never
Is. given to any person with so good an intention.

Wore a new gown & cassocke, my old one still being in use after June. 28.
35 years of age ; an old freind and a new heart are good.

A choice day of civill concourse mixt with religious at ye L. July. 2.
Hony woods, whither came ye Countesse Dowager of Warwicke &
her sister ye L. Renula : goodnes & greatnes sweetly mett in them ;
I writt to ye Countesse who invited mee to Leez.

Rd a letter from the Countess of Warwicke writt with her own July. 5.
hand inviting mee to Leez and promising mee a kind welcome as
long as she liveth.

1 In the earlier years of the reign of Charles II. The Intelligencer was published
on Mondays, The News on Thursdays. In 1666 The London Gazette replaced The
Intelligencer ; the news contained in these papers was meagre, but, such as it
was, Charles II.'s subjects had to be content with it.

166 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Sept. 18. I received 111. 8s. of Mr Cressener for tithes, ye greatest sum I

ever received at once ; he paid grumblingly, yett Lord blesse him.

Sept. 27. The Pad. prorogued, & Aldingtons house burnt by fire Sept. 22

at night, to his great losse.
Sept. 30. God good this day in ye kindness of Mrs Harl. & receivd 10/. 12s.

arrears from the priory, a spring opened in a dry place.

Oct. 23. Rid towards London, returnd 29 ; did ye busines I went for well.
Being Ld. Mayor Viner had his show, ye K. & Court dining at
Guildhall ; my jorny comfortable.

Offer to John set yor selfe to feare God, & bee industrious in my busines,

John refrain yor evill courses, & I will passe by all past offences, setle all

°^e j? my estate on you after yor mothers death, and leave you some stocke

foure on ye ground & within doores to the value of an 100/. and desire of

sisters. y°u? out of your marriage portion but 400/. to provide for my

daughters or otherwise to charge my land with so much for yr

porcons ; but if you continue yor ill courses I shall dispose my land

otherwise, and make only a provision for yor life to put bread in

yor hand.

Dec. 15. John ys day ownd his debauchery ; God give him a true sight of
it & heale him.

Quakers increasd ; John Garrod their head in or town, building
them a meeting .place, appointing to meet once a week ; I am not
ovr solicitous of the effect, having seen Abbotts meeting house left,
expecting God will appear for his truth, and I hope in perticular
for mee in this place who truly desire to feare his name. I doe not
determine why, but this morning viz 26, yfc Garrods wife died,
within 6 weeks of the use of that house ; I onely desire to feare
and tremble, but doe not question yc downfall of that sect under ye
feet of Christ & his servants.
Jan. 1. A new yeare, wherin I lookt up to God for his grace &

blessing.

Jan. 3. Warme, dry, calme Christmas, grasse springing, herbes budding,
birds singing, plowes going ; a litle rain only in two dayes, viz.
Dec. 29, 30 : fogge Jan. 5, 6, no mention of frost, though some
dayes cleare sun shining, moon & starrs appearing by night : most
persons said never such a Christmas known in the memory of man;

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 167

yet I suppose 37 yeares before ye like & one said 46 or 47 was such
an one.

John declared for his disobedience no son ; I should allow him
nothing except he tooke himselfe to bee a serv1 ; yet if he would
depart and live in service orderly I would allow him 10/. yearly ; if
he so walkt as to become Gods son, I should yett own him for mine.

Jan. 26. 74. 59.

Sensible this day ended my 58 & begun my 59 yeare; Lord bee
good to mee in this & all yl are to come.

Weather cold, windy & drie, God good in or health, wn the smal Feb. 7.
pox is in many families & towns about : news of putting the laws
in execucon agst papists & nonconformists: I count ye English of
y*, the parl. shall sit in April, & bee cajold to give a great taxe ;
observe.

Wee serve God in peace when others are hurried about by 1675.
informers. April. 18.

My sweld leg brake, wch at first occasioned thoughts as to April. 25.
sorenes, gangrening by the blacknes of it, & following of the humor,
but I blesse God.

My ill leg sweld very much, with some pain, stiffnes and a kind
of numnes in ye former part of both my feet as I have had formerly ;
it had great influence on my thoughts ; God in mercy stood between
mee & yc thoughts of death & the feares of it ; my leg issued a
litle, I applied a searcloth ; l it run but not much, it broke at a
blacke spott ; ye like is lower, on my inward knocle ; my wife
applied a large roule to my leg of bole arnimake to dry and abate
the humor ; I .praise God my mind is composed on his good will.

Applied a poultis of red rose leaves and milke: 18, used Tabors May. 17.
pills, they purgd but twice.

The blacknes & swelling of my legg abates. May. 23.

My wife with or 2 daughters Mary & Elizabeth went for London June, 2.
to Hackney school ; God blesse them in yr educacon both for soule
& body.

1 Cloth anointed with some glutinous matter of a healing nature.

168

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Issue. On Monday Dr Tabor made an issue on mee in order to ye cure

June. 7. Of my jeg ; Lord blesse it, and restore mee to my perfect health ;
read Dr Owen on Mortification. I blesse God for some passages
therin.

June. 13. The parliam* prorogued, June 9, to Oct. 13 ; it prevented the
Test ; * it was said by the King the fewd between the houses was
from the enemies of the King & Church of England ; the Commons
voted they knew not of any such thing ; it arose about an appeale
to the Lds in the case of Sr J. Fagge a member of ye commons. 2

July. 11. Intend for Tunbridge, God in mercy bee my phisitian; the waters
are his prepared phisicke ; the small pox next doore to my house,
God preserve mee.

July. 12. Set out for Tunbridge wells, whither I came 13; begun to drinke
9 8-ounce glasses: the 14th, I drunke 15 glasses & so continued
from 17 to Aug. 1, inclusive: wee came thence Aug: 4, & so home
Aug. 12 ; God merciful to mee in my jorney, the waters passing
well with mee, & good to mine in my absence for wch his name
bee praised.

Oct. 17. Drought continues ; great fears of or poor rising up & down or
contry, esp. those yl belong to the wool trade. One Rugles of this
parish, a quaker, a rude fellow, disobedient to his mother, sent to
ye house of correction.

Nov. 28. Coughs common : parliam1 prorogued to Feb. 76.

Dec. 5. News of a parliam1. The smal pox in another house at the mill.

Dec. 12. The smal pox stops at present ; God stop it in much mercy.

Dec. 28. Reported the King dead among mean people.

Jan. 18. Reports again of ye Kings death ; Lord preserve his life for good.

Jan. 23. My leg runs, sadly painful ; healing is thy blessing, yu hast &
wilt doe it.

1 " A Non-Resisting Bill was introduced.... No one was to sit as a legislator
until he had sworn to alter nothing in Church or State.... But its passage into
law was prevented only by a timely quarrel between the two houses. " (G. M.
Trevelyan. England under the Stuarts, p. 381.)

2 Fagge had acquired the estate of Wiston which had belonged to the Sherleys.
Thomas Sherley brought a suit for the recovery of this estate & carried the case
to the House of Lords, but was ordered into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms,
Fagge being a member of the House of Commons. (Diet, of Nat. Biography.)

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 169

Jan. 26, 75, 60.

Sensible this entred my 60 yeare ; I grow an old man ; my leg Jan. 26.
swels hard on ye calfe & so continueth in mornings.

In the morning a litle rubbing my leg, it bled exceedingly above Feb. 5.
ye sore place ; my leg ass waged yrupon ; it bled a quart as my
wife thought, blackish and doddered. l

Leg not so much sweld as formerly ; it heals not ; sometimes Feb. 20.
painfull, drest but seldome ; a wonderfull decay of trade & so of
traders, corn cheape, hard with poore for want of worke & rich for
want of mony.

Likely to find an hard time agst the nonconformists, upon a Feb. 27.
trouble at Ipswich where was the first stirre at ye, Scotch troubles.

1676. 1676.

God good in his word, freinds with mee at a good turky. I April. 2.
delighted to eate ye good creature with them, blessing my good God.

At visitacon, or mony paid, all peace: Ap. 11, baptized Dol April. 7.
Andrews.

A muster of our County forces. May. 18.

A dismal fire in Southwarke ; Lord yu cuttest England short ; May. 26.
many hundred houses burnt, in ye cheife street : there was treachery
and firing, God thinke on us.

Mens minds discomposed in the times with fears of French plots. July. 2.

A young man Mr Smith from London proffered his love to my Sept. 2.
daughter Mary ; shee refused him, as shee had formerly done an-
other of good estate : he went away Sept. 5, very sorrowful, most of
or affections much to him.

This day wee had a parochial visitacon ; somethings complaind Sept. 19.
of, as the want of a surplice, in other things it was well.

At night Mr Shirly made an offer of his service and love to Sept. 25.
Mary ; God direct that affaire.

Rd a kind present from London from Mr Smith ; some places Oct. 8. 7.
preacht not, it was so wett, 1 intermitted not.

1 Clotted.

170 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Oct. 15. My son the seat of drunkennes, oh Lord can thy spirit ever come to
delight in him.

Oct. 29. Advised with a surgeon for my leg, but my hope is in God.
Nov. 26. Rd from Mr Bowes, Pierson on the Creed, a booke worth 10s. ; I
accept his love, God return it.

Dec. 3. This weeke John wholly out in his filthy courses ; I am resolved
to leave him to thee oh God, only I will pray for him.

Dec. 12. Snew again at night ; it was ye deepest snow I ever remembred,
lying about knee high of a man every where without any great
drifts.

Dec. 19. Set apart this day with my familie to humble my soule before God,
for our sins, to seeke his direction for and blessing on us & ours :
the special occasion, Johns ill housbandry & Eliz. offer of a young
man from London who is coming down & shee seems very averse.
I read in course in morning Mic : 4, passages yr in comfort, in alter-
ing things from bad to good ; Lord make them so among mine. I
first proposed a duty to looke up to direction from God, Ezra : 8.
21, who hath ye cast in our lott, Is. 34. 17 ; then I commended all
to God in prayer : if God cast yor lot, rest in it, & to know it observe
Pro. 3. 6 ; own God & he will direct you ; Psal. 32. 8. was Gods
direction, is by or parents for children. Eph. 6. 1,2, 3, its right ;
answer yl in Ezra : rest in a housbands house, Ruth. 1.9.; yts done
wn both bring Gods feare, mutual love, & industrious prudence ;
the way is by parents provision, & children following yr counsell,
as Abraham tooke a wife for Isaac, whom he tooke & loved, Gen.
24, & thus God comforts in losses in one another. Ruth shee fol-
lowed Naomis counsell & all well, though ye counsel at ye barnfloure
seemd strange. Let mee shew you an instance of a headie marriage
in Samson ; it turnd to his death ; agst his parents advice he would
marry, &c. God casts your lot in parents choice, Exod. 2. 19. 21.
Numb. 30 ; vows to God allowd or disallowd by parents, otherwise
free ; yrfore my children receive ys counsel as Gods not mine ; tis
mine because Gods & so its Gods being mine, a father yi is to counsel,
wch wilbee yor crown as theirs, 1 Thes. 2. 13 ; it will effectually
worke obedience, & yrfore hear him, Pro. 23, 22, Pro. 8. 8, 9. I
am perswaded a blessing will follow ys counsel embraced. Is. 55.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 171

3. Yor soules shall live : & I hope God will give an answer of
peace ; I will pray & looke up, & my God shall speake peace. I
praid thrice with them ; their mother gave them ye same advice,
God in mercy give them his blessing.

Mr Smith came safe. Dec. 23.

Mr Smith returnd towards London satisfied in his jorney with Dec. 29.
hopes of my Elizabeths love : God seen in inclining her heart, wch
was very awkward at first. My affections drawn from the hopes
his sobrietie & good nature gave, yi grace & industry might meet to
make him a good housband, for his estate was small.

1676, Jan. 26, 60, 61 enters.

Sensible this day ends my 60 and enters my 61, wherein I begun
with thoughts of God.

The Chancellor Finch was robd of mace & purse. Feb. 10.

A wonderfull wett season, in wch Mr Smith came down to us. Feb. 26.

All my children with mee ; Mr Smith parted with good comfort Feb. 28.
& content.

The Court partie prevaile in Parliam1 ! ; God bee our defence. March. 4.

1677.

My Bettie flieth of from Mr Smith ; Lord bee yu my comfort. May. 13.

After some difficulties to mee on both hands, Mr Gilbert Smith & June. 5.
my daughter Elizabeth married by my hand in Lexden privately :
8, shee rod towards London ; the ground and bottom of the match
among us was not estate, but good qualities ; lett them shine, Lord,
in them both ; let her bee as Elizabeth in scripture.

Sent some houshold towards London for my daughter Smith. June. 16.

Begun to take sirrup of pellitory; God almighty doe mee good by July. 8.
it for on him I trust.

Or booke of common prayer was taken out of the deske. Sept. 2.

At visitacon, where I receivd admonicon to use all the prayers Sept. 5.
alwayes. I found at home a gentleman from London to proffer his
love to Mary.

Mr Tims who proffered his love to Mary returnd to London, Sept. 8.

1 Shaftesbury had been sent to the Tower by the House of Lords in February.

172 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

satisfied in us, but not in her : it wrought much as Betties busines ;
God knoweth the issue ; direct Lord, Betties doth wonderfull
well.

Oct. 28. The news of the Ladie Maries marrying the prince of Orange
pleasd the kingdome.

Nov. 11. Mr Tims came again, returnd on ye 14, unkindly used by Mary,
though kindly by us. Heard to my joy how lovingly Mr Smith &
his wife live, wch marriage I urged.

Nov. 16. Heard yfc ye city was alarmd yfc the papists plotted a massacre
there ; was ye marriage a pillow to lull us asleepe ?

Nov. 23. Heard of ye death of James ye eldest son of Mr Shirley, who

made great love to my daughter & then fell of ; a mercy shee is not

a widdow ; shee never shewd respect to any young man but to him.

Dec. 1. I thought matters were not only uncomfortable, but also un-

prosperous. I cast up my account & I estimate yi my mony stocke,

my debts pd, was about 300/. I thinke I have been to blame in

my charitie moneys : straits make us forgett or selves. Ld I am

now old & I have no worke like serving thee and assuring my

salvacon through Christ.

Jan. 1. I gave above 20s. to my tenants & poore in meat.

Jan. 25. I was often thinking of the providence of God that was putting
an end to y1 familie of Harlakenden, being good men, & thought-
full of the females ; my heart trembled, and though I was getting
up moneys for corn more than ordinary & paying debts, yet this
day I reflected on Gods providence in my estate, having of my
Welsh heifers three dead calves & but one living ; Lord teach mee
humility, & submission, I am the greater sinner.

Jan. 26. 1677.

Sensible it entred my 62 yeare ; read in course Acts 14, of the
impotent man in his feete, with faith God would keepe my dis-
temper from hurt, would heale it & doe mee good.

Jan. 30. Heard of ye eagerness of or king for warre with France :
ye Parl. voting 70M. to bury the late King after 29 years
being in grave. Strange things. Why is not mony voted to

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 173

buy 1 & harlots petticoats? God will be seen in ye mount

as I preacht. I have no opinion 1 or medling with France,

of or conduct or sincerity, but yu Lord reignest, & He bee quiet.

That day ye Parliam1 sat down, the French King began his jorny Feb. 17.
towards Germany; the King receiving an adresse from them, school11
them ; they voted 20 regimts foote, 4 horse, 2 of dragoons, 90 ships
to support the Dutch alliance, Sp. Netherlands & abate ye French;
weekely charge per month at 28 days 157/.000 & upwards.

A million granted the King to begin the war with France ; wee Feb. 24.
are a people peeled & polled.

The French K. passing on for Germany to Nancy in Lorraine on March. 1.
a suddain came backe to Flanders, his forces seem likely to attempt
Namur ; the Dutch forces marcht to Hasselt.

Sd Gaunt was taken after defence of severall dayes. March. 10.

1678.

Parl: adjourned until April. 11. March. 28.

A publique fast, which I endeavoured to keepe with all solemnes, April. 24.
and I had a considerable audience of my people & some strangers;
it was called by the King, no mention of his Council or parliam1 Fast,
advising, though both in sitting. Ye proclamation past March 30:
no mention of it in the Gazet of Monday Ap. 8, til the Thursday
Gazet : no mention of war or peace, nor blessings desired on ye
counsells on foote. The King & city kept it Ap. 10, while ye Parl.
was adjourned, so yfc neither House kept it by themselves and called
preachers to them. I thought it shewd that the King had no great
esteem for his good & blessed parliam1 ; no notice in the Gazets of
the keeping this fast.

Things in a cloud at London, the King saith the Dutch bafled and May. 5.
ruind, a separate peace with the French. The Dutch jealous of the
English least they have a designe to greaten Orange. Lord secure
England in religion from popery & in liberty and from an army.

Went not to Court ; I came of well for present as to surplice. May. 14.
Gods name bee praised.

The King asking his parl: counsell, and they denying to raise May. 19.
a million of mony & reflecting too plainly on the evill counsellors,

1 The MS. is mutilated.

174

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

the King prorogued them from 13 to 23: 23. the Kings speech
imports displeasure agst the Parl.

May. 26. The King seems to chide the Parl. to a doing what he would have.

June. 2. In or publiqu affaires hopes yi ye crisis we apprehended to or
religion & liberty niay admitt a longer putting of.
Parl. voted to disband the army presently.

June. 23. News that Spain ff ranee & Holland have made peace. England
is to bee the securitie for it. The King demanded thereon 300ml.
yearly for his life therupon, but ye house voted negative.

Aug. 18. Peace between France & Holland ; but before known in ye Hol-
land camp, in order to releiving Mons, they fell on ye French with
great fury & slaughter 1 ; ye French retired, so ye honor of ye feild
was to ye Dutch & English who fought valiantly.

Sept. 12. Mett the Bp at Wittam. I was much complained of to him by
Mr Lampkin, preist of Hatfeild, & Mr Paul preist of Easthorp, &
but coursely used by ye Bp. I thanke God for my patience & his
goodnes to mee going & returning.

Sept. 15. I urged for Pauls, wee gathered 31.

Nov. 17. A good day: the plotters 2 seem to make opposicon in or councels.

Nov. 24. The House committed Secretary Williamson to the tower, 3 the

King releasd him, a passage that looks not well, God amend all.
Dec. 1. Heard good news from London ; sd the Queen is accused in this

plott.

Dec. 8. The King and House of Commons are a litle off one another; God
prevent a breach to sever the parliam1: the army is to bee disbanded:
some threat as the greatest revolucon wee ever saw were at the doore.

Dec. 22. Jesuits tried & condemned.

Dec. 29. The Treasurer 4 impeacht by the Commons. The Jesuites,
Groves, Pickering and Ireland that were condemned, 5 repreived

William of Orange knew that peace was almost certainly signed.

In the Popish plot.

For issuing commissions to Popish recusants.

Danby.

" By Jeffreys, in a speech which wavered between pure abuse or a sermon
which would have done credit to the most strenuous divine. " (Pollock. The
Popish plot, p. 332). They were all eventually executed.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 175

by the King during his pleasure ; the Houses addrest to know the
reasons.

New yeare entred with the news of ye prorogacon of the Parliam1 Jan. 1.
till ffeb. 4th; people lookt on it as much troubled, so am I.

The souldiers under the best officers disbanding. Jan. 12.

Heard yl the Parliam1 was prorogued for 3 weeks longer until Jan. 21.
Feb. 25. The King declared in Councill on Satturday he would
doe it. Lord publish thou thy decree.

1678.

I awaked toward morning & was sensible this day ended my 62 Jan. 26.
& begun my 63 yeare ; glad a Sabbath.

In the morning before I rose about 6 of ye clocke, I awaknecl & Jan. 27.
had just dreamed, that one told mee that ye parliam1 was to meet
but for a morning & yi there were 11 men intended to make
speeches : about 10 of the clocke I heard it was to bee dissolved &
a newr one chosen. God is still where he was : it cannot bee chosen
till March : this was according to the counsell in Colemans letter :
God is where he was. Honest men formerly desired ye dissolucon
yrof but now its continuance was desired in reference to ye dis-
covery of ye plott. I supposed the Cabal doth it to gaine time & to
bring on the French assistance. Many thought this parliam1 had
so corrupted themselves & done so ill in the matters of the nacon
& were formerly so odious y* God would doe his worke by some
other & never honor them ; on the 26 at night a great fire at
London, wch amazed us in ye country pittying ye city under the
treachery agst them ; my legge sore with cat bites.

A cold snowy day, news of the kings illnes continues : busy in Feb. 9.
chosing parliam1 : the first choice I heard of was at Harwich, two
royall officers to ye fleet.

The nacon busy about the choice of parliam1, God direct them, Feb. 16.
yl they bee not outwitted, as the former were to raise an army ;
sd good choices in many places l & yl the K. saith the contry

1 The Whigs swept the country.

176 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

would choose a dog if he stood agst a courtier : the peace goeth
on beyond the seas, & the fears of France are on this side.
Feb. 21. Heard the Duke of York had taken the Test & oaths & that he
was made Admiral & Generall ; things worke, but God is awake
and yr I rest my selfe.

Feb. 23. Sd good choice made of Parl. men.

Feb. 25. This day all or Town in a manner went with Mr Andrews & my
son for the choice of Kts of the shire. I endeavored for my con-
treys good ; wee chose Mildmay, and Harvy, without the opposicon
of any one person in the feild appearing agst them. l

March. 6. I desired to send or choice men into the Parl. house with a
blessing ; the country shewed themselves in ye choice, though much
divided in sects.

March. 7. 8. The old Scotch regim1 of Douglas marcht for Harwich, & so for
Ireland or sea to have an eye on the French : sd the Duke of Yorke
gone out of the kingdom to Holland.

1679. The parl. seemeth wonderfull couragious not fearing prorogacons
March. 30. Or dissolucons. Court are surely plotters or knowing of it.
April. 18. Wee shall see whether ye K. will comply with Parl. advice, or

the Cabal. God incline his heart to his g° & publique good.
April. 19. Heard the treasurer Danby yeilded himselfe ; ye lords sent him
to ye tower, and the King prorogued the parliament ; sd he was
going to Windsor ; not true.
April. 24. Perfected the purchase of Robert Carters land & setled it on my

daughter Mary.

May. 4. Affaires darke, yett the K. & Parl. seeme to bee on good termes.

May. 28. Heard of the prorogacon of the Parl 2 ; not amazed.

June. 29. Heard of the Scots route, 3 Lord thou wilt maintain thy interest.

leg. The weather being very hot, & after the day I preacht I found a

10. 11. 12. great humor in my legge, hot, pimpling, sore as catbites, running,

hard, as tending to an inflamacon ; I was as quiet & litle urging of

1 It will be remembered that at the elections in 1661 " we lost it. " " The
principal reason of the whig success was the panic of the country. " (Trevelyan.

P- 403.)

2 To prevent the passage of the Exclusion Bill.

3 At Bothwell Brigg.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 177

it ; God in mercy preserve my health, & remove the troublesome
pains.

I heard the p. was dissolved. Jury« 16.

News amasing. sd Sr G. Wakeman l & divers Jesuites all cleard July. 20.
by a vast shout of the papists. Lord I understand not the secret
strings of this busines ; bring things to light, & let wickednesse
punish the wicked whence it comes.

Nel Guins mother died by one sudden & violent (sic), drunke Aug. 3.
with brandie as sd. 2

The choice of Parliament men at hand ; I publiquly stird up Aug. 10.
people to choose.

Begun to picke hops. Aug. 26.

Great reports of the Kings dangerous illnes 3 ; Lord spare him if Aug. 3.
thy pleasure.

Sd Monmouth banisht. Sept. 14.

I cannot but thinke ye Courts designe is to make parliam1 useles, Oct. 12.
or rid ye crowne of them.

The parliam1 is prorogued to Jan: 26. next ; 4 tis my birthday as Oct. 19.
I reckon & I hope a good day.

Good winter weather, God good in or health ; a strang fog Dec. 14.
formerly at London wch caused colds y1 the Bills were above 700
in beginning Decemb; it decreased 307, God preserve us.

A wett day. My Cosin Gatton brought Mr Williams to mee on Dec. 28.
Maries account, whom I entertaind kindly & dismist well satisfied ;
God blesse them.

Allen the quakers speaker buried, the men & women following Jan. 25.
severally in some order.

Jan. 26: 79, my 64 enters.

I was sensible of it & affected with Gods goodnes, not troubled
in 63 as- a critical & dangerous year though I often thought of

1 The Queen's physician, charged with conspiracy to poison the king. These
were the first prisoners, accused by Gates, who were acquitted.

2 She was drowned : ill natured persons said she was drunk at the time.

3 He was expected to die.

4 There was again a Whig majority.

178 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

it. The Pad. should have satt this day ; its petitiond for, but

if they may not sitt for Gods interest, he will stand up for it.

Parl. broke Monarchy, perhaps God will have Parl. broken by

Monarchicall ; time was, no addresses to the King by subjects ;

now the K. will admitt no addresses to him ; we will to God, who

will heare.
Feb. 8. Dry & windie, great apprehensions of danger to the city &

kingdom from the papists on the Dukes l return from Scotland ;

God send peace.
Feb. 22. Maries busines at an end ; God I hope did it in mercy to us all.

1680.

May. 16. An offer to Mary ; God direct. I wore ye surplice.
May. 17. Rid to court, I avoided receiving articles, through Gods goodnes.

I cast my care on him, he cared ; the matter is the surplice, which

I see no sin to use, & shall endeavr to live as quietly as may bee

to the end of my race ; sd the King much better.
June. 27. Legg much swelled ; we laid burdock leaves to leg & foot; God

tegg- preserve mee.

July. 25. Legge something asswaged by the use of clote 2 leaves.
Sept. 19. Leg rund much ; use green tobacco leaves, much asswaged :

God cure.
Oct. 10. My wife very ill, litle hopes of life ; my faith held God would

spare her & I hope it shal bee so : my body emptied by vomitt &

purge, that my leg is very small.

Oct. 24. Parl. satt. Kings speech good ; the Lord blesse the assembly.
Jan. 10. Parliamt prorogued to Jan: 20. City petitioned 13, they might sitt

again.

1680.

Jan. 26. Sensible this day entred my 65 yeare, I mourning it with God that
he would bee with mee, subduing my corruptions, & keeping my
heart close to him through the grace of Christ.

Feb. 6. Wee were gathering for the captives of Algiers.

1 Duke of York.

2 Water-lily.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 179

My wife very ill again, God restore her ; one of or town in jayle March. 20.
for the highway trade, ' to my great losse I fear.

Parliam* sits. 2 March. 27.

Parl. dissolved. 3 Duke expected at London. March. 28.

Grasse backward, hearts naught, my wife afflicts mee & her self ; May. 1 .
God learns mee patient submission.

On June 3, Mary quitted Mr Rhea ; her exceptions were his age June. 4.
being 14 yeares older, shee might bee left a wid. with children ;
shee checkt at his estate being not suitable to her porcon, wch
estate of his I suppose not above 350 at most, besides his living of
an 100/. considering his debts ; he seemed to her not loving ; it
was no small greif to mee, but I could not desire it, wn shee said it
would make both yr lives miserable. I shall observe the issue on
both parts. Mr Rhea's estate was not as I thought.

My leg indifferent ; I take the golden spirit scurvy grasse. 4 July. 3.

All quiet in city & contry, und1' noise of imprisonmts. Juty- 10-

John married unknown to mee ; God pardon his errors. Oct. 16.

The good Lady Honywood died early. I went to see her & Oct. 19.
found shee was dead ; I prayed with her ye 17 : she was in a good
frame, she was my good freind, & I hers ; wee lived in love about
40 years acquaintance ; I was serviceable every way to her for
soule & body, and in her estate more then ordinary ; shee left mee
no legacy in her will ; shee sd shee would adde a codicile to re-
member mee & some others, but not done.

The good old Lady Honywood buried ; not a glove, ribband, Oct. 26.
scutcheon, wine, beare, bisquett given at her burial but a litle
mourning to servants. The servts carried her, six persons with
scarfs & gloves bare up the pall.

1 Does this mean that the man arrested had, for a price, protected Josselin's
goods from other thieves ? " It was related of William Nevison, the great robber
of Yorkshire, that he levied a quarterly tribute on all the northen drovers, and in
return not only spared them himself, but protected them against all other thieves."
(Macaulay's History of England, i, 301.)

2 The Third, at Oxford.

3 The king had received a promise from Louis xiv. of three years supply of
money.

4 The leaves of an anti-scorbutic.

180 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

Nov. 27. Nothing yet of winter, heard of E. of Shaftesbury acquitall by
leg : ye grand jury :; yc country & city wrung of it with joy. 2 My legg

swelled much in the calf & upwards, Lord bee my salvacon.
Dec. 4. Ys morning the first meat given catle abroad. Gathered for yfc

French protestants.

Jan. 1. Things very quiet in ye land, notwtl)standing threats agst dis-
senters.

Jan. 8. Quietnes in or borders & in ye city, on which by a quo waranto 3
they endeavr to gain mercy.

Jan. 26. 1681.

Sensible this day entred mee into my 66 yeare ; read this day in
course Deut. 30, 20. God is my life & obedience ye way of life.
March. 12. Sd Duke of York come to Yarmouth to meete the King at New-
market ; God send all well.
1682. Things calm, but surely the papists have some great thing in

April. 9. doing.

May. 7. Wett ; flouds this weeke ; I could not stirre a plow ; much soft
corn spoild ; I had a bad markett for corn ; my family troubles
continue, esp. a froward wife.

May. 26. The citie much hated by ye Court ; the Judges much pervert
justice.

Aug. 13. The popish partie seem to overdrive & flag, yet publique peace.

Oct. 29. Mr Day writt about Mary & his son ; God shew us mercy therin.

Nov. 12. Yet quiet, though alarmd with a great tumult, 6, about ye bonfires.

Coal. 14. Began to burn coal.

Nov. 19. Quiet in or streets ; persons forcd to church about us.

Dec. 24. On the 25 at one of the clocke my freinds came from London ;
the greatest chrismas I kept, yr being 2 young men Mr Day &
Mr Spicer, wellwillers to my virgin daughters; wee had good society;
3 of them went away, the 29th, well satisfied.

1 They were zealous Whigs and threw out the bill.
3 " The last Whig demonstration of this period. " (Trevelyan. p. 419.)
3 A writ of Quo Warranto (Edward I.'s) was issued and the city accused of
breaking the terms of its charter : the charter was confiscated.

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 181

Jan: 26: 67 y. begun.

Sensible this entred my 67 y. I blest God for his presence thus
far with mee. I heartily repent me of my sins & hope in his
mercy.

A bitter morning from my wife, twice I mett with it already, God Jan. 28.
give mee patience : poore dissenters hatterd (s/c), yet wee are in
publique peace, praisd bee God.

Kept the Kings day. Mr Day with us ; poor dissenters hatterd Jan. 30.
at London.

This weeke my breath was much stopt, wch in such a body of Feb. 18.
humors was very dangerous ; my leg sweld much : ors well at
London, but freinds hattered.

This morning being cold windy & wett I preacht not ; God Feb. 25.
pardon mee, it was not out of neglect, it was a force on mee ; some
days past, my breath so short as if I should have died ; if I stird
but a litle, my leg sweld wonderfully, & issue run out litle ; when I
sat still I felt no pain nor trouble : the thoughts of ye dropsie
returnd on mee .... God remove the fear of death from mee :
my two daughters on yr marriage, wch I was desirous to perfect.

At night wonderful ill, I tooke pils, wch did much open & lighten Feb. 26.
my body. 27, I slept ill, & lind pains in my right side.

I walkt before ye house, my children alarmd at London. Mr Day March. 3.
came hastily down & found mee at ye gate. God gave mee liberty
for his holy word : my breath returns. 6, my children came
down. 7, Jonathan came with his bullocks : 12, Mr Day, Mary,
Bettie & my litle Jane rid up to London. 15, 16, I took a draught
of Daffy Elixir ; it wrought much with mee : 17, I was taken ill
at ye priory, sneezing ; all things presented themselves duoble to
mee ; I was lead home ; none preacht. 20, my children returned
from London ; my great & dangerous cough ceasd.

This day I had an indifferent good day ; Mr Ludgater supplied 1683.
my place. April. 1.

My freinds being here from London, Mr Spicer & son Smith April. 8.
came in before 8 of the clock. I went down & read prayers &
preacht a litle more than an houre from ps. 8. 6. " I will dwell

182 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY

in the house of God for ever ; " goodnes should stirre up to more
obedience ... in Gods outward wp.

April. 10. Mary Josselin my 3d daughter being somew1 above 25 y. old
married to Mr Edward Day .... license under Bets hand ; he
was a tallow chandler of S1 Martins. He is his fathers only child,
a man of a good estate, & godly convrsacon. I gave her for porcon
my house I dwell in & land belonging yr to worth 400/. and an 100/.

April. 15. I was very short winded & with much difficulty went up & down
to church. ... I was very ill, and concluded by ye swelling of my

thighs & belly it was the dropsy London to Dr Cox

about it ; God blesse the means I shall use.

May. 2. My children went to London ; yr sister Jane tooke on at mee &
them for yr great porcons ; God give mee patience for I have more
than ordinary need of it.

May. 4. Heard of ye health of my children : Cox sent me his old receits ;
the apothecary made mee pay deare.

May. 6. Mr Spicer married my youngest daughter Mrs Rebekah : I rid
down in her coach & performed it for them ; my son Smith came
down with them ; they returnd die the 12 : my wife . . . first
much troubled ; I was joyd God had so well provided for her. I
gave her 500/. down & with my blessing sent her away.

May. 14. Taking ye harts home drops, I found my phlegm gathered much
& thicke in my chest . . . Still my hope is in God to bring mee
out of all thes troubles, though I am much sweld in my leg that
I can scarce goe, & much strained in the nights in my chest ; my
stomacke was indifferent well this 19 day & I rellisht my beare, &
my bakt meate.

May. 20. Mr Livermore preacht. I began Mr Spicers ale, I thought it
did mee good . . . My drinke works well with mee.

May. 25. Drunk my broome beere in my bed ; I endeavourd to sleepe
after it ; I sweat indifferently.

May. 31. A wonderfull wett May ; I was as sweld, and short breathd as if
I should not have lived through the night, but God had mercy on
mee.

June. 1. I saw my countenance much changed ; it was 3 days yfc my left
leg ran much": 3. I did not perceive I gathered strength nor lost

RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 183

any, but in ye use of means continued in ye same way ; however I
stay myself on my good God, yi yc sicknes doth not issue in death,
but in a trial to doe mee much good.

The weeke past, I slept well, my hands dry, my swelling much July. 1.
in my thighs ; above I seem pretty well ; I find not my breath so
troublesom as some nights formerly. Mr Livermore preacht for
mee ; heard of a new plot ; sd L. Russel & Grey sent to the tower ;
wee shall heare more afterwards ; . . . My wife & all the children
well at London.

My wife returnd safe from London, my six sons & daughters July. 7.
came to the coach with her in health. About ye 10th day I took
my scurvy grass drops, 12 at a time; I thought once it purgd
mee Laying a plaister to my backe, it was better.

God good in my preservacon. I .... went to Colchester. July- 15.

Saw a breif account of my Ld Russels trial & others, who were July. 22.
all condemned.

Wee begun harvest July 27 reaping and mowing. God send July. 29.
us ' Heard all well at London, the German nearly

by

1 This is the last entry in the MS. It is written in a feeble hand. The rest of
the entry is mutilated.

INDEX

Agreement of the People, 63.
Albemarle, Duke of, see Moncke.
Alehouses, 22.
Algiers captives, 178.
Anabaptists, 25, 33, 104, 112, 119.
Archdeacon, visitation of, 141.
Arlington, Earl of, see Bennet.
Ashly, Lord, see Cooper.
Ashly, Sir Jacob, 32.
Association, see Eastern Association.

B

Bacon, Sir Francis, Justice of the
King's Bench, 34.

Bacon, Nathaniel, Master of Re-
quests, 115.

Baptism, Sacrament of, 25, 118, 155.

Barkstead, John, regicide, 139-140.

Baxter, Richard, 126, 134.

Baylie, Thos. 60.

Bedford, army at, 44.

Bedfordshire, 5, 6.

Bennet, Henry, ist Earl of Arling-
ton, 1 66.

Bible, price of, 67.

Bishops Stortford, Josselin's child-
hood at, i.
Blake, Robert, 121.
Books, Centuries of Magdeb, 60 ;
Baker, Sir Rich., his Chronicles

of England, 60;
Camden's Britannia, 104;
Mercator's Maps ;
Cotton, John, on Congregational

Churches, 60 ;

Smalcius, on The Incarnation, 62 ;
Amama, Hebrew Grammar, 62;
Sleidan's Commentarie, 66.
Mead, Joseph, his Clavis Apoca-

lyptica, 48;
Vaser (James Ussher), his Suc-

cessio, 48;

The Magdebtirgensis, 69;
Senertus, Daniel, his Institutions,

69;

Josephus, his Jewish History, 69;

Brightman, on the Revelations^^ ;

London Gazette, 165, i65n., 173;

Chamier, Daniel, his de Oecum-
enico Pontifico, 7;

Ferri, Paul, his Specimen, 59;

Vossius (John Gerard), on Reli-
gion, 60;

186

INDEX

Hooker, Thos., on Church Disci-
pline, 60;
Bellarmin, Robert, Cardinal, his

Stair es to God, 59;
Wharton's Almanac, 108;
Borradale,Mr., Minister at Bumpstead,

3,5-

Boyle, Roger, ist Earl of Orrery, 160.
Bradshaw, John, regicide, 63.
Brereton, Sir William, 20, 21.
Browne, Sir Richard, parliamentary

general, 15.

Bristol, taken by the Royalists, 14.
Bumpsted, (Essex), 3-6.
Burleigh House (Lincolnshire) 28.
Butler, James, ist Duke of Ormonde,

66, 66n., 160.

Cabal, the, 175-6.

Calamy, Edmund, the elder, 134, 142.

Callendar House, near Falkirk, taken
by the English, 89, Sgn.

Cambridge, 3-5, 8, 27, 78, 150, 153,
160.

Carew, John, regicide, 136.

Cattle, see Prices.

Chalke End, (Essex), i.

Charles I, returns from Scotland, 1641,
12; raises an army, 13; his forces
defeated at Newbury, 14; at the
second battle of Newbury, 21; at
Naseby, 27; he leaves for Scot-
land, 32; leaves from Hampton
Court, 45; his execution, 62-3.

Charles II, in hiding on the continent,
92, 92n., 93-4, 97; he returns to
England and is made king, 134-
136; passes an Act of Pardon,
136; his marriage, 137, 138.

Chatham, Dutch near, 157.

Chelmsford, 50, 72, 79, 126, 134.

Chester, Col., his escape from Col-
chester, 55.

Chester, Parliamentary victory at,
31-2.

Chipburne, Capt. 17.

Church, the, 19, 24, 25, 29, 48, 60, 76,
78-

Clarendon, Earl of, see Hyde.

Clement, Gregory, regicide, 136.

Clinton, Edward, Lord Clinton and
Earl of Lincoln, 160.

Clogher, bishop of, 77.

Colman, 175.

Committee Money, 72.

Committee of Defence, 19, ign.

Common Prayer, book of, 72.

Coventicle, Act, 145.

Cooke, Col., 24, 30, 50, 72.

Cooke, John, regicide, 136.

Colchester, plague at, 16, 48 sq.

Compton, Sir William, his escape from
Colchester, 55.

Cooper, Anthony Ashly, ist Earl of
Shaftesbury, 32, 171, I7in., 180,
i8on.

Coote, Sir Chas., 88, 88n.

Corbet, Miles, regicide, 139-140.

Corn, see Prices.

Cornet Castle, in Guernsey, 95, 95n.

Covenant, the new, 14, I4n.

Crane, Lieut., 24.

Cranham, in Essex, Josselin preaches
at, 9; he is married there, 9.

Cromwell, Henry, son of Oliver Crom-
well, 112.

— , Oliver, Protector., 40, 55, 67, 68,
70, 76, 77, 84, 86, 87, 89, 90, 103,

105, 107, III, 112, 114, Il8, 120,
121, 122, 124.

— , death of, 125.
— Richard, Protector, 129.
Culpepper, Col., escape of, from Col-
chester, 55.

INDEX

187

Danby, sec Osborne.

Deane, (Bedfordshire), 6, 7.

Decimated men, 129, 12911.

Declaration, Act of, 118.

Derbyshire, 29.

Desborough, John, major-general, 41.

Devereux, Robert, 3rd Earl of, 14; his

defeat at Lostwithiel, 18 ; his

death, 35.

Directory, the, 25, 27.
Dissenters, 181.
Douglas's Regiment, embarks at

Harwich, 176.

Dover, Treaty of (1670), 161, i6in.
Downing, Sir Geo., 140.
Drake bullet, use of the, 51.
Dublin, royalists at, 66-69.
Dutch work, see weavers.

Earl's Colne (Essex) Josselin accepts
the ministry at, 10-12; parishion-
ers of, 12, 14, 16, 20-21,22, 24, 34,
36, 51, 52, 55, 57, 59, 745 weather,
20, 31, 37, 46, 49, and passim-
crops in, 32, 35, 37, 42, 45, 46, 49,
52, 53, 55, 59, 68, 78, and passim;
attacked by the Royalists, 50-1 ;
school at 72, 8 1, 85, 121, 122 and
passim.

Eastern Association, the, 13, I3n., 24,
24n.

Eden, Lady, 14.

Edgehill, battle of, 13.

Engagement, the, 70-1, 78-9.

England, king of, see Charles I &
Charles II.

— , queen of, Catherine of Brag-
anza, 137, 143, 159, 174.
Henrietta Maria, 12, 147.

Essex, Civil War in, 13, 23-26, 41-45,
53-55; plague in, 147-155 ; small
pox in, 85-87 ; volunteers raised
in, 90; see Earl's Colne and Col-
chester.
Earl of, see Devereux.

Excise, 20.

Exeter, in the hands of the Parliament,
32.

Eyres, 109.

Fagge, Sir John, 168, i68n.

Fairfax, Thomas, 3rd baron, routed at
Advvalton Moor, 1643, 14; false
rumour of defeat of, in the North,
25 ; victory at Naseby, 27 ; in Essex,
41 ; lays down the commission, 76;
declares for free Parliament, 132.

Fifth Monarchy Men, no, 115, 136.

Finch, Heneage, ist Earl of Notting-
ham, 171.

Fire, of London, 154-5.

Foreign Intelligence, loss of Prince
Rupert's fleet off the coast of Spain
80- French victory over the Span-
ish at Rheteb, 80, Son. ; earthquake
in Archipelago, 81; inundation in
Flanders,and of the Seine at Paris,
81 ; Cardinal Mazarin and France,
82 ; relations with France and
Spain, 86-7; war with Portugal,
87, 87n. ; The Cossack revolt
against the Poles, 89, 8gn. ;French
affairs, 91-2, 92n., 94; Peace of
Westphalia, 95, 95n. ; disturbed
relations with other nations, 96,
97, 99; victory of the Dutch fleet
off Dungeness, 1651, 100, icon.;
English relations with the Conti-
nent, 101, loin.; English victory
over the Dutch, 102; English mer-

188

INDEX

hants taken by Spaniards, 103.;
Defeat of the Dutch fleet by the
English, 104, I04n., 105, io5n.;
Peace with Holland, 105, io5n.;
French victory over Spain at
Arras, 107; English fleet in the
Mediterranean, 108, io8n.; Span-
ish victory over the French at
Valenciennes, 1 16; Disturbed state
of the Continent, 117, 119, 123;
Copenhagen taken, 127, I27n.;
war between Spain and Portugal,
143, 144, 145; peace on the Con-
tinent, 145; war with Holland,
154-156, 162-3 J war between
France and Holland, 172-4.

Gascoigne, Sir Bernard, royalist, 53,
53n.

Gaynes Colne, (Essex), 12.

Graham, James, 1st Marquis of Mont-
rose, 28-29.

Gloucester, Duke of, see Stuart.

Goring, George, Earl of Norwich, 50.

Gravesend, the Dutch near, 157.

Gresham, Mr., at the Exchange in
London, 159.

Grey, Thos. Baron Grey de Groby,
109, logn.

Grey, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Stamford,
183.

Grimes, Lt. Col. 30, 32.

Gwynne, Nell, death of her mother,
177.

H

Hackney, school at, 167.
Haines, Major of Horse, 23-24, 28,
30, 31, 37, 55, 67, 72-3, 78, 84,

94, 99, 109, no, 112, H3n.,

116.

Harlakenden, Margaret, 122, 123.
Harlakenden, Mrs., 127-129.
Harlakenden, Richard, of the Priory,

10-12, 19, 21, 24, 31, 37, 39, 55, 59,

64, 65, 68, 71, 80 and passim.

— death of, 127-128.
, his son, 71.

Thomas, 10, 15, 65.
Harlakenden, William, Commissary

General to the Earl of Manchester,

18, 21-23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 32, 37-8,

64,80,87.
— , Chaplain, 27.

Harrison, Thos. regicide, 89, 136.
Hastivile, Baron, Protestant refugee,

19.

" Highway trade " 179.
Hinningham, (Essex), 17, 41, 49, 127,

131-

Hispaniola, great losses at, 112.
Holborne, Sir Robert, 25.
Holmes, Sir Robert, 162.
Honywood, Sir Thomas, 15, 18, 19,

38, 50, 61, 153.
— , wife of, 15, 23, 26, 32, 50-53,

163, 165; her death in 1680, 179.
Hopton, Ralph, ist baron, his defeat

at Cheriton, 15.
Hotham, Sir John, I4n.
Hothamjohn, son of Sirjohn Hotham,

I4n.
House of Commons, 12, 23, 41, 43, 46,

61, 63. 157, 168.

— Lords, 63, 165, see Parliament.
Hull, threatened by the Royalists, 14.
Huntingdon, Josselin at, 6, 28.
Hyde, Anne, Duchess of York, 136.
Hyde, Edward, Earl of Clarendon,

136.

Hyde Park, 138.
Hythe, 53.

INDEX

189

Impropriations, 21, 36-8.
Indemnity, Act of, 135.
Independents, 19, no, 117.
Ireland, rebels in, 17; royalists in, 66-

7 ; they take Culmore Castle, 67 ;

Ormond defeated by Generaljones

at Rathmines, 68; plague in, 76;

royalist reverses in, 78, 88.
Ireland, William, (alias Ironmonger),

174.
Ireton, Henry, regicide, 94, 96.

J

Jacob, Sir John, 23, 37.

Jamaica, 114.

Jones, John, regicide, 136.

Jermaine, Col., Major of Foot, 24.

Jesuits, 101, 174, 177.

Jews, 112.

Josselin, Rev. Ralph, his birth and
childhood, i; his education, I, 2;
at Jesus College, Cambridge, 3,
4, 5; his family relations, 4,6, u,
16, 19, 25, 26, and passim ; his
father's death, 5; becomes usher
to Mr. Neale, of Deane, 7 ; his
friends, 5, 14, 17, 26, 31, and^as-
si m ;his preference for the ministry
8; his marriage, 9; he teaches at
Cranham, 10; he accepts the min-
istry of Earl's Colne, 10; yearly
state of his accounts, 10, 21, 42,
46, 49, 61, and passim ; births of
his children, 12, 15,46,65,91, 144;
purchase of land by, 20, 33, 34, 35,
40,42 ; he becomes army chaplain
to Col. Harlakenden's regiment,
27; he rides to London, 40, 41;
deaths of his children, 46-7,73-5;
death of his friend, Mrs. Mary

Church, 75 ; writes a news-letter
for New-England, 73 ; preaches
before the Lord Mayor, 91 ; re-
ceives an order for becoming an
assistant in ejecting inefficient
ministers and schoolmasters, 123;
he is plundered by the royalists,
51 ; thinks of leaving Earl's Colne,
55-60 ; education of his children,
69, 70, 71 ; he becomes school-
master of Earl's Colne, 71-75, 76,
78, 79, 81 ; he fears losing the
mastership, 120, 122, 126; travels
to Worcester, 127-128 ; and to
Tunbridge Wells, 168; marriages
of his children, 161, 172, 182 ; his
last illness, 181-3.

Juxon, William, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, 143, 161.

K

Kempe, Mr., of Sutton, 5-6.

L

Lambert, John, Major-General, 89,
131, 132, 134.

Lancashire, 67.

Land, delivery of, 40.

— value of, 68.

Lant, Thomas, tutor at Cambridge, 3.

Laud, William, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, 1 8, 23, 29, 60.

Laurence, Capt. 42.

Lawson, Sir John, Admiral, death of,
147.

Lectures, n, 12, 14, 49, 118, 133, 140.

Leicester Abbey, 28-9, 29n.

Leicester, taken by Royalists, 26-27,

33-

Leigh, Mr., his school at Bishops Stort-
ford, 2.

190

INDEX

Levellers, the, 64-5, 69, 109.

License to marry, 107.

Lilburne, Lt. Col. 64, 97.

Lincoln, Earl of, see Clinton.

Lisle, Sir Geo., royalist, death of, 53.

London, 9, n, 22, 40, 41, 44, 45, 138.

— St. Paul's, 138, 174.

- See Whitehall, and Josselin, R.

London, Lord Mayor of, Thos. Foote.

91; John Treton, 133; Sir Robert

Viner, 167.
London, bishop of , William Juxon, n.

— , Humphrey Henchman, 146,

159-

Long Parliament, 9.
Lord's Supper, 38-80, 82, 83, 146.
Lorraine, Duke of, 86.
Love, Mr., death of, 88, 88n.
Lovedyn, Dr., 29.

Lucas, Sir Chas., royalist, death of, 53.
Ludlow, Edmund, regicide, 94.
Lutherans, creed of, 19, 66.

M

Major Generals, 114.

Malignants, 90.

Manasseh, Ben. Israel, 95.

Mandeville, Lord, see Montagu.

Manor Courts, 77.

Martin, Henry, 64, 64n.

Massey, Sir Edward, Major-General,
44.

Merrill, Mr., librarian to Lord Man-
deville, 7.

Militia, 44.

Ministry, committee for plundered,
81.

— , ejection of, 123.

Monck, George, ist Duke of Albe-
marle, 132, 135; his death, 160;
his wife's death soon after, 160.

Monmouth, Duke of, 177.

Montagu, Edward, 2nd Earl of Man-
chester and Viscount Mandeville,
7, 9, 21-22, 114, H4n.

Montrose, Marquis of, see Graham.

Munster, bishop of, 149.

N

Nailor, see Naylor.

Naseby, battle of, 26.

Nayler, James, quaker, 119.

Neale, Mr., schoolmaster of Deane,

6-7.

Nettles, Stephen, controversialist (?) 17.
Newark, Royalist victory at, 15.
Newbury, battles of, 14; 21.
New England, plantations in, 25;

losses at sea, near, 25, 73, 100, 102.
Newport Pannell, Northampton, 15.
Nonconformists, 160, 161, 169.
Norfolk, 6, 7, 79, 130.
Northamptonshire, 7, 15.
Norwich, Earl of, see Goring.
Nottingham, Earl of, see Finch.

O

Gates, Titus, 33.

Okey, John, regicide, 139-140.

Olny, (Bucks),' 7-9, 14, 16.

Orange, William, Prince of, 172,

173-
Orleans, Henrietta-Maria, Duchess of,

161.

Ormonde, Duke of, see Butler.
Orrery, see Boyle.
Osborne, Sir Thos., ist Earl of Danby,

Marquis of Carmarthen, Duke of

Leeds, 174, I74n. 176.
Owen Dr., Dean of Christ Church

48, 84-85, 84n., 116, 118, 168.
Oxford, 69.
Oxford, Earl of, see Vere.

INDEX

191

Pairing Courts, 36.

Papists, 137, 142, 164, 180.

Parliament, 9, 13, 21, 44, 48, 61 and
passim ; orders the removal of
images in the churches, 12; col-
lects an army, 13 ; accept the
covenant, 14 ; House of Lords
abolished, 63 ; turned out by the
army, io3,Barebones Parliament,
104, I04n.; dissolved by Crom-
well 108-9; second Protectorate
Parliament, 116-119, n6n. ; dis-
solved by Cromwell, 124 ; third
Protectorate Parliament, dissolv-
ed by Richard Cromwell, 129,
I29n.; first Parliament of Charles
II, 138; Act of Uniformity passed
by, 140; money voted to king for
the French war, 173 ; the third
Parliament of Charles II, 179,

Parliamentary elections, 107, 117, 175.

Pelham, speaker in the House of Com-
mons, 16, 44, 46-7.

Peterborough, John Towers, Bishop
of, 8.

Peters, Hugh, regicide, 136.

Pirate, a " King's ", 25.

Plague, the, 34, 76, 107, 147, 148, 149 sq.

Plot, Waller's 14, I4n.

— the Popish, 174 sq.

Poyer, John, royalist, 49, 49n.

Presbyterians, no.

Preston, battle of, 55.

Prices : hops, 21; meat, 35; wool, 37;
provisions, 45, 61, 63-5; corn, 32,
70, 93-4, 105, 139, 141, 159; cattle,
76, 107, 130; hay 98; silver plate,
124, 126; wages, 12, 94, 126, 136.

Procurations, 141.

Protestation, the, n.

Pullein, Samuel, Archbishop of Tuam,
122, 125, 135.

Q

Quakers, the, 111-112, 114-115, 118,
130, 139, 144, 166, 177.

R

Rainsborough, [Rainborow] Col.
Thos., assination of, at Doncaster,

59-

Rich, Charles, elected knight of the
Shire, 126.

Rich, Lady Mary, Countess of War-
wick, 165.

Rich, Nathaniel, 109, iO9n, no.

Rich, Robert, 2nd Earl of Warwick, 30.

Richmond, Duke of, see Stuart.

Rogers, John, 119, ngn.

Rossiter, Col., 28.

Rupert, Prince, 25, 25n., 80.

Russell, William, Lord, 183.

Rutlandshire, 28.

Sabatai, prophet of the Jews, 152.

Saltonstall, Lady, death of, 139.

Savoyards, the, in.

Scarborough, 24.

School, Josselin's, at Earl's Colne, 73,
75, 79 sq.

Scotland, royalist reverses at Mussel-
burgh, 77-78; Siege of Edinburgh
Castle, 80; Scots invade England,
89-91 ; they are driven back, 90-1.

Scot, Thos., regicide, 136.

Scroope, Adrian, regicide, 136.

Sequestration, 14.

Service Books, 140.

Shaftesbury, Earl of, see Cooper.

Shipman, Sir Abraham, 55.

192

INDEX

Ships, Josselin buys a share in one,

15, 19 ; of Colchester, taken by

Irish rebels, 17.
Skippon, Philip, 44.
South wark, 44.
Spalditch, Josselin spends the night

at, 7.
Sports : Shovelboard, 8 ; ' cat on the

green, ' 137 ; hunting, 30.
Stamford, Earl of, sec Grey.
Stamford, Josselin at, 28-9.
Stuart, Princess Elizabeth, her death,

78.

— , Henry, Duke of Gloucester, 136.
— , James, 4th Duke of Lennox and

ist Duke of Richmond, 32.
— , — , Duke of York, 136, 138, 159,

178, 180.

— , — , his marriage, 165-6, 176.
Surplice, use of the, 178.
Sutton, (Bedfordshire), 5.
Symons, Mr., of Bumpstead, 3.

Tangier, Fleet, 150.

Taylor, Captain, 45.

Thirloe, John, 129.

Ticket Money, 100.

Tilbury, 44.

Torrington, Parliamentary victory at,

31-2.

Train Bands, 25, 29.
Tuam, Archbp. of, see Pullein.
Tunbridge Wells, 168.
Turner, Serjeant, 34, 41.
Tumor, Mr., 126.

U

Uniformity, Act of, 140, 141.
Upminster, (Essex), Josselin teaches

at, 9-10.
Uxbridge, treaty of, 24, 2411.

Vane, Sir Henry.

Vere, Lady Anne, of Tilbury, 160 ;
her death, 162.

Vere, Aubrey de, 2oth Earl of Ox-
ford, 48, 122-123.

Viner, Sir Robert, Lord Mayor of
London, 167.

Visitation, (Bishop's), 146.

— , (Archdeacon's), 141, 147, 161, 169,
171.

Volunteers, 90.

W

Wages, see Prices.

Wakeman, Sir Geo., 177.

Waller, Edmund, poet, his plot to
betray London to the king, 14.

Waller, Sir William, defeat at Round-
way Down, 1643, 14 ; victorious
at Cheriton, 15; in the West, 25.

Wansford, bridge, 28.

Warner, Capt., 28.

Warwick, Earl of, see Rich.

Warwick, Lady, see Rich.

Weavers, Dutch, at Colchester, 16.

Wethersfield, manuscripts at, 19.

Whalley, Edward, regicide, 46.

Whitehall, 139.

Wildman, Sir John, 109, logn.

Williamson, Sir Joseph, 174, I74n.

Woolph, Mr, 28.

Worcester. 90, 91, 127, 133.

— battle of, 90, 91.

Wormington, (Northants.), Josselin
preaches his first sermon at, 7.

York, Duke of, see Stuart.

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