The life and death of Mr. Tho. Wilson, minister of Maidstone, in the county…

I said unto the Apparitor, remember you to keep Holy the Sabaoth day, and added no more words. I refused to read the Book mentioned, not out of any contempt of any Authority, but as being commanded by no Law, for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it, nor it to be read but published; neither came it with, nor know I of any Seal to confirm it, so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book, for as I understand all his Majesties Writs, Proclamations, and Mandates, use to come with a Seal; and his Majesty intended (as I conceive) not to trouble any that refused to read it, seeing there is no penalty threatened, nor authority given (that I know of) to any to question them that refuse to read it; my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience, which for satisfaction to his High Court, and to clear me from contempt, I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus: His Majesties express Pleasure is, that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom, Book, Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham; now this Book as I ⟨p. 75⟩conceive is contrary to both.

I said unto the Apparitor, remember you to keep Holy the Sabbaoth day, and added no more words. I refused to read the Book mentioned, not out of any contempt of any Authority, but as being commanded by no Law, for the Kings Majesty doth not in the Book command or appoint the Minister to read it, nor it to be read but published; neither came it with, nor know I of any Seal to confirm it, so that I dared not take notice of it to be the Kings Book, for as I understand all his Majesties Writs, Proclamations, and Mandats, use to come with a Seal; and his Majesty intended (as I conceive) not to trouble any that refused to read it, seeing there is no penalty threatned, nor authority given (that I know of) to any to question them that refuse to read it; my refusal to read it was upon sufficient grounds of Law and Conscience, which for satisfaction to his High Court, and to clear me from contempt, I shall here by way of Answer briefly and fully express thus: His Majesties express Pleasure is, that the Laws of the Kingdom and Cannons of the Church be observed in all places of the Kingdom, Book, Pag. 8. and therefore in Kent and in Otham; now this Book as I