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The Original of the following extraordinary Treatife confifted of two large Volumes in Folio which might juftly be entitled, The Importance of a Man to himself: But, as it can be of very little to any body befides, I have contented myself to give only this fhort Abstract of it, as a Taste of the true Spirit of Memoir-Writers.

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N the name of the Lord. Amen. I, P. P. by the Grace of God, Clerk of this Parish, writ

eth this Hiftory.

Ever fince I arrived at the age of difcretion, I had a call to take upon me the function of a Parishclerk; and to that end, it feemed unto me meet and profitable to affociate myself with the parish-clerks of this Land; fuch I mean, as were right worthy in their calling, men of a clear and sweet voice, and of becoming gravity.

VOL. VII.

Now it came to país, that I was born in the year of our Lord Anno Domini 1655, the year wherein our worthy benefactor, Efquire Bret, did add one Bell to the ring of this Parish So that

it hath been wittily said, "That one and the same "day did give to this our Church two rare gifts, its great Bell and its Clerk."

Even when I was at fchool, my mistress did ever extol me above the rest of the youth, in that I had a laudable voice. And it was further-more obferved, that I took a kindly affection unto that Black letter in which our Bibles are printed. Yea, often did I exercife myself in finging godly ballads, fuch as The Lady and Death, The Children in the Wood, and Chevy-Chace; and not, like other children, in lewd and trivial ditties. Moreover, while I was a boy, I always adventured to lead the pfalm next after Mafter William Harris, my predeceffor, who (it must be confessed to the Glory of God) was a moft excellent Parish-clerk in that his day.

Yet be it acknowledged, that at the age of fixteen I became a Company-keeper, being led into idle converfation by my extraordinary love to Ringing infomuch, that in a short time I was ac quainted with every fett of bells in the whole coun try: Neither could I be prevailed upon to abfent myself from Wakes, being called thereunto by the harmony of the fteeple. While I was in these focie

ties, I gave myself up to unfpiritual pastimes, such as wrestling, dancing, and cudgel-playing; fo that I often returned to my father's house with a broken pate. I had my head broken at Milton by Thomas Wyat, as we played a bout or two for an Hat that was edged with filver galloon. But in the year following I broke the head of Henry Stubbs, and obtained an hat not inferior to the former. At Yelverton I encountered George Cummins, Weaver, and behold my head was broken a second time! At the wake of Waybrook I engaged William Simkins, Tanner, when lo! thus was my head broken a third time, and much blood trickled therefrom. But I adminiftred to my comfort, faying within myfelf, "What man is there, howfoever dextrous in "any craft, who is for aye on his guard ?" A week after I had a base-born child laid unto me; for in the days of my youth I was looked upon as a follower of venereal fantafies: Thus was I led into fin by the comelinefs of Sufannah Smith, who firft tempted me and then put me to fhame; for indeed she was a maiden of a feducing eye, and pleasant feature. I humbled myfelf before the Juftice, I acknowledged my crime to our Curate; and to do away mine offences and make her fome attonement, was joined to her in holy wedlock on the fabbath day following.

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How often do thofe things which feem unto us

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misfortunes, redound to our advantage! For the Minifter (who had long looked on Sufanna as the most lovely of his parishioners) liked fo well of my demeanour, that he recommended me to the honour of being his Clerk, which was then become vacant by the decease of good Mafter William Harris.

Here ends the firft chapter; after which follow ffty or fixty pages of his amours in general, and that particular one with Susanna his prefent Wife; but I proceed to chapter the ninth.

No fooner was I elected into mine office, but I layed afide the powder'd gallantries of my youth, and became a new man. I confidered myself as in fome wife of ecclefiaftical dignity, fince by wearing a band, which is no fmall part of the ornament of our Clergy, I might not unworthily be deemed, as it were, a fhred of the linnen vestment of Aaron.

Thou may'ft conceive, O reader, with what concern I perceived the eyes of the congregation fixed upon me, when I first took my place at the feet of the Priest. When I raised the pfalm, how did my voice quaver for fear! and when I arrayed the fhoulders of the Minifter with the furplice, how did my joints tremble under me! I faid within myself, "Remember, Paul, thou ftandeft before men of "high worship, the wife Mr. Juftice Freeman', the grave Mr. Juftice Tonfon, the good La

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"dy Jones, and the two virtuous gentlewomen her daughters, nay the great Sir Thomas Truby, Knight and Baronet, and my young mafter the Efquire, who fhall one day be Lord of this Ma"nor:" Notwithstanding which, it was my good hap to acquit myself to the good liking of the whole congregation; but the Lord forbid I fhould glory therein.

The next chapter contains an account how he dif charged the several duties of his office: in particular he infifts on the following:

I was determined to reform the manifold Corruptions and Abuses which had crept into the Church.

First, I was especially fevere in whipping forth dogs from the Temple, all excepting the lap-dog of the good widow Howard, a fober dog which yelped not, nor was there offence in his mouth.

Secondly, I did even proceed to moroseness, tho' fore against my heart, unto poor babes, in tearing from them the half-eaten apples which they privily munch'd at Church. But verily it pity'd me, for I remember'd the days of my youth.

Thirdly, With the fweat of my own hands, I did make plain and fmooth the dogs-ears throughout our great Bible.

Fourthly, The pews and benches which were