A HISTORY OF NORFOLK It was in Norwich and Norfolk that the Independent party first began to grow into a powerful body ; in the beginning under the leadership of Robert Browne, but after his withdrawal, under the far more capable and admirable John Robinson of Norwich. Considerable light is thrown on the relations of the Presbyterian and Independent parties in Norwich in 1646 by two pamphlets entitled respectively Vox Populi : or, The Peoples Cry against the Clergy^ and Vox Norivici,^ an answer to the same, described on the title-page as — An Hue or Cry after Vox Populi, or an Answer to Vox Diaboli, or a Libellous Pamphlet falsely styled Vox Populi, reviling the Magistracy and Ministry of Norwich. Wherein is laid downe. The Truth of the Rise and Progress of the said Ministers of Norwich their late Remonstrance, Together with the deceitfuU dealing of the Independent Faction in getting hands to their Petition there annexed, and their juggling in other petitions in that city. As also what entertainment their Petition found in the Court of Maioralty and Committee for the County. Together with the Entertainment of this scurrilous Pamphlet in that city. The Vox Populi thus retorted upon had also on its title-page a similar ampli- fication, which explains it as — containing the Rise, Progress, and Ruine of the Norwich Remonstrance framed and fomented by the late Ministers of that city, being encouraged thereunto by some great persons from above ; or The Humble Petition of the Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the county of Northfolk and City of Norwich. A Protest against dissensions and oppressions practised in Norwich and Petition that the Church Government might be settled according to our Covenant. Vox Populi had attacked the ministers who had presented a remonstrance against the declaration of 17 April previous, and especially against Mr. Thornbecke, who preached before the magistrates, 16 June, 1646, the day on which the mayor was sworn, and Masters Carter, Stinnet, Fletcher, Bond, Stukeley, Toft and Michel, who next day waited on the mayor to ask leave to present the remonstrance. It mentions that out of thirty-six parishes in Norwich, twenty-six were without ministers. Vox Norwici vindicates the ministers, and sets forth that — the City of Norwich, viz : the court of Maioraltie and Common Councell by their Act of Assemblie; the Rest of the well affected Citizens and Inhabitants, by the subscription of their names thereunto, doe vindicate their ministers. Master Thornbecke, etc. from the foule and false aspersions and slanders, which are unchristianly throwne upon them in a lying and scurrilous Libell, lately come forth, intituled Vox Populi, or the People's Cry against the Clergy, or rather the voice of a Schismaticke projecting the discouragement, and driving away, of our faithfuU Teachers, but we hope his lies shall not so affect it.' This pamphlet informs the reader that the ministers themselves ' will not be perswaded to ingage their pens in answering that fardell of untruths,' also that by an Act of Common Council the mayor and citizens disclaim all connexion with or responsibility for Vox Populi. On the whole it surpasses the other in abusiveness, and does not attempt to refute the assertion that twenty-six out of thirty-six Norwich churches are empty ; on the contrary, its line of defence seems to be that the godly have something more serious on hand than filling such posts.* ' B. M. Pamphlets, E. 351 (7). ' Ibid. E. 358 (4). ' It gives an account of the lives of the ministers vindicated by it, and mentions that Master Carter hath lived minister of St. Peter's parish these seventeen years, except when he was banished by Bishop Wren and his chancellor, and because of his objecting to prelatical ceremonies was unmercifully persecuted by Bishop Wren and his chancellor and suspended, deprived and molested ; that Mr. Stinnet hath been troubled and 292
