92 James Ley, Hari of Marlborough. 
Restoration of Charles II., when the oppressive tenures which 
gave occasion for its jurisdiction ceased to exist. 
There seems to have been another reason which induced Sir 
James to accept the presidency of thiscourt. Although he was the 
the youngest of six children he was now the sole survivor of his 
brothers, and as he had inherited the property at Teffont Evias and 
Westbury he was naturally anxious to hold some office which would 
enable him to reside part of the year at Heywood. 
In that year—1609—George Webb, Vicar of Steeple Ashton, 
the advowson of which parish then belonged to the Heywood 
property, was appointed to preach at S. Paul’s, when the judges 
attended service there on the first Sunday after Trinity. The 
sermon which he preached, entitled “ God’s Controversy with 
England,’ is published with a dedication to Sir James and Lady 
Ley. In this he says that “he had been called from his little 
Anathoth at home to bewray his weakness at the chiefest watch- 
tower of the land.” Urged to publish his sermon he says, “ It being 
a case of controversy and matter of judgment, how could it find a 
better patrociny than to come forth under your protection, who 
have yourself been heretofore a judge, yea Lord Chief Justice of 
His Majesty’s realm of Ireland, a zealous and upright judge, es- 
pecially in the controversies of the Lord, as the Church of Ireland 
to God’s glory and your everlasting praise doth testify ; and now 
also (and that most justly) are a judge in one of God’s most especial 
judgment seats in this land to see that the orphans and fatherless 
may not suffer wrong. Secondly, seeing that your worship is lately 
seized with the patronage, to which as patron, though unworthy, I 
owe myself and my service, I could not but congratulate your 
entrance into the same with this poor present.” And then the 
dedication continues with a tribute to Lady Ley, which tells us 
something of her life at Heywood. “ And as for you, Madam, I 
have made bold likewise to mention your name in this my dedication 
that I might in some sort certify mine unfeigned thankfulness for 
the many favours I have received at your hands, and for that great 
encouragement which you have given both to me and others, my 
fellow brethren, in our ministry here in this part of our country by 
