SIXTEENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT TIME. 49 
The parishioners also took up the cudgels on behalf of their 
leader, who was being subjected to a personal attack at Court. 
‘We y®* inhabitants of y* parish of Lewsham in Kent whose 
names are under written hearing of the sundry defamations and 
vncharitable speeches given out in a petition to y® King’s Majesty 
against Abraham Colfe Vicar of our parish, and being desired by 
him to testify our knowledge of his behaviour among us doe 
solemnly protest before God and witnes this for a truth unto all 
those whom it may concerne that the said Abraham Colfe having 
lived as a curate and vicar these 10 yeares among us hath not to 
our knowledg demeaned himself otherwise than becometh the 
minister of God’s Word; for he hath bene very painfull in his 
calling, duly preaching once (and for y® great part of the summer 
twice every Sabath among us) liberall to y® poore, given to 
PLATE 11.—A View AT LEWISHAM, 1770. 
hospitality and other good workes, in his life peaceable, not having 
had any one suit or controversy in law all this time against any of 
us; no way savouring of a factious or sedicious spirit neither in 
publick or private speeches or actions; but continually dehorting 
us during y* time of our distressed suit about our common both 
from reviling them in speeches yt have sought to get away y® 
meanes of our living and from performing any outward act y* 
might be either offensive to his Majestie of prejudiciall to ye lawes. 
of y* realme.”’ ¢ 
The result of these petitions was that the Privy Council 
referred the matter to the Lord Chief Baron and Sir Edward 
Bromley, one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer to endeavour 
to mediate between the parishioners and»Newport and his friends. 
But the latter demanded £1,000 as compensation, and seeing 
E 
