504 
The sum of £42 gs. 3d. was due to Mayor Masters at the end 
of his term, October 1658, from Chamberlain John Ford (Mayor 
1660-61) and this sum was not paid until October 17th 1659. © 
On October 25th, 1660, it was “‘ Agreede that Mr. John Masters 
keep y® Ordinary for y® Lecturer for y® next year,” and in 1662 
the Ch. Ac. notes, 
“Ttem (pd) Mr. John Masters for two 
yeares Ordinary 30 — 00 — 00.” 
Soon after the capture of the City by Fairfax in 1645 ‘‘ there 
seems to have been an attempt at a religious revival. A course 
of Wednesday sermons was established, and an ‘“ Ordinary ” was 
to be provided, at which the preacher was to have a free dinner, 
and other citizens were to pay a shilling a head. The entertain- 
ment or the company was not appreciated, for it was found 
necessary to make an ordinance that the Mayor, one of the 
aldermen, and two of the common councilmen should be present 
“according as they shall be warned.” If any one warned did not 
care to come, he could settle by sending a shilling, but if he 
failed to do this, he incurred a fine of three shillings and four- 
pence.” Keeping the Ordinary survived the Puritan epoch and 
must have been profitable to the holder, instanced by the always 
keen competition for the post. 
Masters was another of the Council generally behind when 
payment of Rent was concerned, and entries of the arrears due 
from him for various premises he held in Stall Street and other 
parts of the City are frequent from 1665. 
Masters was Mayor in 1671-2, and during this term the 
Council in generous mood “ Agreede that 20 li a yeare more 
shall be added to the Maiors Stipend for y® time being and so to 
any Maior for y* future.” 
Masters again filled the office of Mayor in 1679-80. Onthe 28th 
of February 1681, he was one of the Justices and the Council 
then ‘ Agreed that Mr. John Masters shall have the towne comon 
for 1134 for y® yeare ensuing.” 
