ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



ampton, which was their stronghold. Isaac Watts, deacon of the 

 Independent Meeting House of Upper Bar, 1 Southampton, was in the 

 gaol of Southampton for a religious offence at the time of the birth of 

 his son Isaac in 1674, as well as in the following year. It is to the 

 young Isaac Watts, son of a Southampton clothier, born in the stress of 

 a bigoted persecution, that the whole Church owes that noble rendering 

 of Psalm xc., * Our God, our help in ages past.' This inspired hymn of 

 the Hampshire lad was first sung from manuscript, line by line, in the 

 humble Southampton meeting house where his father was deacon. Surely 

 it is a sign of more generous days that this truly catholic hymn was the 

 one selected to be sung at the great commemorative service for Arch- 

 bishop Laud in All Hallows Church, Barking, on 10 January, 1895, 

 before Bishop Creighton's sermon ; and that on 17 January, 1901, it 

 was again sung by archbishops and bishops, king's representatives and 

 lord mayors, round the grave of Bishop Creighton in the cathedral 

 church of St. Paul. 



The licentious Charles was fond of Winchester, and Wren began 

 for him here a magnificent residence on the lines of Versailles. Oft as 

 the story has been told, it must here be chronicled how bringing with 

 him, on one of his last visits to Winchester, Nell Gwynne, he requested 

 Prebendary Ken to receive her as his guest, but Ken flatly refused. 

 Soon afterwards (1684) Bishop Morley died, and Peter Mews was trans- 

 lated to Winchester. There were many applications for the see vacated 

 by Mews. ' Where is the little man who would not give poor 

 Nelly a lodging,' said the king ; ' give it to him.' In this worthy way 

 the saintly Ken became bishop of Bath and Wells. 



The suspension, by the king's indulgence in 1672, of the penal laws 

 against worship other than that of the Church of England, which was 

 however speedily set at nought by the parliament, brought to light the 

 strength of nonconformity in Hampshire. Licenses had to be obtained 

 from London for permission to assemble. The returns show that there 

 were 39 licensed for Presbyterian worship or as residences of their 

 ministers, 26 Congregational and 5 Anabaptists.* 



The boldest application made for a license was for one in the centre 

 of the cathedral city. Samuel Tomlins, Presbyterian minister of Upham, 

 applied for a license to hold services in the house of Anne Complim, 

 * over the market house, Winchester.' 3 



1 The records of the Independent chapel of Upper or Above Bar, Southampton (founded in 1652), 

 of which Cromwell's chaplain Robinson became the minister in 1662, show that it was originally a 

 curious amalgam of Presbyterianism and Independency, there being both elders and deacons at the 

 same time (From information kindly supplied by Mr. Charles Cox, sen. deacon). 



9 Presbyterian at Alton, Andover (2), Ashmansworth, Bredland, Brocklehurst, Clatford, Crondal (2), 

 Christchurch (2), Easton (2), Emsworth, Eling, Farnborough, Fordingbridge, Godshill, Gosport, Havant, 

 Hayling (2), Kingsclere, Lymington (2), Lower Clatford, Longstock (2),Longparish, Odiham, Portsmouth, 

 Ringwood, Romsey (3), Sopley, Southampton and Winchester (2). Congregational at Andover, 

 Binsted, Castlehold, Droxford, Fareham, Gosport, Hayling, Hythe, Lymington, Nether Wallop, New- 

 port, Odiham, Romsey (2), Southampton (2), Sutton, Southwick (2), Titchfield, Wherwell, Weston, 

 Westcourt (2), Upper Wallop and Yarmouth. Anabaptist : Broughton, St. Mary Bourne, Waltham (2), 

 Whitchurch and Upper Wallop (Calendar of State Papers, Charles II. 88 b. 88 c. passim.). 



s Dom. State Papers, Charles II. cccx. 71. 



95 



