By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. 



21 



however irregularly, and that the offenders deserved all they got, 

 one can only regret that their surviving relations did not think so> 

 and that public opinion did not support the Rector in his rigorous 

 measures. These certainly, well intentioned as they were, did not 

 meet with that vulgar criterion of wise counsels — success. In 

 spite of the Rector's discipline, perhaps because of it, the people 

 became more and more embittered, not only against him (which 

 would have been a temporary misfortune), but also against the 

 whole race of Rectors and the Church which they personified, a 

 calamity yet enduring and likely to endure. Instead of availing 

 themselves of "the office and the Christian prayers of the Church," 

 as good Mr. Hickes intended, they founded Dissenting chapels 

 and enclosed burial grounds of their own. Parsons as well as 

 farmers, say, "Delicto, mqjorum immeritus luis." 



There are some rather interesting entries in connection with 

 Bishop Burnet in 1711. " Mary Nutt (of 16 years of age) bap- 

 tised July 18, and confirmed by the Bishop immediately at the 

 Font. His lordship abiding at the Font during the service of bap- 

 tism." "Mary, widow of Robert Collet, was baptised Jan. 6, 1 aged 

 50 years." " The said Mary Collet was confirmed by Bishop 

 Burnet July 21, 1711." "Dr. Gilbert Burnet Lord Bishop of 

 Sarum preached in the Church of Broghton Tuesday July 21, 

 1711." This is a pleasing illustration (and there are many such 

 elsewhere) of Bishop Burnet's diligence in visiting every part of 

 his Diocese. His custom was to make some market town his head 

 quarters, entertaining the clergy there, and making excursions 

 from thence to the neighbouring parishes. If he were expected, 

 and a congregation waiting to hear his earnest and powerful 

 preaching, no roads, no weather, no floods detained him. He risked 

 his life in these excursions, as readily as John Wesley. The next 

 Bishop who visited us was the late Bishop Denison, when, at the 

 re-opening of the Church, in October 1850, he preached a sermon 

 which will long be in the memories of those that heard it. The 



1 Old style being used, Mary Collet was confirmed before she was baptised. 

 Her want of baptism was doubtless not then known, when discovered it was 

 supplied. 



