Page:A short history of social life in England.djvu/237

Rh pulpit, where they make an insipid, tedious, and immethodical prayer &hellip; after which follows the sermon &hellip; which nor the people nor themselves well understand, but these they extend to an extraordinary length &hellip; and well they may, for their chairs are lined with prodigious velvet cushions, upon which they loll and talk till almost they sleep. Few take notice of the Lord's Prayer; it is esteemed a weakness to use it. Such of the churches as I have frequented were dammed up with pews, every three or four of the inhabitants sitting in narrow pounds or pulpits by themselves. The apprehension of Popery having carried them so far to the other extreme, they have lost all moderation and decorum." The idea of the Commonwealth was to make men religious and temperate by Act of Parliament. Hence profane cursing and swearing were fined; the first offence for a duke, marquis, earl, viscount, or baron was 30s.; a baronet or knight, 20s.; esquire, 10s.; gentleman, 6s. 8d.; and all others 3s. 4d. A woman indulging in oaths was fined according to the position of her husband or father. Those unable to pay were put in the stocks, or, if under the age of twelve, they were whipped. All buying and selling on Sunday was stopped, travelling was forbidden,