Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/209

388 their reliefe; And though not many yeares past they have had some former collections in this kind, yet, havinge lately suffered sundry calamities, by the continuall incursions of their enemies, they are now in very lowe and dangerous estate, and wth the same feares attendinge. These are therefore heartily to pray yor Lop that you will take care, by some of yor officers, that the briefes that are therewth sent you by his Matie's comaund be diligently dispersed into the sev'all parishes wthin yor dioces; and that the collection wch shalbe made thereupon be duly, carefully, and wth all convenient speed, returned to me together wth all the briefes and money gathered, according to the tenor of his Matie's sayd lr̃es pattents, that I may make accompte thereof, and pay in the money accordingly; thus not doubtinge of yor best assistance & furtherance in a worke of so pious & full of charity, desiring to receive answere of yor receipt hereof, I comitt you to God and rest yor Lops very lovinge freind & brother .'
 * From Winchester House 5to Junii, 1635."

This collection for the exiled ministers of the Palatinate from the diocese of Chester was made in 1636, and amounted in all to £168 13s. 8d. This was the third collection that had been asked for them. The first, for which the King's letters were issued in 1627, amounted to £144 13s. 4d.; and the second, for which letters were issued in 1631, amounted to £52 10s. 6d.

The collection in 1635-6 must have fallen heavily upon the clergy, for besides the contribution they had promised towards the repairs of St. Paul's cathedral for the three years 1634, 1635, and 1636, they were called upon to pay ship money in the years 1635-6, 1636-7, and 1637-8, to which the share of the clergy of the county of Chester alone was assessed at £200; that of the whole county being £3,500.