"I was once more invited to solicit against Antrobus ['parson of
Egremond, a most evil liver, bold, and very rich'], which I did upon
three or more articles.
- That Antrobus baptized a cock, and called him Peter.
- He had knowledge of such a woman and of her daughter, viz. of both
their bodies, in as large a manner as ever of his own wife.
- Being drunk, a woman took a cord and tied it about his privy
members unto a manger in a stable.
- Being a continual drunkard.
- He never preached, &c.
Antrobus was now become a great champion for the Parliament; but, at
the day of hearing, I had procured abundance of my friends to be
there; for the godly, as they termed themselves, sided with him; the
present Master of the Rolls was Chairman that day, Sir Harbottle
Grimston.
Who, hearing the foulness of the cause, was very much ashamed
thereof. I remember Antrobus, being there, pleaded he was in his
natural condition when he acted so ungraciously.
'What condition were you in,' said the Chairman, 'when you lay with
mother and daughter?'
'There is no proof of that,' saith he.
'None but your own confession,' said the Chairman, 'nor could any tell
so well.'
'I am not given to drunkenness,' quoth he. 'He was so drunk within
this fortnight,' quoth I, 'he reeled from one side of the street to
the other; here is the witness to prove it.' who, presently, before
the committee, being sworn, made it good, and named the place and
street where he was drunk. So he was adjudged scandalous, and outed of
his benefice, and our minister had the parsonage."