The Petition and Articles or several Charge exhibited in Parliament against Edward Finch Vicar of Christ's Church in London, and brother to Sir john Finch, late Lord Keeper, now a Fugitive for fear of this present Parliament, 1641.  
Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred the offerings of the Lord.  1 Sam. 2.17. 
Thus saith the Lord, I come against the Shepherds, and will require my Sheep at their hands, and cause them to cease from feeding the Sheep; neither shall the Shepherds feed themselves any more, for I will deliver my Sheep from their mouths, and they shall no more devour them.  Ezek. 34.10. 
Ed: Finch his Perambulations  
away for hamersmith   a priest, with open book in hand, walks after three men, who walk after a coach and horses. A crowd follow them and a man looks on from a inn window. 
LONDON, Sold by R. Harford at the Sign of the Bible in Queens-head Alley in Paternoster-row. 1641.   

TO THE HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS AND BURGESSES OF the Commons House of Parliament.  
The humble Petition of the Parishioners of the Parish of Christ's Church, in London,  
Most humbly showeth,  
THat Master Edward Finch, Vicar of the said Parish, having set up their Communion Table Altarwise, doth there administer the Sacrament, causing all the Communicants to come to the Rails or Forms, and useth frequent and unreasonable bowings before the said Table, in his approach unto it, and return from it.  
That he is of evil and scandalous life and conversation, not regarding himself to instruct the Petitioners souls, and hindering them also of such helps as therein they would otherwise have, and exacts of them unlawful and unreasonable Fees and sums of money, as by the annexed Articles may appear,  
That the Petitioners are troubled in the said Church with singing, Organs, and other Instruments of Music, not understood by them, whereby they are greatly distracted in the Service of God, the same being altogether unprofitable, and no way tending to their spiritual edification.  
They most humbly pray that your Honours will be pleased to take the Premises into your grave consideration, and to grant unto them, such relief therein, as to your great wisdoms shall seem meet.  
And they shall daily pray, etc.   

The Articles mentioned in the annexed Petition, against Master Edward Finch Vicar of Christ's Church, in London.  
FIrst, that the said Master Finch is very officious and observant in worshipping the great Idol, lately erected in the said Church, viz. the Altar.  
2. That he exacteth sometimes twenty shillings a piece, and many times more, for funeral Sermons, himself seldom preaching any of them, and affirmeth his Pulpit to be his Shop, and therefore must improve it to the utmost.  
3. That he is very careless and negligent in executing his Pastoral duty, having appeared scarce twice in twelve months to officiate the same, nay not once in a year.  
4. That he ordinarily preacheth in his Surplice.  
5. That he also weareth his Surplice in going the perambulation of the Parish.  
6. That he hath not for many years been resident in the Parish, but lets to farm his Vicaridge-house.  
7. That he maketh no conscience of Oaths, but is a frequent violater of God's holy Name, by often swearing thereby, with fearful and horrid Imprecations, and Execrations, as was most abundantly proved.  
8. That he is a common haunter of Taverns, and Alehouses, and is often and openly drunk.  
9 That he hath exacted excessive Fees, as ten shillings for a Christening.  
10. That before he will perform his duty in Burials, and upon other occasions he will have his lawless and unconscionable demands satisfied, whereof some of the Petitioners have complained to the Diocesan, but it seems his correction was gentle, for no amendment hath followed.  
11. That he hath demanded and taken for Burials of Parishioners, ten and twelve pounds a piece, and hath shut, or caused to be shut up the Church doors, and not suffered the ground to be broken for Parishioners, until his undue exactions have been satisfied.  
12. That he hath administered the Communion to a dying woman, when he was so drunk, that he forgot the Service, failed in rehearsing the Lords prayer, and at his departure was not able to return to his place of abode without leading.  
13. That at the same time he caused all present with the said woman to departed the room, and then enjoined the sick party to confess unto him all her secret sins.  
14. That being so alone with the said woman, he demeaned himself so uncivilly, and used such unseemly gestures towards her, that she was fain to cry out for her husband to come in.  
15. That afterwards for performance of this good service about the said woman, he sent for a Fee of three shillings four pence.  
16. That November 5. 1639. he would suffer no Sermon to be preached, unless out of the Collection for the Poor he might have a Fee of thirteen shillings and four pence, but finding the Collection to be small, he took ten shillings.  
17. That this last November 5. 1640. he would neither preach himself, nor suffer any other to preach.  
18. That he and his wife having for many years lived asunder with much obloquy, he keepeth company with divers women suspected of incontinency.  
19 That he hath since his being Vicar of the said Parish much opposed the Lecture, which without intermission hath for many years been continued in the West end of the said Church, called the Old or Lower Church, (early in the morning on the Lord's day) not suffering any one to preach the same, unless he the said Vicar might have extraordinary hire for permitting of it, viz. about forty pounds at one time, and twenty pounds at another time, and divers other sums at other several times, and at this present twenty pounds a year, and yet not contented therewith, he threatens to arrest the present Lecturer, unless he may have his unjust demands satisfied.  
20. That he detaineth and keepeth away divers books belonging and appertaining to the said Church.  
21. That many times in receiving his own exacted Fees for Burials, he hath also received Duties due to the Church wardens for the use of the Poor of the said Parish, and detained them to his own use.   

The proofs of such of the foresaid Articles as were more fully and largely opened in Parliament by several witnesses, follow here.  
TO the first Article concerning his frequent and most lowly bowing to his Idol-altar, (set up by himself and with his own hands in a most proud and insolent manner) both at his approaches to it, departure from it, and passing by it, there was proof much more than enough to to testify and clear it.  
To the Articles of his exacting unjust and excessive Fees for Burials; it was proved, that he at one time exacted, would have, and had before hand five pounds for a Sermon, at the Funeral of one Master How, an ancient Parishioner; but Master Finch hearing that there were gloves given to divers, sent presently for gloves for himself and his man, just about the time that the Corpse was going to Church, but because there was none left, he was promised to have them the next morning, yet notwithstanding because he had them not at that present, he caused the Church doors to be shut up, made the Corpse and people stand a great while in the street, at last letting them into the Church, yet disappointed them of their Sermon, and yet kept the five pounds to himself, without restitution of any part thereof.  
It was further testified by another Parishioner who was made Executor to one Master Darneton, a young man in the Parish, who upon his Deathbed desired that Doctor Holdsworth should make his Funerall-Sermon, and to avoid all differences, the Deceased very frankly gave M. Finch a legacy of forty shillings, and a mourning Gown, conditionally, that he would give way for Doctor Holdsworth to preach, but Master Finch not content with what the Deceased left him in his will, he afterward understanding that the Doctor had five pounds, and a mourning Gown left him as a Legacy, and his Legacy was not so much; he again sends for the Executor, and demands of him, what he would give him to let Holdsworth preach, as for the forty shillings legacy, that he should not hinder him of, but ●ow he came upon new terms, to know what he would give him, for he saw no reason but he should have as much to give way as the other had for preaching, for the Pulpit was his; so that he did enforce the Executor to keep the Corpse from Monday till Saturday, before it could be buried, by reason of Master Finch his unreasonable demands, for he told this Executor, and others, that had the like occasions with Master Finch, as was then testified, That his Pulpit was his Shop, whereby he got his living, and that he must improve his Shop to the utmost advantage, as well as they did theirs: and further saying, That no Holdsworth should come into his Pulpit, to eat the bread out of his mouth, for what was Holdsworth more than he? so that in conclusion, he did cause the said Executor to disburse, to give him satisfaction, to the value of thirteen pounds five shillings six pence, most of it in money, and the rest in linen cloth, and notwithstanding the said Master Finch performed no office at the funeral himself, but spent his time in the Tavern at the same time, when the funeral was performed: and this was proved to be his usual manner, to get his first demands fully into his hands, and then by one trick or another to come over them again for a new supply, or else there should be no ground broke nor Church-doores opened. These instances were thought sufficient for the proof of this Charge though the Parishioners had divers more notorious pranks of his of this kind, and were then and there ready prepared with witnesses to have testified them all.  
To the Articles concerning his superstitious affection to the Surplice and other Popish practices, it was testified (and further could have been proved than was desired or could by time be permitted) that he usually preached in his Surplice, wore it when he went about the Parish in the annual perambulation, through the streets, and was so Popishly affected and addicted to it, that even since his lying under the just condemnation of these things, he refused, on last Ascension day, 1641. to accompany the Parishioners in their Perambulation, because they would not suffer him to wear the Surplice, and read the Epistles and Gospels at the stinted places and corners of the streets, as formerly. And that he never read or pronounced the Name jesus in either of the Sacraments, Epistles, or Gospels, or in Sermons or Prayers, (though then on his knees) but he most constantly ducked lowly at it; and in his Canonical prayer, before his Homilies, (for all his preaching was continually a mere reading out of a written book) he familiarly used to praise God for the Saints departed, but especially for the Virgin Mary the Mother of God.  
As for the Article touching his drunkenness, besides his accustomed practice of that beastly sin, at other ordinary times; it was testified by very good witness, that hath seen him drunk on the Lord's day, and at another time, twice drunk in one and the same Lord's day; first in the morning, and then laid to sleep, and drunk again before night. Also another Parishioner being employed to take order for the burial of a friend of his in the said Parish, for which Master Finch (as his custom was) would have his morey before hand, which he accordingly received, being 3 pounds, 13. s. upon the payment whereof, the said Parishioner demanded on acquittance, but Master Finch and his man were so drunk that they could not write, so that the party was fain to call witness that it was paid, and very needful too, for the next day Master Finch sent his man to demand the same money again, who answered, he had paid it already the day before, and would not pay it twice. Some few days after the Churchwardens came to the Parishioner for their Duties, which Master Finch had received in the former sum, but Master Finch would not pay them any.  
It was further also testified to full satisfaction of the Parliament, that he was so drunk when he was fetched from a Tavern to give the Sacrament to a dying woman, that he was fain to be led by the arm to the house, that there he was not able to pronounce the Lords Prayer, but was out twice or thrice in saying it, that he was not able to rise off from his knees without help, nor being up to sit down; that he delivered the Elements without Consecration; And also desiring the people to go forth of the room, he came to the dying woman, to whom using many unfit gestures, and stroking her cheeks, he said, That if she would confess to him all her secret sins, than he would love her. The woman thereupon, calling out as loud as she could for some to come in, they found her much troubled in mind, and unsatisfied, by reason of Master Finch his ill carriage and behaviour, and therefore desired that the Sacrament might be given her again by some other Minister, but she died before it was effected; and Master Finch was fain to be led to the next Alehouse (as he desired) where he lay all that night, and the next morning this wretched man was so shameless, as to send for a fee of three shillings four pence for that his most wicked and abominable service.  
As for his Sermons on November 5 the Popish Powder-plot, it was testified also, that one year he would permit no Sermon at all. Another year he would permit none unless he might have a share of thirteen shillings four pence out of the Collection for the Poor, which being but small, he took ten shillings for his own use. Another year he preached himself, and in his Sermon (as it was fully proved) he said words to this effect, That the Plotters in that business were but a few male content persons, and that they desired at their death, that this Act might be forgotten, and he thanked God it was so almost, and he hoped it would be quite forgotten.  
It was also testified that for the Sermons at seven of the clock, on Sabbath day mornings in the Lower Church, he had of the Parish forty pounds to let Master Davis come in, and about fifty five pounds when Master Brocket came in, besides other sums at other times.  
To the Article touching his incontinency, it was testified by the Coachman that carried him and two others of his deboist Comrades of his own Coat and condition, together with three women to Hamersmith, where being arrived in an house fit for their intentions, every one chose his woman, and Master Finch his mate (as the witness delivered it) being the fattest of the three, and this Coachman being called up into the room unto them, saw them all use these women, in his presence, with most vile and obscene gestures, upon beds, even to the utmost of what hands could do under their clothes, but farther he could not testify, for they had time enough in his absence; but bringing them bacl again late into London, he set them down at Newgate, where he left them altogether plotting what excuse the women should use to their husbands, and it was resolved, that one must say, she had been at a woman's labour, another had been to see a friend that was sick, etc.  
It was also testified, that he was a constant frequenter of the company of two men's wives, after a most familiar manner, both in City and Country journeys, namely one Mistress Valentine at the Chequer at Dowgate, and one Mistress Stevenson at Christ's Hospital, and that he alone was seen at Barnet In their two companies only, coming out of an Inn in a Coach. Also that one night, Master Finch his wife (from whom he hath wilfully lived apart these seven years, whose company he could not abide) coming to the said stevenson's house in Christ's Hospital a foresaid (where also was his frequent rendezvous day and night) to ask her husband for some maintenance for herself and children, he most furiously and desperately drew his knife at her, whereat she ran out of the house, and he after her with his knife in his hand, but she having recovered the Cloister, he, it seems, beat her down forward, threw his knife at her, and there she was found on the ground, crying out for help, her hat beaten off from her head, and her hair all about her ears; whereat, he running in again, she was forced thus to departed for the present.  
It was also testified, that a Kinswoman of Mistress Valentine's coming to see her at the Chequer aforesaid, and M. Finch being there came to her, used many flattering words and compliments to her, and taking her at advantage, in a private room, persuaded her to lie with him, which she refusing, he still persisted in this his wicked and lustful desire, and at last shown her what was most shameful to be seen or spoken of, and would by violence have had the use of her body, which she still vehemently refusing, and he perceiving that she would call out for help against him (as she told him she would, if he would not forbear) he opened the door and called for a Chamber-pot, by which means the door being opened, she ran out from him, and coming out of the room, he affirmed and swore to Mistress Valentine, That this Puritan slut he could not convert her. About two years after this also, the said party going again to see her kinswoman Mistress Valentine, there she met Master Finch again, who after many flattering compliments, told her that if she would love him, he would make her a Lady; and Mistress Valentine her good Cousin said thereupon to her, That he might well do it, for he was very likely to be made a Bishop: this was testified by the said Kinswoman herself publicly in the House of Commons, to the great admiration of all then present that heard it.  
It was further testified against him, that being in company he should affirm and say, This point of Doctrine, I have preached and will preach it, and that to all eterntty, that that man which hath a handsome woman to his wife, and he were jealous without a cause, that it was lawful for her to make him a Cuckold, and rather than be should not be made one, he would ride an hundred miles to do it himself.  
It was also testified by another Parishioner that he frequented an house in Christ's Church Parish, where two Sisters lived, married women, both very comely for person, but not without great cause strongly suspected of incontinency; who for their misbehaviours were forced to shift their dwelling from Parish to Parish. And one of these women dying a while after in another Parish, she was so rotten with the foul disease, and loathsome, that every one that knew thereof was afraid to come nigh her; and she herself was not ashamed to tell thereof. And (it is reported) that when she was coffened, her neck was so rotten and perished with the said disease, that her head fell off from her body.  
It was yet farther testified by the Porter of Christ's Hospital, that in the time of Master Finch his lying at Master stevenson's house, as aforesaid, the said Porter by his office attending the gates of the Hospital, observed Master Finch most frequently to go out and come in, at very unseasonable hours in the night with the said Master stevenson's wife, which the Porter had divers times told Master Stevenson himself of, fairly and privately, but no amendment following, and the Porter still being disquieted, to let in Master Finch, etc. to Master Stevesons house, one night after, or rather morning, about 2. or 3. of the clock, he and Mistress Stevenson coming in, and the Porter thereby much discontented to rise out of his bed at such hours, he began to wrangle and grumble, whereupon words passing between them, and Master Finch in his sweetheart's company especially, impatient to bear them, fell very foul on the said Porter, abused him in terms, caught him by his beard (which he wore very broad and long, almost down to his girdle) and by violence and rage pulled agreat piece off his beard from his chin, whereupon the Porter had him before Sir Martin Lumley, than one of the City Justices, to bind Master Finch to his good behaviour, which he was never able to do, nor any else, as yet.  
These and many more such like foul and scandalous things have been most plenteously proved against the said Master Finch: and after all, it being demanded what answer he could make for all these things, he desired some time to make answer, and to plead by Counsel, but it was replied, These things were matters of fact, and not of Law; and therefore he knew at present whether they were true or no: but he being silent, command was to withdraw; some other witnesses were heard also, which spoke to the same effect, which for brevity sake we omit, for if we should present you with all his extorted exactions for Burials and Baptizing and other particular enormities of his life, it would fill a volume, for almost every one he had to deal with in these kinds, in the Parish, hath experience what an heavy burden he hath been to the Parish.  
The whole Grand Committee for Religion receiving abundant sat is faction in the truth hereof, and all the rest of the Articles forementioned, accordingly proceeded to an unanimous Vote of his graceless and palpable guilt in them all, and he now lies under the just censure of the House: yet (strange to be spoken) this most impious and impudent men, like a right atheistical son of Belial, puts on a whore's forehead to this day, carries himself most proudly and insolently (as ever before) amongst the Parishioners, officiates when he lists, in his own shameless person, being still very vexatious to them; yea, committing many of the foresaid condemned Superstitions, wicked and drunken practices afresh, without any blushing or the least sign of relenting: in this case much worse than wicked Achab, who though he had sold himself to work wickedness, as the Scripture says, yet when the hand of God was on him, and a judgement threatened against him, 'tis said, he humbled himself before the Lord: but this most wicked and ungodly man, quite void of grace, yea, of common civility, like his brazenfaced mother of Rome, (one of whose bold brats he in heart and practise also, in a great measure shows himself) carries about with him an unblushing whore's forehead, and jets up and down with strange arrogancy.  
And indeed his most unbridled pride hath principally occasioned the publication of these his so foul and enormous carriages, and if he be not quite past shame, it may serve a little to pull down his plumes, and tame his insolences. For as yet, like wicked, yet foolish Agag, he falsely persuades himself, that the bitterness of sorrow or smart is past and gone. But I trust the Lord will in mercy to his poor and tootoo long abused Church, arise by our Honourable Worthies in Parliament, and have mercy on Zion, in the ruin of all her impious and implacable enemies, and all those rotten-hearted, scandalous Baal's Priests, and pay them home the just wages of their insufferable iniquities and impieties, who have most miserably overspread, and almost quite poisoned the whole Kingdom with their Popish and profane abominations; of whom and their just reward the Lord himself complains, and testifies against them by the Prophet, jer. 23.9. My heart breaketh within me, because of the Prophets all my bones shake, etc. Which may (by lamentable experience to this Kingdom) be properly applied to our wicked Prelates, and their scandalous and idolatrous Priests; for when such men as these have been winked at, nay, countenanced; and on the other hand, such a number of able, heavenly, soul-directing Teachers, for a few indifferent Ceremonies (as the imposers themselves acknowledged they were) shall be suspended, censured, fined, imprisoned, banished, undone, etc. as if power were put into their hands, only, to pull down the Throne of Christ, and to advance the Kingdom of Satan.  
And who they are, that have been the great Engineers to hinder the flourishing of the Gospel in England, (whatsoever their flourishing pretences have been) or if ever it possibly can flourish so long as such stand, let wisdom judge, jerem. 23.10, 11. For the Land is full of Adulterers, and because of swearing the Land mourns, the pleasant places are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For, both the Prophet and the Priest are profane; yea, in mine house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord. And again, verse 14, 15. I have seen also, in the Prophets of Icrusalem, an horrible thing; They commit Adultery, and walk in lies; They strengthen also the hands of evil doers, so that none can return from his wickedness: For from the Prophets of jerusalem, is wickedness gone forth into all the Land. They are all of them unto me as So doom and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorah. Therefore, thus saith the Lord of Hosts concerning the Prophets; Behold, I will feed them with Wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall etc.  
O Lord, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God to whom vengtance belongeth; Lift up thyself, thou judge of the Earth, and render a reward to the proud. But do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Zion, and build thou again the walls of jerasalem. Amen, Amen.   
FINIS.