Book 9 — THE KEEPING OF THE SABBATH (1629).

The following Order of the Lord Mayor is an example of that Puritan spirit which exercised such a powerful influence on the lives of Englishmen during the first half of the seventeenth century. During Elizabeth's reign many serious and earnest attempts were made to effect certain changes in the doctrines and practices of the Established Church, with the idea of introducing a "purer" form of worship and ceremonial; and the Puritan spirit generally, although open to the charge of narrowness and intolerance, was based upon a sincere desire to bring the law of God into closer touch with life. It was characterised by a hearty hatred of that moral laxity and freedom which the Roman Church had frequently permitted, and consequently much of its activity appeared to depend upon various prohibitions and restrictions in matters of conduct, which frequently proved very irksome to those who did not sympathise with the Puritan ideals. London contained a strong Puritan element, and the Order for the better keeping of the Lord's Day well illustrates the typical activities of the City and the attitude of its rulers.