knotting together and crying out "Porridge"

[A nickname given by the Dissenters to the Prayer-Book. In Mrs.
Behn's "City Heiress" (1682), Sir Anthony says to Sir Timothy, "You
come from Church, too." Sir Timothy replies, "Ay, needs must when
the Devil drives--I go to save my bacon, as they say, once a month,
and that too after the Porridge is served up." Scott quotes, in his
notes to "Woodstock," a pamphlet entitled, "Vindication of the Book
of Common Prayer, against the contumelious Slanders of the Fanatic
party terming it Porridge."]

often and seditiously in the church, and took the Common Prayer Book, they
say, away; and, some say, did tear it; but it is a thing which appears to
me very ominous. I pray God avert it. After supper home and to bed.

25th. Up early, and among my workmen when they came, and set them in good
order at work on all hands, which, though it at first began angrily, yet I
pleased myself afterwards in seeing it put into a good posture, and so I
left them, and away by water to Woolwich (calling in my way in Hamcreek,
where I have never been before, and there found two of the King's ships
lie there without any living creature aboard, which troubled me, every
thing being stole away that can be), where I staid seeing a cable of 14
inches laid, in which there was good variety. Then to Mr. Falconer's, and
there eat a bit of roast meat off of the spit, and so away to the yard,
and there among other things mustered the yard, and did things that I
perceive people do begin to value me, and that I shall be able to be of
command in all matters, which God be praised for. Then to Mr. Pett's, and
there eat some fruit and drank, and so to boat again, and to Deptford,
calling there about the business of my house only, and so home, where by
appointment I found Mr. Coventry, Sir W. Batten, and Mr. Waith met at Sir