fine or imprisonment. A conventicle was defined as an assembly of
more than five persons besides the members of a family met together
for holding worship not according to the rites of the Church of
England. The act was amended 22 Car. II., cap. i (1670), and
practically repealed by the Toleration Act of 1689, but the act 22
Car. II., cap. i, was specially repealed 52 Geo. III., cap. 155, s.
1.]

and did give him good counsel, not only in his own behalf, but my own,
that if he did hear or know anything that could be said to my prejudice,
that he would tell me, for in this wicked age (specially Sir W. Batten
being so open to my reproaches, and Sir J. Minnes, for the neglect of
their duty, and so will think themselves obliged to scandalize me all they
can to right themselves if there shall be any inquiry into the matters of
the Navy, as I doubt there will) a man ought to be prepared to answer for
himself in all things that can be inquired concerning him. After much
discourse of this nature to him I sent him away, and then went up, and
there we danced country dances, and single, my wife and I; and my wife
paid him off for this month also, and so he is cleared. After dancing we
took him down to supper, and were very merry, and I made myself so, and
kind to him as much as I could, to prevent his discourse, though I
perceive to my trouble that he knows all, and may do me the disgrace to
publish it as much as he can. Which I take very ill, and if too much
provoked shall witness it to her. After supper and he gone we to bed.

28th. Up this morning, and my wife, I know not for what cause, being
against going to Chelsey to-day, it being a holy day (Ascension Day) and I
at leisure, it being the first holy day almost that we have observed ever
since we came to the office, we did give Ashwell leave to go by herself,
and I out to several places about business. Among others to Dr. Williams,