[16 Car.  II., cap. 4, “An Act to prevent and suppresse seditious Conventicles.”  It was enacted that anyone of the age of sixteen or upwards present at an unlawful assembly or conventicle was to incur 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 i (1670), and practically repealed by the Toleration Act of 1689, but the act 22 Car.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 i, was specially repealed 52 Geo.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, to reckon with him for physique that my wife has had for a year or two, coming to almost L4.  Then to the Exchange, where I hear that the King had letters yesterday from France that the King there is in a [way] of living again, which I am glad to hear.  At the coffee-house in Exchange Alley I bought a little book, “Counsell to Builders,” by Sir Balth.  Gerbier.  It is dedicated almost to all the men of any great condition in England, so that the Epistles are more than the book itself, and both it and them not worth a turd, that I am ashamed that I bought it.  Home and there found Creed, who dined with us, and after dinner by water to the Royall Theatre; but that was so full they told us we could have no room.  And so to the Duke’s House; and there saw “Hamlett” done, giving us fresh reason never to think enough of Betterton.  Who