government, was of no long continu

ance.

tioned before; we will take care that thofe preferments be given to the most learned and pious prefby"ters of the diocefe; and moreover, that an equal number (to those of the chapter) of the most learned, pious, and difcreet prefbyters of the fame diocese, annually chofen by the major vote of all the prefbyters of that diocese present at such elections, fhall be always 6 advising and affifting, together with those of the chap⚫ter, in all ordinations, and in every part of jurifdiction which appertains to the cenfures of the church, and at all other folemn and important actions.

5. We will take care that confirmation be rightly and folemnly performed, by the information, and with the confent, of the minifter of the place, who shall * admit none to the Lords Supper till they have made a credible profeffion of their faith, and promised obedience the will of God, according as it is expreffed in the confiderations of the Rubrick before the Cate• chifm.

6. No bishop fhall exercise any arbitrary power'; or do or impofe any thing upon the clergy or the people, but what is according to the known law of the land.

7. We will appoint an equal number of learned divines, of both perswasions, to review the Liturgy, and ' to make fuch alterations as shall be thought most neceffary, and fome additional forms (in the fcripture · phrase as near as may be) fuited unto the nature of the feveral parts of worship; and that it may be left to the iminifters choice to ufe one or other at his discretion.

8. Con

ance.

For the convention parliament be

ing

8. Concerning ceremonies We shall leave all ⚫ decifions and determinations of that kind, if they shall be thought neceffary for a perfect and entire unity ' and uniformity throughout the nation, to the advice ❝ of a national fynod, which shall be duly called, after a little time, and a mutual converfation between per'fons of different perfwafions, hath mollified those distempers, abated thofe fharpneffes, and extinguished those jealoufies, which make men unfit for thofe con' fultations. And, upon fuch advice, we shall use our beft endeavours, that fuch laws may be eftablished, as may best provide for the peace of the church and ftate. Provided, that none fhall be denied the facra'ment of the Lords Supper, though they do not use the gesture of kneeling in the act of receivin3.

έ

In the mean time, the Cross in Baptifm, boving at the name of Jefus, the use of the furplice (except in the royal chapel, cathedral or collegiate churches, or colledges in the univerfities), canonical subscriptions, and the oath of canonical obedience, were left indif() Ken-ferent, and none were to be compelled to use them, net's Regif ter, p. 289. or fuffer for not doing it (n).'

Thus were the clergy flattered and cajoled by the hopes of fharing in the lucrative pofts of the church, and, at the fame time retaining their principles ! Thus were the people flattered, that a fpirit of moderation, in ecclefiaftical matters, would indeed take place,

and

1

ing diffolved, and another of different

principles

and they themselves be left at liberty to follow their own judgments!

But moderation was the talk at this time; as we may judge by the following paffage, in a fermon of Dr. Sheldon's, Bishop of London, preached before the king, June 28, 1660. That is the best and most Christian

memory,' fays he, that, as Cæfar's, forgets nothing but injuries. Let us all feriously and fadly look back, ' confider and bemoan one another, for what we have 'mutually done and fuffered from each other. Let us all be forry, and all mend; perfectly forgiving what is paft, and returning to as great kindness as ever: that fo, by all good and mutual offices, we may make • amends for our former animofities. Shall God, fo great, fo glorious, after fo high and many provocations • condescend to be at peace with us; and fhall we, poor "worms, be at enmity among ourselves for trifles, to the hazard of the comforts of this life, and the hopes of a • better? Shall we retain the memory of former unkindness, and make a public act of oblivion, which 'we expect, a public lie, without either fear of God or 'fhame of the world? Shall we change one war into

< another, the open into a fecret one, hoftility into treachery, and, by pretending peace, only smooth the way to fupplantation? This is the most unmanly thing in the world.' But to proceed. - This declaration was fo highly acceptable to the house of commons, that it was Refolved, nem. con. Nov. 6, 1660, That the humble and hearty acknowledgments ' and

6

principles chofen, his majefty began to be feen in quite another light.

and thanks of this house be prefented to his majesty,

by the whole house, for his majesty's gracious care ⚫ and indulgence expreffed to his people, in his late gra. () Journal.cious declaration concerning ecclefiaftical affairs ()." And it, at the fame time, was referred to a com'mittee, to bring in a bill to make the fame effectual." But this, being quite oppofite to the real intentions the court, came to nothing (p).

(p) See Clarendon's Continuation, vol. ii.

P. 143.

End of VoL. I.

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