in wait to deceive. Persons are not unfrequently admitted into dissenting churches, who, while they afford satisfactory evidence of sincerity of motive and singleness of heart, are ignorant, not only of the interesting details, but almost of the grand features of the oracles of truth. These need instruction in the Scriptures, and I have heard it observed by a minister, well known in this metropolis, that a church should be considered as a school, and that "teaching" is inseparable from the pastoral office. When Bible classes are established, their members should have some active exercise for their minds, as well as information afforded them by the presiding minister or deacon; and should any of your correspondents think this subject of sufficient importance to induce them to devise some plan whereby, through the instrumentality of the pastors or other officers, the churches may have their attention more simply directed to the pure source of all divine knowledge, and become more exclusively Bible Christians, they will doubtless confer a valuable benefit on the cause of Christ at home and abroad. I remain, Sir, yours, &c. P. H. I. FRAGMENTS OF PURITAN HISTORY. No. III. THE Episcopal Church of England was established by the Act of Uniformity under Queen Elizabeth; but instead of removing all antichristian abuses, the Reformation fell short of that in the reign of King Edward. Many distinguished reformers, as stated in a previous communication, were thoroughly dissatisfied with the popish superstitions retained in the protestant church; and because they could not in conscience observe the antichristian relics, but sought a purer reformation, they were not only neglected, but treated with great severity. Many learned divines, who had endured extreme hardships in the reign of Mary, were, under Elizabeth, promoted to bishoprics, and invested with power; but, placed on this giddy eminence, they forgot their former condition, and inflicted severe punishment on their nonconforming brethren. Archbishop Parker and Bishop Grindal, intending to convene the London clergy, with a view to bring them to conformity, addressed a letter to Secretary Cecil, stating what they were about to do, and soliciting the aid of her Majesty's government. "We mean to call all manner of pastors and curates within the city of London to appear before us at Lambeth, in the chapel there, and to expound the cause, and say some things to move them to conformity, with intimations of the penalty which necessarily must ensue against the recusants. After the general exposition, as aforesaid, to the whole number, we intend particularly to examine every one of them, whether they will promise conformity in their ministrations and outward apparel established by law and injunction, and testify the same by subscription of their hands. It is intended presently to suspend all such as refuse to promise conformity in the premises; and also to pronounce sequestration of their ecclesiastical livings, from and after the day of our Lady next, being now at hand. And after such sequestrations, if they be not reconciled within three months, to proceed to deprivation of their livings by due form of law. We may make an intimation of the sarcenet tippet, to such as may wear it by act of parliament, anno 24 Hen. VIII., and as to move them, if this shall be thought good. In fine, we think very many churches will be destitute of their pastors; and that many will forsake their livings, and live at printing, teaching children, or otherwise as they can. That no tumult may follow what speeches and talks be likely to rise in the realm, and presently in the whole city by this, we leave it to your wisdom to confer; and we trust that the Queen's Majesty will send some honourable to join with us two, to authorize the rather her commandment and pleasure, as your honour signified unto me was purposed. And thus praying your honour to consult with whom your wisdom shall think most meet, that we may be resolved, and that on Friday, the parties summoned for their appearance on Saturday following, at one of the clock, order may be taken. Or else after those two holidays, on Tuesday afternoon, at the furthest. And thus we bid your lordship well to fare. From my house at Lambeth, the 20th of March, 1565. Your loving friends, Matthew Canuar. Edm. London." The venerable prelates having announced their intentions, and thus paved the way, the archbishop and his colleagues of the high commission convened the London ministers before them at Lambeth; on which Mr. Robert Cole, rewarded with two benefices, was placed by the side of the commissioners in priestly apparel, when the bishop's chancellor thus addressed them: "My masters, and ye ministers of London, the council's pleasure is, that strictly ye keep the unity of apparel, like this man who stands here canonically habited with a square cap, a scholar's gown, priest-like, a tippet, and, in the church, a linen surplice. Ye that will subscribe, write Volo; those that will not subscribe, write Nolo: make no words." When some of the ministers attempted to speak, they were immediately interrupted by the command, "Peace, peace; and apparitor, call over the churches: ye masters, answer presently under the penalty of contempt."+ On this memorable occasion, and to prepare the way, John Fox, the venerable "Martyrologist," was called first, that the reputation of his character might give the greater countenance to their proceedings. When required to subscribe, he refused to sell his conscience in exchange for earthly honours and emoluments; and, taking his Greek Testament out of his pocket, said, "To this I will subscribe;" and when he was enjoined to subscribe as aforesaid, he refused, saying, "I have nothing in the church but a prebend in Salisbury, and much good may it do you, if you take it from me." Lansdowne's MSS. Vol. viii. No. 86. + Strype's Grindal, p. 98. N. S. VOL. IV. X It is probable, however, that his ecclesiastical judges had not sufficient courage to deprive so celebrated a divine, who held up the ashes of Smithfield before their eyes. These were remarkable proceedings, on which the reader will make his own comments; but, at the close, Archbishop Parker addressed a letter to Cecil, stating the result of this eventful day, and containing the following information: "Sir, I must signify to your honour what this day we have done in the examination of the London ministers. Sixty-one promised conformity. Nine or ten were absent. Thirty-seven denied; of which number were the best, and some preachers; six or seven are diligent, sober men, pretending conscience. Divers of them zealous, but of little learning. We did suspend them, and sequestered the fruits, and from all manner of ministry, with signification, that if they would not reconcile themselves within three months, then to be deprived! They showed reasonable quietness and modesty, otherwise than I looked for. I think some of them must come in, when they shall feel their want; especially such as but in a spiced fancy held out. Some of them were moved in a conference, wherein I laboured by some advertisements to pacify; but they would not grieve. It is not felt as, I think, it will be hereafter. Some of them alleged there were fruits; and would have some toleration, or discharge of payment. I answered, I could not so dispense, and left them to their fate. Thus, your honour hath all worth the writing. I pray your honour to move my lord of London to execute the order. My lord of Ely did write me a letter, wherein he did signify, that, if London were reformed, all the realm would soon follow, as I believe the same. This 26th of March, 1566. Your honour's, always in Christ, Matthew Cant.' By these resolute measures, "men's hearts were tempted and tried. Great was the sorrow of most ministers ;" and their bitter lamentation was, "We are killed in our souls by this pollution. We cannot perform our ministry in the singleness of our hearts." Many were sequestered and deprived, among whom were some of the most celebrated reformers. The sufferers endured great hardships, some of whom betook themselves to secular occupations, some went beyond sea, and some were cast into prison; yet, under all their sufferings, the archbishop said he had no doubt that they were governed by their consciences!" Dr. Southey, with these facts before him, applauds the church for exacting conformity of its ministers; yet he affirms, "that conscience is not to be constrained, but won by the force of truth, with the aid of time, and use of all good means of persuasion!" Archbishop Parker unwittingly commended these puritan sufferers, when he informed her Majesty, "that these precise folk would offer their goods and bodies to prison, rather than they would relent; and her highness willed him to imprison them." Though Fuller's Church Hist. b. ix p. 76. Heylin's Reformation, p. 337. + Strype's Grindal, p. 98. Book of the Church, the archbishop was so zealous in promoting the welfare of the church, by stopping the mouths of its best ministers, and though he had solicited and expected assistance from the court, yet he was painfully disappointed. He complained bitterly to Cecil, that no courtier co-operated with him in these worthy services; and he was exceedingly grieved that he had so little assistance in enforcing conformity." Mr. Strype stigmatizes the Puritans "these discontented men," and adds, "what troubles the bishops conceived from these factions, and what good resolutions they adopted, may be seen by a notable letter which Archbishop Parker and Bishop Sandys jointly addressed to one of their colleagues, a prelate of the High Commission, containing the following account of their proceedings: + "These times are troublesome. The church is sorely assaulted; but not so much of open enemies, who can do less hurt, as of pretended favourers, and false brethren; who, under the colour of reformation, seek the ruin and subversion both of learning and religion! Neither do they only cut down the ecclesiastical state, but also give a great push at the civil policy! Their colour is sincerity, under the countenance of simplicity, but, in very truth they are ambitious spirits, and can abide no superiority! Their fancies are favoured by some of great calling, who seek to gain by other men's losses. And most plausible are these new devices to a great number of the people, who labour to live in all liberty. But the one, blinded with the desire of getting, see not their own fall, which, no doubt, will follow the other, hunting for alteration, pull upon their necks intolerable servitude! For these fanatical spirits, which labour to reign in men's consciences, will, if they may bring their purposes to pass, lay a heavy yoke upon their necks. "In the platform set down by these new builders, we evidently see the spoliation of the patrimony of Christ, and a popular state to be sought. The end will be ruin to religion, and confusion to our country! And that you may the better perceive how these fancies. are embraced, and likely to take effect, except in time they be met. withal, here enclosed we have sent you certain articles out of Cartwright's book, by the council propounded to Mr. Deering, with his answers to the same; and also a copy of the council's letter writ to Mr. Deering, to restore him to his former reading and preaching, his answer notwithstanding, our advices never required thereunto! These proceedings puff them up with pride, make the people hate us, magnify them with great triumphing, that her Majesty and the privy council have good liking of this new building. Which hitherto, as we think, in no christian nation hath found any foundation upon the earth; but is now framed upon suppositions, full of absurdities and impossibilities in the air. We are persuaded that her Majesty hath no liking thereof, howsoever the matter be favoured by others. "Forasmuch as God hath placed us to be governors in his church, hath committed unto us a care and charge thereof, and will one day require a reckoning at our hand for the same, it shall be our duties. * Lansdowne's MSS. Vol. ix. Ncs. 39, 40. + Strype's Parker, p. 433. to labour by all means we can to see sound doctrine maintained, gainsayers of the truth repressed, good order set down and observed; that the spouse of Christ, so dearly redeemed, may by our ministry be beautified. These perilous times require our painful travails; and, seeing that God's cause is brought into question, and the church many ways troubled, we must with good courage stand to the defence thereof, and resist the underminers. We here bear a heavy burden, and incur many dangers and displeasures; but nothing shall be grievous to us, if we may do good to his church. We doubt not but that you are like affected, and bear a burden in mind with us. We have made a special choice of you, whom, for good learning, prudent counsel, and godly zeal, we love and reverence, and have thought it good to put you in remembrance of these matters; and withal to require you to consider of these things, and to be prepared for our next meeting, which we think will be shortly, to see unto the same, as may most tend to the glory of God, the good of his church, the maintenance of his gospel, the establishing of decent and good order; to the edifying of his people, and to repressing of all gainsayers. Thus thinking it convenient, that you should keep these matters secret to yourself, we commend you to the good direction of God's Holy Spirit. From Lambeth, July 6, 1573. Your loving brethren, Mat. Cantaur, Edw. London."* This document breathes, in no ordinary degree, the spirit of the age in which it was produced. Thongh the reader will easily discover its objectionable features; yet it may not be improper to observe, that the puritans being denominated "gainsayers" and "underminers," and accused of the spoliation of Christ's patrimony, of seeking the ruin of learning and religion, and of pushing at the civil policy, savours too much of calumny and untruth. They entered not into any conspiracy, nor used any compulsory force; but they peaceably declared their opinions to the world; appealed to the judgments and consciences of the legislature, complained of existing abuses and oppressions, prayed and petitioned, as their fathers had done, for a purer reformation. These were the only weapons they employed, and it will certainly be questioned whether they were deserving of all that stigma and insinuation contained in this “ notable letter." B. B. WHAT KIND OF PREACHING IS MOST LIKELY TO PROVE SUCCESSFUL? THIS question implies the necessity of an adaptation between the means and the end proposed-a principle which is as compatible with an enlightened belief in the indispensable aid of the Holy Spirit, as skilful agriculture is consistent with an entire dependence on the Almighty for that blessing which is requisite to ripen the fruits of the earth. A natural fitness to produce its desired effect is as necessary in Strype's Parker, p. 433. |