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223. Proceedings on an Impeachment of the Lord Viscount MORDAUNT, of
High Crimes and Misdemeanors, A. D. 1666 [N.]

786

224. EXAMINATIONS concerning the FIRING of LONDON, A. D. 1666 [N.J......... 807

225. Proceedings against PETER PETT, Gentleman, upon an Impeachment for
several High Crimes and Misdemeanors, A. D. 1668 [N.] ...........................................

226. Proceedings against Sir WILLIAM PENN, knight, upon an Impeachment

for several High Crimes and Misdemeanors, A. D. 1668 [N.]............ 870

866

.....

1122

1310

241. The Trial of PHILIP Earl of PEMBROKE and MONTGOMERY, at Westmin-
ster, for the Murder of Nathanael Cony, a. D. 1678
242. Case of the CONSTITUTION of the Island of JAMAICA, A. D. 1678 [N.]... 1350

.....

COBBETT'S

COBBETT'S

COMPLETE COLLECTION

OF

State Trials.

208. Proceedings at the CONFERENCE in the SAVOY, respecting a Review of the Liturgy: 13 CHARLES II. A. D. 1661. [2 Collier's Eccles. Hist. 871. 4 Neal's Puritans, 233. 3 Kennett, 225.]

AT the Restoration, the Church recovered The king declared himself much pleased with the Crown; though this ground was not with their reconciling temper, and resolved to gained without some contest with the dissent- do his part for promoting what was suggested: ing party. Neither is this struggle much sur- but told them withal, That this agreement prising, if we consider, that for 14 or 15 could not be expected without something of years last past the hierarchy had been broken, cession and abatement on both sides: that if the liturgy laid aside, and a new form both as the issue did not answer, it should not be his to worship and government, publicly pre- fault but their own: that he was resolved to vailed. The Presbyterians had several circum- leave no proper methods unattempted, for prostances of advantage to support their hopes. curing a harmony, and drawing the distant Possession of the chair, the inclination of no persuasions to a good understanding. To this small numbers of the people, the countenance end he desired them to lay some proposals of great men, and the king's declaration at before him touching church government. That Breda, gave this party no uncomfortable pros- this main difference being once settled, other pect. To keep them somewhat sanguine in matters would be easily accommodated." And their expectations, Dr. Reinolds, Dr. Spurstow, here his majesty ordered them to set down the Dr. Wallis, Dr. Bates, Dr. Manton, Mr. Ca- full length of their concessions. They told lamy, Mr. Ask, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Case, and the king they were but a small number, and two or three more, were made the king's chap- had no commission from their brethren to lains in ordinary; though none of them ever declare themselves upon this head. They depreached before his majesty excepting Calamy, sired therefore they might have leave to ac Reinolds, Baxter, Spurstow, and Woodbridge; quaint their brethren in the country with his and none of these but once. However, this majesty's commands, and receive their sentiappearing in the chapel, made their access to ments upon this argument. The king replied, his majesty the more easy. To pursue their that method would be dilatory, and make too interest therefore they waited on his majesty much noise: that therefore he had rather the soon after the restoration, being introduced by proposals should come from themselves, and the earl of Manchester. In their address, that for fuller information, they might commu"They recommended the uniting the kingdom nicate this affair with their friends in the city. in matters of religion: that if his majesty To this their answer was: "They were in no would please to contribute his assistance no- condition either to speak for, or oblige other thing could be more promising than the present people: and therefore what they offered his juncture: they intreated that the terms of majesty could only be taken for their own sense.” Union might include nothing but necessary The king let them know they should be conthings: that the true exercise of church disci- strued no otherwise, and that he did not design pline might be allowed that those ministers to convene a Synod or Assembly of the other who were most serviceable for this branch of the function might not be laid aside, nor unworthy unqualifyed men, put upon the people."

VOL. VI.

party, but only make use of a few for adjusting this matter." Upon this, these divines begged the king that when they laid their concessions before him, his majesty would order their

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brethren of the Church of England, might | mercy of God, that immediately after so wondeliver in a paper of the utmost they could derfull and peaceable restoration, to your yield: that when the relaxations of both sides throne and government (for which we bless were compared, the success might the better be his name) he has stired up your royal heart, conjectured. The king, thinking this reason- as to a zealous testimony against prophaneness, able, promised their request. so to endeavour an happy composing of the Upon this they summoned the city minis-differences and healing the said breaches which ters to meet and consult at Sion college, not excluding such of their country brethren as would attend, that it might not be said after wards they took upon themselves the concluding so weighty an affair. After two or three weeks consultation they agreed upon a paper to the following purpose, drawn up chiefly by Dr. Reynolds, Dr. Worth, and Mr. Calamy, which, together with archbishop Usher's reduction of Episcopacy, they offered to the king; with the following Address :*

"May it please your most excellent majesty; We your majesty's most loyal subjects cannot but acknowledge it as a very great

are in the church. And we shall according to our bounden duty, become humble suitors to the throne of grace, that the God of peace, who has put such a thing as this into your majesty's heart, will, by his heavenly wisdom and holy spirit assist you herein, that you may bring your Resolutions to a perfect effect and issue

"In humble conformity to your majesty's christian designs, we taking it for granted, that there is a firm agreement between our brethren pension from the sacrament, would not be reformed, who, if they would still remain contumacious and incorrigible, the sentence of *This Primate's scheme was necessary to excommunication might be decreed against avoid the corruptions, partiality, and tyranny them by the Synod, and accordingly be exeincident to the administration of a single person. cuted in the parish where they lived. Hitherto The things which they chiefly blamed in the also all things that concerned the parochial English hierarchy were; the great extent of ministers might be referred, whether they did the bishop's diocess; their deputing comissa- touch their doctrine or their conversation: as ries; chancellors, and officials to act in their also the censure of all new opinions, heresies, stead; their assuming the sole power of ordi- and schisms, which did arise within that cirnation and jurisdiction; and acting so arbi-cuit, with liberty of appeal if need so require, trarily in visitation articles. Besides this, they unto the Diocesan Synod. objected their bringing in new ceremonies, and suspending ministers at pleasure: for reforming these evils, as they called them, they proposed that bishop Usher's notion of episcopal government might be received as the ground-cumbent pastors, or a certain select number work of an accommodation. This Primate's scheme is couched under the four following propositions.

I." Usher would have it, that in every parish the rector, or the incumbent pastor, together with the church-warden and sideman, may every week take notice of such as live scandalously in the congregation; who are to receive such several admonitions and reproofs as the quality of their offence shall deserve`; and if by this means they cannot be reclaimed they may be presented unto the next monthly Synod, and in the mean time, be debarred by the Pastor from access unto the Lord's table.

III. "The Diocesan Synod might be held once or twice in the year, as it should be thought most convenient; therein all the Suffragans, and the rest of the rectors or in

out of every deanery within that diocese might meet; with whose consent or the major part of them, all things might be concluded by the bishop or superintendent (call him which you will) or in his absence by one of the Suffragans, whom he should depute in bis stead, to be moderator of that assembly. Here all matters of great moment might be taken into consideration, and the orders of the monthly Synods revised, and, if need be, reformed. And if here also any matter of difficulty could not receive a full determination it might be referred to the next provincial, or nation Synod.

IV. "The provincial Synod might consist of all the Bishops and Suffragans and such of the clergy as should be elected out of every diocese within the province. The primate of either province, might be the moderator of this meeting (or in his room some one of the bishops appointed by him) and all matters be

II. "Whereas by a statute in the 26 of Hen. 8 (revived in the 1st of Q. Eliz.) Suftragans are appointed to be erected in 26 several places of 'this kingdom, the number of them night be very well conformed unto the several rural deaneries, into which every diocese is subdivided; which being done, the Suffragan (sup-ordered therein by common consent, as in the plying the place of these who in the ancient church were called Chorepiscopi) might every month assemble a Synod of all the rectors or incumbent pastors, within the precinct, and according to the major part of their voices, conclude all matters that should be brought into debate before them. To this Synod the Tector and churchwardens might present such impenitent persons, as by admonition and sus-whole nation established."

former assemblies. This Synod might be held every third year, and if the parliament do then sit, both the primates and provincial Synods of the land might join together and make up a national council; wherein all appeals from inferior Synods might be received, all their acts examined, and all ecclesiastical constitutions which concern the state of the church of the

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