A. D. 1641. to the word of God. To silence these reports, the king officially signified his intention* to preserve the doctrine and discipline of the English Charles I. church, as it was established by queen Elizabeth and his father. As a proof that his declaration was sincere, he resolved to fill the vacant sees; but the two houses joined in a petition that the affair might be suspended till his return. Soon after he arrived in England, he executed his intention, notwithstanding the dissatisfaction and remonstrances of the commons. Williams was raised to the archbishoprick of York; and Winniffe, dean of Saint Paul's, a grave and moderate divine, was appointed bishop of Lincoln, in his room. Hall was translated to Norwich; and Brownrigg, a divine of the same principles with Winniffe, was placed in the vacant see of Exeter. As a support to the falling church, the prelacy had an accession of strength in Usher and Prideaux. At the opening of the parliament, Usher had sought a refuge in England, and had been the confidential adviser of the king in ecclesiastical affairs. In doctrinal Calvinism he was not exceeded by the most violent of the puritans; in his support of episcopacy he was as moderate as was consistent with communion in the English church. His tracts in support of the episcopal order, since his residence in England, had rendered an essential service, and he was distinguished, rather than rewarded, by the commendatory possession of the see of Carlisle, in conjunction with the Irish primacy. Prideaux had filled the theological chair at Oxford for twenty-seven * In a letter to Nichols, clerk of the council, dated Oct. 18, 1641. Nalson's Collect. vol. ii. CHAP. years, and was also rector of Exeter college in that XXV. university. His government of the college had rendered it the residence of the most learned foreigners, and the divinity school was never before filled with such a constant and numerous auditory. In him the genius of Jewel, Hooker, and Reynolds seemed to be united, "and to triumph anew." From those stations which he had so long adorned, he was removed, by the favour of the king, to the bishoprick of Worcester. If these appointments depressed the enemies of episcopacy, they clung with fond expectation to the pending impeachment of thirteen bishops for the promulgation of the canons, and the grant of the subsidy. The lords had resolved, that the impeached bishops should not be present till the mode of proceeding was settled; but that they might then be present, though not permitted to vote. To enable them to provide for their defence, it was also resolved, that Warner, bishop of Rochester, with one of the other prelates, might have access to the archbishop of Canterbury in the Tower. The bishops, before the time allowed had elapsed, put in their answer to the impeachment, consisting of a plea and a demurrer, in which they neither confessed nor denied the fact, but pleaded that the offence of making canons could not amount to a "præmunire." The answer was signed by all the bishops, with the exception of Goodman, bishop of Gloucester, who pleaded, generally, "not guilty." The commons were dissatisfied with the bishops, for not pleading directly to the charge; and witn the house of lords, for admitting the demurrer in the absence of the commons. They therefore A. D. 1641. prayed, that the lords would set aside the demurrer, and suffer them to prove their charge without Charles I. delay; or, if the lords were already satisfied with the charge, and the bishops persisted in refusing to plead to it directly, that the house would proceed to judgment. The lords, instead of complying with this request, referred it to the bishops, whether they would plead directly to the impeachment, or abide by their demurrer. The bishops having chosen the latter alternative, a day was appointed for the commencement of the trial. But the commons, instead of substantiating their charge, alleged that it was useless to attempt it, since the partiality of the lords was apparent, and both the court and nobility were resolved to protect the bishops at all hazards, and in defiance of all justice. The issue of the impeachment inflamed the rage of the sectarians beyond all bounds. The aldermen and common council of London drew up a petition, and, attended by a vast multitude, presented it to the house of commons. The petition prayed, that the house would not remit its exertions, but would persuade the king and the lords to concur in redressing the grievances of the church and the state. Of all these grievances, none more imperiously demanded an immediate remedy than the privilege of the bishops to sit in parliament. The speaker, in the name of the house, returned thanks to the petitioners, and promised to take the petition into consideration. The prentices of London presented a similar address, signed by a great number, complaining of the decay of trade; a calamity occasioned by papists, pre The ap CHAP. lates, and malignants, and praying for the extirpation of prelacy. XXV. These petitions against episcopacy were opposed by counter-petitions, signed by persons of the greatest weight in the country for rank, wealth, and intelligence. But these it was not sufficient to neglect; they were visited by severe marks of displeasure. The injustice of such conduct was thus exposed by the king: "Have so many petitions, even against the form and constitution of the kingdom, and the laws established, been so joyfully received and accepted; and shall petitions framed on these grounds be called mutinous? hath a multitude of mean, unknown, inconsiderable, contemptible persons, about the city and suburbs of London, had the liberty to petition against the government of the church, the book of common prayer, and been thanked for it; and shall it be called mutinous in the gravest and best citizens of London, in the gentry and commonalty of Kent, to frame petitions on these grounds, and to desire to be governed by the known laws of the land, not by votes or orders of either or both the houses? To stir up men to a care of maintaining the discipline of the church, upholding and continuing the reverence and solemnity of God's service, is mutiny! Let heaven and earth, God and man, judge between us and these men !" The petitions against episcopacy were generally succeeded by the most dangerous insurrections; and when they were presented, the houses of parliament were surrounded by crowds, shouting, "No bishops! no popish lords!" Skirmishes frequently ensued between the guards and the multitude, and generally to the disadvantage of the undisciplined A. D. populace. 1641. With a becoming spirit, the lords exerted them- Charles I. selves to repress these tumults. On one occasion, the crowd having pressed with violence against the doors of the house, the earl of Dorset called out the trained bands; but the commons countermanded the order, and the military force was withdrawn. The tumults only elicited this observation from Pym: "God forbid that the house of commons should proceed in any way to dishearten the people from obtaining their just desires!" While the tumults were raging with the greatest fury, the bishops were advised to discontinue their parliamentary attendance; but, encouraged by the archbishop of York, they persevered in the performance of their duty. Since they were liable not only to insult, but to personal violence, they agreed to go down to the house in barges, to avoid passing the streets. But as soon as they approached the shore, they were saluted by a shower of stones, and other missiles, and compelled to return without gaining admission. Thus repulsed, twelve of the bishops met privately at the house of the archbishop of York, to deliberate on their future course. Williams, who regarded no episcopal privilege and no episcopal duty so highly as that of a legislator, animated his brethren to adopt a measure at this crisis the most imprudent which could be devised. Instead of petitioning for a guard to protect the bishops in their passage to the house, he drew up a protestation, which was signed by every bishop present, except the bishop of Winchester. It protested |