made void the commandments of God. Let it be considered, what difference there can be found between these, but only this-use and custom have inured us to that of Prayer; not so in this of Preaching; and therefore the evil of it would easily appear unto us, if so enjoined. "My Lords; Let me presume upon your patience so far further as to give me leave to speak to the other imputation laid upon me, That I am a Separatist, and the greatest in England! And, first, I shall say of this word 'Separatist,' as that learned man, Mr. Hales, of Eton, saith, in a little Manuscript of his which I have seen, 'That where it may be rightly fixed and deservedly charged, it is certainly a great offence; but in common use now, amongst us, it is no other than a theological scare-crow wherewith the potent and prevalent Party useth to fright and enforce those who are not of their opinions to subscribe to their dictates, without daring to question them, or bring them to any rule or examination either of Scripture or reason.' And he observeth, that this was too usual even in ancient times, as well as now! Secondly, I say that there is a twofold Separation; one from the universal or catholic Church; which can no otherwise be made but by denying the Faith,-for faith and love are the requisites unto that communion :— the other, is a Separation from this or that Particular Church or Congregation; and that, not in respect of difference with them in matter of faith and love, but in dislike only of such corruptions in their external worship and Liturgies as they do admit of, and would enjoin upon others; this is a Separation not from their persons, as they are Christians, but from their corruptions in matter of worship, as they are therewith defiled. And this Separation every man that will keep himself pure from other men's sins, and not sin against his own conscience, must make. And I will ingenuously confess, That there are many things in many Churches or Congregations in England, practised; and enjoined upon all, to be practised and suffered; which I cannot practise nor admit of,-except I should sin against the light of my conscience, until I may, out of the Word of God, be convinced of the lawfulness of them, which hitherto I could never see sufficient ground for. 66 a But, my Lords, this is so far from making me the greatest Separatist in England,' that it cannot argue me to be any at all! For, my Lords, the Bishops do know that those whom they usually apply this term unto, are the Brownists'-as they call them, by another name, and they know their tenets. The truth is, they differ with us in no fundamental point of doctrine or saving truth, as I know. Their failing is in this, They hold that there is no true Church in England;" no true Ministry; no true Worship; which depend the one upon the other they say all is Antichristian! Here is their error; they distinguish not between the bene esse or purity of a true Church,' and the esse, or true being of it, though with many defects and gross corruptions; but conclude, that because such things are wanting which are indeed necessary to the well being of a true Church, and to be desired, therefore there is none at all in being! I hold no such opinion; but do believe to the contrary, That there are, in England,' a 1 Tim. v. 22. many true Churches; and a true Ministry which I do hear; and with which Churches I could join in communion, were those yokes of bondage which are laid upon them taken off, and those corruptions removed, which they do contrary, as I think, to their duty-yield unto and admit of! And this, I am sure, no Separatist' in England holdeth, that deserveth that name. Therefore, I hope your Lordships will, in that respect, let me stand right in your opinions. "I shall now end, with two requests. The one, that your Lordships will please to pardon me for troubling you with so long a discourse concerning myself. I have not used it heretofore, and I am not like to offend again in the same kind: it is but once, and your Lordships will consider the occasion! The second is, humbly to entreat of you, that where you know there is one and the same God worshipped, one and the same faith embraced, one and the same Spirit working love and causing an unblamable conversation, without any offence to the State, in your brethren that in all these concur with you; you will not suffer them, for Ceremonies, and things to you Indifferent, but not to them, but burdens which, without offence to the State, or prejudice to the Churches, you may take off if you will,-to be thrust out of the Land, and cut off from their native country: for if you thus shall wound the consciences of your brethren, you will certainly offend and sin against Christ!" CHAP. XLII. STRAFFORD.—VOTE OF JULY 16тí, 1641.—BAGSHAWE.-WHITE.— THE BISHOPS' FATAL PROTESTATION. THE AFFAIR OF THE FIVE MEMBERS.-ACT TO EXCLUDE THE BISHOPS.-ORDINANCE CONTEMPLATING THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES.-REMONSTRANCE OF MAY 26th, 1642.—Book of sports, etc.—CHARLES'S ADDRESS TO THE HOSTS.-GENERAL ASSEMBLY.-CATALOGUE OF GRIEVANCES.TOSITION OF THE PARLIAMENT. MAY 12th, 1641, the "two-handed engine" fell with its deadly weight upon the neck of the over-resolute Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford; the precursor in their unhappy destiny of a never-to-be-forgotten Triumvirate! The Earl had reached London, it is said, on the evening of the same day on which the Scots' Deputation had arrived ; and it is remarked, that then "all the parties were on the field to finish one of the most perilous struggles in obtaining liberty for the people, or holding power for the crown, which history records." c "The loss of this gentleman's life,"—thus writes Heylyn,—" after such a manner, so terrified the rest of his Majesty's servants, that as some had deserted him in the first appearance of his troubles, so there were few that durst stand to him, or put him upon resolute or courageous counsels when he b Nov. 14th. See back, p. 55. "C a See back, p. 68. "The Life and Times of Alexander Henderson. By John Aiton, D.D. 1836." 8vo. chap. vii, p. 448. most wanted such assistance." This same authority relates a touching description of the Earl's last "farewell" of his chief accomplice in their country's ruin. Laud had been immured in the Tower since the first day of March preceding; and now he expressed his hope, "That when he came to his own execution, which he daily prayed for, the world should perceive he had been more sensible of the Lord Strafford's loss than of his own." Another scene is, however, imagined to have passed between the ill-fated confederates, exhibiting the strain of popular sentiment regarding them. We content ourselves with the closing passages: "Straff.-Your head, no doubt, is grown the lighter It was too proud a weight, and known No more your now deaf chaplains bark There's room enough in heaven; for two Have more transgrest than I or you. But I, what place and time, forbear To name; 'tis God knows when, and where !" d As one of the phases of the body-politic, and as exhibitive of the temper of the Commons, it is needful that the attentive reader should be in possession of "The Order and Form for Church-Government by Bishops and the Clergy of this Kingdom: Voted in the House of Commons, on Friday, July 16, 1641. Whereunto is added, 'Mr. Grimston's and Mr. Selden's Arguments concerning Episcopacy." 1641." 4to. pp. 8. Imprimis: Every Shire of England and Wales to be a several circuit or diocese for the ecclesiastic jurisdiction, excepting Yorkshire, which is to be divided into three.-ii. A constant Presbytery of twelve divines to be selected in every shire or diocese.-iii. A constant President to be established as a Bishop over this Presbytery.―iv. This Bishop in each diocese to ordain, suspend, deprive, degrade, excommunicate, by and with the consent and assistance of seven divines of his Presbytery then present, and not otherwise.v. The times of Ordination throughout the Land to be four times every year; namely, the a Life of Laud. p. 482. b Ibid. p. 480. See back, p. 49; the "English Pontifical." "The Discontented Conference betwixt the two great Associates, William, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas, late Earl of Strafford. 1641." 4to. pp, [3.] e Page 1, is headed, "Sat. 17, July." the 1st of May, the 1st of August, the 1st of November, and the 1st of February.-vi. Every Bishop constantly to reside within his diocese ; in some prime or chief city or town within his diocese, as in particular.— vii. Every Bishop to have one special particular Congregation, to be chosen out of the most convenient for distance of place from his chief residence, and the richest in value that may be had; where he shall duly preach, unless he be lawfully hindered, and then shall take care that his Cure be well supplied by another.-viii. No Bishop shall remove or be translated from the bishopric which he shall first undertake.-ix. Upon every death or other avoidance of a Bishop, the King to grant a 'Congé d'elire' to the whole clergy of that diocese; and they to present three of the Presbyters aforesaid, and the King to choose and nominate whom he please of them.-x. The first Presbyters of every shire to be named by the Parliament; and afterwards, upon death or other avoidance of any Presbyter, the remaining Presbyters to choose another out of the Parish Ministers of that shire, and this to be done within one month next after such death or avoidance.-xi. No Bishop or Clergyman to exercise or have any temporal office, or secular employment; but only for the present, to hold and keep the probate of Wills until the Parliament shall otherwise resolve.-xii. The Bishop once a year-at Midsummer-to summon a Diocesan Synod, there to hear and, by general vote, to determine all such matter of scandal in life and doctrine among the Clergymen as shall be presented unto them.-xiii. Every three years, a National Synod to be; which, for persons, shall consist of all the Bishops in the Land, and of two Presbyters to be chosen by the rest out of each presbytery, and of two Clerks, to be chosen out of every diocese by the Clergy thereof.— xiv. This National Synod to make and ordain Canons of the government of the Church, but they not to bind until they be confirmed by Parliament.-xv. Every Bishop to have, over and above the Benefice aforesaid, a certain constant rent allowed and allotted, proportionate to the diocese wherein he is to officiate; that is to say, every Presbyter to have a constant yearly profit above his Benefice.-xvi. As for the revenue of the Bishops, Deans, and Chapters, &c.,' a strict survey to be taken of all their rents and profits, and the same to be represented at the beginning of our next Convention; and in the meantime no lease to be renewed, nor timber to be felled." a It is evidenced enough, that what the English Bishops had of Scrip a "Mr. Grimston's argument concerning Bishops: i. That Bishops [are] Jure Divino, is of question.-ii. That Archbishops are not Jure Divino, is out of question. -iii. That Ministers are Jure Divino, there is no question.-Now, if Bishops which are questioned, whether Jure Divino? and Archbishops, which out of question are not Jure Divino, suspend Ministers that are Jure Divino; I leave it to you, Mr. Speaker!-Mr. Selden's answer: i. That Convocation is Jure Divino, is a question, ii. That Parliaments are not Jure Divino, is out of question. iii. That Religion is Jure Divino, there is no question.-Now, Mr. Speaker, that the Convocation which is questioned, whether Jure Divino? and Parliaments, which out of question are not Jure Divino, should meddle with Religion, which questionless is Jure Divino; I leave to you, Mr. Speaker!-Mr. Grimston's reply: But Archbishops are no Bishops! Mr. Selden's answer, That is no otherwise true than that Judges are not lawyers, and Aldermen not citizens!" Both these arguments are good. a tural Spirituality in their office, was sophisticated by the increments of their Temporalities. The "treasure" which the Apostles, one for all, spake of with characteristic humility, and which they confessed that they carried about in "earthen vessels," they laid no claim to, as of themselves; "having nothing," they yet possessed "all things.” b But whoever contemplates a Bishop revelling in worldly treasure and honour, cannot but strain his reasoning faculties to find out what similarity there may be between such a one and his alleged first progenitor! The ingredients essential to the composition of the later character, being other than what sufficed to constitute the earlier, must inevitably, therefore, produce effects incongruous from the original purposes. For as the concrete is made up of a superabundance of the "earthen," so the "earthen" must ever predominate. Hence springs the claim of jurisdiction set up by Bishops of this later order, even to the Supremacy in temporal affairs. Hence, too, the mutual repulsion which that claim necessarily occasions, and the perpetuity of strife between the "Spiritual" and the Secular Powers. History unfolds an abundance of cases attesting the truth of this conclusion; and it comes within the scope of our design to adduce, or rather revert to, an instance which amounted, in the Body whom it concerns, to an act of felo de se. Its own deeds produced its destruction; and the effort was paltry to attempt to fix the blame on "the Separatists," and "such as for private at least, if not for worse ends, have countenanced them;" while the same accuser would at the same time affect to contemn the fewness and meanness of these opponents, whom he charges now with being the producers of the Church's "miseries." A Church linked to the State by so many ties of custom, statutes, revenues, and immunities, to be shaken, but by such instruments, is incredible! Nothing, truly, so much as itself, produced its overthrow. See this proposition cleared in "Two Arguments in Parliament: The First, concerning the Canons; the Second, concerning the Premunire upon those Canons. ward Bagshawe, Esq. 1641." 4to. pp. 43. By Ed Before the giving of any portions of these Arguments, it will be serviceable to present what Heylyn writes of their author. "Whilst the Archbishop laboured to support Episcopacy on the one side, some of the Puritan Party did as much endeavour to suppress it, by lopping off the branches first, and afterwards by laying the axe to the root of the tree. Bagshawe, a Lawyer of some standing, of the Middle Temple, did first prepare the way to the ruin of it, by questioning the Bishops' place and vote in Parliament, their temporal power, and the authority of the High Commission for being chosen Reader by that House, for the Lent vacation, he first began his Readings on February 24th, [1639-40], selecting for the argument of his discoursings the Statute, 25th of Edward III. cap. vii. [Pro Clero]. In prosecuting whereof, he had distributed his conceptions into ten parts, and each part into ten several cases; by which account, he must have had one hundred blows at the Church in his ten days' Reading... The news whereof being brought to Lambeth;.. the Archbishop thereupon informs his c See back, p. 133, note a. a 2 Cor. iv. 7. b Chap. vi. 10. |