of our differences when they are looked upon by some as parties.

Lastly. Because after all, this carries a dangerous supposition with it, as if the laity were not a part of the church, nor had any power to meddle in matters of religion; a supposition directly opposite to the constitution both of church and state, which will make all alterations utterly impossible, unless the clergy alone be allowed to have power to make laws in matters of religion; since what is established by law cannot be taken away or changed but by consent of laymen in parliament, the clergy themselves having no authority to meddle in this very case in which the laity are excluded by this vote but what they derive from lay-hands.

The proposal of appointing a commission being overruled by a very small majority,* the bill was sent down to the commons, where it was suffered to lie neglected on the table, and an address was moved and carried, humbly beseeching his majesty "that according to the antient usage and practice of the kingdom in time of parliament, his majesty would be graciously pleased to issue forth his writs for calling a convocation of the clergy to be advised in ecclesiastical matters." To this address the concurrence of the lords was, though not without great debate and opposition, obtained: and thus under the joint sanction of both houses it came before

* This is the account of bishop Burnet, who was himself present at the division; but Ralph, a much more accurate writer, affirms, that the numbers were equal on the division, in which case, accord. ing to the rules of the house, the question was decided in the ne gative.

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the throne. The king returned an answer suitable to his high character for wisdom, concluding with an earnest recommendation" that the occasions of differences and mutual animosities might be removed, and that as soon as might be, he would summon a convocation." Nothing further being done during the course of the session respecting the business of comprehension, the king resolved, as the last expedient, to summon a convocation, which met early the ensuing winter, 1689-90, when the parliament was again convened.

That no precaution which prudence could dictate might be wanting to facilitate the favourable reception of this design, a special commission was issued under the great seal to ten bishops and twenty dignitaries of the church, impartially selected, "to prepare," in the words of the commission, "such alteration of the liturgy and the canons, and such proposals for the reformation of ecclesiastical courts, and to consider of such other matters as in their judgments might most conduce to the ends proposed." But it immediately appeared how different was the spirit now prevalent amongst the clergy from that which actuated them in the last reign, when the aid of the dissenters was supposed to be wanting to rescue the church from the dangers which then impended over her. In the famous address from archbishop Sancroft to the bishops of his diocese, containing heads of advice and instruction to their lordships, adapted to those difficult and distressing times, the primate thus, in conclusion, summed up his sentiments. "And in the last place that they," i. e. the clergy of the different dioceses, "warmly and most effectually exhort them," i. e. the protestant dissenters, "to join with us in daily fervent prayers

to the God of peace for an universal blessed union of all reformed churches, both at home and abroad, against our common enemies; and that all they who do confess the name of our dear Lord, and do agree in the truth of his holy word, may also meet in ONE HOLY COMMUNION, and live in perfect unity and godly love." And the bishop of Salisbury affirms, that the bishops, with their metropolitan at their head, had actually agreed on the project of a comprehension previous to the landing of the Prince of Orange.

But the idea of danger had now completely vanished; and a new scene of things was opening. Scarcely would the lower house of convocation concur with the bishops in an address of the most general naturę, acknowledging "the pious zeal and care of his majesty for the interests of the church, and assuring him that they would consider whatsoever should be offered to them from his jesty without prejudice, and with all calmness and im. partiality."

ma

As might be with certainty expected from an assembly of this complexion, all the propositions of reform, digested by the commissioners, were rejected with the ut most haughtiness and contempt, and the king soon found it necessary, by a prorogation, to put a stop to the violence of their proceedings.

550

ATTEMPT

TO ABOLISH

THE TEST LAW S.

A. D. 1689.

ON the 16th March, 1689, king William came in person to the house of peers to give the royal assent to the bill for suspending the habeas-corpus act, &c. on which occasion he delivered the following short, but ever-memorable speech:

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"MY LORDS, AND GENTLEMEN,

"Now I have the occasion of coming hither to pass these bills, I shall put you in mind of one thing which will conduce as much to our settlement, as a settlement will to the disappointment of our enemies. I am, with all the expedition I can, filling up the vacancies that are in offices and places of trust by this revolution. I hope you are sensible there is a necessity of some law to settle the oaths to be taken by all persons to be admitted to such places. I recommend it to your care to make a speedy provision for it. And as I doubt not but you will sufficiently provide against papists, so I hope you will leave room for the admission of ALL PROTESTANTS that are willing and able to serve. This conjunction in my service will tend to the better uniting you among yourselves, and the strengthening you against your common adversaries."

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On the 14th March a bill had been introduced under the sanction of the court for abrogating the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and for appointing other oaths in their stead, deemed more simple and comprehensive. In the progress of this bill a clause was brought forward in the upper house, in conformity with the truly wise and patriotic sentiment expressed by the king, to remove the necessity of taking the sacrament as a qualification for an office, which was unhappily rejected. But a protest framed in terms very animated and forcible, was immediately entered upon the journals by the lords Delamere, Stamford, North and Grey, Chesterfield, Wharton, Lovelace, and Vaughan, expressive of their dissent from the majority of the house.

"BECAUSE they conceived that a hearty union among protestants was a greater security to the church and state than any test that could be invented.

"That this obligation to receive the sacrament was a test on the protestants rather than on the papists.

"That as long as it was continued there could not be that hearty and thorough union among protestants as had always been wished, and was at this time indispensably necessary.

"And Lastly, That a greater caution ought not to be required from such as were admitted into offices than from the members of the two houses of parliament, who are not obliged to receive the sacrament to enable them to sit in either house."

On a negative being put upon the first clause, a second was moved, that the producing a certificate under the