WAKE. 71 subscribe to two forms devised by the commissioners. In one of these forms, called forma promissionis, they were required to subscribe and swear, " That they would use the Book of Common Prayer, and the form of administration of the sacraments, invariably and in all points to the utmost of their power, according to the rites, orders, forms, and ceremonies therein prescribed ; and that they would not hereafter, preach or speak any thing to the degradation of the said book, or any point therein, contained."-In the other form, called forma abjurationis, they were required to subscribe and swear, " That the Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops, and of the ordering of priests and deacons, set forth in the time of King Edward VI. and confirmed by authority of parliament, doth contain in it all things necessary to such consecration and ordering, having in it, according to their judgment, nothing that is either superstitious or ungodly ; and, therefore, that they who were consecrated and ordered according to the said book, were duly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordained. And that they acknowledge their duty and obedience to their ordinary and diocesan as to a lawful magistrate under the queen's majesty, as the laws and statutes do require ; which obedience they do promise to perform, according as the laws shall bind them, In testimony whereof they do hereunto subscribe their names."* Mr. Wake and his brethren, refusing to be tied by these fetters, offered to use.the Book of Common Prayer and no other, and promisednot topreach against itbefore the meet- ing ofthe next parliament ; but they apprehendedboth the subscription and the oath to be contrary to the laws of God and the realm. Ij-t these painful circumstances, being all deprived of their livings, they appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, but he rejected their appeal. Upon this, having suffered deprivation about two years, they presented a supplication to the queen and parliament ; in which, after presenting an impartial statement of the tyrannical oppres, sions under which they laboured, they give the following reasons for refusing the subscription and the oath :---44 That they should thereby have allowed, contrary to their consciences, that it was lawful for women to baptize children :-That they would have exposed themselves to much danger :-That any, man, though ever so unable to preach the word, might be made a minister, according to MS. Register, p. 198,
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