220 7heHISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. V. .teem ee the clergy as in the laity, and were right neceffary exercifes to be con- Elizabeth, " tinned, fo the fame were not abufed, as indeed they had not been, un- 57w " lefs in one or two places at the molt ; whereof after he had know- " ledge, he writ an carnet} letter to his chancellor, that fuch perlons as " were over bufy fpeakers fhould be put to filence, unlefs they would " fubfcribe to the articles of conformity in religion, or elfe promife not to intermeddle with any matter eflablifhed and commanded by " her majefly ; which was performed accordingly, fince which time " he had not heard, but all things had fucceeded quietly without offence n to any." The archbifhop was vexed at this letter, and wrote back to his chaplain, " That it was one of his old griefs, that this bifhop had (hewn his " letter to his friends, who had eluded its true meaning, by flanding upon the word vain. It is pity, lays he, That we fhould thew any s. vanity in our obedience." In the mean time the bifhop of Norwich applied to the privy council, who knew nothing of this affair; but were furprized at the archbifhop's order, and gave his lordfhip infiru Lions to uphold the prophe rings.. Their letter was as follows : Counç:!'t let- good « fllutem in Chriflo. Whereas we underhand that there are certain ter to eonri., exercifes of prophefyings, and expounding of fcriptures in hue them. g p g p Life of Par- " Norfolk, as namely, at Holt town, and other places, whereby both ker,. p. 46o, " fpeakers and hearers do profit much, in the knowledge of the word of F. 461. " God. And whereas fome not well minded towards true religion, and " s the knowledge of God, fpeak evil and flanderoufly of thefe exercifes, 4r as commonly they ufed to do againft the fincere preaching of God's " holy word : Thefe are to require your lordfhip, that fo long as the '° truth is godly and reverently uttered in their prophefyings, and that no °' feditious, heretical, or fchifmatical doarine, tending to the diflurbance .t of the peace of the church, can be proved to be taught or maintained .. in the fame; that fo good an help and means to further true religion, " may not be hindered and flayed,, but may proceed and go forward to God's glory, and the edifying of the people. Thus not doubting of " your forwardnefs herein, your office and calling dutifully requiring the. ". fame at your hands, we bid your lordfhip right heartily farewel." roar lordfhip's loving friends, T. Smith, Edwin Bp. London, Wa..Mildmay,. Fran. Knollys. From London, chi :. ,6th of Mij, .$7a. The
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