Chap. VII. Ve HISTORY of the PURITANS. 30, 9. That they may not be called and urged to anfwer before the 47cials Queen and commfaries, but before the bifhops themfelves. Elizabeth, to. That fuch as had been fufpended or deprived for no other offence, rJ than only for notfubfribing, might be restored. r r. That the bifhops would forbear their excommunication ex ?Ado mero, of godly and learned preachers, not detected for open offence of life, or apparent error in dottrine ; and that they might not be called before the high commiffion, or out of the diocefe where they lived, except for fome notable offence. 12. That it might be permitted to them in every archdeaconry, to have fome common exercises and conferences among themfelves, to be limited and preferibed by the ordinaries. 13. That the high cenfure of excommunication, may not be denounced or executed for fmall matters. 14. Nor by lay- chancellors, commiffaries or officials, but by the bifhops themfelves, with the atfflance of grave perlons. t5, 36. That non- redence and pluralities may be quite removed out of the church, or at leaft that according to the queen's injunctions (article 44) no non- refident having already a licence or faculty may enjoy it, un- lefs he depute an able curate, who may weekly preach and catechize, as is required in her majefty's injunctions. This petition was attended with a moving fupplication to the queen and Attended parliament, in the name of thoufands of the poor untaught people of Eng-p f t r aJup-- land, drawn up by Mr. Sampson, in which they complain, that in many of their congregations, they had none to break the breadof lift, nor the corn- Strype',Ann. fortable preaching of God's holy word : That the bifhops in their ordina, p. 223. Lions, had no regard to Poch as were qualified to preach, provided they could only read, and did conform to the ceremonies : That they deprive& fuch as were capable of preaching, on account of ceremonies which do not edify, but are rather unprofitable burthens to the church; and that they moleft the people that go from their own pariahchurches to Peek the bread of life, when they have no preaching at home_ Theyy complain, that there are thoufandsofparithes deflitute of the neceffary means of falvation andi therefore pray the queen and parliament to provide a remedy. In anfwer to the petition lait mentioned, the bishop of Wincheer, in ,t;jwer of thename of his brethren, drew up the following reply. the Whops. The five first petitions tend to one thing,, that is the reformation of an unlearned and infufficient miniftry ; to which we anfwer, that though there are many fuch in the church, yet that there was never lefs reason to complain of them than at prefent,, and that things are mending every day. To
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