5+o The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. IV. K. Charles I. pleafed ; or might fpeak or write.againft thefe proceedings, without the 1629' ,utmoft hazard of his liberty and eftate. BtopLaud's The church was governed by the like arbitraryand illegal methods; Dr. fhemeforgo LAUD bifhop of London being prime minifter, purfued his wild fchemeof eA reb4 the uniting thè two churches of England and Rome, without the leaft regard to the rights of confcience, or the laws of the land, and very feldom to the canons of the church, bearing down all who oppofed him with unrelent- ing feverity and rigor. To make way for this union, the churches were not only to be repaired, but ornamented with pictures, paintings, images, altar- pieces, &c. the forms of publick worship were to be decorated with a number of pompous rites and ceremonies, in imitation of the church of Rome; and the puritans, who were the profeffed enemies of every thing that looked like popery, were to be fuppreffed or driven out of the land. To accomplifh the latter, his lordfhip prefented the king, with cer- tain confiderations for fettling the church, which were foon. after publifhed with fome little variation, under the title of infdrulions to the two arch- bithops, concerning certain orders to be obferved, and put in execution by the feveral bithops. Here his majefly commands them to fee, that his declaration for frlen- cing the predeflinarian controverfy be firiétly obferved;. and that fpecial care be taken of the lectures or afternoon fermons, in their feveral diocefes, concerningwhich he is pleafed to give the following inflruétions, r. " That in all parifhes the afternoon fermons be turned into Cate- " chizing by queftion and anfwer, where there is not fome great caufe to " break thisancient and profitable order. 2. " That every lefturer read divine fervice before leéture in his furplice " and hood. '° That where there are lefures in market towns, they be read by " grave and orthodox divines; and that they preach in gowns, andnot in e° cloaks, as too many do ufe. " That nolecturer be admitted, that is not ready and willing to take. " upon him a living with cure of fouls. 5. '° That the bifhops take order, that the fermons of the leëturers be " obferved. " That none under noblemen, and men qualified by law, keep a private chaplain. 7.. "That carebe taken, that the prayers and catechifings be frequent- " ed, as well as fermons." Of all which his majefly requires an account once a year King's in- irut-tions about leetu- reas. ]y
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