746 The HISTORY of the PURI.,ANS. Chap. X. K. Charles I. favours ; thefe (fay they) have had a fecretary of fate of their own reli- gion, and a nuncio from the pope,. by whole authority the popifh nobi- lity, clergy, and gentry, have been convocated after the manner of a par- liament ; new jurifdidtions have been eroded of popifh archbifhops; taxes have been levied ;.another flare moulded within this date, independent in government, and fecretly corrupting the ignorant ptofeffors of our religion, &c. The papifis have been furnithed with arms and ammunition, lifted in the king's fervice, and encouraged by the weekly prayersof their pleas for theprofperity of their defigns, topromote the catholick caufe. They com- plain further of a party of bops andpopifh lords in the houle of peers who have eaufed much oppofition and delay in the profecution of delin- quents, and kindred the palling forne good bills for the reforming abufes and corruptions in church and ftate and of a malignant party that has countenanced the rebellion hi Ireland. Detlaratión After the recital of thefe grievances, they acknowledgewith thankful-. al' their in. nefs, the many adds that his majefty has paffed this fefiion for the public tenúons good, and put his majelly in mind of the large fums of money they had railed for his fervice, amounting tb no lets than a million and half They declare, " that it is far from their purpofe or delire to let leak the golden; " reinsof difcipline and government in the church, to leave private per- " ions or particular congregations, to take up what form of divine fer- " they pleafe ; for we hold it requifite (fay they) that there fhould be " throughout the whole realm aconformity to that order which the laws. " enjoin, according to the ward of God ; and we delre to unburden the, confciences of men from needlefs and fuperfiitious ceremonies, to fop- " preis innovations, and to take away the monuments of idolatry. To. " effedt this intended reformation, we delire there may be a general fynod` " of the mod grave, pious, learned, and judicious divines of this ifland, " atíided with Lorne from foreign parts profeffing the fame religion with us, " who may confider ofall things neceffaay for the peace and good govern- " ment of the church, and reprefent the refult of their confultations to the parliament, to be allowed and confirmed, and to receive the damp " of authority "It is our chief care to advance and promote learn- " ing, and to provide a competent maintenance for confcionable and " preaching maniflers-throughout the kingdom We intend likewife " to reform and purge the fountains of learning, the two univerfaties, that " the dreams flowing thence may be clear, and pure, and an honour and comfort to the whole land. And teeing that the religion of " papifts has loch principles, as certainly tend to the dedrudtionand extir- <r pation of all.proteftants,, when they have opportunity to effedt it, 'tis 1' necefiàry
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