174The H IST 0 R Y of the PuRITANs. VoL. n. K. Charles I. away epifcopal government; for confirming the ordinance for the calling 1644·5. and fitting of the affembly of divines; that the direCtory for public wor- ~ ili.ip, and the propofitions concerning church government, hereunto an– nexed, be confirmed as a part of reformation of religion and uniformity; t hat his majefty take theJolemn league and covenant, and that an aCt of parliament be paffed, enjoining the taking it by all the fubjects of the three kingdoms. The propofitions annexed to thefe demands were tbefe (viz.) "That " the ordinary way of dividing chrifl:ians into diftinCl: congregations, as " moft expedient for edification, be by the refpeCl:ive bounds of their " dwellings. " That the miniftcrs, and other church-officers in each particular con– " gregation, {hall join in the government of the church, in fuch manner " as !hall be efl:ablilhed by parliamc:nt. " That many congregations fhall be under one preibyterial government. " That the church be governed by congregational, claf!lcal, and fy– " nodical affemblies, in fuch manner as {hall be eftabliil1ed by parlia– " ment. '' That fynodical affemblies fhall confifi both of provincial and national " affemblies." One may eafily obfcrve the diftance between the inftruCl:ions of the two parties; one being determined to maintain epifcopacy, and the other no lefs refolute for eftablilhing prefbytery. After feveral papers had paffed between the commiflioners, about the bill for taking away epifcopacy, it was debated by the divines for two days together. Mr. Henderfon in a laboured fpeech, endeavoured to !hew the neceffity Mr. Henof changing the government of the church, for the prefervation of the derfon's . ftate. ---" That now the quefiion was not, whether the govern– ~:~ch agawfl" ment of the church by bifhops was lawful, but whether it was Cla. Vol. Il. '' fo neceit·uy that chrifiianity could not fubfift without it. --– p. 584. '' That this latter pofition could not be maintained in the affirmative, " wltbout condemning all other reformed churches in Europe. --– " That the parliament of England had found epifcopacy a vrory inconvenient " and corrupt government-- That the hierarchy had been a public " grievance from the reformation downwards -- That the bilhops had " always abetted popery, had retained many fuperfiitious rites and cuftoms " in their worihip and government; and over and abovo: had lately brought " in a great many novelties into the church, and made a nearer approach " to the romancommunion, to the great fccndal of the protefiant churches " of Germany, France, Scotland, and Holland. That the prelates had " embroiled the britijh iaand, and made the two nations of England and " Scotland fall foul upon each other.- That the rebellion in Ireland, · ''and
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