Chap. V. The HISTORY of the PuRITANs-.. 57.$ King Charles II. Concerning Ceremonies,. 166o. ~.~ c, Thefe divines argue for leaving them indifferent for thi:! peace of the " church, as being not effcntial to the perfection of chrit1ian worlhip, ef- « pecially when fo many looked upon them as finful." They conclude thus, " We perceive your councels againfl peace are not. <' likely to be fru fl:rated. Your ddires concerning us are likely to' be ac.... " complifbed. You are like to be gratified with our filence and ejection ; " and yet we will believe, that bl~/Jed are the peace-makers; and though. " we are prevented by you in our purfuits of peace, and are never like " thus publicly to feek it more, yet are we refolved, as much. as poffible,, " to li1re peaceably with all men." The eyes of the prefbyterians were now opened, and they •began to 'Iheb,ginnihg_· difcern their weaknefs in expecting an agreement with the bilhops, who of the /uffer.·– appeared to be exafperated, and determined to tie them down to the mg~o{ tbt. old dlabli01ment. The former feverities began already to be revived, and ~[;ns: e-. the laws were put in execution againft fome who did not make ufe of the old liturgy. Many were fufpended and turned out of their livings on this account; upon which the leading prefhyterians applied to the king,. and. humbly requefred, I. " That they might with all convenient fpeed, fee his majefry's con- Who apply 1~. " clufions upon the propofals of mu.tual condefcenfions, before they pafs in- the kin{' . " to refolves. Baxter slift,, 2. " That his majefly would publicly declare his pleafure, for the fuf- ;~~It. U. p•. " penlion of all proceedings upon the act of uniformity, againft non-con- " formiils to the liturgy and ceremonies, till they faw the iffue of their " hoped. for agreement. 3· " That until the (aid fettlement, there may be no oath of ea-– " no11ical obedience, nor fubfcription to the liturgy and ceremonies, " :cquired, nor renunciat!on. of. the~r ord~nation by mee~ pre!byters,, -" 1mpofed as necefi'ary to Jni1:Itutwn mductwn or confirmatiOn, 4· " That his majelly would caufe the broad feal to be revoked,, « where perfons had been put into the p.offeffion of the livings of others, " not void by feq_uet1ration, but by the death of the former incum.– .. bents. 5: ~· Tha~ a remedy may be provided againll: th~ return of fCandalous An ~mblj ~· mmifl:ers, mto the places from whence they had been ejected."· of daunes ttr His majet1y gave them a civil audience, and told them he would put kP;r~efthe!.' h h h h fi h . ' . . mg s du 111,.. 'W at e t oug t t to grant t em Into the form of a dec!arattOI1,. wh1ch ration, they.·
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