The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANs, VoL. U, Ki~ fointJ dayJ - the crqfs in baptifin to be left to the choice of the parent 'j'l!Jam - and kneeling at the facrament to be indifferent -- the intention QnMa~~:m of lent fqfls was declared to conGfl: only in extraordinary acts of devotion 1689. not in difl:inction of meats -- the word priijl was to be changed fo; .~minifier --the ufe of the furplice is left to the difcretion of the bil1 10 p, who may difpenfe with it, or appoint another to read the fervice -– god-fathers and god-mothers in baptifm may be omitted if deGred, and children prefented in their parents names --re-ordination of thofe who had been ordained by preibyters was to be only conditional -- but thefe, with fome other ufeful alterations in the litany, communion fer– vice, and canons, will not be known till the papers themfelves are made public. However thefe conceffions and amendments, would in all pro– bability, have brought in three parts in four of the diffenters. ]'roceedin.gJ While thefe things were debating in parliament, and among the cam– of ~he convo- miffioners, an addrefs was prefented, April I g, praying that according to cation.. the ancient cufl:om and ufage of the kingdom in time of parliament, his majefiy would ilfue out his writ, for calling a convocation if the clergy, to be advifed with in eccleiiafiical matters, alfuring his majefl:y, that it was their intention forthwith to proceed to the confideration, of giving eqfe to proteflant di.f/enters; but when they met it quickly appeared, that the high church party were fuperior to the moderate, by their chooGng Dr. ']mu, who drew up the Oxford decree, prolocutor, in preference of Dr. 'Iillotjon. His majefl:y fent a letter or melfJge by the earl of Notting– ham, alluring them of his conftant favour and protection, and that he had fi11nmoned them, not only becaufe it was ufu~l upon holding parlia– ments, but out of a pious zeal, to do every thing that might tend to the befi efl:abliihment of the church of England, and defiring them to confider of fuch things, .as by his order a1ould be laid before them, with a due and impartial zeal for the peace and good of the church. But there was no room for his majefly's interpofition, the lower houfe of convoca7/ieir difaf- tion quickly coming to a refolutioi1 , not to wter into any debates with re– fetlion. lation to alterations; and it was not without difficulty carried, to make a decent addrefs to the king, thanking him for his promi!e of pro– tection. And the addrefs which the biihops fent down, acknowledging the protection which the protejlant religion in general, and the church ofEng– land in particular, had received from his majefly, the lower houfe would not agree to it, becaufe it imported thei r owning fame common union with the foreign churches. They would thank his majefty for his care to ef~ tabli(h the church of England, whereby the intereft of the proteflant churches abroad would be better fecured, but would not infert the words, this and all other protejlant churches, as the bi{hops had de– fired. The
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