the late canons, in a manner contrary to the rights of Parliament, and dangerous to liberty. A respite of three months was granted for preparing their defence; and, in the mean time, a dispute arising between the two houses, concerning the continuance of the Liturgy, they adjourned themselves by mutual consent, each appointing a small committee. A report being spread, that the King having extended condescension to the Scots, designed to introduce Presbyterianism into England, he denied it in a letter from the North, and at the same time issued five congé d'elires for the filling of vacant sees; while the bishops introduced on this occasion were men against whom no exception could reasonably be taken by the Puritans *. To a petition directed chiefly against the bishops, and the state of church government and discipline, the King delivered a most moderate and reasonable answer, signifying his determination to oppose Popery, and to abridge any excessive privileges of the clergy; but reminding the petitioners, that the bishops by law and usage had a right to vote in Parliament; and that he was resolved to support the church government and discipline against the irreverent attacks of separatists.

XXXIII. The inveteracy of the Commons

* Hall was removed to Norwich, and Prideaux appointed to Worcester; while Usher received the see of Carlisle in commendam. These were the last changes, until the total abolition of episcopacy in 1646.

against the Episcopal votes in Parliament, was increased by the opposition made by the bench of bishops, the body guards of the King, to all measures of hostility levelled against churches, which originated in the lower house. Determined to remove this obstacle to their designs, they stirred up the porters of London to petition against the spiritual lords, and a mob of apprentices, Burgess's myrmidons, to beset both houses of Parliament in an intimidating attitude, under pretence of obtaining an answer to their petition. With an admirable knowledge of cause and effect, these wise heads pronounced that Popery and prelacy had ruined trade. So at Rome, when the Tiber overflowed its banks, the inundation was said to be owing to the Christians; and so it was given out once by an old broom crier, that her besoms were rendered dearer by the French revolution *. From a shower of stones discharged by these politicians, the bishops, com ing by water to Parliament on St. Stephen's day, had very nearly shared the fate of St. Stephen, A proposal having been made for the suppression of the tumult, Pym advised that the people should not be discouraged in manifesting the public sen

* In a scuffle betwixt this mob and some disbanded officers who formed the King's guard at Whitehall, one David Hyde declared, that he would cut the throats of these round-headed

dogs; and from this me the parties were known as Cavaliers

and Roundheads.

timent. Parliamentary privilege was a convenient patriotic cry; but it was forgotten when the King might find in it any advantage.

It being now rendered hazardous for the spiritual peers to attend their duty in Parliament, Williams, and twelve of his brethren, addressed the King and Lords, protesting against all proceedings during their compulsory absence. Although, according to Lord Clarendon, this protest was logical and legal, since whatever impedes the freedom of one member is a violation to that of all the rest, the protesting bishops were arraigned of high treason, and eleven of their number committed to the Tower*. To complete this flagrant outrage, the bill for abolishing their votes, and for excluding them from temporal authority, was again brought in and passed through both houses; while London celebrated the triumph with bells and bonfires.

* Lord Newark delivered two powerful speeches in their behalf, urging, that to sit in Parliament was consistent with their spiritual vocation, and hindered not their other duties that the influence of court favour applied equally to laymen in the lower house, while the holiness and age of the bishops were securities against corruption; and as for the other objection," he that warreth entangleth not himself with affairs of this life;" that it was a general rule which all men ought to observe, being a dissuasive from worldlymindedness. stantine had a council of bishops in his camp.

Con

Hall and Moreton were entrusted to the usher of the black rod, with five pounds a day, on account of their past services. Ten of the prelates were released after eighteen days imprison

ment.

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By the importunities of the Queen, whom artful or weak courtiers had persuaded, that this measure was necessary to the preservation of the throne, Charles was prevailed with, in a fatal moment, to sanction it with, the royal assent. Thus fell the barrier between the King and his encroaching Commons, who now triumphed in the prospect of carrying all their measures unmolested by further opposition, Charles never afterwards enjoyed ease or security. His friends, weakened and despairing, silently withdrew from a fruitless, contest, and left the way clear for the steady march of rebellion, to the final destruction of the monarchy* XXXIV. In inquiring whether the protest, was justifiable on the part of the bishops, it was urged, that the lords spiritual were no third branch of the realm; that acts had been passed from which they had dissented in a body, as 1 Edw. VI. and 1 Eliz. the acts of conformity and supremacy; and that in their proceeding they supposed themselves of equal importance with the House of Commons. But who perceives not the fallacy of these objections? If the whole bench of bishops voJuntary retire, they form but a part of the House of Lords, which is, of course, concluded by a majority. But if any constituent part of that house is kept away by force, it is no House of Lords at all. Charles, in going to the House of Commons to demand the five members, was doubtless guilty of

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* Clar. vol. i, p. 234, 246; Neale, p. 696,

án unconstitutional act; and the historian of the Puritans, with justice, observes, If five members, why not five hundred ? Yet his majesty, the mob, may detain thirteen LORDS from their seats; and Mr. Neale will not allow his own rule to operate here *.

XXXV. 1642. A controversy of the pen prepared the King and Parliament for the more destructive war of the sword; and the first skirmishes were fought by the light troops of flying mercuries, lampoons, intelligencers, and journals: while the pulpits were not without their share in the action. To narrate the several stages of hostility, to muster the contending forces, to lead forth to the fight brothers against brothers, and sires against their sons, is the office of the civil historian. On these points we can touch no further than as they are connected with the changes in ecclesiastical affairs. In proportion, indeed, as intes

*This episcopal protest was spirited and noble. " When a man is about to be undone," says Collier, "to go out in smoke and smoulder is a mean way of coming to nothing. Let him spend himself in a blaze, and flash to the last grain of powder.".

This year, 1641, the Commons passed a resolution for the general demolition of altar-rails, and the removal of communion tables from the east end of the chancel to the body of every church. In executing this unpopular order, much violence was necessary; and at St. Giles's, Cripplegate; at Halsted, in Essex; at Canterbury, and other places, it was attended with tumults and scuffles betwixt the officers and parishioners.