VII. CHAP. to the wardens of the Stationers' company to search all suspected places, and to open all packages; and ELIZ. all stationers, printers, and others trading in books, were required to enter into recognizances truly to observe the prescribed ordinances, and to assist the wardens and their deputies in the discharge of their duties. It would be difficult to point out the difference between such conduct and the uniform policy of the popedom. The principle of both is the same, though, happily for mankind, the temper of modern times has prevented the protestant ecclesiastic from carrying it to the same extent as his catholic brother. t Parker, i. 442. CHAPTER VIII. The Puritans divided on the Propriety of separating from the CHAP. The Puritans propriety of from the Hierarchy, THE puritans were now compelled to deliberate on the propriety of holding separate meetings for religious worship. Their ministers were ejected ELIZ. from the church, the reforms which they sought were sternly denied, the publication of their senti- divided on the ments was prohibited, and a fixed determination separating was avowed to retain in the constitution and ritual of the establishment what they deemed incompatible with the purity and extension of religion. As faithful men, therefore, they were compelled to inquire what further steps they should take. Were they to practise rites which they regarded as unlawful; to connive at and to sanction a system which they partially disapproved? or were they, by the assertion of their Christian liberty, to release conscience from restraint, and thus secure to themselves and their descendants a purer form of ecclesiastical polity? While their scruples were respected, they clung to the establishment with filial piety. But the resolu VIII. CHAP. tion now taken by those in authority to force their submission, or to deprive them of their ministry, ELIZ. necessitated the contemplation of a step adverse to their most cherished prejudices, and fraught with consequences from which they might well shrink. They knew something of the temper of the archbishop and queen, and had already seen indubitable evidence of their readiness to punish every departure from the prescribed rule. If the neglect of a surplice, or the omission of a few words, were visited with deprivation and imprisonment, what was to be expected if the standard of revolt should be openly raised, and hostile forms of worship practised? These considerations could not but influence the more prudent and timid, while others of a higher order powerfully tended to prevent so decided a step. Many who were dissatisfied with the ceremonial of the church esteemed it their duty to remain in her communion. They regarded the points wherein they differed from their brethren as trifling compared with those in which they agreed. The pure doctrine of the word was recognized in her standards of faith, and proclaimed from many of her pulpits. The way of salvation was taught within her pale, and hope was entertained of the queen's heart being drawn to a purer ritual, and a more effective discipline, than she was yet prepared to sanction. Some of the puritan ministers condemned separation as an unmixed evil, fraught with the elements of discord, and tending to the dishonour of the Christian name. Others urged the obligation of their ministry as paramount to the authority of the prince; and, without being aware of the extent or value of the principle, began to urge the unlawfulness of the VIII. ELIZ. civil magistrate enforcing ecclesiastical regulations. CHAP. This momentous principle, whose complicated bearings are yet but partially understood, was then in the first stage of its development. It was matter of feeling rather than of judgment; one of those instinctive appeals which the human mind frequently makes in the season of trial to the primary laws of its nature. It arose from the pressure of circumstances, and was generally discountenanced even by the wise and good. But it has survived its defamers, and has slowly commanded regard. Its accordance with the nature of man and the spirit of Christianity was gradually elicited, till at length it has been enrolled amongst the axioms of the most intelligent and impartial of mankind. Nor were the laity unconcerned in this matter; they displayed a zeal fully equal to their ministers, and in many cases urged them to more decisive measures. Hence a division took place amongst the puritans which prepared the way for the sweeping changes advocated by Cartwright and his disciples." "The refusers of the orders of the church," says Strype, "who by this time were commonly called puritans, were grown now into two factions. The one was of a more quiet and peaceable demeanour; who indeed would not use "It should be frankly admitted that Fox, Coverdale, and other leading puritans strongly censured such of their brethren as separated from the establishment. They endeavoured to prevent it; but, as is usual in the course of revolutions, whether religious or political, the moderation of their counsels impaired their own influence, instead of diminishing the zeal of others. Some of them complained of being treated with unkindness VIII. CHAP. the habits, nor subscribe to the ceremonies enjoined; as kneeling at the sacrament, the cross in baptism, ELIZ. the ring in marriage; but held to the communion of the church, and willingly and devoutly joined with the common prayers. But another sort there was, that disliked the whole constitution of the church lately reformed; charging upon it many gross remainders of popery, and that it was still full of corruptions not to be borne with and antichristian; and especially the habits which the clergy were enjoined to use in their conversation and ministration. Insomuch that these latter separated themselves into private assemblies, meeting together, not in churches, but in private houses, where they had ministers of their own. And at these meetings, rejecting wholly the Book of Common Prayer, they used a book of prayers framed at Geneva for the congregation of English exiles lately sojourning there; which book had been overseen and allowed by Calvin and the rest of his divines there, and indeed was for the most part taken out of the Geneva form. And at these clancular and separate congregations, they had not only prayers and sermons, but the Lord's supper also sometimes administered. This gave great offence to the queen, thus openly to turn their backs against that Reformation which she so carefully had ordered and established." Principles of the first Separatists. In order to an enlightened estimate of the conduct of the separatists, it is necessary to ascertain their principles. These were neither so few nor so trifling as is generally represented by their enemies. They were not confined to insignificant scruples, Life of Grindal, p. 168. |