In the meantime, out of compassion and compliance towards those who would forbear the cross in baptism, we are content that no man shall be compelled to use the same, or suffer for not doing it; but if any parent desire to have his child christened according to the form used, and the minister will not use the sign, it shall be lawful for that parent to procure another minister to do it; and if the proper minister shall refuse to omit that ceremony of the cross, it shall be lawful for the parent, who would not have his child so baptized, to procure another minister to do it, who will do it. according to his desire.

No man shall be compelled to bow at the name of Jesus, or suffer in any degree for not doing it, without reproaching those who out of their devotion continue that ancient ceremony of the church.

For the use of the surplice,15 we are contented that all men be left to their liberty to do as they shall think fit, without suffering in the least degree for wearing or not wearing it; provided that this liberty do not extend to our own chapel, cathedral, or collegiate churches, or to any college in either of our universities, 16 but that the several statutes and customs for the use thereof in the said places be there observed as formerly.

And because some men, otherwise pious and learned, say

15 The draft added, "which hath for so many ages been thought a most "decent ornament for the clergy in the administration of divine service, and "is in truth of a different fashion in the Church of England from what is "used in the Church of Rome, we are, etc."

16 In the draft it was, "where we would have the several statutes and "customs observed which have been formerly."

17 The draft stood thus:-" And because some men (otherwise pious "and learned) say they cannot conform to the subscription required by the 66 canon at the time of their institution and admission into benefices, we are "content (so they take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy) that they "shall receive institution and induction, and shall be permitted to exercise "their function, and to enjoy the profits of their livings, without any other "subscription, until it shall be otherwise determined by a Synod called and "confirmed by authority." It was adopted in its present form, “and "because ... degrees," at the request of the Presbyterians.

they cannot conform unto the subscription required by the canon, nor take the oath of canonical obedience; we are content, and it is our will and pleasure (so they take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy) that they shall receive ordination, institution, and induction, and shall be permitted to exercise their function, and to enjoy the profits of their livings, without the said subscription or oath of canonical obedience; and moreover, that no persons in the universities shall for the want of such subscription be hindered in the taking of their degrees. Lastly,18 that none be judged to forfeit his presentation or benefice, or be deprived of it, upon the statute of the thirteenth of queen Elizabeth, chapter the twelfth, so he read and declare his assent to all the articles of religion, which only concern the confession of the true Christian faith, and the doctrine of the sacraments comprised in the Book of Articles in the said statute mentioned. In a word, we do again renew what we have formerly said in our Declaration from Breda, for the liberty of tender consciences, that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matters of religion, which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom: and if any have been disturbed in that kind since our arrival here, it hath not proceeded from any direction of ours.

To conclude, and in this place to explain what we mentioned before, and said in our letter to the house of commons from Breda, that "we hoped in due time, ourself to propose somewhat for the propagation of the protestant religion, that will satisfy the world, that we have always made it both our care and our study, and have enough observed what is most

:

Is In the original draft were these words, which were now omitted :— "Lastly, that such as have been ordained by Presbyters, be not required "to renounce their ordination, or to be re-ordained, or denied institution "and induction for want of ordination by bishops.

"And, moreover, that none be judged to forfeit their presentation or bene"fice, or be deprived of it, for not reading of those of the thirty-nine "articles that contain the controverted points of church government and "ceremonies." The clause as it stands, "Lastly. . . . . mentioned," was adopted in compliance with the proposal of the Presbyterians.

.....

78 His Majesty's Declaration on Ecclesiastical Affairs. [1660.

like to bring disadvantage to it;" we do conjure all our loving subjects to acquiesce in and submit to this our Declaration concerning those differences, which have so much disquieted the nation at home, and given such offence to the protestant churches abroad, and brought such reproach upon the protestant religion in general, from the enemies thereof; as if upon obscure notions of faith and fancy, it did admit the practice of Christian duties and obedience to be discountenanced and suspended, and introduce a license in opinions and manners, to the prejudice of the Christian faith. And let us all endeavour, and emulate each other in those endeavours, to countenance and advance the protestant religion abroad, which will be best done by supporting the dignity and reverence due to the best reformed protestant church at home; and which being once freed from the calumnies19 and reproaches it hath undergone from these late ill times, will be the best shelter for those abroad, which will by that countenance both be the better protected against their enemies, and be the more easily induced to compose the differences amongst themselves, which give their enemies more advantage against them and we hope and expect that all men will henceforward forbear to vent any such doctrine in the pulpit, or to endeavour to work in such manner upon the affections of the people, as may dispose them to an ill opinion of us and the government, and to disturb the peace of the kingdom; which if all men will in their several vocations endeavour to preserve with the same affection and zeal we ourself will do, all our good subjects will by God's blessing upon us enjoy as great a measure of felicity as this nation hath ever done, and which we shall constantly labour to procure for them, as the greatest blessing God can bestow upon us in this world. Given at our court at Whitehall this twenty-fifth day of October,

:

MDCLX.

19" Calamities," in the draft.

X.

The Petition of the Ministers to the King upon the first draft of his Declaration.'-Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, by Sylvester, pp. 265-74.

May it please your Majesty,

So great was the comfort created in our minds by your majesty's oft-expressed resolution to become the effectual moderator in our differences, and yourself to bring us together by procuring such mutual condescensions as are necessary thereto, and also by your gracious acceptance of our Proposals, which your majesty heard and received not only without blame, but with acknowledgment of their moderation, and as such as would infer a reconciliation between the differing parties, that we must needs say, the least abatement of our hopes, is much the more unwelcome and grievous to us. And it is no small grief that surpriseth our hearts, from the complaints of the students ejected in the universities, and of faithful ministers removed from their beloved flocks, and denied institution, for want of subscription, re-ordination, or an oath of obedience to the bishop; but especially from many congregations in the land, that cry out they are undone by the loss of those means of their spiritual welfare which were dearer to them than all worldly riches, and by the grievous burden of ignorant, or scandalous, or dead, unprofitable ministers set over them, to whom they dare not commit the guidance and care of their immortal souls, and whose ministry they dare not own or countenance, lest they be guilty of their sin. And it addeth to our grief and fear in finding so much of the proposed necessary means of our agreement, especially in the point of government, here passed by in your majesty's Declaration, as if it were denied us. But yet remembering the gracious and encouraging promises of your majesty, and observing your majesty's clemency in what is here granted us, and your great condescension in

1 This paper was drawn up by Baxter. The alterations, marked in the notes, were made by him, with much reluctance, at the instance of Mr. Calamy, Dr. Reynolds, the Earl of Manchester, the Earl of Anglesey, and Lord Hollis.— Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, by Sylvester, p. 265.

vouchsafing not only so graciously to hear us in these our humble addresses and requests, but also to grant us the sight of your Declaration before it is resclved on, with liberty of returning our additional desires, and hope that they shall not be rejected; we re-assume our confidence, and comfortably expect, that what is not granted in this Declaration that is reasonable and necessary to our agreement, shall yet be granted upon fuller consideration of the equity of our requests.

As our designs and desires are not for any worldly advantages or dignities to ourselves, so have we not presumed to intermeddle with any civil interest of your majesty, or any of your officers; nor in the matters of mere convenience to cast our reason into the balance against your majesty's prudence; but merely to speak for the laws and worship and servants of the Lord, and for the peace of our consciences, and the safety of our own and brethren's souls. It lifts us up with joy to think what happy consequences will ensue, if your majesty shall entertain these healing motions: how happily our differences will be reconciled, and the exasperated minds of men composed; how temptations to contention and uncharitableness will be removed; how comfortably your majesty will reign in the dearest affections of your subjects; and how firmly they will adhere to your interest as their own; how cheerfully and zealously the united parts and interests of the nation will conspire to serve you; what a strength and honour a righteous magistracy, a learned, holy, loyal ministry, and a faithful, praying people will be to your throne; and how it will be your glory to be the king of the most religious nation in the world, that hath no considerable parties, but what are centred (under Christ) in you; what a comfort it will be for the bishops and pastors of the church, to be honoured and loved by all the most religious of their flocks; to see the success of their labours and the beauty of the church promoted by our common concord, and brethren to assemble and dwell together in unity, serving one God, according to one rule, with one heart and mouth.