Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

§ 169. On April 23. was his Majesty's Coronation Day; the Day being very serene and fair, till suddenly in the Afternoon, as they were returning from Westminster-hall, there was very terrible Thunders, when none expected it. Which made me remember his Father's Coronation, on which, being a Boy at School, and having leave to play for the Solemnity, an Earthquake (about two a Clock in the Afternoon) did affright the Boys, and all the Neighbourhood. I intend no Commentary on these, but only to relate the Matter of Fact.

§ 170. To return at last to our Treaty with the Bishops: If you observe the King's Declaration, you will find, that though Matters of Government seemed to be determined, yet the Liturgy was to be reviewed, and reformed, and new Forms drawn up in Scripture phrase, suited to the several parts of Worship, that Men might use which of them they pleased] (as already there were some such variety of Forms in some Offices of that Book). This was yet to be done, and till this were done, we were uncertain of the Issue of all our Treaty: but if that were done, and all settled by Law, our Divisions were at an end. Therefore being often with the Lord Chancellor on the forementioned occasions, I humbly entreated him to hasten the finishing of that Work, that we might rejoice in our desired Concord. At last Dr. Reignolds and Mr. Calamy were authorized to name the Persons on that side, to manage the Treaty; and a Commission was granted under the Broad Seal to the Persons nominated on both sides. I entreated Mr. Calamy and Dr. Reignolds to leave me out: for though I much desired the Expedition of the Work, I found that the last Debates had made me unacceptable with my Superiors; and this would much more increase it, and other Men might be fitter, who were less distasted. But I could not prevail with them (unless I would have peremptorily refused it) to Excuse me. So they named, as Commissioners, Dr. Tuckney, Dr. Conant, Dr. Spurstow, Dr. Manton, Dr. Wallis, Mr. Calamy and my self, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Case, Mr. Clark, and Mr. Newcomen, besides Dr. Reignolds then Bishop of Norwich: And for Assistants (being the other Party had Assistants) Dr. Horton, Dr. Jacomb, Dr. Bates, Mr. Rawlinson, Mr. Cooper, Dr. Lightfoot, Dr. Collins, Mr. Woodbridge, and Dr. Drake. According to the King's Commission we were to meet and manage our Conference, in order to the Ends therein expressed. The Commission is as followeth: