The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…

The sense of the House of Commons in Queen Elizabeths days, (who sure were no Presbyterians) is thus related by D. Heylin, Hist. of Presbyt. pag. 288. [A smart Petition is presented to the Lords in the name of the Commons, for rectifying of many things which they conceived to be amiss in the state of the Church: The whole Petition did consist of 16. particulars; of which the first six did relate to a Preaching Ministry, the want of which was much complained of in a supplication—In the other ten it was desired— That no Oath or subscription might be tendered to any at their entrance into the Ministry, but such as was prescribed by the statutes of the Realm, and the Oath against Corrupt entering: 2. That they may not be troubled for Omission of some Rites or Offices prescribed in the book of Common prayer: 3. That such as had been suspended or deprived for no other offence, ⟨image 15⟩but only for not subscribing, might be restored. 4. That they may not be called and urged to answer before the Officials and Commissaries, but before the Bishops themselves. 5. That they might not be called into the High Commission, or Moot out) of the Diocese where they lived, except for some notable offence. 6. That it might be permitted to them, in every Arch-Deaconry to have some common exercises, and conferences among themselves, to be limited and prescribed by the Ordinaries. 7. That the high censure of excommunication may not be denounced or executed for small matters. 8. Nor by Chancellors Commissioners (Commissaries) or Officials, but by the Bishops themselves with the assistance of grave persons. 9. That non-residency may be quite removed out of the Church. 10. That at least, according to the Queens Injunctions Art. 44. No-nonresident having already a Licence or Faculty may enjoy it, unless he depute an able Curate that may weekly preach and Catechize, as was required by her Majesty in the said injunctions] Against (saith Heylin) the violence of this Torrent the Arch-Bishop interposed both his power and Reason—But finding that the Lord Grey and other of that house (of Lords) had been made of the party, he drew the rest of the Bishops to join with him in an humble Petition to her sacred Majesty, and the Queen put an end to that dispute, not only for the present but all Parliaments following.

THe sence of the House of Commons in Queen Elizabeths days, (who sure were no Presbyterians) is thus related by D. Heylin, Hist. of Presbyt. pag. 288. [A smart Petition is presented to the Lords in the name of the Commons, for rectifying of many things which they conceived to be amiss in the state of the Church: The whole Petition did consist of 16. particulars; of which the first six did relate to a Preaching Ministry, the want of which was much complained of in a supplication—In the other ten it was desired— That no Oath or subscription might be tendered to any at their entrance into the Ministry, but such as was prescribed by the statutes of the Realm, and the Oath against Corrupt entering: 2. That they may not be troubled for Omission of some Rites or Offices prescribed in the book of Common prayer: 3. That such as had been suspended or deprived for no other offence,