158

HISTOEY OJ? ENGLAND.

. Another member complained of some pamphlets which had— lately appeared, and in which the Convocation -was not treatedwith proper deference. The assembly took fire. Was it notmonstrous that this heretical and schismatical trash should becried by the hawkers about the streets, and should be exposedto sale in the booths of Westminster Hall, within a hundredyards of the Prolocutor’s chair? The work of mutilating theLiturgy and of turning cathedrals into conventicles might surelybe postponed till the Synod had taken measures to protect itsown freedom and dignity. It was then debated how the printingof such scandalous books should be prevented. Some were forindictments, some for ecclesiastical censures.* In such delibe-rations as these w'eek after week passed away. Not a singleproposition tending to a Comprehension had been even discuss-ed. Christmas was approaching. At Christmas there was tobe a recess. The Bishops were desirous that, during the recess,a committee should sit to prepare business. The Lower Houserefused to consent.** That House, it was now evident, wasfully determined not even to enter on the consideration of anypart of the plan which had been framed by the lloyal Commis-sioners. The proctors of the dioceses were in a worse humourthan when they first came up to Westminster. Many of themhad probably never before passed a week in the capital, andhad not been aware how r great, the difference was between atown divine and a country divine. The sight of the luxuries andcomforts enjoyed by the popular preachers of the city raised,not unnaturally, some sore feeling in a Lincolnshire or Caernar-vonshire vicar who was accustomed to live as hardly as a smallfarmer. The very circumstance that the London clergy weregenerally for a comprehension made the representatives of therural clergy obstinate on the other side.*** The prelates were,

* Historical Account of the Present Convocation, Kennet.

** Historical Account of the Present Convocation.

*** That there was such a jealousy as I have described is admitted <Ju