Religious Life in England from the Death of Elizabeth to the Death
of Cromwell.
James I. loses his love of Presbytery-The Puritan petition-Action of the Universi-
ties-Conference at Hampton Court-Effect of the king's policy on the Pu-
ritans-Persecution-Puritan opinion during James's reign-The king obtains an
unconstitutional opinion from the council and judges--New translation of the
Bible—“The Book of Sports'—State of society-Rise of the High Anglican school
of churchmen-The Court party-Puritans and patriots-The Puritan and his
Bible Social position of the Puritans-Uses of this retrospect-Charles's im-
policy-Language of his friends-What may be said for the Commons from 1625
to 1629-Parliaments in abeyance: arbitrary rule-Laud's theory of Church and
State-State of public feeling at this time-War inevitable, and why-Religious
feeling in the Long Parliament-Prynne, Bastwick, and Burton released-Po-
pular ovation-Committee of inquiry concerning oppressed ministers-Petition
from the Londoners against Episcopacy, December, 1640-The Commons deny
legislative power to the clergy-Laud charged with high treason-Opposition to
secular functions of the clergy-Bill to abolish the hierarchy-Impeachment of
the bishops-The Commons begin their reforms in public worship-The Assem-
bly of Divines-Scotch Alliance: the League and Covenant-The Covenant
modified at Westminster-The Directory for Worship, August, 1645-Fall of
the hierarchy-Proceedings against the Episcopal clergy-Committees and the
clergy-Persecution of the Puritan ministers-The Anglo-Catholic clergy ne-
glect and disparage preaching-Social position of parochial clergy in seventeenth cen-
tury Cases of immorality before Sir E. Dering's committee--Sum of the evidence
adduced White's Century of Scandalous Ministers'-Charles's injunctions
to the clergy-Position assumed towards the country by the king and by the par-