Lordship's own standard, however he may believe it to accord with the Church standard, has not the same authority as the Church standard, and is not the Church standard.

The next inquiry is as to the correctness of this new standard which his Lordship has assumed. And

here we think Mr. Grimshawe has decidedly proved that it is incorrect. Without entering at all into disputed points, or resting the question in the least upon mere theological niceties, it appears most evident that the Questions of the Bishop of Peterborough are framed upon a diametrically opposite principle to that which influenced our reformers in compiling the Thirtynine Articles. The principle which the Fathers of the English Church ever kept in view, was a principle of comprehension; they penned the Articles in comprehensive words, to take in all who differing in the branches, meet in the root of the Whereas the religion *. principle which pervades the whole of the Peterborough Questions is a principle of exclusion; and no man can either read the Questions themselves, or the Bishop's speech in defence of them, or either of the pamphlets at the head of this article, but he must feel that the Questions are intended to exclude those who are ready to subscribe, and also to preach the most plain, and literal, and obvious meaning of our Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy.

same

But again; are these Questions used by the Bishop in such a way as justice or charity would require? Let facts speak for themselves.

One case occurred (says Mr. G.) in the instance of a most unimpeachable character, who had exercised his ministry nearly twelve years, during which he had been successively licensed by two Bishops, and finally by the Archbishop of York; having thus obtained the concurring sanction of no less than three Prelates. In addition to these circumstances, he had laboured with great assiduity in a population consisting of

*Fuller quoted by Grimshawe.

seven thousand souls, had checked the progress of Socinianism, and reclaimed many from its doctrines; and excited so general a sentiment of regret at his departure, as to obtain a present of plate from the inhabitants, in testimony of their esteem for him as a man and as a Christian. Thus recommended, his services were engaged by the writer of these pages; the nomination was not immediately forwarded to the Bishop, in pursuance, of the general practice of the Clergy, in order to enable the parties to obtain a prior knowledge of each other, so important to the harmony of their future intercourse, as well as to the interests of the parishioners themselves. his testimonial and letters of orders were transmitted, so that the Bishop was fully apprised of the intended engagement. What, then, was the surprise of this meritorious individual, at the ensuing primary visitation (five or six weeks after this event), and when he was instructed by the Rector to introduce himself to the Bishop, and to inform his Lordship that a nomination would

But

be immediately transmitted on the name

of the Curate of Burton being called over, and the latter replying in the affirmative, what was his surprise to hear the Bishop of Peterborough exclaim, "There is no Curate of Burton!" One of the attending officers instantly observed, "My Lord, he has already answered."" I tell you," said

his Lordship, with an elevated tone of voice," there is no Curate of Burton." The officer, still thinking the Bishop to labour under some misconception, ventured once more to assert, "He is there, my Lord," pointing at the same time expressly

to him. "There is no Curate of Burton!" replied his Lordship, with increased vehemence; "how can there be a Curate, when he is not licensed?" This scene occurred

in the presence of the Clergy, and a numerous body of dissenters, assembled to witness the primary visitation of the Lord Bishop of Peterborough. The fact of a Curate being thus publicly exposed and rejected for not being licensed, when he had so recently entered on his cure, and when, on the same principle, ninety Curates out of a hundred might experience the same treatment, excited a general feeling of surprise, and led the Curate to solicit an interview, that he might assure his Lordship there was no wish to deviate from established usage, and that he was commissioned on that very day personally to pay his respects, and apply for a license, under the circumstances already mentioned. In this interview the Curate had no opportunity afforded him of offering the explanation so due to his feelings. The Bishop occupied the whole of the conversation: "You have heard my charge," said his Lordship; "you might there understand that I allow no per

sen to officiate in my diocese without first satisfactorily answering my Questions. You have not answered them *, you are consequently no Curate, and I have nothing further to add." The Curate, having in vain endeavoured to obtain a hearing, left the room, and in descending the staircase, was peremptorily admonished, that if he dared to exercise his ministerial functions, in one single instance, he should be proceeded against with ecclesiastical censures.

Let us look at the second, which is still more important, as having occurred since the petition to the House of Lords. Mr. Grimshawe having nominated the Rev. Edward Thurtell, as Curate of Burton Latimer, and that gentleman having transmitted his testimonial and letters of orders, the Bishop writes approving the testimonial, &c. and transmitting the eighty-seven Questions, with a note, dated Aug. 3. Mr. T. answers these Questions, .and returns them with a note, dated Aug. 11, stating that

Some of the Questions involved points of so difficult and delicate a nature, that I felt it impossible to answer them to your Lordship's satisfaction in the column appropriated to that purpose: I therefore deemed it expedient to add an appendix, wherein I have inserted some of the authorities upon which the answers are founded. I have also, whenever I could, expressed myself in the language of Scripture, and of the formularies of our Church, as less objectionable than my own. I now submit them to your Lordship's candour and impartiality, with the humble hope that they may meet with your Lordship's approba

tion.

To this the Bishop answers,

The object of my Examination Questions is to ascertain the religious opinions of the person examined, that I may know whether they accord with the doctrines of the Established Church. For this purpose I want nothing more than short, plain, and positive answers to my Questions; such are the answers which have been hitherto given to

*They were never sent, and consequently the Curate had no means of answering them. Nor, till the official communication of the Bishop's intentions, on the day of his visitation, were the Clergy generally acquainted with the intended new mode of examination, the rejection of Mr. Neville's Curate being as yet but very partially known.

my Questions, and such are the answers which I expect from every one. But instead of giving plain answers to plain questions, you have sent me a mass of dissertation, containing such restrictions and modifications as prevent your real opinions from appearing so plainly as they ought to do.

Having explained to you the mode of examination which I require, and to which every one has conformed himself who has been licensed in my diocese, I send you another copy of my Questions, to which you will give short, plain, and positive answers, that I may know precisely what your religious opinions really are. If you please, you may answer by Yes, or No, where the subject admits it.

As the mode of examination depends entirely on my own discretion, I think it right to inform you beforehand, that if you do not choose to conform exactly to the mode prescribed to you, you cannot be licensed.

Mr. Thurtell replies to this in a letter, of which we can only insert the following extract:

It is my sincere desire to meet your Lordship's wishes, and to obey your Lordship's directions in every particular; and I would therefore immediately have returned answers, without any "restrictions or modifications," to the Questions which your Lordship has thought fit to send me, if, in so doing, I could have discharged the obligations of my conscience, by showing what my opinions really are. But it appears to me, that the Questions proposed to me by your Lordship are so constructed as to elicit only two sets of opinions; and that by answering them in so concise a manner, I should be representing myself to your Lordship as one who believes in either of two particular creeds, to neither of which I do really subscribe. For instance: to answer Question I. chap. ii. in the manner your Lordship desires; I am reduced to the alternative of declaring, either that "mankind are a mass of mere corruption," which expresses more than I intend; or of leaving room for the inference, that they are only partially corrupt, which is opposed to the plainest declarations of the Homilies: such as these; "Man is altogether spotted and defiled" (Hom. on Nat.), " without a spark of goodness in him." (Serm. on Mis. of Man), &c.

In consequence of this reply, Mr. 7. was in fact rejected.

A correspondence then took place between Mr. G. and the Bishop, which ended with the remarkable sentence just before quoted.

Now what must we say to a case like this? The Questions are received and answered, but the gentleman is not admitted. But why? Are his answers incorrect? Do they contain false doctrine? Are they inconsistent with the Articles, Liturgy, and Homilies? Nothing of this kind is even pretended. The plain English of the Bishop's communication is, My Questions, my searching Questions, fail to elicit your sentiments: they are, as far as you are concerned, useless. Let me have a Yes or No. Subscribe your assent or dissent, or else keep out of my diocese.

Let us just look then for a moment at our present situation. Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Thirty-nine Articles were drawn up and confirmed by the proper authorities. Subscription to these Articles has been received as a sufficient test of religious sentiment from that period to this. No other inquiry has been instituted with respect to candidates in general, however in particular or suspected cases it may have been deemed expedient. And when persons have once been admitted to priest's orders, they have been allowed to move from one diocese to another without any examination; nor has even a testimonial usually been called for, until application has been made for a li

cense.

But now the case is completely altered with respect to the diocese of Peterborough. No excellence of character; no eminence of talent; no diligence in his proper calling; no degree of success in reclaiming sinners from the error of their ways; nothing of this kind is of

any avail. You must answer my Eighty-seven Questions; short answers, Sir-a Yes or a No. This is a preliminary step to which I can make no exception. And if you dare to dispute, though you have been regularly educated; em

FEB. 1822.

ployed many years, and expended large sums of money in your education; passed through every examination with credit, &c. &c. &c. you shall be repelled with scorn and defiance, and turned adrift without even that support which the scanty pittance of a curate's salary can afford.

And is this the case in England? in that land of light, and liberty, and law, and reason, and religion? This is the case at present in the diocese of Peterborough. But it will not be the case long, and it will not spread much farther. The Bishop may weakly imagine, and may foolishly say, that the House of Peers cannot interfere! But no other Bishop will say this. His Lordship's special pleading will produce very little effect on that enlightened and dignified assembly. And if it is found, that, in opposition to the plain sense of the House of Lords, and the almost universal sentiment of the community, his Lordship is still determined to go on, some short address from either branch of the Legislature to the Throne, may place him in one of those awkward situations, from which neither German science, nor dialectical skill, nor political sagacity, may avail to extricate him.

Intimations of this kind, we are well aware, will be treated by his Lordship with the utmost contempt; and this we all know is an easy way of eluding the force of argument, and concealing the emotions which are really felt. But whatever be the feelings or the conduct of his Lordship, let no man's heart fail him. Persecution in one diocese may open the door to prefer- ' ment in another; and be the issue what it may, they who suffer according to the will of God, may well commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator, nor shall they be eventually disappointed.

L