before the reader examples of the evangelical colonels and captains of the army, when the sober and scriptural religion of the Church of England was decried, and the "power of godliness," exclusively claimed by those regimental and bloody ranters; but religion assumed a very different aspect soon after the Revolution, when what Ken called Erastian and latitudinarian principles led the way to undisguised Socinianism, in the latter part of the reign of William. Toleration indeed had been placed upon a more impregnable basis; but the schism in the Church between those who took the oaths and those who had refused them, every day became wider; the Nonjuror was become the fanatic, and the CONVOCATION, the representative of the clergy in the Upper and Lower House, answering to the Houses of Lords and Commons in the state, resounded for many years more loudly with polemical bickerings; from whence afterwards arose the Hoadleian and Atterburian feuds, the Jacobite, the High-church, and the Lowchurch factions, till the government in effect put an end to the religious strife, and left only the mere Edwλov of that school of polemical argumentation.*

Respecting those prevailing sentiments of religion, on account of which Ken expressed so much

* It were to be wished that, in these times, when the clergy have no public voice, something like the CONVOCATION were restored, not merely in name.

alarm, called Erastianism, it may, in a few words, be explained.

Erastianism in religion, I need not say, is derived from the name of Erastus, a Swiss writer, and physician of Baden, in the 16th century.

His opinions, in his profession, may be conceived visionary, from the titles of his books, "De Auro Potabili," "De Astrologia Divinatica," &c.; but his opinions on religion appear in a book, which I suppose few have seen, on Excommunication.

The expression, Erastianism, is now generally used to signify a church-communion entirely dependent on the state, and changeable according to human institutions and civil laws. Let us analyse Ken's mode of reasoning on this was uppermost in all his sorrows.

subject, which

He is elected by the Church, at the King's recommendation, Bishop of Bath and Wells. He is solemnly consecrated, and admitted as such. This admission and consecration, according to the example of the primitive Church, no act of the state, according to Ken's views, can nullify; and though the feudal possessions granted to the Bishop, as baronial, may be taken away, still, having been elected, consecrated, and admitted the Right Reverend Father in God, no secular power can nullify that consecration. Therefore, according to these views, Ken, and not Kidder, was rightful Bishop of Bath and Wells, notwithstanding his deprivation; and it is not so much on his individual account,

as on account of the general admission of principles which strike at the fundamentals of ecclesiastical authority, that he expresses so much concern. According to his views, in all those sees where the consecrated Bishop has been deprived by the state, the flock are without a shepherd. These were Ken's views and conscientious opinions.

During his long correspondence, not one word of complaint ever escapes him respecting the loss of any worldly comforts, or being deprived of his preferments. The religious state of his diocese, and those whom he calls "his flock," engrosses all his thoughts, and forms the subject of most of his letters. He always speaks of Kidder as an Erastian, latitudinarian, and "traditeur," both in his letters and poems.

Even at Long-Leat, the state-prayers, as they were called, disturbed his mind, so as to prevent his attending the chapel even in the mansion of his generous and hospitable friend. Such was the sensibility of his conscience.

Extract of a Letter to Bishop Lloyd.*

"I shall spend this summer, God willing, at LongLeat, though I am now very uneasy there; not but yt my Lord is extremely kind to me, but because I cannot go to prayers there, by reason of the late alterations, wch is no small affliction to me. God

* In Dr. Williams's Collection.

keepe us in his holy feare, and make us wise for

eternity.

66

'My good Lord,

"Your Lordshipp's most affect. friend and Br. " June 30th.

"TIO. KEN."

“For Mrs. Hannah Lloyd, at Mr. Haveling's,

a grocer, over against Southgate-house."

We have described the violent death of the poor Erastian bishop who succeeded the deprived Ken. Kidder was a most exemplary and learned man, yet of the simplest and most charitable character. He had never imbibed the High-church principles; and did not think, in ordaining learned and virtuous men, though dissenters, he offended God, or acted contrary to the spirit of his church; and surely, if such men as Doddridge or Watts, upon a calm review of the points in discussion, should wish to embrace the tenets of the Church of England, ought she not, without formal recantation, to spread her arms to receive them? The greatest charge against Kidder was that of admitting into the communion of the Church learned and exemplary dissenters, without recantation.

With Ken's principles, certainly, he could not look upon Kidder otherwise than as a latitudinarian. But this learned and exemplary man may surely be pardoned, who has written many excellent Christian works, and who, if he erred, erred with such scholars and Christians as Cudworth and Stillingfleet.

On the death of Kidder, Ken voluntarily laid down his phantom mitre and crozier, and no longer called himself Bishop of Bath and Wells. Having refused, before Kidder's death, to be reinstated, he pleased himself with the idea of "RESIGNING" his pastoral staff into the hands of his once fellow-chaplain,* and now his dearest remaining friend upon earth.

How truly Hooper deserved his high esteem and affection all voices attest.

Sir John Mordaunt possesses the valuable memorials of Mrs. Prouse, daughter of Hooper, from whom he is himself descended, and I am enabled to transcribe from this collection many particulars relating to these times and Bishop Ken.

His resignation of his bishopric to his friend Hooper, seems to have afforded the greatest comfort to his mind, and the following letters will show his feelings, explain many particulars, and set his character and situation in a stillmore interesting light.

*To Morley, at Winchester.