For philosophy, history, poetry, morality, and arts.-Sir Nath. Brest, Mr. Langley, and Mr. Farnaby, schoolmasters of St. Paul's.

For small pamphlets, pictures, &c.-The clerk of the company of stationers for the time being; and

For mathematics, almanacks, and prognostications. The reader of Gresham-college for the time being.

But neither this, nor any other regulation of the press, could restrain the Oxonians from dispersing their mercuries and diurnals over the whole kingdom, 'as long as the university was in the king's hands.

CHAP. II.

FROM THE CALLING THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER TO THE OXFORD PARLIAMENT.

IT has been observed, that at the setting down of this parliament, the resolution of the leading members was to remove the grievances of the church as well as state, and for this purpose to address the king to call an assembly of divines to reform the liturgy and discipline. To forward this design the London ministers, in their petitions in the year 1641, prayed the houses to be mediators to his majesty for a free synod, and the commons accordingly mentioned it in their grand remonstrance of December 1, 1641. "We desire (say they) that there may be a general synod of the most grave, pious, learned, and judicious divines of this island, assisted with some from foreign parts professing the same religion with us, who may consider of all things necessary for the peace and good government of the church, and to represent the result of their consultations to be allowed and confirmed, and to receive the stamp of authority." In the treaty of Oxford a bill was presented to the same purpose and rejected: some time after Dr. Burges, at the head of the Puritan clergy, applied again to parliament, but the houses were unwilling to take this step without the king's concurrence, till they were reduced to the necessity of calling in the Scots, who insisted, that "there should be a uniformity of doctrine and discipline between the two nations." To make way for which the houses turned their bill into an ordinance, and convened the assembly by their own authority.*

The ordinance bears date June 12, 1643, and is the very It is a just remark of Mr. Palmer, that the assembly of divines at Westminster,

same with the Oxford bill, except in the point of lay-assessors, and of restraining the assembly from exercising any jurisdiction or authority ecclesiastical whatsoever. It is entitled,

"An ordinance of the lords and commons in parliament, for the calling of an assembly of learned and godly divines, and others, to be consulted with by the parliament, for settling the government and liturgy of the church of England, and for vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the said church, from false aspersions and interpretations."* The preamble sets forth,

"That whereas amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this nation, none is or can be more dear to us than the purity of our religion; and forasmuch as many things as yet remain in the discipline, liturgy, and government, of the church, which necessarily require a more perfect reformation. And whereas it has been declared and resolved, by the lords and commons assembled in parliament, that the present church-government by archbishops, bishops, their chancellors, commissaries, deans, deans and chapters, archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical officers depending on the hierarchy, is evil, and justly offensive and burdensome to the kingdom, and a great impediment to reformation, and growth of religion, and very prejudicial to the state and government of this kingdom, that therefore they are resolved, the same shall be taken away, and that such a government shall be settled in the church as may be agreeable to God's holy word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the church at home, and nearer agreement with the church of Scotland, and other reformed churches abroad. And for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions, it is thought fit to call an assembly of learned, godly, and judicious divines, to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the premises, as shall be proposed to them by both, or either houses of par

was not a convocation according to the diocesan way of government, nor was it called by the votes of the ministers according to the presbyterian way; but the parliament chose all the members themselves, merely with a view to have their opinion and advice for settling the government, liturgy, and doctrine, of the church of England. And they were confined in their debates to such things as the parliament proposed. Nonconformists' Memorial, vol. 1. introduction, p. 7.-ED.

* Rushworth, vol. 2, part 3. or vol. 5. p. 337.

liament; and to give their advice and counsel therein to both, or either of the said houses, when and as often as they shall be thereunto required,

"Be it therefore ordained by the lords and commons in this present parliament assembled, that all and every the persons hereafter in this ordinance named [the ordinance here names the persons], and such other persons as shall be nominated by both houses of parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by sickness, or other necessary impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and enjoined upon summons signed by the clerks of both houses of parliament left at their several respective dwell ings, to meet and assemble at Westminster, in the chapel called King Henry the Seventh's chapel, on the first of July 1643, and after the first meeting, being at least of the num ber of forty, shall from time to time sit, and be removed from place to place; and also, that the said assembly shall be dissolved in such manner as by both houses of parliament shall be directed. And the said assembly shall have power and authority, and are hereby enjoined from time to time, during this present parliament, or till farther order be taken by both the said houses, to confer and treat among themselves of such matters and things concerning the liturgy, discipline, and government, of the church of England, or the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the same from all false aspersions and misconstructions, as shall be proposed by either or both houses of parliament, and no other; and to deliver their advices and opinions touching the matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the word of God, to both or either houses from time to time, in such manner as shall be required, and not to divulge the same by printing, writing, or otherwise, without consent of parliament."

If any difference of opinion arose, they were to represent it to parliament with their reasons, that the houses might give farther direction, Four shillings per day were allowed for each one during his attendance. Dr. William Twisse of Newbury was appointed prolocutor, and in case of his sickness or death the parliament reserved to themselves the choice of another. The ordinance concludes with the following proviso: "Provided alway, that this ordinance shall not give them, nor shall they in this assembly assume or exercise, any jurisdiction, power, or authority ecclesiastical,

whatsoever, or any other power than is herein particularly expressed.'

Then follow the names of thirty lay-assessors, viz. ten lords, and twenty commoners, and one hundred and twentyone divines.

N. B. The lay-assessors had an equal liberty of debating and voting with the divines, and were these;

Sir Henry Vane, knight senior.
Sir Henry Vane, knight junior.

John Glynne, esq. recorder of London.
John White, esq.

Bulstrode Whitelocke, esq.

Humphry Salway, esq.
Oliver St. John, esq.

Sir Benjamin Rudyard, knight.
John Pym, esq.

Sir John Clotworthy, knight.
Sir Thomas Barrington, knight.
William Wheeler, esq.
William Pierpoint, esq.
Sir John Evelyn, knight.
John Maynard, esq.
Mr. Serjeant Wild.

Mr. Young.

Sir Matthew Hale, afterward lord-chiefjustice of the King's Bench [appeared, says Anthony Wood, among the lay-assessors].

Lay-assessors from Scotland.

Lord Maitland, afterward duke Lauder-
dale.
Earl Lothian.

A. Johnston, called lord Warriston,

The divines were chosen out of such lists as the knights and burgesses brought in, of persons best qualified in their several counties, out of which the parliament agreed upon two; though according to Dr. Calamy some counties had only one.

A list of the assembly of divines at Westminster, in alphabetical order :

Those with ** gave constant attendance; those with one sat in the assembly and took the protestation, but withdrew, or seldom appeared; those with no star did not appear at all.

To supply the vacancies that happened by death, secession, or otherwise, the parliament named others from time to time, who were called superadded divines.

** The reverend Dr. WILLIAM TWISSE, of Newbury, was appointed by parliament, prolocutor.

**The reverend Dr. Cornelius Burges of Walford, Mr. John White of Dorchester, A. M. assessors.

*The reverend Mr. Henry Roborough, Mr. Adoniram Byfield, A. M. scribes, but had no votes.

**The Rev. John Arrowsmith, of Lynn, afterward D.D. and master of Peterhouse, Cambridge.

** Mr. Simeon Ash, of St Bride's, or Basingshaw.

**Mr. Theodore Backhurst, of Overton Waterville.

** Mr. Thomas Bayly, B. D. of Manningford-Bruce.

** Mr. John Bond, a superadded divine. * Mr. Boulton, superadded.

** Mr. Oliver Bowler, B. D. of Sutton. ** Mr. William Bridge, A. M. of Yarmouth.

The right reverend Dr. Ralph Brownrigge, bishop of Exon.

Mr. Richard Buckley.

** Mr. Humphrey Hardwicke, super- ** Mr. Benjamin Pickering, East-Hoatly,