The Interest of England in the Matter of Religion, Essays 1 · Section 8
Section VIII.
For the reasons afore-going the infringement of due Liberty in these matters would perpetuate most unhappy Controversies in the Church from Age to Age. Let the former times come in and give Evidence. As touching Ceremonies, the Contest began early, even in King Edward's Reign, between Hooper and other Bishops. The Consecration of Hooper Elect Bishop of Glocester being stayed because he refused to wear certain Garments used by Popish Bishops, he obtained Letters from the King, and from the Earl of Warwick to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and others, that he might not be burthened with certain Rites and Ceremonies, and an Oath commonly used in the Consecration of Bishops, which were offensive to his Conscience. Nevertheless he found but harsh dealing from his Fellow Bishops, whereof some were afterwards his Fellow Martyrs, and Ridley among others, who afterwards thus wrote unto him, when they were both Prisoners for the Gospel. [However in time past in certain Circumstances and By-matters of Religion your wisdom, and my simplicity (I grant) hath a little jarred, each of us following the abundance of his own sence and judgement; Now be assured, that even with my whole heart in the Bowels of Christ I love you in the truth, and for the truths sake which abideth in us.] Some godly Martyrs in Queen Maries days disliked the Ceremonies, and none of them died in the defence of Ceremonies, Liturgie, and Prelacy, in opposition to all other Ecclesiasticall Government and Order. It was the Protestant Verity which they witnessed and sealed in blood in opposition to Popery, especially the prodigious opinion of Transubstantiation, and the abomination of the Romish Mass, or Sacrifice. In the same bloody dayes certain English Protestants being fled for refuge into Germany, and setled in Frankford, were divided among themselves about the Service-book, even with scandalous breach of Charity, and in the issue the Congregation was sadly broken and dissipated. The Gospel returning under Queen Elizabeth, these differnces were revived and held up by Disputes, Writings and Addresses to severall Parliaments, and there were great thoughts of heart for these Divisions. Nevertheless the differences remain uncompounded; in process of time severe Canons were framed, and with much rigour imposed, and so continued: Ministers were distinguished into Conformists and Non-Conformists; and a multitude of painfull Preachers suffered deprivation for Non-Conformity. Be it here observed, that the persons known by the name of Non-Conformists were not Separatists, but earnestly opposed the separation of the Brownists, and held Communion with the Church in publick worship upon this pacifick principle, that we may not separate from a true Church blemished with some corruptions and errors, while we are not compelled to subscribe to those errors, nor in our own practice to submit to those Corruptions. Howbe it the greatest part of the Ministers named Puritans, yieded Conformity to those controverted Rites and Formes, that were by Law or Ganons established, as to things burdensom not desirable, in their nature supposed indifferent, but in their use many ways offensive; and groaning more and more under that yoke of bondage (as they coneeived) they waited for deliverance, and were, in the main, of one soul and spirit with the Non-Conformists: And even then the way called Puritanism did not give but get ground. But now the Tenents of this way are rooted more then ever; and those things formerly imposed, are now by many, if not by the most of this way, accounted not only burthensom, but unlawfull. And after a long time of search and practice, the mindes of men are fixed in this opinion, and are not like to be reduced to the practice of former times; and therefore in al reason the imposing of such matters of controversie as by so many are held unlawfull, and by those that have a zeal for them judged indifferent, not necessary, cannot procure the peace of Church and Kingdom.