and by convocation: so that on this ground the Romish Bishops were lawfully deprived for noncompliance. Other reasons are adduced to prove, that the cases of the Bishops, at the Reformation and at the Revolution, were not by any means parallel.[1]
There is, I think, evidence even in this volume in support of the view which I have frequently expressed, namely, that notwithstanding some scruples respecting the Prayers for the Sovereigns, and the Petitions on Fast and Thanksgiving days, the Clergy would have complied, if the Oath had not been imposed. Thus he says: "I have freely delivered my thoughts concerning this subject, insomuch that if you and others will but seriously reflect and consider what hath been offered thereon from authentic and undeniable testimonies, you may readily perceive the reason why so many of us at present refuse the communion of the new Bishops and perform our devotions separate by ourselves, under the presidency of our old ones. The communion itself was difficult (if at all tolerable) before the rent was made: for how could we make him our enemy, or pray that God would confound his devices, whom we durst not lift up our hands against, nor so much as curse, no not in our thoughts? This was the difficulty we laboured under then, and should we now any longer consent and communicate with them, seeing they have cut themselves off from their lawful Bishops and turned subjects to those that have usurped their thrones, we should unavoidably involve ourselves in their schism."[2]
