CONTENTS. I. Declaration of King Charles II from Breda. II. Interview of the Presbyterian Ministers with King III. Discourse of the Ministers with King Charles II in IV. The first Address and Proposals of the Ministers . V. Archbishop Ussher's Model of Church Government VI. Requests verbally presented to King Charles II in VII. The Bishops' Answer to the first Proposals of the London Ministers, who attempted the work of IX. His Majesty's Declaration to all his loving subjects of his kingdom of England and dominion of Wales concerning ecclesiastical affairs PAGE 111 XIV. The King's Warrant for the Conference at the Savoy 107 XVII. The Petition for peace and concord presented to the XIX. Paper offered by Bishop Cosins, and Answer thereto XX. The Discussion on Kneeling at the Lord's Supper. 386 XXIII. Petition to the King at the close of the Conference 379 XXIV. The Act of Uniformity. 14 Car. II, cap. iv. XXV. Efforts of Presbyterian Ministers to have the King's Declaration of October, 1660, enacted 404 XXVII. The Six Hundred Alterations made in the Book of Common Prayer by Convocation, and adopted by XXVIII. The Publication of the Book of Common Prayer. laration of 26th December, 1662 XXXI. The Conventicle Act, 1661. 16 Car. II, cap. iv. 477 XXXII. The Five Mile Act. 17 Car. II, cap. XXXIII. The Conventicle Act, 1670. 22 Car. II, cap. i. . 491 DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE Settlement of the Church of England BY THE ACT OF UNIFORMITY OF 1662. I. Declaration of King Charles II from Breda.-Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, bk. xvi, §§ 193-7, Oxford, 1849, vol. vi, pp. 232-4. Charles R. CHA HARLES, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To all our loving subjects of what degree or quality soever, greeting. If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding may be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose. However, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that, as we can never give over the hope in good time to obtain the possession of that right which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the divine Providence, that he will, in compassion to us and our subjects, after so long misery and sufferings, remit, and put us into a quiet and peaceable possession of B that our right, with as little blood and damage to our people as is possible: nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, by a full and entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted and deserved. And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any conscious to themselves of what is past to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their country in the restoration both of king, peers, and people to their just, ancient, and fundamental rights, we do by these presents declare, that we do grant a free and general pardon, which we are ready upon demand, to pass under our great seal of England, to all our subjects, of what degree or quality soever, who within forty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall by any public act declare their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by parliament. Those only excepted, let all our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a king, solemnly given by this present Declaration, that no crime whatsoever committed against us or our royal father, before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their lives, liberties, or estates, or (as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach, or term of distinction from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining, that henceforward all notes of discord, separation, and difference of parties, be utterly abolished among all our subjects; whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the resettlement of our just rights and theirs, in a free parliament; by which, upon the word of a king, we will be advised. And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other; which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed, or better understood; we do declare a liberty to tender consciences; and that no man shall be disquieted, or called in question, for differences of opinion in matters of religion which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an act of parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that indulgence. And because in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to and by many officers, soldiers, and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to actions at law, upon several titles; we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants, sales, and purchases, shall be determined in parliament; which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned. And we do farther declare, that we will be ready to consent to any act or acts of parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the army under the command of General Monk; and that they shall be received into our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy. Given under our sign manual, and privy signet, at our court at Breda, the 4th day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign. |