The Life of Thomas Ken, D. D. Deprived Bishop of Bath and Wells (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1830 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV.-: .: . RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, FROM THE OPENING OF THE LONG PARLIAMENT 1640, TO THE DEATH OF CROMWELL 1658 PRESBYTERIAN DOMINATION EPISCOPAL CLERGY OPPRESSED PRAYER-BOOK PROSCRIBED PRAYER-BOOK OF ISAAK WALTON, KEN'S BROTHER-INLAW INDEPENDANTS MILTON--CROMWELL'S DEATH. As if religion was intended For nothing else but to be--mended.--Butler. As Ken was elected a scholar on the ancient foundation of the College of Winchester, and afterwards succeeded to a Fellowship in the kindred munificent establishment, New college, in Oxford, at a period most inauspicious to the Episcopal Church of England, before we proceed with his eventful but blameless life, we shall have a clearer understanding of many circumstances connected, if we take a view of some of the principal causes which led to the subversion, for a time, of that Church, of which Ken became afterwards so distinguished a Prelate. The Parliament of 1640 opened with a most stern and ominous aspect on the constitution of thi9 Church; for the majority of the members, being rigid Presbyterians, cogently and most convincingly argued in this manner: "There is no sin, in the sight of the Almighty, less pardonable than toleration," for there can only be one true religion; and that being the Presbyterian, Episcopacy, with all its ungodly geer, of square caps and surplices, with men and boys "singing anthems like hogs" ought to be abolished, "root and branch " Many circumstances had led to this feeling, which now became general, not only in Parliament, but, in some degree, through the nation. That the Church was not sufficiently reformed from the dregs of popery, had been a topic of grievous complaint, it is well known, among a certain class, called, on that account...