Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/139

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History of the Nonjurors.
121

writings, which are remarkable for their gentleness and moderation. The occasion was as follows. A Clergyman applied to Kettlewell respecting his scruples: and, when satisfied, he applied further to the deprived Bishop of Norwich, as the Vicar-General of Archbishop Sancroft in spirituals. This gentleman had never attended his Church on the public fast days: he had declared in the Church, that he could not observe such days; he had omitted the names of the Sovereigns in the public services, with all the new petitions in the forms for the state holidays: and when the new edition of the Book of Common Prayer was tendered to him at the Visitation, he refused to receive it, as coming from the new Archbishop. The forbearance of the Bishop of his diocese, as well as of the government, towards this gentleman was great, and proves, that lenient measures were adopted in the case of those, who, though they took the Oath, had some scruples respecting the prayers appointed by the Crown. However the gentleman in question drew up a penitential confession, which was addressed, with a supplicatory epistle, to Bishop Lloyd. The letter and confession were prepared under Kettlewell's direction, and they bear this remarkable title: "The Confession, Retractation, Repentance, and Supplicatory Letter of N. N. Rector of N. to the Right Reverend Father in God, William, Lord Bishop of Norwich."

The Form itself is a very curious document. It also furnishes us with a proof, that the government were not particular, provided the Oath was taken: for this gentleman tells us, that he took it with a protestation. His judgment, he says, was swayed by some eminent Clergymen, "who were permitted to take it with this declaration of their sense of it;