Hody, as before mentioned, laboured to prove, from his ancient MS, that no separation ever took place from a new Bishop, even though uncanonically introduced, unless he was guilty of schism. This position is controverted by the author, who argues that a new Bishop must not only be orthodox in the faith, but canonically introduced into a vacant see, that is a see vacant, according to the Canons of the Church.[1]
It is singular, that Watt should make so many mistakes, in his laborious and most valuable work, "The Bibliotheca Britannica," respecting the writings of the Nonjurors. He very properly attributes the account of the MS to Hody: but he also makes him the author of the reply, "The Unity of the Priesthood." This is an absurdity, the two works being in opposition to each other. Watt makes another singular mistake, in ascribing Hickes's first volume of Tracts, "The Bibliotheca Scriptorum, &c." to Gandy, though the author's name appears on the title page.
Hody replied to the author of the "Unity of Priesthood," in "A Letter to a Friend Concerning the Oxford Treatise against Schism. 4to. 1692."
One of the most learned of the Nonjurors, and indeed one of the most learned men of that, or of any other period, Henry Dodwell, now came forward in this controversy. Before, however, I notice his works, a brief account of his history to the period in question is necessary.[2]
- ↑ Unity of Priesthood, 58—61.
- ↑ We have the most unexceptionable testimony to Dodwell's
took the Oaths. He says: "Had the Clergy of England enjoyed this privilege at the time of the late Revolution; near four hundred of them had quietly continued in the possession of their livings, of which they were for no other reason deprived but because they were Nonjurors." Pp. 71, 72.
