"A Form of Prayer and Humiliation for God's Blessing upon his Majesty and his Dominions, and for the removing and averting God's judgments from this Church and State."[1] The Bishops were charged with setting it forth by their authority, in opposition to that appointed by the government, and against the Revolution. The Archbishop and Bishops, in their Vindication, solemnly declare that they knew nothing of the Liturgy or the author: that they never held any correspondence with France: that they were concerned in no plots: and that they should make it their practice to study to be quiet, to bear their cross patiently, and to seek the good of their native country. They were charged in certain Pamphlets, consequent upon the publication of this New Liturgy, with Popery, and a wish to introduce arbitrary power. The authors of the Pamphlets, however, must have been most unprincipled men, since those Bishops had been the great instruments in preserving both the religion and liberties of the people. They therefore declare, "We have all of us not long since, either actually or in full preparation of mind, hazarded all we had in the world in opposing Popery and arbitrary power in England: and we shall, by God's grace, with greater zeal again sacrifice all we have and our very lives too, if God shall be pleased to call us thereto, to prevent Popery, and the arbitrary power
- ↑ The following is one of the petitions: "Restore us again the public worship of thy name, the reverend administration of the Sacraments, raise up the former government both in Church and State, that we may be no longer without King, without priest, and without God in the world." It was stated that more than ten thousand copies were circulated, and that it was used in private assemblies instead of the usual service. Bennet's Memorial of the Reformation, 339, 340. Ralph, ii. 230.
