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CHAP.
I.
THE RESTORA TION IN ENGLAND. 1660
successfully insisted on the extrusion of the ministers of various
sects who had occupied their livings. The ease with which
these changes were effected proved that in England the essential
doctrines of presbyterianism, especially that of independence
of state control, had taken very little root. Still, in spite of
discouragement, the presbyterian leaders clung tenaciously to
their schemes of "comprehension," by which the established
Church was to be widened in order to allow them to remain
securely within its borders. Their favourite expedient was
that recommended by Archbishop Ussher of Armagh as long
ago as 1641. If, in accordance with Ussher's model, the
power of bishops could be limited by district and diocesan
synods, if the liturgy and its rubrics could be modified so as
to satisfy some scruples as to the compulsory use of ceremonies
and vestments, and if a limited licence were given for
extempore prayer, the presbyterians were willing to become
loyal members of the established Church. And they had some
substantial arguments to bring forward in support of their
proposals. Such a Church, though it would exclude the hated
sectaries, would be more truly national than the Anglican
Church as organised on the principles of Laud. And it might
achieve the aim of so many statesmen by securing religious
uniformity between England and Scotland.
Although Charles was rather annoyed by indiscreet reminders
that he had himself signed the covenant in his youth,
neither he nor his minister were prepared to meet the presbyterian
demands with an absolute refusal. Charles had strong
personal motives for desiring toleration, and his dislike of
presbyterianism was mainly based on a vivid recollection
of the treatment he had received in Scotland. Hyde, too,
though he never wavered in his determination to rebuild
the Church on its old foundations, deemed it politic to temporise
for a while and even to encourage hopes which were
doomed to dlisappointment. Several presbyterians, such as
Baxter, Reynolds, and Calamy, were appointed chaplains to the
king. No haste was shown in filling up the vacant bishoprics,
and it was clearly given to be understood that the highest
honours in the Church would be open to its new adherents
if a satisfactory compromise could be arranged. The king
assented to a bill giving security of tenure in the meantime