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USE OF THE PRAYER-BOOK FORBIDDEN. 389
able to forbid the reading it in private families or
closets.1 He might well say so. The Puritans vehemently
contended for liberty of conscience, but it was
on their own side only. The spirit of their Ordinance
was as harsh and intolerant, as much opposed to
the genuine spirit of Christianity, as any statutes or
canons passed in the reigns of Elizabeth, James I.,
or the king whom they were now doing their best
to dethrone.
The suppression of the form of worship according
to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England
was very speedily followed by the execution of
the great prelate who was so obnoxious to the party
who effected it. Laud was beheaded on the loth
January, 1644-5.
The battle of Naseby was fought on the 14th June
following. It was practically the final blow to Charles'
power. Some of the garrisons in the hands of the
Royalists still held out, indeed, and partial successes
here and there afforded gleams of hope to the more
sanguine amongst them. Negotiations went on from
time to time, but they ended in nothing. On the
ist January, 1649, a High Court of Justice was set up
to try the sovereign, and on the 30th of the same
inonth his head was struck off on the scaffold at
Whitehall.
Diocesan rule had ere this ceased in Yorkshire as
elsewhere throughout the country. Some few ministers
who were contented to accept the Directory retained
their benefices. Amongst them was Mr. Todd, who
'
Nenl's "Hist. Pur.," iii. p. 158.