And save our Sovereyne from presumptious sinns.
Lett him remember, Lord, in mercy grant,
That, solemnly, he swore the Covenant.'"
"May 2nd. The King's Coronation is now over, and was attended with so many glories that the most curious beholders from foreign parts deem it inferior in magnificence to none in Europe. The people received all with loud acclamations and profuse expressions of joy. Twelve Knights of the Garter, and six of the Bath, six Earls, and six Barons, were created on the occasion."—State Papers, Cal. Dom. May 2, 1661.
[212] Baxter, ii. 342.
[213] Ibid., ii. 333. The Proctors of Convocation for the diocese of London, are elected two for each Archdeaconry, the Bishop choosing two out of the whole number—at that time ten. Baxter, speaking generally of the Convocation, states that ministers who had not received Episcopal ordination, "were in many counties denied any voice in the election of Clerks for the Convocation. By which means, and by the scruples of abundance of ministers, who thought it unlawful to have anything to do in the choosing of such a kind of assembly, the diocesan party wholly carried it in the choice." Burnet, of course dependent on reports, says: "Such care was taken in the choice and returns of the members of the Convocation, that everything went among them as was directed by Sheldon and Morley."—History of his own Times, i. 184. The author of the Conformists' Plea, p. 35, perhaps following Baxter, observes, that men were got in and kept out by undue proceedings; and "that protestations were made against all Incumbents not ordained by Bishops."
[214] Life and Times, ii. 307. Baxter is our main authority for the history of the Conference. It is to be regretted that we have no other full account.
[215] What took place at the Savoy Conference is of great importance in relation to the vestment controversy. An intelligent clergyman, the Rev. R. W. Kennison, writing in the Times, of July 6th, 1867, observes:—"In the last days of the Conference, when he (Baxter) summed up all in a few leading points, he went over again his objections to the surplice, but said not a word about the other vestments. And I have looked into every book I have been able to lay my hands on relating to that period, without being able to find one word more on the subject. There is much discussion about surplices; but copes, albs, and tunicles, are never mentioned."
[216] This resemblance is adverted to in the Conformists' Plea for Nonconformity, 22. See Eccles. Hist. (Civil Wars), 124.
[217] Baxter's Life and Times, ii. 321; Cardwell's Conf., 303; Documents relating to the Act of Uniformity.