ourers in the diocese. Should
such adverse verdict unfortunately be given, the bishop
would hardly be justified in allowing a clergyman placed
as you then would be placed, to return to his cure after
the expiration of such punishment as the judge might
award, without a further decision from an ecclesiastical
court. This decision he could only obtain by proceeding
against you under the Act in reference to clerical
offences, which empowers him as bishop of the diocese to
bring you before the Court of Arches,--unless you would
think well to submit yourself entirely to his judgment.
You will, I think, understand what I mean. The judge at
assizes might find it his duty to imprison a clergyman
for a month,--regarding that clergyman simply as he would
regard any other person found guilty by a jury and thus
made subject to his judgment,--and might do this for an
offence which the ecclesiastical judge would find himself
obliged to visit with the severer sentence of prolonged
suspension, or even with deprivation.

We are, however, clearly of opinion that should the jury
find themselves able to acquit you, no further action
whatsoever should be taken. In such case we think that the
bishop may regard your innocence to be fully established,
and in such case we shall recommend his lordship to look
upon the matter as altogether at an end. I can assure you
that in such case I shall so regard it myself.

You will perceive that, as a consequence of this
resolution, to which we have already come, we are
not minded to make any inquiries ourselves into the
circumstances of your alleged guilt, till the verdict of
the jury shall be given. If you are acquitted, our course
will be clear. But should you be convicted, we must in
that case advise the bishop to take the proceedings to
which I have alluded, or to abstain from taking them. We
wish to ask you whether, now that our opinion has been
conveyed to you, you will be willing to submit to the
bishop's decision, in the event of an adverse verdict
being given by the jury; and we think that it will be
better for us all that you should meet us here at the hour
I have named on Monday next, the 15th instant. It is not
our intention to make any report to the bishop until the
trial shall be over.

I have the honour to be,
My dear sir,
Your obedient servant,