r endless encroachments on the laity. Lord Herbert
[***] has even preserved the speech of a gentleman of Gray's Inn, which
is of a singular nature, and contains such topics as we should little
expect to meet with during that period. The member insists upon the vast
variety of theological opinions which prevailed in different nations and
ages; the endless inextricable controversies maintained by the several
sects; the impossibility that any man, much less the people, could ever
know, much less examine, the tenets and principles of every sect; the
necessity of ignorance and a suspense of judgment with regard to all
those objects of dispute: and, upon the whole, he infers, that the only
religion obligatory on mankind is the belief of one Supreme Being, the
author of nature; and the necessity of good morals, in order to
obtain his favor and protection. Such sentiments would be deemed
latitudinarian, even in our time; and would not be advanced, without
some precaution, in a public assembly.

* Cavendish, p. 72.

** These exactions were quite arbitrary, and had risen to a
great height. A member said in the house, that a thousand
marks had been exacted from him on that account. Hall, fol.
188 Strype, vol. i. p. 73.

*** Page 293.

But though the first broaching of religious controversy might encourage
the sceptical turn in a few persons of a studious disposition, the zeal
with which men soon after attached themselves to their several parties,
served effectually to banish for a long time all such obnoxious
liberties.

The bills for regulating the clergy met with some opposition in the
house of lords. Bishop Fisher, in particular, imputed these measures of
the commons to their want of faith; and to a formed design, derived
from heretical and Lutheran principles, of robbing the church of her
patrimony, and over-turning the national religion. The duke of Norfolk
reproved the prelate in severe, and even somewhat indecent terms. He
told him, that the greatest clerks were not always the wisest men. But
Fisher replied, that he did not remember any fools in his time who had
proved great clerks. The exceptions taken at the bishop of Rochester's
speech stopped not there. The commons, by the mouth of Sir Thomas
Audley, their speaker, made complaints to the king of the reflections
thrown upon them; and the bishop was obliged to put a more favorable
construction on his words.[*]

Henry was not displease