ntions as might give encouragement to the Protestants so much
depressed by the late violent persecutions. She immediately recalled
all the exiles, and gave liberty to the prisoners who were confined on
account of religion. We are told of a pleasantry of one Rainsford on
this occasion, who said to the queen, that he had a petition to present
her in behalf of other prisoners called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John:
she readily replied, that it behoved her first to consult the prisoners
themselves, and to learn of them whether they desired that liberty which
he demanded for them.[***]

* Burnet, vol. ii. p. 377. Camden, p. 370.

** Burnet, vol. ii. p. 378. Camden, p. 371.

*** Heylin, p. 103.

Elizabeth also proceeded to exert in favor of the reformers some acts
of power which were authorized by the extent of royal prerogative
during that age. Finding that the Protestant teachers, irritated by
persecution, broke out in a furious attack on the ancient superstition,
and that the Romanists replied with no less zeal and acrimony, she
published a proclamation, by which she inhibited all preaching without a
special license;[*] and though she dispensed with these orders in favor
of some preachers of her own sect, she took care that they should be the
most calm and moderate of the party. She also suspended the laws so far
as to order a great part of the service; the litany, the Lord's prayer,
the creed, and the gospels; to be read in English. And having first
published injunctions, that all the churches should conform themselves
to the practice of her own chapel, she forbade the host to be any more
elevated in her presence; an innovation which, however frivolous it may
appear, implied the most material consequences.[**]

These declarations of her intention, concurring with preceding
suspicions, made the bishops foresee with certainty a revolution in
religion. They therefore refused to officiate at her coronation; and
it was with some difficulty that the bishop of Carlisle was at last
prevailed on to perform the ceremony. When she was conducted through
London, amidst the joyful acclamations of her subjects, a boy, who
personated truth, was let down from one of the triumphal arches, and
presented to her a copy of the Bible. She received the book with the
most gracious deportment; placed it next her bosom; and declared that,
amidst all the costly testimonies which the city had that day given her
of their attachment,