course
to contempt and ridicule, the only proper method of appeasing it. The
church of England had not yet abandoned the rigid doctrines of grace and
pre-destination: the puritans had not yet separated themselves from
the church, nor openly renounced Episcopacy. Though the spirit of the
parties was considerably different, the only appearing subjects of
dispute were concerning the cross in baptism, the ring in marriage, the
use of the surplice, and the bowing at the name of Jesus. These were
the mighty questions which were solemnly agitated in the conference at
Hampton Court between some bishops and dignified clergymen on the one
hand, and some leaders of the Puritanical party on the other, the king
and his ministers being present.[*]

The Puritans were here so unreasonable as to complain of a partial and
unfair management of the dispute; as if the search after truth were in
any degree the object of such conferences, and a candid indifference, so
rare even among private inquirers in philosophical questions, could ever
be expected among princes and prelates, in a theological controversy.
The king, it must be confessed, from the beginning of the conference,
showed the strongest propensity to the established church, and
frequently inculcated a maxim which, though it has some foundation,
is to be received with great limitations, "No bishop, no king." The
bishops, in their turn, were very liberal of their praises towards
the royal disputant; and the archbishop of Canterbury said, that
"undoubtedly his majesty spake by the special assistance of God's
Spirit."[**] A few alterations in the liturgy were agreed to, and both
parties separated with mutual dissatisfaction.

It had frequently been the practice of the Puritans to form certain
assemblies, which they called "prophesyings;" where alternately, as
moved by the spirit, they displayed their pious zeal in prayers and
exhortations, and raised their own enthusiasm, as well as that of their
audience, to the highest pitch, from that social contagion which has so
mighty an influence on holy fervors, and from the mutual emulation which
arose in those trials of religious eloquence. Such dangerous societies
had been suppressed by Elizabeth; and the ministers in this conference
moved the king for their revival. But James sharply replied, "If you aim
at a Scottish presbytery, it agrees as well with monarchy as God and the
devil. There Jack and Tom, and Will and Dick, shall meet and cen