reviously exhibited by the bishops. They had re-asserted their claims as
resting on divine authority, and had declined to acknowledge the right of
any secular power to restrain or meddle with them.[357] The second answer,
as may be supposed, fared no better than the first. It was returned with a
peremptory demand for submission; and taught by experience the uselessness
of further opposition, the clergy with a bad grace complied. The form was
again drawn by the bishops, and it is amusing to trace the workings of
their humbled spirit in their reluctant descent from their high estate.
They still laboured to protect their dignity in the terms of their
concession:--

"As concerning such constitutions and ordinances provincial," they wrote,
"as shall be made hereafter by your most humble subjects, we having our
special trust and confidence in your most excellent wisdom, your princely
goodness, and fervent zeal for the promotion of God's honour and Christian
religion, and specially in your incomparable learning far exceeding in our
judgment the learning of all other kings and princes that we have read of;
and not doubting but that the same should still continue and daily increase
in your Majesty; do offer and promise here unto the same, that from
henceforth we shall forbear to enact, promulge, or put in execution any
such constitutions and ordinances so by us to be made in time coming,
unless your Highness by your Royal assent shall license us to make,
promulge, and execute such constitutions, and the same so made be approved
by your Highness's authority.

"And whereas your Highness's most honourable Commons do pretend that divers
of the constitutions provincial, which have been heretofore enacted, be not
only much prejudicial to your Highness's prerogative royal, but be also
overmuch onerous to your said Commons, we, your most humble servants for
the consideration before said, be contented to refer all the said
constitutions to the judgment of your Grace only. And whatsoever of the
same shall finally be found prejudicial and overmuch onerous as is
pretended, we offer and promise your Highness to moderate or utterly to
abrogate and annul the same, according to the judgment of your Grace.
Saving to us always such liberties and immunities of this Church of England
as hath been granted unto the same by the goodness and benignity of your
Highness and of others your most noble progenitors; with such constitutions
provincial as do s