Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	king_n	lord_n	move_v	2,883	5	8.4264	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A46648	A letter to a friend, containing some quæries about the new commission for making alterations in the liturgy, canons, &c. of the Church of England	Jane, William, 1645-1707.; Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1689 (1689)	Wing J453; ESTC R3439	4,308	7

power on its side and to conceal their own inclinations till it is time to show them are not likely to do the Church of England a good turn when opportunity serves and which perhaps they imagine now they have III. Whether when the House of Commons addressed to the King for a Convocation it was not to prevent such a Commission as this which was then moved in the House of Lords by an eminent Person in this Commission and a zealous promoter of it IV. Whether there was any such hast of altering the best constituted Church in the World which honourable title some of these Commissioners in a good mood have in their Writings bestowed upon the Church of England that they could not expect the calling of a Convocation but must have these alterations ready prepared for them by Commissioners V. Whether the effect of this will not be to check all freedom of debate in the Convocation when these alterations shall be proposed to them as the judgment of the Commissioners who will themselves be Men of the greatest Authority in the Convocation and who will be so hardy as to oppose what the Commissioners have done and thus as it may prove our Church may be changed and altered and transformed by Nine men who may have tenderness and moderation enough to part with any thing but their Church-preferments And what an imposition would this be thought on the Two Houses of Parliament were as many Persons of as great Authority and Interest and who had the disposal of State preferments in their hands commissionated to prepare all Bills for their approbation VI. It should be Inquired whether the Convocation when it meets will have Authority to offer any new alterations or to do any thing but approve what is so offered For the Convocation can go no farther than the King gives them authority and that is expressed in the Commission only to approve VII If the Convocation have any authority it should be considered of what dangerous consequence it may be should the Convocation dissent from the Commissioners And whether to prevent this it may not occasion as much closeting for the choice of Convocation men as was lately practiced to pack a House of Commons Third Some Queries concerning the fitness of the time for such alterations Q I. Can it be thought a convenient time for such alterations as these when the A. B. the Metropolitan of all England and the head of the Convocation and several other Bishops not to mention those of the inferiour Clergy who are as eminent for a prudent and well tempered zeal for the Church of England as for their constant loyalty are now under suspension Will not some be apt to question the Ecclesiastical Authority of such proceedings when the Convocation is without its proper head and deprived of the advice and counsel of so many principal members of it Will not others be apt to suspect that this time is chose on purpose because the A. B. and those other Bishops are now suspended whose presence and authority in the Convocation they were afraid of as sure and fast friends to the Church And if they are afraid of those reverend Persons who had before declared their readiness in their Address to K. I. against their publishing his Declaration for Liberty of Conscience to come to such a temper with reference to Dissenters as shall be thought fit by a Parliament and Convocation it is very suspicious that they intend something very unreasonable which they feared would not pass a free Convocation when those reverend and judicious Prelates were present Q. II. Can it be thought a proper season to make any alterations in a well constituted and established Church when the passions of men are in such a vehement fermentation when there are such struglings between the different parties in religion and such different interests of State to serve by them Can we expect such fair dealing such sedate and unbiassed councels as if ever are necessary to alter or new-lay the foundations of a Church The reigns of Constantius and Valens will satisfie any man what may be expected from Councels and Convocations when reasons of State must govern and the late example of Scotland gives us no great reason to expect much better Q. III. Is it a proper time to make alterations and unsettle the foundations of the Church when there are so many powerful Enemies who watch an opportunity to pull it down I think it is not prudent when a City is besieged to make a breach in the Walls tho' it be to mend them The Church of England will stand firm if we let it alone but under a pretence of mending it it will be an easie matter when its strength and interest is divided to raze its foundations For a Conclusion Sir what the Parliament will think of this affair I will not pretend to guess but I shall only add that upon the whole matter there seems to be great reason to have a jealous eye upon this Commission and I hope the friends of the Church of England in both Houses of Parliament will be upon their guard especially it behoves the Clergy to be very careful what Members they choose for the Convocation which is not now as formerly a matter of meer Ceremony and Form since the present and future Safety of the Church depends on it and it is seldom seen that there are any considerable Innovations in the Church but have a proportionable influence on the State. I am Sir Yours FINIS