CHAPTER IV

ON THE LAWS OF ELIZABETH'S REIGN RESPECTING PROTESTANT NONCONFORMISTS

Origin of the Differences among the English Protestants --Religious Inclinations of the Queen--Unwillingness of many to comply with the established Ceremonies--Conformity enforced by the Archbishop--Against the Disposition of others--A more determined Opposition, about 1570, led by Cartwright--Dangerous Nature of his Tenets--Puritans supported in the Commons--and in some Measure by the Council--Prophesyings--Archbishops Grindal and Whitgift --Conduct of the latter in enforcing Conformity--High Commission Court--Lord Burleigh averse to Severity--Puritan Libels--Attempt to set up a Presbyterian System--House of Commons averse to episcopal Authority--Independents liable to severe Laws--Hooker's _Ecclesiastical Polity_--Its Character--Spoliation of Church Revenues--General Remarks--Letter of Walsingham in Defence of the Queen's Government Page 162