mon consent, omitted, as superstitious and superfluous.

"After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed, and had chosen their minister and deacons, to serve for a time; they entered their church, the 29th of the same month [July, 1554]. And for that it was thought the church could not long continue in good order without discipline, there was also a brief form devised, declaring the necessity, the causes, and the order thereof, whereunto all those that were present subscribed, showing thereby that they were ready and willing to submit themselves to the same, according to the rule prescribed in God's holy word; at which time it was determined by the congregation that all such as should come after should do the like, before they were admitted as members of that church."

Having thus set their house in order, the church, perhaps unwisely, thought good to try to gather all the exiles into one body at Frankfort; and so proceeded to advertise their countrymen and brethren in exile of their good fortune and comfortable position in Frankfort, "the like whereof could nowhere else as yet be obtained; and to persuade them (all worldly respects put apart) to repair thither, that they might all together, with one mouth and one heart, both lament their former wickedness, and also be thankful to their merciful Father, that had given them such a church in a strange land, wherein they might hear God's word truly preached, the sacraments rightly ministered, and

discipline used, which in their own country could never be obtained."* Accordingly, on the 2d of August, letters were despatched from the congregation at Frankfort to the English exiles in Zurich, Strasburg, Doesbury, Embden, and Wesel, inviting, and even urging their brethren then residing in those cities to come at once to Frankfort, and not only enjoy "the sweete allurements" of the word of God preached and the sacraments ministered, and discipline used according to God's word, but also to be an example to others, and to stop the mouth of the adversary, who cavilled at their dispersion.

These earnest and affectionate letters to their dispersed brethren, instead of bringing new members and increased strength to the little church at Frankfort, brought disturbance and division; for the learned men in Zurich and Strasburg, on receiving the letter of the church at Frankfort, immediately undertook, by letters and messages, to "set the new church in order" according to another pattern than that already chosen, and to introduce the English Book of Common Prayer. This was no part of the church's request or desire; and several letters passed between the parties, and conferences were held on the subject, and the congregation were greatly troubled. In progress of time. the celebrated John Knox visited Frankfort, and was elected one of the ministers of the congrega

* Brief Discourse, pp. 6–8.

tion. Knox, Whittingham, and some others, apprehending serious trouble among them from this attempt to enforce upon the congregation the use of the English prayer book, took pains to draw out in Latin a description of the book, and sent it to Calvin for his opinion and advice. He replied, among other things to like effect: "As I behave myself gentle and tractable in mean things (as external ceremonies), so do I not always judge it profitable to give place to their foolish stoutness, which will forsake nothing of their old wonted custom. In the liturgy of England, I see that there were many tolerable foolish things; by these words I mean, that there was not that purity which was to be desired. If godly religion had flourished till this day in England, there ought to have been a thing better corrected, and many things clean taken away." But Calvin deprecated all contention on this subject of forms and ceremonies; recommended mutual forbearance, and commended them to the protection and direction of Christ the Lord.*

This letter from Calvin produced considerable effect on the congregation, so that many gave up their efforts to introduce the English prayer book. And after an abortive attempt to get the Geneva form of worship and service introduced, a committee of four "Master Knox and Master Whittingham, Master Parry and Master Lever" was raised by the church, to "devise some order, if it

* Brief Discourse, pp. 34-36.

might be, to end all strife and contention." The conciliatory course adopted by Knox enabled this committee to devise an order of service which the church appear to have adopted unanimously and cheerfully. For, on the meeting of the committee, we are informed that "first, Master Knox spake to the rest on this wise: For so much (saith he) as I perceive that no end of contention is to be hoped for, unless the one part something relent, this will I do for my part, that quietness may ensue.' Whereupon, after some conference, an order was agreed upon; some part taken forth of the English book, and other things put to, as the state of that church required." This order, which was reported February 6th, 1554-5, the committee proposed should continue to the last of April; and if any contention arose in the mean time, that the matter should be referred to "these five notable and learned men, to wit, Calvin, Musculus, Martyr, Bullinger, and Viret. This agreement was put in writing. To that all gave their consent. This day was joyful. Thanks were given to God. Brotherly reconciliation followed; great familiarity used; the former grudges seemed to be forgotten. Yea, the holy communion was upon this happy agreement also ministered."

This pleasant state of things had continued only a little more than a month, when, on the 13th of

* Brief Discourse, pp. 37, 38.

March, 1554-5, Dr. Cox, a learned and distinguished English divine, who had been one of King Edward's tutors, came with others to Frankfort, and began at once to disturb the peace of the church, in order to introduce the English churchservice. Whether or not he came for this special purpose, does not appear; but the fact that the doctor left Frankfort soon after he had effectually broken up the order of the church there, and introduced another, certainly suggests that this was his errand to the place.

The author of the "Brief Discourse" tells us, that Dr. Cox "began to break that order which was agreed upon [on the 9th of February] first, in answering aloud after the minister, contrary to the church's determination; and being admonished thereof by the seniors of the congregation, he, with the rest that came with him, made answer, that they would do as they had done in England, and that they would have the face of an English church. And the Sunday following, one of his company, without the consent and knowledge of the congregation, got up suddenly into the pulpit, read the litany, and Dr. Cox with his company answered aloud, whereby the determination of the church was broken."

It being Knox's turn to preach in the afternoon, he sharply reproved the impudent proceedings of the doctor and his party, whereby "a godly agreement" of the congregation "that day was ungodly broken; which thing it became not (as he said)