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