many thoughtful days, and restless nights, now freed from their sequestration, restored to their revenues, and to a liberty to adore, praise, and pray to almighty God publicly in such order as their consciences and oaths had formerly obliged them. And the reader will easily believe that Dr. Sanderson and his dejected family rejoiced to see this happy day, and be of this number.

At this time of the conformable clergy's deliverance from the presbyterian severities, the doctor said to a friend, "I look back on this strange and happy turn of the late times with amazement and thankfulness; and cannot but think the Presbyterians ought to read their own errors, by considering that by their own rules the Independents have punished, and supplanted them as they did the conformable clergy, who are now (so many as still live) restored to their lawful right; and, as the prophet David hath taught me, so I say with a thankful heart, Verily, there is a God that judgeth the earth: And a reward for the righteous."

It ought to be considered (which I have often heard or read) that in the primitive times, men of learning, prudence, and virtue were usually sought for, and solicited to accept of episcopal government, and often refused it. For, they conscientiously considered that the office of a bishop was not made up of ease and state, but of labour and care: that they were trusted to be of God's almoners of the church's revenue, and double their care for the church's good, and the poor; to live strictly themselves, and use all diligence to see that their family, officers, and clergy, became examples of innocence and piety to others; and that the account of that stewardship must at the last dreadful day be made to the Searcher of all hearts: and for these reasons they were in the primitive times timorous to undertake it. It may not be said that Dr. Sanderson was accomplished with these, and all the other requisites required in a bishop, so as to be able to answer them exactly; but it may be affirmed, as a good preparation, that he had at the age of seventy-three years (for he was so old at the king's return) fewer faults to be pardoned by God or man, than are apparent in others in these days, in which (God knows) we fall so short of that visible sanctity and zeal to God's glory, which was apparent in the days of primitive Christianity. This is mentioned by way of preparation to what I shall say more of Dr. Sanderson; as namely, that at the king's return Dr. Sheldon, the late prudent archbishop of Canterbury (than whom none knew, valued, or loved Dr. Sanderson more or better) was by his

majesty made a chief trustee to commend to him fit men to supply the then vacant bishoprics. And Dr. Sheldon knew none fitter than Dr. Sanderson, and therefore humbly desired the king that he would nominate him: and that done, he did as humbly desire Dr. Sanderson that he would "for God's and the church's sake take that charge and care upon him." Dr. Sanderson had, if not an unwillingness, certainly no forwardness to undertake it, and would often say, "He had not led himself, but his friend would now lead him into a temptation, which he had daily prayed against; and besought God, if he did undertake it, so to assist him with his grace, that the example of his life, his cares and endeavours might promote his glory, and help forward the salvation of others."

This I have mentioned as a happy preparation to his bishopric, and am next to tell that he was consecrated bishop of Lincoln at Westminster the 28th of October, 1660.

There was about this time a Christian care taken, that those whose consciences were (as they said) tender, and could not comply with the service and ceremonies of the church, might have a satisfaction given by a friendly debate betwixt a select number of them, and some like number of those that had been sufferers for the church service and ceremonies, and now restored to liberty; of which last some were then preferred to power and dignity in the church. And of these bishop Sanderson was one, and then chosen to be a moderator in that debate, and he performed his trust with much mildness, patience and reason; but all proved ineffectual. For there be some prepossessions like jealousies, which though causeless, yet cannot be removed by reasons as apparent as demonstration can make any truth. The place

appointed for this debate was the Savoy in the Strand: and the points debated were, I think, many (and I think many of them needless); some affirmed to be truth and reason, some denied to be either; and these debates being at first in words, proved to be so loose and perplexed, as satisfied neither party. For sometime that which had been affirmed was immediately forgot, or mistaken, or denied, and so no satisfaction given to either party. And that the debate might become more satisfactory and useful,

3 The Savoy.] For a large account of the Savoy conference, see Baxter's Life, p. 303, &c.; also Collier's Ecclesiast. History, vol. ii. p. 876-86; and History of Non-conformity as it was argued by commissioners on both sides, in -1661. p. 149-338. edit. 1704. 8vo.

it was therefore resolved that the day following, the desires and reasons of the non-conformists should be given in writing, and they in writing receive answers from the conforming party. And though I neither now can, nor need to mention all the points debated, nor the names of the dissenting brethren; yet I am sure Mr. Richard Baxter was one, and I am sure also one of the points debated was "Concerning a command of lawful superiors, what was sufficient towards its being a lawful command?"-This following proposition was brought by the conforming party :

"That command which commands an act in itself lawful, and no other act or circumstance unlawful, is not sinful."

a

Mr. Baxter denied it for two reasons, which he gave in with his own hand in writing thus: one was, 66 Because that may be sin per accidens, which is not so in itself; and may be unlawfully commanded, though that accident be not in the command." Another was, "That it may be commanded under an unjust penalty."

Again, this proposition being brought by the conformists, "That command which commandeth an act in itself lawful, and no other act whereby any unjust penalty is enjoined, nor any circumstance whence per accidens any sin is consequent which the commander ought to provide against, is not sinful."

Mr. Baxter denied it for this reason then given in with his own hand in writing, thus; "Because the first act commanded may be per accidens unlawful, and be commanded by an unjust penalty, though no other act or circumstance commanded be such."

Again, this proposition being brought by the conformists, "That command which commandeth an act in itself lawful, and no other act whereby any unjust penalty is enjoined, nor any circumstance whence directly or per accidens any sin is consequent, which the commander ought to provide against, hath in it all things requisite to the lawfulness of a command, and particularly cannot be guilty of commanding an act per accidens unlawful, nor of commanding an act under an unjust penalty." Mr. Baxter denied it upon the same reasons.

PETER GUNNING.
JOHN PEARSON.

These were then two of the disputants, still live, and will attest this; one being now lord bishop of Ely, and the other of Chester. And the last of them told me very lately, that one of the dis

4

senters (which I could, but forbear to name) appeared to Dr. Sanderson to be so bold, so troublesome, and so illogical in the dispute, as forced patient Dr. Sanderson (who was then bishop of Lincoln, and a moderator with other bishops) to say with an unusual earnestness, "That he had never met with a man of more pertinacious confidence, and less abilities in all his conversation."

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But, though this debate at the Savoy was ended without any great satisfaction to either party, yet both parties knew the desires and understood the abilities of the other much better than before it and the late distressed clergy, that were now restored to their former rights and power, were so charitable, as at their next meeting in convocation, to contrive to give the dissenting party satisfaction by alteration, explanation, and addition to some part both of the rubric and Common Prayer; as also by adding some new necessary collects, with a particular collect of thanksgiving. How many of these new collects were worded by Dr. Sanderson, I cannot say; but am sure the whole convocation valued him so much, that he never undertook to speak to any point in question, but he was heard with great willingness and attention; and when any point in question was determined, the convocation did usually desire him to word their intentions, and, as usually, approve and thank him.

At this convocation the Common-Prayer was made more complete, by adding three new necessary offices; which were, A Form of Humiliation for the Murder of King Charles the Martyr; a Thanksgiving for the Restoration of his Son our King; and for the Baptizing of Persons of riper Age. I cannot say Dr. Sanderson did form or word them all, but doubtless more than any single man of the convocation; and he did also, by desire of the convocation, alter and add to the forms of prayers to be used at sea (now taken into the service-book). And it may be noted, that William, the now most reverend archbishop of Canterbury, was in these employments diligently useful; especially in helping to rectify the calendar and rubric. And lastly, it may be noted, that for the satisfying all the dissenting brethren and others, the convocation's reasons for the alterations and additions to the liturgy, were by them desired to be drawn up by Dr. Sanderson;

4 Patient.] Baxter, speaking of Sanderson at this period, says, that he was a very worthy man, but for that great peevishness, which injuries, partiality, temperature and age had caused in him."-Life, &c. p. 357. See also p. 363.

which being done by him, and approved by them, was appointed to be printed before the liturgy, and may now be known by this title The Preface; and begins thus-It hath been the wisdom of

the church.

I shall now follow Dr. Sanderson to his bishopric, and declare a part of his behaviour in that busy and weighty employment. And first, that it was with such condescension and obligingness to the meanest of his clergy, as to know and be known to most of them. And indeed he practised the like to all men of what degree soever, especially to his old neighbours or parishioners of Boothby Pannel; for there was all joy at his table when they came to visit him: then they prayed for him, and he for them, with an unfeigned affection.

I think it will not be denied but that the care and toil required of a bishop, may justly challenge the riches and revenue with which their predecessors had lawfully endowed them; and yet he sought not that so much, as doing good with it both to the present age and posterity; and he made this appear by what follows.

5

The bishop's chief house at Buckden, in the county of Huntington, the usual residence of his predecessors (for it stands about the midst of his diocese) having been, at his consecration, a great part of it demolished, and what was left standing under a visible decay, was by him undertaken to be repaired; and it was performed with great speed, care, and charge. And to this may be added, that the king having by an injunction commended to the care of the bishops, deans, and prebends of all cathedral churches, "the repair of them, their houses, and an augmentation of the revenue of small vicarages;" he, when he was repairing Buckden, did also augment the last, as fast as fines were paid for renewing leases; so fast, that a friend taking notice of his bounty, was so bold as to advise him to remember, "he was under his first fruits, and that he was old, and had a wife and children that were yet but meanly provided for, especially if his dignity were considered." To whom he made a mild and thankful answer, saying, "It would not become a Christian bishop to suffer those houses built by his predecessors to be ruined for want of repair; and less justifiable to suffer any of those poor vicars

5 By an injunction.] See Kennett's Case of Impropriations, and Augmentation of Vicarages, p. 251-8. The king's letter was issued Aug. 7, 1660.