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