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History of the Nonjurors.
93

themselves in their opinions. Of them who dissented from the public on the political point, there were some who were not for puzzling themselves with the religious point." It is further said " there were no inconsiderable numbers, which were against making any separation at all in the Church, upon that account. These went to the public assemblies, but at the same time declared, that to communicate in some of the Prayers, they thought contrary to truth and justice. And when others taxed them for this, they answered, that they neither did, nor ought to be supposed to join in those Prayers."[1] Some expressed their disapprobation publicly in the Churches, at the Prayers for the new Sovereigns. Others thought such a practice unlawful; but even Tillotson concurred with the Nonjurors in thinking that they could not join in the Prayers.[2] It was urged against them, that they could not join in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom in giving thanks to God, that "with one accord" they had made "their common supplications to him." Others attended the Parish Churches on the ground of necessity, urging that they must otherwise be cut off from public worship: while some remained at the public assemblies, because the Clergy, under whose superintendence they had been placed, continued in their posts. On these several grounds many persons, especially among the laity, continued to worship in the parish churches, though they did not approve of the changes that had been made. The same feelings continued to influence considerable numbers during this and the succeeding reign.[3]


  1. Kettlewell's Life, 138.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Kettlewell, 139, 140.