There can be no question that this decision, viewed in all its bearings, was right; and Dr. Porteus, and those with whom he acted, entirely acquiesced in it. They had done their duty in submitting to the Bench such alterations as appeared to them to be conducive to the credit and the interest of the Church of England, and of religion in general; and their manner of doing it was most temperate and respectful. At the same time, as it appears to me, the proposal was rejected on very satisfactory and sufficient grounds. That in our Established Liturgy there are some redundancies which might be spared, and some changes which might be made with advantage, few will be disposed to deny. That in the Articles also, a clearer and more intelligible

intelligible mode of expression might in parts be introduced, and some passages amended or expunged, which give a colour to false interpretation, may equally be conceded. But the main point to be considered is, whether, however desirable it may be to remove all possible ground of separation and schism, such alterations as those suggested, or even any at all, would produce that effect. It has been said by an eminent Divine, that "it is not in the wit or in the power of man to prevent diversity of opinion, since this is the unavoidable result of human imperfection and human liberty, and is not to be removed, unless we had more light or less agency." Suppose then the Liturgy and Articles to undergo a revision, would the consequence be an union of sentiment? What one approved, there would be still another to condemn ;

and

and even

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amongst the moderate and well-disposed of other persuasions," I fear the Church, with all her concessions, would gain few converts. It is always dangerous to innovate, more so in things connected with religion than in any other; and, after all, is there any absolute need of change?" The men," says Dr. Hey, "who were at the head of the Reformation, were men of the first ability. As scholars, we are mere children to them. They were conversant in Scripture to a degree of which few now have any conception. Ecclesiastical history lay open before them. Yet they were not mere scholars, nor monks, nor monkish men; but skilled in government, knowing men and manners, liberal in behaviour, free from all fanaticism, full of probity, yet guided in their measures by prudence. None then could be chosen more likely to

frame

frame a good set of Forms and Articles. They would fall short of nothing attainable through indolence or cowardice. They would set down nothing carelessly, on the presumption of its passing unexamined. They would overshoot nothing, in the hope of catching a few. They had in short nothing for it, but to fix on that which right reason and good feelings would embrace." Surely then in the labours of these illustrious men we may contentedly acquiesce. They were the result of fervent piety, profound learning, consummate prudence, long, anxious, and patient deliberation; and I should therefore think any change inexpedient and unwise, which was not demanded by a strong necessity, and justified by the clear and certain prospect of some decisive advantage.

The period had now arrived when Dr. Porteus was to be called to that

high station in the Church, to which his character and talents so well entitled him, and which he afterwards filled with so much credit to himself, and so much advantage to his country. On the 20th of December 1776, he kissed the King's hand on his promotion to the see of Chester; a preferment on his own part perfectly unsolicited, and so entirely unlooked for, that, till a short time before it happened, he had not the smallest expectation of it. In consequence of this accession of dignity, which was conferred in the most flattering and gracious manner, he resigned the living of Lambeth, though he had permission to retain it: but he thought that with so many additional cares he should not be able to attend to so large a benefice, at least to the satisfaction of his own mind; and he therefore hesitated not a moment in