waters, did not answer their prayer as they desired, but left a large part of his Church and people to endure a long fight of affliction, yet we know that there were among them those who found a refuge from the coming storm beneath the shadow of his wings, and could say with David, "We will not fear though the earth be removed, and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea." Much certainly did they need such Heaven-inspired faith and fortitude; for soon their liberties were wrested from them by the grasp of reviving despotism. The persecutions of bygone days were revived; Charles II. walked in the footsteps of his father's intolerance; Bridge was once more silenced, and the place where his flock had assembled barred against them. "Nov. 19th, 1661. This day," says our old authority, "the keys of the meeting-house were sent for to the bayliff's, and delivered to the Dean and Sir Thomas Meadows, and the vestry door nayled up." Thus closes the first Chapter in the history of the Mother Church of the East Anglian Independents. CROMWELL was gone; his son, unable to bear the heavy load which his father had sustained, was soon oppressed with the difficulties of his position, and abdicated the Protectorship. By treachery and intrigue the Restoration was accomplished and after years of war and suffering for the sake of liberty, the people were seen prostrate at the feet of Charles the Second; asking no guarantees against the revival of despotism, but rather craving forgiveness for the victories they had won. The Royalist party, recovering from their depression, knew no bounds to their joy, as they welcomed another sovereign of the Stuart line. In a state of perfect delirium they celebrated his accession to his father's throne. Bonfires blazed in many a market-place and on many a hill,-the streets at night sparkled with illuminations, windows were decorated with tapestry and garlands, the May-poles were set up in the cross ways,— rumps of beef were roasted for the populace, and loaves of bread were thrown from the tops of market-houses. The bells rang till the steeples rocked, and the crowds shouted till the very earth shook. The Royalist, on his knees, drank to the health of his Prince, and the swaggering Cavalier once more boldly sang his favorite lay, “The King shall enjoy his own again." “No Bishop, no King," was the motto of James, and his |