and marry another in her life-time. Secondly, Edward VI. was a child, and governed by his uncle, who made his estate out of church lands; and then Queen Elizabeth, who, being no lawful heiress to the crown, could have no way to keep it but by renouncing a church that could never suffer so unlawful a thing to be done by one of her children. I confess I cannot think the Holy Ghost could ever be in such counsels; and it is very strange, that if the Bishops had no design but (as they say) the restoring us to the doctrine of the primitive church, they could never think upon it, till Henry VIII. made the breach upon so unlawful a pretence. These scruples being raised, I began to consider of the difference between the catholicks and us, and examined them as well as I could by holy scripture, which, though I do not pretend to be able to understand, yet there are some things I found so easy, that I cannot but wonder I had been so long without finding them out; as, the real presence in the blessed Sacrament, the infallibility of the church, confession, and praying for the dead. After this I spoke severally to two of the Bishops' we have in England, who both told me there were many things in the Romish church, which it were very much to be wished we had kept; as confession, which was no doubt commanded by God; that praying for the dead was one of the ancient things in Christianity;

's Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury. - Blanford, Bishop of Worcester.-Original Note.

[Blandford I

that for their parts, they did it daily, though they would not own it. And afterwards, pressing one of them very much upon the other points, he told me,—that, if he had been bred a catholick,

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's Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury. - Blanford, Bishop of Worcester.-Original Note.

[Blandford I

that for their parts, would not own it.

they did it daily, though they And afterwards, pressing one of them very much upon the other points, he told me, that if he had been bred a catholick, he would not change his religion; but that being of another church, (wherein he was sure were all things necessary to salvation,) he thought it very ill to give that scandal, as to leave that church wherein he received his baptism.

All these discourses did but add more to the desire I had to be a catholick, and gave me the most terrible agonies in the world within myself; for all this, fearing to be rash in a matter of that weight, I did all I could to satisfy myself; made it my daily prayer to GOD, to settle me in the right; and so went on Christmas-day to receive in the King's Chapel: after which, I was more troubled than ever, and could never be at quiet, till I had told my design to a catholick, who brought a priest to me; and that was the first I ever did converse with, upon my word. The more I spoke to him, the more I was confirmed in my design; and as it is impossible for me to doubt the words of our blessed Saviour, who says-the holy Sacrament is his body and blood, so cannot believe that he, who is the Author of all truth, and has promised to be "with his church to the end of the woild," would permit them to give that holy mystery to the laity but in one kind, if it were not lawful so to do.

Bishop of Worcester.-Original Note.

I am not able, or if I were, would I enter into disputes with any body; I only, in short, say this for the changing of my religion, which I take GoD to witness I would never have done, if I had thought it possible to save my soul otherwise. I think I need not say, it is any interest in this world leads me to it. It will be plain enough to every body, that I must lose all the friends and credit I have here by it; and have very well weighed which I could best part with,-my share in this world, or the next: I thank God, I found no difficulty in the choice.

My only prayer is, "That the poor catholicks of this nation may not suffer for my being of their religion; that God would but give me patience to bear them, and then send me any afflictions in this world, so I may enjoy a blessed eternity hereafter."

St. James's,

Aug. the 20th, 1670.