Page:Hutton, William Holden - Hampton Court (1897).djvu/226

148, and one for the kingdom of Ireland. In the Prayer-Book he named the general absolution, the confirmation of children, and the office for private baptism. These three were long disputed between the King andbishops. In the conclusion the King was well satisfied in the two former, so that the manner might be changed and some things cleared. For the private baptism, it held three hours at the least, the King alone disputing with the bishops so wisely, wittily, and learnedly, with that pretty patience, as I think no man living ever heard the like."

James's learning surprised his new subjects. It was indeed his hobby to study and enlarge upon the Fathers and the old divines, and, like most lay students of divinity, he was fascinated with the subject and could never have enough of it. Bilson wrote of his "sharpness of understanding, matureness of knowledge, soundness of reason, firmness of memory, and aptness of speech." The result of the discussion of the first day was the agreement upon certain changes with regard to excommunication, restricting private baptism, marking off Confirmation as a separate sacrament from Baptism, and inserting the words "or remission of sins" in the title of the Absolution at morning and evening prayer.

On Monday the King assembled the whole body, and addressed the "aggrieved sort," asking for their objections. Dr. Reynolds pleaded for the Lambeth Articles, and for alterations in the Thirty-