Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/120

 in God's causes the will of God and not the will of any earthly creature is to take place. &hellip; Remember, Madam &hellip;that you are a mortal creature &hellip; and although you are a mighty prince, that He which dwelleth in Heaven is mightier." This was stronger speaking than anyone of Elizabeth's disposition could take with patience. Grindal was, therefore, ordered before the Star Chamber, and he was ultimately suspended from his office. The Queen wished to depose him from his episcopal position, but it was due to Earl Leicester that such harsh measures were not taken. This was in the year 1576. Grindal died, totally blind, 1585.

The Puritans increased in Elizabeth's reign, but they were kept well out of ecclesiastical and civil offices by her desire for uniformity. It was when James I. came to the throne that their hopes ran high. They looked forward to the accession of the Scottish king because he was brought up as a Presbyterian, and they thought that be would have sympathies with them. But James hated Presbyterianism.

As soon as it was known that James would be the king of England, Archbishop Whitgift sent a messenger to Scotland to congratulate him on his coming accession, and in reply James said that he determined to uphold the Church of England as it was left by Elizabeth, and that he had great anxiety for its welfare. On his way to London, the Puritans met him with a petition which they called the Millenary Petition. It was not signed by a thousand men. Of the Puritan ministers there were only seven hundred and fifty-three signatures. In this petition they stated their objection