,2 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap. horror and detestation. Men also were apt toui. think, that without some secret purpose, such1S30, insignificant observances would not be imposedwith such unrelenting zeal on the refractorynation; and that Laud’s scheme was to lead backthe English, by gradual steps, to the religion oftheir ancestors. They considered not, that thevery insignificancy of these ceremonies recom-mended them to the superstitious prelate, and. made them appear the more peculiarly sacred and

religious, as they could serve to no other pur-pose. Nor was the resemblance to the Romishritual any objection, but rather a merit, withLaud and his brethren; who bore a much greaterkindness to the mother - church, as they calledher, than to the sectaries and presbyterians, andfrequently recommended her as a true Christianchurch; an appellation which they refused, or atleast scrupled to give to the others *. So openlywere these tenets espoused, that not only the dis-contented puritans believed the church of Englandto be relapsing fast into Romish superstition:The court of Rome itself entertained hopes ofregaining its authority in this-island; and, inorder to forward Laud’s supposed good intentions,an offer was twice made him, in private , of acardinal’s hat , which he declined accepting *.His answer was, as he fays himself, That something

' * May, p. 2;. 1

* Rushworth, vol. ii. p. 190. Welwood, p. 61.