of Michael the Archangel looking strait to a lane right over against it in Canterbury, called Angel-lane. There was demolished also a very large stone image of CHRIST, over which was the image of the HOLY GHOST, in the form of a dove. This idol stood right over the great cathedral south gate, next the Bull-stake. This image was pulled down with ropes; at first the head began to shake and nod to and fro a good while; at last it fell off two hours before the body, which was rivetted to the wall with iron bars. The papists report it was a miracle; that the image nodded the head to reprove those that pulled it down. One said then it was a shame they should pull it down in such a base manner. This image (amongst the rest) was the means of much idolatry: men, now living, testify that they have seen travellers kneel to it in the street as they entered the cathedral, which is continually visited by outlandish priests, who daily commit idolatry in that cathedral. And yet how many that profess love to true religion and hatred of idolatry, are now zealous for those images, which are monuments and instruments and occasions of idolatry, the continuance whereof hath been our great sin, shame, and misery. But (say some) the windows and monuments were precious: but we read (Deut. xiii. 6), if any (though never so near or dear unto us) move us to idolatry, we are commanded by GOD Himself to stone them to death, our eye must not pity them: must we not spare a living man, made little inferior to the angels, but must rend and maul him with stones, and shall we stomach the battering and defacing of dead images, that are not only monuments of, but enticements to, idolatry? Shall we glamour and clamour as they that shall lament the final fall of Babylon (Rev. xviii. 16) ?.............. Shall we say, 'Alas, that great cathedral-oh, the goodly painted windows-oh, the golden tabernacle-work-oh, the glorious glorycloth-oh, the costly copes, basins, and candlesticks-oh, the rich hangings-oh, the archbishop's consecrated chair?'...... The last execution against the idols in that cathedral was done in the cloister, divers crucifixes and mitred saints were battered in pieces there; S. Dunstan's image pulling the devil by the nose was pulled down, devil and all...... Thus a vial is now poured out upon this cathedral, or seat, or throne of the beast; and though they gnaw their tongues for pain, yet I do not hear that they repent them of their prelatical and malignant ways, to give GOD the glory."-Culmer's Cathedral News from Canterbury, pp. 19–24.

The Reconciliation of Lichfield Cathedral, by Bishop Hacket.

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1669.] "This rare building was finished in eight years, to the admiration of all the country, the same hands which laid the foundation laying the top stone also; all which owes itself to his great fidelity, incredible prudence in contriving, bargaining with workmen, unspeakable diligence in soliciting for money, paying it and overseeing all: Nehemiah's eye was ever upon the building of the temple, and therefore the work proceeded with incredible expedition. The cathedral being so well finished, upon Christmas-eve, anno 1669, his lordship dedicated it to CHRIST's honour and service, with all fitting solemnity that he could pick out of ancient rituals in the manner following.

His lordship, being arrayed in his episcopal habiliments, and attended upon by several prebends and officers of the church, and also accompanied with many knights and gentlemen, as likewise with the bailiffs and aldermen of the city of Lichfield, with a great multitude of other people, entered at the west door of the church, Humphry Persehouse, Gent., his lordship's apparitor general going foremost, after whom followed the singing-boys and choristers, and all others belonging to the choir of the said church, who first marched up to the south aisle on the right hand of the said church, where my lord bishop with a loud voice repeated the first verse of the 24th psalm, and afterwards the quire alternately sung the whole psalm to the organ. Then in the same order they marched to the north aisle of the said church, where the bishop in like manner began the first verse of the 100th psalm, which was afterwards also sung out by the company. Then all marched to the upper part of the body of the church, where the bishop in like manner began the 102nd psalm, which likewise the choir finished. Then my lord bishop

commanded the doors of the quire to be opened, and in like manner first encompassed it upon the south side, where the bishop also first began to sing the first verse of the 122nd psalm, the company finishing the rest; and with the like ceremony passing to the north side thereof, sung the 132nd psalm in like manner.

This procession being ended, the reverend bishop came to the faldistory in the middle of the quire, and having first upon his knees

prayed privately to himself, afterwards with a loud voice in the English tongue called upon the people to kneel down and pray after him, saying, 'Our Father, which art,' &c.

O LORD GOD, infinite in power, and incomprehensible in all goodness and mercy, we beseech Thee to hear our prayers for Thy gracious assistance upon the great occasion of this day. This sacred house, dedicated of old time to Thine honour, hath been greatly polluted by the long sieges and dreadful wars of most profane and disloyal rebels; Thine holy temple have they defiled, and made it an heap of rubbish and stones; yea, they did pollute it with much blood, in all manner of hostility and cruelty. We beseech Thee, good FATHER, upon our devout and earnest prayers, to restore it this day to the use of Thy sacred worship, and make us not obnoxious to the guilt of their sins, who did so heinously dishonour this place, which was set apart for Thy glory. Thou art the GOD of peace, of meekness and gentleness, and wouldst not let Thy servant David build a temple to Thee because his hands were stained with the blood of war; we beseech Thee that this Thy sanctuary, having long continued under much pollution, may be reconciled to Thee, and from henceforth and for ever be acceptable unto Thee; and that the spots of all blood, profaneness, and sacrilege may be washed out by Thy pardon and forgiveness, and that we, and all Thy faithful servants that shall succeed us in any religious office in this place, may be defended for ever from our enemies, and serve Thee always with thankful hearts and quiet minds, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

'Almighty LORD, the restorer and preserver of all that is called Thine, since this cathedral church is once again made fit for Thy service, and reconciled to Thy worship and honour, preserve it henceforth and for ever, that it may never, even to the second coming of JESUS CHRIST, suffer the like devastation again that befel it by the impiety and disloyalty of a long and most pernicious rebellion. Save it from the power of violent men, that such as are enemies to Thy Name, and to the beauty of holiness, may never prevail to defile it or erase it: confound those ungodly ones that shall say of it, Down with it even to the ground. Let the true Protestant religion be celebrated in it as long as the sun and moon endure. And we implore Thee with confidence of Thy love, and with all vehemency of zeal, that Thy heavenly Spirit may fill Thy

hallowed temple with Thy grace and heavenly benediction. Hear the faithful prayers which Thy congregation of saints shall daily pour out here unto Thee. And accept their sorrowful contritions in fastings and humiliations; and in the days of joyful thanksgiving let their spiritual and gladsome offerings ascend up unto Thee, and be noted in Thy book. Receive all those into the congregation of CHRIST's flock, with the pardon of their sins and the efficacy of Thy Spirit, to suppress the dominion of sin in them that shall here be presented to be baptized. Let the bones of them that have been or shall be interred here, rest in peace until a joyful resurrection. Let heavenly goodness be on all those that shall here be wedded in lawful matrimony, remembering it is the mystery of CHRIST and His Church made one with Him. O let the most Divine Sacrament of CHRIST'S Body broken, and His Blood shed for us, be the savour of life unto all that receive it. Sanctify to holy calling such as shall be ordained priests and deacons by imposition of hands. And we heartily pray, that Thy word preached within these walls may be delivered with that truth, sincerity, zeal, and efficacy, that it may reclaim the ungodly, confirm the righteous, and draw many to salvation, through JESUS CHRIST, &c.

'Blessed and immortal LORD, who stirrest up the hearts of Thy faithful people to do unto Thee true and laudable service, we magnify Thy grace, and the inward working of Thy Holy Spirit upon the heart of our gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles, his Highness James, Duke of York, and his most religious duchess, and all dukes, duchesses, nobles, and peers of this realm, with our most gracious Metropolitan, and all bishops, and others of the holy orders of the clergy, all baronets, knights and gentry, ladies and devout persons of that sex, and for all the gentry and godly commonalty, for all cities, boroughs, towns, and villages, who have bountifully contributed to re-edify and repair this ancient and beautiful cathedral, which was almost demolished by sons of Belial. But these Thy large-hearted and bountiful servants have raised up this holy place to its former beauty and comeliness again. LORD, recompense them all sevenfold into their bosom. As they have bestowed their temporal things willingly and largely upon this holy place, so recompense them with eternal things, and with increase of earthly abundance, as Thou knowest to be most expedient for them. Let the generation of the faithful be blessed, and let their memories be precious to all

posterity. O LORD, this is Thy tabernacle, it is Thy house, and not man's; perfect it, we beseech Thee, in that which is wanting to accomplish it. And for all those Thy choice servants, whose charitable hands have given their oblation to raise up again this sacred habitation, which was pulled down by impious hands, give them all Thine eternal kingdom for their habitation. Amen.

'O Thou Holy One, Who dwellest in the highest heavens, and lookest down upon all Thy servants, and considerest the condition of all men, now we have begun to speak to our LORD GOD, who are but dust and ashes, permit us to continue our prayers for the souls' health and external prosperity of all those that are concerned in this place. Be favourable and merciful to the most reverend father in GOD, Gilbert, lord Archbishop of Canterbury, our most munificent benefactor, under whose government we reap much peace, good order, and happiness.. O LORD, be merciful to me Thy servant, the most unworthy of them that wear a linen ephod, yet by Thy providence and his majesty's favour the Bishop of this church, and of the diocess to which it belongs. Be a loving GOD to the dean, archdeacons, canon residentiaries, prebendaries, vicars choral, and to all that belong to this Christian foundation. Bless them that live and are encompassed in the close and ground of this cathedral. Pour down the plentiful showers of Thy bounteous goodness upon this neighbour city of Lichfield, the bailiffs, sheriff, aldermen, all the magistrates, and all the inhabitants thereof. LORD, we extend our petitions further, that Thou wilt please to bless all that pertain to this large diocese, for all the clergy of it, that they may be godly examples to their flock, that they may attend to prayer, to preaching, and to administer Thy holy Sacraments, and diligently to do all duties to those under their charge that are in health or sickness. O LORD, multiply Thy blessings upon all Christian people in the several shires and districts belonging to the government of this bishoprick, and keep us all, O LORD, in faith and obedience to Thee, in loyalty to our Sovereign, in charity one toward another, in submission to the good and orderly discipline of the Church. And save us from heresies, schisms, fanatical separations, and all scandals against the Gospel. And guide us all to live as becometh us in the true communion of saints. Grant all this, O LORD, for JESUS CHRIST His sake to Whom, with Thee and Thy holy Spirit, be ascribed and given, &c.