he could not lay a foundation to make the next generation better. And this put him upon setting up many schools in all the great towns of his diocese. for poor children to be taught to read and say their catechism; and about this time, and for this purpose it was, that he wrote, and published his exposition on the Church-catechism. And although it contained nothing, but what was strictly conformable to the doctrine of the Church of England, yet there being an expression in the first edition, which the papists at that time laid hold of, as if it favoured their doctrine of transubstantiation, he took particular care in the next edition', even in that reign, by altering the expression to ascertain the sense. By this method and management he engaged the ministers to be more careful in catechizing the children of their parishes; and they were by him furnished with a stock of necessary books for the use of children. And we may now judge, by the great and good success of the charity-schools, which are now so numerous, what great and good ends he at that time proposed. About this time also, he published his prayers for the use of the Bath.

He went often in the summer time to some great parish, where he would preach twice2, confirm, and

1 Vide the Exposition.

Of his eloquence as a preacher we have many testimonies from Evelyn. The following is one :- "The Bishop of Bath and Wells (Dr. Ken) preached at St. Martines to a crowd of people not to be expressed, nor the wonderful eloquence of this admirable preacher; the text was, Matt. xxvi. 36 to verse 40, describing the bitterness of our blessed Saviour's agony, the ardour of his love, the infinite obligations we have to imitate his patience and resignation: the means by watching against temptations, and over ourselves, with fervent prayer to

catechize; and when he was at home on Sundays, he would have twelve poor men or women to dine with him in his hall: always endeavouring, whilst he fed their bodies, to comfort their spirits by some cheerful discourse, generally mixt with some useful instruction. And when they had dined, the remainder was divided among them to carry home to their families.

By his instruction and example, he awed men into a sense of religion and duty. He often deplored the condition of the poor at Wells (who were very numerous); and as he was charitably disposed, so he was very earnest in contriving proper expedients of relief; and thought no design could better answer all the ends of charity, than the setting up a workhouse in that place. But judging it not practicable without the advice, or at least the assistance of the gentlemen, he therefore often met and consulted

attaine it, and the exceeding reward in the end. Upon all which he made most pathetical discourses. The communion followed, at which I was participant. I afterwards dined at Dr. Tenison's with the Bishop and that young, most learned, pious and excellent preacher, Mr. Wake."-Vol. i. page 638.

* 1st. April.—In the morning the first sermon was preached by Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Paul's (at Whitehall) on Luke x. 41, 42. The holy communion followed, but was so interrupted by the rude breaking in of multitudes zealous to hear the second sermon, to be preached by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, that the latter part of that holy office could hardly be heard, or the sacred elements be distributed without great trouble. The Princess being come, he preached on Mich. vii. 8, 9, 10, describing the calamity of the reformed church of Judah, under the Babylonian persecution, for her sins, and God's delivery of her on her repentance; that as Judah emerged so should the new reformed Church, wherever insulted and persecuted. He preached with his accustomed action, zeal, and energy, so that people flocked from all quarters to hear him."-Vol. i. p. 647.

with them; but not finding any suitable encouragement, he was forced to desist. In this he had a double view; to rescue the idle from vicious practice and conversation; and the industrious, from the oppression of the tradesmen; who, to use his own expression, "did grind the face of the poor, growing rich by their labour, and making them a very scanty allowance for their work."

His conduct at the time of the rebellion under the Duke of Monmouth, had sufficiently confirmed King James in opinion of his duty and allegiance; insomuch, that although he daily relieved some hundred of the rebel prisoners then in Wells, daily praying with them in person, the King judging that it was only out of a principle of duty to distressed brethren, to save them from perishing both in body and soul, never so much as harboured any jealous thought of him: nay, so far did that King entertain hopes of his absolute obedience to his will and pleasure, that although many of his sermons were framed against the Church of Rome, yet it was thought worth while to attempt to gain him over to the interest of that party at court; but so ineffectually, that upon the preaching of one of the two sermons now published, and in the King's own chapel at Whitehall, (which seems wholly intended against both the Popish and fanatic factions, then united at court;) and it being misrepresented to the King, (who had not been present at divine service) but sending for the Bishop, and closeting him on the occasion, received nothing in answer, but this fatherly reprimand; "That if his Majesty had not neglected his own duty of being present, his enemies

had missed this opportunity of accusing him :”whereupon he was dismissed.

But although that prince did not mistake his integrity, yet certainly he was mistaken in him on a much more fatal occasion; for now came the dispensing power in play, and his Majesty's declaration of indulgence, was strictly commanded to be read; when this Bishop was one of the seven', who openly

1 Evelyn gives the following clear account of the motives and grounds of their conduct. May 18, 1688.-The King injoining the ministers to read his Declaration for giving liberty of conscience (as it was styled,) in all the churches of England, this evening six Bishops, Bath and Wells, Peterborough, Ely, Chichester, St. Asaph, and Bristol, in the name of all the rest of the Bishops came to his Majesty to petition him, that he would not impose the reading of it to the several congregations within their dioceses; not that they were averse to the publishing of it for want of due tenderness towards the dissenters, in relation to whom they should be willing to come to such a temper as should be thought fit, when that matter might be considered and settled in Parliament and Convocation; but that, the declaration being founded on such a dispensing power as might at pleasure set aside all laws ecclesiastical and civil, it appeared to them illegal, as it had done to the Parliament in 1661 and 1672, and that it was a point of such consequence, that they could not so far make themselves parties to it, as the reading of it in church in time of divine service amounted to. The King was so incensed at this address, that he with threatening expressions commanded them to obey him in reading it at their perils, and so dismissed them; so I went to Whitehall Chapel, where after the morning lessons the Declaration was read by one of the choir who used to read the chapters. I hear it was read in the Abbey Church, Westminster, but almost universally forborne throughout London, the consequences of which a little time will show."-" May 25. All the discourse now was about the Bishops refusing to read the injunction for the abolition of the Test, &c. It seems the injunction came so crudely from the Secretary's office,

opposed the reading it, suppressed those which were sent to him to be read in his diocese, and petitioned the King not to pursue what was likely to prove so prejudicial both to church and state: which petition being called treasonable, was made the occasion of committing him to the Tower, in order to a trial: all which being already well known, I shall no longer dwell on so grating a subject'. But though he dared to disobey his sovereign, in order to preserve the purity of his religion, and the care of his flock was always nearest his heart; yet rather than violate his conscience by transferring his allegiance, he chose to leave both himself and them to the protection of the Almighty.

So, when the Prince of Orange came over, and the revolution was grounded on the abdication of

that it was neither sealed nor signed in form, nor had any lawyer been consulted, so as the Bishops, who took all imaginable advice, put the court to great difficulties how to proceed against them. Great were the consults, and a proclamation expected all this day, but nothing was done. The action of the Bishops was universally applauded, and reconciled many adverse parties, Papists only excepted, who were now exceedingly perplexed, and violent courses were every moment expected. Report was that the Protestant lords and nobility would abet the clergy.”—“ June 8. This day the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Bishops of Ely, Chichester, St. Asaph, Bristol, Peterborough, and Bath and Wells, were sent from the privy council prisoners to the Tower, for refusing to give bail for their appearance, on their not reading the Declaration for liberty of conscience; they refused to give bail, as it would have prejudiced their peerage. The concern of the people for them was wonderful; infinite crowds on their knees begging their blessing, and praying for them as they passed out of the barge along the Tower-wharf."-Vol. i. p. 648.

See also Ev. vol. ii. p. 25. Ken beloved, &c.

1 See D'Oyly's Life of Archbishop Sancroft, vol. i. page 250. chapter vi.