The Universities were to be constituted into presbyteries or inserted into such; and the whole of South Britain was to be patterned ecclesiastically at last in that exact resemblance to North Britain which had been the ideal before Independency burst in.

What measures of "liberty for consciences truly tender" might be conceded did not yet appear.

Anabaptists, Quakers, Fifth Monarchy enthusiasts, and Monk's "Fanatics" generally, might tremble; and even moderate and orthodox Independents might foresee difficulty In retaining their livings in the State Church.

Indeed Owen was already (March 13) displaced from his Deanery of Christ Church, Oxford, by a vote of the House recognising a prior claim of Dr.Reynolds to that post.[1] [Footnote 1: Commons Journals of dates; Neal, IV.

224-225.] In the matter of a political settlement the proceedings were equally rapid and simple.