It was ordered in 1631: "That there bee a uniformitie throughout
this colony both in substance and circumstance to the cannons and
constitutions of the church of England as neere as may bee, and that every
person yeald readie obedience unto them uppon penaltie of the paynes and
forfeitures in that case appoynted." And, indeed, the pains and forfeitures
threatened were savage enough.
Official Virginia, loyal to the Established Church, was jealous and fearful
of Papistry and looked askance at Puritanism. It frowned upon these and
upon agnosticisms, atheisms, pantheisms, religious doubts, and alterations
in judgment -- upon anything, in short, that seemed to push a finger against
Church and Kingdom. Yet in this Virginia, governed by Sir William Berkeley,
a gentleman more cavalier than the Cavaliers, more royalist than the King,
more churchly than the Church, there lived not a few Puritans and
Dissidents, going on as best they might with Established Church and fiery
King's men. Certain parishes were predominantly Puritan; certain ministers
were known to have leanings away from surplices and genuflections and to
hold that Archbishop Laud was some kin to the Pope. In 1642, to reenforce
these ministers, came three more from New England, actively averse to
conformity. But Governor and Council and the majority of the Burgesses will
have none of that. The Assembly of 1643 takes sharp action.
For the preservation of the puritie of doctrine and unitie of the church,
IT IS ENACTED that all ministers whatsoever which shall reside in the
collony are to be conformable to the orders and constitutions of the church
of England, and the laws therein established, and not otherwise to be
admitted to teach or preach publickly or privately.
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