"The Bishop of Exeter has resolved to revive the obsolete
statute of Edward the Third, which provides that, in case a person presented to any living, and applying is the diocesan for institution, refuses to submit to a private examina- tion, or s pronounced by his Lordship incompetent, the right of presentation shall fall into the hands of the Bishop. If this statute be generally acted on, it will put all the livings in England in the absolute power of the Bishops ; who are not bound to give any explanation as to the grounds on which they may pro- nounce a man incompetent, while they may dispose of the living which has lapsed in consequence of their arbitrary decision at their sole will and pleasure!" ...-West Briton.
"The Bishop has already acted on this plan, by rejecting a Mr. Comyns, who applied for ;iistitution into the living of Sr. Erth, to which he had been pre- sented by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. Mr. Conwns refused to submit ; and the Bishop has assumed his newly-claimed right, by instituting another person on his own presentation."— Christian Advocate.
• Bishop Pnint.porrs seems to have been born for the express purpose of making the Church Establishmsnt unpopular. In his diocese, as in the House of Lords, he delights in provoking hos- tility to himself and his order. A correspondent of the Cornwall Advertiser gives some additional particulars of this affair. He states that the Dean of Norwich has written a letter which was shown to the Bishop, bearing witness to the high character of the young clergyman, and declaring his readiness to sign his testi- rnonials if required. It is saifalso, that after Mr. ComyNs bad refused to submit himself to the Bishop's examination, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter presented the living to another person ; but the Bishop refused to institute him, having resolved to dis- pose of it himself. It is well for the Church of England that Dr. PHILLPOTTS does not possess the power as well as the temper of LAUD. As it is,
however, his station unfortunately gives him frequent opportuni- ties of doing mischief, not one of which does he suffer to pass un- improved.
Previous page
