Prayers were solemnly read before the consultation began.

After long deliberation, a petition embodying the general sense was written by the Archbishop with his own hand.

It was not drawn up with much felicity of style.

Indeed, the cumbrous and inelegant structure of the sentences brought on Sancroft some raillery, which he bore with less patience than he showed under much heavier trials.

But in substance nothing could be more skilfully framed than this memorable document.