[410] He had drawn up for the thirtieth of January and for the twenty-ninth of May forms of prayer which reflected on the Puritans in language so strong that the government had thought fit to soften it down.

But now his heart was melted and opened.

He solemnly enjoined the Bishops and clergy to have a very tender regard to their brethren the Protestant Dissenters, to visit them often, to entertain them hospitably, to discourse with them civilly, to persuade them, if it might be, to conform to the Church, but, if that were found impossible, to join them heartily and affectionately in exertions for the blessed cause of the Reformation.
[411] Many pious persons in subsequent years remembered that time with bitter regret.

They described it as a short glimpse of a golden age between two iron ages.

Such lamentation, though natural, was not reasonable.