The extensive correspondence abroad, in which the archbishop was engaged, and the many applications, he received from all parts, put him, at this time, (about the year 1546) on a scheme, which he had greatly at heart—the union of all the protestant churches in Europe.

They were all united against the pretensions of the church of Rome: but in no other point, were they perfectly harmonious. Their widest differences however regarded the sacraments, divine decrees, and church government. On each of these heads they held their several opinions with obstinacy enough on all sides.

Of these dissentions the papists took the advantage. ‘Let the protestants alone, (was the cry:) they will soon quarrel with the fame acrimony among themselves, which they have already shewn towards us: and it will presently appear; that there can be no criterion of religion; nor peace to Christendom, but in the bosom of a mother-church.’

Such sarcastic reflections hurt the archbishop; as he conceived they injured religion. He earnestly wished therefore to remove this block of offence; and to give the cause he revered, that support, which next to truth, he thought, union alone could give it. How noble would be the coalition, he would fay, if all the members of protestantism should unite in one mode of church government; and in one confession of faith!

In the southern parts of France, in Holland, and in Germany, the reformation flourished chiefly under Calvin, Bullenger, and Melancthon. To these eminent reformers the archbishop applied with much earnestness; intreating them to join their endeavours with his, in forwarding this great scheme; and proposed England as a place, where they might hold their consultations with the mod convenience, and the most security. The good archbishop wanted the experience of later times to convince him, how great an impossibility he attempted. He was not aware, that when private judgment becomes the criterion, it will shew itself of course in different creeds, in different modes of worship, and in different forms of church government; which latter will always take their complexion from the state.—How little could be expected from this interview, Melancthon's answer might early have convinced him. That reformer, in strong language, applauded the primate's intention, and heartily wished it might succeed. ‘But, added he, the model you ought to go upon, is certainly that confession of faith, which we signed at Ausburgh.’—However liberal that confession might be, there was certainly no liberality in the imposition of it.

Calvin seems to have expected very little from this business. He answers only in general terms. He professes that he would cross ten seas with chearfulness for the good of Christendom, or of the church of England alone; but, in the present case, he pleads his inability; and recommends the whole business to the hands of God.—This reformer saw deeper into the affair, than our good archbishop: he not only saw the impracticability of it; but probably thought, with many other learned men, that if the thing had even been practicable, it was by no means adviseable: as different sects would naturally be a check on each other, and might preserve the church of Christ from those impurities, which the . despotism of the Roman hierarchy had unquestionably introduced; and which another despotic hierarchy might introduce again.

During the course of this projected union, a question arose of great importance; and which indeed threw many difficulties in the very vestible of it. The question was, whether, in drawing up a confession. of faith, definite, or general terms, should be adopted? The primate, with his usual candour, pleaded for the greatest latitude. ‘Let us leave the portal, said he, as wide as we can; and exclude none, whom it is in our power to comprehend.’ He was opposed in this argument chiefly by Melancthon; who, tho a mild and gentle reformer on most occasions, wrote with too much animosity on this; making up in zeal, what he wanted in candour.

Here ended the projected union of the protestant churches. The troublesome times, which afterwards broke out in England, put an end to all farther thoughts of the design; after the archbishop had laboured in it full two years to no purpose.