'Would that those who direct proceedings of this hazardous and most
questionable character may take warning from the effects of their
inconsiderateness on this occasion! I doubt whether any three Bishops were
consulted, or even informed, before the measure was completed.' This looks,
I think, like action....

When I publish again, I should like to bring out more fully the bearing of
the Augsburg Confession on the Thirty-nine Articles. I perhaps overrate the
importance of this point, but it seems to me to put Tract 90 in great
measure under the sanction of the Archbishop and Bishop of London. If you
think of doing anything more about Tract 90, perhaps (which would be far
better) you would take this up. If not, do you think you could get any one
to collect for me the sense of Luther, Melanchthon, &c., as to the meaning
of the chief articles of the Aug. Conf. I have always understood
consubstantiation to be properly held under that document, and, if so, the
admission of it with our Articles will appear to many people very awkward.
You must not think me unreasonable for thinking that you can get this done
for me (as you did the search about canons) at Oxford. Were our colleges
what they ought to be, there would be in each a concurrence of labour
whenever required, and I believe that you have men about you who have the
feeling from which this (if ever it does) must spring.

I am not without hope that some public move may be made about the
bishopric. What say you to an address to the Crown, praying it to license
the discussion of it in Convocation? I think some Bishops and many clergy
would join in this, and it would, I suppose, be very 'constitutional.' I
have not, however, looked up the formal part yet. Tell me what you think of
the thing, and I will consider it further....

(Signed) J. R. Hope.