[Sidenote: _Debates on Religion._] That day sealed Strafford's fate; the only impediment in the patriot's path lay crushed. Now Pym could do his will, and carry out some great reform in Church and State. It was time. "The strong man armed kept his palace, and his goods were in peace. But now a stronger than he came upon him and overcame him, and took from him all his armour, wherein he trusted, and divided his spoils." To some readers, there may appear little or no connection between Pym's death-wrestle with Wentworth, and the overturning of the Episcopal Church, the setting up of Presbyterianism, and what followed; yet really without that death-wrestle the things which happened afterwards appear impossibilities. When Strafford had been in the Tower a month, Laud was impeached, and followed his friend into the custody of James Maxwell.[106] On the 17th November, a public fast took place, when the House of Commons assembled in the Church of St. Margaret, Westminster, and continued in divine worship for _seven hours_.[107] [Sidenote: 1640, November.] A few days after the fast[108] the Commons, according to precedent, received the Holy Communion, and also according to precedent resolved that none should sit in the House who did not partake of the Sacrament.[109] A measure of policy was connected with their piety on this occasion, which from its having been misunderstood has led to a misapprehension of the whole proceeding. The fact of its having been resolved that all should participate in the Lord's Supper has been cited as a proof that the members were all attached to the Church of England;[110] but Rapin[111] adopts the subtle theory that, bent upon assailing the Bishops, the Commons resolved on this communion, to save themselves from being suspected of Presbyterianism,--as in the reign of Henry V., the Commons prefaced their assault on the clergy by passing a Bill for burning heretics, to save themselves from being suspected of heresy. Yet amidst these speculations upon the subject, the real purpose of the House--beyond its following a precedent and gratifying religious feelings--is frankly expressed in the Journal to have been the discovery of papists amongst the members. The committee who reported on the subject conceived that some confession of faith and a renunciation of the Pope should be required from such as were suspected of popery. At the same time two members of the House were directed to convey to the Dean of Westminster a desire that "the elements might be consecrated upon a communion-table, standing in the church, according to the rubric, and to have the table removed from the altar."[112] [Sidenote: _Debates on Religion._] [Sidenote: 1640, November.]