After this, Archbishop Tenison, rock-like as ever, in a graceful tone, recommended charity and union, and lamented existing divisions; the only good effect of which, he said, was the impulse it had given to the study of historical questions, whereby light had fallen on Convocational rights, privileges, and customs. “The Prolocutor and Clergy were then ordered to withdraw to the consistory at the west end of the church.” Now reappeared the old bone of contention. A schedule of prorogation from the Archbishop reached the hands of the Prolocutor: “A paper,” he called it, “by which their Lordships had adjourned themselves;” a paper which he would not read to the House himself; a paper which he gave the actuary to read; a paper to which he added words of his own, substituting _this place_ for _Jerusalem Chamber_--the gist of his treating the document thus, being that he would not admit the power of the Upper House to prorogue the meeting of the Lower. “Mr. Prolocutor,” said Archdeacon Beveridge, “I advise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, not to open our first meeting in such contempt and disobedience to the Archbishop and Bishops, and in giving such offence and scandal to our enemies.” “I have,” replied Woodward, “the power to alter the schedule when I intimate it.”[352] The battle for independence now reopened, the majority of the Lower House, headed by the defiant Prolocutor, resolving to fight it out to the last. [Sidenote: 1702.] The Clergy, on the 20th of January, assembled early in the cold nave of the Abbey, after which they proceeded to prayers in the Jerusalem Chamber. Thence they returned to Henry the VII.’s Chapel, where they found the floor matted and curtains hung,--no small comfort on a frosty morning.[353] If their feet were as warm as their tempers, they had no reason to complain, for no sooner had they taken their places than it was proposed to have prayers over again by themselves, to show their independence. The motion was opposed. Debates followed. The Archbishop’s messenger waited at the door while the question of his being admitted was discussed. After “a little noise,” he came in with the hated schedule of prorogation. The Prolocutor took it up, and “playing with it in his hands, supposed it to be a paper about adjourning; and at last repeated the place and time, and putting it to the House for their pleasure, drew up a paper and read it.” This occurred on the 22nd of January. Upon the 28th, the Prolocutor again informed the members he had received a message of adjournment, but that he would not communicate it except by order of the House. Dr. Freeman maintained it ought to be delivered in obedience to the Archbishop. The Prolocutor tartly replied, he did not need to be taught what was his business; and Atterbury, starting up, accused Freeman of using indecent words.[354] Then came discussions about committees for purposes presented in the last Convocation. Further personalities arose.