Hi ''?J' 1 !.->¦ 4% Ife; YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 980 TouLMiN (Joshua) D.D. An Historical View of Protestant Dissenters in England,. from the Revolntion tio Queen Anne, Svo, half calf, 4s 1814 AN HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE STATE OE THE PROTESTANT DISSENTERS IN ENGLAND, And of the Progress of Free Enquiry and Religious Liberty, FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE ACCESSION OF QUEEN ANNE. BY JOSHUA TOULMIN, D. D. PRINTED B7 RICHARD CHCTTWELL, ST. JAMBS'S-STREET, BATH ; AND SOLD B7 LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWNE, PATER-NOSTER- ROW, LONDON. 1814. u- TG4- LIST QF SfJBSC^lBpRS. ABEL Rfiv. David, Bardott Alderfey Mr. Chejler .^Iderfey lyilr. ¦jyilliam, Chepr Alderfey Mr. Robert, Chejler Aldridge Geo. efq; Chrijlchurch Alexander Dr. Leicejler Allard Rev. Willianj, Bury Allcock Mr. ^obn, Gatley, near Stockport Amphlet Mr. "^illiatD, EaJ^ Haddon, Northampton/hire Anftis Rev. Matthew, Brfdport Afliton Mr. Jafeph, Stockport Afhton Mr. Samuel, Stockport Afliton Mr. Thomas, Hyd/i, near Stockport Afliworth Mr. C. BoU/in Aftley Rev. Richard, Halifax Awbrey Rev. R. S'wanjea Awbrey Mr. Rieharfl, Sjianjen, 4 copies Bache Mils, Birininghain Badjand Mr. Jas. KtdderPti"Jler Barley Mr. J. furgeon, Dtidhy Bagnall Rev. J. Garpijgrthfn Baker Mr. John, Iln^injler Baker Mr. (Jeorge, Northampton Bankart Mr. T. jun. Leicfjler Barber Stephen, efiy Cornhill, London Baron Mr. Peter, Cockey-Moor, a copies Barr Mr. Birmingham, % copies Bartow Mr. Stockport Barton Mrs. Stojie-Ncpinp.on Bafsford Mr.S. Biljlon Batten, Mr. James, Plymouth-' pock Batten Mr. Edmund, Teovil Bealey Mr. Rich. Cockey-Moor Beafley Rev. T.E. Uxbridge Beavon Mr. Thoipas, Bpjlon Beck Peter, efq; Shr-e'vffmry Bedford Mr. Lincoln Belftiara, Rev. Ti London, a copies ^ent,Iey John, efqj Stockport Berry Rev. Charles, Leifeficr Birt Rev. Ifaiah, Bifminghain Blake Rev. W. Crenukerne Blake Malacj^i, M.D. Taunton IV LIST OF SUB'SCRIBBRS. Blake Mrs. Taunton .Blake Mr. D.ffoliiiay Blakeway Mr. VV. Birmingham Blount Mr. Birmingham B]-!ley-Hall Heywood J. P. efq; Wakefield Higgiiifon Rev. B. Derby Highmore Anthony, efq; King* Jtreet, Cheapjide, London Higman Mr. Plymouth-Dock Hinckley Henry, efq; Guildford- fireet, London Hodgfon Mr. Gainjhorough Holden J. efq; Brighton Holden Rev. L. Tenterden Holden Jos. juri. efq; Teaterdeil Holland Rev. J. Bolton Holt Rev. J. Cirencejler Holt Mr. Thoraas, Liverpool Hone Mi". Jofeph, DubUn Hopkins Mr. Wi jun. Kidder- minfier Homblower Mr. Thomas, Bir mingham llornbrook Mr. S. Tavijlock, 3 copies Horfey Revi J. Northampton Hort Rev. W. J. Brijlol Horton Mr. John, Kidderminfiir Houghton Rev. P. Li-^efpool Hounfell Mr. Wm. Bridport Hounfell Mr. Thomas, Bridport Hounfell Mifs, Eajl-Jireet, Bridport Howe Rev. Thomas* Bridport Howell Mrs. Catherine, S'wanfen Howfe H. E. efq; Lyncombe, neat Bdth Hughes Mrs. Hannvood, a copies Hughes Mrs. Mary, Hamuood, z copies Hughes Mr. M. B. Dudley Hughes Rev. James, Honiton vni LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS Hughes Mr. Shrew/bury Hughes Mr. Chas. Shrc'wjbury Hughes Mr. Job Orton, Bury Humphry Mr. John, Wefi- Lambrook Hunt Mr. Hen. Wejl-Bromiuich Hunter Rev. Jofeph, Bath Hurft Mifs, Leicejler Huthwaite Mrs. C. Nottingham Hutton Rev. Jofeph, Dublin Hutton Rev. J. ian. Nottingham Hutton Mr. Paradije-Jlreet, Birmingham Hyde Mrs. Bath, a copies Hyde Mr. Gain/borough Hyne Mr. Plymouth Ifaac Rev. J. Moretonhampfiead Jackfon Mr. bookfeller, Plymouth Jackfon Mr. Wraxhall Jacob Mr. Taunton, a copies Jardine Mr. James, Bury Jarman J. E. efq; Charter-houfe., fquare, London JefFeries Mr. Benjamin, Dor chejler, 4 copies JefFerys Mr. John, Kidderminpr Jeffries Edward, efq; Taunton Jenkins Rev. Herbert, Leicejler Jenkins Mr. John, Middle-bank, Smoanjia Jenkins Mr. John, furgeon, Carmarthen Jervis Rev. T. Leeds Jervis Rev. John, Lympjlone Jevons Mr. Wm. Liverpool Johnfton Ebenezer, efq; Leiues Johns Rev. W. Manchejler, a copies Johnfton Rev W. Lewes Johnftone Mr, Bath Johnftone Rev. Thos. Wakefield Jones S. efq; Greenhill, near Manchefier Jones Mr. E. Wolverhampton Jones Thomas, efq; Shrenxj/bury Joyce Rev. J. Highgate, a copies Keech Mr. James, Lynn Keer Samuel, efq; Cretingham Kell Rev. Robert, Birmingham Kenrick Rev. John, A. M. York Kenrick Rev. Geo. Cheflerfield, a copies Kenrick Mr. A. WeJl-Bromnuich Kenrick Mr. S. Wejl-Bromiuich Kentilh Rev. J. Birmingham, 3 copies KerfhawWm.efq; Warley houJe, near Halifax Kettle John, efq; Birmingham Kings Mrs. Cirencejler Kingsford Sampfon, efq; Can terbury, 6 copies Kingsford M. efq; Canterbury KirkpatrickR. G. efq; Newport, IJle of Wight Lamb Mr. Chriftophgr, Bojlon Lakin Mr. Leicejler Lamport IVfr. Plymouth Lamport Mr. Poole Lang Mr. S. Tavijlock Lawreuce Mifs, Gateacre Lea Mr. W. Birmingham LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. IX Lee Thos. efq; Birmingham Lempriere Mr. J. Portsmouth Lewin Rev. Robt. Liverpo-yl Lewin Robt. M. D. Liverpool Lewin Mr. Wm. Liverpool Lewin Mr. Edmund, Liverpool Library, York College , Morley-ftreet Chapel, Maiichejler , DiiTenting Chapel, Lincoln , Tenterden , Diichling , Silver-ftreet Chapel, Bur-j . , Veftry, North-Gate- End Chapel, Halifax , Veftty, DiiTenting Cha pel, Chefierfisld , Phoenix, Old Meeting, Birmingham , Gravel-pit, Hackney Lightbody John, efq; Liverpool Lindfay James, 'D.'D. Old Ford, near London Linthorne Capt. R.N. Poole Lifter Mr. Hackney Littlewood Rev. Tlios. Rochdale Livefey Mr. Thos. Charley Lloyd Rev. Rees, Kingflwood Lorhas Mr. James, Cockey Mootf Lye Mr. Geo. Wejl Lambrook Macdonald Dr. Taunton Mace Mr. John, fen. Tenterden Major Mr. Poole Major Mr. Robert, Poole Mann Mr. Wm. Rochdale Manfell Mrs. Birmingham ^anfellMrs. Sarah, Birminghciw Manning Rev. James, .E.w/fr, for himfelf and friends, ro copies Manfell Mrs. Jud. B'lrminghant Marder Mr. Poole Marfhall Rev. Jas. Waterford Mather Thos. efq; , Lea Hall, near Macclesfield Mather Mifs, Greenhill, near Manchefier Matthew^: Mr. W. Bath Maullin Mr. Jofeph, Cofeley Maurice Mr. W. Dudley May Vaughan, M D. Plymouth Meade Mt. Taunton MeiTenger Mr. T. Birmingham Michell Mifs, Taunton Miliigan Mr. Hinckley Milner Lieut. Rowland, R. N. Carmarthen Milns Mr. Alexander, ,ijtfr^^a/ff Montgomery Mr. Brentford Moon Rev. W. Deptford Moure Mr. John, Birmingham Moorhoufe John, efq; Sheffield Morgan Mils, Sidmouth Morgan Mr. Suta. 'jontz, Neath Morris Rev. W Eafi-Lambrook Morris Ivlr. Cockey Moor ^oulfon Mr. John, Chefier Muulfon Mr. Richard, Chejler Mozley Mr. Ga'mjborough Mun Mr. Wolverha'npton Murch Rev. W. Fr'ome Na(h Wm. efq; Royfion, Herts Naiih Mr. Pooh Nailh Mr. Romfey Nanfou Mr, Edward, Sheffield LIST OF StrESCRIBSaS. New Mr. A. E-Oefbam New Mr. John, Evejham NeWbold Mr. W. Sheffield Nicklin Mr. Rich. Tipton Nicbolens John, efq; South' Petherton Nichols Mr. A. Stonehoufe Noble Mrs. J. Taunton, a copies Norman J. efq; Plymouth-Dock Norrilh Mr. Geotge, Moreton hampfiead Northey Mr. C. Tavifiock Nott Mr. George, Carmarthen Nutt Mr. J. Leicefier Oldham Mr. S. Coventry Ofler Mr. Thos. Bridgcxater Ofler Mr. T. jun. Birmingham Ofler Mr. John, Wefi Lambrook Paget T. efq; Leicefier, a copies Paget T. efq; fiirgeon, Leicefier Paget Mr. J. Loughborough Paget Mr. John, Loughborough Palmer Rev. Samuel, Hackney Pargeter Mr. Thos. Cradley Pargeter Mr. Thos. Foxcoat Pargeter Mr. Jos. Carelefs Green Parker Rev. Samuel, Stockport Parry Mr. William, Liethrach, Carmarthenjhire Parry Mr. Thos. Carmarthen Paribus Thomas, eftj; Bath ' Paribns Daniel; efcj; i)ai&ji Parfons John, efq; Bridg-iuatef, a copies Partridge Mifs, Stonehoufe Pafs Mr. Robert, Bofion Peacock Dr. Gainjhorough Peach Mr. Sam. NorthamptaH Peirs Mr. C. attorney-at-lawi Plymouth Penn Mifs, Birmingham Peter Rev. David, Carmarthen Peyton Mr. Birmingham Philips Mr.jWilliam, merchant, Carmarthen Philips Mr. Rich. Carmarthen Phillips MefTrs. Manchefier, i copies Phillips — , efq; Manchefier Phipfon Mr. Wm. Birmingham Phipfon Mr. John, Bimingham Pilkington Mr. Henry, Derby Pinkerton Rev. John, Limerick Pickburne Rev. J. Hackney Piper Rev. H. H. Norton Pittard Mr. R. Eafi Lamhrook Platts Rev. J. Bofion, 3 copies Porter Mr. B. G. Sherborne Potter Arthur, efq; Cockey Moor Price Mr. Portfmouth Price Mr. W. Gloucefier Prieftley Jofeph, efq; Tividale, near Dudley Prieftnall Mr. Jas. Chorley Prime Mifs Elizabeth, Whitton, Middlefex Prime Mifs Sufannah, Whilton Profter Rev. W. T. Wilmfiovj Pyke Jas. efq; Bridgwater Pyke T. jun. efq; Bridgwater . Ralph Mrs. Halifax Ray Mr. John, Brookjhaw, Bury Read Mr. Thomas, Birmingham LIST OW SUBSCRIBSRS, XI Read Mr. Sam. Gefpel Oak Read T. efq; Poole Rees Abraham, D. D. London Rees Rev. T. London, i copies Rees Mr. Evan, merchant, Car marthen Kdi Matthew, ef«l; Leicefier Reid Mr. Satniiel, Liverpool "Relph Mrs. Walthaiirpfiow Relph Mr. Cuthbert Reynell Mr. Henry, Brifiol Rhodes Mr. Ebenezer, Sheffield Rhodes John, efq; Halifax Richardfon Rev. W. Lynn ^\t^-!ixA-i9jty.Ji.South-Petherton Richard* Mr. T. BirminghaM, Richards Mr. W. Birmingham Ridout Mr. Jer. Birmingham Robberds Rev. J. G. Manchefler Roberts Rev. GrifF. Warminfier Roberts Mr. Lincoln Robiofon Thos. efq; Manchefier Robinfon Mr. Thos. jun. Man- chefiir Robinfon Mr. T. Bury-St.-Ed- mund's Rogers Mr. Sam. Birmingham Rogers Mrs. Mary, Birmingham Rotheram Mrs. Kendal Jlothetam Mr. folicitor, Thread- needle-fireet, London Ronald Mr.Hugh, jun..Srf»?/ir^ Rowe ReV. John, Brifiol Rowe Laurence, efq; Brentford Rowland Mr. John, bank, Nealli llowltnd Mr. John, Bofion Rett J. T. efq; Bromley kylaad Mr. Sam. Birmingham Ryland Mr. Thos. Bimingham Ryland Mr. Jn. jun. Birminghsni Ryland Mr. Jas. Kentifii-To-wit Sallows Mr. Robert, Plymouth Salter Mr. R. Bolton Sanders Mr. Mark, Birmingham Sanderfon Mifs, Chorley Saunders iMr. attorney at law, Plymouth Saxtou Mr. Leicefier Saxton Mr. Thomas, Lea Wood, Derbyjhirt Scargill Rev. W. P. Bury-St.- Edmund's Scott Rev. James, Cradley, » copies Scott John, efq; Stourbridge Scott William, efq; Stourbridge Scott Rev. RuflcU, Portfmouti a copies Seaward Rev. R. Pook Sharp Thomas, efq; Romfey Sherwell Mifs, Topjham Shore Samuel, efq; Meerjbrook Shore Sarauel, efq; Norton Shore Sidney, efq; Norton Shore William, efq; Tapton Shore William, jun. efq; Tapton Shore John, efq; Sheffield Shute Stephen, efq; Collumpton Silver Mr. T. T. Woodbridge Simpfon Rev. John, Bath Sirapfon J. W. efq; Rear/by, 4 copies Simplon Mr. JOho. Birmingham Skey George, efq; Highgate Skirrow Mil's, Southwark XII LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Slatter Mr. Ilminfier Slatter Mr. Thomas, Ilminfier Slatter Mr. William, Ilminfier Sleat R. W. efq; Chrifich-urch Small Rev. J. Cofeley Small Mr. Thos. Birmingham Small Mr. Thomas, Bofion Smith Thomas, efq; Ea/ion-Grey Smith Mrs. Eaflon-Grey smith Mrs. Martha, Coventry Smith Mr. Edward, Birmingham SmA\\'Mit.'T\mot\\-'j,BirminghamSmith Mr. Samuel, Birmingham Smith Mr. Robert, Glasgow Smith Mrs. T. C. Nottingham Smith W. efq; M. P. Wefiminfier Smith Mr. ^orn Smith Mrs. W. Hawkes, Bir mingham Smith Mr. G. Hinckley Society, New Reading, Hackney Soloraon Abraham, M. D. Bir mingham Sparkes Samuel, efq; Crewkerne Sparkes Kaac, efq; Crewkerne Spicer John, efq; Chrifichurch Spurr Mr. Peter, Sheffield Staniforth Mr. W. Sheffield Stanley Mr. John, Stockport Steward Rev. J. Wolverhampton' Stewart Mr. W. Birmingham Stokes Mr. Wolverha?npton Stone Mr. Harry, Taunton Stone Mr Nottingham Stone S. efq; Knighton Stone J. P. efq ; ^uorn Stone T. efq; Barrow Stone Mr. Jofeph, Bridport Stout Mifs, Plymouth Strong Mr. S. S. Poole Strutt Mr. William, Derby Strutt Mr. Jofeph, Derby Stuckey Vincent, efq; Langport Sudbury Mr. Gainsborough Surridge Mr. Rich. N-jr thampton Sweet Mr. J. L. Glajgow Symonds Mrs. Tauntbn Talbot Mr. G. Kidderminfier 'Xa&iolMt.\i.eaxy,Kidderminfier Tankerfley Mr. Gainsborough Tayler Rev. James, A'i>?';'..g-/'aOT Tayler Mr. Wager, Nottingham Tayleur Charles, efq; Liverpool Taylor Rev. Philip, Dublin Taylor Mr, John Lyon, Rochdale Temple R. G. efq; Roebamptoit Thomas Mr. Thos. Plymouth- Dock Thomas Mr. folicitor, Carmari then, z copies Thompfon Mr. Crojs-lane, St, Mary hill, London Thompfon Mr. P. Bofion Thompfon Wm. efq; Sheffield Thomfon John, M. D. Halifax Thornley Mr. Liverpool Tingcpmbe John, efq ;. Plymouth Tinckler Mr., Bofion Titford Mr. Vy. Hoxton Todhunter Mr. J. Walthamfiow TodhunterMr. Walthamfiow Toller Rich, efq; South-Petherton Tomkio Mr. Henry, Plymouth Toms Rev. S. S. Framlingham Tonken Mr. H. Plymouth-Doci. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. ^IH Tbogood Rev. Chas. Broadway Toogood Wm. efq; Sherborne Toogood Mr. Jas. Sherborne Toogood Rev. John, Kinton- Magna, Dorset Touchet Mx. Manchefier, a copies Touchet Mr. John, Manche/ler Touchet Mr. Jas. Manchefier Toulrain Mr. J. B. Birmingham Toulmin Mrs. J. B. Birmingham Travers A. efq; Shirley Common near Southampton Travers Mr. Benj. ?!ear South ampton Treacher John, efq, Bruton Crefcent Treffry Roger, efq; Lofiwithiel Treffry Mr. Jos. Plymouth Treleaven Rev. B. Dorchefier Treleaven Mr. John, Plymouth Turner Rev. W. Newcafile-on Tyne TurnerRev. W. jun. M.A. York Turner Rev. Henry, Bradford Unitarian 'Tra.Q.5oc\et:j,Falmouth Upham Mr. bookfeller, Bath, 3 copies Venning Mifs, Nottingham Venning Mrs. W. Nottingham Wainwright Rev. Thos. Whit ton, Middlefex, a copies Wainwright Robert, efq; Gray's Inn, 6 copies Waldron Jas. efq; Wiveliscombe Waldron John, efq; Poole Walker Mr. Wm. Rochdale Walker Mr. Rich. Bridge-hall Bury Wallace Mr. Robt. YorkCollege Walker Dr. Portsmouth Waller Mr. Gofport Wallington Mr. Ilminfier Wallington Mr. Tim. Ilminfier Wanfey Mrs. W. Warminfier, a copies Wanfey Henry, jun. efq; War minfier Wanfey Mr. Wm. Clapham Ward T. A. efq; Slieffield Warren John, efq; Taunton Warren Peter, efq; Warminfier Warren Rev. Mr. Wymondley Academy Wafhbourn Mrs. Glocefier Wafhbourn Mrs. Elizg, Glocefier Wafhbourn Mr. J. Glocefier Waterhoule Mr. T. Birmingham Watfon Mr. Jacob, Bridgwater Watfon Mr. Rich. Kidderminfier Wearne Mr. Roger, St. Ives Wellbeloved Rev. C. York Welsford P. efq; Plymouth Weftlake Mr. John, Moreton hampfiead Wefton Mr. Jas. Sherborne Whetftone Mr. Leicefier Whetftone Mr. Jas. Dudley Whitchurch Mr. Bath White James, efq; Exeter White Mr. Basford, near Not tingham White Henry, efq; Portfmouth White Mr. Edw. Moretonhamp fiead J,IST OF 5UBSGR1BEP.S. XIV •Whitfield Mr. Sam. Birmingham Whitfield Mr. Edw. Birmingham Whitty Mr. Sherborne Wickftead John, efq; Shrpms- hury, 3 copies Wjlmot Mr. Birmingham Williams — , eiq; Ply-mouth Williams Mr. Taliefltn, Neafh Wills Mr. Robt. Poole Wills Mr. James, Birmingham Willfon Mr. Nath. Northftpfpton Witton P. H. efq; Birminghcfm, » copies Wood G.W. efq; Ma.nchejkr 3Voo{i Mr. Ottiwell, Liverpool Wood Mr. John, Liverpool Wood G. efq; Manchefier Wood Mr- Thos. Jackfon, Bwy Wood Mr. Ab.jun. Bm-y Woodcock Mr. J. furgeon. Bury Wot)ll?y .Mrs. Notfvfghowt Worthington Mr. T. l^e'fcefiei' Worthington Mr. W. Stockport Wright Rer. R. Wifbeafh Wright Mr. F. '&. Liverpool Wright Mr. Dan. Birmingfiam Wright Mr. Chas. Bofion Wright Rev. Peter, Rocbdakt Wright Mr. Th|^. Derby Wyne Mr. Plymouth Yates Jlev. John, Liverpool Yates Rev. Jas. M. A. Gltfsgonit Yates Mr. John Afhton, Liver pool Yates Mr.Rioh. V. Z.«t«'/'o*/ Yates Mr. Pemberton H. Li-uera pool Yates Mr. Rqb. /Ird-wici Greene Manchefier Yottle Mr- Gain/biirPag^ ISCottng Mr. Spence, Fooh PREFACE, T 7[ /HEN the Author of this work puWiflbcd his ^ ^ edition of Neal's " Hiflory ofthe Puritans,*' iie exprefled his intention to prepare a fequel to it, exhibiting a continuation of the hiflory of Profefiant Difpnters from the Revolution to our own day, in fuch detached parts as w'ould correfpond. to the periods, into which, in his judgment, it would natu rally divide itfelf. Not only was the defign which he announced approved of, but earned wiflies for its execution were expreffed, as wellby efteemed and par tial friends, as by a general fentiment on its iraport ance and utility, and of his qualifications for it. Thefe teftiraonies of public as well as private opinion ia its favour were, undoubtedly, a ftimulus and encou* ragement to the profecution of his purpofe, and juftified an expeftation that long ere now he would have endeavoured to fulfil wiflies fo honourable to himfelf and to his defign with gladnefs and alacrity. It gives the author concern to refleft that eighteen years have elapfed without affording a proof, by XVI PREFACE. the execution of any pair of his intended work, that he was fenfi:,!le eirher of the deference which he owed to pu'.lic expf ft ition, and to the defires of warm friends, or of the obligation brought on hint by his own engagement, Some, who took a great intereft in his defign, are, in the mean time, removed from this world, which daily furniflies us with fo many inftances of difappointed hopes, and of pur- pofes broken off by death. His heart feels the heaving iigh at the recolleftion of the remoii- ftrances on his delay of two much-refpefted friends in particular : one, the Rev. Josiah Thompson, of Clapham, who again and again teftified a folicitude forthe appearance of this hiflory before his days were numbered ; the other, the late worthy and aftive friend to the caufe of religious liberty, the Rev. Samuel Palmer, to whofe pen and labours in various ways di/fenters owe permanent obliga tions. But vain are the fighs of affeftion arid friendfliip over the grave of lofl: friends: vain are our regrets that we have failed to anfwer the wiflies of the elteeraed and fhe loved, how no more! ? The author confoles himfelf with believing that they who know him will candidly acquit him of atiy difrefpeft to the deceafed, or of defukory idlenefs. pis attention, he may be permitted to plead, 'h&s been for years diverted from this work by a fucceflrbn of occurrences and engagements which, Utforefecn PREFACB. XVll when it was announced, have either accompanied or followed the anguifli of mourning, or the depreflions of deep forrow on the death of children who had juft reached the promifing years of maturity ; efpc- cially of a daughter, whofe removal was fo circura- ftanced as to create, by a kfting mournful fenfe of it, a long interval of inaptitude for any continued mental exertion. This afflit. Sherlock, and Dr. Cudworth, on the dodlrine ofthe Trinity. The vote ofthe Houfe of Commons on a traft entided "A clear but " brief Confutation of the Doftrlne of the Trinity," ia 1693. Dr. -Sctt/A's anlmadverfions o-a D-c. Sherlock's irea.- tife. M.X. Hcwe's fentiments concerning the Trinity ; and his traft. Dr. Sherlock's and Dr. South's fentiments refpec- tively efpoufed by fome and impugned by others. Mr. Bingham's fermon in favour of the former. The decree of the uniyerfity of Oxford. The king's injunftions on the xxviii contents. occafion; a remark on it. Proceedings againfl: Mr. John Smith for a traft entitled " Thfe defi^ned end to the Socinian " Cqotrpverfy." Dr. 5ary excora'nunioated. T>t. Sher- .for/f and Dr. 'Soa'A ridiculed In a popular ballad, P. 172—187. SECTION III. , The Controverfy about Juftification. . ' Diylfions and diffentions amongft the diffenters. The caufe fron;i ¦which they" arofe. Mr. Davisy of Rothwell, broaches opinions, and introduces praftices, that incurred cenfure. A declaration pufjliflied againft them : the effeft oht. The controverfy on the dofhrine of juftification agir tated in the time of the civil wars, The attention of Mr. afterwards Bifliop Bull drawn to It. His Harmonia Apqflolica^ This work prohibited by Dr. Morley, bifliop of Winchefter; animadverted on by Dr. Barlow, Dr. Tully, and by Mr. Triman, Mr. Tombes, Mr. Gataier, Mr. Du Moulin. The controverfy terminated in the eftabliflied church; taken up by the diffenters. Mr. Baxter's " Aphorlfms of Juftification '* and the Covenant :" anfwered by different writers. Dr, Crisp's fcheme. The controverfy about juftification revived by the republication of his works in i6gO : the flame fpreads through feveral counties : and the ferment rifes high. Dr. Williams foliciied to confute Dr. Cri/p's principles: his •' Gofpel Truths" ftated and'Vlndlcated. Dr. Chauncy ani madverted on iti Mr. Mather's fermon on juftification. A rupture between the lefturers at Pinners' Hall. An ap peal on this controverfy made to Dr. Stillingfleet, bifliop of Worcefter, and to T>t. jfo'.athan Edxvards. Dr. IVtllioMs excluded from the lefture at Pinners' Hall : a new lefture' fet up at Saltens* Hall. Conciliating propofals Inefficlerit. Dr. fVilliams's charafler traduced, but clfeared up The two' denominations of prcftiy terians and Independents becdrnc diftinft coramunities. P. 187 — 214. CONTENTS. XXIX CHAPTER in. Internal Hiftory of the Proteftant Diffenters. , SECTION I. Of. their Academies. ,. .,., The origin of thera. The jealoufy they created. Har^f- fing proceffes commenced againft them. The oath on taking a degree in the univerfities, the ground of thefe , pro- ' ceffes. The occafion of that oath. The Statjifofdfemi- nary. The different conftruftions of the acaderpic oath. The principles on which the ejefted minlfters confidered^ themfelves as not included in the obligation of the oath. P. 215 — 225. Particular Seminai-ies. No. I. Mr. Woodkaufe's academy.' His plan of inftruc- tion, and courfe of Icftures. No. 2. Mr. Warren's method of reading leftures. No. 3. Mr. Chas, Morton's general method, his Eutaxia, or leftures on the Engllfli corjftitution; and his -emigration to America. No. 4. Mr. Richard Frankland's talents and difpofitions as a tutor, the frequent removals of his feminary, and the numbers educated in it. No. 5.. Mr. Doolittle'^ academy. No. 6. Mr. John Shut' tUzuood's reputation as a tutor: infcriptjon on histombftone. No. 7. Mr. Sam. CradocKs leftures and liberal conduft to his pupils. P. 225— 241. Slight flcetches of the hiftory of other divines who alfifted the ftudies of young men, viz. Mr. Edward Veal, London j Mrl P/iilip Henry, Shropfliire ; Dr. Theophilus Gale, at New» ington Green; Xir^ Henry Langley, near Abingdon; Mr. Jo/iti Maiden, near Whitchurch, Shropfliire; M.X. Obadiah Grew, Coventry; Mr. Thomas Shewell, in that city; Dr. Jojhua Oldfield, Coventry and London; Mr. Hsnry New- xxx. CONTENTS. come, Manchefier ; Mr. JanlesGoningKam, in the fame townj'- Mr. Ralph iSuWow, Brentford ; Mr. Wm. Wickens, Newing-' ton Green; Mr. Btnj. Robinfon, Hungerford; Mr. Henry Hickman, near Stourbridge, Worcefterflilre ; an account of Mr. John Ball, of Honiton, Devon, one of his pupils: hiftory of Mr. Thos. Cotton, another pupil of Mr. Hickman ; ' his travels and charafter. General refleftion. P. 241—261. ' SECTION II. The different Sefts of Diffenters at the Revolution. The name Puritans. The denominations of Prefbyterians. . Independents, Baptifts, and Quakers. P. 261 — 263. §. I. Of the Prefbyterians. Their fentiments on church government : the firft prefbytery : the fpread of their prin ciples, and the eftablifliment of this feft under the authority of Parliament: prefbytery abollflied after the Reftoration: the intolerance of the preftjyterian hierarchy while it exifted, " and the powers exercifed by it: the mannerof ordination as-praftlfedbylt: the requlfition to take the folemn leao-ue and covenant : the tenor of the teftimonlals given at ordi nations: the rife of a new clafs of minlfters in this period :. and the controverfy on the validity of prefljyterlan ordina- tlpn, tb which It gave rife. P. 263 — 279. . §., 2. Of the Independents. The fundamental principle of thi$ feft: their churches denominated congregational, in diftinftlon irom parochial ¦. the origin of this feft, and firfl: church : their increafe during the proteftorate of Cromwell : a fynod holden by thera: the conftitution of their churches friendly to the exercife of private judgment. P. 279—286. §.3. Oi Ihe Baptifs. Their firft formation into a feparate fociety : a general affembly holden by them in 1689 : a fund raifed forthe fupport of a regular minlfter : the queftions debated at this affembly: the caution of their addrefs t» CONTENTS. XXXI. James II. on his " Declaration of Liberty of Confcience :" . a fummary of their faith and praftice agreed on : the manner in. which the bpfinefs of the affembly was condufted. Another general affembly holden in 1691. Aifliort confeft fion of faith publiflied : a review of fome of its article.'!. A ' third general affembly convened at London: the tranfac- tlons of it : a controverfy concerning vocal mufic inpuhlit! worfliip.- the determination of the affembly on it: an addrefs to King William on the difcovery ofthe affaffinatlon plot: a charge. of denying both the divinity and humanity of Chrift brought againft Mr. Matthew Coffin : Mr. Coffin's defence of himfelf, and the determination of the affembly : the affair refumed and fettled at a fubfequent affembly in the county of Northampton. Public difputations holden at different times and at different places, particularly one at Portfmouth under his Majefty's licence, between the baptifts and paedo- ' baptifts. Mr. Pilkington's hiftory and renunciation of popery : the addrefs of the baptifts on the death oi Jamiesll. Diffe ren t de nominations of baptifts, viz. particular snd general : a peculiar ofiice, thatof meffengers, among them. P. 286-328. Biographical memoirs of eminent charafters amongft the baptifts. Mr. Wm. Kiffin. Mr. Thomas Patient. Mr. John Bunyan, his education, converfion, poverty, preaching, fufferings, and imprifonment ; his enlargement, his labours, death, charafter, and works, particularly the Pilgrim's Progrefs, NLi. Ifaac Lamb. M.r, Thomas Grtinlham. Mr James Marham. Mr. Eaward Morecock. Mr. John Miller. Mr. George Hammon, and others. P. 328 — 369. §. 4. Of the Quakers. Inftances In which the Aft of Toleration was modelled to raeet the fcruples of this party of diffenters, and to afford them relief. An inftancei whicli marked a rigorous fpirit towards them. Their fufferings. An .i^ftpf Parliament to admit their folemn affirmation in- fl^d of an oath paffed, A claufe relative to the exaftment ' xxxii CONTENTS. of tithes Introduced. A bill brought into the Houfe of Lords to enforce the better payment of fmall tithes and other -church dues, oppofed and laid afide. The addrefs of the Society of Friends after the peace of Ryfwick in 1697. The fpirit of perfecution breaks out, and a petition againft them prepared to be prefented to the Houfe of Commons, but difcountenasced. An addrefs from the Society of Friends on the death of James II. P. 369 — 388. Memoirs of fome diftingulftied charafters who appeared in this community: namely, Mr. Alexander Parker, Mtj> Robert Lodge, Mr. Thomas Salthoufe, Mr. Chas. Marfhally Mr. John Crook, Mr. Robert Barclay, afld Mr. George Fox. P. 388-414. CHAPTER IV. New Charitable Inftitutions. Affoqlations for inftruftlon and devotion. The origin of the focieties for the reformation of manners: their progrefs and effefts : their diftributlon of books. . The murder of Mr. Cooper and Mr. Dent. The rife of the " Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge," and of " Charity Schools." The difperfion of bibles, common- prayer books, and trafts. Voltaire's method of enlightening the world, and Count Struenfee's remark upon it. The hiftory of the firft charity fchool opened by proteftant dif fenters. The abufe made of the charity fchools in the eftabliflied churrh, from difaffeftlon to the government: the offence taken at It. The Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge extend their views to other countries, and enlarge their plan by the diftributlon of books in foreign langua^^s, and by the eftablifliment of fchools and miffions. Origin of fhe " Society for the propagation of the Gofpel In New " England and the parts adjacent in America," in 1646 • and the new eftablifli ments given lo it by Charles II. and " CONTENTS. XXXUl King William. The objefts of it. Mr, Ssijife's lefture. A general view of the fermons preached at It, and publiflied under the pat i'Onage of th'6 truftees of the Infl:itution. An account of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Brcty, and his bene volent exertions. P. 415 — 447. CHAPTER V. A Concife Review of Theological Publications. A Spirit of Enquiry, its operation. Trafts publiflied on ' occafion of the Revolution. Locke's " Firft Letter on To- " leratlon ;" the various editions of it, its principle and effefts. "A Letter to a Member of Parliament on the " liberty of the Prefs," and other Trafts on the fame fub- jeft, by Dr. Tyndal and Mr. Charles Blount. Milton's " Areopagitlca." C/z^or<;^'s"Treatife on Human Reafon." " An Enquiry into the Conftitutiori, Dlfcipline, Unity, " and' Worfliip of the Primitive Church, within the firfl: " three centuries." Mr. Clarkfon' s Treatifes. Dr. Thomas Burnet's" Ai-chaeologi^e !Philofophicae ; i.e. An Enquiry "Into the Doftrlne of the antient Philofophers concerning "the Ori^nal of the World," reviewed. Sir Norton Knatchbull's " Annotations upon fome difficult Texts in *' all the books of the Niew Teftament." Mr. - Tong's " Vindication of Nonconfoamlty." Aq Anonymous Pub lication of a candid and liberal Churchman, entided " A " Plea for Abatement in maUers of Conformity to feveral " Injunftions and Orders of the Church of England." " By Ireiitens Junior a conforming Member of the Chiirch '* of, England," 4to, Writers againft Revelation ; Lord Herbert, of Cherbury ; Mr. Thomas Hobbes ; Mr. Charles £&««/; "The. Oracles of Reafon;" the Anfwers to it.-^ x'jtXiv CONttNTS^.- , Dr. TViiliam King's " DKcPurfc coricernlng-the Inven- •'tiofis of men irt the Worfliip of GoD^." Mr. Boyf?s ^*- Rettiiarks Oh it." Mr. 'James Owen's Plea for Scripture ** drdiriatiott." Mr. Locke's " Reafonablcnefs of Ghrift- *'iartity,W delivered in the Scriptures ;" a Review <>f it; the alarrti it created ; Anfwers to it; the Authofs ^In- " dicanon of it. Mr. ifc^af's defence of It. Bifliop Bar- nel's " Expofitlon of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the '' Cfiorcfi t)f England. The Hiftory of it; attacked by Dr. Binties inti! Dr. Bdwards. F. ^4-3- — 504. s^*" " " " \dc-P&^ CHAPTER VL I>« .'iM " .1 Biographical Sketches of Eminent Charafters ^^^ - - ' and Writers. , ^ Dr. Obadiah Grew, Dr. J^ohn Collins. Mr. John Falde. Mr. John Flavel. Mr. Richard Baxter. Mc. Thomas /Ja/^zy^// ; The Profecution of him j^ Judge ^d^. nVj's behaviour on the trial ; the iffue of it. The fenti ments of ~the~ Right "Hon. Charles James Fex. Mr; RofeweWs fubfequent hiftory, and death. The liberal conduft of two Clergymen. Mr. Richard Steel. Mr. Thomas Gilbert. Mr.- 'B^erf- Billio. Mr. Richard Mayo. Mr. Henry Newcome. Dr. Samuel Annefly. Mr. Philip HiTiry. Mr. I^haniet Vincent!'^ Mr. Thonias Co/. 3t?5.i-529." ¦ -"^ * ' -'V- J --i. H Sil' ¦¦''¦¦ -'--¦ > — - ¦ lM-,h qirii-,c.v ;..,,¦.',!-, !o 2mic? 3flj -t.."',^irr'" APPENDIX. •^^"¦' fyii-^i ''"Nbttiberl. "The^ Cafe of the Proteflint Diffenters ; J^ reptelented and argued by Mr. John Hotve. P. 53 1'^542. Numbb^II. -rt An Abftraft of the ReSfons for and ?' againft the Bill of liriain." 'P. 542- <:4q' ^ 2i»win4 - ¦ .' " • , -. . JO iswiiis CONJENlSv XSJ^V ,, Number ILL *' Heads, cf Agreement v.aff^atedv;^ ^ "the .United Minifters in and \ about Xopdon, ,forq(iMly> ",-cal^d' Prefbyterian and Congregational ; not as^ ni^at^ "ffor any national Conftitution, hyt for the Preferyation<.of V Prder in Aur Congregations^ that cannpt.come .up to. the "common rule.by lajy eftahlifhed* P- .|4S— t55,6,,,, \,. -Number IV. " Difle,ftters ^^refs ron the Death of •5 Queen Afczry.". : ' ' srft ^; ,:^;. o.^i » s'sm- Number .V . "Lifts of Studpnts educated in^the different " Seminaries, of which an account, h?ii been- giycn,;'ifroin p. 225 top. 261. I. Mr. Woodhoife's Pupilsj - p. 559 — 567. IL Mt. Warren's, ^ - r-- ?• S^7~Z'5T^' ,^ III. Mr. Charles Moreton s, - - p. 573 — 574. IV. Mr. Frankland's - - - p. 575. RS V. Mr. Doolittle's ^ - - - p.^Ji^i'- 'i e f..«\,; CONTENTS OF TUt N.OtES. " ¦v- -.." : ¦; ^ "i ^ r — , - '.¦....¦¦ -hsiii ? ..iM .Q^4\.<£^v:-. iN'^ .CHAPTER L*' '.v,i::i-^ .-,--.¦ ,JJA^E 23, Inftanfe of . a Pr^fqcytlon for non-attc|iding ^¦^ divine -worfliip: the cafe of .Mr. .Banger, if . a^, the name of the Commiffioners for a reylfal of ihe lltuigy, the forqis of divine worfliip and the book of cannons. P. 32 — 33, Dr. Aldrick and, Dr. -Janf, flcctches of the bio graphy of them. P. 35, tlie original copy ofthe review of. tlie jlitiirgy lodged vvith Dr*, Tainifm. vP. .,39, Family Prayer, the caufe of its dlffife, and .the; .j^;em^dy provided \ ibr this decay of devotion. 3p. 59,^' Vox Cleri," and the anfwers to it. P. 56, Bifliop ^fan^arWs; remark, on, the anfwer of the "Englifh barons, "Nolumus leges Angliae jlXKVl CONTENTS. "mtitari." P. 6i, Archbifliop 5to/4iKr»«'s i«mark on the lower houfe of Convocation, and their notion of religion. P. 63, Dr. Fumtaux's cenfure of the Convocation. P. 73, Dp Kenn, anecdotes of. P. 75, William Penn's charafter vindicated from a mifrcprefentation of it by Bifliop £«r«f^ P. 191, Mr. loc^i's definition of a churcli, CHAPTER II. Seftion 1. The Aft of fubmiffion in the 25th of Henry VIII. p i6r. Dr. Bincies's death.— Seftion 2, p. 179, Dr. Watts's devotional declamation. P. 185, Ballad, called " The Battle Royal.'' — Seftion 3. p. 196, Dr. MouUn's can- dour and retraftation. P. 204, Mr. Orion's recomniendat/on of Dr. Williams's " Gofpel Truth ftated and vindicated." CHAPTER III. Seftion i. p. Zig, the Oxford and Cambridge oaths. P. 230, Certificate of Mr. William Woodhoufe's ordination. P. 237, Mr. Doolittle's meeting, the firft' built after the fire of London. P. 258, affeftmg inftances of the diffolu- tion of the churches of the Proteftants in France— Seftion 2. p. 333, the origin of Diffenters in the town of Bedford. P. 353, Mr. Grantham KilUngworth's charafter. CHAPTER IV. Page 440, Dr. Bentley' s great concern on account of his fermons at Mr. Boyle's lefture. CHAPTER V. Page 463, Mr. azjfor<2f's"Treatife of Human Reafon," cortimended. P. 471, Liberality of the prefent times. P. 484, Ifaac Le Peyrere's Treatifes, imprifonment, and recan tation. P. 487, the Blographias Bri'tannicae, and Goadby's Britifli Biography, correfted. CHAPTER VI. Page 514. The Hon. Mr, Charles James Fox'% letter. A HISTORY OF THE t»ROTESTANT DISSENTERS, tc. IXc. ' From the Revolution to the Death of King William in 1702. INTRODUCTION. THE Act oe Toleration^ with which the reign of King William and Queen Mary began, formed a new epoch in the Ecclefiaftical Hiftory of Great-Britain; While we look back on the ages of fuperftition and fpiritual tyranny, which preceded the Reformation ; and furvey, in later times, the contefts occafioned by the new religious eftablifliment which had its origin during the reign of Henry VIII. but was Iiot brought to a permanent ftate till that df bis daughter Queen Elizabeth ; painful fcenes of oppreffion on one fide, and of fufferings on the otier, pafs before us. The fucceflive reigns of the Stuarts had exhibited a feries of penal ftatutes in religioa and of feverities, the objeft: of which was to filence, if not to exterminate, thofb V?ho protefted B j} INTRODUCTION. againft the defefts of the Reformation from Popery ; called in queftion any of the doftrines retained in the Proteftant Creed j or refufed a compliance with the forms and ceremonial fettled by Afts of Parliament. The Diflente*rs from the Church of England, as it was modelled in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who at their firft origin obtained the name of Puritans, enjoyed a ftiort breathing from the fevere aflaults of perfecution, during the exiftence of the Preflayteriaa form of Church Government, in the time of the Republic. They then bore the ecclefiaftical keys ; but it was not a period of religious freedom and toleration. Authority in religion was ufurped and exercifed in their provincial alTemblies ; and the commonwealth pafled an ordinance for punifliing blafphemies and herefies, than which no decree of any Council, no bull of any Pope, could be more dogmatical or authoritative ; few, if any, have been more fanguinary. The livings of the cpifcopal clergy were fequeftered, and a fevere ordinance was enafted againft thofe who had been thus deprived. During the periods preceding the acceflion of the Prince of Orange to the throne of England, in which one perfecuting meafure had followed another ; trafts had been written, both by the Independents and the Quakers, (fefts newly rifen up,) In the caufe of religious liberty, and in defence of the rights of confcience ; but the arguments in thefe publications, coming from the pens of the oppressed, not of those in power, neither produced a conviftion, nor dif- fcminated juft i^bas on the fubjeft, fo widely as to INTRODUCTION, IU have any general effeft. The alarm and danger ¦which the Church of England 'feh during thfe reign of King James II. , arifing in a grea.t meafure from his precipitate and violent attempts to introduce Popery, contributed much to prepare the . way for the Act of Toleration ; by difpofing the Members and the Clergy of the Eftablifliment to make a common caufe with the DiflTenters, as againft a common enemy. " The Prince of Orange, in his own.opinion, always *' thought, that confcience was Gop's province; *' and that it ought not to be impofed on : and his " experience in. Holland raade him look on tolera- *' tion as one of the wifeft meafures of govern- " ment."* The ueceflities of the times demanded it ; as a bond of union, as a termination of calamitous fcenes, as a fecurity to the new civil eftablifliment, it became neceflafy. It reflected a glory on the aera to which it gave a date; and in the foflowing hif tory it will appear, that the moft favourable confe quences, an enlargement of toleration by new Afts of Legiflature^ freedom of enquiry, and the progrefs of knowledge, followed from it. After many years of religious contention, it was a general aft of pacification. It put an end to the reftraints, fines, imprifonments, and cruelties, which had harafled the confcientious. Though it was partial and limited, and left much to be done, yet it was a moft valuable advantage gained to the interefts of truth ; and it gave to a numerous body of citizens a weight in the * Barnet's " Hiftory of his own Times," vol. ir. p. i6. larao. Edinburgh, B 3 j^ INTRODUCTION. political fcale, which, though it was their birth-righf, and highly beneficial to the community, the ilhbera'- lity and injuftice of former times and foriper reigns had denied them. Notwithftanding the oppreflions fufffered during thofe periods, the Diflenters had in- creafed in numbers; and now confifted of feveral parties, who had not the fame views on all points of religious enquiry and praftice. They ranked under the different denominations of Independents, Preflbyterians, Baptifts, and Quakers. With refpeft to the ftate, indeed, they generally formed but one body : each of thefe denominations, neverthelefs, claims a particular and fpecific notice, and has its own hiftory ; they all participate in the national events and meafures. The fpirit of enquiry, to which the Aft of Toleration gave exiftence, embraced various fubjefts that had not before fallen under inveftiga- tion ; and diffufed its influence through the members of the Eftablifliment itfelf. The human mind began vigoroufly to exert its native powers, and to range with delight through the wide field of religious knowledge. The fafts which the following pages wifl detail, wiU illuftrate and confirm this general ftatement. CHAPTER I. THE GENEBAI HISTORY. THE acceflion of Wifliam Prince of Orange to the Englifli throne diffufed joy through these nations, and all the neighbouring ftates and king doms. It relieved the fears of thofe who were ready to defpair, as to the exiftence of the Proteftant Reli gion and the liberties of Europe : and great hopes were entertained that the religious diflisntions with which Great-Britain had been for many years dis- trafted, would fubfide into harmony and peace. The Prince, in his declaration, publiflied at the time of his expedition into England, promifed his beft efforts to promote a good agreement between the Church of England and all Proteftant Difl!enters; and to proteft and fecure all thofe who would live peaceably under the government, from every kind of perfecution upon the account of their religion. The 6 HISTORY OF THE C. J. Difl'enters, in their addrefles to the throne,* ex prefled an ardent hope that their Majefties would, by their wifdom and authority, eftablift^ a firm union among their Proteftant fubjefts in matters of reli gion ; and compofe the differences between them, by making the rule of Chriftianity the rule of con formity. Though the government was invefted in two royal perfonages, the Queen's difpofitions and principles gave no reafon to apprehend divided counfels. Previoufly to the Revolution, the bifliops and clergy, with great unanimity, had acknowledged the necefljty of widening the ecclefiaftical founda tion, and of forming a clofer correfppndence with the foreign Proteftants. The behaviour of the Proteftant Diflenters at that critical junfture, it was confeflid, v/as fo -wdfe and generous, that it juftly entitled them to the friendfliip of the Church ; which, unlefs it were " refolved to fet all the world againft it," as Bifliop Burnet expreflfes hirafelf, could not decline all the returns of eafe and favour which were in its power. f It alfo augured well, that the Aft of Toleration, exempting Diffenters frora all penalties for not going to church, and for holding feparate meetings, on condition of taking out warrants for the houfes in which they -ciflemblcd, and including an obligation on the juftices to grant fuch warrants, pafl'ed eafily. It was propofed by fome, that this * See my edition of Neal's " Hiftory of the Puritans," b v P-7S, 79, So. 1 Dr. C'Jamy 's Abridgement of Baxter's Life, vol. ii. p. 427. C. I. PROTESTANT DISiENTERS. 7 Aft fliould be in force only for a limited time, as a temporary indulgence, that it might be an induce ment with the Diflenters to demean themfelves in a manner which would merit the renewal of it, when the ftipulated term of years fliould expire ; but this amendment was rejefted, from obferving the general difpofition in favour of the Aft, and from an appre- henfion that no future time might prove fo favourable to its being enafted. The party of Chriftians called Socinians were excepted from the benefit of this Aft : but it afforded proteftion to the Quakers ; and indulged them with a permiflion to give fecurity for their allegiance to government by a folemn declaration, in lieu of the oaths required from other diffenters. In thefe refpefts the afpeft of the times was pro mifing ; but darknefs and clouds, portending future ftorms, foon gathered. New animofitles arofe ; different fenfations, both as to political and eccle fiaftical matters, agitated the public mind. Some, fince King James, to whom they had fworn allegiance, was ftili alive, fcrupled taking the oaths to the new government. While many, from a wife and liberal defign of ftrengthening the foundations of the new ftate of things, propofed alterations and amendments in the conftitution, worfliip, and dlfcipline of the Church : others ftrenuoufly oppofed any change. Thefe controverfies were managed with great warmth and eagernefs. The Diflenters, hoping that they Ihould, in the iflue, be no lofers bjr fuch debates. 8 HISTORM GF THE C. I. flood by, making their remarks. They were much encouraged in this hope, by obferving, that in the recent aifputes with the Papifts, the Divines of the Eftabliflied Church had been obliged to appeal to more correft and found prit^ciples of Proteftantifm than they had before entertained ; and had been led into more liberal views and more confiftent fentiments. When the fucccflion to the throne, which James lid's abdication had left vacant, was determined and fettled, the fpirit of animofity foon broke out again; and fubfequent proceedings cut off all their hopes of a more perfeft union with the Diffenters than was effefted by the Aft of Toleration. In 1689, Bills for a comprehenfion and an indulgence were brought into Parliament ; both were canvafled ; and many and warm debates took place in the Houfes of Lords and Commons. Some, of confined and illiberal views, forgot their forraer declarations and promifes, and argued for keeping the DiflTenters under a bond : others expreffed more generous difpofitions, and were advocates for meafures which would meet their fcruples and conciliate their minds. But Burnet fays, " that thofe who moved for the " Bill of Gcrnprehenfion, and afterwards brought it " into the Houfe, afted a very difingenuous part ; " for while they ftudied to recommend themfelves " by this fliew of moderation, they urged their " friends to oppofe it ; and thofe who gave it their " cordial fupport, were reprefented as enemies to p. I. PROTESTANT D1,SSENTERS. Q .*' the Church, and as aftuated by a fecret intentioii " to fubvert it.* At this junfture, Mr. Howe, who had been ejefted by the Aft of Uniformity, from the reftory of Great Torrington in Devonfliire, publiflied a ftiect of paper, in which he fairly and candidly ftated the cafe of the Diflenters, and with great ability and judgment pleaded their rights. His traft proceeded on this undoubted principle, thatthe Diflenters were under one common obligation, with the reft of mankind, by the univerfal law of nature, to worfliip God in public aflemblies. His reafoning is then direfted and applied to exifting fafts ; namely, that things were annexed to the public worfliip of reformed Chriftianity in the Church of England, which, it was acknowledged, were neither neceffary in themfelves, nor parts of Chriftianity. As the Diffenters judged them to be in fome part finful, they could not with a good confcience con form to the public worfliip which the law enjoined ; and yet the law ftriftly forbad their aflfembling to worfliip God otherwife. This was as if the Legif- lature fliould fay, " Ifyou will not confent with us f in our fupperadded rites and modes againft your " confciences, you fliall not worfliip God ; or ifyou " will not accept our additions to the Chriftian " religion, you fliall not be Chriftians;" and manifeftly tended to reduce a great part of a Chrift ian nation to Paganifm. Dn thefe premifes, as the * Burnet's "Hiftory of his own Times," vol. iv.p. 15. Edinb. edit, in larao. 30 HISTORY OF THE C. I. Diffenters had been accuftomed for many years, unlefs when reflrained by violence, to hold diftinft affemblies, and to worfliip God in a way which their confciences approved ; Mr. Howe enquires, whether they are to be blamed for this conduft ? Whether laws enjoining additions to our religion, acknowledged by all not to be effential and neceffary, and deemed by many finful, and thus becoming exclufive terms of communion, ought to have been pafled ? Whether fuch laws fliould be continued ? efpecially when they were enafted by a Parliament, which, there was much reafon to believe, fuffered itfelf to be dealt with to enflave the nation, in feveral refpefts; and which, to his honour, the noble Earl of Danby procured to be diffolved, as the firft Mlep- towards the deliverance of the nation ? And whether it were reafonable to exclude all that con form not in every thing to the Church of England, from any part or fhare of the civil power ? The author difcufled thefe queftions with much pertinence ¦ of illuftration, and force of argument. Amongft other obfervations, he fays, " It ought to be con- " fidered that Chriftianity, wherein it fuperadds to " the law of nature, is all matter of revelation ; and " it is well known, that even araong Pagans, in fettling " rites and inftitutes of religion, revelation was pre- " tended at leaft ; upon an implied principle, that in " fuch matters human power could not oblige the " people's confciences. This appears by the conduft " of Numa, who affefted to derive his pacific code of " religious laws from the nymph Egeria. And the p, I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. JI " priefts, to whom the regulation of fuch matters " was left, were believed to be infpired." This fmall tract has been twice delivered to the public by Dr. Calaniy; but as it cannot fail to gratify, we fliall infert it in the Appendix. The fentiments which Mr. Howe advanced and defended from the prefs, had the fanftion of the King from the throne. In one of his fpeeches to the two Houfes, March 18, 1689, he expreffed his hope, " that they would leave room for the admiffion " of allProteftants whowere willing and able to ferve " him." This he recommended as " a meafure, " which would more clofely unite thera together, and " fbrengthen them againft the comnion adverfary." Purfuant hereto, when the Aft for abrogating the oaths of allegiance and fupreraacy, and appointing other oaths, was read a fecond time in the Houfe of 'Lords, a claufe was propofed, to take away the neceflity of receiving the Sacrament at Church to make a man capable of holding any office. This claufe was afterwards reported to the Houfe, but it was rejefted by a great majority. The Lords Delamere, Stamford, North, Grey, Chefterfield, Wharton, Lovelace, and Vaughan, entered their proteft againft the decifion of the Houfe ; a proteft grounded on thefe principles: " That an hearty union " amongft Proteftants is a greater fecurity to the " Church and State, than any ceft that could be in- " vented: that this obligation toreceive the Sacrament, • No.L See alfoCalamy'sAbridgementofBaxter's Life, vol. ii. p. 489—439 5 and Life of Mr. Howe, p. i46-^a6a. 12 HISTORY OF THE C. I. « is a teft on Proteftants rather than on^Papifts: that " fo long as it is continued, there could not be that •' hearty and thorough union among Proteftants f ' which has always been wiflied, and is at this time '< indifpenfably neceffary ; and laftly, that a greater f' caution ought not to be required from fuch as " were admitted into offices, than from the Members " of the two Houfes of Parliament, who were not ^' obliged to receive the Sacrament to enable thera " to fit in either Houfe."* This claufe being loft; another modification of the Teft Laws was propofed, by a claufe of provifo, that any man fliould be fufficiently qualified for any office, employment, or place of truft, who, within a year before or after his admiffion or entrance' there into, did receive the Sacrament ofthe Lord's Supper, either according to the ufage of the Church of England, or in any other Proteftant congregation, and could produce a certificate under the hands of the Minifter and two other credible perfons, members of fuch a Proteftant congregation. It was a recommendation of this provifo, that while it confulted the fcruples of the moderate diflHuter, it was an effeftual barrier againft the confcientious Papift's intrufion into office ; and left the mode and circumftances of receiving the Sacrament, as an inftance of obedience to the divine inftitution, and a deliberate aft of pure devotion, to the judg ment and confciences of individuals. But the mild *- A, complete Colleaion of Protefts, p. 62, 63.— Bireh's Life of Tilloifon, p. ijQ, 17J. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 13 counfels of wifdom and equity are not heard amidft the agitations of party. On the queftion being put, this claufe was hkewife rejefted by a great ma jority. Six Lords diftinguiflied themfelves by entering their diflfent: namely, Oxford, Lovelace, Wharton, Mordaunt, Montague, and Paget. Their proteft was placed on thefe grounds : " That the rejeftion *' of the claufe gave a great part of the Proteftant " freemen reafon to complain of hard ufage ; and ** it deprived the king and kingdom, for a mere " fcruple of confcience, which implicated no caufe of *' fufpicion or difaffeftlon to the government, of the " fervices of divers fit and able men : That when the " King had, as the common and indulgent father of " his people, expreflsd an earneft defire of liberty " for tender confciences to his Proteftant fubjefts, " and divers bifliops had profeffed the fame and " owned its reafonablcnefs, there was reafon to " apprehend it would, by confining fecular employ- ** ments to ecclefiaftical conformity, raife fufpicions *' in men's minds of fomething different from the cafe " of religion and the public, or a defign to heal the *' national breaches : That, to fet a mark of humi- *' liation and diftinftlon on any fort of men, who had *' not rendered themfelves juftly fufpefted to the " governraent, ought always to be avoided by the *' makers of juft and equitable laws ; but would " have a particular iU effeft ou the reformed intereft " at home and abroad, at a junfture that ftood in *' need of the united hands and hearts of all Pro- " teftants : That it turned the edge of a law, intended 14 HISTORY QF THE « againft Papifts, upon Proteftants and the friends " of government ; and made taking the Sacrament " the means of weakening the intereft of ProteftantSj^ " by carting off a partof them: That as the myfteries " of religion and divine worfliip are of divine " original, and of a nature wholly diftinft from the " fecular affairs of public fociety, they cannot be " applied to thofe ends ; and, by the law of the" " Gofpel, and on the principles of prudence, offence'- " ought not to be given to tender confciences, " within or without the Church, by mixing facred " myfteries with fecular interefts ; and, that to punifti " any one without a crime is inconfiftent with the " law of God, with common equity, and the right " of every free-born fubjeft. If not to take the " Sacrament according to the ufage of the Church " of England be a crime, every one ought to be " puniftied for it; this no one affirms : If it be no " crime, thofe who are capable and judged fit for " employment by the King, ought not to be puniflled " with a law of exclusion, for not doing that which " it is no crime to forbear : And that taking the Sa- " crament in any Proteftant congregation would be " as effeftual a teft to difcover and keep outPapifts."* Thefe Bills, which had a conciliatory tendency, having failed ; the objeft which had been propofed by them was brought forward under another form, in a Bill '^' for uniting their Majefties' Proteftant " fubjefts." In the Committee this Bill underwent feveral amendmems. Bifliop Burnet moved a • Colleffion of Protefts, p. 64, 65. C. I. PROTESTANT DISS^ENTERS. 15 provifo, that the fubfcription it requires to the Articles ftiould only be, inftead of aflent and confenr, to fubtnit, with a promife of conformity. There was alfo a provifo for difpenfing with kneeling at the Sacrament, and being baptized with the fign of the Crofs, to fuch as, after conference upon thofe heads, fliould folemnly proteft they were not fatisfied as to the lawfulnefs of them. Another provifo was offered, that in imitation of the Afts paffed in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Edward VI., a number of perfons, both of the clergy and laity, fliould be empowered to prepare fuch a reformation of things, relating to the Church, as might be offered to the King and Parliament, in order to heal the exifting divifions, and to correft the errors and defefts of the conftitution. The firft provifo was, obvioufly, little calculafed to yield fatisfaftion to a fcrupulous mind ; for integrity would revolt at a promife of conforming to points, to which the judgment could not confcientioufly and fincerely giveits affent. And the bifliop incurred, by moving it, the fevere cen fure of the clergy ; as he did alfo, by the zealous fupport which he gave to the claufe for difpenfing with the pofture of kneeling at the Sacrament. Th6 fecond provifo occafioned a warm debate; for the chief exception of the DiflTenters being direfted againft the pofture, it was thought that to give up this, was to open a way for them to come into em ployments : yet it was carried in the Houfe of Lords. The third provifo, that fome laymen fliould be •included iu the commiflion, was preffed with great 16 HISTORI' OF THE C. I.^ earneftnefs by many of the temporal lords. Bifliop Burnet Was againft it for fear of offending the clergy; under an apprehenfion, that they would look upon it as taking the matter out of their hands^ when he thought fhey were difpofed to come into the defign with zeal and unanimity. But he was foon afterwards convinced that he had taken a wrong meafure, and that the method prOpofed by the temporal lords was the only one that was likely to prove effeftual. Upon the queftion being put, the votes, with the proxies, were equal ; and fo it was, according to the ancient rule in like cafes," " femper praefuraiter pro negante," the decifion was confidered as a negative. Leave was given to any lords to enter diffents : accordingly, the Marquis of Winchefter, Lords Mordaunt and Lovelace, protefted, on the following reafons : "That the aft being defigned for the peace "of the ftate, exclufively to put the clergy into the " commiffion, as if they alone were friends to it, laid " an humiliation on the laity, as lefs able or lefs con- " cerned to provide for it : That there could be no *' reafon why commiffioners for altering things of .a *' civil conftitution only, which derived their eftablifli- " ment from the King, Lords, and Commons, fliould " confift of men of one order only ; but on the " fuppofition, that human reafon was to be quitted in " this affair, andthe infpiraiionof fpiritual men alone " to be depended upon : That though, upon Romifli " principles, the clergy alone may have a right to " meddle in raatters of religion; yet this did not hold C.I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ]7 " where the Church was acknowledged to confift of " laity as well as clergy; fo thofe matters of religion " which fall under human determination, being pro- " perly the bufinefs of the Church, belong to hoth, " as neither clergy or laity can make any alteration in " divine inftitutions: That to plead, that the mixing *' of laymen with ecclefiafticswould fruftrate thedefign " of the commiffion, by the rife of differences and " delays, was vain and out of doors ; unlefs on the " fuppofition that the clergy and laity have diftinft *' interefts; a reafon, if good, why one or other fliould *' quit the houfe, for fear of obftrufting the bufinefs *' of it : That the fatisfaftion of DiflTenters being in- *' tended by the commiffion, it was convenient, more " effeftually to find expedients for that end, to mix in *' it laymen of different ranks and of different opinions *' too, than confine it only to clergymen, who are ** obferved to have generally much the fame way of *' reafoningand thinking: That the moftready way to " facilitate thepaffing of any alterations into a law, " was to join in the commiffion lay lords and com- *« mons, who might be able to fatisfy both houfes of *',the reafons upon which theywere made; and " thereby remove all fears andjealoufies which evil *' men might raifeagainft the clergy, of endeavouring, " without grounds, to keep up a diftinct intereft from " that of the laity, whom they fo carefully exclude ** from joining with them in confultations of common *' concernment, as to debar them from any part in the *' deliberation, who have the greateft in the determi- " nation : That fuch a reftriftcdcommiffion was open c 18 HISTORY OF THE C. I. " to this great objeftion, that it might be made ufe "of to evade repeated promifes and the general « expectation of a compliance with tender con- *' fciences ; when providing for it was taken out " of the ordinary courfe of Parliament, and put " into the hands of thofe alone who were lateft in *' admitting any need of it, and who might be *' thought, fince they were looked upon by fome as " parties, to be the more unfit to be the fole com- *' pofers of differences : And laftly, that it carriedwith *' it a dangerous fuppofition, as if the laity were not ' « a part of the Church, nor had any power to meddle " in matters of religion ; a fuppofition dircftly *' oppofite to the conftitution both of church and ** ftate ; a fuppofition, which would make all altera- " tions utterly impoffible, fince what is eftabliflied *' by law cannot be taken away or changed but " by confent of laymen in Parliament, the clergy " themfelves having no authority to meddle in this " very cafe, in which the laity are excluded by this " vote, but what they derive from lay hands. To thefe reafons the Earl of Stamford added, *' That as well on other grounds he diflen.ted on this " reafon ; becaufe it was contrary to the three " ftatutes made in the reign of Henry VIIL and one " in Edward VI. which empowered thirty-two com- " miffioners to alter the canon and ecclefiaftical <' law, &c. whereof fixteen to be of the laity, and " fixteen pf the clergy." This proteft of the Lords has, with great propriety, been charafterized by a very fenfible writer, as " an C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 19 *' admirable proteft."* But, asufual, the matter was decided more by the prejudices of party, than by the principlesof reafon and eq\iity; and' the proteft ofthe lords had no other effeft, than to exprefs their own liberal and juft fentiments, and to convey down to pofterity a vindication of their own conduct. The bill was fent down to the Houfe of Commons, arid it was aflowed to lie on the table. But inftead of proceeding in it, they refolved on an addrefs to the King, requefting him to furnmon a convocation of the clergy to attend, according to cuftom, on the feffion of Parliament. The Lords joined in this addrefs, which was prefented to his Majefty on the 20th of April. He returned no anfwer till the nekt day, when he declared that the Church of England fliould always be his peculiar care. He exprefled his hope, that the eafe defigned for Dif fenters, which the addrefs profefled it was their intention to take into confideration, would very much contribute to the eftablifliment of the Church ; he earneftly recommended it to them to remove the occafions of differences and animofitles ; and pro mifed, as foon as it would be convenient, to fummon a convocation. The party that was now beginning to be formed againft the government, fays Bifliop Burner, pretended great zeal for the Church, and declared their apprehenfions that it , was in danger. Thefe men, as they were unfriendly and reluftant even 10 the toleration, fo they were much offended » Belftiaro's Hiftory of William UI. vol. i. p. i»». C 2 20 HISTORY OF THE C. 1. with the BiU of Union, as containing matters rela tive to the Church, on which the reprefentativebody of the clergy had. not even been convened. Even they who affefted to be moft favourable to the Diffenters did not give their fupport to the bil|. Their maxim was, that it was neceffary to keep up a ftrong faftion in church and ftate. Any mea fures which would render fo great a body as the Prefljyterians cafy, aifd conciliate their minds to the Church, were not, in their opinion, confiftent with this maxim. The toleration, they con ceived, would be beft maintained, in proportion as the numbers who needed it, and were interefted in the prefervation of it, were great. On thefe principles the BiU of Union, being at once zealoufly oppofed, and feebly fupported, proved abortive."* The temper and fituation of the nation, while this affair was agitated, appears from a converfation which took place inthe prefence of Sir John Rerefby, governor of York, and afterwards a non-juror. A few days after their Majefties' coronation. Dr. Burnet, bifliop of Salifbury, complained to the Mar quis of Halifax, lord privy feal, of the flow proceed ings of the Commons, faying the Dutch would clap up a peace with France, if they did not mend their • Burnet's Hiftory of his own Times, vol. iv. p. 15, z6i It would interrupt the narrative by a long digreffion, were the rea fons urged in favour of the Bill of Union, and againft it, to be drawn out into a ful] ftatement ; but it may give the reader fatis faftion to fee how the matter was argued, and affift him in judging of the principles on which the Bill was loft, if we lay before him, rom the ftate papers, an abftraftof thofe reafons. See AppendixII. €. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 21 pace. He obferved, that the Church ofEtigland was in the fault, and exprefli^d himfelf as if he thought they meant a kindncfs to King James by their raethod of procedure. The Lord Privy Seal agreed with him in his fentiments ; and added, the Church people hated the Dutch, and would rather turn Papifts than receive the Prefbyterians among them : but that, on the other hand, thefe were to the full as rank and inveterate as thofe, and would marr all their bufinefs by their inadvertence with regard to their Bill of Comprehenfion, and their ill. timing of other biUs; in fliort, that they would difguft thofe from whom they looked for indulgence. Both his lordfliip and the bifliop exprefled their anger at the addrefs which the Commons prefented to the King on the day before, the 19th of April, re minding him of his promifes to the Church of England, defiring him to fupport and defend it, and moving for a convocation. This, the bifliop faid, would be the utter ruin ofthe comprehenfion fcheme.* In this ftate of parties, and under this agitation of the public niind, it will appear an important point gained, that in May the Toleration Aft, which we have already mentioned, pafled with little oppofition. When we refleft on the inefficiency of the more en larged views and the liberal wiflies expreffed by the King; on the unfuccefsful iflue of other conciliating meafures, which were propofed ; and on the impla cable hatred to the non-conformifts fliewn at that time by the clergy, who difcovered a difpofition to » 5ir John Rerefby's Memoirs, p. U2> 344. 22 HISTORY OF THE C. I. renew old feverities ; it may feem a matter of fur- prize that this Aft was carried ; an Aft which gave a legal fanftion to the religious aflemblies of Pro teftant Difl'enters, and put them under proteftion. " Wife and good men," fays Bifliop Burnet, " did " very much applaud the quieting the nation by the " toleration. It feemed to be fuitable, both to the " fpirit of the Chriftian religion, and to the intereft " of the nation. It was thought very unreafonable, *' that while we were complaining of the cruelty of " the Church of Rome, we fliould fall into fuch " praftices among ourfelves; chiefly, while we were " engaging in a war, in the progrefs of which we " fliould need the united ftrength of the whole " nation."* This Aft was a«great acquifition. ^In language of high authority, that of Lord Mansfield, " It ren- *' dered that which was illegal before, now legal ; " the diffenting way of worfliip is permitted and *' allowed by that Aft; it is not only exempted " from punilhment, but rendered innocent and law- " ful ; it is eftablijhed; it is put under \ht proteSJion, " and is not merely at the connivance, of the law." From that time the human mind began to feel its powers, a.nd to expand itfelf with freedora and vigour. Here was laid the bafis of that religious. liberty, which has been the felicity and honour of fucceeding times ; and it opened a way for further improvements and future enlargements in the fpirit and exemptions of the Aft itfelf. It is gratifying to * Hiftory of his own Times, p. i6. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. gS refleft that this Aft has, we may hope not without effeft, held up an inftruftive model to the reft of Europe ; and the principles of it, that is, juft and enlarged fentiments on the rights of confcience, have been diffiifing themfelves over the continent, and have been tranfplanted into America. But after every encomium to which it has a jufl: claim has been beftowed upon it, this firft charter of religious freedom was confufed and partial. It by no means repealed all the penal ftatutes on the fubjedt of religion. It left tbe laws againft the Papifts in full force.* It did not abrogate the ftatutes of Elizabeth and James I. that enaft the inflifting of certain penalties on fuch as abfent themfelves frora divine worfliip in the Eftabliflied Church.-j- It ftill left herefy fubjeft to cognizance in the ecclefiaftical court; and a clergyman convifted of it to depriva- * For a fummary of thefe Jaws, as they exift at prefent, fee Blackftone's Commentaries, vol. iv. ch. 4. p. 55. Edition by Williams, 1791.' + " About the year 1788, a poor man, a diffenter, in Cornwall^ " was libelled in the Spiritual Coui't for not attending divine worlhip " at his parifli church on the Lord's-day. He had not taken the " oaths required by the AS. of Toleration, but it being a fufBcient " defence to take them at any time during the profecution, he applied " to the Magiftrates of the county at their Quarter-Seffions, who ille- " gaily refused to administer them. The confequence was, that he " was excommunicated. Upon a reprefentation from the Committee " of Diflenters in London, for guarding the civil rights of the Diflent- ^' ers, the Chairman of the Seflions acknowledged the error of the " Juftices, and the man took the oaths at the enfuing Seflions ; but it "was then too late." High Church Politics, IJ.69. I, remember about 176a, Mr. Banger, a grocer in extenfive bufinefs, and arefpeft- abl» charafter, at SeatOD, a village in theiouth of Devon, having ^ 24 HISTORY OF THE C. I. tion, degradation, and excommunication ; and a layman to the latter with all its train of feveiitics. Its operation and benefits are limited to Proteftant Diffenters only ; and did not embrace all of them, for Unitarian Chriftians are exprefsly excepted. As to thofe whora it does comprehend, its influence is confined. It has hs exclufive claufes, not only re quiring from all who would, plead the benefits of it the oaths to government, but exafting of their teachers fubfcription to the thirty-nine articles, with an exprefs exception, indeed, of thofe relating to the government and powers of the Church, and to infant baptifm ; but it did not fuperfede the Corporation and Teft Afts ; and, at this time, after repeated ap plications to Parliament renewed in different periods, the Diffenters ftill lie under the obloquy, ftUl feel aU the difabilities, attached to thofe Afts. The Tole ration Aft did not exonerate the Diffenters from the ^ obligation impofed on thera to contribute to the maintenance of the public religious eftablifliment, though they do not attend on its miniftrations. The Toleration Aft did not give any fanftion, or permif- fion to the folemnization of marriage in their own affemblies and by their own minifters. The Jews, indeed, have enjoyed that privilege, and the Quakers affumed it to themfelves. There was great truth and quarrel with the vicar, which led him to abfent himfelf from the worhip ofthe parilh cijurch, was threatened by him with the ex ecution of the kws above mentioned ; and to fcreen himfelf fr(5ni procv;t4mgs on them, he joined a neighbouring congregation of Pifl'enters at t'olyfon, ..f which I was the Minifter; and where he bad before frequently attended. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 25 propriety in the manner in which Mr. Locke repre fented the nature of this Aft, in his let er to Lim- borch ; " You have, I doubt not, heard before this, " that toleration is at laft eftabliflied here by law. " Not indeed with that latitude with which you and *' other Chriftians like you, free from ambition and *' prejudice, and lovers of truth, might wiffi. But *' it is a great point to proceed fo far. In thefe " beginnings are laid, I hope, thofe foundations " of liberty and peace, in which the Church of *' Christ will be finaUy eftabliflied." The King felt great fatisfaftion in paffing this bilk It coincided with the fixed principle of his mind, — that confcience was the province of God, fubjeft to his jurifdiction alone ; and not to be reftrained by huraan impofitions. The Diffenters were la- tisfied and thankful ; but it was the fubjeft of j egret wilh many of the clergy : Dr. Robert South, his biographer owns, by no means liked it.* Though the Bill for a comprehenfion had failed, yet the Diffenters were encouraged in a hope that the great objeft would yet be obtained by other mea fures which were adopted to bring it about. The defign was not relinquiflied bythe King; but renewed and purfued under another forra. Dr. Tillotfon, while the matter was depending before the Houfe, re minded the King that the Reformation, becaufe it refted on Parliamentary aurhonty, was a fubjeft of jeft with the Catholics. That no new occafion might be given to a charge of this nature, he * Calamy'? Life of Mr. Howe, p. 163. J<5 HISTORY GF THK t.W advifed referring the matter to an ecclefiaftical fynod, as a mode of proceeding more agreeable to the clergy, and calculated to command the religious yefpeft of the people. He judged it would be beft, for the fake of expedition, and for bringing the affair to a point, that the .King, as had formerly been the praftice, by his letters patent fliould authorife a feleft number of learned divines to meet together, and confult on the moft proper methods of healing the wounds of the Church ; and renewing harmony between it and the Diffenters, on permanent grounds. The fcheme of union prepared by them was to be laid before the Convocation ; and if ap proved, it was to receive the fanftion of Parliament. The King acceded to this propofal ; and on 1 3th of September, 1689, invefted ten bifliops and twenty divines with an authority to prepare matters to be laid before the Convocation, under the direftion of the following commiffion : " Whereas the parti- *' cular forms of divine worfhip, and the rites and *' ceremonies appointed to be ufed therein, being *' things in their own nature indifferent and alter- *' ble, and fo acknowledged ; it is but reafonable *' that upon weighty and important confideration s, " according to the various exigencies of time and " occafions, fuch changes and alterations fliould be *' made therein, as to thofe that are in place and *' authority fliould from time to time feem either " neceffary or expedient ; And whereas the book " of canons is fit to be reviewed, and made more •' fuitable to the ftate of the Chnrch: And whereas C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS, ST* *' there are defefts and abufes in the ecclefiaftical " courts and jurifdjftions ; and particularly there *' is not fufficient provifion made for the removing " of fcandalous minifters, and for the reforming *' of manners either in minifters or people : And " whereas it is moft fit, that there fliould be a ftrift " method prefcribed for the examination of fuch " perfons as defire to be admitted into holy orders, *' both as to their learning and manners ; We " therefore, out of our pious and princely care " for the good order and edification and unity " of the Church of England, committed to our *' charge and care, and for the reconciling, as much " as is poffible, of all differences among our good *' fubjefts, and to take away all occafions of like *' for the future, have thought fit to authorize and *' empower you, &c.* and any nine of you, whereof * The fen Bijhops, who' were empowered to aft uhder this commiflion, were Dr. Thomas Lamplugh, York; Dr. Henry Compton, London ; Dr. William Lloyd, St. Afaph ; Dr. Thomas Sprat, Rochefter ; Dr. Thomas Smith, Carlifle ;' Dr. Jonathan Trelawney, Exeter ; Dr. Gilbert Burnet, Salifbury ; Dr. Humphrey Humphreys, Bangor ; Dr. Peter Mew, Winchefter ; Dr. Nicholas Stratford, Chefter. The twenty Divines.— Hr.'EA.-vis.rA Stillingfleet, dean of St. Paul's, foon after bifliop of Worcefter ; Dr. Simon Patrick, dean of Peterborough, and foon after bifhop of Chichefter ; Dr. John Tillotfon, dean of Canterbury, and foon after of St. Paul's ; Dr. Richard Meggot, dean of Winchefter ; Dr. John Sharp, dean of Norwich ; Dr. John Montagu, mafter of Trinity College, Cam bridge ; Dr. John Goodman, archdeacon of Middlefex ; Dr. Wm^ Beveridge, archdeacon of Colchefter ; Dr. John Batteley, arch deacon of Canterbury; Dr. Charles Alfton, archdeacon of EfTex ; Dr. Richard Kidder, foon after made dean of Peterborough; Dr, Henry Aldrich,dean of Chrift-Churchj Oxford ; Dr. Wm.Janc, 28 HISTORY OP THE C. I. *' three to be bifliops, to meet from time to time, « as often as fliall be needful, and to prepare fuch " alterations of the liturgy and canons, and fuch *' propofals for the reformation of ecclefiaftical " courts, and to confider fuch other matters, as in *' your judgment may moft conduce to the ends *' above-mentioned." Great care was taken in the choice of thefe commiffioners, Bifliop Burnet fays, to name them fo impartially, that no exception could lie againft any of them. Many of them were men who held high ftations in the Church, and by their learning and virtues were diftinguiflied ornaments of it; asforae of them then filled episcopal,fees, fo others of them rofe afterwards to the fame eminence. A refpeftable number of them, it may be concluded from the fpirit of ^their Writings and their general charafters, were not indifferent to the attainment of the pacific objeft 6f their commiffion. They had before them all the books and papers that had at any time been offered by the diffenters, exhibiting their demands ; for, before the civil wars, the Pu ritans had ftated their objeftions to theferviceof the eftabliflied Church. The Nonconformifts, after the Reftoration, had reprefented their grounds of dif- approbation. And they were furniflied with the regius profeflbr of divinity in the Univerfity of OKford ; Dr. John Hall, Margaret profelTor of divinity in the fame Univerfity ; Dr. Jofeph Beaumont, regius profeflbr in tlie Univerfity of Cambridge; Dr. Thomas Tenifon, archdeacon of London ; Dr. John Scott, prebendary of St. Paul's; Dr. Edward Eowler, prebendary of Glocefter ; Dr. Robert Grove, prebendary of St, Paul's ; and Dr, John WiUiams, prebendarj of St. Paul's. G. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. gCjf advices and propofitions, which the moft learned divines of the Church had at different times fug- gefted, and of which Dr. Stillingfleet had made a great coUeftion. The commiffioners only refumed and gave new force to a defign, which at the latter end of the preceding reign had been concerted by Dr. Sancroft, archbifliop of Canterbury, and which he formed partly out of tendernefs to the Diffenters, and partiy that the Church raight not be unprovided with fuitable and expedient plans of Conduft at the Revolution, which his fagacity anti cipated, as it had been at the Reftoration. The commiffion under which they were to aft, was not only a prudential but a neceffary legal precaution ; as the clergy would have fubjefted themfelves to the penalties of a prEemunire, by attempting to frame new canons, without the King's leave firft obtained.* It had a favourable afpeft on the defign of the comraiffion, that Dr. Tillotfon, one of the com miffioners, drew up a paper entitled " Conceffions, *' which will probably be made by the Church of " England for the union of Proteftants ;" which on September 13, 16S9, he fent by Dr. Stillingfleet, another- commiffioner of great weight of charafter, to the Earl of Portland. The plan of accommodation propofed in it was to leave indifferent the ceremo nies enjoined, or recomraended in the liturgy or canons; to revife the liturgy carefully, leaving out the apocryphal Itffons, correfting the tranflation of • Belfliam's Hiftory of Great-Britiln from the Revolution, vol. \. p. IJO ; and Burnet, vol. iv. p. 44. 30 HISTORY OF THE C. I. the Pfalms where it was neceffary, and making fuch alterations as would fupply defefts, or remove every ground of exception : to fubftitute, in the room of all former declarations and fubfcriptions, one general declaration or promife, viz. to fabmit to the doftrine, dlfcipline, and worfliip of the Church of England, as it fliall be eftabliflied by law, and to teach and pra£life accordingly, as the condition of being admitted to exercife the office of the facred miniftry in it. To frame, with a view to the more effeftual reformation of manners in minifters and people, a new body of ecclefiaftical canons ; to take out of the hands of lay-officers, and to inveft in the bifliops, the power o/ excommunication, confining its exercife to great and important occafions; and to introduce an effectual regulation of the ecclefiaftical courts: not to require, as a term of preferment in the Church of England, thofe who had been ordained in any fo reign reformed Church, to be re-ordained : to limit, in future, the capacity of holding any ecclefiaftical benefice or preferment in the Church of England, to thofe who are ordained by bifliops, with a pro- yjfion that thofe who had been ordained by prefliyters only ffiould not be compelled to renounce their former ordination. And with another provifion to meet the fcruples of thofe who, when epifcopal or dination might be had and was required by law, doubted of the validity of ordination merely by preftiyters ; the Doftor propofed, that it fliould be fufficient for fuch perfons to receive ordination from a bifliop in this or the like form, " if thou art not C. 1.. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 31 ** already ordained, I ordain thee, &c." As in cafe a doubt fliould arife as to any one's baptifm, it is appointed by the liturgy, that he be baptized in this form, " If thou art not baptized, i baptize thee."* The ecclefiaftical commiffioners opened their com miffion in the Jerufalera Chamber on the loth of Oftdber 1689. Some who were named in it either did not appear : or foon deferted their brethren, among thefe were Dr. Mew, bifliop of Winchefter, and Dr. Spratt, bifliop of Rochefter, both of whom had, for fome time, afted under the very illegal and tyrannical ecclefiaftical commiffion fet up by James II. in 1686 ; illegal, as contrary to the ftatute by which the high commiffion had been put down in 1641; and tyrannical, as it invefted the commiffioncrs^ with a power to proceed in all ecclefiaftical matters in a fummary and arbitrary way. Thefe prelates, who had afted under a commiffion contrary to law, and had fanftioned a ftretch of prerogative which was defigned to opprefs even the clergy, on the prefent occafion, when the objeft was to unite dif- cordant parties and to eftablifli Proteftantifm en the •firm bafis of union, felt peculiar fcruples. Thefe prelates, as a judicious hiftorian fays with a keen but a too juft feverity of one of them. Dr. Sprat, " proved themfelves to belong to that odious and " pharifaical fraternity, who ftrain at a gnat and " fwallowa camel." They pleaded, that by an Aft of Parliament in the reign of King Henry VIII. the clergy were laid under an obligation not to enter * Dr. Birch's Life of Archbifliop Tillotfon, p. i8»— 184. 32 HISTORY OF THE C. 1. into any debates about making alterations in Church affairs, without the King's fpecial and immediate knowledge and direftion firft given concerning fuch alterations. It was replied, that of the three methods of doing this, either by an aft of the King's own judgment, or by a private cabal, or by a commiffion to a certain number of ecclefiaftics to confult and prepare matters, that which was liable to the leaft exception was adopted. It was further urged, that the commiffioners poffcffed no legiflative power in this bufinefs, but were to report and fubmit their proceedings and refolutions to the Convocation : that they were not to be referred to the privy- council, to avoid the fufpicion and imputation of their being moulded by the judgment, and carried by the influence, of laymen. But fuch arguments had no weight with thofe who were averfe from any alterations, and who thought too much had been conceded by the Aft of Toleration to Diffenters, whom they looked upon as a peevifli and obftinatc patty, and who, they affefted to think, would be made infolent by conceffions. With the prelates whom we have already named. Dr. Aldrich and Dr. • Jane alfo withdrew.* * Seethe new edition of Neal's Hiftory of tbe Puritans, b. T^, p. a6, 17. Birch's Life of Tillotfon, p. 192. Aldrich and Jane.— Thefe names, of eminence and weight in their day, c;ill for fome particular notice here. Dr. Henry Aldrich, born in Wtft.ninflier in 1647, was a pupil of the famous Dr. Bufbv, andwas elefted ftudent of Chrift-Church, Oxford, 1662^ In due time he entered into holy orders, and became a celebrated tutor. In 168 1, he was inftalled canon of Chrift-Church, ani &i i. PROtESTANT DISSENTERS. 33 The reft of the commiffioners clofely applied themfdves, for feveral weeks, to the work affigned them. The points brought under review were well confidered: their debates were eondufted with calmnefs and freedom : the objeft purfued was the entire Corredlion of every thing that appeared to became its dean in 1689 ; He preGded over this College with great zeal for its interefts, and being afingleraan, with a munificent pa tronage:. That excellent piece of architedlure called Peckwater Quadrangle was defigned by him. He annually publifhed, as a new- year's gift to the ftudents of his houfe, a piece of fome ancient Greek author. He wrote a Syftem of Logic, which paffed through feveral editions; and with Bifliop Sprat, revifed Clarendon's " Hiftory « of the Rebellion." He had a great fliare ih the Popiftx Contro verfy, during the reign of King James II. Befides the above preferments, he held the re&oty of Wera in Shropfliire ; and iii 1702, was chofen Prolocutor ofthe Convocation. He died at Chrift-church, on the 14th of December 17 10, in the 63d or 64th year of his age, and was buried in the Cathedral, according to his own direftion, without any memorial, on the fouth fide of Bifhop Fell's grave. He is reprefented to have been an univerfal fcholar, and to have had a fine tafte for architefture. His manners,- we are told, were liberal, and his modefty and humility evident and ac knowledged. The greateft part of his income was expended in works of hofpitality and beneficence, efpecially in the encourage ment of learning ; and his government of the college reflefted on him peculiar honour* Goadby's Britifh Biography, b. viii. p. 42, note. Dr. WMijANE wsls the fon of Jofeph Jane, efq; of Liflceard, Cornwall, author of " Ikon Aklaft9s," or Image unbroken, in anfwer to Milton, and Member for the borough of Liflceard, in the Long Parliament, under Charles the Firft. He was a great fufferer for his adherence to the houfe of Stuart. His fon Dr. William Jane was born at Lifkeard about the year 1644. He was educated at Weftminfter fchool, from which he was elefted a ftudent of Chrift-church, Oxford, in 1660. After he had entered into holy orders, he became lefturer of Carfax church, Oxford, chaplain to Dr. Compton bifliop of London, and prebendary of St. Paul's. Ih 1674, he took his degree of bachelor of divinity. In 1678, he D 34 HISTORY OF THE C. I. furnifli juft ground of difunion • a fincere wifli was entertained to obviate the difficulties felt by the Diffenters on the fubjeft of conformity ; and a hope was indulged, that if the prejudices of the prefent day could not be overcome, a way would be made, by removing the chief objeftions, for the more effeftual and univerfal influence of concUiating meafures on the next generation. Under fuch aufpicious circumftances coraraenced the proceedings of the commiffioners. They began with reviewing the liturgy : and firft they examined the calendar, in which, in the room of apocryphal leffons, they ordered certain chapters of canonical fcriptur«s to be read, that were more for the edi fication of the people. The Athanafian creed being difliked by many perfons, on account of the damna tory clatifcs, it was left to the minifter's choice to ufe was inftalled canon of Chrift-church. In 1679, ^^ proceeded doftor of divinity. In 1681, he was admitted regius profeflbr of divinity. In 1685, he was inftalled dean of Glocefter, and held with it the precentorftiip of the church of Exeter. He lived fome years after Queen Anne's acceflion to the throne, without obtaining any higher preferment, and died on the 6th of February J 706-7. He publiflied fome occalional Sermons, and a Treatife entitled, " The prefent Separation felf-condemned, and proved to " be Schifm," 1678. 4to. « Some Queries on the New Commiflion , "&c. in a Letter to a Friend," a fingle ffieet, 1689, were afcribed to him. He was alfo confidered as having a chief hand in pro moting and penning the judgment and decree of the Univerfity of Oxford againft certain feditious books and damnable doftrines, pafl:ed in the Convocation there July 1683, prefented to and approvedby Charles II., but burnt by the hangman in purfuance to an order ofthe Houfe of Lords in 1720. Birch's Life of Til lotfon, p. 188-189; and Britifli Biography, vol. ix. p. 32, note C. I. PROTESTA^t DISSENTERS. 85 or change it for the Apoftles' cfeed. New coUefts were drawn up more agreeable to the epiftles and gofpels, for the whole courfe of the year, and with a force and beauty of expreffion capable of affefting and raifing the mind in the ftrongeft manner. The firft draft of them was compofed by Dr. Patrick, who was efteemed to have a peculiar talent for de votional compofitionsf tir. Burnet added to them yet greater force and fpirit ; Dr. StiUingfleet then examined every word in them with the moft exaft judgment : and Dr. Tillotfon gave thera as it were their laft polifli, by the mafterly touches of his natural and flowing eloquence. Dr. Kidder, who was well verfed in the oriental languages, made a new verfion of the Pfalms more conformable to the original. Dr. Tennifon having collefted throughout the liturgy the words and expreffions to which exceptions had been madej propofed others in their room, which were more clear and plain, and lefs liable to objeftion. Other things were propofed, to be determined by the Convocation ; particularly that the crofs in baptifm might be either ufed or omitted, at the difcretion of the parents.* » Calamy's Abridgement of Baxter's Life, vol; i. p. 451. Birch's Life of Tillotfony p. 1 90, 191. The above abftraft ofthe proceed ings ofthe commiflioners was communicated to Dr. Nicholis by Dr. John Williams, afterwards bifliop of Chichefter. The original copy of the alterations fuggefted by the commiffioners upon their review of the Ihurgy was depofited with Dr. Tennifon : he was always cautious of trufting them out of his own keeping; alleging that the publication of them, fays Dr. Birch, would not fatisfy cither fide ; but rather futnifh a handle for mutual reproaches. D 2 36 HISTORY or THE C. t, The conimiflioners proceeded very unanimoufly in adopting numerous other alterations. Each article, as foon as they determined to introduce it into their plan, was figned by the Bifliop of London. It was agreed, that the chaunting of divine fervice in cathedrals fliould be laid afide: that devout and proper pfalms fliould, befides the reading of them in courfe as before, be felefted fbr Sundays: that in the room of the leffons from the Apocrypha and thofe from the Old Teftament, which were too natural, others fliould be appointed in a new ca lendar already fully fettled, in which are omitted all the legendary faints'-days, and others not direftly referred to in the fervice book: that, not to fend the vulgar to fearch the canons, which few of thera ever faw, a rubric be made fetting forth the use- fulnefs, as a fit and decent ceremony, of the crofs in baptisra, though not effentialto.it; and allowing the prieft to omit it, if any in confcience fcruple it ; permitting him alfo to adminifter the Lord's Suppe*" to thofe who refufe kneeling, in their pews; and declaring the intention of the Lent fafts to confift only in extraordinary afts of devotion, not in dis- tindtion of meats; ftating the meaning of Rogation Sundays and Ember Weeks, and enjoining the ex ercife of ftrift devotion on thofe ordained within the quatuor tempora: That the rubric which obliges One fide would, Le apprehended, upbraid their brethren forgiving up too much: the other, on the ground that thefe conceflions were too little, or were not paffed into a law, would juftify their nonconformity. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 37 the minifter to read or hear common prayer pub- licly or privately every day, be changed into au exhortation to the people to frequent thofe prayers: That the abfolution in morning and evening prayer may be read by a deacon, the word priest in the Rubric being changed into minister, and thefe words, and remission, as not very intelligible, be erafed : that the Gloria Patri fliall not be re peated at the end of every pfalm, but ofall appofiited for morning and evening prayer : That thofe words in the Te Deum, " thine honourable, true^ and " only fon," as " honourable" is a civil term only, and never ufed in facris, be thus turned, " thine *' only begotten fon : That the " Benediciie" be changed into the 128th pfalm, and other pfalms Jikewife be appointed for the " Benedi£lus" and ** Nunc dimittis ;" That the verficles after the Lord's Prayer, &c. to avoid the trouble and inconvenience of fo often varying the pofture in the worfliip, fliall be read kneeling ; and a promifory anfwer of keeping God's law or the like, on the part of the people flball follow thofe words, " Give peace *' in our time, O Lord," the old refponfe being grounded on too ftrift an acceptation of the predef- tinating doftrine : That all high titles or appeUatiops of the King and Queen, fuch as " moft flluftrious, *' religious, mighty," &c. be left out of the prayers, and only the word " fovereign" be retained for the King and Queen : That thofe words in tl^e prayer for the King, " Grant that he may vanquifli and f« overcome all his enemies," as of too large a^n 38 HISTORY OF THE C. I. extent if he engage in an unjuft war, fliall^ be turned, " Profper aU his righteous undertakmgs againft thy enemies," or after fome fuch manner : that in the prayer for the clergy, thofe words, " who alone workeft great marvels," as fubjeft to be ill Interpreted by perfons vainly difpofed, fliaU , be changed thus, " who alone art the author of " aU good gifts ;" and.thefe words " the healthful " fpirit of thy grace" ffiall be altered into this phrafe, "theholy.fpirit of thy grace;" "healthful" being an obfolete word : That the prayer which begins, " 0 God, whofe nature and property,"* ftiall be thrown Out, as full of ftrange and impertinent ex- preffions, and befides as not in the original, but foifted in fince by another hand : That the coUefts for the moft part be changed for thofe which the Bifliop of Chichefter has prepared ; being a re- vifal of the old ones, with enlargements to render them more fenfible and affefting, and a retrench ment of needlefs expreffions : That if any minifter refufe to ufe the furplice, while the people defire it and the living will bear it, the biffiop iiay fubftir tme in his place one who will officiate in it ; but that the vvliole matter be left to the difcretion of the ^ The Prayer, to which exception is made above, is left out of pur prefent copies of the Book of Common Prayer. It ftood thus In an edition of 1629, now before niej " O God, whdfe nature and property is ever ^p have mercy, " receive our humble petitions ; and though we he tied and bound " with the chaine of our finnes, yet let the pitifulnefTe of thy great ?'. mercy loofe us, for the honour of jefus Chriffs fake, our media- f' tor and advocate. Amen." Cl. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 39 bifliop : That if any defire to have Godfathers and Godmothers omitted, and to prefent their children in their own naraes to baptifm, it be granted : That, left wholly rejefting the Athanafian Creed fliould by unreafonable perfons be imputed to them as Socinianism, a rubric fliould be made, fetting or de claring the curfes denounced therein not to be reftrained to every particular article, but intended againft thole that deny the fubftance of the Chriftian religion in general : and laftly. That it be whofly left to the convocation to confider and determine whether the amendment of the tranflation of the reading Psalms, as they are called, raade by the Biffiop of St. Afaph and Dr. Kidder, or that in the Bible, ffiall be inferted in the Prayer Book.* Some alterations were alfo made in the litany, the com munion fervice, &c. and the canons. Befides the above alterations in the forms of public devotion, which the commiffioners agreed to lay before the convocation, it was alfo an objeft of their pious attention to provide a family book to be authorifed by that affembly. It contained di. reftions for family devotions, with feveral forms of prayer for morning and evening, fuited to the dif ferent circumftances of the families for whofe ufe they were compofed.f * Calamy's Abridgment of the Life of Baxter, p. 4J»— 45 J» vol. i. Birch's Life of Archbifliop Tillotfon, p. 192 * The Life of Dr. Humphrey Prideaux, p. 61. "Family " devotion had been kept up through all the nation, till the civil " war broke out in 1641. It had been eondufted by the help of 40 HISTORY OF THE Birch's Life of Tillcifon, p. 202-*— ao;. g4 HISTORY oy THE *' continued: and feeing they were In no difpofition •' to enter upon bufinefs, they were kept from doing " mifchief by prorogations for the courfe of ten *' years. This was in reality a favour to them. For "ever fince the year 1662 the convocation had " indeed continued to fit, but to do no bufinefs : fo " that they were kept at no fmall charge In towu, " but only to meet and read a latin liturgy ; and ?' confequently, it was an eafe to befree4-irom fuch " an attendance for no purpofe. But the ill recep- <' tion the clergy gave the King's meffage raifed " a great clamour againft them, fince all the promifes " made in King James lid's time were now fo " entirely forgotten."* By the difagreement between the two houfes of convocation, on the bufinefs of the royal commiffion, was laid the foundation of the differences that after wards rofe to a great height, fubfifted through many years, and broke out, on different occafions, to the injury of religion, while they brought on the clergy cenfure and contempt. In the Inftance before us, the-pacific wiflies of the king were thwarted, his liberal attempts proved abortive, an opportunity of conciliating, at leaft many of the diffenters, and of improving the worffiip and devotional fervices of the Church of England, was loft: and a defign, of which Archbifliop Wake, when he was biffiop of Lincoln, declared in the Houfe of Lords, he was " perfuaded " it would have been for the intereft aud peace of • Burnet, vol. iv.p. 47— 48. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 63 " the CAarf/j and State, had it been accompliffied,"* has not to this day been refumed. The unfucccfs-. fulnefs of the propofals for a comprehenfion was afcribed. In part, to the Prefbyterians. At the time when thefe conciliatory meafures were de pending, facred orders, agreeable to the Preffiyterlan form, were given to fifty young ftudents : and Mr. Baxter was charged with reflefting on the Chbrch of England, in a book which he then publiffied.^ It ffiould be confeffed, that thefe inftances of conduft, if they be fairly ftated, were not feafonable and cautious 5 and might difpleafe, if not exafperate, thofe who were unfriendly to the fcheme of a compre henfion. But the feft was, that a jealoufy and diflruft, not to be conquered, had taken hold of the fnferior clergy : amd the adherents to James II. who wiflied and hoped that the propofed alterations would pafs, that they might be furniffied with ob jeftions againft the new models of worffiip^ and With grounds for making a fchifm in the Church, in the warmth and precipitancy of their tempers, raifed fuch a clamour agamft them, as prevented their being adopted. J It was thought dangerous even by the friends of the alterations to make any chattge, at this junfture, that rtilght give pretence tb thofe who did not own the exifting government to declare themfelves adherents to the old church as vi^ellas th^^ old king. II * Hints, p. it. § tife of fiiftiop Compton, p. 57. J Burnet, vol. iv. p. 48. [| Calamy, vol. i. p. 464., E 66 HISTORY OF THE C. I. In a word, great was the collifion of parties at that nime, and delicate and intricate was the ftate of affairs both in church and ftate. " It appeared in " many vifible inftances," fays Biffiop Burnet," that " our wounds were then too tender to be either " handled or healed ; fo that it was thought fit to ^' let the matter fleep, and to give no new occafion " to heat and animofity. But at the fame time to *' keep the clergy ftill ready upon caU, If there *' ffiould be any occafion for them during the feffions *' of Parliament; yet not to charge them with a *' needlefs attendance, when the public occafions " put them under fo many taxes : it being alfo ob- '* ferved, that in a hot time all unneceffary affemblies " are to be avoided ; for if they have no bufiaefs ' * one way, they commonly make It another."* Thus terminated the feventh attempt to reform the Church of England, by confulting the fcruples and objeftions of thofe who were diffatisfied with many things in its services. The firft was the Hampton-Court conference, In the reign of James I. Biffiop Uffier's fcheme for the reduftion of eplfco- pacy was a fecond meafure of this kind. In the time of Charles I. After the reftofation of Charles II. propofals for a comprehenfion were four times brought forward. This under William III. was the feventh. Ever fince the affair has laid dormant. Thefe defigns have always proceeded on a principle not to be admitted by one who underftands tlie rights of confcience and the nature of Chriftian liberty;, • As quoted in Calamy, vol. i. p. 465. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 67 this principle is the doftrine of impofttion. Had thefe attempts been fuccefsful, they could have had" a temporary effeft only: for as the Scriptures are more critically and judicioufly ftudied; as the minds of men by improvements In fcience and knowledge are expanded ; as free enquiry inveftigates and dif- covers exifting corruptions in the profeffion of Chriftianity; and as human creeds and eftabliffied forms of religion are examined by found reafon, and brought to the facred ftandard of divine revelation; new grounds of diffatlsfaftion with the received forms and credenda have arife n; new reafons of diffent have prefented themfelves to a reflefting mind ; and errors In faith and worffiip, which had lain concealed for ages, or had been under the fanftion of time received and tenapioufly retained as undifputed truths, have come to light. This has been the faft; and experience ffiews, that as the human mind exerts its powers in free, impartial enquiry, and becomes enlightened, it gains vigour and refolutlon to avow hs convlftions, and to aft up to them. The altera tions which would fatisfy the limited views of one age, do by no means come up to the more difcern- ing penetration and' the more enlarged ideas of a fubfequent period. When the matter Is confidered in this light, we have lefs reafon to regret that thefe paft attempts to conciliate and unite the different reli gious parties proved abortive. We may, however, with pleafure refleft that they were not wholly in vain. They awakened attention; they caft light on the queftions difcuffed ; they difcovered charafters ; » 2 68 HISTORY OP TUB C. 1« they exercifed candour; in fome inftances called forth a fpirit of liberality; and united fome worthy perfons In mutual good opinion and in friendffiip, whom they failed to bring under the bonds of the fame out- Ward profeffion. The memorials of thefe attempts, be it added, conftitute no unprofitable documents of inftruftlon and adraonition to future limes. The records of the proceedings, on thefe atterapts, re main not only to furnifli Information concerning the ftate of opinions and parties in paft ages, but to afford rules of conduft on future occafions, and to give a fanftion to new meafures of reforming and uniting the different religious parties, and of fimplifying and purifying their creeds and rituals. This has in reality been the eventual effeft of King Wflliam's commif fion, at the diftance of nearly loo years. The Epifcopal Church of America, at a convention of its members from the ftates of New York, New Jerfey,Pennfylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, holden atPhiladelphia from Sept. 27th to Oft. 7th, 1785, in a revifal of the Englifli liturgy, adopted the alterations of the Book of Cora mon Prayer, which had been propofed by the com miffioners under King William in 1689.* Though the Iraraediate purpofe of the royal commiffion mifcarried, the effort has not been loft. As to England ; *' here," in the failure of the the commiffion, " hath Terminus," as the author of " tlie Confeffional" exprcffes it, " fixed his pe- " deftal, and here hath he kept his ftation for two * Brewfter's Secular ElTays, p. »98. C. I. fROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 69 "whole centuries. • We are juft where the Act of " Uniformity leftus, and where, for aught thatappears " In the temper of the times, the laft trumpet will " find us."§ Previoufly to the proroguing of the convocation fome raatters were brought forward, by which, befides the avowed object to be obtained, it was defigned to intereft the public mind in other queftions, and to divert the proceedings of the meeting from the point which they were furamoned to confider. With this view, on the -nth of December the prolocutor attended the prefident and biffiops, and in the name of the lower houfe, re prefented to their lordffiips, that '* feveral books " of very dangerous confequence to the Chriftian " religion and the Church of England had been re- " cently publiffied;" and defired their lordfliips' advice, " in what way and how far, without incurv " ring the penalty of 25th of Henry VIIL, the " convocation might proceed in preventing the pub- " lication ofthe like fcandalous books for the future; " and inflifting the cenfures of the church, according *' to the canons provided in that behajf, upon the *' authors of them." One of the produftions againft which this requeft was pointed, was a ffieet of paper entitled "Notes " upon the Creed of Athanafius ;" which had met with the candid reception and approbation of fome learned men, both in London and other, places. They had, it appears, excited great attention; and Dr, § The Preface to the firft edition, p. 37; or 81ackb«rDe's Works, f ol V. p. 90. 70 HISTORY OF THE C. I. Sherlock thought fit to oppofe to them a large book, as " a Vindication of the Trinity and Incarnation.'* They fell alfo under the ani mad verfion of two other writers, Mr Savage and Mr. Marlow. In the year 1690 they were republiffied in a quarto paraphlet, accompanied with an hiftorical view of " The Afts *' of Great Athanafius, and Obfervations on Dr. "Sherlock's Treatife." Another traft, on which it was the defign of the lower houfe of convocation to fix a cenfure was, " a " Letter to a Friend relating to the prefent convoca- " tion at Weftminfter," by Dr. Prideaux. This was intended as an anfwer to feveral pamphlets from the pens of thofe who werehoftile to any alterations. It met with fuch warm approbation, that an irapref- fion of feveral thoufands was fold within a fortnight after Its firft publication. Though it appeared with out a name, the author was difcovered, and the rapid and extenfive fale of it fo exafperated the other party, that they were ready to make him the immediate objeft of their cenfures. But it was urged that they ought to begin with the pamphlets which were firft publiffied : fo juft and reafonable a propofal could not be rejefted. This meafure of the prolocutor, it was alfo alleged, was an interference with the bufinefs of the convocation ; it raade an appeal to the public on points which already were referred to the extraordinary commiffion, and was an atterapt to prejudge a caufe before it was .authoritatively heard. To evadethe objeftions, the wholeaffiiir was dropped ; and they permitted the adverfary, as every advo>- C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 71 cate for alterations was conceived to be, to efcape unpuniffied, rather than that their friends ffiould be expofed lo the fame cenfure. The prolocutor, how ever, on the 13th of December, reported to the houfe, " that the prefident had declared his fenfe " of the ill confequences of thofe books which had " been fent up to their lordfliips from the lower "houfe; that, upon enquiry, he could not receive " any fatisfaftion, how far the convocation might " proceed in that affair; but that he would, as far as " lay in him, take further order about it."* Here the matter concluded. Another affair, befides the raain objeft of the royal coramiffion, preffed, at this tirae, with great weight on the minds of the clergy in the convocation ; and ferved to divert the attention of men from the dif cuffion of queftions concerning alterations In eccle fiaftical matters. This was the fituation of the biffiops and clergy who were under a fufpenfion for refufing to take the oaths to the new governraent. One of the members of the lower houfe, from a referved kindnefs for them, In a warm and zealous fpeech propofed that " fomething might be done to qualify " .them to fit In convocation, fo that the convocation " might not incur any danger thereby." But this matter, after it was fuggefted, was felt to be of too delicate a nature to be purfued, and was therefore left to farther confideration. |j * Birch's Life of Tillotfon, p. 207, 208. Prideaux's Life, p. .57, 58. A CoUeftion of Unitarian Traifls, 4to. 169. il Dr. ComptoD'9 Life, p. 56. 72 HISTORY OF THE C. I. The firft day pf the preceding March had been appointed for taking the oaths of allegiance and fupremacy to King WiUianif Eight biffiops, and, encouraged by their example, many individuals of the inferior clergy, under the idea that it was repugr nant to the allegiance which they had fworn to their late fovereign, refufed to take the oaths, and facri ficed their benefices with a laudable integrity to fcruples of confcience ; for In confequence of their refufal ihey were fufpended from the exercife of their facred funftions, and from the enjoyment of their preferments. They were diftinguiffied by the name of nonjurors. The biffiops fo denominated were Sancroft, of Canterbury; Turner, of Ely; Lake, of Chichefter; Kenn, of Bath and Wells; White, of Peterborough ; Lloyd, of Norwich ; Thomas, of Worcefter; and Frampton, of Glocefter, The five firft of thefe were of the number ofthe feven biffiops fent to the Tower by King James, for refufing to promulgate the declaration of indulgence. ^' Thus ^f a fecond tirae, and within a very fliort interval," obferves a very refpeftable author, " facrificing, ^' thpngh in an ignoble and unworthy caufe, their '? intereft to their fincerity and integrity."* The vacant* fees of the recufant prelates were not filled pp for more than a year. Thomas and Lake did not long furvive tbeir fufpenfion. The latter, on being feized with a d?nGcrons diftemper, figned a folemn declaration, in which he avowed it to have been his determination not tp take the oath, though * Belfliani's Hiftory from the Revolution to the Hanoverian Suc- ceffion, vol. 1. p. 115. . ' ¦ C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 73 the penalty had been lofs of life; and profeffed his ad herence to the doftrine of non-refiftance and paffivc obedience, which he regarded as the diftinguifliing charafteriftics of the Church of England. After his death this paper was publiflied, induftrioufly circulated, and extolled by the party as an infpired oracle, pronounced by a martyr to religious truth and fincerity.* Kenn, whofe publications, the genuine effufions of his heart, had a very praftlcal tendency, lived after his deprivation with Lord Weymouth at Longleat. At the death-bed of King Charles II. when he attended on him, Biffiop Burnet reports, that " Kenn fpoke with a great elevation of thought " and expreffion, like a man infpired. "| He had been In early Ufe chaplain in the court of the l^rince of Orange ; and on his landing, declared heartily for him, and zealoufly urged others to join him. But at the debates In the convention he warmly adopted the notion of a Prince Regent. Though he refufed the oaths himfelf, he perfuaded the clergy to take them; and wrote a paper with that defign, which Dr. Whitby faw and read. He even went to London with a defign to take them; but after he arrived in town, was induced to change his raind, and ever after continued in a warm oppofition to the govern- ment.f He died 19th March, lyio-r-ii.g The * Granger's Biographipal Hiftory of England, vol, iv. p. 391, ?. t Burnet, vqI. ii. p. 459. t Burnet, vol. iv. p. 9. Granger's BiographicalHiftory of Eng land, vol. iv. p. 490. § There ^re two anecdotes related concerningDr.Kenn, which fliew the purity of his mind, the degorum of cjiarader he had fup- 74- HISTORY OF THE C.I. death of Dr. Thomas, on the 25th June 1689, aged 76, prevented his being deprived of his fee, though he had been fufpended. Dr. Frampton, In the earlier part of his life chaplain to the faftory at Aleppo, retired after his deprivation to the village of Standiffi, near Glocefter; where he died on the 25th of May 1708, Inthe 86th year of his age. Dr. Lloyd, a fcholar of St. John the Evangellft's college in Cam bridge, refided for fome years at Lifbon as chaplain to the faftory ; in which poft he eondufted himfelf with fingular prudence and integrity towards the papifts. The moft honourable teftimonlals had re commended him, in 1675, to the fee of Landaff; from which he was tranflated to Peterborough in 1680, and to Norwich In 1685. After he was de prived, he removed to London, and died in the vicinity of that city on the ift of January 1709. He left his library. In which were printed books and , manufcripts of great value, to the college in which he was educated. The diocefe of Norwich, when he was deprived, loft a very able and worthy paftor, a man of great integrity and piety, who had juft and comprehenfive views of the duties of his funfllon ; ported, and an independence of fpirit not to be corrupted by the in fluence of rank and ftation. When he refided in the court of the Prince of Orange, he obliged one of his Highnefs's favourites to perform his contraft, by marrying a young lady of the Princefs's train whom he had feduced by that contraft. When he was chap lain to Charles II. and the court was at Winchefter, he peremptorily refufed to admit the royal miftrefs, Nell Gwynn, into his apartments. The Stateholder, in the former cafe, was highly offended ; but the King, fo far from refenting his religious intrepidity, foon after made him a biftiop. Granger, vol.iv. p. 890, note. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 75 and whofe mind was bent to fulfil thera on all oc cafions to the benefit of his church, and the honour of God.* Dr. White, after the lofs of his bifliopric, lived in retirement, and died on the 30th of May 1698. Dr. Turner, the Intimate friend ofthe pious Biffiop Kenn, had enjoyed the peculiar friendffiip and patronage of the late abfconded king, when he was Duke of York, by whom he was preferred to the deanery of Windfor, which he afterwards held with the biffiopric of Rochefter; from which he was tranflated to the fee of Ely, on the 23d of Auguft 1684. After he was deprived, he engaged In a correfpondence with the queen of the exiled king ; at St. Germain's; and entered on meafures with the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Erefton, and his brother Mr. Graham, for reftoring King James to the throne, whilft King William was abfent at a congrefs of princes at the Hague.§ Thedefign was difcovered; • Dr. Prideaux's Life, p. 73. 5 Bifliop Burnet adds the name of William Penk, the famous Quaker, to thofe who were engaged in this defign. But his late liberal and intelligent biographer has fully vindicated the charafter of this great man from the mifreprefentation ; who, though his name was inferted in a proclamation, on fufpicion of having been concerned in the defign, made it appear to the King and Council in 1693, that he never was a party in this or any other attempt of this nature. The immediate effeft of which was his acquittal from the charge brought againft him. Valuable and fair an hiftorian as in general is the bifhop,' in this inftance his ftatement was inaccuratej and his mind was warped by prejudice conceived againft Mr. Penn when they were both at tlie Hague. The error ftands on record as a lefTon of caution to future writers; but it is to be the more regretted, as fubfequent hiftorians have copied from Burnet, and omitted to mention Mr. Penn's acquittal.— See Clarkfon's Life of Penn, voLii. p. 377. 76 HISTORY OF THE ' C. 1. fome of the party were apprehended and imprlfoned. Dr. Turner abfconded. He died at Therfield in Hertfordffiire, on Nov. 2, lyoo.jj A vindication of the conduft of himfelf, and of the deprived prelates, in rejefting the oaths, came, with other publications, from his pen. The perfon to whom the prelates, who were fellow fufferers with bim, looked up with great deference and refpeft, was Archbiffiop Sancroft, He attrafted their regards by his unblemiffied morals and great learning ; commanded their atten. lion by his exalted rank;. and encouraged their imitation by his own example of fortitude on this occafion, and by his refufing to read the declaration for liberty of confcience. In other Inftances he had ffiewn himfelf timid and irrefolute, fluftuating between an attachment to the late king and allegiance to the new; not uniformly confiftent in his fupport of the one, nor abfolutely difcarding the interefts of the other. " Though he had joined the other peers and " privy counfellors in inviting the Prince of Orange " to take the adminiftration of the government upon " him, he refufed to pay his compliraents of congra- " tulation at St. Jaraes's on his fafe arrival. When, " the convention met, he came not to take his place " among them, refolving to aft neither for nor againft " the interefts of King James; and though he him- " felf refufed the oaths, he cautioufly avoided taking « any ftcps, by afting or fpeaking, to deter others !I Granger, vol.iv, p. 489. Burnet, vol.iv. p. loc} and Godwi* «le Prsefnlibiis, cur3 Richardfon, p. 277. G. t. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 77 *' from fuch compliance."* After his deprivation he lived In retirement at Freffingfield, In the county of Suffolk, where he was born, and where he died on the 24th of November 1693, aged 76. He is faid In his retirement to have cultivated his garden with his own hand; enjoying, though with the fa crifice of grcatnefs and fplendour, the peace of con fcious reftitude. In leaving Lambeth, he firft with drew to a private houfe in town. Thomas earl of Aylefbury paid him a vifit there : the prelate re ceived him at the door of his apartment, which he hirafelf opened. The Earl, ftruck with this circura- ftance of hurailiation, and the total change of the fcene in which he had frequently beheld him at his palace, burft into tears. As foon as he recovered the power of fpeech, he told him how deeply he was affefted with what he faw; and of his inability to fupprefs his grief. *' Oh, my good lord," replied the prelate, " rather rejoice with me, for now I live again."! The integrity of thefe prelates In refufing the oaths to the new government, under the idea that to take them would be a violation of their former oaths, how erroneous foever we may think their views to have been, reflefts honour on their names. It was a generous and magnanimous faerifice of rank, influence, and wealth, to confcientious fcru ples. The religious reverence due to an oath was ftrengthened, in their cafe, by a habit of attachment, from education and principle, to the royal family of the Stuarts, and by their tenacious adherence to the * Belfham, vol. i. p. iij. t Granger, vol. iv. p. 2S1. 78 HISTORY OF THE C. I. doftrines of paffive obedience and non-refiftance. They felt alfo their obligations to the royal houfe, to which they owed their high preferments. Their fituation brought them into a peculiar difficulty with refpeft to the clergy who applied to them for Infti tution. They could not grant it without tendering the oaths, which they themfelves thought unlawfuL Previoufly to the year 1660, the Chancellors of a diocefe had been invefted with a power, in the abfence of the Bifliop, to give inftitution : but by a general agreement, in that year, the biffiops deter mined to except this power out of the patents which they gave to their chancellors. The obligation to fee that the clergy, before they gave them inftitu tion, took the oaths to governraent, refted, by this exception, folely with the biffiops ; who. If they did not admit the clerks prefented to them, were liable jto the aftions of quare itnpedit. Under this per plexity, to avoid at once fuch aftions and yet wave cnafting the oaths, they granted new patents to their chancellors, irapowering them to give inftitu tion. " So they invefted laymen with authority t» " admit clergymen to benefices, and to do that " which they thought unlawful, as was thefwearing *' to an ufurper againft the lawful king. Thus it " appeared," fays Burnet," how far the engagements *' of intereft and parties can run men Into contra- ?' diftions."* In the furvey of human aftions and Conduft, what frequent occafions have we to obferve and lament the failure of firmnefs, and deviations, * Burnet, vol. iv. p. 9, jo. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 79 from confiftency. In charafters on the whole refpeft able for Integrity and Independence ! The deprived biffiops were permitted to continue at their fees above a year ; and no nomination was made of others to their ecclefiaftical pofts. They Uved during this fpace privately in their palaces, and performed no epifcopal funftion, and took no part in the concerns of the church. Biffiop Burnet, by the Queen's order, engaged Sir John Trevor and the Earl of Rochefter, who had great influence with the prelates, to try whether they would renew their funftions. In ordinations, inftitutions, and confirma tions, and affift at public worffiip, as formerly, ffiould an Aft be obtained to excufe their taking thq oaths. When an attempt was made to afcertain their fentiments on thefe points, they would give no other anfwer than that they would live quiedy. By this reply it was underftood that their intention was to keep themfelves clofe, till the proper time ffiould encourage thera to aft more openly. || This was an indication, that however a confcientious fcruple might at firft have determined them to refufe the oaths, an attachment to the abdicated family had a firm hold on their minds, and that they cheriffied the hope of an opportunity to exprefs again their allegiance to it. All thoughts of en gaging them t© refume their epifcopal funftions were on this laid afide: and it was determined to fill the fees which had been vacated by deprivation. The deteftion of the plot which we have already . B Burnet, vol. iv. p. 103. so HSTORY or THE C. I. mentioned, and the Biffiop of Ely's letters to St. Germains, afforded a fair occafion, and furniffied a juftification for executing this purpofe. It was judged a matter ofthe firft importance that the fee of Canterbury ffiould be well filled. The effefts of the other nominations would depend upon this, and they would all take their complexion from it. This would explain the views of the new king; and the nation would learn from the nature of it, whether he would continue to purfue moderate and healing meafures, or would fall in with the paffions and humours of a high party, that feeraed to court him as abjeftly as they inwardly hated him. In this critical moraent, the King and Queen, from a defer- vedly high opinion of the Dean of St. Paul's, grounded on an experience of hiszeal for their intereft, and of his mild and prudent counfels for two years, direfted their thoughts to Dr. Tillotfon, the Inti mate friend of Dr. Burnet, a man of large principles, free from fuperftition, and an enemy to violence and feverities ; a man whofe zeal had been direfted againft atheifm and popery ; but had never ex preffed itfelf in fliarpnefs and bitternefs towards the Diffenters, with many of whom he had lived in good correfpondence, apd feveral of whora, by the foftnefs of perfuafion and arguments only, he had been the means of bringing over to the Church. As this amiable divine had no ambition in his tem per, and he forefaw to what a fcene of trouble and flander this high ftation would expofe him iu tbe decline of life ; efpecially as the fucceffor to one C.. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 81 who was called a confeffor, and was the objeft of public compaffion ; he refifted the wiffies and impor tunities of his royal friends to accept the poft, for above a year. At length, with great uneafinefs to himfelf, he fubmitted to the King's command. The fee of York foon after faUing vacant, Pr. Sharp, an excellent preacher, but who was not fteady as Tillot fon, nor had an equal knowledge of the world, was promoted to It. Dr. Patrick was advanced to the fee of Ely ; Dr. More was rtlade biffiop of Nor wich; Dr. Fowler was promoted to the fee of Gloucefter ; the fee of Hereford was given to Dr. Ironfide ; that of Chichefter was beftowed on Dr. Grove ; and that of Briftol was affigned to Dr. Hall; and Dr. Hough, prefident of Magdalen College, had, the year before this, been placed in the epifcopal feat of Oxford. " So that In two years," obferves Biffiop Burnet, " the King had named fifteen *' biffiops ; and they were generally looked on as " the moft learned, the wifeft, and beft men that " were in the church. It was vifible, that in all *' thefe nominations, and in filling the Inferior dig- " nltles that became void by their promotion, no " ambition nor court favour had appeared ; men " were not fcrambling for preferment, nor ufing " arts or employing friends to fet them forward ; " on the contrary, men were fought for and brought " out of their retirements, and moft of them very " much againft their own inclinations. They were " men both of moderate principles, and of calra " tempers. Thefe promotions were fuch a difco- 82 HISTORY OF THE C. I. " very of the King and Queen's defigns with relation " to the church, that it ferved to much remove the *' jealotifies that fome other fteps tbe King had made, *' were beginning to raife in the minds of the whigs, " and very much foftened the Ill-humour that was " fpread among them.*" Not only the biffiops whom we have mentioned refufed the oaths to the new government; but many amongft the Inferior clergy, from the fanie attach ment to King James, from fimilar ideas of the per manent obligation of the oaths by which they had pledged their allegiance to him, without allowing for that obligation being fet afide by the king's breach of his coronation engagements, and from the . encouragement and ftimulus, afforded by the example of the prelates, likewife purfued the fame line of conduft. A bill was brought into the Houfe of Comraons, by which all perfons were required, under feveral forfeitures and penalties, to take the oaths by a fixed day. The clergy who ffiould not comply with the requlfition, were to fall under fufpenfion for fix months; and at the end of that time, on perfifting in the refufal, they were to be deprived. An attempt was raade in the Houfe of Lords to modify this bill. Bifliop Burnet took an aftive part in favour of the clergy. Its objeft was, that inftead of the claufe pofiiively enaftiug that they ffiould be obliged to take the oaths, the king might be empowered to ten der them, and then the refufal ffiould incur the penalties ftated in the Aft. It was thought that fuch * Burnet, vol. ir. p. no, jii. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 83 a power would be a reftraint upon their conduft^ and fecure their quiet and peaceable deportment ; whereas deprivation, and even the apprehenfion of itjWould create refentment, and irritate their mindSj in a fit of defperation, to undermine the government. It was argued, that no oaths could bring them under more ferious engagements than did the afts of religious worffiip officially performed by them in the church, which were a folemn avowal of their allegiance to God in the face of the people ; that if they ffiould negleft thofe offices, or perform them in a manner different from what the law prefcribed; theywere amenable to the Aft of Uniformity. Oaths, it was urged, when a government came to need ftrength from them, had proved an inefficient fecu rity ; and the obligation of thera had been evaded by nice diftinftions and fubtle interpretations. It was pleaded on the other hand, that the propofed expe dient would put a hardffiip upon the king, a meafure to be carefully avoided : That no man, efpecially in fo facred a concern as religion, who would not give the fecurity of an oath, expreffed In fuch low and general terras, ought to betrufted by a government: That the diftance of fix months aflowed fufficient tirae to ftudy the point ; and they who could not in that fpace fatisfy themfelves oti the lawfillnefs of acknowledging the governraent, were not fit to be continued in the higheft pofts in the church. It further was propofed to allow an -exception of twelve clergymen, who ffiould be fubjeft to the law on re fufing the oaths, at the requlfition of the king. But 84 .- HISTORY OF THE C. U the only mitigation that could be obtained, was a power to the king to referve a third part of the profits of any twelve benefices which he ffiould name, to the incumbents deprived under this Aft.* Thus the BiU paffed. By the operation of this Aft, the clergy were thrown into two divifions ; one, which Included a great raajority, took the oaths ; the other, the mino rity, who refufed them. Among the latter were ilenry Dodwell, diftinguiffied by his learning and great zeal to exalt the powers and dignity of the priefthood ; and who, in confequence of his refufal, was deprived of the Camdenlau profefforffilp of hif tory in the Univerfity of Oxford : Dr. George Hicks, eminent for his extenfive erudition and know ledge in antiquities, who loft the deanery of Worcef- ter, and the reftory of All-Church in that city : and Dr. WiUiam Sherlock, to whofe name various con- troverfial and praftical writings have given a cele brity ; and whofe refufal, as he afterwards fubmitted to the requlfition of the Aft, fubjefted him to a tem porary fufpenfion only from his preferments, and the mafterffiip of the Temple ; afterwards, when King James fied from Ireland, on the principle that this ftep gave the new government a thorough fettlemcnt, he thought it lawful to take the oaths ; and followed up the change of his opinion by a compliance with the Aft that propofed them. This provoked the refentment and chagrin of the nonjurors, efpecially as his refufal had been long and pertinacious, and * Burnet, vol. iv. p. iz, 13. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS.-^ 85 he was feverely libelled for it. He publiflied a vin dication of his conduft, to ward off the force of their cenfures. This inftance of retraftation and political conformity was, on the other hand, " a great tri- " uraph to the Court; and he" was Immediately " rewarded, for what one party ftiled his happy " converfion, and the other his faithlefs apoftacy, by *' the acquifition of the rich deanery of St. Paul's."* Among the majority who took the oaths, 'theEe was a difference of principle. Some afted from a conviftion of the lawfulnefs of the oaths ; on a liberal regard to the conftitution of the nation, and the important interefts to be fecured by allegiance to the new government, and on the confideration of King James having forfeited, by his unlawful mea fures, the allegiance of his fubjefts. But the greateft part of thofe who complied with the requlfition ofthe oaths, appeared, by the diftinftions and refervations with which they did it, to have afted with doubtful minds, if not in the direft violation of the diftates of confcience. They reconciled their confciences to it, though they had been warm advocates for the doftrines of non-refiftance and paffive obedience, by declaring that they took the oaths in no other fenfe, than that of a peaceable fubmiffion to the powers that were. They pleaded, that the legiflature, by drop. ping the word " rightful," in the form of the oath, allowed the diftinftlon between a k'mg defado, and a king dejure; and they availed themfelves of this dif- ftinftlon. It was a maxim with them, that if prudence obliged them to conform to the letter of the oath, fg * Belfham, vol. i. p. ai3, 86 HISTORY OF THE C. I. confcience required them to give it their own inter pretation. " Nothing could be more infamous or of " worfe tendency," obferves a modern hiftorian, " than this praftice of equivocating in the moft " facred of all obligations. It Introduced a general " difregard of oaths, which has been the fource of " univerfal perjury and corruption."* The ways, by which it Is well known the force and obligation of oaths are evaded, ffiould adraoniffi legiflators not wuhout the utmoft reafon to enjoin them, and to enjoin thera on the feweft occafions poffible. Pro mifory oaths as toduty feem to be wholly unneceffary in all cafes, where the violation of duty is an overt aft, that is open to notice and amenable to law. Among thofe perfons who In the cafe before us were diffatisfied with the oaths and refufed to take them, fome continued to preach even after the time had elapfed that was fixed by the Aft of Parliaraent for their compliance, and fuch individuals were legally filenced. By this conduft they followed the fteps of the ejefted minifters, who perfevered in their official duties after Bartholoraew day ; and whora they had on this ground cenfured with feve rity, and charged with great guilt. The generality of those who perfevered in their refufal, at length quitted their preferments, refufed to hold commu nication with fuch perfons as had taken the oaths to the new government, and formed a new fepara- tion from the eftablifliment. A congregation formed on tlig principles of the noniurors, which * Smollet, vol. i. p. 68. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 87 held its religious meetings at the Coffee-Houfe In Alderfgate-ftreet, exifted later than the year 1750, The name of their minifter was Lindfay, a clergy man epifcopally ordained. This ftate of parties gave birth to a new, and, ip feveral views, a remarkable conteft. The non- juring clergy accufed fuch as had yielded to the governraent with betraying their confciences for great preferments, and reproached them as " a "pack of jolly fwearers." Thefe, on the other hand, upbraided the nonjurors as fchifraatics, who had fallen into the fame crime which they had con demned in others. It was pleaded by the nonjurors, that their feceffion was not voluntary, but forced by penalties, which were to them, as minifters, conditions of communion ; and by fanftions of fo fevere and fatal a nature, annexed to the requlfition ofthe oaths, as to warrant a feparation : That a clergyman's authority, whether a biffiop or a prieft, was from God ; of which he was bound, at any hazard, to take care, and to perform its duties, notwithftanding any civil aft to prohibit and difable him, under a folemn apprehenfion of the account he has to give ; and. That no parliamentary deprivation could fet afide the obligations of biffiops, not depofed by ecclefi aftical cenfures, to fuperlntend their churches, or the obligation of their churches to live in fubjeftion to them. This plea they applied particularly to Archbiffiop Sancroft, though he never afferted his right after his deprivation, and might therefore be uftly confidered as furrendering it. 88 HISTORY OF THE CI, To thefe arguments it was replied : That thefirft plea was uniting with diffenters to complain of unjuft and fevere penahies : That on the ground of it there was always warrant for feparatifts and nour jurors : That if admitted. It applied to them as minifters only, and left them at liberty as laymen to join the communion of the church : That the condition of taking the oaths required of the mi nifters was nothing to the people, who could not unite with them without being guilty of a notorious fchifm : and. That granting they were grieved by the fecular power, and deprived of their fubfiftence as well as emoluments by an Aft of Parliament, they ought not to revenge the injury on the church. Tt was anfwered to the fecond plea, that though the civil magiftrate could. not give or take away the Intrinfic power of the word and facraments, conferred with the keys of ordination; yet he could beftow, or, if tbe cafe required it, take away again, in his own dorainions, the extrinfical power and licence of ex- ercifing the minifterial office, received by ordination: and to fuch a lawful deprivation the clerk was bound to fubrait. The nonjurors were reminded, that the time had been, when this doftrine was held to be true againft the diffenter?, whom therefore they had regarded as fchifmatics ; and that, on this principle, they theiTifelves incurred the fame charge. It was urged againft the third plea, that it did not appear how the churches were obliged to follow their ec clefiaftical guides into fchifm : and that If there were any weight in it, the clergy in the provincef and C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 89 diocefes in which the metropolitan or biffiop took the oaths, were obliged to adhere to them, and to feparate therafelves frora thofe who oppofed their authority. " When," it was aflced, " did Chriftians " in ancient times ever refufe communion with a *' church on account of matters of ftate ; or divide " from others, becaufe they, from whora they " divided, thought it lawful and their duty to fwear " allegiance to the fovereign power ?" Frora the time of the reftoration of King Charles lid, two favourite principles had been ftrenuoufly advanced by the prelatical party ; namely, " the " power of the magiftrate in ecclefiaftical matters, " and paffive obedience without any limitations." Now a fingular Inverfion in . opinion and arguing arofe from the change of circumftances. Thefe principles were oppofed even by perfons who had been ftrenuous advocates for them. They who deferted King James, and joined the ftandard of the Prince of Orange, violated the principle of unli mited paffive obedience : for which they were keenly upbraided by their brethren the nonjurors. They who fell under the difpleafure of the governraent, no longer owned the power of the magiftrate in ecclefiaftical matters ; but fet up the claim of an inherent right in the church : and fome of them went fo far as the kirk of Scotland to borrow new principles. They who were on the other fide, did not fail to caft refleftions on them for this conduft. The high party, to defend themfelves from the charge of fchifm, adopted the pleas ofthe diffenters. 90 HISTORY OF THE C. I. for whom they had formerly the leaft charity. The moderate and the adherents to King William found it a hard taflc to vindicate their change .of notions and fchemes of governraent againft the ill-natured and bitter infults of the other party. In this col lifion of fentiraents araong the members of the eftabliffied church, the diffenters kept their ground, and adhered to the principles on which they had all along afted. They were fincere and cordial in their attachment to the new government. They received and improved the day of liberty with gra titude. Though they could not obtain fuch altera tions in the ceremonies, worffiip, and dlfcipline of the church, as would pave the way to a coalition ; yet they eondufted themfelves with more refpeft both to civil and ecclefiaftical powers, than was manifefted by thofe who had formerly valued them felves on their fubmiffivenefs. Frora this time, as the favourable moment was paft without any thing having been effefted, they had no expeftation of being amufed and deluded with new propofals of alterations and amendments ; and they were fully convinced, that nothing but a peculiar providence or fome fignal event would fatisfy thofe of the neceffity of a coalition, who hadbeen averfe from Improving two fuch exceUent opportunities to accompliffi i^ as the reftoration of Charles II. and the recent Revolution * The time was now corae for the Diffenting Mi nifters to place therafelves under the full proteftion * Calamy, vol, i. p. 465—469, C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. gl of the Aft of Toleration, by a compliance with the condition It required. This was a fubfcription to the doftrinal articles of the Church of England. Mr. Baxter took the lead. Difficulties and doubts, as to the meaning of fome of the articles, arofe from the obfcure and ambiguous phrafeology in which they were conveyed. He drew up a ftatement of his ideas on thefe equivocal terms, for hla own fatisfaftion, and to anfwer the fcruples of others. The laft claufe of the fecond article contained an expreffion in the Latin, which though left out in the Engliffi, occafioned him to demur about the fenfe. It ftated that Chrift died to be a facrifice for all, omnibus, the aftual fins of men ; this Mr. Baxter fuppofed raeant not to include final impenitence, but all forts of fin that had been forfaken. Chrift's defcent into hell, in the third article, he explained of the ftate of fe parate fouls. He felt various objeftions againft the declaration of the third article, that Chrift, on his refurreftion, " took again his body with fieffi and " bones, and all things appertaining to the perfeftion " of man's nature, and therewith afcended into " heaven." This affertion he underftood as fig- nifying that Chrift fitteth in heaven with the fame body, glorified, rendered fpiritual and incorruptible, which on earth had confifted of fleffi and bones. In the ftrift interpretation, the words would be contradiftory to i Cor. xv. 50, that " flefli and *' blood cannot inherit the kingdora of God ;" and give us a degrading idea of his body, as inferior to what his fincere difciples will poffefs, who are to 92 HISTORY OF THE C I. rife incorruptible and imraortal. He expreffed his confent to the fixth article, as containing all things neceffary to falvatlon, if the rainiftry, facraraent, and church communion carae under this defcrip- tion ; and If, under the title of canonical books, were included the Epiftles of the Hebrews, the 2d of Peter, and the 2d and 3d of John, Jude, and the Revelation. He entered his caveat againft the claufe in the feventh article, that the civil precepts of the law given from God by Mofes ought not to be received in any comraonweal th, unlefs it referred only to the particular civil laws appropriate and peculiar to the Jewiffi coramonwealth ; and not to thofe moral laws, Included in the Mofaic inftitutes, which are of univerfal obligation, and common to all chriftian nations. As to the eighth article on the three creeds, he guarded againft being underftood to admit two Gods by fubfcrlbing the claufe m the Nicene creed, *' God of God, very God of very " God ;" and made an exception to the damnatory claufe of the Athanafian creed. He explained the infeftion of nature remaining even in the regenerate, according to the ninth article, to be fo, not in pre dominant force or unpardoned, but in a mortified and fubdued degree. The language of the tenth article, that " we have no power to do good works," he foftened into an acknowledgement that " our " natural powers or faculties are not fufficient " without grace." That the eleventh article might not be conftrued as giving any countenance to ^ difregard of righteoufnefs of life, he was diffufe in C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. J9» 41, 43) 44> 47> 50. H 2 100 HISTORY OF THE C. I. Mr. Howe had a principal ffiare in drawing up this paper. But befides him, on the part of the preffiyterlans, Mr. Hammond, Mr. afterwards Dr. Williams, Mr. Stretton, Dr. Annefley, and Mr. Mayo, took a lead In the affair ; and on behalf of the congregationalifts, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Mead, Mr. Chauncy, Mr. Lobb, Mr. James, and Mr. Mather, lent the aid of their judgment and their pens to this meafure of mutual agreement. The enumeration of the topics on which thefe heads of agreement turned, ffiews that the affent related only to matters of church government and ecclefiaftical dlfcipline and order. By the eighth rule it was provided, that the union ffiould not be diffolved by difference of opinion on doftrinal queftions ; for It was well known that fuch differences exifted, particularly between Mr. Baxter and Mr. Cockayn, who were members of the union. This agreement, as parti cularly appears from the ninth article, indicated greater liberality of mind in the Prefbyterians, thaii that denoraination had expreffed towards the Inde pendents In the tiraes preceding the death of Charles I.; when, they not only ffiowed towards them an inimical fpirit, but declared with vehemence againft that liberty of confcience for which the Inde pendents were, to their honour, ftrenuous advocates.* The eighth article was undoubtedly meant to be conciliatory, and profeffedly fets up the feriptures, on points of faith, as z perfect and only rule of faith and praftice; but it incoufiftently combines with It * Neal's Hiftory ofthe Puritans, vol. iii. p._44o, laft edition. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. IQl as auxiliaries, or as tefts, the Articles of the Church of England, the Confeffion agreed on at the Savoy, and the Catechifras of the Affembly at Weftminfter ; as if the feriptures were not fufficiently explicit and authoritative by therafelves. The declaration honourable to the feriptures is weakened or rather done away by a fubfequent claufe. The definition given of the Catholic vifible Church? in the firft article, as confifting of the whole multi tude of visible believers and their infant seed, lies open to remark. It confifts of contradiftory ideas ; the ideas of knowledge and conviftion implied in the term believers, and the ideas of ignorance and compulfion neceffarily connefted with a ftate of infancy ; and it was evidently pointed againft the Baptifts : And in the uncandid fpirit of the times, when this feft, ftill In the coraraencement of its reputation and influence, was looked upon with prejudice and contempt. It appeared defigned to ex clude them from this plan of agreement.* In this fcherae of union, the united brethren ftudied by mutual conceffions to comproraife the differences between them. The Independents, it is ¦• " A Church," fays Mr. Locke, " I take to be a voluntary fociety " of men, joining themfelves together of their own accord, in order " to the public worfliip of God in fuch a manner as they judge " acceptable to Him and efieftual to the falvation of their fouls. " I fay, it is a free and voluntary fociety. No body is born a « member of any church ; otherwife the religion of parents would " defcend unto children, by the fame right as their temporal eftates, *' and every one would hold his faith by the fame tenure he does " his lands ; than which nothing can be imagined more abfurd." Locke's Letter on Toleration> reprinted ib iEop, p. «o. 102 HISTORY OF THE C. I. worthy of notice, dropt the word covenant, which they had been fond of ufing to exprefs the terms of their fellowffiip. They borrowed the expreffion from fome tranfaftions in the Qld Teftament; and as they derived It from the feriptures, it was efteemed by them extremely venerable and even facred. Under the fecond article, they receded in feme degree frora the language of the platform of order in 1658;* where they made the previous eleftion or preceding confent of the church as indifpenfable to the ordination of a minifter, or the communication of office power to him; but here they infift on it as only ordinarily requifite. It was from the principle of comproraife, it may be concluded, that in the article on the miniftry, the term teacher, as diftinft from paftors and ruling elders, was erafed: though the diftinftlon had been admitted by the old congre gationalifts, as what was to continue to the end of the world. Both Prefbyterians and Independents, by their affent to thefe declarations, departed from the principles of their firft inftitutions ; namely, that *' each particular church hath a right to choofe " their own officers ; and being furniflied with fuch " as are duly qualified and ord.iincd according to *' the Gofpel rule, hath authority from Chrift for ?' exercifing government and enjoying all the ordi- " nances of worfliip withip itf.lt: TJiat, in the ad- *' miniPration of church auihority,it belongs to the " paltors and other elders of every particular church ^' (if fuch there be) to rule and govern ; and to the • Laft Cfjiiicn of Nl;i1, vol. iv. p-. 19J. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSEN rERS. l03 " brotherhood to confent according to the rule of the " Gofpel.* It maybe regarded as a virtual concef- " fion, that ordination is rather an aftof devotion, than " an inveftiture with power, when the fixth feftion ¦" of the fecond article admits, on the removal of a " minifter formerly ordained to a new ftation or paf- " toral charge, a like folemn recommending of him *' and his labours to the grace and blcftingof God.'' It was a diftinguifliing charafteriftic of the fpirit of thefe heads of agreement, that the authoritative power, affumed before this by the forms and claims of the prefbyterian government in particular, w^as relinquifhed. In the preface, the impofition of thefe terms of agreement on others was difclaimed; all pretence to coercive power was owned to be as un- fuitable to their principles as to their circumftances ; and excommunication was defined to be no more than " declaring fcandalous and irreclaimable mem- '• bers incapable of communion in things peculiar " to vifible believers." The prerogatives exercifed in former days in fynods and affemblies are brought down, by the fixth article, to " occafional meetings " of minifters, and to a reverential regard to their ** judgment ;" and, by article the fourth, to " fre- " quent meetings together, that by mutual advice, *' fupport, encouragement, and brotherly inter- " courfe, they raay ftrengthen the hearts and ihands " of each other in the Lord." By the fecond fec tion of that article it is conceded, that " none of *' their particular churches ffiall be fubordinate to * Sections 6 and 7 of the firft article. 104 HISTORY OF THE ' C.I. " one another, all being endued with an equality of " power frora Chrift ; and that none of the faid par- " ticular churches, their officer or officers, ffiall ex- " ercife any power or have any fuperiority over " any other church or their officers." Thefe were great conceffions on the fide of the Prefbyterians ; men, who, during the tirae of the Coramonwealth, had been in alliance with the ftate, and had exer cifed In various provinces of the kingdom as well as in London, an ecclefiaftical jurlfdiftion. Their fitua tion was now changed ; and it was nc'ceffary policy, if not true liberality of fpirit, to lay afide claims, which they had no raeans of fupporting by the emo luments or power of this world. This agreement feems to have been the firft ftep towards the decline of the preffiyterlan dlfcipline ; till at length, though the name is retained by raany focieties of diffenters, the diftinguiffiing principles of prefbyterianifm are loft ; and the independent mode of church govern ment is virtually, if not avowedly, adopted by aU. The coalition, the principles of which we have ftated, after the preliminaries of it were fettled, was commenced with a religious fervice at Stepney on the 6th of Apiil 1691 : at which, by the appointment of the united minifters, a fermon was preached by Mr. Matthew Mead ; which was publiflied under the quaint title, but fuitable to the occafion, and agreeable to the tafte of the age, of " Two ftlcks " raade one," from Ezekiel xxxvii. 19. The diffenters would have fliewn wifdom, and probably have commanded greater refpeft, and had C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 105 greater weight with the nation. If befides this li mited and partial agreement between the minifters in London ahd its vicinity, they bad adopted a fcheme of general correfpondence throughout the kingdom, and had adhered to it with confiftency and firmnefs. It would have laid a foundation for future vigorous and united exertions in a comraon caufe ; and would have precluded thofe clamours, which an attempt to form fuch an union has fince raifed. It was however to their honour, that though they did not unite on a broad plan, which ffiould comprehend all the body afld Its different denomi nations through the kingdom ; they generally afted in concert, and were unanimous in the fupport which they afforded to the new government. Whereas in the church, contentions ftUI exifted. The zealous adherents to the abdicated king were folicitous to rcinftate him on his throne; and a defign was concerted to affaffinate the reigning king In Flanders.* A controverfy in favour of the deprived biffiops agitated the church ; and various trafts were publiffied. Among others who refufed the oaths, and afterwards diftinguiffied themfelves by a bitter and determined adherence to the caufe of the exiled king, was Dr. George Hicks, whora James had promoted to the deanery of Worcefter n 1683 ; a man of extenfive learning, and parti- cularly flcilled in antiquities and the old northern languages. His conduft in the affair was fingular. • Burnet, Tol.ir. p. 13 8» &c< ]()6 HISTORY OF THE C. I, At firft he was willing to fwear allegiance to King William and Queen Mary, refolved to do it, and determined, in order to give notoriety and folemnity to his pledge of fidelity to the new government, td take the oaths publicly in London. Previoufly to his fetting out, a friend, forefeeing the danger of his being affauhed by his acquaintance in the city, and of his being thus diverted from his purpofe, advifed him to continue at Worcefter.* He refented the fufpicion of his fteadinefs which fuch perfuafions implied, and coraraenced his journey. His friend met hira on the road, and renewed his cautions. To thefe he replied by declaring hirafelf fully con^ vinced that it was his duty to take the oaths. But when he reached town, he was led to entertain other fentiraents on the fubjeft ; he faid that he had been miftaken -, and not only refufed to take the oaths, but fet hirafelf at the head of thofe who refufed to take them. He fell under fufpenfion, of courfe, in Auguft 1689, and was deprived in Fe bruary following ; and as he lived twenty-five years after this, he eraployed much of his tirae In writing in defence of the principles of the nonjurors.* It was very natural that the deprivation of a number of the biffiops and clergy ffiould agitate the public mind. They who loft their preferments, loft their temper: though they were not hunted from place to place, or vexed with profecutions and Im, prifonments ; fome of them indeed were doubly taxed, yet they lived unmolefted; and fome were • Life of Bifti<^ Kennet, p. 47, note. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 107 permitted to name their fucceffors into their benefices, who, it was believed, allowed to them the greater proportion of the emoluments. In the diocefe of Salifbury, Mr. Martin, befides being continued in his Uving, received from Bifliop Burnet, out of his own purfe, the income of his prebenJ : for though he refufed the oaths, he did not join in the fchifm of the nonjurors. Mr. Spinks was permitted to ferve the donative which he enjoyed, by a curate. Mr. Jones's living was collated to a fuccefl'or, whom he nominated. Dr. Beach kept his living two years after the fentence of the law pronounced him to be deprived of it ; and though he was indifted and con vifted for uttering feditious words, he was pardoned. This lenient treatment was purfued in other diocefes. But the diminution of Income which thefe clergy fuftained, if not the entire lofs of the emoluments of office, and the obloquy under which their names fell. In the opinion of the majority of the nation, were felt to be grievances. Thefe grievances provoked remonftrances ; and the fingular fituation into which the clergy were thrown, produced queftions concerning the indelible permanence of their facred office and of epifcopal authority, which were agi tated with warmth. The fpiritual fights of the biffiops againft a lay deprivation were afferted and defended in " a Vin- " dication of the deprived Bifliops," a traft pub- liffied at this time, There alfo came out a pamphle;t entitled " Solomon and Abiathar : or the cafe of *' the deprived biffiops and clergy difcuffed, in a " dialogue hetween Eucheres, a conformift, and Dyf- IOS HISTORY OF THE C.I. " cheres, a recufant :" by Mr. Hill. The author's de fign was to ffiew, that Abiathar voluntarily refigned the office of the priefthood, and vpas not removed from it by the authority of Soloraon ; that he had no original legal claim to it ; and that of courfe on his withdrawing from the facred office. It reverted to Zadok, without any title from the king. The tenor of this argument, in direft repugnancy to the ftatement of the hiftorian, was evidently defigned to prove, that the Engliffi monarch could not juftify his deprivation of the biffiops by the example of the Jewiffi king. The fpirit of the writer and the fpirit of the tiraes appeared In the reprefentation given by him of the ftate of things under King, William, which he ftigmatifed as " worfe than a " deluge of popery; and the whole revolution," he branded *' as a great impiety." With fuch fenti- ments concerning the exifting government, it Is not furprifing that the Jacobites were frequently forming plots againft It; that difappointments in their defigns enflaraed their refentment ; and that events, which had an unfavourable afpeft on the glory of the king's arms and the fecurity of his crown, fuch as the viftory of the French at Landen, and the ruin of the Smyrna fleet, gave birth to exultations and rejoicings. *' It Is amazing to think," fays a liberal writer, " to what a length the interefts and paffions " of fome men will carry them." A fchifm was at tempted to be raifed in the Church. The divines Dr. Tillotfon and Dr. Sharpe, who had been elefted to the fees of Canterbury and York, becaufe C. i. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 109 they we're faithful to the government and zealous for it, becaufe they were charitable to the diffenters and friends to the toleration, were reprefented as men who intended to undermine the church and to betray it. Some ofthe furious divines, who raifed thefe cla mours, were protefted and preferred, from the hope that indulgence and favour would foften their tempers and correft their prejudices. They accepted their preferments as the rewards which they believed to be due to their merits ; and employed the credit and authority which thefe preferments gave them, againft the very prelates to whom they owed them.* Amidft the agitations of the times, two events took place which were of a very gloomy caft ; which appeared very Inaufpicious to the general caufe of liberty, and to the rights and hopes of the diffenters in particular. On the 22d of November, 1694, died Archbiffiop Tillotfon, whofe high ftation had been made very uneafy, and whofe fpirits had fuffered a great depreffion, by the virulent oppofition of his enemies and by the reproach of evil tongues, thjaugh neither could provoke or frighten hira from nis duty. His mind was enriched with learning, and his heart was formed by the genuine fpirit of goodnefs; In his charafter reftitude of principle was united with benevolence of difpofition and fweetnefs of temper. The generous and liberal fentiments towards the diffenters, which diftinguiffied him; and his advancement to that ftation of influence, dignity, and wealth,, of which their favourite Sancroft had * Warner's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory of England, vol. ii. p. 653. 110 HISTORY OF THE C.I. been difpoffeffed; expofed him to the difpleafure of tliehighparty,'anddrewon him their jealoufy and refentment. The king and queen were much affefted with his death ; and with great reafon, it awakened a general concern and deep forrow throughout the nation. The event can now be viewed not only as affording to the prelate a calra retreat from the malice of his enemies, but as being even favourable to the caufe, which appeared in his reraoval to have fuftained an irreparable injury ; for his mjld and pacific fpirit, obferves Dr. Calamy, rendered him not fo well able, as his fucceffor Dr. Tennifon, to contend with fome difficulties, which, had he lived longer, he would have been called to encounter. Dr. John Hall, bifliop of Briftol and mafter of Pembroke college, on account of his moderation and piety, was recommended by a numerous party to fill the vacant fee of Canterbury. Dr. Stil lingfleet biffiop of Worcefter, who was eminently learned, was judged by many to be a man in all refpefts fit for the poft, and his nomination to it was not only favoured by the inclinations, but fupported by the earneft requeft, of the Queen : befides being obnoxious, however, to the envy and jealoufy of fome on account of eminent talents and erudition, befides his temper and notions being generally regar ded as too high by the whigs, his tender frame and. Ill health difqualified hira for the fatigues attached to that high ftation. The approbation of the mi niftry, the general concurrence of the clergy and people, and the efteem of their majefties, after all;, C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ] 1 1 determined In favour of Dr. Tennifon bifliop of Lincoln ; a man who had many friends and no enemy ; who poffeffed firm health and an aftive temper ; who had ferved the cure of St. Martin, in the worft times, with fingular difcretion ahd courage; and had reftored a large neglefted diocefe to good order and dlfcipline. He was nominated to the fee of Canterbury on the 8th of December, and his confecration took place on January i6, 1695, in the church of St. Mary-le-Bow, London. Within five weeks after the removal of Archbiffiop TiUotfon, the Queen fell fick on the 2 2d of De cember 1694. Her illnefs foon appeared to be the fmall-pox, a difeafe which had been fatal to the royal family. It baffled the fkill of the phyficians and the power of medicine, and ffie died on the 28th ofthe fame month, in the thirty-third year of her age, and in the fixth of her reign. Her perfonal accompliffi- mcnts and virtues would in any ftation have created deep and mournful regret, through the circle in which ffie could not but have been admired and loved. Her capacity for government, and the wifdom of her adminiftration in the abfence of the king, difplayed her great talents, and brightened the afpeft of public affairs, which in other refpefts were of a melancholy coraplexion. Her zeal for the public good, her concern for the honour and prof- perlty of England, her attachraeut to the proteftant religion, her regard to the rights of confcience, and her foHcitude to promote union amongft her fubjefts, rendered her Ufe peculiarly important, and 112 HISTORY OF THE C. I. her death a juft ground of deep and univerfal forrow. She died more generally lamented than any princefs In our hiftory ; and the national refpeft and grief were teftified In an extraordinary raanner. Both Houfes of Parliament went in proceffion before the chariot In which her body was carried to the place of interment : and the Order of Council, befides requiring aU perfons to go Into thedeepeft mourning, direfted the nobility and gentry to furniffi their fervants with liveries of black cloth, and to cover their coaches with It. The people of Scotland, to ffiew how much they felt on this occafion, fet apart a day of humiUation. The two Houfes of Parliament gave the example of waliint on the king with moft refpeftful and confolatory addreffes. The clergy, the city of London, and other corporations and chief places of the kingdom, were not behind the legiflative bodies in fimilar teftimonlals of their fympathy with the king, and of their deep fenfe of the queen's death. The diffenting minifters In London and Its vicinity, who had peculiar reafons to exprefs their participation of the general grief, approached the throne in a large body; and in a fpeech delivered by Dr. Bates, at their head, poured out their erapaf- fioned effufions of admiration and praife of the high perfeftions that ffione in the perfon and aftions of the deceafed royal perfonage, and their ftrong affurances of inviolable fidelity and conftant attach ment to the perfon and government of the furviving fovereiffn.* 't3 » For the Addrefs at length, fee Appendix No. iv. C.I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. J J Amidft the general expreffions of high regard for the vhtues and excellencies difplayed in the cha rafter of the Queen ; and of univerfal forrow on her death, there were not wanting publicatiotis which betrayed different fentiments. The funCral fermon for her Majefty was, at the King's appoint ment, preached at Dr. Tennifon. Some perfons, from a prejudice againft the new archbifliop and frora difaffeftlon to the government, were fevere in their animadverfidns on this difcourfe, and on others preached upon feveral folemn occafions, about this time, by other biffiops and eminent minlfters in the church. The nonjuring clergy were moft forward in their cenfures ; and in the exafperated ftate of their minds, they did not refrain from malevolent afperfions on the king, and his deceafed royal con- fort. The cry of paffive obedience was renewed ; and the heavleft charges of producing famine at home and contempt abroad, of impoveriffiing and ruining the nation for ever^ were brought againft the Revolution. One paraphlet publiffied In this ftrain was entided " Remarks on fome late Sermons :" another appeared In the form of " A Letter to the " Author of a Sermon preached at the funeral of " her late Majefty Queen Mary." This traft came from the pen of a worthy charafterj whofe works had In general an obvious tendency to promote pradllcal religion, and whofe fermons were regarded as the genuine effufions of his heart. The author was Dr. Kenn, who had been deprived of the fee of JBath and Wells ; whofe attachment to James II. t u 114 HISTORY OF THE C.I. or whofe fcrupulofity about the permanent obligation of his former oaths, rendered him inimical to the new government, and excited in his mind ftrong pre judices againft the deceafed queen, as having, In his apprehenfions, violated filial duty and affeftion, when ffie was prevaUed on to afcend her father's throne, and was made the inftrument of fuperceding hira.* The archbiffiop did not judge it proper or neceffary to reply to this letter; which was raeant to charge him with unfaithfulnefs in not avaiUng hirafelf of the opportunities afforded him, by his attendance on the queen in her laft illnefs, to awaken a fenfe of guilt, where the prelate, viewing the conduft in a different light from his epifcopal brother, doabtlefs thought that the royal perfonage had afted a virtuous and patriotic part. The author ofthe letter could fcarcely entertain a hope that his reraonftrance would have any other effeft than that of expofing the conduft of the prelate to cenfure ; and together with the " Remarks," affording a tef tlmony of the fpirit and fentiraents with which the Revolution and the charafter of,the queen were re garded by the writers of thofe pamphlets and by the party, of which they raight be confidered as the voice. It was to the honour of the archbiffiop, that though he was filent under the reproaches caft upon him, he was not inaftive In the high ftation to which he was raifed. One of his firft afts after his advancement was to obtain from the king " Injunftions to the • Memoirs of Dr. Tennifon, p. 31— 41 ; and Granger's Biogra* phical Hiftory of England, vol. iv. p. tgo. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. Il5 *' archbiffiops, to be communicated by them to the " biffiops and the reft of the clergy, for reform- " ing the government of the church ; enforcing a *' regard to the canons relative to ordination ; fup- " preffing abufes occafioned by pluralities, and pro- " viding for the regular and conftant difcharge of " clerical duties; and for a vigilant fuperintendance *' of the Uves and manners of the clergy." The tenor of fuch publications as thofe which we have noticed, afforded ftrong indications of the at tachment to the exiled king, and of diffaffedlion to the Revolution, prevailing in the kingdom ; fufficient to give encouragement to the formation of fchemes for the overthrow of the exifting government. A ftratagem to effeft this objeft was concerted In France. The objeft was to invade England, and to affaffinate the King in his coach, either as he ffiould go out to hunt, or on his return. The leading con fpirators were Sir Wm. Perkins, Captain Porter, La Rue, Robert Chaveroch, and others; at the head of whom was Sir George Barclay. The French army was marched to Dunkirk, to aft when the opportunity favoured their exertions. The Duke of Berwick came over to prepare matters here. The tranfport ffiips, a fmall fleet of cruizers and a convoy of men of war, were in a filent manner brought toge ther, and properly difpofed; many regiments were embarked; and King James was waiting at Calais, that on the firft notice of the fuccefs of the affaffina- tion, he might fet fail; fo nearly was the fcheme rought to a crifis. The defign was to ftrike the 1 2 116 HISTORY OF THE C.I. blow on the 15th of February 1695 — 6 : but inthe beginning of that month fuch a difclofure was made by La Rue, a Captain Fiffier, and Pendergrafs, an Irlffi officer, as led to an Inveftigatlon which de feated the projeft. Upon the deteftion of this defign a royal proclamation was Iffued, promifing large rewards to thofe who ffiould apprehend any of the confpirators named In It ; fo that few, except Barclay, efcaped. The prifons were In a manner filled with fuch as were apprehended. Several of them were tried on indidments of high treafon, and were executed. When Sir John Friend and Sir Wm. Perkins fuffered death, three nonjurying cler gymen, Mr. Cook, Mr. Snatt, and Mr. Collier, who had vifited them In prifon, attended them to the place of execution ; and befides affifting them with their exhortations and prayers, folemnly gave them abfolution, by impofition of hands, before all the people : " a ftrain of impudence," fays Biffiop Bur net, " as new as It was wicked." Thefe perfons died, owning the III defigns In which they had been engaged, and expreffing no fentiment of penitence for them. The conduft of the clergy who abfolved them was a virtual approbation of their traitorous meafures; and a daring infult of the government, and of the legal proceedings which had fentcnced them to death. The two former were committed, tried, and fined, as well as cenfured ; Mr. Collier made his efcape. A declaration againft this beha viour of the clergymen, as extremely Infolent, as without precedent in the manner, and as altogether C.I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. Il/ irregular, was publiflied by the archbifliops and fourteen bifliops, the whole of the epifcopal bench then in town; and feveral nonjurying clergymen gave it under their hands, that it was neither the praftice of the Church of England, nor aUowabl? in fuch cafes, to give abfolution.* When fuch a fpirit fliewed itfelf towards " the " powers that were," it is not furprifing,- if the friends and partizans of the new civil eftablifliment were regarded with jealoufy and refentment. The liberty granted to the diffenters to worffiip God according to their principles was all along the ground of complaint, and a grievance to many. Though all the former feverities were not revived againft thera, they were borne hard upon at this time in feveral inftances where the Aft of Indulgence, had not fpecl- fically provided for their relief. Proceedings were commenced againft feveral, efpecially Mr. afterwards Dr. Joffina Oldfield, then paftor of a congregation of diffenters at Coventry, for keeping acaderaical femi naries. Mr. Oldfield was a raan of diftinguiffied talents and learning; who, previoufly to his fettle mcnt at Coventry, had lived feveral years at Oxford, and was in habits of friendly Intercourfe with fome of the firft f cholars of the univerfity ; araong others with Dr. Wallis and Mr. Dodwell, by whom he was highly efteemed. He had complied with the re- quifitions of the law by a declaration againft popery, by fubfcription to the doftrinal articles of the Efta- * Calamy, p. 550 ; and Hiftory of the Life and Reign of William '.III. p. 317, nmo. 1744. 118 HISTORY OF THE C. I. bliffied Church, and by taking the oath of allegiance to the government, in the fupport of which he joined an affociation. But thefe evidences of his proteftantifm and loyalty did not proteft him from the fpirit of Intolerance. On the 6th of Oftober 1696, he was cited tp appear on the 14th of the fame month before the ecclefiaftical court, to be held at Coventry, for the diocefe of fylchfield and Coventry. He was pharged with teaching without a llcenpe ; and when he demanded a copy of ' the libel or articles againft him, he was put off, and forced to attend again for it at Lichfield on the 26th. The libel ex officio, which was there delivered to him, accufed him of teaching without licence, and alfo without fubfcription to the whole Book of Coramon Prayer and the thirty-nine articles entire, contrary to the 77th canon ; though no charge of deficiency in any other qualification, or any crimina lity of conduft in other refpeft, was alleged againft him. The judge earneftly preffed hira for an irarae diate anfwer ; and the utmoft indulgence he could obtain, was to poftpone his appearance in the fame place tUl the 7th of November, the next court-day. When the day carae, he replied by his proftor. One of his family happening to be prefent was fo terrified by the judge himfelf, who threatened him with excommunication, as to bind himfelf by an oath to accufe the defendant; but, by withdrawing before the hour for his examination came, he evaded the obligation. Mr. Oldfield removed the caufe to C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ] 19 Wcftminfter-Hall, and obtained 2i noli prosequi from the Court of King's-Bench. Thelearned Mr. Frankland, ejefted fromBifhop's- Aukland in Durham, who eondufted, at different places of refidence, an academical feminary of great reputation from 1669 to 1698, was, notwithftanding the proteftion and fecurity which the Toleration Aft offered, haraffed by citations from the eccle fiaftical courts from the Revolution in 1688 to his death In 1698, foon after he had- obtained a fimilar prohibition to ftop proceedings : in the raean tirae he had been excommunicated, on one ofthe citations, for non-appearance. Others met with trouble on the fame grounds. The fpirit of the law, which indeed, under great limitations, granted liberty of religious profeffion, and the known difpofitions ofthe Court, were not fufficient to reftrain the operations of Intolerance without an appeal to the royal pre rogative, to obtain from the liberality of the king the indemnity which the law ought to have guaran teed. The proceedings againft Mr. Oldfield and Mr. Frankland, on account of keeping feminaries for claffical andphilofophical learning, were peculiarly groundlefs and illiberal, as both had ftudied at the Univerfities of Cambridge, and left that feat of fcience and literature with great reputation for talents and proficiency.* Profecutions againft raen for opening fchools and diffufing knowledge were more fuitable to the age of Gothic barbarifm, than to * Calamy, vol. i. p. 551 ; Dr. Wm. Harris's funeral Difcourfes, p. ^84 ; and Palmer's Noncpnfprmift's J»Ie?noria}, vol. i, p. 49I9 120 HISTORY OF THE C. I, s times like thofe of the Revolution, when the day-ftjir of light and liberty was rifing on mankind. The conduft of Sir Humphrey Edwin, a diffenter, and the lord-mayor of London this year. In carrying the regalia of his office to the meeting-houfe at Pinner's Hall, wUl be deemed by many to have been injudicious, and in thofe tiraes of irritation calculated to raife jealoufy and Inflame the paffions. The faft is, that unhappy confequences arofe from it both in this and the fucceeding reign. It was reprefented by a warm advocate for the church, not only as a reproach to the laws and maglftracy of the city, that the mayor ffiould carry the fword of ftate with him to, as the divine elegantly expreffcs himfelf, *' a *' nafiy conventicle,'' that was kept In one of the city-halls, but as atr ox f acinus, a horrid crime ; and he called the plea offered in Its defence, on the prin ciple that the Aft of Toleration as much eftabliffied the religion of the diffenters as that of the nation, •' an arrogant reafon." The horrid nature of the crime, and the arrogance of the plea, could not be feen nor admitted by many who wiffied that this proceeding of the lord-mayor had been waved. But the moft marked and prominent feature of the times appeared in ftatute 8 th and gth, paffed in the reign of King William III. intitled, "an Aft for " the more effeftual fuppreffing of blafphemy and ^' profanenefs." Some years before this the contro verfy concerning the doftrine of the Trinity had been agitated; and Unitarian fentiraents, called then as in %he prefentday, byway of obloquy, Sofinian, had been C.I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 121 advanced and defended in various publications; which Mr. Firrain, a citizen of wealth, andapattern of aftive and generous benevolence in various ways, as well as of zeal in religious matters, difperfed over the nation, and gave to any perfon who was difpofed to read them. Great attention was excited ; the fubjeft became a comraon topic of difcourfe ; indignant con tempt was expreffed againft myfterious doftrines, as the contrivances of priefts, aftuated by a -defign to bring theworldintoablindfubmiffion,andasgoverned more by the fpirit of prieftcraft than the love of truth. The friends of the received doftrines were alarmed ; a great outcry was raifed againft focinl- anifm; and the enemies to the government availed therafelves of the opportunity, either through real or pretended fears, to purfue fteps and to ufe a lan guage which tended to undermine it. In this ferment of the public mind, the Comraons addreffed the King, Feb, 17, 1698, to this effeft. They requefted his Majefty to iffue out his royal proclaraation to all the raagiftrates and juftices of the peace to put in fpeedy execution the laws againft profanenefs and immorality, and to require from time to time an account of their proceedings on it: They befought his Majefty to difcourage, In a particular manner, all vice, profanenefs, and Irreligion In thofe who had the honour to be employed near his royal perfon, or In his fervice by fea or land ; to appoint ftrift orders to be given to all his coraraanders, not only to ffiew a good example, but to infpeft the manners of thofe under them : and they entreated that his 122 HISTORY OF THE C. I. Majefty on all occafions would diftingulffi men 'of piety and virtue by marks of his royal favour. They alfo folicited the king to give fuch effeftual orders as to his royal wifdom ffiould feem fit, for the fuppreffion of aU pernicious books and pamphlets, containing in them Impious dotSrlnes againft the Holy Trinity, and other fundamental articles of faith, and to dlf- countenance the authors and publiffiers of them. The concern expreffed by thefe fenators for the fuppreffion of vice, immorality, and irreligion, will be deemed truly laudable, worthy the friends of virtue and the guardians of their country's beft interefts. But in the laft claufe of their addrefs they will be thought to have gone beyond their province as legiflators, which was to define and fecure the rights exifting between man and man ; and to forra laws, as the tiraes and the ftate of property might alter, for the proteftion of thofe rights. The civil magis^ trate is the guarantee to every citizen againft inju ries from his fellow citizens ; but he is no umpire between Gqd and man : he has no claim, by depu tation from either, to decide what Is religious truth; nor does he poffefs, either in his perfonal capacity or his official charafter, any peculiar prerogative or ability for the talk. The fame raeans of Information, the fame oracles of divine truth, lie open to the ma giftrate and to the fubjeft ; each is refponfible to Gon for his religious opinions. In the times of which we are fpeaking, the force of thefe principles, which are more univerfally admitted In thefe days of better ijcnowledge and fuperior liberality, was very partiaUy C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 123 felt; and the appUcation of them was, in general, made only to cafes that related to ecclefiaftical government or to religious ceremonies. We are, therefore, lefs furprized, though we may be difpofed to lament, that fuch an addrefs from the Comraons was followed by the ftatute which we have mentioned. This Aft recited, that many perfons had of late years openly avowed and publiflied many blafphemous and impious opinions, repugnant to the doftrines ofthe Chriftian religion, very diffionourable to Almighty God, and in their tendency deftruftive to the peace and welfare of the kingdom. To pro vide againft thefe evils, and to fupprefs, as the Aft expreffcs It, " thefe deteftable crimes," it prohibits fuch publications; and enafts fevere penalties againft any and every perfon, educated in the Chriftian reli gion, or who at any time had made a profeffion of it within this realm, who ffial! by writing, printing, teaching, or advifed fpeaking, deny any one ofthe perfons of the Holy Trinity to be God, or ffiall affert or maintain there are more Gods than one, or ffiall deny the Chriftian religion to be true, or the holy feriptures of the Old and New Teftament to be of divine authority. To enforce thefe prohibitions, an incapacity and difability in law, to all intents and purpofes whatever, to hold any office or employ ment, ecclefiaftical, civil, or military, or a privation of any office or employment held and enjoyed by the offender at the time of conviftion, is the puniffiment affixed to the firft offence. To be difabled from any right of fueing, profecuting, pleading, or ufing 124 HISTORY OF THE C. J* any aftion or information in any court of law or equity, from being guardian pf any child, or executor or adminiftrator of any perfon, or capable of receiv ing any legacy or deed of gift, or of bearing any office civil or military, or any ecclefiaftical benefice, for ever, within this realm, and an Imprifonment for three years without bail or main-prize from the tirae of conviftion, is the puniffiraent affigned to the fecond offence. Some of the provifions in this claufe feem to have been formed on the model of an edift by the Emperor Marclan in the fixth century, againft the Eutychians and Apollinarifts, by which they were rendered incapable of difpofing of their eftates, of making a will, or of Inheriting any thing by the will of others, or by a deed of gift.* In one claufe this ftatute raay appear to exprefs a degree of indul gence and lenity towards thofe who were convifted on it of any crime or crimes; as it provided, that on the acknowledgment and renunciation, within the fpace of four months, of the offence or of erroneous opinions, in the court where the conviftion had taken place, fuch offender ffiould be difcharged from aU penalties and difabilities incurred by fuch conviftion. Even this claufe deferves to be reprobated, for It is infidious and enfnaring; holding out a temptation to the Irrefolute, and opening a door of efcape from the penalties of the ftatute to thofe who are deftitute of piety and moral reftitude. Can It be afcertained, whether a renunciation of opinions made under fuch circumftances is the effeft of conviftion, an4 Furneaux's Letters to Blackftone, p. jg, note. C. 1. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 125 an unequivocal proof of fincerity? Does it not look very fufpicious? Has it not the appearance of being the aft of ' a difmayed hypocrite?' Such ftatutes are incompetent to the end propofed by them, namely, fuppreffing the avowal and checking the fpread of any particular tenets. " No terrors, not even thofe " of death, are ftrong enough," it has been well obferved, " to prevent the virtuous charafter from *' making a profeffion of his religious fentiments. *• There have been men In all ages who have chofen *' to endure even an agonizing death, rather than " withhold an open teftlmony to their convlftions ; " and men there ever will be, who will think the " profeffion of their religious fentiments a duty of *' Indifpenfable obligation, and who will defy every " hazard rather than (ionceal them."* If fuch fta tutes are incompetent to prevent the avowal ofthe fentiments againft which they are levelled, the inflift ing of the penalties they enaft, inftead of reftraining the publication of fuch fentiments, promotes It, and gives a fpread to them under circumftances that arc very favourable to their reception. The cafe of a virtuous fufferer under the laffi of fuch laws attrafts notice, moves pity, gives a notoriety to his opinions, and raifes his charafter for fincerity and fortitude in the eftimation of the public. All thefe circumftances wUl give weight to his opinions, andturn theattention of men to them. " The words are gone forth, and can- *' not be recaUed ; the public curiofity is only attrafted " towards them by any fpecles of legal cognizance • A Treatife on Herefy, byaBarrifter at Law,p. izj, 3- 179*- 126 HISTORY OF THE C. I. " wliatfoever; a more general examination ofthe " fentiment fucceeds, and amongft the number of " enquirers, fome, of courfe, will become advocates *' for the opinions of the preacher. The poifon has " entered the circulation, and muft have its courfe."* The inefficiency of fuch ftatutes expofes the folly of them, and draws on them juft contempt. But In reference to the intolerance and cruelty which mark them, they deferve to be branded with the moft opprobrious cenfures. It at once awakens deep concern and roufes warm indignation, that fuch a ftatute remains, though men do not aft on it, even in our day, todiffionour our legiflative code. The times in which it paffed were not equally enlightened with the prefent ; a great horror exifted in the minds of moft men againft the fentiments which it was framed to fupprefs. Even fuch a fpi- rited and upright advocate of civil and religious liberty as Andrew Marvell, could complain that there was " a very great negleft fomewhere, wherefoever " the infpeftlon of books was lodged, that at leaft <' the Socinian books fliould be tolerated, and feU " as openly as the Bible."t The diffenters, in the addrefs of their body to King Williara in 1697, ^^^ intreated and urged hira to ftop the prefs againft the Unitarians ; in which requeft they had in view the trafts written and circulated under the patronage of Mr. Firrain. Ij The difpofition to pafs the ftatute * A Treatife on Herefy, by a Barrifter at Law, p. •i5. t Rehearfal Tranfpofed, part x. p. 17Z, (1674) ; or Thomp- fon's edition of Marvell's Works, vol. ii. p. iza. II Emlyn's Woiks, vol. ii. p. 374. Lindfey's Hift. View p. 302. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 127 under confideration was unhappily countenanced by a precedent in the Long Parliament In 1648, which, by the influence of the preffiyterlans, had paffed an Aft fimilar to this, but with the feverer penalty of death to be Inflifted on the party condemned ; " though indeed," as Mr. Lindfey adds, " three ** years imprifonment is fometimes worfe than " death. "§ No precedent, no prejudices, though they may extenuate the culpabUity of the legiflature in paffing fuch an Aft, can whoUy juftify it ; efpeci ally as at that time feveral pens had ably afferted and defended the rights of confcience, explained the principles of free enquiry, and expofed the injuftice of intolerance. There had been publiffied " An *' Effay concerning the power of the magiftrate, and " the rights of mankind in matters of religion ;" a traft, which if it were " thoughtfully read and impar- " tially confidered," was calculated to make every ingenuous reader affiamed of perfecution.* There had appeared from the prefs " An Apology for the *' Parliaraent, humbly reprefenting to Mr. John " Gailhard fome reafons why they did not at his " requeft enaft fanguinary laws againft proteftants " in their laft feffion," 1697. But the confidera tion which on this fubjeft peculiarly wounds the reflefting mind is, that the ftatute of which we are fpeaking was not prevented by the clofe reafonings and liberal fpirit with which the nation had been addreffed about nine or ten years before In Mr, § My Review of the Life &c. of Biddle, feft. vi. * An Apology for the Parliament, p. 39. 128 HISTORY OF THE C. I. Locke's " Letter concerning Toleration ;" which, though publiffied firft In Latin in Holland 1689, had excited fo much attention as to have been tranflated In the fame year into the Dutch, French, and Engliffi languages ; and the Engliffi tranflation had, within that fpace, gone throftgh two Impref- fions, firft in quarto and then in duodecimo. It Is to be lamented, and to him who does not make allowance for the force of prejudice, and the flow progrefs of truth, however ably fupported, it may appear furprifing, that the weight and authority which this fra£l derived from the fingular talents and eminence of the author, had not given a decided turn to the public mind in favour of full religious liberty. Mr. Locke, It is to be noticed, was not the firft writer on the fubjeft ; the public attention had been direfted to it fome years before, even during the civil wars, when the argument had been ably ftated and difcuffed. Ihe misfortune was, that " not only the government," as the judicious and enlightened tranflator of Mr. Locke's Letters obferves, " had been partial in raatters of religion, " but thofe alfo who had fuffered under that par- " tiality," and had endeavoured by their writings to vindicate their own rights and liberties, had done it for the moft part upon narrow principles, fuited only to the interefts of their own fefts. Even Mr. Locke's generous principles were not, though ftated in his clear and ftrong manner. Immediately efficacious in enlarging and expanding the minds of men. C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 12g To this it is to be added, that political jealoufies and interefts blended their influence with religious zeal. This was very apparent in fome fubfequent proceedings againft the papifts. In the feffions of Parliament of 16^8, an addrefs was prefented to the king, complaining of the boldnefs with which, from his Majefty's unexampled clemency, the papifts had of late frequented the metropolis, and all places of public refort ; and befeeching his Majefty to iffue his royal proclaraation againft them. This the king promifed to do.§ The faft was, that many priefts, alarmed at the evils which they anticipated from the effefts ofthe revolution, had left the kingdom; but after the peace of Ryfwick, they returned, accom panied by numbers of their order, and appeared about the town without referve, and with an affumed boldnefs, prefuraing on the fpirit of toleration which had begun to operate in favour of other fec- tarifts. The enemies of the governraent availed themfelves of this circumftance to afperfe the whig minifters, as being indifferent to the interefts of religion, and to throw out infinuations that the peace of Ryfwick included a fecret article in favour of popery. Even the king himfelf was accufed of an attachment, or at leaft partiality to that religion. Under the pretence of zeal for proteftantifm, and from a malignant enmity to the friends of govern ment, in the feffion of 1699, Mr. Howe, one of the moft virulent Jacobites in the houfe, under the fanc- § Belfham's Hiftory of Great-Britain from the Revolution, vol. ji, p. 8, Svo. K 130 HISTORY OF THE G.I, tion of a committee, of which he was the chairman, brought in a bUl of great feverity. It inflifted a fentence of banifliment upon all popiffi priefts and fchoolraafters, on pain of perpetual iraprifonraent in cafe of their return ; and it offered a reward of loool. for their apprehenfion. It alfo enadted, that no papift, born after the 25th of March 1 700, ffiould be capable of inheriting either tide or eftate; or of purchafing lands, &c. either in his own narae or in truft for another, within the realm. The moft ex traordinary claufe ofthe bill was that which required all papifts poffeffing eftates in land to take the oaths of allegiance and fupreraacy, and the teft, when they attained the age of eighteen; and till they did It, the eftate was to devolve to the next of kin that was a proteftant. The tenor of this bill and its progrefs through the houfe were marked by malignant infidioufnefs » on the fide of the party who moved it, and moved it with a defign to perplex the meafures of admi niftration ; for they indulged the expeftation that the whigs, Influenced by their principles of indul gence and toleration, would oppofe it, and by fuch a line of conduft draw on therafelves popular odiura. Difappointed in this apprehenfion they would have dropt the bill. The court party were chargeable in this affair with a conduft irreconcileable to the maxims of fair and juft policy, and were carried away by their zeal againft popery. Bifliop Burnet Informs us,/ that he was in favour of this bill, " not- " wiihftanding his principles for toleration, and c^a/??/? e. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 131 " all perfecution for confcience fake."* Both par ties penetrating Into each other's defigns, and jealous of each other's fuccefs, were alert in manoeuvres to counteraft one another's views, and to clog the bill with new claufes, unreafonable and fevere, to prevent its being paffed by the lords. But fuch fear left popery ffiould recover its power and In fluence was entertained, that the bill rapidly paffed through both houfes. Biffiop Burnet, It is not to be doubted, fpoke the fentiments of the lords, the commons, and the whole nation. " I had always *' thought, that if a government found any feft In " religion incompatible with Its quiet and fafety, *' it might, and fometimes ought to, fend away all *' of that feft, with as little hardffiip as poffible."* " A principle of policy," obferves a liberal hiftorian, " which would furniffi juft as valid a pretence for the " expulfion of the Morifcoes from Spain, or the " Hugonots from France, as of the JPapifts frora '* England." The original caufe of the fuppofed expediency and neceffity of fuch meafures exifts in the alliance of the church with the ftate, and the connedlion ofthe civil power with a particular mode of religious profeffion. The rigour and feverity which diftingulffi the meafure adopted in the cafe before us, are moft obvious; and have fo affcftcB the minds of men in our times, that the legiflature has, with a generous unanimity, repealed the Aft; «ind the repeal has had the fanftion of national approbation. * Hiftory, vol. iy. p. 333. K 2 132 HISTORY OF THE 0. J. It may be reraarked as the opprobium of the tiraes in which this bill paffed, that there ftands op record no proteft againft it by any of the lords ; nor againft the malignant ftatute, the terrors of which ftiU hang over t . heads of Unitarians; from whofe fentiments, as they are grounded on free en quiry, and are not blended with any political intereft, no danger to the ftate Is to be apprehended. Neither of thefe bills, we raay conclude, met with the hearty approbation of the king : he was reluftantly induced, by the Influence of Parliament, and the imagined ne ceffity of the times, to give his affent to them. This may be inferred from his anfwer to the Scotch comraiffioners, when they tendered to him an oath, containing a claufe about rooting out herefy, that he was not willing to le made a perfecutor.* His Majefty's known tendernefs to diffenters, and aver fion to perfecution, brouglit on him the charge of intending, by tolerating al) religions, to overturn the Eftabliffied Church. "The former pan of this charafter " argued him to have a juft fenfe of *' the rights of human nature, as well as of the true *' Interefts of Britain ; the latter is a refleftion, that *' difcovers at once the ingratitude, ignorance, and " bigotry of thofe who made it."t Paffing over the intervening political occurrences, we con^e to an event which tended to revive the hopes of the difcontented, and to alarm the fears of * Burnet, p. 332, 333 ; Beldiam, vol. ii. p. 38,39; Lindfey's IJiftorical View, p. 305, note. t Calamy, p. 619, C. I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 133 the true patriot, while it wore a gloomy afpeft with reference to the caufe of religious liberty, and the fecurity of the proteftant diffenters ; this was the death of the king on the 8th of March 1701-2: a king, to whom they looked as their glorious deliverer from popery and flavery, to whofe title they were true and firm adherents, and In whofe fervice they were faithful. " To him the intelleftual world Is *' Indebted for the full freedom of difcuffion, and the *' unreftrained avowalof Its fentiments on fubjefts of *' the higheft iraportance and magnitude. To him " Britain owes the affertion and the final eftabliffi- " ment of our conftlttitional privileges." J X Belfham, vol. ii. p. 222. CHAPTER IF. Controversies agitated in the period between the Revolution and the death of King William. SECTION I. The Controversy respecting the Rights, Powers, and Privileges of Convocations. " 'T^HE Convocation or eccl^iaftical fynod in X- England differs," obferves Judge Blackftone, " confiderably In Its conftitution from the fynods of " other Chriftian kingdoms : thofe confifting wholly " of bijhops ; whereas, with us, the convocation is " the miniature of a Parliament, wherein the arch- *' biffiop prefides with regal ftate : the upper houfe " of the biffiops reprefents the Houfe of Lords ; " and the lower houfe, compofed of reprcfentatlvcs " ofthe feveral dioceses at large, and of each parti- " cular chapter therein, refembles the Houfe of " Comraons, with its knights of the fliire, and bur- " geffcs."* This conftitution originated In the policy and neceffity of Edward I. who. In the year 1219, when the knights, citizens, and burgeffes were firft fummoned to Parliament by the royal * Commentaries, vol. i. p. 280. ed. 179. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 135 writ, iffued alfo his writ to all the biffiops of Eng land to call together the clergy of ^ their feveral diocefes at Weftminfter, to give him their help and counfel. This was the firft national affembly to which the lower clergy were called by the king's writ. The object of the king was not fo much to extend their privileges, and to raife their importance in the community, as to obtain aids from thera; and to introduce a precedent and a raethod of taxing ecclefiaftical benefices by confent of convocation. He accordingly demanded half the profits of their revenue for one year.* In confequence of the debates and diffentions which arofe in the convocation that met in the be ginning of King William's reign. It was prorogued, as we have feen,| for lo years. But the prorogations were eondufted with exaftnefs and regularity. With the opening of every other feffion of ParUament the convocation was furamoned, and was in being with it. But as In the year 1665 the clergy had yielded up the right of giving their money in fubfi- dies to the ftate by their own votes, and had fubmitted to be taxed by the Houfe of Commons, there was at laft nothing for them to do when they met;|| for, notwithftanding all the danger which threatened religion during the former reigns, they never pre tended to fit and act as a fynod. Under thefe cir cumftances they fat only for form's fake; the meetings were of courfe adjourned from time to • Warner's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory of England, vol. i. p. 479- J Page 63. II Burnet, vol. t. p. 37- 136 HISTORY OF THE C.lf^ time by the prefident, but always in a capacity to be convened whenever the exigences of church or ftate required their counfel and affiftance. No fuch exigence happened for feveral years. This exemp tion from an unneceffary and expenfive attendance, which was defigned for the eafe of the clergy, by releafing thera from an obligation of abfence from their cures, became by degrees a ground of complaint: they murmured at the frequent and renewed pro rogations as a violation of their conftitution ; and they caft fevere refleftions on the Archiffiop of Can terbury In particular, and on the epifcopal bench, as negleftful of the interefts of the church, and even difpofed to betray them. Thefe difcontents were privately fomented among thofe of the lower clergy who were nonjurors. In 1697 thefe difputes became known to the world at large through the prefs ; and the pen being taken up, the controverfy was conti nued in different and fucceffive publications. In thefe circumftances, while the public mind was agi tated, and the clergy, in particular, were in no good temper, the Tory rainiftry, into whofe hands the king had put the reigns of government, demanded, at the very beginning of their adminiftration, that a convocation ffiould be perraitted to fit. It was fum moned and met in the church of St. Paul's In London, on Monday Feb. loth, 1700. The con vocation was opened with fpeeches full of fevere refleftions on the biffiops, which, from an unwilling- nefs to enter into difputes, they paffed over in filence, and with a forbearance that did them credit. On Ci II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. J 37 the 2iftof February, Dr. Hooper, dean of Canter bury, a man of learning and good conduft, but referved, crafty, and ambitions, was chofen, pre fented, and approved as prolocutor. The archbifliop. Dr. Tennifon, meant and aftually attempted to prr- rogue the convocation on the 25th of the fame month ; but obftruftlons were thrown in the v/ay of this meafure. The conftant method of adjourn ments had been this, — the archbiffiop figned a fche- dule for that purpofe, by which the upper houfe was immediately adjourned ; and that inftrument being fent down to the lower houfe, it was likewife. On this occafion the clergy, aware that the conti nuance of their meetings depended on the will and pleafure of the archbiffiop, who could hinder or break off all debates by an adjournment, refolved to conteft this point. When, therefore, thp fchedule of prorogation was brought down and delivered to the prolocutor, they continued fitting in defiance of it, and proceeded in fome debates, which, though of no moment In therafelves, expreffed their determi nation to aft independently of the archbiffiop's fchedule. After this the prolocutor himfelf, by the confent of the houfe, intimated an adjournment, and appointed the next meeting to be held in Henry Vllth's chapel, in oppofition to the fchedule; which included the whole body of the convocation, and to prevent feparate and diftinft meetings, had appointed it to affemblein the Jerufalera chamber. Thefe proceedings of the lower houfe were, with reafon, confidered by the archbiffiop and the ma- 138 HISTORY OF THE CII. jority of his fuffragans, as fetting up a claim of fepe- rate intereft and power. The union of a provincial fynod was broken, the good correfpondence between the two houfes was deftroyed, and the coramon methods of bufinefs were fruftrated. On February 28th, when the fourth feffiori was held, the prolo cutor and clergy, afting on the principle of their laft adjournment, did not meet his grace and the biffiops in the fynodical place, the Jerufalera chamber. This conduft was juftly Interpreted as a fecond contempt ofthe authority of the prefident and ofthe obligation of the fchedule, the Inftrument of continuing or adjourning the convocation. To come to an underftanding on the points of difference between the tvyo houfes, the archbiffiop, with the confent of his cpifcopal brethren, fent for the prolocutor, and put to him thefe two queftions. Firft, " Whether the lower houfe did fit after they *' were prorogued by his grace on the 25th of Fe- " bruary ?" Andfecondly, " whether they did meet " that very morning without attending in the Jeru- " falera chamber, to which they were prorogued ?" After fome difcourfe which thefe queftions brought on, the prolocutor faid, " that the lower houfe was " preparing a paper to lay before his grace and the " upper houfe concerning the method of proroga- " tion and fome other matters of form." The arch bifliop replied in his own narae and In the names of his brethren, that though they thought fit for the prefent to continue the ufual praftice, they were ready to receive and confider what fliould be offered C. tt. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 13^ by the clergy, and to adopt fuch meafures upon It as ffiould appear to be juft and right. As an inftance of a conciliating temper, it was Immediately added in the fchedule of that day, to preclude ambiguhy and difpute, after in hunc locum, " vulgo vocat: Jerusalem *' chamber." The lower houfe fubmitted to this vs^ith afalvojure; and on the next feffion, the 6th of March, agreeably to the definite form of the laft fchedule, gave their attendance in the Jerufalera chamber. On being foon difmiffed, they returned to their own houfe, and prepared a report from the committee, which had been appointed to fearch the records of the convocation for direftlons relative to the prorogations of their houfe; which In a little time they carried up to the upper houfe. In this paper they afferted that It had been the ufage of the lower houfe to continue its fittings till adjourned or prorogued by the prolocutor or his deputy, and not always to adjourn on the fame day with the upper houfe. They alfo alleged, on the authority of fome precedents, that It had been the comraon praftice of their houfe, when the upper houfe was adjourned by the words in hunc locum, to meet apart In the particular place where they had fat laft, diftinftly from their lordffiips ; even when the upper houfe had been adjourned to a place particu larly fpeclfied by narae, as St. Paul's, or Lambeth* They further pleaded that they found no evidence to prove that it had ever been the pra£lice of the lower to attend the upper houfe before the former had met and fat according to its own adjournment ; but J40 HISTORY OF THE C. U. when it hid firft met and fat, they then, at their own motion, or by a fpecial nieffagc, attended the biffiops on bufinefs. This paper was entitled " a Report of the Cora- " mittee," and did not run, as it fliould have done, in the name of the '' houfes" but the archbiffiop, without taking any advantage of this informality, direfted it to be read, and then referred the exa mination of it to a committee of the bifliops ; who drew up a copious reply to ir, in which all their precedents were examined and anfwered. , In the mean time the archbiffiop delivered to the prolocutor the form of an " humble Addrefs to his " Majefty," for the confent and concurrence of the lower houfe; which was given, with one alteration only, by the fubftitution of the phrafe " reformed " churches" inftead of " reformed religion " It thanked his Majefty for his conftant proteftion and favour to the Church of England. It acknowledged his pious concern for the reformed churches in general; and it expreffed an affurance of ftedfaft fidelity and affeftion, and a readinefs to maintain the fupremacy of the king, as fettled by law. This addrefs was prefented on the loth of March to his Majefty; who accompanied his gracious reception of it, and his thanks for the promifes which it con tained, with an affurance, that he would never extend his fupremacy beyond the law. The lower houfe fat for fome time in deliberations on a reply to the anfwer of the biffiops ; but inftead ©f proceeding in it, they defired a free confere»ce. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 141 This was refufed by the bifliops, as a ftep altogether new; for though the clergy had, on fome occafiuns, and to explain fome point, been invited to a confer ence with the biffiops, they had never before pre- fuined to propofe and to defire it of themfelves. It was refolved,; therefore, not to admit a conference; but to require an anfwer to the paper which had been fent to them. Tl^e lower houfe. on the ot.ier hand, refufed to comply with this requlfition, and refolved not to notice the archbifliop's adjournrntnt, except in adjourning themfelves on the day appoimtd in his fcheduje, but by their own aft, and to inter mediate days. While thefe difagreements concerning their rcfpec- tive prerogatives and privileges exifted between the two houfes of convocation, the lower houfe fttpt forward in an unufual raanner to exercife authority, and difplay their zeal in religion. They collefted and exarained feveral books, in which the received principles of the church, which had the name of orthodox, were impugned and controverted. They noted down the obnoxious paffagcs, which they cenfured as erroneous; and wanted nothing but the king's leave to fanftion their cenfures, and to intro duce new canons into the church. They began with a treatife, which had been publiffied in 1696, entitled « Chriftianity not myfterious," by Mr. John Toland; a work which excited much attention, created an alarm, and expofed the author to the blind and unre lenting malice of bigots in power. On the aorh of March, the prolocutor carried up to the upper houfe 142 HISTORY OF THE C. II. a reprefentation of this book, on the ground of fome propofitions injudicloufly felefted from It, as a treatife of pernicious principles, and of dangerous confequence ; and they requefted their lordffiips to concur In the cenfures and refolutions which they had paffed in reference to It ; and to adopt effeftual meafures to fupprefs fuch publications. The biffiops, though they held Toland and his work in equal abhorrence with the clergy, confidered this forward- nefs and aftivity of the lower houfe to judge and decide In points of faith, as ftriking direftly at epif copal authority. They were furprifed to fee fuch important afts of church government affumed by men who had long afferted the divine right of epif- copacy, and had maintained that preffiyters were no more than their affiftants and council. They were alfo jealous of the credit, which it appeared to be the aim of the clergy to fecure to therafelves, by this fliew of zeal for the great articles of religion. Under thefe impreffions the biffiops demurred on the propofals of the lower houfe ; and determined to take the opinion of council, how far the Aft of Submif- fion,t in the 25th of Henry VIII. reftrained them. t By the Act of Submiffion, which originated in convjscation, and which, at the requeft of the clergy, had been confirmed in Parliament, they acknowledged, " that aii convocations ought to be " affembled by the king's writ; and promifed, in verba facerdotii, '* that they would never make nor execute any new canons or con- " ftitutions v/ithout the royal affent; and fince many canons had *' been received that were found prejudicial to the^king's prerogative, " contrary to the laws of the land, and heavy lo the fubjefts, that " therefore there fhould be a committee of 31 perfons, 16 of the " two Houfes of Parliament, and as many of the clergy, to be named C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 143 On the cafe being fubmitted to the judgment ofthe lawyers, fome were afraid, and others were unwilling, to give a decided opinion. But Sir Edw. Northey, afterwards the attorney-general, thought that to conderan books was a ftep of great confequence, as it might, by cenfuring fome explanations and allow ing others, affeft and alter the doftrine of the church; and that the convocation, fince it had no iicenfe from the king, would Incur the pains in the ftatute by intermeddling in fuch matters. The biffiops, direfted by this advice, fufpended all further debate on this bufinefs. Another publication, which carae under their exaraination, and incurred their cenfure, was Biffiop Burnet's " Expofitlon of the Articles." " They " fell upon it," fays a modern writer, " with the " utmoft fury, as a performance full of fcandal to the *' church, and dangerous to religion. "J They were much prejudiced and highly incenfed againft the author; and this gave an unavoidable bias to their judgment in reviewing his work. In imitation ofthe impeachments by the Houfe of Commons, they ex preffed their cenfure of this book in three general charges : That it allowed a diverfity of opinions, which the articles were framed to avoid : That it contained many paffagcs contrary to the true mean ing of the articles, and to other received doftrines of " by the king, who fliould have full power to revife the old canons, " and to abrogate, confirm, or alter them, as they found expedient, "the king's aflent being obtained."-Nears Hift. Puritans, vol. i. p. 14. ed. 1793; or Parfons's Abridgement of Neal, vol.i. p. 2. X Archdeacon Blackburne's Works, vol. v. p. 274. 144 HISTORY OF THE C. II. the church: and That fome pofitions In it were of dangerous confequence to the church as by law eftabliffied, and derogatory from the honour of the Reformation. This paper of complaints having been read aud taken into confideration by the biffiops, the prefident obferved to the prolocutor, that it contained general affertions only, without proofs. He required In the name of the biffiops that the lower houfe ffiould fend up the fpecialties or particulars on which their charges were founded. The prolocutor, and the members who attended him, returned to the lower houfe, and it was fuppofed that the clergy were pre paring their particular charges againft the Biffiop of Sarum's work. After waiting fome time, a proper officer, Mr. Tillot, was fent to enquire of the prolo cutor, whether any propofitions relative to particular paffagcs in it were In readinefs to be prefented to the archbiffiop and biffiops. The meffenger foon carae back with the following abrupt anfwer : '* This " houfe defires Mr. Tillot to return their lordffiips <' their hurable thanks for their meffage ; and to tell " them, that this houfe is preparing bufinefs, but are " not yet ready with It." It was never learned what were the particulars to which the general heads of cenfure referred. " It was," fays Burnet, " a " fecret lodged in confiding hands." It ffiould be mentioned to the honour of this prelate, that fo far frora evading an exaraination of his book, he begged the archbiffiop to difpenfe with the order againf^ further communications on the fubjeft. C.I. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 145 On receiving the meffage delivered by Mr. Tillot, the archbifliop and biffiops, in a eoraraittee, came to a declaration of their judgraent on the fteps taken In this matter by the lower houfe. They delivered it as their decifion, " That the lower houfe had no " power, judiciaUy, to cenfure any book: That they " ought not to have entered upon the exaraination " of a book written by a bifliop ofthe church, with- " out firft acquainting the prefident and bifliops *•' with their defign : That cenfuring the work of *' the Biffiop of Sarum in general terms, without " alleging the particular paffagcs on which the cen- " fure was grounded, was defamatory and fcandalous: " That the Biffiop of Sarum, by his excellent " Hiftory of the Reformation, approved by both " houfes of Parliament, and by ojther writings, " had done great fervices to the Church of England, " and had juftly deferved the thanks of their houfe: " And that though private perfons may expound the " articles of the church, yet it could not be proper " for the convocation, at that time, to approve, " much lefs to condemn, fuch private expofitions." By thefe declfions of the upper houfe the lower was reftrained from proceeding, in their corporate capa city, to thofe extremities to which they fliewed a a ftrong incH«ation, The taflc of animadverting on the Biffiop of Sarum's treatife was affigned to an individunl, generally fuppofed to be Dr. Binckes, who they had good reafon to believe would make the moft of it to the public ; and who, in the name of his brethren, publiflied, in 1702, "A prefatory L 146 HISTORY OF THE C. II. Difcourfe to an examination of a late book, entituled. An Expofitlon of tbe Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England, by Gilbert biffiop of Sarum." In which difcourfe he Is faid to have purfued the expofitlon with fufficient fpleen.* Previoufly to the 30th of May, when the prolo cutor of the lower houfe firft laid before the upper houfe the reprefentation of their ¦ fenfe upon the Biffiop of Sarum's " Expofitlon of the Thirty-nine " Articles," the archbiffiop and the biffiops had propofed that a eoraraittee, confifting of a feleft number from the upper houfe and an equal number from the lower houfe, ffiould meet and confult, in order to an amicable adjuftment of the points in difpute between them. But the lower houfe de clined coming 1519 any fuch agreement. On which his grace and their lordffiips declared, that they would receive nothing from the lower houfe tiU the ¦ irregularities wnich attended Its proceedings were fettled. When, therefore, the document in which they criminated the publication of the Biffiop of Sarum was prefented, the archbifliop read to the prolocutor and his attendants a paper drawn up by the confent of the biffiops, and fanftioned by their approbation, declaring " that they could not receive " any thing offered from the lower houfe, till the " late irregularity of refufing to meet the committee " of the biffiops, for Infpefting the books of the " convocation, was fet right." A copy of this paper was, at his defire, prefented to the prolocutor. ' Blackburn ut fupra. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 147 On this, he and thofe who accompanied him, went to the lower houfe; and returning within a few minutes waited In the chamber adjoining to the Jerufalera chamber. Here they were met by Humphrey bifliop of Bangor, who, by the direftion of the archbiffiop, aflced the prolocutor, " whether the meffage he was *' now charged with, was to fet the Irregularity com- *' plained of right?" The biffiop, returning to the houfe, reported that at firft the prolocutor replied, *' that It was fomething In order to fet that Irregula- " rity right;" but then, as if recoUeftlng hirafelf, he faid, " it was concerning that irregularity." On this the prolocutor and his attendants were called in ; and his grace expreffed the readinefs of the houfe to receive any propofal that tended to fet right the irregularity of which it had complained. The pro locutor replied. It was fomething concerning it; and then read to thera thefe words : " The paper that ^ " the lower houfe ordered the prolocutor to prefent " to your grace and their lordffiips, was their humble " reprefentation concerning a book, entitled, ' An " ' Expofitlon of the Thirty-nine Articles of the " * Church of England,' and hath no relation to the *' fuppofed irregularity your grace and your lord- *' ffiips think fit to complain of: of that we are ready " to give your lordfliips fatisfaftion, when thereunto *' called; and In the mean time moft humbly requeft " that yonr grace and yonr lordffiips wifl be pleafed " to receive the faid paper." The manner In which this paper was introduced and prefented, excited tbe furprize of the archbiffiop h 2 j48 HISTORY OF THE C. II. and the biffiops at the conduft of the prolocutor. The Biffiop of Bangor In particular entered a cora plaint againft It, in a writing figned by his own hand, and charged hira with prevarication; for when the biffiop had put the queftion to him, whether the meffage he had to bring in was to fet right the irregularity, of which the upper houfe complained, he replied, firft, that " it was fomething to fet that " irregularity right ;" then he faid, " it was con- " cerning that irregularity ;" and at laft it appeared that the meflage he brought concerned wholly another matter. When the archbifliop and biffiops declared their judgment on the proceedings of the lower houfe againft the work of Biffiop Burnet, which was on the 13th June , they took a decided part with the Biffiop of Bangor in the altercation between him and the prolocutor, by a declaration that he had made a true and juft report of the prolocutor's anfwer at the door of the houfe, which correfponded In effeft; wilh the anfwer which he made in the houfe to the archbiffiop ; that the paper which he read, relative folely to the Biffiop of Sarum, had no reference to the irregularity complained of ; and that the prolocutor's anfwer was fuch as by no means ought to have been given by hira to the archbiffiop, or any member of the houfe. On the fame day they paffed a vote of approbation on Dr. Verney and other diffentients frora the majority in the lower houfe, for having afted, in their opinion, to the diftates qf right and duty ; and as deferving the proteftion of C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 149 the upper houfe in maintaining the juft rights of convocation. The prolocutor and fome members of the lower houfe incurred their cenfure, for having violated the methods of proceeding in convocation, endangered the conftitution of the church, and been guUty of manifeft difobedience and contempt.* All the biffiops, except the bifliops of London, Rochefter and Exeter, concurred in thefe pro ceedings. Dr. Compton, who filled the fee of London, had for feveral years unhed himfelf to the Tories ; and though with little authority or force, had oppofed the court in every thing. His hopes of being advanced to the fee of Canterbury had alfo been twice difappointed. Dr. Spratt, who prefided over the diocefe of Rochefter, had en tered deeply into the meafures of the forraer reigns; and during this he adhered to his party with firm nefs, though the irregularities of his life did it no honour. Sir Jonathon Trelawney, at that time the biffiop of Exeter, was the avowed patron and de fender of the fynodical rights of the clergy. § Thefe biffiops entered their diffent to the refolutions of the upper houfe ; yet, though they adhered to the lower houfe, they conferred no great reputation on its proceedings.]! While the lower houfe declined, amidft thefe al.- tercations, acceding to the propofal from the upper * Burnet, vol. v. p. 40, 41^ 42- Calamy, vol. i. p. 607—8. Archbifliop Tennifon's Life, p. ??— 9i' $ Atterbury's Sermons, dedication, p. 2. |1 Burnet, vol. v. p. 4»,. vol. i. 150 HISTORY OF THE C. li. houfe, that the points in difpute between them ffiould be referred to a committee, formed of a feleft and equal number from each, they did not treat the propofal with entire negleft ; but on June 6th, deli vered in a paper. In which they gave their reafon for not meeting the committee of the biffiops. They intimated that they were a diftinft houfe, and claimed a liberty to admit or decline at their own difcretion the appointment of committees ; and that they could fee no ground for fuch a committee. They pleaded, that the biffiops had no regular way of becoming acquainted with the tranfafl!ions of their houfe, but as they were laid before them ; and that If the infpeftlon of their journal was de manded as a right, they might reafonably Infift on their liberty : That before the upper houfe required the infpeftlon of their prefent proceedings, they had reafon to expeft from their lordffiips to be put in poffeffion of the journals of the lower houfe forthe years 1586, 1640, 1661, &c. which of right belonged to thera. They complained that they were difcouraged by the declaration, that what they had done was of dangerous confequence ; and that their lordfliips' fentence, cutting off all Inter courfe between the two houfes was not only over fevere, beyond the occafion, but that for the prefent it deftroyed the whole defign and very being of a convocation. This paper was referred to the examination of a committee of bifliops, who drew up a full and explicit anfwer to it. In this anfwer they remon- C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 151 ftrated, that it would have been becoming in the lower houfe to have acknowledged the patience and tendernefs of the upper houfe. They ftated, that on fearching for precedents, they found that they had a right to appoint coraraittees ; and that it had been the uniform praftice of the lower houfe to comply with fuch appointments. They complained, that the lower houfe, by dieir refufal, had difobeyed the authority of the prefident and bifliops, and de ftroyed the Intercourfe between the two houfes; and for this conduft they raight have been proceeded againft by canonical adraonitions and cenfures, which had hitherto been forborne ; but that till they returned to their duty, bufinefs could not pro ceed. The lower houfe, it was urged, in the reafons which they had offered for their juftification, had evidently miftaken both right and faft. They had affumed to therafelves to be an independent body ; when the whole convocation was but one body, of which the archbiffiop was the head ; and both houfes had always been continued or prorogued by one Inftrument or aft. Their aim in the motion to have the books Infpefted, it was pleaded, was to prevent miftakes, and to take away all occafion of difputes and controverfies between the two houfes. The complaint of wanting forraer journals, as if the lower houfe had a right to keep them, if they knew where, was cenfured as very unreafonable and unjuft: for It was pleaded, that the regifters and afts of both houfes belonged to the archbiffiop ; and that the ancient regifters were depofited in the library 152 HISTORY OF THE C. II. at Lambeth, where any perfons might have free accefs to them. It was alfo faid, that if the lower houfe had met the biffiops, t]iey might have con vinced them, that adjourning themfelves and other tranfaftions were at once illegal, and of dangerous confequence. It was therefore recommended to them to confider of their irregularities.* In the feffion of June 20, the prolocutor, accom panied by the greateft part of the lower houfe, ap peared after prayers, holding in his hand two diftinft papers, and offering to deliver both. On which the prefident addreffed hira to this effeft : " That *' he could receive no paper from him, but that " which contained the particularities of the general " charge againft the Biffiop of Sarum ; which, at the " requeft of the faid bifliop, he was then ready to *' receive." To this the prolocutor replied, " That " he had two papers in his hand ready to prefent to ^' his grace and the reft of the biffiops then prefent, *' If his grace would receive them ; but without the ^' direftion of the'" lower houfe, he could not prefent ^' one feparately from the other ; and that therefore *^ he would return and take the opinion of the ^' houfe." But he never came back with that opi nion. The convocation was prorogued by royal writ, firft to Auguft the 7th, then to September the 18th; and foon the Parliament was diffolved, and the convocation with it. " From the fire thus ' ^' raifed in convocation, a great heat," fays Biffiop Burnet, " was fpread throughout the whole clergy * Calamy, vol. i. p. 606, 607. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 153 " of the kingdom ; it alienated them from their " biffiops, and raifed faftions among them every '•¦ where."* A new convocation of the province of Canterbury was fummoned to meet at the fame time With the Parliament, on 30th December 1701 ; Dr. Sher lock, dean of St. Paul's, opened it, in that church, with folemn prayers, and a fermon in Latin. Dr. Woodward, dean of Sarum, a civilian, grown popu lar by oppofing his diocefan, to whom he owed his preferment, was elefted prolocutor, in preference tp the learned Dr. Beveridge, the archdeacon of Colchefter, by a majority, and confirmed by the archbiffiop. Unanimity prevailed at firft between the biffiops and the clergy; and both houfes readily concurred in the firft fynodical aft, which was addreffing the king. The addrefs expreffed, with one feeling, their deep refentment of the indignity offered to his Majefty by the French King, in declaring the pre tended Prince of Wales to be the king of his Ma jefty's realras and dominions ; againft whom, whilft they renewed their proteftations of firm and unffiakea allegiance, they affured hira of their beft endeavours to maintain, in their refpeftive places and ftations, his rightful title to the crown, and the fucceffion to it in the proteftant line. But thefe aufpicious omens of union did not laft. The faftion raifed in the lower houfe had ftill thosK majority ; and fix days after the addrefs had been • Burnet, vol. v. p. 4%. 154 HISTORY OF THE C. II, prefented to the king at Kenfington, a queftion arofe concerning the right of adjournment, whether It was vefted in the archbiffiop alone, or whether the lower houfe had the power to adjourn itfelf. This queftion revived and widened the differences between the two houfes. A difference of opinion on this point had in every feffion led to difputes, but they had been managed with peace and order ; and the houfe, whatever notions of independency had been advanced by a few individual members, had hitherto fo adapted the entries in their journal, that aU unanimoufly met upon the fynodical days and hours appointed by the archbiffiop in his fchedules of prorogation. But on January the 28th, 1702, a member of the lower houfe unhappily moved to change the forra of entry in their minutes, and to ufe the phrafe dominus prolocutor continuavit et prorogavit quoad hanc domum. The motion was carried ; and by this forra the prolocutor, inftead of intimating that the houfe was continued or prorogued, adjourned or continued its meetings in his own name. In the next feffions, on February the 3d, feveral members objefted to this entry : but, by the votes of a majority, it was refolved, " thi t there ffiould " be no alteration, and that the matter fliould not " then be further debated." The houfe was about to proceed to other bufinefs, when the fchedule of * prorogation came down from the upper houfe. Upon which a member mqved, " that the meffage " which he obferved had been delivered to the pro. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 155 *' locutor, ffiould be communicated to the houfe " which he thought they had a right to infift on." This was oppofed by the majority ; and they pro ceeded to appoint a commitree of grievances. After this the prolocutor adjourned, as by the authority of the houfe. Againft this adjournment the dif- fentient members made a verbal proteft, declaring, " that the Houfe had no pretence of right to ad- *' journ itfelf, when the fchedule from the arch- *' biffiop Interpofes to prorogue the whole convo- " cation ; and that therefore they protefted againft *' the irregular way of adjourning adopted at that *' time." This verbal proteftation was put into writing before the next meeting on the 9th of February, when Dr. Freeman, dean of Peterborough, moved, " that the proteftation ffiould be admitted " and entered Into the journal of the houfe, as a " ftanding evidence of their afferting the juft rights " and authority of their metropolitan as their "prefident." This was oppofed by a majority; and matters would have been carried to a great height, had not a queftion propofed by Dr. Beve ridge prepared the way for fome conciliatory con ceffions on a future day. The queftion pyt by Dr. Beveridge was, " Whe- " ther, upon fuppofition that the houfe may fit " upon fynodical bufinefs after the coming down of *' the fchedule, till they think their bufinefs over, " the houfe would agree that the fchedule ffiould "be then executed, and tbe houfe prorogued « to the day and hour therein fpeclfied by virtue 156" HISTORY OF THE C. II. « of the faid fchedude, and In obedience to the " authority whereby the whole convocation was " prorogued^' To evade a reply to this quef- " tion, it was, after fome debates, agreed to appoint a committee to confider of an expedient to compofe the difputes about the prorogation ofthe lower houfe. Eight raerabers were chofen on each fide for this purpofe. On that of the lower houfe. Dr. Hooper, Dr. Jane, Dr. Aldrich, Dr. Binckes, Mr. Needham, and Dr. Wynne: on that of the upper houfe. Dr. Beveridge, Dr. Hayley, Dr. Willis, Dr. Kennet, Dr. Prideaux, and Mr. Lloyd. This coramittee met on February i oth : and it was agreed for the fake of accommodation, firft, " that no forms of prorogation ffiould be *' ufed hereafter by the prolocutor, that were not ?' ufed before the laft convocation : fecondly, that " the forms ufed by the prolocutor in the convoca- " tion of 1586 and 1588, fliould be hereafter ufed *' by the prolocutor, in the order In which they lie " in the books, beginning with the firft, till they " they are all gone through : and thirdly, that thefe " forms ffiould be pronounced by the prolocutor, " when the houfe agreed that their bufinefs ** was over." After this, fome boafted of the advantage gained on the fide of the convocation, and declared that the caufe of the archbiffiop had been given up by his friends ; and they excluded the fchedule from any concern in the adjournment. To obviate this con- ftruftion, others prepared a paper in tirae for the C. 11. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 157 next feffions ; to declare " that they underftood " the latter part of the agreement aforefaid, with an " exception of any cafe when the prefident fliould " fee caufe to fend an order with the fchedule, " figTiifylng the exprefs time of intimating the pro- " rogation upon that day. Otherwife, if it wee " pretended to mean that the authority of the *' archbiffiop, or any order fent from the upper " houfe, was thereby excluded or dimlniflied ; they " then foleranly protefted againft any fuch meaning " or intended raeaning." The right members alfo drew up a declaration of the fenfe in which they underftood the articles of agreement ; and among other things, they alleged their refufal to confent to an alteration that was offered on the third article, viz. " that the form ffiould not be pronounced by " the prolocutor, till the houfe agreed that the " bufinefs was over." The principle on which they grounded their refufal was this: " That though' " they might generally prefume upon the arch- " biffiop's confent for their fitting to difpatch all " proper bufinefs, yet they could not agree to any " propofition that would preclude his right to pro- " rogue them immediately, if he found it expedient." They added that they ufed the words " pronounced " by the prolocutor," to prevent any queftion about " adjourning themfelves" being put to the houfe. The next feffion would have been held on the 12th of February, but a particular occurrence in duced the archbifliop to prorogue it to the 14th. The prolocutor being indifpofed appointed Dr. 158 HISTORY OF THE C. II., Aldrich, dean of Chrift-church, to aft in his place. The raerabers who difavowed the proceedings of the majority, expreffed a difpofition to accept the depu tation, if application were duly made to the pre fident to approve and confirm it. To this the majority appeared to agree ; and one ofthe leading members. Dr. Atterbury, faid, " that there was no " defign to make a common referendary between '.' the two houfes, without confuhing his grace." Yet it was refolved that no fuch application ffiould be made. The archbiffiop, therefore, fent for the clergy to the Jerufalera chamber, and prorogued the convocation to the 14th; teUing them, "that an " incident of great moment had happened, on which. *' he and his brethren muft take time to confider." He then ordered Mr. Tillot to read the fchedule. On the I3ih Dr. Woodward died; and when the houfes met the next day, the archbifliop, expreffing his furprife at the news, adjourned them to the 19th: on that day, as no bufinefs was -depending, his grace prorogued the convocation to the 5 th of March. The prolocutor, Dr. Woodward, previoufly to his Illnefs, had, in order to recommend himfelf to a great party, lodged a complaint of a breach of privilege in the conduft of his diocefan Dr. Burnet, his beft friend. The cafe was this : the clergy had paid their attendance on the biffiop through his vifitation, which he conftantly held in perfon, in a regular and refpeftful manner : but the dean of Sarum had, not only without offering any e.xcufe, declined appearing C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. I6g as reftor of Pewfey, but aggravated his abfence with figns of conterapt. The biffiop ordered a citation in the ufual method, before any privilege of convo cation could be pleaded, or could exift. When the time of privUege afterwards commenced, he direfted his chanceUor to put a stet upon the cafe ; and no further proceedings in it took place. This light matter was made the ground of a complaint and reraonftrance to the upper houfe on the 9th of February. It was reprefented not only as an un lawful moleftation of a member of the lower houfe, but as an Injury offered to the whole body of the convocation. In the perfon of the referendary be tween the two houfes. The archbiffiop and biffiops anfwered, that the proceedings referred to com menced when there was no privilege ; that upon opening ofthe convocation, a stet had been put upon the cafe ; and that no citation of procefs had been fince decreed. The beginning aud profecution of this complaint were marked, indeed, with fo much partiality and prejudice, that many perfons of candour and equity hoped that the author, if he lived, would have repented of it. In reference to this matter and other points of litigation which had been agitated between the two houfes, the archbiffiop clofed the feffion with a con ciliatory fpeech. His grace reminded the lower houfe, that the complaint againft the Biffiop of Salifbury for a breach of privilege had been readily admitted by the biffiops, and by no one with more readinefs than by the biffiop himfelf; that the 160 HISTORY OF THE C* II* • anfwer promifed for the next day,^ though prepared to be given and lodged in the records of the biffiop's court at Saliffiury, was not communicated, on ac count of the prolocutor's illnefs. Appealing to that anfwer, his grace expreffed his hope that the clergy would not fuffer themfelves for the future to be furprifed into complaints, till they were fully affured that thofe complaints were well founded both in faEl and right. He ftated the delicacy and difficul ties of immediately proceeding to the eleftion of a new prolocutor, in the abfence of many of the clergy, at a great diftance frora London, on the duties of their refpeftive cures at the foleran tirae of Lent, when no fynodical bufinefs was yet before the convocation by royal authority ; and when a war, which would divert the thoughts of men from bufinefs of this nature, was breaking out. He expreffed his concern at the heats which had arifen, as " giving great fcandal and offence even to thofe " who underftood not the nature of the controverfy, *' but were rauch concerned that there ffiould be " any difference among men who, by profeffion, " were the minifters of the gofpel of peace." He concluded with an affeftionate exhortation ; be- " feeching his brethren to look forward to the " things that make for peace, and whereby" he faid, " we may edify one another, and the eftabliffied " church, of which, by the fingular goodnefs of " Gon, we are members ; fo that thofe differences -• v/hich have continued too long already, may be " f[^cedily and happily compofed. To which end I CII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 1 6l *' I heartily commend myfelf and you to the God of " peace and unity, through Jefus Chrift our Lord.'' The reafons offered by the archbiffiop for poft- poning the choice of a prolocutor, and the lenient fpirit of his fpeech, fatisfied a great part of the clergy ; and they were pleafed with the opportunity of returning to their churches and farailies ; and determined to wait till fome emergent occafion would require that a prolocutor fliould be elefted, or that the convocation ffiould fit. But others difcovered great difcontent, and would meet two days after in Henry Vllth's chapel, to form themfelves into an affembly, and to choofe a moderator or chairman. When the day to which the archbiffiop had prorogued both houfes arrived, they proceeded as a houfe, without a prolocutor, to the chamber adjoining to the Jerufalera chamber ; and meeting with the Biffiop of Lincoln, who, as his grace's conimiffary, had again prorogued the convocation to a future day, they requefted him to inform the archbifliop that it was their defire to proceed to the choice of a prolocutor. The biffiop, with great kindnefs of deportment, declined carrying a verbal mef fage to his grace, left he ffiould fall into a mif- take In the delivery of it ; but offered, if they pleafed to diftate to him, to take their fenfe in vVriting, and lay it before hira. On this they re plied, " That It was the unaniraous defire of the " lower houfe of convocation," — Here they were in terrupted by a member of a different opinion, the chaplain of the archbiffiop, who had that morning M 169 HISTORY OF THE C. II. waited upon his lordffiip ; he raodeftly interpofed with his diffent, and expreffed his " hope that no fuch *' meffage would be delivered in the narae of the " whole lower houfe ; for as without a prolocutor " they were not a houfe, and did not aft in that ca- " pacity, fo many of the members, ;ind he hirafelf " for one, had not affented to any fuch meffage ; " he prefumed, therefore, that it would be more t' proper to let the meffage run in the narae of " several members of the lower houfe." The biffiop, in writing down their meffage, expreffed It in this limited manner. This raifed a new clamour. They who affumed the name of a houfe, particularly. Dr. Finch, warden of AU-Souls college in Oxford, caft fevere refleftions on the member who propofed the alteration of their motion ; and accufed him as a betrayer of their rights and liberties, though no one had with greater affiduity and care afcertained, or with greater firmnefs afferted, all the rights and powers that were agreeable to the praftice of former convocations, and confonant to the eftabUffied conftitution of the Englifli church and ftate. A few days after, on the 8th of Marclii7o2, King WUliam died. By this event the convocation was virtually diflblved: for the authority of the archbiffiop's raan- date, by which the convocation was affembled, depended on the king's writ, the force of which terminated at his death ; and the Aft of Parliament^ which empowered the Parliament to fit after this event, made no provifion for the continuance of the con-. vocation : but when, on thefe grounds, the death CII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. l63 ofthe king, it might have been expefted, would have put an end to the litigations ofthe lower houfe, a new clamour wasexclted, and a new queftion was ftarted. That part of the lower houfe which had fet up unprecedented claims, were taught to call themfelves a parliamentary body, or to confider themfelves at leaft as an appendage to the Parlia ment, by virtue of the premunientes claufe to meet in parliament. This point was moved by the Earl of Rochefter in the Houfe of Lords ; but the judges were all decided In an opinion that the con vocation was diffolved by the king's death, as it was called by a different writ, and had a different con ftitution from thofe of the parliament. Difap pointed on this plea, they who were eager to cany their point, and to perpetuate the fitting of the convocation, had recourfe to another meafure. They folicited their friends in the Houfe of Lords to Introduce into fome Parliamentary Aft a claufe to revive the dead convocation, and to declare it ftill In being. " This claufe of giving resurredion," fays Archbiffiop Tennifon, " was thought fo ex- " traordinary, that the majority of the peers could " not be reconciled to it, and the Attorney-General " declared that it was againft the queen's ecclefiaftical *' fupremacy ; on which they were obliged to relin- " quiffi their objeft, and to acquiefce in thedlffolution " ofthe convocation."* " Amidft contentions," fays a modern hiftorian, " at once fierce and frivolous, " the proceedings and debates of this convocation, * Calamy, vol. i. p. 613—619. Tennifon's Ltfe, p. 9a— 101. Burnet, book v. p. 89, 90. M 2 164 HISTORY OF THE C II. " like all other clerical fynods, were charafterifed " by inexpreffible malignity and folly ; but being " happily divefted of every civil power, they knit " their darkened brows and gnaffied their teeth *• In vain."* The difpute concerning the " rights, powers, and "privileges of convocations," which was carried on, at that period, with great violence and mutual animofitles, though it feems now to be almoft for- gotteuj did then greatly attraft the notice of the public ; warmly engaged the attention and raifed the paffions of the nation; produced zealous partizans on each fide of the queftions which were agitated in the refpeftive houfes; and employed in acrimonious attacks on one another thofe pens, which would, with more credit to the writers, and with greater benefit to religion, have been ufed againft the enemies of revelation and proteftantifm. The ecclefiaftical corps of the nation were in the ftate of a houfe or a kingdom divided againft itfelf. The clergy viewed the clairas of the biffiops with a fpirit of oppofition, jealoufy, and difdain. The prelates complained that " the hot and eager difputes *' of the lower houfe of convocation had rifen to " higher degrees of difrefpeft and invafion of the " metropolitan and epifcopal rights than were ever " attempted before; and that they had thereby " given a greater blow to the church, than It had '^' ever received fince the preffiyterlan affembly in "" the late times of confufion."f The difpute was, • Belftiara's Hiftory, vol. ii. p. 98. -f Id. C II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ]65 however, at that time a matter of great importance, and well deferving a diligent examination. " Even " controverfies," as a candid writer reraarks, " which afterwards are to be regarded as infignifi- *' cant, have their utility. They ferve to explode *' errors and claims which are hurtful to the Interefts "of trutii and liberty. And if, which is no Irapof- " fible cafe, fimilar errors and clairas ffiould. In " the revolution of things, again be obtruded upon *'the world, we know where to apply for the " materials and arguments by which they may be " refuted."* One important refleftion offers itfelf frora the review of thefe altercations; It Is this, — ¦ that they could not have arifen, had not the pro feffion of Chriflianity been incorporated with the ftate ; had not the followers, efpecially the minifters, of Chrift, violated that exprefs authoritative decifion againft all ufurpation of power over one another, which he laid down; when noticing the exercife of dominion, and the fubordinations of power praftifed in the world, he declared, " But it ffiall not be fo " among you; but whofoever will be great araong " you, let him be your minifter ; and whofoever " will be chief among you, let him be your fervant." And when he delivered this principle of mutual fervice and equality, " All ye are brethren."t The difputes that originated in the two houfes of convocation, opened a large field of controverfy. Many books and pamphlets were publiffied on both * Dr. Kippis's Biog. Britan. vol. i. p. 345. "t" Matt. ch. XX. »i— 27, «S. 166 HISTORY OF THE C. II. fides ; and difcuffion on the queftions to which it gave rife, was kept alive for five years frora the firft publication in 1697, previoufly ^° '^^ debates which we have ftated, till the diffolution of the convocation in 1702 ; and in forae fubfequent years new publica tions, which owed their origin to new circumftances, iffued from the prefs. The principal writers In this controverfy were Dr. Binckes,;}: Dr. Wake, Mr. Atterbury, Dr. Kennet, Dr. Edw. Hody, Dr. Edm. GIbfon, and Dr. George Hooper. The controverfy opened from the prefs in 1697, In a quarto paraphlet, entitled " a Letter to a Convo- *' cation Man, concerning the rights, powers, and *' privileges of Convocations;" which, though ano- nyraous, was afcribed to Dr, Binckes. In this traft it was afferted that the convocation was as much a part of the conftitution as a parliament itfelf. It was reprefented as a fpiritual parliament, and the lower houfe was called " the commons fpiritual." Dr. Wake, afterwards archbiffiop of Canterbury, in the fame year took up his pen, as refpondent to the author of the " Letter;" and publiffied his books entitled, " The Authority of Chriftian Princes over " their Ecclefiaftical Synods." The aim of the author was to prove that the right of calling the clergy together refted folely in the prince; that without his permiffion they had no right, when t Dr. Binckes was vicar of Leamington in Warwickfliire, and dean of J.ichfield : he died J9th June 1712. A fermon, which he preached before the Houfe of Commons, 29th Jan. 1702, incurred cenfure, according to the courfe of the ecclefiaftical courts.— See Atterbury's Epiftolary Correfpondence, vp), iii, p. 71, 72. C. II. TROTESTANT DISSjiNTERS. jQ? affembled, to debate or determine any point of doc trine or dlfcipline; that he might annul, alter, or fufpend the execution of any of their decrees; and that this confent was neceffary to the diffolution of any fynod. This publication called forth, in 1700, the celebrated treatife of Mr. Atterbury, afterwards bifliop of Rochefter, on " The Rights, Powers, and *' Privileges of an Englifli Convocation, ftated and "vindicated; in anfwer to a late book of Dr. Wake's, ¦*' entitled, 'the Authority of Chriftian Princes, &c.» " and feveral other pieces," Svo. This book ap. peared at firft without the author's name ; but his name was prefixed to the fecc^id edition, accompanied with many additions. " In this performance, where- " ever the truth ofthe queftion may be fuppofed to " lie, he difplayed fd much learning and ingenuity, " as well as zeal for the interefts of his order, that " the lower houfe of convocation returned hiin " their thanks; and the Univerfity of Oxford com- " plimented him with the degree of doftor in divi- " nity."* Dr. Wake, his adverfary, allowed that he had " done all that a man of forward parts and *' a hearty zeal could do to defend the caufe which *' he had efpoufed. He has chofen," continues Dr. Wake, " the moftplaufible topics of arguraentation, " and has given thera all the advantage that either *' a fprightly wit or a good affurance could afford " them. But he wanted one thing : he had not *' truth on his fide." His other antagonifts likewife allowed hira the full merit of his wit and ingenuity, ' Biograph. Britan. vol.i. p. 336. l68 HISTORY OF THE CII, though they denied the folidity of his arguraents, and conderaned the fpirit In which he wrote. Biffiop Burnet refolved the high encoraiuras beftowed on the book and the honours which it fecured to its author, Intotheirtruecaufe; acaufe,independentoftheintrinfic excellence of the work, or the force of its reafoning. " The clergy hoped," fays the biffiop, " to recover " many loft privileges by the help of his perfor- " mances ; they fancied they had a right to be a " part of the parliament, fo they looked on him as " their champion, and on moft of the biffiops as the " betrayers of the rights of the church. This was " encouraged by the v.ew miniftry; they were dif- " pleafed with the bifliops for adhering to t jl 1 *' miniftry; and they hoped by the terror of a con- *' vocation to have forced the prelates to apply to " them for a ffielter."-|- Dr. Kennet, afterwards biffiop of Peterborough, entered the lifts with Mr. Atterbury, in his " Eccle- " fiaftical Synods and Ecclefiaftical Convocations in " the Church of England hiftorically ftated, and " juftly vindicated from the mifreprefentations of Mr. " Atterbury:" (part i. 1701, Svo.) " Who," fays Burnet, ^' was by Dr. Kennet laid fo open, not ** only in raany particulars, but in a thread of *' ignorance that ran through his whole book, that *' If he had not had a meafure of confidence peculiar " to hirafelf, he muft have been much humbled " under it."-}- Dr. Wake alfo took up his pen a fecond time in defence of his own performance, and t Burnet, book v. p»3fi. f M. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. \69 In reply to'that of Mr. Atterbury, in a folio volurae, entitled, " The State of the Church and Clergy of " England in their Councils, Synods, Convocations, " Conventions, and other public afferablies, hiftorl- *' cally deduced from the converfion of the Saxons ^' to the prefent times," 1 703. The learned Dr. Hody was not filent while the queftions concerning the rights of the convocation were agitated, but pub liffied. In 1 70 1, "A Hiftory of Englifli Councils' *' and Convocations, and of the Clergy's fitting in " Parliaraent, &c." 1701. Mr. Atterbury, it appears, affefted to difregard thefe anfwers to his work; and afcribed the tirae of their appearance, and the ftrain by which they were refpeftlvely diftinguiffied, to art and manageraent; for he wrote thus to a friend on the occafion : " When you corae to town, you will be entertained " with anfwers of all forts to ray book. Dr. Hody " has one juft upon the point of coming out, in two " thick oftavo voluraes of about twenty ffieets of " paper, which he calls ' An Hiftory of Convoca- <' tions.' Another gentleman (Dr. Kennet) has, " by order, wrote and printed a good part of another; " his is to be about two or three hundred pages, " and is to be a firft part only, two more being to " follow ; and this gentleraan Is ordered to ufe me " rudely, and'to put as much gaU as he can into his " Ink. Dr. Hody is to be in the raeek way. The " defign of both is to open the convocation with a " claraour againft the book, juft at the nick of its '^ meeting; fo that I ffiaU not be able to anfwer; 170 HISTORY OF THE C. II. " After 3ll Dr. Wake is to come, when the convo- " cation is up, with a mighty foUo. Under aU this " threatening news, I thank God I am in heart."* The work of Dr. Wake, to which Mr. Atterbury refers, was pubUffied in 1703, and was entitled, " The State of the Church and Clergy of England, *' in their Councils, Synods, Convocations, Conven- *' tions, and other public affemblies, hiftorically " difplayed from the converfion of the Saxons to "the prefent time; occafioned by a book entitled, " The Rights, Powers, and Privileges, &c." Dr. GIbfon, afterwards biffiop of London, then chaplain to the archbiffiop, exerted himfelf to the utmoft in defence ofthe contefted rights of the primate, and publiffied no fewer than ten pamphlets, in vindication of his claims of right to prorogue the lower as well as upper houfe of convocation, In the fpace of three years.* Dr. Hooper, the prolocutor, was not filent on the fubjeft, but defended the other fide of the queftion In a " Narrative of the Proceedings of the " Lower Houfe of Convocation, relating to proro- *' gations and adjournments, from Monday Feb. 10, " 1700, to Wednefday June 25, 1701." Drawn up by the order of the houfe: 410. To this fucceeded a number of publications by both parties, which It would be tirefome to enumerate.f The prefs may * Atterbury's Epiftolary Correfpondence, vol. iii. p. 18, 19. * Britifti Biograhy, vol. viii. p. 207 — 8. t The reader is referred for a full review of feveral ofthe prin. cipal publications, to which the controverfy about the rights and privileges of convocations gave birth, to Dr. Calamy's Abridgment, vol. i. p. 5^4, 560, 562, J64, 567,570,583, 601,605, 6io, 6lS% C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 171 be truly faid to have groaned under the various and fucceflive publications which this controverfy produced. It deferves notice, that Biffiop Warburton, advert ing to this controverfy, and efpecially to Dr. Atter bury's book, expreffcs himfelf as being very much in the dark as to the expediency of thefe convoca- tional meetings, and on the benefit to religion accru ing from thera. " As to that part of the convocation's " office which is fuppofed to confift in watching *' over the faith and principles of the people, I "ffiould queftion," fays his lordffiip, "' if It would " have any good effeft. Bad books raight be cen- *'fured; good ones raight too. Burnet's 'Expofi. '^'fition,' I find, was fulminated; and had the " convocation been as bufy twenty years ago, as " Dr. Atterbury would have it, I fliould have been *' in pain for the ' Divine Legation.' " But fuppofe," he adds, " were their cenfures *' ever fo juft and reafonable, would they do any " good? I doubt. In fuch a country as ours, they " would but whet the appetite of readers, and be " the means of circulating them into more hands. " In ffiort I do not fee that much fervice could arife " to religion from the authoritative condemnation of " bocks, unlefs where great penalties were to follow, *' which cannot be, except in the cafe of writers who " ftrike at the very foundations of government. And for a minute enumeration of the many books and pamphlets which it occafioned, to the Biographia Britannica, ad ed. vol', i, 335, note i: and to p. 345, 346, for a catalogue of them arrange^ jijto four clafles from Bifhop Nicholfon's Hiftorical Library. 172 HISTORY OF THE CII. " And againft books of this mahgni'ty, the ftate will " always exert itfelf to purpofe. " The conclufion Is, the convocation, by giving " up their old right of taxing themfelves, feem to " have given up their right of meeting and debating. " At leaft, it Is no wonder the government ffiould "incline to this fide; for let what wUl be faid of " freedom of debate in popular councUs, no govern- " ment, I doubt, is heartUy for K, but where it " cannot with any fafety or convenience be avoided."* SECTION II. The Trinitarian Controversy. SOON after the Revolution, the public mind was agitated by various publications on the queftions that owe their origin to the doftrine of the Trinity; a doftrine ever involved in intricacies by abftrufe, metaphyfical, and indefinite terms. In 1690, the learned mathematician. Dr. John WaUis, Savilian profeffor of geometry In Oxford, who profeffed to have paid a ftudious attention to the fubjeft for more than forty years, offered to the public a pamphlet, entitled, " The Doftrine of the ever-bleffed Trinity " explained." His explanation amounted to this, that the bleffed Trinity was xhree, foniewhats , com monly called '* perfons; but the true notion and * Letters from a late eminent Prelate to one of his Friends, Svo, p. 310, 11,12. 1809. C II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 1/3 " true name of that diftinftlon," he faid, " are un. " known to us. The word perfons, when applied " to God, is but metaphorical ; not fignifying juft the " fame as when appUed to men." This traft engaged the author for that and the following year in a controverfy ^with the Unitarians ; nor were the Trinitarians more fatisfied than they were, with an explanation which explained nothing. In 1691, there iffued from the prefs a new edition of feveral trads written by Mr. John Biddle, firft publiffied in 1 648, and reprinted in 1653. Another publication ofthe fame year was " A Brief Hiftory of the Uni- "tarlans, caUed zUo Socinians; in four letters to a " friend." Dr. Sherlock, who had the charafter of being a polite, clear, and ftrong writer, and who, by his writings againft popery in the former reign, had obtained great reputation, took up his pen, this year, on the Trinitarian queftion, in " A Vindica- " tion of the doftrine of the holy and ever-bleffed " Trinity;" in which he expresfly afferted, that the three perfons in the Trinity are three diftinft infi nite minds or fpirits, and three individual fubftances; two of thefe iffuing from the Father ; and that thefe three are one by a mutual confcioufnefs. This traft was intended as an anfwer to the " Brief •' Hiftory of the Unitarians." A defence of that hiftory againft Dr. Sherlock's anfwer foon appeared. Another reply to his traft was publiffied under the the title of " Some Thoughts upon Dr. Sherlock's " Vindication of the doftrine of the Holy Trinity, " in a letter. 410." Obfervations on It were an- 174 HISTORY OF THE C. 1. nexed to a traft in 4to. entitled " The Afts of " Great Athanafius; with notes, by way of illuftra- " tion on his Creed." In this traft the doftor was charged with reviving paganifm by fuch an explica tion of the Trinity, as undeniably introduced trithe- ifm, or the doftrine of threegods; an error condemned by the ancients in the perfon of Philoponus; in the middle ages, in the perfon and writings of Abbot Joachim ; but raore feverely, fince the Reformation, in the perfon of Valentinus GentUis, who for this very doftrine was condemned at Geneva, and be headed at Berne. It was generally acknowledged that Dr. Sherlock had exceeded all proper bounds ; and his friends ufed their Influence to engage him to be filent in future. He had given the Unitarians fuch an advantage, that politicians feared the iffue of a war, the beginnings of which had been fo inaufpicious. For fome time a ftop was put to the publication of any fermons or trafts written againft that feft. The language held between the champions of what is called the orthodox faith was, that beino- niafters of all the pulpits, they could fufficiently difpofe the people to receive and adhere to that belief without the aid of printed anfwers and replies; and that they need not trouble themfelves about the Socinians. § Several years before, the very learned Dr. Cudworth, in his elaborate performance, entitled, " The Intelleftual Syftem," had expreffed the fame § Confiderations on the Explications ofthe Dodrineof the Tri nity, written by a perfon of quality; in4to. 1693. p. 12. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 175 apprehenfions concerning the three divine perfons, as Doftor Sherlock advanced : they both appre hended the three perfons to be as diftinft and diffe rent, and as really three feveral intelligent beings and fubftances, as three angels, or as Peter, James, and John are. Dr. Cudworth profeffed to follow. In accounting for the doftrine of the Trinity, the platonic phUofophers ; virith whom he faid the orthodox fathers perfcftly agreed. He contended, that the unity or famenefs of fubftance of the three divine perfons confifted not in number, but in kind or nature : he reprefented the Son and Spirit, how ever, as In every way inferior to the Fathei*. He did not allow them to be omnipotent In any other refpeft than externally ; i. e. becaufe the Father concurreth omnipotently to all their external aftions, whether of creation or providence. He defired to diftingulffi his explication from all others of the moderns by this mark ; that it allowed not the three perfons to be, in any refpeft but duration, coequal. For he faid, " three diftindl inteUigent natures or " effences, each pre-eternal, felf-exiftent, aud equally " omnipotent ad intra, are of neceffity three Gods : " but If only the firft perfon be indeed internally " omnipotent, and the other two fubordinate in " authority and power to him, you leave them but " one God, only In three divine perfons."* Though * Confiderations on the explications of the Doflrine of the Trinity, 1693; p. 13, 14. The correfpondence of Dr. Cudworth's fentiments with Plato, or their origin in the platonic philofophy, hasbeen examined in the Theological Repofitory, vol. iv. p. 77, 97. Prieftley's early opinions, vol. i. p. 349* 178 HISTORY OF THE C II. Dr. Cudworth and Dr. Sherlock appear to have been of the fame opinion concerning the three divine perfons, each conceiving of them as three feveral intelligences; it feems that the forraer learned writer did not entertain the fame idea concerning their unity, which the latter afterwards advanced : for he called the union of will and affeftion only a moral union, not a phyfical or real unity ; as three human perfons would be three diftinft men, notwith ftanding the moral union In affeftion and wiU, fo alfo three divine perfons would be three diftinft Gods, notwithftanding fuch an union in wUl and affeftion.* Not long after the Revolution, the civil power interfered in theological debates, and converted what ought to have been confidered only as fair difcuffion in order to afcertain and difcover truth, into an offence againft the coraraunity, and regarded it as the ground of a criminal charge. In 1693 was pubUffied a Treatife, entitled, " A brief but clear " Confutation of the Doftrlne of the Tr;inity." It was Induftrioufly difperfed, and copies of it under cover were direfted to feveral peers, and to fome members of the Houfe of Commons. The attention of the legiflature being called to it, their prejudices were awakened, and their fears of the fpread of the fentiments it defended were alarmed. The Houfe of Lords voted it to be an infamous and fcandalous libel ; It was ordered to be burnt in Old Palace- yard by the hands of the comraon hangman; an " Confiderations, &c. p. 14. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 17/ enquiry after the author, printer, and publiffier was inftitated ; arid the attorney-general was direfted to profecute them.| But notwithftanding the profecutions to which, as in this inftance, the publication of trafts In favour of Unitarian fentiraents was expofed, and the dif- countenance given to ferraons and trafts direfted againft fuch opinions, after a teraporary paufe the Trinitarian controverfy was revived. In 1693, Dr. South, reftor of Iflip in Oxfordffiire, a man of great talents and learning, but of a violent and doraineer- ing teraper, attacked Dr. Sherlock's book on the Trinity in " Animadverfions on It, together with a " more neceffary vindication of that facred and prime " article of the Chriftian faith from Dr. Sherlock's " new notions and falfe explications of it: humbly *' offered to his admirers, and to himfelf the chief of " them." " This paraphlet was written," fays Biffiop Burnet, " not without wit and learning, but without " any meafure of Chriftian charity ; and without " any regard either to the dignity of the fubjeft or *' the decencies of his profeffion."* Dr. South explained the doftrine in the comraon method, that the Deity was one effence and three fubfiftencies. In 1 694, Dr. Sherlock publiffied a defence of him felf againft the "Animadverfions;" and charged his opponent with Sabellianifm. Dr. South replied in a treatife, entitled, " Trithelfm charged upon t 15 Lords' Journal, 332,3d Jan. 1693. Hiftory of William III. vol. ii. p. 381. Proceedings of the Houfe of Lords in the cafe of Benjamin Flower, p. 37, 38. * Burnet, vol. iv. p. 3«i N 178 HISTORY OF THE C. II. "Dr. Sherlock's new notion of the Trinity, " and the charge made good In anfwer to the " defence." Others went into the difpute vfith fome learning, but with more warmth; and great men efpoufed the fide of each. Dr. Sherlock was accufed of polytheifm, or holding the doftrlne of three Gods ; and with great juftice, if words have any meaning. Dr. South came under the imputation of explaining away the Trinity, and falling into Sabellianifm. The candid enquirer was unfetded and perplexed. He hefitated between the fcheme of the former, which preferved a Trinity, but In which the Unity was loft ; and that of the latter, which under the terms " modes, fubfiftencies, and proper- " ties, &c." kept up the " divine Unity, but then loft " a Trinhy, fuch as the feriptures difcover, at leaft " with refpeft to the Father and the Son."* The Unitarians, availing themfelves ofDr. South's expli cation, declared a readinefs to affent to the liturgy and articles, if that was the kind of Trinity which the language of both was intended to clrculate.| Sentiinents fimilar to thofe of Dr. Sherlock, fo far at leaft as related to the diftinftlon of perfons, were advanced by an eminent divine among the diffenters, Mr. Howe; but he did not adopt Dr. Sherlock's idea of mutual confcioufnefs as conftituting the unity of the three divine perfons; becaufe that hypothefis left out, according to his expreffion, the nexus, or the conneftion by which they were united. His • Emlyn's Works, vol. i. p. 15. X Lindfey's Apology, p. 73. 4th ed. C II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 179 leading principles were, " that the perfons in the *' Trinity are diftinft numerical natures, beings, and " fubftances ; that there is a variety of individual *' natures in the Deity ; that there are in the God- *' head three diftinft intelligent hypoftafes or perfons, " having each his own diftinft, fingular, inteUigent " nature ; and thefe three divine perfons, beings, " effences, natures, fubftances, maintain a delicious "fociety. No enjoyments being pleafant without " confociation therein : and we muft needs think this " a moft bleffed ftate, or a more perfeft idea of blef- " fednefs, than can be conceived In an eternal foli- *' tude." This, It has been obferved, Is Dr. Sherlock's doftrine; only with fome more grofs Ideas and additions to It.:[; Mr. Howe's traft was t Unitarian Trafts, in4to. 1695, p. 39, 40, vol, iii. This idea, grofs as it may appear to fome, was, in a ftiort time after it was broached in a metaphyfical difquifition, converted into a theme of devotional declamation by Mr. after Dr. Watts; and at the diftance of twenty years, when he himfelf made an apology for having been carried away by the warm efforts of imagination further than riper years would probably indulge on fo fublime and abftrufe a liibjeft, was delivered from the prefs in a fermon entitled, " The Scale of " Blcffednefs; or bkfl'ed Saints, bleffed Saviour, and'blefTed Trinity;" from Ps. Ixv. 4. Having dwelt upon the thought, that know ledge and mutual love make up the heaven of the three divine perfons, the pious author, borne away by a heated imagination, and loft in his fubjeft, concludes it in this rapturous ftrain: " The " rearnefs ofthe divine perfons to each other, and the unfpeakable " relifh of their unbounded pleafares, are too vaft ideas for our " bounded minds to entertain. 'Tis one infinite tranfport that runs " through Father, Son, and Spirit, v/ithout beginning and without " end, with boundlefs variety, yet ever perfeft and ever prefent, ''without change and without degree; and all this, becaufe they " are fo near with one another, and lo much one with God.'' Sermons on various fubjefts, vol. i. No. xii. or p. 399, ijmo. ed. J711. N % 180 HISTORY OF THE C. II. entitled, " A calm and fober Inquiry concerning the *' poffibUity of aTrinity in the Godhead; In a letter ** to a perfon of worth.' ' To which were added fome letters formerly written to Dr. Wallis, on the fame fubjeft. 1694. Notwithftanding the prominent fea. ture of agreement In the hypothefes ofthe two divines, Mr. Howe fell under the cenfure of Dr. Sherlpck, as advancing fuch a notion of the unity of God as neither the feriptures nor the ancient church knew any thing of, and as fcarcely needing a confutation. Yet he offered animadverfions on It in his defence agaicift Dr. South. It was alfo noticed in " Some " Confiderations on the explications of the Doftrine " of the Trinity, in a letter to H. H." To both Mr. Howe replied; to the former In a " Letter to a " Friend;" and to the latter, in " A View of thofe *' Confiderations," In a letter to the friend whom he had before addreffed. In this performance, with a fairnefs and liberality that did him much credit, he gave it " as his judgraent, that much fervice " might be done to the common intereft of religion, *' by a free mutual communication of even more " more doubtful thoughts, if fuch difquifitions were " purfued with more candour, and with lefs confi- " dence and prepoffeffion of mind, or addiftednefs " to the Intereft of any party. If it were rather " endeavoured to reafon one another into or out " of this or that opinion, than either by fophiftical " conclufions to cheat, or to heftor by great " words, one that is uot of our mind. Or if the " defign were lefs to expofe an adverfiiry, than to CII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 181 " clear the matter in controverfy. Befides, that " if fuch equanimity did more generally appear and " govern in tranfaftions of this nature, it would *' produce a greater liberty In comraunicating our " thoughts about fome of the more vogued and " faffiionable opinions, by exempting each other *' from the fear of 111 treatment In the moft fenfible " kind. It being too manifeft that the fame confi- " dent infulting genius which makes a man think " himfelf to be competent to be a ftandard to man- " kind, would alfo raake him impatient of diffent, " and terapt him to do worfe than reproach one " that differs from hira. If It were in his power. " And the club or faggot arguraents muft be ex- " pefted to take place, where what he thinks rational " ones did not do the bufinefs." Mr. Howe by his publications in this controverfy rofe In efteem and refpeft with forae; others, who highly valued his other publications, wiflied that he had left this ar gument untouched ; a third fet could fcarcely refrain from charging him, as well as Dr. Sherlock, with herefy; a term, by which thofe who ufe It affurae to therafelves orthodoxy and infallibility, and fix a ftigraa on fuch as differ frora them.* In the church. Dr. Sherlock's fentiments found advocates as well as opponents. On the feaft of Sr. Simon and Jude in 1695, Mr. Bingham, reftor of Headbourn- Worthy, near Winchefter, ^nd a fellow of Univerfity college in Oxford, afterwards eminent for his laborious inveftigatlons and learned * Calamy's Life of Howe, p. 198—209. ti 182 HISTORY OF THE C II. publications on the antiquities ofthe chriftian church, aiid for his meritorious fervices in behalf of the efta bliffiment to which he belonged, advanced, in a- fermon before the univerfity, the notions of Dr. Sherlock ; and afferted that " there were three infi- " nite diftinft minds and fubftances in the Trinity ; '^ and alfo that the three perfons in the Trinity were " three diftinft minds or fpirits, and three individual " fubftances." They who patronifed and embraced the fentiraents of Dr. South were offended with thefe affertions; and had'fufflcient Influence to procure a folemn decree in convocation, judging, declaring, and determining " the aforefaid words to be falfe. Impious, and heretical ; difagreeing with and " contrary to the doftrine of the Catholic- church, *' and efpecially to the doftrine of the Church of " England publicly received." The realifts, inftead 6f yielding to the decifion and fentence of the convo cation, entered a virtual proteft againft it ; and anfwered, that " what the heads of Oxford had " condemned as heretical and impious, was the very " Catholic faith : that the decree was a cenfure of ^' the Nicene faith, and of the faith of the Chqrch " of England, as herefy ; and expofed both to the *' fcorn and triumph of the Socinians." Dr. Sherr lock in particular faid, " that he would undertake, " any day in the year, to procure a meeting of twice " as many wife and learned men to cenfure their '^ decree."* • Ben Mordecai's Letters, vol.i. p. 70. Svo, ed. C. n. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 'l»S3 Under thefe circumftances, neither the authority of the univerfity, nor the folemnity with which the decree was iffued, could fecure the end propofed by it. It rather irritated the parties, than fettled their differences. Dr. Tennifon, who then filled the fee of Canterbury, prevaUed with the king to interpofe by his authority, and to give the royal fanftion to certain injunftions drawn up by himfelf, and addreffed to the arch biffiops and biffiops, to be publiflied in their diocefes, and enforced by their epifcopal authority, to maintain the purity of the Chriftian faith, and preferve the peace of the church. The proclama tion direfted. That no preacher whatfoever In his ferraon cr lefture ffiould prefurae to deliver any other doftrine concerning the bleffed Trinity, than wh'At was con. tained in the Holy Scriptures, and is agreeable to the three creeds and the thirty-nine articles of religion. That in the explication of this doftrine they ffiould carefully avoid all new terms, and confine themfelves to fuch ways of explication as have been commonly ufed in the church. The careful obfervance of the 53d canon, which prohibits public oppofition between preachers, and efpecially bitter inveftives and fcurrilous language againft all perfons whatever, was particularly recom mended. Thefe rules were alfo enjoined on all who wrote on the difputed queftions. Thefe direftlons were not limited to the clergy alone to govern their conduft in the controverfy, but were alfo levelled at 184 HISTORY OF THE C. II. thofe who were not of the clerical body, but who, it was underftood, had prefumed to talk and difpute againft the Chriftian faith concerning the doftrine of the Trinity, or had written or publiffied or difperfed books and pamphlets againft it : And the clergy were ftriftly charged and commanded, together with all other means fuitable to their holy profeffion, to ufe their authority according to law to reprefs and re ftrain fuch exorbitant praftices.* No decree of a council, no bull of a pope, could be more decidedly marked by claims to authority over confcience, and to infalUbiliiy of judgment in the enaftors of either, than were thefe royal injunc tions drawn up by an epifcopal pen. The royal perfonage from whofe court they were given, and the prelate whofe fpirit diftated them, though credit ffiould be given to the purity of their motives, forgot that they were proteftants. The only part of thefe injunftions that could poffibly anfwer a valuable end, and that properly fell within the province of the civil magiftrate, was the order to ahftain from bitter inveftives and fcurrilous language. The other direc tions tended only to overbear the judgments of men, to fupprefs conviftion, and to reftrain iiiquiry. The decree of the Univerfity and the injunftions of the king were not merely dead letters. The partizans of orthodoxy in that day not only had recourfe to cenfures, but adopted vigorous meafures. In 1695 was publiffied a traft, reprinted by the London Unitarian Society in 1793, entided '^ The * Tennifon's I. ; and moft " perfons fit to judge thereof agree, it cannot be the " intereft of Chrift that he ferves, by the fpirit he " difcovers, and the public fcandal and mifchiefs he " fo induftrioufly promotes."* * Calamy, vol.i. p. jij — 514. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 193 The reader will judge how far the air of infallibi lity, and the tone of authority, which fuch a decla ration carries In It, are calculated to convince or to conciliate. It Is certain, that this paper had not the eflfeft which It was meant to produce. Difcontents exifted among the united brethren themfelves, and a difference of opinion about fome doftrinal points foon difcovered itfelf on an occafion which their fagacity could not anticipate, nor their influence prevent. During the unhappy times of the civil wars, the fubjeft of Juftification had been warmly controverted by writers of the feveral religious parties : who difagreed in their Ideas on the meaning, not of the word ^'¦juftification" only, but of the terms "faith *' and good works," and in their conftruftlon of the language of the apoftles'Paul and James on this fubjeft. Contefts were ftarted, that could have no objeft but to divide and alienate: various hypothefes were formed, which obfcured the points that they were meant to elucidate: and the fenfe of the apofto- lical writers was perplexed by abundance of learned fophlftry. Some who appeared in this controverfy were cenfured as leaning to popery or judaifm ; others were regarded as advocates of antinomlanlfin and libertinifm ; fome again were charged with pelagianifm and focinianifra ; and others, laftly, were confidered as advancing the principles of manichjeifm and fatalifm. The queftions connefted with this controverfy had been agitated, with much con tention, for about twenty years, when they attrafted the attention of Mr. afterwards Bifliop Bull j then o 194 HISTORY OF THE C. 11 26 years of age, and engaged his clofe enquiries and afliduous ftudy during eight or nine years. The refult of his inveftigatlon was the publication of a work In Latin, entided " Harmonia Apoftolica," Apoftolical Harmony ; confifting of two diflertations, the firft to explain and defend the doftrlne of James on juftification, the fecond to demonftrate the agreement and harmony of Paul with him on this point. The particular defign of the firft diflcrtatlon was to {hew " that good works which proceed " frora faith, are a necefl^ry condition required frora " us by God, to the end that by the new and " evangelical covenant obtained by and fealed in " the blood of Chrift, tfie mediator of it, we may " be juftified according to his free and unmerited " grace." Though our young divine fettled his own judg ment, he was not equally fuccefsful In his endeavours to bring others to difcern and acknowledge the truth of thofe conclufions on the point, to which he had himfelf been led by his review of the feriptures and of primitive antiquity : for notwithftanding all his caution In difculfing a fubjeft which the difputations of theologians had rendered abftrufe, his performance created alarm both In the church and out of It. His interpretations of the facred writers, and his method of reconciling the two apoftles, were tried by the correfpondence which they bore to the fentiments of Luther and Calvin, whofe names, as the two apoftles of the Reforraa- tion, carried with them an undue and overbearing C. H. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 195 influence. Though the evidence and ftrength of his arguments appeared to fome in a clear and con vincing light, hard cenfures were pafled by others on the work and its author ; and the doftrines maintained in it were condemned as pernicious and heretical, contrary to the decrees of the Church of England, and of all other reformed chuches. Dr. Morley, biftiop of Winchefter, In a charge to his clergy, prohibited the reading of Mr. BuU's work ; fome heads of houfes in the univerfities and fome tutors warned the ftudents againft it. Dr. Barlow, Margaret profeflbr at Oxford, and afterwards biftiop of Lincoln, and Dr. Tully, principal of Edmund's Hall, an eloquent and learned writer, were the moft zealous to oppofe the pacific method whjch it offered In order to reconcile the diflferent fyftems about attaining falvation. Among the diflenters, Mr, Jofeph Truman, educated in the diftinguifliing doc trines that were ratified by the Weftminfter Aflembly, and Mr. Tombes, a learned baptift minifter, animad verted on the " Apoftolical Harmony," as If a blow had been aimed by It at the ground-work of the Reformation. About a year after it was publiflied, a copy of it was fent to the author with marginal annotations and animadverfions from the hands of his diocefan Dr. Nicholfon, bifliop of Gloucefter ; written, it was afterwards difcovered, by Mr. Charles Gataker, the fon of the learned critic of that name, whofe zeal for the principles which he had received, as authentic explications ofthe gofpel, in thefyftems that he had ftudied, neither permitted him to think o 2 196 HISTORY OF THE G. 11, fedately, . nor to write with temper. Dr. Lewis da Moulin, fon of the famous Peter du Moulin, an independent, likewife attacked with great feverity the principles and opinions advanced by Mr. Bull, in a pamphlet, entitled, " A fliort and true Account " of the feVeral advances^ the Church of England « hath raade towards Rorae ; or a model of the *' grounds upon which the papifts, for thefe hun- " dred years, have built their hopes and expeftations " that England would ere long return to popery." London, 1680. This traft contained alfo virulent refleftions on feveral eminent divines of the Church of England.* The ground of the ftrain In which this pamphlet and others in this controverfy were written, was, that the folifidian doftrine was re garded by many as the main pillar of proteftantifm ; which being once fliaken. It was thought, there could be no poflability of Its bearing up its head againft popery, or of juftifying the proceedings of Luther and the other firft reformers. With this traft, the controverfy, which had been continued for ten years, v/as terminated : as Mr. Bull did not judge It neceflary to reply. He had particularly and fully anfwered the other writers, who had animadverted on his " Apoftolical Harmony." His * It ought to be mentioned to the honour of Dr. Moulin, and as a pleafing inftance of candour and ingenuoufnefs, that on his death-bed, foon after the appearance of his pamphlet, he retrafted all the perfonal refleftions which he had caft in his book upon any divine ofthe Church of England ; and direfted his retraftation to be made public after his death. This was accordingly done. Nelfon's Life of Bifliop Bull, p. J54. C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 197 biographer fays, " that with a very laudable *' diligence he fpared no pains, that he might tho- " roughly and impartially exaraine all that his adver- " fary could bring againft hira: nor could it be denied, *' that he made fuch juft and reafonable conceflions, *' as rendered his own caufe the ftronger, while they " yielded to the oppofite that which it might lawfully " demand." In the difcuflions which originated with his work, the meaning ofthe terms, "juftifica- " tion, faith, and good works," was canvafled. The nature of the Mofaic law, and of its promifes and threatenings, carae under exaraination. Thefe were proper fubjefts of enquiry ; and the inveftigatlon of them tended to elucidate the feriptures, and to place the matter in debate on fcriptural authority, its juft and only obligatory ground. But with the dif cuflions on thefe points were blended fyftematic principles and fcholaftic niceties. It muft be added, to the difgrace of thofe who wrote in It, though too much in the fpirit of all tiraes and of aU controverfies, that their pens were often dipped in gall, and their arguraents were accorapanied with heavy "charges and invidious imputations. "The *' beft caufe In the world may be run down with " clamour and confidence ; but truth is never better " fupported, than by being raodeftly and fimply " propofed, with the arguments for and againft it " fairly reprefented, withont refleftion upon any for " not thinking after the fame manner with us."* * For a full, candid, and fuccinft review of this controverfy, fee JiTelfon's I-ife of Bifliop Bull, p.89— aj/, 198 HISTORY OF THE C. II. The controverfy which was begun inthe Eftabliflied Church, and revived by the publication of Bull's " Harmonia Apoftolica," was alfo taken up by the diflenters, and eondufted with much warmth. So far back as the year 1649, ^^- Baxter had difcuflfed the queftIon% concerning the doftrine of juftification, in a treatife, entitled, " Aphorlfms of Juftification and *' the Covenants." Exceptions were raade to this work at hs firft appearance. It excited much atten tion ; becarae a fubjeft of obloquy with many; and feveral learned men, as Dr. John Wallis, Mr. Geo. Lawfon, Mr. John Warren, and Mr. Chriftopher Cartwright, employed their pens in animadverting upon it. The " Aphorlfms" were particularly an fwered by Mr. John Crandon, of Eawley in Hamp- fliire. In a book, which he Infcribed, " Mr. Baxter's *' Aphorifras exorcifed ;" and by Mr. Wm. Eyre, of Salifbury, in his " Vindicias Juftificationis gra- " tuitje." Some of thefe writers delivered their fentiraents at the defire of Mr. Baxter hirafelf j upon which he publiflied his fufpenfion of thefe aphorifras ; then his fuller explication and defence of thera in his " Apology ;" and afterwards an additional explication and defence of them, in his " Confelfion of Faith," and in his " Difputations of *' Juftification." On his part the controverfy was agitated, at different times, for forty years. In one of his publications, during this period, he entered the lifts with Dr. Tully, one of Bifliop BuU's oppo nents. In " A Treatife of Juftifying Righteoufnefs, " in two books," in 1676. In this work, though C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 199 he fometimes acknowledged the doftor to be a very worthy perfon, yet he hefitated not to charge his *' Juftlficatio Paulina" as being " defeftive In point " of truth, juftice, charity, ingenuity, and pertinency *' to the matter." " It was the unhappinefs both of « Mr. Baxter and Dr. Tully," obferves Mr. Nelfon, " that they gave but too much reafon for the impu- " tation, under which they both equally lay, of "being angry writers." Bull, Bellariiiin, who alfo wrote on the fame fubjeft, and Baxter, were confidered and reprefented by Dr. Tully as " the '* three great adverfaries of the faith," engaged in " a triple league" to overthrow it.* After the controverfy, as It had been handled by forae writers whora we have mentioned, had fubfided^ it revived again amongft the diflenters, and feems to have been confined within their pale. It was occafioned by the republication of the works of Dr. Crifp, by his fon Mr. Samuel Crifp, fanftioned by the names of feveral prefbyterian and independent minifters. When they were firft publiflied, the aflembly of divines at Weftminfter defired them to be burnt. The author was a man of great piety, and exemplary purity of charafter; but the fenti ments that he advanced and defended were, with reafon, confidered as very pernicious in their ten dency, and as opening a door for great licen- tioufnefs of manners In thofe whom their paflTions might difpofe to aft upon the ftrift letter of them. Dr. Crifp's fcheme Is ftated to be this : " That by " God's mere elefting decree, all faving bleflings • Nelfon's tife of Bull, p. ^43 — aj4. 200 HISTORY OF THE C. II. " are by divine obligation made ours, and nothing " more is needful to our title to thefe bleflings : *' That on the crofs all the fins of the eleft were " transferred to Chrift, and ceafed ever to be their " fins: That at the firft moraent of conception, a " title to thefe decreed bleflSngs is perfonally applied " to the eleft, and they invefted aftually therein. " Hence the eleft have nothing to do, in order to an " intereft in thefe bleflings; nor ought they to intend " the leaft good to themfelves in what they do: fin " can do them no harm, becaufe it is none of theirs ; " nor can God afflift them for any fin." On his fcheme it was affirmed, " That fins are not " to be feared as doing any hurt, even vsrhen the " moft flagitious are committed . Grace and holincfs *' cannot do us the leaft good. God has no more " to lay to the charge of the wickedeft men, If they " be elefted, than he has to lay to the charge of a " faint in glory. That the eleft are not to be governed " by fear or hope; for the laws have no promifes or " threats to rule them ; nor are they under the im- " preffions of rewards or punifliraents, as raotives to "duty, or prefervatives againft fin."* Thefe fentiraents were ftiled Antinomian, as Ira- pugning the excellence and fubverting the obligations of the law. They exhibit an overftrained conftruc- tion of Luther's doftrine, which reprefents the merits of Chrift as the fource of raan's falvation; and of Calvin's doftrine refpefting divine decrees. Were there not reafon to fuppofe that the advocate for them * Dr. Williams's Gofpel Truth, p. 6, 7,8. CII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 120 was fincere, though mifled, one fliould be ready to impute to him an invidious defign to caricature the opinions of thofe reformers, and to expofe them to indignation or conterapt. Thefe opinions fprung up In Germany, and were broached by John Agri cola, a native of Aifleben, and an eminent doftor of the Lutheran church. His followers were called Antinomians, I. e. " Eneraies of the law." This feft was fupprefled in its infancy by the fortitude, watch- fulnefs, and Influence of Luther: and Agricola acknowledged and renounced his pernicious fyftem j though he is faid to have returned to his errors, and to have preached thera again with fuccefs after the death of Luther.* Thefe opinions had for raany years lain dormant In England, when the republication of Dr. Crifp's works In or about 1690 revived them, and gave them a new and wide circulation, efpecially among the nonconformifts, whofe liberties were threatened on this account. Under the conduft of Mr. Davis the flame broke out with peculiar violence, and fpread through eleven counties. Judicious and faithful mi nifters, who inculcated the neceffityandobligations of righteoufnefs, were deferted, and reproached as legal- ifts; churches were divided, and town and country were filled with debates and noife. So high did the ferment rife, fo widely did the infeftion fpread In the city of London, that if a minifter among the prefbyte rians preached a fermon In which hope was placed on conditional promifes, or the fear of fin was prefled by * Moftieira's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, vol. iv. p. 33. 202 HISTORY O? THE CII. the divine threatenings, he was immediately con demned and cenfured as an enemy to Chrift and free grace. This'cenforloufnefs and violence of temper Ihewed itfelf particularly amongft the independents and baptifts. One of the lefturers at Pinner's HaU preaching on repentance as neceflTary to the remiffion of fins, that pulpit was foon filled with the harfheft cenfures againft the prefbyterians.* Many of the rainifters of that perfuafion folicited Mr. afterwards Dr. Daniel Williams, to confute the principles of Dr. Crifp. This he undertook to do; and entered on his tafk firft In a fermon at Pinner's Hall; and then in a treatife, entitled, " Gofpel Truths *' ftated and vindicated." The method in which this work was drawn up, was to ftate the truth and error under each head ; to prove the latter to be the opinion of Dr. Crifp ; then to fliew wherein the difference did not lie; and this being done, to declare in what the real and proper difference did confift. Having thus explained and ftated the cafe, the author confirmed the truth, which was oppofed to a fpecific error, by the rule of faith received by both fides. To the direft proofs were added corroborating tefti. monies frora the approved catechifras and confeffions both of the preflayterian and independent body, viz. thofe of the aflembly at Weftminfter, of the fynod of New England, and of the congregational elders at the Savoy, befides thofe of fuch particular authors as were generally efteemed orthodox. And, laftly, he inveftigated the ground of Dr. Crifp's miftake. • Gofpel Truth, preface, p. 47; and Bifliop Bull's Life, p. a6o. e. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 203 This plan of difcuffion was applied to about twenty- fix points; It was executed with plainnefs and fim- pllcity, and raatters were ftated with fuch fairnefs and irapartiality, that his adverfaries did not deteft one inftance In which the opinions of the doftor were mifreprefented or miftaken.f The author him felf declared, that he had carefully avoided any refleftion on the Rev. Dr. Crifp ; " whom," he added, " I believe a holy man ; and have abftained *' expofing raany things according to the advantages " offered. If by any means this book may become " ufeful to fuch as moft need it." The points connefted with the controverfy, and difcufled in this treatife, through as raany chapters as the propofitions araounted to, are " the ftate of " the eleft before effeftual calling : God's laying fins " on Chrift : the difcharge of the eleft frora fins, " upon their being laid on Chrift : the eleft ceafing *' to be finners frora the tirae their fins were laid on *' Chrift: the time when our fins were laid on Chrift, " and continued there: God's feparation from and *' abhorrence of Chrift, while our fins lay upon hira: " the change of perfon between Chrift and the eleft: *' the nature of faving faith, the free offer of Chrift . " to finners, and of preparatory qualifications: " union with Chrift by faith : juftification by faith, " with a digreffion about repentance ; the neceffity " and benefit of hollnefs, obedience, and good " works, with perfeverance therein: intending our " foul's good by the duties we perform : the way I Bifhop Bull's lASe, p. a6i. 204 HISTORY OF THE C. II. " 10 attain affurance : God's feeing fins in believers, " and their guilt by it : the hurt that fin may do the " believers: God's difpleafure for fin, In the afflic- " tions of his people : the beauty of fincere hoUnefs: " Gofpel preaching : legal preaching : exalting of *' Chrift : the honour of the free grace of Gdb." Dr. Williams has been confidered as Mr. Baxter's fucceflbr in the management of thefe difputes ; and he Incurred the fame fevere cenfures as had befallen that erainent writer, being accufed of maintaining opinions Inconfiftent wilh the doftrine of Chrift's fatisfaftion, and yielding up the caufe to the focinians. Names that carried an odiura with them wrr; very freely beftowed on him; as if it were more the ftudy of the partifans of Dr. Crifp's opinions to expofe thofe with whom they had the difpute to reprc vi.:h and obloquy, than to examine their arguraents and difcover truth. Dr. Williaras's work was firft pubtiftied in 1692, with teftimonlals of approbation by Dr. Bates, Mr. Howe, Mr. Alfop, Mr. Shower, and twelve other diflenting rainifters. The names of double that number were added to the fecond edition. This was fucceeded by a third edition, with other naraes; to which a large poftfcript was added, for elucidating fundry truths. || Dr. Chauncy, and feveral who coincided with him in opinions, aniraadverted on Dr. Williaras's per il Mr. Orton recommended the treatife of Dr. Williams as the beft that he knew, to enable a perlbn to judge of thofe controverfies. " He is," Mr. Orton added, " the cleareft, faireft controverfial " writer I ara acquainted with." Letters to a young Clergynian, letter xv. ^ C. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 205 formance : to whom Dr. WUliams replied, in " A Defence of Gofpel Truth," a perforraance which fecured the approbation of able judges. But notwithftanding the conviftion which it carried to fome.mInds, It did not give the fame fatisfaftion to aU. Mr. Mather, an independent minifter, publiflied a fermon on juftification. In which he aflferted that believers were as righteous as Chrift himfelf; that the covenant of grace was not conditional ; with other opinions of the fame tenor. Dr. Williams anfwered him in a traft, entided, " Man raade Righteous." To this work no one replied.* On the publication of Dr. Williams's " Gofpel ' i Truth," Inftead of Its ferving to compofe the dif ferences which had broken out among the lefturers at Pinner's Hall, a new and great clamour was raifed; particularly on account of the interpretation given to Phil. iii. 9. At length a paper of objeftions to that work, figned by Mr. Griffith, Mr. Cole, Mr. Mather. Mr. Chauncy, Mr. Trail, and Mr. Richard Taylor, was delivered at a meeting of the united minifters. But no cognizance was taken of it. The reafons of paffing it over without notice were, that three of the fix objeftors were not of the union; and that the material objeftions were not only confidered to be ungrounded, but were expreflfed in words as recited from Dr. Williams's work, which were quite con trary to the lett'er of the expreffions.f The doftor examined the paper in a poftfcript to a third edition * Bifliop Bull's Life, p. 262. f Dr. Williams's Works, vol.iv. p. 322 — 324. 206 HISTORY OF THE C II. of his traft, and fully confidered the objeftions it exhibited. But the filence with which the united minifters treated it, gave umbrage ; and Dr. Chauncy, at a meeting about Oftober 1692, ufing raany warm words, affigned this negleft as a reafon for leaving their meetings, and breaking off" from their union. The more candid and pacific ftudied healing expe dients; and after much confideration fixed on certain doftrinal articles, to which both fides agreed and fubfcribed, Dec. 16, 1692. Thefe were publiflied to the world under the title of " The Agreement in " Doctrine among the Diflenting Minifters in " London." ^fhis paper was far from anfwering the conciliatory end that was expected from it. The debates continued : one party was fufpected of verging towards arminianifm,. and even focinlanifm. The charge of encouraging antlnomlanifm was retorted on the other party. Separate weekly meetings were held. New creeds were framed ; but they were objected to by fome or others " as too large or too " ftrait, too full or too empty." Different papers were drawn up and fubfcribed, to eff'ect an accommb- modation : but they created new altercations and fomented new differences. It feemed to be the aim and wifla of fome, that they raight be thought to differ from their brethren, whether they really did fo or not. The contending parties. In fome inftances at leaft, fancied their mutual differences to be greater than in fact they were. A letter was publiflied in 4to. entitled, " A Vindication of the Proteftant " Doctrine concerning Juftification, and of its C II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 207 " preachers and profeflbrs, from the unjuft charge " of Antinomianifm." But the hopes of free brotherly correfpondence vaniflied away.|| " Such *' were the eflfects of thefe wrangles at that tirae," obferves Dr. Calaray, " upon the raoft coramon *' converfation, and fo odd do the controverfies that *' were then managed appear. If reviewed at a " diftance, as to convince confiderate obfervers that * ' there is no fuch enemy to peace as jealoufy en- *' couraged, and that indulged fufpicion is an endlefs *' fund of contention."* Though the controverfy arofe amongft, and was confined to, the dlflTenters; yet an appeal was made to the judgment of two celebrated divines in the efta bliflied church. Dr. Stillingfleet bifliop of Worcefter, and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, lately the principal of Jefus college, Oxford. One point of debate which was ftarted in the difputes of the day, related to a corarautation of perfons between Chrift and' believers. This, it was alleged. Dr. Stillingfleet had aflTerted and fupported in his anfwer to Grotius on the dodlrine of Chrift's fatisfaftion ; and this Dr. Williaras was charged with denying, becaufe he had denied what Dr. Crifp called a change of perfon, (not perfons In the plural) /. e. a change of condition and ftate between Chrift and a finner ; Chrift thereby becoming as finlul as we, and we as righteous as he. Dr. WiUiams was N Calamy, vol. i. p. 515, ji6; Calamy's Life of Howe, p. 183; Nelfon's Life of Bifliop Bull, p. 260— «63- ' Life of Howe, p. 1S4. 208 HISTORY OF THE C. II. induced, on this reprefentation of his fentiments, to addrefs a letter to the bifliop, requefting his judg ment on three queftions : i . What was his fenfe of corarautation of perfons ? 2. Whether the author of "Gofpel Truth" was chargeableiwith focinianifra? and 3. Whether Dr. Crifp's fenfe concerning the change of perfon or perfons were true or falfe ? He fupported his requeft by urging that his lordflilp's fentiments were pleaded againft him. Mr. Lob, one of the independent party, though no direft antino mian, endeavoured alfo to fecure the bifliop as an urapirc In their difputes; by a letter, Informing him of the controverfy then fubfifting among the diflenters, in which a reference had been made to his lordflilp's fentiments; and foUciting him, that he would condc- fcend to give them his Impartial thoughts on the point, " as being likely on both hands] to be fo " received as to compofe the differences between " them." Before this letter came to hand, the bifliop had already anfwered Dr. WUliams, and given his fentiments on the points mentioned In both their letters with great freedom and impartiality, ag well as with fingular candour and judgment. This letter was, on the receipt of Mr. Lob's, publiflied in vindication of Dr. WUliams againft the heavy charges alleged againft him. Mr. Lob on this addreffed a fecond letter to the bifliop, expreffing much fatisfac- lion with whathe had written, and offisrlng his thanks for it. He apprifed his lordfliip, that to afford hira a fuUer ftate of the matters in controverfy, and to furnifli him with more ample means of compofing O. II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 209 their differences, he was preparing for the prefs an "Appeal" direfted to his lordfliip; to whom he,' offered to fend the flieets for his infpeftlon in manu- fcrlpt. This propofal. the bifliop waved. The Appeal, as foon as it was printed, was fent to his lordfliip; who, as a perfeft mafter ofthe caufe, con fidered It with great exaftnefs, but did not live to finifli his anfwer to It. What appeared gave the public a true ftate of the controverfy, and fully vin dicated both Mr. Baxter and Dr. WUliams from the charge of going over to the camp of the focinians.* A paragraph on this point deferves to be quoted, as an evidence of the biftiop's candour, and as an admonition to thofe who are ready In the prefent day to bring forward invidious charges. " There is," faid the biftiop, " a remarkable " ftory in the hiftory of the Synod of Dort, which *' may not be Improper in this place. There were " in one of the univerfities of that country two pro- *' feflfors, both very warm and extreraely zealous for " that which they accounted the raoft orthodox " doftrlne; but It happened that one of thefe ac- " cufed. the other before the fynod for no fewer " than _;^/ errors, tending to focinlanifm, pelagian- *' ifm, &c. &c. ; and wonderful heat there was on " both fides. At laft a committee was appointed to " examine this dreadful charge; and upon examina- " nation they found no ground for the charge of *' focinianifra, or any other herefy ; but only that " he had alTerted too much the ufe of ambiguous and * Biftiop Bull's Life, p. »64— 169. P 210 HISTORY OF THE CII. ' ' fcholaftic terms, and endeavoured to bring In the " way ofthe fchoolmen, Inhis writings ; and thcre- •' fore the fynod difmifled him with that prudentad *' vice, — Rather to keep to the language of the " feriptures than of the fchools."* Dr. Edwards, to whom were fent the fame queftions, which had been laid before Bifliop Stil lingfleet, addrefled in anfwer a letter to Dr. Wil liams, in which he alfo fuUy acquitted him of giving any countenance to the opinions of Socinus; and juftified him againft his accufcrs, as having ftated in a right and an orthodox manner the doftrine ci Chrift's fausfaftlon. But the progrefs of the controverfy has been anticipated by introducing here the appeal made to thofe two eminent divines of the Eftabliflied Church. For, previoufly to this flage of it, a defign was formed to exclude t)r. Williams out of the lefture at Pinners' Hall, in 1694. A new lefture was fet up at Salters' HaU : three of the old lefturers, Dr, Bates, Mr. Howe, and Mr. Aifop, acccrnipsmied him to the new lefture ; and two others were added : and four were joined 10 the old lefturers, Mr. Mead and Mr. Cole, who remained at Pinners' Hall. The fupporters of the new leftures confifted of the greateft part of the old fubfcribers, men of great piety and judgraent, who perceiving the violence of the other party, when all pacific propofals and meafures had proved abortive, removed to a more convenient place.f Thus the lefture was broken • Calamy'a Life of Howe, p. 184, 5. i Ibid. p. 194. CII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 211 into two ; Mr. Howe's friendly propofal, urged by him, both publickly and privately, to alternate the fame lefture In both places, could not be carried ; and the feparation continued. A few years fince the lefture at Salters' HaU, for want of fupport and attendance, was given up. Befides Mr. Howe's conciliating propofal, another attempt for reunion was made, by an offer on one fide to renounce Arminianifm^ and on the other Anti nomianifm ; but this plan of harmony proved un fuccefsful. Soon after, a few particular minifters of each party privately drew up a paper, with a hope that they fliould be able by their influence to prevail on both fides to fign it. But this meafure, Inftead of cxtlngulfliing old differences, created new ones. Some were zealous for It, and complained much that it was not adopted. Others warmly oppofed It, and, among various reafons, becaufe they conceived of it as bearing hard upon Dr. Wllliams.f It affords an unhappy inftance of the afperlty and malignity of party, that not only the fentiments of Dr. Williams were cenfured and ftlgraatized, but an attacl^ was made on his reputation, an attack fo peculiar as fcarcely to admit of any precedent; which, obferves Dr. Calamy, " was far from recommending *' the diflenters, as to their candour or conduft, to " ftanders by." But the ends of his adverfaries were not anfwered. For after about eight weeks fpent in an inquiry into his life by a committee of the united minlfters, who received all manner of » t Calamy, p. 549. P 2 213 HISTORY OF THE CII. complaints againft him, it was declared at a general meeting, as their unanimous opinion, and repeated and agreed to in three feveral fucceffive meetings, that " he was entirely clear and Innocent of aU that *' was laid to his charge."* It was fubfequent to this, that a new clamour was raifed againft him : on which the appeal was made to Bifliop StiUingfleet and Dr. Edwards, which has been already mentioned. Though that prelate vin dicated the fentiments of Dr. WiUiams, he cenfured, in a charge to his clergy in 1696, the body of dif fenters, as defeftive in their difclpllne, on account of their divifions : a cenfure, which feems to indicate that his lordfliip was Inclined to apply coercive mea fures in fuch a cafe, inftead of employing argument and perfuafion to convince them of their errors, and leaving It to time and refleftion to calra and compofe their minds. In confequence of the appeal made «o the learned members of the church, various pub lications on both fides ifliicd from the prefs : but whether prejudices were foftened, or paffion had ¦fpent itfelf, or argument at length produced con- vidlon, the diflfenters became cool, and the contro verfy was terminated, at the inftance oif Mr. Lob, by Dr. WiUiams in 1698, who printed a few flieeti entitled, " an End to Difcord :" in which he ftated the orthodox as alfo the focinian and antinomian no tions as to Chrift's fatisfaftion ; and interpreted the confeffion of thofe more fober independents in as orthodox as a fenfe as their words with the moft * Calamy, vol. i. p. 549- Biftiop BuU's Life, p. »7fi. C II. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 213 charitable conftruftlon could bear. It is almoft incredible how much Dr. WiUiams was a fufferer in this controverfy, from fome who were too apt to aft their principles againft fuch as oppofed them : for he had to contend with a ftrong party, who would leave nothing unattempted to crufli him If poffible. " But he had counted the coft;" as he wrote to a very refpeftable member of theEftabUftied Church, "even though his life had been " facrlficed." This In tegrity, zeal, and fortitude In oppofing, under fuch circumftances, what appeared to him pernicious errors, difplayed the energy of principle, and excel lence of his own charafter. To his indefatigable and zealous exertions it is in a great degree, afcribed, that within fixteen years after the clofe of this con troverfy, the number of antlmonlans araong the diflenters was fo reduced, that only three or four preachers of that denoraination, and thofe raen ofno eftiraatlon, were left : the oppofitd principles could by advanced without exciting a clamour, and moft of the independents and baptifts in the metropolis preached againft antimonlanlfm.* Another effeft of this controverfy was, that from the tirae of forraing a new and feparate lefture at Saters' Hall, the two denominations of prefliyterlans and independents became diftinft communities, and afted feparately with refpeft to their own denomina tions. And the ground of this feparation being in doftrinal fentiments, the terms came afterwards to fignify not a difference in Church Government, • Nelfon's Life of Bilhop BuU, p. a74~376- 214 HISTORY OF THE c. II. according to their original meaning, but In doftrinal opinions: the latter being applied to denote the reception of calvinlftic, the former to fignify the belief of arminian fentiments ; or refpeftlvely of creeds fimilar to either fyftem. cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 215 CHAPTER in. Intemal History of the Protestant Dissenters. SECTION I. Of their Academies. THE Aft of Uniformity ejefted frora the church men of the firft learning in the age ; men, who were the ornaments both of facred and general literature. The names of Baxter, Owen, Howe, and Bates ; of Clarkfon, who was tutor of Tillotfon ; of Gale, who wrote " the Court of the " Gentiles ;" of Hill, the editor of " Schrevelius' *' Lexicon;" of Poole,|the author of the " Synopfis *' Critlcorum;" of Cradock, who with folid judgment and depth of thought methodized and Uluftrated the facred hiftorians ; of Clark, the annotator ; of Tombes, preacher at the Temple ; of Ray, the na- turalifl ; of Gilpin, an accompliflied fcholar and erai nent phyfician ; and of Vinckes, an univerfal fchobr; are enrolled in the honourable lift of thofe, who, having been themfelves enriched with ftores of learning, largely contributed to extend the limits of fcience and theological literature by their refearches and writings. Thefe names, however, bear but a finall proportion to the many who, among the Bar, 216 HISTORY OF THE C III. tholomew divines, were held in high eftimation for their learning. The edift that deprived them of their livings could not defpoil them of their erudition. The literary tafte which they had formed In the feats of the Mufes, and the treafures of knowledge which they had laid up, qualified thera, in an eminent degree, when driven from their pulpits, to undertake the inftruftlon of youth. The ftraitened circum ftances of many obliged them, when they had loft the revenues of their vicarages and reftories, to feek fome corapenfation by applying their talents and learning to the offices of education. Sorae became tutors In private families ; fome opened fchools ; and fome eftabliflied academies, in which they read lec tures on different branches of fcience and theology. The ftatute which was defigned to fecure the national eftablifliment, by crufliing the diffidents, had an oppofite effeft. It led nurabers to feparate them felves from the church, who were confiderable In point of influence derived from rank or eftates or commercial purfuits. This feceffion originated partly from principle, founded in objeftions to the eftablifliment; partly from attachment to revered and worthy minifters, whom that ftatute had ejefted; and partly from fympathy in the unmerited fufferings which thofe minifters were hence called upon to bear. The fubfequent proceedings of government were not fuited to conciliate the feparatifts, and to re cover them to the communion of the church ; but tended by new edifts and profecutions to irritate tq C. HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 217 a greater degree minds already exafperated. Thefe diffidents had families to be educated, and naturally looked to thofe whofe talents and learning they refpefted, and of whofe fufferings they were par takers, as the moft proper tutors for their fons; efpecially for thofe of them who were deftined to the miniftry, or to the walks of law or phyfic. This becarae raore particularly the cafe, as the fecef fion created objeftions not before felt againft rainif- terial conforraity ; and when the new congregations formed under the ejected minifters were, by the deaths of their firft paftors fucceffively. In want of a new race of rainifters to fill up the vacant places. All thefe caufes operated againft the fhorc-fighted views of the legiflature, and defeated in a great meafure the fchemes of intolerance. Encourage. ment was afforded to thofe who were difpofed to adopt plans of education ; and feminaries, which but for a malignant policy would never have exifted, were opened in various parts of the kingdom to meet the wiflies of fuch as would otherwife have fent their fons to the Univerfities. The confequences, when it was too late to pre vent thera, were feen and felt. Thefe rifing femina- ' ries were viewed with fear and jealoufy ; yet recourfe was not had to remedial meafures of a mild and liberal nature. Several afperfions were caft on thole who taught Univerfity learning ; the calm retreat of the ftudent was haunted by the fpectre of Intole rance ; and haraffing proceffes in the fpiritual court were commenced againft thofe who prefided over 218 HISTORY OF THE C. III. theological feminaries. Mr. Morton, of Ne-^ir,; n Green, was forced by fuch raeafures to ci. :'•': rr 'ca his Uterary employment, after a contini'u ,;¦¦.'' jt with reputation for twenty years. A o^ .: ¦- ground of cenfure and of proceedings a; ' r): '-. who were thus occupied, in different dioccrics,. ' ;.s the oath by which they had bound thcn>i. Iv. i taking a degree in the Univerfities; which v- ,:( i- fidered as precluding them, by this foiem!-! c. e- ment, from keeping private academies ; acd ev^ .uy bifliop, confiftently with his oath, from graij: .ig a licence for It. The candid TiUotfon judgpc. t. s to be a proper principle on which a dioccfin ;; :.;ht reftrain any one who had received a dip!om;i lu c;. her univerfity from keeping an academy; and recom mended it to Archbifliop Sharp, when the cicr ^y of Craven petitioned him to fupprefs Mr. Frankland's feminary, to aft upon this ground, without confider ing him at all as a diffenter, " as the faireft and fofteft ^' way of getting rid of the bufinefs.'';}: The oath alluded to, as admlniftered at Oxford, ran in thefe words, *' Jurabis ctiam, quod In ifta fa- ?' cultate alibi in Anglla quam hie et Cantabrigiae, *f leftioncs tuas folennitCr, tanquam in univerfitatc "^ non refumcs; nee in aliqusL facultate, ficut In uni- *' verfitate, foleiHiIter inclpies ; nee confenties ut ^' aliquis alibi in Anglla Inclpiens hie pro magiftro *' habeatur. Item jurabis, quod non leges aut audles 'f Stamfordi^ tanquam in univerfitatc, ftudio vel ff coUegio generali." t Birch's Life of Tillotfon, p. a§6. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 219 The form at Cambridge Is this, " Jurabis quod " nusquara prosterquara Oxoni^ leftioncs tuas fo- " lenniter refumes, nee confenties ut aliquis alibi in *' Anglla inclpiens hie pro raagiftro vel dodlore in " ilia facultate habeatur."* At the prefentation for degrees thefe oaths were admlniftered. The original occafion of thefe oaths was this. In the early ages of literature rhofe branches of felence which are taught ar umver/icies, were ftudied and profeffed In the feveral monafteries throughout the kingdom. Afterwards the celebrity and reputation of the fuperiors of the monafteries at Oxford and Cambridge drew a voluntary con- courfe ot ftudents to thofe towns ; and forae noble perfonages, patrons of literature, encouraged by thefe propitious circumftances, and with a view of aUuring foreigners to thefe places, which were by rapid Improvement become the feats of the Mufes, erected certain hofpitla or buildings for the recep tion of ftudents, and liberally endowed them. The * The Oxford oath in Englifli. " Thou fiialt fwear that thou " wilt not in this faculty refume thy folemn ledtions as in an Uni- " verfity in any place in England, except here or at Cambridge: " That thou wilt not folemnly commence in any faculty as in an " univerfity : And that tho u wilt not confent that any one com- " mencing elfewhere in England fliall be regarded as a mafter. " Thou flialt alfo fwear thou wilt not read nor hear at Stamford ^ " in an Univerfity, or general college and place of fludy." The oath at Cambridge in Englifh. " Thou ftialt fwear that thou " wilt never refume thy common leftions but at Oxford : And that " thou wilt not confent that any one commencing at any other " place in England fliall be regarded here as a mafter or doiftor in; '' that faculty." 220 HISTORY OF THE C III. convenience of Oxford and Cambridge In point of Si tuation alfo recoramended them as places of reforr. Peculiar privileges were granted to fuch as entered themfelves as ftudents in them, by the bulls of popes and the charters of princes. Degrees, or public tes timonials of genius and proficiency, were Invented as incitements to emulation and diligence In ftudy. But whUe ingenuous youth were invited by fuch aUurements to thefe fchools of philofophy, and great numbers reforted to them, yet no injunction or law prevented perfons from receiving or reading lectures at any other place. When the nurabers of ftudents at Oxford and Cambridge, in confequence of the peculiar encouragements they afforded, conti nually increafed, and no code of ftatutes was formed, and enacted to keep order amongft them, frequent tumults and riots broke out among the pupils them felves, and between them and the townfmen. On fome particular factions of this kind many ftudents deferted thefe feminaries, and removed, fome to Northampton and other places, but a greater part to Stamford. Being fettled here, they began with the patronage of fome greatperfons to lay the foundations of an univerfity, built colleges, performed academical exercifes, and inftituted degrees. An alarm was taken, on the defertion of their own fchools and the growing reputation of that at Stamford, by Oxford and Cambridge. Intereft was made with prelates and princes to recal the ftudents who had left them: after fome difficulty and oppofition they carried their meafure ; the feminary at Stamford was fuppreffed; CIII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 221 new colleges were founded at Oxford and Cam bridge, greater immuulties were granted, and laws were framed to introduce and eftablifli good order and dlfcipline. By degrees the ftudents returned, and Stamford was forfaken; but ftill it feems, by the fpecific mention of it in the Oxford oath, to have been particularly viewed with the eye of jealoufy ; and It was favoured by characters of great influence. To bar a future feceffion, the oath, which we have quoted, was drawn up and Impofed; that even princes themfelves, if they were difpofed to eftablifli other univerfities, might be greatly Impeded, if not wholly obftructed in their defign, and not be able to remove profeffors from Cambridge or Ox ford to prefide over feminaries in other places, unlefs the pope was pleafed to difpenfe with their oaths. The papal policy afterwards availed Itfelf of inftitu tions, at firft formed purely for the advancement of learning, to ferve Its Intereft and aggrandize its power, when it was feen that thofe places had a great influence on the difpofition of the nation. The popes fecured thefe two places as fountains of power ; limited their patronage and fanftion to thefe feats only, as two could eafily be managed and con- troled; the prelates of the church becarae great founders, and framed their ftatutes to fubferve their political and ambitious views; and popery continuing the eftabliflied religion through many centuries, thefe two univerfities, by a kind of cuftom, became the only national feminaries.* * Calamy's Continuation, vol. i. p. lii, i8». 222 HISTORY OF THE i-' ilL They who were unfriendly to the diffenters con ftrued the oaths under confideration to mean, " that " no man, who had taken the degree of Master In " Arts in either of our univerfities, might lawfully " Inftruft fo much as privately In any other place, " any perfons in any art or fcience profeffed publicly " in the univerfities." This conftruftlon of the oath ferved two purpofes : one was to fet up an exclufive claim to the privilege, honour, and emo luments of communicaring univerfity learning ; to eftablifli it as a principle, " no licence, no phUo- " fophy, out of our feminaries :" the other was to brand as perjured perfons thofe diffenters, who on admittance to degrees had taken thefe oaths, and who privately inftrufted in learning, which bears the appropriate name of academical: and to fet up a ground on which they might be haraffed by ex penfive and litigious proceffes. Other interpretations of the oath, more mild and liberal in themfelves, and on which the heads of feminaries among the noncorformifts refted their defence, were thefe: either" that the literal meaning " is to obftruft only public, not private reading or " teaching philofophy in other places ; and that as " to this public residing the oath is now antiquated, " void, and null :" of this opinion was Biftiop Taylor. The other reafonable interpretation ofthe oath is, " it means not teaching at aU, either public " or private, but only performing exercifes of pro- " baticn ; ar.d that by le6liones tuas- folinniter " tanquam in univerfitate, are meant only forae of C i- PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. f 23 *' the exercifes for a degree, which were defigned at ?' fpeclraens of talents and proficiency ; and the ** folemnity enjoined referred to matter, or to the "orders of the univerfity, concerning habit and time. *' The word refumes is explained to mean taking the *' fame degree again, or doing the fame exercife, for " the fame purpofe elfewhere ; as if the univerfity *' degree were not a fufficient honour, uulefs ratified *' elfewhere. Incipies is the known term, among *' academics, to denote taking a degree of mafter or " doftor. This conftruftlon of the oath was argued *' to be juft, by the ftate of things from which it " originated : and from the claufe relative to Stam- *' ford evincing that owning a place for an univerfity, " by performing univerfity exercifes in it, was the *' praftice againft which it was meant to guard. '* Another claufe, repeated three times, firft ufed " with reference to leftions, then to degrees, and " laftly to Stamford, tanquam iu univerfitate, as it *' is done in the univerfity, pointing to the forma- *' lities of the univerfities, it was urged, fixed the *' words to this raeaning." To juftify this interpre tation of the oath, an appeal was made to the prelatical raen, then filling fees and other high pofts, who In recent tiraes had privately read leftures on univerfity learning, in private places, to the fons of the nobility and gentry. It was pleaded, that it had been a common praftice to read leftures pubUcly, as weU as privately, as in Grefliam and Sion Colleges : and it was argued that the prefs was a more public mode of teaching than vocal 224 HISTORY OF THE C III. reading; yet the guilt of perjury or of offending againft the univerfity oath had never been imputed to thofe who publilhed books of philofophy. An argument againft conftruing the oath as an obliga tion to refrain frora giving any Inftruftlon, either public or private, out of the univerfity, was alfo drawn frora the confequences which would be involved in It; confequences criralnal and prejudi cial. It would obUge fome men to hide their talents, and others not to provide for their own houfes by the application of that learning. In the acquifition of which they had probably fpent their portions. It would oblige many to educate their children In a way contrary to their own confciences, or in their apprehenfions, confidering the temptations at the univerfities, under circumftances hazardous to the morals of youth ; or otherwife to withhold from their fons all opportunities of making attainraents in literature. And it would imply an obligation to take up their morals and religion on the authority ofthe univerfity; an ImpUcitnefs incongruous with the privileges, and repugnant to the principles of proteftants.* On thefe principles, thofe of the ejefted minifters, who opened academies, though they had graduated at one of the univerfities and taken this oath, vin dicated themfelves from the refleftions caft upon their conduft, and endeavoured to expofe the Iniquity and iUegality of the proceffes coraraenced againft them. • See thefe arguments more fully ftated in Calamy's Continuation, vol. i. p. 177—197; vol. ii. p. 73a— 7o5- cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 225- Among thofe who engaged in the education of youth, and prefided over feminaries with reputation and fuccefs, were Mr. Woodhoufe, Mr. Warren, Mr. Morton, Mr. Frankland, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Shuttlewood, Mr. Veal. No. I. Mr. Woodhouse's Academy. Mr. Woodhoufe, though not ejefted, not being fixed at that time in any place as a minifter, was filenced by the Aft of Uniformity, while he refided in Nottinghamfliire. He afterwards married a lady of good fortune, the daughter of Major Hubbard of Leicefterfliire; yet he did not confider hirafelf as excufed from aftive and ufeful exertions, but opened a feminary in the manor-houfe at Sheriffhales, near Shiffnal In Shropfliire, which floiiriflied in King Charles lid's reign, and obtained celebrity. The mixture of fweetnefs with authority in the govern ment of his academy gave him a beneficial influence over-his pupils, whofe ftudies he direfted with fin gular ability, diligence, and fidelity ; youth from the moft confiderable families in thofe parts were placed under his care. At one time his ftudents amounted to between forty and fifty. Many, who afterwards made an eminent figure in the world as gentlemen and magiftrates, as well as excellent divines, were educated by him. He pioufly raanagjsd his houfe as a nurfery for heaven, as well as a fchool for learning ; and on thofe who were Intended for the pulpit, he frequently inculcated a faithful, diligent aim to promote the falvation of fouls, as a raatter of the higheft account. A lift of fome, who received 226 HISTORY OF THE C III. from him the principles of learning and religion, efpecially of thofe who were affiftants and immediate fucceffors to the ejefted minlfters, and who fuftained the charafter themfelves with exemplary affiduity in its duties, does honour to his memory.* When circumftances led him to break up his feminary, his mind, which revolted at the thought of an ufelefs life, was greatly dejefted ; and it was his frequent lamentation, " Now every field Is unpleafant, for I " fear I ffiaU live to no purpofe." But Providence foon opened to him a new fphere of fervice, for he was invited to be paftor of a congregation at Little St. Helen's, Bilhopfgate-ftreet, London; where he dif charged the duties of his miniftry, with affeftion, zeal, and ufefulnefs, till within a few days of his death, which took place In 1700. Dr. J. C. Woodhoufe, the prefent dean of Lichfield, the author of a tranfla tion and expofitlon of the book of the Revelation, a valuable work, written in the fpirit of true criti- cifm, is his great grandfon. The late excellent chriftian, and candid biblical critic, Mr. John Simp- fon, of Bath,' was defcended from this worthy man, and by marriage became more clofely connefted with the family of Woodhoufe. The ftudents in the feminary at Sheriffhales were eondufted through a courfe of leftures on logic, anatomy, and mathematics ; beginning ufually with the firft, and fometimes with one or the other of thefe branches of knowledge. Thefe * See Appendix, No. v.; fee Palmer's Nonconforraift's Memorial vol, ii. p. S97, 8; and Thorapfon's Account of DiflTentiiig Aca- - demies, MS. p. 1,2. C. Hi. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 227 were foUowed by leftures in phyfics, ethics, and rhetoric. They were heard fucceffively in Greek and Hebrew, at other times of the day or week. A law lefture was read one day in the week to thofe who had entered at the Inns of Court, or were defigned for the law: and they who were intended for the pulpit were eondufted through a courfe of theological reading. All the ftudents were obliged to read. In natural theology, Grotius de Veritate Chrlftlanae Religionis, conftruing it and giving the fenfe of it as one of their Latin authors : to this fucceeded the reading of WUkins's " Principles " of Natural Religion," Fleming's " Confirming " Work," Baxter's " Reafons of the Chriftian Re- " ligion," Bates *' on the Exiftence of God, Im- '* mortaUtyof the Soul, and Divinity of the Chriftian " Religion," and Stillingfleet's " Origines Sacrae," with parts of Bochart. In logic they began with Burgedlclus; which was gone through a fecond time with Heereboord's Commentary: Sanderfon, WaUis, Ramus, and his commentator Downam, were re commended to their private perufal. Themathema' tical authors, through which they were eondufted were principally Galtruchius, Leybourn, Moxou Gunter, Gaffeudi, and Euclid's Eleraents, which were read late. In geography, Eachard, and in hiftory, Puffendorf, furniflied the text books. In natural philofophy, the authors read and explained were Heerebord, Magirus, De Carte's " Principia,'' Rhegius, Rohault, and De Stair, for both old and new phyfics. In anatomy, with Gibfon was joined CL2 228 HISTORY OF THE C Hi. the perufal of Blancardi Anatomla Refoimata, and Bartholine. The writers adopted to guide them itt their ethical ftudies virere Euftachius, Whitby, More, and Heereboord's " Colleg. Ethic." And in me- taphyfics, Froaraenius, Facchaeus, and Baronius; to whom were added, Blank's " Thefes," and Da- venant Or Ward's '-Determlnationes." In Rhetoric, they were affifted by Radau, Quinftllian, and Voffius. In law, they read " Doftor and Student," Littleton's " Tenures," or Coke on Littleton. In theology, the authors read and explained were the Weftminfter Affembly's " Confeffion of Faith," and " Larger "Catechifm," Corbet's " Humble Endeavour,'* Ruffonius's"Compendiura ofTurretin." Thefewere followed by Calvin's " Inftitutes," Pareus on Urfm, Baxter's " End of Controverfy, and Methodus « Theologia:," Williams's « Gofpel Truth," Le Blanc's " Thefes," and Dixon's " Therapeutica " Sacra." In all leftures, the authors were ftriftly explained, and commonly committed to raeraory, at leaft as to the fenfe of thera. On one day, an account of the lefture of the preceding day was required before a new lefture was read ; and on Saturday a review of the leftures of the five days before was deUvered. When an author had been about half gone through, they went that part over again ; and fo the fecond part paffed under a fecond perufal : fo that every one author was read three times. And after this they exercifed one another by queftions and.probleras on the moft difficult points that occurred. G. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 229 Praftical exercifes accompanied the courfe of leftures; and the ftudents were employed at times in furveying land, compofing almanacks, making fun-dials of different conftruftions, and diffefting animals. On one day of the week Latin, Greek, and Hebrew nouns and verbs were publicly declined in the lefture room: difputations, after a logical form, were holden on Friday afternoon : they were accus toraed to Englifli compofition under the form of letters and fpeeches: and the ftudents defigned for the miniftry, according to their feniority, were prac- tlfed In analyfing fome verfes of a pfalm or chapter, drawing up flceletons or heads of fermons, and fliort fcheraes of prayer and devotional fpeclraens ac cording to Bifliop WUkins's raethod; and were called 'on to pray in the family on the evening of the Lord's day, and to fet pfalms to two or three tunes. On the Saturday evening a didaftical or polemical lefture in divinity, either on Wollebius's " Compendium Theologiae," or on Ames's " Me- " dulla TheologiiE," was read by the tutor to the fenior clafs ; and the clafs was required to give the literal fenfe of the author. On the Lord's day raorning, at the time of family prayer, another lefture on divinity took place, when the iunior clafs gave an account of fome portion of Vincent's " Expofitlon of the Affembly's Shorter *' Catechifm," reprefenting the fenfe of the author; on which the tutor enlarged, as the occafion diftated and tUe fubjeft required. Once a yeai* there was a repetition of all the grammars, efpecially of the 230 HISTORY OF THE CIII. Oxford Latin Grammar, by all thfe ftudents. The Hebrew was taught by Bythner's " Grammar" and " Lyra," as well adapted to each other.* No. 2. Mr. Warren's Academy. Mr. Matthew Warren, of Oxford Univerfity, the younger fon of Mr. John Warren, a gentleman of good fortnne at Otterford In Devon, being ejefted from the chapelry of Downhead in Somer- fetfliire, foon engaged, at the importunity of fome friends. In the honourable Uterary employment of educating youth for "ihe Chriftian miniftry; and, after * From MS. papers with which John WoodhoufeCrompton, efq. of Birmingham, favoured the author. Among them is a certificate of the ordination of Mr. William Woodhoufe, of Rearfby, in the county of Leicefter, jift of Auguft 170a. This gentleman was the fon of the tutor. It is a document which ftiews the praftice of the day, and the idea then entertained of the nature and efficiency of the fervice. Itrunsthus: " Forafmuch as Mr. William " Woodhoufe, of Rearftjy, in the county of Leicefter, has defired " to enter orderly, according to the rules ofthe gofpel, into the facred " office of the miniftry, and has requefted us, whofe names are " under-written, folemnly to inveft him with the minifterial authority, " and knowing him to be found and orthodox in his judgment, of ^ " pious and unblameable life, and fufficient minifterial abilitys, (no «' exception being made againft his ordination and admiflion,) we ¦•' have approved him, and proceeded folemnly to fet him apart to " the office of a preft)yter, and all the parts and duties belonging to •' it, with fiifting, prayer, and impofition of hands, and do, fo far " as concerns us, impower him to perform all the offices and '' dutys of a niinjfter of Jelus Chrift. In witnefs whereof we have i' hereunto fet our hands this twenty-firft day of Auguft, anno " Dom. 17C1. " JOHN DOUGHTY, Minifter of the Gofpel. " MICHAEL MATTHEWS, Minifter ofthe Gofpel, " SAMUEL- LAWRENCE, Minifter of the Gofpel.'' C. in. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 231 meeting with many difficulties and moleftations in the reigns of Charles II. and James II. he was for many years at the head of a flouriftiing academy at Taun ton In Somerfetfliire. He was generaUy acknow ledged to be well qualified for his office as tutor, by a good fhare of ufeful learning; and by huraility, modefty, and good humour, which were diftinguifliing traits In his charafter, peculiarly adapted to the various temper and genius of young perfons, and to concIUate the affeftlons of his pupils. Convinced of the great importance, and even neceffity, for the con duft of future life, of furnifliing the youthful minds with principles of morality, he direfted his particular attention to the iraproveraent of his pupils' under- ftandlngs in that part of learning. In reading lec tures he had the happy art of explaining things, even to the loweft capacities. He had been himfelf educated in the old logic and philofophy, and was little acquainted with the improvements ofthe new; yet it was experffive of liberality of mind and good fenfe, that he encouraged his pupils in freedora of enquiry, and In the ftudy of thofe authors who were better fuited to gratify the love of knowledge and truth, even though they differed frora the writers on whom he had formed his own fentiments. While Burgerfdicius or l)erodon, and in ethics Euftacius, were ufed as text-books in the lefture-room ; Locke, Le Clerc, and Cumberland were guides to juft think, ng, clofe reafoning, and enlightened views, in their clofets, Mr. Warren was never confident or im- pofingj never vehement or rigid in his own opinion; 232 HISTORY OF THE C III. but open to argument, and difpofed to prefer the judgment of others to his own. He was reckoned araong the moderate divines of the day : ever ftu dious of the things that make for peace, and pro mote chriftian harmony and love. He encouraged the free and critical ftudy of the feriptures. Many young gentlemen, who afterwards filled civil ftations with refpeftability and worth, and others who ap peared in the miniftry with credit and ufefulnefs were educated under him. The name of Mr. Grove, whole genius, charafter, and talents were forraed In his feminary, is alone fufficient to do honour to its prefident.^ Mr. Warren died in 1706. No. 3. Mr. Charles Morton's Academy. Mrl Charles Morton, ejefted from the reftory of Blifland in Cornwall, of Wadhara college, Oxford, was defcended frora an ancient family at Morton In Nottinghamfliire, the feat of J. Morton, fecretary to King Edward III. He was a general fcholar, but was particularly eminent for his knowledge of the mathematics; on which account he was gready valued by Dr. WUkins, the warden of the college of which he was a fellow. After his ejeftment he removed to a fmall tenement, his own property, in the parifli of St. Ives, where he refided till the fire of London, in which he fuftained great lofs. He was folicited by feveral friends to undertake the inftruc- J Palmer's Nonconformift's Memorial, vol. ii. p. 358; Grove's Works, preface, vol. i. p 14; and Sprint's Funeral Sermon for War ren, p. ^j, 46,50' Appendix, No, v. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 233 tion of youth in academical learning, for which he had extraordinary qualifications. With this view he fettled at Newington Green. He had a peculiar talent of winning youth to the love of virtue and learning by the pleafantnefs of his converfation, and by a familiar way of making difficult fubjefts eafily inteUigible. He drew up fyftems of the feveral arts and fciences for the ufe of his pupils, which he ex plained in his leftures, and which the ftudents copied. One, entitled Eutaxia, exhibited the principles of policy exaftly correfpondent to the Englifli Confti tution ; afferting at once the rights and honour of the crown, and the liberties of the fubjeft. It traced the original of all government to the Inftitution of God; enforced from the fubjeft love to the perfon of the king, obedience to the laws, and a dutiful fubmiffion to legal taxes for the fupport of the crown and the laws. It confirmed the ordinary method of fucceffion; and In cafe of total fubverfion or failure, gave a right to the ordines regni to reftore thecon- ftitution, by the extraordinary call of fome perfon to the throne. It is pronounced by one who had feea it to have been fo compleat, ingenious, and judicious a fyftera, as to beequal, if not fuperior, to any printed corapofition of the kind. He alfo drew up a Cora- pendium of Logic, which was the text book in Har vard college, after he became prefident of that Araerican feminary, till it was fuperfeded by one on a more improved plan by Mr. Brattle, minifter ofthe church in Cambridge. A copy of each, as rare fpecimens of American literature are preferved in the 584 HISTORY OF THJ C III. cabinet of the hiftorical fociety. A great many young minifters were educated by him, as well as other good fcholars; and numbers of each clafs were afterwards very ufeful In church and ftate; and the feminary was marked by an univerfal fentiment of refpeft for the great and excellent men of the epifcopal order, and an emulation of their virtues. Mr. Morton himfelf was a pious, learned, and ingenious man; of a fweet na tural temper, and a generous public fpirit; aa inde fatigable friend, beloved and valued by all that knew him. After having appeared in the charafter of a tutor with reputation for twenty years, he was fo haraffed with proceffes in the ecclefiaftical court, that he found himfelf conftrained to relln- quifli It; and being under great apprehenfions for the Interefts of the nation, he emigrated to New England in 1685, andwas chofen pallor of achurch in Charleftown, over againft Bofton, and vice-pre- fident of Harvard college. Mr. Morton died AprU 1697, In the Both year of his age. In the Phllofo- phlcal Tranfaftions of the Royal Society there is a treatife of his, entided " A Difcourfe on improving " the county of Cornwall ;" the feventh chapter of which Is on fea fand for manure. He publiflied feveral fraaU treatifes, as he was an eneray to large voluraes, and often faid, Msyoc, fStfiXiov f^syoi y.azov, " a great book is a great evil." Dr. Calamy has preferved, befides, his vindication' of himfelf and brethren from the charge of perjury, on account of leaching univerfity learning, « Advlcg to Candidates C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 235 " for the Miniftry, under the prefent difcouraging " circumftances." It was drawn up In the reign of Charles II. but deferves the frequent perufal and ferious attention of thofe who bear that charafter In the prefent day. Both thefe pieces afford proofs of the talents and excellent fpirit of the author. It is to be regretted that only few names of his ftudents are come down to us.* No. 4. Mr. Richard Frankland's Academy. Mr. Richard Frankland, being ejefted from a lefturefliip at Bifiiop's-Aukland in the county of Durham, was born in 1630, at RathmiU in the parifli of Giglefwick in Craven, a divifion of the Weft Riding of Yorklhlre; and received his claffical learning at a faraous fchool there. In 1647 ^^ ^''^ entered a ftudent in Chrift college, Carabridge, of which Dr. Sam. Bolton was mafter; where he made a good proficiency In human and facred literature, and Imbibed a deep fenfe of religion. There he took the degree of mafter of arts; and on his reraoval from college, after a fliort refidence at Hexham on an Invitation thither, he fucceffively preached at Haughton-le-Spring, Lanchefter, and Bifliop's Auk- land. The living of Aukland-St.- Andrew's, which was a valuable one, was prefented to him by Sir * Palmer's Nonconformift's Memorial, vol. i. p. 273, 4; Ca lamy's Account, p. 144; Continuation, vol.i. p. 176 — zii; Dr. Eliot's American Biographical Diftionary,*'article Morton ; Sam. Palmer's Defence of the Education in Diflenting Academies, p. 10; and Vindication of the Diflenters, in anlwer to Mr. Wefley's De fence, &c. 4to, 1705, p. 5J— 54; Appendix No. v. 235 HISTORY OF THE CIII. Arthur Haflerig. It is a teftimony that he was well known, and that his learning and charafter were efteemed, that when the Proteftor Cromwell had erefted a college for academical learning at Durham, In 1657, Mr. Frankland was fixed upon tobe^atutorinit. By the deftruftion of the inftitution at the Reftora tion he loft the office ; and the Aft of Uniformity, with which he refufed to comply, though folicited to it by Bifliop Cofins with a promife of preferment, excluded him from his living; and he retired to his own eftate at RathmiU. Here the perfuafions of friends prevailed with him to open a private academy; and (o much was he encouraged in this liberal em ployment of his talents, that In the fpace of twenty- nine years three hundred young gentlemen had received their education under hira. In the mean time he repeatedly changed the place of his abode ; but ftill carried on his academy wherever he went. In 1674 he removed to Natland, near Kendal, In Weftmoreland, on an invitation to become the mi nifter of a church there. By the haraffing opera tion of the five-mile aft, he was obliged to leave that place, and removed in fucceffion to Dawfonfol4 in the fame county, to Harthurrow in Lancafliire, to Calton in- Craven in Yorkfliire, to Attercliffc near Sheffield, and again to RathmiU. He had the reputation of being an acute mathematician, aa eminent divine, fagacious in the deteftion of error, and able in the de|ence of truth, and a folid inter preter of fcriptiTre; a zeal to promote the gofpel in all places, united with great moderation, humility of mind, and affability of deportment, liberality to the C. HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. t,37. poor, and an amiable attention to all relative duties, formed In his charafter leading features. He was. generally beloved, and very ufeful ; yet his patience and fortitude were tried by raany and various troubles: and even after the Revolution to his death in 1698, when he was 68 years of age, there was fcarcely a year paffed in which he did not meet with fome difturbance. Dr. Latham has given us a lift of his pupils.f No. 5. Mr. Doolittle's Academy. Mr. Doolittle, A. ,M. of Pembroke hall, Cam bridge, was a native of Kidderminfter; and ejefted. from the reftory of St. Alphage, .London Wall. He firft opened a boardlng-fchool in Moorfields, which was much encouraged and patronifed ; he had twenty-eight pupils, when that malignant fever, called the plague, broke out ; on this he removed to Woodford bridge on Epping foreft. Upon a Iicenfe granted by King Charles II. in 1672, he returned to the vicinity of the city, became the paftor of a large congregation in Monkwell-ftreet;| -\ Calamy's Account, p. 284 — 288; Continuation, vol. i. p.4S3; Palmer's Nonconformift's Memorial, vol. i. p. 488 — 491; Appendix No. V. J This was the firft meeting-houfe built after the fire of London, 1662. In the veftry is preferved, framed and glazed, the royal Iicenfe, which Mr. Doolittle took out on the declaration of indul gence granted to the nonconformifts in 167a, figned by his Majefty's command, Arlington. It is thought to be the only memorial ofthe kind exifting in the city. — See Wilfon's Diffenting Churches, vol. iii. p i'86, 187; where the author has givea aa exaft copy of it, for the fatisfadtion ofthe curious. 638 HISTORY OF THE C. HI. and fet up a feminary on a more extenfive plan at Iflington, to educate young men for the miniftry; in which he had, the affiftance of Mr. Thomas Vin cent, M. A. of Chrift-church, Oxford, ejefted from St. Mary Magdalen, Milk-ftreet, London; a gentle man well qualified for the office. When the Oxford Aft paffed, he removed to Wimbledon; and his lec tures were privately attended by feveral of his pupils, who accommodated therafelves with lodgings in the neighbourhood. Among the names of thofe who ftudied under him are forae who afterwards made a figure, and foared above the leffons they had received in the academy. Mr. Doolitde, though a very worthy and diligent divine, was not very eminent for compafs of knowledge or depth of thought.* No. 6. Mr. John Shuttlewood' s Academy. Mr. John Shuttlewood, A. B. of Chrift college, Cambridge, ' born at Wymefwold, Leicefterfliire, Jan. 3, 1631, was ejefted frora Raunfton and Hoofe, in the farae county. He was a confiderable fufferer for his noiconformity; for not only was he deprived of his living, but was haraffed with various profecu tions, which obliged hira to frequent reraovals; forae- tiraes takinghis abode in Leicefterfliire, and fometimes refiding in Northaraptonlhire : yet he could not fecure his perfon from iraprifonraent, nor evade the feizure ol his goods. His health was much affefted * Palmer's Nonconformift's Memorial, vol. i.p. 80—88; Matth. Henry's Life, p. 37; Emlyn's Works, vol. i. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 2^39 and injured by his minifterial labours In Incommo dious places and at unfeafonable hours, and by the evils of perfecution in thofe rigorous and cruel times. His troubles, however, did not prevent his keeping a feminary at Sulby, near Welford, North amptonfliire, and at Little Creaton, where he lived, and died In the year of the Revolution. It appears from a memorandum In his pocket almanack, "that " fix ftudents were added to his feminary in one " year." It feems to have had a good degree of reputation, and to have been fometiraes flourifliing. The lift of ftudents which tirae has tranfmitted down to us reflefts credit on his academ.y, if not by the number of names, yet by eminence of charafter to which they rofe. Mr. Shuttlewood was a man of ability and learning ; an acceptable and ufeful preacher; much efteemed not only in the places of his refidence, but through the neighbouring country. Of this the concife but impreffive infcription on his torabftone was an honourable teftimony; recording that' he was " multum dileftus, multura deflendus," much beloved, much lamented.* He was the father of the diffenting caufe in that part of Northampton fliire, in which he fixed his refidence. No. 7. Mr. Samuel Cradock's Academy. Among others, who, when they were filenced by the Aft of Uniformity, eraployed their talents and * Palmer's Noncouformift's Memorial, vol. ii. p. IZ3 — 128; and Tho;npfon's MS. Col!e ST' 254 HISTORY OF THE C HI. was Mr. John Ball, many years the revered minifter of a congregation at Honiton in Devon ; where he died May 6, 1745, in the 91ft year of his age : he had exercifed his miniftry in this town above half a century, an^ preached but a few days before his death with great fluency and vivacity. He was the fon of a learned and excellent minifter, Mr. Natha niel Ball, ejefted from Royfton in Herts. He fpent fome time under Mr. John Short, alfo the fon of a minifter, ejefted from Lyrae-Regis In Dorfetfliire, a man of learning, and who educated young men for the miniftry at Lyme and Culllton. Mr. Ball likewife ftudied at Utrecht, with a clofenefs of appli cation that brought on a fevere illnefs, and a weak- nefs of feveral years. He fpoke the Latin tongue with great fluency, could read any book in Greek with the fame eafe as in Englifli, and generally carried the Hebrew pfalter into the pulpit to expound from it. He could repeat the Pfalms by heart, and feldom paffed a day without hearing or reading fix or eight chapters in the bible. It was his ufual cuftom to pray fix times a day; a learned perfon, not particu larly favourable to him, owned that " he prayed « like an apoftle." His great affability and good temper endeared him to perfons of all parties ; and for his general knowledge of the world, and face tious converfation, his company was efteemed and courted. He was liberal to the poor. In his pas toral duties he was peculiarly diligent and active in catechifing : and had at one time above two hun dred catechumens. A perfon remarkable for his. cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 255 bias to deifm faid of him, " that man is what a mi- *' nifter fliould be." Mr. Ball's narae will occur in a fubfequent period of this hiftory. In the per fecuting tiraes of Charles II. and James II. Mr, Ball was connived at in the education of a feleft number of gentlemen's fons, whofe fathers did not accord with him in fentiments ; for he was greatly beloved by perfons of rank and influence, as well as of different parties, In the neighbourhood. J Another minifter, who ftudied a fliort time under Mr. Hickman, and but a fliort time, on account of the infirmities of his declining years, was Mr. Thos. Cotton, M. A. born at or near Workly in York fliire. His father was a confiderable iron-mafter in that county, and noted for his great hofpitality and kindnefs to the ejefted minifters ; one of whom, Mr. Spawford, ejefted from Silkeftone, he received Into his faraily as tutor to his fon, till his death. Mr. Cotton reraoved frora Mr. Hickman's academy to Mr. Frankland's in Weftmorland; and finiflied his academical courfe of ftudies at Edinburgh, about the year 1677. After this he was engaged to be chaplain to Lady Sarah Houghton, daughter of the Earl of Chefterfield, for about a year, when a fe vere illnefs obUged him to leave that fituation. When he had recovered his health, he preached in his father's houfe, till perfecution obliged him *to defift. By the advice of his friends, on this ac count, he accepted an invitation to go abroad as X Waldron's Funeral Sermon for Mr. Ball," p. 32, 33; and Pal. mer's Nonconformifts' Memorial, vol. i. p. 191. 256 ' HISTORY OF THE C III. governor 'to a young gentleman ; with whora he fpent three years in travelling through feveral parts of Europe. When they were at Paris, where during their ftay they attended public worfliip in the Englifli ami^ffador's chapel, and were greatly pleafed with the ufeful and ferious preaching of Dr. afterwards Archbifliop, Wake, they received conti nual melancholy accounts of the deplorable ftate of the proteftants in thefouthern parts of France; and they were afterwards witneffes to many very aflSift- Ing inftances of perfecution. Affemblies of feveral thoufands were broken up with floods of tears; the neareft relations were rent from one another ; num- berlefs families wereutterly and barbaroufly deftroyed^ minifters were filenced, baniflied, or ftript of all they had; fome were made flaves, and fome put to the moft cruel deaths. The reports of the perfecution all over France, which on leaving Paris they received ar Lyons, were fo diftrefling and lamentable, that they refolved to turn their coOrfe to a proteftant country; and they were quickened in the execution of their purpofe by the bitter refleftions againft the pro teftants, and the new infults and threatenings pro duced by the intelligence which reached Lyons at that tirae of Monmouth's rout in England. They went next to Geneva, where their fympathy was exercifed, and their minds were afflifted, by frequent reports of the fufferings of the Vaudois, and the barbarities praftifed on them. Mr. Cotton, on his return to England, continued in the capacity of a tutor for fome months, as his health was much C. III. PRdTESTANT DISSENTERS. 257 impaired. His Income in that conneftion was very confiderable. His profpefts. If he had inclined to any civil employment, were flattering; and as he was determined for the miniftry, he had the offer of a good living, with the recommendation o^the former incumbent, as well as the friendfliip ofthe patron; and the overture of maintaining a reader to perform fuch offices as he fliould appoint. But he chofe to take his lot with the proteftant diffenters. He was firft tbe paftor of a fmall congregation In Hoxton, with whom he reniained, under very little encourage ment, for five or fix years. He then fpent two or three years at Ware In Hertfordfliire. He removed thence to fettle with a congregation at St. Giles's In the Fields, near Great Ruffel-ftreet, Bloomfbury. He was very ufeful and laborious; and when his health permitted, befides preaching, he expounded in the forenoon, and catechifed In the afternoon. He alfo fupplied as chaplain to the two Ladies Ruffell, the widows of Lord Robert and Lord James, which engaged much time and attendance. " He was a man of good ufeful learning, without fliew; of great piety and fcrioufnefs, without aufterity and morofenefS ; and of great regularity in his whole behaviour, without being troublesome to any body. His deportment fliewed the chriftian, the minifter, and the gentleman. He was a folid preacher, and bad a very happy talent of fuiting his difcourfes to particular perfons and occafions. " From him I " learnt," faid his nephew. Dr. Wright, " in a man- " ner that I have reafon to be thankful for, that 258 HISTORY OF THE C III. " application is the very Ufe of preaching. The fcenes of dragooning and perfecution, of which he had been a witnefs, made him an enemy to fubfcrip tions to human articles of faith; and gave him a lively convi^ion of the neceffity cf maintaining the great proteftant principle, — the right of private judg ment. Mr. Cotton died In 1730. • In the " Memoirs" of his travels, written for his own ufe, he related many aff'efting fcenes of this kind, of which he was afpec- tator at Ludun, Poiftou, and Saumure. At Poiiftou, in particular, he was exceedingly moved wilh the vaft numbers at their laft public worftiip, and the great difficulty with which the minifter pronounced the bleffing, when all broke out into a flood of tears. The laft religious aflembly on a lefture-day at Saumure, Mr. Cotton could never recoiled: without lively emotions : the congregation all in tears, the llnging of the laft pfalm, the pronouncing of the bleffing, and afterwards all the people paffing before their minifters to receive their benedidtions, were circumftances he wanted words to defcribe. The minifters and profeffors were baniftiejl; and he attended them to the veffel in which they failed. The affefting fight of the vaft affemblage which formed the church at Charenton, and of fuch numbers devpted to baniftiment, flavery, and the moft barbarous deaths, was a fpeftacle that overpowered the mind. The ftay at Saumure hadlieen very pleafant, and the agreeable acquaintance they had formed in that town invited their continuance in it, till it be came a fcene of great danger and affliftion ; efpecially after an order was iffued to require all ftrangers, particularly the Englifli, to acr corapany and affift the fevere proceedings againft the proteftants. When the governor received authoritative direftlons to fee their church demolifhed, the tearing down of that temple was extremely diftreffing; the very graves were opened, and the utmoft ravages committed. The deftruftion of it was attended with a reraarkable occurrence, which Mr. Cotton recorded as an inftance of tlie con tradiftory interpretations which the fame aft of Providence may receive, according to the different principles of thofe who pafs their opinion on it. A perfon who was ambitious to have his daughter pull down the firft ftene ofthe church, had her taken from him a few days after by death. The parent and others of his C 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 2o9 Thefe hiftoricalgleanings concerningthe academical inftitutions of the firft Nonconformifts, few and im perfeft as they may be deemed, are fufficient to ex- pofe the iniquity and folly of the times. The ne ceffity of fuch Inftitutions arofe from the fpirit of intolerance,, which had excluded from the church, and from the univerfities, fo raany raen of learning and talents. The vexatious and continued profecu tions which purfued them Into the retirements of fcience and literature, ffiewed a virulence and maUg- nity of temper. It was great injuftice to debar raea from the honourable and pacific . eraployraent of theur acquirements, genius, and intelleft: an employ ment highly ufeful to the community, and in many inftances neceffary to the fupport of themfelves and their families, as well as affording a folace, when filenced, as minlfters. ItJ heightened this Injuftice, done not to them only but to the whole body of diffenters, that the law made the univerfities the property of one perfuafion ; and rendered private perfuafion looked upon her death as a fpeedy call to heaven, in reward of fo meritorious an aft; the perfecuted proteftants regarded it as a juft and very affefting judgment. On his journey from Poiftou, Mr. Cotton was deeply impreffed by the agitations of mind and the expreffions of an old gentleman who came into an Inn nearly at the fame inftant with him, who ftood leaning on his ftaff, and fhaking his head, and weeping, cried out, " Unhappy France I If I " and mine were but now entering into fome country of refuge and " fafety, where we might have liberty to worfliip God according t' to our confciences, I fhould think myfelf the happieft man in the "world, though I had only //?'//7?<7^in my hand." This perfon was found to be the eldeft fon of a very confiderable family, and poffeffed of a large eftate. Dr. Wright's Sermon on the death »f tbe Rev. Thomas Cotton, p. 34 — 36, noter. S 2 260 HISTORY OF THE C 111. academies neceffary for the youth, who were excluded by the Aft of Uniformity from being candidates forthe degrees and preferments of thofe feininaries, and from the advantages of being ftudents in them, but on the condition of conformity. This conduft was In reality repugnant to the fpirit and defign of the Aft of Toleration. . The diffenters were aUowed by that aft the juft liberty of worfliipping GoD ac cording to their own confciences; and In the firft inftance the benefit of a miniftry of their own choofing ; but thefe feverities, by which the educa tion of their youth was obftrufted, if not abfolutely prevented, went to preclude them from the enjoy ment of a fucceffion of minlfters ©f learning and abiUty. With great inconfiftency the end was granted, but the means of attaining the end were denied to them. As in all cafes, fo in this, the meafures diftated by a fpirit of perfecution were not only unjuft but im- politic. The evil and mifchief was not confined to the diffenters ; it affefted the interefts of the nation, on which it had an unfavourable afpeft, by obliging the more opulent, at a great expence, and at the rifle of Imbibing fentiments not congenial to the Englifli, • manners and conftitution, to fend their youth abroad for education. It affefted the interefts of literature. Where a competition of religious parties exifts, there is a rlvalfliip in the means of giving fupport to and reflefting honour on each. " While the pro- " teftant religion was publicly profeffed in France, " learning flourilhtd there. After the; rcocasion- C, HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 26i *' of the edift of Nantz, literature declined. The *' priefts having none to expofe their .ignorance, *' grew lazy and fenfual. Where a ftrift unifor- " mity has been required, and no diffenters tolerated, *' It has been obferved, learning is at a low ebb, as ** in Italy and Spain."* SECTION II. The differetit Sects of Dissenters at the Revolution. THE name at firft given to the diffentients from the Church of England, after the re-eftabliffi- ment of the Reformation from Popery, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was that of Puritans. It was beftowed by way of reproach ; though It arofe frora a laudable defire in them to advance the Reformation, both as to the forms of worffiip and the dlfcipline of the church, to a purer ftandard than was agreeable to the views of the dominant party of proteftants, and to the tafte and principles of the queen. Num bers of them were refugees, who, to efcape the fury of perfecution in the preceding reign, had fled into foreign countries, particularly to Frankfort. There * Mo the works and difcourfes of Chrift, " were written, that ye might believe that " Jefus is the Chrift, and that ye might have life *' throughhis name." The avowed defign of this confeffion of the Baptifts was to delineate and re- prefent their fentiments as denying Arminianifra. In this general view it correfponded with the other Calvinlftic creeds of the age. It is fufficient, and It feems proper in this hiftory, to give the reader the chapter on baptifm. I. " Baptifm," fay our profeffors, Rom. vi. 3, 4, 5. « Jg an ordinance of the New Tefta^ ^ ,' "¦ ^*' " ment, ordained by Jefus Chrift, to Gal. 111. ay, ' . Marki. 4. " be unto the party baptized a fign Afts xvvi. 16. " of his fellowffiip with him, in his om. VI. 24. "death and refurreftion; of his " being Ingrafted into him ; of rer ^' miffion of fins ; and of his giving f •' himfelf up unto God, through *' Jefus Chrift, to live and walk in '' newnefs of life." 2. " Thofe who do aftually pro- Markxvi. 16. «' fefs repentance towards God, faith Afts viii. 37.38- „ in 3nj obedience to our Lord " Jefus Chrift, are the only proper " fubjefts of this ordinance." 3. " The outward element to be jviatt. xxviii. 1$, 20. " ufed in this ordinance Is water^ Afts vm. 38. J, wherein the party is to be baptized " in the name of the Father, and of *? the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 2.95 / 4. " Immerfion, or dipping the Matt.m. 16. « perfon in water, is neceffary to ^" " the due adminiftration of this " ordinance."* The principles on which this general affembly avowedly commeiiced and eondufted their confulta tions and debates were liberal ; friendly to candid difcuffion, and to the liberty and independence of the refpeftive churches, from which it was formed. They difclaimed all manner of fuperiorhy or fuper- intendancy over the churches ; all authority and power to prefcribe or Impofe any thing upon the faith and praftice of any of the churches of Chrift ; and they profeffed that " their whole intendment was " to be helpers together of one another by way of " counfel and advice." They declared that in thofe points of principle or praftice relative to commu. nion, wherein one church ffiould differ frora another, they would not impofe any thing, but leave every church to Its liberty. They refolved not to adrait any particular offence which ffiould arife between individuals or churches to be debated araongft them, till the rule prefcribed by Chrift in fuch matters had been afted upon, and the confent of both parties had been given, or fufficiently endeavoured. No determination was in any cafe to be binding on any one church, without its own confent. That every counfel or advice ffiould reft on proofs deduced from the word of God, and annexed to it. * Croft)y, vol. iii, Appendix No, ii, 296 HISTORY OF THE C III. It ffiould be added, that* the " Confeffion of *' Faith," as It has been faid, was fupported by appeals to the feriptures ; and that the whole ftrain of it, confiftently with the principles which they laid down for their government, was merely declaratory of their own views, without any claufe impofing the reception of it, or any denunciation againft fuch as ffiould deny or difpute the tenets it expreffed, as had been ufual In the determinations and creeds of fynods ^nd councils.* 4-noth:r general afferably of the elders and mef fengers of the churches of this denomination, from divers parts of England and Wales, was held in London, from the 2d of June to the 8th, in 1691 ; which was eondufted by the fame rules and prin ciples as thofe upon which the forraer had afted. Some congregations in the county of Somerfet, or parts nearly adjacent, publiffied in the fame year " A Short Coultffion, or a brief Narrative of Faith." This fummary of theological fentiments, in which they who compofed it merely ftate their own views, though called '¦ fliort," extended through forty-two pages in oftavo, and was divided into twenty-feven chapters ; the fubjefts of which were, " the exiftence " and perfeftions of God, fubfifting, through one " Gqd, in three. Father, Sen, and Holy Spirit; the " hply feriptures ; the creation ; the fall of man ; *' the love of GoiS; the extent of the death of Chrift; " the gofpel; the power and will of man ; free grace; " faith ; repentance ; baptifm ; the Lord's fupper ; the * Crofby, vol. iii. p. «45— 458. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTER.S. 297 " work of the Holy Spirit ; juflification ; fanftifica- " tion ; perfeverance ; God's decree, Providence, " or fore-knowledge ; eleftion ; reprobation ; *' Gob's governing the world, meant principally to " declare the duty and obUgation of chriftians to be *' obedient to the governors of the world, as the " deputies of Gon, in all things of human and civil *' concern ; bur as to fpiritual things, of religious, " ecclefiaftical, or divine concern, to affert the fole *' authority of God by Jefus Chrift, who had deli- " vered to us his laws:" this chapter clofes with a fentiment, the liberality of which ftands in an honour able contraft with the i8th article of our eftabliflied church.* Thefe Baptifts profeffed their " belief tO " be, that where the gofpel did not come, if men " were governed by the law of God written in their " hearts, and by the works cf God without them, " which are fufficient to teach thera that there is a " God, and fo endeavour to live to God fuitably to the " light they have received, no doubt but theyfhallhe *^ accepted, though they are not under the miniftra- *' tion of the gofpel ; and inthe great day of judg- *' ment rewarded according to their works." The reraaining chapters expreffed their fentiments on the queftions that related to the nature and conftitution ofthe church of Chrift, the refurreftion ofthe dead, the eternal judgment, the reftitution of all things,, and the reign of Chrift.f • The article runs thus, " They are to be accurfed, that pre.- ¦ f fume to fay that every man fhall be faved by the law or feft which " he profeffeth ; fo that he be diligent to frame his life according .5f to that law, and the light of nature." t Crolby, vol. iv. AppendiaC; No. i. 293 HISTORY OF THE C III. In the chapter on the church of Chrift, the qua lifications of perfons fet apart to thC office of elders or minifters naturally came under confideration. That they ffiould be fuitably gifted and qualified for that office, i^ admitted; but as to an acquaintance with the languages, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, while the ufefulnefs of it in its place is granted, a belief Is expreffed that " It is not a qualification fo '* abfolutely neceffary to the being of a minifter or *' elder, but that a perfon may very poffibly be *' fufficiently qualified for that office without it." The point is argued upon thefe principles, viz. that the gofpel was firft preached by unlearned men^ that this is not enumerated amongft the qualifica tions for the charafter prefcribed in the feriptures : that men unlearned in the languages have, expe rience teftifies, been very ufeful Inftruments of God in gathering churches, and in the converfion and religious edification of men : and that confining the miniftry to men of learning does not bear an analogy to the method of the firft planting of the gofpel ; when the fooUffi and weak things of the world were chofen to confound the mighty, and things that are not to bring to nought things that are ; when the great things of the gofpel were hidden from the wife and prudent, and revealed unto babes. The well-meaning framers of the Confeffion then aflc, with a kind of triumph, in the ftrain of a chaUenge, " What great and good effefts have we feen of '' learning ? Why ffiould men be fo fond of It ? '*' Was not the apoftacy brought into the world by C HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ^99 *' learned men? Has it not been maintained and carried *' on by fuch ever fince?*" In thefe interrogatories it efcaped their attention, that the learning with which the apoftacy or corruption arofe, was not that of the languages critically applied to explain the feriptures, but that of the raetaphyfical philofophy of the Pagan fchools. It efcaped their recoUeftlon, that a long night of Ignorance afforded opportunity for fuper ftition to Introduce its inventions, and for fpiritual dominion to forge its chains ; and that with the revival of learning came the Reformation. They did not anticipate, with what ftrength of argument, with what luminous difcoveries, learning, within half a century, would emancipate the mind ; nor did they refleft with what fkilful, laboured, and acute Inveftigatlons it had already detefted and expofed the wickednefs and impofitions of the apoftacy. In the chapter " on the reign of Chrift," they profeffed their belief, that our Lord Jefus Chrift, at the time appointed of the Father, will corae again in power and great glory, not only to raife the dead, reftore and judge the world, but to take to himfelf his kingdom, and reign on the throne of his father David on Mount Sion In Jerufalera for ever, as the alone vifible fupremc lord and king of the whole earth : that this kingdom would be uni verfal and everlafting, peaceable and glorious ; the kingdom that would fucceed the fourth monarchy, and the ftone cut out of the mountain without hands, which ffiaU fiU the whole earth : not to be * Crolby, ut ante, p. 3a— 34- ' 300 HISTORY OF THE C III. fet up by the material fword, that being fo exceed ingly contrary to the very nature of chriftianity, which requires us to love our eneraies and pray for them, not to deftroy them ; to be fubjeft to govern ment in all cafes of civil concern, and patiently to endure perfecution. They alfo argued that the kingdom of Chrift being fpiritual ought not to be fet up or Maintained either by the fword or any civil power whatfoever, but by the preaching of tbe gofpel, which is the word of God; and not being of this world, his fervants ought notto fight. One particular in this Confeffion, under the title oF " the fall of man," "defetVes notice. " Our firft '" parents," it declares, " by virtue of the firft "" tranfgreffion, brought not only themfelves, but *' their whole pofterity into a ftate of fin and death, " together with thofe raany inconveniencies that are " now come upon mankind as the fad effefts of •' fin. But that this trangreffion did procure in *' itfelf the fecond death, viz. in the lake of fire or " hell torments, either to Adam or any of his pof- " terity, as is by fome not only imagined but " affirmed; as it is a doftrine that is altogether " fcrlpturelefs, and fo falfe, fo it is altogether irra- " tional ; from whence it hath no room in our " faith." In the preamble to this declaration, compofed by the minifters and meffengers of upwards of an hundred congregations, the defign of its being publiflied is avowed not to make an oftentatious difplay of fuperior attainments, but to bear their teftimony to "the faith once delivered to the G. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. SOJ " faints ;" and to concIUate the minds of thofe who looked upon them as a people degenerated from all other baptized congregations ; and to pave the way. If poffible, for " a more perfeft acquaint- " ance, acceptance, and fellowffiip with thofe '* churches, whom they believed to be one with " them in the moft material points of faith and " praftice, but who carried themfelves ftrange " towards them for want of a right - underftanding *' of their faith." The article which we have laft quoted frora their " Confeffion," was not calculated to raeet the ideas and tafte of thofe who entertained rigid fentiments concerning the effefts of the fall of man ; but it is a proof that thefe chriftians thought for themfelves In this point : and as to the concUia- tory end which they propofed to themfelves, by their account of their faith, they expreffed a be coming fortitude of mind to bear difappointment. " If, when aU Is done. It do not anfwer the end for " which It Is Intended; but we muft, notwithftanding, " be looked upon as a bye-people, and be rejefted or " laid afide; we truft we fliall keep clofe to the Lord *' In the things that wc at prefent underftand, until " we are by fome divine authority convinced of " fome. religious miftakes therein :"§ a declaration expreffive at once of firmnefs of mind, and an opennefs to conviftion. In 1692, frora May the 3d to the 24th, another -general affembly of Baptifts from 107 churches was held in London. To ftrengthen their union, J CtoSh-%, vol. ir. Appendix, No. i. p. 7; vol. iii. p. i6», a6*. 302 HISTORY OF THE C. III. and to conduft their affociations on a convenient plan, it was refolved, at this affembly, that, whereas, for fome preceding years, the churches in feveral counties had held their particular affociations, and one general, annually, at London, to divide this one general meeting Into two; orte to be kept at Briftol at Eafter, and the other In London at Whlt- funtide : and that after each, a narrative of the pro ceedings of each, as far as related to matters of general ufe, ffiould be printed and circulated among the churches. It was alfo agreed that two mef fengers ffiould be deputed from London to attend the meeting at Briftol, and two from Briftol to be prefent at that in London. It was agreed, with a view to render the fund for minlfters and ftudents more efficient, and to facilitate the contributions, that the churches ffiould make quarterly coUeftions for it In what method they judged beft. It was alfo determined that thefe affemblies were not to be accountable to one another any more than churches were : that no appeals were to be made to thera by the churches to determine matters of faith or /fltf? ; but that all matters referred to them for tJieir confideration were to be laid before them under the form of propofitions or queries for advice. In the prefent age, when tafte for facred mufic is fo prevalent, and the gratification of it fo Induftri oufly cultivated. It wiU appear aftonifliing to raany, that there ever exifted, among any body of chriftians, a fcruple on the fubjeft of vocal mufic in the worffiip of the Divine Being. But whether it might be tf. III. PROTESTANTP DISSENTERS. SOU partly afcribed to the want of a mufical tafte, or to :i purely confcientious fear of corrupting the fimplicity of chriftian worffiip, and of a partial reverting to the model of the Jewiffi fervice, there were fome among the Baptifts, In the times of which we are fpcalcing, who objefted to finging In the aflemblies for public worffiip. A controverfy on this fubjeft was carried on in different publications by feveral writers. The fpirit in which this queftion was difcuffed by the advocates of each fide was difgraceful and irritating ; for the authors of the trafts which carae from the prefs on this occafion, loaded one another with uncha ritable refleftions, cenfures, and reproaches. When prejudice and paffion. It may be fuppofed, had begun to fubfide, and the writers had grown weary, both parties agreed to refer the matter to the exaraination and determination of feven perfons, to be nominated out of their body by this affembly. The nomination fell on Mr. Andrew Gifford, of Briftol, Mr. Edm. White, Mr. Henry Auftin, Mr. Robert Keate, of Wantage, Mr. John Willis, Mr. Sarnuel Buttal, of Plymouth, and Mr. John Scott, as arbitrators in this difpute. The points to be fubmitted to their confideration were ftated and Umited by the following queftions put to each party : viz. " Whether ys/ii " are willing to be determined by the faid brethren, " and refolve to do what they ffiaU determine, in " order to the removing of all thofe refleftions th;',t " are writ in all the books that are printed on both " fides, about the controverfy of finging, &c. r " The raatters to be debated and determined ave 304 HISTORY OF THE C. Ill* " only refpefting refleftions and matters of faft." The affembly placing the decifion of the debate, fubmitted to review, on this bafis, it is evident, did not affurae an authority to decree on the raerits of the queftion, or the force of the argument ; but aimed only to reconcile the parties. Thib queftion was anfwered and fully agreed to by Mr. William Kiffin, minifter of the congregation in Devonffilre- fquare, Mr. John Man, Mr. George Barret, Mr. William Collin, paftor of the church in Petty- France, Mr. Benjamin Keach, minifter of a congre gation in Southwark, Mr. Richard Steed, of Faringdon, Berkfliire, and Mr. Thomas HoUoweU. The determination adopted and recommended on this affair was, " that all concerned on both fides in " the controverfy ffiould be defired to call in and " bring all their books, afterwards fpecified by their " titles, into the affembly, or to whora they ffiould " appoint, and leave thera to their difpofal: that if any " perfifted in this reproachful method, they delivered " it as their fenfe that the perfon or perfons afting " thus, who fowed offences, divifions, and difcords " among chriftians, ffiould be reraarked." It, was alfo inferted in the narrative of the proceedings of the afferably, as their determination and entreaty, that none ofthe members of the churches fliould buy, fell, give, or difperfe the enumerated books, nor any others that contained the bitter refleftions on their brethren. Thefe determinations were introduced by a ferious and affeftionate expoftulation read with them to both parties, aud figned. It ran in this ftrain. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS, 305 «* Beloved and honoured In the Lord, for your " work's fake, we your unworthy brethren, whom " you have chofen to examine and determine " the raatters aforefaid, fo far as we know our " own hearts, have fingly, without refpeft of perfons, ''judged as for the Lord; dsiA unanimoufly con- " eluded, that thofe perfons who have been con- " cerned inthis controverfy, have on both fides *• erred in moft of the particulars that were laid " before us. If we have been partial in any thing, * it Is only, for which we beg your pardon, that " we may lay your evils before you In eafy terms, *' from this coiffidence, that the grace of God will " help you much more to aggravate them in your *' own fouls ; efpecially when you compare how '* unlike Jefus Chrift, and the holy commands he " hath given for brotherly love, your treatment " hath been one towards another ; * who when he " was revUed, reviled not again; ' i Pet. ii. 22, 23; " and how far ffiort In this controverfy you have " have come in anfwering that charafter which the " Spirit of God gives of true charity, i Cor. xiii. ** 4, &c. Had the things wherewith you charge *' one another been true, we humbly conceive you " ffiould have taken thofe rules Chrift hath pre- «• fcrlbed, In a more private debate, way, and method^ " that would not have reflefted upon your holy " profeffion and the narae of God, to convince " one another of your errors ; and that the ways " you have taken to difcover the nakednefs of your " brethren have been irregular, and tended rather 306 HISTORY OF THE C lit. " to beget greater offences and fturablings, than " convincing, healing, and recovering. Ham for " difcovering the nakednefs of Noah was accurfed •^^ of God. Gen. ix. 29.. To proclaira one another's " errors to reproach is frora the evil one, and to " give our enemies occafion to rejoice over our " failings, forbidden to be told in Galh and, Gilgal. " 2 Sam. I. 20. You know who hath faid thatthe " iffue of ' biting' will be ' to devour one another,' 'Mf Goo prevent not. We grieve to think what " diflionours your method wiU bring to the name " of God, reproach to your holy, profeffion, ftuni- " bling to finners, and divifion among the churches " of Chrift. And therefore, as brethren, partakers " of the fame grace, we humbly exhort you, and " pray God would make you alf fenfible of your " errors, humble you for them, and ' as God for " ' Chrift's fake hath forgiven you,' fo you would " for his. name fake ' forgive one another.' And " therefore in the name of the Lord, and for his. "fake, we entreat and determine that you proceed " no longer in fuch raethods." By thefe moderate and conciliatory meafures, in which nor the decrees of authority but mild perfua fions were employed, a ftop was put to the anirao- fnies and troubles that threatened the* Baptift churches ; the queftion was feparated from the fpirit with which it had been difcuffed, and left to ftand on the ftrength of the argument adduced; and from that time finging the praifes of God in their public afferablies was adopted as a part of C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 307 rehgious worffiip by raany, with \*hom It had not been before a praftice.* Though this affembly was formed by a deputa tion from 107 churches only, the Baptifts were at that time very numerous, and many of them never joined in the affemblies of which we are fpeaking. This denoraination of diffenters refident in Lon don and its vicinity, in 1696, when a fecret fcheme' to affaffinate King William was difcoverisd, and his' Majefty was congratulated on his deliverance from the defigns of his enemies by numerous addreffes, ap proached the throne as a diftinft body, with tht^ir fgiltinicnts of "joy and attachment, inan addrefs on the 9th of April, delivered by a very refpeftable minifter, Mr. Jofeph Stennett, introduced by the Earl' of Monmouth, then Earl of Peterborough. They declared, "That they gladly embraced the ** occafion to affure his Majefty that as they en- " joyed a fliare in the benign influences of his " government, whei'eby their civil and religious " liberties had been fo hacpily protefted and vin- ',' dicated; fo they would make it their glory, as th^y "accounted it their duty, to render his Majefty the " utmoft fervice they vrere capable of in that fphere *' wherein the law allowed them to move" As a' further teftimony of their fidelity and affeftion to his Mrjefly's perfon a id government, they expreffed their cheerful readinefs " to follow the pattern of the ho- " nourable Houfe of Commons in fiibfcribing to an *' affociation fubjt.ined to the addrcis." Ahd they' * Crolby, vol. iii. p. aW~»7o, X 2 308 HISTORY OF THE C III. concluded with faying, that " they would never " ceafe to offer up their moft fervent fupplications " to Heaven, that the fpirit of wifdom might con- *' tinue to direft all his Majefty's councils ; that the " Lord of Hofts might ftill fucceed his arms ; that " troops of affociate angels might guard his royal " perfon ; that his Majefty might have a long and *' happy reign on earth ; and at length wear a crown " of Immortal glory in the kingdom of heaven." This addrefs was not fuffered to pafs as merely a cuftomary forra, but was much taken notice of at the time. A difpofition to agitate the Trinitarian contro verfy now ffiewed Itfelf. Mr. Jofeph Wright, of Maldftone, a man of piety and learning, brought a charge of denying the divinity and humanity of Chrift, unto the general affembly, againft Mr. Mat thew Caffin, of Hor&am, another minifter of dif tinguiffied charafter and talents, with whom he had been in the habits of Intimate friendffiip and con fidential intercourfe ; and he infifted upon his exclufion both from the affembly, and from all communion with the Baptift churches. Mr. Wright difgraced his zeal by grounding his charge, not on what Mr. Caffin had advanced In any publl-- cation, which would of courfe have been open to animadverfion and cenfure, but on the communica tion of fentiments in private converfation, in which he had made objeftions to certain material parts of the Athanafian creed. Mr. Caffin fet up a defence of himfelf againft the charge of holding blafphemous and heretical opinions C. 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 309 ungeneroufly brought forward by Mr. Wright. " He candidly acknowledged that forae propofitions " In that creed, after his raoft diligent and impartial " examination, were above his underftanding ; and " therefore he never had, nor could then, receive It as " the ftandard of his faith. He infifted on it that "the holy feriptures contained aU that could be " neceffary for a chriftian to believe and profefs. •' He declared, that if he were catechifed ever fo " feverely on them, he could not decline a free and " open declaration of his fentiments. He avowed his " belief In Chrift as the * Word,' in the beginning of *' the creation with God; and that he was in the *' higheft Imaginable fenfe God, confiftently with " that moft eftabliffied truth, that there can be but " one abfolutely fupreme God. He avowed it as ' ' his opinion, that Chrift was the ' God over ali,' " intended by Paul, which he thought conformable " to our Lord's own declaration concerning him- " felf. He confeffed his belief that Chrift, as to *' \i\sflefh, was the feed of the woman, the fon and " offspring of David, conceived indeed miraculoufly, " but born of Mary in the fame natural way as " other men. He pleaded that it had been his ftudy " and delight to exalt and honour his Saviour, " both as God and man, to the higheft degree of " thought : that he had never difturbed the rainds " of any chriftians about unrevealed fubliraities, but " left to every one the farae liberty of judgment " which he claimed for himfelf; and while he ^« owned that he was far enough from perfeftion 310 HISTORY OF THE C HI. " in knowledge, he appealed to his friends, as well " knowing that he was always open to conviftion, *' and thankful for every addition of new light." It reflefts honour on this afferably, which was numerous, that this truly proteftant and ingenious defence gave general fatisfaftion ; and Mr. Wright was rauch difcountenanced for his unbecoraing re fleftions and his want of candour. A general afferably was, at a ffiort diftance of time, held at Ayleffiury, in the connty of Bucks. Here Mr. Wright engaged the concurrence of another perfon, to exhibit again his charge againft Mr. Caffin ; but again was difappointed in his views: for this affembly alfo difmiffed the accufation, and refolved, notwithftanding a difference of fentiments on fome abftrufe unrevealed points, to maintain amity and friendffiip with IVIr. Caffin. Mr. Wright, chag ined with his difappointments, and feeling the inefficiency of his influence, withdrew from the affemblies, and protefted againft their pro ceedings. But the feed of contention which he had fown fprung up, and in other quarters there arofe new accufers of Mr. Caffin. The churches in Buckinghamffiire and Northamptonffiire exhibited fimilar charges againft him to the affembly convened from them, and moved that he fliould be brought to judgment. He explained himfelf with great meeknefs and condefcenfion, and l.iboured to recover their good opinion, but without fuccefs. Their com- pLunts were renewed, and a hearing was again demanded ; and the affembly agreed that at Whit* CIII. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 311 funtide next year, 1700, his cafe fliould be fully examined. It raet at the tirae fixed: Mr. Caffin attended, and to prevent confufion and tedious debates, a committee of eight perfons, four of whora were on the fide of the complainants, was chofen to confer with him, and to draw up a general determi nation, which, being affented to and figned, might be a fufficient ground of union. This was done, and the following declaration, after it had been read feveral times, received the fignature of all who were prefent, and was publiffied by the com plainants, viz. " According to the truft repofed in us, we offered " to the affembly, that it be agreed, that Chrift, as " he was the Word, is from the beginning ; but ia " time that Word took not on him the nature of *' angels, but took on him the feed of Abraham ; " and as fuch is Emanuel, God with us, or Godmani- *' feft in the fiefh : and as he is the Word, Is one with " the Father and the Holy Ghoft. And as he was " God manifefted in the fleflo, fo he is the Jefus that *' tafted death for every one. And further, whereas " there have been, and yet are, debates about the " Most High God, we conceive He Is one " infinite. Unchangeable, and eternal fpirit, incom- " prehenfible Godhead, and doth fubfift In the " Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoft. "Wm. Gooch, "Benj. Miller, "Thos. Kirby, " David Brown, " Wm. Vincent, " John Hassum, " John Amory, " Nath. Gale." tin HfSTORY OF THE Q. HI. It was alfo entered in the journals of the affembly, " That the defence brother Matthew Caffin has " made, together with his acknowledgements, are " to the fatisfaftion of the affembly." This vote, though It breathed the fpii-it of peace and tolerance, had not iraraediately Its defired effeft. At the next raeeting of the general affembly, the churches in the county of Northampton lodged a complaint, that Mr. Caffin had not been tried to their fatisfaftion, After a deliberate debate, a motion was made, put to the vote, and carried by a great majority, " ^hat the declaration raade by Mr. Caffin, " and his figning the aforefaid expedient was fuffi- " cient and fatisfaftory." Notwithftanding this gon- cUIatory refolutlon paffed, the diffatisfied did not acquiefce in it ; but cherifliing the uneafinefs whkh rankled in their brcafts, forfook the affemblies of their brethren, and held for fome years feparate affociations ; tiU at length, after fome effays, a friendly union was accompliffied on a fure founda tion of forbearance and charity ,-^an adherence to the feriptures only as the cotnplete and only rule of faith and praftice. It was a fign of the ill-nature and diflike which the feparatifts indulged on this occafion, that the affembly from which they with drew was, fpr a fliort time, called Caffimte.'\. From the time of the Reformation a praftice of holding public flifputations on the theological quef tions on which the parties of tJie times differed, had pxifted in Europe and In England. Theywere X Crolby, vol. iii. p. 580— J85. \ C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 313 fometimes appointed by royal proclamation, not fo much with the candid defign of inveftigaiing the truth, as with the hope of gaining a triuraph over thofe who ventured to diffent frora the religious principles and injunftions which the power ofthe ftate had legalized. This mode of fetding contro verfies on points of faitii or praftice was at other times voluntarily adopted by partizans of each fide, without the authority of the magiftrate or the pro teftion of power. The principles of the Baptifts were repeatedly brought to this difcuffion and trial. The* firft difputation on them was holden in South wark, 17th Oft. 1642, between Dr. Featly, Mr. Kiffin, and others. The next took place in London, in, the year 1643, at different tiraes and through feveral weeks, between Mr. Knollis, Mr. Kiffin, and Mr. Jeffey. A third was eondufted at TirUng in the county of Effex, on nth Jan. 1643, ^y Mr. John Stalham, Mr. Newton, Mr. Gray, Mr. Butt, and Mr. Thomas Lambe. Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Richard Carpenter held a difputation, about the year 1647, before a great affembly of minifters and others, in the pariffi church of Newport-Pagnell. Mr. Samuel Fiffier, ^nd feveral clergymen, on July 26, 1649, engaged In fuch a verbal difcuffion at Afliford, in the county of Kent. On a challenge given by Mr. Baxter, this mode of ftating and de fending their refpeftive opinions was adopted by the learned Mr. Tombes, on Jan. ift, 1649, ^^ ^^^ parifli church of Bewdley. On 2d May, 1652, a difpu tation of this kind was holden at Cork, in Ireland, 314 HISTORY OF THE C III. ^between Dr. Harding, Dr. Worth, and Mr. Murcott. Mr. John Craig, Mr. Henry Vaughan, an-3 Mr. John Tombes engaged In a fimilar debate at Abergavenny In the county of Monmouth. Portfmouth was the theatre of the laft of thefe contefts ; which, though they might draw attention to the queftions controverted between the parties, and lead fome perfons to enquiry, unhappily tended more to inflame the paffions of the difputants, and to excite an eagernefs for viftory, than to elicit the truth. This difputauon was holden, ^with his Majefty's Ucencc, on February 22, 1698. The difputants on the fide of the Paedobaptifts were Mr. Sarauel Chandler, of Fareham, and Mr. Leigh, of Newport ; and Mr. Robinfon, of Hun gerford, was their moderator. The minifters who advocated the principles of the Baptifts were Dr. William Ruffel, of London ; Mr. John Williams, of Eaft-Knoyle ; and the moderator, Mr. John Sharp, of Frome. The difputation was eondufted in the old mode of the fchools by fyllo- gifms. Two queftions carae under difcuffion in this debate. Firft, " Whether according to the com- " miffion of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, adult " believers are the only proper fubjefts of baptism, " and nbt infants f " Secondly, " Whether the " ordinance of baptism, as appointed by Chrift, Is " to be admlniftered by dipping, plunging, or over- " whelming only, and no otherwife ?" It began at ten in the morning, and lafted tUl between the hours of fix and feven in the evening ;- when after much ,C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 3 Id advanced on both fides abcjut words to no profit, anJ fo as to create a confufed jangling and noife, Mr Williams, a preflayterian minifter, as were aU the PajJobaptlift difputants, fiiid he thought there had been little faid to the purpofe. To v\/hom Dr. Ruffel replied, " Mr. Williams, I think there hath " been a great deal faid, more than hath been an- " fwered; but if you are not fatisfied, we will wave *' all that hath been faid, and I will difpute it over " with you de novo." Mr. WUliams, with a ffirug, declined this challenge, faying he was not well. Upon which it was judged proper to clofe the dif putation. Each party having addreffed the governor and mayor with their thanks for the civility ffiewn to them, Mr. Leigh concluded with prayer, and difmiffed the affembly. One of the public prints, called the Poftman, on the 25th of February,, de clared the viftory to be on the fide of the Pjedo- baptifts; and charged Dr. Ruffell with employing all the fubtlety and fophiftry of the fchools in the management of the argument againft infant baptifm. From this charge it was Inferred that he handled the fubjefts of debate with the dexterity of an able difputant, and preffed his opponents with no mean and contemptible arguments. A partial account of it, accompanied with mifreprefentations and unhand- fome refleftions, appeared in the " Flying Poft" of the ift of April. It was an Inftance of difingenuous or uncandid conduft in the fcribe of the Paedobap- tifts, that when the fcribe on the fide ofthe baptifts went to propofe comparing with hira their refpeftive 3 lb HISTORY OF THE C. III. minutes, he refufed it ; and no appUcations could procure from him even a fight of his papers : he pleaded that his copy was very imperfeft, as he had never before been engaged in fuch an office. Dr. Ruffel fubmitted to the judgment of the public the decifion on which fide the viftory lay, by giving the difputation from the prefs, in a traft, entitled, " A " true Narrative of the Portfmouth Difputation, " between fome Minifters of the Prefbyterians and " others of the Baptift perfuafion, concerning the " fubjefts and manner of Baptifra. "f About three months afterwards, the Psedobaptifts publiffied their own account of it; which they confeffed was Imperfeft, and In which others detefted feveral Infer- tions, tranfpofitions, falfificatlons, and additions. About this time Mr. Pilkington, a Benediftine monk, renounced popery, and embraced proteftant ifm under the form of profeffion obferved by the baptifts. This event, by its unufual and fingular nature, may be fuppofed at the tirae to have created an Intereft in the public mind, and to have called the attention of men to the denomination of chriftians, to which, under fo remarkable a change of fenti ments and religious profeffion, Mr. Pilkington joined hirafelf; and on thefe grounds maj' have a claira to be noticed In this hiftory. His education at firft was eondufted by fome Romiffi emiffaries in England ; under whofe tuition he fpent five years and a half. The proficiency which he had made in an acquaint ance with the principles ofthe catholic faith during t This narrative is preferved by Cpofby, vol. iii. P1314 — 353. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 317 that period, induced the friends of it to fend him to the Engliffi feminary at Liffion, to perfeft his qua lifications for fuftaining thecharafter of a ra,iffionary. Here he fpent three years and upwards, Imbibing erroneous notions concerning proteftantifm, and almoft infuperable prejudices againft It. Regarding It as a dangerous herefy, more effeftually to fecure himfelf from being drawn into It, he refolved to relinquiffi the defign of becoming a miffionary prieft, and to betake himfelf to a rehgious ftate. With this view he made Intereft with the monks of a certain order, and obtained their confent to be ad mitted to their habit. When the prefident of the college heard of it, unwiUing to lofe one of his flock, and fearing that Mr. PUkington's friends, who defigned hira for other ends, would refent the ftep, he put a ftop to the defign by frequent applications to the Pope's nuncio. The difappointraent created great aniraofities between the two religious houfes ; and fo exafperated the mind of the young candidate for the habit of a monk, that he refufed obedience to the conftltutions of the college ; and though he had no doubt but that his conduft would highly difguft his friends, he requefted a difmiffion frora It, in order to return to England. In this ftate of his mind he refolved to fearch Inta the doftrines of the church of England, under a fanguine hope, that if he could perfuade himfelf of the poffibillty of falvatlon out of the church of Rome, he ffiould meet in England with other friends to maintain him at one of the univerfities. In SIR KISTORV of THE C III. purfuance of this refolutlon he communicated his intentions to Mr. Colbatch, chaplain of the Englifli faftory, with whom he had converfed feveral times' on controverted points in religion, and requefted his recommendation to fonie of the' clergy in England. This gentleman Lvoured' his views by writing to the Bifliop of Salifliury's chaplain, whom, on his arrival at London, he unfortunately found out of town; but on applying to fome other clergymen he. was introduced' tothe Archbiffiop of Canterbury. The encouragement and patronage afforded hira at this junfture fo diffipated' his fears and animated his intentions, as to difpel for the prefent all appre henfions for nis foul's future ftate ; and fafcinated by the rifing hopes of preferment, he forgot the refolotion he had' raade of not forfaking the Romiffi communion till he was convinced of the poffibUity' of falvation out of it. Under this ffiort retreat of prejudice, and' led away by feducing profpedte", though he had fcarcely begun the fearch after truth, he thought he had found'it, and was hafty to poffefs it. Upon requefting to take orders in the church he was fent to Oxford. Here his former prejudices revived; doubts and fcruples to the difadvantage of proteftantifm arofe in his mind ; vain were his attempts to ftiflc thefe thoughts ; the civilities he received at the univerfity, though far above his expeftations, were bands too weak to attach hira to the place; the preferments promifed to him, though confiderable, could not afford peace to his mind. Having fpent four terms in the univerfity. cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 3I9> he returned to the church of Rome. On his re- admiffion into that comraunion, he fubmitted to the penance of a pilgrimage from London to Holy- Well in Wales, on foot, and by begging. After eighteeni months, peace being concluded with France, he was admitted to the habit of a Benedi£Iine monk in the Engliffi monaftery of St. Edraund In Paris ; In which he continued nearly a year. In this pla^e new views were prefented to his mind; and his temporary conneftion with this reli gious order, eventually led him to be in reality, what he had been before but in effigy, a proteftant. The reprefentations which he had read, and the reports which he had heard, of the profeffors of this faith,, infpired him with an unufual curiofity to obferve,! and narrowly to infpeft, their praftices. The poft. of fecretary to the convent, which on account of the great age of the fecretary he fupplied, afforded him favourable and peculiar opportunities of noticing the manners of the houfe. All things, to his great furprize, ran counter to his expeftations. The whole family he difcovered was divided Into faftions and parties; ambition, pride, and felf-love raarked the charafters and deportraent of the Individuals of ihe order ; inftead of hofpitality and real poverty, nothing was to be feen but Infatiable avarice and thirft after riches. In the place of boafted tempe rance, excefs and gluttony, to avoid public fcandal, were praftised in private : and inftead of referved and abftemious manners, the general and other fuperiors had their parties of young females. 320 HISTORY OF THE C. HI. whom they regaled with wines and luxuries, in a clofe chapel of the church. The obedience of the order appeared taoft In obeying their own unbridled lufts and paffions. In a word, « It feemed to me, he declares, " their chief ftudy was, which of them " ffiould be moft wicked at home, and yet be thought " the moft holy abroad ; that is to fay, who ffiould " moft genteelly play the hypocrite." Though thefe praftices and examples raifed his difguft, and expofed him to great temptations, yet the attachment to a monaftic life which he ftill re tained, ¦ inclined him to believe that he could live up to the rules of the order, though very fevere, which 'others allowed themfelves the liberty of breaking. This confideration had almoft determined him to continue in this conneftion, when taking a bible Into his hands, he caft his eyes on the 2 2d verfe of the 9th chapter of thefirft epiftletothe Corinthians — " I therefore fo run, not as uncertainly; " fo fight I, not as one that beateth the air." This paffagc, the Impreffion of which on his mind was ftrengthened by another that occurred to llis thoughts, from the 12th verfe ofthe ift chapter of Ifaiah, viz. " Who hath required thefe things at *' your hands ?" produced various doubts and ap prehenfions in his mind, and an agitation which per mitted him to take litde reft day or night. After frequent contefts with himfelf for and againft the exercife of thofe mortifications and auftcrities which the rules of the houfe enjoined, he began to refleft on the reafonablcnefs and weight of Chrift's decla- Cl 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 321 ration, *' When ye ffiall have done all thofe things " which are comtiianded you, fay we are unprofitable *' fervants *.'* another of the Apoftle Paul, " That the *' fufferings of this prefent time are not worthy to be *' compared to the glory that ffiaU be revealed in us," alfo much affefted him. The train of his thoughts led hira to a conviftion that the Romiffi doftrine of merit, and the efficacy of works of fupererogation, was highly derogatory to the honour of Chrift. When he witneffed the expreffions of the far greater veneration paid to the Virgin Mary than to her Son, by pulling off their hoods, by kneeling down, and by lighting the candles on the altar when they fang anthems to her, (praftices not obferved in other parts of the fervice,) he was perfuaded that their faints' worffiip feU under the fame cenfure. As his former prejudices yielded to the fpirit of enquiry, thefe and other difcoveries concerning the praftices and principles of the Roman Catholic reli gion led him to exaraine aU its other doftrines. The refult of this inveftigatlon was a conviftion that the greateft part of thera was repugnant to the word of God ; and he reflefted with great aftonlffiment that he had not fooner difcerned the errors and fuperftitious of the Catholic church, which he now began to look on as abominations. To fortify his mind againft any temptations to a fecond relapfe, he forraed a firm, deliberate refolutlon to ffiut his eyes againft all doftrines that could not be plainly proved from the feriptures; and laying afide all motives of intereft, to join in communion T 322 HISTORY OF THE CIII.. with that'ehurch, whofe opinions and worffiip ffiould, on examination, appear to him moft conformable to them. In purfuance of thefe purpofes he returned to England ; he attended on the fermons of the clergy of the eftabliffied church, and of the diffenting minifters of different denominations; he candidly an4 ferioufly read their publications; and perufed with particular attention the thlrty-nine articles of the church of England, not without a wiffi to find them in all points fo agreeable. In his judgment, to the feriptures, that he might with fatisfaftion to himfelf have fat down in that coramunion, in which he would have rejoiced. But infuperable objeftions offered themfelves to his mind. He could not affent to the 34th article, on the traditions of the church ; nor the 35th article, of homilies ; nor to the 36th, of confecration of bifliops and mmifters. He could not admit the claim advanced In the 20th article, that the church hath power to decree rites and ceremonies, and authority In controverfies of faith. He alfo could not agree with the claufe relative to infant baptifm. In the 27th article. On thefe grounds he defired to be admitted Into the commu nion of the Baptifts, whofe doftrine and worffiip, in his judgment, came neareft to the holy fcrlptures.f Mr. Pilkington was baptized by the Rev. John PIggott, minifter ofthe congregation In Little Wylde- ftreet, Lincoln's-Inn fields ; who, on the occafion, firft addreffed him in the prefence of the church, and before a numerous auditory, with a folemn + Crofby, vol. iv. Appendix, No. ii. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 323 charge to " fpeak nothing but the truth"^ in declaring the change of his fentiments, and ftating the grounds and motives of his conduft: he alfo earneftly' befpoke a candid artd Impartial attention from the. auditory to the account which they were to receive from Mr. PUkington, of the manner and means of his conviftion, and ofthe reafons which induced him to withdraw frora the worffiip and communion of the church of Rome. This was done by his reading a narrative, from which the preceding hiftory Is drawn. He then in a folemn recantation profeffed his full conviftion of all the palpable errors, corrup tions, and novelties of the church of Rome, both in doftrme and praftice ; and his utter abjuration of the fame with great abhorrence and deteftatioff, particularly its tenets concerning the infallibility and fupreraacy of the biffiop or church of Rome, as grofsly intrenching on the prerogatives of GoD.§ Thefe afts in the proceedings of the occafion ffiew that due caution and deUberation were exercifed on it, and that a zeal for profelytifm did not betray the Baptifts Into a negleft of obtaining fatisfaftion con cerning the fincerity of the convert, and the intelli gence and judgment with which he afted. In September, 1701, King James died at St. Germain's in France, above twelve years after his exile, and after frequent unfuccefsful attempts to regain the crown. On this the French king, con trary to the advice of his miniftry, proclairaed the pretended Prince of Whales king of England; and S Crolby, vol. iii. p. 353,4,5; vol. iv. ut fupra. Y 2 324 aisTORY OF Tfjt^j^- q.nu exerted his intereft with Other court*, in which he had minifters, to engage their princes to own him in the fame charafter. This conduft of Lewis XIV. gave univerfal difguft. King William looked upon it as an open violation of the treaty of Ryfwick j the nation felt high indignation at feeing a foreign power, with which it was then at peace, pretend to declare who ought to fit on the Engliffi throne ; and expreffed their refentment in nuraerous addreffes to the king of their own choice from all parts of the kingdom. The Baptift rainifters in and about the city of London, as a diftinft body, followed their fellow-fubjefts in thefe teftimonies of loyalty and affeftion. Their addrefs was prefented to his IVIajefty at Hampton-Court, on Dec. ai, by Mr, Stennet, introduced by the Right Honourable the Eat I of Peterborough. In this addrefs, befides general declarations of attachment to the king, and of folicitude for the fettlemcnt of the fucceffion to the' throne in the proteftant fine, they delivered their fentiments oil the particular objeft of the addrefs in the following manner j fpeaking for themfelves and for their feveral congregations, they faid, " As we " cannot forget what difficulties and dangers your " Majefty has generoufly encountered and glorioufly " overcome, in delivering and proiefting thefe " kingdoms frora popery and arbitrary power, fo *' we conceive a juft indignation againft the late per- " fidious and prefuraptuous cpnduft of the French *' king ; who, not content to enflave and perfecute . *' his own people, afpires to give kings .and Jaws to C. HI. PROTJ^TANT DISSENTERS. 3Q5 " Other nations, and has fkken upon him to own and *' declare the pretended Prince of Wales to be king *' of thefe realms, of which your Majefty is the only *' lawful and rightful fovereign."* Mr Stennet, about this time, appeared alfo as the advocate of the whole body with which he was connefted, by defending their difcrlminating opinion and praftice In religion from the prefs. They were attacked in a work, entitled " Fundamentals without *' a foundation, or a true pifture ofthe Anabaptifts," by David Ruffen. The defign of this treatife was not only to controvert, but to reproach the prln- cSples of the Baptifts. Mr. Stennet replied to this writer, without difcovering the leaft appearance of anger or refentment. In an eafy and pleafant ftrain, with much learning and folid reafoning, ra'xpdwith fjne turns of wit, which were natural to him.f While the Baptifts derived their (denomination frora one common principle foncerning the nature and defign of baptifm, there was a variety of fenti ment araongft them on feveral theological points, which gave birth to different fefts; particularly two on dodlrlnal opinions, diftinguiffied by the denomi- nation of Particular and General Baptifts, The former were underftood to coincide In their fenti ments with Calvin; particularly on the doftrine of abfolute and perfonal or individual eleftion. The latter, or General Baptifts, entertained thofe views of the divine decrees, and ofthe extent ofthe fcheme of falvation, which had been adyanced an4 defendc(| * grofty, vol. i^i-p. 357, 8. t Mem, p. 36?. 326 HISTORY OF THE C. 111. by Arminius and his adherents, and embraced the doftrine of general redemption. Among each of thefe denominations there were forae congregations who derived the difcrlminating name of Sabbatarians from their religious obfervance of the feventh day of the week, as a day of reft and fecial worffiip. In conformity to the fourth comraandraent, which they confidered as obligatory on Chriftians. Mr, Francis Bampfield, a ftudent in Wadhara college, Oxford, 3;nd ejefted from Sherborne in Dorfetfliire, formed' a church after this, at Pinner's hall in London, on the fabbatarian principle, of which he was a zealous affertor,* The Baptifts of thefe different claffts obferved, in general, the fame rules of church go vernment as the other proteftant- diffenters; except that they admitted none, at that period, to comrau nion with them in the Lord's Supper, who had not, made the perfonal profeffion of the chriftian faith by immerfion. Of latter years forae of their congrega tions have relaxed their dlfcipline in this refpeft, and allow of raixed coramunion; and receive to the Lord's Supper thofe who differ from them on the queftions concerning baptifm ; afting on this princi ple, that Chrift only Is our mafter, and that every man muft, from the fincere and impartial ftudy ofthe New Teftaraent, forra his judgment on the chriftian doc trine and inftitutions of the gofpel, and not from an implicit or carelefs deference to the Ideas and notions of other men, ¦ ¦ * See the Author's edition of Neal's Hiftory of the • Puritatis, fp),iv. P-610, 6ii, and note t. C HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 327 The Baptifts had, and In fome parts of the king dom ftill continue, an office peculiar to themfelves : it is that of meffengers, or angels of the churches ; ufing the word in its original priraary fcnfe» They are looked upon as fuperior in rank and dignity to comraon paftors. To this office is attached the power of vifiting the churches through certain appointed diftrlfts, containing, perhaps, feveral counties. At ordinations, if one of thefe angels or meffengers be prefent, he ordainsby laying on his own hands only; and thus qualifies the perfon ordained to be a raeffenger, wherever he Is chofen to that office. But If the perfons elefted to it have received ordination only from common paftors, he muft be ordained again by one or more of thofe angels, before he can himfelf aft in that capacity. The moft able, ufeful, and aftive minifters are elefted to vifit the churches, and to exercife a kind of general fuperintendency under that name. It is apprehended that Titus, Timothy, and Sylvanus were meffengers in the earlieft times of chriftianity. They reft the origin and authority of the office, particularly on the apoftollcdeclaration, 2 Cor. viii. 3, *' Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner •' and fellow-helper concerning you; or our brethren •' be enquired of, they are the meffengers of the *' churches, and the glory of ChrIft."J On fuch grounds they argued for the jus divinum of the I Crofby, vol. iii. p. 473 ; Thompfon's MS. CoUeftions, penes me, vol. i. article Bofton in Lincolnfhire ; Everlhed's Sermon, en titled, *',The Meffengers' Miffion," preached at Canterbury at the ordination of meffengers, July sgth, 1783. 32S HISTORY or THE CIII. meffenger's office. The Baptifts had alfo, amongft fome of their churches, the cuftom of receiving into their community newly-baptized perfons by impofi tion of hands, as a tradition and praftice derived from the apoftles, and as aii early and Invariable method of admitting raerabers into the church of Chrift ; this cuftom they reckon one of the fix fun damentals or " principles of the doftrine of Chrift," enumerated Heb. vi. i, 3. From this fiirvgy of the general hiftory of the Baptifts during the period between the Revolution and the death of King William, our plan leads us to notice thofe individuals who, at that time, appear to have been particularly efl:pemed and regarded by them as men of talents and Influence, ;¦ Amongft thefe was Mr. William Kiffin, who began his miniftry with the Independents ; but afterwards taking a part in the conferences that were held in the congregation of Mr. Henry Jeffey, when the majority of them adopted the fentlmeBts of the Baptifts,* Mr. Kiffin ^t that time changed his opl- pion, and joined hirafelf to the churchof Mr. John SpilftDury. A difference arofe between them about permitting an Individual to preach to them, who had not been initiated into the chriftian church by Immerfion ; as If the confcientious omiffion, on one fide, of a right confidered as an inftitution of Chrift by the other party, could vitiate the func tions of the minifter : or as if a mutual indulgence to the didiates of confcience could be a criminal f See Neal, vol. iii. p. 517. \ C. 1II.~ PROTESTANT DISSENTER.S. 329 connivance at error. On this point thefe good men parted, but to their credit they kept up a friendly correfpondence. Mr. Kiffin became the paftor of a baptift congregation in Devonffiire-fquare,London, After the Reftoration he had great Influence at court, both with the King, and Chancellor Hyde ; and poffeffing opulence, is reported to have fupplied his Majefty, on preffing emergencies, with a prefent of ten thoufand pounds. He improved his intereft with the king to obtain an order for the examination, in council", of a fcurrilous and malignant pamphlet, raeant to defame the Baptifts, entitled " Baxter <' baptized in blood."* Another effeft of his influence was the pardon of twelve baptifts, who were condemned to death at Ayleffiury, for refufing to conform to the eftabliflied church, under a claufe in the conventicle aft of the 35th of Queen Eli* zabeth, by the juftices of the county at a quarter feffions : a proceeding which furprized the king, who could fcarcely believe that any law to juftify putting his fubjefts to death for religion only could be in fqrce.f Mr. Kiffin himfelf had, in the time of the Coramonwealth, been profecuted under the ordinance of Parliament, enafted, with a defigned reference to Mr. Riddle, for puniffiing blafphemies and herefies. On the 12th July 1655, he was fum moned before the Lord-Mayor, and charged with a breach of this ordinance, by preaching that " the ?' baptifm of infants was unlawful." That magiftrate * See Neal, vol. iv. p. 477- t Crofby, vol. ii. p. iSxj a,nd vol, iii, p. g. 330 HISTORY OF THE C. III. being bufy, the execution of the penalty incurred was referred to the following Monday.* The influ ence which he had at Court, inftead of abaffiing malignity, provoked it, and increafed the number of his enemies, and they formed a defign upon his life; which coming to his knowledge by a letter that was intercepted, he was fo happy as to efcape. He and Mr. Knollys advocated the principles of the Baptifts againft Dr. Grew and Dr. Bryan, in a difputation held at Coventry ; in which both fides claimed the viftory, but which was eondufted with good temper and great moderation, and clofed with out any diminution of friendly regards. Mr. Kiffin lived to be very old, and preached to the laft. He was a man of confiderable parts, had learning, and was an acute difputant. It is a fign of his weight, and of the eftimation in which he was held by the reli gious and political communities, that he was one of the five baptifts, who were made aldermen by King James II. when he deprived the city of London of Its charter.^ Another individual, who obtained diftinftlon among the baptifts of that day, and was the author of a Treatife In 410. on the fubjeft of baptifm, was Mr. Thomas Patient, who began his rainiftry among the Independents in New England ; but by his own re fleftions In reading the feriptures, was led to con clude that Infant baptifra had no foundation In thera. This change of fentiraents provoked the refentment of his brethren, and expofed him to much » Crolby, vol. i. p. 215, t Id. vol. iii. p. 3, 4, 5. C. in. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS.. 331 fn&ring, and which induced hira to emigrate to England ; where he became co-paftor with Mr. William Kiffin. He accompanied General Fleet wood to Ireland, and fettled there ; and after Dr. Winterwas reraoved by the General, ufually preached in the Cathedral. The intereft of the baptifts was rauch advanced by his labours in that kingdom, and he is thought to have formed the baptift church at Cloughkeatlng ; which in the year 1 740 confifted of between two or three hundred raerabers, united in one comraunion, though forae were of the general and others of the particular perfuafion. This church was iraplicated in the profecutions which followed the fuppreffion of Monmouth's infurreftion; and the minifter and all the members were tried for their lives. The foreman of the jury fwore, before he went Into the court, that he would not leave it till he had brought thera all in guilty : a rafli and pro fane way of prejudging a caufe. As foon as he entered the court he died: and the reft of the jury acquitted thera.* . There did not arife araong this denomination of chriftians a more remarkable charader, in many re fpefts, than Mr. John Bunyan; who was born of honeft but poor parents, at Elftow in BedfordfliU"e, in 1628. His father was a tinker : his education confifted only In being taught to read and write ; and after he was grown up, he followed his father's occupation. In 1645 he ferved as a foldier in the Pariiament's array at the fiege of Leicefter. In his * Crofby, vol. iii. p. 43 . 333 HISTORY OT THE C. ilU youth hs was very vicious, and greatly corrupted the manners of his young companion'^. He hecame at length a thoughtful and pious man. Different incidents feem to have awakened the principle of confcience in his brcaft, and to have led him into deep, ferious, and penitent refleftions. The reproof of a woman, a notorioufly wicked charafter, d- dreffed to him with ffiarpntfs, when he was curfing and fweanng in a vehement manner, and reproaciiing him as able to fpoi! all the youth in the town, filled him with ffiame, and determined him to refrain from that profane praftice. An arcidental converfation with a poor man on religion induced him to apply himfelf to reading the feriptures ; which was fol lowed by fuch a reformation, both in his words and life, that the change in his manners filled hU neigh bours with aftonlffiment, and converted their former cenfures of his conduft into commendation and praife. A cafual conference alfo with four poor women. Into whofe company he fell at Bedford, on' the fubjeft of the new birth, left very fejious Im preffions on his mind. He himfelf. It appears, afcribed his converfion, principally, or in the firft inftance, to a fudden voice from Heaven, faying, " Will thou leave thy fins, and go to heaven; or have " thy fins, and go to hell r" and accofting him when he was at play with his companions. This excited fuch an aftonlffiment, that he immediately left bis fport, and looking up to heaven, whence the voice feemed to come, he thought he faw the Lord Jefus looking down upon hira and threatening hira with C. IU. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 533 fomegrievous puniffiraent for his irreligious praftices. This fuppofed phaenomenon indicated a ftate of mind previoufly much agitated and affefted with confcious £uilt, aided by the force and vivacity of an imagi nation ftrongly tinftured with cnthufiafm, of the In fluence of which his hiftory affords various inftances; for on other and future occafions he conceived that he faw vifions and heard voices frora heaven. The turn of his thoughts, and the natural power of fancy, prefenting images fuitable to his remorfe and fears, were as really the means which a gracious Providence employed to bring him to repentance, and the effeft was the fame, as If a real fupernatural Im preffion had been made on his ear, or a miraculous fcene had been prefented to his eye. He became a man of fincere piety and blamelefs moi-als ; though the latter did not fcreen him from malicious and groundlefs calumnies; andthe former was unhappily accompanied with great bigotry and a cenforlous fpirit. When he married, he was extremely poor, not having fo much furniture as even a diffi or a fpoon. and all the portion his wife brought him, confifted in two books, " The plain Man's Path-way *' to Heaven," and " The Praftice of Piety." After his converfion he was baptized by Mr. Gifford, the minifter of the baptift church, in Bedford, and ad mitted a meraber of it about the year 1655.* His • Long before the year 1650, there were in this town and neighbourhood pious perfons, who felt a deteftation of epifcopal fuperftition and tyranny, and united in fearching after nonconfor mifts, called in that day Puritans. The chief araong thefe were 334 HISTORY OF THE C III. talents and gifts and religious fpirit attrafted the attention of this congregation, amongft whom he for fome time gave a word of exhortation, or led their worfliip, tiU they called him to the charafter of a public minifter, and fet him apart to that office by fafting and prayer. He was a popular preacher, and generally fpoke with much fluency and with great effeft. A Cambridge fcholar, who afterwards be came a very eminent minifter In the county. Is par ticularly mentioned as an Inftance ofthe power and the Rev. Mr. Man, Mr. John Grew, Mr. John Efton, and Mr. Anthony Harrington. They neither were nor defired to be formed into a church ; but were zealous to edify each other, and to pro mote the gofpel by their liberality and friendfhip. Always keeping a door open, and a table furnifhed, for thofe minifters and chriftians ¦who evinced a zeal for the purity and praftice of religion. Aboiit the year 1650 came among them Mr. John Gifibrd, a native of Kent, who had been a great royalift and a major in the king's army; but had been recently under deep religious impreffions, and had commenced preacher. His Libours in thatcharafler were acceptable, and fuccefsful in awakening in the minds of fome a religious con* cern, and in engaging thefe friends of piety to form therafelves into a church, of which he was chofen the paftor or elder. " The principles on which they entered into fellowfhip one " with another, and on which they received new members into " their chriftian affociation, were faitl) in Chrift -^nil^olinefs oflifCi " without reYpeft to this or that circumftance of opinion in outward " or circumftantial points. By theie means faith and holinefs were « encouraged, love and amity were maintained, difputing and " occafional janglings were avoided, and many that were weak in " the faith were confirmed in the principles of eternal life."* In confiftency with the large bafis, on which this church was confti- tiited, its next rainifter, Mr. Bunyan, was an advocate for the mixed communion of chriftians,j who differed in opinion on the queftions relative to baptifm. * Thomfon's Collcaiona, vol. i. Bedford MSS. C. IU. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 335 fuccefs of his preaching. Mr. Bunyan was to appear on a week-day In the pulpit of a church In a country village, in the county; and a great number of people was collefted together to hear him. The Cambridge ftudent riding by at the time enquired, what meant the concourfc of people ? He was told that one Bunyan, a tinker, was to preach there ; in a fportive mood he committed his horfe to the care of a boy, faying, " he was refolved to hear the tinker "prate," and went into the church. His attention was fi.Ked ; he was affefted and impreffed ; he carae out ferious and thoughtful, and rauch changed ; and would, when he could gratify his tafte, hear none but the tinker for a long time.* The learned Dr. Owen, the vice-chancellor of the univerfity of Oxford, countenanced his minifterial labours, and attended his fermons. The Intolerance of the go vernment, in a few years, put a ftop to this courfe of fervices. On the 12th of November, 1660, he was requefted to preach at Ganfel, near Harlington, in Bedfordffiire ; and there he was apprehended by virtue of a warrant granted by Francis Wingate, efq; a juftice of peace, before whom he was taken, and then committed to Bedford goal. After an impri fonment of feven weeks he was tried on an indift ment at Bedford quarier-feffions ; charged with " having devilijhly and pernicioufly abftained frora " coraing to church to hear divine fervice; and with " being a common upholder of feveral unlawful " meetings and conventicles, to the great difturbance. • Crofby, vol. iii. p. 6$* 336 HISTORY OF THE C IIU « and difiradion of the good fubjefts of this king- " dom, contrary to the laws of our fovereign lord " the king." All, it has been juftly obferved, that John Bunyan had been guilty of, though it was alleged to be thus " devilifh and pernicious^ " and fo wickedly calculated to difturb and diftraSt' *' the good people of England," was merely wor- ffilpplng God according to the diftates of his own confcience, and endeavouring to propagate his own religious opinions. But even the fafts ftated In this ridiculous indiftment were not proved, no witneffes were produced againft hira : but foms words which came from him in the courfe of a converfation with the juftices, were taken for a conviftion and re corded : he was fent back to prifon, under this fentence, to lie there for three months : and if he did not then engage to hear divme fervice, and attend in the church, and defift from preaching, to be ba- nlffied the realm; and in Cafe of not leaving the realm on an appointed day, or of returning to it without a fpecial licence from the king, to be hanged.* His wife, to whom, at the time of his commltmenr, he had been married almoft two years,| on the fol lowing affizes addreffed Iierfelf to the judges ; bul the juftices had prejudiced them, to the utmoft they could, againft him. Sir Matthew Hale who was one of thera, and appeared to know nothing of Ill's hiftory Indeed, had the matter come ' judicially * Biographia Britannica, by Kippis and others, vol. iii. article .B»»jr«», page I J, note I. t. She was his fecond wtfei. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 337 ( before hira, feeraed defirous to afford him relief; and advifed his wife to procure a Writ of trior : but Bunyan and his friends were either too poor, or too little acquainted with fuch raatters, to take the neceffary fteps to obtain hU enlargement. The fentence of baniffiraent was never executed againfl hira; but he was detained In prifon frora feffions to feffions, frora affizes to affizes, without being brought before the judges, and obtaining perraiffion to plead his caufe, till his iraprifonraent lafted twelve years. He endured thC evils of this long confinement with perfeft refignation and patience ; learnt to raake long tagged thread-'laces, and fupported himfelf by it ; and wrote many of his trafts, though his library is faid to have confifted only of his Bible and the Book of Martyrs. His enlargeraeht at laft Is afcribed to the corapaffion and intereft of the worthy prelate Dr. Barlow biffiop of Lincoln, and tp the inter ference of Dr. Owen.* There was an exifting law, which Invefted a biffiop with the poWer to relcafe a prifoner, fituated as Was Mr. Bunyan, If any two perfons would join In a cautionary bond that he ffiould conform in half a year. Dr. Owen readily confented, on being requefted, to give his bond. The biffiop, on application being made to hira, de clined avaUIng hirafelf of his epifcopal prerogative; but dfS the law provided that, in cafe of a biffiop's refufal, application ffiould be raade to the Lord Chancellor to Iffue out an order to take the cautionary bond and releafe the prifoner, the biffiop propofed • Britifh Biography, vol. Vi. p. to6. Z 338. HISTORY OF THE C. III. this^mode of proceeding as more fafe for himfelf at that crhical time, as he had many enemies, and promifed a compliance with the order of the chan cellor. ,This meafurcj though it was not fo direft as,t,he other, and was more expenfive, was adopted, c^rid Mr. Bunyan was releafed. In the laft year of his imprifonment, 1 67 1 , on the death of Mr. Gifford, he had been unanimoufly chofen to fucceed him in the paftoral office. , After his enlargement, he eraployed himfelf In preaching and writing ; and made journles Into various, parts of the kingdom to vifit pious perfons of his own religious views, which vifitatlons fixed on him the title of " Biffiop Bunyan." When James II. publiffied his declaration for the liberty of con- i^cience in 1687, though he faw it proceeded not froai kindnefs to proteftant diffenters, and his piercing judgment anticipated the black cloud of flavery which the funffilne of tranfient liberty was intended to introduce, yet he thought it right to improve the prefent. day ; and by the contributions of his fol- lowers;built a public meeting-houfe at Bedford, in which he conftantly preached to large congregations. It was his' conftant praftice alfo, after his liberty, to vifit London once a year; where he preached In feveral places, particularly in Southwark, to nume rous auditors, with great acceptance. At laft he fell, ,ngt a viftira to th^ raaUgnant fpirit of perfecu tion, hut a facrifice, rathe event, to the pa.cjfic kind nefs pf •his_ own heart. A young gentleman having faUen under the, refontraent of his father, requefted C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 339 Mr. Bunyan's reconciliatory offices to make up the breach. He undertook and happily effefted this benevolent office. On his return to London, from the journey which it occafioned, he was overtaken with exceffive rains, and contrafted a cold frora being very wet, which brought on a violent fever, that In ten days put a period to his life at the houfe of Mr. Straddocks, a grocer, on Snow-hill, on the 1 2th of Auguft, in the 6 oth year of his age. According to the defcription of his perfon and the delineation of his charafter, drawn by the contlnua- tor of his life, " he appeared in countenance to be " of a ftern and rough temper, but was in his con- " verfation mild and affable ; not given to loquacity " or much difcourfe In company, unlefs fome *' urgent occafion required it ; obferving never to *' boaft of himfelf or his parts, but rather feem low " in his own eyes, and fubmitted himfelf to the " judgment of others ; abhorring lying and fwear- *' Ing; being juft. In all that lay in his power, to his " word ; not feeming to revenge Injuries, loving to * * reconcile differences, and raaking friendffiip with " all ; he had an excellent difcernment of perfons, " being of good judgraent and quick wit. As for " his perfon, he was tall of ftature ; ftrong boned, " though not corpulent ; fomewhat of a ruddy face, "with ffiarp and fparkling eyes ; wearing hishair " on his upper Up after the old Britiffi faffiion; " his hair reddlfli, but In his latter days time had " fprlnkled It with grey ; his nofe well fet, but not " declining or bending ; and his mouth moderately z 3 340 HISTORY OF THE G. {if, " large ; his forehead foraahing high, and his habit *' always plain and modeft."§ " W^hen he arrived at the 6oth year of his age, " he had written books," it has been obferved, '* equal to the nuraber of his years/' His works, which had been long printed in detacljed pieces on tobacco paper, Were colledtcd together and reprinted in 1 7^6 and 1 737J in 2 vols, folio; and have fince been reprinted in a fairer edition, particularly in one irapref- fion with a recoraraendation frora the pen of Mr. Geo. Whitfield. The Pilgrira's Progrefs had, in the year 1784, paffed throiigh upwards of 50 editions. Bunyan, *' who had been raentioned," fays Mr. Granger, "araongft the leaft and loweft of our *' writers, deferves a much higher rank than is com- *' monly iraagined. His mafter-piece is his ' Pilgrira's " * Progrefs,' one of the raoft popular, and I raay *' add, one of the moft ingenious books in the " Engliffi language.* It "gives us a clear and diftinft " idea of Calviniftical divinity. The allegory is *' adralrably carried on, and the charafters are juftly^ "drawn and uniforraly fupported. The author's " original and poetic genius ffilnes through the " Goarfenefs and vulgarity of his language, and inti- '^ mates that if he had been a mafter of nurabers he *' might have compofed a poem worthy of Spenfer " hirafelf. As this opinion may be deemed paradox- " ical, I ffiall venture to name two - perfons of " erainence of the farae fentiraents ; one, the late § Biographia Britannica, ut antcj note Z. • This obfervation, Mr, Granger obferves in the margin, is not to be extended to the fecond part. C. IJI^ PROTESTANT DISSElfTERS. Sil ^¦' IMr. RJerrick, of Reading, >yho has been heard to ^ fay In converfation, * that his invention was like " that of Horaer ;' the other. Dr. Roberts, fellow « of Eton college."! The ralxture of the dramatic and narrative, en livening the ftyle, Lord Kaimes reraarks, has ren dered the " PUgrira's Progrefs," and " Robinfon ** Crufoe," great favourites of the vulgar, and has been the caufe of their having been tranflated into feveral European languages. Bunyan had fuch an extraordinary knack in araufing and parabolical compofitions under the forra of vlfioiis, that forae thought there were communications made to him in dreams, and that he firft really dreamt over the raatter contained in his writings of this kind. This notion was not a little propagated by his pifture prefixed to fome of his treatifes, in which he is reprefented in a fleeping pofture. An anonymous author in 1729, fpeaking of the ^? Pilgrim's Pro- " grefs," reraarked that •' it had infinitely outdoae ** The Talc of a Tub, svhich perhaps had not raade '* one convert to infidelity ; whereas the Pilgrira's " Progrefs had converted many finners to Chrift."* Dr. Kippis, with great deference ;o the opinions of fuch judges as Mr. Merrick and Dr. Roberts, doubts whether Bunyan could ever have been capable of rifing to a produftion worthy a Spenfer. Tlie poverty, not with regard to nurabers only but to X Granger's Hiftory of England, vol. iii. p. 348, Svo. ed. 1779. • The above remarks are taken from Mr. Oldy's MSS. S,€e .^p^raphiii 6iit»nni», ut ante, p. 13, note L. 342 HISTORY OF THE C 111. fancy, Vifible In the fpecimens of his verfification, juftlfies an apprehenfion, that with tbe beft advan tages of education he would fcarcely have attained to complete poetical compofition. " He had the '* Invention, but not the other natural qualifications " which are neceffary to conftitute a great poet. " If his genius had intended him to be any thing " raore than a poet In profe, it would probably, "like Shakefpeare's, have broken through every " difficulty of birth and ftation." ., It may be added, that a learned biffiop,t whofe praftical writings glow with a devotional fpirit, and whofe comraentaries are ftill in high eftimation, publiffied alfo an allegorical work, entided " The *' Pilgrlra;" but not with a fuccefs or reputation that could In any degree rival Bunyan's performance. The writer of this recoUefts that at a claffical leffon, when he was at St. Paul's fchool, Mr. Allen, the learned editor of Demoftheues, paffed high enco miums on the latter work, as greatly fuperior in point of Invention to the former, which has now funk Into oblivion. This article, it may be apprehended, has been carried to a length beyond the proportion of room it ffiould occupy in a work npt profeffedly biogra phical ; but the fingularity of the charafter wUl be admitted as an apology.^: In the lift of thofe who fuftained great trials In ^confcientious adherence to their religious profeffion, t Bifhop Patrick. ' X Biographia Britannica ; Granger's Hiftory of England ; Brijilh. Biogi-aphy, as befpre ; and Crofby, vol. iii. p. 63—75. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. ^43 was Mr. Henry Forty, in his eariy years a meraber of Mr. Jcffey's congregation, and afterwards paftor ofthe church at Abingdon. His own parehts, as weU as many other perfons, received a pious deter mination of mind froni his preaching. He lay twelve years, for t^he teftimony of a good confcience, in prifon at Exeter ; and died in the 67th year of his age, in 1692,' with the charafter of a man of great piety and unblameable manners. Mr. Benj. Keach preached his funeral fermon. ¦ The ffiort hiftory of the next fierfon, Mr. Isaac Lamb, was riiarked with many peculiar circumftances. He was a native of Colchefter, where he was born in 1650, and for fome time attended his father in Cromwell's army. From his youth he difcovered an affeftionate attachment to piety, and toolc great delight In the perufal of the feriptures. His pro grefs in that ftudy furpaffcd what could be expefted from his years. The gravity of his afpeft and the ferioufnefs of his deportment gave him fo manly and dignified an appearance, that at the age of i6 he was made chaplain of the Conftant Warwick, a man of war in Oliver's navy. He often preached' before Admiral Blake; and once in the prefence of him. Admiral Penn, and another naval officer of the fame rank. He delivered ferious, interefting thoughts In an agreeabl.e manner. At onetlm'efix oftheffiip's crew "were baptized by hini in an arm of the fea. After having been on diffeif ent ' occafions,' not fewer than ; twenty times, on the French or Spaniflj ffiores, and at other placesj' ' he retifhied 344 HISTORY OF THE C. HI. frora Holland in 1660 in the farae fleet which brought over Charles II. His principles of non- Conforraity foon expofed hira to privations and fufferings. He was offered a benefice of an ioqI. per annura ; which, as he could not, confiftently with his fentiraents, fprlnklq the children of the pariffi, he declined to accept. It was propofed to him to do this part of his parochial duty by anotherj but It was repugnant to his fenfe of religions fimpli city and integrity to engage a fubftitute to perform i fervice, which in his view was a mifappllcation of a chriftiai^ inftitution. He therefore refufed the living. It heightened the merit of this facrifice to the delicacy of principle, that he loft by his refufal aool. due on the living, and ready to be paid to the next incumbent. Being fixe^ by this determination among the diffenters, he became paftor of a congre gation in Eaft-Sraithfield. It greatly jncreafed under his popular ftrain of preacliing ; and reraoved to, a new building, erefted fo,r its accqraraodation, in Vir- glnla-ftreet, Ratclifie highway ; where tlje auditory was numerous, and the cpmraiinlcants amounted at tiraes to three huiidred. Their worfliip was often difturbed by ofl^cers and foldiers In Kli^g Charles' rplgn. Once an officer with his railitary fubalterns carae and commanded him to be filent. He anfwered in the words of the apoftle, ^' Whether it be right *' in the fight of God to hearken unto you more *• than unto God, judge ye." Upon which the officer with his foldiers went off. At another timq Sir Williara Smith, Mr. Bury, Mr, Brown, and four. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 345 Other juftices, carae in their coaches, with a mob,, to break the windows and to tear up the pews and pulpit of the raeeting-houfe, as they had before done at the raeetlng-houfe of Mr. Hercules Collins, in the neighbourhood. But Mr, Larab, having pre vioufly received notice of their intention, had, by the advice of a friend, reraoved all the furniture of the place, except a few loofe forras ; fo that they were difappointed In their purpofe ; on which one of the juftices faid, that his name ought to have been Fox, and not Lamb. He died on the 20th of Auguft 1 69 1. He was a man of fweet teraper and exem plary converfation ; and great ufefulnefs marked hi^cotttfe.g One of the raoft diftinguiffied charafters araongft the General Baptifts of the tiraes was Mr. Thomas Grantham, defcended frora a reduced branch of an antient family of rank and opulence InLincolnffilre. He was born, in the year 1634, in the village of Halton, near Spllffiy ; and the houfe in which he drew his firft breath, is ftill ffiewn to thofe who venerate his meraory. As his parents were in low circuraftances, he was brought up a taylor ; but he afterwards direfted his attention to agriculture, and ' occupied a farra. Frora an early period of his life his raind received a ferious and religious tinfture; and he was baptized, on the profeffion of his fijith in the gofpel, about the age of nineteen, and joined ^he church at Bofton. In the year 1656, when he was 22 years of age, he was chofen paftor of % * eroft)y, vol. iii. p. 100-PI05, 345 HISTORY OF THE C III. church in the South-Marfli parts of the county, con fifting then only of four -perfons. He had for feveral years affociated with them, and been aftive in affifting their religious Iraproveraent by procuring minlfters to preach to them publicly, or exercifing his own gifts for prayer and inftruftlon among them privately. This fmall fociety was a branch of a church which arofe In 1644, formed at firft on the principle of rejefting in the adminiftration of baptifm, while they retained the praftice of fprinkling, the crofs aod fponfors. Some of them afterwards, as- they purfueS their religious enquiries, faw reafons to adopt the praftice of immerfion on a profeffion of faith. This change in the fentiraents of fome did not meet with the concurrence of all : difagreements arofe, which terminated in a difunion In 1651. The few who embraced the principles of the baptifts, after Mr. Grantham's conneftion with them, as a paftor, foon increafed in numbers. His zeal and energy aniraated the reft. As they had an acceffion of new members, there arofe among thera feveral who becarae acceptable and ufeful minlfters. They drew the attention of their neighbours on themfelves, and were expofed to the malignity of eneraies. Mr. Grantham and feveral others were fumraoned before the magiftrates ; who, as the accufations alleged againft thera had no foundation but in lies and forged ftories, foon perceived their Innocence, and they were fet at liberty, and went on cheerfully, though often infulted by the mob and oppofed by the clergy. Even during the Proteftorate, or inter* C. HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 347 regnum, their preachers were interrupted in their difcourfes ; and fometimes dragged out of doors, and pelted and ftoned witli barbarous violence. AU this abufe they bore with patience and meeknefs. Their meetings were held- firft, at Halton and other- places. In private houfes ; at length they obtained, a grant of Northolm chapelj near Croft, and not far frora Waynfleet. Here they remained fome yearsj and had many acceffions of members to their com munion. Among others, Mr. John Watts, a perfoa of erainence and reputation in thofe parts, who had been educated for the miniftry at the univerfity.; but not being able, from a principle of conlcience, to conform to the rites and praftices of the national church, he had obtained no dignity or preferment. He became, after he. had joined himfelf to Mr. Grantham and his friends, the worthy paftor of a baptift church gathered by his rainiftry, and which held their affemblies for divine worffiip in his own houfe. Mr. Granthara Is fuppofed to have drawn up the " Narrative and Coraplaint," ftating the fufferings of the Baptifts, which accompanied the " Brief «* Confeffion of Faith," and" Petition," prefented to the king, Charles lid, on the 26th of July, 1660.* About 1662 he was apprehended, carried before a magiftrate, and bound over to the affizes to be holden for the county of Lincoln. At the fame time many * Univerfal Theological Magazine, vol. iii. p. 8.— N. B. The Brief Confeffion is given by Crofby, vol. ii. Appendix, No. iv. ; and in the preceding Mifcellany, p. 9, 10 ; and No. xiv. p. 57—59. 348 HISTORY OF TIIE C HI, of the baptifts were haraffed with profecutions for abfence from the eftabliffied church, and with the cxaftlon of penalties of aol. per month. The con fequence of the proceedings againft Mr. Grantham was an Imprifonment for fifteen months. Obloquy and Infult were added to the evils of confineraent. Several clergymen who vifited him upbraided him with heing a jefuit ; and a rumour was fpread that he was a papift. To confute this calumny and coun teraft the Impreffions which It made, he publiflied a controverfy which he maintained with a Roman Catholic, and entitled it, " The Baptift againft the *^ Papift." By this prudent conduft he filenced the report. During his imprifonment he publiffied a treatife entitled, " The Prifoner againft the Prelate ; ** or, a Dialogue between the Comraon Gaol of ** Lincoln and the Cathedral :" and another work under the title of ^' Chriftianifraus Priraltlvus." In thefe publications, as the defigned brevity of " The *' Brief Confeffion" had occafioned forae ambiguity, he treated the fubjeft more explicitly and fully. When we confider the prevailing fentiments of that age concerning the doftrine of the Trinity, it is a fingular circumftance that the firft article in this confeffion expreffes the doftrlne of the Unity of GoD with a fcriptural fimplicity, that is in obvious contraft to the received ftandards,— the Catechifm of the Weftminfter Affembly, and the thirty-nine articles of the Church of England. This raay juftly excite our furprize, while it recommends itfelf to our appro-r bation. It runs thus, «« We believe, and arc very ti. til. PRbTESTANT DISSENTERS. 34g '•' confident, that there is but one God, the Father, " of whora are all things frora everlafting to ever- " lafting, glorious and unwordable in all his " attributes :" i Cor. vlil. 6 ; Ifa. xl. 28. At the affizes, in the fpring of 1663, no one appearing and no crirae being alleged againft thera, Mr. Grantham and his virtuous fellow fufferers, who had been committed with him, were difcharged, and returned to the churches to which they belonged, who re- seived them with no fraall joy. Mr. Granthara fuffered a fecond iraprifonraent under the operation of the Conventicle Aft, which was firft paffed for feven years in 1663, aad was revived at the expiration of that terra with addi tional claufes of heightened feverity In 1670 : under the authority of this Aft foldiers were empowered to difarm thofe that diffenied frora the national efta bliffiment. Though no arms were found in the poffeffion of the baptifts, yet their houfes were rifled, their goods carried off, and they themfelves forced away from their wives and families, without knowing whither they were to be driven, or whether they ffiould be profecuted by law, or fall a facrifice to railitary force. They were dragged from town to town, and compelled to run like lacqueys by the fides of the foldiers' horfes. Mr. Grantham, Mr- John Gree, and Mr. John Green, with feveral others, were thus the viftlms of armed Infolence and violence. Mr, Grantham and his friends were lodged, tied up during the whole night, at an inn, in a room not fit for entertainment : their fituation 350 HISTORY OF THE C III. drove fleep from their eyesj nor would the foldiers take any reft, but fat up near thera, and with rioting and revellings, oaths andcurfes, annoyed andffiocked thefe pious prifoners. On the morning they were eondufted to Louth, put into the houfe of correftion, and afterwards brought before the committee. At this tribunal, inftead of well- fupported charges againft them, infidious queftions were put, to draw from thera forae ground of accufation ; and they were aflced to pledge therafelves on oath to conformity. Though the tirades afforded many examples of thofe who had been terrified into a dereliftion of their principles, thefe good men, and the baptifts In ge neral, remained firra and unffiaken In their religious profeffion. Mr. Granthara and his two fellow fuf ferers were by ftrift coramand fent to gaol, where they lay for half a year. During their imprifonment the affizes came on, but their eneraies prevented their caufe from being heard. They were after wards, at the quarter-feffions, brought before the juftices ; but the bench refufed to enter into the cafe, or proceed againft them. Upon this the Sheriff pleaded, that as he had produced them in open court, he was free from his charge ; and fo they were fet at liberty, but without any corapenfation' for their unjuft imprifonment and attendant fufferings. Mr. Grantham, foon after his liberation, was haraffed under a different and unfanftioned mode of perfecuting malignity. He was profecuted on aftion of lool. for with force of arms beating and uncivilly treating the wife of a certain perfon ; C, III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 35 J merely on the ground of his having baptize^ her. But to the ffiame of his profecutors, the caufe which threatened his ruin was thrown out of court at the next affizes as a malicious profecution. " The malice and violence of their eneraies againft, *' Mr. Granthara and his adherents often carried " them to the greateft and moft fliocklng lengths. " Defamation and lying accufations were among " their moft common weapons. The worft of men " appearing as informers ; the worft of magiftrates " abetting and encouraging them; and the worft " of priefts, who firft began to blow the fire, now " feeing how it fpread, clapping their hands, and " hallooing them on to this evU work."* In vin dication of themfelves and their principles againft this malicious treatment, Mr. Grantham drew up a fraaU piece, which was never publiffied, entitled, " The Baptift's Complaint againft the perfecuting " Prieft, &c." This traft was a reraonftrance againft the perfecuting fpirit, to which this denomi nation of chriftians, notwithftanding their friendly deportment and faithful endeavours to maintain peace and brotherly concord, had been expofed for raore than thirty years ; which ftirred up perfons in authority to harafs thera by iraprifonraent and feizure of their goods ; and which expreffed itfelf In Irreligious abufe 'and Invecllves even frpm the pulpit, where they we're ftlgraatized as " heretics," and " daraned. fanatics." This malicious treatment was provoked only by their "diffentfromthe Church * Univerfal Theological Magazine, utaijte, p. 6j. 352 HISTORY OF TllE t. 111. " of England in forae praftices, which the moft *' learned confeffed had neither /r^«// nor precedent " in the word." It was more Criminal in the clergy to manifeft this conduft towards baptifts, becaufe they had never withheld from thera their dues ; but had paid thera their deraands as punftually as any others, and^ as they alleged, probably frora better principles. " For we confider," they pleaded, " that *' when we either hire or purchafe land, the tenth " is excepted, and Is therefore not ours. But yet it " Is alfo to be confidered, that tithes were not given " to raaintain mtti in drunkennefs, lording over, per- " fecuting, and ruining fuch as fear God, merely " becaufe they diffent frora thera In the things *' aforefaid; yet thus goes the bufinefs in thefe *'days; by which unreafonable praftices theyout- " do the falfe prophets who were of old, for they " prepared war againft thofe that did not put into " their mouths, but thefe devour thofe that labour " to maintain them." A concluding fentiracnt in this " Complamt" deferves, for its juftnefs and force, to be repeated. '«We believe," obferves Mr. Granthara in the narae of his fellow fufferers, •* and « are fure, that to perfecute is no mark of the true " church, but to fuffer perfecution is fo ; and that " religion is not worth proFcffing in tirae of peace, *• which is not worth owning in the time of the " greateft trouble."* Mr. Grantham, after this recent dlfchargCL frora gaol, again fuffered iraprifonraent feveral times ; and * Crofby, vol. iii. p. 84~8&. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTEftS. 353 continued to be very forely haraffed and oppreffed during the remainder of that infamous reign. About the end of it, or foon after Jaraes II. fucceeded to the throne, he reraoved from LIncolnfliire and fettled in the city of Norwich. This change of his refidence did not abate or dimi- niffi his aftivity and labours. He was ftill firm to the caufe for which he had fo long and feverely fuffered, and was unwearied in his exertions to pro mote it. He foon raifed and formed a church, in that city, on the principles of the general baptifts, which met at the White Friars' yard, and which ftill exifts.-j- He direfted his attention, with fimilar fuccefs, to the populous town of Yarmouth. In the year 1688, or 1689, he vifited, with the fame lau- t A grandfon of Mr. Grantham, Grantham Killingworth, efq} who died ,about the year 1779, left a confiderable part of his pro perty fur the 'fupport of the minifter at the White Friars' yard. He was a leading charafter among the baptifts, and the author of various theological; trafts; written with ability and judgment. He was particularly on the alert to feize the opportunities afforded by any controverfy .of his times, to graft on it arguments in de fence of his own views on the nature and fubjefts of baptifm. When the " Sermons againft Popery" were preached at Salters' Hall, he publiflied a^ tra^ entitled " A Supplement to the Sermons " lately preached at Salters' Hall againft Popery ; with a view to " (hew that, on the reafonings of the preachers, infant fprinkling "was iuother, great -corruption ofthe Chriftian religion." This pamphlet came to a fifth edition, in which other points, viz. Mr. Emlyn's Previous Queftion, &c. were difcuffed. On occafion ofthe controverfy with the author of " Chriftianity not founded on " Argument," Mr. Killingworth publifhed , ** Remarks on the " feveral Anfwers ito .ix ;" in which his aim was to turn the rea.- Ibnings of the authors, who were psedobaptifts, againft themfelves., See Bulkley's notes on the Bible, vOl. iii.' Life, p. 15, 16, note. A A 354i HISTORY OF THE C. Ill, dable views, the town of Lynn- Regis, at the other extremity of the county. He firft preached in the town-hall to a numerous and attentive auditory. The profpeft was fo favourable, that it encouraged a friend, Mr. James Marham, at whofe houfe he was entertained, to procure and fit up a convenient place of worffiip ; a church was gathered ; and Mr. Marhara was the firft paftor of it. Though the place was duly regiftered according to the direc tions and authority of the Aft of Toleration, which paffed juft as the building was completed, yet the minifter and hearers were haraffed bya profecution, on the Conventicle Aft, in 169 1. J The Revolution and the Aft of Toleration, though great bleffings to the nation, did not immediately effeft a change in the views and teraper of the mafs of the people. It required time for the violence of a perfecuting fpirit to fubfide, and for juft fentiments on religious liberty to take poffeffion of the public mind, and fpread their Influence to any confiderable extent. The malignity of old prejudices, againft the baptifts In particular, was foftened. In many places at leaft, very flowly and partially. Mr. Granthara con tinued to feel its effefts tiU the tirae of his death. The envenomed tongue of fcandal In particular em ployed Itfelf In vile calumnies and charges of grofs immoralities. Among thofe who traduced his cha rafter were Mr. Toathby, who had been a magiftrate, and took his rank in fociety as a gentleman and a clergyman ; and Mr. John Wlllet, the reftor of ? Univerfal Theological Magazine, ut ante, p. iii-ii». 0. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 355 Tatterffiall In LIncolnfliire. The latter had the effrontery and bafenefs to declare, in writing under his own fignature, " that he faw Mr. Grantham *' ftand in the pillory two hours, at Louth, for *' ftealing ffieep and hgrdles ; and that he faw him " hold up his hand at the bar." This falfehood was circulated both at Norwich and Yarmouth, and Mr. Grantham was induced to refer the matter to Thomas Blofield, efq; mayor of Norwich. The accufer, on being brought before this magiftrate, confeffed the abfolute falfehood of the charge which he had promulgated and figned ; and with cryings, and tears, and wringing of his hands, over and over implored Mr. Grantham's forgiveiiefs. The mayor, on Mr. Grantham's readily forgiving him, commanded, with expreffions of his ftrong abhor rence of the reftor's conduft, a record of the con feffion to be made out by the clerk, and to be figned and fealed by the calumniating clergyman:* who after this was done, as he had no money, would have been committed to prifon for charges, had not Mr. Grantham, on the true chriftian principle of rendering good for evil, given the officer of the court ten ffiillings to set his enemy at liberty. Mr. Grantham died on the 17th of Januaty, 1692, at the age of 58. Indecencies were threat ened to his corpfe, but they were happily prevented. Soon after his deceafe, a paper was publiffied and figned by eight friends, containing his dying words, * A copy of the Confeffion may be feen in Croft>y, vol. iii. p. 463. A A 2 * §56 HISTORY OE rHE C. III. addreffed to thera within two rainutes of his death, moftly in the language of fcripture ; expreffive of his fenfe of his approaching end ; of the teftlmony of his confcience as to the Integrity of his conduft, and of the difinterefted purity of his motives In preaching the gofpel ; of his affeftion to his friends, leaving with them his laft counfels in a ftrain of apoftolic admonitions, cafting his eyes back on his fufferings in being raade a feoff and a gazing-ftock to many people, cordially forgiving his enemies, and foliclting the prayers of his friends for their forgivenefs ; taking a final leave of thera with affec tion, devotion, and facred hope, "Friends," he began, *' I am in a very weak condition, and as this Is the '' fabbath with me, it wUl be the everlafting fab- " bath ; for now I am going off the ftage of thi^ " world." He concluded thus : "to be ffiort, X " muft leave you. Do not grieve or mourn for me ; " though I die, yet I ffiaU rife to glory, where I " defire we may all meet and fee one another's face " at the laft day, knowing one another, and rejoicing " in glory ; for I have conquered the infernal " enemy by thisfaith, and have made the way plain " and easy to me. And now I coramit you to the " grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift : and the love of '* God, and the communion of the Holy Ghoft, be *' with you aU. Amen."* Mr. Grantham, befides the treatifes already men tioned, wrote " The Psedobaptifts' Apology for the '* baptized churches." -The defign of the traft * Univerfal Theological Magazine, ut ante, p. iij, jx6. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTER,S. 357 was to ffiew, by quotations from the writings of pasdobaptifts, that the praftice of the baptifts, as to the mode and fubjeft of baptifm, was moft antient and apoftolical ; and that infant baptifm was a novelty. The deductions from thefe premifes were, that the fufferings Inflifted on the baptifts were no lefs a glory to them than a fliame to their perfecutors.* Report has reprefented Mr. Grantham as ac quainted with eight or nine languages. This is moft probably an exaggerated account of his attain ments. His grandfon, Mr. Granthara Killingworth, it appears, fpoke of him as able to write the Latin with confiderable eafe and correftnefs. His wri tings afford proofs of his having acquired forae proficiency Inthe learned languages: his polemical publications were thought to do credit to his abi lities, and to his acutenefs in the art of reafoning : though he himfelf, in the preface to " a Defence of " the Chriftian Religion againft human Invention " and pretended Revelations, dated frora the Caftlc " of Lincoln, loth Jan. 1663," apologized forthe defefts which might be difcovJred In his language and raethod, by pleading that " he got his bread by " the labour of his hands, and had never fainted " the fchools to gain the knowledge of their arts." That he poffeffed no fraall ffiare of literary attain. ments, of addrefs, and of weight of , charafter, is reafonably inferred, from his being frequently de legated to take an aftive and leading part in the * Croftiy, vol, iii. p. 90. 358 HISTORY OF THE C. IH. concerns ofthe general baptifts of that day, even in their applications to the throne ; when there was not a want of men of real learning, who had been educated at the univerfity. Mr. James Marham, whofe name occurs In the preceding Memoir, merits more particular notice, as a confpicuous and diftinguiffied perfon amongft the baptifts in Lincolnffiire and Norfolk. The time and place of his nativity are not afcertained. He feems to have coraraenced his appearance on the ftage of public life at Holbeach in Lincolnffiire, in 1681 or 1682. He was the firft of that clafs of diffenters in that place; and foon after his fettlemcnt in it, affemblies for religious worfliip were held in his houfe ; the original preachers were Mr. Samuel PhUlips, and Mr. WiUiam Rix; the firft was paftor of the church in Deadman's-lane in Wlftieach. In the reign of King James he was fetded in Wapool-bell, a town in Norfolk, where the people having never heard of the name of baptifts, called him '< an oudandiffi profeffor." Here he laid the foundation of a church of the baptift denoraination, ^hich now exifts ; a^d frora which originated another church, formed in Wifbeach. On the death of his wife, Mr. Marhara reraoved to'Lynn ; In this town, alfo, though on his fettlemcnt in it there was not another baptift there, he hired and furniffied a place for religious worffiip, and engaged the fervices of Mr. Grantham, and Mr. Long, a meffenger from the baptift churchc:. in London, whom he entertain(?d at his own houfp and table without any pecuniary C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 369 corapenfation for fome months ; and by thefe means raifed a church, of which he afterwards becarae hira felf the paftor. The confpicuous aftivity and zeal of this excellent man expofed hira to various fufferings. About three years before the death of Charles II. he was haraffed by profecutions from court to court, and carried from one juftice to another, for four weeks ; and though by his vigorous Interference he procured the liberation of his minifters, Mr. Rix and Mr. Phillips, he hirafelf fuffered Iraprifon- ment ; and a fine of feveral fcore pounds was levied on him, for having difturbed and broken the unifor mity of the religious profeffion of the town. After this his goods were diftrained. When he had lived three weeks at Wspool-beU, he w^^s coraraanded by the officers ofthe town to frequent the pariffi church, or to appear before the juftice and parfon of the pariffi Mr. Harbe. He complied with the latter re qulfition, and underwent an exaraination of four hours In the prefence of feveral gentlemen. This did not terminate to the fatisfaftion of the clerical examiner, and a time for another Inveftigatlon was fixed ; but on the Proclamation for liberty of cofh fcience, this enquiry was declined. At Lynn, new troubles awaited him. In July 1691, he with Others, as before noticed, were profecuted on the Conventicle Aft, though the place of meeting had been regiftered according to the Aft of Parliament, and their goods were feized by a levy granted againft him. He petitioned the judge Sir E — N — , at Nor- 560 HISTORY 0» THE 6. III. wich In September following, and was forced to •prefer the fame complaint to fome of the great council at the feffions of Parliament. After Parlia ment had rifen, he was profecuted on the fame grounds, and involved In troubles that threatened his ruin. In the following Odober, the informers againft him, affefting great remorfe, obtained from him a difcharge from their falfe information, by entering into bonds of an amicable tenor ; but they were bafe and daring enough after this aftually to feize his goods on the former levy. On this he was advifed to fue the bonds ; and the baptifts at London were folicited to unite In his fupport \s ith all poffible liberality and energy. It is to be re- gretted that no documents offer themfelves to throw light on the termination of this vexatious fuit, and further to elucidate the hiftory and charafter of this virtuous and confcientious fufferer ; to whpfe piety, zeal, and benevolence this Imperfeft detaU affords pleafing and affefting teftimonies.* Another charafter among the baptifts of thofe times, diftinguiffied by fome peculiar circumftances, was Mr. Edward J^orecock, a man of eminence, of great zeal and firmnefs, and much courted on King James's acceffion. He was born in January 1626 ; and died In Auguft 1 693. He was originally in the naval fervice ; and in the Proteftorate was captain of a man of war, when he was fliot in an * " A brief Relation ofthe remarkable" Services andTroubles that went before the prefent Trouble of our brother James Marham;" quoted in Univerfal Thepl. Mag. ut ante, p. 11 a, 8fc. npte, , C. in. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 36l engagement through the body with a mufquet ball. He made a handfome provifion for a faraily of nearly twenty children, by his fldll in fiffiing up fliipwrecks; efpecially by his recovering, after the Dutch war in 1672, ffiips funk in the river Medway, which had come fo clofe to Chatham as to throw raany of their ffiot into the town, one of which was found in Captain Morecock's garden. After this he en gaged in the paftoral care of a church in that place; and fo entirely devoted himfelf to its duties, that he declined very advantageous offers made to him, if he would undertake to recover wrecks at fea. His unblameable manners and obliging deportment gained him the efteem and affeftion cf the gentleraen in the nfelghbourhood, Infomuch that when any warrant was iffued for feizinghls perfon, — as he was haraffed by frequent warrants againft his body and goods, towards the end of King Charles the lid's, reign, — one of the juftices would privately fend his fervant to apprize him of it before the officers could execute it. On receiving the InteUigence, he ufually retired to the houfe of one of his daughters in Effex. He was, however, fined with monthly penalties for non- attendance at the pariffi church, till he was cxche- quered to the amount of 8 ool. His houfe was often plundered, and his goods were feized and carrlejl off. To fecure himfelf frora thefe ruinous depredations, on the ground of his nonconformity, he raade his fortune over to an intiraate friend ; who, afting on the principles of juftice and honour, reftored it when the danger was paft. One Bintont an informer 362 HISTORY OF THE C HI, againft him, often threatened that he would have him caft into prifon, and poffefs himfelf of his fur niture ; which he promifed to give to a lewd woman who attended hira. But Mr. Morecock, through a good Providence, always efcaped impri fonment, while many of his brethren fuffered by ir. On vifiting fome of them once In Rochefter gaol, he faw this Hinton confined in it ; upon which he accofted him, " I fee, friend, you have got hither " before me." This raan afterwards died raiferably, the fleffi rotting frora his bones. Lord Roper, a Roman Catholic, on the acceffion of James II. offered Mr. Morecock any poft that he would ac cept ; but he abfolutely refufed any comraiffion under that king, affigning to his friends as a reafon for his refufal, •* that the favours offered by him " to diffenters were defigned only to draw them " into a fnare ;" a reafon which did credit to his fagacity, judgment, and difinterefted principles. His firmnefs of conduft was at one time the occafion of a defign againft his life. Two witneffes were fub- orned to fwear that he had been an officer In Mon mouth's army; but by unexceptionable evidence he proved that he was in another place at the time th^t he was charged with being in the army,* Mr. John Miller, a native of HInton-Marton, in the county of Dorfet, defcended from parents who were In affluent circumftances ; a man of great piety, worth, and ufefulnefs ; deferves to be men tioned vyith refpeft. He was edueated by a Preftjy- * Croftjy, vol. iii. p. 109— ijz. C. II. PROTESTANT. DISSENTERS. 363 terian minifter ; but a ftudious and diligent enquiry in after life led him to embrace the opinions of the baptifts, and he was paftor of a congregation of this denomination at Mlnchinton, in the county in which he drew his firft breath. He died on the 14th of May 1694. His aftive labours as a preacher were not limited to his own congregation ; he travcUed from place to place, diffeminating the principles of religion, and planting feveral churches in agree ment with his ideas of chriftian truth. His non conformity and opinions e.xpofed him to fevere fufferings : he lay ten years in prifon, and very narrowly efcaped a prasmunlre. In the year pre ceding the death of Charles JI. he was haraffed by vexatious proceedings, and greatly injured in his property by extortions. A diftrefs was firft taken on his goods on the Three Week Aft : then he was apprehended and caft into prifon at Dorchefter ; at the fummer affizes he was indifted for eleven months non-conforming; and a neighbouring juftice, to fupr ply the deficiency of evidence againft him, fwore to the indiftment.: and though he pleaded that he had, contrary to the laws of England, fuffered already In two courts for that offence, he was fined 2 20I. At Michaelmas, poffeffion was taken of his affets by the bailiffs under the warrant of the mider-ffieriff, who feized and wafted between 4 and 500I. : and his eldeft fon was obliged to flee, in confequence of a warrant granted againft him for taking an account of the goods that were fold. He petitioned the King for redrefs ; not to procure the reftoration of his 364 HISTORY OF THE C III. goods, but only to fecure the corn that was left frora further depredation : he obtained, however, no other relief than what was implied in this imperious and infultory language, " I haVe nothing *' to fay to you ; you muft go home and conform." The virtuous fufferer went horae, but not to facri fice principle by conforraity : he fold his eftate, re tired, to a folitary place, rented a fraall farm, and ^ent his remaining days In quiet. There was one occtirrence in the life of Mr. Miller, which Indi cates that though he was the mark of perfecuting malignity, his talents and charafter coraraanded re fpeft ; and, in fuch tiraes, it was peculiarly honour able to the clergyraen who were parties In it. This was a difputation, after liberty of confcience was granted, held with Dr. Beach and four other rainif ters of the eftabliffied church, the time and place having been firft publiffied in three market-towns. The fubjefts of difputation were the confonance of their baptifm, church, and miniftry with the feriptures ; and the charges of fchifm againft Mr. MUler and his adherents. The queftions concern ing baptifm came firft under difcuffion. The clerical gentlemen were fo impreffed with Mr. Miller's ar guments, that no reply was raade, except that Dr. Beach Ingenuoufly confeffed that the point was difficult; and they waved entering into" the other queftions. On withdrawing to another houfe they fent for their opponent, received him with polltenefs and refpeft, apologized for having troubled hira, and affured hira that they would never difpute the C. 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 365 point with the baptifts again ; and thus they fepa rated with expreffions of good-will and friendffiip.* With the preceding names of thofe who, by thdr abilities, zeal, and charafters, did credit to the deno mination of diffenters of which we are fpeaking, may be enrolled Mr. George Hammon, paftor of a congregation at BIddcnden, in the county of Kent, the author of feveral publications fuitable to the theological controverfies and religious tafte of the age. He was aftive in vindicating what appeared the truth to his own mind on all occafions, eminent for his minifterial exertions, and marked by the perfecutions which he fuffered. He died at Hafle- den's Wood, in, the pariffi of Cranbrook. In conneftion with him raay be raentioned Mr. Richard Hobbs, paftor of a congregation at Dover : diftin guiffied by his piety and worth, and by his fuffer ings for religion. His ferioufnefs and piety fpoke fo ftrongly In his favour, that when he was a pri foner in Dover, he was now and then allowed to go from his prifon. In his confinement he addreffed a letter to Dr. Hind, propofing for folutlon, In a modeft and candid m.anner, two queries grounded on the feriptures. One was, whether the baptifm prac- tifed in the church was not at variance with the direftlons of the feriptures, In the adminiftrator, fubjeft, and adminiftration ? The other was, whe ther the church, by forcing all into it as communi cants, however finful and impious, did not pervert the gofpel, overthrow the way ofthe new covenant, * Crofby, vol. ilL p. i»i — 1x4. 366 HtSTORY OF THE C. llf. and give ground for pious and confcientious men to queftion the divine authority of its worffiip ? Dr. Hind, inftead of replying to thefe queries, inftlgated the magiftrates to deprive him of the indulgence which he had received, ahd to enjoin an unrelaxed confineraent. " Thefe proceedings," Mr. Hobbs obferved, " bore a great likenefs to thofe beyond " the feas, at Rome <; where^ if any do but queftion " the truth of their worffiip. It Is an hundred to one " If they have not the Inqulfition for their pains. *' Doubtlefs fuch kind of proceedings do found more " Kke the Pope's anathemas, than In the leaft favour " of a proteftant fpirit."* It is a juft tribute of refpeft to yitegrity and forti tude to mention the names of others who were great fufferers for nonconformity. Mr. Tidmarffi, a baptift minifter at Oxford, a man gready efteemed j Mr. John Amory, a man of good literary attain ments, of Wrington, in Somerfetfliire ; Mr. Thomas Burgefs, paftor of a church at Taunton ; Mr. James Hind, of Langport, and rainifter at Kinffiury ; Mr. Williara Richards, who preached at Draycott ; Mr, Peter Coles, of Downton, near Sarura ; Mr. Walter Penn, paftor of a church In Sarum ; Mr. John Kingman, of Burford, near that city ; Mr. John Sanger, a fchoolmafter and minifter at Down- ton ; Mr. Roger Applin, of EUerton, and paftor of a congregation at Whitechurch; Mr. John Tred- weU, a ferious and ufeful preacher, and a man of unblemiffied manners; Mr. Francis Stanley, of • Croftjy, vol. iii. p. 103, 104. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 367 Northamptonffiire, noted for his piety and zeal j Mr. John Grauden, of Cocket, near Towcefter ; Mr. John Stanton, of Bliffworth ; Mr. Stephen Curtis, a native of Harringworth, In Northampton fliire, and a very ufeful minifter in that place ; Mr. Jofeph Slater, Mr. William Stanger, and Mr. Robt. Bringhurft, who fled from the country to efcape iraprifonraent ; Mr. Benjamin Morley, of Ramf- thorp ; Mr. John reas, of Eaft-Haddon ; Mr. WiUiam Smith, Mr. Williara BUffe, of Wclftonj Mr. John Gilby, of Long-Bugby, In Northamp- ffiire; fuffered imprlfonraent, and were defpoUed of their goods by diftreffes, or almoft ruined by heavy fines and charges. Mr. James Wilmot, a minifter at Hooknorton, Oxfordfliire, befides being confined twice In the prifon of Oxford, and fuftaining loffes by diftreffes and fines ; when he was releafed from the gaol In Whitney, was excoramunicated, and was obliged to abfcond, in order to efcape the writs which were iffued out againft him. In fome Inftances the fufferings of thefe confcientious profeffors were aggravated by the fraudulent praftices of their per fecutors, who feized their goods under falfe warrants. This art was pradllfed, In November 1682, againft Mr. Samuel Taverner, who was born at Romford in Effex in July 1621. He was originally an officer In the army ; afterwards governor of Deal Caftle. He embraced the principles of the baptifts, on being led to entertain their views by his converfation with Dr. Prefcot, paftor of the church at Dover; and was baptifed at Sandwich, 13th April 1663. He was 368 HISTORY OF THE C HI. ordained elder of the church at Dover on 13th Oftober 1681. He fuffered much for adherence to his religious profeffion ; and died on the 4th Auguft 1696, In the 75th year of his age, having obtained celebrity for piety and ufefulnefs. The feverity of the jailor, at times, denied the imprlfoned the confolation of any aft of fecial devotion among themfelves ; at Oxford they were not permitted to pray together ; and even the ufual expreffion of piety at their raeals was interrupted by the entrance cf the jailor in a rage, and by his taunting enquiry, ^' What are you preaching over your meal ?'* The hiftory of thefe pious fufferers affords examples of the death of perfecutors, which were fo circura- ftanced as to raark a great depravity of charafter^ and the bafe principles by which the men were actuated ; though it belong not to men, who arc incompetent judges of the ways of Providence, deci dedly to pronounce them divine judgments. Mr, Richard Farmer, minifter at Kibley in Lelcefter- ffiire, an hard ftudent, and a very affecting preacher, by a warrant to feize his goods, loft In one year 1 20L One of the informers againft him, who boafted on a Chriftmas, at Trinkley market, of his proceedings againft him, and declared exultingly that before Candlemas he ftiould by informations raake a good portion for his daughter, was thrown frora his horfe as he was riding home over a boggy place,, where there was a little brook, and drowned in a quantity- of water not deep enough to cover his body. Another informer, foon after he had fworn againft C 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 369 Mr. Farmer, died of a fwoln tongue, without being fufpected of having taken a falfe oath.* If the charafters which have paffed under our review be not tranfmitted down to our times as having enlarged the bounds of fcience, nor as having diftinguiflied themfelves in the walks of criticifm or philofophy ; yet by their religious integrity, and by their zeal and fortitude, they gained the refpeft of the feft to which ihey confcientioufly adhered, and the Interefts of which they were aftive in promoting. In the hiftory of that feet, though it be a clrcura- fcribed theatre of fame, they have a claira to ho nourable raention. The hardffiips,_ loffes, and fuf ferings, which they experienced in the caufe that they efpoufed, hold forth Inftructlve warnings to future times of the malignity of an intolerant and perfecuting fpirit among proteftants ; and fliew us with what a flow progrefs, and partial operation of better principles, that fpirit had declined among the mafs of thofe who were diffidents from the church of Rome, though an hundred and fifty years had elapfed fince the feparation of England from that ecclefiaftical tyranny. §.4. Of the fakers. THIS coraraunity of Chriftians had, during the period preceding the Revolution, fraarted under the fevereft ftrokes of the rod of perfecution. Wheii, after this event, the Aft of Toleration was * Croiby, vol. iii. p. na, 118, ia4— 1»8. B B 370 HISTORY OF THE C 111. paffed, with a defign, at once politic and generous, to unite the proteftants ofthe different denominations in an attachment to the new government, againft the adherents to popery and the excluded royal race ; yet fome were adverfe to the extenfion of its bene fits, fo as to Include the Quakers under its propitious Influence. *' The quakers," It was declared in the Houfe, " were no Chriftians." Some members of - this fociety, who attended the Parliaraent to watch the progrefs of the bill, and to ufe their endeavours that it might pafs In fuch terms as might yield an effeftual relief to their own body, found it clogged with a confeffion, as a teft upon the diffenters, which carried on its face a defign to exclude them : and thtf apprehended that It was Inferted on the prefumption that they diflbelieved the Trinity and denied the Scriptures, and would therefore fcruple to accede to it* If the principle on which this claufe was formed, betrayed Ignorance of the fentiments of the quakers. It muft be owned to have reflefted credit on their fincerity and fortitude ; Implying a perfuafion that they would not, through fear of fuf fering, be betrayed into prevarication and falfehood. The article propofed to be inferted in the bill was this : " I A. B. do profefs faitii In God the Father, " and in Jefus Chrift his eternal Son, the true God, " and in the Holy Spirit, coequal with the Father and " his Son,one God bleffed for ever : And do acknow- " ledge the Holy Scriptures ofthe Old and New Tef- " tameiit to be the revealed wiU and word of God." The Friends who itttended the Parliament objefted. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 371 on feveral grounds, to this confeffion. One was this: that iheTphnfethewordofGod, being applied to the books or writings of the Old and New Teftaraent, had a fenfe given It different frora that In which the feriptures themfelves ufe it, viz. " the word that " was frora the beginning, that was with God, and " that was God." A more enlarged principle of objeftion to it was, that they did not-efteera thera felves obliged to receive for doftrine the invented terms or commandraents of men ; though they were ready to teftify their faith in the Trinity, and in the feriptures, according to fcripture teftimony. At the advice of Sir Thomas Clarges and other Members of the Houfe, who were friendly to them, they pro pofed a profeffion drawn up in the following terms : " I A. B. profefs faith in God the Father, " and In Jefus Chrift his eternal Son, the true God, " and in the Holy Spirit, one God bleffed for ever: *' And do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the " Old and New Teftament to be given by divine " Infpiration." It may efcape the penetration of fome to difcern any material difference between thefe two forraularies of faith, or to exculpate the latter, any raore than the propofed forra, from the imputa tion of being exhibited In the invented terras or^ coramandments of men. But It was a forra of their own drawing up, and fatisfied the fcruples of their minds. Sir Thomas Clarges prefented it to the Houfe; and moved. In a Committee of the whole Houfe, that this profeffion of faith ffiould be ad mitted and fubftituted for the former. The mem- B B 2 372 HISTORY OF THE C III. bers of the Society of Friends who were In waiting, viz. Mr. George Whitehead, Mr. John Vaughton, Mr. Wm. Mead, and Mr. John Ofgood, were called in and exarained. Their anfwers gave the Houfe fuch fatisfaftion as to their beUef in thofe points cora- prehended in the formulary, as fecured the end of their attendance, and obtained the relief which they folicited ; for their propofed profeffion was incor porated into the Aft of Toleration : Whereas it enjoined and required from the minifters and preachers, from aU in holy orders, or pretended holy orders, among the other denominations of diffenters, an approbation of and fubfcription to the thirty-nine articles, except the 34th, 35th, and 36th, and a claufe in the 20th ; and, in indulgence to thofe who fcruple the baptizing of infants, that part of the 27tli article, which teaches Infant baptifm. In another inftance this Aft of Toleration was modelled with a peculiar and tender regard to the fcrupulofity of the Society of Friends. They, it is wcU known, entertain a confcientious fcruple againft taking any oath : in the room, therefore, of the oaths mentioned in the Aft, and required of other diffenters, as a condition of their title to the benefit of It, the people called Quakers were allowed, as the term of their claim to the advantages of it, to fub fcribe the following declaration only, viz. " I A. B. do fincerely promife and folemnly " declare, before God and the world, that I will be -"true and faithful to King WiUiam and Queen " Mary. And I folemnly profefs and declare, that C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 373 " I do from ray heart abhor, deteft, and renounce, *• as Impious and heretical, that damnable doftrine " and pofition, that princes excommunicated, or " deprived by the Pope, or any authority of the " fee of Rome, may be depofed or raurdered by " their fubjefts or any other whatfoever. And I " do declare that no foreign prince, perfon, prelate, " ftate, or potentate, hath or ought to have any *' power, jurlfdiftion, fuperiority, preerainence, or au- ** thority, ecclefiaftical orfpiritual, within this realm." The regulations which the Aft of Toleradon ad mitted in favour of this feft did honour to the legiflature of the day ; and to the religious coramu- nity, to whofe peculiar mode of thinking they were adapted. They Indicated in the forraer a mild and equitable temper ; and they Implied that there were traits of charafter in the latter which entitled thera to refpeft, to comraiferation under their fufferings, and to fecurity for the future. It may be inferred from thofe partial mitigations, had the other dif fenters of. that day entertained the more juft and enlarged views of later times on the fubjeft of re ligious liberty, the Aft of Toleration would have been forraed on a more liberal plan. The legifla- lature feems to have been diftinguiffied more by a mild and yielding temper, than by correft ideas or comprehenfive views. In one inftance the Toleration Aft was marked by a rigorous fpirit towards even the Society of Friends. It provided, by an exprefs claufe, " that nothing •' contained in it ffiould be conftrued to exempt any 374 HISTORY OF THE C III. *' of the perfons aforefaid, frora paying of tithes " and other parochial duties to the church or " minifter, nor from any profecution in any ec- " clefiaftical court or elfewhere for the fame." " Although," obferves the hiftorian of this feft, " the king was principled againft perfecution, " yet this exemption was out of his power .to " grant, being prevented by the coronation oath. *' Many of the profecutions for thefe demands evi- " deufe that the fpirit of perfecution furvived the *' A6^ of Toleration, by the fevere and oppreffive " methods adopted by many claimants of tithes for *' the recovery of their demands."* In 1695, many Friends were caft into prifon, and fevere proceedings were coraraenced againft others, fpr the non-payraent of thofe demands. Sorae alfo were long detained in prifon on the charge of con terapt of the Courts. It was determined, under thefe circumftances, to draw up and prefent to the king a ffate of their cafe. This paper profeifed their peace able and quiet principles and deportment ; It repre fented that they were under deep fufferings. In their perfons and eftates, by tedious imprifonments, feizures, and fequeftrations ; that feveral members of their fociety had died in prifons ; that many more were under profecution In England and Wales, to the ruin of many farailies, chiefly on charges of contempt for not anfwering upon oath, In cafes of tithes, when fued in the exchequer or cccle- < • Gough's Hiftory of tbe People called Quakers, vol. iii, p. »3»— 236. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 375 fiaftical courts, where the procefs was carried to ex communication. It exhibited, as a plea for the royal interference to relieve their fufferings, various in ftances, in which, under the preceding reigns, the great feverities inflifted upon them had been mitigated or redreffed by the exercife of regal influence or prero gative ; — In 1 66 1, by King Charles lid's proclamation of grace, which releafed many from prifon ; In 1672, by his letters patent or pardon, purfuant to his declaration of indulgence to tender confciences ; in the 25th year of the reign of that king, by an Aft of Parliament granting his Majefty's moft gra cious and general pardon of contempts againft the king; in 1685 and 1688, by divers commiffions and two general proclamations of pardon, Iffued by King James II. ; in the fecond year of King William and Queen Mary by an aft of gracious, general, and free pardon ; by the queen. In releafing a poor Innocent woman from a long iraprifonraent on a fine In the gaol of Lancafter, in the king's abfence; and by the favourable Inclination the king had ffiewn to releafe two prifoners in Weftmoreland, on a petition lately prefented to hira. The addrefs concluded with foliclting the king, by proclamation or other- wife, as feemed moft meet and convenient to his wifdom and clcraency, to extend his compaffion to the fufferers of that day, for their lawful relief frora their confinements, prifons. and hardffilps. This cafe and petition were prefented to the king by Meffrs. George Whitehead, Gilbert Latey^ Thoraas Lower, John Taylor, and Daniel Quare ; 3/6 HISTORY OF THE C III. the laft perfon was known to his Majefty, had ready accefs to hira, and obtained his perraiffion to Intro duce the others. The king gave them audience, unattended. In a private apartment. He enquired to what places they belonged, and of what congre gations they were rainifters ? This gave Mr. White head an opportunity of explaining the nature of that office, as it was exercifed in-their fociety ; and of informing his Majefty that It did not imply a per manent conneftion with a particular congregation, but confifted in vifiting, as the Lord inclined them, the meetings of friends, without receiving any ftipend. The king made no reply, but feemed very ferious, and fatisfied with the anfwer. A copy of the petition was delivered by Meffrs. George White head and Gilbert Latey, with the royal approba tion, to the lord keeper, Somers ; who received It gracioufly, and affured them of his readinefs, as far as the law would adrait, to coraply with their re queft ; affuring them that the king and hirafelf were really in their principles favourable to liberty of confcience. The pleafing refult of this application to the throne was, that in a ffiort tirae after an Aftof Grace was paffed, and about forty friends were dif charged frora prifon and reftored to liberty.* The indulgent claufe in the Aft of Toleration which admitted the people called Quakers to the be nefits of that ftatute, on their declaration, Inftead of an oath, did not enter into any other Afts which re quired an oath. Their principle not tq fwear, not * Gough, vol. iii, p. 366-^399, cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 37'?' to make or take oaths, expofed them for a refufal in many of the tranfaftions of life to great inconve niences and fufferings in perfon and eftate ; difabled them frora receiving their juft debts, or defending their juft claims and property ; precluded their giving evidence in the courts of judicature, or an fwers in chancery or exchequer ; was a bar to their proving wills and tcftaraents, or taking out letters of adminiftration ; prevented, their commer cial tranfaftions at the Cuftora-houfe, and fervices; in raanorial courts ; deprived them of the ufe of their franchife in the eleftion of magiftrates and Members of Parliament ; and was the ground of denying to their young men, who had even faith fully ferved their apprenticeffiips, their freedom in cities and boroughs. Thefe were ferious evils, and expofed them to unjuft and vexatious fuits. On thefe grounds they petitioned the Houfe of Cora:- mons, in 1695, ^°^ leave to bring in a bill that their folemn affirmation or denial might be accepted inftead of an oath ; fubmitting that whofoever In this cafe ffiould be convifted of faUifying the truth, ffiould undergo like pains and penalties as in law and juftice are due unto perjured perfons. A eoraraittee was chofen at the meeting for fu£» ferings in London to carry this bill into Parliament with effeft. 7'hey folicited the members in favour of It by perfonal applications ; and left- with them copies of the petition, and a ftatement of their prin ciples and fufferings on the grounds of confcientious fcruple againft violating the comraand of Chrift, 378 HISTORY OF THE C. HI. *• Swear not at aU," which they underftood to be a pofitive prohibition. Some weeks were fpent In thefe previous fteps to furnifli the members with a clear knowledge of the nature of the cafe, and to avoid an abrupt and hafty Introduftion of the peti tion Into the houfe. Having prepared the minds of the raerabers for a reception of It, they applied to Edraund Waller, efq; the fon of the poet of that name, to prefent It»to the houfe, an office which he cheerfully undertook to do ; and when he moved the reading of it, and afked for leave to bring In a bill formed on the principle ef It, the motion was carried by a great majority, and leave accordingly was given. The patrons ofthe bill, who were aftive In proraoting it, were of opinion, that to give a folemnity to the atteftation in the courts of juftice, and to' render It what Parliament might reafonably require. It was neceffary to Introduce Into the affirmation forae ex plicit and facred expreffions refpefting the omnif- clence of God, as "I A.B. do declare, in the "prefence of Almighty God." The friends of the eoraraittee wiffied to have their fimple affirma tion or negation accepted, without any appeal to the Divine Being ; but In deference to the opinion of thofe who advocated their caufe, they thought it more eligible to acquiefce, than to rifle the lofmg of the bill. In this form it paffed the Houfe of Comraons. To facilitate the carrying of the bill through the Houfe of Lords, their cafe was reprinted and en larged, and Uluftrated by reference to the cafe of the Menonifts in HoUand; who, fince the year 1577, C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 379 had been fo far indulged, that their yea and nay were admitted inftead of an oath, fubjeft, in cafe of falfifying, to the fame penalties as perjury. Though King William had aimed to fupply the vacant fees with raen of diftinguiffied moderation, fome biffiops of the old caft ftill had feats In the Houfe of Lords. Thefe endeavoured to fruftrate the application of the Friends. They propofed, inftead of the affirmation as It came from the Commons, that more folemn affeverations ffiould be adopted, viz. '• I cpU God " to witnefs and judge, &c. ;" " I call God to " record on ray foul, and appeal to God as a judge ' * of the truth of what I fay, &c." The eoraraittee properly remarked, that thefe propofed forms of expreffions, in which the facred name of God, as a judge or avenger, was introduced, conftltuted a new oath ; the impofition of which would manifeftly defeat the end of their pqtitlon to be freed from all oaths as contrary to their confcientious perfuafion. The temporal peers, who had taken their fentiments on this fubjeft, returned Into the houfe, and renewed the debate on the bill, and brought the biffiops to concur in another amendment, viz. to add after the word God, thefe words, the witnefs of the truth. Having carried this point, they reported It to the Friends, and earneftly perfuaded thera to acquiefce In the infertlon of this additional claufe, rather than lofe the bill. Finding that they could do no better, it was agreed to leave the matter to the difcretion of the temporal peers who efpoufed their caufe. So the bill was finally paffed, with an afiirmatlon In 380 HISTORY OF THE C. III. this form, — " I A. B. do declare in the prefence of *' Almighty God, the witnefs of the truth of «' what I fay." A claufe was introduced Into this Aft relative to the exaftment of tithes, empowering two juftices of the peace, on the complaint of any parfon, vicar, farmer, or proprietor of tithes, or colleftors of tithes, that any quaker had refufed to pay or cora- pound for the farae, or to pay any church-rates, to convene before them fuch quaker or quakers, and to examine and afcertain on oath what is due or payable on oath by fuch quaker or quakers to the party or parties complaining ; and by order under their hands and feals to direft and appoint the pay ment thereof, if the fum does not exceed ten pounds; or to levy the m.oney, thereby ordered to be paid, by diftrefs or fale of goods ; allowing, however, an appeal frora the fentence and proceedings of fuch two juftices tothe next general quarter-feffions. This Aft was In force for feven years only; but at the expiration of that terra it was renewed for eleven years longer ; and in the year 1 7 1 3 it was made perpetual. The terms of the affirmation ftill created uneafinefs in the rainds of many friends, who had confcientious fcruples about the ufe of thera; as, in their opinion, too nearly approaching the nature of an oath, by reafon of an Implied appeal to God. A petition was prefented to Parliament for another amendment of it in 1721, and the prayer of It was granted.* * Cough's Hiftory, vol. iii, p. 401—41 j. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 381 While the fcruples and grievances of the Society of Friends raet with a candid attention and a liberal redrefs In thefe points, they were threatened with the operation of a new penal law. Dr. Henry Corapton, the biffiop of London, brought a bill Into the Houfe of Lords, and gave it his warra fupport, for the better payraent of church-rates, fmall tithes, and other church dues : It was raeant to extend the penalties of the Aft of 32 Henry VIII. for the reco very of predial tithes and fmall tithes, repairs of the places of public worffiip, clerks' wages, and fextons' fees. By the operation of this Aft, a perfon raight be fubjeft, for a triffing deraand, of perhaps lefs than a ffiilling-, to the expence of a fuit In the ec clefiaftical courts ; and. In cafe he did not obey the monition of the judge by paying the demand and cofts, to an attachment and a coraraltment to prifon without bail or malnprize: with this addition, that it gave the juftices power to grant warrants to dif- tralfi the goods of the defendants in fuch caufes, or imprlfon, If no diftrefs could be found. A bill fo threatening and fevere naturally awakened the attention ofthe meeting for fufferings in London. A copy of the bill was procured; and exceptions to it were prepared, to ffiew Its repugnancy to comraon law and juftice, and to reprefent Its Injurious afpeft on the rights and property of the fubjeft. When the day appointed for a committee of the Lords to fit upon it arrived, fome of the friends In London were admhted to an audience. ' The Biffiop of London, as chairman, interrogated them on the 382 HISTORY OF THE C III. grounds of their objeftions to it. Mr. Whitehead replied, that the reafon affigned In the Aft of 1 7 Charles I. for aboliffiing the ftar-chamber and high commiffion courts, he conceived, with fubmiffion, applied to the pending bill ; as giving abfolute power to the ecclefiaftical courts, their judges and ordinaries, to pafs definitive fentence without appeal, and conveying to them the power of becoming ar bitrary and oppreffive. The temporal peers eon dufted the conference with great cIvUity and kindnefs: after much difcourfe, the biffiop aflced If they had any exceptions to offer in writing. He was anfwered In the affirmative, and a ftatement of their exceptions was produced. The general reafon againft it, offered by Mr. Whitehead, was more fully reprefented, and the application of It to particular parts of the bill minutely exhibited. Special objeftions were alleged againft the feverity of the bill in not admitting or providing for the party cited any legal excufe. In cafe of^abfence on a long journey, or being prevented frora appearing by occafions of emergency; and againft the indifcrlminate equality of the penalties which it enafted. It was urged, that It exceeded In feverity the ftatute 32 Henry VIII. c. 7, and invefted the ecclefiaftical courts with a greater and more abfolute power. Thefe reprefentations had thelt effeft. The bill was laid afide.* When, after the treaty of peace concluded at Ryf wick in 1697, addreffes of congratulation were pre fented to the king, frora many quarters, and by other * Gough's Hiftory, vol. iii, p. 410—414. C HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 383 focieties of proteftants, this fociety refpeftfully and gratefully adverted. In their addrefs, to the liberty of confcience granted to his fubjefts of different perfua fions, and efpecially to their own large participation of his favours, which " they efteeraed It their duty '• gratefully to commemorate and acknowledge, ear- " neftly befeeching Almighty God to affift him to " profecute all fuch his juft and good intentions; that " his days here might be happy and peaceable; and " he might hereafter partake of a lafting (irown *' that would never fade away.*'* The Aft of Toleration, even in the more benign afpeft which it affumed towards this people, though it reftrained, was not, inftantly, efficient enough to fupprefs the fpirit of perfecution. They did not long enjoy the pacific advantages of that Aft without moleftation. In 1698, forae clergyraen of Norfolk, at the Inftigation of one who had left the fociety, challenged fome friends In the neighbourhood, and others in London, to a public meeting In the pariffi church of Weft-Derehara ; at which they endea voured to draw, from many books written by fome of the fociety, with which they had been furniffied, conclufions injurious to that coraraunity. They were foiled In this atterapt. Difappointed in their hopes from a verbal controverfy, they had recourfe to the prefs ; and publiffied two calumniating trafts, in which they reprefented the raerabers of the fociety as feditious, and their principles as hlafpheraous : and to prepare the way for further attempts againft • Gough's Hiftory, vol. iii. p. 416. 384 HISTORY OF THE C-IIl. the fecurity and peace of this fociety, they prefented thefe trafts to the members of Pariiament. Mr. George Whitehead was aftive in preparing anfwers to thefe pamphlets, both to deteft their ungenerous airas, and to refute their Injurious and acrlraonlous affertions. In the mean time Mr. Williara Penn' drew up, printed, and circulated among the members, a brief and manly reraonftrance againft the afperfions and conduft of the clergy; expreffing not "a fur- " prize at being evilly intreated, but a juft expcc- *' tation, that if confcience prevailed more than con- " tention, and charity over-ruled prejudice, they " might hope for fairer quarter than from their " adverfaries." Neither affiamed nor overawed by this reraonftrance, the clergy and their abettors pro ceeded in their defign, and prefented to the Houfe of Comraons a petition againft the Society of Friends, replete with general inveftives. They expreffed their refentment at the daUy increafe of the Quakers, and the mischiefs and dangers which this increafe threat ened ro the nation: they affefted to fufpeft their teachers of being Romifh emiffaries in difguife ; whom ihey charged with ^boldly fpreading their venomous doftrines every where under pretenfions to a divine iufpiratlon; and they profeffed to be alarmed at the tendency of their blasphemous books and pernicious principles, as tending to fubvert the fundamentals of chriftianity, and to undermine the civil government. The prayer of the petition was, " that the princl- " pics and praftices of this people might be ftriftly " examined, and cenfured, and fuppreffed, as to the C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 3S5 *' wifdom of the Houfe might feem expedient, with *• whatfoever tendernefs to their perfons and eftates." As if, truly, penal ftaiutes, deftroying the liberty and ruining the eftates of men, could confift with much tendernefs and levity ; as if imprifonment and fines were meafures of mildnefs. Two clergymen, Mr. John Meriton and Mr. L. Topcliff, attended at the Houfe tofolicit fome Mem bers to introduce this petition. A copy of it had been procured by the aftive partizans of the fociety, who ffiewed it to feveral Members of Parliaraent ; and pointed out its direft tendency to make void the Aft of Toleration, and to fuperfede the liberty of confcience granted by the government. The times were now changed, and more liberal fentiments were adopted in refpeft to religious liberty, than had pre vailed in former reigns. The members of Parlia ment deterrained to fet their faces againft a petition, the malignant confequences of which were at firft obvious. The reprefentatives of the county, into whofe hands it had been put, were indeed brought into a dileraraa ; under the profpeft of difobliging the clergy and their adherents, or of afting contrary to their own judgment, and the general fentiments of the Houfe. On mature deliberation they declined moving it on a petition, which they were fenfible would be immediately rejefted. This conduft, how ever, though at once wife and liberal, did not dif courage the corporation of St. Edmundffiury, in Suffolk, from bringing forward another petition of the fame fpirit and tendency. It reprefented that c c 386 HISTORY OF THE C III. no ancient herefies had ever been fo formidable in their rife and progrefs as was that of the quakers ; who. It ftated, were " in their clandeftine conftitu- " tion oppofite to the eftabliffied policy; in their '' principles of faith, antichriftlan ; of government, " antimonarchlcal ; In points of doftrlne, anti- " fcriptural ; and in praftices, as to their monthly, " quarterly, and yearly meetings, Ulegal." This petition, after the rejeftion of that from Norfolk, was foon difpofed of. The members for Suffolk, who had declared their averfion from the principles of that application to the Houfe, would not violate their own judgment and confiftency of charafter fo far as to Introduce this ; and to the mortification of thofe magiftrates who, during the exiftence of the penal laws, had fignalized their promptitude to per fecution, this atterapt to regain the power of haraffing their Innocent fellow-fubjefts was defeated by the fuppreffion of their petition.* The laft aft ofthe general body of the Society of Friends in this period of their hiftory was an ad drefs to the throne. After the Parliaraent had fettled the fucceffion to the crown in Sophia the Eleftrefs of Hanover and her heirs, and while King WUliam was in Holland, the fuperfeded monarch, James II. died on the 17th September 1700, at the palace of Germain's In France ; and his fon, by order of the French fovereign, v/as proclaimed King of the Britiffi. This raeafure of the French court roufed the general Indignation of the Engliffi ; and * Gbugh, p. 418—413. C. 111. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 387 on the king's return from the Continent addreffes were fent from aU quarters, expreffive of gratitude for the revolution, and of loyalty to him and to the houfe of Hanover. The Society of Friends, who heretofore had been conftrained to lay before the throne complaints of grievances, were ready on this occafion, with a lively fenfe of the liberty and favour which they enjoyed, to approach It with warm fentiments of duty and gratitude in an addrefs, prefented by their refpeftable members George Whitehead, WiUiam Mead, and Francis Camfield, to " a prince whora they believed God had pro- *' raoted and principled for the good ends of ** governraent ; whom God by his alraighty power *' had eminently preferved, and made exeraplary in *' prudence as weU as goodnefs to other kings and *' princes, whereby his memorial would be re- " nowned to pofterity." Their addrefs was favour ably received by the king, who In anfwer replied, " 1 have protefted you, and ffiaU proteft you :" and on a perufal of It In his clofet, it Was under ftood that he expreffed his particular approbation. It was forae years before it appeared in the Gazette; and fuch was the fpirit of the times, that advantage was taken pf this delay to deceive the public by a ridiculous fabrication, publiffied in fome of the newf- papers, as their addrefs. In which they were repre fented as ufing expreffions fo blunt and unmannerly as befpoke audacity and Infolence rather than tfie honeft fimplicity of this fociety. Such reprefenta tions ferved to gratify fpleen, /and to make an im- c c a 388 HISTORY OF THE C 111* prcffion on prejudiced minds ; though the forgery was foon detefted by the publication of the real addrefs.* Some charafters which appeared during thefe times in this community, have received from the pen of its hiflxirian a particular tribute of refpeft. Araong thefe was Alexander Parker, born near Bolton In Lancaffiire, who, at an early period of his life, era- braced the principles of this people, and becarae an eminent minifter among them. He was the compa nion of George Fox, when he was fent up by Colonel Hacket to Oliver Cromwell ; and travelled with him on various journles, in different parts of England, in Scotland, and itito Holland, in 1684. *' He was one In the number of the worthies of that ' * age who were given op to the fervice of their " Maker, and to the promoting of pure religion *• and the praftice of piety, as the principal purpofe "of their lives." With this view he took many journles by himfelf In the exercife of his miniftry. He feveral tiraes fuffered by Imprifonment and fines. The laft twenty years of his life he refided in Lon don, and was very ferviceable with others in folici- tations to government for the relief of their friends under fufferings; for which offices the comelinefs of his perfon and deportraent particularly qualified him. He was the author of feveral treatifes and epiftles to the fociety ; and concluded his aftive and benevolent exertions and well-fpent life with great peace on the 9th of March 1688 — g.f * Gough, p.4i5— 4jS. t Gough, p. as?-*.. . C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 389 Another meraber of the Society of Friends at this period, who diftinguiffied himfelf by his virtues and labours, was Mr. Robert Lodge, a frequent com panion of Mr. John Burnyeat in his rainiftry and journles In Ireland, He was born about the year 1636, at Maffiam In Yorkffiire, In which place he afterwards refided. In his youth his raind had a ftrong tinfture of religion, and his underftanding was opened to behold it under fuch views of Its purity and refinement, before he had heard of the people called quakers, that in freqnent cpnverfations •which be had with the clergy, he difcovered appre henfions of its nature fuperior to thofe which were entertained by them. On the appearance of fome raerabers of that fociety In his neighbourhood, about the year 1654, he embraced their fentiments in the eighteenth year of his age. He was after wards looked on as poffeffing eminent gifts for the miniftry, and travelled in the exercife of It through different parts of England and Ireland ; and was inftruraental to awaken in many ferious confideration of their ways, and religious defires after the attain ment of peace and future happinefs. He was twice imprlfoned; once at York i66q, and again at Wakefield in 1665. ' He died on the 7th of July 1690, with a ferenity of mind which fupported hira above the fear of death, like one falling into an eafy fleep. His laft words were ^' Bleffed be Gqd, I «« have heayenly peace." ^'^ He was a man," W5 are told, «* of an amiable difpofition, cnltivated by *' pure religion ; a preacher of righteoufnefs, no 390 HISTORY OF THE C. 111. " lefs In the whole tenour of his life and circiim^eft ** converfation than In word or doftrlne ; whereby " he acquired the general efteem of his friends and " neighbours, and left an honourable and fpotlefs ** reputation behind him." In the fame year died Mr. Thomas Salthouse, an intiraate in the faraily of Judge Fell, when Mr. George Fox came to Swarthraore ; whofe preaching wrought conviftion In him, and In the greateft part ofthe faraily. Having been commiffioned to preach, he fpent a confiderable portion of his life In travell ing, and labouring to proraote, particularly in the weftern counties, the reception of what he deeraed to be the truth ; and for his teftimony to it he fuffered repeated Imprifonments, attended with jcircumftances of feverity and Ignominy ; being detained in gaol, (when thofe who had been appre hended with hira, had been releafed,) through his inability to pay fines, or to procure fecurltles on account of his great diftance from home, as well as bemg treated as a vagrant. After fome years he appears to have married and fettled in Cornwall ; but he cpmlnned frequently to vifit different parts of the kingdom ; and although he efcaped impri fonment, he was not ftcure againft the malignity of informers. At the funeral of a refpeftable member pf the fociety in December 1681, he ad^ dreffed a mixed audience. In a fuitable exhortation " to ferioufnefs and fobriety, reminding them of the •" certainty of death and judgraent, and a retribution •f according to their works." " Onfuch an occafion. cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 391 • " and to fuch an afferably of raany good Chriftians, " loyal fubjecfts, and profeffors of the proteftant " religion, one would fcarcely expeft," obferves the hiftorian, " that reminding men of their mortality, " and inciting thera to prepare for death, could have " been liable to the penalties of the law :" yet upon the oath of two Inforraers feveral prefent were con vifted unheard, and fined for a conventicle by three juftices ; and the goods in the ffiop of Mr. Salthoufe were diftrained to the value of 29I. 9s. 9d. to pay a fine of 20I. for preaching. In 1683, he and feveral others were committed to Launcefton gaol ; and for decUnIng to take an oath, theywere brought to the fumraer affizes, where the oath was again tendered to them In open court. Upon conviftion of refufing it, they were on a fentence of pramunire detained three years in prifon, till King Jaraes's general pardon releafed them. After this, Mr. Salthoufe renewed and continued his paftoral vlfits, till, about the 60th year of his age, death deter mined all his labours and fufferings. He is fpoken of as " a man of good natural capacity, and adorned " with an excellent gift in the miniftry ; remarkably " affable and pleafaut in his converfation, which " procured hira the refpeftful regard of raany others " as well as of friends." He addreffed to them fome excellent epiftles, and was the author of forae valuable trafts.* A third charafter which recommends itfelf to our notice in the biography of the Society of Friends, at this period, is that of Mr. Charles Marfhall, * Gough, ut ante, p. ajj'— 2^8. 352 HISTORY OF THE C HI. born In Briftol In April 1637; by profeffion an apothecary and cheraift; a raan who was accounted worthy of double honour in his own religious com munity ; and who, for the innocence and integrity of his life, had obtained a good refpeft among his acquaintance and neighbours. He defcended from religious and virtuous parents, who, as the faithful guardians of his tender youth, direfted his education with a view at once to the cultivation of virtuous difpofitions in him, and to the furnifliing of his raind with literature. His raother took him to the reli gious affemblies of the Independents which flie frequented, and fometiraes to thofe of the baptifts ; and he accorapanied her to hear minifters of every denomination who were in the greateft reputation for zeal, experience, and piety. He himfelf from his childhood conceived an abhorrence of every degree of profanenefs and immorality, and delighted in reading the feriptures. He accuftomed himfelf, as he advanced in years, to fpend much time in the fields and woods, out of the fight and obfervation of men, in the exercifes of devotion. H's inducement to this was a diffatisfaftion with the conduft of raany in the different religious communities of the day, on account of their having fallen, as he cencelved, into a mere Ufelefs and empty profeffion. He had there fore left them, and accuftomed himfelf to thefe folitary retirements, and alfo affociated with fome other perfons who thought as he did. He fpent one day in the week with them in fafting and prayer, feeking relief from a conflift of fpirit, in their reli- C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 393 gious feelings and views. This feleft party was vifited, in 1654, by Mr. John Cara and Mr. John Auckhnd, mmifters among the people callpd quakers. The preaching of the latter arrefted the attention of Mr. Marfliall, and brought him over to his fentiments. After many years, in 1670, he becarae a rain|fter among thera. In the fame year he commenced his travels in that charafter, through the neighbouring counties of Wiltffiire and Glocef- terffiire, and purfued them fo far as to Kendal in Weftmoreland, returning through Chefliire gnd Worcefterffiire. He continued his journles to the year 1672, without any interruption frora inforraers, cither by imprifonment or by levying of fines under the Conventicle Aft. He experienced many deliver ances from difficulties and dangers which attended him. Ac one time having the fands to crofs near Ulvcrfton in Lancaffiire, he was on the point of attempting it, in company with four others, being told by two perfons who lived on the other fide of the river that he might do it with fafety; but flopping from an impreffion on his own mind, he received intelligence that it would be dangerous to venture to do it at that tirae, and defifted ; and ia about an hour the fea overflowed the fands to the extent of feveral railes. In 1674, he was dragged through a gallery out ofthe meeting-houfe at Cla- verton in Somerfetffiire, with fo much violence, by a magiftrate, that it caufed a fpitting of blood, and was attended with a contufion, of which he long after complained. He was a great fuffefcr in the 394 HISTORY OF THE C. III. forfeiture of his goods for tithes; and in 1682, was confined, by a profecution before the barons of the exchequer, two years In Fleet prifon. He met with many trials of his faith and patience, in his affiduous endeavours, conjointly with Mr. George Fox, to heal diffentions which broke out about 1677, in the Society of Friends, in confequence of the oppo fition made by John Wilkinfon and John Story to the eftabliffiment of an orderly dlfcipline. He con tinued his labours and journles, with many trying exercifes of body and mind, for the greateft part of twenty years ; giving up his time, fubftance, and ftrength, to the objefts of his miniftry. On his laft journey to Briftol and the Weftern Counties, In 1 698, he was vifited with a lingering Indifpofition, which, according to a prefage and fettled opinion of his own mind, proved mortal. Having paffed a life of faithfulnefs, integrity, and extenfive benevolence, in the fervice of God and man, he felt, in the affured profpeft of his approaching change, that the work of righteoufnefs was peace, and the effeft thereof quietnefs and affurance for ever. His ex preffions and counfels to thofe who vifited hira in an iUnefs of four months, frequently attended with great pain, clearly evidenced that he felt no decay in love to his brethren, In univerfal benevolence, or in his fpiritual abiUties ; and borne up fuperior to his affliftion by the fecurity of his confcience, he , was ftrengthened to bear his painful fenfations with much patience and calm refignation to the divino wiU, He ftrongly recommended tq (om? of bis C HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 395 brethren in the miniftry two things, which were weightily impreffed upon his own raind. One point which he urged on their attention, to ufe his own words, was, " that they, would gather down unto " the imraortal feed and word of life in themfelves, " and be exercifed in it before the Lord ; and duly " prize and fet a right value upon the many out- " ward and inward bleffings that the Lord has " eminently beftowed upon them fince the morning " of the day of his bleffed vifitation ; then ffiall they '^ grow and be preferved in a living freffinefs to Hira, '' and the Lord will continue his mercies to them, " and they ffiall not want his divine refreffiing pre- " fence In their meetings together before Him." The fecond was that "thofe friends to whora the " Lord had given great eftates, ought to caft their " bread upon the waters, and to do good therewith " In their life time ; for thofe that are enjoyers of " fuch things, ffiould fee that they be good ftewards " thereof." As his laft moments approached, he clofed his eyes with his own hands, and with com- pofure of raind refigned his foul to God In the 62d year of his age. He was hirafelf a living exaraple of that virtuous and holy conduft which he Incul cated ; he was the advocate of the poor with the opulent, recoraraending felf-denial, hofpitality, and liberality, rather than high living ; and the charity to which he exhorted others he exhibited iii his own praftice, particularly in fupplylng the fick with advice and medicine, the hungry with food, and the naked with raiment. 396 HISTORY OF THE C. III. Mr. John Crook was another meraber of the Society of Friends, whofe name Is come down to us with peculiar teftimonies of refpeft. He was a man of literature, poffeffed a good eftate, and was in th? coraraifflon of the peace for Bedfordffiire. In the year 1654, and about the 37th of his age, con vinced by the miniftry of Mr. George Fox and Mr. William Dewffiury, he erabraced the principles of the Friends, and becarae a raeraber of their cora raunity. On this his commiffion was taken away. He entered with fuch ardour pf feeling into the fentiments and fpirit of this body of chriftians, that he became not only a very ferviceable meraber of their community, but a preacher of diftinguiffied gifts, '' as an eloquent man, and mighty in the fcripr ** tures, and highly efteemed." As long as the ftate of his health perraitted, till he was difabled by a complication of painful maladies, he travelled as a rainifter through different parts of the nation, particularly In Bedfordffiire and the neighbouring counties. He was a great fufferer for the teftiraony of a good confcience, being repeatedly expofed to the feverities of unracrlted profecutions. At differ ent tiraes he was confined for raonths In the gaols of Newgate, Huntingdon, and Ayleffiury. On the 25th of June 1662, Mr. Crook, with two other other brethren, one a phyfician, and the other a goldfmith, raen of property and charafter, without being charged with any crime, or the ground of an indiftment, were tried at the bar of the Old Bailey, and a fentence of pramunire was paffed on ihem for C. in. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 397 refufing to take the oath of allegiance before Judge Twifden. On this occafion Mr. Crook pleaded with ability and intrepidity, on the principles of the Engliffi conftitution and laws, againft the illegal proceedings of the court. He and his fellow pri foners demanded, before the jury brought in their verdift, their privUege to make their defence; but it was refufed thera. The Chief Judge on the bench remarked, that " if the quakers had liberty to fpeak, *• they would make therafelves faraous, and their *' judges odious." An officer of the court was commanded to ftop their mouths, which he did with a dirty cloth. Immediately after fentence was paffed, their eftates were feized. On the 23d of July they Were fet at liberty, It was fuppofed, by the king's Order. During their confineraent Mr. Crook drew up and coramitted to the prefs, a narrative of the the trial ; " that the king and nation might not be *• Ignorant of the meafures purfued, aud their ten- " dency to defpo^tifm, and the ruin of the fubjeft."* As Mr. Crook advanced in life he was afflifted with frequent and fevere paroxyfras of the ftone, during which he was never known 10 utter an impa tient word ; and when the extremity of the fit was over, he would thankfully exprefs ^he inward joy and peace of mind that he had felt in it. He died on the 26th April 1699, at his houfe in Hertford, in the 82d year of his age. Mr. Gough has pre ferved a letter to his children and grandchildren, written fcarcely two months before his death, full of • Gough, vol. i. p, 518— j«6. 398 HISTORY OF THE C. III. weighty counfels, expreffed with vigour, and breath ing a fpirit of elevated piety.* We have referved for this place the names of two moft diftinguiffied members of the Society of Friends. They died. Indeed, before thofe whom we have already noticed ; but they may with propriety clofe the lift of worthies In that community, as perfons juftly held In peculiar refpeft. The Individuals to whom we relate were Rob. Barclay and George Fox. Mr. Robert Barclay, the fon of Colonel David Barclay,! was born at Edinburgh In the year 1648. He was defcended on the paternal fide frora the ancient and honourable family of the Barclays, of Mathers, In the kingdom of Scotland ; and on the maternal, from that of Catherine Gordon, of the houfe of the Duke of Gordon. The firft rudiments of his education were received among the Calvlnifts in his own country. In an early period of his life he was removed to Paris, for a more extenfive edu cation, under the tuition of his uncle, prefident of the Scotch college in that city. Here he received, frora the irapreffions raade on his immature judg ment, a ftrong bias In favour of the principles of the Catholic faith. In 1664, he returned home; having acquired a competent knowledge of the fciences, and attained to a great proficiency In the French and Latin tongues. He could write and fpeak the latter language with great facility and cor reftnefs; and he afterwards made himfelf mafter of • Gough, vol. iii. p. 433— 441, t See the laft edition of Neal, vol, v. p. 11;. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 399 the Greek and Hebrew. During his abfence his father joined in fellowffiip with the people called quakers. The religious converfation and circum- fpeft example of his father, and his intercourfe with others of the fame profeffion, direfted the attention of the young Barclay to their principles ; difpofed hira to think very favourable of their religious views, as producing a conduft in life remarkably confiftent with the precepts and fpirit of the gofpel; and induced him to attend their raeetlngs. In the 19th year of his age he raade a public profeffion of their fentiments, and became an aftive and zealous member of their coraraunity; and received the miniftry among them as his greateft honour. A clear conception, an extenfive reach of thought, a clofe and convincing manner of reafoning, delivered in a plain, unaffefted, neat ftyle, combined with con fiderable literary attainments, in union with a calm nefs of teraper, qualified him to be, both in writing and difcourfe, an able and powerful advocate of the fociety to which he had joined himfelf. In 1675, on the 14th of February, he and Mr. George Keith held a public difputation with fome ftudents in divi nity, at Aberdeen, on the principles of their reli gious profeffion ; the ftudents, having nurabers on their fide, handled the fubjeft that carae into dif cuffion with difgraceful levity, fell into claraour and perfonal abufe, and vaunted themfelves in a viftory which they had not obtained. The difputation ended as ufual in tumult and diforder, and alfo with throwing of clods and ftones. Four ftudents who 400 HISTORY OF THE C III. were prefent, but not difputants, were, however, fo impreffed with the arguraents offered by the advocates of the Friends, that they joined the fociety. Mr. Barclay afterwards publiffied " a true and faith- " ful account of the moft material paffagcs of this " Difputation, eondufted before fome hundreds of *' witneffes." In 1676, fome raerabers of the Society, to the number of thirty-four, were caft into prifon by the magiftrates of Edinburgh, on the ground of a declaration iffued by the council to enforce the Afts of Parliament againft conventicles; and were de tained three monthe, before they were called to the tribunal of the commiffioners of the privy councU, to hear the libel exhibited againft them, and to fet up their defence. After an hour or two fpent by the court in deliberation on their defence, the pri foners were called in one by one, and feverally afked, " Whether they would oblige therafelves not to go *' any more to raeeting ?" which every one of them refufing to do, fome of thera, among whom was Mr. Barclay's father, were fined each one fourth of their refpeftive valued rents for keeping conventicles; and an eighth part of the faid valued rents each for withdrawing from the public worfliip ; and feveral were fined to an eighth part for their wives' tranf- greffions in the fame way. Others who were not poffeffed of landed property, were fined in fums of money of 40I. 30I. 25I. or lefs each ; and aU were remanded to prifon till the fines were paid. Their numbers were foon increafed by the repeated impri fonments of others, apprehended at religious meet- C HI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 401 ings. On this, Mr. Barclay being in London, gained adraittance to the king, delivered to him a narra tive of the proceedings and of the feverity of the magiftrates, and Interceded that the cafe of his im. prifoned friends might be recommended to the favourable notice of the Council of Scotland. The king accordingly direfted the Earl of Lauderdale to recommend it to their confideration. The councU referred it to their former commiffioners. In conjunc tion with three others. In the iffue it was decreed that on paying their fines they ffiould be releafed, as were the next morning all who had been Imprl foned fince the others were fined. In 1677, Mr. Barclay accompanied his friends, WiUiam Penn, George Fox, and George Keith, on a journey to Holland, to vifit the members of their coraraunity in the United States, and in fome parts of Germany. Barclay and Penn proceeded to Ker- ford, the refidence of Elizabeth Princefs Palatine, and aunt to King George I. who, under a folicitous concern of mind on a religious account, had carried on an epiftolary correfpondence with Mr. Penn.* Mr. Barclay Is faid on this tour to have recomraended his doftrines, not only by the exeraplarinefs of his man ners, but by the cheerfulnefs and agreeablenefs of his converfation. In 1 677, Mr. Barclay prefented an excellent letter to the public minifters afferabled in a congrefs, held at Niraegucn, to reftore the peace of Europe ; copies of it in Latin were delivered to the ambaffadors of the Eraperor, of the kings of Great- * Gough, vol. ii. p. ai7, 4j8> 466* 48j. D D 402 HISTORY OF THE CIII, Britain, Spain, France, Sweden, the States General, &c. ; and were received, it Is related, with great marks of efteem and refpeft. The author informs thera, that a fight of the miferies produced by war, which he witneffed on his vifit to Holland and Germany, firft fuggefted to him the Idea of writing this addrefs. The defign of It was to lay open the true caufes of war and bloodffied ; the dreadful and barbarous confequences attending it ; and the only certain and undeniable means of attaining, by the purfuit of chriftian principles, true, lafting, and ' folid peace. Voltaire reraarks on this tour through the continent by Mr. ^ Barclay and his affociates, " The Friends fowed the good feed in Gerraany, " but reaped very little fruit ; for the mode of " thee-ing and thou-ing was not approved of In a " country where a raan is perpetually obliged to " employ the titles of Highnefs and Excellency."* Mr. Barclay after this " paffed his life in a " peaceful retirement; having a large family, which " he governed with great dignity, wifdom, and " difcretion; Uving always decently and honourably " upon his own fortune, which was confiderable." He had attained only to the 42d year of his age, when he died at his own houfe at Ury, In Scotland, on the 3d of Oftober 1690. His ficknefs was fliort, his teraper of mind through it was calm and ferene ; and he clofed his eyes with firm confidence in God. a friend, in his courfe of travels through thofe parts, calling on him, he expreffed his love to * Goadby's Britifh Biography, vol. vii. p. 14*. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 403 all the faithful friends in England, who kept their integrity in the truth ; and defired that the af furance of his affeftion might be carried to the friends in Cumberland where his vlfitor refided, and at Swarihmore, and to the faithful every where, adding, " God is good ftill, and though I am under " a great weight of weaknefs and ficknefs, yet ray " peace flows ; and this I know, whatever exercifes " may be permitted to corae upoii me, they fliall " tend to God's glory and my falvation, and in that " I reft." Ample and honourable teftimonies were borne to his charaifler and talents by thofe of his own perfuafion.* The eulogy on him by Mr. Wm. Penn, who was well acquainted with him, may be acceptable to the reader. " He loved the truth and " way of God, as revealed among us, above all " the world, and was not afliamed of it before men, " but bold and able in maintaining It ; found In " judgment, ftrong in argument, cheerful in fuffer- " ings ; of a pleafant difpofition, yet folid, plain, *' and exemplary In converfation. He was a learned ?' man, a good chriftian, an able minifter, a dutiful " fon, a loving huflaand, a tender and careful father, " an eafy mafter, and a good and kind neighbour " and friend. Thefe eminent qualities In one who " employed them fo fervlceably, and who had not " lived much above half the life of a raan, aggra- " vated the lofs of hira, efpecially In that nation " where he lived." A more modern writer, in very * For fpecimens of which fee Gough, vol. iii. p. 247 — % ; and Kippis's Biographia Britannica, vol. i. p. 59^, &c, note 1. D D 2 404 HISTORY OF THE C III. t expreffive and handforae terras, has conclfely drawn his charafter: " He was a man of erainent learning *' and abUIties, fincerely pious, and unlfornily vir- " tuous. He was very benevolent and charitable, " and reraarkable for the governraent of his paffions, " and the raeekncfs and fweetnefs of his teraper."* A Scots poet, writing of Mr. Barclay's two brothers, Williara and John, concludes with thefe verfes upon Robert: " But lo ! a third appears, with ferious air, " His Prince's darling, and his country's care. " See his religion, which fo late before " Was like a jumbled mafs of drofs and ore, " Refined by him, and burnidi'd a'er with art, " Awakes the fpirit, and attrafts the heart." After his deceafe. Dr. Kippis informs us, his widow received many letters of condolence, not only from friends of his own religious perfuafion, but from other perfons of rank and charafter. Seven chil dren furvived him, all of whom were alive in Oftober 1740, fifty years after their father's death. His defcendants at that time araounted to between fixty and feventy.f His works, adralred for the ftrength and power of reafoning which they difplay, and for the perfpi- cuity and accuracy of language in which they are written, were collefted together, and publiffied In London in 1692. Befides the trafts already men tioned, the moft diftinguiffied of his publications * Goadby's Britifli Biography, vol. vii. p. 143. t Biographia Britannica, vol.i. p. 60a. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 405 were, " The Anarchy of the Ranters," (a feft of that day) " and other Libertines;" " The Hierarchy " of the Romanifts and other pretended churches " equally refufed and refuted. In a two-fold apology *' for the church and people of God, called in de- " rifion Quakers, &c." This is pronounced to be " a learned and excellent treatife, containing as much *' found reafoning as any book of Its fize in ours, " or perhaps In any modern language." Another treatife, in which many weighty points are difcuffed with great judgment and moderation, and which exhibits a noble defcription of chriftian beneficence, penned by him In the prifon of Aberdeen, was entitled, " Univerfal Love confidered, and eftabliffied *' upon Its right foundation, &c." But the moft celebrated of his works was his " Apology" for the Quakers, publiffied in Latin at Amfterdam In 1676, In 4to. Two copies of it were iraraediately fent to each of the public minifters then at the Congrefs of Niraegucn, who received It with aU imaginable favour and refpeft. In 1678, the author publiffied an Engliffi tranflation' of it, and it was quickly tranflated into High Dutch, Low Dutch, French, and Spaniffi. It has been univerfally allowed to furpafs every thing of Its kind, and to fet the prin ciples of the Society, in whofe defence it was written, in the faireft light poffible. The numerous anfwers to it at horae and abroad only contributed to make it more read and more efteemed. It hag given to the name of the author a diffufive and permanent cele brity and reputation. A very elegant edition of it 406> HISTORY OF THE C III. came from the prefs. of Mr. BaflcervIUe.* It reflefts no honour on the candour and impartiality of the German ecclefiaftical hiftorian Moffieim, that he endeavours to depreciate this elaborate work ; afcrlbes to the author a duplicity foreign to his real charafter,; and infinuates that he has given a fallacious account of the principles of the Quakers : whereas ' it has been obferved by another biographer, "that " the moft bitter of his antagonifts have conftantly " owned that the author of the ' Apology' was a " man of great candour and charity; one who loved " truth fincerely; and did not make ufe of his great " learning and abiUties In order to Impofe, by the " ftrength of thera, his own opinions on weaker '^ minds." A writer of the French Encyclopedic, under the word Quaker, has declared, " I am not " affiamed to own that I have read Robert Bar- "clay's Apology for Quakerifm over and over " again with fingular fatisfaftion ; and am con- " vinced that, taken altogether, it Is the moft rea- " fonable and moft perfeft fyftem which has ever " been conceived." § This work Is addreffed to King -Charles II. In a dedication, as important, curious, and extraordinary as any part: of it. Among many ftriking paffagcs the following has been felefted as a fpecimen of the manly freedora, of the ftrong yet decent ftrain of it. " There is no king In the world who can fo experi- * For a Kft of the Anfwers to the Apology, fee Biogr. Britan. vol.i. p. 596, note f. § Biogr. Brit, vol.i. p. 597, note f ; and Gough, vol. ii. p. 405. C. III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 407 ," mentally teftify of God's providence and good- " nefs ; neither Is there any who rules fo raany free *' people, fo many true chriftians; which thing ren- " ders thy government more honourable, thyfelf " more confiderable, than the acceffion of many *' nations fiUed with flavifti and fuperftitious fouls. " Thou haft tafted of profperity and adverfity ; thou " knoweft wh^ it Is to be baniffied from thy native " country ; to be over-ruled, as well as to rule and ' ' fit upon the throne ; and being oppreffed, thou " haft reafon to know how hateful the oppreffor Is " both to God and man. If, after all thofe warn- " ings and advertiferaents, thou doft not return unto " the Lord with aU thy heart, but forget Him who " remembered thee in thy diftrefs, and give up thy- " felf to follow luft and vanity, furely great will be " thy condemnation." About the time of Mr. Barclay's birth, Mr. Geo. Fox, who is regarded as the author and founder of the feft called Quakers, began to preach. He was born atDraytonin Lancaffiire, 1624. Abouttheyear 1648, he commenced pubhc teacher in Manchefter, and its neighbouring towns. From this fpot he extended his journles and labours through the counties of Derby, Leicefter, and Northampton ; infifting on his leading principle, " that every toan was enlight- " ened by the divine light of Chrift ;" Inveighing againft injuftice, drunkennefs, and other prevalent vices ; and under an apprehenfion that he had received a divine command, affuraing a particular ftyle of addreffmg perfons, and refraining frora the ufual 408 HISTORY OF THE C. III. modes of expreffing civility and refpeft to others.* He expofed himfelf, both by his preaching and fin- gularities of praftice, to reproach and infult ; was repeatedly caft Into prifon in various towns ; and at times fcarcely efcaped with his life from the mad- nefs of an Infuriated mob. The trial of confinement was often aggravated by peculiar circumftances of rigour and hardffiip; by the menaces of jailors ; by rudenefs and incivility ; by the exclufion of friends ' who were not permitted to vifit him ; by the intrufion of eneraies, who were allowed to force their com pany on him, to gaze at him, and difpute with him ; by the peculiar incomraodioufnefs of his apartments, and by the nuifances attached to thera. Previoufly to the period at which we now take up his hiftory, Mr. Fox, In corapany with other members of'his religious community, took ffiipping from England In 1671, to vifit the Weft-Indies and other parts of the Britiffi dominions In America. After a paffage of nearly two months they landed at Barbadoes. Here, before and after forae of his friends had left him and pro ceeded to the iflands of Antigua and Nevis, he held many large and fatisfaftory meetings both for wor ffiip and dlfcipline, free from any Interruption from the governor, who had received him on his vifit with remarkable kindnefs. From Barbadoes he paffed over to Jamaica, In company with fome ad herents to his principles. The governor, maglf- trates, and people in general, afforded them a kind reception. Their meetings were quiet and numerous. • Our edition of Neal, vol, iv. p. 31, and notes, p. 34— -ij aud notes p. j6, 275, 5o», J03, 509, 643. C III. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 409 Many, and amongft them fome perfons of the higher clafs, were brought over to their profeffion. Wc next find him and forae of his coadjutors in Mary land, after a tedious and difficult paffage, owing to contrary and terapeftuous winds, through the Gulf of Florida. But thefe pious worthies, zealous of the caufe of, as it appeared to their minds, evangelical truth, were not difcouraged or diverted frora their aftive exertions by perils by land or perils by fea. Soon after their difembarking, they joined a general meeting of friends held for four days at Weft River, and after this another at Cliffs. Thefe two general meetings being over, the friends from Europe parted corapany. Mr. Fox, and they who joined hira, failed by boat to the eaftern ffiore, where they held meetings ; at which, befides raany per fons of quality of the country, one of the Indian kings and fome other Indians attended, who owned the truth of his doftrine, and defired that it might be ftated to their people. They then took their journey to New England, an enterprize of great difficulty and peril. In their journey they fpent fome little time In Long Ifland, and attended a half-yearly meeting of friends, for four days, at Oyftcr-Bay. After fome ftay in Long Ifland, they proceeded by ffiip to Rhode Ifland, to attend the general meeting to be convened there for the province of New England, which continued by adjournments fix days. His next ftage was at Shrcwffiury in Eaft-Jerfey. From this place, with the affiftance of Indian guides, they purfued their journey through the woods to 410 HISTORY OF THE C III. Maryland. After contending with numerous diffi culties, they reached Newcaftlc in five days, where Mr. Fox was hofpitably entertained by the gover nor, and held a, large meeting at his houfe,; which afforded great fatisfaftion to the people, who in tendernefs confeffed the truth pf the doftrines pub Uffied amongft them. In three days of very fevere traveUing, they reached the houfe of a friend at Myles River in Maryland ; where they held feveral meetings, both amongft the inhabitants, and araongft the Indians, to whora Mr. Fox fpoke by an inter preter, who were very ferioufly attentive to his doftrine, and fliewed a very affeftionate refpeft to hirafelf. They next vifited Virginia and Carolina. Their labours were not confined to the precinfts of the Engliffi government, but they included in their tours, ftimulated by the fentiment of univerfal love, the Indians In the back fettleraents, whom they ad dreffed by an interpreter ; and who well received their ' labours, profeiTmg that " they underftood " what was fpoken, and that it was very good." In 1673, he embarked at Fotuxant for Briftol. It Is a proof of the philanthropy and equity of Mr. Fox's fpirit and principles, that he exhorted the members ofthe fociety to exercife peculiar kindnefs towards their negro flaves, to inftruft them in chriftia nity, and to inftUl into them the fear of their Creator ; to fee that their overfecrs treated them with huma nity and gentlenefs ; and after certain years of fervi- tude to fet them free. This generous advice, which was approved and obferved by the members of the cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 411 fociety of friends, gave offence to the other inhabit ants at Barbadoes, and excited a general alarm.* Alike honourable to Mr. Fox is the epiftle, which In the year 1682, full of anxious concern for the conduft of his friends in every quarter ofthe world, he wrote to thofe In Pennfylvania and the adjacent provinces, in an elevated ftrain of raorality, exhort ing them to juftice and liberality in all commercial tranfadlions. He advifed them not to let avarice tempt them to take advantage of the circumftances or neceffity of others, or to enhance their gain In exorbitant profits, but to fell on moderate terms. On the other hand, when the prices were too low to give a profit equal to the neceffary occafions of the proprietors, to purchafe at an advanced rate, having an eye more to the public good than to private in tereft. To beware of fetting their hearts on riches, if their trade increafed through a reputation for juftice and fair dealing, left they ffiould lofe the image of God, in which the dominion over the creature is retained. Not to extend trade beyond their capitals and their ability to manage It: to clr- cumfcribe themfelves within fuch limits as would enable thera to be punftual to their engageraents, and regular in their payraents. Not to let out their defires after extenfive poffeffions and greatnefs in the world, left they ffiould be abforbed in the incura- brances thereof, like the rich fool in the parable, v^hofe barns were too little : earneftly enjoining the praftice of righteoufnefs, fidelity, and mercy, on * Gough, vol. iii. p. 49. 413 HISTORY OF THE C. HI. thofe who were magiftrates, or advanced to public trufts, by the exhortations of fcripture.* After his return to England Mr. Fox was caft into Worcefter gaol, on the ridiculous charge of having " held a raeeting frora all parts of the nation *' for terrifying the king's fubjefts." During hl» iraprifonraent he was attacked with an alarming ficknefs, and his recovery was very doubtful. His wife, (who was the widow of Judge Fell,) to whom he was married in i66g, went to London to petition the king for his release ; which he was willing to grant in the. raode of a pardon : this, as It feeraed to iraply, ifnot an acknowledgraent, yet confcioufnefs of guilt, Mr. Fox declined to accept, and chofe latlier to await the decifion of a court of juftice. By his trial, after a fevere confinement of two years, he was honourably acquitted. He then went to Hol land. On his coraing horae, a fuit was Inftituted againft hira for refufing to pay tithes. His oppo nents were fuccefsful, and he was obliged to fubmit to the confequences. J In 1684 he again vifited the continent ; and on his return, finding his health and fpirits were much Impaired by inceffant fatigues and long Imprifonments, he defifted from travelling^ and fpeijt his latter years in London and Its vicinity, as affording him an op/portunity of rendering the moft effential fervices to his friends, efpecially to fueli as were under perfecution. He continued his public duties as a minifter tUl within a few days of * Gough, vol. iii. p. 147, 14S. J Rees' Cydopasdia, 410. article, George Fox, cm. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 413 his death, which happened, after a ffiort illnefs, on the 13th of January 1690, when he was In the 67th year of his age. Mr. Williara Penn, who was with hira, reports, that he was fo calra in his fpirits to the laft, as If death were hardly worth notice, recomraending to thofe about him the dif perfion of " an epiftle he had lately written, and, *' above all, the care of friends, efpecially thofe la " Ireland and America;" twice over repeating, *'mlnd " poor friends In Ireland and Araerica." To forae who vifited hira, and enquired how he felt, he an fwered, " Never heed; the Lord's prefence is over *' all weaknefs and death ; the feed reigns ; bleffed *' be the Lord." He was tall and corpulent ; very temperate, eating little and fleeping lefs ; a man of good natural talents, and very converfant in the feriptures ; though his expreffions might found un couth and unfaffilonable to nice ears, his matter was inftruftive, weighty, and profound ; and he ex celled In prayer. The reverence and folemnity of his addrefs and behaviour, a.nd the fervency and fuU- nefs of his words, often ftruck ftrangers whh admi ration. " To man he was an original, being no *' man's copy." High commendation is beftowed on his meeknefs, humility, and moderation. His fufferings bore teftlmony to his fortitude, patience, and refignation : his piety, fincerity, and purity of intention, were evinced by his Inceffant zeal through life. His funeral was attended by a great concourfe of friends, and others of various parties. His 414 HISTORY OF THE C III. works were collefted in three voluraes folio ; confifting of his journal, epiftles, and doftrinal treatifes.f t Encyclopasdia, ut ante; Gough, vol. iii. p. 48, 54, 56, 83, ^5> 89, 90, 91,92, loi, 102,103, 250, 254. C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 415 CHAPTER IV. New Charitable Institutions. THE mind turns with pleafure from a furvey of the collifion of fentiments among various fefts, and ofthe interefts of peculiar parties, to the review of meafures that unite men In the purfuit of one good defign ; or raife in their brcafts an emulation In promoting knowledge and virtue, and advancing the improvement of mankind. If the period through which we have carried our hiftorical refcarch was marked by contefts and diffentions, by fufferings nobly fupported, by virtuous ftruggles in the caufe of liberty, and by mutual bickerings and jealoufies, it was diftinguiflied by the coraraencement of feveral benevolent Inftitutions, and by the execution of plans of extenfive ufefulnefs. When zealous proteftants, alarmed by the fpirit and meafures of the government In the reign of Jaraes II. were diftreffed with apprehenfions of the rapid fpread of Popery, many In and about the me tropolis held meetings for inftruftlon and devotion. Such affociations had hitherto been maintained only by the puritans and diffenters. The members of 416 HISTORY OF THE C IV. the eftabliflied church now entered Into them with ferioufnefs and ardour ; and applied to their minifters, Dr. afterwards Biffiop Beveridge, and Dr. Horneck, preacher at the Savoy, to afford them direftion and fuperintendance, and to fupply them with forms of prayer. Befides the rules for the management of their meetings. It was particularly recoramended to the members of thefe focieties, " to love one another: *' when reviled, not to revile again : to Ipeak evil *' of no man : to wrong no man : to pray, if pof- " fible, feven times a day : to keep clofe to the *' church of England : to tranfaft aU things peace- " ably and gently : to be helpful to each other : " to ufe themfelves to holy thoughts on coming in " and going out : to examine themfelves every " night : to give every one his due : to obey fu- *' periors, both fpiritual and temporal."* They were reftrained by the rules of their affociation from dif- courfing at their meetings on any controverted point of divinity, or on the governraent of church or ftate ; and prohibited frora the ufe pf any prayers, but thofe, of the church, fuch as the litany and col- lefts, and others prefcribed to thera, and particu larly frora the ufe of fuch, as the abfolution, which were appropriate to the ufe of rainifters. In the choice of books of praftical divinity, which they read to one another, they were to follow the direc tion of the prefiding minifter.* Thefe focieties confifted chiefly of young men. After the Revolu tion they became more numerous ; and fo Improved * Dr. Horneck's Life, p. 14—16. C IV. PROTESTAwr DISSENTERS. 417 their finances by coUeftions, that they were enabled to remunerate the attendance of many clergymen to read prayers : thefe aids to devotion were in a fliort time afforded at fo many different hours, and ex tended to fo many places, as to include every hour of the day. On every Lord's day there were con ftant facraments in raany churches. Greater num bers attended at prayers and facraments, and greater appearances of devotion were diffufed through the city, than had been obferved in the memory of man.* They foon began to carry their views beyond their own religious improvement to the ftate of morals around them : and they entered Into an agreeraent to watch the public manners, and to inform the magiftrates of fwearers, drunkards, and profaners of the Lord's day, and disorderly houfes. In the year 1692 arofe out of thefe communities the inftitution of " Societies for the Reformation of ** Manners." Frora fome magiftrates they met with fupport and encouragement ; by others they were treated roughly. The diffenters from the firft en tered Into their virtuous views, and afforded thera ready affiftance. A part of the fines given by law to informers was thrown Into a ftock, which formed a charitable fund. They perfifted in their well meant exertions, and extended their efforts to fupprefs vice and profanenefs ; and were fanftioned by the folemn and public approbation of the lords tem poral and fpiritual, and of the judges on their cir- * Burnet's Hiftory, vol.v. p. 90,91. E E 4iy msTORY OF the c iV cults ; and their meafures were occafionally recom mended by the bifliops in circular letters. In confequence of the reprefentation of one of the fecretaries of ftate, his Majefty William III. was In duced to promife the focieties his proteftion and countenance ; and at the folicitation of the Houfe of Commons, In an addrefs prefented to him in 1699, he publiflied a proclamation againft profanenefs and imraorality, gave a royal fanftion to the objefts pro pofed by thef? focieties, and invigorated their zeal and ardour in the profecution of thera. The mi nifters of religion were engaged to exhibit the im portance and utility of their defign, and to animate them in their endeavours to accompliffi it, by fermons, addreffed on ftated feafons in the pulpit of Bow church to the members of the eftablifliment, and In that of Salters' haU to the diffenters.* Minifters of the different denominations of the diffenters took their turns to plead the caufe of virtue and a refor mation of manners, and continued thefe fervices in fucceffion for at leaft nearly fifty years. Similar focieties were foon afterwards formed in Ireland and Scotland ; and in about twelve years thirteen focieties inftituted for the fame objeft exifted in Edinburgh only, befides thofe which had been eftabliffied in other parts of the king dom under the aufpices of the nobility, and of the commiffioners of the general afferably of the church of Scotland. Other chriftian ftates In a * Burnet, p. 91 ; Calamy, vol. i. p. 551 ; and an Account of th& Progrefs of Reformation of Manners, 1705, 410. p. a. C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 419 public manner applauded and recomniended the inftitution. The plan and fuccefs ofthe undertaking, by the tranflation of the " Account ofthe Societies" Into the Latin, French, and Dutch languages, were coraraunicated to other nations, excited great atten tion, and gave birth to firailar affociations. This ¦account was printed and difperfed, and the defign of It promoted, at Neufchatel, by the exertions of the learned and exceUent Oftervald. It was trans lated, printed, and much enquired after at Zurich ; nuraerous copies of It were bought up and circulated in other proteftant cantons; and the fynods and con fiftories recoramended the plan and meafures of the Engliffi focieties tP be adopted in thofe diftrlfts. 'The principal perfons in church and ftate united to blefs God for the fuccefs with which the zeal of thefe religious coraraunities had been crowned. They were had in veneration ; and remembered and prayed for in all the pulpits. All the Helvetic and Rhetic churches were excited by this ardour to direft their efforts to the puniffiment of vice, and to promote the fpread of chriftian knowledge and piety. The narrative of their proceedings was tranflated into the Daniffi and Swediffi languages, with the view of introducing fimUar inftitutions Into thofe kingdpms ; verfipns of it in the German language were given and publiffied with great effeft by Monfieur Scherer, and Dr. Frank, of the city of Halle. The fpirit it awakened produced good effefts in Flanders, Holland, and Berlin. £ £ 2 420 HISTORY ©F THE C IV, The Influence of the inftitution was not confined to Europe. Its operations became known, and were felt. In the Weft-Indies and North-America. In November 1700, a fociety for the reformation of raanners, confifting of the clergy and raany gentleraen of the country, was formed In the ifland of Jamaica. An impreffion of the " Account of the Societies" was printed off and difperfed through North Arae rica ; and in 1 702, and afterwards, feveral focieties for the fuppreffion of vice and profanenefs were formed in Bofton. The fame of the EngUfli focieties united in the profecution of this laudable objeft. It appears by thefe inftances, was fpread into many lands : and ** their exaraple was followed In foreign parts," whence they often received letters, written by raen *' of the higheft charafter, extolling the public fplrh •' of the nation, and praying forthe Almighty's *' bleffmg on it." " Within a few years," faid Dr. afterwards Biffiop, White Kennet, in the anniverfary fermon, Dec. 11, 1701, " by the working of this public fpirit, a multitude of finners have *' been reproved, and to appearance at leaft have " been reforraed. By a moderate calculation, no " lefs than thirty thoufand perfons have been con- ** vifted for profane fwearing and curfing ; neariy *' the fame nuraber of lewd and diforderly perfons " have been brought to a merciful puniffimenrt, and *' were hereby reclaimed from their vices, or at *' leaft reftrained from the public fcandal of thera." CIV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 421 The efforts of the fociety to difcountenance and fupprefs vice were not confined to the infliftion of puniffiment. This often could not be done to the extent to which their virtuous zeal prompted them to carry It, without detefting the haunts of vice and employing informers ; a meafure at leaft invidious, and calculated to indulge evil paffions In some, while it animadverted on the overt afts of others. A meafure more judicious, and accompanied with no mifchief or obloquy, was to diffeminate moral and religious principles, and to addrefs the reafon and confciences of men, by the diftribution of books of a religious nature, containing diffuafives frora the vices of the age. Dr. Kennet, when he advocated the views of the fociety, obferved that above one hundred thoufand trafts of this tendency bad been given away. The happy effeft of thefe different endeavours was, that immorality and profanenefs had vifibly decreafed. Among other trafts, which the fociety difperfed through England in vaft num bers, was a fmall treatise entitled " The kind Caution " to profane Swearers." " The Soldier's Monitor" was another traft, many thoufands of which they diftributed ; and by the order of Queen Anne, It was given to her foldiers in Ireland, Flanders, and Portugal. The King of Pruffia, on reading It, ufed it as a "vade mecum," declaring that he had weighed it with great confideration ; and com manded an impreffion of it to be diftributed through his whole army at his own expence. It was tranf lated into the Mufcovite language ; and application 422 HISTORY OF THE C IV, was raade to the Queen of Portugal, as well as to the Czarlfli Emperor, to diftribute It through their refpeftive armies, The example of the fociety In London was followed by thofe In New England. They circulated through every town of the province treatises to enforce the obfervance of the Lord's day, and a ffieet of** Confiderations" to reclaim thofe who neglefted public worffiip. They com piled and difperfed an '* Abftraft of Laws" againft all punifliable wickednefs. They endeavoured alfo to Introduce a fenfe of religion among the failors, and to bring them under better regulations than had been generally obferved. A fociety for the fuppreffion of diforderly conduft at Bofton printed and fent through the colonies a ffieet, ftating the methods and motives for fuch affociations. The confequence was, that they were eftabliffied with much fuccefs and falutary effeft In^ many towns ; and letters were received frora various quarters, reporting with gratitude and rapture the advantages of which they had been produftive. AVhile the defign of thefe focieties was accompanied with |ignal efficacy, it was carried on with great modefty, difcretion, and filence. It may be feared, that the meafures of the fociety in London, at leaft as far as relates to the apprehenfion of deUnquents, were not' uniformly eondufted with equal care and temper ; for the hiftory of the inftitution furniffies two inftances, in which the Uves of the conftabjes were facrlficed in the execution of their office. In May 1702, at May^Fair, the civU officers, uqd^r the dit C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 423 reftion of the juftices of the county, endeavouring to prevent the iramoralities of the feafon, were affauhed by a company of foldiers, to the number of above thirty, with fwords in their hands, and execrations and oaths upon their lips. Some were wounded; and one conftable, Mr. John Cooper, was killed. The perfon by whofe hands he lost his life, one Thomas Cook, a comraon fencer, was convifted of the murder, and executed for it ; and WUliam Wallis, a ferjeant of the guards, was con demned as concerned in it. In March 1708 — g, Mr. Dent, who, In the courfe of feventeen years, had aided the apprehending and profecuting of feveral thoufands of drunkards, fwearers, and profligate charafters, fell a victim to his zeal in the fervice of the fociety by the hands of three private foldiers. It was an honourable teftiraony to the virtues of his charafter, as well as to the aftivity of his efforts in the caufe of reformation, and of the ardour of the fociety in the profecution of their objeft, that his funeral was attended with great expreffions of re fpeft ;, between 20 and 30 clergymen preceded the corpfe ; twelve juftices of the peace held up the pall, or Iraraediately followed it ; gentlemen of quality, aldermen, and .above a thoufand citizens, formed the train of mourners ; and a guard of more than thirty conftables and beadles accompanied the proceffion.* • The Account, p. 10— 14; Dr. Bray's SermoB at the funeral vf Mr. Dent, dedication, and p, »5, 26. 424 HISTORY OF THE C IV. Thefe events ferved as leffons of prudence and caution to the agents who were engaged to promote the views of the reformers ; but did not furniffi a reafon for defifting frons the profecution of the great objeft, which was the fuppreffion of vice, and the encouragement of virtue and good morals. This was an end beneficial to the community, and ho nourable to thofe who were engaged In advancing it. The principle on whlc6 they afted in unifon was, that public combinations in vImuc are neceffary to balance and counterpolfe thofe of vice. But as the moft excellent defigns under the management of men are liable to cenfure and abufe, frora the influence of the errors, prejudices, and paffions, which blend with or obftruft their execution ; it was to be expefted, that this affociation in the fup port of virtue would incur cenfure, and raeet with oppofition, efpecially from thoffe againft whofe pilrfuits and praftices it militated. Refentment and revenge were In fome inftances, inftead of refor mation, produced in the minds of thofe whofe vices were detefted, reftrained, and puniftied. And though it was not only recomraended but infifted on by the raerabers of thofe focieties, that the infor mers fliou|d never recelvi. that part ofthe penalty which the law allowed them ; though the praftices of fuch unprincipled perfons as extorted raoney from deUnquents were detefted, ftriftly enquired ?ifter, and when difcovered, pujiiffied ; yet it was fbhietimes Infinuated againft the inftitution, and even cluirged on thofe who condtifted Itj, that not refor- C. IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 425 mation, but prpcuring mpney frpm the pffenders, was intended. Notwithftanding, however, the impedi ments and obftruftlons thrown in the way of the proceedings of the reformers by the refraftory, and the odium caft on them by the refentful, thefe affociations were in many Inftances efficient and fuccefsful, and aftually produced much good. Many houfes, the haunts of vice, were ffiut up. The ftreets were very much cleared of the loofe and de bauched. Many young men were brought to ffiame, and ftopped in the career of vice and ruin. Many who were at firft exafperated by the check which they received, were led to a fenfe cf their fin and danger, recovered to.a virtuous courfe, and became thankful for the raeans of their reforraation. The total nuraber of profecutions in or near London only, for debauchery and profanenefs, in the fpac6 of forty-two years was calculated at 100,650.* Thefe profecutions could not fail, by an Iraraediate efficacy, to reflxain vice ; and befides the confe quences which would be felt by the delinquents, would prove a warning to others, awaken in men a regard to their intereft and good name, and excite a deteftation of profanenefs and vice. Another inftitution arofe among the members of the national church at this period, which went not to correft and puniffi the exifting vices of the tiraes, but to prevent Iniquity by Implanting the principles of religion and virtue in the minds of men, efpecially * Bifhop Maddox's Sermon to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, 17th Jan. 1736, p. *5— 3a. 426 HISTORY OF THE CIV. in thofe of childhood and youth. This wasthe Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge ; to which the latter endof the year 1698 gave birth. " It breathed," it has been well obferved, " the true fpirit of " chriftianity, and followed at a humble diftance the *' example of its divine author, by diffufing the light *' of the gofpel more efpecially among the poor."j- The means It adopted to fecure its benevolent and rational ends were worthy of enlightened and liberal minds. Thefe were the ereftlon of charity fchools, and the diftributlon of books. It originated with a few gentleraen, who entered Into the defign with an unanimity and zeal that fecured Its fuccefs. The fociety confifted partly of fubfcrlbing, and partly of correfpondtng members. The former at its firft eftabliffiment lived In or near London, and were hence, tUl 1727, called refiding members, who held regular meetings for the tranfaftion of bufinefs ; the latter were perfons in Great-Britain, Ireland, and other proteftant countries, who were chofen, on recoraraendation, to correfpond with the refiding raerabers; totranfmit to them an account of the ftate of religion in their neighbourhood ; to fuggeft hints on the moft promifing methods to be purfued tp anfwer Its views, to remit occafional benefaftions, and to receive frora it for diflributipn bibles, tcftaraents, and religious trafts. Under the aufpices of this fociety, and other generous friends to religion and to thp rifing gene ration, charity fchools were erefted, not in th? t Porteus's 'Works, vol, iii. p, 301. CIV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 427 metropolis only, but in all parts of the kingdom j in which children, taken frora the raoft indigent and helplefs claffes of fociety, were initiated into fuch learningas would qualifythem forforae ordinary eraployraent; taught the principles of religion and found morals; and clothed, and placed out in life. The leaft fuccefs in the profecution of fuch ufeful meafures is a great and ufeful effeft. The Inftitution has, with increafing Influence, prefdrved its energy for more than a century. The area under the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, in the year 1782, exhibited the wonderfully pleafing and affefting fpeftacle of nearly five thoufand children, collefted together from the charity fchools in and about London and, Weftminfter, and ranged In a kind of amphitheatre, as witneffes to the exertions of the fociety. The number of children then prefent was reckoned to bear a fraall proportion to the whole number in the fch6ols of Great-Britain and Ireland j which. It was calculated, exceeded forty thoufand. It was another principal objeft of this fociety to provide and to difperfe, at a very confiderable expence, among the lower people of all ages and occupations, a very large number of bibles, com mon-prayer books, and fraall trafts on a variety of religious fubjefts. The nuraber which had been diftributed by It, from Its firft Inftitution thirty years fince, was fo Immenfely great as almoft to exceed belief. Within fifty years preceding this date, it had araoiinted tp no lefs than 2,834,371. f* Inconfiderable and trivial," It has been weft 428 HISTORY OF THE C IV. obferved, " as the little treatifes difperfed by the " fociety may feem ; yet It is by the repeated *' efforts of fuch fmaU inftruments as thefe, that the " greateft effefts are often produced. Their num- " bers, their plainnefs, and their cheapnefs, will give *' thera an efficacy and extent of circulation, which *' much more voluminous and more laboured com- ** pofitions raay not be able to acquire ; juft as we " fee that the loweft, and hurableft, and moft nu- " merous bodies of men, not the opulent and " fplendid few, are thofe that conftitute the real *' ftrength and wealth of the community." The wifdom and utility of this raethod of addreffing the mafs of mankind have been difcerned and confeffed by thofe who are not friends to revelation. Voltaire wrote innumerable little pieces againft revelation; he prided himfelf greatly in having difcovered this method, as he ftated it, of enlightening the world ; M. d'Alembert and others applauded his conduft in this refpeft.* Count Struenfee, In one of the converfatlons which he had with the divine who attended him before his execution, expreffed an earneft wiffi that the rational friends of chriftianity would learn this method, by which Voltaire had done rauch raifchlef, and apply it to better purpofes, by writing fraall pamphlets to acquaint people with the advantages of chriftianity, which might be of greater efficacy than preachlng.f * Porteus's Works, vol. iii. p. 307, not« ; 309, note, and 310. + ¦Wendeborne's Narrative of the Converfion &c. of Count Struenfee, p. 150. CIV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 429 The fociety of which we are fpeaking had been anticipated by the diffenters In one meafure, by which they generoufly purfued the end of their affo ciation, viz. that of opening charity fchools. In 1687, In the reign of King James II. Mr. Poulton, a jefuit, gave public notice that he would inftruft the children of the poor gratis ; and on this plan opened a fchool In Gravel-lane, Southwark, one ofthe pooreft neighbourhoods In the city, where a great proportion of the Inhabitants were watermen and fiffiermen of the loweft clafs. The propofal was deemed Infidious, as it was alfo popular ; and this perfon, under the appearance of compaffion and liberality to the poor, was confidered as artfully adopting a fcheme to diffeminate the principles of popery, and to make converts to It from the rifing generation. Three refpeftable gentlemen, members of the congregation of the proteftant diffenters, under the miniftry of Mr. Nathaniel Vincent, Mr. Arthur ShaUet, Mr. Samuel Warburton, and Mr. Ferdinando Holland, alarmed at the obvious defign, and animated, by zeal for proteftantifm, exerted therafelves to counteraft the operation of the jefuit's meafure, by the foundation of a fchool for the in ftruftlon of the poor in reading, writing, arithmetic, and the principles of the proteftant religion, to be fupported by voluntary fubfcriptions, donations, and legacies, and by two annual coUeftions. This was the firft fchool opened by proteftant diffenters; and it reflefts laftiqg honour on its founders, that it was fet up on truly liberal principles; 430 HISTORY OF THE C; iV. namely, that " objefts ffiould be received into it *' without diftinftlon of parties, the general good *' being intended." The number of fcholars at firft was forty ; It afterwards was increafed to fifty, and in 1794 it amounted to an hundred and eighty. One of the annual fermons was preached for fome yea,rs at the fchool on a new-year's day ; but from January i, 1741,* it was delivered from the pulpit in St. Thoraas's, Sputhwark ; and for raore than a hundred years was regularly printed and publiffied. The other was preached in the city. It does credit to the proteftant diffenters of the day, that when the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge opened charity fchools for the Inftruftion of poor children, many of them concurred with the members of that affociation in their benevolent meafure, and gave their names as fubfcribers to the feminaries, formed on the principles of the efta blifhed church; till thefe feminaries became nurferies of disaffeftion to the government, and ftrong pre judices againft the diffenters were InftUled Into the indircriminating minds of the children. After the acceffion of George the Firft to the throne, the proteftant fucceffion remained doubtful, and no mea fure was left untried to defeat it. They who were governed by thefe views, endeavoured to get the management of the charity fchools Into their own hands; and to convert the education of children, pn public funds, into an Inftrument of averfion and * Dr. Allen's Serraon for the Charity School, in GraveUane, Southwark, Jan. 1,1741. p. 30. C IV. PROTESTANT- DISSENTERS. 431 disaffeftiont o the proteftant fetderaent. * This con duft was fo notorious, and furniffied fo juft and weighty a ground pf coraplaint in thofe tiraes againft thefe Inftitutions ; that Dr. Wake, the archbiffiop of Canterbury, addreffed a letter. In 1716, to the truftees of the fchools In and about London, ear neftly exhorting thera "vigoroufly toanlraadvertupon " all, whether children or teachers, who themfelves *' appeared, or fuffered others to appear, at any time " in public to affront the government, and to bear " a part In the tumults and riots, which were then " a fcandal as well as prejudice to the good order " and peace of the realm." In this letter his Grace alfo direfted, that any catechifras or inftitutes taught in any of the fchools, that raeddled with political or party principles, ffiould be iraraediately thrown afide, as pernicious to the original defign of thofe pious nurferies. This prelate was fo apprehenfive of the confequences of this abufe of a charitable inftitution into a fubfervlency to party and political defigns, that he forae time after recommended It to the truftees to require all the mafters and miftreffes under their direftion not only to take the oaths to the govern ment before their adraiffion, but at the tirae of their adraiffion to fubfcribe to fome fuch foleran proraife or declaration as this,—" that they do heartily ac- *' knowledge his Majefty King George to be the only " lawful and rightful king of thefe realms ; and wiU » Dr. Gibfon, the Bilhop of London's Diie(5lions for the Charity Schools, quoted by Dr. Watts, in " Ao Effay towards the Encouragement of Chaiity Schools, p.4i« 432 HISTORY OF THE CIV. " to the utmoft of their power educate the children " committed to their charge in a true fenfe of their " duty to him as fuch : That they will not, by any " words or aftions, do any thing whereby to leffen " their efteem of, or their obedience to, the prefent " government : That upon aU public days, when *' their children raay be likely to appear among any *' diforderly perfons they will do their beft to keep " them in; and feverely puniffi them, if they ffiould " hear of their running into any tumults or public " meetings, contrary to the good order of fuch " fchools and fcholars." His Grace's advice was adopted, and ftrengthened by the like exhortations of other prelates In their fermons at the anniverfary meetings of the charity fchools ; and the fociety eraployed all their influence to fecure a general con formity to the fentiments and injunftions of the biffiops in this raatter, as of the laft Iraportance to the welfare of their fchools.* Thefe fafts are proofs of the difaffeftlon towards the exifting governraent, which in a great degree charafterized the times, and fliewed itfelf In the eftabliffied church ; and they afford an affefting example, that inftitutions formed at firft on principles of philanthropy, and the defign of which is to ad- vance knowledge and virtue, may be and have been perverted from their original end, aud proftituted to party politics. When Bifliop Gibfon publiflied his direftlons fome years after, he thought there * Dr. Tucker, dean of Glocefter's Sermon at Chrift-Church, 7th May, 1766, p. 66 ; 67, of the Appendix. C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 433 was great reafon to believe that much of that leaven was worked out ; and was willing to hope that fince things were better, true and loyal fubjefts would begin to think more favourably of thofe femi naries.* But in the year 1728, this leaven ftiU continued to work. The divine right of epifcopacy, and the invalidity of all ordinaiices admlniftered by perfons not ordained by regular fucceffors of the Apoftles, were taught in thofe fchools, and InftUled into the rainds of children of fix and feven years of age ; and yet the contributions of diffenters were folicited to the fupport of thefe feminaries. Though the zeal ofthe managers might in fuch applications be confpicuous, the propriety and modefty of their fuit may be queftioned.f In faft difpleafure was naturally felt, when it appeared that the fubfcriptions. of diffenters were employed to fupport fchools in which principles of difloyalty were taught ; a bigoted zeal for the word church InftUled Into young and paffive minds; and a fpirit of enmity and perfecution againft all whom they were Inftrufted to call pref byterians, was cheriffied In the hearts of children who were in part receiving their bread and clothing from the hands of thofe whom they were trained up to hate. The diffenters expreffed thi^ir difappro bation ofthe Illiberality of this conduft; withdrew their charity which was fo abufed;. and from refpeft to their own principles, and a regard to their perfonal fecurity, were ftimulated to inftitute fchools on a * Watts's Eflay, p. 45. t Dr. Chandler's Serraon, at Gravel-lane, Southwark, ift Jan. i7a8. F F 434 HISTORY OF THE 0. IV. more chriftian and generous plan ; in which, on the one hand, the children were taught nothing of the divine right of preffiytery, and on the other, no fufplclpns pf the fcriptural authority of diocefan epifcopacy v?ere infinuated. In their feminaries the chUdren were not prejudiced againft any party of chriftians, nor were they bred up bigots to their own feft ; and the catechetical fyftem of religious principles, into which they were initiated contained no articles but fuch as the eftabliffied clergy fub fcribed, and their belief of which they were bound by Aft of ParUament to profefs. It will fall within a future period of this hiftory to fpecify the fchppls forraed in fubfequent times. The next meafure adopted by the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge was forraed on a more liberal fcale, and animated by a diffufive fpirit of phUanthropy. It extended its views and its aids to neighbouring and reraote countries; communicating to them religious knowledge, by the diftribution of books In their refpeftive lan guages, and by the eftabliffiment of fchools and ralffipns, particularly in varipus parts of the Eaft- Indies, for the converfion and inftruftion of the heathens. Such have been the progrefs and effefts of their exertions, that a late venerable prelate, in the year 1782, frora a retrpfpeft pf their prp- ceedings, was enabled tp give a pleafing view pf the various refults pf their cpraprehenfive defigns. The fociety had printed and difperfed over the Ifle of Man many thoufand copies of the Old atid New C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 435 Teftaraent, of the Coraraon Prayer, and other religious books In the vulgar language of that ifland. It had publiffied three feveral editions of the Bible In the Welffi language, and diftributed thera through every part of Wales,- to the araount of fifty thoufand copies. It had made provifion for the education of youth and the celebration of divine worffiip In the ScIUy iflands, where there was the utmoft need of both. It had printed the New Teftaraent and Pfalter In Arabic ; and had fent a large number of both, not to mention fome pther trafts, intP Paleftlne, Syria, Mefppptamia, Arabia, and Egypt, from Its regard to the Greek church, and even into Perfia and India. And it had difperfed many religious trafts in the Malabar language.* It Is an agreeable tranfitlon from this general account of the benevolent operations of this fociety, to notice another inftitution, to which the period paffing under our review gave birth ; the iraraediate and direft objeft of which was to plant chriftianity In foreign parts. The way had been prepared for fuch a noble defign by the occurrences of former years. The pattern had been furniffied in America, and the government at home had given its aid and fanftion to it. The puritans, whom Intolerance in religion, and political meafures of a defpotlcal afpeft, had driven over the Atlantic Ocean to cultivate the- wildernefs of the weftern continent, no fooner faw the colony, raifed in the dreary wilds of this new region, begin to flouriffi, but they applied them- i * Porteus's ¦Works, vol. iii. p. 306. F F 2 436 HISTORY OF THE C IV.' felves with zeal and affiduity to effeft the converfion of the Indians, and not without fuccefs. Mayhew, Sheppard, and Elliot, the laft of whom in particular gained the honourable title of the Apoftle of the. Indians, diftinguiffied themfelves In thefe labours of facred humanity. The favages were civilized, in ftrufted, and formed Into regular congregations. The fuccefs of thefe pious attempts drew the atten tion of the people and parliaraent of England. In 1646, " a Society or Company, for the Propagation " of the Gofpel in New England, and the parts *' adjacent in Araerica," was conftltuted under the fanftion of an Aft of Parliaraent ; and by a coUeftion raade in all the pariffies in England, there was raifed a fum fufficient to purchafe an eftate in land of between 5 and 600I. per annum. Upon the refto ration of Charles II. the corporation becarae dead in law ; and Colonel Bedingfield, a Roraan Ca tholic, who had fold an eftate of 322I. per annum, which was invefted in It as truftees, availed himfelf of the circumftance to re-poffefs himfelf of It, refu fing at the fame time to refund the purchafe money. The Hon. Robert Boyle employed his intereft with Lord Chancellor Clarendon to counteraft this in juftice. Mr. Baxter, and Henry Afliurft, efq; alfo joined their influence to obtain a re-eftabliffiment of the fociety under royal patronage ; and by a new charter, granted by Charies II. in the fourteenth year of his reign, in the year 1663 it was incorpo rated, and the eft-ate, which had been detained by C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 437 Bedingfield, was reftored by a decree of the Chan ceUor ; and Mr. Boyle was appointed the firft governorof the revived corporation.* Thefe fteps towards the fpread of chriiftianity were preparatory to a new Inftitution, formed under the authority of the royal charter by King WiUiam, in 1701, entitled " 1 he Society for propagating the Gofpel in Fo- " reign Parts." " It was," obferves Biffiop Burnet, " a glorious conclufion of a reign that was begun " with preferving our religion, thus to create a " corporation for propagating it to the remoter " parts of the earth, and among infidels."t The defign of extending Into diftant countries the blef fings of the gofpel received by this inftitution ftability ; the royal patronage awakened aftivity and zeal ; the biffiops and clergy gave it their generous and aftive fupport ; and its funds, were enlarged and ftrengthened by liberal fubfcriptions. The primary and Immediate objeft was " the main- " tenance of a learned and orthodox clergy," to difcharge the clerical funftions in thofe plantation, or colonies, where either very fcanty or no provifion was made for the public worffiip of God. Another and early objeft of Its attention was to provide, by catechifts and fchoolraafters, for the inftruftion and converfion of the negroes In the colonies. And their plan included, as their revenues increafed, the civUization and converfion of the Mohawks; and • Moflieim's Ecclefiaftical Hiftory, vol. iv. p. 241; Birch's Life of Boyle, p. 141 ; and the Appendix No. i. is a copy of the charter- t Burnet's Hiftory, vol, v. p. 92. 438 HISTORY OF THE C IV. Other Indian nations. One ofthe firft fteps adopted by the fociety was to fend, at the expenfe of Its funds, fifty-four miffionaries through the ftates of Georgia, North and South Carolina, New Jerfey, Pennfylvania, New England, and New York ; to whom were added two catechifts /or the Inftruftlon of the negroes.jl In conneftion with the exertions of this fociety to diffeminate chriftian knowledge abroad may be properly noticed the provifion made by a private and generous individual to vindicate and defend the truth of dhrlftianlty through future time at home. The great chriftian philofopher, the Hon. Mr, Robert Boyle, who during his life had given 3 ool. to advance the defign of propagating the chriftian religion in America, by a codicil annexed to his wUl, dated July 28, 1691, charged his meffuage or dwelling-houfe In St. Michael's, Crooked-lane, London, with the payment of the clear yearly rents and profits to forae learned divine In London, or within the bills of mortality ; to be elefted for a terra not exceeding three years, by Dr. Tenifpn, afterwards archbiffiop of Canterbury, by Sir Henry Afliurft, Sir John Rotheram, and John Evelyn, efq; and the furvivors or furvivor of thera, and fuch perfon or perfons as the furvivor of them ffiould appoint to fucceed in the truft. The office affigned to the lefturer was to preach eight fermons in the year, for proving jlie chriftian religion againft noto- X Jablonflci Inftitut. Chriftian. Hiftor. vol. iii. p. 3s; Bifhop Newton's Biog. Works, vol. iii, p. 413— 425. C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 439 ripus infidels, viz. atheifts, pagans, Jews, and Ma- hpraetans ; nPt defcending lower to any controverfies that are among chriftians. In unipu with, and In fubferviency to, the priraary objeft ofthe foundation, the lefturer was enjoined to affift and encourage any focieties engaged in raeafures for propagating the gofpel In foreign parts ; and to be ready to fatisfy real fcruples, and to anfwer any new objeftions and difficulties, which had not previoufly received good anfwers. The fermons it was direfted ffiould be preached on the firft Monday of January, February, March, April, and May, and of Septeinber, Oftober, and November. The leftures were feldom conti nued above a year. The endowment was Uable to defalcation, or at leaft to delay In payraent, or to difficulty of recovery, by the houfe ftanding erapty, or tenants failing in due payraent of the rent. To reracdy thefe incon veniences, Archbiffiop Tenifon procured a yearly grant of 50I. to be paid quarterly for ever, charged upon a farm in the parifli of Brill, in the county of Bucks. - This ftipend Is accordingly paid without fee or reward. " The pious and honourable taflc of " preaching theBoylean lefture," obferves Moffieim, *' has been coramitted always to raen of the moft " eminent genius and abilities; and is ftiil undertaken " with zeal, and perforraed v^ith remarkable dignity " and fuccefs. The difcourfes that have been '• delivered in confequence of this admirable inftitu- " tion have been moft commonly publiflied ; and '* they form, at this day, a large and important 440 HISTORY OF THE C IV. " coUeftion, which is known throughout all Europe, " and has done erainent fervice to the caufe of " religion and virtue."* This inftitution has given occafion for the publi cation of fome moft judicious, learned, and popular v?orks ; to v/hich an extenfive circularion and a per manent celebrity have been attached. The firft of thefe leftures was preached by that great fcholar Dr. Bentley; whofe fermons on this occafion have been pronounced the moft valuable of that great critic's performances.! The defign which he purfued in them was to demonftrate the being and providence of God on the principles of Sir Ifaac Newton's dif coveries. Araong the hearers were the members of a club of fceptlcs or infidels; who, on being aflced what they had to fay againft them, candidly owned that they did not know what to fay.§ In • Birch's Life of Boyle, p. 292, — 3, and p. 353 — 4. * Msflieim, vol. iv. p. 243. "t 'Whifton's Memoirs, p. 93. § Dr. Bentley was fo affefted with this anfwer, Mr. 'Whifton tells us, as to fay, " he doubted he had done harra to Chriftianity " by thefe fermons, as ha-wng diverted thefe fceptics from their " denial of a God and a Providence, from which they might be " always driven with great eafe, to pick up objeftions againft reve- " lation in general: a mode of attack, which would certain] v afford " them a much larger field for contradiftion."* But furely the learned preacher had no juft ground for this fentiment of concern und regret. He had fixed upon a fubjeft peculiarly proper as the preliminary bafis for a feries of difcourfes in defence of natural as well as of revealed religion; on a fubjeft that fell direftly within the intentions and direftlons of the founder of the lefture. And there would be no fecurity^ againft blaming ourfelves, if men were to be difliuisfied with themfelves, becaufe malignity and prejudice could and did pervert their good intentions and laudable exertions. * Whifton's Memoirs, p, 93. C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 441 the fucceffion of more than a century the lefture has been preached by forae who have ranked with the firft clafs of divines, and whofe names are enrolled with honour in the annals of the republic of lite rature. To this lefture we are indebted for Der- ham's Phyfico-Theology ; for Dr. John Clarke's Sermons on the Origin of Evil, which have paffed through feveral editions ; for Dr. Samuel Clarke's " Difcourfe concerning the Being and Attributes *• of God, the Obligations of Natural Religion, " and the Truth and Cert.iinty of the Chriftian " Revelation: " [the fermons which form this trea tife were executed in a raanner that at once furprifed and inftrufted the raoft intelligent hearers ; " every " chriftian In this country, in which they firft faw " the light, ought to eftecra them/' fays Biffiop " Hoadly," as his treatise ; as they contain the true " ftrength, not only of natural, but revealed, rell- *' glon :"] and for the courle of fermons by Dr. Benjamin Ibbott, a raoft able, rational, and judicious defender of revelation; in which Is accurately and liberally ftated the true notion of the exercife of private judgment or free-thinking in matters of religion ; the objeftions againft It are anfwered ; and the modern way of free-thinking, as treated of In a late difcourfe on that fubjeft, is taken into confidera tion. The " Difcourfe on Free-Thinking," here The preacher might have reflefted, to his comfort, that he had left a large field open to his fucceffors in the inftitution, in which he had not precluded them from labouring with fldll, energ^f, and fuccefs through many years ; and that he had laid a good foun dation on which they rpight build. 443 HISTORY OF THE C IV. referred to, was written by Anthony Collins, efq. It has been obferved by a very able judge. Dr. Law the biffiop of Carlifle, much to the credit of thefe dif- courfes, that Dr. Ibbot ftands abfolutely clear of all the exceptions urged In " Chriftianity not founded *' on argument ;" and that he hath fully anfwered the end of the great and good founder of the lec ture.* In this lefture originated alfo fome impor tant and valuable works, thrown, after they were preached, out of the forra of ferraons, which have excited great attention, and been juftly held in high eftiraatlon. To this clafs belongs " The Hiftory of " the Afts of the Holy Apoftles confirmed from ** other authors ; and confidered as full evidence of *' the Truth of Chriftianity ; with a Prefatory Dif. *' courfe upon the Nature of that Evidence ;" by Rich. Bifcoe, A. M. ; who had, in the earlier part of his life, been the minifter of a congregation of dlf- fentersatNewIngton-Green, tlll.he conformed In 1727. Dr. Doddridge pronounces this to be an elaborate and valuable work. It has long been fc^rce. An appointraent to preach the Boylean lefture gave rife to the learned Dr. Jortin's adrairable " Reraarks " on Ecclefiaftical Hiftory ;" In the three firft vo lumes of which is inferted the fubftance ofthe fecond and third heads of his difcourfes on that occafion. His fubjefts were, the nature and intent of prophecy, together with an examination of fome predi£lioiis in the Old and New Teftaraent ; and confiderations on miracles in general, on the miracles of Chrift and • Confiderations on the Theory of Religion, p,34, 6th edition. C. IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 443 his apoftles, and on the fupport which they gave to the chriftian religion.* By the truftees of this noble donation of the chriftian philofopher. Dr. Newton, afterwards biffiop of Briftol, who had already pub liffied a volurae of" Differtations on the Prpphecies,'* was encouraged to proceed in his Interefting and important inveftigatlons as to their defign and ac- corapliffiraent. He was invited to preach Mr. Boyle's lefture : this teftiraony of approbation be ftowed on his former work afforded an occafion, and afted as a ftimulus to animate him, to purfue this particular ftudy. The refult was the publication of two more volumes of " Differtations on the Pro- '¦' phecies which have remarkably been fuIfiUed, and " at this time are fulfilling In the world;" 1758. At the firft impreffion 1250 copies were printed, and a thoufand at every edition to the fixth In 1782. The work met with a very favourable reception abroad, and was tranflated into the Daniffi and German languages ; II and is ftill popular. In 1739, the difcourfes which had been delivered previoufly to that date at Mr. Boyle's lefture were republiffied In a coUefted form in three voluraes folio. In 1737, the Rev. Gilbert Burnet had given to the public a judicious, comprehenfive, and well-digefted abridge- OT^7z/ of the fermons of thofe who had preached It before that time. This abridgement comprehends the difcourfes of Bentley, Kidder, WUliams, Gaftrel, Harris, Bradford, BlackhaU, Stanhope, Clarke, * Difney's Memoirs ofthe Life and Writingsof Dr. Jortin, p. 54. |l Bilhop Newton's Pofthumous Works, Life, p. 73, 4. 444 HISTORY OF THE C. IV. Hancock, Whifton, Turner, Butler, Woodward, Derham, Ibbot, Long, J. Clarke, Gurdon, Buruet, and Berriman. This work was tranflated into the French and German languages ; at once a proof of the celebrity of the inftitution, a teftimony of its merit, and the means of extending its influence. Some of the fubjefts difcuffed in thefe difcourfes have been already fpecified. As to the other fer mons, thofe of Biffiop Kidder bore the title of " A " Deraonftration of the Meffiah." Thofe of Biffiop Williams exhibited " a general Idea of Revealed *' Religion." " The Certainty and Neceffity of "Divine Religion" in general was argued by Biffiop Gaftrell. Dr. Harris confidered and refuted the objeftions of atheifts to the exiftence and attri butes of GpD. The credibUIty of the chriftian religion was ftated by Bifliop Bradford. The fufficiency and perfeftion of the revelation of the Old and New Teftament were reprefented by Bifliop Blackball. Dr. Stanhope defended the truth and exceUence of the chriftian religion againft Jews, in fidels, and heretics. The general plan of natural and revealed religion was the fubjeft treated by Dr. Hancock. Mr. Whifton confined himfelf to the accompliffiment of the prophecies of fcripture. Dr. Turner ffiewed the wiflom of God in the redemption of the human race. Dr. John Butler, prebendary of Canterbury, chofe for his topic " Religion no raatter of fliame or injury." The heavenly origin and incomparable excellence of the chriftian reli gion was fet forth by Dr. Woodward. The defign Ci iVi PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 445 of Biffiop Leng was to prove the natural obligation to believe in the principles of religion and of divine revelation. Mr. Gurdon, the archdeacon of Sud bury, aimed to prove th it the difficulties which men found in natural and revealed relljjion formed no ex cufe for infidelity. Dr. Thos. Burnet, reftor of Weft Kington, Wiks, and prebendary of Sarum, entitled his fermons " a Deraonftration of the True Religion." Dr. William Berriman felefted for his fubjeft the gradual revelation of the gofpel. This abridgement of the Boylean leftures was accompanied with a full and well-arranged table of contents.* To the naraes of thofe divines already mentioned, who fince thefe publications ha.ve kept up the reputation and perpetuated the ufefulnefs of this inftitution, fliould be added. Dr. Leonard Twells, Dr. Robert Warren, Dr. Ralph Heathcote, Dr. William Worthington, and Dr. Henry Owen. " In general," it has been judicioufly obferved, " that though among fuch a " number of writers, their reafoning will not in " every refpeft and on every fubjeft be alike Im- *' portant and convincing, the fermons at Boyle's *' leflure have done eminent fervice to the caufe of " natural and revealed religion, and conftitute a *' fyftem of evidence which no fubdety or fophiftry " can overturn."! It is alfo a pleafing and ani mating refleftion, which offers Itfelf on the hiftory of ufeful and philanthropic inftitutions, fuch as that of Mr. Boyle's foundation, that when a man pro- * Bibliotheque Raifonnee, tom. xix. p. 449. !j Dr. Kippis in Biog. Brit, article Boyle, p. 515- 446 HISTORY OE THE C IV. vides for the execution of fuch a defign, the good effefts of it, both as to duration and extent, will very probably reach much beyond any calculation of its influence which he could make when he formed his plan. We cannot conclude this chapter on ufeful infti tutions, without raaking honourable and particular raention of one clergyman, to whom the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge owed peculiar obli gations. The divine here meant was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Bray; who was born in 1656, at Marton in Shropffiire, and entered of Hertford college, Ox ford. He was firft, after taking orders, curate near Bridgenorth in Shropffiire ; he had afterwards the donative of Lac-Marfin in Warwickffiire, the grant of Sir Thoraas Price, of Park hall ; his next prefer ment was the vicarage of Over-Whitacre, given to him by Lord Digby; who. In 1693, prefented him to the reftory of Sheldon, both in the fame county : this preferment he held till about a quarter of a year before his death, when he refigned It on the grounds of his advanced age, and the known worth and abilities of his appointed fucceffor. He was alfo rainifter of Aldgate in London. This bene volent raan, whofe life was a feries of public-fpirited and generous exertions, in 1697, on the failure of his defigns and endeavours to procure a publick fund to be eftabliffied fbr the propagation of the gofpel in foreign parts, forraed a defign of having a proteftant congregation, pro fi,ds propaganda, by charters from the king. The circumftances of the C IV. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 447 times not favouring this intention, he laid It afide. But to prepare the way for a charter-foclety, he endeavoured to find out worthy perfons difpofed to fprm a vpluntary fociety to propagate chriftian knowledge at horae and abroad. He coraraunicated his views and fcherae to Dr. Henry Cogipton, biffiop of London, in 1697 ; and a fociety was forraed on his plan, of which we have given an account : and the event was, as we have feen, when their numbers increafed, and new benefaftions improved their finances, the ereftlon of a corporation under his Majefty's letters patent. May 5, 1701, for the pro pagation of the gofpel in foreign parts : fo Irapor- tant, fo extenfively ufeful, often are the benevolent fcheraes and exertions of one Individual. " Charity " to the fouls pf men," it Is faid by his biographer, " was wrought up to the higheft pitch in his own " foul." Moft of the religious focieties and good defigns In London, at that period, owe great acknow ledgements to the memory of Dr. Bray, and were in a great meafure formed on the plans which he projefted. Thefe benevolent undertakings furniffied a fource of confolatory refleftions and of joyful pre- fages In his laft minutes. He died on the 15th of February, 1730, in the 73d year of his age. 44S HISTORY OF THE C V. CHAPTER V. A Concise Review of Theological Publications. THE Reformation originated in a fpirit of enquiry. Wickliffe and his foUowers, In particular, gave a manly example of afferting the independence of the huraan mind, and of daring to' think and aft for themfelves. The policy and am bition of princes and ftatefmen had, in fubfequent periods, great influence in proraoting the feceffion from the church of Rome ;' but as far as the Re formation was efpoufed from conviftion, it owed its advancement to exaraination and difcuffion. The feceffion from the firft proteftant eftablifliraents in different kingdoms proceeded frora, and was fup ported by, raen's prefuraing to think for therafelves ; and by tracing back the exifting fentiments and prac tices into the foundation and authority which they had in the feriptures. The invention of printing gave a great facility to enquiry. As new events ar-ofe ; as points of opinion and praftice, the autho rity and reftitude of which had for ages been admitted, became doubtful and fufpefted; new dif- Ci V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 44tJ cuffions took place. Many in vindication of their adherence to eftabliffied forms and creeds, and many in defence of their departure from them, were con ftrained to have recourfe to inveftigatlon and argu ment. The Aft of Toleration, limited as were its provifions, and narrow as was its fpirit, gave encou ragement to enquiry, and In a great degree removed the obftacles to th^ difcovery and profeffion of truth. The Revolution Itfelf called for the aid of the pen to advocate its neceffity, juftice, and importance : and the defence of It involved a vindication of men's rehgious as well as civil rights ; of chriftian liberty as weU as of the political conftitution of thefe nations. Accordingly the Revolution gave rife to many publications. At the commencement of It there carae from the prefs, " The Way to Peace among all *' Proteftants ;" being a letter of reconciliation fent by Biffiop Ridley to Biffiop Hooper, with forae ani madverfions on Iti Another traft printed about this time was " A Meraorlal of God's laft twenty-nine *' years' Wonders in England, for its Prefervation * and Deliverance from Popery and Slavery." There was alfo publiffied, " The abfolute Neceffity of ftand- " Ing vigoroufly by the prefent Government; or a "View of what both Churchmen and Diffenters muft *' expeft. If by their unhappy divifions, power and ty- *' ranny ffiould return again." A third piece profeffed to exhibit a retrofpeftive " ffiort view of the methods " made ufe of In Ireland for the fubverfion and de- " ftruftion of the Proteftant religion and Intereft in " that kingdora, from the beginning of the reign of G c 450 HISTORY OF THE C. V. « the late King James to the prefent time ; and of « the fufferings of the Proteftants all along." Ano ther traft was defigned to expofe " the myftery of " iniquity working In the dividing of Proteftants, " in order to the fubverting of religion and our laws, •' for almoft the fpace of thirty years laft paft, plainly " laid open ; to which is added, a fpecimen of a blU *' for uniting Proteftants." An examination of the fcruples pf thofe who refufe to take the oaths of allegiance :^^King WUliam or King Lewis ; or the inevitable neceffity thefe nations lie under of fub mitting wholly to one or other of thefe kings : — Refleftions upon the opinions of fome modern divines concerning the nature of government In general, and of England In particular, with Magna Charta annexed; — were, as their titles indicate, trafts properly fuited to the circumftances and temper of the day; and calculated to excite difcuffion and exami nation of general principles of theology and policy. There appeared many other publications of the like nature, the moft confiderable of which are preferved in " The CoUeftion of State Trafts," on occafion of the Revolution in 1688, vol. I.* But one traft, mentioned before, which made its appearance at this period, from the feafonable im portance of It, from the name of the author, from its Internal excellence, its influence on public opi nion, and its perraanent fame, deferves particular notice. This was Mr. Locke's " Firft Letter on " Toleration." He compofed It at the time, when • Calamy, vol. i. p. 483. C V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 45 1 having fallen under a fufpicion of being an accom plice of the Duke of Monmouth, he took ffielter in the houfe of Mr. Veen, a gentleman of Amfterdam^ in 16S5. It was firft written in Latin, and printed at Gouda, in Holland, 1689, ^"^ entitled, "Epiftola *' de Tolerantia ad clarlffimum Virum T. A. R. " P. T O. L. A. fcripta a P. A. P. O. I. L A." The firft initials fignifying, Theologlas apud Remon- ftrantes Profefforem, Tyrannidis Oforem Limbur- gium Amftelodamenfem : and the latter feries, Pads Amico, Perfecutionis Ofore, Johanne Lockio Anglo. This excellent performance foon excited attention. It was tranflated, as we have before noticed, into Dutch and French In the fame year ; and two editions of it In Engliffi, the one in quarto, and the other in duodecimo, were publiffied In London. To thefe impreffions was prefixed an addrefs to the reader by Mr. Popple, in happy imitation of Mr. Locke's force and ftrength of expreffion. The writer airas to excite the reader to confider " the *' ufefulnefs and Iraportance of the work, and the "great neceffity there was, at that time, for both " governors and people to attend to and profit by it." Referring to the events of party ftruggles, then recent In the meraories of men, and complaining with great juftice of the narrow principles on which each party had afferted and vindicated their own exemption from penal ftatutes in religion ; he adds, in ftrain of ftrong reraonftrance, for which in every period fince, and even In the prefent day, it is to be laraented, too juft occafion is afforded, "this nar- G G 2 « 452 HISTORY OF THE C. V. " rowncfs of fpirit has undoubtedly been the prin- " cipal occafion of our miferies and confufions. But " whatever has been the occafion, it Is now high *' time to feek for a thorough cure. We have need of *' more generous remedies than what have yet been " made ufe of in our diftemper. It is neither *' ' Declarations of Indulgence, nor Afts of Corapre- ** * henfion,' fuch as have yet been praftifed or pro- *' jefted amongft us, that can do the work. The *' firft will but palliate, the fecond increafe, our evil. *' Abfolute liberty, juft and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty, is the thing we fland in need of, •' Now, though this has Indeed been much talked *' of, I doubt it has not been much underftood ; I " am fure not at all praftifed either by our governors *' towards the people In general, or by any diffent- *' Ing parties ofthe people towards one another." A Second Letter on Toleration, in anfwer to Jonas Proaft, chaplain of All-Souls' college, Oxford, who had written againft the firft, appeared frora the pen of Mr. Locke in 1690. A Third Letter on Tole ration, in anfwer to forae new objeftions, was pub liffied in 1692, written with great ftrength and accuracy. The controverfy flept for twelve years; when his firft opponent Mr. Proaft revived it. Mr. Locke began to compofe a fourth letter on the fubjeft ; but died before he had finiffied It. What he had written was printed in his pofthumous works in 1706. Celebrity has been attached to thefirft of thefe letters on toleration. The fubfequent letters in defence of it, though they be exceedingly valu- C T. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 453 able, it has been obferved, " carry In thera that *' air of controverfy which may have raade the *' whole lefs rainded by coraraon readers." In 1764, Thomas Hollis, efq; the munificent friend of fcience and literature, and the ardent advocate of civil and religious liberty, beftowed incredible pains In promoting a new edition of the " Letters concerning Toleration ;" and engaged Mr. Baron to correft the prefs. This edition was pubUffied Jan. ift, 1765. Mr. Hollis himfelf col lated the firft letter with the firft 4to. and lamo. editions In 1689 ; and Mr. Baron wrote the preface. It Is remarkable that this firft letter, notwith ftanding the honour it has fecured to the name of the author, was never printed by Itfelf, though thi^ negleft Is not much to the credit of Engliffimen, If we except a fecond edition In 1690, till 1800, when a neat Impreffion of It appeared from the prefs at the expence of his Grace the late Duke of Grafton, with an advertifement prefixed to it by Mr. Lindfey ; who, with too great propriety, fays, •' It is mortifying to obferve that a work of fuch an *' author, and of fuch Ineftlraable price, ffiould have " been more than a century before the public, and *' have produced fo little of the effeft which might *' in all reafon have been expefted from It ; and that *' the original addrefs ffiould apply equally to the " nation now as at the firft."* * The edition in 1800, advertifement, p. 4 ; Hollis's Memoirs, vol.i. p. 224,332, 263 ; LeClerc's Account of the Life aad Writings 9f Mr, Locke, p. 83, 34. 3' i 3riti(h Biography, vol. vii. p. »o, jij 454 HISTORY OF THE C. V. Mr. Locke, it has been obferved, and truly with refpeft to the faft, was not the firft writer on the fubjeft ; for the argument had been vpell underftood and ftated during the civil war. But the critical time In which this work appeared, fo foon after the paffing of the Aft of Toleration, and the eminence and known abilities of a living author, drew the attention of the public to it. In the preceding reign the III policy of excluding from civil privileges a confiderable number of proteftants, who were barriers againft popery and arbitrary power, had been felt by fome even of the great churchmen themfelves, as by Archbiffiop Sancroft. But Mr. Locke's treatife, though it was profeffedly, according to the title, a Plea for Toleration only, as was prefently per ceived, had a more extenfive bearing. It was a leading defign of it to afcertain exaftly the diftinc- tion and bounds between the bufinefs of civil go vernment and that of religion ; and to prove that the whole jurlfdiftion of the civil magiftrate reached to civil concerns only, to guard and fecure the enjoyment of them to every individual : and that it neuhcr can nor ought, in any manqer, to be ex tended to the falvation of fouls ; a care which is not committed to him any more than to others, and to which he is not competent. Anoiher point which the author diicuffcs is the nature of a church, which he flicws to be a voluntary fociety pf men- 13; and Calamy, vol. i. p. 499— 506^ 523—527. <)99, in which the author has given an abliraa of the principles apd reafoning^ gontained in the letters. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 455 formed Into an union for the public worfliip of God; which ought to be tolerated by the magiftrate, but over which he has no power, either to conftitute, to raodel, or to govern it. His arguments and reafonings were grounded on coraprehenfive prin ciples, applicable to the defence of all parties in aU countries ; and calculated to evince the right of all good fubjefts, not only to be exempted and fecured from aU penalties on account of their religious opinions, but without diftinftlon to enjoy the farae favour of the prince, and the fame benefit of the laws. The firft effeft Of Mr. Locke's reafoning appeared in a very fenfible proteft In behalf of the rejefted bill for abrogating the facramental teft in the yeju: 1689.* It may juftly affeft thinking perfons with furprife and deep concern, that the liberal reafonings of Mr. Locke have not yet had their fuU influence on the minds of men, and that they make fo flow; a progrefs ; though the public attention, fince that excellent work was written, has been repeatedly direfted to the difcuffion of the queftions relative to religious liberty. It Is, indeed, a fource of rauch fatisfaftion, a favourable oraen of the advancement of truth, that the fubjedl has never been agitated, efpecially in the legiflative affemblies, without fome triumph over intolerance, without gaining over new converts to the caufe. It Is ftill, however, ardently to be wiffied, that the pleas and arguraents of Mr. Locke's work may have a repeated hearing, and ^ • Archdeacon Blackburne's Works, vol, v. p. 98, 99. M6 HISTORY OF THE C. V. more extenfive, improving effeft. Nay, admirable as was that treatife for the time in which It was written, it yet left the fubjeft open to be difcuffed with raore correft precifion, and on a more en larged bafis. " It is an argument that we have *' made a very poor ufe of it, if we acquiefce In it *' at this day. It is certainly not advifeable to reft *' folely upon the authority of any man, as if his *' fentiments and maXiras were the perfeft and un- " alterable ftandard with refpeft to it, fo as to " abide by any conclufion that may be drawn *' from his doftrine." The application which Dr. Brown* has made of Mr. Locke's opinion, — that thofe are not all to be tolerated who deny the being of a God, — is a ftriking Inftance to the point ; for he has availed himfelf of this principle to plead fpr intolerance in forae other cafes alfo. The ma giftrate might evade Mr. Locke's great argument, founded on the diftinftlon between civil and religious rights, by choofing to call that a civil which his fubjecSs would term a religious, concern ; becaufe many things and rights are of a mixed uature.f Among other publications, to which the Revolu tion and the meafures of government gave occafion, was " A Letter to a Member of ParUament, ffiew- *' ing that a reftraint on the prefs Is inconfiftent with * Vicar of St Niclwlas in Newcafl;Ie-upon-TyBe, and author of Effays on the Charadteriftics of Lord Shaftefbury. + Prieflly's Letter of Aclvice to Difl'enters, on an application to Pailiament for relief from certain Penal Laws, 1773, p. 88, 85, 8». C V. ^ PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 457 ^« the proteftant religion, and dangerous to the liber- " ties ofthe nation ;" printed In 1698.* The evils of reftraining the prefs are fully repre fented in this traft, and the point is argued with great ability. It is urged, that reftraints on the prefs tend to produce a blind fubmiffion to the religious principles In which raen chance to have beea educated ; deprive them of the moft proper means ¦ of coming to the truth, by hindering their exami nation of different opinions and arguments ; obftruft that Influence of truth which arifcs from an exami nation of Its evidences, convincing the underftanding and endearing the difcovery of it ; and are a bar to all tliofe important offices of love which confift la the mutual communication of our fentiraents, and in affifting one another to deteft error and arrive at the knowledge of truth, by offering one another reafons and argaraents. Ignorance, fuperftition, and bigotry, it is obferved as a matter of fa^, prevail and abound even in proteftant as well as In popiffi countries, in propor tion as thefe communications are difcouraged and prevented. The Reforraation, It is alleged, was built on the freedora of examination, aided by the prefs. An entire liberty of the prefs. It is infifted on, would by degrees eftabliffi religious truths becaufe that is fupported by better, plainer, and more cogent arguments than are any falfe opinions. The excellence and ufefulnefs of truth. It is urged, * A CoUeftion of State Papers publifhed during the reign of William IIL vol. ii. bas preferved this piece; p. (m—bzi. 458 HISTORY OF THE C. V, carry evidence and conviftion with it. Every argu ment advanced to juftify Uccnfing books that pro fefs to interpret the feriptures, it Is pleaded, applies to defend the papifts In reftraining by licence the reading of the bible ; and every reafon offered to reftrain advancing frora the prefs opinions and argnments contrary to thofe eftabliffied by the church in power, holds as ftrongly againft their being propofed frora the pulpit. The art of printing, it is remarked, has been a noble raeans employed by Providence to deliver men from the tyrrany of the clergy ; bnt to truft tbem with the power of licenfing books Is to deUver back Into their hands the means of bringing on again a facerdotal flavery; and to put the prefs Into their hands Is to give the power over It to thofe who are educated not to try the eftabUffied reUglon, but to profefs It; not to inveftlgate the truth, but to earn their bread by what bears the name of It ; — to thofe who are ffiackled with early oaths and fubfcriptioiis ; — to thofe who who cannot any more be prefumed to have impar tially examined the tenets they find fettled hy law, than the mercenary foldiers do the juftice of the caufe In which they are engaged ; — to thofe who are In all countries warm and aftive for the opinions to which their preferments are annexed ; — to thofe who cannot but be highly difpleafcd and affronted to fee the laity do what they durft not, judgq for themfelves. Reftraining the prefs, it Is added, if comraitted to the laity, would Imply a dlfrcfpe^ of the clergy j C. A% PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 459 as not to be trufted with printing but half a flieet on religion without the confent of a lay-licenfer, who is to have an arbitrary power over their works ; which would undoubtedly be highly refented by them. Reftraining the liberty of the prefs, as it Is unfriendly to our religious rights. Is alfo inimical to our civil ones. There never was a nation who loft the forraer, that could retain the latter. Prieft craft and flavery go hand in hand. It deprives rational and focial creatures of the greateft enjo) ment of which they are capable ; that is, It forbids then* to eraploy their thoughts on whatever fubjeft they pleafe, and to comraunicate them one to another 3S freely as they conceive them. It is the engine of flavery, to prevent the defeft of either the governraent, or the management of the government, from being difcovered pr reformed ; an inftrument in the hands of arbitrary power to bar true patriots from pleading the rights and liberties of the people, and tp fanftion the pen of thofe who argue for the extenfion of the prerogative. The liberty of the prefs fecured, all other liberty is fecure ; that denied, no other Is preferved, Reftraining the prefs, it is further argued, dif' courages the ableft men frora writing; who will not be content to have their works lie at the mercy of an ignorant, or at the beft an unle: lured licenfer, who uppn a curfory view- may condcfnn the whole to perpetual darknefs, or ftrike out the moft material things. Thus, It concludes, the moft iraportant difcoveries may be loft, and the raoft valuable works 466 HISTORY OF THE C. V, be fuppreffed. It tends to leave the prefs open to none but fools and blockades, and to make an im- frimatur to fignlly no more than that fuch a book is fooliffi enough to be printed. Thefe and many other arguments for the liberty of the prefs are placed, by this traft, In a ftrong point of view. In 1 704, Dr. Tyndal publiffied " Reafons againft «« reftraining the Liberty of the Prefs ;" frequently adopting. In a concife way, the language and argu ments of this traft; and though not exhibiting a methodical abridgement of it, yet evidently formed on Its principles. Thefe *' Reafons" were repub liffied by Mr. Baron, In the " Pillars of Prieftcraft ^* and Orthodoxy," In 1768, vol. iv. p. 281. There a]fo appeared at a critical moment, when the Aft of Parliament for reftraining the liberty of the prefs, and permitting nothing to be publiffied with out the imprlraatur of a licenfer, was juft expiring, a nervous paraphlet, entitled "¦ A juft Vmdication of *' Learning, and of the Liberty of the Prefs," by Chas. Blount, efq. This gentleraan, younger fon of Sir Henry Blount, was a zealous friend to the Revo lution, and to the liberal principles on which the defence of that interefting event was founded. This traft Is digefted into nine feftlons 5 each offers a diftinft argument againft the Invafion of that liberty, which the author juftly ftates Is at once the founda tion and fecurity of every other kind of liberty ; naraely, the power of fpeaking and publiffiing' the truth wilh refpeft to perfons, meafures;i and fiibjefts C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 46l of inveftigatlon : let this freedpra be poffeffed, the other liberties of a pepple are in a great raeafure fafe. Thefe generous efforts to claim and vindicate the freedora of publiffiing had a good effeft. The pernicious aft was fuffered to expire, and the prels was fet free.* The fubjeft had been difcuffed with fingular energy and eloquence by Milton, In his " Areopa- " gitica," written againft the Preffiyterlans, who had contended for the freedora of the prefs, when' it was under the controul of the epifcopal church ; but rifing afterwards into power, they turned apof- tates to their own principles, and abufing their afcendancy In Parliament, procured an order to be publiffied, June 13, 1643, for reftraining the prefs, and placing " this formidable engine under the fame *' control, of which they had lately indignantly *' complained. "t But, notwithftanding the excel lence and authority of Milton's work, the fubfequent reftraints on the prefs, the great objeft of the Revo lution, namely," the fecurity and extenfion of liberty, and the particular tenor of the Aft of Toleration, rendered the publication of the other trafts now reviewed feafonable and pointed. And though licen- fers and iraprimaturs have been, fince that period, confined to Oxford ; yet repeated attempts made to reftrain It, and frequent profecutions of authors and publiffiers, in fubfequent and recent tiines, evince the propriety and even neceffity of often recalling the • Britifh Biography, vol. v. p. 196. t Pr. Symraon's Life of Milton, p. »i3> edit. i8o6. 462 HISTORY OF THE C. V. public attention to the Equity, policy, and wifdom of watching the infidious defigns, or refifting the more open attacks of Minifters of State againft the liberty of the prefs. It ffiould be alfo confidered, whether the arguraents which apply againft pre venting, do not hold good againft puniffiing, the publications of opinions, that, with or without reafpn, may be thpught pernicious? Dr. Johnfon, fpeaking of Milton's " Areopa- " gitica," fays, " The danger of fuch unbounded " liberty, (of unlicenfed printing) and the danger of " bounding it, have produced a problem in the " fcience of government, which human understanding " feems unable to folve." " Let us then have " recourfe," replies a judicious writer to a divine understanding for the folutlon of it : " Let both the " tares and the wheat grow together till the ' ' harveft, left while ye gather up the tares, ye root " up alfo the wheat with them."* Thefe publications inimediately arofe from the political events and occurrences of the day, and were connefted with them. Biit the fpirit of enquiry did not confine itfelf to topics of this tenor ; it alfo ffiewed itfelf on many queftions purely theological. The way for fuch inveftigatlons had been prepared by the cpntroverfies which had arifen in preceding times. It would be foreign to the defign of thefe pages to detail them. But one publication, which made its appearance thirteen years before the Revo lution, was, confidering the genius of the age, of ' Memoirs of Thomas Hollis, efq; vol.ii. p. 551. C. Y. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 463 fo fingular a kind, created fo much notice, and called forth fo much oppofition, that though the extent and permanence of Its Influence on the public mind cannot be afcertained, it deferves to be men tioned ; efpecially as It has had the credit given to it,* of mollifying, when It was firft publiffied, " the " fpirits of fome men that were fet upon perfecution " of the Diffenters ;" and it was re-printed and pre ferved In a coUeftion of fcarce and valuable trafts, called "The Phoenix," Svo. No. xxx. It was entitled a " Treatife on Huraan Reafon." It is a fraall work in i4mo. firft printed in 1675. The author was Martin Clifford, efq; mafter of the Charter-Houfe ; educated in "Weftminfter fchool, and thence elefted into Trinity College, Cambridge, a man of talent, and a polite fcholar, who lived in great intimacy with moft of the wits of Charles lid's reign. An idea may be formed of the nature and defign of this traft frora the following paffagps : " He bids you fearch ; there is therefore " in man a natural ability of fearching fpiritual " truths, and that can be nothing elfe but his un- " derftanding : he who gave rales which admit of *' fo many interpretations, is well contented that • By Dr. Watts, fee Dr. Johnfoft's Life of Dr. Watts, with rotes, 17S5. In this publication are given, in the Appendix No. i. fome ftriftures of that excellent man on the " Treatife of Human " Reafon," as a fpecimen of the Doflor's manner of reading. N.B. The writer of this recollefts, that when he was a youth, receiving his claffical learning at St. Paul's School, the Rev. Mr. Allen, an affiftant mafter in that feminary, and the learned Editor «f Demofthenes, paffed a commendation on Mr. Clifford's treatife. 464 HISTORY OF THE C. V. «' they ffiaU be interpreted federally: we lay the « blafphemous accufation of injuftice upon God, «« if he puniffi us for an error which we could not *' avoid : realbn is the eye, true reUgion is the ob- *' jeft : all other helps, divine and human, are as « the light, as fpeftacles, &c. Now It Is impoffible " to fee with any thing but our own eyes, /'. e. our " reafon. Yet a clear light Is neceffary, without " which our own eye cannot fee the objedl, nor our *' reafon find out the true religion." The author, it appears, was the advocate of enquiry, candour, and freedom. His book was attacked by a fcholar at Cambridge, In a traft tending towards perfecu tion, entitled " Plain Dealing." It was defended in a traft, called " An Apology for the Difcourfe of " Human Reafon, &c." i2mo. by Albertus Warren. It alfo drew frora the pen of an anonyraous writer, " Obfervations, &c." charging the author With confufion and inconfiftcncies. But the moft marked teftimony to the attention which it had excited, and to the alarm which fome had taken at It, was the anfwer of Dr. B. Laney, bifliop of Ely ; who, dining with many perfons of quality in the Charter- Houfe, foon after its publication, on being aflced what he thought of the book, replied, " It was no " matter if all the copies were burnt, and the author " with them."* Dr Watts, in a fpirit worthy of himfelf, paffed a more candid opinion on it, "as " havingmany ufeful notions;" "though," he adds, * Wood's Athena: Oxonienfes, vol. ii. p. 3S1 — z; and Gran ger's " Biographical Hiftory of Eng.and," vol. iv. p. 96. C V. tROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 455 "it exalts reafon as the rule of religion, as well as •' the guide, to a degree very dangerous." The controverfies which had been agitated in the preceding reigns, on the queftions that relate to the conftitution, dlfcipline, and worfliip of the chriftian church, between the members of theEngliflieftabliffied church, the preffiyterlans, the Independents, and the baptifts, excited the attention of a young gentleman,! ftrongly bent on learning and theological enquiries, then an apprentice to his father, a grocer, in Exeter ; and engaged hira, by a diligent examination of the authentic writings of the three firft centuries, to inveftlgate the ufages of the antient church within that period. The refult of his enquiries into the matter of faft on thefe points appeared In a work publiffied in 1691, the 22d year of the author's age, entitled, *' An Enquiry Into the Conftitution, *' Dlfcipline, Unity, and Worffiip of the Primitive " Church, that flouriffied within the firft three *' hundred years after Chrift ; faithfully collefted *' out of the extant writings of thofe ages ; in two " parts." The ftrift exaftnefs and care with which this treatife Is drawn up; and the learning which it difplays, have juftly fecured to it great reputation, and rendered it a ftandard book of authority to this day. In 1717, Mr. Sclater, a nonjuring clergy man, attempted to undermine its authority by an anfwer to it, entitled, " An original Draft of the " Primitive Church," Svo. But this work has long fince funk Into oblivion. The author of th« t Mr. Peter King, afterwards Latd Chancellor. H a, 466 HISTORY or the c. v. " Enquiry" affures the public, that by the trouble and affliftion which the animofitles and quarrels of the day occafioned him, he was induced to raake his refearches, and publiffi the refult of thera ; for, if he could be the happy Inftruraent to compofe and heal thofe quarrels, he was ready to facrifice not only that book, but all that he was or had. Thefe were the feelings of a tender, ingenuous, and youthful mind. Two reafons particularly fwayed him ; namely, to Inforra others, and to inform hirafelf. So far was he from aiming at applaufe, and feeking to gratify vanity, he fo contrived to conceal his name, that his. bookfeller did not know it ; and through out the work, he fupported the charafter which he affuraed In the title-page as his fignature, that of " an Irapartial Hand." Some ofthe queftions confidered in the preceding treatife were difcuffed about the fame tirae, with learning and temper, in two pofthumous works, by a raan of uncommon erudition and abilities, and of fingular modefty and humility, Mr. David Clarkfon, who was ejefted frora Mortlake in Surrey, and had been the tutor of Archbifliop Tillotfon, at Clare Hall in Carabridge. Thefe treatifes were entitled, the one, " Primitive Epifcopacy, ftated and cleared " frora the Holy Scriptures and Ancient Records ;" the other, "A Difcourfe on Liturgies." The fubjeft of the forraer traft had In fome meafure paffed under the author's review, In a treatife pub liflied during his life In anfwer to Dr. StiUingfleet; and which was the raoft noted of his works, and 0. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 46/ " ffiews him," fays Mr. Granger, " to have been a " man of great reading in church hiftory." It was entitled "• No Evidence of diocefan Epifcopacy in " the primitive Times ;" 1681, 4to.* In 1692, there appeared a work of celebrity, now fcarce, from the pen of a learned and ingenious writer, who had already gained great reputation by a performance in Latin, on " the Sacred Theory " ofthe Earth."! The work to which we allude, has a claim to our notice in this place, on account of its conneftion with facred literature. Ic was compofed In Latin, andwas entitled " Archasologi£e " Philofophicse ; five Doftrina Antiqua de Rerura •* Originibus :" that Is, an Enquiry into the Doftrine df the ancient Philofophers concerning the Original of the World ; in two books. The fecond edition was printed in London, 1728, Svo. It Is addreffed, in an elegant panegyrical dedication, to King William. The author was Dr. Thomas Burnet, raafler of the Charter-Houfe, chaplain in ordinary and clerk of the clofet to King Williara. *' His defign," as it is ftated in the preface, " is to " enquire into theopinlons of theancients concerning " the nature of things, in order to vindicate and " give antiquity its due praife; and to ffiew ihat *' neither were our anceftors dunces, nor was wifdom " or true philofophy, born with us." The fubjeft * See the Preface tothe Treatife ; and for an analyfis ofthe work, Calaray, v. i. p. 516 — 523. f For an analyGsof this work, or a fh'ort view of- its defign, fee Britifh Biography, vol. vii. p. 73— 77' H H 2 468 HISTORY OF THE C. V. of enquiry in this treatife Is the ftate of the old world, or according to the Vulgate tranflation of 2 Pet. u. 5, " the original world ;" that is, the ante- dUuvIan, but Inclufive alfo of the flood Itfelf, and its concomitants and immediate confequences. The firft book offers a profpeftus of the ancient philo fophy through the various nations of the earth, the Scythians, Celts, and Ethiopians ; takes a furvey of the oriental nations. Including the philofophy and learning of the Chlnefe and the Brachmans, of the Affyrians and Chaldseans, ofthe Perfians and their Magi, of the Arabs and Phoenicians, of the Hebrews and their Cabbala ; exhibits a view of the various literature of the Egyptians ; then paffes over to Greece, and , examines the phUofophical principles, firft of Orpheus, then of the lonians, afterwards of Pythagoras and his feft ; in fucceffion to him the principles of Eleatic feft, a fchool formed of phi lofophers, differing in country, manners, and tenets ; after them follows a review of the doftrine of the Stoics, Platonics, Arlftotelians, and Epicureans. A difcuffion on the origin of the barbaric philofophy, or the philofophy prior to the Grecian, concludes the firft book. The fecpnd bpok is a kind of commentary on the fcripture theory of the earth. The fubjefts difcuffed In it are the ancient univerfal tradition concerning the chaos ; the firft form and external appearance of the earth, as diftinguiffied frora fubfequent ftates of It ; the nature, manner, and caufes of deluges, efpecially of the univerfal flood j the perpendicular C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 469 pofition ofthe earth, with refpeft tothe fun and Its properties, as a perpetual fpring or equinox, an atraofphere wet with rain, but no rainbow, and the longevity of mankind ; the change of Its pofition into an oblique direftion, and the confequent phse- noraena ; the Mofaic account of paradlfe, and of nature and man in the new world ; the origin of things as reprefented in the firft chapter of Genefis, andthe Interpretation ofthe Mofaic Hexaemeron, or .the creation diftributed into the works of fix days ; the doubts and objeftions which may be urged againft the author's explanation of the Hexaemeron, by thofe who adhere to the literal fenfe of the word. The author, ani:icipating the offence and odium which his fentiraents on the Mofaic narrative, and the firft ftate of mankind, might and did raife, calls the attention of his readers, in the laft chapter, to fome confiderations and teftimonies of authors, which appeared to him of great moment to a fair and candid judgment of his opinions ; fuch as, the nature and genius of the oriental ftyle ; the flow conception and narrow genius of the people of Ifrael, when the Mofaic narratives were written ; the opi nions and comments of learned men,who had written before him on thefe points ; and the reverential regard to the Divine Being to be preferved in the interpretation of thefe paffagcs, that a fenfe becoming his perfeftions and greatnefs may be affixed to thera. In an appendix, the author gives a concife view of the doftrines of the modern Brachmans. This Is followed by two letters to a learned friend. 470 HISTORY OF THE C. V. who had reprefented to him the refleftions caft on his work in vindication of it. But offence once conceived does not eafily yield to calm reraonftrance, nor does prejudice impartially weigh arguments. This Dr. Thomas Burnet experienced. In vain did he plead the raodeft and unaffuming fpirit In which he wrote : in vain did he appeal to the fervent and devout wiflies, with refpeft to thefe points, as expreffed at the conclufion of his treatife, that his errors might be pardoned frora divine compaffion towards human weaknefs and darknefs, and that he might be enlightened with clearer views : in vain did he urge that he had not written his fentiments In the vulgar tongue, to unfettle tbe minds of the Uliterate, and to ftart fome fubjefts of converfation in alehoufes ; but he had compofed his work in the Latin language, for the confideration of the learned, and of the rainifters of religion. The influence of the clergy was excited againft him. He was pre cluded from any other preferments in the church ; and the King was obliged even to remove him from his. poft at Court. The manner in which he re prefented the hiftory of the Fall, with a view to ffiew in a ftrong light the difficulties which attend the literal fenfe ; the neceffuy of having recourfe to a figurative interpretation, efpecially by cafting into the form of a dialogue between Eve and the ferpent the brief narrative of the teraptation; was the part* which gave peculiar offence. The author * It may be confidered as a proof of the more liberal fpirit of our pwn times, and of the progrefs of free enquiry, fince the days of C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 471 afterwards defired a Dutch bookfeller to fupprefs this dialogue, in an edition ofthe work, then print ing in Holland.! It is alfo omitted in the edition of 1733. Andfrom the fcarcenefs of the original work, it has been read by few perfpns in the prefent day. In 1693, there appeared a critical wprk, formed on a more comprehenfive plan than is compatible with the difcuffion of any particular theological queftion. It was profeffedly an inveftigatlon of the fenfe and grammatical conftrudlon of many paffagcs of fcripture. Independently of any fyftem. This was one of the firft, If not the firft, work of the kind after the Reformation. It proceeded from the pen of a layman of rank and title, whom the editor, for It was a pofthumous publication, charafterlfes as fincerely religious, and profoundly judicious as weU as learned. Its title is, *' Annotations upon fome *' difficult Texts in all the Books of the New *' Teftament ;" by Sir Norton Knatchbull, knight and baronet; Cambridge, 1693. ^' confifts of ori ginal and feleft obfervations. It had been fairly tranfcribed, and prepared for the prefs by the author himfelf; and was a raore complete and perfeft draught, enriched with fupplemental and new re marks, as well as a tranflation of a Latin work, which Dr. Thomas Burnet, that different authors, Hartley, Price, and Bifhop Newton, have maintained, v/ithout drawing an odium on - themfelves, that 3 figurative rather than a real ferpent was in tended, and that the narrative of the Fall is founded on hierogly* phical delineations, or is in great meafure allegorical. f Birch's Life of TiUotfon, p. 379. 472 HISTORY OF THE C. V. had been thrice printed at Oxford ; and was offered to the public as a more ufeful, elaborate, and fuc cefsful effay in its kind than hadbeen before pub liflied. The defign purfued by the author Is to afcertain the proper fenfe and right ufe of each ambiguous particle, word, and phrafe, which carae under his fcrutiny ; and to vindicate and elucidate, by a more plain .and accurate verfion, and a more intelligible and appropriate expofitlon, the genuine conftruftlon of the Intricate periods, obfcure tranfi- tions, and perplexing trajeftions. In the paffagcs on which he beftows his attention. This edition Is introduced by the Latin preface of the former edi tions in that language. Benfon and Doddridge have both referred to thefe " Annotations," with expreffions of great refpeft ; though they have in the fpirit of liberal criticifm examined, and either adopted or difcarded the author's critiques, as that examination of them fuggefted. Sir Norton Knatch bull ranks in the lift of principal critics on the New Teftament affixed by Dr. Harwood to his edition of the Greek Teftament, and by Archbiffiop NeWr come to his " Atterapt for an Improved Verfion of ?' the New Teftament." It reflefts credit on this work, and on the acumen and judgraent of its author, that the celebrated Dr, Hammond, in the fecond edition of his Paraphrafe and Annotations on the New Teftament, availed hirafelf of forae of the notes, of which, at his requeft. Sir Norton Knatch bull had given him the fight In manufcript ; Sir 1^ orton Indeed was encpuraged tp purfue his priticE^J C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENT-ERS, 473 difquifitions, and to publifli them, by Dr. Hammond. The learned Barpnet, while he profeffed a great refpeft for ancient and modern expofitors, yet often differed frora both with a becoming and generous independence of raind, expreffing his wifli to be allowed, and his difpofition to grant to others liberty of opinion. In the farae year In which this critical work iffued frpm the prefs, Mr. Tpug, then a diffenting minifter at Cpventry, and afterwards , at Salter's-hall in Lpndon, well known as the biographer of Mr. Matthew Henry, and eminent for his own charafter and talents as a minifter, attrafted the attention of the public by " a Vindication of Nonconformity." In 1689, Mr. M. Henry publiffied a fmall " Difcourfe *' concerning the nature of Schifm ;" intended to clear, the diffenters from the obloquy and odium under which they lay, as charged with that fin. The defign was to examine the meaning of the word fchifm in all the places of* fcripture in which it is found, and to ffiew that It fignifies uncharitablenefs and alienation of affeftion among chriftians ; and the conclufion drawn from the enquiry Is, that there may be fchifm where there is no feparate comrau nion, and that a feparate coramunion may exift with out fchifm. This traft was given to the public at the perfuafion of Mr. Tong. It called forth fin gular and ilUberal animadverfions. Mr. Tong took up his pen in defence of Mr. Henry's " Brief En- " quiry Into the nature of Schifm, and the Vindi- ^' cation of it ; with ^Refleftions upon a pamphlet 474 HISTORY OF THE C. V. *' called the Review ; and a brief Hiftorical Account " of Nonconformity from the Reformation to this " prefent time." 4to.[| The nature of catholic unity, a terra tortured on the one hand to frighten the weak and tiraorous, and on the other to reproach the oppofers of fpiritual ufurpation and tyranny, was the principal fubjeft difcuffed in this traft. The author confidered it in two views; either as political, in the union of aU fincere chrifllans, by fdiih in one God and one Mediator, unto Chrift their head ; or as raoral, in rautual love towards one another ; from which principles arifes the conclufion, that none are ¦ out of the unity of the church but thofe who are deftitute of thefe fundamental graces. To affirm this of proteftant diffenters in general, and merely on the ground of their diffent, the author looked upon as " a piece of diabolifm which the gofpel abhors, «* and of which humanity Itfelf will be afliamed." The remainder of the treatife was defigned to clear the nonconformifts from the different charges of dif obedience to fuperiors, and of indecorum and irregu larity as to religious ceremonies and worffiip. In their expreffions, gefture, and habit. The vindication of the nonconformifts againft "^he firft charge turned on three pleas, viz. that bifliops had no power diftinft from or fuperior to that of preftiyters by the law of God ; that the whole jurlfdiftion of Englifli biffiops, and the authority of the canons, was derived from the civil magiftrate and the laws of the land ; and that the civil power had |eft the nonconformiftsj H Tong's Life of Matthew Henry, ijmo. 1716, p.aSj, C. r. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 475 at that period, to their libc- rty in the cafe of confor. mity, and that therefore no charge of difobedience to authority lay againil them. The nature and rule of decorum or decency, as connefted with any cere monies of religion, feme refleftions on parifli order, the terms ol conformity, the reafons of nonconfor mity, and the arguments produced for the impofition of ceremonies, were the points confidered in reply to the fecond charge. The nature ol fchifm and other raatters came under review ; and the hifiorical appendix, though fliort, is reprefented to have been " clear and ftrong. ":j: An anonyraous churchman at this time had the candour and liberality to take up his pen in the caufe of the diffenters, and to plead, by many very affefting and earneft confiderations, for fuch abate ments in matters relative to the ceremonial part of worffiip, as might obviate the fcruples of fome at leaft, and gain them over to the eftabliflied church, and prevent the feceffion of others. He particu larly recomraended, among other alterations, that the furplice and habits, the fign of the crofs In bap tifm, and kneeling at the Lord's fupper, ffiould be dropt or left indifferent. He propofed a review of the form and method of the liturgy, as partalring much, in its prefent ftate, of the Romifli ftamp ; and wiffied the length of it to be confidered. He fuggefted the propriety of an alteration of the Atha. iiafian Creed, that " the gate of heaven might not *' be made narrower than God had made It j" and J Calaray, vol. i. p. 530, 531, S3i' 476 HISTORY OF THE C. V, recommended fuch an order and direftion of church mufic as would' prevent men's miftaking the tickling of the ears for an elation of mind and heavenly rap ture. The title of this treatife was "A Plea for, *' Abatement In matters of Conformity to feveral *' Injunftions and Orders of the Churchof England. " By Irenaeus Junior, a conforming Member of the *' Church of England." 4to. Some of the expoftu- lations of the author, quoted by Dr. Calamy, arc prppfs of the fpirit of the times, while they exprefs his own juft and generous refentment at It. He urged, " that If many earneft and repeated promifes " of perfons In extremity cculd lay an obligation of ** perforraance upon them, to pay their vows when- *' ever they becarae folvent, there were many, of no *' fraall figure or intereft In the church, under no ** mean tie to find out an expedient and temper to *' heal thofe breaches which feveral controverted *' rites and cereraonies in the church had unhappily " occafioned." He reminded the public, " that fome, «' who in the height of the ftorm promifed a candle *' as tall as their main-maft, when that was allayed, « thought one burnt into the focket too coftly a fa- *' crifice to offer up for the peace and unity of the *' church." The author delineated another feature of the times in the complaint which he brought forward ; that " whereas noiirefiftance and paffive " obedience had been the univerfal cry ofthe church, «' and fqueczcd till the blood carae; the raifchlef was, " when they had nurft the prerogative till it had *' ftung forae of them, and hiffed at all the reft, they C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 477 " prefently let the world fee they never brewed this " doftrlne for their own drinking. Then," he added, *'they acknowledged we fuffer juftly; but " what have our brethren done whom we purfued " with fuch revenge and rage ? Then they confeffed ** they facrlficed the Intereft of the church to their " malice ; but If the diffenters would . forbear to *' comply with the common enemy, they would do ** great things for thera whenever they came again *' into their kingdom. But alas 1 there Is too rauch " reafon," he fubjoined, " to cry out, " .^grotat dzraon, monachus tunc cfTe volebat ; « Convalait dasmon, dxmon ut ante fuit." " Witnefs that great regret fome of thera have " expreffed againft that kindnefs arid favour which " the king and two fucceeding parliaraents have " evinced to diffenting proteftants, while they with *' fury bite the chain which reftralns thera frora " falling foul on their former prey ; befides their *' unreafonable ftickle to prevent the leaft abate- **^raent in matters which refpeft the ceremonial " part of worffiip, a conformity to which goes ' ' with them for the whole duty of a minifter."* The publications of the period which have been noticed, related to points of difference between thofe who were equaUy attached to revelation as a rule of faith, worffiip, and dlfcipline ; and who made their appeal to the feriptures as an authoritative and divine rule. Thefe difcuffions tended to open the mind, to ftimulate enquiry, to exercife fagacity, and X Calaray, vol. i. p. 53a— 535* 487 HISTORY OF THE C. V. to ftrengthen the judgment. But whilft chriftians, the profeffed advocates of revelation, were contending amongft themfelves on doftrines and ceremonies, the times were not deftitute of writers, whofe pub lications tended, if they were not defigned, to un dermine the authority of the feriptures. Thofe publications naturally led men alfo to examine the grounds of their faith ; to elucidate the meaning and true fenfe ofthe feriptures in paffages which appeared to furnifli ftrong, objeftions to their divine authority; and to difcriminate between the genuine doftrines of revelation, and the corruptions of chriftianity : an employment of the mind, which, after a long night of ignorance, fuperftition, and error, required patient enquiry, cool confideration, and length of time. At the beginning of the feventeenth century, Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury, held in equal admiration for his perfon, underftanding, learning, and courage, with a view to difcard all extraordinary revelation as ufelefs and unneceffary, though he made no attempt to refute the evidences of the Jewiffi and Chriftian revelations, afferted the fufficiency, univerfality, and abfolute perfeftion of natural reli gion ; which he reduced to five articles, viz. that there is one fupreme God ; that he is to be wor- flilpped ; that piety and virtue are the principal parts of his worfliip : that fin, on repentance, will be for given ; and that there will be a future ftate of rewards for good, and of punifliment for wicked men.* * Leiand's View of the Deiftical Writers, vol. i. p. 3, 4, 8vo. ed. 179^. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 479 About the time of Lord Herbert's death, Mr. Thomas Hobbes, of Malmlhury, publiflied feveral treatifes. In which, though they were not direftly levelled againft revealed religion, he advanced prin ciples fubverfive of all religion, by deriving it from *' the fear of power invifible, feigned by the raind, " or iraagined from tales publicly allowed ;" and his fyftem of ethics had a ftrong tendency to corrupt the public morals. " There was," it has been ob ferved, " a great difference between Mr. Hobbes and " Lord Herbert. This noble writer confidered the "belief of a future ftate among the common notices *' naturaUy obvious to the rainds of all raen : but Mr. " Hobbes grounded it upon other raen's faying, " that they knew it fupernaturally, or that they *' knew thofe who knew them that knew others " that knew it fupernaturally."* Thefe writers were followed by Mr. Charles Blount, youngeft fon of Sir Henry Blount. This author gave offence to many by feveral publications, v/hich were viewed as unfavourable to revealed reUgion. One was entitled, " Anima Mundi; or, «¦' an Hiftorical Narration of the Opinions of the "Ancients concerning Man's Soul after this Life, " according to unenlightened Nature." Another was " the two firft books of Philoftratus, concerning the " life of Apollonius Tyanoeus, with philological *' notes;" written with a defign to oppofe the cha rafter and miracles of the magician and phUofopher to thpfe of Chrift. A third publication In 1683, * Leland, utante, p. 35, 37, 38. 4§0 HISTORY OF THE C. V. entitled " Religio Laid," was little mpre than a tranflatlpa pf Lprd Herbert's treatife under the fame name. The wprk which mpre particularly folicits our notice as publiflied in the period under our review, iffued from the prefs In 1693, after the author's death, under the care of his friend Mr. Charles Gildon, afterwards diftinguiflied as a draihatic writer, as its editor. This treatife confifts of various fmall trafts, not very fuitable either in fubjeft or execution to the pompous title which it bore ;* nor all written by Mr. Blount. The firft Is a letter with his narae to it, in vindication of Dr. Burnet's " Archjeologla ;" fixty-fix pages out of 226 are oc cupied with a tranflation by H. B. of the 7th and 8th chapters of that learned work, with the appendix on the Brachraan's religion ; which, as Dr. Leland obferves, were very far from being intended to fub vert the authority of the Mofaic writings, though they were defigned to ftate, and to place In a ftrong point of view, the difficulties that attend a literal Interpretation of many paffages in them. The next fliort article, ' ' a Summary Account of the " Delft's Religion, addreffed to Dr. Sydenham," is to be confidered in conneftion with another, mider the form of a letter to Charles Blount, efq; with the fignature of A. W. " on Natural Religion as op- " pofed to Divine Revelation." The writer of thefe treatifes advances the fame general principles with Lord Herbert. He extends, however, the five * The Oracles of Reafon.- e. V» Protestant disseNters. 481 articles to feven, by defining the worffiip of God to confift In prayer and praife ; and by adding one article In afferting the government of the world by the providence of God ; and another, on our obe dience to the rules of right reafon, as conftituting moral virtue. In the letter to D r. Sydenham from Mr. Blount himfelf, prefixed to the firft of thefe trafts, there Is a remarkable conceffion. " Undoubt- " edly," fays he, " in our travels to the other " world the comraon road is the fafeft ; and though *' deifm Is a good' manuring for a man's confcience, " yet certainly If fowed with chriftianity it will pro- " duce a moft profitable crop."* The next traft written by Mr. Blount, and addreffed to Mr. Hobbes, " as the great inftruftor of the moft fenfible part of *' mankind in the noble fcience of philofophy," exhibits a ffiort hiftorical view of the Arians and Trinitarians, and of general councils, at the time when thofe fetfls divided the chriftian world, A ffiort effay to elucidate fhe propofition, " that felicity " confifts generally in pleafure," by Rd. Richard fon; another, " Of Beneficence and Gratitude," figned Robert Yaxley ; and a third, " Of Fate and *' Fortune," with the fignature An. Rogers, foUow each other. Thefe are fucceeded by a letter to the right honourable the moft Ingenious Strephon, " concerning the IraraortaUty of the Soul ;" and by another letter " to the defervedly honoured and " raoft Ingenious Major A. concerning the original of " the Jews ;" both written by Mr. Blotmt. He ap- * Oracles of Reafon, p. 195, gnd p. 87. I I 482 HISTORY OF THE ^. V pears in the former a ftrong advocate for the doftrine oftheimmortalityof the foul, of the evidence of which he gives this general ftatement : " befides, my lord, " the authority of the holy feriptures, as alfo the " innumerable other arguments which may be de- " duced as well from phllofpphy as reafon to prove '' the Immortality of the foul, together with its re- " wards and puniffiiiients, (though I deterrainc not " their duration :) yet there is no arguraent of " greater weight with me than the abfolute necef- " fity and convenience that it ffiould be fo, as well " to complete the juftice of God, as to perfeft the *' happinefs of man, not only in this world, but in " that which is to come."* In the other letter Mr. Blount betrays a want of franknefs, and raifes fufpicions of his fincerity ; for while it confifts of a long tranflation frora Tacitus, relative to the hiftory of the Jews, and of appeals to Trogus and ancient Egyptian writers to invalidate the fcripture narrative, *nd to fix a ftigraa on that people as baniffied out of Egypt for an epidemical fcabies, he affefts, at the conclufion, an implicit reverence of " the holy " feriptures, diftated, as every good chriftian ought to " believe, by the Holy Spirit, as the beft and only *' hiftory on the fubjeft to be relied on;" and pro- feffes to give his friend the other accounts only for the fake of gratifying curiofity, and to treat them as "only uncertain accounts of partial authors;" in evident repugnance to the general ftrain and fpirit of this performance. The next effay difcuffes, with * Oracles of Reafon, p. 124. c. V. protestant dissenters. 483 learning and addrefs, the queftion on the lawfulnefs of marrying, one after another, on the death of the firft, two fifters. This was written to remove, but without fuccefs, the fcruples of a lady, the fifter of his wife, with whom, after his wife's death, he became enamoured. Two more letters to Strephon follow : one, in' Latin, ftates the thoughts of his father, Sir Henry Blount, concerning the aftion of the foul on the body ; and the other is a difquifition on the fubverfion of Judaifra, the foundation of chriftianity, and the origin of the millenaries. The feveral forts of augury as praftifed araong the an cients corae next under a curfory review. The regulations of corporations, and the furrenders of charters. In reference to fome recent tranfaftions, through a few following pages, are the objefts of Mr. Blount's cenfure. The two fubfequent effays, " Of a God," and " Of the Materiality of the " Soul," were written by Mt . Gildon. The volume clpfes with a tranflation fro m Ocellus Lucanus, a Pythagorean philofopher, oii the eternity of the world, by Mr. Blount's own pen. With the fame general view to weaken the aiathority of the Mofaic account ofthe creation, there are difperfed through the work feveral pages togetl ler tranflated frora the author of the Hypothefis of th e Pr^-Adamites ; and an appeal is repeated in different places tothe antiquity pretended to by the Chaldeans and Egyptians, and to records and hiftories fet up by ' the Chinefe, affeft ing a date four or fix thoufa. nd years before the Mofaic age of the world. Tht author, who ad- 1 1 2 484 tllSTORY OF THE C. V. vanced the opinion of the exiftence of Prse- Adamites afterwards %enounced the fentiment ; and Dr. Stil lingfleet, In his learned work, the Origines Sacra, about thirty years before the publication of the " Oracles of Reafon," had confidered and difcuffed the queftions concerning the eternity of the world, and the pretenfions of the Chinefe and of forae ancient nations to an antiquity fo reraote and prior to the Mofaic aera. But Mr. Blount is on thefe points perfcftly filent, as If the fentiments which he was fpnd pf advancing had never been cpntrpverted. | " The Oracles of Reafon" did not fail to provoke a reply to the Infinuations which they contained againft revelation. Mr. John Bradley aniraadverted upon them in a work, publiffied in London, in lamo. entitled, " An Irapartial View pf the Truth of " Chriftianity, with the Hiftory of the Life and " Miracles of Apollonius Tyanaeus ; to which are " added, forae Refleftions on a book called Oracles *' of Reafon." Dr. N icholls, a learned divine, fel- t Ifaac Le Peyrere, authcir of the two fmall treatifes on the exiftence of Prse-Adamites, to reconcile his notion to the authority of the books of Mofes, main tained that they were records of the origin of the Jewifh nation, and not of the human race ; and that Adam was the father ofthe J ews, not of mankind. His work was publifhed at Bruffels, 1655. Though a proteftant, he was appre hended and caft into prifon by the influence of the doftors of the catliolic church, as broaching an error which they confidered as ftriking at the foundation, of revealed religion. To recover his libierty, if not to fave his .'life, he publicly renounced his opinions. A recantation under fuch circuraftances is fufpicious ; and the fin cerity of it may be doubt ed. This may be regarded as an apology for Mr. Blount's paffing it over without notice. — Lampe Epitome, Eccles. Hiftor. hb. ii. cap. xiv. §. 4». Moflieira, vol. iv. p. 394- C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 485 low of Merton college, Oxford, and afterwards reftor of Selfey In Suffex, In a work under the the form of " A Conference with a 'ftieift," left no material part of the book unanfwered. It is particularly worthy of notice, that Mr. GUdon, the editor and the particular friend of Mr. Blount, gave a ftriking proof, fome years afterwards, that whatever deference he entertained for the fentiments of the author, when he brought his treatife before the public, he had not facrlficed his own judgement and principles on the altar of partial friendffiip. In 1705, he appeared from the prefs as the author of *' The Delft's Manual," a valuable work, chiefly taken up In a vindication of the great principles of natural religion; becaufe he found that they were either denied, or reprefented as doubtful and uncer tain, by raany delfts in the circle of his acquaintance j and that their not admitting natural religion in Its juft extent gave occafion to fome of their principal prejudices againft the chriftian revelation.! The " Oracles of Reafon" can fcarcely be men tioned, without reviving, in candid minds, a painful recoUeftlon of the ftate of Its author; who. In a phrenzy brought on by the Inflexible adherence of the lady whom he was fo defirous of marrying, to her religious fcruples, fliot himfelf In the head ; a cataftrophe which humanity will deplore, but which the experience of life, and the particular circura ftances of the cafe lead equity of judgraent to con fider as altogether Independent on the fceptical t J-eland's View of the Deiftical Writers, vol. i. p. 48. 4S6 HISTORY OF THE C. V. principles of Mr. Blount. The caufe of the phren2y, which had fo fatal an effeft, fuggefted, it may be fu{^pfed to the editor of his pofthumous work, to take up and purfue the queftion handled in one of the treatifes comprifed in it, namely, the lawfulnefs of marrying two fifters In fucceffion, on the death of one. The difcuffion of this point oc cupies nearly half of Mr. Gildon's preface. The former part advocates every man's right to exercife and follow, without reftraint by human authority, his own reafon and underftanding in religion, and in the Interpretation of the feriptures. This is argued in defence of Dr. Burnet, a tranflation of two chapters of whofe archaologia, as we have noticed, forms part of the " Oracles of Reafon." With reference to which the author of the preface obferves, " Let reason be our judge, and we can " never fear being cenfured by It for eftablifliing " Its fovereignty ; nor can the niceft devotee that " hath any deference to reafon deny, but that Dr. *' Burnet has difcovered raore veneration for the *' great prophet Mofes, by reducing hira to that *' noble ftandard of freeing hira frora all the abfur- " dities which vulgar apprehenfions have caft on " him, than thofe who ftickle them, that involved " him in thera. In fliort, it is not Mofes but his " interpreters, that the learned Doftor has expofed ; *' and by confequence it Is not that holy lawgiver, " but the blind bigots of the old abfurd interpreta- ^'- lion of him, that we have offended in publifliing *' this in Engliffi." Mr, Blount's death Is not rg. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 487 ferred to in this preface, nor does his name pccur. He is only alluded to feveral times, as the writer's honoured and learned friend.* • This article has been extended to too great a length. To proceed: in the next year, 1694, the attention of the public was called to a work, which in a furprifing manner turned the argument which the diffenters had ftrenuoufly urged againft the eftabliffied church, on themfelves. It was written by a prelate of great abilities and learning, an aftive friend to the Revolution, Dr. Williara King, then bifliop of Londonderry, afterwards archbifliop of Ireland. His treatife was entitled, *' A Difcourfe concerning " the Inventions of Men in the Worffiip of God." The parts of chriftian worffiip on which the author infifted, were praifes, prayers, hearing, bodily wor- ffiip, and the Lord's Supper. His defign was to ffiew the agreement of the worffiip of the efla- bliffied church, in thefe inftances, with the precepts and precedents of the Old and New Teftament ; * The above remark is raade to correft a ftatement conaern- ing the tenor and defign of the preface, in two very refpeflable publications, viz. The Biographia Brittanica, and Goadby's Britifh Biography, under the article of Blount. The former fays, fpeaking ofthe " Oracles of Reafon," " in the prefaceMr, Gildon gives fome " account of our author, alfo defends Mr. Blount's manner of "dying, and threatens to follow his example;" the latter informs its readers, that Mr. Gildon ufhered it into the world with a pre. face " in defence of felf-murder." On what authority thefe affer tions are made the writer has no raeans of aicertaining ; but this he can affirm, that they have no foundation in the edition of the " Oracles of Reafon" now before liim, which was printed in London in 1693, and appears to have been the firft, though it Plight not be the only impreffion of this work. 488 HISTORY OF THE C. V. to convift the diffenters of departing from both, and adling on a plan of their own invention. He charged them with doing this, by not ufing whole pfalms and refponfes, and by rejefting raufical inftru ments, and finging the praifes of God In metre only. He Inftanced alfo their rejeftion of forms of prayer, and not' joining the minifter with their voice. He urged againft them that they did not read the feriptures in their public afferablies, or that the feleftion of the leffons from it was left to the choice of the minifter. He charged them with difallowing bodily worffiip ; and he alleged againft thera that they had no fixed tiraes for the admlnifr tration of the Lord's Supper. Mr. Jofeph Boyfe, a diffenting minifter in DubUn, eminent in point of charafter and abilities, repel led this attack In " Remarks on the performance " of the Biffiop ;" who returned an anfwer under the title of " An Admonition to the Diffenting " Inhabitants, &c. of the diocefe of Derry, con- " cerning a book lately publiffied by Mr. J. B. ?' entitled Remarks." To this Mr. Boyfe replied In a "Vindication ofthe Reraarks, &c." in 1695, 4tp. The Bifliop rejoined in the farae year, In " A fecond Adraonition to the Diffenting Inha- ?' bitants, &c." Here the controverfy clofed. The biffiop was confidered as raifreprefenting the diffenters of his diocefe by charges, which, if they had been juft in themfelves, did not apply to the body of diffenters in general, who were known to jpe free frpm (eyer^l of the faults imputed to thof^ C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 489 of Derry. The event of the controverfy was, that the diffenters being better known to the world than to the biffiop, incurred no lofs of reputation by It j nor did his argument leave much Impreffion, or refleft any great credit on his own coraraunity.* About the farae tirae that the diffenters were cen fured for introducing many human Inventions into the worffiip of God, by the pen of a prelate In the fifter kingdom, a learned writer of their own body, Mr. James Owen, of Shrcwffiury, undertook to defend in this kingdom a principal inftance of their difclpllne ; and vindicated the office of a chriftian minifter, as entered on among them, againft the depreciating views In which epifcopal claims placed It, In a treatife entided, " A Plea for Scripture *' Ordination." This was written to prove the vaUdity of ordination, by the laying on of the hands of preffiyters without diocefan biffiops, by ten argu ments from fcripture and antiquity. The author argued from this mode of ordination being adraitted as valid in the primitive church, and being fanc- tloned by exaraples and precedents in the New Teftaraent, Afts i. 2, 3, i Tira. iv. 14; from the Identity of biffiops and preffiyters, on the authority of fcripture, Afts xx. 17, 28, i Pet. v. 12, Phil. i. I ; and from the conceffion of the Church of England by the whole clergy In their provincial affembly 1537, as appears from " The Inftitution «' of a Chriftian Man," fet forth to be preached t» the whole kingdom, by the King and Parliament ; * Britifh Biography, vol. vii. p. 3»7 5 Calamy, vol. i. p. 541, 541 • 490 HISTORY OF THE C. V. from the authority granted to prefbyters, and ex ercifed by them, to preach and to adminifter baptifra and the Lord's Supper, afts not Inferior to ordi nation ; from the praftice of the foreign reformed churches; from the praftice of the Church of England itfelf, In which preffiyters are not only aUowed, but required to join with the biffiop In the impofition of hands; and from the evident principle, that being In orders connefts with it a power to confer prders.* It Is pbvlpus that the queftipn con cerning holy orders, and thefe arguments, proceed on this ground, — that ordination invefts the or dained with ^n authority to exercife facred funftions; and Is not merely a teftiraony. of refpeft and friend ffiip, but a coraraendation to the divine affiftance and bleffing. This traft of Mr. Owen produced " Exceptions" to it from Mr. Thotoas Gipps, reftor of Bury In Lancaffiire; to which Mr. Owen replied In a '^ Defence" of his " Plea," In 1697. In the year 1695, appeared from the prefs a pro duftion, of the firft excellence as a fpecimen cf didactic theology, and of the firft importance as to its objeft, the chriftian religion itfelf, a fubjeft of evident fuperiority to any queftion concerning dlfci pline and cereraonies, or even the explanation of any particular doftrinal principle ; and it was foon difcovered to have proceeded from the firft pen of the age, though it was anonymous, and the author • Calamy, vol. i. p. 543 ; Dr, Charles Owen's- Life of Mr, Jfames Owen, p. loj— loj. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 491 carried the point of fecrecy fo far as to conceal his concern in it frora his moft intimate friends. This work was entitled, " The Reafonablcnefs of Chrift- "• ianity, as delivered in the Scriptures." It excited much attention, as appears from a letter which its author, Mr. Locke, wrote to Mr. Molyneaux at Dublin, defiring to know what people thought of it there : " for here," fays he, " at its firft coming out " It was received with no indifferency, fome fpeaking " of it vfiih. great commendation, and moft cenfurinp' *' it as a very bad book." His friend. In reply, " informed him that a very learned and Ingenions *' prelate faid he liked it very well ; and that, if " Mr. Locke writ it, it was the beft book he -ever " laboured at. But," fays he, " if I ffiould be known " to think fo, I ffiould have ray lawn fleevf's torn " from ray ..ffioulders." Abroad it was greatly efteeraed by two of the beft divines who were then living, Le Clerc and Liraborch. Le Clerc pronounced it one of the moft exceUent works on the fubjeft that had for a long tirae appeared.^ Liraborch preferred It to all the fyfteras of divinity he had ever read. Soon after its publication It was tranflated into French and Dutch. But we are in formed it was extremely offenfive to the corrupt and felfiffi part of the clergy, both high and low. Its doftrine. It feems, militated too ftrongly againft the foundation of their favourite idols, power and intereft, inafmuch as it teaches salvation by Christ alone-l * " Un des plus excellens ouvrages qui ait ete fait depuis long- tems fur celle matiere et dans cette vue." J See the preface to a late edition of this treatife in 1810. p. 12. 492 HISTORY OF THE C. V. The principal defign of this treatife Is to ffiew, by a review of the Gofpel and the Afts, that Jefus Chrift and his Apoftles required nothing of thofe to whom they preached, as the condition of their being baptized and acknowledged as converts, but faith In Jefus of Nazareth, as the Meffiah ; for the belief of this article neceffarily Includes a readinefs to be inftrufted in the hiftory, doftrine, and com mands of this heavenly king ; to receive the truths he taught, and to obey the precepts he delivered, when known and underftood. This principle the author Uluftrated and proved by a great number of paffages ; but In the difcuffion of his main argument he was lead to treat on feveral other points, which had not been handled by any writer before him. The firft was, the reafon why Jefus did not, from the beginning of his miniftry, explicltlyand openly declare hirafelf to be the Meffiah; but only by degrees opened his charafter, till wheii near his death, he avowed it without referve. This caution was praftifed on account of the impatient expeftation of a temporal Meffiah, who would deliver them from a foreign yoke, having been entertained by the Jews, to prevent a feditious rifing; and to guard againft his religion being confidered as a poli tical faftion, inftead of an heavenly doftrine. Another point which, In conneftion with this, the author illuftrates, is the reafon which determined Chrift to feleft for his difciples and attendants men of low rank, unlearned and unpraftifed in the wifdom and ways of the world. Men of higher birtli, of e. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 493 afpiring genius and enterprize, would have been lefs fubmlffive to the reftraints of caution and referve J would hardly have been hindered from whifpering, at leaft to their friends and relations, that their mafter was the Meffiah ; and would have been too ready to form fcheraes to announce him tothe world, and to enlift numbers under his ftandard. It Is alfo a fubjeft of enquiry difcuffed In this work, whether we are to feek in the epiftles of the apoftles other and new articles of faith, which are not taught In the gofpels ? The author anfwers in the negative, and fupports his decifion by many argu ments which deferve to be well weighed. There are many who think with him that the holy fpirit which the apoftles received, did not inftruft them In any new doftrines, but only enabled them better to underftand and comprehend thofe which they had heard from the lips of their divine mafter.* Several other topics are incidentally touched upon in this work, that claira the reader's attention ; fuch as, the nature of juftifying faith, the laws and re quirements of the gofpel, the final doom of thofe who lived before our Saviour's time, and of all the reft of mankind who never heard of him ; and laftly, the advantages we have received by Jefus Chrift. Dnder this laft head the author takes a fine and cora prehenfive view of the excellence and fuperiority of a fyftera of raorals by revelation ; In which he dif plays " a vaft knowledge of human nature, an cxr * Bibliotheque Choilie, par Le Clerc, tom. ii. p< 288—29%. 494 HISTORY OF THE 0. V. " tenfive acquaintance with antiquity, and a prodi- *' gious fagacity and penetration of mind."t Neither the candour of the author, nor the clear- nefs and ftrength with which he treated his fubjefts of enquiry, could procure " The Reafonablcnefs of *' Chriftianity" a fair hearing. It alarmed the advo cates for the jargon of the fchools and the eftabliffied fyftems of theology. " He," it is juftly obferved, *' who has to combat with prejudices fupported by " bigotry and power, will find the tafk difficult. " Sorae zealous hireling," or blind adherent to fyftems, " will attack him with the venom of the " ferpent, mifreprefent him, and anfwer what he " has not written. Such treatment did Mr. Locke " receive from Dr. Edwards, a divine of the Church *' of England, though the fon of a furious preffiy- " terian, the author of ' The Gangnena,* a curious " pifture of religious opinions and fefts of his day." Dr. Edwards ftated various objeftions againft Mr. Locke's principles, in a defukory manner, encum bered with repetitions, in a language that was not merely low but fcurrilous In the extreme ; and not fa'ti&fied with the declarations and words of ferip tures, as ambiguous and comraon to the orthodox and heretics, he blended with thera the declfions ofthe father of fchoolmen. Mr. Locke replied In two vindications of his work, in a mafterly manner, and In language becoming the gentleman acd the chriftian ; and contrary to- his antagonift's manner of •}¦ Benfon's Reafonablcnefs of the Chriftian Religion, vol. ii. p. ,¦)»«, 3d edition. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 495 writing, preferved through tJie whole anfwer a pure refpeft and attachraent both to the words and fenti ments of the New Teftament, fcrupuloufly adhering to them in every inftance.* " The reafonablcnefs of Chriftianity" found alfo an advocate in a worthy and pious clergyman, Mr. Samuel Bold, reftor of Steeple in Dorfetffiire ; who, unconnefted with' its author, and unknown to him, and embracing the popular fentiments of the times concerning the deity of Chrift, the doftrine of the Tfinity, and other points, and who had before this fuffered by a legal profecution for preaching a ferraon againft perfecution, ftepped forward, with a firmnefs and laudable liberaliiy of raind in the caufe of free enquiry and moderation, in vindication of Mr. Locke's performance, and in an anfwer to Dr, Edwards, and did not hefitate to pronounce it " one *' of the beft books that had been publiffied for at *' leaft fixteen hundred years." Mr. Bold, on whofe defence the learned Le Clerc paffed an encomium, as being well and ably written, ingenioufly obferves, «' Were the 'Reafonablcnefs of Chriftianity, &c.'ge- " nerally read with deliberation, and rightly under- ^' ftood, and (what I apprehend to be) its main defign " weU foUowed, it would be of eminent ufe, amongft " other good purpofes, to thefe two : firft, to effeft " a happy alteration in particular perfons ; for if " more time and pains were employed In bringing " people to a found conviftion and full perfuafion " that Jefus is the Chrift and only faviour of finners, * Bibliotheque Choifie, p. 304- 49S HISTORY OF THE e. V, *' and of their own perfonal need of him ; and lefs *' of each In fquabbling about terms men have de- " vifed to exprefs their own conceits, relating to points *' which Chrift and his apoftles have delivered In eafy *' and unaffefted words, there would not be fuch *' great nurabers every where who pretend to be " chriftians, merely becaufe it is the faffiion and *'mode of the country to raake that profeffion; " but we raight, upon good grounds, expeft that *' multitudes would be chriftians upon a rational " and wise choice."* , Mr. Locke's work, while Dr. Edwards's Reflec tions on It have long fince been forgotten, maintains its credit by Its perfpicuous reafoning and Intrinfic merit to this day ; and a neat and new edltioa of It was publiffied, in 1810, bya Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge and the praftice of virtue. It has alfo a place in Dr. Watfon's, biffiop of Llan daff, valuable " CoUeftion of Theological Trafts." A work which we had occafion to notice as having fallen underthecenfureoftheConvocation, and which from this circumftance, as well as from the celebrity ofthe author and the peculiar defign of it, attrafted much attention, namely, Biffiop Burnet's " Expofi- " tion of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church *' of England," was not pubUflied till 1699; though it was^drawn up in 1694. The author was firft induced to undertake this taflc of giving a clear and full explanation of the Thirty-Nine Articles by his * See the preface to the edition of 1810 ; and Memoirs of Mt Bold, in the Monthly Magazine for September 1806, p. ijo. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERJS. 49" friend Archbiffiop Tillotfon. His Grace's influ ence, it appears, was not fufficient to overcome the reluftance which Biffiop Burnet felt at the propofal ; till the Archbiffiop engaged the Queen to unite her coraraands with his recommendatloii of the defign. Thefe coraraands were at firft liraited to the articles that feeraed fo entirely to lean to an abfolute pre- deftlnatlon, that forae, upon that acconnt, fcrupled to fubfcribe thera ; and the church was reproached with the conduft of its rainifters, who wereconfidered as going one way, while the articles looked another. This point appeared to require to be well cleared. But her Majefty's direftlons were afterwards ex tended to the whole thirty-nine articles. " The Expofitlon," a perforraance the refult of great abilities and Indefatigable Induftry, was begun and finiffied In lefs than a year ; and fent to Arch biffiop Tillotfon, who read It over with great plea fure, and an exaftnefs peculiar to hira ; correfted it with a care that defcended to the fmalleft: raatters, and returned it with expreffing his aftoniffiraent at the execution of fo vaft a work in fo fliort a time. It was afterwards perufed and approved by Arch biffiops Tenifon and Sharp, Biffiops StiUingfleet, Patrick, Lloyd, Hall, and WUliams. The Queen and Archbiffiop Tillotfon dying after the expofitlon was finiflied, fome of his friends advifed the author to poftpone at leaft the publication, apprehending, as he himfelf did, that fuch a Work would lay him open to many malicious attacks. The event, in the fubfequent proceedings of the lower Houfe of Con- K K 498 HISTORY OF THE C. V. vocation againft it, juftified this opinion. He kept it by him five years ; at the end of this interval, after it had received new correftlons from his revifals of it, he was prevailed on by the Archbiffiop Tenifon, and many of his own order, to delay the publiffiing of It no longer. His epifcopal rank, and the Intereft which his brethren took in the publication, give us the key to the oppofition and difcountenance which the attack made on It by the lower Houfe of Con vocation met with from the upper. The unaffuming manner In which the author intrpduced his work, ought to have fcreened it from every malicious attack, as it recomraended it to the attention of the candid. Modeftly referring to the teftiraonies in its favour, with which not only his epifcopal friends but raany learned divines had returned the manus cript, after a careful perufal, he adds, " yet after *' all thefe approbations, and raany repeated defires " to me to publiffi it, I do not pretend to irapofe *' this upon the reader as the wprk of authority. ¦ *'Even our moft reverend raetropoUtans read it " only as private divines; without fo fevere a can- " vaffing of all particulars, as muft have been ex- " pefted, if this had been Intended to pafs for an " authorifed work under a public ftamp. In what " I have done, I ara, as to far the greateft part, " rather an hiftprian and a cplleftor of what others " have writ, than an author myfelf This I have " performed faithfully, and I hope with fome mea- •' fure of diligence and exaftnefs ; yet If in fuch a " variety forae important raatters are forgot, and C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 499 " if Others are miftaken, I am fo far frora reckoning *' it an injury to have thofe difcoveredj that I will " gladly receive any advices of that kind ; I will " confider them carefully, and make the beft ufe of *' them I can, for the undeceiving of others, as foon " as I am convinced that I have mifled them."* The objeft of the author In this work was to fliew that the Articles, efpecially thofe on the predefti- narlan controverfy, were capable of the feveral fenfes of different doftors ; and that an article being con ceived in fuch general words that It can admit of different and grammatical fenfes, even v/hen the fenfes given are plainly contrary one to anothel', they who affix different and repugnant fenfes to them, may each fubfcribe them with a good confcience, and without any equivocation. For the biffiop was decidedly of opinion, that fubfcription imported an affent to the articles ; was a declaration of the fubfcriber's opinion, and not a bare obligation to filence ; and that the articles were a ftandard of doftrine, and not raerely bonds of union and peace. But admitting that the articles may have different fenfes, and on this ground be fubfcribed without prevarication by thofe who put different conftruftions on them, the confequence would be that the neceffity of aboliffiing fubfcription on part ofthe church was fuperfeded. His lordffiip, after aU, it has been obferved by the authpr pf the Confeffional, had but a flender opinion of the effeft of the expedient he adopted to bring men to a better underftanding * Preface, edition in Svo. 1746, p. x. xv. K K 2 500 HISTORY OF THE C. V. of one another, and to promote union. " The " fetding on forae equivocal formularies will never," fays he, " lay the cpntentipn that has arifen ccn- " cerning the chief ppints In difference between the " Lutherans and the Calvlnifts."* This prelate, it raay be obferved, while he atterapted to concUiate all parties, by placing fubfcription on fuch grounds as he conceived raight juftify a fubraiffion to it by raen of difcordant fentiraents, yet It appears, did hirafelf entirely difapprove of it as a condition of ferving in the Church. For the conclufion to *' The Hiftory of his own Tiraes," written nine years after the publication of his Expofitlon, de clared this explicitly and ftrongly j " the requiring *' fubfcriptions to the thirty-nine articles," he fays, " is a great impofition I believe them aU ; *" rayfelf. The greater part fubfcribe without " ever exaraining thera ; and others do It, though «' they can hardly fatisfy their confciences about '• forae things In thera. Churches and focieties are " much better fecured by laws than by fubfcrip- * ' tions ; It is a raore reafonable as well as a more *' eafy method of government."t This opinion was not the refult of late experience, but had been long entertained by hira,. More than twenty years befpre he wrote the above, when he faw, on his travels into Switzerland and Italy, how ftrpngly the principal raen at Geneva, where he was much efteemed and careffed, infifted upcn " confent of • Blackburne'i Works, vol.v. p. iiS. t Burnet's « Hiftory," vol, vi. p. 176. C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 501 *' doftrlne," to which they required a fubfcription frora all who were adraitted Into orders, he era ployed all the eloquence he could coramand to reprefent the folly and ill confequences of fuch fub fcriptions, and to obtain an alteration in this praftice. The force of his arguraent, the warrath and earneft nefs with which he expreffed hirafelf on this head, and the weight of his charafter, prevailed; the clergy at Geneva were releafed frora thefe fub fcriptions, and left to puniffiraent or cenfqre only in cafe of writing or preaching againft the eftabliffied doftrine.* This conceffion, though it raight afford fome relief to tender confciences, and be an alte ration for the better in the ecclefiaftical eftabliffi raent of Geneva, yet proceeded on the farae principle as the irapofitlon of fnbfcrlption, namely, that of huraan authority in religion ; it was as real, though not In an equal degree, a bar to freedora of enquiry ; and it laid a fnare for raany upright minds, who would efteem It a duty to expofe errors of doftrine and praftice as well as to deteft them, and openly to avow the truth as well as to embrace it. It reflefts honour, however, on Dr. Burnet, that he, not then a dignitary of his own church, and a ftranger, could carry a point in a foreign country^ which afterwards he cpuld not, even when a prelate^ attempt at home ; where he was obliged to fatisfy himfelf with placing fubfcription on an equivocal ground, inftead of obtaining the abolition of It, The method adopted by hira In his celebrated work, • Burnet's " Hiftory," vol. vi. p. J6^f 502 HISTORY OF THE C. V. was not likely tP fatisfy every mind. The latitude of interpretation for which his lordffiip pleaded, was inconfiftent with the clearneis and precifioii which are effential qualities in a ftandard of faith; it ftood in direft contradiftion to the defign expreffed in the tide of the artieles, which is declared to be " for the avoiding of the diverfities of opinion, *' and for the eftabliffiing of confent touching true " religion ;" and the prelate's explanation of the nature and end of fubfcription was only the opinion of one individual, though a perfon of high rank ; it was unfupported by any authority, by any decla ration frora the head of the church of England, to explain or fuperfede the ftatute ofthe 13th of ^een Elizabeth, which gives the legal authority to the requlfition of fubfcription, and which enafts it with the exprefs defign, not to allow, but to prevent a diverfity of opinion. This defign can be fecured only by believing them to be true in one precife uniform fenfe. Qn this fqbjeft the judgment of Biffiop Taylor, who wrote before Burnet, carries, conviftion with It. *' He that fubfcribes muft do it f to thpfe purpofes, and in that fenfe and fignifi* *' cation of things, which the fupreme ppwer Intends " In his commanding It." As to that latitude of interpretcftion^ which admits the fubfcribers to affent to the fame forra of words in what fenfe they pleafe, " this," obferves the prelate, " is the laft remedy " againft the evils and difficulties arifing frora the f ' requlfition pf fubfcription, but it Is the wprft ; it *' hath in It fpmething of craft, but very little of C. V. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 503 " Ingenuity ; and if it can ferve the ends of peace, or " of external charity, or of a phantaftic concord ; " yet it cannot ferve the ends of truth and holinefs, *' and chriftian firapUcity."* " The Expofitlon," however it may be thought to fail In attaining the end which the author prin cipally propofed to himfelf by Its publication, is a monument of his talents and abilities, and deferves to be regarded as a work highly ufeful to the theo logical ftudent ; as a work compofed on a large and extenfive plan, on laborious refearches Into the works of the moft learned divines In the feveral divifions of Chriftendoia, begun by this very able writer, when he filled the divinity profeffor's chair at Glafgow, and to which his attention had been direfted for more than thirty years. It was attacked with great warrath and veheraence, in " A Prefatory Difcourfe to an Exaraination of " the Bifliop of Sarura's Expofitlon on the Thlrty- ** nine Articles;" generally afcribed to Dr. Binckes. Then came out *' An Examination of his Expofitlon *' of the Second Article ;" by Dr. Jonathan Ed wards, principal of Jefus college in Oxford ; this was followed by " A Vindication of the 23d Article " frora his Expofitlon of it." The Biffiop pub liffied a ffieet, which he entitled, *' Remarks on the "Exaraination of the Expofition of the Second " Article of our Church ;" and frora the pen of a friend came, " An Anfwer to the Prefatory Dlf- '* courfe ;" and " A Defence of hjs Expofition of * Blackburne's Works, vol, vii. p. 326, 333, / 504 HISTORY OF THE q. v, *' the 23d Article'* clofed with a propofal, that they who were fo angry with the Biffiop's Expofition ffiould give tbe world a better.* • Calamy, vol. i. p. 643, C. VI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 505 CHAPTER VI. Biographical Sketches of eminent Characters and Writers. MANY of the rainifters ejefted by the Bar tholoraew Aft, in 1662, lived to hail the Revolution, and made a confiderable figure In the reigns of King William and C^een Mary ; and ia different years of that period finiflied their virtuous and honourable courfe of labours and fufferings; A juft refpeft has been paid to their naraes in the ffiort raeraoirs of thera frora the pens of Calamy and Palmer : to whora the reader is referred. But there is a propriety, without entering rainutely into theij: hiftory, in taking forae notice of thera In this work according to the chronological order of their deaths. Araong thefe, the firft who was reraoved frora this world. In 1689, was Dr. Obadiah Grew, who had held the vicarage of St, Michael's, Coventry ; beloved by all parties, and had in great veneration by the gentleraen of the county. He difplayed a fingular integrity and fortitude of charafter in freely reraon- llrating with Lieut.-Gcneral Crorawell in perfon. 506 HISTORY OF THE C. VI. "when at Coventry, on a defign then vifibly on foot againft the life of King Charles I. and obtained his promife to endeavour to prevent it ; of which Dr. Grew afterwards reminded him by letter. He could not by any threats be Induced to read, on the rifing in Chefliire, the proclamation againft Sir G. Booth. And when the plague alarmed the city, he kept open the meetings, till he was forced t o remove by the Oxford Aft. He was the father of Dr. Nehemiah Grew, who died March 25, 1711 ; well known for his " Anatomy of Plants," and other ingenious works ; and efteeraed for his fkill in the medical pro feffion, his phUofophical knowledge, and his piety.* In 1690, aged 66, died John Collins, D.D. who had been vicar of St. Stephen's, Norwich, and forty- four years a minifter in that city : " a man of various *' learning, and exceUing as a textuary and a critic; *' and generally efteemed for his great induftry, hu- *' inanity, and exemplary piety." His virtues and abilities gave him an Intereft, notwithftanding his nonconformity, with many lUuftrlous and celebrated perfonT. He drew up the Annotations of feveral books of Poole's Expofitioh ofthe Bible : and befides many controverfial and praftical works, was the author of a work entitled " The Weaver's Pocket *' Book, or Weaving Spiritualized," Svo. formed on the principle of adapting his devotional and prac tical remarks to the ideas and eraployraents of a. people famous for the manufafture of ftuffs.f 'i*.,?f''Ms's Biographical Hiflory of England in continuation of Grander, vol. i. p. 231, 132. f Granger's BiographicalHiftory of England, vol. iii. p. 306, 307. C. VI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. S07 February 7, Mr. John Faldo, aged 57; who had been a chaplain in the army, and had no benefice when the Aft of Uniformity took place, but was filenced by It. He became afterwards paftor of a congregation in London. In 1691, on June the 26th, aged 63, Mr. John Flavell, ejefted frora the reftory of Townftall alias St. Cleraent's, Dartmouth. He was educated at the Univerfity college In Oxford. His works col lefted together form two volumes folio, and eight Svo. diftinguiffied by a plain, popular, and tender ftrain, and by a fpirit of piety. He adopted the way of fplritualizing the comraon objefts and employ ments of life in two treatifes, one on the praftice of " Huffiandry," and the other on the art of *' Navigation." In 1685, feveral aldermen of the town fo forgot the decorura, duty, and dignity of their office, as to head the rabble in carrying about a ridiculous effigy of the worthy and excellent man, to which were affixed the Covenant and the Bill of Exclufion: on which he withdrew from the town, under an apprehenfion that fuch infults, counte nanced by the magiftrates, raight be followed with injuries to his perfon. § In December, aged 76, the celebrated Richard Baxter, fixteen years lefturer at Kidderminfter. The peculiar traits and contrafts in his charafter and hiftory are delineated with propriety and energy by the pen of Mr. Granger ; who defcribes him as " a " man famous for weaknefs of body and ftrength § Granger, vol. iii- p. 334. 508 HISTORY OF THE C. VI. " of raind ; for having the ftrongeft fenfe of religion " himfelf, 'and exciting a fenfe of it in the thoughtlefs " and the profligate ; for preaching more fermons, " engaging In raore controverfies, and writing raore *' books, than any other nonconforralft of his age. *' He fpoke, difputed, and wrote with eafe ; and dif- " covered the farae intrepidity when he reproved ••Crorawell and expoftulated with Charles II. , as " when he preached to a congregation of raecha- *' nics."f He was chaplain to Charles II. and de fended the raonarchy in a conference with CroraweU. When governraent In the year 1672, in the reign of Charles II. iffued an order that a yearly penfion of 50I. each ffiould be paid to raoft of the preffiyterlan minlfters, and of lool. to the chief of the party, Mr. Baxter fent back his penfion, and would not touch It.* A rare Inftance of difinterefted Integrity and firranefs. He was Interred in Chrifichurch, London, and his funeral was attended by a number of perfons of different rank, and by raany dignitaries of the eftabliffied church. His works confifted of 145 different treatifes. In 1692, Feb. 15, Mr. Thomas Rofewell ; pre vioufly to the Aft of Uniformity, reftor of Sutton- Mandeville in Wiltffiire. In 1674 he accepted an invitation to fucceed Mr. James Janeway at Rother- hithe; having paffed the intermediate years in feveral families of rank, particularly In that of Lady Hun gerford. The raoft reraarkable event in the life of this pious worthy was his being arraigned, tried, t Granger, vol. iii. p. 330 * Burnet's Hiftory, vol. ii. p. ;(5, C. VI. PROTESTANT" DISSENTERS. 509 and convifted of treafon, on the 23d of Oftober, In 1684, before Lord Chief Juftice Jefferies. He was charged on the ground of treafonable words uttered by hira in a ferraon delivered on the 14th ofthe pre ceding Septeraber at Rotherhithe. The witneffes againft hira were three woraen, coramon informers againft conventicles, lewd and Infamous perfons, laden with guilt of former perjuries, who could not prove by any circumftance that they were at his meeting, or that any perfon faw them there on that day; and yet they fwore to or two three periods with fo much exaftnefs, that there was not the fmalleft variation in their depofitions ; and though they affefted fuch great clearnefs and precifion as to the words alleged, they could remember no other paffage in the ferraon, not even the text. Several whp heard it, and forae who wrote it in ffiort-hand, de clared that Mr. Rofewell faid no fuch words, nor any thing to that purpofe. He made a ftrong de fence of himfelf, proving his loyalty even in the days of Crorawell ; and urging that he conftantly prayed for the king in his family, and had inculcated tbe obligations tp loyalty In his fermons, " He offered " to put the whole upon this iffue; that he would •' pronounce a period as long as that to which they *' had fworn, with the ufual tone of voice with which *' he preached, and then leave It to them to repeat " it if they could." He offered his own notes to prove the falfehood of the accufation ; but no re gard was paid to thefe pleas by the Court, though his defence was applauded by moft of the hearers, 510 HISTORY OF THE C. Vt. and was pronounced by fome gentlemen cf the Ipng robe to be the beft defence made by any man in thofe times. The judge, however, eondufted the trial, which lafted feven hours, with vehemence, and urged the ccnviftlon of the prifoner; laying It down as a firft principle, that all preaching at conventicles was treafonable, and that this ought to difpofe the jury to believe any evidence upon that head ; fo the jury brought Mr. Rofewell In guilty : upon which, Bifliop Burnet relates, " there was a ffiameful re- " joicing." The paffing of fentence was poftponedto the 24th of Noveraber. When, In the mean time, the words on which Mr. Rofewell was convifted, came to be examined by men learned in the law, they were found not to be treafon by any ftatute. On this he moved for an arreft of judgment, tiU counfel could be heard on that point. Several cir cumftances concurred to fecure the fuccefs of this petition. Sir John Talbot, a gentleraan far frora being accounted a friend to diffenters, was prefent during the trial, and was fo affefted by the raode of its procefs, that he went iraraediately frora it to the king, and reprefented to hira that he had feen the life of a gentleman and a fcholar In danger, upon evidence on which he would not hang a dog ; and urged it on his Majefty, that If he fuffered him to die, none of his fubjefts could be fafe in their houfes. Before he had withdrawn, J udge Jefferies came into the royal prefence with an air of exultation and triumph, and congratulated the king on the convic tion of a traitor ; who received the information with C. VI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 511 expreffing a concern for the life of Mr. Rofewell, and an Injunftion on the chief juftice to find fome way to bring him off. The king felt affiamed of the proceedings, on many other reports raade to hira of the witneffes. He was alfo induced, from particu lar refpeft to Mrs. Jaraes, a lady, who, it appears by the event, had great influence with his Majefty, to promife his life, when from a conviftion of the Innocence of Mr. Rofewell, and the injury done hira, ffie went to the king and begged it. The attorney- general had orders to yield to the arreft of judge- raent. " This," Burnet obferves, " was thought, '* a gpod point gained, which might turn to the ad- " vantage of the fubjeft, to allow that a point of *' law raight be argued after conviftion." The ¦jury foon felt great compunftion at the verdift; which they had given ; and Invited Sir Peter Rich, who appeared on the trial as the friend of Mr. Rofewell, the day after It to dine with them at the Swan Tavern in Old Fiffi-ftreet, to confult what fteps could be taken to fave his life ; urging, that if Mr. RofeweU fuffered, it would be very unjuftly. But no raethod of retrieving what was done occurred to his thoughts. On the 24th of Noveraber, Mr. Rofewell was brought up to the court to receive fentence, when he requefted to be heard on the caufes for which he prayed an arreft of judgment. After fome debates between the bench and the king's counfel, the lord chief juftice, whp npv/ affumed the charafter of an advocate for the prifoner, fupported his requeft, and 512 HISTORY OF THE C. VIo repeatedly and ftrongly recoraraended caution and deliberation where the life of a man was depending ; and counfel was affigned to plead on the errors and in validity of the indiftraent. On the 26th and 27th of Noveraber the court met again to hear counfel. When they had finiffied, the chief juftice again la boured to Imprefs on the minds of the other judges fentiments favourable totheaccufed, and obferved that truly he never had feen an indiftment fo loofely hung together, and that by their law-books they were bound in cafes of that nature to be counfel for the prifoner ; and he ftill held it up to their confideration that this was a cafe in which the life of a man was concerned : a confideration which had little or no weight with his lordffiip on the trial. But he now knew how the king's mind was difpofed towards the prifoner. After all, no motion was made by the attorney- general, nor did the court come to a decifion ; but Mr. Rofewell was commanded back to prifon to wait for a rule of court to bring hira up again at the next term. In the mean time the king granted la pardon under the great feal ; and as foon as It was finiffied, his Majefty died. Mr. Rofewell pleaded it forae few days after, and on giving bail was dif charged. It appears, that though the judge on the trial had Interraingled with the exaraination of wit neffes virulent inveftives againft the accufed, and aimed to prejudice the jury ; when Mr. Rofewell moved by his counfel to arreft the judgraent for an error oPforra in the records, this fame raan not only advocated the caufe of the prifoner with an appear- CVI. PRPTESTANT DlSSENtERS. ¦ 513 ance pf candpur and equity, but fprgettirtg the deco rura and gravity to be preferved on the bench, indulged in levity and jocularity. " He CPiUd npt " contain himfelf, but openly rejoiced at the accident, " and was tickled with mirth and laughing at the " king's council. But the ferious obfervation was," fays ray author, " that after he had urged the pro- " fecution of Rofewell, and a fault flipt, he ffiould " fo raerrily difcharge hira."* It will. It is prefumed, be deemed an agreeable addition to this narrative, if the fentiments of the late great ftatefman, the Right Hon. Charies James Fox, be laid before the reader. " I have little doubt " but the account you have feen of Jefferies's con- ** duft and motive is the true one ; at the farae time •' It muft be confeffed, that, according to the ac- " count In the ftate- trials, he afted his part very *' well ; and the pardon coming after the legal *' doubts looks rather as if it was given, not to " let off Jefferies eafy, but on the contrary to avpid *' bringing the king's lawyers tP ffiame, by expofing " the iraperfeftion of their indictment. However, " even without this ftory, Jefferies's character Is " fuch that one cannot for a moment believe his " having done right, but with fome crooked motive. " I have read before,! know not where, an account, *' without the name of Talbot, fomething fimilar to * Life of Sir Francis Dudley, lord keeper, vol. ii. p. 107 ; Rofe- well's Life aiid Trial, p. 54, 58, 59,63 ; Trial, p. 63, 84, 8j, 86, 100, 105, et alibi, p. 5146, »50, 252, and p.3»3; Burnet, vol. ii. p. 444—446. L L 514 HISTORY OF THE C. tl« ** that which you cite ; and I think it the raore *' likely, becaufe Charles II, had a very good and ** quick underftanding, efpeciaUy In regard to mat- ** ters which were ridiculoufly abfurd, as the evi- " dence againft Rofewell is."* By a warrant dated 28th May 1687, iffued by King Jaraes, Mr. Rofewell and his furetles, he In a bond of 500I. and they in one of 2000I. were dif charged frora their bail. After he had received the king's pardon, he iraraediately returned to his rainlftcrial work ; though for the fake of his bail he carefully kept within the liraits of the law : but after the indulgence was granted, he refumed his charafter In an open and public raanner ; and with great affiduity and diligence difcharged its duties to a very numerous congregation for feven years after his honourable acquittal, in the enjoyment of a • A Letter with which the author was honoured, 3d May iSoa, in reply to one which he wrote to Mr. Fox, in confequence of fome enquiries communicated to him from the Hon. Gentleman, re lative to the account of the circuit of Judge Jefferies, in the " Hiftory of Taunton," chap. ix. p. 109, &c. It feems to have efcaped the attention of Mr. Fox, that the pardon carae too late to fave the reputation of the king's counfel, as the imperfeftions of the indiftment had been previoufly pleaded in arreft of judgment; and it is prefumed that in his approbation of Jefferies's conduft, Mr. Fox refers to the part he took in favour ofthe piifoner. After the author had written the above narrative of Mr. Rofewell's cafe, he re ferred to Neal's Hiftory, where he found, though he did not recolleft it, the proceedings had been ftated ; but he trufts that from the nature of theni, and the new matter which he has been able to furnifli, no apology is neceffary to juftify the appearance of tlie narrative again in this work. The account without the name o£ Talbot, to which Mr. Fox alludes, was the ftate of this affair given by Bifliop Burnet in his /« Hiftory of his own Times." C. VI. PROTESTANT DISSENTERS. 515 great raeafure of health, till his laft ficknefs, (the effeft of a cold caught at the funeral of Mr. Baxter,) which terminated his life at the age of 62, on Feb. 13th, 1692. It deferves to be mentioned to the honour of two clergymen, his contemporaries, and as teftiraonies of the opinion entertained of his In nocence, and the efteem In which his charafter was held, that one of them, Mr. Meriton, rainifter of St. Nicholas Cole-Abbey In Old Fifli-ftreet, pub- licly.prayed for him In the church during his im- ' prifonraent ; and the other, Mr. Jekyll, of the New Chapel at Weftrainfter, frequently vifited him in the Gatehoufe. Many hundreds of people attended the funeral frora Draper's Hall, whence he was carried to Interment in Bunhill ; and In the fpirit of that union which had been lately formed between the two denominations, his pall was fupported by three prefbyterian and three Independent minifters.* On the 1 6th of Noveraber 1692, died Mr. Rich, Steel, ejefted frora the living of Hanraere In Flint- ffilre, and during his refidence there the intiraatefrlend of the excellent Mr. Philip Henry. He was born near Nantwich in Cheffiire, on the loth May 1629 ; ftudied feveral years In St. John's college, Cam bridge; and was afterwards incorporated into the univerfity of Oxford. The difficulty in refpe9 of hi^ innocence by Charles II. when he was heard on the charge before the privy council. He was a gentleman and a fcholar, and a moft excellent preacher, according to the grateful tef timony of refpeft paid to his name and meraory by one who had been his ward.* * Palmer, vol. ii. p. 185; Granger, vol. iii. p. 33 j, 333; Peirce's Vindication of the Diffenters, part i. p. ajS. M U APPENDIX. NUMBER L to Page 11. The Case of the Protestant Dissenters represented and argued. By Mr. John Howe. THEY are under one common obligation with the reft of mankind, bythe univerfal law of nature,- to worftiip God in affemblies. Men ofall forts of religions that have ever obtained in the world, Jews, Pagans, Mahometans, Chriftians, have in their praftice acknowledged this obligation. Nor can it be underftood how fuch a praftice fliould be fo univerfal, otherwife than from the dldtate and Impreflion of the univerfal law. Whereas the religion profeffed in England Is that of reformed chriftianity, fome things are annexed to the allowed putlic worffiip which are acknowledged to be no parts thereof, nor in themfelves neceflary; but which ithe diffenters judge to be in fome part finful. They cannot, therefore, with good confcience towards God, attend wholly and folely upon the public worfliip which the laws do appoint. The fame laws do ftrictly forbid their affprnbllng to wor fliip God otherwife. Which is, in effect, the fame thing as if they who made pr ftiall continue fuch laws, ftiould plainly fay, if ypu will 552 APPENDIX. not confent with us In our fuperadded rites and modes againft your confciences, you fliall not worfliip God ; or if you will not accept of our additions to the chriftian religion,, you (hall not be chriftians ; and manifeftly tends to reduce lo Paganifm a great partof a chriftian nation. They have been wont therefore to meet however in diftinct affemblies, and to worfliip God in a way which their confciences could approve; and have many years- continued fo to do, otherwife than as they have been hindered by violence. It is therefore upon the whole fit to enquire, S. 1 . Whether they are lo be blamed for their holding diftinct meetings for tbe worftiip of God ? For anfwer tothis, it cannot be expefted that all tbe controverfies ftiould be here determined, which have been agitated about the lawfulnefs of each of thofe things which have been added to the chriftian religion and worftiip by the prefent conftitution of the church of England. But fuppofing they were none of them fimply unlaw ful, while yet the miftnformed minds of ihe diffenters could not judge them lawful, though they have made it much their bufinefs to enquire and fearch ; being urged alfo by fevere fufferings, which through a long traft of time they have undergone, not to refufe any means that might tend to their fatisfactlon ; they could have^ nothing elfe left them to do than to meet and worfliip diftinftly as they have. For they could not but efteem the obligation of thfe univerfal, natural, and divine law, by which they were bound folemnly to worftiip Gob, lefs queftlonablfi than that of a law, which was only pofitive, topical, and human, requiring fuch and fuch additamenls to their worfhip, and prohibiting their worfliip without them. APPENDIX. 533 The church of England (as that part affects to. be called) diftinguiflied from the reft by thofe addillonals to chriftian religion, (pretended lo be Indifferent, and fo confeffed unneceflTary) hath not otily fought to ingrofe to itfelf the ordinances of divine worfliip, but all civU power. So that the privileges that belong either to chriftian or human fociety are indofed, and made peculiar to fuch as are dift'uigulftied by things that in themfglves can fig nify nothing to the nraking of perfons either b?tter chriftians, or better men. 2. 2. Whether the laws enjoining fuch a,dditions to Qur religion, as the exclufive terms of chriftfan wocflilp and communian, ought ta have been niade; when it is acknowledged on ^11 hands the things to be a,dded were before not neceffary; and when it is known a gr^^ number judge them finful, ^ud muft ihereby be reftrained from worfliipping the true and living God ? A. The (jueftion to any of comnion fenfe anfwers itfelf. For it is not put conceroing fuch as diffent frpm ^ny part of the fabfUupe of worftiip which Gqd hatl} commanded, but concerning fuch ^ditions g.s he never coinmanded. And there are fufficient tefts to diftlngulfti flich diffenters from thofe th^t deny any fubftantial part of religion, or affert any thing contrary thereto. Where fore to forbid fuch lo worfliip th^t God that made them, bec.a,ufe they cannot receive your devifed additions, is to e;£clude that which is neceffary, for the mere want of that jivhich is iinn,eceffary. And where is that man that will adventure to ftand forth, and avow the hindering of fuch perfons from paying tbejr homage to tb,e God that made them, if we thus expoftulate the matter on God'? behalf and tbeir own? WUl you cut off from poD his right in the creatures he hath made i WiU y w cut off 534 APPENDIX, from them the means of their falvation upon thefe terras ? What reply can the matter admit? Tis commonly alleged that great deference is to be paid to the laws, and that we ought to have forborne our affem blies, till the public authority recalled the laws againft tbem : and we will fay tbe fame thing, when it is well proved that they who made fuch laws made tbe world too. And by wbofe authority were fuch laws made ? Is there any that is not from God ? And bath God given any man authority to make laws againft himfelf, and to de prive bim pf bis juft rights from bis own creatures? Nor if tbe matter be well fearcbed into, could there be fo mucb as a pretence of authority derived for fuch pur pofes from tbe people, wbom every one now acknowledges tbe firft receptacle of derived governing power. God can, it is true, lay indlfputable obligations by his known laws upon every confcience of man about religion or any thing elfe. And fuch as reprefent any people can, according to tbe conftitution of the government, make laws for tbem about tbe things they entruft tbem with; but if tbe people of England be afked, man by man, will tbcy fay tbey did entruft to tbeir reprefentatives their religion and tbeir confciences, to do with tbem wbat tbey pleafe ? When it is your own turn to be reprefented by others, is this part of tbe truft you commit ? What Dr. Sherlock* worthily' fays concerning a bifliop, be might (and, particularly after, doth) fay concerning every other man, he can be no more represented in a council than at tlie day of judgment ; every man's soul and con science must he in his own keeping, and can be represented by no man. It ought to be confidered that chriftianity, wherein It fuperadds to the law of nature, is all matter of revelation. And it is well known that even among pagans, in the * Vindication of fome Proteftant Principles, &c. p. 52. APPENDIX. 535 ffettllrig rites and inftitutes of religion,* revelation was pretended at leaft^ upon an implied printlple ibat In fuch matters human power could not oblige the people's fconfclences. We muft be eXcufed, therefore, if we have in our prac tice expreffed lefs reverence for laws made by no authority received either from God or man. We are therefore injurioufty reflefted on, when it Is imputed to us, that we have, by thfe ufe of our liberty, acknowledged an Illegal difpenfing power. We have done no other thing herein than we did wben nodlfpen- falion was given or pretended, In confcience of duty to Him that gave us our breath; nor did therefore praftife other- wife becaufe we thought thofe laws difpenfed with, but becaufe we thought them not laws. Whereupon little need remains of enquiring farther. ^ 3. Whether fuch laws fliould be continued? Againft which, befides what may be collefted from that which hath been faid, it is to be confidered, that what is moft principally grievous to us was enafted by that Par liament, that, as we have too much reafon to believe, fuf fered Itfelf to be dealt with to enflave the nation. In other refpefts as well as this; and which (to his Immortal honour) tbe noble Earl of Danby procured to be diffolved, as tbe firft ftep towards our national deliverance. And let the tenor be confidered of that horrid law, by which our Magna Charta was torn In pieces; the worft and moft infamous of mankind, at our own expcnfb, hired to accufe us; multitudes of perjuries committed; convic tions made without a jury, and without any hearing of the perfons accufed; penalties Inflifted, good,s rifled, * As by Numa from his Egeria. And their priefts, to whom the regulation of fuch jnatters were left, were generally believed to be infpired. 556 APPENDIX. eftates feized and embezzled, houfes broken up, families difturbed, often at unfeafonable hours of the night, with out any caufe or fhadow of a caufe, if only a .naliclous villain would pretend to fufpeft a meeting there ! No law in any other cafe like this! As if to worfhip God without thofe additions which were confeffed unnecef fary, were a greater crime than theft, felony, murder, or treafon I Is it for our reputation to pofterity that the memory of fuch a lavir fhould be continued ? And are we not yet awakened, and our eyes opened enough to fee, that the making and execution of the laws, by which we have fuffered fo deeply for many by-paft years, was only that proteftants might deftroy proteftants, and tbe eafier work be made for tbe introduftion of popery that was to deftroy the refidue ? Nor can any malice deny, or Ignorance of obferving Engllfhnien overlook, this plain matter of faft : after the diffolution of that before-mentioned Parliament, difl'enters were mucb careffed, and endeavoured to be drawn into a fubferviency to tbe court defigns, efpecially in tbe eleftion of after parliaments. Notwithftanding which they every where fo entirely fell in with the fo.ber part of the nation in the choice of fuch perfons for the three parliaments that next fucceeded, (two held at Weftminfter, and that at Oxford,) as it was known would, and who did, moft ge neroufly affert the liberties of the nation and the pro- teftant religion. Which alone (^^nd not our mere diffent from the church of England In matters of religion, wherein Charles II. was fufficiently known to be a prince of great indifferency) drew upon us, fqon after the diflb- lutlon of the laft qf thofe parjiamenis, that dreadful ftorm of perfecution, that deftroyed not a fmall number of lives in gaols, and ruined multitudes of families. Let EnglKh freemen remember, what they cannot but know, that it was for our firm ?idherence to the civil APPENDIX. 537 interefts of the nation, (not for our different modes of religion from the legal way, though the laws gave that advantage againft us, which tbey did not againft others,) that we endured the calamities of fo many years. When by tbe late king fome relaxation was given us, what arts and infinuations have been ufed with us to draw us into a concurrence to defigns tending to the pre judice ofthe nation ? And with how little effeft upon the generality of us it muft be great ignorance not to know, and great injuftice to deny. But he that knoweth all things knoweth that though in fuch circumftances there was no opportunity for our receiving public and authorifed promifes when we were all under the eye of watchful jealoufy ; yet as great affurances as were poffible were given us by fome that we hope will now remember it, ofa future eftabliflied fecu rity from our former preffures. We were told over and over, wben the excellent Heer Fagel's letter came to be privately communicated from hand to hand,- how eafily better things would be had for us, than that encouraged papifts to expeft, if ever that happy change fhould be brought about, which none have novv beheld with greater joy than we. We are loth to injure thofe who have made us hope for better by admitting a fufpicion that we fhall now be dif^ appointed and deceived, (as we have formerly been, and we know by whom,) or that we fliall fuffer from them a religious slavery, for wbofe fakes we have fuffered fo grievous things, rather than do the leaft thing that might tend lo the bringing upon tbem a cwil slavery. We cannot but expeft from Engllfhnien that they bejuft and true. We hope not to be the only inftances whereby tbe Anglica Fides and the Punica fljall be thought all one. 538 APPENDIX. But if we, who have conftandy defired, and as we have bad opportunity, endeavoured the faving of the nation, muft however be ruined, not to greaten (one hair) the wealth and dignity of it, but only to gratify tbe humour of tliem who would yet deftroy It; we who are competently inured to fufferings, ftiall through God's mercy be again enabled to endure ; but He that fits in the heavens will in his own time judge our caufe, and we will wait his pleafure ; and we hope fuffer all that can be inflifted, rather than betray the caufe of reformed chriftianity In the world. But our affairs are In the hands of men of worth and honour, who apprehend how litde grateful a name they fliould leave to pofterity, or obtain now with good men of any perfuafion. If under a pretence of kindnefs to us, they fhould now repeat tbe arts of ill men in an ill time. Great minds will think It beneath them to fport them felves with their own cunning in deceiving other men; which were really in tbe prefent cafe too thin not to be feen through, and may be the eafy attainment of any man that hath enough of opportunity, and integrity litde enough for fuch purpofes. And it is as mucb too grofs to endeavour to abufe the authority of a nation, by going about to make that ftoop to fo mean a thing as to make a ftiew pf intending wbat they refolve to their utmoft fhall never be. But fome may think by conceffions to us the churcb of England will be ruined, and a great advantage given to the bringing in of popery. To which we fay, the generality of diffenters differ from the church of England in no fubftantials of doftrlne and worfhip, no nor of government, provided It be fo managed as to attain its Iruc acknowledged end : the favouring of us therefore will as much ruin the church as its enlarge ment and additional ftrength will fignify to its ruin. APPENDIX. 5S9 And doth not tbe world know, that wherein we differ from them, we differ from the papifts too? And that fbr the moft part wherein tbey differ from us, they feem to agree with them ? We acknowledge their ftrong, brave, and profperous eppofition to popery ; but tbey have oppofed it by the things wherein they agree with us. The differences from us are no more a fence againft popery, than an inclofure of ftraw is againft a flame of fire. But it is wont to be faid we agree not among ourfelves, and know not what we would have. And do ail that go under the name of the church of England agree among themfelves ? We can fhew more confiderable difagreements among them than any cau between tbe moft of us, and a confiderable part of them. Tbey ail agree, it is true, in conformity ; and we all agree in nonconformity. And is not this merely accidental to chriftianity and proteftantifm? And herein Is knot well known that the far greater part of reformed chrifteiidooj do more agree with us? An arbitrary line of uniformity in fome little acci dents fevers a fmall part of the chriftian world from all the reft. How unreafonably Is It expefted that therefore all tbe reft muft In every thing elfe agree among them felves? Suppofe any imaginary line to cutoff a little fegment from any part ofthe terreftlal globe; it is as juftly expefted that all the reft fhould be of one mind. If one part of England be tailors, tbey might as well expeft that all the people befides fliould agree to be of pne profeffion. Perhaps fome imagine it diflionourable to fuch as have gone before them in the fame ecclefiaftical ftations and dignities, if now any thing fliould be altered, which tbeir judgment did before approve and think fit. 540 APPENDIX. But we hope that temptation will not prove invincible, viz. of fo exceffive a modefty as to be afraid of feeming wtfer, or better natured, or of a more chriftian temper, than their predeceffors. Bi>t the moft of us do agree not only with one another, but in tbe great things above-mentioned with the church (f England too: and in fbort, that the reproach may ceafe for ever with thofe that count it one, they will find with us, wben they pleafe to try, a very extenfive agree ment on the terms of King Charles lid's declaration about ecclefiaftical affairs in 1660. 2. 4. Whether it be reafonable to exclude all that ia every thing conform not to the church of England, from, any part or fbare of the civil power ? A. Tbe difference or nonconformity of many is fo roinate that It would be as reafonable to exclude all whofe hair is not of this or that colour. And wbat if we fhould make a difterminatlon by tbe decifion this way or that of any other difputed queftion 4hat may be of as fmall con cernment to religion ? Suppofe it be that of eating blood, f(rr tbe decifion whereof one way there is more pretence from God's wonl, than for any point of the difputed conformity : would it not be a wife conftitution, that whosoever thinks it lawful ia eat black-pudding shall be capable of no office, S/ic. Bat we tremble to think of the exclusive sacramental test, brought down as low as to the keeper of an aleboufe. Arc all fit to approach the facred table, whom the fear of ruin or tiope of gain may bring. thither? We cannot but often remember with horror what happened three or four years ago; a man that led an III life, but frequented the church, was obferved not to come lo the facrament, and preffed by the officers tocome; he yet declined, knpv^ing AfspENDIX. 541 hlrtifelf unfit ; at length being threatened and terrified he eame, but faid to fome prefent at the lime of the folemn aftion, that be came only to avoid being undone, and took Aem to witnefs that what he there received he took only as common bread and wine, not daring to receiv^ them as the body and blood of Chrift. It is amazln Mr. Howe, Mr. Spademan, and Mr. Shower; the event was the happy fettle- ment of his mind. At this time the death of Mr. Stancliff, at Rotherhithe, and an occafi onal fermon he preached there, opened the way for an harmo nious invitation to become the paftor of the congregation ; to which office he was folemnly ordained in 1705, and con tinued in it for nearly twenty- three years, with conftant and indefatigable application to its duties, till his death on the i6th APPENDIX. 565 Feb. 1728. He was exemplary in conduft, and remarkable for univerfal benevolence, formed upon truly generous and catho lic principles, as well as for the pious ferioufnefs of his fpirit. His catechetical exer cifes, began in the year 1707 and continued to the year 1 7 1 5, formed an eminent part of his minifterial labours. He firft entered upon them with a fmall number of catechumens in his houfe. On a ftrong difpofition expreffed by many to attend them, and by other public fpi- rited perfons to encourage and patronize them, he removed them to his place of worfhip, and devoted every Monday to this fervice from five o'clock in the morning to eight at night. Sometimes there were not fewer than 2000 on a day. The numbers thus inftrufted within the eight years were eftimated at 10,000. The catechumens were young perfons of all par ties and denominations. The younger children recited the anfwers in the affembly's cate chifm ; thofe of farther ftanding were employed in hearing them; others preferved order ; and exaft accounts of every one's proficiency and behaviour were returned. Mr. Ratcliffe after this fpent two hours in exa mining the grown youths upon the parts or fenfe of an anfwer, or more frequently of a text of fcripture. He clofed the fer vice with fome praftical infer ences, a pathetic exhortation adapted to the capacities and temptations of children, and an earneft prayer. After din ner the time was given to fre« and profitable converfation. The evening was fpent in like endeavours with the other fex. Rewards were beftowed accord ing to their proficiencies, to excite emulation. Among the rewards were AUen'i Sure Guide, Baxter's Call, and, on the recital of the whole cate chifm, a bible. The expences incurred by thefe exercifes were great, not lefs than 300I. a year, and fometimes they amounted to 4 or 5 ool. Thefe were de frayed by ftated fubfcriptions, and by confiderable donations from unknown perfons. Mr. Ratcliffe received no remune ration forall his incredible pains; but out of his own income, his though the circumftances of family would have juftified his waving any pecuniary aid, he fubfcribed himfelf lol. per annum. It fhould be mentioned to the honour of Mr. RatdiiFe, ¦566 APPENDIX. as a confiftent proteftant, that thougl^ he ufed and valued the catechifm particularly adopted by the diffenters, as a very ufe ful fummary of, in their judg ment, chriftian principles, yet the Bible alone was his ftand ard : this he inculcated upon the children. He was far from cenfuring others, when their apprehenfions differed from his, and always expefted to be allowed the liberty of judging about the fenfe of the Bible in the beft manner he could. See his " funeral fermon," by Dr. John Evans, p. 24, 32. N. B. The preceding lift of Mr. Woodhoufe's pupils is furniflied by the late Mr. Jofiah Thompfon's " Account of the "Diffenting Academies," MS. at prefent penes me, p. 2. Mr. Thompfon adds, that Mr. John Southwell, who was ne phew to Mr. Rich. Southwell, ejefted from the chapelry of Bafwick in Staffordftiire, and fometime affiftant minifter with Mr. Woodhoufe at Dudley In Worcefterfliire, and who after wards removed to Newbury in Berkfliire, continued for fome time the feminary of Sheriff Hales ; the names of two gen. tlemen only are given, as having ftudied under him ; viz. I. William Harris, D. D- forty-two years paftor of the congregation of proteftant dif fenters in Crutched-Friars, 3 celebrated preacher, an eminent divine, and in high reputation as an author. He was reckoned the greateft mafter of the Englifli tongue among the diffenters ; which was thought, by a good judge, to have derived fome embellifhments from his manner of writing. His compofitions on divers fubjefts and occafions were laboured and finiflied. He was particularly a true friend and excellent pattern to young minifters, in preaching and converfation. He wrote with judgment in the deiftical con troverfy with Woolfton and Collins ; with the former in two difcourfes on " The reafon. " ablenefs of believing in Chrift, •' and the unreafonablenefs of " Infidelity; with brief Remarks " on the cafe of Lazarus ;" and with the latter, rather in way of reference than of direft anfwer to " The Grounds and " Reafons," in a volume of fermons, under the title of " Praftical Difcourfes on the " principal reprefentations of " the Meffiah throughout the " Old Teftament." It was a favourite obfervation with him. APPENDIX. 567 that without fome knowledge of fcripture criticifm, no man can thoroughly underftand his Bible, or make a proper ufe of it. For a fuller memoir of this excellent charafter fee Protef tant Diffenters' Magazine for 1795, p. 217, &c. And Wil fon's Diffenting Churches, vol. i. p. 66 — 77. 2. Mr. Thomas Leavefly, firft paftor of a congregation at Little Baddow in Effex; and then, as fucceffor to Mr. Simon Brown, at the Old Jewry, in London, from about 1723 to 1737; a man of excellent tem- , per, and diftinguiflied by a gift in prayer. He was one of the preachers of the lefture at Salters' Hall againft popery, in 1735. See Wilfon's Diffenting Churches, vol. ii. p. 358, 360. P. S. It appears, from an article in the obituary of the Monthly Magazine for Decem ber 1797, p. 493, on the death of Mr. John Southwell, Novem ber 22, in that year,- in the 75th year of his age, the grand fon of the tutor, that Mr. Thompfon's account of him is not quite correft, any more than complete. It is there -ftated, that he, having been educated under Mr. Woodhoufe, was fucceffively chaplain to Philip Foley, of Beftwood, efq; affift ant to Mr. Woodhoufe, mafter of an academy at Kiddermin fter, which he removed to Dudley, and thefice to New bury; and died of a confump- tion, about 1694, aged about 32. Hisgrandfon was 33 years mafter of the grammar-fchool at Stafford : a correft and ele gant fcholar, and a man of diftinguifliing and amiable ex cellencies of charafter, who in the latter part of his life fyfte- matically cultivated cheerfulnefs, as a duty, and whofe moft favourite author was Jortin. II. Mr. JVarren's Pupils. Befides Mr. Grove, the names cuftomers, and who had begun of the following gentlemen are preferved, as having received academical learning under Mr. Warren. I , Mr. John Enty, a native of Cornwall, the fon of a taylor, who worked at the houfes of his to initiate the youth in the fame employment; till being once at Tregothnan, the feat of the Bofcawens, the indications he gave of intelligence and parts attrafted the notice of Mrs, Fortefcue, a lady, who was a 568 APPENDIX. great friend of the diffenting caufe, and induced her ta take him under her patronage, and to fupport the expence of his education, firft at a grammar- fchool, and then in his acade mical courfe ; which he finiflied with the charafter of a bright and fesious young man. He was invited to fettle, as fucceffor to Mr. Shirwell, with a congre gation at Plymouth. Though the topics on which hedifcour- fed were common and trite; yet the pains he is faid to have beftowed on his compofitions, a ftrong mufical voice, a lively imagination, and a great com mand and flow of words, adapted to the tafte of his hearers, pleafed the ear and moved the paffions. After the ejeftment ofthe great Mr. Peirce, he was chofen one of the minifters of the united congregations at Exeter, in 1 7 20. At this time the diffenters thro' Devon and Cornwall were greatly agitated by the warmth with which the trinitarian con- troverfy was carried on ; and at the affembly of minifters, fays my author, had " fet up afpiri. " tual tyranny, and fuccefsfully " and fmoothly parried it on "for many years under the " cover pf three words, Agree- " ment. Order, Decency.'' Mr. Enty became a ftrenuous advocate for the orthodoxy of the day, and a leader in the tranfaftions of the affembly; and all ecclefiaftical affairs were direfted by him with the ap plaufe of his friends, by whom he was much careffed, but with a peculiar hauteur and contempt which provoked and difgufted others. But, in private circles, his manners were eafy and free, and without any affeftation of diftance and gravity. He had a great afcendancy over his principal hearers, without pry ing into the fecrets of families, or interfering in domeftic af fairs. He outlived the con troverfy, and furvived his opponents, enjoying the peace, power, and reputation, which by a ftedfaft adherence to his party he had firmly eftablifhed. An epidemic difeafe terminated his life about the end of the year 1743, and he met death with great compofure and decency, taking a diftinft and folemn leave of his family. — Mr. Fox's Lives of his old and particular friends; a MS. communicated by his grandfon, Mr. George Cleather, of Stone houfe, near Plymouth. APPENDIX. 569 N.B. Mr. Fox, a native of Plymouth, was a fellow ftudent with Dr. Chandler, and Arch bifliop Secker, at Mr. Eames's, He was educated fur the mi niftry, and preached once ; but foon after lay afide the charafter, and afterwards conformed, as a layman, 2. Mr. Jacob Sandercock, who fettled at Taviftock, De von, in 1688, andwas a cha rafter that carried great weight and authority. Fox's MS. 3. Mr. George Brett, who fettled at Lilkeard in Corn wall ; " a genius, a man of a " clear head and a great nie- " mory ; able to talk off hand " on any point, as if he had •^ ftudied no other ; his learning '' laid not only in divinity and " hiftory, but he was an acute " philofopher; underftood more " of the grounds of phyfic than " many who profeffed it ; he " had a tafls for painting and " mufic; he difclaimed the " power affuraed for fome years " by the Exeter afferably, and " held in contempt the preftiy- " terian hierarchy." Fox's MS. He fettled at Li&eard about the year 1705, and was living in 1761. His grand-daughter by his only daughter and child, married to Mr. John Weymouth of Exeter, was the firft wife of the late Rev. Timothy Kenrick, of that city. 4. Mr. Chriftopher Taylor, who, with a capacity fufficiently great and extenfire to qualify him for any of the learned pro feffions, chofe to devote himfelf, under the difficulties and di(^ couragements of the times, to the miniftry among the diffen ters ; and in his academical courfe made a very confiderable progrefs in rational and polite learning, which he afterwards cultivated and improved. He vvas folemnly ordained to the office of minifter on the 25th Auguft i6§7, and was recom mended to fill up a very public ftation at Bath; and in 1699 was invited to the fervice of the congregation in Hatton-Garden, London, where he difcharged the paftoral office to their great fatisfaftion about twenty-four years; and fcarcely any minifter in the city was more conftantly attended on, or more valued and regarded by his people : though his minifterial labours were chiefly confined to them, his ufefulnefs was much more ex. tenfive, efpecially to the com mon welfare cf proteftant 570 APPENDIX. diffenterj ; and he was engaged by forae of the beft judges of men to aft in fome public tranfaftions of great confequence both to Scodand and England, viz. thofe of the union of the two kingdoms, in 1707. On the completion of which, he preached and printed a thanks giving fermon. He was zea- leus for the civil and religious liberties of mankind. He de livered his difcourfes as one deeply fenfible ofthe weight of the fervice in which he was engaged, and greatly concerned for the honour of God, and the edification of his hearers, with vigour and affeftion. He united in his charafter a quick appre- henfion, a found judgment, and a good tafte of things ; wifdom in council, and a confiderable infignt into the affairs of the world; a large fhare of natural firmnefs and integrity, a fteady honefty, and a true greatnefs and generofity of mind. He died on the 26th of Oftober 1723. — The funeral fermon by Mr. Jofliua Bayes. HI. Mr. Charles Morton's Pupils. I.Mr. Sarauel Lawrence, a native of Wera in Shropfliire, born in i65i ; who, after fome time fpent at Mr. Philip Henry's, and then at Mr. Mai den's, at Alkinton, near Whit church, where he improved himfelf very much in Greek and Hebrew, went through a courfe of univerfity learning under Mr. Morton. He was, firft, for feveral years domeftic chaplain to Lady Irby, relift of Sir Anthony Irby, of Weftminfter, In 1 688, he accepted an unani mous invitation to become the minifter of a congregation of diffenters at Nantwich in Che fliire ; where he difcharged the duties of his paftoral office, embracing all opportunities of doing good, with diligence and earneftnefs, for nearly 24 years. His whole converfation in the world, was blamenefs and earneft. He was a good fcholar, and a judicious and ferious preacher. He died April 4th 1712, in the 51ft year of his age. Some of the laft words he was heard to utter were, " I " do not fear, I do not fear." His fecond fon was the very amiable Dr. Samuel Lawrence^ APPENDIX. 571 many years paftor of the con gregation in Monkwell-ftrcet, London. — Mr. M.itt. Henry's funeral fermon for the fither, p. 33—48 ; Dr. Fordyce's ditto for the fon, p. 26 — .-32. ;. Mr. John Beaumont, of whom we have already made mention, p. 250,1. 3. Mr. Thomas Reynolds, born in London about the year 1667, and adraitted into Mr, iVIorton's academy 1683. He afterwards ftudied at Geneva and tJtrecht, He was invited, in 169 5, to fucceed Mr. Thomas Kentifli, as minifter of a fmall congregation in Cannon-ftreet, London; which in afl:iorttirae became numerous, and erefted a new and more commodious place of worftiip, over the King's Weigh-Houfe in Little Eaft-cheap ; where Mr. Rey nolds continued his minifterial labours for above thirty years with celebrity and reputation, diligence and fuccefs, till 1727, He was one of the firft fix minifters, who eondufted a lec ture at the Weigh-Houfe on Fri day evening, and was one ofthe lefturers at Salters' Hall on a Tuefday, He took a diftin guiflied part in the trinitarian controverfy in 1719; andwas a ftrenuous advocate for the fubfcription required by many to the firft article ofthe Church of England, and to the anfwers to the fifth and fixth queftions in the affembly's catechifm, through a mifguidcd zeal impo fing on others their own views of the chriftian doftrine. For a memoir of Mr, Reynolds, fee Wilfon's Diffent ing Chur ches, vol, i. p, 1^7, 172, 4. Mr, Jofeph Hill, born the nth of Oftober 1667, in Sa- lifljury ; who on his removal from the free fchool of that city, into which he entered at the age of feven, and where he continued nine years, affording early fjJecithens ofa good genius for learning, was placed under the tuition of Mr, Morton ; after the breaking up of whofe feminary, he ftudied under Mr. Sprint, a diffenting minifter, near Andover, under the learned Mr. Richard Stretton, and under Mr. Glafcock. When he had finiflied his academical courfe, he fpent feven years as chaplain in the family of Lady Irby. His firft conneftion in the pafto ral office was with a congre gation of proteftant diffenters in Swallow-ftreet, St. James's. In 1699, he accepted an invi. tation from the Englifli church at Rotterdam ; where he con- 57S APPENDIX. tinued his miniftry for nineteen years, and was held in great refpeft by the Dutch as well as Englifli Churches, On the I oth of February 17 18, he became paftor of the congre gation of diffenters of the pref byterian denomination, which then affembled at Haberdaftiers' Hall, where he fucceeded Mr. Coningham. Here he laboured nearly eleven years, approving himfelf, though not a popular preacher, a learned, pious, and judicious divine. He died in his fleep on the 21ft of January 1729. The congregation, which had declined in numbers for many years, diffolved itfelf in 1734, when Dr, Theophi lus Lobb was its minifter. Wilfon's Diffenting Churches, vol. iii. p. 137 — 139. 5. Mr. Williara Hocker, a fellow ftudent v/iih Mr. Thomas Reynolds, was defcended frora refpeftable and religious parents, at Trelill, near Warbridge, in Cornwall, where he was horn in 1662. He received the rudiments of claffical learning from the Rev. Jofeph Halfey, ejefted from the reftory of St. Michael Penkevel in that county ; whofe houfe, on its being known, that for want ofa convenient fchool, he had taken on himfelf the inftruftion of his own children, was thronged with gentlemen's fons ofthe beftrank» tho' many of thera were averfe from nonconformity. After Mr; Hocker had finiflied his academi cal courfe under Mr. Morton, he engaged as achaplain to a worthy family at Edmonton, near Lon don, where, befides his daily of fices, he preached every Lorb's day evening, on which fervice the neighbours were permitted to attend. The event was, that by this means he forraed the firft congregation of proteftant diffenters in that place, which afterwards becarae refpeftable in numbers and wealth. Here he exercifed his miniftry, with energy and fuccefs in ftriking the confcience and healing the wounded mind, for above thirty years ; when he accepted an invitation, in 1719, to be the colleague of Mr. Samuel Pom- pet, minifter of the congrega tion, in Gravel-lane, Houns- ditch. In this conneftion he died on the 1 2th of December 1 72 1, greatly honoured, uni verfally beloved, and much lamented ; having exhibited a pattern of laborious diligence in the duties ©f his office, efpe cially of indefatigable attention to vifiting the fick and aflftfted. APPENDIX. 573 whether rich or poor ; and an amiable pattern of modefty, meeknefs, and humility.— A fingular faft connefts itfelf with his hiftory. A young gentle woman, a relation of his tutor, vifiting Mr. Morton with her mother from Barbadoes, while he was a ftudent, was much af fefted by the example of his piety. Previoufly to their leaving England, Mr. Hocker drew up and put into her hands a paper of chriftian counfel and advice. On their voyage back to Barbadoes thefe ladies were taken by a Sallee man, and car ried away captives to Meguinez. They were ftript of all thej' had, but the daughter found means of preferving this MS. The mother, after feveral years fpent in captivity, was fet at lib."rty, and came to England ; where fhe expreffed a lively fenfe of the benefit and confolation flie and her daughter had derived in their affliftion from this pa. per, which was the only me morandum of chriftian principles they were permitted to keep. — The young lady, who was detained, was prefented to the Emperor of Fez and Morocco. He was fo captivated with her beauty, that no means of al lurement to make her renounce her religion, were uneffayed. When thefe arts did not prevail, flie was beaten in a moft barba rous manner, her fkin was laid open in feveral places, and fire was fet to the gunpowder with which the interftices were filled. Yet fhe continued fted faft. When fhe was almoft kil led, the Emperor declared that he would marry her, notwith ftanding her religious profeffion; which he did, and fhe became one of his four queens, — Rey nolds's funeral fermon for Mr. Hocker, p, 36—55. 6. Mr. Jofeph Bennet, whofe father and grandfather were worthy minifters, the former ejefted from Brightling in Suffex, was born in 1665, and received his grammar learning under Mr. Thomas Goldham, at Burwafli in the fame county, a polite fcholar, whom the aft of uniformity ejefted from that vicarage. From whole femi nary he removed to Mr. Mor ton's academy, to purfue a courfe of univerfity ftudies ; of which in fubfequent life he always fpoke with fingular pleafure, and of his tutor with great refpeft and veneration. He preached for fome time, as a probationer, at Stratford la Effex. In 169Z, J«ne 22, he 574 APPENDIX. and fix other young minifters, viz, Mr. Jofliua Bayes, Mr. Thomas Reynolds, Mr. Jofeph Hill, Mr. Ebenezer Bradfliaw, of Ramfgate in the county of Kent, Mr. William King, of Eumford in Effex, and Mr. afterwards Dr. Edmund Calamy, were folemnly ordained at Dr. Annefley's meeting-houfe in Little St. Helens. The fervice was eondufted by Dr. Sarauel_ Annefley, Mr. Vincent Alfop, Dr. Daniel Williams, Mr. Richard Stretton, Mr. Matthew Sylvefter, and Mr. Kentifli. This was the firft inftance of a ¦public ordination in the city of London, after paffing the Aft of Uniformity; as thofe fervices had been performed till then with great caution and privacy. Mr. Bennet's firft fettlement after this was as a colleague with Mr, Williara Wickins, venerable for cha rafter and years, at Nev^ington Green. In 1708, he was chofen affiftant to the eminent Mr, Shower in this conneftion with whom, and with his fuc ceffor Mr, Simon Brown, he continued his minifterial fer vices to the congregation in the Old Jewry, greatly efteemed, till his death, February 21, 1725, aged 61; fupporting the charafter of a fcriptural and judicious preacher, of the man of learning, and of the chris tian and minifter, diftinguifhed by modefty, humility, ftrift piety, and of an " Ifraelite in- " deed, in whom there was no " guile." The remark he made when he delivered the dif- . courfe, which proved his laft fermon, from Luke ii. 14, " Glory to God in the higheft, " and on earth peace, good " will towards men," that he thought that a good fubjeft to end with : and the text, Pfalra ix. 'is, " They that know " thy narae will put their truft " in thee : for thou Lord haft " not forfaken them that feek " thee," on which he defired that his funeral fermon might be preached, and preffed on the hearts and attention of tlic hearers, as the fum of his own obferv.ition and experience; were expreffive indications of the turn of his thoughts, and the excellent ftate of his mind. — Dr. Calamy's fermon for Mr. Bennet, p. 4, 34 — 46. Wil fon's Diffenting Churches, vol. ii. p. 331— 338- APPENDIX. 575 IV. Mr. Frtnkland's Pupils. To page 235. We have, probably, no lift of ftudents educated in the fe minaries of diffenters fo minute and full as that which was af fixed by Dr. Latham, of the pupils of the above-named emi- nent tutor, to a funeral ferraon for the Rev. Daniel Madock, of Ottoxeter, 26th May 1745. " When," as he expreffed it, " raany of- thofe young lights " were let as to us, but would " fhine out again in the firma- •' ment above." The date of the commencement of their aca demical courfe is fpecified againft each. A correfpondent under the fignature of P. has repub- lifhed this lift through feveral numbers of the Monthly Re pofitory for 1811, with fuch biographical notices as the in formation he had obtained could furnifli. To thefe authorities the reader is referred ; and this account will 'oe confined to thofe names only, of whom we are able to fupply fome biogra phical notices from other quarters; prefixing to each name a number correfpondent to the order in Dr. Latham's catalogue. No. 3. Mr. Thos. Whitaker, 7th April 1670, was of a very antient family in Lancafliire. In 1676, he became minifter to a large congregation of non conformifts in Call-lane, Leeds, and had a full fliaie of the hardfliips and perfecutions of the times; yet he was fo re fpefted by the mayor and al dermen, that they often abfented themfelves, when they had reafon to expeft the informers. At length one Kirkfliaw lodged an information againft him, and he was committed to the gaol in York, January 1683. This trial was aggravated by the death of his wife while he was in prifon. After his liberation, he renewed and purfued his miniftry in peace, and refpefted by all, till his death on Nov, 19, 1710, in the 3i|th year of his paftoral conneftion at Leeds. He left two fons; William, af terwards a phyfician in London, and Thomas, who fucceeded him. His works were a vo lume of fermons on the parable ofthe unclean fpirit; to which are annexed feveral funeral fer mons: alfo two fingle fermons, viz. " Comfort for Parents " mourning over their childrea " dying young ;" and " The " Chriftian Sanctuary, or Room " for returning Sinners." Mr. 576 APPENDIX. Thomas Whitaker, jun. par- chafed the eftate of Kirkfliaw, the informer againft his father; and aftually relieved his pofl terity, greatly reduced by the vices of their parent. — MS. additions to a copy of Mr. J. Fawcett's " Life of Oliver " Heywood,'' prefented tothe author of this Hiftory by the late R, W, Moult, efq; of Wickerfley, near Rotheram, 1 6, Mr. John Heywood, 26th May 1674, eldeft fon of Mr, Oliver Heywood, ejefted frora Coley, Yorkfliire, fettled firft as a fchoolmafter at Kirk- heaton, in that county, 27th May 1678. He had previ oufly to this fpent forae little time in the univerfity of Glaf gow. On the 2 3d Auguft 168 1, he was folemnly fet apart to the work of the miniftry ; the fervice was eon dufted in a private houfe at Craven. See the Life of the Father, p. 127—8. November 18, 1684, ^s was appointed tutor to Thomas Weftby, fon and heir of Weftby, efq; of Ravenfield, near Ro theram. March 14, 1693, he was invited to become the minifter of the congregation of diffenters in Rotheram. Soon after, on his marriage. he left Mr, Weftby's family, and fixed his refidence in the town ; where he remained about eight years, and then removed to Ponlefraft, at which place he died. Monk's MS. 17. Eliezer Heywood, 26th May 1674, was Ordained to the miniftry, June ifl, 1687, at the houfe of his father ; the fervice was eondufted by his tutor Mr. Frankland, Mr. James Bradfliaw, Mr. Dawfon, Mr. John Iffot, and others. He then became domeftic chaplain to Major Taylor, oP Walling Wells, near Carlton, Nottinghamfhire ; and conti nued in this retired fituation for feveral years. Soon after his marriage, January 18, 1700, he removed to Drom- field in Derbyfliire,* and preached to a fmall congre gation there till his death. His fon, educated under Dr. Latham, was paftor of the congregation at Mansfield, where he died about 1805. This gentleman's fon, Mr. Samuel Heywood, a moft ex cellent and amiable man, attorney at law, and town-clerk ofNottingham, died greatly la mented, 25th July 1789, aged 34. Moult's MS. and Wake field's Life, vol.i. p. 296, 299. APPENDIX. ;77 iS. Mr. Thomas Cotton, 26th May 1674. This is the name in Dr. Latham's lift, and in Mr. Tliompfon's MS. on diffenting academies; but P. in the Repofitory, has it Colton. About the year 1715, there was a gentleman of this name; with the initials M. D. after it, rainifter of a congregation in the city of York. 22. Mr. John Nefljitt, June 28/" 1674 He was a native of Northumberland, . born 6th Oftober 1661. His zeal for the proteftant religion, expref- ¦fed in the moft public manner in the prefence of the Duke of York, afterwards James Hd. expofed him to no light fuf ferings before he was twenty years of age. He was obliged to withdraw from Edinburgh, foon after he coraraenced his ftudies in the univerfity there> and with fome others to feek fecurity in a foreign land. But going from London to Hol land, they were feized, and comraitted clofe prifoners to the Marflialfea ; where he was laid in irons, and confined for more than four months, in hopes of making hira an evidence. But neither the evils he fuffered;, nor the advantageous offers . made to him by the King in council, could corrupt the in tegrity or (hake the firranefs of his mind. During his con finement he had no books ex cept his Bible, which he was obliged to conceal, left it fliiould be taken from him. This he read much ; and froirt the principles and exercifes of devotion he derived fuch plea fure and confolation, that he often declared, in fubfequent life, " the prefence. of God " made the prifon a paiace to ". him." He died 27th Ofto ber 1727, in the 67th year of his age ; having been paftor of the farae congregation, in Hare-Court, Alderfgate-ftreet, London, thirty-three years, with great acceptance to the laft. See Hurrlon's funeral fermon - for Mr, Nefliltt, p. 34 — 42, Wilfon's Diffenting Churches, vol.iii. p. 282— -286. 3^. Mr. Nathaniel Hey- virood, 25th April 1677, was minifier of a congregation at Ormfkirk, frora the vicarage of which town his father had been ejefted ; and died there Oftober 26, 1704. See Faw cett's Life of Oliver Heywood, P- '33- 42. Mr. Jofeph or Jofliua Eaton was fettled at Maccles field in 1696; and according P ¦ 578 APPENDIX. to Dr. Clegg, removed firft to Nottingham, and then to Col chefter, and was afterwards a very ufeful phyfician in Lon don, and reached to a very ad vanced age; for Df.Grofvenor's " Effay on Health", is dedi cated, with fentiments of great refpeft and gratitude, to Dr. Jofeph Eaton, of the College of Phyficians, London, fecond edition, 1748. See Proteftant Diffenters' Magazine, 1798, vol. V. p. 403, note. 44. Mr. Peter Finch, 3d May 1678. According to Mr. Thompfon's MS. and Neal's Lift of Diffenting Con gregations and Minifters, he fettled with the independent congregation at Norwich, in 1715. In which conneftion he died, having lived to bury tliree fucceffive generations. 46. Mr. Thomas Lea, May II, 1678. According to the preceding authorities, he was fettled at Knutsford, Chelhire. 56. Mr. John Gledhill, ¦through miftake, in the Monthly Repofitory, called Gleadhall, Oftober ift, 1678, born in Yorkfhire, was the fon of an excellent man, diftinguifhed by knowledge and piety. He entered on the miniftry when young, with great courage and zeal, in a time of perfecution. After a few years ^he fettled at Colchefter, where his peacea ble fpirit and prudent conduft reftored and maintained tbe harmony of thei congregation, which he found in a divided &ate. He fulfilled his minis terial duties with pleafure, fer- vour, and zeal ; befides preach. ing twice every Lord's day, catechifing the young perfons publicly every other Lord'sday. He continued in this con neftion, beloved and refpefted by his people, for thirty-four years, to his death on Decem ber 20, 1727, in tUe 66th year of his age. Barker's funeral fermon for Mr. Gled hill, p. 32—36. 61. Mr. Adam Holland, March 2, 1680; according to Neal's MS. was M. D, 67. Mr. -Abraham Dawfon 13th April 1680; was fettled at Cottingham, near Hull, in 1715. Neal's MS. 75. Mr. William Tong, 2d March 1680. 84. Mr. Nathaniel Prieftly, Feb. z, 1681; was fettled at Halifax in 1715. 107. Mr. Jofhua Bayes, Nov. 15, 1686; was minifter of the congregation at Leather-lane, in Hatton-garden, London, in conneftion with Mr. Chriftopher Taylor. He publiflied a funeral APPENDIX. 579 fermon f«r that gentleman; a fecond for Mr. Cornifli, alfo his colleague; and a third preached at Salters' -hall> againft popery, on the worftiip of God in an unknown tongue i He had a brother, a refpeftable minifter at Tunbridge J and author of a traft that excited attention, entitled "Divine Benevolence," 173 1, in the controverfy, on thefpring of the divine aftions, between this writer, Mr. Bal- guy," and Mr. Grove. See Doddridge's Divinity Leftures, by Kippis, vol i- p. 177—184. 112. Mr. John Piggot, 21ft of January 1686; fettled with a baptift congregation in Little Wild-ftreet, Lincoln's-Inn Fields, London ; arid died 1713, after a long ficknefs, during which the jaety and charity which adorned his converfation in the time of his health, feeraed to increafe in ftrength and luftre. He was a man of learn ing ; and his difcourfes, in which were happily blended reafon and eloquence, vvere adapted at once to improve the mind and touch the heart. His publications were collefted after his death, and reprinted in one volume Svo. Crofliy's Hiftory ofthe Baptifts, vol.iv. p. 315 —319. A letter to his con gregation, 6th- Aaguft 1708, is preferved in the Proteftant Diffenters' Magazine, vol. vi. 1799, p. 221 — 223. 129. Mr. Samuel Baxter, 6tbFeb. 1687, the. fon of Mr. Nathaniel Baxterj ejefted from St. Michael's, Manchefter, was paftor of the preflayterian con gregation in Ipfwich 39 years, and died July 19, 1740, aged ^o. Monthly JRepofitory, vol. ivi 1809, p. 6, note; and Pal mer's Noncort. Mem. vol. ii. p. lOl, 134. Mr. John Afti, May 7, 1688, was born at Tidef- vvell in Derbyfliire, i ith Feb. 1672 ; the fcenes of his rainif try, to which he was ordainedr in the meeting-houfe at Malcaff, 1696, were feveral congregra- tions among the mountains called the Peak 3 amongft whom he laboured with diligence and earneftnefs till hb death. Oft. I, 1734, in the 64th year of his age. It marked good judg ment and fcrupulous reverence for the feriptures, that he never quoted texts from a found of the words, but ,only fuch as in their real fenfe fuited his defign; for he efteemed it the greateft abufe of the facred writings to -prefs them into any fervice for which tjiey were not intended. PP 3 580 APPENDIX. His quotations from them were, therefore, though very frequent, always pertinent, and generally accompanied with a brief illuf tration; and he had a peculiarly happy talent in explaining an obfcure text by a fhort clear pa raphrafe. Proteftant Diffenters' Mag. vol. V. p. 404; where there is an interefting memoir of this execlleAt man. 143. Ratcliff Scolfield, i8th July 1688, was fettled firft at Whitworth in Lancafliire ; and in 1727 removed to Ringhay chapel in Chefliire. 190. James Wood, more correftly Woods, Z2d April 1691, was the fon of Mr. Jas. Woods, ejefted from Afhton in Mackerfield. He fettled with a congregation of diffenters at the old chapel in Chowbent, Lan- cafhire, which he ferved with affeftion and fidelity in the fpirit of meeknefs and piety above 60 years, dying February 1759. He is ftill remembered as a firm friend to the liberties cf his country, and a facetious companion, as well as a faithful ' fervant of the Lord Jesus. At the time of the rebellion in 1 71 5, he headed a body com pofed of all the hale and cou- ' rageous men of his congrega tion, arraed with the iBftrumgots of huftiandry, and marched then! to Prefton, and fecured the pof feffion of Walton bridge, at the order of Gen . Wills. George I. acknowledged this brave and loyal conduft with an honour able memorial of his favour. Mr. Woods was, after this, called General Woods. When his fociety, through refentment of their fteadinefs to the caufe of liberty, at the general elec tion in 1722, were deprived of their place of worfhip, Mr. Woods, by his aftive exertions, procured affiftance to ereft the prefent large and commodious chapel. My fon, H. Toulmin't Life of Mr. John Mort, p. 7, 8, 9. 200. Mr. Samuel Wood, 3d May 1692, fucceffively rai nifter at Wivenhoe, Effex; Lavenhara, Suffex ; Bilhop- Stortfoi-d, Herts; and Wood- bridge, Suffolk, where he died in Septeraber 1748. Thomp fon's MS. 201,202. Samuel Dawfon, Eli Dawfon, May 13, 1692, fons of Mr. Jofeph Dawfon, ejefted from Thornton chapel, Yorkfliire. A brother of thefe gentlemen ftands No. 67 on the lift of Mr. Frankland's pupils. See Theol. Rev. ut ante, p. 326. Mr. Eli Daw- 4.PPENDIX. 581 fon had feven fons ; fix of whom were educated diffenting mi nifters, but four of them after wards conforraed. Dr. Thos. Dawfon, who united the pro feffion of phyfic with the cha rafter of a divine, was for fome years minifter of the congrega tion at the Gravel Pit, Hack ney; but before his death confined hirafelf to the praftice of phyfic, in which he was eminent. Dr. Benjamin Daw fon began his public life as affiftant to Mr. Read, at St. Thoraas's, Southwark. After conforming he becarae reftor of Burgh in Suffolk ; and, it is apprehended, is ftill living. He is well known by feveral learned publications,' efpecially in defence of religious liberty, and as author ofa volume of fer mons at Lady Moyer's lefture. Another brother, Mr. Abraham Dawfon, reftor of Ringsfield, Suffolk, publiflied, in 1763, a . new tranflation of the three firft chapters of Genefis, and with notes critical and explanatory; and in 1772, a tranflation of the fourth and fifth chapters, on the fame plan. The fourth brother, Eli Dawfon, publiflied a ferraon from Pfalms xviii. 46, pn taking Quebec, in 1763, as chaplain of his Majefty's fhip StiHing-Caftle, 219. Thomas Letherland, July 7, 1693, fettled as a mi nifter at Stratford. Thorap fon's MS. 25^» 257. John Fletcher, and James Clegg, Feb. 26, 1696, were minifters of a con- gregation at Chapel le Frith, Derbyfliire. The fame. 230, Mr. Chriftopher Baf- nett, ift April 1 696, was fettled in Liverpool. The fame. 231. Mr. Robert Murrey, 27th May 1696, appears to have fettled firft at Burton in Staffordftiire, where he was ordained 2d Auguft 1705. He removed afterwards to Chefter about the year 1720; to the congregation of which Mr. Matthew Henry had been the paftor, His works were " Chrift every Chriftian's Pat- " tern," i zmo, " The Exam- " pie of St, Paul reprefented to " Minifters and private Chrift- " ians out of the Afts of the " Apoftles, and his own divine "letters," izmo, ; and " CIo.. "^ fet Devotion," lamo. 346. Mr. Richard Leffing, ham, 3d of April 1697, wa? minifter, in 1715, at New- nam, Norfolk, where was 56^2, APPENDIX. formerly a meeting. Thomp fon's MS. 347. Mr. Richard Chorley, was a native of the North, preached for fome time at Framlingham in Suffolk, and afterwards conformed in a lay capacity. Id. 351. Mr. afterwards Dr. John Evans, 26th May 1698, was fon of Mr. John Evans, Baliol college, ,Oxfor)3, ejefted from Ofweftry, Shropfliire, af terwards paftor of the congre- gatioiial church at Wrexham in Denbighfliire ; where this fon was born, andafterwards fettled as the paftor of another con gregation. After forae time he removed to London, firft as affiftant to, and then as corpaftor of, the congregation at Hand- alley in Bifhopfgate-flreet. He died 23d May 1730, in the 51ft year of his age; leaving behind him a narae honoured for virtues, abilities, and influ ence; and of celebrity for many publications, particularly in a controverfy with a learned divine,"' Dr. Cumming, on " the importance of Scripture ?' Confequences ;" and for two volumes of ferraons on " the Ciiriftian Temper." See Harris'-s Funeral Difcourfe?, p. z 85— 296. Wilfon's His, tory, vol. ii.p. 212 — 221. 253, Mr. Thoraas Wain, man, sth July 1697, fettled at Bingley in Yorkfliire, where he was minifter about 1715. 535. Mr. Daniel Madock, I ith Auguft 1697, was the fon of a learned phyfician, Dr, Jofliua Madock, at Whitchurch in Shropfhire, the friend of Sir Ifaac Newton, His firft years were fpent with Mr. Philip Henry's family; where he was early inftrufted in literature, and formed to piety. His fa mily could be traced back ' through collateral branches and alliances to princes of the name of Madock, amongft the an cient Britons ; to one of whom their hiftorians, fo early as the 1 2th century, afcribe the difcovery of America. He en- tered on his miniftry in the neighbouihood of Chefter; from whence he removed and fettled at Utoxeter, Staffordfhire, in 1709; where he died May 1745. His preaching was plain and eafy, and adapted to the meaneft capacity of his audi tory; his manner of life' was ftill, quiet, arid inoffenfive; though he conftantly perforined the * public fervices' of the APPENDIX. 583 Lord's Day, his tender con- ftitution confined him almoft entirely at home. Dr. Latham's Funeral Sermon for Mr. Ma dock, p. 27 — 31. N.B. Mr. Madock finiflied his acaderaical ftudies under Dr. Benion. Dr. Latham has preferved a Latin letter of Sir Ifaac Newton to Dr. Madock, on optics, dated Feb. 7th, 1679. 339. Mr. William Cook, Jan. 5, 1698. 342. Mr. John King, 2 2d March, 1698. 352. Mr. David Soine, July 4', 1698. Dr. Latham fays of Mr. Cook and Mr. Some, that they left a fragrant odour of their names. Mr. John King, who was of the family of Lord Chancellor King, was a person of fine genius and the moft polite parts; but too much refembled Mr. Madockin excefs of modefty and the affeftation of retirement. As they were alraott uniforra in their lives, they were not long divided in their deaths ; and paffed thro' the world like fubterraneous ilreams, unheard and unknown. Latham's Sermon, p. 27, 28. Mr. David Some fettled at Market-Harborough, and after wards took upon him the paf toral care of a fmall fociety at Kibworth, in conjunftion with his own ; in which he was for feveral years affifted by Mr. afterwards Dr. Philip Dod dridge, to whom, next to Dr. Clarke, he was the beft friend he ever experienced. Mr. Some died on the 29th of May 1737. He was a perfon of uncomraon piety, zeal, prudence, and fa gacity. He never printed more than two ferraons; one in the year 1729, concerning the proper methods to be taken by minifters for the revival of re ligion ; and another in 1736, at the funeral of the Rev. Thos. Saunders, of Kettering: a fatal modefty configned to the flames with his dying breath thofe writings, " which," fays Dr. Doddridge, " would have pro- " bably been the means of " fpreading araong thoufands " that fpirit of wifdom, piety, " and love, into which the " whole foul of the author " feemed to be transformed.' The doftor has preferved a remark of Mr. Sorae, as a fpe cimen of his judgment and acutenefs, on the finiflied hy pocrlfy of Judas Ifcariot, viz. that this man is never found faying a word of Chrift's tera poral kingdora, though it is to be fuppofed that he followed 584 / APPENDIX. him froni the hope of prefer ment and' gain. Sorae years after Mr. Some's death. Dr. DodJiridge publiflied a judicious traft written by hira. which was of confiderable utility in removing the fcruples of fome worthy minds with refpeft to inoculation. Mr. Some, in con junftion with Mr. Norris, of Welford, ^nd Mr, John Jen? njngs, of Kibworth, oyerrule4 an attempt, abouttheyear 1723, to introduce fubfcription to ari tides of faith jn words of hu man device, as a teft pf ortho doxy, at the time when the. queftions qa that fubjeft were agitated in London. Dpd-; dridge's Family Expofitor, vol. ii.feft. 174, noted; Kippis's Life of Doddridge, p. 26, 27, List pf Mr. Doolittle's Pupils. To page 237. 1. Mr, Bozier, See before P- 242- 2. Mr. Matthew Henry. See his life by Mr. Tong. 3. Mr, Samuel Bury, who jvas firft rainifler of a congre gation at Edraund's-Bury in Suffolk; and in 1720 removed to that of Lewin's-Mead in Briftol, where he died. He publiflied the life of his wife, a lady cf eminent piety and diftinguiflied virtues. He was contemporary at Mr. Doolittle's feminary vvith Mr. Matthew Henry, of whom he faid, de lineating his charafter with high encomiums, " he was to " me a mofi defirable friend, " and I love Heaven better " fince he went there." Mr, Doolittle's academy was then kept at Iflington, hut the iniquity of the times, that is, the malignant fpirit of intole rance, obliged him firft fo re move to Batterfea, and foon after to difperfe hj,s pupils into private families at Ckpham. Henry's Life, p. 27, 2 zmo. 4. Mr. Henry Chandler, father of the learned and cele brated Dr. Samuel Chandler, was firft fettled at Malmlhury, and afterwards at Hungerford, in Wilts ; but the greateft part of his miniftry was exercifed at Bath, where he died in 1719, and was fucceeded by Mr. afterwards Dr. Benjamin Stevenfbn. Mr. Chandler pub liflied, in 1705, a praftical Treatife, entitled " Man's " Higheft Happinefs." In 1I713, a charge delivered at the ordination of Mr. Jofeph APPENDIX. 585 Denham, at Gloucefter, who afterwards became the paftor of Mr. Pompec's congregation ^11 Alie-ftreet, Goo^'man's-fields. Among othT good advices addreffed to Mr. Denham, he is exhorted to preach intelli. gibly ; for if the preacher be in the clouds, it vvould be a ftrange thing if thof^ that fit under his miniftry be not in darknefs. Another rule he lays down is, " to preach good fenfe, and to back it with ftrong fcripture argument.'' In J717, he introduced to the public from the prefs a fermon and charge delivered at the ordination of Mr. Thoraas Morgan, who afterwards be carae a phyfician, and well known as the author of " The Moral Philofopher," by a pre face, in which, to the credit of his good fenfe and liberal way of thinking, he argued, from the nature of the thing, and frora the form of ordaining priefts in the church of Eng- land} that ordination did not and could not give authority to the perfons ordained. This was at a time epifcopalians and prefoyterians ftrenuously ad vanced and defended claims of communicating authority to preach and adminifter the or dinances of the gofpel. Mr, Chandler had a fon. Mr. John Chandler, an eminent apothe cary in the city of L,ond,on, and the author of a piece on Colds and Catarrhs, well re ceived by the public, who lived to a great age : and a daughter, who difcovered a peculiar tafte for literature, and was mijch celebrated as the author of feveral poems, particularly one on Bath, in which city fhe refided. See my notes to the life of Dr. Sarauel Chandler, in Proteftant Dif. fenters Magazine for June 1794, p. 217, &c. 5. Mr, Ebenezer Chandler, wjio was the fecond paftor in fucceffion, at the beginning of the laft century, to the church fprnied by Mr, John Bunyan, the well-kaown author of " The Pilgrim's Progrefs." He was a worthy charafter ; and und.'^r his miniftry which was remarkably fuccefsful, the congregation increafed fo much as to require the ereftlon of a larger m-eting-houfe. Mr, Samuel Palmer's fermon, for Rev. Samuel Sanderfon, p. 21, 22, note, 6. Mr, Thomas Emlyn, eniinent for great piety and learning, born at Stamford, in 5S6 APPENDIX. LIncolnfliire, 27th May 1663, and died July 30, 1741. His charafter, marked by an ex cellent fpirit, particularly dif played under fufferings, the perfecution which he fuftained for his religious fentiments, and the temper, candour, and abi lity with which he afferted and vindicated the caufe of what appeared to hirri iraportant truth, have given a celebrity to his narae, and perpetuity to his memory, which fuperfede any enlargement here. See Biographia Britannica, under the narae of Emlyn. 7. Mr. afterwards Dr. Tho mas Ridgley, a native of Lon don, bom about the year 1667, who fucceeded Mr. Thomas Gouge, as paftor to the con gregation, near the Three Cranes, Thames-ftreet, Lon don, and died on the 27 th March 1734, became an emi nent tutor, in conjunftion with the learned and ' modeft Mr. John Eames, of a feminary for acaderaical education, founded and fupported by the independ ent fund in London. Under this charafter his name vvill be entitled to refpeftful men tion in a fubfequent part of this hiftory. See Wilfon's Hiftory, vol. ii. p. 72— .81. 8. Mr. Sarauel Doolittle, the fon of the tutor, was born about Auguft 1662. He received his education under his father ; and after he had laid in a good foundation of human literature and facred knowledge, he fpent about eighteen years of hb miniftry, as affiftant to the Rev. John Tur ner, (who, after his ejeftment from Sunbury in Middlefex, had a private congregation in Fetter-lane,) and to his father. In 1700 he became the paftor of a congregation at Reading, where he died on the loth of April 1717. In this con neftion he was affiduous in preaching, and in the inftruc- tion of youth, by catechiftical exercifes ; difplaying great mi nifterial abilities, and fkill in the controverfies pf religion ; for fome years beloved and ad mired J but afterwards, becaufe without ground fufpefted of inclining to fome Arminian fentiments, condemned at the' fynod of Dort : he fuffered greatly in his fpirits from the unjuft prejudices entertained againft him by fome, and by unhappy diffentions and fewds in the fociety, which hafteaed his death. This gave occafion for his friend, who had been APPENDIX. 587 acquainted" With hira thirty- feven years, and knew that hi,* fentiments on the extent of Chrift's death vvere in union with the learned divines who vvere ftrenuous oppofers of the Remonftrants, to remark in the fermon on his death, that, " if we be prejudiced againft " one another about doubtful " points of religion, in which " learned and good men en- ** tertain different fentiments, " or ufe a different manner of " -expression, there muft be a " weak head, or a corrupt " heart, which makes men " judge of truth by a party, " and offer a facrifice of peace " thereto." Waters's funeral fermon for Mr. Doolittle, p. 30, 31. Wilfon's Hiftory, vol, ill. p. 200, 201. g. Mr. John Motterfliead, born in 1665, was willingly and cheerfully, in a time of perfecution, during the reign of Charles lid. educated for the chriftian miniftry; and in the duties of it, under thofe tempta,. tions to eafe and indulgence which the opulence of his fortune furnifhed, he perfevered to the end of life. He was a con temporary at Iflington with Mr. and afterwards Dr. Ed- jnund Calamy ; reading lo^ic. while the latter applied only to grammar. He imbibed under the miniftry of his tutor an early fenfe of religion, and under his academical leftures made confiderable progrefs both in human and divine literature ; generally refpefted by his fel low ftudents, as in the fubfe quent periods of his life he was by perfons of the beft re putation and worth. Before his appearance in public, hs fpent fome time in Holland ; where he forraed an acquaint ance with Monfieur Bayle, from whofe converfation and leftures he derived great ad ditions to his knowledge,, ef pecially in belles lettres: though, as he ufed to refleft with great thankfiilnefs to God, he was preferved frora the pyrrhonifm into which that great raan fell. On coramen- cing his miniftry, he was firft a confiderable time affiftant to Mr.Goffe, paftor of acongrega- tion at Kingfton-upon-Thames, to whom he rendered his fervices gratis. He alfo affifted his tutor in the pulpit in Monkwell-ftreet, approving himfelf both to him and to the congregation, by his pious life and ufeful preaching. Tni697, he removed to Ratcliffe, as 586 APPENDIX. fucceffor to Mr. George Day, who had been ejefted from Wivelfcombe in Somerfetlhire. Here he would have alfo given his fervices for nothing, if he had not been advifed to the contrary by his father-in-law'; whp on this principle, that it would be a prejudice to thofe who fhould fucceed him, dif- fuaded him frora it. He was referved in his natural teraper, and fond of privacy and retire ment ; but was an example of beneficence and charity ; and in his public miniftry, he was govemed by an earneft aim to honour God, and to edify his hearers ; and fpreading the knowledge of Chrift among his people was his. fingular pleafure. He is reckoned to have tranflated into Latin fome works ofthe learned Dr. Lightfoot. He died 13th Oftober 1728. Wilfon's Hisr tory, vol. iii. p. 200. 10, Mr. Edmund Calamy, celebrated for the refpeftabi lity of his charafter, the weig^it of his influence, his controverfy with Bifliop Hoadly on the principles of nonconformity, and numerous publications, particularly the abridgement of Mr, Baxter's Life, and a con tinuation. This laft work will perpetuate his name in Eccle fiaftical Hiftory, and the exe cution of it will be an honour able memorial of his abilities and principles. See Biographia Britannica, by Kippis. Dr. Ca lamy was born on the 5th April 1671, and died 3d June 1732. II. 12. Mr. after Dr. Kerr, M. D. and Mr. Thomas Rowe, who afterwards were themfelves eminent tutors ; the former, firli at Highgate, and then in St_ John's-fquare, Clerkenwell; tbe latter in London j and whofe names and charafters will claim a tribute of refpeft in a fubfequent period of the hiftory of Diffenting Academies, 13. Mr. Walters Bedford. N. B. The preceding Jift is formed on the authority of Mr. Thompfon's MS, 6. Mr. Jolm Shuttlewood' s Pupils. To p. 239. I . Julius Saunders, who,' at of taking orders in the efta- an early period of life, was blifliment ; but after clofe and entered at Oxford, with a view ferious examination, he wa^ APPENDIX. S&9 Induced to take his lot among the diffenters. During the reign of Charles II. he fuffered ^hree years' imprifonment in the gaol of Warwick for his nonconformity. He forraed an independent congregation at Bedworth, a populous village near Coventry; and was alfo the means of fupporting, if not raifing, another church of the fame denomination in the city. He was a gentleraan of great piety, but of the fterneft caft; and for many years fupported a charafter of great weight and influence in the neighbourhood; and his narae is tranfmitted down to us as one who was " a " burning and fhining light." Evangelical Mag. p. 578, fup plement to 1 806; and Proteftant Diffenters' Mag. 1797, p. 242. 2. Mr. Thoraas Emlyn, in 1678, commenced his acade mical ftudies at this feminary, and fpent four years in it ; though, it is obferved by his biographer, the obfcure privacy of it did not fuit his inqulfi- tive mind, eagerly thirfting after knowledge; for he was kept unacquainted with the learned world, and could fee but very few books, and thofe chiefly of one fort. Meraoirs of bis Life, p. 6; and before the lift of Mr. Doolittle's pupils. 3 Mr. Ebenezer Wilfon, fon of the Rev. John Wilfoa, many years paftor of the baptift con gregation at Hitchin, Herts, and father ofthe Rev. Samuel Wilfon, a popular rainifter of a church of the fame denomina. tion in Goodman's fields, Lon don. Mr. Ebenezer Wilfon re ceived his acaderaical education partly, alfo, under Mr. Jollie, at Attercliffe. He was for fome years fettled with a con gregation at Briftol, as affiftant to Mr. Thomas Vaux, paftor at Broadraead. In 1704 he accepted an invitation to the paftoral office io a baptift con gregation at Turner's hall, Lon don; which, though fmall, con fifted of fome wealthy perfons, by whom he was greatly re fpefted, and who contributed liberally to his fupport. He was a worthy raan and a fcholar,- bnt not popular as a pieacher. Crolby, vol. iv. p. 326 — 328 ; & Wilfon's Hift. vol. i.p. 144. 4, Mr. John Sheffield, fon ofthe Rev. Williara Sheffield, ejefted from Ibftock in the county of Leicefter, by the Aftof Uniformity; under the preffure of which Aft he and his fon continued to groan all their days. He was intended 599 APPENDIX. for trade, but the ftrong bent of his raind for learning deter mined his father to place hira under the tuition of Mr. Shut tlewood, then a refident in the neighbourhood 5 " a worthy " and learned man," fays Dr. Calaray, •' who deferved much " better treatment than he met " with from an illnatuped " world;" and whom Mr. Shef field followed in his feveral removals, purfuing his ftudies with great diligence and ap plication. He entered into public life with a mind well ftored with ufeful knowledge, and with a warm heart, preach ing as one who did himfelf be. lieve what he delivered toothers. He had ftudied his bible dili- gently, raaking that his only ftandard, and was reckoned by the great Mr. Locke, whom he often met with at a friend's houfe in EffeX, to underftand it well, and to excel in explain ing difficult texts. "He began his miniftry, for a continuance, at Temple-hall in Leicefterfliire, where he officiated as chaplain to a lady, whofe tname was Palmer,- and opened a meeting- houfe for flated religious Wor fhip ; preaching alfo at Ather- ftone, and in the courfe of the week making frequent excur- fions into the country to preach leftures. In -iBgy-Me was in vited, on the death of Mr. Nathaniel Vincent, to fucceed him as paftor of the congre gation of diffenters at St. Tho mas's, Southwark. In this con neftion he remained to his death on Jan. 24, 1726, aged' 73.; affifted at one tirae by Mr. Jofliua Bayes, and then Mr. Henry Read,' as his colleagues. He was a man of great intre- grity and plain-heartednefs,- an enemy to diffimulation. His charity was not confined to a party, but embraced all vvho adhered to the common Head ; an advocate for catholic chrift ianity, he difapproved of the national eftablifliment, andwas contented to decline the emo luments of it; for " he thought " it fet up fuch a fort of uni- " formity as hindered unity, " and turned the national " church into a mere party." Where he thought the honour of God and the religions edi fication of men were concerned, his courage was undaunted; and his mind not to be intimidated from its purpofes. His affairs were managed with.difcretion, and without mucb noife ; his favourite motto being, '' Qui " bene latuit,,bcne vixit." He APPENDIX. 591 maintained in all refpefts very mild deMirtment towards his colleagues and brethren in the miniftry, by whom he was greatly refpefted^ In the lattir years of his life his piety and refignation were greatly exer cifed by very painful diforders; and on opening his body after his death two ftones were ex trafted, one from the bladder, fmooth, not fo large as is often feen, and fo lodged as probably not to come often at the neck of the bladder; the other, rough, craggy, and very large', filling up the -whols] pelvis of the kidney, with feveral protu. betances, and a rough fpike of confiderable length, which ran into the ureter. He bore the exquifite pain occafioned by thefe concretions with remark able patience, and even compo fure; and) in moments of great uneafinefs and 'acute fenfation, often anfwered the enquiries of his friends with a fmile that ex preffed the ferenity of his raind. His greateft depreffion of fpirits arofe from being laid afide frora bis work ; but when complain ing that he was quite ufelefs, he would recolleft hirafelf and exprefs the refignation of his Bleffed Mafter, who in the fe vereft trials faid, " Father, " not as I will, but as Thqu " wilt." He was an excellent man, greatly honoured, living and dying. Calamy's Funeral Sermon for Mr. Sheffield, p. 33 — 40. He left a fon, Mr. Wm, Shefiisld, in the miniftry. 5. Mr. Matthew Clarke ; 6. Dr. Jofliua Oldfield; N.B. Thefe gentleraen, are 'named by the late Mr. Samuel Palmer (Noncon. Memor.-v.ii. p. 126, ift ed.) as ftudents under Mr. Shuttlewood ; bat it is apprehended the author was mifinforraed. The former, we have feen before, received his academical learning under Mr* Woodhoufe; the latter, Dr. Harris informs us, ftudied phi lofophy under Mr. Rayner, and then refided forae time in Chrift's 'college, Carabridge, in the latter years of thofe learned and excellent perfons. Dr. Henry Moore and Dr. Cudworth. Fun. Dif. p. 38b. VII. Mr. Cradock's Pupils. To page 239. ». Mr. Robert Billio, who of the congregation in Mare- was Mr. Matthew Henry's im- ftreet. Hackney. mediate fucceffor as minifter 592 APPENDIX. 2. Mr. Porter, who fettled with a congregation ae Nay- land, Suffolk. 3. Sir Francis Brickley, of Attleborough, Norfolk. 4. Mr. Paget, gent. 5. ** Warner, of B6nsfield, Suffolk, efq. » 6. Roger Rant, of Swaffam, Cambridgefliire, efq . 7. Dr. Edmund Calamy. The following gentlemen were his fellow IJudents: 8. Charles Lord Fltzwil- Iiam, Moulfliam-hall, Effex. 9. Mr. Henry Martin. 10. Mr. Corbet, of Shrop fhire; who afterwards applied himfelf to the ftudy of the law in London. II. Henry Aflitirft, efq; fon of Sir Wm. Afhurft, afterwards town-clerk of London. 12. Mr. after Capt. Roll. 1 3. Mr. George Mayo, only fon' of Ifrael Mayo, ofBeyford, Herts, efq. 14. Mr. John Godfrey, 15, Wm, Ellis, efq; eldeft fon of Sir William Ellis, of Norton, Lincolnfliire, who af terwards died in Holland. 16. Mr. Timothy Goodwin, a good Grecian, who was "de figned for phyfic ; Mt after wards turned his' atSftion to divinity. He took orders in the church; travelled as chap lain with Lord Shrewfbury, when he went over lord lieu tenant to Ireland; and was firft bifliop of Kilmore and Ardagh, and then was advanced to the archiepifcopal fee of Cafhel; He died 1729. There were feveral other young gentlemen of good fa milies. Amongft thofe wholly fixed for divinity were 16. Mr. Jofeph Kentifli, fon of Mr. Thoraas Kentifli. 17. Mr. Thomas Bantoft, fon of the Rev. Samuel Bantoft, ejefted frora the vicarage of Stebbing in Effex. He after wards died infane. 18. Mr. John Keeling, pro bably the fon ofthe Rev. Francis Keeling, ejefted frora Cogihot in Shropfliire. He fettled with a congregation at New Sarum, and then reraoved to CIrcncefter where he died' in 1726. Dr. Calamy's Hiftory of his own Life and Times, MS. i^. 109, IIO, III. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 01274 8324 ' I ' m, mv