TO VOL. V. OF DR. TOULMIN'S EDITION. THIS edition of Mr. Neal's "History of the Puritans," after many interruptions, being at length completed, and the last volume being now presented to the public, the editor embraces this occasion to make his acknowledgments to the gentlemen who have assisted and encouraged his design. He feels his obligations to those who by their names and subscriptions have patronised it; and he is much indebted to some who, by the communication of books and manuscripts, have aided the execution of it. Situated, as he is, at a great distance from the metropolis, and the libraries there open to the studious, he sees not how he could have enjoyed the means of examining Mr. Neal's authorities, in any extensive degree, and of ascertaining the accuracy of the statements by an inspection of the writers of the last century, had not his grace the Duke of Grafton most handsomely offered, and most readily supplied, a great number of books necessary to that purpose, from his large and valuable libraries. Some books of great authority were obligingly handed to him by Henry Waymouth, Esq., of Exeter. His thanks are also due to the Rev. Josiah Thompson, of Clapham, and to Edmund Calamy, Esq. To the former, for the free use of his manuscript collections, relative to the history of the dissenting churches; and to the latter, for the opportunity of perusing a manuscript of his worthy and learned ancestor, Dr. Edmund Calamy, entitled "An Historical Account of my own Life, with some Reflections on the Times I have lived in." He has been likewise much indebted to a respectable member of the society of Quakers, Mr. Morris Birkbeck, of Wanborough, Surrey, for his judicious remarks on Mr. Neal, and for furnishing him with Gough's valuable history of that people. PART V. CHAPTER I. FROM THE DEATH OF KING CHARLES II. TO KING which indispensably binds them to bear faith and true obedience to their sovereign, without any limitation or restriction, and that no consideration whatever should shake their loyalty and allegiance. And the University of CamWHEN the news of King Charles's decease bridge add, that loyalty [or unlimited obedience] was spread over the city, a pensive sadness is a duty flowing from the very principle of their was visible in most countenances for the fate religion, by which they have been enabled to of the kingdom.* His brother James, who suc- breed up as true and steady subjects as the ceeded him, told the privy council at his first world can show, as well in doctrine as practice, meeting them, that "as he would never depart from which they can never depart. The Quafrom any branch of the prerogative, so he would kers' address was more simple and honest :* not invade any man's property, but would pre- "We are come," say they,t "to testify our sorserve the government as by law established in row for the death of our good friend Charles, Church and State;" which gratified the clergy and our joy for thy being made our governor. so much, that the pulpits throughout England We are told thou art not of the persuasion of resounded with thanksgivings; and a numerous the Church of England no more than we, thereset of addresses flattered his majesty, in the fore we hope thou wilt grant us the same liberstrongest expressions, with assurances of un-ty which thou allowest thyself; which doing, shaken loyalty and obedience, without limita- we wish thee all manner of happiness."‡ tion or reserve. Among others, was the humThe king began his reign with a frank and ble address of the University of Oxford; in open profession of his religion; for, the first which, after expressing their sorrow for the Sunday after his accession, he went publicly to death of the late king, they add, that they can mass, and obliged Father Huddleston, who atnever swerve from the principles of their insti-tended his brother in his last hours, to declare tution, and their religion by law established, to the world that he died a Roman Catholic. His Bishop Burnet says that the proclamation of the majesty acted the part of an absolute sovereign king was a heavy solemnity; few tears were shed from the very first; and, though he had declared for the former, nor were there any shouts of joy for he would invade no man's property, yet he isthe present king." It appears that the bishop, who sued out a proclamation for collecting the duwas then abroad, was misinformed in this matter: ties of tonnage and poundage, &c., which were for Dr. Calamy, who heard the king proclaimed, as- given to the late king only for life; and in his sures us that his heart ached within him at the ac- letter to the Scots Parliament, which met March clamations made upon the occasion, which, as far as 28, he says, "I am resolved to maintain my powhe could observe, were very general: though he er in its greatest lustre, that I may be better able to defend your religion against fanatics." Before the king had been two months on never saw so universal a concern as was visible in all men's countenances at that time; for great numbers had very terrifying apprehensions of what was to be expected. The doctor observes, that it, however, very sensibly discovered the changeableness of this world, that King James should so quietly succeed his brother without anything like a dispute or contest; when, but five years before, a majority of three Houses of Commons were so bent upon excluding him, that nothing could satisfy them if this were not compassed.-Calamy's Historical Account of his Chon Life, vol. i., p. 95, MS.-ED. 46 * Sewel, p. 594. Echard, p. 105). Mr. Neal refers, as one authority for giving this address of the Quakers, to Sewel; but it is not to be found there. A modern historian, who censures it for the "uncouthness and blunt familiarity of expression," calls it "a fictitious address;" the members of this society, he observes, "were not in the custom of paying complimentary addresses to any +"This speech," Bishop Burnet adds, "was mag- man:" if the sufferings of their friends impelled them nified as a security far greater than any that laws to apply to their superiors for relief, "their addresscould give." The common phrase was, We have es, though expressed in their plain manner, were comnow the word of a king, and a word never yet bro-prised in respectful terms; void of flattery, but not ken." Of this Dr. Calamy gives a confirmation on the authority of a person of character and worth, who heard Dr. Sharp, afterward Archbishop of York, as he was preaching at St. Lawreuce Jewry at the time, when King James gave this assurance, break out into language to this effect: "As to our religion, we have the word of the king, which (with reverence be it spoken) is as sacred as my text." This high flight was much noticed then, and often recollected afterward. The doctor had cause to reflect on it with regret, when he was, for preaching against popery at his own parish church at St. Giles, the first of the clergy that fell under the king's displeasure, and felt the weight and pressure of his arbitrary power.Historical Account, p. 96. Burnet, p. 620.--ED. Gazette, No. 2018. indecent; unceremonious, but not uncivil." There is no account of their being in the number of the congratulatory addresses on the accession of James. Their first application to him was to recommend their suffering friends to his clemency. At the death of Charles, notwithstanding that petition upon petition had been presented to him for relief, one thousand five hundred of this society were in prison on various prosecutions. "So that a people paying a strict regard to truth could hardly term him their good friend." The above address was first published by Echard, from whom it should seem Mr. Neal took it, trusting, probably, to the exactness of his reference; if he did quote Sewel for it. Hume and others have since published it.-Gough's History of the Quakers, vol. iii., p. 160, 161.-ED. his throne, he discovered severe resentments, new Parliament, all methods of corruption and against the enemies of his religion, and of his violence were used to get such members returnsuccession to the crown.* Dr. Oates was ed as might be supple to the king's arbitrary debrought out of prison, and tried for perjury in signs. When the houses met, May 22, the the affair of the Popish Plot, for which he was king repeated what he had declared in council, sentenced to stand in the pillory several times, that he would preserve the government in to be whipped from Aldgate to Newgate, and Church and State as by law established; which, from thence to Tyburn; which was exercised Rapin says, he never intended; for he insinuawith a severity unknown to the English nation.† ted in his speech, that he would not depend on And Dangerfield, who invented the Meal-tub the precarious aids of Parliament, nor meet Plot, for which he declared he had received them often, if they did not use him well.† But money from the Duke of York, was indicted for the Parliament unanimously settled all the reva libel, and was fined £500. He was also senten- enues of his late majesty upon the king for life, ced to be pilloried, and whipped from Newgate which amounted to more than two millions a to Tyburn, and in his return home was murder- year; and presented an address, May 27, to ed in the coach by one Frances, a barrister at desire him to issue forth his royal proclamation, law, who was afterward hanged for it. The to cause the penal laws to be put in execution Whigs, who went to court to pay their duty to against dissenters from the Church of England. the king, were received but coldly; some were reproached, and others denied access, especially those who had distinguished themselves for the Bill of Exclusion. In the election of a * Burnet, vol. iii., p. 29, Edin. edition. This brought down the storm, and revived the persecution, which had slackened a little upon the late king's death. His majesty was now encouraged to pursue his brother's measures. The Tories, who adhered firmly to the prerogative, were gratified with full license to distress the Dissenters, who were to be sacrificed over again to a bigoted clergy and an incensed king, zealous for their destruction, says Bishop Kennet, in order to unite and increase the strength of popery, which he favoured without reserve. Upon this, all meeting-houses of Protestant Dissenters were shut up, the old trade of informing revived and flourished; the spiritual courts were crowded with business: private conventicles were disturbed in all parts of the city and country. If they surprised the + Oates was whipped a second time, while his back was most miserably swelled with his first whipping, and looked as if it had been flayed. He was a man of undaunted resolution, and endured what would have killed a great many others. He was, in his religious profession, a mere Proteus, but appears to have been uniformly capable of villany. His first education was at Merchant Tailors' School, from whence he removed to Cambridge. When he left that university he gained orders in the Church of England, and after having officiated for a time as curate to his father, he held a vicarage first in Kent and then in Sussex. But previously to this, he was, in his youth, a member of a Baptist church in Virginia-minister, he was pulled out of his pulpit by street, Radcliffe Highway. In 1677 he reconciled constables or soldiers, and, together with his himself to the Church of Rome, and is reported to people, carried before a confiding justice of have entered into the society of Jesuits. After hav- peace, who obliged them to pay their fines, or ing left the whole body of Dissenters for thirty years, dragged them to prison. If the minister eshe applied to be again admitted into the communion caped, they ransacked the house from top to of the Baptists, having first returned to the Church bottom; tore down hangings, broke open chamof England, and continued in it about sixteen years. bers and closets; entered the rooms of those The Baptists, through a prudent jealousy of him, spent almost three years in trial of his sincerity be who were sick; and offered all kinds of rudefore they received him again: so that he complained ness, and incivilities to the family, though they it "was keeping him on the rack; it was worse met with no manner of opposition or resistance. than death, in his circumstances, to be so long de- Shopkeepers were separated from their trades layed." He was restored to their coinmunion in and business, and sometimes wives from their 1698 or 1699, but in less than a year was again ex-husbands and children; several families were cluded as a disorderly person and a hypocrite. He obliged to remove to distant places, to avoid the then became a Conformist again. "He was a man direful effects of an excommunication from the of some cunning," says Granger, "more effrontery, and the most consummate falsehood." At one time Commons; and great sums of money were levhe was a frequent auditor of Mr. Alsop at Westmin- ied as forfeitures, which had been earned by ster, after the Revolution; and moved for leave to honest labour. Dissenting ministers could neicome to the Lord's Table, but was refused on ac- ther travel the road, nor appear in public but in count of his character. Crosby has detailed a long disguise; nay, they were afraid to be seen in story of a villanous transaction, to ruin a gentleman, the houses of their friends, pursuivants from to which he was instigated by the spirit of revenge. the spiritual courts being always abroad upon Dr. Calamy says, "that he was but a very sorry, foul-mouthed wretch, I myself can attest from what the watch. I once heard from him, when I was in his company." The Parliament, after the Revolution, left him under a brand, and incapacitated him for being a witness in future. But a pension of £400 a year was given him by King William. "The era of Oates's Plot," remarks Mr. Granger, "was the grand era of Whig and Tory." Whatever infamy rests upon his name, he was, observes Dr. Calainy, the instrument of Providence of good to this nation by awakening it out of sleep, and giving a turn to the national affairs after a lethargy of some years.-Calamy's Historical Account of his Own Life, vol. i., p. 98, 99. Granger's History of England, vol. iv., p. 201, 349; and Crosby's History of the Baptists, vol. iii., p. 166-182.-ED. Burnet, vol. iii., p. 12, 13, Edin. edition. * Dr. Grey quotes here Echard and Carte, to prove that the new Parliament consisted of as many wor thy and great, rich, and wise men as ever sat in the House.-ED. + Gazette, No. 2036. "The Commons, charmed with these promises, and bigoted as much to their principles of government as the king was to his religion, in about two hours voted him such an immense revenue for life as enabled him to maintain a fleet and army without the aid of Parliament, and, consequently, to subdue those who should dare to oppose his will. In this manner, and without any farther ceremony, did this House of Commons deliver up the liberties of the nation to a popish, arbitrary prince."- Warner's Ecclesiastical History, vol. ii., p. 631.-ED. One of the first who came into trouble was two years, and when the court changed its the Rev. Mr. Baxter, who was committed to the measures, his fine was remitted, and he was King's Bench prison February 28, for some ex-released. ceptional passages in his paraphrase on the New Testament, reflecting on the order of diocesan bishops, and the lawfulness of resistance in some possible cases. The rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth furnished the court with a plausible handle to carry the prosecution of the Whigs and Dissenters The passages were into a farther extremity. There was a considerable number of English fugitives in Holland at this time, some on political accounts, and others on the score of religion. The king, being apprehensive of danger from thence, obliged the Prince of Orange to dismiss the Duke of Monmouth from his court, and to break all those officers who had waited upon him, and who were in his service: this precipitated the counsels of the malecontents, and made them resolve upon a rash and ill-concerted invasion, which proved their ruin. The Earl of Argyle, imagining all the Scots Presbyterians would revolt, sailed to the north of Scotland with a very small force, and was defeated with the effusion of very little blood, before the declaration* which he brought with him could have any effect. After him, the Duke of Monmouth, with the like precipitate rashness, landed June 11, with an inconsiderable force, at Lyme in Dorsetshire; and though he was joined by great numbers in the west country, he was defeated by the king's forces, made prisoner, and executed on Tower Hill; as was the Earl of Argyle at Edinburgh. his paraphrase on Matt., v., 19. Mark, ix., 39; xi., 31; and xii, 38-40. Luke, x., 2. John, xi., 57; and Acts, xv., 2. They were collected by Sir Roger l'Estrange; and a certain eminent clergyman, reported to be Dr. Sh-ck, put into the hands of his enemies some accusations from Rom., xiii., that might touch his life, but no use was made of them. Mr. Baxter being ill, moved by his counsel for time; but Jefferies said he would not give him a minute's time to save his life. "Yonder stands Oates in the pillory," says he, "and if Mr. Baxter stood on the other side, I would say two of the greatest rogues in England stood there." He was brought to his trial May 30, but the chief-justice would not admit his counsel to plead for their client. When Mr. Baxter offered to speak for himself, Jefferies called him a snivelling, canting Presbyterian, and said, “Richard, Richard, don't thou think we will hear thee poison the court. Richard, thou art an old fellow, and an old knave; thou hast written books enough to load a cart, every one as full of sedition, I might | say of treason, as an egg is full of meat; hadst thou been whipped out of thy writing trade forty years ago, it had been happy. Thou pretendest to be a preacher of the Gospel of peace; as thou hast one foot in the grave, 'tis time for thee to begin to think what account thou intundest to give, but leave thee to thyself, and I see thou wilt go on as thou hast begun; but, by the grace of God, I will look after thee. I know thou hast a mighty party, and I see a great many of the brotherhood in corners, wait-kept them out of harm's way, while many of ing to see what will become of their mighty don, and a doctor of the party [Doctor Bates at your elbow, but, by the grace of Almighty God, I will crush you all." The chief-justice having directed the jury, they found him guilty without going from the bar, and fined him five hundred marks, to lay in prison till he paid it, and be bound to his good behaviour for seven years. Mr. Baxter continued in prison* about * Dr. Grey has given us, with apparent approbation, what he calls a characteristical epitaph, drawn up for Mr. Baxter by the Rev. Thomas Long, prebendary of Exeter. It shows what different colours a character can receive, according to the dispositions of those who draw the picture; and how obnoxious Mr. Baxter was to some, whose calummes and censure the reader, perhaps, will think was true praise. It runs thus: "Hic jacet Ricardus Baxter, theologus armatus. Loyolita reformatus, heresiarcha ærianus, schismaticorum antesignanus; cujus pruritus disputandi* peperit, scriptandi cacoëthes nutrivit, pradi Though the body of the Dissenters were not concerned in either of these invasions, they suffered considerably on this occasion; great numbers of their chief merchants and tradesmen in the city being taken up by warrants, and secured in jails, and in the public halls; as were many country Whig gentlemen, in York Castle, Hull, and the prisons in all parts of England; which had this good effect, that it their friends were ruined by joining the duke; candi zelus intemperatus maturavit, ecclesiæ scabiimo: tum sibi, cum aliis nonconformis præteritis, em. Qui dissentit ab iis quibuscum consentit maxpræsentibus et futuris: regum et episcoporum juratus hostis: ipsumq; rebellium solemne fædus. Qui natus erat per septuaginti annos, et octoginta libros, ad perturbandas regni respublicas, et ad bis perdendam ecclesiam Anglicanam; magnis tamen excidit ausis. Deo gratias."- Grey's Examination, vol. ii., p. 281, note.-ED. A full view of the assertions and purport of the Duke of Monmouth's manifesto is given in my History of the Town of Taunton, p. 133-135. It was secretly printed in a private house hired for that purpose at Lambeth by W. C., a man of good sense and spirit, and a stationer in Paternoster Row, who imported the paper. His assistant at the press was apprehended and suffered; he himself escaped into Holland, and absconded into Germany, till he came over with the Prince of Orange, who, when he was settled on the throne, appointed hun his stationer. William Disney, Esq., was tried by a special com"These words," says the author of the article Baxter, in the Biographia Britannica," "are an allusion to mission upon an indictment of high treason for printSir Henry Wotton's monumental inscription in Eton Chaping and publishing this declaration, and was convictel, Hic jacet hujus sententiæ primus author, disputandi ed, and sentenced to be drawn, hanged, and quarpruritus ecclesarum scabies;' i. e.. Here lies the first au- tered. Dr. Grey's Examination, vol. iii., p. 403, 404. thor of this opinion, The itch of disputing is the leprosy of -ED. the churches." This writer has given the above epitaph in English, thus: "Here lies Richard Baxter, a militant divine, a reformed Jesuit, a brazen heresiarch, and the chief of schismatics, whose itch of disputing begat, whose humour of writing nourished, and whose intemperate zeal in preaching brought to its utmost height, the leprosy of the Church: who dissented from those with whom he most agreed; from himself, as well as all other Nonconformists, past, present, and to come; the sworn enemy of kings and bishops, and in himself the very bond of rebels; who was born, through seventy years and eighty books, to disturb the peace of the kingdoin, and twice to attempt the ruin of the Church of England; in the endeavour of which mighty mischiefs he fell short. For which thanks be to God."Biographia Britannica, vol. ii., p. 18, second edition.--ED. |