truth, peace, and charity, from councils, synods, general assemblies, or convocations of the clergy of any sort whatsoever. 5thly. Upon these principles, it is evident that freedom of religion, in subordination to the civil power, is for the benefit of society, and no ways inconsistent with a public establishment. The king may create dignitaries, and give sufficient encouragement to those of the public vèligion, without invading the liberties of his dissenting subjects. If religious establishments were stripped of their judicial processes and civil jurisdiction, no harm could be feared from them. And as his majesty is defender of the faith in Scotland as well as England, and equally the guardian of both churches, he will, no doubt, hold the balance, and prevent either from rising to such a pitch of greatness as to act independently on the state, or become formidable and oppressive to their neighbors; the former would create imperium in imperio; and there is but one step between the church's being independent on the STATE, and the STATE becoming dependent on the church. Besides, as freedom of religion is for the true honor and dignity of the CROWN, it is no less for the service of the community; for the example of the neighboring nations may convince us, that uniformity in the church will always be attended with absolute and despotic power in the STATE. The meetings of dissenting protestants were formerly called seditious, because the peace of the public was falsely supposed to consist in uniformity of worship ; but long experience has taught us the contrary; for, though the nonconformists in those times gave no disturbance to the administration, the nation was far from being at peace; but when things came to a crisis, their joining with the church, against a corrupt court and ministry, saved the religion and liberties of the nation. It must therefore be the interest of a free people to support and encourage liberty of conscience, and not to suffer any one great and powerful religious body to oppress, devour, and swallow up the rest. Finally, When protestant dissenters recollect the sufferings of their fathers in the last age for the freedom of their consciences, let them be thankful that their lot is cast in more settled times. The liberties of England are the price of a great deal of blood and treasure; wide breaches were made in the constitution in the four reigns of the male line of the STUARTS; persecution and arbitrary power went hand in hand; the constitution was often in convulsive agonies, when the patrons of liberly appeared boldly in the noble cause, and sacrificed their estates and lives in its defence. The Puritans stood firm by the protestant religion, and by the liberties of their country in the reigns of King Charles II. and King James II. and received the fire of the enemy from all their batteries, without moving sedition, or taking advantage of their persecutors, when it was afterwards in their power. Some amendments, in my humble opinion, are still wanting to settle the cause of liberty on a more equal basis, and to deliver wise and good men from the fetters of oaths, subscriptions, and religious tests of all sorts. But whether such desirable blessings are in reserve for this nation, must be left to the determination of an all-wise providence. In the mean time, may protes tant dissenters express their gratitude for the protection and ease they enjoy at present, by an undissembled piety towards God! By a firm and unshaken loyalty to his majesty's person, and wise administration! By avoiding every thing that tends to persecution or censoriousness for mere differences in religion! and by the integrity of their own lives and manners! And while they think it their duty to separate from the national establishment, may they distinguish themselves by the exercise of all social virtues, and stand fast in the liberty wherewith the providence of God has made them free! By such a conduct they will preserve their characters with all sober persons, and will transmit the blessings of the present age to their latest posterity. LONDON, March 1, 1737-8. DANIEL NEAL. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. THE volume of Mr. Neal's "History of the Puritants" now presented to the public, besides the additions made to it in the form of Notes, is considerably enlarged by Supplements to the different chapters. These comprize the continued history of the English BAPTISTS and QUAKERS; and furnish the reader with the substance of Mr. Crosby's history of the former, and a full abstract of Mr. Gough's work concerning the latter Sect. The Editor hopes, that in this part of his undertaking he has not only done justice, and shewed respect, to two denominations who, in the last century, were treated neither with humanity or equity, but afforded the reader information and entertainment. Where he has seen reason to animadvert on and correct Mr. Neal, it were sufficient to rest his justification on the plea of impartiality and the love of truth. But to the honor of his author he can add, he has only done what was wished by him; who, in his preface to the first volume has said, "I shall be always thankful to any that will convince me of my mistakes in a friendly manner;" and in that to the third volume has more fully expressed himself in this manner: "In historical debates, nothing is to be received on trust, but facts are to be examined, and a judgment formed upon the authority by which those facts are supported; by this method we shall arrive at truth, and if it shall appear that, in the course of this long history, there are any considerable mistakes, the world may be assured, I will take the first opportunity to retract or amend them."† The Editor can declare, that it has been his own aim to do full justice to the sects and characters of those who † P. xxiv, xxv. * P. xiv. VOL. IV. have, in this work, come before him in review, and he can boldly appeal to his pen itself to prove the sincerity of his declaration. He scarcely would have thought of making this appeal, if in an early stage of his undertaking it had not been insinuated, that it was his design to make this work a vehicle for conveying particular opinions in theology, and that his own sentiments made him an unfit person for the task. He has, indeed, sentiments of his own; but he can estimate goodness and worth wherever they are found. He has sentiments of his own, but he rejoices in the consciousness of a disposition to grant to others a full liberty to avow, defend, and disseminate their sentiments, though opposite to his own; and can give them the praise due to their abilities and characters. It is a pleasure to him, that the examination of the writers, who have censured Mr. Neal with severity, has eventually established the authenticity of the history, and the candor and impartiality of the author, in all the main parts of his work. It reflects high and lasting honor on this ecclesiastical history, that if the author were convicted by a Warburton, a Maddox, and a Grey, of partiality, it could be only such a partiality as might arise from a zeal against tyrants and oppressors. The work has, on the whole, a liberal cast; it is on the side of civil and religious liberty; it is in favor of the rights of Englishmen, against unconstitutional prerogative; it is in favor of the rights of conscience, against an imperious and persecuting hierarchy, whether episcopal or presbyterian; it is in favor of the great interests of mankind; and, to adopt the words of a most able and liberal writer ;*"A history that is written without any regard to the chief privileges of human nature, and without feelings, especially of the moral kind, must lose a considerable part of its instruction and energy.' Dr. Kippis: Preface to the first volume of the 2d edition of the Biographia Britannica, p. 21. CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. THE monarchy turned into a commonwealth. Remarks. Opposed by the levellers, and by the Scots. Cromwell reduces Ireland: his rapid success. Summary account of the state of Ireland. Conduct of the presbyterians towards the new government. Cromwell and the army petition for a toleration. The engagement enforced to be taken by the whole nation: the presbyterians refuse it. Cavaliers and sec- tarians take the oath. Reasons against it and for it. Measures of the parliament to support their authority. Scots declaration against the English. Parliament vindicate their proceedings. Scots treaty with the king in Holland. They will include the English presbyterians. Augmentation of the poor livings by tithes and first-fruits. Presbyte- rian government established. Propagation of the gospel in Wales and in Ireland. A corporation for the propagation of the gospel among the Indians. Ordinances against seditious libels, Ministers forbid to med- dle in politics. Remarks. Marquis of Montague executed. Condi- tions of the Scots treaty with the King. He arrives in Scotland.- Cromwell marches against the Scots. Battle of Dunbar. Scots min- isters invited to return to their churches. Cromwell's letter to the ings against the presbyterians in England. Cromwell chosen chancel- lor of Oxford. Penal laws taken away. Ordinances against vice and profaneness; against blaspehmous opinions; for strict observation of the sabbath; for maintenance of such clergymen belonging to cathedrals whose offices were abolished. Laws to be translated into English.- Rise of the quakers, and of George For: he is joined by others. They The quakers called Friends, and the grounds of the name. Rise of From the Coronation of King Charles II. in Scotland, to the Protec- Coronation of king Charles. He signs the covenant and a declara- |