Friends in the seventeenth century

Preface

HE motive that has prompted the preparation of the present

*■ work, has heen the hope that, hy thus bringing the substance of the principal parts of the narratives of other writers into a more condensed form, the members of the religions Society of Friends — especially the young — may be induced to make themselves familiar with its rise, and the severe trials that attended its early progress: that thus they may become better acquainted with the character of the instruments employed by the Head of the Church to gather Friends into a distinct body, the manner in which He prepared them for the service, and the consistent system of Scriptural doctrine they inculcated, under the teaching and help of his Holy Spirit.

Want of correct information on these points, has led some to slight or undervalue the religious attainments and Christian standing of those extraordinary men and women, who, amid contumely and suffering, of which few now have an adequate conception, reasserted the simplicity and spirituality of the Gospel, proclaimed anew some of its cardinal truths, that had been long obscured or disregarded, demonstrated the inconsistency therewith of the man-made ordinances and will-worship, existing in the professing Church, and exemplified, in life and conversation, the self-denying requirements of the divine law written in the heart.

They were bold and uncompromising witnesses for the truth as it is in Jesus ; and if, occasionally, one rose up among them, who, from an untempered zeal, and the peculiar spirit of the time, was betrayed into extravagances, of which the body did not approve,

1 1 1 i v

PREFACE.

it in nowise derogates from the religious principles, labors, or character of the devoted band that, in obedience to the commands of their Divine Leader, contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, and for the enjoyment of the right of liberty of conscience. By suffering and constancy, they laid the foundation of the religious freedom and privileges we now enjoy, and gave an impetus to civil liberty and moral reform, from which the professed Christian world has reaped no little benefit.

The literature approved by the Society is extensive and instructive. No fear need be entertained that it will teach unscriptura] doctrine, or bias the reader towards evil or improper practices. Well would it be for the Society, were it more generally studied by its members. Should the following pages prove a means of inducing more of them to read and rightly estimate it, a principal object in the production of this work will have been attained.

It has not been thought needful to specify, on all occasions, the author from whom the respective facts are taken ; but the following works have been consulted ; and great care has been given to have the accounts correct :

Sewel's History, Gough's History, Barclay's Friends in Scothind, Butty's Friends in Ireland, Bowden's Friends in America, Besse's Sufferings, The London Friends' Meetings, The Fells of Swarthmoor, The Penns and Peningtons of the Seventeenth Century, Proud's History of Pennsylvania, Neal's History of the Puritans, Bancroft's History of America, and the Journals or Memoirs of over twenty Friends ; to most of whom frequent reference is made in the work.

C. E.

Philadelphia, 1875.

Chapter I. Page

Reformation under Henry VIII. — Edward VI. — Mary — Elizabeth

— Manner in which the Doctrines, Organization, &c, of the Church of England were determined — Prerogative of the Crown to decide in Spiritual matters — No Liberty of Conscience — Witnesses to Truth — lolin Wycliffe — -Translation of the Bible — Progress of Inquiry and Doctrinal Differences — Puritans — Intolerance of the Government and the Church — Presbyterians — Independents — Baptists — Numerous Sects — Development of Principles of Civil Liberty — -Growth of the Contest between the Church and Dissenters— Justice by Law defeated — Origin of the Pilgrim Fathers

— They found what was to be an Asylum for the Oppressed — Course pursued by Charles I. — Resistance of the Scots to Prelacy, &c. — The Long Parliament — Civil War — Cromwell — Attention of the People kept directed to Modes and Professions of Religion — Claims of the High Church Party — Their views of Dissenters — Opinions and Feeling of Dissenters towards that Party — Barbarous Laws enacted by the Presbyterians when in Power — Summary Extinguishment of their Power by Cromwell — General and loud Profession of Religion 9

Chapter II

Review of Points in the Preceding Chapter — Truths of the Gospel lost Sight of — Birth and Youth of George Fox — Early religious Character — -Travels from Home — -Deep Mental Conflicts and Exercises— Gospel Truths opened to his understanding — Full belief in the Divinity and Atonement of Christ — Extracts from his Journal descriptive of his State and the knowledge Attained — First Appearance as a Minister — Political and Religious State of England at that time — Continued inward exercises — Doctrines Preached and his Commission from the Lord — Progress of Truth

— Gospel Testimonies Revived, Promulgated and Maintained by G". Fox — Plainness in Speech, Behavior and Apparel — The sacred Truths of the Scriptures to be understood by the aid of the Holy Spirit — Call and qualification of a Gospel Minister — Perfection

— Imprisonments — Attempt to induce G. F. to join the Army — Origin of the name Quaker — Prison Reform — Women's Preaching.. 23

CHAPTER III. Friends despised and condemned by all Professors — Reasons why

— Convincements — Occurrence at Beverly — G. Fox accused of saying he was Christ — William Dewsbury — Steeple-Houses — Friends increasing and forming into a Society — Cruel treatment Received — Instances of the abuse of G. F. — Convincement of two Priests — Francis Howgil — John Audland — Edward Burrough — Extract from a Letter — Swarthmoor Hall — Judge Fell and Wife

— Margaret Fell's account of G. Fox's services there — Priest Lampit — M. Fell joins with Friends 40 ii

CONTEXTS.

Chapter IV. Page

Justification of Friends' Speaking in the "Churches" — George Whitehead — Early Friends' love for the Scriptures — Effectual Preaching of George Whitehead — Win. Barber imprisoned for twenty years — Imprisonment of G. Whitehead — Injustice of Magistrates encourages the violence of the people — Persecution of Win. Dewsbury at Tholthrope — At Derby — Change in Priests who had become Friends — Some reasons why the Priests opposed Friends — Their efforts to excite prejudice against Friends, and their Inconsistency — Cromwell's ordinances of Toleration — Not observed towards Friends — Old Laws revived, for the punishment of Friends — Priests accuse G. Fox of Blasphemy — Cruel usage of G F. at Walney Island — Trial of G. F. at Lancaster — Cleared of the Charges, and writes Addresses to some of the Justices 55

Chapter V

Stories respecting G. Fox — Publications against Friends — John Camm — Convincements — Bristol — Persecution — Charged with being Catholics — Barbara Blaugdone — Cruelly Whipped — Two die at Bristol of the Punishment inflicted — Introduction of Friends into London — Meetings set up there- — E. Burrough and the Wrestler — W. Crouch's testimony respecting E. Burrough's Preaching — Extracts from Letters — Glimpse of the Work — Bull-and-Mouth — Advice of G. Fox about Meetings — Convincement in 0. Cromwell's Family — Robert Widders — Richard Hubberthorn — Persecution at Oxford — G. Fox at Booties — Imprisonment of G. F. at Carlisle — Singing — Convincement of James Parnel — Sufferings and Death of J. Parnel 70

Chapter VI

Evidence of the Seeking State of the People — Large Assemblages to hear G. Fox — G. F. visits his native place — Treatment by the Priests — Colonel Hacker — G. Fox and Cromwell — Visitation to Capt. Drury — G. Fox in London — Alexander Parker — Extracts from Letter — Humphrey Bache — John Crook — Extract from another Letter — Imprisonment of William Dewsbury — Trial before Judge Hale — Same before Judge Atkins — Reflections on the causes that kept Friends from having justice done them — General views of Religion, and of those of Friends — Miles Halhead ■ — Interesting interview with a Justice's Wife — Extraordinary incidents in M. Halhead's course — Misrepresentations of Friends' belief in Christ 89

Chapter VII

Introduction of Quakerism into Scotland — Friends travelling there in 1654 — John Stubbs — William Caton — Dover — Luke Howard — Samuel Fisher — L. Howard convinces S. Fisher of the general impropriety of Psalm Singing — -J. Stubbs and W. Caton at Maidstone — Ireland — William Edrnundson — ■ Religious Convincement and Progress — Travels with J. Tiffin — W. Edrnundson visits G. Fox — E. Burrough and F. Howgil in Ireland — Other Ministers in Ireland — A Bishop and his Wife — Priests petition against Friends — Order issued against them — E. Burrough and F. How-

CONTENTS.

iii gil banished the Island — B. Blaugdone in Ireland — Identity of Religious Principles and Practices embraced by Friends everywhere

— Instance of trial of W. Edmundson's faith in Divine Revelation

— W. E. takes up land in order to bear testimony against tithes — Suffering endured by Friends in Ireland 108

Chapter VIII

E. Burrough writes to Cromwell — Friends increase in London — Anne Downer — Gilbert Latey — Rebecca Travers and James Nay lor — G. Fox arrested by order of Major Ceely — Committed to Jail for not taking the oath of Abjuration — Trial — False Charge brought by Major Ceely — G. Fox's Defence — A second charge from Ceely — Injustice on the Bench — Character of the Prisons and Jailers — Prisoners in "Doomsdale " — Suffering — Friends increase in Number — G. Fox and others kept shut up without Trial — Released without Trial — The cruel Jailer's Recompense — James Naylor — Convincement — An account of his Preaching — ■ Charged witli denying the Manhood of Christ — Cleared but Imprisoned— Personal Appearance and Eloquence of J. Naylor — Circumstances connected with his Fall — G. Fox's interview with J. N. — His trial and Punishment — His Repentance — Acknowledgment — Restoration — Death 122

Chapter IX

G. Fox and O. Cromwell — E. Burrough and 0. Cromwell — Wales

— George Fox in Scotland — Curses — Persecution in Scotland — Visits to the Continent — West Indies — Mary Fisher — First instance of Whipping a Friend — Anne Austin — Colony of Massachusetts— Roger Williams — Anne Hutchinson — M. Fisher and A. Austin land at Boston — Witches — Mary Fisher and the Sultan

— Eight more Friends at Boston — Imprisonment — Laws passed against Quakers — Curiosity Excited — Nicholas Upshal — Mary Dyer and Ann Burden in Boston — Embarcation of Eleven Friends for America — -John Copeland ami Christopher Holder in Massachusetts— Whippings —Misrepresentations — First Declaration of Friends' Faith published in America — A new law against Quakers

— Murmurs of the People 145

Chapter X

Connecticut — Humphrey Norton — His Sufferings at New Haven — Unsuccessful Efforts of Massachusetts to induce Rhode Island to follow her example — • Death of Oliver Cromwell — His Character and Course — Sufferings of Friends under the Commonwealth — Statement of G. Fox respecting Friends — Richard Cromwell — Increased Sufferings — Friends offer to lie in Prison as Substitutes for those there — Address of E. Burrough to the Rulers — New Netherlands — Robert Hodshone — His dreadful Sufferings at New Amsterdam — His Release — Remonstrance of Some of the Inhabitants of Long Island — Their Punishment — Friends increase in Number — Meetings Settled — Case of John Bowne — Stop of Persecution in New Netherlands — -Friends in Virginia — Josiah Cole and Thomas Thurston — Course of Episcopalians in Virginia — George Wilson's Sufferings and Deatli — Other Ministers Sent — Whipping — Maryland — Persecution in that Colony — Convincemen ts — Disu n i ty 164 iv

CONTENTS.

Chapter XI. Pack

Dread in New England of the spread of Quakerism — Action of Court of Plymouth — Sarah Gibbons and Dorothy Waugh — William Leddra — William Brend's dreadful Suffering — Fear of Endieott

— Excuse of the Minister — Cutting off Ears — State of things in New Plymouth — Meetings — Spread of Friends' principles — Transportation ordered — Banishment on pain of Death — A few frightened by it— William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson- Patience Scott — Mary Dyer — Trial for Life — Execution of two Friends — Reprieve of M. Dyer — Return, Trial and Execution of M. Dyer — J. Nicholson and" Wife 176

Chapter XII

Failure of R. Cromwell — General Monk — Persecution of Friends by the Soldiers — Restoration — King Charles' Promises — Friends discharged from Jail — G. Fox, Jr., and R. Grassingham — Imprisonment of George Fox — M. Fell and Anne Curtis apply to the King — < t. Fox sent up to London — R. Hubberthorn and the King

— Anglican Church — Fifth Monarchy Men — Persecution renewed — Events in London — Thousands of Friends imprisoned — ■ Remonstrances and Redress — Persecution under old Laws — Act of Uniformity — Act against Quakers for not Swearing- — Friends before Parliament — Storm Impending — Richard Brown and John Robinson 196

Chapter XIII

E. Burrough — John Burnyeat — Scotland — A. Jaffray — Converts

— Patrick Livingstone — Misrepresentation — Excommunication

— Visits to Ireland — Win. Ednmndson's Account of Things in Ireland — Persecution — Friends on the Continent — William Ames in Germany — E. Burrough and S. Fisher at Dunkirk — Friends at Rome — John Perrot — Catharine Evans and Sarah Cheevers at Malta 219

Chapter XIV

Apology of the New England Persecutors — William Leddra — Wenlock Christison — Edward Wharton — Trouble of the Court — Trial of W. Christison — A new Law — Friends travel into Maine — Severe Scourging — Mary Tomkins — Alice Ambrose — Ann Coleman— Elizabeth Hooten — Her Sufferings in Massachusetts — King's Mandamus — It is taken to Boston — G Fox and two Representatives from Boston — The Severity of Persecution abates — Last Instance of Woman Whipping in Boston 238

Chapter XV

Friends' Marriages declared Legal — John Porrot and his Party — Sufferings under the "Conventicle Act'' — Neal's Account — Duty of Publicly Assembling for Divine Worship — Beginning of Persecution in London — Cases before Brown, the Lord Mayor — Trial of J. Crook — Necessity for Friends being cautious about Pleading to Indictments — Letters from Prisoners 262

CONTENTS.

V

Chapter XVI. Page

Account of T. Ell wood — Prison Life — Deaths in Frison — Death of R. Hubberthorn and E. Burrough — William Ames — Persecution at Colchester — Meetings kept up — Divine Support — Testimonies to Friends' Steadfastness — Account of Stephen Crisp 281

Chapter XVII

Account of I. Penington and Wife — Epistles to- Friends — Parliament restrains the Xing from relieving Non-Conformists — George Fox escapes being imprisoned at Bristol — Rumors of a Plot — George Fox denies Friends having anything to do with Plots — Persecution by Col. Kirby — G. Fox imprisoned for not Swearing

— Repeatedly brought before Court — Margaret Fell imprisoned — Flaws in G. Fox's Indictment — Sentence of Preinunire passed without G. Fox being present in Court — ('lose Imprisonment in a wretched Room — Removed to Scarborough Castle — Cruel Treatment while there — Overcomes by Christian Meekness and Patience

— Released by the King — Sentence passed on Margaret Fell 302

Chapter XVIII

Arrest and Trial of F. Howgil — Imprisonment and Death of F. Ilowgil — John Audi and — Suffering on Account of Tithes — Value of the Testimonies suffered for — Conventicle Act — Short Imprisonments of Friends, in order to transport them on the third Offence

— Trials at Hertford — Cruel Conduct at London — Trials at London— Judge's Charge — Dead Bodies of two Friends seized and secretly buried — Grand Jury threatened for not finding a Bill against Friends — Hannah Trigg — -False Witnesses — Sentence of Banishment — Refusal of Captains to carry Friends away — Banished Friends put on Shore — Embargo laid on all Vessels that would not carry Quakers — Mortality in Prisons — Persecution in the Isle of Man 325

Chapter XIX

Depravity of the Time — Marked Simplicity of Dress and Manners in Friends — Warnings of Judgments — Plague in London — Unrelenting Persecution of Friends — Deaths in Prisons — G. Whitehead's Testimony — Sufferings of Fifty-five Friends sentenced to Banishment — Friends' Love and Sympathy for each other — Death of Samuel Fisher — Introduction of Episcopacy into Scotland— Sufferings of the Covenanters — Persecution of Friends in Scotland — David Barclay — John Swinton — Robert Barclay — No Change in the King or Court — "Corporation Act" — Unmitigated Intolerance — Great Fire in London — Thomas Ibbitt — George Fox in London — Account of Meetings held for the Restoration of the Followers of J. Perrot 350

Chapter XX

Setting up Meetings for Discipline — Remarks on George Fox — Necessity for Discipline — General Meetings — Quarterly Meetings

— Meetings for Business in London — Yearly Meeting — Meeting for Sufferings — System of Church Government — Discipline 370 vi

CONTENTS.

Chapter XXI. Page

Friends in Ireland — Persecution there — Cruelty of George Claphum — Efforts of William Edmundson to rescue Friends from his Oppression — Interview of W. E. with the Lord Lieutenant — W. IO.'s Service at Londonderry — Meetings for Discipline set up in Ireland — George Fox visits Ireland — Admiral Penn — Account of William Penn — Death of R. Farnsworth — Continued Persecution — Lord Clarendon — Death of Thomas Loe — Josiah Cole and ' F. Howgil 382

Chapter XXII

Dispute of George Whitehead and William Penn with Thomas Vincent— "Sandy Foundation Shaken" — Imprisonment of William Penn — " No Cross, No Crown " — " Innocency with her Open Face "

— Unjust Suspicion of Win, Perm's Soundness in Christian Faith

— William Penn released from the Tower — Address of Margaret Fell to King Charles II. — Her Release from Prison — Marriage of ( reorge Fox and Margaret Fell — Epistle of George Fox — Visit of J. Burnyeat to America — Defection of T.Thurston — Perrot's Principles in America — Numerous Friends engaged in Religious Visits in West Indies and America — George Fox in America — W. Edmundson in America — Friends in North and South Carolina — Friends obtain Control of New Jersey — Emigration to New Jersey

— Settlement of Meetings in New Jersey 400

Chapter XXIII

Purchase of Pennsylvania by Win. Penn — Form of Government established by Wm. Penn — Rapid Settlement by Friends — Meetings set up — Indian Treaty — Yearly Meeting — Friends in New York and New England — Visits of J. Burnyeat, G. Fox, and W. Edmundson — Dispute with Roger Williams — Further Check to Persecution in New England — Spirit of Persecution still alive — Wm. Edmundson again in America — At Hartford 423

Chapter XXIV

Lull of Persecution in Great Britain — George Fox reported to have turned Presbyterian — Third "Conventicle Act" — T. Ellvvood's Criticism thereon — Character of Informers and Magistrates — George Fox and an Informer — Terrible Persecution — Church of England "Service" Performed at Friends' Meeting - House — Horsleydown Meeting-House torn down — Ratcliff Meeting-House wrecked — Trial of William Penn and William Mead — Jury fined — Defendants kept in Prison — Death of Admiral Penn — Trial and Sufferings of other Prisoners before the same Court — Lieutenant of the Tower — Wheeler-Street Meeting-House and Gilbert Latey — Constancy and Faithfulness of Friends — Illness of George Fox — Domestic Trials of his Wife 442

Chapter XXV

Imprisonment of I. Penington and T. Ell wood- — I. P. and Earl of Bridgewater — Cruel treatment by the latter of the former — I. P. liberated by the Court in London — Testimony of a fellow Prisoner

— Wm. Dewsbury — His concern for J. Perrot — Great Imprison-

CONTENTS. Vll merit of Friends in York — Long Imprisonment of W. Dewsbury — Epistle of W. D. — Political Affairs — Royal Proclamation to Suspend the Penal Laws against Dissenters — Friends liberated from Prison — Effects of their patient Suffering — Controversy with the Baptists -Dissatisfaction of the People — Proclamation Revoked

— Arrest and Imprisonment of G. Fox — G. F.'s persecution hy Parker — Interviews with (i. F. in prison — Friends in Scotland

— Alexander Skene — Queries addressed by A. Skene — Efforts of the Clergy to suppress Friends — Judges in Scotland admit an Affirmation instead of an Oath 4(52

Chapter XXVI

Robert Barclay — Death of A. Jaffray — Severe persecution begun at Aberdeen — Dispute of R. Barclay and G, Keith with Students — Ban-lav's Apology — Friends imprisoned in Aberdeen — Sympathized with by other Friends — Letter of Princess Elizabeth — G. Fox sentenced to Premunire — Carried to London on Habeas Corpus

— Discharged — Account of Richard Da vies — G. Fox, while too feeble to travel much, writes Epistles, &c. — Friends visit Holland

— Great Spoliation of Friends — Unjust constructions of the "Conventicle Act" — The King and Church Party inexorable — Interview of G. Whitehead and W. Crouch with the Bishop of Canterbury 480

Chapter XXVII

Forerunners of a Change — Miserable End of many Informers — Confession of One — Notice of Win. Baily — Meetings in Holland — Wm. Penn's Address to the King of Poland — Sufferings of Friends on the Continent — Embden — - Visit to Elizabeth, Princess 1'alatiue — Letter ofthe Princess to G. Fox — R. Barclay's Efforts for Relief of Friends in Scotland — Restiveness of some under the Discipline — Insubordination of Wilkinson and Story — Their Defection from the Principles of Friends — Efforts to Reclaim them — Separation — Some Reclaimed — Publications called forth by the Ranting Spirit — Jeffrey Bullock 502

Chapter XXVIII

Increase and Suffering of Friends in Ireland — J. Banks' Service in Ireland — Disorders among some Members — Catharine Norton — Wm. Edmundson and other Friends shut up in a Dungeon — W. E. before the Bishops' Court — Account of J. Banks — Account of Benj. Bangs — "Popish Plot" — -Friends persecuted as "Popish Recusants" — G. Fox addresses Parliament — Friends petition the King and Parliament — Efforts to relieve Friends frustrated — Fires of Persecution rekindled — Wm. Dewsbury in Jail — Sufferings of Friends at Bristol — Prisons filled — Wishes of the Mayor and Citizens disregarded by the Persecutors — Faithfulness of the Women and Children — Case of Isaac Dennis, a persecuting Jailer — General Persecution and Faithfulness — Epistles of Encouragement— Epistle of G. Fox 518

Chapter XXIX

Triumph of the King and Church Party — Death of Charles II.- Accession of James If. — Petition and Statement of Friendsviii

CONTENTS.

Attempt of the Duke of Monmouth — Release of Friends from imprisonment— Examination into the Conduct of Informers — Their Iniquity Exposed — Epistle of G. Fox — Death of I). Barclay and of Anne Whitehead — Liberty of Conscience Granted — Acknowledgment of Gratitude by Friends — R. Barclay's efforts to relieve Friends in Scotland — End of Persecution in Scotland — R. Barclay in Public Affairs — Attacked by a Highwayman — Death of R. Barclay — Testimonials — Defection towards King James — Imprisonment of Bishops — William, Prince of Orange, invited to take the Throne — William and Mary declared King and Queen — Wm. Penn at the Court of King James — Win. Penn arrested — Death of W. Dewsbury 538

Chapter XXX

Act of Toleration — Friends obtain a Modification of the Language — Confession of Faith — S. Crisp's Address to Friends — Death of Alex. Parker — Little persecution in Ireland — Warning by W. Edmundson — War — Raparees — Services of Wm. Edmundson for his Neighbors — Cruel Treatment of W. E.— Efforts to take the life of W. E. — Testimony relative to the Faithfulness of Friends in Ireland during the War — Increasing Weakness of G. Fox — Epistles by G. Fox — Last Sickness and Death of G. Fox — Death of J. Burnyeat — Death of Thomas Salthouse 557

Chapter XXXI

Troubles of Wm. Penn — Seclusion of W. P. — W. P. acquitted — Death of S. Crisp — Account of John Richardson — Account of Thomas Story — Account of Thomas ( 'halkley — Relief to Friends in Barbadoes — Increase of Friends in Pennsylvania — Trials of Friends in Pennsylvania on account of Military demands — Remonstrance against Slavery by Friends at Germantown — Friends and Slavery — Yearly Meeting of Pennsylvania and N. Jersey — Harmony among Friends.. 575

Chapter XXXII

Account of the Heresy and Separation of G. Keith — Long-continued labor of Friends for his Restoration — Disownment of G. Keith — Continued increase of Friends in the American Colonies — Friends in England seek relief from the imposition of Oaths — Declaration of Faith by Friends — "Primitive Christianity Revived" — Efforts of Friends to have an Affirmation substituted for an Oath finally successful 592

Chapter XXXIII

Efforts to obtain some relief from Tithes — Attempt to have the Laws for collecting Tithes made more Stringent — Frustrated by the action of Friends — Renewed efforts to subject Friends to Persecution— -End of Legal Persecution — Death of C. Marshall — Death of J. Crook — Visit of W. Penn, T. Story and John Everet to Irelaud — Testimony respecting Friends in Ireland — T. Story and R. Gill in Philadelphia — Death of Thomas Lloyd — Some Account of R. Barrow — Second visit of W. Penn to Pennsylvania — Some Observations on Friends; their Faith ; Discipline; Suffering, &c. — Declaration of Faith 613

FRIENDS

IN THE

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Chapter I

Reformation under Henry VIII.— Edward VI. — Mary — Elizabeth — Manner in which t he Doctrines, Organization, &c, of the Church of England were determined — Prerogative of the Crown to decide in Spiritual Matters — No Liberty of Conscience — Witnesses to Truth — John Wycliffe — Translation of the Bible — Progress of Inquiry and Doctrinal Differences

— Puritans — Intolerance of the Government and the Church — Presbyterians— Independents — Baptists — Numerous Sects — Development of Principles of Civil Liberty — Growth of the Contest between the Church and Dissenters — Justice by Law defeated — Origin of the Pilgrim Fathers

— They found what was to be an Asylum for the Oppressed — Course pursued by Charles I.— Resistance of the Scots to Prelacy, &c. — The Long Parliament — Civil War — Cromwell — Attention of the People kept directed to Modes and Professions of Religion — Claims of the High Church Party — Their views of Dissenters — Opinions and Feeling of Dissenters towards that Party — Barbarous Laws enacted by the Presbyterians when in Power — Summary Extinguishment of their Power by Cromwell — General and loud Professions of Religion.

THE reformation of the national religion introduced into England by Henry VIII. was effected by the exercise of arbitrary power, rather to gratify evil passions roused by papal opposition, and for self-aggrandizement, than from any desire to promote clearer views of Christianity. The change was such as was required to shift the title of "Supreme Head of the Church," and divert ecclesiastical revenues from the Pope at Rome to the bluff but royal layman, who was accustomed to ijse the sword or axe and block, to rid himself of whoever or whatever stood opposed to his will. It was, however, a means for largely extending access to sources of religious knowledge, and rousing the people, in measure, from the superstitious ignorance and apathy, which it was the policy of Rome to keep undisturbed.

The crude reform of Henry was relieved in some of its more hard and rugged features, and brought nearer into conformity with the purer profession of Christianity, promulgated by the greater reformers on the continent, by Edward VI. Mild, scrupulous and devotional as he is represented to have been, though he established Protestantism in his kingdom, he was hardly fitted to detect and successfully oppose the selfishness and craft, actuating some engaged in prescribing what should be the doctrines and organization of "The Church ;" so that the laws governing its action, constituting its hierarchy, delining the powers and privileges its dignitaries should enjoy, and restricting the people in the exercise of religious duties, all manifest the leaven of the same assumed priestly authority, the same will-worship, the same superstitious reverence for the functions and powers of the clergy, in the " Church " established by act of Parliament, as had characterized the religion that had been discarded.

The fires of Smithfield, kindled at the bidding of the bigoted and cruel Mary, while they inspired terror of the spirit and policy of the upholders of Romanism, at the same time warmed many among the thoughtful and religious into more effective zeal, and implanted more deeply in the minds of others, sympathizing with suffering humanity, an interest in the success of some reformation, which would, at least, free the nation from the sanguinary and unsparing tyranny of the priestly despots at Rome.

Queen Elizabeth found herself surrounded with dangers and difficulties that threatened to set aside her questionable right to the throne. Her numerous subjects who clung to the papal religion, while they loudly rejected her as their rightful sovereign, yet demanded of her protection in the exercise of their worship, inseparably connected with fealty to the Pope. Many Puritans who had left their country during the persecution of Queen Mary, had imbibed the more enlightened opinions and principles of the Protestants in France or Geneva, and they now sought a modification of the liturgy, the church powers and ceremonials, as established by Edward VI. Elizabeth, however, equally regardless of the complaints of the one, and the remonstrance of the other, took counsel of her own stubborn will, declared that "Supreme Plead of the Church" was no meaningless title, and that she would regulate the religion of her realm, according to her own standard of what was right and necessary, and would have all her subjects to conform to it.