LIFE OF RICHARD BAXTER. '213 revive ; and it was evident that all those fears were now to be re- alized. The universities and the great body of the clergy still professed the utmost obsequiousness, and preached, as they had long done, the doctrine of unlimited obedience. Encouraged by such demonstrations of loyalty, James went on the more rapidly and madly with his designs. His court and council were filled with Papists ; parliaments were dispensed with ; laws were set aside by the royal prerogative ; and a government in all respects arbitrarywas attempted. The established church was at last in- vaded. Some important livings in the universities and elsewhere were seized by the king for the Popish priests. On such an occa- sion, nature was too strong for principle ; the favorite doctrine of passive obedience was forgotten; and the established clergy and the king were arrayed against each other. The king had now no friénds but the Catholics; and the nation was ripe for revolution. Urged by many invitations,the prince of,Orange, who had married James's eldest daughter, invaded the kingdom ; and a revolution was effected without a. battle, aiid almost without bloodshed, in 1689.. James, after a disgraceful reign of four years, abdicated the crown by flight, and was succeeded by William and Mary. The concluding part of Baxter's Narrative of his own life and times, is mostly occupied with notices of the state of public affairs during the latter years of Charles's reign, and at the accession of James to the throne. . The friends and associates of his earlier years were departing in rapid succession to the " everlasting rest." His wife, who had for twenty years cheered him with affectionate and cheerful assiduity under his Any afflictions, died on the 14th of June, 1681. Thus left alone in his old age, with infirmities and pains upon him ,.the recital of which wouldbe distressing, he was still followed by his persecutors. On the 24th of August, 1682, just twentyyears after the ejection, he preached in great weakness, and, expecting to preach no more, " took his leave of the pulpit and public work in a thankful 'congregation." " But after this," he says, "when I had ceased preaching, I was suddenly surprised by a poor, violent informer, and many constables and officers, who had rushed in apprehended me, and served on me one warrant to seize on my person for coming within five miles of acorporation, and five more warrants to distrain for a hundred and ninety pounds forfive sermons. Theycast my servants into fears, and were about to take all my books and goods, when I contentedly went with them towards the justice to be sent to jail, and left my house to their will. But Dr. Thomas Cox, meeting me, forced me in agaid to my couch and bed, and went to five justices, and tookhis oath, without my knowledge, that I could not go to prison without dan- ger of.death. On that the justices delayed a day, till they could
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