870 A Review of the principal far/s objeb'fecl to the Fol. r88. ever their inward perfuafion might be. The learned managers for Dr. Sacbeverel, at his trial, declare roundly, that the true reafon ofher ma- jelly's fufpending archbifhop Grindal, was, his indulgence to the dfenters of thefe times. Is it likely then, that fhe herfelf intended them a Vindic. toleration ? But he adds, that though a LEGAL TOLERATION p. 286, 290, in form was not granted, yet they had an indulgence which amounted to much more, by being permitted to hold fame preferments in the church. How great this indulgence was will be feenhereafter ; but Mr. N. is of opinion, the proteftant diffenters would rather choofe a toleration by law, with force lefs advantages, than to lie at the mercy of an arbitrary prince, to be fent a begging whenever he pleafes. 'Tis admitted by this gen- tleman, that the indulgence of the puritans was dimined in this reign ; but he adds, they are to thank themfelvesfor it ; that ìs, they were trou- blefome and clamorous ; they did not patiently lie down under the yoke of oppreffion, but gave difturbance to the proceedingsof the bithops, and Were frequentlypetitioning the parliament for relief. This, it feems, was an unpardonable crime, as it will always be accounted by arbitrary and defpotic governors. But after all, though Mr. N. is far from approving the platform of the puritans, or their narrow principles, he is very con- fident, that excepting the rafh behaviour of a few (for, as this writer ac- knowledges, no man can anfwer for individuals,) their loyalty to the queen and the Rate was untainted; they were never convi6ted of plots and con- fpiracies ; and though they had frequent confultationsabout their plat- form, their affociation were quiet and peaceable, and their fubfcriptions Hih.. Pur. were with this limitation,, we promife to obferve it, asfar as is confsflent p 323 with the laws of the kingdom, and the peace of the prefent fiate of the church. CHAP. III. Preacb;ng T HP very ftrfl tranfatlion of queen ELIZABETIt, mentioned by Mr. forbid. N. (lays our author) is under this title, PREACHING FORBID; and p'í28; 130 by bis account it muffbe thought theproclamation was levelled againfi the re- formed minßers. But it was not thepreaching of the reformed that occafioned this proclamation. Let the reader judge by the words of the Srrype's proclamation, which are thefe, " the queen's majefty underftanding that Ann. V. I. " there be certain perlons, having in times part the office of the minftry Appendix, " in the church, which now do purpofe to ufe their former office in P 3' " preaching and miniftry, and partly have attempted the fame, affem- " tiling in the city of London, in fundry places, great numbers of peo- " ple ; hath thought it neceffary to command all her fubjeEts to forbear Fit Eliz, " to preach, f ç. Agreeably to, this is Mr. Cambden's account ; " force p. 6, " minifters
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