·:fhe HIS 1' 0 RY of the PuRITANs: VoL. n. .Common- " preme governors. Here was a government de faCio, under which they wealth. , I" d l 1649 ' 1ve ; as ong therefor.e as they enjoyed the protection of the government, ~-,....-.v '' it was their duty to give all reafonable fecurity that they would not dif– ·" turb it, or elfe to remove." The body of the common.people being weary of war, and willing to live quiet under any adminiltration, fub– mittcd to the engagement, as being little more than a promife not to at– tempt the fubverlion of the prefent government, but many of the preiliy– terian clergy chafe rather to quit their preferments in the church and uniWhitl. I?• verfity, than comply; which made way for the promotion of feveral in453· dependent divines, and among others, of Dr. Tho. Goodwin one of the diife nting brethren in the affembly, who by order of parliament, Jan. 8. 1749-50. was appointed prefident of Magdalen College Oxford, with the privilege of nominating fellows and demies In fuch places as fhould become vacant by death, or by the poffeffors refufing to take the engagement. Meaflzres of The parliament tried feveral methods to reconcile the prefbyterians to tbe parlflzathe prefent adminifhation; perfons were appointed to treat with them ·ment to upfii . d f h f ' port theirau- and a ure them of the protection of the government, an o t e ull entbority. joyment of their ecclefiaflical preferments according to law ; when this would not prevail, an order was publifhed, that minifrers in their pulpits fhould not meddle with fiate affairs. After this the celebrated Milton was appointed to write for the government, who rallied the feditious ·whit!. I?• preachers with his fatyrical pen in a fevere manner; at length when all 387. other methods failed, a committee was chofen to receive informations againfi fuch minifiers, as in their pulpits vilified and afperfed the authority of parliament, and an act was paffed, that all fuch fhould be feque!lered from their ecclefiafiical preferments. Scots declaThe prefbyterians fupported themfelves under thefe hardfhips by their r.ationagainjl alliance with the flats, and their hope of a fpeedy alteration of affairs by ~· rg~~- their ailiflance; for in the remon!trance of the general affembly of that 3 4. p. 6. kirk, dated July 27. they declare, that "the fpirit which has aCl:e~ in · " the councils of thofe who have obfiruCl:ed the work of God, defp1fed " the covenant, corrupted the truth, forced the parliament, murdered " ·the king, changed the government, and e!lablifhed fuch an unlimited " toleratioq in religion, cannot be the fpirit of righteoufnefs and holinefs. '' They therefore warn the fubjects of Scotland againlt joining with them, " and in cafe of an invafion to fiand up in their own defence. The eng– " lijh have no controverfy with us (fay they), but becaufe the kirk and ·" fiate have declared againfi their unlawful engagement ; becaufe we frill " adhere to our covenant, and have borne our teflimony againfi their to– " leration, and taking away the king's life." But then they warn their people alfo againft malignants, " who value themfelves upon their attach- " ment
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