Chap. VII. Thi HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. 645 " open toleration ; but refers the manner to the approaching feffions of King If . 11 . h h" . h c Char les • " parliamen t, which he doubts not Wl concur wit . 1m m. t e per1orm: I66 2 • •• ance of his promifes -- " , He conclude.s " w1th hopm~ that all h1s ~ " fubjetl:s, with minds happily compofed b~ h1s cle.mency a_nd mdulgence, '' (infl:ead of taking up thoughts of deferung thm prof~ihons, or tra~Jf- " planting) will apply tbem(elves c~mfortably, and w1th r~dou~led m- " dufl:ry, to their feveral vocations, 111 fuch manner a-s the pnvate mterell: " of every one in particular may encourage him, to contribute chearfully " to the general profperity. " Given at our court at Whitehall, this 26th of December; " in the I 4th year of our reign," This declaration was thought to be framed at Somerfet-Houfe, where Supported by the queen-mother kept her court, without the knowledge of lord C!a- his majejly's rem!on or biihop She/don; and according to Burnet, was the refult of afpee;!' to the council of papifl:s at the earl of Brijlol's, (who were under an oath of fe- f:{'~;~~~~';: crecy), and of the king himfelf. It is modeilly exprdfed; and though 193. it carries in it a claim of the difpe'!fing po1ver, and of good will to popery, yet it refers all to the parliament. .Accordingly his majell:y, in his fpeech at the opening the next feffions, Feb. 28, fupported his declaration in the following words, " that though he was in his nature an enemy to f' all feverity in religion, he would not have them infer from thence, that " he meant to favour popery, though feveral of that profeffion, who had. " fervcd him and his father well, might juil:ly claim a !hare in that indul- " gence, he would willingly afford to other diifc:nters; not that I intend 0 ' them to hold any places in the government (fays his majefty), for I ~vill " not y•ield to any, no not to the bijhops.themfe!ves, in my zeal for the pro- " teftant 1·e!igion, and my liking the act if uniformity ; and yet if the dif- " (enters will behave themfelves peaceably and modeftly under the govern- " ment, I could heartily wijh I had fuch a power if indulgence to uft up- " on all occqfions, as might not needlefs!y .force them out of the kingdom, " or flaying here, give them calffe to conjpire agai'!fi the peace if it." This was the firfl: open claim of a dijpenjing power, which the reader will obferve did not propofe a lawfor liberty if confcience, but that his majefty might have a legal power of indulgence vell:ed in himfelf, which he might ufe or recal as he thought fit; This alarmed the houfe of commons, who voted the thanks of the houfe for his m"ajefty's refolution to · maintain the act of uniformity; but that it was the opinion of the houfe, that no indulgence be granted to d!!fentersfrom it; and an addrefs was
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