The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANs. VoL. H. J King fered in their own country, great numbers retired to the plantations of a~~~ It New England, Penjilvania, and other p.1rts of America. Many tranfported ~ themfelves and their effects into Holland, and fi!led the engltjh cl)urches of Amflerdam, the Hague, Utrecht, Le)•den, Rotterdam, and other parts. If we admit the diifenting families of the feveral denominations in England, to be one hundred and fifty thoufand, and that each family fuffered no more, than the lofs of three or four pounds per annum, from the aCl qf uniformity, the whole will amount to twelve or fourteen millions; a pro– digious fum for tbofe times! But thefe are only conjectures; the damage to the trade and property of the nation was undoubtedly immenfe; at,d the wounds that were made in the efiates of private families were deep and large, many of whom, to my certain knowledge, wear the fears of them to this day. Reajons of When the proteflant di.ffinters rofe up into public view as a difiioct tb;:;nw~ers body, their long fufferings had not very much diminifhed their numcers, no mea rng. which though not to be compared with thofe of the efiablifhment, or the tories and roman catholics, were yet fo confiderable, as to be cap– able of turning the fcale on either fide, according as they fhould throw in their weight, which might poffibly be owing, amongfl: others, to the fol– lowing reafons: 1. To their jirmnefs and con/fancy in a long courfe if Jijjering, which convinced the world, that they were not actuated by humour, but con– ft:ience. z. To their aoClrine and manner qfpreaching, which was plain and prac– tical, accompanied with a warm and awakening addrefs to the confcience. Their doctrines were thofe of thefirjl rejormers, which were grown out of fafhion in the church; and their way of wor!hip was fimple and plain; without the ornament of rites and ceremonies. 3· To the .feverity qf their morals, at a time when the nation was funk into all kinds of vice and luxury, from which they preferved them– felves in a great meafure untainted. Their converfation was fober and virtuous. They obferved the Lord's day with firictnefs, and had an uni– verfal reputation for jufl:ice and integrity in their dealings. 4· To the cariful and jlriCl education qf their chzldren, whom they im– preifed with an early fenfe of kriptural religion, and educated in their own way, as they had opportunity, under private fchool-mafl:ers of their own principles. . 5· To a concern for a jitcce!Jion qf able and learned minijlers, for which purpofe they encouraged private academies in feveral parts of the king– dom; and 'tis remarkable that many gentlemen and fubt1antial citizens, de– voted their children to the minifl:ry, at a time when they had nothing in view, but worldly difcouragements. 6. To
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