Chap. XI. The HISTORY of tbe PuRITANS. 6. To the perfecuting zeal qf the high church party, attended with an King uncommon licentioufnefs of manners. If their zeal againfi: the nonJ•rr;,eg 6 H. conformills, bad produced a greater fandity of life, and feverity of morals ~ amongfl: themfelves, it had been lefs offenfive; but to fee men deilitute of common virtpe, ligning warrants of difi:refs upon their neighbours, on. ly for worfhipping God peaceably at a feparate meeting, when themfelves hardly worfhipped God at all; made fume apprehend there was nothing at all in religion, and others refolve 10 take their lot with a more fober peop.le. T h jj · · d · · 1 ,;· ;r. h· h b Fmally, o t e 'Ptrtf an pnnctp,es ()_j forum, w tc egan to appear ruinous to the nation. The old englijh confiitution was in a manner loft, while the church and prerogative had been trampling on the dij(enters, who had flood firm to it for twenty years, in the midfi: of reproaches and fufferings. This was the confequence of tory meafures, and popery being now coming in at the gap they had made, the moll refolved pro– teilants (aw their error, entertained a favnurable opinion of the dijjhtters, anclmany of them joined their congregations. To return to the hifiory; the di/Jenters being now eafy, it was refolv- A tommijfim ed to turn the artillery of theprerogatiw againfi: the church, and makeifenquirJin– them feel a little of the fmart they had given others; the king and his :~:~~A~~rs priell:s were thoroughly inraged with their opp0lition to the court, and hadfujlained therefore appointed commiffioners throughout England to enquire, what by the church money had been raifed? Or what goods had been feized by dijlrefs on dif- party. Jenters, on prrfecutions for recujcmcy, and not brought to account in the Exchequer? In the Gazette of Mai·ch 5, 1687, it is advertifed, that the commijjioners appointed to examine into the loifc:s of the diifenters and recufimts, within the feveral counties of G!oucr:flcr, Woreljler, and Monmouth, were to hold their feffions for the faid counties, at the places therein mentioned. Others were appointed for the counties of Midd!eJex, E!Jex, &c. to enquire what money or goods had been taken or received, for any matters relating to religion, fin ce September 1,9, 1677, in any of the counties for which they were named. They were to return the name3 of all perfons who had feized goods, or received money. The parties themfelves, if alive, were obliged to appear, ~nd give an account; and if dead, their reprefenta tives were to appear before the commiffioners for them. This firuck terror into the whole tribe of informers, the confiding jujlices, and others, who expected now to be ruined ; but (fays Dr. Calamy ), the protljlant d!/fenters generoufly refufed to appear againfl: their enemies, upon aifurances given by leading perfons, both clergy and laity , that no fuch methEJds fhould be ufed for the future. Had this enquiry proceeded, and the diifenters univerfally come into it, a black and fraudulent fcene would have been opened, which now will be VOL. II. 5 E con-
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