Chap. XI. The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. power, he had rather, for his part, lofe his liberty, and return to his forKing mer bondaP"e. In conclulion, Mr. Howe in fumming up the whole de- ]a(,~ If•. bate, fignifi'ed to the courtiers, that they were in general qf the fame opi- ~ nion. Mr. Coke adds, that to his knowledge the diifenters did both dread H?we's and detefl: the diJPe'!fing power; and their !l:eadinefsJin this crilis, was a Lift, P· 1 34· noble !l:and by a number of men who fubli!1ed only by the royal favour, which ought not to have been fo foon forgotten. Though the court were a little difappointed in their expeCtations from Their a~the diifenters, they put the be!l: face they could on the affair, and received d;-eJs, of fuch addreifcs as were prefented with high commendation. The fir!l: who g~~e:;e went up were the London anabaptifls, who fay, that" the fenfeof this inva- No. 2234. " luable favour and benefit derived to us from your royal clemency, compel " us to pro!l:rate ourfelves at your maje(ly's feet, with the tender of our " moll humble thanks, for that peace and liberty which both we,and all o- " ther dijfenters from the national church, now enjoy-" Next came the prejbyterians, " who acknowledge his maje!l:y's princely compailion, in " refcuing them from their long fufferings, in re!l:oring to God the em- " pire over confcience, and publifhing to the world his royal chriil:ian " judgment, that co'!Ji:ience may not be f orced; and his refolution that " filch force fhould not be attempted in his reign, which they pray may " be long --" Then followed the independents : " Sir, the great ea- lb. 223 s. " !amity we have been a long time under, through the fevere execution " of the penal laws in matters of religion, has made us deeply fenfible of · " your maje!l:y's princely clemency towards us your diifenting fubjeets, ef- " pecially fince in the indulgence vouchfafed, there are no limitations " hindring the enjoyment of it with a good confcience, and that your " maje!l:y publifheth to the world, that it has been your conil:ant fenfe •• and opinion, that cor!fcience ought not to conjtrained, nor people forced ilz •• matters of meer religion--" About the fame time was publiihed the humble and thankful addrefs of the London quakers, to this purpofe, " May it pleafe the king! Though we are not the fir!l: in this way, yet " we hope we are not the lea!l: fenfible of the great favours, we are come " to prefent the king our humble, open, and hearty thanks for --we •• rejoice to fee the day, that a king of England {hould from his royal feat, " fo univerfally aifert this royal principle, that con/cience ought not to be " reftrained, nor people forced for matters qf religion -- " The feveral addreifes above-mentioned, exprefs their humble dependance on his maje!l:y's royal promife, to fecure their rights and properties, and that he will endeavour to engage his two houfes of parliament, to concur with him in this good work. Here are no flights of expreilion, nor promifes o.f obedience ~vithout reftrve, but purely a fenfe of gratitude for the reil:oration of liberty. VoL. II, 5 F And
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