Chap~ XII. 1he HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. 78r The king, emboldened with the profpeCt of a popijh focce!Jor, inll:ead King of venturing firll: upon a parliament, publilhed another declaration for Ja~~s8_II· liberty of confcience, .April 27, in higher firains, and more· advanta- ~ gcous to the p?.pill:s than the former; the fubll:ance of it was as follows; jAMES REX. "0 u R conduCt has been fuch in all times, as ought to have per- A feco_nd J,. " fuaded the world, that \ve are firm and confiant to our refo- 1 clbara,tz~; for • 1 er~ {J_J con· " !utions; yet that eafy people may not be abufed by the mal1ce of crafty ji:ience. " wicked men, we think fit to declare, that our intentions are not Gazette, " changed fince the 4th of .April, 1687, when we iffued our declaration NQ 2342• "for liberty qf confcience in theJollo~ving terms" [here the declaration is recited at large, and then it follows] " Ever fince we granted the in- " dulgence, we have made it our care to fee it preferved without dill:inc- " tion, as we are encouraged to do daily by multitudes of addreffes, and " many other affi1rances we receive from our fubjeets of all perfuafions, " as teftimonies of their fatisfaecion and duty ; the effeCts of which, we " doubt not but the next parliament will !hew, and that it will not be in " vain, that we have refolved to ufe our utmoll: endeavours, to ell:ablilh " liberty of confcience on fuch juft and equal foundations, as will render it " uhalterable, and fecure to all people the free exercife of their religion for " ever, by which future ages may reap the benefit, of what is fo un doubt- " edly for the general good of the whole kingdom. It is fuch a fecurity we " defire, without the burthen of conftraint and oaths and tefis, which " unhappily have been made by fome governments, but could never fup- " port any. Nor could men be advanced by fuch means to offices and " employments, which ought to be the reward of fervices, fidelity, and " merir. We mull: conclude, that not only good chrill:ians will join " in this, but whoever is concerned for the wealth and power of tbe na- " tion. It would, perhaps, prejudice fame of our neighbours, who " might lofe part of tho(e vall: advantages they now enjoy, if liberty of '' confcience Were fetded in thefe kingdoms, which are above all others " mo!t capable of improvements, and of commanding the trade of " the world. In purfuance of this great work, we hnve been jorced to " make many changes, both qf civil and military qjficers throughout our do- ,., minions, not thinking any ought to be employed in our fervice, who " will not contribute towards the eftabliihing dne peace and greatnefs ef " their country, which we moll: eameftly rlefire, as unbiaifed rneil may " fee by the whoie cornduet of our .government, and :by the condition of " our
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