• 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1 * 
 
 i 
 
4 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS, 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 REVOLUTION TO THE YEAR 1808. 
 
 BY 
 
 DAVID BOGUE, D.D. and JAMES BENNETT. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 By JAMES BENNETT, D.D. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 Vol. TI. 
 
 LONDON : 
 FREDERICK WESTLEY AND A. H. DAVIS, 
 
 ]0, STATIONERS' COURT, AND AVE-MARIA LANE. 
 
 jincccxxxiii. 
 
LONDON : 
 rniNTKD BY WILLIAM CLOWES, 
 StnmforJ Street. 
 
 « 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL. II. 
 
 Of the Methodists 
 
 Moravians 
 
 Religious Liberty 
 
 Controversies 
 
 Seminaries 
 
 Outward State of Dissenters 
 
 State of Religion 
 
 Lives of Eminent Men 
 
 Sandemanians 
 
 Swedenborgians 
 
 Religious Liberty 
 
 Controversies 
 
 Dissenting Seminaries 
 
 Outward Stale of Dissenters 
 
 State of Religion 
 
 Lives of Eminent Dissenters 
 
 Pages 
 
 1— 62 
 . 63— 75 
 76—134 
 . 135—205 
 
 206—242 
 . 242—298 
 
 299—330 
 . 331—433 
 
 434—447 
 . 447—460 
 
 460—489 
 . 489—518 
 
 519—542 
 . 543—570 
 
 571—586 
 587 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2013 
 
 http://archive.org/details/historyofdissent21benn 
 
HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 SECOND PERIOD. 
 
 FROM THE DEATH OF QUEEN ANNE TO THE ACCES 
 SION OF GEORGE III. 
 
 Chap. I. — New Sects. 
 
 Sect. I.— The Methodists, 
 
 This name, which was originally given in derision, has 
 been claimed by two opposite sects ; while it has also 
 been applied to others, who, forming no separate com- 
 munion, have gone as far as conscience would permit in 
 high-church principles, to escape the sectarian appel- 
 lation. Such is the folly of attempting to put religion 
 out of countenance with odious epithets : for if they 
 never become current, they fall harmless, as an arrow 
 which has missed its aim ; and if ever they give a 
 name to the communion, they lose all their original 
 venom, and acquire as much respectability as is de- 
 served by the sect, which soon learns to glory in its own 
 name. 
 
 The founders of JMethodism, being students at Ox- 
 ford, having united in exercises of devotion, and in 
 frequent communion, were ridiculed, at first, under the 
 name of the Sacramentarians, and the holy or godly 
 
 VOL. II. B 
 
2 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 club. But, a fellow of INIerton College, observing the 
 regular method in which they divided their time be- 
 tween their devotions, their studies, and their rest, said, 
 " Here is a new sect of JNIethodists sprung up, alluding 
 to an eminent college of physicians at Rome, who 
 were called INIethodistse, for putting their patients under 
 a peculiar regimen But there Avas a party in the 
 Church of Rome called JNIethodists, from the peculiar 
 method which they adopted in the controversy with the 
 Protestants f . It is, however, not generally known, that 
 the name of INIethodist had been given, long before, to 
 a religious sect in England, or at least to a party in 
 religion, which was distinguished by some of the same 
 marks as are now supposed to apply to the INIethodists. 
 John Spencer, who was librarian of Sion College 
 during the protectorate, speaking of the eloquence and 
 elegance of the sacred Scriptures, asks, " Where are 
 now our Anabaptist and plain pike -staff Methodists, 
 who esteem all flowers of rhetoric in sermons, no better 
 than stinking weeds 
 
 The present IMethodists, however, sprang from Ox- 
 ford, so that the nurse of high-church prejudices has 
 given birth to sons who have enlisted thousands in the 
 ranks of dissent. It is, indeed, remarkable, that at a 
 time when the peace of the grave reigned there, and 
 from the fellow of a college, Avho had imbibed the true 
 Oxonian abhorrence for sectarianism, should have arisen 
 the sect which has carried the ministrations of unor- 
 dained laymen to their utmost lengths. 
 
 * Wesley's Journals, vol. i., Preface, p. 10. Ainsworth calls them 
 Methodici. 
 
 •I- Mosheim, Eccles. Hist. 17th cent., sect, ii., p. 1. 
 t Spencer's Things New and Old, p. IGl, anno 1658. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 3 
 
 Mr. John Wesley, a student of Christ Clmrch, heing 
 elected fellow of Lincoln College, seized that oppor- 
 tunity to shake off his old companions, who had been a 
 snare to him ; to new model his life, regulate his stu- 
 dies, and choose his future companions, with a view to 
 his religious improvement. Being designed for the 
 ministry, he was ordained by Dr. Potter, who was 
 afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. As tutor of 
 Lincoln College, Wesley laboured to form the young 
 men to a just sense of the importance of religion ; and 
 some, who differed from him in sentiment, gratefully 
 acknowledged his attentions. A serious man, whom 
 INIr. Wesley had travelled many miles to see, said to 
 him, — " Sir, you wish to serve God, and to go to 
 heaven, remember you cannot serve him alone. You 
 must, therefore, find companions, or make them; the 
 Bible knows nothing of solitary religion." It has been 
 observed, that a sentiment boldly conceived, and hap- 
 pily expressed, may overturn an empire. This senti- 
 ment, so just in itself, and so vigorously expressed, 
 though intended only to benefit an individual, has 
 created not merely a religious sect, but several hosts, 
 which have given an impulse to the moral world. 
 Mr. Wesley never forgot this remark, and immediately 
 began to act upon it, by communicating his views to his 
 younger brother, Charles, who was then a student at 
 Christ Church. They soon after associated themselves 
 wdth Mr. JMorgan and Mr. Kirkham, of Merton College. 
 When this little band first began to meet, in the month 
 of November, 1729, they read divinity on Sunday 
 evenings, and on the other six, the Greek and Latin 
 classics; but, as they advanced, they become more de- 
 
 B 2 
 
4 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 cidedly a religious party. It soon appeared to thein 
 necessary to keep the fasts of the Church of England : 
 they received also the Lord's Supper, every week, and 
 visited the prisoners in the castle, as well as the sick 
 poor in the town. " We were now," says Mr. Wesley, 
 " fifteen in number, and of one heart and mind." Their 
 scheme for self-examination, at this time, indicates the 
 mystical turn of mind with which they were feeling 
 their way to heaven. They " interrogate themselves 
 whether they have been simple and recollected ; whether 
 they have prayed with fervour, Monday, Wednesday, 
 and Friday, and on Saturday noon ; if they have used 
 a collect at nine, twelve, and three o'clock ; duly medi- 
 tated on Sunday, from three to four^ on Thomas a 
 Kempis ; or mused, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 
 twelve to one, on the passion." 
 
 They were joined by several of the students, and by 
 Mr. Ingham, of Queen's College, Mr. Broughton, of 
 Exeter, and Mr. J ames Hervey, who afterwards became 
 celebrated for his Meditations. But their grand acqui- 
 sition was in the year 1734, when Mr. George Whit- 
 field, then about nineteen, joined himself to the society, 
 of which he was destined to be the great Apollos. 
 While yet ignorant of the Gospel, he practised such 
 austerities as reduced him to extreme debility. In this 
 state of mind, he was relieved by the kind attentions of 
 Charles Wesley, who recommended him to the society 
 of more experienced Christians, whose conversation, 
 with the judicious application of medicines, healed 
 both body and mind. 
 
 The two Wesleys, during the latter part of their stay 
 at Oxford, maintained a close intimacy with the cele- 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 5 
 
 brated mystic. Law, the author of Christian Perfection, 
 and the Call to a Devout and Holy Life. Two or three 
 times in a year, these young seekers travelled sixty 
 miles (on foot, that they might save their money for the 
 poor), to visit this oracle, and listen to its responses. 
 At one time, Mr, Law said to John Wesley, " You 
 would have a philosophical religion, but there can be 
 no such thing. Religion is the most simple thing ; it is 
 only, we love him because he first loved us." With an 
 affectation of luminous simplicity, this dictatorial sen- 
 tence is as ambiguous as any response which was ever 
 delivered from the delphic tripod ; for the text of Scrip- 
 ture, as it is here quoted, may signify two opposite 
 sentiments, — either that our only motive for loving God 
 is, because he loved us, which is the selfishness of 
 Arminianism ; or, that the true reason why we are 
 brought to love God is, because he, in love for us, 
 gave the disposition, which is the humble and generous 
 acknowledgment of Calvinism. But these young Metho- 
 dists were not sufficiently acute divines to see through 
 the amphibologies of their oracle. It was a pity that 
 they who were looking around on every hand for tutors 
 and guides in the way of heaven, could discover no bet- 
 ter luminary than this ignis fatuus. If such was the light, 
 what must the darkness have been ? What IMr. Wesley 
 himself afterwards thought of the system which he then 
 adopted, we may judge from his own w^ords : " In this 
 refined way of trusting to my own works, and my own 
 righteousness, by pursuing inward holiness, or an union 
 of soul with God, so zealously inculcated by the mystic 
 waiters, whom I declare, in my cool judgment, and in 
 the presence of the most high God, I believe to be one 
 
6 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 great Anti-Christ, I dragged on heavily, till the time 
 of leaving England 
 
 But the Methodist Society in Oxford was broken up 
 in 1735; for John and Charles Wesley, Mr. Ingham, 
 and Mr. Delamotte, embarked for America. The 
 death of his father had called John Wesley to London, 
 where he met with Dr. Burton, one of the trustees 
 for the new colony of Georgia, who requested him 
 to go thither to preach to the Indians. Mr. Wesley 
 received his mother's consent, in language which spoke 
 her a genuine daughter of Dr. Annesley, a puritan : — 
 " Had I twenty sons, I should rejoice that they w^ere 
 all so employed, though I should never see them more." 
 During the voyage, the company of missionaries em- 
 ployed their time in acts of devotion, in the study of 
 the Scriptures, and in the instruction of those who were 
 willing to learn. " A woman desired to receive the 
 sacrament," says Mr. Wesley, " but I thought it neces- 
 sary to instruct her first in the nature of Christianity, 
 and therefore read to her, every day, out of IMr. Law's 
 Christian Perfection." Thus he instructed her in the 
 nature of Christianity, by the lessons of what he after- 
 wards pronounced the great Anti-Christ. 
 
 On board the vessel Avere several Moravian brethren, 
 in whom IMr. Wesley saw a meekness, purity, and 
 benevolence, an air of heartfelt satisfaction and joy, a 
 superiority to the ills of life, and a victory over the 
 fears of death, to which he was conscious he had never 
 attained. The storms, which filled him with dread of 
 eternity, awakened their joy in the prospect of speedily 
 beholding a reconciled God. He saw the difference 
 * AVesley's Journal, vol. i. p. 27. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 7 
 
 between their religion and his own. His biographers 
 observe, that " though he gave all his goods to feed the 
 poor, and sacrificed ease and honour, and every other 
 temporal gratification, to follow Christ, yet it is certain 
 that he was very little acquainted with true experi- 
 mental religion. This, the Lord began now to show 
 him, first, by the fear of death, which, notwithstanding 
 all his efforts, brought him into bondage whenever 
 danger was apparent, which made him say, ' I plainly 
 felt I was unfit, because I was unwilling to die ; ' 
 secondly, the lively victorious faith he evidently per- 
 ceived in his fellow-passengers, the Moravians, still 
 more convinced him that he possessed not the powder of 
 religion 
 
 Though it may astonish many, that such a man 
 should undertake such a mission, it can excite no sur- 
 prise in the breast of any real Christian, that the mis- 
 sion should prove abortive. But, to the Indians, who 
 were the intended objects of Mr. Wesley's ministry, he 
 found no opportunity of going ; for General Oglethorp, 
 the governor of the colony, detained him at Savannah. 
 Here, however, he soon became an unwelcome guest. 
 Several persons disliked his rigid attachment to the 
 rubric of the Church of England. " High-church prin- 
 ciples, as they are called, continually influenced his 
 conduct ; an instance of which was his refusing to 
 admit one of the holiest men in the province to the 
 Lord's Supper (though he earnestly desired it) because 
 he was a Dissenter, unless he would submit to be re- 
 baptized." When high-church principles had after- 
 wards tortured him and his friends, till they were sore, 
 * Coke and Moore's Life, p. 97. 
 
8 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 he remarks, " Have I not been finely beaten with my 
 own staff*?" It seems, however, that the blows of 
 this iron crosier are more severe than salutary, that it 
 is only a rod of persecution, and not of correction ; for 
 he that was finely beaten for his fault, was not beaten 
 out of it. He that professed to be then convinced by 
 the Moravians, that he was destitute of real religion, of 
 which he saw incontestable evidences in persons of other 
 communions, was not the man who was entitled to 
 indulgence in unchristianising those who did not see 
 with his eyes, and w^ould not be baptized into his sect. 
 
 Mr. Wesley was, indeed, regarded as an Ishmael ; 
 for his hand was against every man, and every man's 
 hand was against him. Only among the Moravians he 
 found refuge and consolation. But the immediate cause 
 of his leaving America has, for a long time, lain under 
 a veil, which, till of late, has not been lifted up by his 
 friends. The governor, perceiving in Mr. Wesley an 
 unusual energy of character, studied to decoy him from 
 the heights of mysticism to the level which would render 
 him a convenient instrument to execute the schemes 
 which the general had formed. For this, he sagaciously 
 selected one of the daughters of Eve, whose charms 
 had nearly succeeded. But, on consulting with the 
 Moravians, whether it would be expedient for him to 
 marry Miss Causton, the governor's niece, they forbade 
 the banns, and Mr. Wesley escaped the snare. The 
 lady afterwards betrayed the deep hatred of despised 
 beauty, and proved a persecutor of her former lover, 
 who, after having been pursued by a malicious lawsuit, 
 judged it proper to leave America, where all his suc- 
 * Life, p. 112. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 9 
 
 cess seemed to consist in enlarging his own knowledge 
 of mankind and of himself So unpropitious was the 
 first mission of the Methodists to that part of the glohe, 
 where they were destined afterwards to reap a harvest 
 so large. 
 
 During all this time, the cause of Methodism was 
 rising to unparalleled popularity in England, by the 
 zeal and eloquence of Mr. Whitfield. When the first 
 societies broke up from Oxford, he went to Gloucester, 
 for the benefit of his native air ; for the mistaken 
 austerities which he had practised, had so reduced him, 
 that he was scarcely able to walk. But it pleased the 
 God of all grace to reveal to him the w^ay of salvation 
 by faith ; so that, while Mr. Wesley was discovering 
 that he had no religion, his younger companion w^as 
 rejoicing in the power, and riches, and sovereignty of 
 divine grace. Devoting himself to the study of the 
 Scriptures, in which, under the guidance of the Spirit 
 of Truth, he made eminent advancement, he panted to 
 tell of the divine goodness ; for which purpose, he 
 formed a little society in his native place, and braved the 
 reproach, which he knew would be heaped upon them, 
 for forming conventicles. He read to a few poor people, 
 several times a week, and visited and prayed with the 
 prisoners in Gloucester jail. 
 
 Being now about one-and-twenty years of age, Mr. 
 Whitfield was informed by Dr. Benson, Bishop of 
 Gloucester, that although he had resolved to ordain 
 none under three- and-twenty, he should reckon it his 
 duty to ordain him, whenever he should choose to apply. 
 With this view, the young evangelist began to study, 
 with great seriousness, the thirty-nine articles of the 
 
10 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Church of England, to know whether he approved of 
 them or not, in which, if he had more imitators, the 
 establishment would have fewer ordained contradictors 
 of her articles. Mr. Whitfield perused the epistles of 
 Paul, to know whether he possessed the qualifications 
 of a Christian bishop, and was at length ordained at 
 Gloucester, in the year 1736, and, on the following 
 Lord's-day, preached his sermon, " On the necessity 
 and benefit of religious society." " Curiosity," says 
 he, " drew a large congregation together. The sight, 
 at first, a little awed me. But I was comforted with a 
 heartfelt sense of the divine presence, and soon found 
 the advantage of public speaking when a boy at school, 
 and of exhorting and teaching the prisoners, and poor 
 people at their private houses, whilst at the university. 
 By these means I was kept from being daunted. As I 
 proceeded^ I perceived the fire kindled, till at last, 
 though so young, and amidst a crowd of those who 
 knew me in my childish days, I trust I was enabled 
 to speak with some degree of authority. Some few 
 mocked, but most for the present seemed struck ; and 
 I have since heard, that a complaint was made to the 
 bishop, that I drove fifteen mad the first sermon. The 
 worthy prelate wished that the madness might not be 
 forgotten before next Sunday *." 
 
 Whitfield shortly after removed to Oxford, and from 
 thence to London, where his first sermon, at Bishopgate 
 churchy fixed the attention and excited the serious sur- 
 prise of those who seemed disposed to sneer at his 
 boyish looks. But his principal field of labour, in 
 London, was at the chapel in the Tower, where he took 
 * Whitfield's Letter. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 11 
 
 great pains with the soldiers, and drew many serious 
 young men to his sermons. Matthew Henry's Com- 
 mentary on the Scriptures was the book from which he 
 derived that knowledge of scriptural theology, that 
 serious evangelical train of thinking, and that simple, 
 popular mode of instruction, for which he afterwards 
 became so deservedly renowned. He is said to have 
 studied this book literally on his knees, to have read it 
 through four times, and to have spoken of the author 
 with the most profound veneration, ever calling him the 
 great Mr. Henry. 
 
 Mr. Whitfield went to preach at Dummer, in Hamp- 
 shire, but being invited by the Wesleys to go over to 
 Georgia, to their help, he went to London, to wait on 
 General Oglethorp. During this visit to the metro- 
 polis, he frequently preached to the most numerous 
 assemblies ; for the hearers hung on the rails outside 
 the parish churches, climbed on the leads, and, after all, 
 multitudes went away unable to hear. These were new 
 scenes to the members of the Church of England ; for 
 since the days when Baxter^ Vincent, and some others 
 of the Puritans, filled the parish churches, they had 
 seldom been troubled with excessive popularity. But 
 now, the managers of all the charities in London in- 
 vited Whitfield to preach for them, and replenish their 
 exhausted coffers. Though he generally preached four 
 times on the Lord's-day, he could not comply with all 
 their invitations, Avithout procuring the use of the 
 churches on the working-days. Nine times a week he 
 preached ; and when he administered the Lord's Supper 
 before day-light, the streets were illuminated with lan- 
 terns. He refused a very lucrative curacy in London, 
 
12 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 that he might go and preach to tlie ignorant inhabitants 
 of Georgia. In the ardour of youth, when such popu- 
 larity as he enjoyed is peculiarly intoxicating, he re- 
 solved to tear himself from London, which he might 
 easily have persuaded himself was a field of usefulness, 
 superior to the deserts of America. But having deter- 
 mined on his departure, he visited first his native 
 place, and from thence made a tour to Bath and Bristol, 
 attracting, by his popular preaching, immense numbers 
 in every place, and rousing not a few to a serious solici- 
 tude for their eternal happiness. 
 
 Such popularity and zeal provoked envy, and kindled 
 opposition. Two clergymen told him, he must not 
 preach for them any more, unless he would recall a 
 part of the preface to a sermon, which he had lately 
 published on regeneration. The obnoxious sentence 
 expressed a wish, that his brethren would entertain their 
 auditories oftener with discourses on the new birth. 
 Those gentlemen must have been excessively delicate, 
 who could not bear a hint so gentle. If they objected 
 to the doctrine of the new birth, they should have in- 
 sisted on his renouncing it, as contrary to the principles 
 of their church. But, if the clergy approved of the 
 doctrine, as Mr. Whitfield preached it, surely he might 
 be allowed to express, in decent language, a wish that 
 it were more frequently taught. The Dissenters flocked 
 to church to hear Mr. Whitfield ; and some of them told 
 this zealous churchman, that if the doctrine of the 
 new birth, and justification by faith, were preached 
 powerfully in the established church, there would be no 
 Dissenters in England. Those who made this assertion 
 were probably dissenters from the ])reaching, but not 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 13 
 
 from the principles of the establishment ; for they were 
 evidently not aware of a fact, which has been proved 
 since evangelical preachers have increased in the 
 Church of England, that there are multitudes, who are 
 so deeply convinced that the whole constitution of the 
 hierarchy is unscriptural in its principles, and pernicious 
 in its tendency, that no preacher could allure them into 
 its communion. 
 
 Having parted with his London friends, amidst 
 many prayers and tears, Mr. Whitfield embarked for 
 Georgia. On the voyage he endured nmch distress 
 from the profligacy of the crew, but was shortly 
 delighted with the change which his presence and 
 counsels produced in their behaviour. " They were 
 now as regular as a church. Mr. Whitfield preached, 
 with a captain on each side of him, and soldiers all 
 around ; and the two other ship's companies, being 
 now in the trade winds, drew near and joined in the 
 worship of God. The great cabin was become a 
 Bethel, both captains were daily more and more 
 affected ; and a crucified Saviour, and the things per- 
 taining to the kingdom of God, were the usual topics 
 of their conversation. The children were catechised, 
 the soldiers were reformed, and the women exclaimed, 
 ' What a change in our Captain ! ' The bad books and 
 packs of cards, which Mr. Whitfield had exchanged 
 for bibles and religious publications, were thrown 
 overboard, and a fever which prevailed added consider- 
 ably to the general impressions of eternity*." 
 
 The cause of Methodism, which Mr. Wesley had 
 left in a dying state, was revived by the arrival of his 
 
 * Life, p. 22. 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 more popular successor. On taking an attentive survey 
 of the civil and moral condition of Georgia, Mr. Whit- 
 field determined to found an orphan hospital, in imi- 
 KX^e^L^ tation of the one which Professor Franklin had esta- 
 blished at Halle, in Saxony. But the German insti- 
 tution had been established in a cultivated, populous 
 country, and " this at the tail of the world," where it 
 was deprived of every resource. The well-meant in- 
 stitution involved Whitfield in expenses which per- 
 plexed his mind, and exposed him to severe reflections. 
 It would, indeed, have been far more prudent to have 
 abandoned the scheme as soon as its impracticability 
 became apparent ; but perseverance was the character- 
 istic of the man, and this, in particular instances, is 
 liable to degenerate into obstinacy, which led Mr. 
 Whitfield to expend upon his favourite project much 
 more than it deserved. It was, perhaps, wisely ordered, 
 to furnish him Avith a counterpoise to his dangerous 
 popularity. This scheme drew him^ also, into New 
 England, where he not only collected money for the 
 hospital, but enlarged his own knowledge of theology, 
 by an acquaintance with a class of Christians to whom 
 he afterwards owed much ; and as America could 
 never furnish sufficient donations for the charitable 
 establishment, he was induced to travel over a great 
 part of England, to solicit further aid ; so that the 
 desert to wdiich he retreated, Avas the means of intro- 
 ducing him into unbounded popularity. 
 
 On his return to England, to receive priest's 
 orders, and to collect for the orphan house, the clergy 
 received him with coldness, but the people welcomed 
 him with extravagant applause. From five of the 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 15 
 
 pulpits in which he had been accustomed to preach 
 he was now excluded, and the Bishop of London asked 
 him, whether his journals, which had been published 
 were not a little tinctured with enthusiasm ? He 
 replied, that they were written entirely for private use, 
 and published without his consent ; and he afterwards 
 confessed that he had written his journals too hastily, 
 and taken up ill reports concerning good men, espe- 
 cially the colleges and ministers of New England. 
 For this youthful fault he afterwards, with a noble 
 ingenuousness, begged pardon, both in the pulpit and 
 in the press. 
 
 The societies for reformation of manners, to which 
 the national establishment owed all its credit for serious 
 regard to religion or morals, were much respected by 
 Mr. Whitfield, at the commencement of his popularity 
 in London, and were helpful to him in promoting 
 various schemes with which his generous heart always 
 teemed. But, on his return from America, they were 
 alienated from him ; so that his friends were induced 
 to form other societies, composed of those who wished 
 for more than mere reformation of manners. They 
 hired a large room in Fetter-lane, where they frequently 
 met for religious exercises, which they considered 
 purely as social helps to religion, not suspecting that 
 they would lead to the establishment of congregations 
 and sects separate from the national church. Thus 
 originated the term society^ which still prevails among 
 the Methodists. 
 
 The formation of a new sect was daily becoming 
 more inevitable ; for Mr. Whitfield was excluded from 
 most of the parochial pulpits. After having received 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 priest's orders from Bishop Benson, at Oxford, and 
 taken a journey to Bristol, to collect for the orphans 
 in Georgia, he found himself compelled to adopt some 
 new method to prevent his usefulness from being 
 totally annihilated. " I thought," says he, " it might 
 be doing the service of my Creator, who had a moun- 
 tain for his pulpit, and the heavens for his sounding- 
 board, and who, when his Gospel was refused by the 
 Jews, sent his servants into the highways and hedges*." 
 He had often heard that the colliers in the vicinity of 
 Bristol were barbarians who had no place of worship, 
 and were so wild that no one chose to venture among 
 them. After much prayer, he went to Hannam Mount, 
 and preached to about a hundred colliers. The news 
 flew so swiftly, that the second and third time of his 
 preaching out of doors, the numbers greatly increased, 
 till the congregation was computed at twenty thousand. 
 Many of these despised outcasts, who had never been 
 in a place of worship in their lives, received the Gospel 
 with an eagerness which defies all description. Mr. 
 Whitfield was affected " by seeing the white gutters 
 made by their tears, which plentifully fell down 
 their black cheeks as they came out of their coal pits. 
 Several hundreds of them were soon brought under 
 deep convictions, which ended in a sound and thorough 
 conversion. The change was visible to all, though 
 numbers chose to impute it to any thing rather than the 
 finger of God. As the scene was quite new, and I 
 had just begun to be an extemporary preacher, it 
 occasioned many inward conflicts. Sometimes, when 
 twenty thousand people were before me, I had not, 
 
 * Life, p. 37. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 17 
 
 ill my own apprehension, a word to say. But I was 
 never totally deserted, and frequently (for to deny it 
 would be lying against God) so assisted, that I knew, 
 by happy experience, what our Lord meant by saying, 
 ' he that believeth in me, out of his belly shall 
 flow rivers of living waters.' The open firmament 
 above me, the prospect of the adjacent fields, with the 
 sight of thousands on thousands, some in coaches, some 
 on horseback, and some in trees, and at times all 
 affected and drenched in tears together, to which 
 sometimes was added the solenmity of the approaching 
 evening, quite overcame me*." 
 
 Many of the higher ranks went out of Bristol to hear 
 him, and then invited him to preach in an unconse- 
 crated spot in the city, under the blue vault of the 
 heavens. From Bristol, he went into Wales, where 
 a similar revival of religion had commenced, some 
 years before, under the ministry of the Rev. Grif- 
 fith Jones, and was now carried on by means of 
 Howel Harris, a layman. To employ laymen to preach 
 was yet far from the thoughts of even the Methodists ; 
 but when Mr. Whitfield visited many of the towns in 
 Wales, he cordially united with the man Avhom God 
 had honoured to build up his kingdom, though no 
 episcopal hand had communicated an undefined, invisible, 
 indelible something. To the multitudes who flocked 
 to hear, Mr. Whitfield first preached in English, 
 and Mr. Harris afterwards in Welsh. From Wales 
 Mr. Whitfield went to Gloucester, and as the paro- 
 chial pulpit was shut against him, he went abroad and 
 preached to thousands. The same scenes followed his 
 
 * Life, p. 58. 
 
 VOL. II. C 
 
18 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 arrival at all the principal places in that country. 
 " To wander thus about from place to place, to stand 
 in bowling-greens, at market-crosses, and in highways, 
 especially in his own country, where, had he conferred 
 with flesh and blood, he might have lived at ease ; to 
 be blamed by friends, and have every evil thing spoken 
 against him by his enemies, was, especially when his 
 body was weak and his spirits low, very trying 
 
 After a short visit to the Methodists at Oxford, the 
 cradle of the cause, he went to London, and attempted 
 to preach at Islington church, as Mr. Stonehouse, the 
 incumbent, was a friend to the rising communion ; but, 
 in the midst of the prayers, the churchwarden came 
 and demanded his licence, forbidding him to preach 
 unless he produced it. He went out, therefore, after 
 the communion service, and preached in the church- 
 yard. On the following Lord*s day, having reflected 
 on the mighty blessings which had been produced by 
 his being driven to preach out of doors, he improved 
 his exclusion from every pulpit, by going into Moor- 
 fields, and commencing that scene of labour and suc- 
 cess, which has since been so renoTOed. The public 
 notice for this new and singular measure drew such 
 numbers, as struck him with astonishment. He had 
 been threatened, that if he attempted to preach there, 
 he should not come away alive. But, though his 
 friends were soon parted from him by the violent 
 pressure, the mob, over whom he acquired great 
 ascendency, formed a lane for him ; and when the 
 table, on which he was to have mounted, was dashed 
 in pieces, he ascended a wall, and preached to the 
 
 * Life, p. 41. 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 19 
 
 listening myriads. The same evening, he went to 
 Kennington common, a short distance from London, 
 and preached to still greater crowds, who were as 
 silent and orderly as if they had been in a place of 
 worship. " Words cannot express," says Whitfield, 
 " the displays of Divine grace, which we saw, and 
 heard of, and felt^. Blackheath was afterwards added 
 to these methodistically consecrated spots, where from 
 twenty to thirty thousand are said to have assembled, 
 whose voices in singing could be heard two miles off, 
 and Mr. Whitfield's voice nearly a mile." 
 
 When this novel and surprising scene commenced 
 in England and Wales, Mr. Wesley was travel- 
 ling in Germany, for a reason which many will deem 
 sufficiently strange and romantic : he went to see 
 the place where the Christians live. On his return 
 from Georgia, the leisure and quiet of the voyage 
 afforded him an opportunity of reflecting on his own 
 state, the result of which he thus expresses. " It is 
 now two years and almost four months, since I left my 
 native country, in order to teach the Georgian Indians 
 the nature of Christianity. But what have I learned 
 myself in the mean time ? Why (what I least of all 
 suspected) that I, who went to America to convert 
 others, was never myself converted to God. I am 
 not mad though I thus speak f." Without disputing 
 the truth of the conclusion, the validity of the evidence 
 may not only be questioned, but absolutely denied ; 
 for Mr. Wesley pronounces himself unconverted, " Be- 
 cause he had not that faith, which consists in a sure 
 
 * Life, p. 43. 
 •t Wesley's Journals, vol. 48. 
 
 C 2 
 
20 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 trust and confidence which a man hath in God, that, 
 through the merits of Christ, his sins are forgiven, 
 and he reconciled to the favour of God." His bio- 
 graphers call these the words of the church of England ; 
 but the faith of the Gospel, which brings salvation, 
 consists in believing a truth that remains eternally 
 the same, whether we receive or reject it, " that there 
 is eternal life in Christ the Son of God while this 
 kind of faith, of w^hich Mr. Wesley speaks, consists in 
 believing a something which is not true, till it is be- 
 lieved — that a man's sins are forgiven. That a genuine 
 faith produces an assurance of our being reconciled to 
 God is admitted ; but this assurance is essentially dis- 
 tinct from the faith by which it is produced, and no 
 one can affirm that the man has never believed who 
 has not a sure confidence that his sins are forgiven. 
 
 Shortly after his arrival in England, Mr. Wesley 
 met with a new band of IMor avian brethren, who had 
 just arrived from Germany. With one of them, Peter 
 Bohler, he went to Oxford, and conversed largely on 
 the nature and effects of Christian faith. " By this 
 man," says Mr. Wesley, " I was, on Sunday, clearly 
 convinced of unbelief, of the want of that faith w^hereby 
 alone we are saved." But, when Peter Bohler affirmed, 
 that true faith was always accompanied wdth dominion 
 over sin, and constant peace from a sense of forgive- 
 ness, Mr. Wesley disputed warmly against him, being 
 accustomed, as he says, to " explain away the Scrip- 
 tures, which seemed to speak that language, and to 
 call all those Presbyterians who spoke otherwise." 
 His brother Charles, who had been offended with him 
 for calling himself unconverted, and for hesitating to 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 21 
 
 preach till he had faith, now adopted the same views of 
 the way of salvation, and began to enjoy the delights of 
 assurance. But the way in which John Wesley ob- 
 tained this happiness, may be learned from his own 
 narration. " In the evening, I went very unwillingly 
 to a society in Aldersgate-street, where one was reading 
 Luther's preface to the epistle to the Romans. About 
 a quarter before nine, while he was describing the 
 change which God works in the heart, through faith 
 in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed, 1 felt I 
 did trust in Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance 
 was given me that he had taken away my sins." Now, 
 beginning to preach salvation by faith, instantaneous 
 conversion, and assurance of pardon, it is not wonderful 
 that he was forbidden to preach any more in the parish 
 churches. He resolved, therefore, to retire for a time 
 into Germany, to the settlements of the Moravians. 
 After a visit to Count Zinzendorf, at Marienbourn, he 
 went to Hernhuth, where he conversed with the leaders 
 of the Moravian church, and then returned to London. 
 Different opinions will be formed of his expedition to 
 the Continent, which seems to have fixed the character 
 of Mr. Wesley's creed, and the complexion of his 
 societies. 
 
 Immediately on his return to England, he began to 
 preach the doctrine which he had learned at Hernhuth. 
 His journals discover a surprising state of mind, which 
 it is difficult to characterize ; considerable attention to 
 the sacred Scriptures, with such an abandonment to 
 impressions of mind, as would go to make the Scrip- 
 tures useless ; much scrupulous regard to the real 
 sense of Scripture, while passages are applied accord- 
 
22 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ing as they happen first to strike the eye, on opening 
 the Bible. Great success, we are told, attended his 
 preaching, and yet some are said to have been born 
 again in a higher sense, and some only in a lower. 
 In this anomalous spirit he was called to assist Mr. 
 Whitfield, who, from field preaching near Bristol, was 
 now about to return to Georgia. Mr. Wesley trod 
 in Whitfield's irregular steps at Bristol ; though he 
 confesses, that he had been so tenacious of decency and 
 order, that he should have thought the saving of souls 
 almost a sin, if not done in a church. The multitudes 
 which attended the preaching of Mr. Wesley were not 
 so numerous as those who had flocked to Mr. Whit- 
 field ; but the sudden impressions and loud cries of the 
 hearers were far greater than anything we find re- 
 corded in the life of Whitfield ; for Mr. Wesley was 
 exactly in that state of mind which welcomes the mar- 
 vellous. At a time of general impressions of religion, 
 a little encouragement from the preacher will give a 
 vogue to miraculous effects, and turn men from silent 
 retirement before God, to uttering all they feel before 
 men. Mr. Wesley having formed a place of worship, 
 called Kingswood school, near Bristol, put it into the 
 hands of trustees ; but Mr. Whitfield disapproving of 
 the plan, lest the feoffees should abuse their powder to 
 the exclusion of the Gospel, went again to Bristol, and 
 by putting Mr. Wesley in full possession of the place, 
 was himself afterwards excluded. By the large con- 
 tributions which he raised in England, Mr. Whitfield 
 established the orphan hospital in Georgia with favour- 
 able omens. He preached through a great part of 
 Noiih America, and was received with open arms by 
 
THE METHODISTS. 
 
 23 
 
 many of the ministers, and by thousands who expressed 
 their delight to see pmitanism revived by a minister 
 of the church of England. From these descendants of 
 the Puritans, he acquired a larger acquaintance with 
 the best writers in theology, which, added to their con- 
 versation, matured his gifts and graces for the ministry. 
 But on his return to England, in 1741, he says, 
 ^' What a trying scene appeared ! During my journey 
 through America, I had written two w^ell-meant, 
 though injudicious letters, against England's two great 
 favourites, the Whole Duty of Man, and Archbishop 
 Tillotson, who, I said, knew no more of religion than 
 Mahomet. Mr. John Wesley had been prevailed on 
 to preach and print in favour of perfection and universal 
 redemption, and very strongly against election, a doc- 
 trine, which I thought, and do now believe, was taught 
 me of God, therefore could not possibly recede from. 
 I had WTitten an answer, which, though revised and 
 much approved of by some judicious divines, I think 
 had some too strong expressions about absolute repro- 
 bation, which the apostle leaves rather to be inferred 
 than expressed*." 
 
 The differences between Mr. Whitfield and Wesley 
 were soon communicated to their hearers, and many 
 viewed Whitfield as a fallen star. The calvinistic 
 brother was allowed to preach, only once, in the Foun- 
 dery. Charles Wesley, who was more kind and 
 generous, less positive and arminianised, than his 
 brother, wept and prayed that the breach might be 
 prevented, but John Wesley seems to have parted from 
 his old companion with great coolness. Mr. Whit- 
 
 * Life, p. 68. 
 
24 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 field is said to have told Mr. Wesley, " You and I 
 preach a different Gospel*:" thus they turned, one to 
 the right hand, and the other to the left, so that, from 
 this time, we must view the Methodists as forming 
 two distinct sects, of which the distinguishing tenets 
 and subsequent history will be given in the following 
 sections. 
 
 Sect. 11. — The Arminian or Wesleyan Methodists. 
 
 The members of this society usually call themselves 
 the Methodists, to the exclusion of all others ; and as 
 Mr. John Wesley was the senior and leader of the 
 band, to whom the name was originally given, his fol- 
 lowers may be considered as the proper heirs to the 
 honorary legacy. Yet, since Mr. Whitfield, at length, 
 took the lead in those measures which gave a distin- 
 guishing character to the new^ communion, by striking 
 out the path of field-preaching, and employing laymen 
 to aid the exertions of the clergy, those who adopt his 
 creed protest against the monopoly of the name by the 
 Arminians. It is, how^ever, useless to conflict with 
 events which we cannot control ; and as the disciples 
 of Mr. Wesley are, in England, considered the genuine 
 Methodists, it might seem unnecessary to prefix any 
 distinguishing epithet to that name. But the word 
 having become equivocal, by the division of the 
 claimants into two distinct communions, that which 
 regards itself as the parent stock may best be distin- 
 guished by the term Arminian, which conveys to the 
 * Wesley's Journal, vol. i. p. 77. 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 
 
 25 
 
 public mind a knowledge of the points wherein these 
 differ from the other Methodists. To be called Armi- 
 nians would indeed be offensive to many, but it must 
 be presumed, that as the Wesleyans entitled their 
 periodical publication, the Arminian Magazine, they 
 cannot consider the epithet as dishonourable. 
 
 The two Methodist communions being originally 
 formed by ministers of the Church of England, who, 
 though driven from her walls, professed still to remain 
 attached to her communion, and disavowed all inten- 
 tion of forming a dissenting body, it may be inquired, 
 how came they to find a place in the History of Dis- 
 senters ? This question is answered by observing, that 
 seldom have the original founders of any religious com- 
 munity anticipated all the consequences of their con- 
 duct, or been aware to what their societies might grow. 
 The two thousand ministers, who were ejected from the 
 establishment by the Act of Uniformity, had little more 
 thought or intention of forming such a body as the pre- 
 sent dissenters, than Wesley or Whitfield had of pro- 
 ducing the modern Methodists. It is more than pro- 
 bable, however, that both these distinguished men saw, 
 before they died, that their societies would form a per- 
 manent dissent, of which the separation from the na- 
 tional church would, in course of time, be much more 
 strongly marked. 
 
 Mr. Wesley, indeed, maintained with jealousy his 
 high-church professions, and kept at a suspicious dis- 
 tance from Dissenters ; but if, in this respect, he 
 attempted to retard, in others he much accelerated the 
 progress of dissent among the Methodists. His Armi- 
 nian creed separated him at once from the great body 
 
26 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of the clergy who profess a religious adherence to the 
 doctrines contained in the formularies and articles of 
 the establishment. An ingenious man may put an 
 Arminian sense upon the seventeenth article of the 
 Church of England, as a barrister will give to an act of 
 parliament the meaning which will promote his client's 
 interest ; but to us, who have never sworn to her ortho- 
 doxy, and who are not implicated in the praise or blame 
 of what she believes, all attempts to interpret the thirty- 
 nine articles in any other than a Calvinistic sense, 
 prove nothing but the futility of established creeds, 
 which are sure at length to fall into contemptuous 
 desuetude, or to be interpreted, in defiance of all con- 
 science and honesty, in that way which happens to 
 please the prevailing party in the church. 
 
 Pelagianism, which the church of England condemns 
 in her articles, asserts that the death of Christ was in- 
 tended alike for all, and that all men have a certain 
 light, or grace, which they may by their own powers 
 improve, and that this makes the difference between 
 one man and another. Such is the creed of the Armi- 
 nian Methodists. They, of course, deny that the con- 
 version of men to the faith of the Gospel is in conse- 
 quence of the divine election, or peculiar influence, 
 distinguishing them from those who perish in their 
 sins; but maintain that it is the result of a superior 
 improvement of that general mercy and universal light, 
 which would equally have saved others had they been 
 equally diligent. 
 
 To this same influence of the human will they attri- 
 bute the continuance of religion, and the final salvation 
 of the regenerate ; for while they speak strongly of the 
 
THE WESLEYj\.N METHODISTS. 
 
 27 
 
 absolute necessity of being born again, in order to enter 
 the kingdom of heaven, they suppose that many who 
 have been regenerated, pardoned, justified, and sancti- 
 fied in a high degree, are now in hell. This is called 
 the doctrine of falling from grace. 
 
 Justification by faith alone, and the immediate for- 
 giveness of all sin, is maintained with earnest zeal by 
 this community. It was the grand sentiment which 
 Mr. Wesley learned from the Moravians, and which he 
 made the distinguishing theme of his preaching. But 
 neither their faith, nor its use in justification, accords 
 with the views of Calvinists. Mr. Wesley's notion of 
 faith, as consisting in the belief of something concern- # 
 ing ourselves, " that our sins are pardoned," we have 
 already opposed to what appears to be the scriptural 
 view of faith, — a belief of the record concerning Christ, 
 that there is eternal life for us in him. Even his kind 
 of faith, however, Mr. Wesley seems to have put in 
 the place of Christ ; for the minutes of conference say, 
 " in what sense is the righteousness of Christ imputed 
 to all men or to believers ? Answer, We do not find 
 it expressly affirmed in Scripture that God imputes the 
 righteousness of Christ to any. Although we do find 
 that faith is imputed to us for righteousness Thus, 
 with an extraordinary appearance of zeal for justifi- 
 cation by faith, and not by works, the whole doctrine is 
 
 * Wesley's Life, p. 272. It is singularly curious, that immediately 
 after this unhappy statement, it is said, the text, " as by one man's dis- 
 obedience all men were made sinners, so by the obedience of one all 
 were made righteous," we conceive, means, " by the merits of Christ, all 
 men are cleared from the guilt of Adam's actual sin." Now, this text, 
 upon which such a doctrine is built, is not in the Bible, for the words of 
 the Apostle to the Romans, v. 19, are, " by the obedience of one shall 
 many be made righteous." 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 overturned, by making our faith itself, and not Clirist, 
 the object of it, the ground of our justification. The 
 whole strain of the apostolic reasoning on this important 
 theme shows, that if we make anything of ours, either 
 actions or dispositions, the foundation of our justifi- 
 cation, we pervert the whole Gospel, from a system of 
 grace, into a covenant of works. Another question, 
 " Is not the whole dispute of salvation by faith or by 
 works a mere strife of words ? " is answered thus: " In 
 asserting salvation by faith we mean this, 1st. that par- 
 don, salvation begun, is received by faith producing 
 works; 2d. that holiness, salvation continued, is faith 
 working by love ; 3d. that heaven, salvation finished, 
 is the reward of this faith. If those who assert salvation 
 by works, or by faith and works, mean the same thing 
 (understanding by faith the revelation of Christ in us, 
 by salvation pardon, holiness, glory), we will not strive 
 with them at all. If they do not, this is not a strife of 
 words ; but the very vitals, the essence of Christianity, 
 is the thing in question.'* 
 
 As the Wesleyans accord with the Quakers in the 
 doctrine of universal light, or grace, and in that of 
 falling from grace, or the favour of God, so they both 
 agree in affirming that sinless perfection is attainable 
 in this life. One of the questions of conference asks, 
 " What is implied in being a perfect Christian ? " The 
 answer is, " The loving the Lord our God with all our 
 heart, and all our mind, and all our soul and strength. 
 Does this imply, that all inward sin is taken away ? 
 Without doubt, or how could he be said to be saved 
 from all his uncleanness, as Ezekiel xxxvi. 29*. It 
 
 * Life, p. 278. 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 29 
 
 is admitted, however, that the greater part of those 
 who have died in the faith were not thus perfectly 
 sanctified, till just before death dismissed them from 
 the world ; nor is it denied that by the sanctified, the 
 Scriptures rarely, if ever, mean those who are saved 
 from all sin ; that the inspired writers almost conti- 
 nually speak of, or to those who are justified ; and to 
 them is applied the term sanctified ; and that, conse- 
 quently, it behoves us to speak in public almost con- 
 tinually of the state of justification, but more rarely in 
 full and explicit terms concerning those who are en- 
 tirely sanctified." Hence arises the difficulty of deter- 
 mining exactly what the present Methodists mean by- 
 perfection ; for they frequently express themselves so 
 cautiously, that it should seem as if they meaned no 
 more than the scriptural idea of a Christian, whose 
 mind is well informed in all evangelical doctrines, 
 whose heart is in a considerable measure conformed to 
 the temper of Jesus Christ, so that his habitual disposi- 
 tion is holy and benevolent, his conscience enjoys a 
 peaceful sense of the divine favour, and his life is uni- 
 formly honourable to his Christian profession. But 
 Mr. Wesley's expressions, and frequently those of his 
 followers, seem to teach an absolute sinless perfection ; 
 that men may live on earth in the full possession of 
 what appears the peculiar privilege of " the spirits of 
 just men made perfect ; " with this only difference, that 
 the perfect on earth may lose their privilege and even 
 fall short of heaven itself, while the perfect in heaven 
 are irrevocably fixed in their happy state. 
 
 It must, however, be observed, that as few, even of 
 the Apostles themselves, perhaps none but John, are by 
 
30 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the Methodists supposed to have obtained the blessing; 
 so not many now pretend to have scaled this giddy 
 height. It would, indeed, be a hazardous profession, 
 exposing the hardy pretender to be stared at as a fault- 
 less monster, more rare than a phoenix ; for, in spite of 
 Mr. Wesley's assertion, that it is difficult to decide 
 whether a man is perfect or not, without the miraculous 
 discernment of spirits ; most persons would think that 
 as common sense perceives men in general to be far 
 enough from spotless innocence, so it would require no 
 supernatural perspicacity to discover one who was by 
 this attainment so completely distinguished from all the 
 rest of his species. 
 
 In point of discipline, or church government, the 
 Wesleyan Methodists profess to admire the episcopal 
 constitution of the establishment, so that Mr. Wesley's 
 ordination in the national church gave him great weight. 
 The lay preachers whom he called forth, and sent 
 thi'ough the kingdom, possessed no more power than 
 he chose to afford them, as a delegated portion of his 
 own. Of this he says, " What then is my power? It 
 is a power of admitting into, and excluding from the 
 societies under my care, of choosing and removing 
 leaders and stewards, and of receiving or not receiving 
 helpers, and appointing them when, where, and how to 
 help me*." 
 
 Since the death of their founder, the Wesleyans have 
 become a new species of Presbyterians ; for the mi- 
 nisters exercise, what is in Scotland called the power 
 of the keys, admitting members into their communion 
 and to the table of the Lord, by their sole authority ; 
 
 * Life, p. 535. 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 
 
 31 
 
 and meeting in an annnal general assembly, which is 
 called the Conference, where the preachers receive 
 their route for the subsequent year, and where all busi- 
 ness which affects the whole body is finally determined. 
 
 The whole field of Methodism is divided into dis- 
 tinct departments, termed circuits. To each of these 
 the conference appoints as many preachers as its ex- 
 tent, or number of societies may require ; and at their 
 head is placed one, who was called the assistant, because 
 he was originally chosen to assist Mr. Wesley. The 
 peculiar duties of the assistant are, 1st. to see that the 
 other preachers in the circuit behave well and w^ant 
 nothing ; 2d. to visit the classes quarterly, regulate the 
 bands, and deliver tickets ; 3d. to take in or put out 
 of the society or bands ; 4th. to keep watch-nights and 
 love-feasts ; 5th. to hold quarterly meetings and therein 
 diligently to inquire, both into the temporal and spiri- 
 tual state of each society ; 6th. to overlook the accounts 
 of all the stewards. 
 
 Besides these assistants, there are others who are 
 called the travelling preachers, many of whom are yet 
 on probation for what is termed full connexion. For 
 the gradations of ecclesiastical promotion among the 
 Methodists are thus described: — 1st. they are received 
 as private members of the society on trial ; 2d. after a 
 quarter of a year, if they are found deserving, they are 
 admitted as proper members ; 3d. when their graces or 
 their abilities are sufficiently manifest, they are ap- 
 pointed leaders of classes ; 4th. if they then discover 
 talents for more important services, they are employed 
 to exhort occasionally in the smaller congregations,, 
 when the preachers cannot attend ; 5th. if approved in 
 
32 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 this line of duty, they are allowed to preach ; 6th. out 
 of these men, who are called local preachers, are selected 
 the itinerant preachers, who are first proposed in con- 
 ference, and if they continue faithful, for four years of 
 trial, they are received into full connexion * 
 
 All those hearers of the ]\lethodists, who wish to be 
 considered members of their society, must join one of 
 the classes ; at the head of which is the most expe- 
 rienced person, who is called the class-leader, whose 
 business Mr. Wesley thus defines : " to see each person 
 in his class once a week, at least, in order to inquire 
 how their souls prosper ; to advise, reprove, comfort, or 
 exhort, as occasion may require ; to receive what they 
 may be willing to give to the poor ; to meet the minister 
 and the stewards of the society, to inform the minister 
 of any that are sick, or disorderly, and will not be re- 
 proved, and to pay to the stewards what they have re- 
 ceived of the several classes in the week preceding f 
 The classes meet together once a-week, usually in the 
 place of worship, when each one tells his experience, as 
 it is called, and gives a penny towards the funds of the 
 society : the leader concludes the meeting with prayer. 
 
 But the classes being composed of different ages and 
 sexes, the members complained that they could not 
 make known all their minds, especially concerning 
 their easily besetting sins, and the temptations by 
 which they were most exposed to danger. To remedy 
 this inconvenience, another subdivision was formed, 
 under the name of the bands. " In compliance with 
 their desire," says Mr. Wesley, " I divided them into 
 smaller companies, putting the married, or single men, 
 
 * "Wesley's Life. f Wesley's Works, vol. xv. p. 253. 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 
 
 33 
 
 and married, or single women together. The chief 
 rules of these bands run thus : In order to confess our 
 faults one to another, and pray for one another, that 
 we may be healed, we intend, 1. to meet once a week 
 at least ; 2. to come punctually at the hour appointed ; 
 3. to begin with singing or prayer ; 4. to speak, each 
 of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our 
 soul, with the faults w^e have committed, in thought, 
 word, or deed, and the temptations we have felt since 
 our last meeting; and, 5. to desire some person, 
 thence called a leader, to speak his own state first, 
 and then to ask the rest in order, as many and as 
 searching questions, as may be, concerning their state 
 and temptations*." 
 
 At certain times, the Wesleyans keep what are 
 called watch-nights, which are now almost confined to 
 the last night in each year. Another extraordinary 
 service among the Methodists is the celebration of 
 what are called love-feasts. " In order to increase in 
 them a grateful sense of all the mercies of the Lord, 
 I desired," says Mr. Wesley, " that one evening in a 
 quarter they should all come together, that we might 
 eat bread (as the ancient Christians did) wdth gladness 
 and singleness of heart. At these love-feasts (so we 
 teiTned them, retaining the name, as well as the thing, 
 which was in use from the beginning f), our food is 
 only a little plain cake and water. But we seldom 
 return from them without being fed, not only with 
 the meat that perisheth, but with that which endureth 
 to everlasting life J." 
 
 As Mr. Wesley designed to keep his societies in 
 
 * Life, p. 237. t Jude 12. $ Life, p. 238. 
 
 VOL. IL D 
 
34 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 some sense members of the church of England, the 
 Lord's Supper was not at first administered by those 
 lay-preachers whom he called to his assistance ; but 
 the Methodists were taught to communicate at their 
 parish churches, except when those episcopally ordained 
 clergymen who were in the connexion administered the 
 sacred ordinance at the Methodist chapels. But, since 
 Mr. Wesley's death, many of the Methodists, dis- 
 satisfied with receiving the Lord's Supper at the hands 
 of clergymen whom they considered unconverted, and 
 in communion with such persons as were frequently 
 found at the parochial altars, petitioned the conference 
 to grant them the indulgence of celebrating the feast 
 in their own chapels. The conference has generally 
 deemed it prudent to yield ; but these deviations from 
 the original methodism have produced in many places, 
 and especially in Bristol, much dissatisfaction, and 
 various instances of separation. It is believed also, 
 that baptism, as well as the Lord's Supper, is pretty 
 generally administered by the Methodist preachers 
 
 The history of the Arminian branch of the Metho- 
 dists, as a distinct communion, commences in the year 
 1741, when Mr. Wesley differed from his former 
 coadjutor, Mr. Whitfield, on the subject of universal 
 redemption and Christian perfection. The contro- 
 versy will be reviewed in another part of our work. 
 
 Mr. W esley being now left sole patriarch of one large 
 body, gave full scope to his talent and taste for govern- 
 ment. As he erected a chapel in Moorfields^ London, 
 on a spot where cannon had been formerly cast, it was 
 called the Foundry. This was now the head quarters 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 35 
 
 of Arminian metlioclism_, for Mr. Wesley himself had 
 a house adjoining to the chapel, and preached most 
 constantly there, while in London. But, when called 
 away to propagate his principles in other parts of the 
 kingdom, he left Thomas Maxfield to watch over the 
 society at the Foundry, and to pray with them. This 
 young man, endued with good natural abilities, and 
 considerable knowledge of the Scriptures, felt himself 
 disposed to step beyond the line of praying and private 
 exhortation prescribed to him, and to encroach upon 
 the province of his superior. His first attempts at 
 preaching were received in that flattering manner 
 which naturally encouraged him to go forward; but 
 when Mr. Wesley received from some, who were not 
 so well pleased with him, complaints of this irregularity^ 
 he hastened to London to suppress the rising evil. 
 On his arrival, however, his mother, who then resided 
 at his house near the chapel, and for whom he enter- 
 tained a sacred deference, cautioned him against 
 opposing what she called the work of God, saying to 
 him, " Thomas Maxfield is as surely called of God to 
 preach as you are." Mr. Wesley then consented to 
 hear him preach, examined into the good effects which 
 were said to have attended his public labours, and from 
 that time became a convert to lay preaching. In this 
 career, indeed, Mr. Wesley, though last, soon became 
 first. 
 
 In a similar unexpected manner, another coadjutor 
 was raised up in Yorkshire. John Nelson, a mason 
 of Birstal, in that county, having heard the Methodists 
 in London, was so deeply imbued with their principles 
 and spirit, that he hastened back to his native place, 
 
 D 2 
 
36 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to impart the joyful discovery. Such were the effects 
 of his preaching, that a large congregation was soon 
 formed of persons who had imbibed all the principles 
 of the Methodists. At the request of Nelson, Mr. 
 Wesley visited them, took them under his patronage, 
 and at length saw his societies planted throughout 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 About the same time, the founder of methodism 
 visited Newcastle upon Tyne. The Methodist system 
 of discipline, like most other ecclesiastical constitutions, 
 grew with circumstances, and was perfected by de- 
 grees. " It was not long," says Mr. Wesley, " before 
 an objection was made which had not once entered into 
 my thoughts. Is this not making a schism ? Is not the 
 joining these together, gathering churches out of 
 churches ? It was answered, if you mean only gather- 
 ing people out of buildings, called churches, it is. But 
 if you mean dividing Christians from Christians, and so 
 destroying Christian fellowship, it is not. For these 
 were not Christians before they were thus joined : most 
 of them were bare-faced heathens. The fellowship 
 you speak of never existed ; therefore it cannot be 
 destroyed. Look east or west, north or south, name 
 what parish you please — Is this Christian fellowship 
 there ? Rather are not the bulk of the parishioners a 
 mere rope of sand ? What Christian connexion is there 
 between them ?" 
 
 But now the rude, brutal kind of persecution for 
 religion, which has been the opprobium of English- 
 men ever since the Restoration, began to try the 
 Methodists, and to prove whether they possessed 
 the spirit of martyrdom, as well as of propagation, to 
 
THE WESLEY AN METHODISTS. 
 
 37 
 
 suffer with patience, as they had laboured with dili- 
 gence. That species of opposition which the Non- 
 conformists endured from the iron sceptre of an intole- 
 rant government, the Methodists have never expe- 
 rienced ; for when the mob assembled round the new 
 places of worship at Bristol, the magistrates of that 
 city soon dispersed them, and ever after ensured to the 
 new sect the quiet enjoyment of its principles and 
 worship. In London and its vicinity, indeed, the popu- 
 lace raged more violently, following Mr. Wesley and 
 his disciples with showers of stones, and, at one time, 
 almost unrooting the chapel at the Foundry. But Sir 
 John Ganson, the chairman of the Middlesex justices, 
 called on Mr. Wesley, to assure him that he need not 
 submit to endure these insults, for that the magistrates 
 had particular directions from the government to do 
 them justice, whenever they should apply for protec- 
 tion or redress. 
 
 On a tour to Birmingham and its neighbourhood, 
 Mr. Wesley endured still more severe trials. Mr. 
 Charles Wesley having been invited into Cornwall, by 
 Captain Turner, a Methodist, from Bristol, a society 
 was formed at St. Ives, which Mr. John Wesley 
 shortly after visited. But here the rector and the 
 curate of the parish, and the neighbouring gentry, set 
 the mob upon them at every opportunity ; so that many 
 of the hearers were wounded, and the preaching-house 
 rased to the ground. As usual, however, the blood 
 of the martyrs was the seed of the church ; for the more 
 they were persecuted, the more they grew ; so that 
 methodism here struck its roots deep, and spread its 
 shade over all Cornwall. 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 But the Methodists, feeling tliat they had the govern- 
 ment on their side, wisely appealed to the magistracy. 
 When they applied, in vain, to the country justices for 
 redress, they moved their cause into the Court of King's 
 Bench, where the judges invariably administered to 
 them ample justice, in such a tone as discouraged the 
 persecutors from continuing their outrages. John Nelson 
 and Thomas Beard, having been sent into the army, for 
 no other crime, either committed or pretended, than that 
 of preaching what they deemed the truth, on an appli- 
 cation to government. Nelson was released by an order 
 from the Secretary of \¥ar, but the other sunk under 
 the sufferings which he endured, and may be regarded 
 as the proto-martyr of the Methodists. 
 
 On Friday, August 24, 1744, Mr. Wesley preached, 
 for the last time, at Oxford, before the university. " I 
 am now (says he) clear of the blood of those men. 
 I have fully delivered my own soul. And I am well 
 pleased, that it should be the very day on Avhich, in the 
 last century, near two thousand burning and shining- 
 lights were put out at one stroke. Yet what a wide 
 difference is there between their case and mine ! They 
 were turned out of house and home, and all that they 
 had ; whereas I am only hindered from preaching, without 
 any other loss, and that in a kind of honourable manner, 
 it being determined that, when my next turn to preach 
 came, they would pay another person to preach for me. 
 And so they did, twice or thrice, even to the time that 
 I resigned my fellowship." 
 
 In the year 1747, Mr. Williams, one of the Methodist 
 preachers, crossed the channel, and began to preach in 
 the metropolis of Ireland. The lower classes of the 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 39 
 
 people, who were chiefly Catholics, gave him some dis- 
 tm-bance ; but as he succeeded in forming a society, he 
 sent an account of his labours to JMr. Wesley, who 
 immediately visited Dublin. But, after a short mission, 
 he left Ireland, with a society of two hundred and eighty 
 members, to the care of two preachers, Mr. Williams 
 and Mr. Trembath. Mr. Charles Wesley followed, 
 and preached in Dublin, Cork, Athlone, and Bandon. 
 The magistrates, at first, secured to them a peaceful 
 opportunity of preaching in the sister island, but they 
 soon changed their system of policy, and let loose the 
 infuriated mob, who put the faith and patience of the 
 JMethodists to a severe test. Mr. John Wesley re- 
 turned again to Ireland, accompanied by two additional 
 preachers, Mr. Meriton and Mr. Swindells. The la- 
 bours of the latter were successful, in a high degree, by 
 the conversion of Thomas Walsh, who was himself a 
 host. Having been educated in the darkness of Popery, 
 he knew the horrors of that realm of night, and when he 
 became a IMethodist, he devoted himself to the conver- 
 sion of his countrymen. Athirst for knowledge, he 
 employed night and day in the study of the original 
 languages of the Scriptures, and became a respectable 
 Hebrew scholar, which gave him great weight as a 
 preacher; but he died in the morning of his days, leaving 
 behind him a character which would adorn the records 
 of any Christian communion. 
 
 The persecution of the Irish Methodists assumed the 
 form of a state measure ; for the grand jury, at Cork, 
 made a presentment, in which they say, " We find and 
 present Charles Wesley to be a person of ill fame, a 
 vagabond, and a common disturber of his Majesty's 
 
40 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 peace ; and we pray that he may be transported. We 
 find, and present also, Thomas Williams, Robert Swin- 
 dells, with several others." Thus sanctioned, one 
 Butler, who headed the rioters, scoured the streets, day 
 and night, proclaiming, as he went, " Five pounds for 
 a swaddler's head." For Mr. Cennick, one of the first 
 Methodists, having preached in Ireland on these words, 
 " Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
 lying in a manger," the ignorant populace made no 
 scruple of mocking at the Bible and the Saviour, the 
 professed objects of their reverence, by affixing the 
 nickname of swaddler to the Irish Methodists. At 
 the Lent assizes, the preachers who were presented, 
 appeared in court, accompanied by some respectable 
 inhabitants of Cork. The judge behaved like one who 
 was worthy to fill the seat of justice. After having 
 been shown the persons presented, he called for the 
 evidence. When Butler appeared, and, in answer to 
 the first question, said he was a ballad-singer, the 
 judge desired him to withdraw, observing, that it was a 
 pity he had not been presented. No other witness 
 coming forward to criminate them, he turned to the 
 preachers, and said, " Gentlemen, there is no evidence 
 against you, you may retire. I am sorry that you have 
 been treated so very improperly. I hope the police of this 
 city will be better attended to for the time to come." 
 
 The breach between Messrs. Wesley and Whitfield, 
 which had occasioned the formation of two Methodist 
 communions, was, in some measure, healed, about the 
 year 1750, when both these eminent men met and 
 interchanged kind services. Mr. Wesley says, in his 
 journals, " On Friday, January 19th, in the evening. 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 
 
 41 
 
 I read prayers at the chapel in West Street, and Mr. 
 Whitfield preached a plain, affectionate sermon. Sun- 
 day, the 21st, he read prayers and I preached. Monday, 
 I prayed in the morning at the Foundry ; and Howel 
 Harris preached, a powerful orator by nature and 
 grace, but he owes nothing to art or education. So, by 
 the blessing of God, one more stumbling block is re- 
 moved 
 
 The increase of the Methodist preachers, who were 
 now entirely devoted to an itinerant life, having ren- 
 dered it necessary to make some provision for the edu- 
 cation of their children, Mr. Wesley was induced to 
 form the seminary at Kingswood. His biographers 
 give the following account of the institution. It was 
 intended for the children of our principal friends, that 
 they might receive a complete education in the lan- 
 guages and sciences, without endangering their morals 
 in the great schools, where vice is so prevalent. In 
 time, many of the preachers married, and had families. 
 Their little pittance was not sufficient to enable them 
 to support their children at school. The uninterrupted 
 duties of the itinerant life would not permit the father 
 to give his son the necessary education he required ; 
 and it is well known how impossible it is, in general, 
 for a mother to instruct, or even to govern a son, after a 
 given age, especially during the absence of the father. 
 On these considerations, after a few years, the school 
 was appropriated to the education of a considerable 
 number of the preachers' sons, as well as of the children 
 of private independent members. At present, the 
 sons of the preachers make about three-fourths of the 
 
 * Wesley s Life, p. 379. 
 
42 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 children. These are instructed, boarded, and clothed ; 
 and the charity is supported by an annual collection, 
 made in all the chapels belonging to the societies in 
 these kingdoms. The collection is now so increased, 
 that a few sums out of it are allowed towards the edu- 
 cation of preachers' daughters." 
 
 Mr. Walker, of Truro, in Cornwall, wrote to the 
 father of Methodism, proposing to him to give up the 
 Methodist societies to the care of those evangelical 
 clergymen in whose parishes they were formed. They 
 said to him, " If you love the church, why do you not 
 give up your people to those in the church whom you 
 yourself believe to be real ministers of Christ ? " If they 
 expected him to comply, they must have formed very 
 erroneous views of Mr. Wesley's characteristic features, 
 and greatly undervalued his penetration, which had 
 not enjoyed the instruction of so many years' unre- 
 strained labour, without producing in him the spirit of 
 a complete Dissenter from the dominant hierarchy. He 
 first objected to some things in the evangelical clergy, 
 and then pleaded, that he could not, in conscience, leave 
 the societies to them, till he was assured th ey would 
 have the same advantages for eternity, as they now 
 enjoyed; that unless the Methodists themselves were 
 also assured of this, they could not in conscience give 
 up themselves ; and that even he had no right or power 
 to dispose of them contrary to their conscience. " But 
 you plead," says Mr. Wesley, " that the Methodists 
 already belong to the clergy by legal establishment. 
 If they receive the sacrament from them thrice a year, 
 and attend their ministrations on the Lord's-day, I see 
 no more which the law requires. But, to go a little 
 
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 
 
 43 
 
 deeper into this matter of legal establishment : do you 
 think that the king and parliament have a right to pre- 
 scribe to me what pastor I shall use ? If they prescribe 
 one which I know God never sent, am I obliged 
 to receive him ? If he be sent of God, can I receive 
 him, with a clear conscience, till I know he is ? And 
 even when I do, if I believe my former pastor is more 
 profitable to my soul, can I leave him Avithout sin ? Or 
 has any man living a right to require this of me?" 
 Who will wonder that the proposed union came to no- 
 thing, or that the Wesleyan Methodists have become 
 a dissenting body, when their founder taught them so 
 much of the principles and language of dissent ? 
 
 Sect. III. — The Calvinistic Methodists. 
 
 It will be observed, that Mr. Whitfield's name is 
 not affixed to this division of the Methodists, for he may 
 be said to have founded no sect. He left, indeed, a few 
 places of worship, where his labours had collected large 
 congregations ; yet, in most instances, he was satisfied 
 with impressing upon the multitudes who flocked to 
 hear him, the importance of their salvation and the 
 excellencies of the religion of Jesus, and leaving them 
 to the constant care of those evangelical clergymen, or 
 dissenting pastors, with whom he maintained affec- 
 tionate communion. But to those distinct congregations, 
 which he raised, have been added, what is called Lady 
 Huntingdon's connexion ; for this devout peeress not 
 only built chapels in many of the principal places 
 
44 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of the kingdom, and assisted in the erection of others, 
 but also founded a college for the instruction of pious 
 young men who chose to devote themselves to the 
 ministry in this communion. 
 
 The doctrinal system held by this branch of the 
 Methodists, is sufficiently announced by the epithet 
 Calvhiutic, While both divisions of the Methodists 
 profess to believe the articles of the church of England, 
 they differ widely in their theological sentiments. The 
 Arminians, who follow Mr. Wesley, plead that the 
 articles of the establishment may be interpreted accord- 
 ing to their views, but the Calvinistic Methodists con- 
 tend that they must be intended to express what is 
 called moderate Calvinism. The article on election 
 is triumphantly adduced to prove that the followers of 
 Mr. Whitfield, hold the genuine sentiments of their 
 mother church, when in her original purity. They 
 also insist that, in condemning pelagianism and free 
 will, the established church equally renounces all con- 
 nexion with Arminian Methodists. This contest be- 
 tween the rival sects, concerning the meaning of articles 
 designed to establish uniformity of opinion in matters 
 of religion, should not surprise any one ; for the same 
 controversy reigns among the clergy within the walls 
 of the establishment. 
 
 The Calvinistic IMethodists, indeed, profess to derive 
 their creed originally from the sacred Scriptures. Yet, 
 as there are not only divisions, but sub-divisions among 
 Calvinists — some of them softening down the opinions 
 of Calvin, while others glory in the attempt to stand 
 higher than their master, — ^the Methodists who follow 
 this celebrated reformer, may in general be pronounced 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 45 
 
 high Calvinists. For this communion was formed by 
 a contention on the subject, which rendered the dis- 
 putants angry, and induced them to think that the per- 
 fection of orthodoxy lay in being at the utmost possible 
 distance from their opponents. But Calvinism is, of all 
 other systems, the most unfit to be studied in a passion, 
 or maintained out of spite. 
 
 Although Mr. Whitfield deserved the title of a 
 judicious scriptural Calvinist, impartial truth forbids 
 us to say as much for a great proportion of his followers. 
 Both of the JNIethodist communions sent forth teachers 
 exceedingly rude and uninformed ; but such men were 
 much better fitted for Arminian than Calvinistic 
 preachers. Arminianism being the conmion creed of 
 the careless world, it is readily welcomed by the carnal 
 mind, without any rigorous examination of its proofs 
 or tendencies ; for there is no difficulty in convincing 
 men of what they already believe. The opposite doc- 
 trine, however, is so opposed to the pride of reasoning, 
 and the conceit of self-importance, that it meets as 
 many opponents as hearers, and has to prove its divine 
 authority against hosts of objections, which men in 
 general regard as self-evident propositions. 
 
 Howel Harris, in Wales, warmly espoused Mr. 
 Whitfield's cause against Mr. Wesley, but his native 
 vigour and religious zeal were not guided by enlarged 
 knowledge and sound discretion. Others who were 
 raised up, like him, to wage war against the world and 
 Mr. Wesley, were uneducated men, who did not see 
 all the bearings of their own system ; and when Lady 
 Huntingdon professed to give an academical education 
 to her preachers, the demands of her societies were so 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 numerous, and there was such a rage for much preach- 
 ing, and lay preaching, that the young men were, in 
 various instances, called out, after a mere apology for 
 an education, which just served to tinge them with the 
 confidence, without imbuing them with the spirit of 
 science. Hence they formed a body of more inju- 
 dicious Calvinists than England had ever before seen; 
 for instead of the sound views which the first Puri- 
 tans derived from an extensive acquaintance with the 
 Scriptures, this new host of Calvinists affected to 
 despise those whose works would have taught them to 
 understand their own system. What wonder, then, 
 if the spirit of party induced such men to fly off 
 from Arminianism, without considering that there was 
 also an opposite error ? 
 
 The same eagerness of zeal, devoid of the light of 
 knowledge, produced a fondness for crude, allegorical 
 interpretations of the sacred Scriptures, which gained 
 them, among the raw disciples whom they called out of 
 the world, the reputation of wonderful men, at the 
 cheap rate of a wild imagination, and a voluble tongue. 
 Thus they excited disgust in the Calvinistic Dissenters, 
 and laid themselves open to the attacks of the Armi- 
 nians, who did not fail to charge their tenets with 
 antinomianism. The preponderance of Whitfield's 
 sentiments and example, indeed, preserved the Metho- 
 dists from falling at first into that ignorant perversion 
 of Calvinism, which has since withholden many of their 
 preachers from addressing sinners, or exhorting them, 
 as Christ has taught his ministers, to repent and 
 believe the Gospel." 
 
 The discipline of the Calvinistic Methodists is not 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 47 
 
 SO regular and defineable as that of the Wesleyans. 
 For while Mr. Wesley was raising a well-disciplined 
 army, his less politic brother neglected to provide for 
 the perpetuity of his name, and with generous indiffe- 
 rence to self, raised only a popular standard, around 
 which detached parties of flying troops voluntarily 
 ranged themselves. It was, therefore, not till after the 
 death of him, who alone could animate and sway the 
 mass, that the Calvinistic Methodists w^ere reduced into 
 any kind of order. Hence we can no more be ex- 
 pected to give an exact draught of this communion, than 
 to describe the illuminated disc of the moon, or to fix 
 the forms of the ever-varying clouds. 
 
 A great proportion of the Calvinistic Methodists 
 approve the forms and hierarchy of the church of 
 England ; but as they imagine that no divine model 
 is to be found in the Scriptures, they hold themselves at 
 liberty to adopt, to imitate, or to desert the established 
 communion, according as they find their spiritual wel- 
 fare injured or advanced, and feel no obligation to 
 follow the pattern of those Dissenters, who have formed 
 churches according to what appears to them the insti- 
 tution of Jesus Christ. But as Whitfield adopted the 
 doctrinal principles of the old Puritans, his follow^ers 
 more easily became Dissenters than those of Mr. 
 Wesley, who frequently communicated at the parish 
 churches, and attended on the ministration of men 
 whose character they disliked, and whose doctrine 
 they rejected. The promiscuous communion which 
 prevails in the establishment, was received into the 
 * Calvinistic Methodist chapels, where persons who were 
 not bound to the communion by any ties, were admitted 
 
48 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to the Lord's table, without previous examination. 
 This, however, w^as more early abandoned in those 
 tabernacles established by Mr. Whitfield himself ; for 
 there the dissenting mode of admission to the Lord's 
 table has been adopted ; not, however, according to the 
 views of the Independents, who require the consent of 
 the church to those who are admitted to their com- 
 munion, but according to the sentiments of Presby- 
 terians, w^ho commit the keys of the church to the 
 minister's hands. 
 
 In all the older congregations which form this branch 
 of the Methodists, they had what Avas called the Society ^ 
 which has been already noticed in the account of the 
 Wesleyans, and which answers to the church among 
 the Independents, being composed of such persons as 
 profess to have been converted by Divine Grace to the 
 faith of the Gospel_, and have been admitted by the 
 vote of the body. But in this it differs from a church, 
 that reception into the society, and admission to the 
 Lord's table, do not depend upon each other. Once 
 a week the society meets in a room adjoining the chapel, 
 when the members relate to each other their Christian 
 experience, and occasionally receive from the minister 
 a select address. In some places this society is sub- 
 divided into classes, like that among Mr. Wesley's 
 followers ; but they are not considered as an important 
 part of Calvinistic methodism, and are small in number, 
 when compared with the communicants or the hearers. 
 
 The persons who regulate the temporal affairs of 
 these congregations are called Managers, of whom 
 there are tw^o at each chapel, though only one of them 
 takes a particularly active part in the administration. 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 49 
 
 They continue for life, unless any misconduct should 
 make their removal necessary. In the tabernacles, 
 these managers choose and invite the ministers, who 
 come from different parts of the kingdom to preach, for 
 a month or six weeks. But the appointment of minis- 
 ters to all the chapels under the patronage of Lady Hun- 
 tingdon was held in her own hands, as long as she 
 lived, and is now invested in a committee for the whole 
 connexion. 
 
 The Calvinistic Methodists are chiefly found in 
 larger towns. But their places of worship are the 
 largest and most crowded of any in the kingdom, or 
 perhaps in the world ; and they are now increasing the 
 number of small chapels in the inferior towns and rural 
 parts of the island. The college established by Lady 
 Huntingdon, at Trevecca, in Wales, and since removed 
 to Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, was the only seminary 
 for the ministry which this communion could boast, till 
 within a few years, when another w^as formed at 
 Hackney, near London, for the education of those w^ho 
 are not in Lady Huntingdon's connexion. The Cal- 
 vinistic Methodist preachers have, in general, adopted 
 the bold impetuous style of address, which may be con- 
 sidered an imitation of Whitfield's pulpit eloquence^ as 
 Mr. Wesley's preachers have copied Ms dispassionate 
 manner and infantile simplicity. The official publica- 
 tion of this communion^ for some years, was the Gospel 
 Magazine, which was the rival of the Arminian Maga- 
 zine. It was, for a time, conducted by a clergyman of 
 the establishment ; and, in its literary and theological 
 character, may be regarded as an index of the mind 
 which animated this body. It was, however, dropped, 
 
 VOL. II. E 
 
50 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 after some years, and may be said to be succeeded by 
 the Evangelical Magazine, in which Independents are 
 united with IMethodists and Churchmen. 
 
 The history of this communion, like that of the Wes- 
 ley ans, commences at the time when Mr. Whitfield 
 openly protested against the Arminianism of his former 
 coadjutor. The biographers of JNIr. Wesley represent 
 the separation between the two religious champions as 
 arising from a change in Mr. Whitfield's creed ; and 
 Mr. Wesley himself attributes the breach to the letter 
 which his Calvinistic brother published on election. 
 But the creed of the Calvinist was fixed, while he 
 who, at last, determined for Arminianism, had no 
 settled opinion ; and the publications of Mr. Wesley 
 on universal redemption, and sinless perfection, w^ere 
 the forerunners and occasions of Mr. Whitfield's letter. 
 When Mr. Wesley was travelling to JVIoravia, in quest 
 of Christians, and even before that period, when he dis- 
 covered that he had never been converted, Mr. Whit- 
 field was exulting in the experience of redemption, and 
 publishing it to others with unrivalled success. He 
 had then studied with delight the Commentary of 
 Matthew Henry, while the other was consulting Law, 
 or Count Zinzendorff. Hence Mr. Whitfield was, be- 
 fore his separation from the Arminians, much caressed 
 by many of the Calvinistic Dissenters, who perceived 
 in his preaching the savour of their popular com- 
 mentator. 
 
 It is, however, more than probable that his visit to 
 the northern states of America, the region of Puritans, 
 increased his attachment to Calvinistic divines and 
 modes of expression. The descendants of the American 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 51 
 
 refugees perceived in this flaming young evangelist, 
 together with the irresistible eloquence of Apollos, his 
 want of a more perfect knowledge of divine truth, 
 which induced them to recommend to him the perusal 
 of the Puritan divines. With the ingenuousness of 
 Apollos, he complied ; and while he was confirmed in 
 the views he had before adopted, Mr. Wesley's Armi- 
 nianism becoming also more explicit and determined, 
 he felt himself roused to enter the lists against his 
 former friends*. 
 
 * In a private letter, dated from Boston, September 25th, 1740, Whit- 
 field expostulates thus with his friend: — " 1 think I have, for some time, 
 known what it is to have * righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy 
 Ghost.' These are the liberties of the children of God : but I cannot say 
 J am free from indwelling sin. I cannot see wherein the heterodoxy of 
 the article of our church consists, which says, that corruption remains 
 even in the regenerate: and if, after conversion, we can neither sin in 
 thought, word, nor deed, I do not know why our Lord taught us to pray, 
 forgive us our trespasses. I am sorry, honoured Sir, to hear, by many 
 letters, that you seem to own a sinless perfection in this life attainable. 
 I think I cannot answer your letter better than a venerable old minister 
 did a Quaker, — ' Bring me a man that has really arrived to that, and I 
 will pay his expenses, let him come from where he will.' Whether or 
 not the seventh of the Romans be applicable to a converted person (as 
 many great and eminent saints have thought) is not at all to the purpose, 
 for there are many other passages which show that a sinless perfection 
 is not attainable here below. Besides, dear Sir, what a fond conceit is it 
 to cry up perfection, and yet cry down the doctrine of final persever- 
 ance ! But these and many other absurdities you fall into because you 
 will not own election ; and you will not own election because you cannot 
 believe the doctrine of reprobation. What is there in reprobation (I can 
 see nothing) that makes it so horrid ? I see no blasphemy in holding 
 the doctrine, if rightly explained : if God might pass by all, he surely 
 might pass by some. Judge you, if it is not a greater blasphemy to say, 
 that Christ died for souls now in hell. Surely, dear Sir, you do not be- 
 lieve there will be a general gaol delivery of damned souls hereafter. 
 O that you would study the covenant of grace ! O that you were rightly 
 convinced of sin! Elisha Cole, on God's sovereignty, and Veritas 
 Redux, written by Dr. Edwards, are worth your reading : but I have 
 done. If you think so meanly of Bunyan, and other Puritan writers, I 
 do not wonder you think me wrong. I find your sermon hath had 
 expected success; it has set the nation a disputing. You will have 
 
 E 2 
 
52 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Mr. Wesley, however, had the advantage of Whit- 
 field, in being in possession of the field of action when 
 the difference was first agitated, which he took care to 
 improve, so as to entrench himself deeply, not only in 
 the power over the places of w^orship which they had 
 procured in concert, but also in the popular favour, by 
 spreading terrific reports of the horrible doctrine into 
 which Whitfield w^as fallen. Thus, when the Cal- 
 vinist returned to England, he found himself turned 
 out of doors into the open fields ; and when he attempted 
 to preach in Moorfields, he was at first attended only 
 by a handful ; multitudes passing by, with their fingers 
 in their ears, lest they should hear the horrid sound, 
 reprobation ; and others sending him word, that his fall 
 was as great as Peter's, and that some judgment would 
 overtake him. A like scene (says he) opened in 
 Bristol, where I was denied preaching in the house I 
 had founded. Busy-bodies, on both sides, blew up the 
 coals. A breach ensued ; but as both sides differed in 
 judgment, not in affection, and aimed at the glory of 
 our common Lord, though we hearkened too much to 
 tale-bearers on both sides, we were kept from anathe- 
 matizing each other." Mr. Cennick, with others of 
 the first labourers in the cause of Methodism, having 
 
 enough to do to answer pamphlets : two I have seen already. O that 
 you would be more cautious of casting lots ! O that you would not be 
 so rash and precipitate ! If you go on thus, dear Sir, how can I concur 
 with you ? — it is impossible. I must speak what I know. This I write 
 out of the fulness of my heart. I feel myself an accursed sinner. I look 
 to Christ and mourn, because I have pierced him." He then concludes 
 with a solemn fervent prayer, that God would lay proud self-confidence, 
 and every towering imagination of the creature, in the dust ; that the free 
 and sovereign grace of the incarnate God may reign unrivalled. — 
 Gospel Magazine, vol. v., p. 39. 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 53 
 
 espoused Mr. Whitfield's cause, joined with him at 
 Bristol, and assisted him to build another place at 
 Kingswood, near that of which Mr. Wesley kept pos- 
 session ; so that a congregation was established there 
 on Calvinistic principles. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Whitfield Avas ordered to attend 
 the House of Commons, to give information concerning 
 the state of the new colony of Georgia. When he 
 w^aited on the speaker, he was very kindly received, 
 and assured that there would be no persecution in 
 George II.'s reign. This animated him to adopt 
 measures for more permanent and extensive usefulness ; 
 and as the clergy of the establishment were now more 
 angry with him than ever, for avowing the sentiments of 
 Calvin, he sought a substitute for the parochial pulpits 
 from which he had been excluded. But the same 
 cause which procured him enemies, Avon to him also 
 the hearts of many zealous friends ; " for the free-grace 
 Dissenters," as Dr. Gillies, the biographer of Whit- 
 field, calls them, " stood firmly by him in this time of 
 trial ; and having procured a piece of ground in Moor- 
 fields, they erected a temporary shed to screen his 
 hearers from bad weather." As this place was de- 
 signed to last only till Mr. Whitfield returned to 
 America, it was called a tabernacle, in allusion to the 
 moveable tent constructed by divine direction for the 
 devotions of the Israelites while they were travelling in 
 the Avilderness. Mr. Whitfield did not like the site of 
 his new temple, because it was near the Foundry, 
 where Mr. Wesley was preaching alone, which gave it 
 the appearance of one altar set up against another. 
 " All was wonderfully overruled for good, and for the 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 furtherance of the Gospel. A fresh awakening imme- 
 diately began. Congregations grew exceeding large ; 
 and, at the people's desire, I sent (necessity reconciling 
 me more and more to lay preaching) for Messrs. Cen- 
 nick, Harris, Seagrave, Humphries, and several others, 
 to assist. Sweet was the conversation I had with 
 several ministers of Christ. But our own clergy grew 
 more and more shy, now they knew I was a Calvinist ; 
 though, no doubt, as Mr. Bedford told me, when going 
 to the Bishop of London, our articles are Calvinistical." 
 New scenes of usefulness opened upon him daily, and 
 invitations being sent to him from places where he had 
 never before been, he was enabled to visit them, with 
 the advantage of leaving his lay assistants to preach to 
 his own flocks. At a common, near Braintree, in 
 Essex, upwards of ten thousand persons crowded to 
 listen to his message. Having received a pressing 
 invitation to Scotland, he crossed the Tweed, in the 
 year 1741. In that country his Calvinism strengthened, 
 and increased the popularity acquired by his powers 
 of elocution. From Scotland, he went into Wales, 
 where he married Mrs. James, a widow. 
 
 The zeal which blazed forth in all his conduct, now 
 prompted him to devise a new and hazardous effort for 
 the destruction of Satan's empire. It had been the 
 custom, for many years, to erect booths in JMoorfields 
 for mountebanks, strolling players, and puppet-shows, 
 which attracted immense crowds to keep a kind of fair, 
 during what were called the holidays, which thus 
 became the most unholy days in the year. Whitfield, 
 who had long viewed this as the Vanity fair, w4iich his 
 favourite, Bunyan, had so happily described, was not 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 55 
 
 contented with sighing over the compound of madness 
 and depravity, but determined to intrude upon their 
 sports, by preaching the Gospel in the midst of the fair. 
 On Whit-Monday, at six o'clock in the morning, he 
 marched forth to the assault of this stronghold of Satan, 
 attended by a considerable number of serious persons, 
 who determined to share in his dangers, and poured 
 out their prayers for his success 
 
 His next year was spent in Scotland ; but the cause 
 
 * His text was, " As Moses lifted up ihe serpent in the wilderness, so 
 must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believelh on him 
 should not perish, but have everlasting life." His words seemed to fly 
 like pointed arrows from the bow of steel. The gazing crowd was hushed 
 to solemn silence, and, stung with conviction of guilt, began " to look at 
 him whom they had pierced, and mourn" with floods of bitter te^rs. 
 *' Being thus encouraged," says he, '* I ventured out again at noon, 
 when the fields were quite full ; and I could scarcely help smiling to see 
 thousands, when a merry-andrew was trumpeting to them, upon observ^- 
 ing me mount a stand on the other side of the field, deserting him, till 
 not so much as one was left behind, but all flocked to hear the Gospel. 
 This, together with a complaint that they had taken near twenty or thirty 
 pounds less that day than usual, so enraged the owners of the booths, 
 that when I came to preach a third time, in the evening, in the midst of 
 the sermon a merry-andrew got upon a man's shoulders, and advancing 
 near the pulpit, attempted to slash me, with a long heavy whip, several 
 times. Soon after, they got a recruitmg serjeant, with his drum, to pass 
 through the congregation. But I desired the people to make way for the 
 king's officer, which was quietly done. Finding these efforts to fail, a 
 large body, quite on the opposite side, assembled together, and having 
 got a gi'eat pole for their standard, advanced, with sound of drum, in a 
 very threatening manner, till they came near the skirts of the congre- 
 gation. Uncommon courage was given both to preachers and hearers. 
 I prayed for support and deliverance, and I was heard ; for just as they 
 approached us, with looks full of resentment, I know not by what cir- 
 cumstance, they quarrelled among themselves, threw down their staff, 
 and went their way, leaving however many of their company behind, 
 who, before we had done, were brought over, I trust, to join the besieged 
 party, I think I continued, in praying, preaching, and singing (for the 
 noise was too great, at times, to preach), above three hours. We then 
 retired to the Tabernacle, where thousands flocked. V^e had determined 
 to pray down the booths, but, blessed be God, more substantial work 
 was done. At a moderate computation, I received, I believe, a thousand 
 
56 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 was so powerfully advanced in London at the same 
 time, by means of the lay preachers, that they were 
 obliged to enlarge the Tabernacle. They were faithful 
 men, whose whole souls were consecrated to the cause 
 of religion among the Methodists, and though not 
 brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, they sat, while 
 hearing Whitfield, at the feet of such a teacher as 
 seldom failed to kindle a flame of pulpit eloquence in 
 the breasts of all who had any kind of capacity for the 
 w^ork. That would be no dull planet wdiich borrowed 
 and reflected Whitfield's light ; and it appeared to be 
 God's design, at this time, to stain the pride of all 
 human glory, by calling the refuse of mankind, by 
 means of preaching in highways and hedges, and by 
 the labours of those whom the world derided as the 
 most despicable babblers. 
 
 In Wales, Mr. Whitfield found many associates 
 among the ministers of the Gospel, some of whom were 
 eminently devoted to the interests of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, and surprisingly successful in their labours. 
 Howel Harris, a layman, was rendered the means of 
 converting several clergymen ; and the ministry of Mr. 
 Jones kindled a flame through both south and north 
 Wales. Several of the Welsh Methodist preachers 
 came into England, to assist Mr. Whitfield and his 
 fellow-labourers ; so that the congregations were kept 
 up by variety, increased by novelty, and powerfully 
 
 notes from persons under conviction ; and soon after, upwards of three 
 hundred were received into the society in one day. Some I married, 
 who had lived together without marriage. One man, who had exchanged 
 his wife for another, and given fourteen shillings to boot. Numbers, 
 that seemed, as it were, to have been bred up for Tyburn, were, at that 
 time, plucked as brands out of the burning."— Life, p. 107. 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 57 
 
 affected by the Welsh fire, displayed in the animated 
 addresses of these Cambrian brethren. 
 
 About this time, Mr. Whitfield and the Methodists 
 were attacked by the higher ecclesiastical powers. 
 Some anonymous papers, entitled, " Observations upon 
 the conduct and behaviour of a certain sect, usually 
 distinguished by the name of Methodists," had been 
 printed and circulated among the religious societies of 
 London and Westminster. Whitfield having publicly 
 challenged his enemies (who attributed to him unworthy 
 motives) to bring forward their charges in such a way 
 as would admit of a proper defence, was informed that 
 the Bishop of London was concerned in composing, or 
 revising the printed papers. In answer to a private 
 letter which he wrote to the bishop, to know whether 
 his lordship was the accuser or not, and to request a 
 copy for his own use, the bishop sent word that " he 
 should hear from him." Mr. Whitfield, therefore, 
 published an " Answer to the Observations," addressed 
 to the Bishop of London and the other prelates con- 
 cerned with him in the publication. This answer occa- 
 sioned the Rev. Mr. Church's " Expostulatory Letter " 
 to him, to which he soon replied, with thanks to the 
 author for prefixing his name ; for Whitfield, strong in 
 the purity of his motives and conduct, only wished to 
 meet his opponents in a fair field with open day-light*. 
 
 The Calvinistic Methodists now obtained a lar^e 
 accession to their strength, and a zealous propagator of 
 their sentiments, from a quarter whence it was least 
 expected, from the seat of wealth aud grandeur, in the 
 
 * Life, p. 136. 
 
58 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 person of the Countess of Huntingdon. Our readers 
 may prefer hearing of her in the words of one who pre- 
 sided in her connexion*. 
 
 * " The noble and elect Lady Huntingdon," says Dr. Haweis, in his 
 Church History, "had lived in the highest circle of fashion: by birth, 
 a daughter of the house of Shirley ; by marriage, united with the Earl of 
 Huntingdon, both bearing the royal arms of England, as descendants 
 from her ancient monarchs. From her childhood she felt serious im- 
 pressions by the sight of a child's corpse. Though no views of evan- 
 gelical truth had opened on her mind, she frequently retired for prayer; 
 and when she grew up she continued to pray that she might marry into 
 a serious family. None kept up more of the ancient dignity and decency 
 than the house of Huntingdon. With the head of that family she accord- 
 ingly became united. Lady Betty and Lady Margaret Hastings, his 
 lordship's sisters, were women of singular excellence. The zealous 
 preachers, branded with the name of Methodists, had awakened great 
 attention. Lady Margaret Hastings happening to hear them, she re- 
 ceived ' the truth as it is in Jesus,' from their ministry, and was, some 
 years after, united with the excellent Mr. Ingham, one of the first la- 
 i)ourers in this plenteous harvest. Conversing with Lady Huntingdon, 
 one day, on this subject. Lady Huntingdon was exceedingly struck with 
 a sentiment which she uttered ; that since she had known and believed on 
 the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, she had been as happy as an angel. 
 To any such sensation of happiness. Lady Huntingdon felt she was a 
 stranger. A dangerous illness having, soon after this, brought her to the 
 brink of the grave, she was greatly distressed. Hereupon she meditated 
 sending for Bishop Benson of Gloucester, who had been Lord Hunting- 
 don's tutor, to consult him. Just at that time, the words of Lady Mar- 
 garet returned strongly to her recollection, and she felt an earnest desire, 
 renouncing every other hope, to cast herself wholly upon Christ for sal- 
 vation. She instantly, from her bed, lifted up her heart to Jesus the 
 Saviour, with this importunate prayer, and immediately all her distress 
 and fear were removed, and she was filled with joy and peace in believ- 
 ing. She recovered, and devoting herself wholly to God, sent a message 
 to the Messrs. Wesleys, who were then preaching in the neighbourhood, 
 that she was one with them, wishing them success, and assuring them of 
 her determination to live for him who had died for her. The change 
 wrought on her soon became apparent, and to turn her from her Method- 
 ism, Bishop Benson was sent for. But she pressed him so hard with 
 articles and homilies, and so urged upon him the awful responsibility of 
 his station, under the great head of the church, that his temper was 
 ruffled, and he rose up in haste, lamenting that he had ever laid his 
 hands on George Whitfield, to whom he imputed, though without cause, 
 the change wrought in her ladyship. * My lord (said she), mark my 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 59 
 
 Many, who entertained strong prejudices against 
 Dissenters, and the unattractive plainness of their 
 worship, and who equally disliked Mr. Wesley's con- 
 nexion on account of their ecclesiastical tactics, classes, 
 
 words, when you come upon your dying-bed, that will be one of the few 
 ordinations you will reflect upon with complacence.' 
 
 The life of this lady was now consecrated to Christ. The poor 
 around her were naturally the first objects of her attention. These she 
 bountifully relieved in their necessities, visited in sickness, and led them 
 to their knees, praying with them, and for them. On the death of my 
 Lord Huntingdon, she was left the entire management of her children and 
 of their fortunes, which she improved with the greatest fidelity: become 
 her own mistress, she resolved to devote herself wholly to the service of 
 Christ, and of the souls redeemed by his blood. Her zealous heart em- 
 braced cordially all whom she esteemed real Christians, whatever their 
 denominations or opinions might be; but being herself more congenial 
 in sentiment with Mr. Whitfield than the Wesley s, she favoured those 
 especially who were ministers of the Calvinistic persuasion, according to 
 the literal sense of the articles of the church of England. And with an 
 intention of giving them a greater scene of usefulness, she opened her 
 house in Park-street, supposing, as a peeress of the realm, she had an 
 indisputable right to employ, as her family chaplains, those ministers of 
 the church whom she patronised. On the Lord's day, the great and 
 noble were invited to spend the evening in her drawing-room, where Mr. 
 Whitfield, Mr. Romaine, Mr. Jones, and other ministers of Christ, ad- 
 dressed to them faithfully * all the words of this life,' and were heard 
 wdth apparently deep attention. The illness of her younger son, which 
 proved fatal, led her to Brighton for sea-bathing. There her active spirit 
 having produced some awakening among the people, she erected a little 
 chapel contiguous to her house, that the Gospel might be preached to 
 them. This was so well filled that it was a third time enlarged, and the 
 success led to future exertions. Bath, the resort of fashion, beheld an 
 elegant and commodious place of worship raised by the same liberal 
 hand. Oathall, Bredby, and various other places, received the Gospel 
 by her means. At first, she confined herself to ministers of the esta- 
 blished church, but her zeal enlarging with her success, and many 
 through the kingdom beg2;ing her assistance, she purchased, built, or 
 hired large chapels for divine service. As these multiplied through Eng- 
 land, Ireland, and Wales, the ministers who had before laboured for her 
 ladyship, were unequal to the task, and some were unwilling to move in 
 a sphere so extensive, which began to be branded as irregular, and to 
 meet great opposition. As the work greatly enlarged, beyond her power 
 to supply the chapels with regular ministers. Lady Huntingdon resolved 
 to employ the same methods which Messrs. Whitfield and Wesleys had 
 
60 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 bands, and the government of a supreme patriarch, 
 were charmed with the churchified appearance of Lady 
 Huntingdon's chapels, the crimson seats, the outspread 
 eagles which formed the pulpits and reading-desks, the 
 organ's solemn peal, the much-loved surplice, and re- 
 sponses in the liturgy, together, perhaps, with the hope 
 that the odium of the cross would be lightened by the 
 pompous sound of the Right Honourable Lady Selina, 
 the Countess Dowager of Huntingdon's chapel. Hence, 
 when Mr. Whitfield returned from America, in the 
 year 1748, though he found his congregation at the 
 Tabernacle much scattered, and himself involved 
 in debts, on account of the orphan house in Georgia, 
 he Avas cheered with the intelligence that Lady Hun- 
 tingdon had ordered Howel Harris to bring him to 
 her house at Chelsea, as soon as he came on shore. 
 He went, and after he had preached twice, the countess 
 wrote to inform him that several of the nobility desired 
 to hear him. The Earl of Chesterfield, and a whole 
 circle of titled hearers, in a few days attended, and 
 were not contented with hearing once, but desired 
 that the favour might be repeated*. 
 
 pursued with so much success before. She invited laymen, of piety and 
 abilities, to exhort and keep up the congregations which she had esta- 
 blished. In order to provide proper persons for the work, she now retired 
 into Wales, where she erected, at Trevecca, a college for training up 
 young men for the ministry. As the calls were often urgent, her stu- 
 dents were too often thrust forth into the harvest before they had made 
 any considerable proficiency in the languages or sacred literature, in 
 which it had been her intention they should have been instructed. Few 
 of them knew much more than their native tongue ; yet, being men of 
 strong sense, and real devotedness to God, their ministry was greatly 
 blessed." — Haweis' Church History, vol. iii., p. 239-258. 
 
 * " I, therefore, preached again (says he) in the evening, and went 
 home never more surprised at any incident in my life. All behaved 
 quite well, and were, in some degree, affected. The Earl of Chesterfield 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 61 
 
 In the month of September, he made a tour through 
 the midland counties, and visited, at Haworth in 
 Yorkshire, Mr. Grimshaw, a clergyman who had the 
 soul, if not the sphere of a Whitfield. This good 
 man was one of those who were raised up at this time, 
 to pursue the same object, within the established pale, 
 w4iich the Methodists were aiming to accomplish in the 
 highways and hedges. They were called and con- 
 sidered Methodists, which began now to be the nick- 
 name for a Christian, and they, undoubtedly, were of 
 one soul with the new communion ; but as they did not 
 step forth from the enclosure to form any permanent 
 body, separate from the establishment, they were not 
 such Methodists as demand a section in the History of 
 Dissenters*. 
 
 Instead of the temporary tabernacle in Moorfields, 
 in 1753, Whitfield erected a building eighty feet 
 square, which his enlarged soul, and mighty powers of 
 elocution, filled for some time, when he set out again, 
 according to his own language, to range after precious 
 
 thanked me, and said, Sir, I will not tell you what I shall tell others, 
 how I approve of you, or words to this purpose. At last, Lord Boling- 
 broke came to hear, sat like an archbishop, and was pleased to say, 
 that I had done great justice to the Divine attributes in my discourse. 
 Soon afterwards, her ladyship removed to town, where I preached, 
 generally twice a week, to very brilliant auditories. Blessed be God, 
 not without effectual success on some." — Life, p. 174. 
 
 * Mr. Grimshaw may, however, be considered as an exception ; for 
 he itinerated through a great part of the surrounding country, riding an 
 astonishing number of miles, and preaching an incredible number of 
 sermons every week, till, by his ministry, a multitude of dissenting 
 churches sprang up in a country where he told a friend, that, on his 
 first arrival, looking east and west, north and south, for many miles, he 
 believed he could not see the abode of one real Christian. In the parish 
 church, where this venerable apostle constantly laboured, Mr. Whitfield 
 administered the Lord's Supper to upwards of a thousand communicants, 
 and preached in the churchyard to six thousand hearers. 
 
62 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 souls. He came to Bristol, and opened a new taber- 
 nacle. After another voyage to America, he went to 
 Norwich, and reared a tabernacle there. 
 
 In the year 1758, was raised up another mighty 
 coadjutor of the Methodists, w^ho, having regularly 
 preached for some years in the tabernacles, demands 
 special notice in the history of the progress of Calvin- 
 istic Methodism. The Rev. John Berridge, vicar of 
 Everton, in Bedfordshire, had, like many others, been 
 preaching for years in a serious, diligent manner, seek- 
 ing very sincerely to make his hearers good Christians, 
 by dint of exhortations to good works. But, as must 
 be expected, where the preacher knows not the power 
 of the Gospel on his own heart, he saw no fruit of his 
 labours. Grieved and perplexed, he was led to question 
 whether he was a Christian himself or not, which it 
 pleased God to crown with a discovery of his fallen 
 state, and of salvation by grace. Now a grand change 
 took place in his preaching ; for he burned all his old 
 sermons, as so many recipes for the composition of 
 deadly poison, and began to preach justification by 
 faith. His parishioners, on whom his former urgent 
 exhortations to good works produced no more effect 
 than on the walls of the building in which they assem- 
 bled, now began to move, like the bones in Ezekiel's 
 vision, and to live for God. Being led by a singular 
 necessity to deliver one extemporary sermon, he adopted 
 the method of preaching without notes, and then began 
 to itinerate *. 
 
 * Mr. Hicks, a clergyman at Wrestlingworth, in the neighbourhood 
 of Everton, accompanied him to Milred, where he preached to about 
 ten thousand people, in a large field. Such was the blessing which 
 
THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS. 
 
 63 
 
 Sect. IV. — The Moravians, or United Brethren. 
 
 The first of these names indicates that the communion 
 we now introduce to our readers is of foreign growth, 
 and directs us to Moravia as its original seat : the 
 additional title of the United Brethren is expressive of 
 the internal union maintained among the very different 
 materials of which it is composed. 
 
 " The unity of the evangelic brethren," the general 
 name of all the churches and missions usually called 
 Moravians, comprises three distinct classes of mem- 
 bers. The first consists of those who belong to what 
 is teraied the ancient church of the brethren, which 
 conceives itself to be superior in antiquity to all other 
 Protestants. In this class are ranged all those, who, 
 before they joined the unity, were of a communion 
 different from the two principal Protestant churches, 
 the Lutheran and the Reformed. The second class 
 of persons who compose the grand body of the united 
 brethren, consists of those who were educated in the 
 Lutheran profession. The third is formed of such as 
 have belonged to the Reformed, or Calvinistic Protestant 
 communion ; who, as well as the Lutherans, are allowed 
 to retain their former connexion. Hence it is evident, 
 that the title of United Brethren designates a body ; 
 not amalgamated by a sacrifice of opinion, in order to 
 
 accompanied the first year of his evangelical labours, that he was visited, 
 in that time, by upwards of a thousand persons under serious impressions., 
 and it is affirmed, on the best authority, that by his own and the joint 
 ministry of Mr. Hicks, about four thousand were awakened to a concern 
 for their eternal salvation, in little more than one year. Mr. Berridge 
 was at first an Arminian, and connected with Mr. Wesley, but he after- 
 wards joined the Calvinistic Methodists. — Evangelical Magazine for 
 1793, p. 17. 
 
64 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 conform to any exclusive creeds, but by the influence 
 of a certain spirit diffused through the whole mass. 
 " Living faith^ vital religion, love for the mutual com- 
 munion of Christian brethren, zeal which aims by 
 united efforts to propagate the religion of Jesus, bind 
 together," say they, these different classes of Chris- 
 tians." This communion must not, therefore, be 
 supposed to resemble an individual, composed of sub- 
 ordinate members, w^hich have no separate existence ; 
 but should be compared to a church, formed of members 
 who all retain their ow^n perfect individuality, though 
 associated to attain a common object. 
 
 The three different classes of persons who compose 
 the unity, bear among the brethren the name of tropes, 
 or tropuses, from a Greek word which signifies modes 
 of discipline. They will be better known to the 
 English reader by the term branches of the unity. To 
 each of these is appointed an administrator and hono- 
 rary president, who is considered as the patron to 
 watch for the welfare of that particular division over 
 w^hich he presides. Count Zinzendorff, wdio is usually 
 supposed to have been the patriarch of the whole 
 unity, was administrator of the Lutheran branch. 
 
 The ministers of the unity receive ordination of 
 different kinds, according to the countries in which 
 they labour. There are among them bishops who 
 confer episcopal orders, which might satisfy a Laud, 
 were it not that those who receive this apostolic grace, 
 are associated with others who are contented wdth the 
 Lutheran, or even Reformed, or Presbyterian ordination. 
 They have, indeed, discovered the way of combining 
 episcopacy wdth liberality, so that if a brother of the 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 65 
 
 ancient episcopal church shoiikl be placed in a con- 
 gregation where the minister has been ordained by 
 Presbyters, he will not hesitate to receive from bin 
 the Lord's Supper, or baptism for his children. Ab- 
 horrence of controversy is characteristic of the United 
 Brethren. 
 
 They consider the rights of an episcopal church, 
 which they enjoy, as real and valuable. Yet the 
 bishops of the unity, with the pastors and deacons 
 whom they have ordained, are subordinate to a college 
 of elders, to whom, as to safer hands than those of the 
 prelates, the synod commits the care of the whole 
 unity ; so that the bishops cannot confer orders, without 
 the permission of the elders. 
 
 To cement the union of the brethren, they convoke, 
 at certain periods, synods composed, first, of the 
 brethren who were entrusted, for a time, with the 
 general direction ; secondly, of those persons Avho are 
 at present employed in the public service of the com- 
 munity; thirdly, of deputies sent by the different con- 
 gregations. They admit, also, female elders to be 
 present, but not to vote. The business of this synod 
 is of the highest importance to the interests of the 
 unity ; for here the condition of each church and 
 mission is minutely inspected. As it is one of the 
 peculiarities of this communion to recur to a religious 
 use of the lot, to determine what is the will of God, 
 where neither Scripture nor reason decide ; " the 
 synod names and constitutes the council, called the 
 Direction of the Unity, which is elected by all the 
 members, and approved of the Lord, by casting the 
 lot." This council watches over the state of religion, 
 
 VOL. II. F 
 
66 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the education, doctrine, preaching, printing, and appoint- 
 ment to charges in the church. 
 
 Another reguhition distinguishes this society. Tiie 
 members of the church are divided, according to their 
 sex and state of life, into different classes, called 
 church bodies. Unmarried men, and those who are 
 termed lads adolescent, remain in the house of the 
 single brethren. Unmarried women, whether ehler 
 or younger, live apart in the single sisters' house. In 
 the more numerous churches, there are similar abodes 
 for the widows and widowers. They are under the 
 inspection of an elder of their own sex, and work for 
 their support. 
 
 Marriages among the Moravians are always under the 
 direction of the church. If the parties have previously 
 made no choice, the elders point out Avhom they judge 
 suitable : but where an attachment has been formed, 
 it is submitted to their final decision. When unable 
 to determine in any other way, they seek to know the 
 Divine will by casting lots, which, however, are con- 
 sidered as deciding only what shall not be done. 
 
 Since the year 1731, at the commencement of each 
 year, a collection of texts is printed for every day : to 
 each text is added a line or two of a hymn suited to 
 the subject. Thus, say they, all the churches are fed 
 with the same truths on the same day ; for the book 
 being sent through all the unity, the preachers usually 
 make it the guide of their public ministrations. 
 
 Some of their devotional meetings are occupied with 
 the reading of the Scriptures. From Christmas to 
 Easter, they read the life and death of Christ. At 
 Whitsuntide, they begin the Acts of the Apostles ; 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 67 
 
 afterwards, they read the epistles in the order in which 
 they were written. The Lord's day is filled up with 
 public services ; and on Friday evening, they meet 
 and sing a hymn in celebration of the Redeemer's 
 passion. 
 
 At the baptism of children there are three or five 
 witnesses, frequently called godfathers and godmothers, 
 who join with the minister in laying hands on the 
 infant, and pronouncing the baptismal benediction. 
 Something like exorcism, to expel the powers of dark- 
 ness, was formerly practised. 
 
 The minister officiates at the Lord's Supper in a 
 white surplice, and is assisted by the deacons in the 
 distribution of the bread, which every communicant 
 holds in his hand till all have received it, when the 
 whole company kneel and eat, while the minister re- 
 peats the words, Take, eat, this is my body which is 
 delivered for you." The time of celebration is every 
 fourth week, on a Saturday evening ; but if the busi- 
 ness of life render this time inconvenient, it is deferred 
 to the following day. Before the communion, the mi- 
 nister exhorts to self-examination, and all the assembly, 
 kneeling down, asks absolution. 
 
 On Easter-day, at the rising of the sun, the members 
 of the church hasten to celebrate the resurrection of 
 Christ, at the burying- ground, which, among the Mo- 
 ravians, is kept with religious care. The minister 
 first repeats the words of Scripture, " The Lord is 
 risen," when the assembly replies, " He is risen in- 
 deed." The preacher then reads aloud a confession of 
 faith, in the form of a prayer, in which he makes men- 
 tion of the brethren and sisters who have slept in 
 
 F 2 
 
63 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Christ, during the preceding year. The meeting con- 
 cludes Avith a petition for grace to keep the survivors in 
 eternal communion with the spirits of the just arrived 
 at perfection. 
 
 This community adopts the practice of washing each 
 other's feet, once a year, previously to the celebration 
 of the Lord's Supper. The women wash those of their 
 own sex, in a place apart ; and the men the feet of 
 their brethren. The dying receive a benediction, and 
 the imposition of the hands of the elders. In some of 
 their meetings, they give the kiss of peace, men to 
 men, women to women. 
 
 It is difficult to give an opinion concerning this sin- 
 gular body. Those who are attached to the establish- 
 ment of this country may esteem it as a sister church 
 which has preserved the venerable marks of antiquity ; 
 while Dissenters will regret to see an additional proof 
 that the waters of the sanctuary are not to be found 
 pure, till we ascend up to their source in the first 
 churches of Christ. Some will admire, as edifying 
 rites, what others will condemn as superstitious cere- 
 monies. The music and responses of their liturgy, with 
 many of their ceremonial observances, are beauties of 
 holiness, or relics of Popery. The high churchman 
 will despise the Methodistic hymns, as well as the 
 compound of Episcopalian and Presbyterian ordination, 
 both of which will charm the Methodist. Where one 
 denomination will see Christian simplicity, allied with 
 edifying modes of worship and fellowship, another will 
 behold childishness, engrafted on superstition. 
 
 That the Moravian brethren have been cruelly 
 aspersed, is well known. The charge of immorality 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 69 
 
 brought against them, has dishonoured none but their 
 accusers. The reader vrill remember, that their su- 
 perior sanctity and devotion first convinced the morti- 
 fied Wesley that he was not a Christian. As the same 
 keen-sighted observer crossed land and sea, to visit 
 their abode at Hernhutt, and see where the Christians 
 lived, the purity of their morals is placed beyond a 
 doubt, by the testimony of such a witness *. 
 
 How much is it then to be regretted that the judi- 
 cious, candid, and benevolent Jortin should speak of 
 Count ZinzendorfF, as " one of the vilest of men, the 
 infamous head of the modern Moravians f They 
 have employed, indeed, a phraseology which, to those 
 who require a rigid propriety in every religious expres- 
 sion, must appear highly exceptionable. In their hymns 
 and ancient formularies, the humanity of the Redeemer, 
 and the sufferings which he endured for our salvation, 
 are treated in a way offensive to a taste disposed to be 
 
 * It may, however, afford satisfaction to hear the additional evidence 
 of one who says, " I feel myself bound, from near forty years' acquaint- 
 ance with many of the Brethren, to speak of those whom I have known, 
 as men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and truly devoted to the work 
 and service of our crucified Lord. 1 am perfectly convinced of the un- 
 faithful reports of a Rimius, excluded from their society for immorality ; 
 as of a Warburton, a Lavington, and the translator of Mosheim, who 
 have adopted the calumnies of so prejudiced an accuser. I am informed, 
 that the impure and malignant note against the Brethren, inserted by the 
 latter in his Ecclesiastical History, he would, from a conviction of its 
 injustice, have expunged ; but the copy being shown to the author of the 
 Divine Legation, the bishop engaged him to let it stand, and there it 
 remains, a monument of the bitterness, the bigotry, and the falsehood 
 of these accusers of the Brethren. With peculiarities, perhaps some of 
 them exceptionable, yet admitting no such impure ideas as these men 
 have imputed to them, the more the principles of the Brethren are truly 
 known, and the more intimately their lives are scrutinized, the more will 
 they be acknowledged among the few faithful who follow the Lamb of 
 God." — Haweis's Church History, vol. iii., p. 177. 
 
 t Vol. ii., p. 321. 
 
70 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 fastidious. Yet their books produce an impression 
 which a pious mind wishes to perpetuate. Their wor- 
 ship is exceedingly soothing and pleasant to the senses ; 
 for their organs, of which they are very fond, are played 
 in a soft and solemn style, and their preachers are not 
 often sons of thunder. 
 
 Concerning their theological system, it is difficult to 
 speak. Calvinists or Arminians they must be, since 
 there is no neutral ground on which any one can stand. 
 But, while they refer to the confession of Augsburg as 
 their creed, they speak almost constantly of the person 
 of the Redeemer, and avoid the discussion of those 
 points on which the two grand parties in theology are 
 divided. Their habit of praying to the Son of God, 
 rather than to the Father, seems unscriptural, and con- 
 trary to that peculiar kind of honour which the inspired 
 writings teach us to pay to the Saviour. 
 
 " The crown of glory and diadem of beauty," which 
 adorns the United Brethren, is their zeal for the propa- 
 gation of the Gospel among the heathen. In this noble 
 career they have outstripped almost every other com- 
 numion ; and though they are neither numerous, nor 
 wealthy, nor powerful, they have accomplished what 
 would have seemed to require the treasures of princes. 
 
 The history of the United Brethren is a subject of 
 controversy. Many will smile at their high claims to 
 antiquity ; but as they are known to have existed ages 
 before they appeared in this country, it may be but 
 equitable to allow them a hearing. They ascend up to 
 the preaching of Paul and Titus, in Illyricum and Dal- 
 matia. When the Sclavonians rent these provinces 
 from the Greek empire, they soon adopted, as their 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 71 
 
 own, the Christian religion, which they found here. 
 The clergy of this country made a stand in behalf of 
 purity of worship ; for they united with those of Lom- 
 bardy, the native land of the Waldenses, in refusing 
 to appear at the Sixth Council of Constantinople, on 
 account of image worship, which then obtained in the 
 Greek church. 
 
 In the year 890, Bohemia and Moravia received the 
 Gospel from two Greek monks, who are thought to have 
 diffused the purer principles of the Sclavonians ; for 
 when Otho united Bohemia to his empire, and brought 
 the Greek Christians under the see of Rome, they suc- 
 ceeded in obtaining for themselves a liturgy in their 
 own tongue, and freedom from several Popish cor- 
 ruptions. In the year 1176, the Waldenses arrived in 
 Bohemia, and contributed to the preservation of pure 
 religion. After having combined purity and zeal, with 
 concealment from the rulers of the apostate church, for 
 more than two hundred years, they were discovered, in 
 1391, and dispersed by the blast of persecution. Re- 
 animated by the exhortations of one Gregory, in the 
 fifteenth century, they attempted to combine in closer 
 union, and took the name of Fratres Legis Christi, or 
 Brethren of the Law of Christ. But, perceiving that 
 they w^ere thought to be one of the new orders of 
 monks, which w^ere now springing up, they took the 
 name of brethren, and when joined wdth others from 
 Bohemia, they assumed their present title of Unitas 
 Fratrum, the Unity of the Brethren. 
 
 While they were studying truth and purity, in the very 
 bosom of ignorance, corruption, and bigotry, persecution 
 induced them to cast their eyes around, for an asylum 
 from the dragon's rage. Seeing no retreat within the 
 
72 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 sphere of their own knowledge, they sent four deputies 
 to travel, and inquire " if there were anywhere a living 
 church free from errors and superstition, and regulated 
 according to Christ's laws, with which they might 
 unite." FaiHng in this research, they resolved, that it 
 God should, in future, raise up reformers of the church, 
 they would make a common cause with them 
 
 When Erasmus began to attract the attention of the 
 Christian world, the United Brethren sent their confes- 
 sion of faith to this distinguished scholar, who, with his 
 characteristic indecision, professed to approve, but re- 
 fused to espouse their cause f. 
 
 The fame , of Luther induced the Brethren to send to 
 him John Hom and Michael Weiss. The reformer, 
 delighted to find that a people yet remained to co- 
 operate with him, hailed them as brethren, and said, 
 " Be ye apostles of the Bohemians, and I and mine 
 will be apostles of the Germans." When Calvin be- 
 came acquainted with them, he also assured them of 
 his fraternal affection. John Alasco is claimed by the 
 United Brethren as the first person who brought their 
 principles and worship into England. 
 
 At Fulneck, in Moravia, the former cure of the cele- 
 brated scholar Comenius, a company of the Brethren 
 remained, among whom a considerable revival took 
 place, in the year 1720, by means of Christian David. 
 Availing himself of their new ardour and detachment 
 i'rom the world, and reflecting on the evils which they 
 had suffered from want of toleration, he applied to 
 Nicholas Lewis, Count of Zinzendorff, who allowed 
 them to settle on his estates in Upper Lusatia. A 
 number of families were conducted thither by Christian 
 * Crantz, p. 38. t Ibid., p. 41. 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 73 
 
 David, who formed their new settlement, which they 
 called Hernhutt, or the Lord's Watch. 
 
 From this period, the Moravians date their modern 
 history. Count ZinzendorlF, after a time, joined their 
 communion, which, when other Protestants were con- 
 tenting themselves with their own privileges, laboured 
 for the conversion of the heathen. This introduced the 
 society into England. Count ZinzendorfF, visiting 
 London, in the year 1737, to confer with the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, became acquainted with General 
 Oglethorpe and the trustees of the colony of Georgia, 
 with whom he arranged measures for the establishment 
 of a IMoravian mission on the American continent. On 
 his return from Georgia, Mr. John Wesley commended 
 the Brethren as the first specimens of living Chris- 
 tianity which the world afforded ; so that, Crantz says, 
 " The Brethren were much sought for by pious per- 
 sons, who took them into the church vestries, where 
 conversations were held on religious subjects." 
 
 But, Mr. Wesley, who had introduced them into this 
 country, began to dislike many of their expressions, and 
 to meditate a separation. The causes and manner of 
 the division are differently represented by the opposite 
 parties. From this time, Mr. Wesley waged war with 
 the sect; for he not only charged them with Anti- 
 nomianism, but with a gross imposition on the govern- 
 ment, in the account which they gave of themselves to 
 parliament, and even with such immoralities as must 
 render either them or their accuser highly blameable *. 
 
 * " As for the teachers in their church, it is my solemn belief (I speak 
 it with grief and reluctance), that they are no better than a kind of Pro- 
 testant Jesuits." — Wesley's Journals, vol. ii., p. 151. 
 
74 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 When Count ZinzendorfJ' revisited England, in the 
 year 1749, he found the Brethren bitterly maligned, in 
 the press and in conversation, in the senate as well as 
 among the people. The petition which they presented 
 to parliament, to obtain for their more scrupulous mem- 
 bers exemption from oaths and bearing arms, w^as 
 therefore not carried without most violent opposition. 
 For the origin of the odium, under which the Brethren 
 laboured at this time, the reader is referred to their 
 own words *. 
 
 The death of Count Zinzendorff, in 1760, was a severe 
 loss to the Brethren. They have been accused, by Mr. 
 Wesley, w^hom some will think the last vAio should fling 
 about such accusations, of making the Count an infallible 
 head of their church. But they protest, that while they 
 honour his memory, and value his writings, they pay 
 him no other respect than is due to an eminent minister, 
 who powerfully contributed to promote the cause of 
 religion in that communion in which he lived and 
 laboured. After the death of this distinguished noble- 
 
 * " In Wetteravia, in the year 1746, the eril appeared, and spread, of 
 trifling, ridiculous, and censurable expressions, of a figurative kind, con- 
 cerning religion, which, in some, produced licentious impudence. The 
 beginning of it arose not from irreligious principles, nor did it end in 
 immoral practices. The cause of it was an extravagant and fanatic joy, 
 which gave rise to inconsiderate expressions. A joyous perfection was 
 eagerly pursued, which, however, was not attained, since the depth, both 
 of human depravity, and of the atonement and sanctification through the 
 blood of Christ, which two- fold knowledge can alone produce and pre- 
 serve a true and solid peace of mind, w^as forgotten. It was a terrible 
 sifting time. Count Zinzendorff himself is said to have adopted the 
 reprehensible language of the fanatics, with a view to win them back to 
 the soberness of truth. But the charges of immodesty brought against 
 him are thrown back on those who wrote his extemporary sermons, and 
 published them without his knowledge or consent. His utmost efforts 
 could scarcely purge the society from accusations which were industri- 
 ously propagated against them by some distinguished names." 
 
THE MORAVIANS. 
 
 75 
 
 man, the interests of the Unity were extensively pro- 
 moted by the labours of other brethren. Peter Boehler 
 is mentioned, as a burning and shining light. The 
 Brethren revere the memory of Benjamin La Trobe, 
 who has deserved well of the church, by translating into 
 English, Crantz's interesting account of the JMoravian 
 mission to Greenland. John Caldwell laboured, with 
 success, both in Scotland and Ireland. Mr. Gambold, 
 Rector of Stanton Harcourt, in Oxfordshire, resigned 
 his living, to enjoy the happiness of living wholly with 
 the Brethren, among whom he became a bishop. In 
 another way, the Church of England contributed to the 
 credit and support of the United Brethren; for Dr. 
 Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man, consented to accept 
 the office of administrator of the reformed tropus, or 
 branch of the Unity, and thus held towards the Cal- 
 vinistic and Presbyterian brethren, the same relation 
 which Count ZinzendorfF sustained towards the Lu- 
 therans. The Brethren, however, seem to have derived 
 no other advantage from his Catholicism than the ho- 
 nour of his name. 
 
76 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 
 
 Sect. I. — State of Religious Liberty during the Reign of 
 George /. 
 
 On hearing of Anne's fatal illness, the Whig lords, 
 who had retired from court, returned, unasked, and 
 resumed their places at the privy council, under the 
 profession of rallying round the constitution, and 
 securing the Protestant succession. The Tories affected 
 to welcome them at this crisis, and betrayed no symp- 
 toms of having ever entertained any serious design of 
 restoring the exiled family. But, before we discard the 
 accusation as the mere calumny of party violence, let 
 us reflect how long the Tories had been in power, and 
 ask whether they had not done all that was possible, 
 or, at least, prudent ; and whether it was not natural 
 for them, when they found their schemes blasted by 
 the death of the queen, to assume an air of innocence 
 and satisfaction, and thus pay their court to a prince 
 from whose sceptre they could not escape. In this 
 light the conduct of the defeated party seems to have 
 been viewed by George I., who, ascribing the quiet 
 possession of the throne to the active zeal of the Whigs, 
 gave them the necks of their enemies. The Duke of 
 INIarlborough returned to England, and was succeeded 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 77 
 
 ill his exile by Bolingbroke, who had proved that in- 
 fidels can persecute. 
 
 The language of the government now sanctioned 
 the former suspicions of Whigs and Dissenters, by 
 official declarations, that the late ministry were working 
 in the dark, to introduce a Popish instead of a Pro- 
 testant prince, to the ruin of the civil and religious 
 liberties of the empire. After the Stuarts had made 
 an unsuccessful effort to regain the throne, the pre- 
 amble of the land-tax bill thus addresses the king : 
 " The most implacable of your majesty's enemies will 
 not attribute the late unnatural rebellion to any one 
 act done by your majesty, since your happy accession 
 to the throne of your ancestors, but even they will 
 allow that all the mischiefs, burthens, and calamities 
 which shall attend the rebellion, are in truth owing 
 to the pernicious counsels given by some persons in 
 the late maladministration, when, under pretence of 
 procuring peace abroad, the present destructive war 
 was projected to be brought into the very bowels of 
 our native country at home, when a Popish army was 
 to be the protector of our holy religion." After such a 
 declaration, it will not be deemed wonderful that the 
 Dissenters, whose fears of future evils were heightened 
 by the sense of present sufferings, should credit the 
 worst reports of Tory machination, and expect that, 
 as they gained the toleration by the expulsion of the 
 Stuarts, they should be deprived of it by their return. 
 Had the king, however, imitated the air of unsuspect- 
 ing candour assumed by the Tories, and abstained from 
 insulting a fallen foe, he would have more completely 
 rivalled them in policy, and might have ruled a unani- 
 
78 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 mous people. But conduct so wise and magnanimous, 
 would probably have been less propitious to religious 
 liberty, to which the Tories had proved themselves 
 deadly enemies ; for if they had been admitted to a 
 share in the early councils of the House of Hanover, 
 they might have impeded the national return from its 
 retrograde course, and prevented the rescinding of 
 those acts which embittered the lives of the Dissenters. 
 To the best interests of men, therefore, it was an advan- 
 tage that George I. set himself instantly and heartily 
 to unravel the web woven by his predecessor to 
 entangle the consciences of his subjects. 
 
 As the king, immediately on his arrival, declared to 
 the Privy Council that he was determined to adhere 
 to the principles of toleration, and endeavour to unite 
 all his Protestant subjects, by affording them all equal 
 protection, he confirmed the hopes which the Dis- 
 senters had entertained. Mr. Thomas Bradbury, one 
 of their ministers, gloried in being the first man in the 
 British empire who publicly prayed for King George. 
 Mr. John Bradbury, his brother, was employed, during 
 Queen Anne's last illness, to watch the event; and 
 when he received from the Hanoverian resident, infor- 
 mation of her death, which happened on the Lord's- 
 day morning, he instantly went to Fetter-lane, where 
 Thomas Bradbury was preaching, and by holding up 
 a white handkerchief, the appointed signal, announced 
 the joyful tidings. The preacher immediately pro- 
 ceeded to offer up to heaven the prayer, as sincere as it 
 was loyal, " God save King George," and closed the 
 service, according to the custom of those days, by 
 giving out a part of the Eighty-ninth Psalm in Patrick's 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 79 
 
 version, which was admirably adapted to the impor- 
 tant occasion. The same ardent friend of civil and re- 
 ligious liberty, whose wit was as prompt as his courage 
 was undaunted, going with the dissenting ministers to 
 court, to congratulate the king on his accession, was 
 accosted by a nobleman who seeing them dressed in 
 cloaks, in which they were accustomed to appear at 
 court, asked with a sneer, " What is this, Sir^ a funeral 
 Bradbury replied, " No, my lord, it is a resurrection." 
 The Quakers also showed their attachment to the same 
 generous cause ; for George Whitehead, who pre- 
 sented their congratulatory address to the king, having 
 requested to be introduced to the Prince of Wales, said 
 to him, " If the king, thy father, and thyself do stand 
 for the toleration, for liberty of conscience to be kept 
 inviolable, God will stand by youf." 
 
 One of the first of those laws which were passed, 
 in this reign, for the extension or security of religious 
 freedom, was in behalf of the Quakers. Their affirma- 
 tion was already accepted in civil causes instead of 
 an oath. But as this was conceived to be an untried 
 and hazardous experiment in legislation, the indulgence, 
 when granted in King William's reign, was limited 
 to a certain term of years, that opportunity might be 
 afforded to ascertain whether a nation could exist^ 
 where the solemn affirmation of a man who shows so 
 much conscience as to suffer for his religion, could be 
 deemed equivalent to the oath of a profligate, whose 
 execrations and appeals to the Deity accompany every 
 sentence he utters. The result of this grave, national 
 
 * This is said to have been Lord Bolingbroke. 
 t Gough's History of the Quakers. 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 experiment was, that the Quakers, having passed honour- 
 ably through their course of probation, obtained, in the 
 year 1715, a renewal of the indulgence, without any 
 limitation of time. It must not, however, be supposed 
 that the whole nation was yet perfectly sane. There were 
 multitudes who, considering it hard not to be allowed to 
 persecute by law, determined to avenge themselves and 
 their defeated party, by setting the law at defiance, in 
 order to enjoy the luxury of Avorrying Dissenters. For 
 who could expect such a party to die without a strug- 
 gle ? With the revival of the old cry, " The church is 
 in danger," they introduced the additional remark, that 
 if the good old church of England was to be destroyed, 
 it mattered not whether by a Lutheran King, George, 
 or by a Catholic, James III. But the expiring tiger 
 was too weak to rouse the spirit of the nation by his 
 roar. The seditious pamphlets which were industri- 
 ously circulated, though not deficient in venom, wanted 
 point to sting ; for, considering the talents and learning 
 of some of the Jacobites in church and state, their 
 productions Avere contemptibly feeble and spiritless*. 
 
 * At Oxford, however, they succeeded in blowing into a flame the 
 mahce and bigotry of the populace. *' On the evening of the 28th of 
 May, in the year 1715, a great mob of scholars, and other inhabitants of 
 Oxford, rose, and gutted, as they called it, the Presbyterian meeting- 
 house, breaking all the windows, and carrying away the doors, benches, 
 wainscot, and seats, with which they made a bonfire," " Having heard 
 of their intention (says a Quaker) to use our meeting-house as they had 
 done that of the Presbyterians, an advertisement thereof was drawn up, 
 directed to the mayor and sent by a friend: the mayor was not at home, 
 but his servant promised to deliver it to him. But we obtained no 
 benefit by our application to the magistrate for protection. After the 
 meeting, we returned to our quarters, and about nine in the evening, 
 hearing a great noise of the mob at a distance, we bad soon an account 
 that they were using our meetino:-house as they had done that of the 
 Presbyterians the night before. They broke in by violence, and took 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 81 
 
 The demolition of meeting-houses was innocent 
 sport, when compared with the grand measures of the 
 party for the destruction of all liberty, civil and reli- 
 gious. A rebellion broke out in the north, and was, 
 after a time, headed by the Pretender himself, but 
 with the fatuity which seemed entailed on the counsels 
 of the family ; so that the rebels were soon crushed, 
 and many both of the leaders and the tools of the party 
 paid the forfeit of their lives. Among these was a 
 clergyman, who was drawn to the place of execution 
 in the canonical habits of the church of England, which 
 
 away all the forms and seats that were loose, and taking off the doors 
 from then* hinges, they burned them in their bonfire. They broke into 
 the dwelling-house of our ancient friend Thomas Nichol's daughter, 
 who was a widow, making great destruction, and shedding some blood. 
 From thence they went to the Baptist meeting-house, and destroyed it in 
 like manner. By the time all was over, it was two o'clock in the morn- 
 ing, and there came in to us some of the sober neighbours, who told us 
 the mob's unreasonable reasons for their violence and outrage. They 
 said that some of the low party being at a tavern in the town, drank 
 healths and confusions, and talked of burning the pictures of the late 
 queen and Sacheverel ; so that, in revenge, they gutted the Presbyterian 
 meeting-house. Their pretence for using the friends in the same man- 
 ner, was, because we voted for the low members of the present parlia- 
 ment. But it seems to have been principally intended as an act of cele- 
 brating the festival of the Restoration, it being the 29th of May, and 
 also the first day of the week, their Sunday, on which day, considering 
 the temper of the times, of which this riot is but one specimen, and the 
 spirit of many of the public teachers, and the usual topics insisted on 
 in their discourses on this day, it is rather more than probable that their 
 sermons had no tendency to allay this ferment. We went the next 
 morning to view the ruins of the meeting-house, and of our friend 
 Nichol's dwelling, and as we were at the former, I stood upon a small 
 eminence, and looking over the ruins, many scholars and other people 
 being there, I said pretty loudly, so that all might hear, Can these be the 
 effects of religion and learning ? Some of the scholars seemed ashamed, 
 and said it was the mob. But a spectator replied, You yourselves were 
 that mob, and you will be overtaken with just punishment." — Gough. 
 A kindred spirit raised similar tumults at Birmingham, Bristol, Chip- 
 penham, Reading, Norwich, and some other towns, where Dissenters 
 where insulted, and their places of worship burned, 
 
 VOL. II. G 
 
82 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 SO raised the compassion of those who had no mercy 
 on meeting-houses, that many of them sighed, sobbed, 
 and wept bitterly, and some, particularly of the softer 
 sex, snatched kisses from him as he passed by. When 
 he was removed from the sledge at Tyburn, and put 
 into a cart, he began to read his speech to the people, 
 which was soon perceived to be so inflammatory, that 
 the sheriff forbade him to proceed*. 
 
 * It was the next day printed and published, under the title of a 
 *' True Copy of the Paper delivered to the sheriffs of London, by 
 William Paul, a clergyman ; vsho was drawn, hanged, and quartered 
 at Tyburn, for high treason against his Majesty King George." After 
 observing that he was just going to appear in an eternal world, he says, 
 " I ask pardon of God and the king, for having violated my loyalty, 
 by taking most abominable oaths in defence of usurpation against my 
 lawful sovereign. King James III. You see, my countiymen, by my 
 habit, that I die a son, though a very unworthy one, of the church of 
 England. But I would not have you think I am a member of the 
 schisraatical church, whose bishops set themselves up in opposition to 
 those orthodox fathers, who were unlawfully and invalidly deprived by 
 the Prince of Orange. The next thing I have to do is, to exhort you all, 
 Christian friends, to return to your duty. Remember that King 
 James III, is your rightful sovereign. Before the revolution, you 
 thought your religion, liberties, and properties in danger, and I pray you 
 to consider how you have preserved them by rebelling. Are they not 
 ten times more precarious than ever? Is it not evident, that the revo- 
 lution, instead of keeping out Popery, has let in Atheism? Do not 
 heresies abound every day ? And are not the teachers of false doc- 
 trines patronised by the great men in the government ? This shews 
 the kindness and affection they have for the church ! And to give you 
 another instance of their respect and reverence for it: you are now 
 going to see a priest of the church of England murdered for doing his 
 duty (reading prayers in the rebel army, and praying for the Pretender 
 at Preston.) For it is not me they strike at so particularly, but it is 
 through me they would wound the priesthood, bring disgrace upon the 
 gown, and a scandal upon my sacred function. But they would do well 
 to remember, that he who despises Christ's priests, despises Christ, and 
 he who despises him, despises him that sent him. As to my body, 
 I wish I had quarters enough to send to every parish in the kingdom, to 
 testify that a clergyman of the church of England was martyred for 
 being loyal to the king." About the same time, another clergyman of 
 the church of England, Edward Bisse, was convicted at the assizes at 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 83 
 
 As Oxford was considered the nursery of these cler- 
 gymen who raised the cry of church and king (meaning, 
 by church, intolerance ; and by king, the pretender), 
 that university was strictly watched, and treated with 
 some severity. Major- General Pepper, with a strong 
 detachment of dragoons, took possession of the city, one 
 morning at day-break, declaring that he would instantly 
 shoot any of the students who should appear out of the 
 bounds of their o^vn colleges. Two or three young 
 scholars, having discovered, when wine had thrown 
 them off their guard, the bent of their inclination, by 
 uttering good Welshes for the pretender, and drinking 
 his health, it was industriously reported to the govern- 
 ment. The vice-chancellor, heads of houses, and proc- 
 tors of the university, aware of the unfavourable 
 reflections to which they were exposed, thought it 
 necessary to publish a declaration of their abhorrence 
 of seditious practices, and their determination to punish 
 all offenders to the utmost rigour of their statutes. 
 This, however, did not satisfy the ministry, who, instead 
 of treating the lads with magnanimous forbearance, 
 betrayed the soreness of a feeble mind, and sent down 
 a messenger of state to take the offenders into custody. 
 Two of them were tried in the Court of King's Bench, 
 and, being found guilty, were sentenced to walk through 
 the courts of Westminster, with a specification of their 
 crime affixed to their foreheads, to pay a fine of five 
 nobles each, to be imprisoned for two years, and to find 
 
 Wells, in Somersetshire, on four several informations against him, for 
 making his ministry the vehicle of opposition to the House of Hanover. — 
 Historic Register, for 1718. 
 
 G 2 
 
84 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 security for their good behaviour, for the term of seven 
 years after their liberation. 
 
 The administration acted an impolitic part, in seizing 
 this opportunity to vent its hatred against the whole 
 body to which the offenders belonged. Oxford now 
 had an opportunity of tasting the bitterness of popular 
 odium ; for when the university presented to his ma- 
 jesty an address of congratulation on the re-establish- 
 ment of peace, it was rejected with disdain, as the 
 disgusting pretence of hypocritical disloyalty. An 
 attempt was made to subject their statutes to the in- 
 spection of the king's counsel, but this, when argued 
 in the Court of King's Bench, was condemned by the 
 judges. The court, however, granted an information 
 against Dr. Purnel, the vice-chancellor, for his be- 
 haviour in the affair of the disorderly students, which 
 was afterwards countermanded; for, on investigation, 
 it appeared that his conduct was unexceptionable. But, 
 by order of parliament, the Oxford decree, passed in 
 the days of the Stuarts, pronouncing the doctrine of the 
 lawfulness of resistance to tyranny a damnable tenet, 
 was burned by the hands of the common hangman. 
 
 Whatever may be said of the impolicy of provoking 
 a nest of hornets, and of the injustice of making a whole 
 body accountable for the faults of some of its members, 
 it certainly is consoling to see the enemies of men's 
 dearest liberties deprived of the power to execute the 
 mischief which is in their hearts. If there are times 
 when governments cannot make all their subjects easy, 
 who would not wish that the heavy arm of power 
 should be laid on those who hate their neighbour's wel- 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 85 
 
 fare ; so that they may be at large whose principles 
 would admit others to share with them in all their pri- 
 vileges? Oxford and high church having thus ren- 
 dered themselves obnoxious to the government, were 
 exposed to the mortification of seeing the former victims 
 of intolerance bask in the sunshine of royal smiles. 
 
 Cambridge, distinguished by the liberality Avhich 
 should ever accompany science and religion, rose in 
 favour, and, taking prudent care to cultivate the good 
 opinion of the court, received some peculiar tokens of 
 kindness. The king purchased, at the price of six 
 thousand pounds, the library of Dr. Moore, the lately 
 deceased Bishop of Ely, containing about thirty thou- 
 sand valuable books, and presented them to the favoured 
 university, where they now form the best part of the 
 public library 
 
 To Dissenters, the progress of religious liberty, in 
 another direction, is more interesting. The Test and 
 Occasional Conformity Acts, and the Schism Bill, 
 
 * This, added to the circumstance of the troop of horse sent to Oxford, 
 gave occasion to the pair of well-known epigrams. 
 
 *' The king observing, with judicious eyes, 
 
 The state of both his universities, 
 
 To one he sends a regiment : for why ? 
 
 That learned body wanted loyalty. 
 To th' other, books he gave, as well discerning 
 How much that loyal body wanted learning.'" 
 Which was answered by the following : 
 
 •* The king to Oxford sent his troops of horse, 
 
 For tories own no argument hni force; 
 
 With equal care, to Cambridge books he sent, 
 
 For whigs allow no force but argument:' 
 
 The former of these jeux d' esprit has been attributed both to Dr. 
 Trapp and Mr. Wharton; and the latter epigram, which compelled even 
 Dr. Johnson to praise a Cambridge man, is ascribed to Sir William 
 Browne, the physician. 
 
86 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 which had odiously oppressed them, began now to 
 attract the attention of the government. Some mem- 
 bers of parliament having privately discoursed on the 
 breach of court promises to the Dissenters, agreed to 
 meet in order to discuss the propriety of seeking the 
 repeal of the intolerant laws. Their numbers increased 
 so rapidly, that, in March, 1717, upwards of two hun- 
 dred members of the House of Commons assembled at 
 a tavern, to deliberate concerning a repeal of the act 
 against occasional conformity. 
 
 Lord INIolesworth, Mr. Jessop, and Sir Richard 
 Steele, addressed the company, to prove the justice and 
 propriety of relieving the Dissenters of those odious 
 disabilities imposed on them in the last reign, on ac- 
 count of their zeal for the Protestant succession. They 
 urged the expediency of putting these hearty friends of 
 the king into a capacity to serve him and their country 
 in every way ; and said that they had reason to believe 
 such a bill would be very acceptable to his majesty. 
 The majority of the assembly were of this opinion ; but 
 I\Ir. Tufnel, who had consulted a person high in office, 
 and found that the court was apprehensive such a bill 
 would meet with serious opposition in the House of 
 Peers, advised the assembly to defer the measure 
 rather than risk a defeat. 
 
 Several members were of a different opinion ; and 
 Mr. Stanhope having urged the immediate introduction 
 of the bill for the repeal of the odious act, the assembly 
 agreed to meet again on the subject. At this subse- 
 quent meeting, where Lord JMolesworth was chairman, 
 an intimation was received from one of the ministers of 
 state, that most of the obstacles to the passing of the bill 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 87 
 
 were removed, which encouraged the assembly to pro- 
 ceed in preparing to introduce the business in parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 In the following April, these meetings occasioned 
 angry reflections in the House of Commons. Mr. 
 Smith, in a speech, full of reproaches on the errors of 
 the ministry, said, " Was it not an error to form parties 
 and cabals, in order to bring in a bill to repeal the act 
 against occasional conformity ? " To which, Mr. Bar- 
 rington Shute replied, that nothing, in his opinion, 
 was either more just, or more reasonable, than the re- 
 peal of the act against Dissenters ; and he could not 
 but wonder, that a gentleman who had been turned out 
 of his employment in the last reign, and restored since 
 the king's coming to the crown, should account it a 
 mistake, on the one hand, not to grant an indemnity to 
 his majesty's declared enemies, and, on the other, to bring 
 in a bill to make his majesty's undoubted friends easy. 
 Mr. Smith defended his inconsistencies, on the ground 
 of expediency, contending, that though he was for 
 allowing liberty of conscience to the Dissenters, and 
 had voted against the occasional bill, yet, now it was 
 passed into a law, it could not be repealed without dis- 
 quieting the whole nation *. 
 
 At the opening of the sessions of parliament, in 
 1717, the king thus pleaded the cause of his dissent- 
 ing friends : " I could heartily wish, that, at a time 
 when the enemies of our religion are, by all manner of 
 artifices, endeavouring to undermine and weaken it, 
 both at home and abroad, all those who are friends to our 
 present happy establishment, might unanimously concur 
 
 * Historic Register for 1717, p. 164. 
 
88 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 in some proper method for the greater strengthening 
 the Protestant interest, of ^vhich, as the Chm-ch of 
 England is unquestionably the main support and bul- 
 wark, so will she reap the principal benefit of every 
 advantage accruing by the union and mutual charity of 
 all Protestants. As none can recommend themselves 
 more effectually to my favour than by a sincere zeal 
 for the just rights of the crown and the liberties of the 
 people, so I am determined to encourage all those who 
 act agreeably to the constitution of these my kingdoms, 
 and consequently to the principles on which my go- 
 vernment is founded." The Lords, without any debate, 
 voted an address of thanks, and indicated their willing- 
 ness to accomplish the object which his majesty de- 
 clared lay near his heart. But, when a similar address 
 was moved in the Commons, the tories asked, whether 
 the church was to come over to the Dissenters, or the 
 Dissenters to the church ; and then moved, that instead 
 of employing the king's general expression, they should 
 say, " To concur in the most effectual methods for 
 strengthening the Protestant interests of these king- 
 doms, as far as the laws now in force will permit." 
 This was rejected, and the original address passed *. 
 
 The Dissenters, however, considered themselves 
 entitled to relief, not merely from the Occasional Con- 
 formity and Schism Bills, but also from the Corporation 
 and Test Acts. They considered, therefore, that as the 
 king was heartily desirous of removing the odious dis- 
 tinction between Churchmen and Dissenters, in civil 
 society, it was proper to meet and present their claim. 
 The meetings which they called through the kingdom, 
 • Conlinuation of Rapin, p. 100. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 89 
 
 in order to take the subject into consideration, were 
 generally of opinion, that they ought to seek the repeal 
 of all the invidious acts, or else let all remain till a 
 more favourable opportunity should occur. But they 
 were informed, that the king having pressed the affair 
 with his ministers, was assured by Lord Sunderland, 
 that " it was impracticable ; and that to press the re- 
 peal of the Test Act, at that time, would ruin all.'* 
 The king, therefore, told Lord Barrington, a Dissenter, 
 that if there were any hopes of carrying the whole, he 
 would not be against it ; but if, as he was assured, there 
 were no hopes, he believed the Dissenters were too 
 much his friends to insist upon a thing which might be 
 infinitely prejudicial to him, and, instead of doing them 
 any service, would only turn to their injury *. As it 
 appeared to be the wish of the king, that they should 
 now obtain what relief they could, the Dissenters 
 dropped all mention of the Test Act, receiving assur- 
 ances that it should be repealed at a future time. 
 
 On the 13th of December, when the lords had 
 just passed a bill for quieting and establishing corpo- 
 rations, by removing any disabilities which arose from 
 not having abjured the solemn league and covenant. 
 Earl Stanhope rose and said, that in his opinion a 
 thing of far greater importance, and well becoming the 
 wisdom of that august assembly, remained to be done, 
 in order to settle the minds and unite the hearts of 
 the well affected to the present happy establishment, 
 and that, for this purpose, he had a bill to offer to the 
 house, entitled, " An Act for strengthening the Pro- 
 testant Interest in these Kingdoms." A bill was then 
 
 * Gough. Belsham's History of George I. 
 
90 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 read, to repeal the law against occasional conformity 
 and the growth of schism, and some of the clauses in 
 the Corporation and Test Acts. When Lord Stanhope 
 moved the second reading of the bill, it occasioned a 
 warm debate, but he endeavoured to convince the house 
 of the propriety of restoring the Dissenters to their 
 natural rights, and rescuing them from the stigmatising 
 and oppressive laws, which had been enacted in turbu- 
 lent times, and obtained by indirect methods, for no 
 other reason but because they showed their determined 
 adherence to the Revolution and the Protestant succes- 
 sion. He was supported by the Earls of Sunderland and 
 Stamford, and opposed by Lord Buckinghamshire, and 
 several other peers. It was alleged, in general, that 
 if this bill passed into a law, instead of strengthening, 
 as its preamble pretended, it would certainly weaken 
 the church of England, by plucking off her best feathers, 
 and investing others with those offices which she then 
 exclusively enjoyed. The Earl of Nottingham ob- 
 served, that the church of England was certainly the 
 happiest church in the world, since the greatest con- 
 tradictions contributed to her support; for nothing 
 could be more contradictory than a bill to strengthen 
 the Protestant interest and the church of Eno^land, 
 which, at the same time, repeals two acts that were 
 made for her further security. 
 
 When the debate was resumed, on the 18th of 
 December, the Earl of Cholmondely said, that before 
 they proceeded any further in an affair wherein the 
 church was so nearly concerned, he thought it highly 
 proper to have the opinion of that venerable bench 
 (pointing to the bishops). This being unanimously 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 91 
 
 approved, the Archbishop of Canterbury rose, and de- 
 clared against the bill. He said, he had all imaginable 
 tenderness for well-meaning Dissenters, but endeavoured 
 to prove both that they had very little share in the merit 
 of the Revolution, and that they had abused the liberty 
 which that event afforded them. He urged that the 
 scandalous practice of occasional conformity was con- 
 sidered by the soberest part of the Dissenters them- 
 selves as censurable, and that though the law to pre- 
 vent the growth of schism might carry a face of severitj^ 
 it was needless to make an act to repeal it, since no 
 advantage had ever been taken of it against the Dis- 
 senters. Had his grace sat under the suspended sword 
 of Dionysius, while feasting on the good things fur- 
 nished by the see of Canterbury, would he have thought 
 it needless to remove the weapon, because it had never 
 fallen upon him ? 
 
 Sir William Dawes, Archbishop of York, followed 
 on the same side ; but having thrown out some reflec- 
 tions on Dr. Hoadly, Bishop of Bangor, he was 
 answered by that prelate, who said that he was so far 
 from having altered his principles, as was insinuated, 
 that both before and after he had been promoted to his 
 present station in the church, he had endeavoured to 
 bring over the Dissenters ; though he ever was of 
 opinion, that gentle means were the most effectual. 
 He showed, at large, the unreasonableness and ill 
 policy of imposing religious tests as a qualification for 
 civil or military employments, which abridges men of 
 their natural rights, deprives the state of the services 
 of many of its best subjects, and exposes the most 
 sacred institutions and ordinances to be abused by 
 
92 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 profane and irreligious persons. He confuted the 
 assertions that the Occasional Conformity and Schism 
 Bills were not persecuting laws, and affirmed, " If we 
 admit that the principle of self-defence allows us to 
 lay restraints on others in matters of religion, all the 
 persecutions of the Heathens, and even of the Popish 
 inquisition, may be justified." " As to the power of 
 which some clergymen seem so fond and so jealous," 
 said he, I own that the desire of power and riches is 
 natural to all men, but I have learned, both from 
 reason and the Gospel, that this desire should not be 
 allowed to entrench upon the rights and liberties of our 
 fellow creatures and countrymen." 
 
 The sentiments of Dr. Hoadley received the sanction 
 and support of another prelate. Dr. Kennet, Bishop 
 of Peterborough. He declared that, without reflecting 
 on his brethren for opposing this bill, he was assured 
 the repeal of the odious acts would, far from injuring 
 the church, redound to her advantage and security. 
 The evidence of history proved, that the church was 
 most safe and flourishing, when the clergy, instead of 
 affecting power which did not belong to them, were 
 tender of the rights and liberties of their fellow-sub- 
 jects; but that arbitrary measures and persecutions 
 first brought scandal and contempt upon the clergy, 
 and, at last, ruin both upon church and state. The 
 church," said Dr. Kennet, " is a term, indeed, of sacred 
 and venerable import, when properly understood ; but 
 in the mouths of bigots, or malicious and designing 
 men, it has often produced the most fatal effects. The 
 cry of the church is in danger, has often made a 
 mighty noise in the mouths of silly women and children. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 93 
 
 and been employed to carry on sinister designs. The 
 Dissenters_, though the most zealous promoters of the 
 Revolution, have hitherto been no gainers by it ; for 
 they might have enjoyed toleration under King James, 
 if they would have complied with his measures ; while 
 the establishment has gained all its present honours 
 and emoluments. To exclude Dissenters from serving 
 that government of which they are the firmest sup- 
 porters, is, (said the bishop) the grossest political 
 absurdity*. Lord Lansdowne was the most violent 
 opposer of the bill. His speech, full of stings, replete 
 with poison, proved, that only the power, not the dis- 
 position to persecute, was extinct. At length, it was 
 agreed to leave out some clauses concerning the Cor- 
 poration and Test Acts, by which concession the bill 
 passed the Lords, and was sent down to the Commons, 
 where, after some debate, it was carried by a majority 
 of two hundred and twenty-one, against one hundred 
 and seventy voices. It received the royal assent, 
 February 18th, ITlQf. 
 
 Another measure rendered this period highly pro- 
 pitious to the religious liberties of Britain. King 
 George imitated the prudent conduct of William III., 
 by selecting those clergymen who displayed the most 
 liberal principles and conciliatory temper, and placing 
 them in the first posts of dignity and influence in the 
 establishment. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley had so dis- 
 tinguished hiself in the last reign, by his rational views 
 of ecclesiastical power, that as soon as the House of 
 Hanover acceded to the throne, he was rewarded by the 
 
 * Historical Register for 1719. Belsham's History of George I., p. 123. 
 t Historical Register for 1719. 
 
94 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 see of Bangor. He had already given provocation by 
 his Preservative against the Principles and Practices 
 of the Non-jurors ;" and now he rendered himself 
 doubly odious to the party, by preaching before the 
 king, at the Chapel Royal, a sermon which explained 
 the true Nature of Christ's Kingdom." That Christ's 
 kingdom is not of this world ; that its nature, sanctions, 
 rewards, and punishments, are entirely spiritual ; that 
 the ministers of the Gospel, as such, have no right to 
 busy themselves in secular government ; and that the 
 magistrate has no real authority to punish men for 
 matters purely of a religious nature, seem to Dis- 
 senters mere truisms, so evident and so innocent, that 
 no one can, with any face, set himself to contradict or 
 persecute the believer in such doctrines. But, for 
 these principles, the convocation fell upon Dr. Hoadley 
 with more fury than could have been supposed to dwell 
 in reverend breasts. The Lower House appointed a 
 committee of six doctors, to draw up a representation 
 against those doctrines, to be laid before the archbishops 
 and bishops. When read for the approbation of the 
 house, it was unanimously passed, accusing the bishop 
 of asserting in the two obnoxious publications, prin- 
 ciples tending, first, to subvert all government and dis- 
 cipline in the church of Christ, and to reduce his king- 
 dom to a state of anarchy and confusion ; and secondly, 
 to impugn and impeach the regal supremacy in causes 
 ecclesiastical, and the authority of the legislature to 
 enforce obedience in matters of religion by civil sanc- 
 tions. To prove their charge against the bishop, they 
 quote such passages as the following : " Since the 
 church of Christ is the kingdom of Christ, he himself 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 95 
 
 is king ; and in this it is implied, that he himself is the 
 sole lawgiver to his subjects, and the sole judge of their 
 behaviour in the affairs of conscience and salvation ; 
 and in this sense, therefore, his kingdom is not of this 
 world, that he hath in these points left behind him no 
 visible human authority, no vicegerents, who can be 
 said properly to supply his place, no interpreters, upon 
 whom his people are absolutely to depend ; no judges 
 over the consciences or religion of his people. All his 
 subjects, in whatever station they may be, are equally 
 subjects to him, and no one of them, any more than 
 another, hath authority either to make new laws for 
 Christ's subjects, or to impose a sense upon the old 
 ones, which is the same thing, or to punish the ser- 
 vants of another master in matters relating purely to 
 religion." The Lower House of convocation gravely 
 asked their lordships, the bishops, " Whether the per- 
 nicious tendency, which they ascribe to the writings of 
 Dr. Hoadley, is not proved by such language, and 
 whether, if his assertions be true, all acts of govern- 
 ment in affairs of religion have not been an invasion of 
 Christ's authority, and an usurpation upon his king- 
 dom ?" 
 
 Who, indeed, can wonder that the clergy should be 
 indignant at these assertions, which were nothing less 
 than a public declaration, that the Dissenters had 
 justly claimed a liberty to form churches according to 
 their own views of the Scriptures, and that persecution 
 for this imaginary crime of schism, was the grossest 
 violation of truth, and justice, and religion ? But that 
 such sentiments should be held by a bishop of an 
 exclusive establishment, should be so honestly and 
 
96 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 boldly avowed, should be preached to a king, and re- 
 ceived at court with most decided approbation, was 
 such a triumph of Christian truth and religious free- 
 dom, as had not been seen since Dr. Owen, the 
 favourite chaplain of the protector, addressed to the 
 high court of parliament his Plea for Toleration. 
 
 While the convocation declared that the king ought 
 to be angry with these sentiments, as subversive of the 
 regal supremacy in matters ecclesiastical, his majesty 
 was so enamoured of them, that he would not suffer the 
 Lower House to carry their accusation before the 
 bishops, but sent a writ to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 commanding him to prorogue the convocation from the 
 10th of May, to the 19th of November following*. 
 How equitable was it, that those who were so deeply 
 in love with the regal authority in the church, should 
 feel it, so far as to prevent them from hurting a bishop ! 
 From the year 1665, when the clergy in convocation 
 gave up to the parliament the right of taxing their 
 order, they were ^ seldom allowed to do much business ; 
 but, since the persecution of Dr. Hoadley, they have 
 been suffered to meet only and disperse. To this, 
 several angry allusions were now made by the Tories, 
 both in church and state. When some objections were 
 raised in the House of Commons to the nomination of 
 Dr. Snape to preach before the members, because he 
 had been one of the abettors of Sacheverell, a member 
 exclaimed, " It was because he had been an opposer 
 of Hoadley." " Yet," said he, " if the court had not 
 interfered, the doctor w^ould have shown the bishop 
 fine play ; but the king having commanded his minis- 
 
 * Historic Register for 1717. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 97 
 
 ters to disband the army, they have, instead of it, dis- 
 banded the convocation." 
 
 It occasioned, indeed, angry murmurings among 
 those who longed to rule the conscience, when they 
 found themselves stripped of this power. They com- 
 plained that the convocation was become the butt of 
 ridicule to the whole nation, as an assembly which 
 could not safely be trusted together long enough to do 
 anything ; but was called to meet and disperse, like a 
 regiment of soldiers on parade. They were tortured 
 by the mortifying reflection that the assembly of the 
 Presbyterians in Scotland, and even the Quakers, and 
 other Dissenters in England, bad their constant meet- 
 ings for the settlement of their own discipline ; while 
 the church of England, which moved as the moon 
 among the smaller stars, no sooner assembled her sons, 
 than they were dispersed again by the breath of autho- 
 rity. " Why is this, it is asked, but because they are 
 voluntary societies, not incorporated with the state, 
 as we are ? whereby, if we have gained some advan- 
 tages, we have lost greater*." 
 
 But how few would resign the advantages of a con- 
 nexion with the state, in order to enjoy the " greater " 
 privileges of voluntary societies ! It is, however, not 
 true that the established clergy are deprived of civil 
 advantages which Dissenters enjoy ; for there is no law 
 to prevent clergymen from meeting for mutual con- 
 sultation. To legislate for the consciences <of men with 
 penal sanctions, the real object of ambition, is a power 
 which Dissenters cannot boast ; and, happily for Bri- 
 
 * Free and Candid Disquisitions relative to the Church of England, 
 p. 170. 
 
 VOL. II. H 
 
98 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tons, the parliament has taken away this power from 
 the convocation ; for the senate now passes all laws 
 relative to the church as well as to the state. This 
 alteration has been highly advantageous to liberty of 
 conscience, which generally felt some ill effects from 
 an ecclesiastical court, assembled to debate upon the 
 means of rearing the dignity of the sacred order upon 
 the ruins of free inquiry. 
 
 The Bangorian controversy, besides giving a death- 
 blow to the convocation, was, in other respects, favour- 
 able to the rights of conscience. Hoadley w^as so pro- 
 vokingly cool, that the enraged tories betrayed before 
 the world their defeat, by displaying the difference of 
 their spirit, while they started and flew off from his 
 weapons of celestial temper, like the fiend of darkness 
 from the touch of Ithuriel's spear. The public eagerly 
 gazed at this battle, and did not fail to profit by the 
 instructive spectacle ; for they discovered, to their con- 
 solation, that ecclesiastico-political terrors, like what 
 mariners call quaker-guns in a merchant vessel, need 
 only to be closely viewed, in order to be despised. The 
 convocation seems to have cared but little for its credit, 
 when it hazarded an attack on the sentences quoted 
 from Hoadley, w^hich, like light, bring with them at once 
 the evidence of their own worth, and of their superiority 
 to their opposite s. 
 
 The Dissenters were drawn into the controversy by 
 Dr. Snape, who, writing against the bishop, says, 
 " Awake, ye Calamys, ye Pierces, ye Bradburys : 
 what ! all in a profound lethargy, when your own ho- 
 nour and that of Calvin is thus at stake ? " James Pierce, 
 of Exeter, woke at the call, and, in a printed letter to 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 99 
 
 Dr. Siiape, entitled, " The Dissenters' Reasons for not 
 writing in behalf of Persecution," proved that the 
 Bishop of Bangor had attacked no ecclesiastical powers 
 which the Dissenters w^ere disposed to defend. He 
 showed also, that whatever veneration Dissenters enter- 
 tained for Calvin, as an eminent reformer, they neither 
 bowed to him as infallible, nor approved of all his 
 actions, but unequivocally condemned his conduct 
 towards Servetus. In this much-censured act, how- 
 ever, Pierce, who verged towards the opinions of Ser- 
 vetus rather than those of Calvin, candidly declared 
 that the latter acted as all other Protestants, as well as 
 Papists, would have done at that time, when the doc- 
 trine of toleration was unknown to the world. With 
 admirable coolness of temper, keenness of irony, and 
 elegance of style, he proved that the Dissenters were 
 delighted to see the Bishop of Bangor lay the axe to 
 the root of persecution, " w^hich," says he, " if we have 
 not yet learned to abhor, it must be confessed that the 
 high-church party has not yet treated us sufficiently 
 severely." To evince that the Dissenters were not 
 practising, as Dr. Snape insinuated, a temporary poli- 
 tical dereliction of their principles, in order to give 
 Hoadley an opportunity to sap the foundations of the 
 Church of England, their last address to the king was 
 quoted, in which they said, " our principles are, as we 
 hope, the most friendly to mankind, amounting to no 
 more than those of a general toleration to all peaceable 
 subjects, universal love and charity for all Christians, 
 and to act always in matters of religion as God shall 
 give us light*." 
 
 * Dissenters' Reasons, by James Pierce. London, 1718. 
 
 H 2 
 
100 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The parliament pursued its enlightened and liberal 
 course, by passing another bill for the extension of reli- 
 gious liberty. An act of the twelfth year of the reign 
 of Queen Anne contained a clause which breathed all 
 the unchristian bigotry of that period, by declaring that 
 no person should be capable of being guardian for the 
 poor in the city of Bristol, who should not have taken 
 the sacrament according to the rites of the Church of 
 England. This clause, which excluded the Dissenters 
 of Bristol, a highly respectable and wealthy body, from 
 all influence in managing the fund for the poor, to 
 which they so largely contributed, was now repealed. 
 But, deeply as the act was stained with barbarian pre- 
 judices, the Bishop of Bristol was not ashamed to be- 
 come its advocate, and to use all his influence, both to 
 procure a petition against the repeal, and to induce 
 several lords to join him in his opposition. The Dis- 
 senters triumphed, and left the bishop and his coadjutors 
 to record their own disgrace in the form of a protest*. 
 
 It was now once more proved, that, from the greatest 
 good, serious evils may arise. Knowledge enables 
 men to commit crimes impossible to the ignorant. 
 Religious liberty was, in the year 1721, accused of 
 generating Socinianism, heresy, and blasphemy ; be- 
 cause many fugitive pieces were published against the 
 divine inspiration of the Scripture, and all its principal 
 doctrines. One pamphlet, entitled, " A Sober Reply 
 to Mr. Higgs' Merry Argument for the Tritheistical 
 Doctrine of the Trinity," attracted peculiar attention ; 
 because it was said to have been written by an officer 
 of his majesty's household. Though the heretic was 
 * Historic Register for 1718. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 101 
 
 dismissed from his post, the mistaken friends of ortho- 
 doxy still complained that little or nothing was done to 
 punish him. 
 
 The Dean of Windsor brought into the Upper House 
 an act for the more effectual suppressing of blasphemy 
 and profaneness. The preamble of the bill set forth, 
 that many books had lately been published against the 
 Christian religion, which the laws in being were not 
 sufficient to suppress. It was, therefore, to be enacted, 
 that any person who should, by advised speaking, deny 
 certain doctrines as set forth in the thirty-nine articles 
 of the Church of England, should, over and above the 
 penalties of the statute of William III. against blas- 
 phemy, be imprisoned for several months ; unless he 
 should renounce his error, and make profession of his 
 faith in a certain prescribed form of words. It was 
 further to be decreed, that if any preacher, in any sepa- 
 rate congregation, should, by writing or advised speak- 
 ing, deny any fundamental articles of the Christian 
 religion, he should be deprived of the benefit of the 
 Toleration Act. The justices of the peace were to 
 summon any such preacher, or any person called a 
 Quaker, to appear before them, and to subscribe the de- 
 claration of his belief contained in the act, or be denied 
 the benefit of the toleration. 
 
 When the Archbishop of Canterbury moved that the 
 bill be committed. Lord Onslow declared that he was 
 as much against blasphemy as any man ; but he would 
 not vote for a law which enacted persecution, as this 
 bill did, and therefore he moved that it be thrown out. 
 The Duke of Wharton rose, and said, " I am not in- 
 sensible of the common talk concerning me, and there- 
 
102 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 fore I am glad of this opportunity to justify myself, by 
 declaring that I am far from being a patron of blas- 
 phemy, or an enemy to religion. I will not, however, 
 vote for this bill, which I believe repugnant to Scrip- 
 ture." Then pulling an old Family Bible out of his 
 pocket, he read several passages, and, as a comment 
 upon them, moved that the bill be rejected. The Earl 
 of Peterborough declared, that though he was for a 
 parliamentary king, he did not choose a parliamentary 
 God or religion ; and if the house were for such a one, 
 he ould go to Rome, and endeavour to be chosen a 
 cardinal; for he would rather sit with the conclave 
 than with their lordships, on these terms. The Bishop 
 of Peterborough, also, declared that he would never be 
 the executioner of such a law, which seemed to lead to 
 the setting up of an inquisition. 
 
 But the Bishops of London Winchester, and Lich- 
 field and Coventry, with several lay lords, voted for 
 this Protestant inquisition. One of the peers said, 
 that he believed the calamity of the South Sea project, 
 which then blasted the credit and destroyed the peace 
 of the country, was a judgment of God upon the blas- 
 phemy and profaneness of the nation. To which Lord 
 Onslow replied, " Certainly, the peer who made that 
 remark, must have been a great sinner ; lor it is said, 
 he has been a great sufferer by the South Sea scheme." 
 The bill was thrown out by a great majority. 
 
 Cordial attachment to the great doctrines which this 
 bill was designed to guard, as well as love for truth in 
 general, and jealousy for the rights of private judgment, 
 should induce every one to rejoice in the failure of this 
 mistaken project. The being of a God, the divinity of 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 103 
 
 Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the divine inspiration of 
 the Scriptures, needed not this act of parliament to 
 secure the belief of them among men. The provisions 
 of the act were as iniquitous as the whole design was 
 useless. To oblige men to hold certain doctrines, as 
 they are set forth in the articles of the Church of Eng- 
 land, wherein is this less papistical and inquisitorial than 
 to compel them to believe as the council of Trent de- 
 crees ? But to condemn men to imprisonment for assert- 
 ing their sentiments in common conversation ; to sum- 
 mon preachers to give an account of their theology to a 
 country justice ; to oblige millions of men to subscribe 
 to the words which a few scores of politicians have dic- 
 tated on the most abstruse questions in divinity, was a 
 compound of folly and iniquity which no ingenuity can 
 brand with a name sufficiently opprobrious. 
 
 But the liberality of the government, not of the 
 times, was further displayed in an extension of the in- 
 dulgence granted to the Quakers. One of the Friends 
 had written a letter to the king, and a petition was 
 presented to the legislature, to alter the form of their 
 affirmation, because some of their members thought the 
 words, " In the presence of Almighty God," equivalent 
 to an oath. Thomas Story, being introduced to the 
 Secretary of State, said, that the favour which the go- 
 vernment intended to the Quakers, in perpetuating the 
 Affirmation Act, as it then stood, was rendered nu- 
 gatory to many of their Friends, who could not avail 
 themselves of it, because they thought the words of the 
 act contrary to the law of Christ concerning an oath. 
 He then produced the form, and afterwards read that 
 to which the yearly meeting had agreed. The Earl of 
 
104 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Sunderland said to him, " You might have had the 
 latter, as soon as the former." 
 
 The king and the ministry being satisfied, a bill was 
 brought into the House of Commons, to grant relief to 
 the Quakers, by altering their affirmation into the fol- 
 lowing words : " I solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm 
 and declare." Though it had passed without difficulty 
 till it came to the House of Lords, it there encountered 
 violent opposition. Atterbury said, " I do not know 
 Avhy such indulgence should be given to a people who 
 are hardly Christians." To which a northern peer 
 replied, " I wonder that the reverend prelate should 
 doubt whether the Quakers are Christians or not, since 
 they are so, at least, by act of parliament, being included 
 in the Toleration Act, under the general name of Pro- 
 testant Dissenters." At this the bishop took fire, 
 thinking it a sneer at the Church of England, which 
 was created by act of parliament. 
 
 But when the lords were going into a committee on 
 the bill, they were unexpectedly presented, by the 
 Archbishop of York, with a petition from some who 
 called themselves " the clergy in and about London." 
 It stated, that the bill might much affect the property 
 of the subject, and the legal maintenance of the clergy 
 by tithes ; because the people called Quakers pre- 
 tend to deny the payment of tithes upon conscience ; 
 and therefore may be under a strong inducement to 
 ease their consciences in one Avay, by violating them 
 in another." The reverend petitioners tell the legis- 
 lature that government cannot be administered without 
 oaths. " But," say they, that which chiefly moves your 
 petitioners to apply to your lordships, is their serious 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 105 
 
 concern lest the minds of good men should be grieved 
 and wounded, and the enemies of Christianity triumph, 
 when they shall see such condescension made by a 
 Christian legislature to a set of men who renounce the 
 divine institutions of Christ, particularly that by which 
 the faithful are initiated into his religion, and denomi- 
 nated Christians, and who cannot, on this account, be 
 deemed worthy of that sacred name." They also ex- 
 press their Christian solicitude, lest multitudes should 
 turn Quakers, in order to screen themselves from oaths. 
 Did these clergymen expect the peers to believe, that 
 they who showed so much selfishness, in preferring the 
 security of their tithes to the peace of the Quakers' con- 
 sciences, and so much malevolence in branding the 
 Quakers for heathens, were, in reality, so full of bene- 
 volence, as to be chiefly moved with a fear lest the 
 minds of good men should be grieved with concessions 
 to tender consciences ? The two archbishops and se- 
 veral bishops warmly supported the petition, but other 
 prelates opposed it, and it was at last rejected as a 
 libel. 
 
 One of the Quakers, in an interview with the Duke 
 of Somerset, told him that he heard * the two univer- 
 sities intended to imitate the London clergy in peti- 
 tioning against the bill. The duke replied, " Perhaps 
 Oxford may attempt it ; being influenced by the Arch- 
 bishop of York and the Bishops of Rochester and 
 Chester ; but if they should, they are obnoxious. As 
 to Cambridge, they have done nothing. A set of fel- 
 lows, calling themselves the clergy in and about Lon- 
 don, have sent in a petition, in which they pretend to 
 
 * Gough. 
 
106 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 blame both houses of parliament for encouraging a 
 sect which they rank with Jews, Turks, and Infidels ; 
 as if we were to be imposed upon by them, and knew 
 not what to do without their directions. Besides, we 
 do not know who they are ; for out of live hundred of 
 the London clergy, we find only forty-one names, and 
 these very obscure." It was to the honour of the London 
 clergy that so few of them chose to affix their name to 
 such a deed. 
 
 When the bill was in the committee, the Archbishop 
 of Canterbury moved^ that the Quakers' affirmation 
 might not be admitted in courts of judicature, but only 
 among themselves ; which was no more than they 
 could have done for themselves, without applying to 
 the legislature. The Archbishop of York proposed, 
 that their affirmation should not be admitted in any suit 
 for tithes, the very cause in which they most needed 
 legislative relief. But the archprelates were outvoted. 
 
 Among the events favourable to religious liberty, 
 may be mentioned the fall of Bishop Atterbury, the 
 great Goliah of priestly domination and intolerance. 
 Lord Carteret informed the House of Peers, on the 17th 
 of October, 1722, that his majesty had committed Dr. 
 Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, to the Tower, for 
 having entered into a dangerous conspiracy against his 
 person and government, and desired the consent of the 
 House to the detention of him and of two lay peers pri- 
 soners, which was innnediately granted. A bill was 
 brought in to inflict on the bishop certain pains and 
 penalties, which the mover prefaced by applying to 
 him the prediction concerning Judas, " Let his days 
 be few, and liis bishoj)ric let another take." Against 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 107 
 
 the bill, Atterbury pleaded before the Lords with 
 much force, but in vain; for he was condemned to 
 exile. The evidence on which he was hurled from his 
 proud height, stripped of all his honours, and sent to 
 bear the accumulated ills of comparative poverty, pain- 
 ful disease, and extreme old age, in a foreign land, was 
 extremely slight. But our sympathy for the sufferings 
 of the old man is diminished by the consideration that 
 he was an unrelenting foe to those rights, which, of all 
 others, ought to be dearest to accountable immortal 
 creatures. 
 
 The fall of their patriarch was a mortifying stroke 
 to the whole host of advocates for dominion over con- 
 science, while it proportion ably inspirited the friends of 
 free inquiry and unlimited toleration, who now rallied 
 round the throne of George, and enjoyed his warmest 
 patronage. The king made a tour through the western 
 parts of the kingdom, and was everywhere received 
 with the liveliest satisfaction. The Dissenters, who 
 were, of course, eager to testify their joy at the triumph 
 of the House of Hanover over their old enemies 
 and persecutors, in the address which their ministers 
 presented to the king, forcibly expressed such sensations 
 as their known principles must produce. " It is no 
 small satisfaction to us (say they), that we are engaged 
 with a people so well disposed to loyalty and fidelity 
 to your majesty as the body of Protestant Dissenters, of 
 whom we can with safety declare, that, in all parts of 
 the kingdom, they adhere most inviolably to your ma- 
 jesty, as their only rightful and lawful sovereign, and 
 are very sensible of the many blessings of your auspi- 
 cious reign." His majesty received their address very 
 
108 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 kindly, and said to tliem, " Your steady and constant 
 adherence and affection to my person and government 
 give you a most just title to my protection, on which 
 you may always depend." 
 
 Shortly after, the king set off for Hanover, and was 
 arrested on the road by the hand of death, June 22, 
 1727, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the 
 thirteenth of his reign. His political conduct belongs 
 not to the ecclesiastical historian ; it is for us to record 
 only the influence of his reign upon religion. 
 
 Like William III., the first George was vehe- 
 mently suspected of heresy and infidelity because, 
 in his tolerant court, there were those who avowed 
 their scepticism, without imitating Bolingbroke, the 
 infidel minister of Anne, by combining it in monstrous 
 alliance with intolerance. The lovers of liberty, the 
 patrons of the rights of conscience, will ever cherish the 
 memory of him who founded the regal dynasty of the 
 House of Brunswick. But Dissenters must, with 
 peculiar delight, tell their children how he came to 
 snatch their dearest liberties from threatened destruc- 
 tion ; with wiiat dignified firmness he covered their 
 churches with the broad shield of justice ; how many 
 
 * To expose the moral character of George I., Mist's Journal, a Tory 
 newspaper, of which complaint was made in the House of Commons, 
 contains the followino; reflections on the 29th of May. " Austin's wish 
 was to have seen Christ in the flesh, Paul in the pulpit, and Rome in 
 its glory. Next to these, I could have wished to have seen the resto- 
 ration. Then we were ruled by gentlemen, now we are governed by 
 whores." Against this, artd some other papers of a similar spirit, was 
 balanced the Independent Whig, a periodical publication, which, to the 
 elegance and hilarity of the Spectator, added a keenness of satire and 
 an ardour for liberty, which must have been perfectly intolerable to the 
 satellites of tyrants, and the abettors of priestcraft. '* The Craftsman, 
 after the manner of Daniel Burgess," was enough to sting them to 
 madness. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE I. 
 
 109 
 
 of their present privileges were restored to them by 
 his administration ; and how much more he intended 
 which the ignorance and intolerance of the times for- 
 bade him to accomplish; while they will ever close 
 the grateful detail with the observation, such was the 
 father of the family which now inherits the British 
 throne. 
 
 Sect. II. — State of Religious Liberty during the Reign of 
 
 George II. 
 
 George II. ascended the throne under the happiest 
 auspices. In the prime of life, already the popular 
 favourite, married to a princess of superior accomplish- 
 ments, and skilled in the art of government, having 
 been accustomed, during his father's absence from the 
 kingdom, to the weight of the British sceptre, which 
 he well knew how to wield, the Whigs hailed him 
 as a parliamentary king, the heir of the Protestant 
 succession ; while the Tories, who had hated his father 
 as a usurper of the throne of the Stuarts, were dis- 
 posed to drop their enmity to the son, who, unstained 
 with the guilt of the usurpation, quietly succeeded to 
 the regal patrimony. The names of Hanoverians and 
 Jacobites were exchanged for those of the court and 
 country party. By the banishment of Atterbury, and 
 the death of many of the Non -jurors, the clergy were 
 left under the influence of the low churchmen, whom 
 the preceding reign had exalted. The Dissenters con- 
 gratulated themselves on the quiet accession of a prince 
 who owed his throne to those principles of which they 
 
no 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 were the avowed patrons. Rendered more liberal them- 
 selves, by the ease and security which they enjoyed, 
 they beheld with pleasure the growing liberality of 
 many of the established clergy, with whom they main- 
 tained, not merely a literary correspondence, but also 
 an affectionate Christian intercourse. 
 
 After decent expressions of sorrow for the loss of 
 his father, the king, in his first speech to the council, 
 declared his attachment to his subjects' rights and 
 liberties, both civil and religious, and his determination 
 to maintain them inviolate. To the parliament he 
 observed, that the kingdom was happy within its own 
 bosom, and venerated by all the nations of Europe. 
 " At home (said he) I find among my subjects such 
 mutual charity and forbearance diffused through the 
 kingdom, that the national church repines not at the 
 indulgence given to scrupulous consciences, and those 
 who receive the benefits of the toleration envy not the 
 established church the rights and privileges which they 
 by law enjoy." Having taken the oath to support the 
 church of Scotland, the king assured his northern sub- 
 jects, by his commissioner, that he was determined to 
 support the Presbyterian church in all its rights and 
 privileges. 
 
 In the church of England, some symptoms of the 
 resurrection of high church claims now appeared. 
 The convocation of the clergy seemed disposed to seize 
 the opportunity, afforded by a new reign, to obtain a 
 deliverance from the constrained inaction, and disgrace- 
 ful inanity, to which they were grieved to find them- 
 selves reduced. The clergy of the province of Canter- 
 bury being prorogued to the 20th of March, were 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. Ill 
 
 again, on that day, further prorogued to the 10th of 
 April ; but before this was signified to the Lower 
 House, a member addressed the prolocutor in a remark- 
 able speech. The speaker observed, " As his majesty- 
 has answered the late address of both houses with an 
 assurance that he will be ready on his part towards a 
 vigorous execution of the law against profaneness, 
 blasphemy, and immorality, it will, doubtless, be more 
 effectually accomplished if the church representative, 
 that is to say, the convocation, point out to him what 
 persons or things are most likely to promote or impede 
 his royal and pious design." After admitting that it 
 is his majesty's undoubted prerogative to call the con- 
 vocation, and to dictate the subjects of discussion, he 
 says, " It cannot be deemed unseasonable for any 
 dutiful son or servant, both of the church and state, 
 then to loosen his tongue-strings, when the several 
 parts and offices of our holy religion are exposed to 
 mockery, and the doctrines and mysteries of religion are 
 furiously attacked by men of profligate principles." 
 He then modestly proposes that the Deists and Soci- 
 nians should be " struck dumb by an awful censure 
 from the convocation*." 
 
 The king, however, well understanding the import 
 of this harangue, did not choose to be told by the con- 
 vocation " what persons and things" he should smite 
 with the royal sceptre_, nor did the ministry think that 
 the gorgon head of an ecclesiastical body would petrify 
 the infidels ; so that the vigorous policy of the pre- 
 ceding reign was still pursued, and the members of the 
 convocation were scarcely warm on their benches be- 
 
 * Historic Register for 1727, p. 175. 
 
112 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 fore they were politely told to " go and feed the few 
 sheep which they had left in the wilderness." Never, 
 indeed, Avas prince less priest-ridden than George IT. ; 
 for he proved that he thought it no infelicity to have 
 his subjects' affections divided among various minis- 
 ters of religion, which might prevent his throne 
 from being shaken by the insolence of a dominant 
 hierarchy. He was, besides, too great a lover of tran- 
 quillity to expose himself, or his kingdom, to the vexa- 
 tion of the ecclesiastical broils which had often arisen 
 in the clerical parliament ; while he was too sincerely 
 attached to Dissenters and toleration to admit the 
 hazard of injuring both, by the proposed interference 
 of the clergy to crush the errors which then abounded. 
 The Arians, Socinians, Sceptics, and Deists, were 
 therefore left to fall by weapons more formidable than 
 the fulminations of a clerical assembly, which would 
 have alarmed the friends of truth and freedom, while 
 the infidels would have been confirmed in their hatred 
 and contempt of a system, which they would have said 
 threatened when it should argue, and cursed where it 
 ought to bless. 
 
 But while the true method of defending truth was too 
 little understood, the efforts of error were certainly 
 shameless and incessant. The grand jury of the county 
 of Middlesex having presented two infidel books to the 
 court of King's bench, their conduct was severely con- 
 demned in a pamphlet, entitled, " Remarks upon two 
 late Presentments of the Grand Jury, wherein are 
 shown the folly and injustice of men's persecuting one 
 another for difference of opinion in matters of religion, 
 and the ill consequences wherewith that practice must 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 113 
 
 affect any state in which it is encouraged, by John 
 WicklifFe." The grand jury afterwards presented 
 these remarks upon them, observing, that The said 
 author avowedly contends for a liberty to write in behalf 
 of infidelity, and has, in violation of good manners, 
 decency, and law, stigmatized the late presentments as 
 foolish, and unjust, and branded them with the odious 
 name of persecution. We therefore, notwithstanding 
 the insolent defiance which late presentments of this 
 nature have met with, and the discouragement which 
 we apprehend may still make them, and all others, 
 unsuccessful, unless supported by this honourable court, 
 do present the said pamphlet as an impious and scan- 
 dalous libel, tending to the subversion of our religion, 
 laws, and liberties, and hope this honourable court will 
 give proper directions for punishing the author, printer, 
 and publisher*." 
 
 Dissenters, or rather Puritans and Non- conformists^ 
 had formerly been the only advocates for freedom of 
 opinion ; but now that they were in the quiet enjoy- 
 ment of the liberty for which they had suffered and 
 bled, a new host, of a different genius, arose, under the 
 shade of their toleration, to vex and torture those who 
 loved to breathe only the stagnant air of cold indiffer- 
 ence, or servile deference to established creeds. By 
 the tone of the grand jury, it seems that the infidels 
 pleaded for unrestrained freedom of sentiment, in a 
 bolder style than had ever been adopted by the Puri- 
 tans. In the course of the government of the world, 
 it is frequently seen, that if men will not learn truth 
 and justice from the voice of wisdom and benevolence, 
 
 * Historical Register for 1729, p. 54. 
 VOL. II. I 
 
114 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 they shall be compelled to hear it from terror and de- 
 fiance ; and that they who will not be taught by the rod 
 of gentle correction, shall be disciplined with scorpions. 
 From this time, unbelievers have availed themselves 
 of toleration, to attempt, by various methods, the over- 
 throw of those truths, for the sake of which the first In- 
 pendents accounted religious freedom dearer than life. 
 
 The increase of Deists, however, has, in some re- 
 spects, tended to perpetuate and diffuse a tolerant 
 spirit ; for while secret or avowed infidels have filled 
 the highest offices, they have insensibly rendered it 
 as unfashionable, as it is absurd, impolitic, and ini- 
 quitous, to attempt to bind the intellect in chains. 
 Because the first advocates for toleration were Chris- 
 tians, mortified to the world, it was fashionable to hate 
 them and their doctrines ; but when they had, by the 
 sacrifice of all that was dear to men in this life, secured 
 their mental liberties, they were succeeded in the 
 inestimable birth-right by men of the world, who, 
 unencumbered with any conscientious scruples, were 
 admired for that charming indifference to religion, 
 which will always fascinate the world. The Christian 
 advocates for toleration may, therefore, repeat to the 
 Deist the words of their Redeemer : " Other men have 
 laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. The 
 world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I 
 testify against the deeds thereof, that they are evil." 
 There is but little danger of seeing the world governed 
 by speculative and avowed infidels, as it has too fre- 
 quently been by the bigots to a false and intolerant 
 religion, or who could assure us that Deists would be 
 more tender of the rights of conscience than Monks ? 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 115 
 
 During this period, however, the increase of those who 
 were incredulous to the evidences of the Christian 
 system, threw a powerful weight into the scale of tole- 
 ration, and contributed to render the reign of George II. 
 favourable to the rights of conscience. 
 
 But a more pleasing occurrence, of a nature totally 
 opposite to the former, now marked the progress of 
 religious liberty, of which it contributed to extend and 
 perpetuate the dominion. The rise of the Methodists 
 displayed the happy difference between the state of the 
 public mind, at this time, and during the struggles of the 
 Puritans and Non-conformists. When the Wesleys 
 and Whitfield, with their coadjutors, began to attract 
 public notice, by the ardour of their zeal in the cause 
 of religion, and the boldness which they employed for 
 its diffusion, they professed to be true sons of the 
 Church of England ; so that they properly came within 
 the jmisdiction of the bishops, to whose government 
 they were attached. To have shown that episcopacy 
 was not what the Dissenters represented it, a mere non- 
 entity, as to all effective spiritual regulation of the 
 church, the bishops should have summoned these ano- 
 malous churchmen to their bar, and, after examining 
 the tenets and practices of Methodism, either con- 
 demned it as an ebullition of fanaticism and error, or 
 honoured it with their sanction, as an auspicious revival 
 of primitive zeal. But the days of Laud and the Star 
 Chamber were gone by ; and while the wiser part of the 
 spiritual authorities had no wish to try the hazardous 
 experiment of reviving ancient methods of ecclesiastical 
 restraint, those who were less prudent and tolerant 
 were prevented, by the temper of the prince and the 
 
 I 2 
 
110 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 spirit of the times, from adopting such coercive mea- 
 sures as might reduce the new zealots within the bounds 
 of a tame regularity. The bishops, therefore, can 
 scarcely be accused of having fallen into the error of 
 their predecessors, by driving the Methodists out of the 
 establishment, and thus compelling them to form a new 
 communion ; for their lordships did little more than 
 look on with jealous eyes, and give that tone to the rest 
 of the clergy, which soon led to the expulsion of the 
 irregulars from the pulpits of those who looked for 
 preferment. 
 
 Whitfield, excluded from the buildings in which he 
 was expected to appear, seized the opportunity to 
 preach in the open air. But, though he praised the 
 heavens as the best sounding-board, he found that 
 another roof was needed to screen his hearers from the 
 j.ain and snow, which soon compelled them to seek 
 some tent or tabernacle, where he might preach when- 
 ever an English sky should forbid him to take the 
 field. In these buildings the Methodists were exposed 
 to the insults of the rude mob, who had not yet lost the 
 art of disturbing conventicles, nor the relish of those 
 delights, which they enjoyed, when terrifying the wo- 
 men or children whom they found in those assemblies. 
 It, therefore, became necessary for the new sectarists, 
 either to endure all the injuries which the Non-con- 
 formists suffered for nearly thirty years, or to contradict 
 their solemn professions of indissoluble union with the 
 established church, by classing themselves with Dis- 
 senters, taking refuge under the Toleration Act, regis- 
 tering their places of worship, and licensing their 
 preachers, as that act required. They were not so in 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 117 
 
 love either with persecution or the Church of England 
 as to hesitate long between the unequal alternatives, 
 but instantly became Dissenters in the eye of the law, 
 in order to become Christians according to the dictates 
 of conscience. 
 
 Even the Moravians were driven to adopt the same 
 expedient. This singular people had long associated 
 with different reformed communions, on the continent 
 of Europe, and had usually dwelt securely under the 
 protecting wing of the established church ; so that 
 when introduced into England, a land of freedom and 
 toleration, it seemed not unreasonable to look for the 
 same liberality. As the Brethren retained the office of a 
 bishop, with the use of a liturgy, they were by no means 
 disposed to set up as a sect separate from the English 
 establishment ; but would gladly have been allowed to 
 w^ait upon her as a tender nurse to her children, and, 
 without disputing the parental claims of the original 
 mother, to cherish them in a warmer bosom, and feed 
 them at fuller breasts than she could furnish. This, 
 however, being rejected with disdain, the Moravians 
 were compelled, by the disturbances to which they 
 were exposed, to flee to the shelter that protects all 
 those who are by law considered Protestant Dissenters. 
 
 It was, indeed, a curious phenomenon to behold a 
 whole host of persons, who rejected the name of Dis- 
 senters, and professed themselves the truest sons of the 
 church, attached to her doctrines, ceremonies, and 
 hierarchy, many of whom retained, even in their con- 
 venticles, her liturgy and vestments, and who still com- 
 municated at her altars, yet resorting for protection to 
 " an act passed to exempt persons, dissenting from the 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Church of England, from certain pains and penalties." 
 Had they professed to dissent, it would have been a 
 question whether the Toleration Act could have afforded 
 them legal protection ; for neither this nor any other 
 law could be intended to provide for all possible fu- 
 turity, and to gather under its wing every sect, of what- 
 ever principles or practices, which might arise in the 
 revolutions of ages. But when the Methodists declared 
 they were not Dissenters, how could they claim the 
 advantages of an act made to protect persons dissent- 
 ing from the Church of England, from the penalties of 
 certain laws ? 
 
 Yet, such was the liberality of the times, during the 
 reign of George II., that, whenever any people chose 
 to ask the protection of the Toleration Act, the courts 
 of law kindly considered them as Dissenters, and de- 
 fended them in the enjoyment of their principles and 
 worship. Had not this more silent and prudent mea- 
 sure been adopted, justice and liberty seemed to demand 
 that an act should be passed to defend the new sects 
 from the unauthorised violence of the mob, and to 
 rescue them from the degrading and perilous condition 
 of holding their religion by mere sufferance. It would 
 have been hard to punish them because they did not 
 choose to call themselves Dissenters, and to reward their 
 lingering fondness for their old parent by leaving them 
 naked and defenceless. But the introduction of a new 
 act would have been a delicate and difficult affair, which 
 might have occasioned so much noise as to create 
 the most imminent hazard of raising the evil spirit, 
 which might not be easily laid again. The politic 
 conduct of the government, in choosing rather to give 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 119 
 
 a large and liberal interpretation to the Toleration Act, 
 was a grand step in the progress of religious liberty ; 
 for it converted this law into a much more extensive 
 and mighty blessing than it was ever designed to be. 
 Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, and Quakers, 
 were the persons for whom the act was made. From 
 the year 1730 it became a sliield, not only for every 
 new sect which might separate from the establishment, 
 but for all her own children, who chose occasionally to 
 play a truant part, and, like mendicant friars, to be at 
 home or abroad, in the church or the world, as best 
 suited their convenience. 
 
 The Methodists formed a body which put the prac- 
 tical liberality of the government and the nation to a 
 severe test. The Dissenters had long settled down to 
 a determinate character and conduct, and their congre- 
 gations were now well known in the various towns where 
 they were settled, so that, as they and the government 
 were considered fast friends, they were but little dis- 
 turbed. The Methodists, on the contrary, came forth 
 as a foreign army, and traversed the kingdom through 
 all its extent. Professing to belong to the establish- 
 ment, they entered into its precincts, sought their con- 
 verts in its very bosom, and thus roused attention, 
 jealousy, and rage, by the novelty, nearness, and anoma- 
 lous singularity of their attack. The practice of field- 
 preaching, introduced by Whitfield, was a measure as 
 daring as it was unprecedented. When the govern- 
 ment heard that this wild son of the church drew out of 
 London the almost incredible number of thirty thousand 
 persons, to hear him preach on Kennington Common ; 
 when he regularly collected numbers not much inferior 
 
120 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 in Moorfields ; when the cautious Wesley imitated the 
 bold measure, and thus rendered it a INIethodist fashion, 
 to stand upon Tower Hill, in the streets of Bristol, 
 amidst the colliers at Kings wood, or Newcastle, the 
 miners of Cornwall, or wherever else immense crowds 
 could be collected ; would it have been surprising, if 
 the usual jealousy of governments had been displayed 
 by the new dynasty, which had but just begun to sit 
 firmly on the British throne ? What, then, must have 
 been the wisdom of the prince, and the conscious 
 strength and dignity of the government, that in such 
 circumstances, the rising sect, not only gave neither 
 alarm nor offence to the civil powers, but was even 
 defended by the sword and the mace ? 
 
 Whenever the mobs were excited, by their own de- 
 praved passions, or by the insidious arts of Gothic 
 gentry or clergy, to disturb the worship of the INIetho- 
 dists, though inferior magistrates might hesitate to give 
 redress, the superior courts were a sure refuge, where, 
 not scanty justice, but liberal countenance was afforded 
 to the new species of Dissenters. At Bristol, the ma- 
 gistrates instantly quelled the persecuting spirit of the 
 populace, and placed the JNIethodists in perfect peace 
 and security. If the London mob was more violent, 
 the persecuted people received the satisfaction of being 
 informed from high authority, before they made appli- 
 cation for redress, that the justices of the peace had 
 received particular orders from the government to afford 
 them full protection. The House of Hanover, being 
 assured of the affections of the Dissenters, regarded 
 them as among the firmest supporters of the throne ; 
 it is, therefore, not improbable, that this new acces- 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 
 
 121 
 
 sion to their numbers was far from being disagreeable 
 to the court, which gladly extended to the Metho- 
 dists, the protection originally designed for other deno- 
 minations. 
 
 The infant sects thus quietly stepped into the enjoy- 
 ment of privileges, for which others had long struggled, 
 suffered, and bled. The liberty of worship, purchased 
 by the Dissenters, at the price of ages of cruel perse- 
 cution, the lives of ten thousand of their brethren, and 
 the sacrifice of property to an incalculable amount, 
 became at once the inheritance of a people, many of 
 whom were little sensible of their obligations to those 
 of whose labours they now tasted the sweet fruits. 
 The new denominations had not been tried, to prove 
 w^hether they possessed the same inextinguishable vital 
 spark as, in the breasts of the regular Dissenters, bade 
 defiance to the floods of persecution. The occasional 
 violence of the mob, against which it was know^n that 
 the government would afford them ample protection, 
 was no test of the spirit of martyrdom, compared with 
 that long and systematic oppression which the Non- 
 conformists endured from the heavy arm of powder ; nor 
 can it now be ascertained, whether, if the government 
 had resorted to the same treatment towards the Metho- 
 dists, they would not have sunken under it into com- 
 plete annihilation. Not having, like the Independents, 
 or Quakers, any definite principles, which should make 
 it a sacred duty to hold meetings separate from those 
 in the parochial edifices, it is probable that the different 
 sects of Methodists ow^e their present existence to the 
 circumstance of their growing up at the side ot the 
 Dissenters, under the shade of their toleration, che- 
 
122 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 rished by the liberal maxims of government which the 
 Non-conformists had contributed to establish. 
 
 The IMethodists, however, having just emerged from 
 the bosom of an exclusive establishment, owe more 
 thanks to religious liberty, than she owes to them. 
 George Whitfield, indeed, was a man of a generous 
 soul, which quickly felt, and justly appreciated, the 
 w^orth of his dissenting predecessors in the glorious 
 work to which he consecrated his life. But John 
 AA^esley presents us with a perfect contrast ; for, though 
 he preferred his mother, who inherited the good spirit 
 of her Non-conformist ancestors, to his father, who was 
 a convert to high-church bigotry, he loved and incul- 
 cated the principles of his father, while he acted upon 
 those of his mother. It was his constant care to carry 
 the narrowness of the establishment into his new 
 species of dissent ; and in order to keep his societies 
 from sinking into dissenting churches, which his 
 perspicacity instantly perceived to be their natural 
 tendency, he not only framed a code of discipline, which 
 should supply a centripetal, to counteract the centri- 
 fugal force, but also breathed a subtle ether through 
 the system, by diffusing suspicions of the Dissenters, 
 Avhose blood had purchased the liberty he enjoyed. 
 
 So far, therefore, as the spirit of the Wesleyans is 
 concerned, liberality in religion gained but little from 
 their rise ; yet, in an indirect and unintentional way, 
 the most happy and powerful effects grew out of the 
 new separation from the established church. In addi- 
 tion to the very liberal interpretation given to the eccle- 
 siastico-civil code of jurisprudence in our country, a 
 powerful weight was thrown into the scale of practical 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 123 
 
 dissent, vast numbers were added to the advocates for 
 worship separate from the parochial assemblies, and a 
 host of preachers unconsecrated by episcopal hands, 
 not only published their doctrines, but administered the 
 sacraments of religion through the kingdom. Great 
 multitudes thus became Dissenters, without knowing or 
 intending it ; for, instead of the prejudices which were 
 before awakened by the sight of the conventicle, it now 
 appeared perfectly practicable to adopt all the essentials 
 of dissent, and yet remain good churchmen. A favour- 
 able change was also produced in the tone of high 
 churchmen, who now frequently affected to be con- 
 verted to a good opinion of those who upon principle 
 dissented from the episcopal church, and adopted senti- 
 ments nearly allied to the regular establishment of 
 Scotland; while they inveighed bitterly against those 
 fanatics, who set up their altars, in opposition to a 
 church to which they pretended to be conscientiously 
 attached. Thinking that the older sects were grown 
 sober, the establishment complimented them, at the 
 expense of the new apostates, who attempted to engraft 
 all the wild ardour of a recent discovery, upon the 
 established vigour of the dissenting stock. Thus 
 religious liberty gained on every hand, and the Dis- 
 senters hail even the most contracted of the new sects 
 as valuable coadjutors in the contest of voluntary 
 churches, and the rights of private judgment in religion, 
 against the intolerance of exclusive establishments. 
 
 The rise of the IMethodists, however, put the libe- 
 rality of the Dissenters to a severe test. Accustomed 
 to regard themselves as the asylum of all those 
 who renounced the errors or the restraints of the 
 
124 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 establishment, they now beheld other communions 
 rising up to share with them the same honours. What 
 impartial judge of human nature will wonder, that the 
 elder sects should look with the jealousy which accom- 
 panies strangeness upon a people emerging from the 
 establishment, without professing to differ from it, and 
 yet combining this unaccountable latitude with a liberal 
 quantity of high-church prejudices? When they saw 
 Mr. Wesley establish a dissenting hierarchy, by means 
 of an assembly of lay preachers, of which he was him- 
 self to be the autocrat, the disapprobation of the Dis- 
 senters arose out of their attachment to religious liberty. 
 It appeared to them immaterial Avhether an ecclesias- 
 tical synod was called a conference, or a convocation, if 
 the ministers assumed a legislative authority over the 
 people. To hear Mr. Wesley claim a supreme autho- 
 rity, with the same language as the kings of Lombardy 
 employ, w^hen putting on their iron crown, " God has 
 given it, and I will keep it," excited in Dissenters as 
 much indignation as to hear Pope Hildebrand, or 
 Archbishop Laud, plead the possession of power, as a 
 reason for the exercise of dominion over the conscience. 
 
 For Mr. Whitfield and his followers, the Dissenters 
 felt kinder sentiments. Though the indifference which 
 this great man expressed for all the peculiarities of 
 ecclesiastical order appeared to them, not only unscrip- 
 tural, but founded on the enthusiastic assumption, that 
 he was called to mind greater things ; his disinterested 
 ardour of soul in the cause of catholic Christianity won 
 their hearts, and induced them to forget the imperfec- 
 tions of the man, in the excellencies of the devoted 
 minister. He was, therefore, welcomed to the bosoms. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 
 
 125 
 
 the abodes, and the pulpits of many, who thus proved 
 that the peculiarities of their own communion were 
 held in due subordination to the grand vital truths of 
 religion. Such phenomena of liberality were then 
 exhibited, as the world would never before have thought 
 credible ; an independent pastor, educated at the 
 regular academy of Homerton, preaching in the chapel 
 of a clergyman, where the liturgy enjoined by the Act 
 of Uniformity was read by a lay curate in a surplice. 
 
 These discordant materials could not coalesce with- 
 out some previous collision. Where the spirit of religion 
 was decaying in a dissenting church, they sometimes 
 made their differences of opinion a pretext for illiberal 
 conduct towards Mr. Whitfield; who, in his turn, 
 gave them too much provocation, by imprudent and 
 unfounded reflections on the niceties of a system 
 which he had never studied. If Christian prudence 
 induced some faithful ministers to stand aloof, till they 
 could see the lawfulness of welcoming these new 
 lights ; Whitfield's youthful ardour too frequently 
 branded them, though his superiors in knowledge and 
 experience, with the odious character of dead formalists, 
 who were feeding their flocks with the chafl" of church 
 government, instead of the nutritious doctrines of 
 grace. When, however, his maturer judgment de- 
 tected the error, he acknowledged it with an ingenuous- 
 ness which added to the lustre of his meridian the 
 mildness of a setting sun. Alluding to Peter's injudi- 
 cious zeal in cutting off the ear of the high-priest's 
 servant, he said, " Many a man's ear have I cut off, 
 by harsh censures on those who were faithful ministers 
 of Christ." The re-action which these mistaken cen- 
 
126 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 sures naturally produced, might give to the Dissenters 
 the appearance of illiberality towards the rising sects ; 
 but when all circumstances are considered, they wall 
 be found to have been as thoroughly imbued with the 
 genuine spirit of religious liberty, as we can reasonably 
 expect to find men in this state of imperfection *. 
 
 Their increased disapprobation of all national esta- 
 blishments in religion tended, at once to fortify the 
 attachment of Dissenters to religious liberty, and to 
 Aveaken their antipathy to the particular faults of the 
 Church of England. Many of them, beginning now to 
 consider the connexion of a church with the state as 
 the mark of " the harlot who commits fornication with 
 the kings of the earth," deemed it an idle warfare, to 
 contend with one defiled by such a connexion about the 
 lesser blemishes of her person or character. Their 
 opposition was thus purified from the most envenomed 
 of the passions, envy at the happier state of the esta- 
 blished church ; for they now congratulated themselves 
 on their escape from this gilded chain; while they 
 divided their censures, by levelling a part of them at 
 the Presbyterian establishment of Scotland. In his 
 controversy with Dr. Snape, James Pierce challenges 
 the high church party to prove that Christ had, in the 
 New Testament, prescribed any national establishment 
 of religion. 
 
 The Dissenters stood forth as the advocates of un- 
 restrained liberty of conscience, in the controversy with 
 Woolston, the Deist. Having attacked him with the 
 only weapons which they deemed lawful in this war- 
 
 ♦ Dr. Watts recommended Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians to 
 the American Dissenters. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 127 
 
 fare, when they observed some of his antagonists 
 among the churchmen shake the sword over his head, 
 and threaten him with civil penalties, they protested 
 against recurring to such methods, which would, in their 
 view, snatch the honours of victory from the Christian 
 cause. The celebrated Lardner, in the year 1729> 
 wrote " A Vindication of our blessed Saviour's Mira- 
 cles," in answer to Woolston, and embraced this oppor- 
 tunity of protesting against the prosecution, by which 
 the infidel was condemned in one year's hnprisonment, 
 and a fine of a hundred pounds. Lardner observes, in 
 his preface, that if men be permitted to deliver their 
 sentiments freely on the subject of religion, and to 
 propose their objections against Christianity itself, 
 there can be no reason to be in pain for the event. 
 " On the side of Christianity," says he, " I expect to 
 see, as hitherto, the greatest share of learning, good 
 sense, true wit, and fairness of 'disputation, which 
 things, I hope, will be superior to low ridicule, false 
 argument, and misrepresentation." 
 
 Dr. Waddington, Bishop of Chichester, expostulated 
 with Lardner concerning these sentiments. But, after 
 the interchange of a few letters, he seemed to concede 
 to the Dissenter the principle in debate *. Mr. Simon 
 Brown, another dissenting minister, wrote against 
 Woolston, " A fit Rebuke for a ludicrous Infidel," with 
 a preface concerning the prosecution of such writers by 
 the civil powers. This preface was a noble apology for 
 liberty of conscience, and of the press, and a severe 
 condemnation of civil prosecutions for matters of opinion. 
 Dr. Doddridge also published, in the year 1736, a 
 
 * Lardner's Life. 
 
128 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 sermon on " The Absurdity and Iniquity of Perse- 
 cution for Conscience' Sake, in all its Forms and De- 
 grees." It had been preached on the 5th of November, 
 and was recommended to the public, in a preface by 
 Mr. Some, as the best that he had ever seen on the 
 subject in so narrow a space. Dr. Kippis also pro- 
 nounces it an elaborate and excellent discourse, dis- 
 playing, with great energy and elegance, the grand 
 principles of toleration and religious liberty. 
 
 The Quakers, encouraged by the success of former 
 applications, and confident of the liberal views of the 
 king, made, in the year 1735, a grand, but unsuccessful 
 effort to obtain legislative relief from some modes of 
 persecution which they still endured. The first act of 
 King William, by which their affirmation was admitted, 
 instead of an oath, contained also a clause which pointed 
 out an easier and less expensive method of recovering 
 small sums for tithes and church rates. Yet, as the 
 act did not prohibit the clergy from applying to the 
 more oppressive prosecutions in the exchequer and 
 ecclesiastical courts, too many were unhappily disposed 
 to adopt the mode which put the Quakers to most 
 trouble and expense. The Friends, therefore, drew 
 up a statement of their case, and a petition, which they 
 presented to the parliament. They showed that above 
 eleven hundred of their body had been prosecuted in 
 the exchequer and spiritual courts, that nearly three 
 hundred of them had been committed to prison, that 
 several had died there, and that above eight hundred 
 pounds had been taken from ten persons, where the 
 original demands upon them all did not amount to 
 fifteen pounds. 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 129 
 
 In compliance with their petition, a bill was brought 
 into the House of Commons, not to take from the 
 clergy anything which they claimed, but to compel 
 them to resort to less expensive modes of recovering 
 what they considered their due. " The clergy," says 
 Gough, " now mustered all their strength against the 
 bill for relief to the Friends, whereby they manifested 
 themselves no less eager to hold fast the power of 
 oppression which the law had left them in the recovery 
 of tithes, than the tithe itself*." On this subject were 
 published three anonymous pamphlets, which were all 
 attributed to mitred heads. But Dr. Edmund Gibson, 
 Bishop of London,who for his Codeoc Juris JEccIesiastici, 
 was considered the champion of the clergy, wrote, as 
 is supposed, the most able piece, entitled " The Country 
 Parson's Plea against the Quaker's Bill for Tithes." 
 It was answered by one who styled himself a member 
 of the House of Commons, but was found afterwards 
 to be Lord Hervey. As the bishop had admitted that 
 no wise or good clergymen would adopt any other 
 method than that prescribed by the intended bill. 
 Lord Hervey argues, that, if the wisest and best use 
 it of choice, the unreasonable and unjust should be 
 driven to it by necessity ; for it would be a miserable 
 case to have no better security against oppression than 
 the wisdom and goodness of clergymen." 
 
 In addition to the pamphlets, circular letters were 
 addressed to the clergy, which produced petitions from 
 them against the bill. Lord Hervey's Answer to the 
 Country Parson" contends, that the bill should pass, 
 were it only to prove that it is not in the power of a 
 
 * Gough's History of Quakers under George II. 
 VOL. IL K 
 
130 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 mitred doctor, by his letters-missive stirring up peti- 
 tions from every diocese, to intimidate a House of 
 Commons, in a matter of this high concern to the jus- 
 tice of the kingdom. " I hope," says he, " a body of 
 Englishmen will never weigh petitions in quantity 
 against any bill whatever, especially bills for the re- 
 formation of the church, against which they are certain 
 of having as many remonstrances as there are deaneries, 
 archdeaconries, chapters, colleges, or ecclesiastical pre- 
 cincts in England and Wales." Counsel was heard 
 in behalf of the petitioners against the act, and several 
 alterations were proposed, when, after a vigorous resist- 
 ance, the bill passed the House of Commons. 
 
 The opposition was renewed with increased eager- 
 ness among the Peers. Petitions were presented, and 
 counsel was employed against the act, but the friends 
 of the measure took care that counsel should be heard 
 also in its favour. When the grievances of the Quakers 
 appeared too evident to be denied, and too serious to 
 be slighted, the adversaries of toleration affected to con- 
 sider the bill, as it came from the Commons, incorrect, 
 and unfit to pass into a law ; and, by this artifice, they 
 succeeded in throwing it out. In the disgraceful ma- 
 jority were fifteen bishops ; and two of these, having 
 exerted themselves vigorously against the proposed 
 relief to the Quakers, received the public thanks of 
 their clergy, " for their care and vigilance, in maintain- 
 ing the constitution of the Church of England in its 
 present happy establishment, and the legal rights of 
 the clergy against the late strange and unheard-of in- 
 fringement of their rights." 
 
 When it is remembered that the Quakers were not 
 
RELIGIOUS LIHERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 
 
 131 
 
 SO bold as to apply for exemption from tithes, but 
 asked only for an act which should prevent unreason- 
 able and bitter men from recurring to ruinous modes of 
 obtaining their demands, it should seem, that those 
 clergymen, who were so grateful to ithe bishops, judged 
 the power of carrying on persecuting law-suits one of 
 the " just rights of the church." The failure of the 
 measure produced a controversy, which was maintained 
 with great asperity, for a long time ; the clergy assert- 
 ing, that their opponents had falsely aspersed them, 
 without being able to make good their accusations of 
 litigious and oppressive suits ; while the Friends main- 
 tained, that their persecutors were fully convicted of 
 conduct which would expose any men, much more the 
 ministers of religion, to universal indignation and con- 
 tempt. Lord Hervey affirmed, that such facts were 
 substantiated, as would be a just reason for abolishing 
 tithes, if suits for them could not be carried on by more 
 humane methods. 
 
 In the early part of the year 1736, a motion was 
 made in the House of Commons for the repeal of those 
 clauses in the Test Act which excluded Protestant 
 Dissenters from civil employments. The attempt failed ; 
 for though the king was favourable to it, his ministers 
 durst not countenance the measure, lest, to the popular 
 odium which taxation had already excited, they should 
 have added the more inflammatory cry of danger to the 
 church. A repetition of the attempt in the next session 
 of parliament was attended, as every judicious person 
 must have expected, with a renewed failure. NotAvith- 
 standing these retrograde movements, so much mild- 
 ness and good sense prevailed in the senate, as 
 
 K 2 
 
132 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 abolished the laws against conjuration and witchcraft, 
 which had, for ages, exposed the miserable objects of 
 suspicion to the most brutal treatment, for crimes of 
 which no legal proof could be furnished. 
 
 But that which most alarmed the friends of liberty, 
 and, in the end, most contributed to establish its do- 
 minion, was the rebellion in the year 1745. The 
 exiled Stuarts, who had ever been the dupes of the 
 Catholic princes, were again thrown upon our shores, 
 to divide our attention and procure a diversion in fa- 
 vour of the enemy. The Young Pretender, as he was 
 called, landed in Scotland, when there were no hopes 
 of shaking the throne of his rival ; and, with all the 
 silly fondness for royal pomp, which characterized his 
 family, wasted his precious moments of unexpected 
 prosperity in proclaiming his father, and disposing of 
 seats in the Paradise which he had not yet regained. 
 Having, in the battle of Preston Pans, beaten the 
 British force which was sent against them, the rebel 
 army marched into England, and, by an unaccountable 
 coincidence of circumstances, arrived within a hundred 
 miles of London, which was thrown into the utmost 
 consternation. 
 
 While the civil and religious liberties of our country 
 w^re thus exposed to jeopardy, it was natural for the 
 government to look around with the keen eye of jea- 
 lousy, to see which way men's hearts turned. After 
 the storm was dispelled by the victory of Culloden, the 
 Dissenters were elevated in the esteem of the govern- 
 ment. The rebellion called forth all their ardour in 
 the cause of liberty, both civil and religious. They 
 were agitated with an indescribable solicitude for the 
 
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY UNDER GEORGE II. 133 
 
 safety of the tolerant throne of Brunswick, and the 
 preservation of that liberal constitution, under which 
 they had, for half a century, enjoyed the dearest bles- 
 sings. The sermons of the pastors, and the prayers of 
 the churches, spoke the lively interest they felt in the 
 success of the contest. 
 
 Dr. Doddridge exerted himself with great zeal, and 
 at considerable expense, in the cause. His biographer 
 says, " When a regiment was raising in Northampton- 
 shire, to be under the command of the Earl of Halifax, 
 he wrote many letters to his friends in that county and 
 neighbourhood, to further the design. He went among 
 his own people, to encourage them to enlist, and had 
 the pleasure to find many of them engaging cheerfully 
 in the cause. He drew up, and printed at his own 
 expense, a friendly letter to the private soldiers of a 
 regiment of foot, which was one of those engaged in 
 the glorious battle of Culloden*." When his friend 
 Colonel Gardiner fell in the struggle between the 
 House of Hanover and the family of Stuart, Dr. Dod- 
 dridge honoured him as one who had poured out his 
 blood for the sacred, as well as civil liberties of Britons. 
 It was his high sense of the importance of the contest 
 to the religious interests of the kingdom, that inspired 
 the biographer with the unusual eloquence which glows 
 in his memoirs of the colonel. Watts and Doddridge 
 both employed their poetic talents in hymns, designed 
 to aid the patriotic devotion of the Dissenters, and to 
 express their grateful confidence in the protection of 
 heaven to the righteous cause of freedom. 
 
 In the midst of the internal tranquillity which his 
 * Orton's Life of Doddridge, p 208. 
 
134 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 paternal administration secured, and of the national 
 superiority that Britain will, probably, ever enjoy, in 
 proportion as she is free and united, died George II., 
 October 25th, 1760, in the thirty-third year of his 
 reign, at the advanced age of seventy-seven. He trode 
 in his father's best steps, and, with a fidelity equalled 
 only by his prudence, maintained the principles that 
 seated his family on the throne. Thus our country 
 enjoyed, for the first time, two successive reigns of 
 sovereigns, who, superior to the bigotry of a dominant 
 sect, defended, with firm and impartial hand, the reli- 
 gious privileges of all their subjects. George II. 
 steadily aimed at restoring to the Dissenters the rights 
 of which he was convinced they were unjustly deprived ; 
 but he ever found himself thwarted by the prejudices 
 of those who would exalt the prince's will into a law, 
 except when he wished to do justice to others, at the 
 expense of their monopoly. It was the glory of this 
 prince to have stood a test which has generally proved 
 too severe for those who have worn a croA^m, — the rise 
 of a new, active, and prosperous sect of religionists. 
 Excepting, perhaps, the Quakers, who have little rea- 
 son to complain of Oliver Cromwell, every dissenting 
 communion had found, to its cost, that princes are 
 alarmed at Avhat they deem a new religion ; but the 
 Methodists owe unrivalled honours to the memory of 
 George II., who chained up the dragon, which lies 
 watching the birth of each new denomination, to devour 
 it while young and feeble. 
 
135 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 CONTROVERSIES IN WHICH DISSENTERS ENGAGED. 
 
 Sect. I. — Controversy respecting the Dissent. 
 
 The ecclesiastical establishment set up at the reforma- 
 tion, was supposed to be for all the inhabitants of the 
 land, and every individual was considered as bound 
 to conform to its regidations. Like Luther, the Eng- 
 lish reformers do not seem to have searched the Scrip- 
 tures for the mode of church government which it 
 contains or warrants ; but to have adopted that which 
 was in use in the worst times of popery, and, with a 
 very few alterations, to have framed and fitted it to 
 their new ecclesiastical constitution. Calvin appears 
 to have been the first, and indeed the only one of the 
 heads of the reformation, who made it his business to 
 inquire what was the decision of the holy oracles on this 
 important subject. The result of his inquiries was a 
 system of Presbyterian church government, which, in 
 his eyes, was deemed to be " according to the pattern 
 shown in the Mount," and was the model exhibited and 
 used by the apostles. 
 
 This scheme, whether from their own researches, or 
 from their perusal of Calvin's works, met the approba- 
 tion of some of the first friends of the reformation in 
 this country ; and in the reign of Edward VI. the dif- 
 
136 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ference began to appear. When Queen Mary*s perse- 
 cution had compelled the warmest patrons of the glo- 
 rious cause to seek refuge on the Continent, among 
 foreign Protestants, the exhibition of Calvin's simpler 
 mode of worship and government won the entire affec- 
 tions of many, and they became proselytes to Pres- 
 bytery. On their return, the more pompous ritual of 
 the Anglican church was beheld with dislike ; and, 
 from that period, two parties appeared in the bosom of 
 the establishment. There were some who did not go 
 so far, but embraced what was afterwards Archbishop 
 Usher's scheme of episcopacy : they, however, agreed 
 wdth the others in the essential parts of their ecclesias- 
 tical polity. By carrying their conformity as far as 
 they could with a good conscience, these malecontents 
 strove to live in one communion. But they also aspired 
 after a higher degree of reformation, and, by their 
 writings, and still more by application to parliament, 
 they sought to have the platform of the church adapted 
 to their model. Controversy was, as might have 
 been expected, the result, and both the friends of the 
 hierarchy and the Puritans crowded into the field. 
 
 The priestly robes furnished one of the first subjects 
 of contention. The Puritans w^re unwilling to wear 
 them, and, indeed, viewed them with abhorrence. The 
 rulers of the church were as strenuous for their use, 
 and insisted that they should be worn. The Dissenters 
 of the present day wonder that the ecclesiastical go- 
 vernors should have been so rigid ; and those who 
 inherit the spirit of these rulers are astonished that the 
 Puritans should have been so Aveak. But if we con- 
 sider the state of things at that period, reasons, of con- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 137 
 
 siderable weight, may be assigned for the conduct of 
 the Puritans, which are now generally overlooked. If, 
 after a merry-andrew had exhibited his tricks, and 
 performed all his antic gestures, he was ordered to 
 strip, and a clergyman was commanded to put on his 
 fantastic apparel, and officiate at the altar, might he 
 not be allowed to have scruples to appear in the dress 
 of the mountebank's stage ? To the costume of a false 
 religion, there might be objections equally strong. If, 
 after the priest of Venus, at Paphos, clothed in his dis- 
 criminating robes of office, had presented a sacrifice on 
 her altar, and then committed lewdness as an act of 
 religion, the apostle Paul had been ordered to take 
 these robes and wear them as the appropriate dress of 
 the Christian ministry, in all his public functions, while 
 he remained at Cyprus, might he not have pleaded 
 that it would, in the eyes of the people, identify a mi- 
 nister of Christ with a priest of Venus, and awaken in 
 their minds ideas diametrically opposite to Christian 
 purity? In both these cases, good men might refuse 
 the proffered dresses, without being exceedingly scrupu- 
 lous or remarkably weak. 
 
 The Puritans conceived that they had as good reasons 
 to allege for their dislike of the wardrobe of the 
 church. The garments in which they were com- 
 manded to officiate, were worn by the popish priests in 
 the days of superstition, and were considered, both by 
 priests and people, as essentially connected with the 
 wonder-working parts of their office, and without which 
 these marvels could not be done. When Bishop 
 Latimer, in the course of his degradation, on being 
 stripped of one of his garments, said, " Now I can 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 make no more holy water," he spoke both the senti- 
 ments of the multitude, and the sentiments of the pre- 
 lates of the Romish church. If the Puritans refused to 
 wear these robes, while they were excused on the score 
 of sobriety of mind, they may be allowed to have reli- 
 gious scruples on higher grounds. 
 
 Two classes of people were likely to receive injury 
 from them. Those who still adhered to popery in their 
 hearts, a very numerous body, and who connected the 
 Romish robes of ecclesiastics with the Romish ritual 
 and Romish priestly power of binding and loosing, in 
 heaven and on earth. The other class consisted of 
 those who had cordially embraced the Protestant faith, 
 and who, both from the spirit of the times, and the 
 natural influence of persecution on the mind of the 
 sufferer, hated popery and her priests, and the gar- 
 ments which they wore, and who were so disgusted 
 with everything in the system, that they felt the 
 strongest prejudices rise in their breasts, when they saw 
 a minister officiate in a Romish guise. Hence arose 
 the scruples of the Puritans, and their aversion to the 
 ecclesiastical costume. 
 
 Equally strenuous, on the other side, were the per- 
 sons who had the power to prescribe the ghostly fashions 
 of that day, and as Queen Elizabeth was fond of show 
 and parade, the Puritans had to contend, not only with 
 the rulers of the church, but also with the head of the 
 state. Disputations were held on the subject, but with- 
 out conviction ; remonstrances were made, but without 
 effect. The press presented to the public the labours 
 of the disputants on both sides ; but whatever might be 
 the force of arguments, the question was decided by the 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 139 
 
 arm of power. The Puritans must submit, or be no 
 longer allowed to preach the Gospel. Some of them, 
 unable to comply, with a good conscience, quitted their 
 livings, and convinced their opponents, if of nothing 
 else, at least of their sincerity. 
 
 While, in the New Testament, we read nothing 
 of any kind of garments as proper for ministers 
 of the Gospel, how strange is it that, to a church 
 of Christ, professing to be formed on the model of 
 the New Testament, a garment of a particular colour 
 and of a particular form should appear so important, 
 that, according to the rubric, a minister of that church 
 cannot officiate without it ! Could it ever have been 
 imagined, that the tailor should be so important a 
 personage in the church, that the cut of a robe was 
 necessary, almost to give validity to Christian ordi- 
 nances ? May we not hope that the time is coming, 
 Avhen the littleness of mind, which laid so undue a stress 
 on these and similar minutiae, will vanish from the 
 Christian church ; when a cordial union in the funda- 
 mental principles of the Gospel will alone be thought 
 necessary in order to Christian and ministerial com- 
 munion ; and when the shape and hue of the garment 
 in which a minister officiates, will appear of no more 
 importance than the cut or the colour of his hair ? 
 
 The complaints of the Puritans did not rest here. 
 The stately pomp and extensive authority of diocesan 
 bishops, the multitude of clergymen who w^ere unable 
 to preach, the want of discipline, and many other things, 
 called forth their petitions for reform. It was a bold 
 age, and these sentiments were poured forth from the 
 pulpit into the ears of their congregation ; and they 
 
140 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 appeared in a more legitimate form from the press. 
 Whitgift stood forth in defence of the church, and 
 Cartwright was the champion of the Puritans. The 
 Admonitions to Parliament, drawn up by the latter body, 
 and circulated through the country, were considered 
 as demanding an answer. Whitgift undertook the 
 task, and performed it with great ability. Cartwright 
 replied, with ability and learning not inferior. A de- 
 fence appeared from the former ; and a second reply, 
 in two parts, by the latter. The dispute embraced 
 almost the whole of ^vhat is still considered as defective 
 or objectionable in the established church. Their 
 principles of reasoning were different: Cartwright 
 grounded his whole system on the New Testament, 
 and admitted no other authority : Whitgift demanded 
 that the practice of the third and fourth centuries should 
 be deemed a proper platform for an ecclesiastical esta- 
 blishment; and he rested the weight of his arguments 
 on this foundation. But, however defective this might 
 be, he had the smiles both of the civil and ecclesiastical 
 rulers. It is a charming thing to sit down and write 
 under the protecting shadow of a throne, while the 
 monarch, who sits there with his sceptre in his hand, 
 raises it against the antagonist of his champion, and 
 threatens him with a blow which he will never forget. 
 The person thus menaced must, while he is com- 
 posing his book, have a part of his attention drawn to 
 the throne, and spend some of his time in observing the 
 monarch's hands. Such was the relative situation of 
 Whitgift and Cartwright in this controversy. The 
 result was what might be expected from the spirit of 
 the times. Whitgift wrote himself into the archiepis- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 141 
 
 copal throne of Canterbury, and the palace of Lam- 
 beth : Cartwright's reward was poverty, exile, and a jail. 
 
 About twenty years afterwards, Richard Hooker 
 stood forth as an able champion for the ecclesiastical 
 hierarchy in all its parts. He was a fortunate man, 
 for his convictions were favourable to his interest. 
 The rewards, as to this world, were all on the side of 
 the advocates for the church. A rich rectory was the 
 smallest favour that they had to expect. The accla- 
 mations of their numerous brethren, the caresses of 
 soft and delicate lawn sleeves, in due time a pair for 
 themselves, and the fascinating smiles of the court, 
 which in those days raised the soul to extasies, were 
 the certain prize of defending the establishment. 
 Hooker's talents and learning are universally acknow- 
 ledged ; and it has been generally allowed, that he 
 said all that could be said in defence of the established 
 church, and in refutation of the books of Cartwright, 
 whom he all along keeps within his view. He may be 
 said to have dedicated his life to the subject. For this 
 purpose, at his own request, he was removed from the 
 mastership of the Temple to a country living ; and the 
 Ecclesiastical Polity was the result of his long, assiduous 
 and painful labours. It consists of eight books. Three 
 were published in 1594, and two more in 1597. He 
 lived till 1600, in the vigorous prosecution of his 
 favourite theme. But the last three books were not 
 published till more than half a century after his death. 
 Whether the whole of these, or a part, or any of them 
 were his, has been, among his greatest admirers, a 
 matter of doubt*. 
 
 * See Life of Hooker prefixed lo his Works. 
 
142 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The architecture of the fabric resembles Dagoii's 
 temple ; it rests mainly upon two grand pillars, which, 
 as long as they continue sound, will support all its 
 weight. The first is, " that the church of Christ, like 
 all other societies, has power to make laws for its w^ell- 
 being and the second, that " where the sacred Scrip- 
 tures are silent, human authority may interpose." But 
 if some Sampson can be found to shake these pillars 
 from their base, the whole edifice, with the lords of the 
 Philistines in their seats, and the multitude with which 
 it is crowded, will be involved in one common ruin. 
 Grant Mr. Hooker these two principles, and his argu- 
 ments cannot be confuted. But if a Puritan can show 
 that the church of Christ is different from all civil 
 societies, because Christ had framed a constitution for 
 it, and that where the Scriptures are silent, and neither 
 enjoin nor forbid, no human association has a right to 
 interpose its authority, but should leave the matter 
 indifferent ; in such a case, the system would be not 
 more stable than that of the philosopher, who rested 
 the earth on the back of an elephant, and that upon a 
 tortoise, and that on nothing, or he knew not what. 
 
 The book, we are told by Mr. Hookers biographer*, 
 was rapturously extolled by Cardinal Allen and Dr. 
 Stapleton, two celebrated English Papists, w^ho 
 strenuously recommended it to the Pope, as a master- 
 piece of conclusive reasoning. The first book being 
 read in his presence, his holiness was in raptures too ; 
 and he considered it as almost a miracle, that any 
 heretic in England should write so well, and argue in 
 so conclusive and masterly a manner. The approbation 
 
 * Hooker's Life, pp. 18, 19. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 143 
 
 of these men, however, is not to be viewed with sur- 
 prise, because Mr. Hooker used the very same argu- 
 ments in contending against Dissenters from the 
 establishment, that the Church of Rome erpploys in 
 arguing against the separation of the Church of England 
 from her communion ; and, with some variation in names 
 and dates, the book will prove the ablest defence of the 
 Popish cause. His ideas of church power, authority, 
 and influence, went far beyond those of most of his 
 brethren in the present day ; and when his biographer 
 informs us of his own and Mr. Hooker's veneration for 
 ecclesiastical institutions, " and their belief of the 
 benefit, necessity, and safety of the church's abso- 
 lution," which was administered to him just before his 
 death, we seem to feel ourselves not treading upon 
 Protestant ground*. Nor does he appear less remote 
 from the true spirit of the reformation, when he lays it 
 down as one of his maxims, " That all who are born 
 within the limits of an established church, and are bap- 
 tized into it, are bound to submit to its ecclesiastical 
 laws, under such penalties as the church in her wisdom 
 shall determine." 
 
 Hooker was not permitted to occupy the field of 
 controversy alone. Bilson, Bancroft, Bridges, Cosins, 
 and Dr. Adrian Saravia, a German beneficed in 
 England, appeared on the same side. Bradshaw de- 
 fended the cause of the Puritans against Bilson, Fenner 
 against Bridges, Morrice against Cosins, and Beza 
 against Saravia, although the press was shut against 
 them by law, and their books could only be published 
 by stealth. 
 
 * Hooker's Life, p. 23. 
 
144 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Of the champions for the church, Bancroft acquired 
 the greatest name, by his boldly asserting the divine 
 right of episcopacy. Most of the English reformers 
 were Erastians, who considered the church as a crea- 
 ture of the state, and grounded the ecclesiastical insti- 
 tutions of the realm on the authority of the civil magis- 
 trate, who had appointed the bishops as his servants, for 
 the oversight of the rest of the clergy. Whitgift pro- 
 ceeded a step farther, and defended the ecclesiastical 
 constitution, and the order of bishops, on the foundation 
 of their conformity to the primitive church, in the third 
 and fourth centuries. It was reserved for Bancroft to 
 assert their celestial origin. In a sermon at St. Paul's, 
 in 1588, he maintained that the order of bishops was of 
 divine right, and originally distinct from and superior 
 to the office of Presbyters. This was new doctrine to 
 the ears of an English audience, and made a consider- 
 able noise at the time ; but it was eagerly embraced by 
 such as wished in one way to magnify their office, and 
 it afterwards became the favourite sentiment of all the 
 Laudean party in the church. By the Puritans, the 
 doctrine was strenuously o])posed, and the breach be- 
 came wider than before ; while at the same time, 
 nearly all of them wished to live in the communion of 
 the church. But during Queen Elizabeth's reign, 
 many hundreds of pious ministers were suspended, and 
 deprived of their livings, for want of conformity to the 
 ceremonies. 
 
 In reviewing the state of the controversy during this 
 and the two following reigns, it is impossible not to be 
 impressed with the unhappy state of the country, by 
 reason of their religious differences. There were two 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 145 
 
 remedies to which they might have had recourse, either 
 of which would have restored peace. The first and 
 best was to reduce the terms of conformity to an agree- 
 ment in the great fundamental principles of Chris- 
 tianity, and to have left the parochial ministers at 
 liberty to regulate the worship and discipline of their 
 respective congregations to their mutual satisfaction. 
 Had this not been thought consistent with the unity or 
 dignity of the Anglican church, a liberal toleration to 
 such as could not conscientiously conform would have 
 set the hearts of multitudes at rest, and have effectually 
 prevented those calamities which at last ensued. But 
 neither of these methods was suited to the taste of the 
 rulers of the church or state, who refused to sacrifice 
 even a cope or a rocket to the peace of the country. 
 For the space of fourscore years, they laboured with 
 unremitting assiduity at a third way of healing the 
 country's wounds, which, to our astonishment, after 
 numberless unsuccessful attempts, they could not per- 
 ceive to be hopeless, namel)^ to reduce the whole 
 nation by force to a rigorous uniformity in all matters 
 of religion, both in faith and practice. 
 
 During the reign of James I., Bishop Moreton, Dr. 
 Burges, Dr. Downham, Messrs. Sparkes, Covill, Hut- 
 ton, Rogers, and Ball, wrote in defence of the rites 
 and ceremonies of the church. Dr. Ames, Bradshaw, 
 Baynes, and some others, were their opponents, and 
 supported the Puritan cause. A book, of the greatest 
 note on this side of the controversy, was WTitten, about 
 this time, by David Calderwood, a Scotch minister, ^vho 
 found it expedient to conceal himself under the name 
 of Edwardus Didoclavius, and which had for its title, 
 
 VOL. II. L 
 
146 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Altare Damascenum, It was so much esteemed 
 abroad, that an elegant edition of it was published in 
 Holland, almost a century afterwards. In the preface, 
 it is mentioned, that King James, having perused it, 
 was uneasy and displeased. One of the bishops coming 
 in at the time, and learning the cause, thought to con- 
 sole him with the promise of confuting it. " JMan," said 
 the king, " what answer can you give ? there is nothing 
 here but Scripture, reason, and the fathers.*' 
 
 In the next reign, by the persuasion and under the 
 patronage of Laud^ good Bishop Hall entered the field, 
 and produced a treatise on the divine right of episco- 
 pacy, in which he endeavours to fix it upon the same 
 basis of apostolical institution, and to demolish the sys- 
 tem of the Puritans, by demonstrating that Presby- 
 terianism had no existence for the first fifteen centuries 
 of the Christian era ; and that it owed its being to the 
 inventive faculties of Calvin. After the worthy man 
 had framed the work according to his judgment, it was 
 submitted to the correction of the archbishop and his 
 abettors, who erased some things, added others, and 
 made such alterations, in order to exhibit and confirm 
 their more elevated system of prelatical dignity, that 
 when the book was afterwards attacked, he found him- 
 self unable to go all its lengths. 
 
 To engage in a controversy is generally giving the 
 pledge for a continued warfare. When some petitions 
 were, in 1640, presented to parliament against the 
 hierarchy and their proceedings. Bishop Hall again 
 took up his pen, and wrote An Humble Remon- 
 strance to the High Court of Parliament," and, after- 
 wards, " A Defence of the Remonstrance ; " in both 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 147 
 
 which he strenuously exerted himself to vindicate the 
 authority of liturgies, and the celestial origin of dio- 
 cesan episcopacy and claimed to the prelates the sole 
 right of ordination and spiritual jurisdiction. The 
 parliament, considering itself as the bulwark of the 
 people's liberties, and the guardian of their privileges, 
 was not unwilling that the other party should be heard, 
 and that Hall should not turn everything his own way. 
 Greater freedom being now enjoyed, an answer to his 
 ecclesiastical polemics was drawn up by five Presby- 
 terian divines, which, from combining the first letter of 
 their names and sirnames, had the title of Smectymnuus *. 
 In these volumes, the controversy between the Episco- 
 palians and Presbyterians was fully investigated, and 
 whoever will peruse them may make himself master of 
 the subject. 
 
 But perhaps a more strenuous advocate on the side 
 of episcopacy will scarcely be found, than the unhappy 
 monarch himself. Kings would do well to remember, 
 that there are none in disputation and argument ; that 
 though it be the monarchy of the state, it is the republic 
 of letters ; and that there is no royal v/ay to confutation 
 and proof. While at Newcastle with the Scotch army, 
 Charles had a controversy on the subject, with Mr. Hen- 
 derson, one of the most eminent ministers of the Kirk 
 of Scotland. When the king was confined in the Isle 
 of Wight, a more ample debate took place, for the pur- 
 pose of giving ease, if possible, to his conscience, that 
 he might comply with the proposals of the parliament 
 for his restoration to power. Several of his most emi- 
 
 * Stephen Marshal, Edmund Calamy, Thomas Young, Matt. New- 
 comen, and WiUiam Spurstow. 
 
 L 2 
 
148 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 nent divines were appointed to assist him with their 
 advice. Of this number were Drs. Juxon, Duppa, 
 Sanderson, Turner, and Haywood. The parliament's 
 commissioners brought with them four Presbyterian 
 ministers. Dr. Seaman, Mr. Vines, Mr. Caryl, and 
 Mr. Marshal. They went through the whole of the 
 controversy, but, as in most instances of this way of 
 proceeding, they ended as they began^ and both parties 
 were more deeply riveted in their own opinions. It 
 was an unpleasant office for the Presbyterian ministers. 
 To dispute with a king is like disputing with the 
 ladies. A well-bred man cannot find it in his heart to 
 push the arguments home. 
 
 Till this time, the Independents had attracted but 
 little notice in the Puritan controversy. But now they 
 gradually appeared, and brought forward their distin- 
 guishing principles into public view. As their arms 
 were of different materials, and of a different form, from 
 those which the Presbyterians had used, a different kind 
 of warfare became necessary, and many of the most 
 destructive weapons became now entirely useless. 
 General principles were advanced, which, if proved to 
 be just, laid the axe to the root of the episcopal tree, 
 and utterly destroyed the force of arguments on which 
 the fullest confidence had been placed. During the 
 commonwealth, the controversy concerning church go- 
 vernment suffered a temporary suspension ; but the 
 restoration, by bringing back the old order of things, 
 in all its rigour, kindled the fires of contention anew. 
 The Savoy conference, between twenty-one of the 
 Episcopal party and an equal number of the Presby- 
 terians, while it exhibited the talents of the disputants. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 149 
 
 did nothing to end the controversy : nor was it the in- 
 tention of the ruling powers, either in church or state ; 
 but appearances must be saved, and some external 
 regard shown for their former solemn promises in the 
 time of their need of Presbyterian help. Mr. Baxter, 
 who took the chief part in the debate on one side, in 
 opposition to Dr. Pearson and Dr. Gunning on the 
 other, has favoured the world with a very particular 
 account of this interesting conference, which, instead of 
 producing peace and union, widened the breach, and 
 rendered the terms of conformity more severe *. 
 
 To take notice of every publication on the subject of 
 Dissent would be tedious. Between the restoration and 
 the revolution, this controversy, conducted with con- 
 siderable bitterness, was the order of the day. In 
 1680, Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St, Paul's, pub- 
 lished a sermon, which he had preached before the 
 Lord Mayor, on the Mischief of Separation." This 
 discourse made a deep and painful impression on the 
 minds of the Non-conformists. The doctor had com- 
 menced his literary course with an excellent temper ; 
 and his " Irenicum," which appeared the year after the 
 restoration, breathed so excellent a spirit, and proposed 
 such measures, as justly endeared his name to all the 
 friends of peace and union; and, had they been adopted, 
 would have retained nearly all the Presbyterians within 
 the bosom of the church. After the lapse of eighteen 
 years, when it might have been supposed his heart 
 would be still more mellowed down by the painful 
 events that had passed before his eyes, he comes forth 
 with great asperity and less seriousness than formerly, 
 * Baxter's Life and Times, part ii. p. 303—369. 
 
150 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 accuses the Non-conformists of schism, — a heinous 
 crime ! desires them not to complain of persecution, 
 orders them into the church again, will not allow them 
 to plead conscience for remaining in a state of separa- 
 tion, and charges them wuth contributing, by their 
 schismatical conduct, to the increase of Popery. Bishop 
 Burnet observes, " He not only retracted his Ireni- 
 cum, but went into the humour of the high sort of 
 people beyond what became him, perhaps beyond his 
 own sense of things There are days of folly in the 
 life of man, which he ardently wishes to be erased from 
 the page of his existence. The wisest are sometimes 
 overtaken by them, and have reason bitterly to lament 
 them. Such was, at this time, the fate of Dr. Stil- 
 lingfleet. 
 
 But, insulted and injured as the Dissenters were, they 
 would not suffer their adversaries to triumph without 
 resistance. Mr. Baxter, Mr. Alsop, Mr. Howe, and 
 Dr. Owen, all stood forth in defence of the principles 
 of Non-conformity. Greater talents, on both sides, 
 have never been called into the controversy, during the 
 whole period of its existence. All the acuteness and 
 ingenuity of Baxter were exhibited in his " Answer." 
 " The Mischief of Imposition " was the title chosen by 
 Mr. Alsop, and displayed his extraordinary wit and 
 keenness in aid of his arguments. Mr. Howe's " Letter 
 written out of the Country to a Person of Quality in the 
 City," shews his mind to be deeply affected with the 
 unseasonable attack, but at the same time discovers his 
 dignity of soul, and strength of reasoning, and respect 
 for his hot and inconsiderate adversary. But to Dr. 
 * Burnet's History of his Own Times, vol. i., page 189. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 151 
 
 Owen the praise is due of having produced the most 
 valuable work. Stillingfleet, provoked by the answers 
 to his sermon, published, in 1681, a quarto volume on 
 " the Unreasonableness of Separation,'' in which the 
 same principles are presented to view, and the argu- 
 ments of his opponents considered. To this angry 
 book. Dr. Owen wrote an answer, entitled, " An In- 
 quiry into the Original Nature, &c. of Evangelical 
 Churches." The reader wdll here perceive those ge- 
 neral principles which are now usually, or perhaps 
 universally, held by Dissenters : he states the nature 
 and economy of a church, as described in the New 
 Testament, and proves that the sentiments, as well as 
 practice of Christians, continued the same during the 
 first two centuries. He contrasts this with Dr. Stilling- 
 fleet's church, and points out the numerous differences, 
 from the foundation to the top stone, and then strenu- 
 ously argues, that a person who is endeavouring, in 
 everything, to conform to the church of Christ, as de- 
 lineated in the sacred Scriptures, cannot be guilty of 
 schism, for non-conformity to a system which is wholly 
 of human invention. The learning, the moderation,, 
 the strength of reasoning, and the seriousness, which 
 pervade the w^hole, entitle the work to pre-eminent dis- 
 tinction in the controversy on church government. 
 Perhaps it was the first ample treatise on the subject 
 which was grounded on the principles of the Inde- 
 pendents, and which, by sweeping away one-half of Dr. 
 Stillingfleet's book, as irrelevant, presented at the same 
 time a mode of attack, which the weapons used by the 
 Episcopalians against the Presbyterians were not fitted 
 
152 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to resist*. Dr. Rule, another eminent Non- conformist 
 minister, more minutely investigated every point of 
 " The Unreasonableness of Separation," in his Ra- 
 tional Defence of Non-conformity." Nor were these 
 the whole : various treatises on the Dissent, which the 
 confined limits of this work prevent us from noticing, 
 appeared about the same time. But it would be injus- 
 tice to pass by " The Conformists' Plea for the Non- 
 conformists," a work which does the greatest honour 
 both to the writer's understanding and his heart. 
 
 A few years afterwards, three volumes were pub- 
 lished on this controversy, by some of the ablest of the 
 clergy in the establishment. Dr. Scott, Dr. Claget, and 
 others, in order to reclaim Dissenters to the church. 
 They were entitled, " The London Cases," and con- 
 tained twenty-three discourses on the leading points 
 of difference. IMr. Delaune's answer to one of them 
 brought him, first to Newgate, and from New^gate to 
 the grave. The two discourses on church communion 
 were replied to by Nathaniel Taylor. 
 
 During James II. 's reign, the controversy appears to 
 have been suspended, by the awful uncertainty whether 
 Protestantism itself, or Popery, should bear sway in the 
 British isle. But, in the year immediately succeeding 
 the revolution, Mr. Baxter, who was from the begin- 
 ning a champion of the dissenting body, and had 
 written various treatises on the subject, closed the 
 
 * The similarity of Dr. CampbelTs reasoning and statement of the 
 form and order of the primitive church, in his lectures on ecclesiastical 
 history, is exceedingly striking. If he had not seen Dr. Owen's book, 
 the coincidence is very remarkable, and displays the harmony of two 
 superior minds in the investigation of the same subject. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 153 
 
 whole with a quarto volume, entitled, " The English 
 Non-conformity, as under King Charles II. and King 
 James II., stated and argued." His biographer says, 
 that this work remained without an answer. 
 
 Though there were skirmishes, from year to year, 
 the next regular campaign of the controversy on the 
 Dissent was not till the beginning of the eighteenth 
 century. Dr. Edmund Calamy, wishing to preserve 
 from oblivion the names and characters of the Non- 
 conformist ministers, published brief memoirs, and 
 where these could not be obtained, the mere names of 
 those who had quitted the establishment for conscience- 
 sake. By way of introduction, he abridged the life 
 of Richard Baxter, drawn up by himself, who had 
 interwoven in it the history of the times in which he 
 lived *. In the tenth chapter of the abridgment. Dr. 
 Calamy enumerated the reasons given by the ejected 
 ministers for their non-conformity. These reasons he 
 placed in as strong a light as he possibly could. An 
 historian of the Dissenters would, indeed, not be doing 
 
 * Dr. Calamy rendered an important service to the dissenting cause 
 by his abridgment of " Mr. Baxter's Life and Times," a work replete 
 with valuable information. Into a second volume, he collected a list of 
 the names of the ejected ministers, with brief biographical sketches, 
 where they could be procured. Some years afterwards, he was enabled, 
 by diligent researches, to produce two volumes of additions to the names 
 and lives. A new edition of this work, altered, in some parts abridged, 
 and much improved, was printed, in two large octavo volumes, in 1774. 
 For this, the reUgious world is indebted to the Rev. Samuel Palmer, of 
 Hackney, vsho, in 1801, published a third edition, in three volumes, with 
 additions and improvements. The portraits of many of these excellent 
 men give a pleasing interest to the pious reader. If, to blend entertain- 
 ment with spiritual instruction, be a recommendation to a book, few will 
 be found more effectually to have accomplished the object, than the 
 " Non-conformists' Memorial."' 
 
154 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 them justice, if he did not present their arguments in 
 the strongest and most striking point of view. 
 
 Two clergymen of the establishment, Dr. Hoadley 
 and Mr. Olyffe, appeared in defence of their church ; the 
 former is well known in the ecclesicLstical and political 
 world; both were low churchmen, and of great re- 
 spectability of character. Dr. Hoadley had been accus- 
 tomed to a different warfare ; but he now hung up in the 
 hall the proof-armour which he formerly wore, when he 
 contended with the high-church party, and took down 
 an old suit which had remained there for ages, and 
 which all the champions of Rome used to put on when 
 they entered into single combat against the reformers. 
 As Dr. Calamy's tenth chapter, which contains nearly 
 all the reasons of dissent, was the subject in debate, the 
 disputants went over nearly the whole of the contro- 
 versy. Every point was contested with great vigour. 
 Dr. Hoadley's work was entitled, " The Reasonableness 
 of Conformity to the Church of England, in two parts." 
 He afterwards returned to the charge, and published 
 " A Defence of Episcopal Ordination." Mr. Olyffe's 
 " Defence of Ministerial Conformity to the Church of 
 England " appeared, about the same time. 
 
 To these two opponents. Dr. Calamy wrote an answer 
 in one publication, to which he gave the title of " A 
 Defence of Moderate Non-conformity." The first 
 part appeared in 1703, and the second and third in 
 the two following years. The objections of both, on 
 each point, were considered at the same time; and 
 advantage was taken of the difference of their senti- 
 ments, which on some occasions served for a confuta- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 155 
 
 tion of their hypothesis, and saved Dr. Calamy the 
 trouble of any additional answer. To this defence, 
 Mr. OlyfFe replied in 1706 ; and here the controversy 
 dropped. But the gentlemen had furnished the world 
 with a full view of the arguments on both sides, so as 
 to enable every one to form a judgment for himself, 
 and they had managed the controversy with tolerable 
 temper. 
 
 The Dissenters could now write without danger or 
 fear, as the ruling powers had thrown away all the 
 chains and fetters, with which, before the revolution, 
 a Non-conformist could not but have his imao^ination 
 haunted, while he was writing against the church. 
 Poor Delaune's case showed that their fears were not 
 groundless. Dr. Calamy now proved to them, that this 
 freedom might be enjoyed without being abused. His 
 defence was the fullest which had for a long time 
 appeared on the subject, and it was written with great 
 judgment, considerable ability, and a better temper than 
 controversy usually inspires. 
 
 Some years afterwards. Dr. William Nichols, chiefly 
 known by his comment on the Service Book, com- 
 posed in the Latin tongue, " A Defence of the Doc- 
 trines and Discipline of the Church of England." 
 There is in some men a greediness of praise, which 
 hurries them on to court it, not only from their supe- 
 riors, and their equals, but from those whom they con- 
 sider to be unspeakably their inferiors, and whom they 
 look down upon with contempt. The church of 
 England denies the validity of the ordination of the 
 foreign Protestants, while she sustains the goodness 
 and purity of that of the church of Rome. But so 
 
156 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 eager is Dr. Nichols for applause, that to those foreign 
 Protestants he refers his cause, solicits their approba- 
 tion, and is anxious to engage them on his side. The 
 Dissenters thought it hard to be misrepresented abroad, 
 as they had been at home_, and applied to James Pierce, 
 one of their ministers_, to advocate their cause. He 
 was prevailed on to be their champion, and in 1710, 
 published in the Latin tongue also, A Vindication of 
 the Dissenters,'* in answer to Dr. Nichols's Defence of 
 the Church. 
 
 For a time, both these performances were shut up 
 in a learned language, and were read only by literary 
 men. At last. Dr. Nichols began to translate his work 
 into his native tongue ; but, dying before it was far 
 advanced, a friend completed the translation, and sent 
 it abroad into the world, for the benefit of English 
 readers. This was considered by Mr. Pierce as a 
 signal, and a warrant for him to do the same, and 
 thus the controversy was again brought before the pub- 
 lic. By both these writers the same method was pur- 
 sued ; an historical introduction paved the way, and 
 was followed by a defence of the principles, discipline, 
 and worship of their respective denominations, blended 
 with an attack on the opposite system. They went over 
 the whole of the subject, and left nothing of importance 
 untouched. Dr. Nichols was looked upon as a person of 
 note in the establishment ; and his opponent was re- 
 garded by the Dissenters as a considerable man, both 
 for his learning and his judgment. It may indeed be 
 questioned, whether an abler book has appeared on his 
 side of the controversy than " Pierce's Vindication of 
 the Dissenters." 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 157 
 
 From the reformation to the death of Queen Anne, 
 the peculiar circumstances in which the Puritans, Non- 
 conformists, and Dissenters were placed, kept the con- 
 troversy alive ; and the writers had engaged in it, from 
 time to time, with the spirit of men who felt the subject. 
 It was now almost exhausted, and scarcely a topic 
 remained untouched. In consequence also of the Dis- 
 senters enjoying the blessing of religious liberty, during 
 the second period of this history, little comparatively 
 was written on either side. Pamphlets might be col- 
 lected in abundance ; in larger works a part might be 
 found which bore upon the subject ; and some volumes, 
 but of inferior fame, were wholly occupied by the con- 
 troversy ; or, though ably written, containing but little 
 that was new, have not descended to the present time 
 with so much repute as to be in common use. One 
 brilliant exception is to be found in the WTitings of 
 White and Towgood, the former of whom was the 
 advocate of the establishment, the latter of the dissent. 
 
 Their controversy took its rise from a cause which 
 was never intended to produce such an effect. In 
 1731, Dr. Watts published a treatise under the title of 
 " An Humble Attempt towards the Revival of Prac- 
 tical Religion among Christians." His design was to 
 stir the Dissenters up to more eminent purity of life, 
 and more fervent zeal for the advancement of true 
 religion. With this view, he reminds them of their 
 peculiar advantages and obligations, and strenuously 
 and affectionately exhorts them to a temper and conduct 
 becoming the Gospel of Christ. The book falling 
 into the hands of John White, B.D., Fellow of St. 
 John's College, Cambridge, and Vicar of Ospring, in 
 
158 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Kent, produced a zealous advocate for the establish- 
 ment, and a long succession of publications in its de- 
 fence. From 1743 to 1751, no fewer than eight pieces 
 were produced by his fertile pen. To the first three, 
 he gave the name of " Letters to a Gentleman Dis- 
 senting from the Church of England." For a person 
 to consider the system of religion which he professes 
 as superior to every other is exceedingly natural, and 
 when claims of pre-eminence are made by the advo- 
 cates of a different denomination, he may be expected 
 to appear in its defence. An establishment wherein 
 everything has long been fixed, and rendered unal- 
 terable by law, is, in general, unfavourable to such 
 pretensions, as it cannot throw off what is acknow- 
 ledged to be objectionable and wrong. But, on the 
 other hand, the weight of public opinion in its favour, 
 the superiority to any sectary which its clergy con- 
 ceive they possess, and the prospect of ecclesiastical 
 exaltation to opulence and fame, give courage even to 
 timidity, and supply zeal to the man who ventures to 
 stand foi-th in defence of a national church. 
 
 Highly displeased he was with Dr. Watts, who took 
 it for granted that the Dissenters enjoyed greater 
 advantages for knowledge and personal religion than 
 the members of the establishment, and therefore ought 
 to be more eminent for wisdom and goodness. Feeling, 
 too, for the honour of his communion, he indignantly 
 denies the doctor's position ; he asserts the equality at 
 least, if not the pre-eminence, of the members of his 
 church, as to their life and conversation, when com- 
 pared with the Dissenters ; and insists on the superi- 
 ority of their advantages for improvement in the Chris- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 159 
 
 tian temper. Such is the substance of his first letter : 
 in the second and third he descends to the common 
 topics, and placing his shield before the body of the 
 church, empties his whole quiver against the friends of 
 the dissent. The temper with which he assails his 
 opponent is as decent as can be reasonably expected 
 from a controversialist, whose mind is wrought up, in 
 the course of its exertions, to a heat and edge with 
 which the calm and unmoved reader does not always 
 sympathise. 
 
 Attacks so numerous and varied, it may easily be 
 supposed, would not be permitted to pass without 
 notice. They brought into the field Michaiah Tow- 
 good, afterwards one of the ministers of the united 
 congregations at Exeter, who attained considerable 
 fam.e by the manner in which he conducted the con- 
 troversy. He published, in 1745, The Dissenting 
 Gentleman's Letters to Mr. White." They are three 
 in number, with an appendix. The Dissenters had 
 certainly reason to boast of an advocate who did not 
 betray their cause, and who displayed superior skill 
 in their defence. He was perfectly master of the 
 subject; his style was well adapted to controversy; 
 he reasoned with force, brevity, and point ; was acute 
 in discovering the w^eak parts of the arguments of 
 his opponent, and had a singularly happy faculty in 
 returning them upon himself To give that pungency 
 to reasoning which would render it interesting to his 
 readers, he had wit at command ; while he is luminous, 
 he compresses ; and by brevity, avoids the tediousness 
 of arguments expanded and protracted to excess. It 
 will be difficult to find a volume of controversy which. 
 
160 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 in so small a space, combines so much light of infor- 
 mation with so much strength of reasoning. The 
 greatest defect of the book is its form. As he fol- 
 lowed Mr. White through his three letters, the same 
 subject, instead of being discussed at once, recurs in 
 different parts. To introduce his peculiar theological 
 sentiments, (as they were widely different from the 
 Puritan creed, and condemned by the two thousand 
 Non-conformist ministers, whose advocate he was,) must 
 be considered as a greater blemish. The general 
 merit of the ^^ ork is evident from the avidity with which 
 it has been read. Six editions were published during 
 the authors life, and several have appeared since. 
 During the whole continuance of the controversy, there 
 is no one work which has had so long continued, 
 and so extensive a demand. 
 
 Here the main current of the controversy between 
 the church and Dissenters may be said to stop. After 
 this, though particular parts have been investigated, 
 or brief abstracts of the matters in debate have been, 
 from time to time, presented to the public, which will 
 be noticed under the third period of the history, no 
 considerable w^ork has since appeared on either side. 
 
 In taking a general survey of the whole, it will be 
 evident to every person who patiently examines the 
 subject, that, before an agreement between the parties 
 can take place, there are formidable difficulties to sur- 
 mount ; and he will perceive the different principles on 
 which they ground their system, and the different 
 modes of reasoning which they adduce for its support. 
 What the one party considers as axioms carrying more 
 than demonstration with them, the other looks upon as 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 161 
 
 doubtful postulata, the proof of which remains to be 
 produced. 
 
 The advocates for high church step boldly forward 
 to the contest, taking it for granted that the civil esta- 
 blishment of religion in a country is almost a necessary 
 thing. Without it, devotion would die or decline, and 
 the mass of the people have neither the knowledge nor 
 the appearance of religion ; and that to it Christianity 
 is indebted for her stability and support among the 
 nations of the earth, and almost for the continuance of 
 her very existence. The formation of such an establish- 
 ment they consider as the province of the rulers of a 
 country, with or without the co-operation of the clergy 
 As they have the right to form a civil constitution, 
 it is likewise a legitimate exercise of their authority to 
 enact an ecclesiastical economy. They unanimously 
 maintain that the Christian church, in the fourth 
 century, presents a fair specimen of what it was when 
 first framed by the hands of the apostles of Christ. If 
 any additions or changes had taken place, they were 
 unimportant ; and the articles of faith, as well as the 
 rites and ceremonies then in use, have a sufficient 
 warrant from the word of God. Another of their 
 maxims is, that if there be nothing in the system which 
 can be proved to be forbidden in the sacred Scriptures, 
 it is not improper to retain it, and no one has a right to 
 complain of hardships on that account. Things not 
 mentioned or enjoined in the Oracles of God may, they 
 think, be established by the authority of rulers, civil and 
 ecclesiastical. 
 
 They then proceed to lay it down as an acknow- 
 ledged principle, that it is the duty of all the people 
 
 VOL. II. M 
 
162 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 II a country to submit to this establishment in all 
 things. The clergymen appointed by the state are 
 their lawful teachers ; and as children ought to obey 
 their parents, and subjects their rulers, so ought the 
 inhabitants of a parish to submit to the instruction and 
 government of these spiritual guides. To refuse sub- 
 mission to them, and to unite with ministers of another 
 communion, involves the unhappy persons in the guilt 
 of schism, which the church, in all ages, has repro- 
 bated as a very heinous crime, and extremely dangerous 
 to the souls of men. Union among Christians they 
 represent as a very important thing, and they quote 
 some passages out of the Scriptures, and many out of 
 the fathers, in which this union is highly extolled : 
 wonderful virtues are ascribed to it, and dreadful 
 miseries are represented as falling upon those who 
 break its bonds and enter into another communion. 
 But, by union, they always mean that every one must 
 think as they think, and in all things conform to their 
 ecclesiastical constitution. This is the pattern accord- 
 ing to which union is to subsist, and from which it 
 derives all its virtues. 
 
 In consequence of these principles, it is evident that 
 many of them come to the controversy with ideas of 
 their superiority, and consider their system as a privi- 
 leged system. Because it is established, they conceive 
 that by this means they have acquired a pre-emi- 
 nence, and are too apt to look upon their opponents as 
 weak, narrow-minded, and bigoted people, whom it is 
 not improper to treat with contempt, or else to consider, 
 in some degree, in the light of culprits, who, by for- 
 saking the national religion, have been guilty of a 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 163 
 
 crime. Such are the principles and spirit of those who 
 have appeared on the side of the established church, as 
 they are exhibited in their polemical works. / 
 
 The Dissenters come next into the field, and bring 
 with them their code of principles, which they consider 
 as self-evident, or capable of demonstration. The 
 sacred Scripture, they say, contains the whole of reli- 
 gion ; and it alone has an authoritative power to bind 
 in matters of faith and practice. Nothing ought to be 
 inserted in any creed or system of religion which is 
 not to be found in this book. The traditions of Rome 
 they reject as old wives' fables ; and to the inventions 
 and additions of any other church, they pay no greater 
 regard. Things not enjoined in the sacred Scriptures, 
 they insist should be left indifferent ; so that Christians 
 may practise or abstain from them, as conscience dic- 
 tates, or expediency directs. They consider no clmrch 
 as possessing any authority in this respect ; and that, 
 where the wwd of God has given no decision, men are 
 at liberty. 
 
 The civil magistrate, they say, has no authority in 
 the church of Christ. The Jewish economy was a 
 theocracy; it comprehended a political as well as a 
 religious system, which were essentially interwoven. 
 The performance of many of the duties, and the exe- 
 cution of the laws, religious as well as civil, were, by 
 the explicit appointment of Jehovah, the supreme legis- 
 lator, placed under his inspection ; and, in confirming 
 them, he was performing the office which the code of 
 Moses assigned him as his duty. But the Christian 
 religion is entirely spiritual, and not blended with the 
 smallest mixture of political institutions. Its offices 
 
 M 2 
 
164 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 are to be filled, and its duties are to be performed, by 
 disciples of Christ, in an individual capacity. It inter- 
 feres not with the regulations of human government ; 
 " Christ's kingdom is not of this world," but is fitted 
 to subsist under any government. Pagan or Mahometan, 
 without interfering with their operations. And in the 
 exhibition of Christianity, through the whole of the 
 New Testament, not a single hint is ever given, that 
 the civil rulers of any country are, in that capacity, at 
 all to interfere with the church of Christ, so as to frame 
 regulations for his disciples, and exert an authoritative 
 influence in its affairs. Against all civil interference 
 Dissenters solemnly protest. Nothing more_, they 
 assert, should be required, in order to Christian com- 
 munion, than Christ has required ; and all terms, of 
 human invention, in addition to Christ's, authoritatively 
 enforced on the consciences of men by civil or ecclesias- 
 tical rulers, are exceedingly sinful. When any church 
 makes such terms, it is not acting according to the 
 Holy Oracles, but assuming a power unauthorised by 
 the Gospel of Christ. They say that, if things not en- 
 joined in the Scriptures were left indifferent. Christians, 
 amidst their various apprehensions about them, may 
 enjoy full communion with each other, and live toge- 
 ther in harmony and peace. They maintain that every 
 man has a right to judge for himself in matters of reli- 
 gion ; that no one has a right to dictate to him, or 
 compel him to belong to a church which he does not 
 conceive to be according to the model in the New Tes- 
 tament ; and, as it is his duty, so he is fully authorised 
 to belong to that society of Christians which he most 
 approves. They also assert, that all are on a level with 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 165 
 
 respect to the right of enjoying liberty of conscience 
 and of worship ; and that each is under equal obliga- 
 tions to yield to another, for the sake of peace, and in 
 order to the maintaining of brotherly affection and 
 Christian communion. 
 
 The reader is now in possession of the leading senti- 
 ments of the Dissenters, which they lay down as the 
 foundation of all their reasoning in this controversy. 
 In arguing from these different principles, it is evident 
 that the two parties will come to very different conclu- 
 sions, while each will think that he has arrived at 
 them in a legitimate way. In order to settle the dis- 
 pute, it becomes necessary to ascertain whose principles 
 are just and pure. If human authority is to be ad- 
 mitted in aid of the Holy Scriptures, and the form of 
 the Christian church in the fourth considered as a 
 faithful representation of its state in the first century, 
 then the writers on the side of the establishment are 
 able to defend her cause. But if the sacred Scriptures 
 are the only rule of the doctrine and government of a 
 Christian society, and nothing ought to be authori- 
 tatively enjoined, except that which can, by fair reason- 
 ing, be thence deduced, then the Dissenters build upon 
 an impregnable rock, and none of their adversaries will 
 be able to prevail against them. 
 
 Sect. 11. — The Arian Controversy. 
 
 In the beginning of the fourth century, Arius, a Pres- 
 byter of the church of Alexandi'ia, gave his name to 
 
166 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the heresy which places Christ in the rank of creatures. 
 It found many advocates, but in a series of years it 
 died, and for centuries scarcely an Arian was to be 
 found. After the reformation was established, Arianism 
 again revived, but with inconsiderable success. Almost 
 everywhere discouraged, and in some places very 
 harshly treated, the greater part of them retired into 
 Poland, where they blended with the Socinians. In 
 England there were a few, but the inflicting of the 
 unjust punishment of death upon an Arian, in the reign 
 of James I., pollutes the page of our history. During 
 the commonwealth, Arianism had a most strenuous 
 advocate in Mr. Firman, whose treatment, by the di- 
 vines of that day, reflects no honour on their ideas of 
 religious liberty. Emlyn, of Dublin, who, towards 
 
 the close of the seventeenth century, avowed himself a 
 disciple of Arius, was a solitary instance among the 
 dissenting ministers of that age, and the horror which 
 it excited, both among his colleagues and his congre- 
 gation, produced consequences almost fatal to himself. 
 
 In England, Arianism had, for its first champion, 
 William Whiston, professor of mathematics in the uni- 
 versity of Cambridge. He regarded the " Apostolical 
 Constitutions," a Avork which, by the most judicious 
 critics, is accounted of no earlier date than the fourth 
 century, to be of equal authority with the books of the 
 New Testament. Nothing more is necessary to cha- 
 racterize the man. From these sources he drew his 
 system^ which he distinguished by the title of Euse- 
 bianism, which represents the Son, or Logos', as formed 
 before all ages by the will and power of the Father, 
 and the Holy Ghost, as created by the Father, by the 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 167 
 
 ministration of the Son. In 1710, the university ex- 
 pelled him from his professorship for heresy ; and, in 
 the following year, he published his *' Primitive Chris- 
 tianity," and launched all his opinions into the world. 
 
 The system found a more able advocate in Dr. 
 Samuel Clarke, Rector of St. James's, Westminster, 
 who, in 1715, published his book on the Trinity, and 
 ushered in Arianism to the view of the religious public, 
 in the most orthodox garb which he could possibly 
 make up. The Father, he says, is the supreme God. 
 The Son is inferior; but he would not say, he was 
 created. The second edition, however, goes a step 
 farther, and says, the Son was produced by the 
 power and will of the Father ; and the Holy Ghost is 
 inferior to the Son 
 
 These works, which were the only large systems of 
 Arianism written by English divines, attracted consi- 
 derable attention. In the established church, the effects 
 were not very powerful, because they did not influence 
 the body of the people. Many of the clergy, and some 
 speculatists among the laity, became converts to the 
 system. But the mass did not concern themselves 
 about it ; perceiving no difference in the preaching, 
 they were not sensible of the change of doctrine. 
 
 But, among the Dissenters, where the people con- 
 cerned themselves about religion as much as their 
 teachers, and many of them understood as well the doc- 
 trines of the Gospel, when the heresy found an entrance, 
 it created a convulsion in the body. An entrance, 
 
 * The doctor was called before the convocation to answer for his 
 heresy ; but he clung to his preferments, gave an equivocal explanation 
 to his sentiments, and promised, for the future, to be silent on the 
 subject. 
 
168 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 however, it did find ; and, in a few years after the pub- 
 lication of Clarke and Whiston's books, made its ap- 
 pearance in the city of Exeter, under the patronage of 
 two Presbyterian ministers, Joseph Hallet and James 
 Pierce. 
 
 Hallet, the son of an ejected minister, had been 
 pastor there from 1689. Mr, Pierce, a man of very 
 eminent abilities, and of the highest influence among 
 the Dissenters in that city, was first minister at Cam- 
 bridge, where he became acquainted with Whiston. 
 He afterwards removed to Newbury, and was called 
 to Exeter in 1713, as one of the ministers of the three 
 united congregations. He was, beyond measure, va- 
 lued and beloved, and his ministrations were in the 
 highest degree acceptable in the west of England. 
 
 In the year 17 17, Arianism began to rise above 
 ground. A few individuals, who were said to be in 
 the confidence of these ministers, were heard to speak 
 contemptuously of the orthodox doctrine, charged the 
 common notions of the Trinity with blasphemy, and 
 argued boldly for the Arian system. Some, they per- 
 verted, and others they filled with horror. The city 
 of Exeter was in a blaze ; the favourers of the new 
 system, and the converts, were active and bold ; and, 
 by the friends of the orthodox doctrine, the most power- 
 ful alarm was felt for the purity of divine truth. 
 
 In the mean time, with the exception of Mr. Laving- 
 ton, who was of a different spirit from his brethren, the 
 ministers were still as death, and cold as the grave. 
 Not a word on the subject would they utter from the 
 pulpit ; nothing could be extorted from them in private 
 conversation ; and their silence was a source of the 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 169 
 
 bitterest grief to their people, as they conceived it to be 
 the duty of their pastors, in this time of trial, to stand 
 up in defence of the truth, and raise their voice against 
 the champions of error. At length, the managers of 
 the congregations, consisting of thirteen persons, who 
 were among the most respectable for character and 
 station, and conducted all the business, felt it to be 
 their duty to entreat their ministers to preach on the 
 divinity of Christ, for the satisfaction of the friends of 
 truth. This Avas in the summer of 1717. Mr. Pierce 
 complied, but with an ill grace ; and his discourse, 
 both as to sentiments and delivery, tended to strengthen 
 their suspicions of his unsoundness in the faith. The 
 enemies of truth increased in boldness and in zeal, and 
 their attempts were crowned with success. Those who 
 were sound in the faith became more impatient and 
 uneasy, and the ministers, in some cases, less reserved. 
 A respectable preacher, who lived in Exeter, having, 
 in the close of a sermon, adduced some arguments in 
 defence of the divinity of Christ, Mr. Pierce, on a com- 
 plaint of some of his adherents, proposed to his bre- 
 thren that he should not be allowed again to enter their 
 pulpits. Still, however, the friends of the Gospel con- 
 tinued to wait, in hopes of better days. But, finding 
 their hopes frustrated, and perceiving that Arianism 
 was gaining ground, it was resolved that another 
 attempt should be made, to prevail with the ministers 
 to appear openly on their side. In the beginning of 
 1718, the committee appointed some of theix own 
 number to represent to their ministers the state of the 
 city, and request them to preach in defence of the 
 " eternal Deity of Jesus Christ" Their reception was 
 
170 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 unfavourable. Mr. Pierce, especially, felt himself in- 
 sulted by the request, was unable to conceal his resent- 
 ment; and expressions, which dropped from him in 
 conversation, tended to strengthen the suspicions of his 
 heresy. 
 
 The controversy was not confined to Exeter, but 
 spread over the neighbouring country, and excited the 
 most lively alarm in the minds of all the zealous 
 ministers around. W^hen, therefore, the assembly of 
 Devon and Cornwall met, in September 1718, the dis- 
 tracted state of some of the churches, the apprehended 
 defection of some of the ministers and people, and the 
 distress of the most pious, on account of the prevalence 
 of the new notions, influenced the assembly to take the 
 subject into consideration. As suspicions had been 
 entertained of some of the body, it was proposed and 
 adopted, that each of the ministers should make a 
 confession of his faith, either in the words of the first 
 article of the church of England, or in the answers to 
 the fifth and sixth questions of the Assembly's Cate- 
 chism, or in appropriate words of his own selection. 
 Some opposition w^as made, but it was over -ruled ; and 
 the ministers, beginning with the most advanced in years, 
 uttered a declaration of their belief. Mr. Hallet's was 
 wholly in words of Scripture. The confession of Mr. 
 Pierce was in words of his own, but it was such as an Arian 
 might make. Some refused to declare their sentiments. 
 But it was remarked, that the most eminent for theo- 
 logical knowledge, wisdom, piety, zeal, and usefulness, 
 delivered a good confession before many witnesses. 
 Some of the young and less esteemed, in addition to 
 the Exeter ministers, excited suspicion. No remarks, 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 171 
 
 however, were made in the assembly on anything which 
 was said. 
 
 Soon after this meeting, various pamphlets in favour 
 of Arianism, some of them printed in Exeter^ and 
 others sent down from London, were industriously 
 circulated among the people. They were filled with 
 complaints of blasphemy, imposition, bigotry, perse- 
 cution, inquisition, and tests*. The students for the 
 ministry, under the tuition of Mr. Hallet, were dis- 
 covering an attachment to the growing error. A Bap- 
 tist minister, to whose house they used constantly to 
 resort, was dismissed by his church for imbibing the 
 Arian heresy. In addition to these sorrows, the 
 members of the establishment were holding up the 
 Dissenters as the just objects of contempt and horror. 
 They could not appear in the public markets without 
 being told, " You denied your church first, and now 
 you are denying your Saviour." An archdeacon at 
 Barnstaple, in his discourse to the clergy, accused a 
 minister of Exeter, and most of his congregation, of 
 being contaminated with Arianism. The clergy of the 
 city from their pulpits warned their hearers against 
 the Dissenters, because " they denied the Lord that 
 bought them, and made the press to groan with their 
 blasphemies." So general was the effect on the public 
 mind, that the judge at the Exeter assizes, in his charge 
 to the grand jury, spent the greater part of the 
 time in inveighing against the abettors of the Arian 
 heresy. 
 
 The impression made on the minds of the most pious 
 
 * " The Innocent Vindicated.'' " Letter to the Dissenters." " Answer 
 to Mr. Trosse's Catechism.*' 
 
172 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and peaceable disciples of Christ, by these painful 
 occurrences, caused still deeper distress. None appear 
 to have felt more deeply than the members of the com- 
 mittee, who, perceiving that the contagion of heresy 
 spread itself more widely, conceived it their duty to 
 come closer to the point, and to inquire of their minis- 
 ters what were their sentiments as to the doctrine of 
 the Trinity, and, for the sake of the congregations, to 
 give them satisfaction. Mr. Lavington alone com- 
 plied. The others refused, and by their conversation 
 strengthened the suspicions of their unsoundness in the 
 faith. About the same time, Mr, Pierce gave orders 
 to the clerk, that he should not sing the doxologies 
 which had been always in use among them : these 
 ascribed glory to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as one 
 God, and were given out at the end of the psalm. Mr. 
 Hallet, to shew his zeal in the same cause, having 
 been accustomed to ascribe all glory to Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost, now omitted the word all; and having 
 once used it inadvertently, he immediately recalled it 
 in the face of the whole congregation. 
 
 The distress of the friends of the orthodox doctrine 
 now became extreme, and their patience was almost 
 exhausted. The committee, however, determined to 
 use every method for the restoration of peace, as well 
 as for the preservation of truth. They had before 
 applied to the most eminent ministers in the neigh- 
 bourhood, who, by conversation with Mr. Pierce and 
 his brethren, and by resorting for counsel to some of 
 the ablest divines in London, had done all in their 
 power to put an end to their differences at Exeter ; but 
 their efforts proved vain. The committee, resolving to 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 173 
 
 leave no means untried, made application themselves to 
 these London ministers*, and requested their inter- 
 ference and advice. It cannot be said that they were 
 forward in their interference. They again strongly 
 urged forbearance and conciliation, and recommended 
 an application to the ministers in the neighbourhood of 
 Exeter, as far better qualified to serve them in their 
 present difficulties by counsel and influence. If this 
 method did not succeed, they professed themselves wil- 
 ling to use every method in their power for healing the 
 wounds of the afflicted congregations. 
 
 That nothing might be wanting on their part, the 
 committee called in seven of the most respectable 
 ministers in Devonshire, to assist them in their per- 
 plexities. These good men felt deeply for the cause of 
 religion, and entered on the service with a most Chris- 
 tian spirit, and an earnest desire to promote the cause 
 of truth and peace, if they could possibly be attained 
 together. They conversed with the ministers of Exeter 
 in the most affectionate spirit, though they found a 
 cold reception and little encouragement in their media- 
 tion ; they investigated the subject fully with the com- 
 mittee ; and after due deliberation, they agreed to the 
 three following resolutions. 
 
 " 1. That there are some errors in doctrine, which 
 are a sufficient ground for the people to withdraw from 
 their ministers holding such errors. 
 
 2. That the denying the true and proper divinity 
 of the Son of God, viz., that he is one God with the 
 Father, is an error of that nature, contrary to the 
 
 * Dr. Calaray, Jeremiah Smith, W. Tong, Benjamin Robinson, and 
 Thomas Reynolds. 
 
174 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 holy Scriptures and common faith of the reformed 
 churches. ' 
 
 " 3. That when so dangerous an error is industri- 
 ously propagated, to the overthrowing of the faith of 
 many, we think it the indispensable duty of ministers, 
 who are set for the defence of the Gospel, earnestly to 
 withstand it, and to give reasonable satisfaction to their 
 people of their soundness in the faith. And we like- 
 wise recommend to the people as their duty, to hold 
 fast the truth in love, avoiding anger, clamour, and 
 evil speaking, and to behave themselves with all sin- 
 cerity and meekness as becometh Christians." 
 
 Fearful of acting with rashness, they submitted the 
 resolutions to their brethren around, and then to those 
 ministers in London who had been consulted on the 
 subject ; and after receiving their approbation, a month 
 still elapsed before they were delivered in to the com- 
 mittee, which was then left to act for itself, with only 
 this advice, " to proceed with wisdom and deliberation." 
 On the following day, they applied to the four ministers 
 of the city, for satisfaction as to their sentiments on the 
 doctrine of Christ's divinity. Mr. Lavington's ortho- 
 doxy they knew. Mr. Withers, after some hesitation, 
 affixed his sig^nature to the first article of the church of 
 England. Mr. Hallet and Mr. Pierce refused to give 
 satisfaction in any way. This brought the business to 
 a conclusion ; for, in the following week, which was 
 about the middle of March, the committee, who held 
 the meeting-houses as proprietors and trustees, refused 
 Mr. Hallet and Mr. Pierce permission to preach any 
 longer in their places of worship, and broke off all 
 connexion with them as their ministers. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 175 
 
 During the whole of the dispute, Mr. Pierce acted 
 as the principal, and displayed remarkable firmness 
 and energy. He conceived that he had a right to enjoy 
 his own private opinions ; and as he never brought the 
 controversy into the pulpit, that the people did him a 
 great injury in not suffering him to hold them without 
 molestation. Every application made to him to preach 
 on the divinity of Christ, he considered as an insult ; 
 and his resentment was kindled to a flame. His dis- 
 mission, which was unexpected, he looked upon as the 
 highest injustice, and loudly complained to the world 
 of unmerited sufferings and cruel persecution. The 
 committee_, on the other hand, conceiving that their 
 ministers, by introducing dangerous doctrines in a 
 clandestine way, had forfeited all claims to their esteem, 
 threw the whole blame on the ministers, who had apos- 
 tatised from the true faith of the Gospel. 
 
 While the Arian controversy was agitated with 
 uncommon eagerness in the West of England, the 
 metropolis felt its unhappy influence. The Dissenters 
 there, too, had their peace disturbed by the proceed- 
 ings which took place in consequence of the applica- 
 tion that had been made to some of their ministers 
 for advice. Their extreme caution, and the cool mode- 
 ration of their conduct, have been already noticed ; 
 and had they stopped there, they would, in the opinion 
 of many, have secured both their honour and their 
 peace. But a desire to restore harmony between the 
 pastors of Exeter and their congregations, led them 
 to attempt additional measures ; and they might be 
 prompted, too, by the entreaties of the most zealous 
 
176 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Christians there, who urged them, in earnest and affect- 
 ing terms, to assist them in their distress. 
 
 Some gentlemen in London, who felt deeply for the 
 sorrows of their brethren, drew up a paper of advices, 
 which they conceived to be suited to the occasion, and 
 delivered it to the general committee of the three de- 
 nominations. After it had undergone repeated dis- 
 cussion before that body, thinking themselves unautho- 
 rised to send it to Exeter in their own name, as it was 
 extremely important, and concerned the general wel- 
 fare, they called together all the Dissenting ministers 
 in London and its vicinity, that if it were approved by 
 them, it might be conveyed to the West, strengthened 
 with all the weight of their united recommendation. 
 
 On the 19th of February, the general body met, 
 and in a numerous assembly it was agreed to consider 
 the paper with minute attention. Some progress was 
 made, and a second meeting fixed for the 24th. In the 
 course of their proceedings on that day, it was proposed 
 by one of the members, that the advices should be 
 accompanied with a declaration of their own faith in 
 the doctrine of the Trinity. Such a step, he said, would 
 give them greater weight with the friends of truth, and 
 serve to discountenance the votaries of error. An 
 eager debate w^as the consequence of this motion, and 
 it was carried by a majority of fifty-seven to fifty-three, 
 that a declaration concerning the Trinity should not be 
 inserted in the paper of advices'*. 
 
 While the subject was thus in agitation, the people 
 
 * By those who espouse the side of the non-subscribers, this deci- 
 sion is celebrated as the triumph of Uberty over oppression, of liberality 
 over bigotry, of Divine authority over human usurpation, of the sacred 
 Scriptures over creeds and articles and confessions of faith 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 177 
 
 felt themselves as deeply concerned in the question ; 
 and the refusal of their ministers to make a declaration 
 of their faith as to the doctrine in dispute, awakened 
 in the minds of many private Christians, a fear that 
 they either did not believe the doctrine of the Trinity, 
 or were not so zealous for it, as they ought to be. 
 These fears were loudly expressed, and a considerable 
 number of the ministers now perceived an agitation in 
 the hearts of the most pious of their flock, which it 
 was of the utmost importance to allay. With this 
 view, when the assembly met, on the 3d of March, a 
 motion was made, that, without relation to the advices, 
 and as a step entirely distinct, the ministers should make 
 an explicit declaration of their belief of the doctrine 
 of the Trinity, and especially of the divinity of Christ, 
 which was the subject digitated in the West. This 
 measure, it was urged, became necessary, in order to 
 vindicate themselves from the misrepresentations which 
 were abroad against their character, to give satisfaction 
 to the members of their respective congregations, and 
 to exhibit their sentiments to the Dissenters in general 
 throughout the country. 
 
 The moderator, conceiving the motion to be an in- 
 terruption of the business which was then discussing, 
 refused to put it to the vote. Highly displeased with 
 his conduct, sixty of the ministers immediately with- 
 drew from the assembly, and, meeting together at 
 another place, they unanimously resolved to adopt the 
 words of the first article of the Church of England, 
 and the answers to the fifth and sixth questions of the 
 Assembly's Catechism, as a form of sound words in 
 which the Scripture doctrine of the Trinity is pro- 
 
 VOL. II. N 
 
178 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 perly expressed. Acting now as a separate body, they 
 drew up a new series of advices to the Dissenters of 
 Exeter, and accompanied them with the information 
 of their stedfast adherence to the divinity of Jesus 
 Christ, and of their subscription to two summaries of 
 acknowledged orthodoxy in the churches. But these 
 testimonies of their zeai did not arrive at Exeter till a 
 month after IMr. Pierce and Mr. Hallet were excluded 
 from their places of worship, and the connexion be- 
 tween them and the congregations was dissolved. 
 
 In the mean time, those ministers who remained at 
 Salters'-hall, more numerous, according to some, than 
 their subscribing brethren, while others say that they 
 were inferior in number, having the advantage of the 
 moderator on their side, proceeded with the business 
 before them ; and, in an adjourned meeting, on the 
 10th of March, put the finishing hand to their advices, 
 which, on the 17th, they sent off to Exeter, accom- 
 panied with a letter, in which, while they professed 
 their own belief of the doctrine of the Trinity and the 
 divinity of Christ, they earnestly recommended to the 
 people the exercise of moderation, peace, and love. 
 But their counsels also arrived too late ; the ministers 
 had been already dismissed. 
 
 The dissenting ministers in the west, roused by the 
 proceedings in London to a more thorough investigation 
 of the subject, thought that something still remained 
 to be done, in order to testify their adherence to the 
 orthodox faith. When, therefore, the Exeter assembly 
 was convened, at its half-yearly meeting, in May, 1719, 
 the doctrine of the Trinity naturally became the topic 
 of conversation. It was resolved to publish their senti- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 179 
 
 ments of it more explicitly to the world ; and they 
 thought that they could not do this in a more unex- 
 ceptionable manner, than by affixing their names to 
 the first article of the Church of England. It was 
 accordingly subscribed by the ministers of Devon and 
 Cornwall, to the number of fifty-six. Nineteen, pro- 
 fessing to act on the principles of the non- subscribers 
 of London, refused to concur : Joseph Hallet and 
 James Pierce stand at the head of the list. The fifty- 
 six ministers, who subscribed the article on the Trinity, 
 accompanied that act with a letter of advice to their 
 respective congregations, — " to adhere stedfastly to the 
 received doctrine of the ever-blessed Trinity." 
 
 Having espoused the cause of the subscribing minis- 
 ters in London, they also addressed a letter to them, 
 and expressed their sentiments in the following words : 
 " We, the united ministers of Devon and Cornwall, 
 are very sensible of the great service you have done to 
 the common cause of Christianity, in so open and vi- 
 gorous an opposition to the dangerous error relating to 
 the doctrine of the holy Trinity, which of late has been 
 so industriously propagated ; and take this opportunity, 
 now that we are assembled together, to express our joy 
 in the harmony that is between us, and our thanks for 
 your seasonably interposing in a matter of so great im- 
 portance *." That, if possible, the introduction of the 
 Arian heresy might be prevented, they entered into a 
 resolution that no person should be admitted to preach 
 as a candidate, nor ordained by them, nor recommended 
 to any congregation, unless he gave satisfaction, by 
 subscribing the first article of the Church of England, 
 * Account of the Exeter Assembly, May, 1719, pp. 23, 24. 
 
 N 2 
 
180 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and the answers to the fifth and sixth questions in the 
 Assembly's Catechism, or assenting to the collective 
 sense of the preceding assembly : viz., " That there is 
 but one living and true God, and that the Father, 
 Word, and Holy Ghost are that one God;" or, in 
 words of his own choosing, which sufficiently express 
 the same sense. 
 
 Here the controversy terminated, as to the inter- 
 ference of public bodies of men, but it continued to be 
 agitated extensively by individuals ; and, in a course 
 of years, A nanism obtained a multitude of votaries in 
 the Presbyterian denomination, and that of the general 
 Baptists, both among their ministers and persons in 
 private stations *. 
 
 * A detailed account of the foregoing particulars will be found in the 
 following publications. " The Case of the Ministers ejected at Exeter," 
 by James Pierce. *' An Account of the Reasons why many Citizens of 
 Exeter have withdrawn from the Ministry of Mr. Pierce ; being an An- 
 swer to his State of the Case." " A Defence of the State of the Case," 
 by James Pierce. " A Defence of the Account, in Answer to James 
 Pierce." " A Justification of the Case," by James Pierce. " A true 
 Account of what was done in the Assembly at Exeter, May 5th and 6th, 
 1719;" published by order of the Assembly. ** Remarks on the Account, 
 &c." by James Pierce. ** A particular Account of the Proceedings of 
 the Assembly at Exeter," by George Jacomb. " A Defence of the Pro- 
 ceedmgs, &c." by John Enty. '* An Answer to Mr. Enly's Defence," by 
 James Pierce. " A plain and faithful Narrative of the Differences 
 among the Dissenters at Exeter, &c." " An authentic Account of some 
 Things done, &c. by the Dissenting Ministers at Salters'-hall." A Vin- 
 dication of the Subscribing Ministers, in an Answer to the Authentic 
 Account, &c." " A Reply to the subscribing Ministers' Reasons," in 
 two parts. " A true Relation of some Proceedings at Salters'-hall." 
 " Animadversions on a true Relation," by James Pierce. *' An Account 
 of the late Proceedings at Salters'-hall, in a Letter to Dr. Gale." The 
 Unreasonableness of the Charge of Imposition against several Dissenting 
 Ministers/' by Thomas Ridgley. " A Letter to a Subscribing Minister, 
 in Defence of the Animadversions on a true Relation," by James Pierce. 
 
 The Noble Stand," in three parts, by Daniel Wilcox. " The Western 
 Inquisition," by James Pierce ; and "An Answer to Mr. Pierce's Western 
 Inquisition." 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 181 
 
 The vast importance of this controversy, and its ex- 
 tensive influence on the state of the Dissenters, while 
 they liirnish reasons sufficiently strong for entering so 
 minutely into the various transactions which have been 
 mentioned, also warrant, and indeed call for, addi- 
 tional illustration by some reflections on the sentiments 
 and conduct of the persons who were engaged in this 
 mournful dispute. 
 
 The abilities of Mr. Pierce, his learning, and the 
 soundness of his judgment on subjects unconnected 
 with this controversy, will be acknowledged by all who 
 are conversant wdth his works. His letters to Dr. 
 Wells discover him to be a man of talents. His " Vin- 
 dication of the Dissenters" is a first-rate performance. 
 His sermons are weighty and convincing. In his com- 
 mentary on four of Paul's Epistles," there is a supe- 
 rior degree of critical acumen, and, with the exception 
 of its Arianism, a very large portion of valuable matter. 
 He took up the pen to continue the exposition of the cele- 
 brated John Locke, but, dying before he had completed 
 the task, he was succeeded by Dr. Benson, who finished 
 the illustration of all the epistles in the New Testa- 
 ment. Of the three, Mr. Pierce's part is the most 
 valuable, for he as much exceeded Mr. Locke in bibli- 
 cal learning, as he did Dr. Benson in talents and in 
 acuteness of investigation. With sentiments of Mr. 
 Pierce, so justly favourable, it is with reluctance and 
 grief that we view his deportment in the course of this 
 angry controversy. 
 
 His acceptance of the pastoral office at Exeter was 
 radically wrong. Before he left Newbury, he con- 
 fesses himself to have been a convert to the opinions 
 
182 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of Whiston and Clarke. But the Dissenters at Exeter 
 were zealous Trinitarians, as he must have known. To 
 come to them in such circumstances, and to conceal his 
 sentiments ; and, by the use of ambiguous terms, to 
 endeavour to make them believe that he held the same 
 opinions with themselves, cannot be justified. This 
 was the source of all the evils which followed ; and, if 
 Mr. Pierce was made to drink the cup of wormwood 
 and gall, he had himself alone to blame, for disingenu- 
 ously professing to be what he was not. 
 
 There are some things of very inferior moment, in 
 which a minister may differ from his congregation, and 
 harmony still prevail. But in a subject so important 
 as the doctrine of the Trinity, it is impossible that this 
 should be the case. Mr. Pierce, indeed, considered the 
 difference between the common doctrine of the Trinity 
 and Dr. Clarke's scheme to be of little moment ; but he 
 knew that he was singular in this idea, that the people 
 of Exeter considered the difference as an insurmount- 
 able barrier to Christian connnunion, and that an Arian 
 minister would be shunned by them with horror as the 
 murderer, instead of being embraced as the friend of 
 immortal souls. Yet, with the knoAvledge of this dif- 
 ference, he accepted their invitation to be one of the 
 ministers of Exeter. By those who would decide 
 impartially on the matter, this is ever to be kept in 
 view. 
 
 Nor will Mr. Pierce's behaviour, after he was set- 
 tled in Exeter, more successfully stand the test of 
 examination. There is reason to fear that it was his 
 endeavour, in a secret w^ay, to diffuse his own sen- 
 timents among his people. His colleague, Joseph 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 183 
 
 Hallet, an inferior, though an older man, had begun 
 before to speculate on the subject ; but the honour 
 of making him a complete convert, if honour it be 
 thought, was reserved for Mr. Pierce. The students 
 of Mr. Hallet had the books of Winston and Clarke put 
 Into their hands, as masterpieces of theological skill ; 
 and, while they should have been applying their minds 
 to the study of the great doctrines of the Gospel, they 
 were amusing themselves with those pernicious specu- 
 lations, and poisoning their souls with the Arian heresy. 
 A Baptist minister, afterwards dismissed by his people 
 for heterodoxy, was an active instrument in the work ; 
 and some individuals in private life, who had been 
 made converts to Arianism, were indefatigable in bring- 
 ing over others to their opinions. In the mean time, 
 Mr. Pierce, the mainspring of all, was concealed within 
 the cabinet, and discoursed with none but the illu- 
 minati ; and while his adherents were all busy, not a 
 whisper, could the public say, ever escaped his lips. 
 Such a wily scheme is ill entitled to approbation, and 
 savours more of the arts of Jesuitism than the frank 
 uprightness of a Christian. 
 
 When, at last, an alarm was raised, that Arianism 
 was rapidly spreading, and the gentlemen of the com- 
 mittee entreated their ministers to preacli on the divi- 
 nity of Christ, if he had acted as an honest man, he 
 would have avowed his sentiments ; and if the people 
 would not have borne with them, he would have quietly 
 retired to some other congregation, more congenial 
 with his views. He, however, who before was silent 
 concerning the divinity of Christ, as if there had been 
 no such doctrine in the sacred Scripture, now preaches 
 
184 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 on the subject, and strives to conceal his meaning 
 under ambiguous terms, that the congregation may be 
 impressed with the idea that he is an assertor of the 
 orthodox faith. It is also said, that he delivered the 
 discourse like a man in a violent passion, and with 
 such rapidity, that his hearers could scarcely follow 
 him. 
 
 Mr. Pierce's behaviour to the gentlemen of the com- 
 mittee, when they respectfully entreated him to stand 
 forth in defence of the doctrine of the Trinity, cannot 
 be viewed but with regret. He could scarcely behave 
 to them wdth civility, and he poured forth the bitterest 
 complaints of what he called their inquisitorial spirit. 
 But to whom should the people, in their difficulties, 
 apply more properly than to their ministers ? Engaged 
 in business, from morning to evening, they have little 
 leisure for controversial disquisitions. His tim.e is 
 devoted to such pursuits, that he may distinguish 
 truth from error ; and when any of his people inquire 
 concerning the doctrine of Scripture on a particular 
 subject, what is more reasonable than that he should 
 frankly inform them what appears to him to be the 
 truth ? It is but acting according to the divine rule : — 
 " The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they 
 should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the mes- 
 senger of the Lord of Hosts." — Mai. ii. 7. To refuse 
 assistance in such a case, whatever it discovers, does 
 not discover the spirit of a minister of Jesus Christ. 
 He who can perceive, in such a request and refusal, a 
 criminal inquisitiveness on the one side, and a noble 
 spirit of liberty and independence on the other, has 
 certainly more than eagle's eyes. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 185 
 
 There is another circumstance in Mr. Pierce's con- 
 duct as little to his honour. Having voluntarily ac- 
 cepted the office of pastor in a Trinitarian congregation, 
 he has nothing to say in favour of the orthodox doctrine. 
 When he is asked to write in its defence, he is unable 
 to perform the task ; when his people wish to converse 
 on it, he is shy and silent. He confines himself to 
 practical preaching, which, when separated from the 
 doctrines of the Gospel, must be very defective and 
 inefficacious. But no sooner is he dismissed from his 
 orthodox station, and becomes the minister of an Arian 
 congregation, than he can openly preach, write, and 
 argue for Arianism. Just before, when the committee 
 wished him to preach the received doctrines, he was 
 loud in his complaints, and accused them of oppres- 
 sing and persecuting him without a cause. After 
 writing numerous pamphlets on the subject in dispute, 
 he summed up the whole in the Western Lujuisi- 
 tion." Truth compels an impartial examiner to say, 
 that Mr. Pierce exhibits a hauteur, and a contempt of 
 his opponents, which does him no honour : he loses his 
 temper, and brings forward accusations which he is 
 unable to support by proof. The " Answer to his 
 Western Inquisition '* invalidates many of his charges, 
 and is written in a more Christian spirit. 
 
 Against the gentlemen who formed the committee of 
 the united congregations, accusations, of the blackest 
 kind, have been generally addui^ed by the writers on 
 the Arian side, and they have been generally credited. 
 But their zeal for the orthodox doctrine, their fears of 
 the growth of Arianism, their strenuous endeavours to 
 prevent it, and their respectful though earnest entreaties 
 
186 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 that their ministers Av^ould defend the divinity of Christ, 
 must redound to their honour, in the eyes of every one 
 who is a friend of the truth. The ^nef which they felt 
 when they saw reason to suspect that their ministers 
 held erroneous opinions ; the pains they took, by per- 
 sonal conversation, and by the assistance of neighbour- 
 ing pastors, to remove their objections; their applica- 
 tion to the London ministers for advice, and afterwards 
 desiring to be counselled and assisted in their diffi- 
 culties by seven of the most respectable ministers in 
 Devon ; display no mean share of judgment, patience, 
 and prudence, and are far from bringing discredit 
 either on their intellectual or moral character. 
 
 The greatest advantage which, in the course of these 
 transactions, they gave to their numerous adversaries, 
 was, by the manner in which they dismissed their mi- 
 nisters ; and this has been always urged as a proof of 
 a bad spirit and an unchristian deportment. That 
 they bore with their ministers so long, may well excite 
 surprise, and can be accounted for, only from the extra- 
 ordinary degree of veneration in which Mv. Pierce was 
 held, and their astonishing attachment to him. But 
 when they had reason to conclude that he and Mr. 
 Hallet were infected with heresy, it is no wonder that 
 they were anxious to be rid of them with all possible 
 speed. To consult the members of the congregation, 
 and act according to their decision, was the proper 
 method ; but when, instead of this, they assumed the 
 whole power to themselves, and dismissed the ministers 
 by their own authority, their conduct was altogether 
 unwarrantable, on the principles of independency ; and 
 every individual of that persuasion must be shocked at 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 187 
 
 their proceedings. But the Exeter Dissenters were 
 Presbyterians, who manage their concerns, not by the 
 members of the church, as the Independents do, but by 
 a committee of persons, who act as the representatives 
 of the whole society. Such was the method at Exeter ; 
 and it is evident, from the testimony of JMr. Pierce, 
 that the people had never been convened for business, 
 during the whole six years that he had exercised his 
 ministry among them. It had been promised that 
 they should be called together once a year, to be 
 acquainted with the state of affairs, but the promise 
 had never been fulfilled ; and it does not appear, that 
 JMr. Pierce and IMr. Hallet complained of this neglect, 
 till the power of the committee was exerted against 
 them. As a further apology for themselves, the com- 
 mittee plead, that they knew they were acting agree- 
 ably to the sentiments of the people ; that when they 
 afterwards called them together, and informed them 
 what had been done, their conduct was approved_, and 
 that the congregations presented to them their warmest 
 thanks for the vigorous steps which they had taken, as 
 a favour conferred on the body, and a highly com- 
 mendable expression of zeal for the cause of truth. 
 Had they, instead of assembling the people after the 
 dismission of their ministers, assembled them before, 
 and acted by their authority, the conduct of the com- 
 mittee would have been wholly unimpeachable. 
 
 The proceedings of the London ministers, on the 
 same subject, excited the most eager attention of the 
 Dissenters in every part of England. The difference 
 of judgment which took place, as to the manner of 
 
188 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 giving advice to their brethren at Exeter, broke to 
 pieces long-contracted friendships, produced suspicious 
 jealousies of each other s principles, and created a pai*ty 
 spirit, of considerable strength and duration, both 
 among ministers and private Christians. 
 
 According to the sentiment which has most generally 
 prevailed, the subscribing ministers were wholly in the 
 wrong : they are charged with a load of guilt ; they are 
 said to deny the sufficiency of the sacred Scriptures, to 
 be advocates for human authority in spiritual things, 
 and enemies to religious liberty and free inquiry ; but 
 when they are heard in their own defence, they have 
 much to say in vindication of their conduct. The ge- 
 neral question of the propriety of drawing up a list of 
 articles of religion, and the form of church government, 
 and demanding subscription from every candidate for 
 the pastoral office, as a necessary condition of com- 
 munion, has been attacked and defended by the ablest 
 pens. While the friends of confessions have insisted 
 on the advantages of uniformity of sentiments in an 
 ecclesiastical comnmnity, and the importance of se- 
 curing to the laity the blessings of sound doctrine, the 
 opponents of that system have demonstrated with suc- 
 cess the inefficacy of the means, the too powerful 
 temptations for bad men to prevaricate in the most 
 sacred things, and the evil of excluding men of con- 
 science who cannot say amen to every article of the 
 multifarious creed. But, to this subject, the subscrip- 
 tion of the London ministers was conceived by them to 
 bear no resemblance. 
 
 In a peaceful state of the church, men of a thought- 
 ful turn of mind, and little piety, will entertain them- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 189 
 
 selves with speculations on theological subjects. Where 
 the heart is not established by grace, and they have 
 no zeal for the salvation of the souls of men, it is more 
 than probable that their speculations will end in error. 
 This was the case with some of the Dissenting minis- 
 ters, and their people, in different parts of England : 
 the writings of Whiston and Clarke were industriously 
 circulated and eagerly read, and Arianism became the 
 heresy of the day. The religious world heard the 
 report with grief and terror, and every one, in pro- 
 portion to his zeal and public spirit, took an active part 
 for the preservation of the truth. As some ministers 
 were accused of having imbibed the new opinions, 
 every one was desirous to have satisfactory evidence 
 of the orthodoxy of his own. Such was the temper of 
 men's minds in London, as well as in the country. 
 Many of the ministers there, perceiving the agitated 
 state of their congregations, conceived it of high im- 
 portance to satisfy them on this head, as a step neces- 
 sary to the peace of the people's minds, and the suc- 
 cess of their own labours ; and also as well adapted to 
 confirm and animate the friends of the orthodox doc- 
 trine in every part of the country, and especially in 
 Exeter, w^here the controversy raged. 
 
 Being convened to give advice to their brethren in 
 the West, they judged this a proper opportunity to 
 bear an explicit testimony to the doctrine of the Trinity, 
 and thought it would be most unexceptionably accom- 
 plished by subscribing those definitions of the doctrine 
 which w^ere held in veneration, both by the Dissenters 
 and the members of the established church. 
 
 Against these ministers, who consisted of almost all 
 
190 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the Independents, some of the Presbyterians, and one 
 half of the Baptists, loud cries were raised on account 
 of what they had done. By the Non-subscribers it was 
 alleged that the others had given up the principles of 
 dissent, exalted human creeds in the place of, or rather 
 in opposition to, the Word of God, and cast a reproach 
 on their brethren who could not concientiously co- 
 operate with them. But however warmly these accu- 
 sations were brought forward and credited at the time, 
 it is difficult at this distance to discern their criminality. 
 
 The subject in dispute was the doctrine of the Trinity. 
 As to the sufficiency of the Scriptures, both parties 
 were fully agreed. The question in debate was, not 
 concerning the words, but concerning the meaning of 
 the Scriptures, namely, whether the doctrine of the 
 Trinity was contained in them. The Subscribers be- 
 lieved it was, and that the Arians perverted the meaning 
 of the passages which related to it ; that they were 
 called upon, from many weighty reasons, to declare 
 their belief of the doctrine ; and though they did it in 
 human words, yet these expressed the meaning of the 
 Word of God. It was conceived by the Non-sub- 
 scribers, that this was giving too much w^eight to 
 human authority in religion. But when the question 
 was only concerning the meaning of the Scriptures, it 
 is difficult to say how that meaning could be expressed 
 otherwise than in human words. If application were 
 made to a counsellor for the meaning of a particular 
 statute, of which it was supposed a person before 
 consulted had mistaken the sense, we should not 
 admire his judgment, if he were to say, " Sir, here is 
 the statute, it contains the words of the legislature : 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 191 
 
 and 1 will cheerfully subscribe it as the law of the 
 land; but I will not set my name to any words of my 
 own, instead of those of the statute, because mine are 
 the w^ords of a private man" — his client might justly 
 reply, " The authenticity of the statute I do not call in 
 doubt, but I wish to know what you conceive to be its 
 meaning." Wherein the Non-subscribers differed from 
 the counsellor in this supposed case, it is difficult to 
 say ; and wdiat praise is due for their superior regard 
 to the sacred Scriptures, and their opposition to human 
 authority, is left to the reader to determine. He will 
 perceive an immense difference between the civil 
 magistrate interfering in matters of religion, and pre- 
 senting a creed to be subscribed as the term of admis- 
 sion into the clerical office, and the ministers of Christ 
 on an extraordinary occasion, for the glory of God, and 
 the benefit of the church, standing forth as individuals 
 to check the progress of error, and declaring, by their 
 signature, their belief of an important doctrine of Scrip- 
 ture. This distinction, however obvious, does not 
 appear to have been made by those who have so loudly 
 condemned the Subscribers, and praised the Non-sub- 
 scribers in this controversy. 
 
 The measures of the Non-subscribers were less 
 decisive than those of their brethren. The former 
 body consisted of a majority of tlie Presbyterians, a 
 few Independents^, and about one-half of the Baptists 
 who came to the assembly. Some of the Baptists were 
 know^n to be Arians, and one or tw^o w^re Socinians ; 
 some of the Presbyterians were suspected of leaning 
 towards heresy ; but the chief part of them w^as sound in 
 the faith, and not a few were among the most respectable 
 
192 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ministers in London. The zeal of some of this body, 
 in opposition to subscription, was, like that of the 
 Exeter ministers, entitled to little praise, for it was to 
 screen their heresy from public view. Others, who 
 were less concerned on their own account, sought to 
 shield these men from the shafts of notoriety ; and 
 both these classes were very active in the work. But 
 the greater part of them acted upon general principles 
 unconnected with the present controversy, though they 
 appear in this instance to have been misapplied. Nor 
 will it be easy to clear them from the charge of incon- 
 sistency ; for while they refuse to subscribe an article 
 of faith, they declare in their letter sent to Exeter, and 
 signed by the chairman. Dr. Oldfield, in their name : 
 " We utterly disown the Arian doctrine, and sincerely 
 believe the doctrine of the ever-blessed Trinity, and the 
 proper divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ." Wherein 
 this strong declaration differed from the subscriptions 
 of the other party^ it is not easy to say. Such incon- 
 sistencies sometimes appear in the wisest and best of 
 men, and furnish lessons of caution to those who live 
 at a later period. It is extremely difficult for a 
 heterogeneous body to act with unity and decision, and 
 make their operations bear upon one point ; but gene- 
 rally there is a part which suits one, and a part which 
 suits another. The Subscribers, on the contrary, were 
 perfectly united in their views, and, in consequence, there 
 is a consistency in their decisions and their counsels. 
 
 In information, or in judgment, the Non- subscribers 
 appear inferior to their brethren. The design of their 
 counsels was to reconcile the ministers and people of 
 Exeter to each other. If they supposed the ministers 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 193 
 
 to be sound in the faith, nothing can be more evident 
 than that they were ignorant of the real state of things ; 
 or if they knew them to be tainted with Arianism, and 
 yet wished the people to submit to them as their pas- 
 tors, there is reason to impeach the soundness of their 
 judgment, if not the fervour of their zeal. Till now, 
 Arianism had never been able to boast of so many 
 votaries in England, as to render its influence visible 
 to the worlds so that some of them were not aware of 
 its effects upon the religion of the heart. 
 
 As to the propriety of convening the assembly at 
 Salter's -hall to assist in the determination of the dispute 
 at Exeter, there is reason to hesitate. From the days 
 of the apostles, thousands of councils have sat; but, 
 taking them in the mass, they have done far more harm 
 than good. A few might be mentioned, where their 
 proceedings were conducted in the spirit of the Gospel ; 
 but there have been so many more in which pride and 
 passion reigned, and the decisions sanctioned super- 
 stition and error, that the others are lost in the crowd. 
 The meeting at Salter's-hall does not furnish an excep- 
 tion to this general remark. The debates were carried 
 on with excessive acrimony ; the breach which took 
 place was discreditable to their character as a religious 
 body ; and two letters and papers of advices, differing 
 from each other, lost much of the weight, which one 
 would have had. What was equally injurious — it broke 
 up ancient friendships among the ministers who took 
 different sides ; and as the people were divided as well 
 as the ministers, it produced alienation of heart between 
 those who had formerly lived in the most endearing 
 cordiality. It would have been well, if they had listened 
 
 VOL. II. O 
 
191 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to the advice of JMr. Bradbury, who proposed, that in- 
 stead of meeting as a council, they should repeatedly 
 assemble for fasting and prayer ; that they should then 
 choose a few of the wisest and best of their number, and 
 send them down to Exeter, to see and hear upon the 
 spot, and give such counsel for the maintenanc^e of 
 truth and harmony, as an accurate and personal know- 
 ledge of the whole should dictate *. 
 
 But how comes it to pass that the clergy have, in 
 every age, exhibited in their councils so much of a spirit 
 of passion, bitterness, and strife, while mercantile men 
 and men of science have generally discovered less heat 
 in their commercial and philosophical deliberations ? 
 Is it because teachers of religion, who, in their parochial 
 or congregational capacity, regarded themselves, and 
 were regarded by others as oracles, unaccustomed to 
 contradiction, when called to sit in an assembly of their 
 fellows, carried along with them the ideas of their own 
 superior knowledge, and expected the same deference 
 to their opinions, as in their own diocesan or parochial 
 circle? This being the prevailing spirit of the body, 
 difference of sentiment creates dissension and debate ; 
 debate rouses the passions of those men of consequence ; 
 indecorum and violence succeed, and all their unhappy 
 progeny. Allowance must be made also for the opera- 
 tion of another cause. The subjects of discussion in eccle- 
 siastical councils are frequently the most important to the 
 happiness of mankind. If the members conceive the grand 
 doctrines of the Gospel in danger of being perverted 
 or denied, and the opposite error established, to the 
 ruin of immortal souls, we are not to wonder, nor 
 * Bradbury's Letter to Shute. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 195 
 
 hastily to condemn the men who rouse their whole souls 
 to defend the cause of sacred truth, and have every 
 latent energy of the heart exerted in the eagerness of 
 debate. Coldness, in such a case, would be disloyalty 
 to God. But how pleasing is it, w^hen all this ardour 
 is combined and chastened by meekness of wisdom 
 and the tender feelings of Christian love ! 
 
 When the violence of the controversy had exhausted 
 its strength, and the original causes of the strife had 
 been removed by dismissing the Exeter ministers from 
 their congregations, the immediate effects of the contest 
 did not appear so injurious, as good men had been led 
 to fear. The ardent spirit of the orthodox for a while 
 stopped the progress of Arianism ; and with the excep- 
 tion of Pierce and Hallet, and a few who, in different 
 parts of England, adhered to them, and had the hardi- 
 hood to espouse their opinions, the rest who favoured 
 them, if they did not array themselves with the robes 
 of orthodoxy, at least took care not to appear publicly 
 in the garb of a heretic. A shrewd observer, who 
 drew up an account of the dissenting congregations in 
 London, from 1696 to 1730, though rather high in 
 Calvinism himself, does not charge any of the Presby- 
 terian ministers with preaching the Arian doctrine : 
 in a threefold list of Calvinists, Baxterians, and Ar- 
 minians, he includes the whole ; and that of the Calvin- 
 ists is the largest of the three. The Independents and 
 particular Baptists were all strenuous for this system. 
 He accuses none of going farther than Arminianism, 
 except some of the general Baptists, among whom, not 
 only Arianism, but Socinianism was already professed. 
 
 o 2 
 
196 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 But before the conclusion of this period, a more 
 melancholy scene was presented to view. In every 
 part of England, Arianism was not only embraced, 
 but openly acknowledged by not a few of the Presby- 
 terian ministers. The heresy polluted some of the 
 London pulpits : in Lancashire it was prevalent, and 
 in the counties to the south ; it gained ground also 
 in the west, whence it first sprang. The generation 
 of ministers, who contended so zealously for the ortho- 
 dox faith, had finished their labours, and received from 
 their Lord a dismission into eternal rest. Among 
 those who succeeded them were too many who em- 
 braced the Arian creed. Those champions among 
 the laity who, at the beginning of the controversy, 
 stood up so firmly for the truth, had entered into the 
 joy of their Lord. Though their children continued 
 Dissenters, too many of them did not possess the same 
 sentiments or spirit ; but with a liberal education, and 
 little religion, the Arian opinions gratified their literary 
 pride, as being remote from the creed of the vulgar, and 
 less hostile to the depravity of the human heart than 
 that which they renounced. To this unhappy change, 
 the example and conversation of many of the younger 
 Presbyterian ministers did but too much contribute. 
 In one or two of the seminaries, the tutors were 
 accused of giving countenance to the heresy among the 
 students. In consequence of these exertions, before 
 the end of the period, Arianism spread far and wide in 
 the Presbyterian congregations, both among the minis- 
 ters and the people. In a few places a Socinian 
 preacher appeared. Mr. Seddon, of Manchester, was, 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 197 
 
 perhaps, the first who openly professed that creed ; and 
 Mr. Cardale, of Evesham, wrote in its defence*. 
 This unhappy controversy proved the grave of the 
 Presbyterian congregations, and of those of the general 
 Baptists. Like the forbidden fruit which did not 
 produce the immediate destruction of the body, but 
 rendered the event certain at a future time, the effects 
 of Arianism, though at first scarcely visible, gradually 
 produced desolation and death. Could Pierce and 
 Hallet rise from the tomb, and see the doleful effects of 
 their new opinions on the congregations in Devonshire, 
 and wherever Arianism has been espoused, it would 
 chill their souls with unutterable horror. 
 
 ^^-Mu Sect. II. — The Deisfical Controversy. j 
 
 The first of the English Deists was Lord Herbert 
 of Cherbury, a man respectfully spoken of by the 
 writers of his time. But a nobleman inspired, in that 
 age, a veneration which the people of the present day 
 have ceased to feel. His first work, " On Truth," 
 was published at Paris in 1624, and his last and most 
 renowned, " On the Religion of the Gentiles," at 
 Amsterdam, in 1663, both in the Latin tongue. 
 Dreading opposition to his work " On the Truth," but 
 anxious to publish it, he fell down on his knees with his 
 manuscript in his hand, and in a most devout prayer 
 begged of God a sign from heaven, if he approved 
 the book. " I had no sooner," says he, " spoken these 
 • Toulmin's Life of Bourne. Orton's Letters to Dissenting Ministers. 
 
198 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 words, but a loud, though yet gentle noise came forth 
 from the heavens (for it was like notliing on earth), 
 which did so cheer and comfort me, that I took my 
 petition as granted ; and that I had the sign I de- 
 manded ; whereupon also I resolved to print my book*." 
 Does it not appear to have been the will of God to 
 pour contempt on Deism by the ridiculous credulity of 
 its patriarch ? He fancied he had a revelation from 
 heaven to authorise him to publish a book against 
 divine revelation ! 
 
 Thomas Hobbes, of Malmesbury, son of the minister 
 of that place, educated at Oxford, tutor to the sons of 
 the Earl of Devonshire, published, in 1650, the "Levi- 
 athan," containing all his ideas on religious, political, 
 and moral subjects. He professed to be of the church 
 of England, and used to receive the Sacrament among 
 her sons. He lived to the age of ninety-one, and when 
 told that his disease was incurable, exclaimed " Then 
 I shall be glad to find a hole to creep out of the 
 world at." 
 
 Charles Blount, a man of talents and learning, be- 
 came a Deist, from his hatred of superstition, and from 
 seeing that men made a trade of religion. In 1693, 
 he published his " Oracles of Reason," in which he 
 advances the same principles as Lord Herbert of 
 Cherbury. After the death of his wife, becoming 
 enamoured of her sister, who refused to marry him, on 
 account of their relationship, he was seized with a 
 frenzy, and put an end to his life. 
 
 John Toland always professed himself a Christian, 
 but made it the business of his life to promote the cause 
 * Leland's View, vol. i , p. 24. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 199 
 
 of Deism. In his " Christianity not Mysterious," 
 published in 1696, he endeavoured to show that there 
 is nothing in the Christian religion above reason. And 
 in his " Amyntor," which he afterwards wrote, he 
 endeavoured to invalidate the canon of the New Testa- 
 ment, by extolling spurious gospels as entitled to equal 
 credit. 
 
 Lord Shaftesbury's " Characteristics" entitle him to 
 a high rank in the list of infidels. He frequently speaks 
 with respect of a wise and good providence ; and says 
 that men are formed for the practice of virtue and 
 religion. Yet there are many things in his writings 
 designed to vilify Christianity and the sacred Scriptures. 
 Another active partisan of Deism is Anthony Collins, 
 who, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, pub- 
 lished " A Discourse on Freethinking," and " Grounds 
 and Reasons of the Christian Religion." In the 
 former, he inveighs against the vices of the clergy, and 
 attempts to prove that the divisions among Christians 
 are a proof of the uncertainty of their principles. In 
 the latter, he maintains that Christianity derives no 
 confirmation from the prophecies of the Old Testa- 
 ment. He became a justice of the peace, and when 
 entering on his ofiice, received the sacrament as a 
 qualifying test. " This," says Whiston, " I call gross 
 immorality, impious fraud, and lay craft." 
 
 Woolston, while he pretended a zeal for Christi- 
 anity, was one of its most bitter enemies, and treated 
 it with less respect than any of his elder brethren. 
 He set himself up as an advocate for the allegorical 
 sense of the Scripture ; but it seems only to be put on 
 as a cloak, while he endeavours to show the absurdity 
 
200 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of the literal meaning. He is at great pains to repre- 
 sent some of Christ's miracles as absurd, false, and 
 incredible. His discourses on the subject were pub- 
 lished in 1727, and the two following years. Some 
 have said that he was insane. Had he been sent to 
 Bedlam by his friends, instead of being committed to 
 prison for his infidelity, it would have been more for 
 the honour of the country. 
 
 Dr. Tindal was a more plausible advocate for infi- 
 delity than Woolston. In his " Christianity as old as 
 the Creation," while he professes a great respect for 
 the Gospel, he strenuously endeavours to show that 
 revelation is altogether needless, and sets himself 
 particularly against the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Testament. He extols with the highest praises the 
 religion of a Deist, and asserts the absolute universal 
 clearness of the law of nature. 
 
 Dr. Morgan's " Moral Philosopher," in three 
 volumes, contains his attack on the religion of Jesus 
 Christ. He seems to acknowledge the great utility of 
 revelation, but discards Divine authority in matters of 
 religion, and all evidence from miracles and prophecies. 
 He is full of invectives against the law of Moses, and 
 the writings of the prophets ; and while he professes 
 to be a Christian, on the footing of the New Testament, 
 he speaks of it in the most reproachful manner, and 
 insinuates things dishonourable to the character of 
 Christ. 
 
 In 1742, a pamphlet was published, to which the 
 writer gave the title of " Christianity not founded in 
 argument." It was drawn up with great ingenuity and 
 subtlety, and excited much attention. There is an 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 201 
 
 attempt to prove that its proper foundation is faith only, 
 without evidence or reason. It was afterwards found 
 to be the work of Henry Dodwell, educated for the 
 law, who became a sceptic, to which, perhaps, his 
 father's absurd and peculiar notions might not a little 
 contribute^. " The Resurrection of Jesus considered,'* 
 published in 1744, was the production of an anony- 
 mous writer, who does everything in his power to dis- 
 credit that infinitely important doctrine. About the same 
 time, Mr. Chubb began to write as a rational Christian, 
 and never explicitly renounced Christianity. But in his 
 posthumous works he insinuates many things to its 
 disadvantage. He speaks against Providence and 
 prayer, and rejects the Jewish revelation. Lord Bo- 
 lingbroke is to be considered as among the apostles of 
 infidelity, and may perhaps lay claim to the primacy, 
 for his eloquence and his zeal. He attempts to dis- 
 credit both the Old Testament and the New : and, in 
 his posthumous w^orks, shows equal violence against 
 some of the most important principles of natural reli- 
 gion. At the same time, " the law of nature," he 
 asserts, is clear and obvious to all mankind ; and 
 there is no need of a supernatural revelation." 
 
 David Huihe, the idol of infidels, wrote against the 
 credibility of miracles, universally considered. In his 
 posthumous works, he denies a future state, and treats 
 with the greatest contempt the constitution and govern- 
 ment of the world : he rejects with ridicule, the doctrine 
 of the being of God and of a Providence f. 
 
 * Biographia Britannica, vol. v., p. 327. 
 
 On the continent, Voltaire was the most successful preacher of infi- 
 delity, and made more converts than any other man. He always pro- 
 
202 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 While Christianity was assaulted by such adver- 
 saries, numerous defenders arose for her support. To 
 enumerate those who were cherished in the bosom of 
 the established church is beyond the design of this 
 work. Suffice it to say, they were a numerous host, 
 and many of them eminently qualified for the service. 
 Those without her pale, it is our province to exhibit. 
 
 Among the first who appeared on the side of reve- 
 lation was the celebrated Richard Baxter, who, in his 
 " Reasons for the Christian Religion," examines Lord 
 Herbert's book " on Truth," and furnishes some in- 
 genious, judicious, and valuable remarks, by way of 
 answer. But to a volume of Mr. Halyburton, professor 
 of divinity at St. Andrew's, entitled " Natural Religion 
 insufficient, and Revealed necessary to Man's Happi- 
 ness," and published with the express design to confute 
 the whole of his lordship's system_, there has appeared 
 nothing, in the whole of the deistical controversy, of 
 superior merit. 
 
 During the second period of this history, the deistical 
 controversy was the order of the day. It seems to have 
 engaged the first attention of the literary world, and of 
 that part of the theological body which enjoys leisure, 
 or is not fixed by its office to particular objects. There 
 is, besides, a class of men whose taste determines them 
 to the consideration of a favourite subject, and makes 
 them ever ready to enter the field against the advo- 
 
 fessed himself a Christian, and continued to do so upon his death-bed. 
 He never enters into serious argument against the Gospel, which indeed 
 he did not understand, but throws the shafts of ridicule all around him, 
 and treats Judaism with the most sovereign contempt. 
 
 Rousseau had likewise, during this period, begun his career, and 
 allured his thousands into the infidel camp. For extent of success, these 
 two men are far above their brethren. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 203 
 
 cates for the opposite side. Among the Dissenters, 
 some of the most eminent ministers engaged with 
 ardour in the defence of the Christian faith. When 
 Toland endeavoured to shake the foundation of the 
 sacred Scriptures, Jeremiah Jones, in his work on the 
 canon of Scripture, made manifest the futility of his 
 objections, and gained to himself deserved honour. 
 Simon Browne displayed great ability in his Answer 
 to Tindal and Woolston. Tindal found another anta- 
 gonist in Dr. James Foster, whose character is well 
 known in the republic of letters. Joseph Hallet brought 
 his superior abilities, and ingenuity, and learning into 
 the field of contest, against Woolston, against Morgan, 
 and against Chubb. The profound learning of Moses 
 Lowman defended, against the ill-informed but bitter 
 zeal of Morgan, the constitution and government of the 
 Hebrews, with complete success. Besides the very 
 elaborate defence of Christianity, in his theological 
 lectures. Dr. Doddridge published a judicious answer 
 to Dod well's " Christianity not founded in Argument." 
 Dr. Benson's laborious pen was engaged in the same 
 cause ; and, in his " Reasonableness of the Christian 
 Religion," replied both to Mr. Dodwell and to a work 
 entitled " Deism fairly stated." But a more volumi- 
 nous writer on the controversy than any of these^ is the 
 celebrated Dr. Samuel Chandler, who defended Chris- 
 tianity against Collins, and Morgan, and Tindal, and 
 the author of the " Resurrection of Jesus considered." 
 The energy of his mind, as well as his extensive learn- 
 ing, are universally owned. But the most powerful 
 and successful champion among the Dissenters was 
 Dr. Lardner, to whom England did not, in the Deistical 
 
204 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 controversy, produce an equal in any communion ; and 
 though he outlived this period, nearly all his works 
 were published before its close. To mention the name 
 of Dr. Lardner is enough ; his works on this subject 
 are above praise. Next to him, among the celebrated 
 writers in this controversy, stands, without dispute, Dr. 
 Leland, a dissenting minister in Dublin, whose " View 
 of the Deistical Writers," and treatises on the " Neces- 
 sity of Revelation," and on the " Authority of the Old 
 and New Testament," all display the superior powers 
 of his mind, the soundness of his judgment, and his 
 intimate acquaintance with all the subterfuges of 
 Deism. In a volume on the presumptive evidences of 
 the Christian religion, Dr. Duchal, his fellow-labourer 
 in the ministry, in the same city, rendered eminent ser- 
 vice to the cause, and filled the literary world with the 
 highest ideas of the ingenuity, depth, and vigour of his 
 mental powers. It would be injustice not to mention, 
 that, about the middle of this period, there appeared a 
 posthumous volume, of more than common excellence, 
 from the pen of Benjamin Bennet, author of the 
 " Christian Oratory," on the " Truth, Inspiration, and 
 Usefulness of the Sacred Scriptures." This book 
 should have a distinguished place in the library of 
 every theological student, for few books of its size con- 
 tain a more abundant treasure of divine doctrine. 
 
 To preach against Deism was, during this period, 
 exceedingly fashionable, and conmion in the established 
 church. " Formerly," says one of its most learned 
 prelates, " the office of the preacher was to explain the 
 Scriptures, for the salvation of the people's souls ; now 
 we are called to convince them that they have souls to 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 205 
 
 be saved." Many among the Presbyterians and ge- 
 neral Baptists followed their example, especially those 
 who embraced the Arian creed ; for, by means of the 
 change, they lost a variety of the themes on which they 
 used to insist, and were left in possession of a narrower 
 'field than they occupied before ; so that the Deistical 
 controversy came seasonably to their relief But the 
 propriety of this method may be called in question. 
 On particular occasions, a sermon on the evidences of 
 Christianity may be both fit and necessary ; and brief 
 remarks on the subject, in the course of a minister's 
 labours, may be exceedingly suitable and beneficial; 
 but to make it a common theme of discourse in a dis- 
 senting congregation, as many of them did, was by no 
 means conducive to the edification of the people. Few 
 Deists come to their places of public worship ; the 
 subject is too cold for a society of Christians ; and if 
 the preacher attend to his grand business, which is to 
 illustrate, confirm, and enforce the principles of the 
 Gospel, he will more efiectually establish his congre- 
 gation in the belief of the Christian religion, than by 
 the ablest discourses on its divine original. Many a 
 congregation was starved under a long series of good 
 discourses on the evidences of Christianity. 
 
 For a full discussion of the subject, the press is cer- 
 tainly the fittest place ; but if it is to come into the 
 pulpit, the dissenting pulpits of that day were the least 
 suitable. The controversy, during this period, was 
 nearly confined to the literary world, and those in the 
 higher walks of life. Among the plain congregations of 
 the Dissenters, a Deist was hardly to be found ; and the 
 people were but little in danger from this revolting creed. 
 
206 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 SEMINARIES OF THE DISSENTERS DURING THIS 
 PERIOD. 
 
 Sect. 1. — Historical Review of the Seminaries. 
 
 For want of a succession of Calamys to record the 
 lives of dissenting tutors, while the most memorable 
 circumstances of their career were fresh in the memory 
 of their survivors, little at this day is known concerning 
 many of them, besides their names. With regard to 
 some, this is a serious loss ; but as to others who 
 w^ere not men of eminence, and furnish no striking 
 lessons of instruction to mankind, the world sustains 
 little injury, and the fruit of research would not repay 
 the labour. Superior excellence will generally find a 
 biographer to record the salutary example. 
 
 To resume the narrative in order, from the former 
 period, the loss sustained by the academy at AtterclifFe, 
 in the death of Mr. Jollie, was not repaired by John 
 Wadsworth, his successor, who ministered to a part of 
 his congregation at Sheffield. His introduction was 
 inauspicious ; for it was in opposition to a majority of 
 the church, who elected John De la Rose, Mr. Jollie's 
 assistant, for their pastor. Mr. Wadsworth continued 
 in the ministry there nearly thirty years ; but it is more 
 than probable that he ceased to be a tutor, some time 
 before his death. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 207 
 
 A seminary, at Kendal, in Westmoreland, under the 
 tuition of Caleb Rotheram, D.D. minister of the Pres- 
 byterian congregation in that town, is supposed by some 
 to have been a continuation of that at Sheffield. From 
 the imperfect memorials which remain, there is reason 
 to conclude that he held the office for many years. His 
 character is thus drawn by one of his students. " As 
 a minister, his abilities were great, his delivery grace- 
 ful, his performances instructive, lively, and entertain- 
 ing, his sentiments nervous, his arguments strong, and 
 his expression just. What he delivered was first tried 
 upon his own mind. When you felt the force of truth, 
 the weight of all had been first poised in his heart. He 
 spoke to the edification of all, so that every individual 
 among you might think the address was only to himself 
 In sacraments he excelled. He is the fittest to declare 
 the love of God to others, who has felt it shed abroad 
 on his own heart. As a tutor^, his capacity was equal 
 to his department. His public spirit, desirous to pro- 
 pagate useful knowledge, and his tender concern for the 
 interests of young persons, inclined him to take upon 
 himself the direction of youthful studies, for which he 
 was excellently well qualified. He was of a most com- 
 municative temper, and his lectures were rather the open 
 informations of a friend, than the dictates of a master^." 
 Dr. Rotheram's influence among the Dissenters in that 
 part of England was very considerable. After ex- 
 ercising his ministry for thirty- six years, he died, June 
 8th, 1752, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and the 
 seminary was discontinued. 
 
 In the beginning of this period, Mr. James, Mr. 
 
 * Dr. Rotheram's Funeral Sermon, by James Daye. 
 
208 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Darch^ and INIr. Grove presided over the academy at 
 Taunton. Henry Grove was descended from a line of 
 progenitors eminent for piety and goodness. He was 
 born at Taunton, in 1683, and received his education 
 for the ministry partly under Mr. Warren, and partly 
 under Mr. Rowe, of London, to whom he was related. 
 By his appointment to the academy, in 1706, being 
 fixed at Taunton, he preached for eighteen years to two 
 small congregations in the neighbourhood. On Mr. 
 Darch's resignation of his office, mathematics and 
 natural philosophy were added to Mr. Grove's depart- 
 ment. In 1725, on the death of Mr. James, he was 
 appointed to fill the divinity chair, and he succeeded 
 him also in his pastoral charge. In both these depart- 
 ments he continued till his death, in February, 1738. 
 
 Mr. Grove's theological learning was considerable, 
 and his attainments in polite literature were superior to 
 those of most of his brethren. Several papers of the 
 Spectator were written by his pen. To the study of 
 moral philosophy he was peculiarly attached. In every 
 branch of knowledge requisite for a tutor, he was suffi- 
 ciently skilled ; and he is said to have possessed the 
 temper and patience so necessary for those who are 
 engaged in the tuition of youth. His discourses for the 
 pulpit were prepared with considerable attention, and 
 delivered in a pleasing and affectionate manner. And 
 to crown all, he was a man of great seriousness of spirit, 
 and of an exemplary life. His writings are numerous. 
 Besides a great number of sermons and treatises, pub- 
 lished during his life, six volumes of discourses and 
 tracts, and two on moral philosophy, appeared after his 
 death. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 209 
 
 But important and valuable as all these qualities are, 
 one thing was wanting to complete his character, and 
 give efficacy to the whole ; and the want of that ren- 
 dered many of the others worse than useless. It is by 
 the principles of religion which a tutor instils into his 
 students, that they become a blessing or a curse to the 
 human race ; assassins of souls or instruments of their 
 salvation. Unhappily Mr. Grove was not sound in the 
 faith; and as he advanced in years, he became more 
 averse to evangelical doctrines*. The greater part of the 
 students imbibed the spirit of their tutor, and going forth 
 with their new divinity, they starved and scattered the 
 flourishing churches, which the pure doctrine of Christ 
 had gathered and increased. The writer of the manu- 
 script account of the London churches complains bitterly 
 of their evil principles, and useless or pernicious labours. 
 
 Mr. Grove was succeeded in the academy by his 
 nephew Thomas Amory, D.D., who Avas born at Taun- 
 ton, in 1701. He acquired his classical knowledge 
 under Mr. Chad wick, a distinguished scholar. In 1717, 
 he went to the academy at Taunton, and on leaving it, 
 in 1722, he pursued a course of philosophy in London 
 under Mr. Eames. Returning to the country in 1725, 
 he was called to assist his uncle, and taught the classics 
 and philosophy. He was a preacher as well as a tutor, 
 and for some years officiated along with IMr. Batson at 
 Paul's meeting; but, in 1732, some of the people built 
 a new place of worship, and chose Dr. Amory for their 
 pastor. On the death of Mr. Grove in 1738, he became 
 chief tutor in the academy, and continued to perform 
 
 * See as an illustration of this remark, his sermon on the conversion of 
 the apostle Paul.— Grove's Posthumous Works, vol. i. p. 302—346. 
 
 VOL. II. P 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the duties of his office till 1759, when he accepted an 
 invitation from London to assist Dr. Chandler, as after- 
 noon preacher to his congregation in the Old Jewry. 
 On Dr. Chandler's decease in 1766, he succeeded to 
 the pastoral charge, from which death removed him in 
 1774, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. 
 
 According to the testimony of his biographer, " he 
 was an amiable man in private life. As a preacher, he 
 did not meet with popularity to which he w^as entitled. 
 His sermons, though practical, serious, and affecting to 
 attentive hearers, were rather too close, judicious, and 
 philosophical for the common run of congregations. If 
 any thing disputable was introduced, it was to expose 
 the doctrine of rigid Calvinism, which he much dis- 
 approved, as giving very narrow and unworthy ideas of 
 the supreme mind*." From his uncle. Dr. Amory in- 
 herited the calvinopJwbia, and this disease, instead of 
 being milder, grew more inveterate, so that he sought 
 relief in arianism, a system which few of the Presby- 
 terian ministers of London, in his day, professed so 
 openly as himself The academy, under his manage- 
 ment, fell into decay, and, at his departure, it was dis- 
 solved. 
 
 The academy at Shrewsbury was, at the commence- 
 ment of this period, under the care of John Reynolds 
 and Dr. Gyles. Mr. Reynolds, the more eminent of 
 the two, was the son of an ejected minister at Wolver- 
 hampton, and born there in 1667. Fervent piety 
 adorned his early years, and he felt an earnest desire 
 to be employed in the work of the ministry. When the 
 * Biographia Britannica, &c. article, Amory. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 211 
 
 time arrived for his receiving an academical education, 
 deterred by the gloomy aspect which tlie affairs of the 
 Dissenters Avore, he conceived that he should find a 
 more certain and extensive field of usefulness within 
 the pale of the established church. With this view, he 
 went to Oxford, a little before the revolution, and studied 
 at Pembroke college, for four years, under the care of 
 Dr. Hall, afterwards bishop of Bristol. In order to 
 enjoy the benefit of the public libraries, and the con- 
 versation of learned men, he continued in the city for 
 another year. But his prospects from the establishment 
 were rendered abortive by the study of the controversy 
 on the dissent. His conscience would not permit him 
 to conform, and he was constrained by the convictions 
 of his mind to become a dissenting teacher. After 
 leaving college, his first stated employment was with 
 IMr. Noble, of Bristol, as a tutor and a preacher ; but 
 after a residence of three years, with much acceptance 
 of his labours, both in the academy and in the pulpit, ill 
 health compelled him to retire into the country. 
 
 In 1699, he was, with three others, ordained at Old- 
 bury chapel by four aged confessors, who still survived 
 the sorrows of St. Bartholomew's day. For some years 
 afterwards, he was chaplain to a gentleman's family. He 
 was called, in 1706, to labour among the Dissenters at 
 Gloucester, with the venerable INIr. Forbes. Not with- 
 out much reluctance, he was drawn from that situation 
 in 1708, by the invitation of the congregation at Sln-ews- 
 bury, and the entreaties of the neighbouring ministers, 
 who urged him to undertake the pastoral charge of that 
 church, and carry on the business of the academy with 
 Dr. Gyles, who was chosen at the same time. 
 
 F 2 
 
212 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 On this two-fold office, he entered with deep humility, 
 an exalted spirit of devotion, and dependence on divine 
 help*. Of his labours in the academy his biographer 
 speaks in the following terms : " he carefully instructed 
 the pupils in those parts of literature that fell to his 
 share to teach. He made conscience of his duty in this 
 respect ; he was concerned to maintain the honour of 
 the Christian ministry, and knowing that learning is 
 very requisite to this end, he took great care to instil it 
 into the minds of those under his care, and to lead them 
 into the knowledge of those truths, that would furnish 
 them for their work, and enable them, when they entered 
 upon it, honourably to perform it. His concern was, 
 that they might be able ministers of the New Testament. 
 He had a great love for their souls, and was earnestly 
 desirous to promote their spiritual and eternal welfare : 
 he studied to make them virtuous and holy, as well as 
 learned, to have Christ formed in them, and to possess 
 them with a godlike temper and disposition, as being 
 necessary to render their work pleasurable and delight- 
 ful to them, and to engage them to a faithful and cheer- 
 ful discharge of itf 
 
 During ten years, Mr. Reynolds laboured in this 
 important station, when bodily infirmities again obliged 
 
 ♦ Life of John Reynolds, p. 121 — 124. He concludes his pious exer- 
 cises in the following words: " O that the little academy may be blessed 
 and taught of God ! O that the young members of it may be humble, 
 tractable, studious, inclined to God and to religion ! O possess their early 
 minds and hearts for thyself, for thy kingdom and glory ! The good Lord, 
 bless instruction, education, and studies! O, by thy grace, cure youthful 
 lusts, prevent immoralities, licentiousness, and scandals ! Let religion, 
 seriousness, virtue, and learning grow and flourish among them ! O that 
 there and thence a seed may arise to serve thee, to bear thy name, and 
 spread the word of thy grace about this distinguished isle !" 
 
 t Life of John Reynolds, p. 125. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 213 
 
 him to resign his charge ; but, before this time, the 
 academy was dissolved. Leaving Shrewsbury in 1718, 
 after frequent changes of abode for several years, he at 
 last settled at Walsal, in 1721, and, as far as he was 
 able, assisted Mr. Godley, an eminently pious minister 
 in that town, till it pleased God to give him rest from 
 his labours on the 24th of August, 1727, in the sixty- 
 first year of his age. 
 
 John Reynolds was a man of superior learning and 
 piety, to the utmost ability of a feeble constitution, 
 laborious in the duties of his office, devoted to God in 
 a more than ordinary degree, and making it the great 
 business of life to do good. His treatises on " Zeal,'* 
 on " Reconciliation with God," the " Religion of Jesus 
 delineated," and his " Confirming Catechism," &c., 
 will impress the judicious reader with high ideas both 
 of his intellectual and spiritual endowments *. 
 
 At the beginning of this period, the Hoxton academy 
 was under the tuition of Dr. Oldfield, Mr. Lorimer, 
 and Mr. Capel. William Lorimer, M. A., an able 
 instructor, was educated in the Marischal College of 
 Aberdeen, his native city. In 1664, when he was 
 twenty-four years of age, he came to London, and 
 having received episcopal ordination, was first curate 
 at the Charter-house, and was afterwards presented to 
 a living in Sussex. On examining the canons of the 
 church, many of them appeared contrary to the sacred 
 Scriptures ; and he considered his oath of canonical 
 obedience as an unlawful oath. Quitting, therefore, 
 the establishment, he united himself to the Non-con- 
 Reynolds' Life. 
 
214 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 formists, at a time when none could doubt of his sin- 
 cerity ; for he had nothing to expect by the change of 
 communion but poverty and a dungeon. His first em- 
 ployment afterwards, was that of chaplain in a gentle- 
 man's family ; and, during a few years, he had the 
 charge of a small congregation at Lee, in Kent. In 
 1695, he was invited to be professor of divinity in the 
 university of St. Andrews, but he did not accept the 
 office. Hoxton academy enjoyed the benefit of his 
 labours as a tutor, for which he was amply qualified by 
 his learning, integrity, and piety. He used also to 
 assist his brethren with his occasional services, and 
 was very highly esteemed by all. His old age was 
 cheered vrith the liveliest hopes of eternal glory. He 
 died in 1722, in the eighty-first year of his age. 
 
 The theological tutor of this academy, Joshua Old- 
 field, D. D., the son of an ejected minister, was born 
 in Corsington, in Derbyshire, the place of his father's 
 charge. He spent some time at Christ's College, 
 Cambridge, under Dr. Henry More and Dr. Cudworth, 
 but being unable to take the oaths, he left the uni- 
 versity, without a degree. Residing, for some time, as 
 chaplain to the family of a gentleman of note, a living 
 which became vacant was offered to him ; and some of 
 the clergy in the neighbourhood were employed to 
 argue him into conformity ; but they could not produce 
 conviction, and he entered into the ministry among the 
 Dissenters. He preached first in London, then at 
 Tooting, and afterwards, for some years, at Oxford. 
 From that city, he removed to Coventry, in 1694, where 
 he preached, in conjunction with Mr. Tong, and com- 
 menced his academical labours. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 215 
 
 In 1700, he removed to London, and succeeded Mr. 
 Kentish in the pastoral office at Maid's-lane, South- 
 wark, where he laboured during the remainder of his 
 life. He was deservedly held in high estimation. In 
 the Salters'-hall conferences, he took an active part, 
 was chairman of the body when they divided, and after- 
 wards of the party of the non- subscribers. But while 
 he conceived subscription to be inexpedient, he was 
 zealous for the orthodox doctrines, and published his 
 sentiments on the Trinity, in a sermon which united 
 principle with practice, and combined the truth of the 
 doctrine with its important use. He closed a very 
 useful and honourable life in 1729, when he was 
 seventy-two years of age. 
 
 We live at too great a distance from the period of 
 Dr. Oldfield's labours to be able to recover from tradi- 
 tion a particular account of his seminary. His quali- 
 fications were of the first order, but the Hoxton 
 academy appears to have ceased before his death. 
 
 In the academy of the Independents, Dr. Chauncy's 
 successor was Thomas Ridgley, D.D., a native of the 
 city of London. He was born in 1667, and is supposed 
 to have received his education for the ministry under 
 Mr. Davidson, who kept an academy at Trowbridge. 
 On his return to his friends, he was, in 1695, appointed 
 assistant to the celebrated Mr. Thomas Gouge, whose 
 congregation met at the Three Cranes, in Thames- 
 street. He excelled in the illustration of the sacred 
 Scriptures, and was equally eminent for piety, meek- 
 ness, and zeal. On his death, in 1700, Dr. Ridgley 
 succeeded him in the pastoral charge. 
 
216 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 But it is as a tutor that he appears in this catalogue. 
 Theology was his department ; and his fitness for 
 the office may be safely inferred from the lectures to 
 his students, published in two folio volumes, composing 
 a body of divinity. That they display soundness of 
 judgment, extensive learning, and an intimate ac- 
 quaintance with the sacred oracles, every impartial 
 reader will allow. That he was a Calvinist, when we 
 have mentioned his connexions, need scarcely be told ; 
 but he differs in several instances from their commonly 
 received opinions, and discovers a freedom of thought 
 which shows a man determined to explain the Scrip- 
 tures for himself. But his style was deficient in neat- 
 ness, elegance, and force. The doctor entered deeply 
 into the Arian controversy ; and, ranking on the side 
 of the subscribers, appeared from the press in their 
 defence. After labouring in the ministry nearly forty 
 years, and upwards of twenty in the academy, he 
 finished his course March 27th, 1734, in the sixty- 
 seventh year of his age. 
 
 The students in this academy, while they had the 
 happiness to receive lectures in theology from Dr. 
 Ridgley, Avere instructed in classical learning, mathe- 
 matics, and natural philosophy, by a tutor of equal or 
 superior abilities, John Eames, F.R.S. He was a 
 native of London, studied the learned languages at 
 Merchant Tailors' School, and afterwards received an 
 academical education for the ministry ; but extreme 
 diffidence, and a defect in the powers of elocution, 
 deterred him from preaching more than one sermon. 
 But he employed his talents, with great diligence and 
 benefit, in the instruction of youth ; and was, for many 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 217 
 
 years. Dr. Ridgley's colleague in the Independent 
 seminary. His very superior attainments in the 
 branches of science which he taught, entitle him to 
 more than common praise, which it would be the more 
 unjust to withhold, because excessive timidity and 
 bashfulness veiled them so as almost to conceal his 
 extraordinary talents. He was intimately acquainted 
 with Sir Isaac Newton, and, it is said, assisted him on 
 some occasions. By that wonderful man he was intro- 
 duced into the Royal Society, by which he was so 
 highly esteemed as to be employed, with another gentle- 
 man, to draw up an abridgement of their transactions. 
 
 He was prevailed on, after the death of Dr. Ridgley, 
 to take the theological department in the academy, in 
 which he continued to labour for the space of ten years. 
 From his active and useful pursuits, death called him 
 suddenly away, in June, 1744. " What a change (said 
 Dr. Watts) did Mr. Eames experience ! But a few 
 hours between his lecturing to his pupils and his hear- 
 ing the lectures of angels." Laudari a viro laudato 
 has been accounted the highest praise. This praise 
 Mr. Eames received from Dr. Watts, who thus ex- 
 pressed himself to one of his students, — " Your tutor 
 is the most learned man I ever knew 
 
 While Mr. Eames was theological teacher, he was 
 assisted by Joseph Densham, one of his former scholars, 
 who had attained to a considerable proficiency in the 
 various branches of science. Though earnestly soli- 
 cited by Dr. Jennings to continue his useful labours, 
 he, on Mr. Eames's decease, bade adieu to an acade- 
 
 * Biographia Britannica, vol. i. p. 175. Monthly Magazine for 
 April, 1803. 
 
218 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 mical life, preached for some time in the country, and 
 afterwards retired into a private station, and died, at an 
 advanced age, in 1792. 
 
 On the death of Mr. Eames, David Jennings, D.D., 
 was appointed divinity tutor, and Dr. INIorton Savage 
 assisted him in the other departments of literature. 
 Both these gentlemen survived this period. 
 
 Another academy, under the patronage of the Inde- 
 pendents, sprang up in the metropolis during this 
 period ; and, as it was not unconnected with the other, 
 may be most properly mentioned in this place. The 
 first theological tutor was Abraham Taylor, D. D., 
 whose father, Richard, was an eminent minister among 
 the Dissenters, in the beginning of the eighteenth 
 century. The son also Avas a man of note. Where 
 he received his education is not known, but his tutors 
 had done their duty. He was a good classical scholar 
 and an able divine. He took an active part in the 
 theological disputes of the day, and left behind him 
 several volumes of a doctrinal and controversial kind. 
 
 It was the remark of a Scotch divine, when expound- 
 ing the words, " Moses's face shone, and he knew it 
 not," " That it was a braw thing for a man's face to 
 shine, and him not to ken it." Dr. Taylor possessed 
 learning, and he knew it ; and this knowledge proved 
 the source of much misery to its possessor. 
 
 In .the character of tutor, he was well qualified as to 
 literary acquirements, but his discipline approached 
 to that which was exercised in the universities about a 
 century before, when corporal correction was adminis- 
 tered to offenders, of which, it is said, the immortal 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 219 
 
 Milton had his share. Imprudence in the manage- 
 ment of his finances removed him from his important 
 offices, and by consigning him to unserviceableness, 
 penury, and dishonour, taught the importance of eco- 
 nomy. He was ordained pastor of a congregation at 
 Deptford, January 1st, 1731, and he continued there 
 about ten years. Nearly all that time he was a tutor. 
 
 Dr. Taylor was succeeded by John Hubbard, who 
 having been assistant to ]\Ir. ]\Iitchel, pastor of a 
 church at Stepney, was, on his death, in 1721, chosen 
 in his room, and fed his flock, for two-and-twenty years, 
 with distinguished skill, fidelity, and diligence. From 
 his sermons, at the " Berry- street lectures," it is evi- 
 dent that he was an able preacher, and knew well how 
 to divide the word of truth. Had he studied composi- 
 tion more, they would have appeared to still greater 
 advantage. On his appointment to the divinity chair, 
 in 1740, he applied himself to the duties of his office 
 with exemplary diligence ; and the most pleasing hopes 
 were entertained of many years of usefulness, but they 
 were extinguished by his decease, in July 1743, in the 
 fifty-first year of his age. 
 
 He w^as a very able divine, and so intimately ac- 
 quainted with the Scriptures, that he never felt occa- 
 sion to add a concordance to his library. In other 
 branches of literature, connected with theology and his 
 office, he was abundantly skilled ; and he possessed 
 what is infinitely better than knowledge or learning — 
 eminent religion, which shone forth in the tenor of his 
 life, and most conspicuously at the close of his days. 
 Although the interval between health and death was 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 short, he enjoyed the blessedness of that servant whom 
 the Lord, when he came, found watching. Amidst the 
 most painful bodily affliction, he possessed his soul in 
 patience. " It is fit," said he, " we should endure pain 
 and trouble here, for we shall have none hereafter. 
 There, the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick. 
 These tabernacles were framed by God, every pin 
 of them ; and it is fit that he should have the taking of 
 them down in his own way. I desire to depart, and to 
 be with Christ, which is best ; yet content I am to stay, 
 if God has any further work for me to do. I put 
 my trust in thee, O Lord. Through Christ, we are 
 more than conquerors. He is all my salvation, and all 
 my desire *." 
 
 Mr. Hubbard's successor was Zephaniah Marryat, 
 D.D., pastor of a church in Southwark. To good 
 natural abilities, he added an energy of application 
 which cannot be recommended as a pattern to others. 
 " In the vigorous part of life, it was my custom, for 
 some space, to sit up frequently whole nights, generally 
 two, and sometimes three in a week, the year round." 
 By such a mode of life, it excites no surprise to hear 
 that he had read over the works of the Greek and 
 Latin fathers, obtained a large acquaintance with the 
 schoolmen, and perused the writings of the most 
 renowned champions of the church of Rome, with 
 the most elaborate answers of Protestant divines. He 
 found leisure too for still more extensive reading ; and 
 so strongly w^as he attached to Grecian literature, that 
 he told a friend, " There were very few, if any of the 
 * Funeral Sermon, by Dr. Guyse. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 221 
 
 books written by the ancient Greeks, and liauded 
 down to our time, but what he had read in their own 
 language." 
 
 But there is an attainment of his which was still 
 more remarkable. He employed his memory, which 
 was retentive in an extraordinary degree, so as to 
 commit to its keeping all the poetical and prophetical 
 books of the Old Testament but one, and all the 
 epistles of the New Testament, with the Apocalypse. 
 In order to retain them with exactness, it was his 
 custom to repeat them carefully every year. This 
 practice he began in his youth, and for a very singular 
 reason. Deeply convinced of his sinfulness and misery, 
 he was afraid of falling into hell, and formed the reso- 
 lution, that if that should be the case, he would treasure 
 up in his mind as much of the word of God as he 
 possibly could, and carry it with him to the place of 
 torment. When faith in the Redeemer afterwards 
 communicated to his soul the peace and consolations of 
 the Gospel, he still continued the practice, that he 
 might have a larger measure to carry to a better place. 
 How well qualified such a man must have been for the 
 office of a tutor, must be evident to every reader. 
 
 Living amidst the fire of the Arian controversy, his 
 ardent mind engaged in the defence of evangelical 
 truth. He was an affectionate and lively preacher- 
 After labouring nearly fifty years in the work of the 
 ministry, and eleven as a tutor, he died in September, 
 1754*. His latter end was peace and joy. To a 
 friend who was entering his apartment, a little before 
 his death, he cried out, " I am just going to glory." 
 * Hall's Funeral Sermon for Dr. Marryat. 
 
222 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 He was succeeded by John Conder, who continued his 
 valuable labours into the next period. 
 
 Besides the theological tutor, there was, in this 
 academy, another who taught languages and philosophy. 
 The first was Samuel Parsons, who came from Basing- 
 stoke, and at whose house in Clerkenwell, the students 
 lived. In 1735, he removed to Witham, in Essex, and 
 was succeeded by Dr. John Walker, a man of very 
 superior acquirements, w ho, in the knowledge of the 
 oriental languages, had few superiors in the kingdom. 
 Plaisterer's-hall was fitted up for him and the students, 
 and it continued to be the seat of learning till the death 
 of Dr. Marryat, when the academy was removed to 
 Mile End. Dr. Walker happily survived the second 
 period. 
 
 The academy under the care of Joseph Hallet, of 
 Exeter, which had been raised towards the close of 
 the former period, continued but a few years. The 
 heresy of the tutor, and the new opinions adopted by 
 some of the students, ruined its character; parents 
 withheld or withdrew their sons from what they 
 accounted a spiritual pesthouse, and its existence 
 ceased. 
 
 The Bridge water academy was formed by John 
 Moore, son of a minister of the same name, who was 
 ejected from a living in Dorsetshire, and who after 
 many hardships, in 1676, settled in this town, and 
 was pastor of a large and respectable congregation, till 
 his death, in 1717. 
 
 Under his son, the pupils are said to have enjoyed great 
 advantages from his superior attainments in science, and 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 223 
 
 his easy and agreeable method of conveying knowledge. 
 When the ario-mania raged in the west, he too was 
 seized, some of his students left him, and the character 
 of his academy sustained a serious injury. It is sel- 
 dom that, in advanced years, such a transition is made. 
 By multitudes of students and young ministers it has 
 been embraced; but Arianism is not usually an old 
 man's refuge. Mr. Moore died in 1747, in the seventy- 
 fourth year of his age. 
 
 There was another seminary under the care of a 
 John Moor, who, after entering on the ministry at 
 Wattisfield, in Suffolk, a little before the revolution, 
 removed to Tiverton, in Devonshire. A pamphlet 
 published by him in 1721, entitled A Calm defence 
 of the Deity of Jesus Christ, in Remarks on a Letter 
 to a Dissenter at Exeter," though short, displays great 
 zeal in defence of the orthodox doctrine. From the late 
 Dr. Flexman's having received his education in this 
 academy, Mr. Moor must have lived to the year 1740. 
 
 The academy at Colyton, in Devon, was, after Mr. 
 Short's removal, continued by Matthew Towgood, 
 a man of considerable learning, who was trained up 
 for the ministry under his father of the same name, 
 ejected from Semly, in Wiltshire. Early in this 
 period, 1716, Mr. Towgood removed from Colyton to 
 Shepton Mallet, and in 1729, from thence to Poole, 
 in Dorsetshire. 
 
 Under Mr. Porter at Alcester, not ministers only, 
 but private gentlemen and merchants too, received 
 their education. After his death, the students were 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 removed to Stratford upon Avon, and entrusted to the 
 tuition of John Alexander, the dissenting minister of 
 that town, who continued his labours, till about the 
 middle of this period. He was distinguished for his 
 skill in oriental literature. At his removal into Ire- 
 land, the academy is supposed to have ceased. He 
 died, about 1740*. 
 
 Dr. Charles Owen, minister at Warrington, brother 
 of James Owen, the celebrated tutor of Shrewsbury, 
 rendered important benefit to the dissenting churches 
 by dedicating his talents to the labours of the seminary. 
 His learning, piety, and amiable disposition, qualified 
 him for the office. His academic sphere was not ex- 
 tensive. But to the man who from time to time sends 
 forth a few faithful and successful labourers, what 
 praise is due ! Besides the pieces " On Ordination," 
 Avhich display his learning, a small treatise entitled 
 
 The Wonders of Redeeming Love," shows that he 
 was a scribe well instructed into the kingdom of heaven. 
 He died at an advanced age, in 1746. 
 
 At Bridgenorth, about 1726, Mr, Fleming, minister 
 of that town, began to teach academical learning to a 
 few candidates for the ministry. Like many other of 
 the dissenting seminaries, it depended entirely on the 
 tutor, and ceased with his life, or with his leisure. 
 
 At Bedworth, an academy was formed by Julius Saun- 
 ders, a man of Christian nobility, for he was descended 
 from Laurence Saunders who was burned in Coventry 
 Park, in 1555, for his attachment to the Protestant faith. 
 
 * Biographia Britannica. 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 225 
 
 Many of his descendants were ministers of the Gospel, 
 and eminently faithful to their charge. This was the 
 character of Julius, who is said to have been a strenuous 
 Independent. He was succeeded by John Kirkpatrick, 
 who also discharged the duties both of pastor and tutor, 
 and continued till near the close of this period. 
 
 The important labours of Mr. Samuel Jones, at 
 Gloucester, and afterwards at Tewkesbury, were, un- 
 happily for the church of Christ, suspended by his death, 
 a few years after the commencement of this period. The 
 academy was removed to Carmarthen, in South Wales. 
 William Evans, minister of the dissenting congregation, 
 had the charge of a theological institution in that place, 
 early in the eighteenth century, and is said to have 
 been the first dissenting tutor in the southern division 
 of the principality. He was a man highly respected for 
 his piety and learning. Death removed him from his 
 labours, in 1720. 
 
 As his decease happened at no great distance of time 
 from that of Mr. Jones, Thomas Perrot being appointed 
 his successor both in the congregation and the academy, 
 the Tewkesbury institution was transferred to him ; and 
 the public library, belonging to it, removed to Carmar- 
 then, with the benevolent design of educating ministers 
 for the churches in Wales. Mr. Perrot had been or- 
 dained at Knutsford, in 1706, and afterwards removed 
 to Newmarket, in Flintshire. His character was that 
 of an able minister and a learned divine; and under his 
 tuition were trained up many, who in their generation 
 proved eminently useful to the Cambrian churches. 
 
 After Mr. Perrot's death in 1733, the academy was 
 
 VOL. II. Q 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 removed from Carmarthen, and committed to the care 
 of Vavasor Griffiths, who had received his education 
 under Mr. Jones. By him the academy was opened at 
 Llwynllwyd, near the Hoy, Brecknockshire. He was 
 an able tutor, and his deportment, both in the academy 
 and the congregation, procured him very high respect. 
 He continued his labours till his death, in 1741. 
 
 Evan Davies, the pastor of a church at Haverford- 
 west, educated under Dr. Ridgley and Mr. Eames, 
 being appointed his successor, the academy was re- 
 moved to that place. But in a few years, on the set- 
 tlement of Mr. Davies with a congregation in the 
 neighbourhood of Carmarthen, it was restored to its 
 former station. Samuel Thomas, minister of Carmar- 
 then, united in the labours of tuition. Towards the 
 close of this period, Mr. Davies removing to a congre- 
 gation in Essex, Mi\ Thomas became divinity tutor, and 
 Dr. Jenkin Jenkins, from Lanvillier, in Montgomery- 
 shire, was appointed to assist him. Both these gentle- 
 men survived the second period. 
 
 This academy, from the time of its removal from 
 Tewkesbury, had received its support from the joint 
 funds of the Presbyterians and Independents in the 
 metropolis. But Mr. Thomas having embraced opinions 
 different from those of his predecessors, the Inde- 
 pendents withdrew their aid, and towards the conclu- 
 sion of this period, formed a new academy at Aber- 
 gavenny and entrusted it to the care of David Jardine, 
 the minister of the place. 
 
 Thomas Hill, who was ejected for nonconformity from 
 Shuttington, in the county of Warwick, left a son of the 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 227 
 
 same name, who employed considerable talents, and 
 extensive knowledge, in the tuition of youth for the 
 ministry, at Findern, in Derbyshire. His labours began 
 before the commencement of this period, and continued 
 to 1720, when death removed him from his field of 
 usefulness. 
 
 His successor was Samuel Latham, M.D., a man 
 highly celebrated for his attainments in polite literature, 
 as well as in those branches of knowledge more imme- 
 diately pertaining to his office. He carried on the busi- 
 ness of the academy at Derby, with great reputation, till 
 his death, in 1754. The institution, though among the 
 most considerable in England for the number of its 
 students, ceased with his life. 
 
 John and David Jennings, two celebrated tutors 
 among the Dissenters in this period, were the sons of 
 John Jennings, of Christchurch, Oxford, who was 
 ejected from Hartley Waspil, in Hampshire. John, the 
 eldest, succeeded his father in the pastoral office at 
 Kibworth, in Leicestershire; and, in 1715, he engaged 
 in the instruction of young men for the ministry. From 
 Kibworth, he removed to Hinckley, in 1722; and, in 
 the month of July, in the following year, he died in the 
 prime of life. To every young tutor a lesson is given 
 by the removal of Mr. Jennings, to labour with zeal 
 and diligence in his work, and place no dependence on 
 future years. The learning of this excellent man is 
 said to have been considerable ; but it must imply the 
 consideration of his time of life ; for profound learning 
 cannot be the attainment of youth, it must be the result 
 of patient and persevering exertions during a long suc- 
 
 Q 2 
 
228 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 cession of revolving years. Mr. Jennings was cele- 
 brated for his solicitude in the improvement of time. 
 Two small treatises remain to attest his worth ; one 
 " on Preaching Christ," and the other, " on particular 
 and experimental Preaching." Such is their excellence, 
 that the tutor has not rendered full justice to his pupil, 
 who has not put them into his hands, and recommended 
 them to his most serious and repeated perusal. 
 
 For some years after Mr. Jenning's death, the aca- 
 demy suffered a temporary suspension, but was happily 
 revived in 1729, by one of his pupils, Philip Dod- 
 dridge, D.D., whose praise is in all the churches. His 
 tutor, perceiving his extraordinary talents, had urged 
 him to pursue his theological studies with a view to the 
 future instruction of youth ; and had also pointed him 
 out to his friends as the fittest person to adopt and im- 
 prove his mode of tuition. Dr. Doddridge's situation 
 at Kibworth admitted of a large portion of time for 
 study, and he improved it. Young ministers are some- 
 times afraid of a country village, and despise the small 
 and rustic audience. But it is in such retirements, that 
 some of the first characters were formed, who have after- 
 wards appeared with distinguished honour in the most 
 numerous and respectable congregations. 
 
 In 1729, Dr. Doddridge commenced tutor at Market 
 Harborough. In the end of the same year, a call from 
 a congregation at Northampton, seconded by the in- 
 treaties of his most judicious friends, constrained him 
 to remove to that town. While Kidderminster derives 
 more celebrity from Richard Baxter being its minister, 
 than from its manufactories, and Bedford is oftener 
 spoken of for the writings of John Bunyan, than for the 
 
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE SEMINARIES. 229 
 
 deeds of its dukes, Northampton has acquired no mean 
 proportion of its fame from being the place of Dr. 
 Doddridge's residence and labours. 
 
 During the twenty-two remaining years of life, he was 
 unwearied in his attention to the duties both of the con- 
 gregation and the seminary. He usually had between 
 thirty and forty students under his care ; the number 
 was increasing with his fame, and by his talents and 
 exertions, the Northampton academy stood first in cha- 
 racter among the places of instruction for the dissenting 
 ministry. There was always an assistant tutor, and 
 sometimes more thtm one. . Job Orton, and Samuel 
 Clark, afterwards of Birmingham, were among his 
 labourers in this station. About two hundred students, 
 it is computed, enjoyed the benefit of his tuition, of whom 
 a hundred and twenty entered on the pastoral office. 
 His life will be more fully detailed in the biographical 
 part of this history. Dr. Doddridge died at Lisbon, in 
 
 1751, and was succeeded in the academy by Dr. Caleb 
 Ashworth, who removed it to Daventry, the place of his 
 ministerial charge. He outlived the present period. 
 
 To remedy the loss sustained by the dissolution of 
 so niany academies, towards the close of this period 
 several new ones were instituted. A less literary 
 seminary, than any hitherto noticed, was formed under 
 Samuel Pike, a minister in London, but it continued 
 only for a few years. By the patronage of the inde- 
 pendent fund board in London, John Lavington, minis- 
 ter of St. Mary Ottery, in Devon, was appointed tutor 
 of a theological school, and began his labours there, in 
 
 1752. A seminary of a very different kind was insti- 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tuted by the Presbyterians at Warrington, under the 
 superintendence of Dr. Aikin, Dr. John Taylor, and 
 Mr. Seddon. In 1760, the Exeter academy revived, 
 under auspices nearly similar to those in Avhich its for- 
 mer state of existence ceased. Of all these the third 
 period will furnish an account. 
 
 The Baptists had as yet no academy of their own. 
 Many of their ministers, especially of the particular or 
 Calvinistic branch, had no academical education, nor 
 would many of their churches have admitted such a man 
 as their pastor. " They are (says the writer of a manu- 
 script on the state of the London congregations) very 
 fond of private meetings for exhortation and prayer. 
 These are their academies from which the most able go 
 forth into the ministry." Such of them as had a regular 
 education were indebted to the Independents ; while the 
 Presbyterian seats of learning were chiefly resorted to 
 by the candidates for the ministry among the general 
 Baptists. 
 
 Sect. II. — Method of Educaiion in the Dissenting 
 Academies. 
 
 The same branches of learning, which were taught in 
 the former period, as necessary qualifications for the 
 ministry, still retained their place. The veneration, 
 however, which the first race of tutors felt for the 
 method of education which they had received in the 
 universities, began gradually to subside. The second 
 generation thought it was possible to make improve- 
 ments. New books in the several departments of 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 231 
 
 science displaced the older and more imperfect manuals 
 of the preceding age ; and some of the tutors drew up 
 abstracts as text books for their own use. In theology, 
 the systems composed by the most celebrated professors 
 in foreign universities, were employed as a syllabus 
 for their lectures. Turretine's compend was preferred 
 by one, and Pictete's by another. Dr. Jennings's 
 theological lectures were founded on " Marckii Medulla 
 Theologise," and his course of Jewish antiquities, on 
 " Godwin's Moses and Aaron." If we may judge of 
 his commentary on the former by his elucidation of the 
 latter, his instructions in divinity must have been pecu- 
 liarly excellent. The whole abstract of Dr. Doddridge's 
 course of lectures was of his own composition ; and 
 became afterwards the text book of several of the 
 academies in the following period. 
 
 The method of conducting the education of the 
 pupils in the dissenting seminaries of this period, may 
 be judged of from the accounts handed down to us of 
 the labours of three of the tutors, Mr. John Jennings, 
 Dr. Doddridge, and Dr. David Jennings * 
 
 * From the pen of Dr. Doddridge, we receive a full statement of John 
 Jennings's system of education, from which the following is an extract. 
 
 " Our course was the employment of four years, and every half year 
 we entered upon a new set of studies, or at least changed the time and 
 order of our lectures. 
 
 " The first half year we read geometry or algebra thrice a week, 
 Hebrew twice, geography once, French once, Latin prose authors once, 
 classical exercises once. The second half year we ended geometry and 
 algebra, which we read twice a week. We read logic twice, civil history 
 once, French twice, Hebrew once, Latin poets once, exercises once, 
 oratory once, exercises of reading and delivery once. For logic, we just 
 skimmed over Burgersdicius, and then entered on a system composed 
 by Mr. Jennings ; a great deal of it was taken from Mr. Locke, and we 
 had large references to him and other celebrated authors, almost under 
 every head. This was the method Mr. Jennings used in almost all the 
 
232 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Of the method of education which Dr. Doddridge 
 pursued in his own academy, his biographer, Mr. Orton, 
 
 lectures he drew up himself. He made the best writers his commenta- 
 tors. 
 
 " The third half year, we read mechanics, hydrostalics, and physics 
 twice, Greek poets once, history of England once, anatomy once, astro- 
 nomy, globes, and chronology once, miscellanies once, and had one 
 logical disputation in a week. On some of these branches we had a 
 system drawn up by the tutor, in others we made use of the most cele- 
 brated publications. The fourth half year we read pneumatology twice 
 a week, the remainder of physics and miscellanies once. Jewish 
 antiquities twice. Our pneumatology was drawn up by Mr. Jennings. 
 This with our divinity, which was a continuation of it, was by far the 
 most valuable part of our course. Mr. Jennings had bestowed a vast 
 deal of thought upon them, and his discourses from them in the lecture- 
 room were admirable. For Jewish antiquities, we read an abridgment 
 of Mr. Jones's notes on Godwin, with some very curious and important 
 additions. 
 
 *' The fifth half year we read ethics twice a week, critics once, and had 
 one pneumatological disputation. Our ethics were a part of pneuma- 
 tology. Our critical lectures were an abridgment of Mr. Jones's. Our 
 pneumatological and theological disputations were of very considerable 
 service to us. The sixth half year we read divinity thrice a week, Chris- 
 tian antiquities once, miscellanies once, and had one homily of a 
 Thursday night. For Christian antiquities, we read ' Sir Peter King's 
 Constitution of the primitive Church,' with ' The Original Draught.' 
 in answer to it. We consulted ' Bingham's Origines Ecclesiastic 
 for illustration, and had recourse sometimes to * Suiceri Thesaurus." 
 
 '* The seventh half year, we read divinity thrice a week, ecclesiastical 
 history once, had one sermon, and one theological dissertation. The 
 last half year we read divinity once a v/eek, history of controversies once, 
 miscellanies once, and had one theological disputation. For the history 
 of controversies, we read ' Spanheim's Elenchus." The miscellaneous, 
 for this half year, contained a brief historical account of the ancient 
 philosophy. On the art of preaching and pastoral care, Mr. Jennings 
 gave us very excellent advice, and some valuable hints on the head of 
 non- conformity. preached this last half year, either at home or 
 
 abroad, as occasion required, and towards the beginning of it were ex- 
 amined by a committee of neighbouring ministers, to whom that office was 
 assigned at a ])rv ceding general meeting. 
 
 '* Mr. Jennings never admitted any into his academy till he had 
 examined them as to their improvement in school learning, and capacity 
 for entering on the course of studies which he proposed. He likewise 
 insisted on satisfaction as to their moral character, and the marks of a 
 serious disposition. 
 
 " The first two years of our course, we read the Scriptures in the 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 233 
 
 has given a full statement in the sixth chapter of the 
 memoirs of his life. The following are the outlines 
 expressed in his own words. 
 
 " The orders of the seminary were such as suited 
 a society of students ; in a due medium between the 
 rigour of school discipline and an unlimited indulgence. 
 It was an established law, that every student should 
 rise at six o'clock in the summer, and seven in the 
 winter. As soon as they were assembled, a prayer was 
 offered up, and they retired to their closets, till the time 
 of family worship. The doctor began that service with 
 a short prayer for the divine presence and blessing- 
 some of the students read a chapter of the Old Testa- 
 ment, from Hebrew into English, which he expounded 
 critically, and drew practical inferences from it; a 
 psalm was then sung, and he prayed. In the evening, 
 the worship w^as conducted in the same method, only a 
 chapter in the New Testament was read by the stu- 
 dents, from Greek into English, which he expounded ; 
 and the senior students, in rotation, prayed. He recom- 
 mended it to them to take hints of his illustrations and 
 remarks, as what would be useful to them in future 
 
 family, from Hebrew, Greek, and French, into English. Every evening 
 an account v^^as taken of our private studies. We were obliged to talk 
 Latin within some certain bounds of time and place. Every Lord's-day 
 evening, Mr. Jennings used to send for some of us into the lecture-room, 
 and discourse with each apart about inward rehgion. Mr. Jennings 
 allowed us the free use of his library, which was divided into two parts. 
 The first was common to all, the second was for the use of the seniors only, 
 consisting principally of books of philosophy and polemical divinity, with 
 which the juniors would have been confounded rather than edified. At 
 our first entrance on each, we had a lecture, in which Mr. Jennings 
 gave us the general character of each book, and some hints as to the 
 time and manner of perusing it. We had a fortnight vacation at 
 Christmas, and six weeks at Whitsuntide."— Dr. Doddridge's Works, 
 vol. v., p. 559 — 567. 
 
234 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 life. He advised them to get the Old Testament and 
 Wetstein's Greek Testament, interleaved, in quarto, in 
 which to write the most considerable remarks for the 
 illustration of the Scriptures, which occurred in his 
 expositions, and in their own reading, conversation, 
 and reflection. 
 
 " Soon after breakfast, he took the several classes 
 and lectured to each about an hour. His lectures were 
 generally confined to the morning. 
 
 " One of the first things he expected from his pupils 
 was to learn Rich's Short-hand, which he wrote him- 
 self, and in which his lectures were written, that they 
 might transcribe them, make extracts from the books 
 they read and consulted, with ease and speed, and save 
 themselves many hours in their future compositions. 
 Care was taken, in the first year of their course, that 
 they should retain and improve that knowledge of 
 Greek and Latin which they had acquired at school, 
 and gain such knowledge of Hebrew^ if they had not 
 learned it before, that they might be able to read the 
 Old Testament in its original language. To this end, 
 besides the course of lectures in a morning, classical 
 lectures were read, every evening, generally by his 
 assistant, but sometimes by himself. 
 
 " Systems of logic, rhetoric, geography, and meta- 
 physics, were read during the first year of their course, 
 and they were referred to particular passages in other 
 authors upon these subjects, which illustrated the points 
 on which the lectures had turned. To these were added 
 lectures on the principles of geometry and algebra. 
 After these studies were finished, they were introduced 
 to the knowledge of trigonometry, conic sections, and 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 235 
 
 celestial meclianics, consisting of a collection of im- 
 portant propositions, taken chiefly from Sir Isaac 
 Newton, and demonstrated independently of the rest. 
 A system of natural and experimental philosophy, 
 comprehending mechanics, statics, hydrostatics, optics, 
 pneumatics, and astronomy, was read to them, wdth 
 references to the best authors on these subjects. This 
 system was illustrated by a neat and pretty large philo- 
 sophical apparatus. Some other articles were touched, 
 especially history, natural and civil, as the students 
 proceeded in their course. A distinct view of the 
 anatomy of the human body was given. A large 
 system of Jewish antiquities, which their tutor had 
 drawn up, was read to them in the latter years of their 
 course. In this branch of science, likewise, they were 
 referred to the best writers on the subject. * Lampe's 
 Epitome of Ecclesiastical History ' was the ground- 
 work of a series of lectures upon that subject ; as was 
 ' Buddei Compendium Historise Philosophise " of lec- 
 tures on the doctrines of the ancient philosophers, in 
 their various sects. 
 
 " But the chief object of their attention and study, 
 during three years of their course, was his system of 
 divinity, in the largest sense of the word ; including 
 what is most material in pneumatology and ethics. In 
 this compendium were contained, in as few words as 
 perspicuity would admit, the most material things which 
 had occurred to the author's observation, relating to the 
 nature and properties of the human mind, the proof of 
 the existence and attributes of God, the nature of moral 
 virtue, its various branches, means, and sanctions ; 
 under which head, the natural evidence of the immor- 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tality of the soul was largely examined. To this was 
 added some survey of the state of virtue in the world, 
 from whence the transition was easy to the need of a 
 revelation, &c. The evidences were produced in 
 favour of that revelation which the Scriptures contained. 
 The genuineness, credibility, and inspiration of these 
 sacred books were then cleared up at large, and vin- 
 dicated from the objections of infidels. When this 
 foundation was laid, the chief doctrines of Scripture 
 were drawn out into a large detail : those relating to 
 the Father, Son, and Spirit_, to the original and fallen 
 state of man, to the scheme of our redemption by 
 Christ, and the offices of the Spirit as the great agent 
 in the Redeemer's kingdom. The nature of the cove- 
 nant of grace was particularly stated, and the several 
 precepts and institutions of the Gospel, with the views 
 which it gives us of the concluding scenes of our world, 
 and of the eternal state beyond it. All was illustrated 
 by a very large collection of references ; containing, 
 perhaps, one lecture with another, the substance of forty 
 or fifty octavo pages, in which the sentiments and rea- 
 sonings of the most considerable authors, on all these 
 heads, might be seen in their own words. It was the 
 business of the students to read and contract these 
 references in the intervals between the lectures, of 
 which only three were given in a week, and sometimes 
 but two. This system his pupils transcribed. 
 
 " Besides the expositions in the family, critical lec- 
 tures on the New Testament were weekly delivered, 
 which the students were permitted and encouraged to 
 transcribe, to lead them to tlie better knowledge of the 
 divine oracles. Polite literature he by no means neg- 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 237 
 
 lected. In the last year of the course, a set of lectures 
 on preaching and the pastoral care was given : these 
 have lately been published. While the students were 
 pursuing these important studies, some lectures were 
 given them on civil law, the hieroglyphics and mytho- 
 logy of the ancients, the English history, particularly 
 the history of non- conformity, and the principles on 
 which a separation from the Church of England is 
 founded. 
 
 " One day in every week was set apart for public 
 exercises. At these times, the translations and ora- 
 tions of the junior students were read and examined. 
 Those who entered on the study of pneumatology and 
 ethics, produced, in their turns, a thesis on the several 
 subjects assigned them, which were mutually opposed 
 and defended. Those who had finished ethics, delivered 
 homilies on the natural and moral perfections of God, 
 and the nature of moral virtue ; while the senior stu- 
 dents brought analyses of Scripture, the schemes of 
 sermons, and afterwards the sermons themselves, which 
 they submitted to the examination and correction of their 
 tutor. He sometimes gave his pupils lectures on the 
 books in the library, going over the several shelves in 
 order ; informing them of the character of each book, 
 and its author, if known ; at what period of their 
 course, and with what special views, particular books 
 should be read, and which of them it was desirable they 
 should be most familiarly acquainted and furnished 
 with, when they settled in the world. 
 
 " The doctor's manner of lecturing was well adapted 
 to engage the attention and love of his pupils, and to 
 promote their diligent study of the lectures. When the 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 class was assembled, he examined them in the last lec- 
 ture, whether they understood his reasoning ; what the 
 authors referred to said upon the subject; whether he 
 had given them a just view of their sentiments, argu- 
 ments, and objections, or omitted any that were im- 
 portant. He expected from them an account of the 
 reasoning, demonstrations. Scriptures, or facts, con- 
 tained in the lectures and references. He frequently 
 inculcated on his students the necessity of preaching 
 Christ, if they desired to save souls ; of dwelling much 
 on the peculiarities of the Gospel scheme, and the doc- 
 trines of Christ and the Spirit ; of considering their 
 own concern in them, and endeavouring to feel their 
 energy on their own spirits, that they might appear to 
 their hearers as giving vent to the feeling of their heart 
 on its darling subjects." 
 
 The method of instruction adopted by Dr. David 
 Jennings may be learned by the following brief quota- 
 tion from the account of his life. 
 
 " The business of the lecture-room commenced, every 
 morning at ten o'clock, with a short prayer_, when a 
 chapter was read from the Greek Testament into Eng- 
 lish by the students, each construing a verse. The 
 doctor then read it, adding such expository notes and 
 observations as suggested themselves at the time. The 
 junior students, after this, withdrew into another room, 
 to lecture on the classics, mathematics, or logic, as they 
 respectively offered in the arrangement of the course 
 under Dr. Savage. The elder classes attended on Dr. 
 Jennings, who went with them through a course of 
 lectures on Jewish antiquities and divinity. The 
 former, at once a week, lasted four years ; the latter, 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 239 
 
 being read twice a week, were completed in three. 
 The text book, in the first, was Godwin's ' JMoses and 
 Aaron ; ' in the other, ' Marckii Medulla Theologise ;' 
 which, though a short system, hinted, the doctor 
 thought, almost at every topic which came into theo- 
 lomcal discussion. His lectures on Godwin formed a 
 valuable independent work, after that writer's method ; 
 but those on Marck consisted of notes to his Medulla, 
 often very brief, but sometimes running into disserta- 
 tions. Before the academical term, which was for five 
 years, was finished, the doctor gave a series of lectures 
 on preaching ; and took an opportunity to intermix 
 some on architecture, heraldry, and medals. On Wed- 
 nesday morning, he gave an hour to the junior students 
 in reading, and explaining his own treatise on the 
 globes and orrery ; and in receiving from them, and 
 correcting a translation of ' Lampe's Compendium of 
 Ecclesiastical History*.'" 
 
 From these specimens no unfavourable opinion will 
 be formed either of the dissenting tutors, or of the 
 system of education which they pursued ; most of the 
 alterations from the former period will be acknow- 
 ledged to be improvements. As to the application of 
 the academies to their various branches of learning, 
 for vigour and perseverance they yielded the palm to 
 no college in Christendom. 
 
 During this period, the funds for the support of 
 dissenting seminaries could boast of some improvement. 
 To Mr. Jones, of Tewkesbury, and afterwards to the 
 
 * Protestant Dissenters' Magazine, for 1798, p. 87. 
 
240 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 academy of Carmarthen, the Presbyterians communi- 
 cated pecuniary aid ; and it is probable, that, in others, 
 they assisted students who stood in need of support. 
 But the greater part of the young men, who were 
 trained up for the ministry among them, defrayed the 
 expenses of their own education. Perhaps the Inde- 
 pendents were more liberal in this branch of expendi- 
 ture. For a time, they co-operated with the Presby- 
 terians in the support of the Welch academy ; and 
 when, from a dislike of the sentiments of their tutor, 
 they could do so no longer, they formed a new insti- 
 tution of their own. In London too, they contributed 
 to the maintenance of the academies under Dr. Ridgley 
 and Abraham Taylor, and though there were some 
 whose friends defrayed the expenses of their tuition, 
 the greater part were indebted to the generous exertions 
 of the Independent fund board, and the King's Head 
 society, which have both continued their truly benevo- 
 lent exertions to the present day*. 
 
 To some individuals, who devoted a portion of their 
 substance for this excellent purpose, great praise is 
 also due. William Coward, a merchant in London, 
 who died in 1738, holds the first place ; and to the 
 present day there has not appeared a man to whom the 
 dissenting academies are under greater obligations. 
 He was eminently pious, but eccentric in the highest 
 degree : yet, when we find such a man rendering the 
 most important service to the Christian cause, we are 
 
 * The former of these institutions consisted of a number of gentlemen 
 of that denomination, who united for the purpose of educating young 
 men for the ministry. The latter, which takes its name from the place 
 where they held their meetings, consisted of Independents too, and had 
 the same object in view. 
 
EDUCATION IN THE DISSENTING ACADEMIES. 241 
 
 more fastidious than wise, if we cannot overlook or 
 bear with his eccentricities, and venerate his benevo- 
 lence. He would have found a rival in Sir John Har- 
 topp, who left by will ten thousand })ounds for the 
 instruction of youth for the dissenting ministry : but his 
 heirs, taking advantage of a defect in the conveyance, 
 grasped the bequest to themselves. Conscience, how- 
 ever, stood the friend of the seminaries, and having 
 wrung the heart of one, constrained her to give up her 
 part ; and almost one-half of the legacy of the worthy 
 baronet was rescued to the use for which it was 
 originally designed. From these funds, the academies, 
 under Dr. Doddridge and Dr. Jennings, received a 
 liberal support. 
 
 NotAvithstanding these sources of maintenance, there 
 was still a deficiency of funds. A much greater 
 number of the students stood in need of support than 
 in the former period, and, therefore, though the finances 
 had increased, the academies decreased. It is to be 
 feared, that in some instances this was owing to a 
 decay of zeal for the ministry, but, in others, it arose 
 from a want of that support which opulent Christians, 
 among the Dissenters, could easily have given. 
 
 Opposition still lifted up her frowning face against 
 the dissenting seminaries. The most remarkable in- 
 stance of this was in the case of Dr. Doddridge, who 
 was scarcely settled in Northampton, when some 
 dignitaries of the church of England commenced a 
 prosecution against him, in the ecclesiastical court, for 
 teaching an academy ; and though he had many friends 
 who wished to screen him from their enmity, they 
 could not be prevailed on to desist. The doctor was 
 
 VOL. II * R 
 
242 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 exceedingly grieved at the apprehension of being com- 
 pelled to lay down the office of tutor, and to bid adieu 
 to those extensive plans of usefulness which he had 
 formed. But the affair being represented to the king, 
 by some persons of rank and influence, a stop was put 
 to the prosecution by his express command : he thus 
 confirmed the declaration which he made on ascending 
 the throne, " That, during his reign, there should be 
 no persecution for conscience' sake^ ." 
 
 * Doddridge's Life, pp. 213, 214. 
 
2A3 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS DURING TUTS 
 PERIOD. 
 
 Sect. I. — Number and Rank of (he Dissenters, 
 
 The faithful and fervent preaching of multitudes of 
 zealous ministers gradually collected a harvest of pro- 
 selytes from the established church, and from a body of 
 people in England almost as numerous — those who 
 were not in the habit of attending any place of worsliip. 
 The addition of numbers from this source, was greater 
 than from the increase of population, but more unequal, 
 as it depended entirely on the character and talents of 
 the dissenting preacher. 
 
 The equity of government contributed also to aug- 
 ment the number of Dissenters. Under the house of 
 Hanover, Dissenters were regarded as the firmest 
 friends to the government of the country, and a mul- 
 titude of people quitted the church for the conventicle. 
 
 During this period, too, the prejudices against Dis- 
 senters were gradually losing a considerable portion of 
 their former virulence. While the events of the ci^ il 
 war, and its consequences, w^ere fresh in the memory 
 of the men of that and of the next generation, the hatred 
 to Dissenters was keen and inveterate. The spirit of 
 the succeeding reigns kept the flame of discord still 
 alive. But, after the last of the Stuarts reposed in the 
 
 R i 
 
244 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 grave, the temper and measures of the new government 
 no longer stirred the fire, and the prejudices of the peo- 
 ple gradually cooled, and in some instances were entirely 
 extinguished. 
 
 In consequence of these concurring causes, hundreds 
 of dissenting congregations continued to increase. 
 Many new ones also were formed, in the course of this 
 period. A few members of a congregation, living at a 
 distance of some miles from the place of worship, 
 wished to have the ordinances of God brought to the 
 vicinity of their dwellings. The occasional services of 
 their pastor exciting the attention of their neighbours, a 
 new society was formed, and settled under the care of 
 another minister. Sometimes, a zealous Christian fixing 
 his residence in a place Avhere there was no dissenting 
 meeting within his reach, exerted himself to introduce 
 their worship, and, in a few years, by the success of 
 his endeavours, enjoyed the pleasure of having the 
 ordinances of religion constantly dispensed. Sometimes, 
 the zeal of a minister led him to open a house for the 
 service of God_, in a place where he thought the Gospel 
 was not preached in purity. In many parts, where 
 means of increase so extensive were not afforded, by 
 preaching in villages on Lord*s-day evenings, and at 
 other times, many Avere added to the Dissenters, and 
 their congregations were increased. From the memoirs 
 of Dr. Doddridge, it appears that this was the practice 
 in his vicinity, and it was adopted in other parts of 
 England. 
 
 Unfavourable circumstances must be thrown into 
 the opposite scale. The operation of the Test Act is 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 245 
 
 mentioned in several writers of this period as unfa- 
 vourable to nonconformity, by drawing off a portion of 
 the richer families, by means of occasional conformity, 
 on entering an office, to a constant attendance on the 
 established worship. But its effect has been magnified 
 beyond the truth. Persons of little religious principle, 
 sighing for a more modish faith, and wishing to appear 
 with a grace in the fashionable world, used the test as a 
 stepping-stone from the meeting-house to the church ; 
 but if they had not found it lying just in their way, they 
 would have made another, or, at any rate, have plunged 
 through the mire to kneel in the hallowed fane. But to 
 a truly religious society, all things considered, this is 
 no loss. 
 
 The two hinderances to the increase of Dissenters 
 were indolence and error. In many places, indolence 
 diffused through their congregations its benumbing in- 
 fluence. It could not be said that the doctrine of the 
 preacher was contrary to truth. But he did not breathe 
 his soul into his sermons. His words appeared to freeze 
 upon his lips. The people felt the chilling influence. 
 Some yawned out the hour, and others slept. Those 
 who slept, began to consider that sleeping at meeting 
 was dearer than at church, and prudently removed to 
 the parochial institution, Avhere they could enjoy their 
 nap at less expense. Others feeling no interest in the 
 service gradually dropped off : or if the older people 
 would not leave the place which they had attended from 
 their earliest years, the children, feeling neither the 
 same partiality nor the like restraints, bade the conven- 
 ticle a final adieu. In this way, many congregations 
 shrunk to the skeleton of what they were before. 
 
246 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 But during this period, error was the destroying 
 angel of dissenting congregations. Instances might be 
 adduced in which a preacher of superior talents has 
 attracted or retained a numerous congregation in the 
 metropolis, or other populous cities, though his senti- 
 ments have been far from the orthodox creed. But in 
 the ordinary course of things, in proportion as dissent- 
 ing ministers have departed from those religious prin- 
 ciples which were held by the men ejected from the 
 establishment, they have reduced the number of their 
 audience. Whenever they have departed from what is 
 called Calvinism, the congregation has evidently felt 
 the change ; it has been arrested in its growth, and, 
 after a time, visibly decayed. 
 
 In whatever communions Arminianism may have 
 crowded places of worship, it never had this effect 
 among Dissenters ; but almost without an exception, 
 was the first stage of the congregational decline. Arian- 
 ism may be called the second stage of the disease, and 
 where it filled the pulpit, invariably emptied the pews. 
 This was the case, not only where a part of the con- 
 gregation, alarmed by the sound of heresy, fled from the 
 jK)lluted house to a separate society ; but where no 
 opposition was made, and all remained without a mur- 
 mur in the original place. In numerous instances, the 
 preacher, full of the wisdom of the serpent, sought by 
 hiding the monster from their view, to draw them over 
 by stealth to the new theology, and unveiled his senti- 
 ments, only as the people were able to bear them with- 
 out a frown. Though, at last, his wishes were crowned 
 with success, yet the decay began, and gradually con- 
 sumed the growth, the strength, and the life of the 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 247 
 
 society, till a large congregation was reduced to a hand- 
 ful. Where Socinianism found an entrance, its opera- 
 tions were quicker than those of the Arian creed, and 
 more effectual ; flourishing societies were reduced to a 
 few families, which being animated with zeal for the 
 new opinions, or indifferent about any, chose to con- 
 tinue to support the modes of worship to which, from 
 education or use, they were attached. In many places, 
 Socinianism was the abomination of desolation. 
 
 In 1730, Strickland Gough, a young dissenting mi- 
 nister, whose sentiments in religion were certainly far 
 remote from Calvinism, published a pamphlet, entitled, 
 " An Inquiry into the Causes of the Decay of the Dis- 
 senting Interest." "Though every one," says he, "is sen- 
 sible it gradually declines, yet no one has endeavoured 
 to recover it. I believe this is owing to our disagree- 
 ment as to the causes of its decay ; and unless the 
 causes are found out, a remedy cannot possibly be ap- 
 plied, but it must continue consuming, till it is quite 
 worn out and spent*." 
 
 Instead of that reformation among the Presbyterians, 
 for which Mr. Gough so strenuously pleads, there is 
 reason to conclude that their affairs proceeded in the 
 same course ; for, sixteen years afterwards, a second 
 mourner appears, and with the same complaints. The 
 decay of the dissenting congregations is as loudly be- 
 wailed by Nathaniel Neal, son of the respectable his- 
 torian of the Puritans. His sentiments and connexions 
 were of the new school. He perceived the congrega- 
 tions which had adopted his creed gradually declining ; 
 and in 1746, in the bitterness of his soul, he wrote " A 
 
 * Page 3. 
 
2AS 
 
 IIISTOKY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 iVee and serious Reinoiistrcince to Protestant Dissenting 
 Ministers, on occasion of the decay of Religion ; with 
 some Observations on the Ordination of Youth for the 
 Ministry." The state of things among them he de- 
 scribes in the following terms : " The little success you 
 have met with of late, has been a subject of general 
 complaint among us of the laity. For it cannot fail 
 being a grievous and distressing consideration to every 
 pious and thoughtful Christian who frequents our public 
 assemblies, to observe how indifferently most of them 
 are attended ; how^ cold and formal the worship is of 
 many, who dare not, or choose not, to be absent ; and 
 what little hope remains that the rising generation 
 should fill the seats that their fathers have left, or are 
 soon likely to leave A^acant*." " And the point I vrould 
 submit to your consideration is, whether the public 
 ])rayers and instructions of our religious assemblies 
 have been of late conducted in such a manner, as to 
 have had no influence in abating, or their due influence 
 in promoting the constancy and zeal w^herewith they 
 were wont to be attendedf.'* Mr. Neal's counsels are 
 good as far as they go, but he unhappily overlooks the 
 chief source of the evil. 
 
 A third testimony to the same, painful state of things, 
 is borne by Job Orton, minister at Shrew^sbury. Like 
 the two former, his chief intercourse was among the 
 Presbyterians, and those of them who were the friends 
 of the new theology. In his " Letters to Dissenting 
 iNlinisters," his complaints of the decay of their congre- 
 gations are loud and frequent. Of the three, he alone 
 ai)pears to have understood the cause ; and wherever 
 
 * Page 5. t Page 7. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 240 
 
 this decay is mentioned, he ascrihes it to the departure 
 
 A testimony from such a man has tenfold weight. So 
 sensible was Mr. Orton that the decrease of the dis- 
 
 * " When you have the opportunity of seeing and observing more of the 
 state of religion in our congregations, you will find what I have long 
 since found (and eveiy year that I live increases my conviction of ii), 
 that when ministers entertain their people with lively and pretty things, 
 confine themselves to general harangues, insist principally on moral 
 duties, without enforcing them warmly and affectionately by evangelical 
 motives; while they neglect the peculiars of the Gospel; never or sel- 
 dom display the grace of God, and the love of Christ in our redemption ; 
 tlie necessity of regeneration and sanctification by a constant dependence 
 upon the Holy Spirit of God for assistance and strength in the duties of 
 the Christian life, their congregations are in a wretched state ; some are 
 dwindling to nothing, as is the case with several in this neighbourhood, 
 where there are not now as many scores as there were hundreds in their 
 meeting places fifty years ago. But where, by trade and manufactures 
 iiew persons come to the place, and fill up the vacant seats, there is a 
 fa'al deadness spread over the congregation. They run in the * course 
 of this world,' follow every fashionable folly, and family and personal 
 godliness set ms in general to be lost among them. There is scaicely any 
 appearance of life and zeal in the cause of religion, which demands and 
 deserves the greatest. 
 
 " Whereas, on the contrary, I never knew an instance where a minister 
 was a pious, and serious man, whose strain was evangelical and affec- 
 tionate, but his congregation kept up, though death and removals had 
 made many breaches in it. And in general, ministers of this latter sort 
 have had more respect and affeclion from their people than the former." 
 Orton's Letters, vol. i., pp. 100, 101. 
 
 " Mr. Cardale, of Evesham, di. d lately. He was minister there forty 
 years. He wrote some things in favour of Socinianism. He had about 
 forty people to hear him at last, having ruined a fine congregation by his 
 very learned, critical, and dry discourses, and an extreme heaviness in 
 the pulpit, and an almost total neglect of pastoral visits and private in- 
 struction." — Orton's Letters, vol. i. p. 154. 
 
 t " God has removed good Mr. Harrop, of Wem, to a better world. 
 1 wish the congregation may be supplied with a suitable minister ; but 
 
 of the ministers from the 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 But a more unexceptionable judge in this cause is 
 Dr. Doddridge, whom Mr. Gough's pamphlet brought 
 into court, and who confirms the decision given by 
 the three gentlemen who have been just named. In 
 his " Free Thoughts on the most probable JNIeans of 
 Reviving the Dissenting Interest," he expresses his 
 firm persuasion, that the preaching of evangelical doc- 
 trines in a plain, spiritual, experimental, and affec- 
 tionate way, is the only thing which can preserve a 
 congregation from decay, and revive it when it is de- 
 cayed. So much did the existence of Dissenters in 
 his view, depend on this one thing, that he expresses 
 his sentiments in the following terms. " Such is the 
 taste of the generality of the Dissenters ; a taste which 
 I apprehend they will still retain, whatever attempts 
 may be made to alter it. And I just take the liberty 
 to say, that I conceive this turn of thought in our 
 people to be the great support of our interest, and not 
 the little scruples which you hint at, nor even those 
 rational and generous principles of liberty which you 
 so clearly propose, and so strenuously assert. And I 
 cannot but believe, if the established clergy and the 
 dissenting ministers, in general, were mutually to ex- 
 change their strain of preaching, and their manner of 
 living, but for one year, it would be the ruin of our 
 cause, even though there should be no alteration in 
 the constitution and discipline of the church of England. 
 However you might fare at London, or in some very 
 
 they are reduced to a very low state by the incursions of the Methodists 
 and other disorderly people. It is, I think, the only instance I have 
 known of a serious, active, laborious, and truly evangelical preacher and 
 pastor, who has seen liis congregation sinking under him. ' — Orton's 
 Letters, vol. ii., p. 27. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 251 
 
 singular cases elsewhere, I can hardly imagine that 
 there would be Dissenters enough left in some consider- 
 able counties, to fill one of our largest meeting places/' 
 " We have then advanced thus far, that he, Avho would 
 be generally agreeable to Dissenters, must be an 
 evangelical, an experimental, a plain, and an affection- 
 ate preacher*." 
 
 In confirmation of the opinions of these men, it 
 was observed that the decrease was in those parts of 
 the country, where Arianism prevailed. Devonshire 
 and its neighbourhood were deeply infected. Lan- 
 cashire, Cheshire, and Warwickshire, drank large 
 draughts of the intoxicating cup. The general effect 
 was a stop to further increase. In some congrega- 
 tions the decay was immediate ; in others, the society 
 became like a building in Avhich the mortar had lost 
 its principle of cohesion, and mouldered away. For 
 a time it was as large as before, but its strength was 
 gone ; gradually one stone fell off after another, and 
 every succeeding winter levelled a portion of it with 
 the ground. In this way, many flourishing societies 
 were destroyed. 
 
 Between 1720 and 1730, the Dissenters sustained 
 a loss in numbers from another quarter. A list is 
 mentioned of nearly thirty of their ministers, who, in 
 the space of a few years, forsook their communion, and 
 took orders in the church of England f. Most of them 
 
 * Doddridge's Tracts, vol. ii., pp. 277, 278. 
 
 t Among the names are found the following: Mr. John Hardy of 
 Nottingham, Mr. Biscoe of Newington Green, Messrs. Seagre, Hasset, 
 Stander of Newbury, the two Jacombs, Bellamy, two Billios, Horsley, 
 Johnson, Hay, Maddox, Naylor, Myonet, Quinsey, Benjamin Owen, 
 Orre, Harrison, Richards, Winter, Inman. 
 
252 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 were young men, and nearly all of the Presbyterian 
 denomination. Several of them were sons of ministers. 
 In the catalogue stands the name of the Rev. Strick- 
 land Gough, the writer of " The Inquiry into the 
 Causes of the Decay of the Dissenting Interest." The 
 first and great reason, and which occupies the greater 
 part of his pamphlet, is their ignorance of their prin- 
 ciples, which he states with considerable energy, and 
 at the same time, exposes the enormous faults of the 
 established church, whose terms of admission are so 
 opposite to truth and liberty that they cannot be viewed 
 but with abhorrence. But, within a year after he 
 wrote his book, he subscribed with liis hand to those 
 forbidding terms which he had reprobated with so much 
 severity. 
 
 By their former friends it was remarked, that most 
 of these young ministers loudly complained of a spirit 
 of imposition among the Dissenters, which had arisen 
 from the Salter's-hall controversy, and inveighed bit- 
 terly against the spiritual tyranny exerted over the 
 consciences of ministers, in requiring to know their 
 faith in certain doctrines ; and they heavily complained 
 of it, as a great discouragement in the exercise of free 
 inquiry. A fair specimen of this complaint may be 
 seen in the latter part of JMr. Gough's pamphlet. 
 
 Persons ignorant of mankind would say, " These 
 men are to be depended on as champions for the 
 dissent, as long as they draw the breath of life." But 
 an adept in the knowledge of human nature will feel 
 no surprise at their tergiversation. They were high- 
 spirited youths, of a warm imagination, of ardent pas- 
 sions, an abundant share of pride, and little principle. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 253 
 
 When they had emptied their quiver of all the shafts 
 of liberty and free inquiry, they coolly went over to the 
 other side. It is an edifying sight. Those ministers 
 who strained at the gnats of the Dissenters, swallowed 
 the camels of the Church. Those who spurned at the 
 idea of declaring their belief of one article of faith, and 
 turned away with indignation from the antichristian 
 requisition, subscribe thirty-nine articles, and profess 
 their unfeigned assent and consent to the whole contents 
 of the Book of Common prayer to boot. 
 
 During this period, the church was unhappily the 
 receptacle of the refuse of the dissenting ministry. 
 When any of them became lazy, or proud, or vicious, 
 and thus forfeited the affections and support of their 
 flock, if they had but a smattering of learning they 
 found it not difficult to obtain a place among the clergy 
 of the establishment. Some instances there are of 
 dissenting ministers that conformed, who would have 
 been an honour to any community ; but if all the names 
 were written down, they might be contained in a nut- 
 shell. The examples are rare, in which it may not 
 truly be said, " that the loss of them is a gain to the 
 Dissenters, and the gain of them a loss to the Church*." 
 
 * Dr. Calamy makes the following reflection on the conduct of these 
 ministers. " Tt was much taken notice of, that most of those who con- 
 formed, about this time, complained bitterly of a spirit of imposilion 
 which was working among Dissenters, and inveighed against it with 
 freedom as a hardship and discouragement, should throw themselves into 
 a church and legal establishment that was strict for full subscription, 
 and left no room for the least alteration and abatement to such as were 
 scrupulous and tender-spirited. This was, by many, apprehended to have 
 an odd aspect, and not to be very consistent." 
 
 The writer of the London manuscript speaks his sentiments with 
 greater boldness and freedom. '* As to those ministers who appeared 
 against what they called imposition in the Salter's-hall controversy, 
 that is, against declaring their faith as to one article of Christianity only 
 
254 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Instead of lamenting the departure of such men, the 
 only subject of lamentation is, that they ever had a 
 place in the dissenting ministry, or that they did not 
 carry along with them fourscore or a hundred more of 
 the same spirit and sentiments with themselves. It 
 had been a glorious riddance, as it w^ould have delivered 
 the nonconformists' communion from men who, instead 
 of being a blessing to a congregation, were a curse. 
 
 By the author of the London manuscript, a very par- 
 ticular account is given of the number and state of the 
 dissenting congregations in the metropolis, in a com- 
 parative view of them, in 1695 and 1730. In 1695, 
 the number of meeting-houses occupied by the Pres- 
 
 (though never offered as a term of communion, or of exercising the 
 ministerial office), and strenuously defended the right of private judg- 
 ment ; it might reasonably have been expected the cause of Noncon- 
 formity would have received from them considerable encouragement, 
 especially that they themselves, by their own example and practice, 
 would have kept steady to it ; but it proved the reverse ; for of those 
 Non-subscribing gentlemen, and such as had imbibed their principles, 
 there have at least twenty persons, who called themselves dissenting 
 ministers, conformed to the church of England since 1718 ; and if the 
 laity had travelled the same road in an equal proportion, that interest 
 \vould have received a greater shock. And here it is worthy of remark, 
 that those gentlemen, who could not digest an article of faith, are on a 
 sudden so enlightened, as to be convinced that it is their duty to sub- 
 scribe thirty-nine, while those ministers, that could honestly subscribe 
 an article, have, to a man, kept steady to the dissenting interest, and 
 have been instrumental in supporting it with honour. It is evidently 
 manifest, that if ever the dissenting interest and with it the power of 
 godliness is preserved, the old Protestant doctrines must be maintained, 
 and steadily adhered to ; for wherever the contrary are given into, so far 
 they are both in the way to destruction." 
 
 An extract from one of Bishop Warburton's letters to Bishop Hurd, 
 will form a proper close to this note, as it shows his opinion of many of 
 those who came to him for ordination, " It goes against my stomach, 
 not to say ray conscience, to furnish our dear mother church with such 
 a household as are always ready to obey her call. But we will have a 
 public invitation, though you, like the steward in the Gospel, will be 
 forced to search the bye lanes and highways for the lame and the blind 
 to partake of the entertainment." — p. 378. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 255 
 
 byterians and Independents was fifty-seven, and of 
 congregations, sixty ; because six congregations were 
 accommodated in three meeting-houses. In 1730, the 
 number of meeting-houses was fifty-eight. Of these, 
 twenty-eight were in the same state as in 1695; and 
 the rest were enlarged or rebuilt in a more spacious 
 manner, so that they coukl contain four thousand 
 hearers more than in 1695. As to the state of the con- 
 gregations, fourteen had increased, fifteen had declined, 
 and twenty had remained nearly in the same state. 
 Twelve had been dissolved; and ten new ones had been 
 formed. The final estimate is that the number of Dis- 
 senters was at least as great, if not greater, in 1780 
 than in 1695; but as he thinks that London, during 
 that time, had increased one- sixth part in its inhabitants^ 
 there was a decrease in proportion to the sum of the 
 whole population. Two reasons he assigns for this 
 decrease. The first was the influence of the Test Act 
 among the superior classes. The second and principal 
 one was the growth of error, Arminianism having 
 crept in, which, he says, leads to Arianism and Soci- 
 nianism. 
 
 If, from the representation which has been given, it 
 should be supposed that the cause of dissent was losing 
 ground, the inference will not be just. In many parts 
 of England, Arianism could not find an entrance. It 
 was like the hurricane of southern regions, which runs 
 in streaks, carrying desolation in a line, but leaves the 
 greater part of the country uninjured. There was a 
 great multitude of flourishing congregations in most 
 
256 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 parts of the country, which were increasing with a 
 steady progress. This was so remarkably the case in 
 Northamptonshire and the neighbouring counties, that 
 Dr. Doddridge, in his answer to Mr. Gough, describes 
 the state of nonconformity there, in the following terms. 
 " I know that in many of the congregations the number 
 of Dissenters is greatly increased within these twenty 
 years ; and the interest continues so to flourish, that I 
 am confident some of our honest people, who converse 
 only in their own neigbourhood, will be surprised to 
 hear of ' an Inquiry into the Causes of its Decay.' " 
 
 A list of the dissenting congregations, by Daniel 
 Neal, in 1715 and 1716, enabled us to give a statement 
 of their number at the death of Queen Anne. The 
 most accurate account which can now be obtained of 
 them at the accession of George the Third, is from a 
 more particular catalogue drawn up by Josiah Thomp- 
 son, a minister of the Baptist denomination, in 1772. 
 Though it was made twelve years after the close of this 
 period, on considering all the circumstances, it seems 
 highly probable, that it contains nearly the number of 
 the dissenting congregations in 1760. Mr. Thompson's 
 statement contains the name of every town and village 
 where a congregation met ; but as it would occupy too 
 much room to give it in detail, it must suffice to specify 
 the result of his inquiries, by marking down the num- 
 ber in each county. The first colunm expresses the 
 whole number, the second those of them which were 
 Baptists : — 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 257 
 
 Bedfordshire . 
 
 19 
 
 17 
 
 Berkshire 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Buckinghamshire 
 
 25 
 
 14 
 
 Cambridgeshire 
 
 23 
 
 8 
 
 Cheshire 
 
 24 
 
 3 
 
 Cornwall 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 Cumberland 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 Derbyshire 
 
 33 
 
 8 
 
 Devonshire 
 
 57 
 
 13 
 
 Dorsetshire « , 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 Durham . 
 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 Essex ... 
 
 49 
 
 15 
 
 Gloucestershire 
 
 46 
 
 24 
 
 Hampshire 
 
 29 
 
 9 
 
 Herefordshire . 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 Hertfordshire . 
 
 18 
 
 9 
 
 Huntingdonshire 
 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 Kent 
 
 46 
 
 30 
 
 Lancashire 
 
 66 
 
 17 
 
 Leicestershire 
 
 38 
 
 22 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 569 
 
 214 
 
 SOUTH WALES. 
 
 
 Brecknockshire 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 Cardiganshire . 
 
 18 
 
 4 
 
 Carmarthenshire 
 
 40 
 
 12 
 
 Glamorganshire 
 
 24 
 
 6 
 
 Pembrokeshire 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 Radnorshire . 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 Monmouthshire 
 
 21 
 
 14 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 141 
 
 54 
 
 Brought forward 569 214 
 
 Lincolnshire . 
 
 23 
 
 16 
 
 Middlesex 
 
 73 
 
 15 
 
 Norfolk . 
 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 Northamptonshire . 
 
 39 
 
 20 
 
 Northumberland 
 
 40 
 
 3 
 
 Nottinghamshire 
 
 17 
 
 11 
 
 Oxfordshire 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 Rutlandshire . 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 Shropshire 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 Somersetshire . 
 
 53 
 
 15 
 
 Staffordshire 
 
 14 
 
 
 Suffolk . 
 
 32 
 
 3 
 
 Surrey 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 Sussex 
 
 20 
 
 13 
 
 Warwickshire . 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 Westmoreland 
 
 3 
 
 
 Wiltshire 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
 Worcestershire 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 67 
 
 20 
 
 
 1092 390 
 
 NORTH WALES. 
 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 141 
 
 54 
 
 Anglesey 
 
 1 
 
 
 Carnarvon 
 
 1 
 
 
 Denbighshire 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 Flintshire 
 
 1 
 
 
 Merionethshire 
 
 4 
 
 
 Montgomeryshire 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 160 59 
 England 1092 390 
 
 Total 1252 449 
 
 During this period, the denominations were gradually 
 changing places in the scale of numbers. Presbyterian 
 superiority, which at the beginning was so greatly pre- 
 eminent, existed now no more. Such was the eflPect of 
 error and indifference, and of the manner of preaching 
 and living which they introduced. 
 
 VOL, II. s 
 
258 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The increase of the Independents was considerable. 
 They continued stedfastly attached to those doctrines of 
 religion which were held by the fathers of nonconfor- 
 mity. Of an Independent church falling into Arianism, 
 perhaps an instance cannot be found : if at any time, a 
 minister, or a member swerved from the truth, he 
 usually sought refuge in a Presbyterian society. In 
 consequence of this, their congregations, undefiled by 
 the errors of the times, felt nothing of their desolating 
 influence, but in most places, kept up, or increased their 
 numbers. The Salter's-hall controversy was favourable 
 to their cause ; for many of the Presbyterians, disgusted 
 with their own ministers for espousing the party of the 
 nonsubscribers, and suspecting the soundness of their 
 faith, forsook their communion, and joined the congre- 
 gational churches. 
 
 In the progress of the period, a new source of in- 
 crease was opened to this denomination. When the 
 old race of good Presbyterian ministers was removed 
 by death, in many places young men of different senti- 
 timents and spirit were appointed their successors. 
 Those persons who relished the doctrine of their pre- 
 decessors, separated and formed congregations of their 
 own, which usually assumed the Independent forms. 
 Though these congregations were small at first, they 
 gradually increased by additions from the world, and 
 from the original hive, till they at last became more 
 numerous than those from whom they derived their 
 existence. 
 
 During the course of this period, not a few of the 
 Presbyterian congregations adopted the Independent 
 discipline, and joined that body. Where the orthodox 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 259 
 
 doctrine retained its full hold of the hearts of the 
 people, on the decease or removal of their minister, 
 though Presbyterians, they had recourse to the acade- 
 mies of the Independents, being certain of finding their 
 students sound in the faith. The introduction of a 
 minister of that denomination was followed by the 
 adoption of the Independent discipline. 
 
 As the two divisions of Baptists differed from each 
 other in religious sentiments, they were dissimilar in 
 their outward condition. Arminianism, among the 
 dissenters has, in general, been a cold, dry, and lifeless 
 system, and its effects upon the heart have been com- 
 monly weak and spiritless. With the general Baptists, 
 who avowed it to be their creed, this was remarkably 
 the effect, and their congregations did not increase. 
 Besides, from facts too stubborn to be bent, and too 
 numerous to be contradicted, Arminianism has been 
 among them the common road to Arianism and Soci- 
 nianism. Their ministers and congregations were the 
 first who openly professed these opinions, and their 
 societies felt the decay which these opinions have uni- 
 formly produced. 
 
 Among the particular Baptists we are presented 
 with a very different aspect of affairs. They were all 
 Calvinists, but from the want of an education for the 
 ministry, many of them were not very judicious, and 
 some of them abused the doctrine. On the whole, the 
 orthodox doctrine prevailed among the particular Bap- 
 tists, and its influence appeared in the increase of 
 many of their congregations, and in the establishment 
 of new ones in different parts of the country. 
 
 S2 
 
260 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 On the rank or station of those who composed the 
 body of Dissenters, what was said under the former 
 period may suffice. If a nobleman or two still wor- 
 shipped with them, it was the utmost of which they 
 could boast. A few baronets remained. Some of the 
 gentry were not ashamed of patronising the cause. 
 In the army and navy there were officers who lived in 
 their communion. But the strength of their body was 
 found among the active classes in society. They could 
 name many of the first merchants in England among 
 their stedfast friends. From a considerable number of 
 the manufacturers, they received the most zealous sup- 
 port. Tradesmen, of every class, formed their principal 
 strength in every part of England. In many counties, 
 a large body of farmers were attached to their prin- 
 ciples. Mechanics, of all descriptions, composed their 
 congregations in towns, and labourers in husbandry in 
 country villages. From this enumeration, it will be 
 seen, that the Dissenters consisted chiefly of those 
 classes of people which are the bones, and muscles, and 
 sinews of civil society. 
 
 Of the increase of wealth in the country during this 
 period, the Dissenters had their proportion, and, from 
 their frugal habits, probably more. Perhaps the Bap- 
 tists, w^hose congregations at first were generally of the 
 poorer classes, rose in their circumstances more per- 
 ceptibly than either the Presbyterians or Independents. 
 The Quakers were increasing considerably in wealth. 
 Of the poorer classes in the community, the societies of 
 the Wesleyan Methodists were chiefly composed ; and 
 the mass of Mr. Whitfield's followers was of the same 
 order. In both there were persons of property, but 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 261 
 
 perhaps more among the latter than the former : the 
 Foundry could not boast of a peer or a peeress in the 
 list of its devotees, but the Tabernacle could of both. 
 
 Sect. 11. — Labours of Ministers and their Support. 
 
 Two services on the I.ord's-day constituted the ordinary 
 measure of public duty. But, as each service lasted two 
 hours, at least, and singing did not occupy so much 
 time as it does now, the labour of the minister was 
 fully as great as in the three services of the present 
 day. If credit is to be given to the testimony of ju- 
 dicious men, the prayers entered more particularly 
 into the cases of their hearers, which the briefer 
 supplications of their successors will not now allow 
 them leisure to do. The sermons also were exceedingly 
 edifying ; for they gave a clear and comprehensive view 
 of the doctrines of the Gospel, and confirmed every- 
 thing by proofs from the sacred Scripture, which the 
 more attentive hearers were accustomed to mark down, 
 and afterwards to read and examine carefully at home. 
 
 The greater part of the ministers took great pains in 
 the composition of their discourses, if not to attain ele- 
 gance of style, at least to collect important thoughts. 
 Too many of the Independents discovered a strong par- 
 tiality for the phraseology which had been in vogue 
 about fourscore years before. Some of them, however, 
 appeared with respectability among contemporary 
 writers. By the Presbyterians, in general, more atten- 
 tion was paid to purity and elegance of style. The well- 
 educated Baptists were on a level with the Independents. 
 
262 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 To the private duties of their office ministers con- 
 tinue to attend, with the same assiduity as before. 
 Pastoral visits were frequently made. The afflicted 
 were considered as a peculiar charge ; and the cate- 
 chising of youth was a general practice, which some 
 attended to in the course of the week, while others 
 performed it, in public, at the intervals of worship on 
 the Lord's-day, and excited considerable attention in 
 the older members of the congregation. In every 
 branch of duty they had been favoured with such pat- 
 terns in their predecessors, that it was only necessary 
 to follow their steps, which they had been taught to do 
 from their early years. 
 
 Among those who embraced the new sentiments, 
 the change in the external circumstances of worship 
 was gradual. From the force of habit, and a desire 
 to conceal their creed, most of them, for a time, pro- 
 ceeded in the former mode. But the influence was 
 felt both by the ministers and their congregations ; 
 their fervour in worship decayed, and the length of the 
 service was gradually curtailed. The other duties of 
 a minister fell, by little and little, into disuse. Indi- 
 vidual instances of remarkable diligence might be 
 found among them, but the strictness of pastoral in- 
 spection, which had prevailed before, was now too com- 
 monly relaxed. 
 
 Towards the close of this period, public worship 
 began to occupy the evening of the Lord's-day. In 
 the cities and great towns, some services of this kind 
 had always existed. But evening lectures began now 
 to be introduced by the more zealous ministers in the 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 263 
 
 country, and they continued to increase, till they have 
 become almost universal throughout the kingdom. 
 Multitudes of thoughtless people, who would not have 
 entered a meeting-house at another time, were attracted 
 by curiosity to hear the Gospel preached. From the 
 influence of divine truth, a succession of converts was 
 raised up, who have proved the strength and ornament 
 of the dissenting churches. 
 
 Some have objected to evening lectures, as inter- 
 fering with the order of families, and impeding the 
 exercises of domestic religion. The advocates for the 
 practice say, that prudent masters of families may so 
 arrange domestic duties, that they may be performed in 
 the intervals of public worship, and not clash with the 
 evening service in the house of God. All will allow 
 that one half, at least, of the congregation, which 
 attends at a lecture, would not have spent the time so 
 profitably at home, and that they have been to thou- 
 sands an inconceivable blessing. The general adoption 
 of evening lectures was, most probably, derived from 
 the Methodists. 
 
 In the course of the second period, it became the 
 fashion, among the dissenting ministers, to read their 
 sermons. On the Continent, both among Catholics and 
 Protestants, the practice was long unknown. It early 
 found an entrance into England, and became the mode 
 among those who wished to be distinguished from the 
 Puritans. Brief outlines of the sermon were made 
 use of by some of the Non-conformists, to assist the 
 memory ; a few had the whole placed before them, 
 which they looked at occasionally ; but the greater part 
 
264 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 made themselves masters of their subject, and preached 
 without notes. By degrees, reading slipped into ge- 
 neral use, with those who wrote their discourses at full 
 length, not only among the Presbyterians but the Inde- 
 pendents too ; and there were few of the London 
 ministers, in either of these denominations, who did 
 not pore very much over their notes. Towards the 
 close of the period, the practice was at its height. Not 
 to use notes was, at that time, accounted Methodistical, 
 and, in the metropolis, reading was the evidence of 
 dissenting regularity. But there was always a body 
 of men in the country, and some in London, who culti- 
 vated a freer mode, and when they had made them- 
 selves masters of their subject, laid up the ideas in 
 order in their mind, and formed the language at the 
 moment of delivery. 
 
 From the sermons published by the ministers of this 
 period, an idea may be formed of the taste in preaching 
 among the Dissenters. The discourses of Grosvenor, 
 Harris, and Wright, present a specimen of the more 
 orthodox Presbyterians; those of Thomas Newman and 
 Chandler, of such as were somewhat more remote from 
 Puritanism. In the sermons of Watts, Doddridge, 
 Hurrion, Guise, and Matthew Clark, we see both the 
 doctrines, and the manner of stating them, which pre- 
 vailed among the Independents. Foster and Gale have 
 left examples of the manner of preaching among the 
 general Baptists; while Gill, Brine, Joseph Stennet, 
 and Wilson, have handed down to us the models which 
 the particular Baptists preferred. 
 
 From tliese specimens it appears, that in simplicity 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 265 
 
 of method there was a great improvement, and, in 
 many of them, the language was considerably more 
 modern. For talents and literature, they could vie 
 with nearly all who had entered the dissenting ministry 
 after the revolution ; but, in some of the most sub- 
 stantial excellencies of preaching, they must yield the 
 palm to the more eminent Non-conformists. 
 
 About the middle of the eighteenth century, a pecu- 
 liarity in the worship of the Baptists, of both denomi- 
 nations, who, in the first period of their existence, 
 refused to sing the praises of God in their assemblies, 
 entirely ceased. During the earlier part of their ex- 
 istence, psalmody was generally excluded, as a human 
 ordinance. But some congregations having adopted it, 
 about the beginning of the former period, a violent con- 
 troversy Avas excited The assembly of the particular 
 Baptists, which met in London, in 1692, took the subject 
 into consideration, and, without determining anything 
 authoritatively, recommended it earnestly to the contro- 
 versialists on both sides, to call in their publications, and 
 cease from their disputes. Happily, greater deference 
 was paid to their judgment than is common in such 
 cases ; and their recommendation produced a cessation 
 from strife. The congregations being thus left to their 
 own calm reflections, gradually introduced psalmody 
 into their worship f . For a long time, hoAvever, in 
 
 * Mr. Isaac, a minister, who published a treatise against singing, with 
 an appendix, charges the practice with error, apostasy, human tradition, 
 prehmited forms, mischievous error, carnal forms, carnal worship, &c. — 
 Crosby, vol. iv., p. 300. Had Christianity not been a religion from God, 
 the folly of its professors would long ago have plunged it into utter ruin. 
 
 + Crosby, vol. iv., p. 266 — 271. 
 
266 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 many of them, the melody of psalms and hynnis could 
 not be endured ; and it was not till about the middle of 
 the last age, that the praises of God were sung in every 
 Baptist church 
 
 As this period was advancing to a close, a change 
 took place in the worship of some among the Presby- 
 terians, which too plainly proved them to be men of a 
 
 * The method employed by Mr. Keach to introduce psalmody into his 
 congregation is worthy of record, as it marks, in the strongest colours, 
 the inveteracy of opposition in some of the flock, and the patience and 
 moderation of their pastor. Being convinced that it was an ordinance of 
 Christ, for the edification of his church, he published a treatise on the 
 subject, and also took much pains to enlighten their minds by private 
 conversation. The first step to success, was the permission of the church 
 to sing a hymn at the conclusion of the service, in the celebration of the 
 Lord's Supper. After stopping here for six years, leave was obtained to 
 extend the psalmody to days of thanksgiving. At last, after fourteen 
 years' perseverance in this method, by a regular act of the church it was, 
 in a solemn manner, agreed to sing the praises of God, in their ordinary 
 worship, every Lord's-day ; only five or six members expressed their dis- 
 sent. " This," says the historian, *' if I am not mistaken, was the first 
 Baptist church which practised this holy ordinance." 
 
 Though the church consisted of some hundred members, so far were 
 they and Mr. Keach from imposing on the few who were dissatisfied, 
 that it was agreed to sing when the prayer after the sermon was con- 
 cluded, that those who could not conscientiously join, might go away. 
 They were also assured, that the church would not be offended at their 
 departure, " because they did not look on singing the praises of God as 
 an essential of communion, nor for the being but the comfort and well- 
 being of the church." 
 
 So highly offended, however, were the opponents of psalmody, that 
 they forsook his communion ; and, having influenced some others to 
 unite with them, they formed a church of their own, in the worship of 
 which the singing of the praises of God did not compose a part. In this 
 sour and dumb way they persevered, till, on the death of their pastor, 
 Edward Wallin, Mr. Weston was chosen his successor, who would ac- 
 cept tl.eir invitation, only on condition of their permitting psalmody to be 
 introduced into their public worship. "Whether their attachment to him 
 was more potent than their aversion to psalms and hymns, or whether 
 they were now become sensible of the impropriety of neglecting a divine 
 ordinance, from whatever cause it was, they assented to his proposal, 
 and have ever since tuned their voices to songs of praise, like other 
 Christian congregations.— -Crosby, vol. iv., p. 298—301. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 267 
 
 different spirit from the founders of the dissent : they 
 grew weary of extemporary prayer, and sighed for a 
 liturgy. To some of the Non-conformists a ritual 
 appeared tolerable, by none desirable. These modern 
 Israelites in the wilderness now long to return into 
 Egypt, to the cucumbers and the onions. In Lan- 
 cashire, especially, the subject was agitated ^^dth the 
 greatest eagerness, while it had its individual adherents 
 in other parts of the country. By the orthodox, it was 
 generally, or rather universally, opposed ; it appeared 
 as needless a thing as, that the moon should be made 
 to shine in the day-time, in order to aid the sun. Its 
 warm advocates were the ministers and people who 
 had embraced the Arian and Socinian systems, espe- 
 cially the younger men who filled the pulpits in the 
 Presbyterian congregations. To that denomination 
 alone all the glory of wishing for a liturgy was con- 
 fined. It was the gift of Pierce and Hallet to those 
 who embraced their creed. 
 
 After a season of anxious expectation, the reformed 
 liturgy made its appearance at Liverpool, in 1752. 
 Natural religion was the substance of the book; of 
 revealed, but little appeared : and the love of Jesus, the 
 Saviour of sinners, and the Mediator between God and 
 man, was rarely mentioned, and could scarcely obtain 
 an ascription of gratitude and praise *. By the authors 
 
 * As the testimony of Job Orton is usually regarded with veneration 
 by those Dissenters who have renounced the Calvinistic creed, the 
 reader is referred to the following passage of his letl< rs to dissenting 
 ministers, in confirmation of our remark. " The Liverpool liturgy is 
 finished. My chief objections against it is, that it is scarcely a Christian 
 liturgy. In the thanksiiivings, mention is made of Christ as a preacher 
 and an example, but nothing more. In the collects, his name is hardly 
 introduced. A few conclude, * through Jesus Christ,' but most omit it. 
 
268 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of this remarkable production, it was loudly proclaimed 
 that one design of it was to reconcile the members of 
 the Church of England to the dissenting Avorship. But 
 the pious people of that communion, who derived edifi- 
 cation and comfort from the evangelical and devotional 
 strain of the Connnon Prayer, must have found them- 
 selves in Nova Zembla, when the Presbyterian teacher 
 read the Liverpool liturgy, with his frozen lips, and 
 must have fled with shivering and horror from the 
 place. 
 
 When this new liturgy was ushered into the world, 
 it was eagerly embraced by some, who rejoiced at the 
 prospect of laying aside extemporary prayer, which was 
 become irksome. Where such ministers had been 
 successful in their attempts to mould their congrega- 
 tion to their own ideas, it w^as silently submitted to, 
 and, by a few as zealous as their pastor for the new 
 sentiments, cordially welcomed, as the messenger of 
 heaven. In some societies, the more serious part 
 vigorously opposed its introduction. One minister, 
 who was determined to use it Avithout the people's 
 leave, lost his whole congregation ; they went over to 
 the INIethodists, and left him to read his liturgy to the 
 
 His resurrection is only once mentioned ; and his intercession not di- 
 rectly. Not a single text that speaks of his dying for sin, or acting as 
 a Prophet, Priest, and King. The Spirit is quite banished from this 
 liturgy. I question whether his name once occurs, or whether a person 
 who was to judge of Christianity only by this liturgy would know that 
 there was a Holy Ghost. The people are taught, by the minister's 
 address, to expect forgiveness, upon confession, repentance, amendment, 
 forgiveness of others, and confidence in the divine mercy, but not a word 
 of Christ or faith in him ; nor, as I remember, any act of the mind, of 
 which Christ is the object, nor any motives or considerations taken from 
 the Gospel. Grieved I am, and very much so, to see such an almost 
 Deislical composition."— vol i., pp. 80, 81. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 269 
 
 walls. Another, having tasted the sweetness of a form 
 of prayer, soon afterwards conformed. 
 
 While the liturgy was disgraced by such effects, it 
 met with a strenuous opposition from some ministers, 
 who had lived in habits of friendship with its admirers 
 and its authors. Mr. Orton, besides his severe censures 
 on the spirit and sentiments of the liturgy, objected to 
 the very principle of forms of prayer, and stated his 
 objections, in a letter to JNIr. Seddon, a Socinian Presby- 
 terian minister of Manchester, who was, as may na- 
 turally be supposed, one of its most strenuous advo- 
 cates. To Mr. Orton's opposition was added that of 
 Dr. John Taylor, of Norwich, who expostulated with 
 the Presbyterian liturgists, on their conduct, and re- 
 minded them of the holy fervour and devout affections 
 with which their Hey woods, their Jollies, and their 
 Newcomes, used to offer up their prayers to God, with- 
 out the need or use of forms. But, alas ! he forgot that 
 the Lancashire ministers of his day had departed from 
 the principles which were held by their venerable 
 predecessors. Sampson's hair was now cut, and his 
 strength was lost. 
 
 Those ministers who had entered on their office 
 in a professed belief of the doctrines of Calvin^ had 
 learned to pray without book, and were able to con- 
 tinue the practice, after they had embraced a more 
 fashionable system, and habit made some of them 
 averse to a different mode. But the younger preachers, 
 who had been arianised or socinianised from their early 
 years, in general found extemporary prayer an irksome 
 task, and were extremely eager to take refuge in forms. 
 Since that time, Presbyterian ministers, trained up in 
 
270 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the Arian or Sociniaii schools, have, from whatever 
 cause, lost that skill, and fluency, and ardour, in prayer 
 which characterised their Calvinistic progenitors, and 
 have generally discovered an eagerness to receive 
 assistance from a liturgy. 
 
 The support of the dissenting ministers continued 
 to be derived from the voluntary contributions of their 
 congregations. These furnished a moderate salary, 
 not calculated to gratify the cravings of avarice, ambi- 
 tion, or sensuality : but their habits were frugal, their 
 expectations as to worldly things were small, and with 
 strict economy they were enabled to provide food and 
 raiment for their families. The friendship of their 
 hearers, heightened by the view of their zealous and 
 faithful labours, supplied deficiencies, and introduced 
 their children into life with singular advantages ; so 
 that it was generally observed, that Providence watched 
 with peculiar tenderness over the families of men who, 
 contented with a very moderate share of temporal 
 benefits, applied the whole strength of their minds to 
 promote the glory of God and the salvation of the souls 
 of men. 
 
 By the bequests of pious individuals, benefactions 
 were, from time to time, made to some congregations 
 for the more comfortable support of the minister. 
 Where these did not amount to a sum large enough 
 for a salary, it was of service, especially in small 
 societies where the people were unable to raise a suffi- 
 ciency among themselves. But, wherever the bene- 
 faction was large enough for the minister's support, it 
 has been found, with but few exceptions, to be detri- 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 271 
 
 mental to the cause which it was designed^ to cherish. 
 When the people are considered as cyphers, they act 
 as cyphers ; they appear to feel but little concern for 
 the welfare of the society^ and have never displayed the 
 same zealous activity and lively interest, as when every- 
 thing depended on themselves. So uniform has been 
 the operation of this cause, that where ministers, pos- 
 sessed of opulence, would receive nothing from their 
 hearers as a reward for their labours, it is but seldom 
 that such congregations have been in a flourishing 
 state. A listlessness, and want of public spirit have 
 pervaded the whole mass : so dangerous is it to exclude 
 Christians from the performance of a duty. 
 
 These benefactions have proved injurious, in another 
 way. When such a fund has fallen into the possession 
 of an unsuitable minister, who, by his sloth, pride, or 
 error, has rendered himself disagreeable to his congre- 
 gation, they have no means of procuring his removal ; 
 though the cause of religion is decaying, and his audi- 
 ence dwindling away before his eyes. Had the minis- 
 ter's support been derived from the people, necessity 
 would soon have compelled him to depart, and make 
 room for another much better than himself. The 
 great founder of the Christian church legislated with 
 more than human wisdom for the prosperity and happi- 
 ness of religious societies, when he framed his consti- 
 tution in such a manner that the pastor and the flock 
 should mutually depend on each other. This plan he 
 judged to be safest and best for all ; and he knew 
 the human heart. Men have thought they could 
 mend the system, and they have rendered the minis- 
 ter independent of the congregation. This indepen- 
 
272 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 dence has appeared delightful to the pride of man, but 
 what has been the consequence ? The clergy have 
 acted as lords over God's heritage ; and the people 
 have become indifferent about religion. 
 
 In order to aid in supplying deficiencies, a fund was 
 instituted, not liable to the same objections as the 
 other. It was provided by the benevolence of the 
 Dissenters in London, who, greatly to their honour, 
 made an annual collection for the benefit of poor and 
 small congregations in the country. Two thousand 
 pounds were raised, every year, in this manner, by the 
 Presbyterians ; and nearly seventeen hundred pounds 
 by the Independents *. These sums could be distri- 
 buted so as to give aid to diligence and zeal ; and 
 could be withheld from the indolent and undeserving. 
 By benevolent individuals, too, donations were fre- 
 quently given, to be distributed among such ministers 
 as were most deserving of assistance. 
 
 Similar exertions were made among the Baptists, 
 for the support of their cause. In 1717, some of the 
 most zealous in the particular denomination, feeling the 
 importance of making some provision for the necessi- 
 ties of their ministers in the country, exerted them- 
 selves to establish a fund for that purpose f . The 
 
 * Such, according to the London manuscript, was the state of the 
 funds in 1730. The largest collection, among the Presbyterians, was 
 at Salter's-hall, and amounted to two hundred and eighty pounds. Mr. 
 Bragg's congregation furnished the greatest sum among the Indepen- 
 dents: three hundred pounds was the amount of their collection. 
 
 t The state of the particular Baptists a,t that lime is described by 
 them in the following words. " We have observed for some time, with 
 great trouble, the little union and correspondence that there is between 
 those of that denomination; the great decay of the interest in some 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 273 
 
 writer of the London manuscript says, that in 1730, 
 it amounted annually to five hundred pounds. It was 
 composed, partly of the interest of sums of money which 
 were given or bequeathed, and partly of collections 
 made every year in their most opulent congregations, 
 A like plan was soon after formed by the general 
 Baptists, only with this difference, that the benefit of 
 it was extended to " all who agreed in the practice of 
 baptism by immersion upon a profession of faith, and 
 appeared to be sober, pious, and faithful in the dis- 
 charge of their work*." The amplitude of their fund, 
 however, did not correspond with the liberality in the 
 manner of its disposal : though some gifts and legacies 
 were poured into it, it was but small. 
 
 To the generosity of individuals, the Dissenters 
 
 were indebted for an acceptable addition to these 
 
 general funds. In 1724^ a legacy of five thousand 
 
 pounds was bequeathed to poor ministers by Sir John 
 
 Gayer, to be distributed for their relief The will of 
 
 this gentleman, who died on his voyage home from 
 
 India, expresses, That he did not leave it to such 
 
 ministers as were for domination, but for such as were 
 
 for the pious and charitable principles of the late Rev. 
 
 Richard Baxter." His lady, who was zealous for the 
 
 parts of England, and the difficulty they have to keep up the public 
 worship of God with any tolerable reputation in other parts; the great 
 want of able and quahfied persons to defend the truth, and to supply 
 those churches which are in want of ministers ; the poverty and distress 
 some, employed in that sacred office, are exposed to, for want of cogipetent 
 maintenance to themselves and families, and the frequent applications 
 which are made to some private persons on these occasions, who have 
 neither ability to help all, nor opportunity to inquire into the circum- 
 stances of every particular case."— Crosby, vol. iv., pp. 199, 200. 
 * Crosby, vol. iv. p. 204. 
 
 VOL. II. T 
 
274 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 establishment, wished it to be given to the clergy. 
 But two of the executors, knowing that Sir John 
 attended the worship of the Dissenters, and that when 
 he went to the East Indies, in order to transact some 
 business for the company, he took with him a dissent- 
 ing minister in disguise, as a chaplain, conceived that 
 they would not be executing the will of the deceased, 
 unless the money was given to the Non-conformists. 
 After surmounting various difficulties, the legacy was 
 at last obtained, and distributed among the necessitous 
 dissenting ministers. 
 
 Dr. Calamy records, as an event of the following 
 year, another instance of sacred benevolence by Mr. 
 Barnes, a man in a humbler station of life, but whose 
 bequest w^as more substantial and extensive. He was 
 a hatter in Fleet-street, and having no family, after 
 some legacies to his relations, he bequeathed the resi- 
 due of his estate to Mr. Tong, Dr. Calamy, Dr. 
 Wright, and Mr. Bradbury, to be distributed, at their 
 discretion, among dissenting ministers, whose necessi- 
 tous circumstances called for assistance and relief. The 
 sum amounted to twelve thousand pounds, and was 
 disbursed according to the intentions of the testator. 
 Such instances of pious solicitude for the comfort of 
 men, who were zealously labouring to promote the 
 interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, lay claim to an 
 honourable place in the history of Dissenters. 
 
 But Divine Providence, on which the dissenting 
 ministers rested for their support, displayed its care 
 in procuring them supplies from a still higher source. 
 King George I., sensible of their attachment to his 
 
OUTWARD STATE 01- DISSENTERS. 275 
 
 family and government, was pleased to give them sub- 
 stantial tokens of his affection and bounty by an annual 
 donation. The motion originated with Mr. Daniel 
 Burgess, secretary to the Princess of Wales. Having 
 received his education among the Dissenters, gratitude 
 influenced him to endeavour to serve their cause. With 
 this view, he mentioned his wishes to Lord Townshend, 
 who represented the business to Sir Robert Walpole ; 
 and these two laid it before his majesty, who was 
 favourable to the measure, and ordered five hundred 
 pounds to be given for the use of the indigent widows 
 of dissenting ministers. The first payment was soon 
 after 1720. In the course of a few years, the gift as 
 well as the object was enlarged, and five hundred 
 pounds were directed to be paid half yearly, for assist- 
 ing ministers too who stood in need of relief, or to be 
 applied to such uses as those entrusted with the dis- 
 tribution should think most conducive to the interests 
 of the dissenting body *. The donation was afterwards 
 increased to two thousand pounds, and continues to be 
 received for the same purposes to the present time. 
 
 From these various sources of support, the dissent- 
 ing cause maintained its ground during this period. 
 In instances where it failed, it was less frequently for 
 
 * When Mr. Burgess received the money, he paid it to Mr. Tong, 
 Mr. Smith, Mr. Merrill, Mr. Clarke, Dr. Evans, Dr. Harris, and Dr. 
 Calamy. It was generally obtained, but sometimes it was forgotten 
 and passed by ; for what cause was not known. An equal dividend was 
 made to each minister, and it was distributed as he thought proper ; but 
 they generally showed their accounts to each other, that the same person 
 might not receive assistance from more than one. When any of the 
 ministers died, the survivors named another in his place. A charge was 
 given that secresy should be observed, but the matter gradually became 
 public. 
 
 T 2 
 
276 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 want of funds, than for want of evangelical truth, to 
 stimulate the people to exertions for the preservation 
 of that which, to a zealous disciple of Christ, is dearer 
 than life itself 
 
 Sect. III. — Public Services and Associations of Dissenters. 
 
 The ordination service of the Dissenters was nearly the 
 same in this, as during the former period ; but some 
 shades of difference were introduced, which it will be 
 proper to describe. The practice, which prevailed 
 among the Presbyterians, of ordaining several candi- 
 dates at one time, and at a distance from their charge, 
 was gradually laid aside. The Presbyterians, though 
 first in number and influence, submitted to receive a 
 lesson from the two other denominations, and adopted 
 the custom of ordaining the minister to his charge, in 
 the face of his congregation. 
 
 Before the end of this period, there scarcely remained 
 an independent church which entertained an idea of 
 the old method of ordaining a pastor by the members 
 of its own body. How such a practice could ever have 
 been thought of, except in cases of absolute necessity, 
 it is difficult to conceive. There appears a strange 
 incongruity in persons who are to be taught, to give a 
 charge to him who is to teach them, and to point out 
 the way in which he is to instruct them*. In few of 
 
 * The example of a popular ordination in the independent church at 
 Wellingborough, which we gave under the former period, was repeated 
 in 1723, when Mr, Grant was set apart to the pastoral office : but, on 
 his declining the charge in 1770, their old ideas had become extinct, and 
 Mr. Carver, his successor, was ordained by the ministers of the neigh- 
 bouring churches, in the usual way. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 277 
 
 the independent churches, was there a plurality of 
 pastors, or elders to perform the service. To the 
 ministers, therefore, of the neighbouring congregations 
 they had recourse, and by them the person whom the 
 people elected was ordained, or set apart to the 
 pastoral charge, by prayer, and counsels for the proper 
 discharge of the duties of his office. The imposition 
 of hands was observed by some, and objected to by 
 others ; but it gradually came into general use. 
 
 The following is an account of the method of ordi- 
 nation, as it was conducted among the more moderate 
 Independents, during this period. It was drawn up 
 by the pen of Dr. Doddridge, and its insertion will 
 fully explain the manner in which this important 
 service was performed. 
 
 " It very rarely happens, that a minister among us 
 is admitted to the pastoral office, till he hath spent 
 some years as a kind of candidate for it ; and so far as 
 I can recollect, more undertake it after, than before 
 their twenty-sixth year is completed. But as our theo- 
 logical students generally employ either four or five 
 years in preparatory studies, after they have quitted the 
 grammar schools, so they are examined by three or 
 four elder ministers, before they begin to preach. A 
 strict inquiry is made into their character, and into 
 their furniture, both with respect to the learned 
 languages, especially the sacred, and also as to the 
 various parts of natural and moral philosophy, but, 
 above all, into their acquaintance with divinity; and 
 some specimen of their abilities, for prayer and preach- 
 ing, is generally expected. 
 
 " When the society, which generally proceeds with 
 
278 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 entire unanimity in this great affair, has received what 
 it judges competent satisfaction, the several members 
 of it join in giving him a solemn and express call to 
 take upon him the pastoral inspection over them ; and 
 if he be disposed to accept it, he generally signifies that 
 intention to neighbouring pastors, whose concurrence 
 he desires in solemnly setting him apart to that office. 
 
 " Previous to the assembly for this sacred purpose, 
 his credentials and testimonials are produced, if it be 
 required by any who are to be concerned ; and satis- 
 faction as to his principles is also given to those who 
 are to carry on the public work, generally by his com- 
 municating to them the confession of his faith which 
 he has drawn up, in which it is expected, that the 
 great doctrines of Christianity should be touched upon 
 in a proper order, and his persuasion of them plainly 
 and seriously expressed, in such wwds as he judges 
 most convenient. And we generally think this a 
 proper and happy medium, between the indolence of 
 acquiescing in a general declaration of believing the 
 Christian religion, without declaring what it is appre- 
 hended to be, and the severity of demanding a sub- 
 scription to any set of articles, where, if an honest man, 
 who believes all the rest, scruples any one article, 
 phrase, or word, he is as effectually excluded as if he 
 rejected the whole. 
 
 " The pastors who are to bear their part in the 
 public Avork_, having been thus in their consciences 
 satisfied, that the person, offering himself to ordination, 
 is duly qualified for the Christian ministry, and regu- 
 larly called to the full exercise of it, they proceed, at 
 the appointed time and place, to consecrate him to it. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTEIIS. 279 
 
 and to recommend him to the grace and blessing of 
 God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, by fasting and 
 prayer, generally accompanied with the imposition of 
 hands ; and the public work of the day is usually, so 
 far as I have been witness, carried on in the following 
 order, or something very near it. 
 
 " It commonly opens with a short prayer, and the 
 reading some select portions of Scripture, which seem 
 most proper to the occasion. Then a prayer is ofFered_, 
 of greater length and compass than the former, in 
 which most of our common concerns as Christians 
 are included ; which is sometimes, though less fre- 
 quently, succeeded, by another of the same kind. 
 Then follows a sermon on some suitable subject, 
 such as the institution, importance, difficulty, and 
 excellency of the ministerial work, the character and 
 conduct of the first ministers of the Gospel, or the 
 like. 
 
 " After this introduction of a more general nature, 
 another minister (usually one of the eldest present, 
 who is a kind of moderator for the day), gives the 
 assembly a more particular account of the occasion of 
 its being convened. The call of the church to the 
 candidate is then recognised, either in word or wri- 
 ting, or by lifting up the hand ; and his acceptance is 
 also declared. He is then desired, for the satisfaction 
 and edification of the assembly, to pronounce his con- 
 fession of faith (which his brethren have already heard 
 and approved), and pertinent questions are put to him, 
 relating to the views and purposes with which he 
 undertakes the solemn charge, that he may lo brought 
 under the most awful engagements to a suitable be- 
 
280 
 
 HISTOIIY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 liaviour in it; and an express renunciation of the 
 errors and superstitions of the Romish church, generally 
 makes a part of these answers, as well as a declaration 
 of his resolution, by divine grace, never to forsake the 
 ministry, whatever inconveniences and sufferings it 
 may draw after it. 
 
 " This being despatched, the presiding minister 
 comes down from the pulpit, and prays over the per- 
 son to be set apart. There is no particular form of 
 ])rayer on this occasion, or any other, among us ; but 
 I have observed, that the person who officiates is 
 generally led, in such a circumstance, to adore the 
 divine wisdom and grace, in the constitution and reve- 
 lation of the Gospel, in the appointment of an evan- 
 gelical ministry, and in supporting the succession of it 
 throughout all ages of the Christian church, as well as 
 in vindicating it from popish corruption and bondage. 
 Some notice is often taken of what may have seemed 
 most remarkable in providence, with regard to the 
 particular circumstances of the society then to be 
 settled, and the person to be set apart to the minis- 
 terial office in it, who is then solemnly offi^red to the 
 service of God, and recommended to his blessing in all 
 the several parts of his work, which are distinctly 
 enumerated. And this prayer seldom concludes with- 
 out fervent intercession with God, for the Christian 
 church in general, and all its faithful ministers of every 
 denomination. And as those rising up to succeed in 
 the work are often mentioned here, so I have had the 
 pleasure frequently to hear the universities of our island, 
 as well as more private seminaries of learned and pious 
 education, affectionately recommended to the divine 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 281 
 
 protection and favour on such occasions, with all the 
 genuine appearances of a truly Christian and catholic 
 spirit. When that part of this prayer begins, w4iich im^ 
 mediately relates to the person then to be consecrated to 
 the service of the sanctuary, it is usual for the speaker 
 to lay his hand on his head, and the other pastors, 
 conveniently within reach (frequently to the number of 
 six, eight, or ten), lay on their hands also, at the 
 same time ; by which w^e do not pretend to convey 
 any spiritual gifts, but only use it as a solemn and 
 expedient, though not absolutely necessary, desig- 
 nation of the person then to be set apart. 
 
 " When this prayer is over (which often engages a 
 very profound attention, and seems to make a very 
 deep impression both on ministers and people), the 
 charge is given to the newly ordained pastor ; who 
 generally receives it standing (as much as may be) in 
 the sight of the whole assembly ; and an exhortation 
 to the people is sometimes joined with the charge, or 
 sometimes follows it as a distinct service, unless (which 
 is frequently the case) it is superseded by the sermon, 
 or some other previous address. Another prayer fol- 
 lows, and singing having been intermingled, so as 
 properly to diversify a service necessarily so long, the 
 whole is concluded with a solemn benediction. 
 
 " I know no method of proceeding on such occasions, 
 more rational, edifying, and scriptural than this ; and 
 I hope, few, who believe anything of Christianity, can 
 be so ignorant, or abandoned, as to make light of such 
 solemnities. But, however any of our fellow- servants 
 may judge, I have a calm, steady, and joyful assurance 
 that transactions like these are registered in heaven 
 
282 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 with approbation, and receive the sanction and blessing 
 of the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls*." 
 
 Among the Baptists, little alteration took place in 
 the mode of ordaining their ministers, since the former 
 period. An ordination, different from that of the esta- 
 blishment, had scarcely found an entrance, either among 
 the Calvinistic, or Arminian Methodists. 
 
 Associations still continued among the different 
 denominations, but not with the same uniform degree 
 of vigour, as during the former period. The Exeter 
 assembly kept up its accustomed meetings, but with- 
 out its former unity and energy of principle, and with 
 a gradual decline, as the period advanced. Between 
 1721 and 1730, about ninety ministers attended the 
 assembly. In Lancashire, the pastors of the numerous 
 congregations had regular associations, and for a long 
 time, maintained the mildest semblance of Presbytery, 
 but they gradually fell into decay. Cumberland and 
 Westmoreland were united in one association. About 
 the middle of the period, a meeting was formed among 
 the congregational churches of Norfolk and Suffolk, 
 which was, for some years, attended by considerable 
 numbers ; but the spirit of union decayed, so that, 
 before 1760, it was in danger of being entirely dis- 
 solved f. In Northamptonshire, and the neighbouring 
 parts, an association of ministers subsisted, with con- 
 siderable energy and advantage. The zeal of Dod- 
 dridge gave life to such meetings, and some of his fel- 
 
 * Doddridse's Tracts, vol. ii., p. 253 — 257. 
 t Remarks on the State of Congregational Churches in Norfolk and 
 Suffolk, pp. 48, 49. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 283 
 
 low-labourers were men of equal devotedness to their 
 Master's service. 
 
 In many parts of England, it is to be lamented that 
 associations were unknown, and ministers had little 
 intercourse with each other, in acts of social worship, 
 or consultation for the general good. This charge 
 falls with peculiar weight on a considerable body of 
 the Independents, who wiW now, instead of praise, 
 scarcely find indulgence for the motive which they 
 assigned for their insociability. " It was their earnest 
 wish, they said, to maintain the independency of 
 churches, and guard against every infringement of 
 their rights, from the interference of persons in other 
 congregations, whether ministers or private Christians." 
 Poor casuists they were, who could not distinguish 
 between an authoritative Presbytery claiming powers 
 of domination, and a voluntary association of ministers 
 and members of churches, assembling for the enjoy- 
 ment of social worship, to strengthen each other's 
 hands, to kindle each other's zeal, to advance the cause 
 of the Redeemer in their respective circles, and to 
 extend the ordinances of religion to places where the 
 Gospel was not preached. All these benefits, with 
 the happy consequences resulting from them, were 
 lost by their excessive scrupulosity and unreasonable 
 fears *. 
 
 * " Several churches, associating together to hold meetings of their 
 elders and principal brethren, for the purpose of worshipping God to- 
 gether, form an assembly on earth, that bears perhaps the nearest re- 
 semblance, we can imagine, of the general assembly above. And meet- 
 ing together for fraternal conversation afterwards, to propose their diffi- 
 culties, in order to receive such counsels and other assistances as they 
 may be able to give, must be allowed to be extremely expressive of that 
 tender care for each other, which members of the same body ought to 
 
284 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Among the Baptists, associations were maintained 
 perhaps with greater vigour, but certainly with greater 
 regularity. But the greatest praise is due to the 
 Quakers, whose public and private meetings, for con- 
 ducting the affairs of the body, although they required 
 the sacrifice of much labour, time, and expense, w^ere 
 attended by the friends with that regularity, perse- 
 verance, and interest, which must put every other de- 
 nomination to the blush. 
 
 The Dissenters in London still continued to main- 
 tain the meetings of the different boards ; and they 
 united in all affairs of importance to their common 
 interests. From time to time, they also maintained 
 a respectful intercourse with the government, as they 
 were incited by the calls of interest, gratitude, and 
 duty. 
 
 On the accession of George I., among the friends of 
 civil and religious liberty who offered their congratu- 
 lations, none appeared with more unfeigned joy and 
 cordial satisfaction^ than the Dissenters of the metro- 
 polis. On the 28th of September, 1714, the whole 
 body of ministers went to court, with Dr. Daniel Wil- 
 liams at their head, who, in their name, presented to 
 his majesty the following address. 
 
 feel. They have accordingly been found by experience (o be extremely 
 beneficial, and, in some cases, of the utmost consequence." *' Such an 
 association would have been extremely encouraged by Dr. Owen, who, in 
 his book * Of the true Nature of a Gospel church,'— p. 25, says, 
 ' Churches should be in express readiness to convene on all occasions of 
 common concernment and p. 255, ' If churches would meet frequently 
 in synods, &c."' — Remarks on the State of Norfolk Churches, pp. 48,50. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 285 
 
 " TO THE king's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 " The Humble Address of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers, of the 
 
 several denominations, in and about the city of London, &c. x 
 " May it please your Majesty. 
 
 " With thankfulness and joy, equal to the great 
 occasion, we congratulate your Majesty's peaceable 
 accession to the throne, and your own and the Prince's 
 safe arrival; the merciful return of many ardent prayers. 
 
 " When we recollect your Majesty's descent from 
 the king and queen of Bohemia, those renowned patrons 
 of the Protestant religion, we cannot but adore the 
 divine Providence, which has now rewarded their suf- 
 ferings for that cause, in their royal offspring, with a 
 crown that renders your Majesty the head of the whole 
 Protestant interest. But your Majesty's zeal for the 
 same religion, your known affection for the liberties of 
 Europe, and the rights of mankind, with your other 
 celebrated virtues, give us the surest prospect that the 
 blessings of your reign will be as extensive as your 
 power. 
 
 " The parliamentary entail of the crown upon your 
 illustrious house, we have ever esteemed one of the 
 greatest blessings procured for us by our late deliverer 
 King William, of immortal memory. To this happy 
 settlement we have stedfastly adhered, against all temp- 
 tations and dangers. Our zeal herein has been owned 
 to be very conspicuous, by those noble patriots who now 
 surround your throne. 
 
 " We hold no principles but what do in conscience 
 oblige us to acknowledge your Majesty for our only 
 rightful and lawful sovereign, and do every thing in our 
 
286 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 power to support your title and government, against all 
 pretenders whatsoever. 
 
 *'Your IMajesty's wise and gracious declaration, for 
 which we render our unfeigned thanks, does sensihly 
 relieve us under our present hardships, and gives us 
 ground to hope, that as we are inseparably united in 
 interest and safety with all that adhere to the succes- 
 sion and monarchy as by law established, so we shall 
 share in that protection and favour, which will make us 
 happy with the rest of your subjects. 
 
 " We shall constantly pray for the long life and 
 prosperity of your Majesty, for their royal highnesses, 
 the Prince and Princess of 'VA^'ales, and all the branches 
 of your august family. May that God by whom kings 
 reign, so help you to employ your mighty power and 
 interest, that it may be your Majesty's glory to protect 
 the Protestant religion, to suppress the profaneness of 
 the age, to heal the divisions of your people, to assert 
 the right of the injured abroad, and to preserve the 
 balance of Europe." 
 
 To which his Majesty returned this gracious answer. 
 
 " I am very w^ell pleased with your expressions of 
 duty to me, and you may depend upon having my pro- 
 tection." 
 
 The declaration mentioned in this address, was that 
 which his Majesty had made in council, September 22, 
 being the first time of his sitting in it, wherein his 
 Majesty expressed himself thus : 
 
 " I take this occasion also to express to you my firm 
 purpose to do all, that is in my power, for supporting 
 and maintaining the churches of England and Scotland, 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 287 
 
 as they are severally by law established, which, I am 
 of opinion, may be effectually done without the least 
 impairing the toleration allowed by law to Protestant 
 Dissenters, so agreeable to Christian charity, and so 
 necessary to the trade and riches of this kingdom." 
 
 In the riots and tumults, which were soon after raised 
 in different parts of the country, by the high church and 
 tory party, the Dissenters were among the greatest 
 sufferers both by personal insults and injuries, and by 
 the destruction of their places of worship. Addresses 
 being presented on the occasion by parliament, and 
 various bodies in the community, the three denomina- 
 tions in London conceived it to be their duty to assure 
 his Majesty of their attachment to his person, and 
 family, and loyal subjection to his government. They, 
 therefore, on the 16th of August, 1715, Avent to court 
 with the subjoined address, which was presented by Mr. 
 Nathaniel Hodges. 
 
 " TO THE king's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 " We, your Majesty's most loyal subjects, think 
 ourselves obliged, in duty and gratitude, humbly to 
 acknowledge that seasonable protection which your 
 Majesty has been pleased to give to those of our per- 
 suasion, from the late rebellious tumults, and for your 
 gracious answer to your faithful commons, wherein they 
 desire, that a full compensation be made to those, whose 
 sufferings they so justly impute to their zeal and firm 
 adherence to your Majesty and to your government. 
 We can assure your Majesty, that no just occasion has 
 been given by us to our fellow- subjects for any such 
 
288 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 treatment ; nor can the principles, Av^liicli oblige us to 
 dissent from the church of England, be a reasonable 
 provocation to any who have the least regard to the 
 common rights of mankind, or the rules of the Chirstian 
 religion. 
 
 " We desire nothing more, than to enjoy our civil 
 rights, with a just liberty to profess our own religious 
 sentiments, which we take to be a privilege due to all 
 men. We have been always ready to assist the church 
 of England, in defence of the Protestant religion, when 
 in real and imminent danger ; being agreed with them, 
 and all Protestant churches, in those principles that 
 began the reformation, and which alone can justify and 
 support it. When there has been a design to introduce 
 popery and arbitrary power, the Protestant Dissenters 
 have generally been first attacked. Nor know we any 
 other reason, why we have now suffered the outrage of 
 papists, nonjurors, and other disaffected persons, but 
 that they were sure we were a body of men, fixed in 
 our duty to your Majesty, and lay the most exposed to 
 popular insults, against which your Majesty, and your 
 two houses of parliament, in your great wisdom and 
 goodness, have given us a seasonable, and, we hope, 
 effectual security for the time to come. 
 
 " Whilst your Majesty's government is disturbed at 
 home, and threatened with an invasion from abroad, we 
 can answer for those of our persuasion, that there are 
 not any of them, whose principles and inclinations will 
 not influence them to assist and support your IMajesty 
 and the Protestant religion to the utmost of their power. 
 We look upon ourselves bound, by the strongest ties of 
 duty, gratitude, and interest, to acknowledge and main- 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 289 
 
 tain your Majesty's undoubted right and title to tlie 
 imperial crown of these realms, and to declare our 
 utmost abhorrence of all attempts, either at home or 
 abroad, in favour of a Popish pretender. May that 
 gracious Providence, which has so signally appeared in 
 bringing your Majesty to the throne of these kingdoms, 
 continue to protect and defend your royal person and 
 family against all attempts of your open and secret 
 enemies." 
 
 His JMajesty returned this most gracious answer: — 
 " I am very much concerned at the unchristian and 
 barbarous treatment, which those of your persuasion 
 have met with in several parts of my kingdom, and 
 care shall be taken, that a fiill compensation be made 
 to them for their sufferings. I thank you for this ad- 
 dress, and you may be assured of my protection." 
 
 After an end had been put to the internal disturb- 
 ances, and to the rebellion in Scotland, and quiet had 
 been restored, the Dissenters again, on the 4th of 
 March, 1717, went to court, with Dr. Calamy at their 
 head, who in their name presented the following ad- 
 dress : — 
 
 " TO THE king's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 " The Humble Address of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers, of the 
 several denominations, in and about the cities of London and West- 
 minster. 
 
 "May it please your Majesty, 
 
 "Though we are very ambitious of professing the 
 allegiance and duty we owe to your Majesty on every 
 occasion ; yet we never make these professions with 
 
 VOL. II. u 
 
290 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 greater readiness and alacrity^ than when your ]\Ia- 
 jesty's government is unhappily threatened with any 
 disturbance at home, or from abroad : such occasions 
 giving us the best opportunity to express that zeal and 
 fidelity, by which we are always desirous to be distin- 
 guished. As we offered up constant prayers to Al- 
 mighty God for the safety of your Majesty's person, 
 while you was abroad, and have since sent up our 
 humble thanks, for your Majesty's safe return to these 
 your dominions ; so we reckon it our great felicity, 
 among the rest of your faithful subjects, that your 
 Majesty is in this your kingdom, before a rebellion, 
 concerted between a restless faction and some foreign 
 ministers, was to break out. 
 
 " We congratulate your Majesty, with all humility, 
 on the success of your councils abroad, which tends to 
 secure your person and government from the malicious 
 designs of your enemies ; and that, as your ]\Iajesty, 
 upon visiting your hereditary countries, saw some 
 branches of your royal family in health, so, upon your 
 return from them, you found your kingdoms in peace 
 and tranquillity, by the prudent administration of his 
 royal highness the Prince of Wales, and her royal 
 highness the Princess recovered from a danger which 
 gave all your Majesty's good subjects the utmost 
 anxiety and concern. 
 
 " We take the liberty to return your Majesty our 
 most dutiful thanks, for those privileges which we enjoy 
 in common with the rest of your subjects under your 
 government, by which the honour, commerce, and credit 
 of this nation are so far retrieved and improved, and 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 291 
 
 its security so much advanced ; and also for the steps 
 which your Majesty has been pleased to take towards 
 repairing the damages, which several of our persuasion 
 suffered by the late rebellious tumults, pursuant to the 
 address of the honourable House of Commons, and your 
 Majesty's most gracious answer. 
 
 " We, unfeignedly, wish your Majesty as entire a 
 possession of the hearts of all those of your subjects, 
 that have been so unjustly and violently set against 
 you, as your Majesty has of the affections of all of our 
 persuasion throughout your dominions. Among us, we 
 know not that you have an open, a secret, or a sus- 
 pected enemy ; nor any who, notwithstanding what 
 they have suffered from your JMajesty's enemies, or the 
 neglect they have hitherto met with from others (for 
 whose sakes, and with whom they have been always 
 content to suffer), can be brought to the least degree 
 of indifference about anything that concerns your Ma- 
 jesty, your family, or your administration. We reckon 
 it our peculiar glory, that during the late unnatural 
 rebellion, there was not any of our principles who did 
 not express the utmost zeal for the suppressing of it, in 
 their several stations and capacities. 
 
 " Your Majesty's penetration will, we doubt not, 
 easily lead you to discern, that such a body of your 
 faithful subjects deserve to be distinguished in another 
 manner than by marks of infamy. Their consolation 
 is, that they were put under some of them, for what 
 was hoped, at that time, would have been for your 
 service : had your Majesty and the nation found it so, 
 we had been the more easy. We think it the particular 
 
 U 2 
 
292 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 lionour of tlie Protestant Dissenters, that their strict 
 adherence to the interest of your illustrious family, 
 before your Majesty's accession, and their loyalty to it 
 since, have drawn upon them so much of the fury of 
 some of their fellow-subjects. We are not conscious 
 what else could render us obnoxious to them, our 
 principles being, as we hope, the most friendly to man- 
 kind, and amounting to no more than those of a general 
 toleration to all peaceable subjects, universal love and 
 charity for all Christians, and to act always in matters 
 of religion as God shall give us light into his will 
 about them. 
 
 " We do not so much as expect, or desire anything 
 that ought to give any one the least disturbance ; we 
 only wish, that under your Majesty, as the common 
 father of all your loyal people, those of our persuasion 
 might not want a capacity, as we hope your Majesty will 
 find they never want an inclination, to promote the true 
 interests of the Protestant religion, and of their country. 
 
 " May the great God continue to multiply his bles- 
 sings upon your Majesty and every branch of your royal 
 family ; and after you have many years ruled faithfully 
 for God on earth, may you reign gloriously with him 
 for ever in heaven." 
 
 His Majesty's answer was in the following words : — 
 
 " I thank you for your dutiful and affectionate 
 address. I am fully convinced of the loyalty and zeal 
 of the Protestant Dissenters. I will give order for the 
 speedy payment of the damages they have sustained in 
 the late tumults ; and they and you shall always have 
 my protection." 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 293 
 
 Wliile the death of George I. caused sincere regret 
 in all the friends of both political and religious liberty, 
 the exaltation of his son to the peaceable possession of 
 the throne gave the highest satisfaction ; and none felt 
 more than the Dissenters, who had enjoyed so much 
 tranquillity under the former reign, and expected a 
 continuance of it under his son. On the 4th of July, 
 1727, about a hundred of the dissenting ministers, in 
 and around London, attended Dr. John Evans to court, 
 who, in the name of the three denominations, presented 
 the following address. 
 
 " ADDRESS OF DISSENTERS ON THE ACCESSION OF 
 GEORGE II. 
 
 " May it please your Majesty, 
 
 " Whilst your Majesty's royal declaration so ten- 
 derly mentions the sudden and unexpected death of 
 your dearest father, all loyal subjects, as becomes their 
 different stations, are mourning the loss of one common 
 father to his people. The Protestant dissenting minis- 
 ters can never forget his paternal favours and conde- 
 scensions ; and we beg your Majesty will give us leave, 
 on this great occasion, to speak our affecting sense of 
 that awful Providence which has finished a reign so 
 important and gracious as that of King George I. 
 By this mighty stroke, the world is bereaved of one of 
 the wisest and best of princes, and the reformed reli- 
 gion of its chief glory and defence. But the immediate 
 and peaceful succession of George II. dries up our 
 tears. A Protestant heir thus coming to the throne 
 of his father is a new blessing to Britain. A prince 
 who gave the world so early a proof of his spirit and 
 
294 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 courage in the field, who hath shown so much goodness 
 since his abode in this kingdom, and given us such 
 agreeable presages of happiness, upon his w^earing the 
 imperial crown of these realms. This consideration, 
 together with that of a queen-consort, entirely Protes- 
 tant, and universally beloved, fills our hearts with joy, 
 that greatly and justly exceeds all our sorrow. By 
 this means, the reformed religion gains fresh support 
 and glory ; and all transactions, for the peace and 
 settlement of Europe, proceed with renewed life and 
 vigour. Thus, w^hen it pleased Almighty God (by 
 whom kings reign) to inspire your glorious predecessor. 
 King William, to lay the foundation of the Protestant 
 succession in the illustrious and numerous family of 
 Brunswick, he provided both an effectual relief of our 
 present sorrows, and a lasting guard against future 
 dangers. 
 
 " We rejoice in the wise conduct and those kind 
 disposals of Providence, which have tied up the hands 
 of the declared enemies to your august house, so that 
 they have it not in their power at present, by any 
 means, to disturb either your Majesty's proceedings, 
 or our joy. This is such a confirmation of the king- 
 doms in your INIajesty's illustrious family, as we tmst 
 will for ever extinguish their hopes who have hitherto 
 vainly struggled for a popish pretender. 
 
 " On our parts, we can assure your Majesty of hearts 
 full of loyalty and affection to your person and govern- 
 ment, and, so far as belongs to our stations and charac- 
 ters, we shall not fail both to teach the duties owing to 
 crowned heads, and practise them ourselves upon every 
 occasion. It is with pleasure, we can further assure 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 295 
 
 your Majesty, that the Protestant Dissenters, we be- 
 lieve to a man, are in the same loyal sentiments. And 
 we doubt not our continued share in those liberties 
 which your Majesty hath graciously declared are most 
 dear to you. 
 
 " We rely upon your princely wisdom and care to 
 do everything that may strengthen and unite sincere 
 Christians and Protestants, and heartily wish our 
 suffering brethren abroad the same blessings with 
 ourselves. 
 
 " We shall not cease to offer up unfeigned and 
 ardent prayers to Almighty God, that your Majesty 
 may long live the defender of our religion, laws, and 
 liberties, and the succourer of the distressed ; that you 
 may be prospered in perfecting the great work now 
 depending beyond the seas, that decaying piety may 
 revive throughout your own dominions, and an universal 
 probity of manners may be promoted ; that with your 
 royal consort, you may reign in the hearts of all your 
 subjects, and in your royal issue, may reign from one 
 generation to another ; and that all manner of blessings 
 may be multiplied on the house, person, and adminis- 
 tration of your sacred Majesty." 
 
 To which address his Majesty was pleased to return 
 the following most gracious answer : — 
 
 " I thank you for this loyal and affectionate address. 
 You may be assured of my protection, and of my care 
 and attention to support the Protestant interest." 
 
 They were all of them afterwards introduced to the 
 queen, and, at the common request of the whole bodj% 
 
296 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Dr. Calamy made a speech to her Majesty in the fol- 
 lowing words : — 
 " May it please your Majesty, 
 
 " We cheerfully embrace the opportunity that pre- 
 sents of expressing our duty to your Majesty ; encou- 
 raged by that conjunction of goodness with greatness, 
 and that commanding air of life and sweetness, that 
 animate all who have the honour to approach you. . 
 
 " We sincerely congratulate your ascending the 
 throne, which we hope will prove easy, being adorned 
 with those noble virtues, and particularly with that 
 benevolence to mankind, which are so conspicuous in 
 your Majesty. When a regard to religion could pre- 
 vail with a princess of your high birth, even in the 
 earliest part of life, to slight the prospect of a crown 
 which had visible danger to conscience attending it, 
 that kind heaven at length should reach you forth 
 another, as remarkable for its safety as its glory, is 
 such a return of divine Providence, as we cannot but 
 admire with great thankfulness, though without the 
 least surprise, since he, whose kingdom ruleth over all, 
 has fixed it as a standing measure of his government^ 
 that such as honour him he will honour. 
 
 " May your Majesty's happiness be lasting, and 
 your name always carry a delightful sound to every 
 British ear. May both your Majesties have an early 
 accession of new glories and comforts ; may your royal 
 offspring, educated with so much care, and from whom 
 we have such raised expectations, prove eminent 
 blessings to the reformed churches, both at home and 
 abroad ; and may an infinitely nobler crown than this 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 297 
 
 earth can afford, and that will never be laid down, be 
 added hereafter by the same almighty hand, by which 
 your Majesty has been so remarkably distinguished 
 hitherto. 
 
 These, madam, are and will be the ardent prayers 
 of PROTESTANT DISSENTERS, wlio, having nothing 
 more at heart than the continuance and advancement 
 of piety, truth, and love, loyalty, liberty, and property, 
 promise themselves your Majesty's countenance and 
 protection." 
 
 To the Dissenters in Wales, during this period, 
 superior praise is due, for that which is so honourable 
 in the character of a Christian — zeal in propagating 
 those principles which they conceived to be of im- 
 portance to the happiness of man. They who display 
 none, must think either that their principles are not 
 necessary to human happiness, or that they have little 
 distinguishing goodness to entitle them to pre-eminence. 
 If they are both excellent and necessary, then it will 
 scarcely be allowed that the lukewarm professors be- 
 lieve them to be true. From such an accusation, the 
 zeal of the Welch Dissenters completely shelters them. 
 
 In the beginning of this period, there were only 
 forty-three congregations in the whole principality ; at 
 its conclusion, they amounted to a hundred and fifty. 
 To this increase, the ardent labours of their ministers, 
 and the additional supplies furnished by the seminaries, 
 contributed in an eminent degree among the Psedo- 
 baptists, while the Baptists appear to have advanced 
 with equal steps. Some of the zealous ministers. 
 
2dS HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 in their attempts to diffuse the truth through every 
 part of their country, suffered much persecution from 
 the rugged inhabitants, especially of North Wales. 
 Arianism penetrated among the Cambrian mountains, 
 but meeting with a less cordial reception there than 
 in England, except from a few, it less retarded the 
 progress of that cause which was founded on evange- 
 lical principles, and which has prospered or decayed 
 as these have been embraced or abandoned. 
 
299 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 STATE OF RELIGION AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 
 
 To the ecclesiastical historian few scenes will afford 
 greater pleasure than a view of the spiritual condition 
 of the first generation in the dissenting churches. We 
 now descend from the fathers to the children, from 
 those who were trained up amidst the alarms and 
 bitterness of persecution, to those who spent all their 
 days in tranquillity. 
 
 Seldom has the church of God seen two successive 
 generations eminent for piety and zeal. For fifty years 
 after the rise of Non-conformity, few Christian commu- 
 nities have been able to boast of a greater number of ex- 
 cellent ministers and exemplary disciples in private life. 
 What the religious state of their successors was during 
 the second period of this history, will now be seen. 
 A general uniformity of sentiments had hitherto pre- 
 vailed, but a diversity now began to appear. For the 
 sake of precision, therefore, it becomes necessary to 
 consider the state of each denomination separately, in 
 order to ascertain its spiritual condition. 
 
 The Presbyterians differed widely among themselves. 
 By some, the old Puritanical system was retained, and 
 in their sermons they brought forward the doctrines of 
 the Gospel in the most prominent manner. Others, 
 
300 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 though professing the same creed, did not so frequently 
 introduce them, nor so fully enter into them. When 
 they preached on any evangelical topic, they did it 
 with propriety, and showed that they were sound in 
 faith. But the ordinary strain of their preaching was 
 more on general principles of religion, and they spent 
 much of their time in explaining and enforcing the pre- 
 cepts of Christianity. The habitual display of the vital 
 truths of the Gospel, for which the nonconformists were 
 distinguished, was thrown aside. The generous wine 
 was so dashed with water as to render the beverage 
 vapid, unpleasant, and not nutritive. A third division 
 of the orthodox was remarkable for the unexampled 
 coldness of their sermons, and dulness of their delivery. 
 
 Some of their ministers allowed that they receded a 
 little from the original principles, and took to them- 
 selves the name of Baxterians. Among these were 
 some excellent men, w^hose labours were very useful : 
 but the greater part, instead of resembling Richard 
 Baxter in his ideas and manner of preaching, were only 
 remarkable for almost omitting the peculiarities of the 
 Gospel. This was also the distinguishing feature of 
 those who called themselves Arminians. The parts of 
 Christianity which are most allied to natural religion, 
 seemed to please them best, and it was but seldom that 
 they were found entering with affection and zeal into 
 those evangelical doctrines which they professed to 
 believe*. 
 
 * Heresy did not spread at first so rapidly amons: the Presbyterian 
 ministers in the metropohs as in the country. The writer of the London 
 Manuscript specifies the sentiments of all the dissenting ministers in 
 London, about the year 1730. The Presbyterians, he classes thus: — 
 nineteen Calvinists, thirteen Arminians, and twelve Baxterians. All the 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 301 
 
 Arianism, which was gradually extending its circle, 
 furnished two classes of preachers. The first concealed 
 their sentiments under ambiguous expressions, which 
 their orthodox hearers might turn to the support of 
 their own system, aud the Arian converts might inter- 
 pret in their favour. Many wore this disguise all their 
 days, and the most cautious carried the secret with them 
 to the grave. Some, when they had slipt out of the 
 world, certain that their bones would not like Wick- 
 lifFe's be torn from the tomb, and treated with indignity, 
 left behind them a discourse, or pamphlet, which con- 
 tained their real sentiments. Others had revealed the 
 mystery to the initiated few, who, after the death of the 
 teacher, told the tale of his heresy to the world. To 
 express with due severity the odiousness of this pro- 
 cedure is impossible. 
 
 Those of the second class, though less numerous, were 
 more honest : they boldly preached the Arian doctrine 
 to their congregations. Socinianism was the child of 
 Arianism ; and it was not till the mother was come to 
 maturity, that the infant was brought into the world. 
 Some Socinians appeared before this period closed, 
 but they concealed their convictions : not above two or 
 three were frank and upright men, who told the people 
 all their little faith. 
 
 The transition from orthodoxy to these descending 
 
 systems, is a phenomenon which has a claim to notice. 
 
 Independents, he says, were Calvinists ; twenty-seven thoroughly, and 
 one somewhat dubious ; three inclined to Antinomianism, and two, who 
 were disorderly, did not deserve any particular remark. Of the two 
 seventh-day Baptist ministers, one was a Calvinist, the other an Armi- 
 nian. Of the sixteen particular Baptists, seven were Calvinists, and nine 
 inchned to the Antinomian strain. Five of the eight general Baptists 
 were Arminians, and three Socinians. 
 
302 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Some of the ministers appear to have taken Alvarado's 
 leap, and reached Arianism at once. The alteration of 
 their sentiments as to the person of Christ, speedily 
 produced a change in all the rest. But generally it was 
 by slower and more numerous steps. The deficiency of 
 evangelical principles in some, and the coldness with 
 which they came from the lips of others, seem to have 
 prepared the way for the relinquishment of them, and 
 for the introduction, first of Arminianism, and then of 
 Arianism. Exeter, that devoted city, unhappily fur- 
 nishes an example of the mournful process. In 1749, 
 Micaiah Towgood, an Arian, was chosen a minister of 
 the united congregations. Mr. Stephen Towgood and 
 Mr. Walrond, the surviving pastors, both reputed ortho- 
 dox, and who preached orthodox doctrine, received him 
 with cordiality ; and in compliance with his wishes, 
 ceased to require a declaration of faith in the divinity 
 of Christ, which had, till that time, been demanded of 
 all who were admitted to the Lord's supper. Harmony 
 subsisted among them, and they continued to labour 
 together in peace*. Another instance no less remark- 
 able occurred in London. Dr. William Harris, an 
 avowed Calvinist, and who always preached according 
 to that system, was, during the last twenty years of 
 his ministry, assisted by Dr. Lardner, a quiet Soci- 
 nian, as afternoon preacher; and at his decease, the 
 congregation, on Dr. Lardner's refusal, chose Dr. Ben- 
 son, a Socinian too, as his successor in the pastoral 
 office. What the strain of Dr. Harris's preaching 
 was, that the people, or he, could bear with a Socinian 
 preacher on the other service of the day; what the 
 
 * Manning's Life of M. Towgood. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 303 
 
 hearts and minds of the congregation were composed of 
 which could thus blend together Calvinism and Socini- 
 anism, and after forty years labours of a Calvinist, 
 could welcome a Socinian pastor, are certainly ques- 
 tions of painful curiosity. Scores of Presbyterian con- 
 gregations thus admitted heretical assistants to their 
 orthodox pastors, and heretical successors too. Before 
 the close of this period, in most of their principal con- 
 gregations, it became the order of the day. 
 
 For so mournful a change various reasons may be 
 assigned. The controversy in the former period re- 
 specting the works of Dr. Crisp, is said to have proved 
 injurious to the Presbyterian interest. The evils of the 
 Antinomian system, Dr. Williams, one of their body, 
 had exposed with great clearness and force. His pieces 
 were much read by the young ministers of that denomi- 
 nation, and inspired them with horror for everything 
 which had the name of Antinomianism, and produced a 
 determination to keep at as great a distance from it as 
 possible. In their fear and flight they unwisely cast 
 away a part of the truth. The doctrine of grace had 
 been abused to licentiousness, and they kept it out of 
 the people's sight ; the righteousness of Christ had been 
 perverted to a contempt of sanctity in heart and life, 
 and instead of glorying in the truth, and enlarging on 
 it with all the ardour of the most cordial delight, they 
 either omitted it altogether, or only introduced it to 
 show how much it might be abused. Through the 
 unhappy influence of such sentiments, they gradually 
 receded from the truth, and many of the Presbyterian 
 ministers departed from the evangelical doctrines into 
 
301 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 high Arminianism, and Arianism, and some at last into 
 Socinianism. 
 
 To the nature of the discipline which the Presby- 
 terians adopted, a part of the evil may be ascribed. 
 Episcopacy permits every one to kneel at the altar who 
 can say his catechism, and has been confirmed. Pres- 
 bytery requires a knowledge of the principles of religion 
 and a regular life : beyond these it has never professed 
 to go, and the whole decision was left to the minister. 
 As the natural result of the system, the children fol- 
 lowed their parents to the Lord's table. A Presbyte- 
 rian congregation was a society wherein the rising 
 generation took the place of the preceding, in a suc- 
 cession of the same families. Though the fathers and 
 mothers were pious, it frequently happened that the 
 children were not, yet they occupied their place ; and 
 such as were in respectable situations had considerable 
 influence in the choice of the minister. To a person 
 who makes a profession of religion, but is destitute of 
 its power, some kind of appearance is requisite. Con- 
 troversy answers the purpose, and comes in opportunely 
 to the person's aid. It was now carried on in all its 
 ardour ; and as the new opinion had something to re- 
 commend it to such persons, it was readily received. 
 
 In the state of their seminaries may be found another 
 cause of Presbyterian heresy. The fears of persecution 
 having vanished, and the fierceness of high-church 
 bigotry abated, the office of a minister was respectable 
 in the eyes of Dissenters. Though not lucrative, it was 
 coveted by many ; and good parents often wished to 
 see a promising son a preacher of the Gospel. From 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 305 
 
 his father's house lie went to the seminary a well- 
 instructed and well-behaved young man ; no decided 
 religion appeared in him, and it was not required. In 
 some of the seminaries, controversy w^as too much in 
 vogue. Those who adopted the new opinions, were 
 eagei^) make converts. Such students too readily im- 
 bibeJIIne poison, and came forth into the ministry, 
 either concealing the face of error under the veil of 
 truth, or openly avowing the Arian or Socinian system. 
 In the life of Dr. Priestley, such a seminary is described 
 with his own pen. , Tow^ards the close of this period, he 
 studied under Dr. Ashworth, the successor of Dr. Dod- 
 dridge. The tutor was orthodox ; his assistant, Mr. 
 Clark, was an Arian ; the students were almost equally 
 range^ under these two heads ; and one of their great 
 employments consisted in agitating the controversy, and 
 contending in favour of their different systems. To 
 those w^ho know the human heart, it will excite no sur- 
 prise that many of the young men should embrace with 
 zeal the Arian creed. Hence the Presbyterian churches 
 were filled with erroneous ministers. 
 
 In connexion with the seminaries, the state of the 
 Presbyterian churches was considerably injured, by 
 w^hat was in itself laudable — a spirit of free inquiry. 
 The itch for novelty spread far and wide ; so that, 
 instead of the sober exercise of freedom of judgment in 
 divine things, the object presented to the view of im- 
 partial observers was — religious liberty run mad. 
 
 The misapplication of the w^ord candour was more 
 injurious, in its effects on religious sentiments, than 
 can now be well conceived. It was supposed to 
 possess indescribable virtues. Candour was sounded 
 
 VOL. II. X 
 
306 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 from many a pulpit ; and, like charity, it was supposed 
 to hide a multitude of sins. An orthodox minister 
 who had candour, was to believe that an Arian or 
 Socinian was a very good man; and that if he was 
 sincere in his opinions, and not rigid in condemning 
 others, he ought not to be condemned himself. The 
 influence of this idea was exceedingly pernicious ; for 
 it led to an indifference with respect to truth and error, 
 which depraved both their sentiments and dispositions, 
 which relaxed the springs of Christian integrity and 
 conduct, and gradually brought them to call good evil, 
 and evil good, to put light for darkness, and darkness for 
 light. This was another of the Arian idols. Dr. 
 Doddridge, whose softness of temper led him to more 
 intercourse with ministers of the new opinions than 
 most of his brethren, was sensible of the blindness of 
 this boasted candour, and frequently mentions, with 
 considerable feeling, that its possessors could exercise 
 it to all but those who were the ardent believers of 
 evangelical doctrine *. 
 
 The cause of religion among the Presbyterians 
 sustained an injury from the intercourse between the 
 orthodox and erroneous, in acts of ministerial com- 
 munion. At the beginning of this period, they were 
 all so much united in sentiments, that they could with 
 
 • Dr. Jennings having reason to believe that two of his students were 
 tainted with heresy, objected to their continuance in his academy, and 
 they were obliged to leave it; but the doctor's conduct is severely re- 
 probated on this account, and he is charged with being destitute of 
 candour, and an enemy to free inquiry. — Protestant Dissenter's Magazine, 
 vol. V. Is he not entitled to a high degree of praise for refusing to bid 
 God-speed, or to countenance persons who, instead of carrying to a con- 
 gregation the pure Christian doctrine, and feeding them with the bread 
 of life, would have preached destructive errors, and poisoned their souls? 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 307 
 
 pleasure officiate for each other. But Arianism in- 
 troduced a new state of things. Where it was avowed 
 by a minister, a separation usually took place between 
 his congregation and those which continued in their 
 former sentiments. But as in most instances the new 
 opinions were gradually imbibed, and cautiously con- 
 cealed, the bonds of former friendship were not broken, 
 and between such men and the orthodox intercourse 
 in acts of worship remained. If it should be pleaded, 
 that, by this means, the erroneous ministers were put 
 upon their guard, and kept from an open avowal of 
 heresy, and that their congregations had an opportunity 
 of hearing evangelical ministers, it must be admitted, 
 on the other hand, that it was an unnatural union, 
 and that it tended to make Arians think more favour- 
 ably of themselves and their system, when they were 
 thus acknowledged to be ministers of Christ's Gospel. 
 It w^as a temptation, too, to the orthodox, not to bring 
 forw^ard evangelical doctrines so fully, when they were 
 preaching to congregations which in general did not 
 approve them. This charge used to be adduced against 
 Dr. Doddridge, when he was invited to preach in some 
 of the less orthodox congregations, in London and the 
 great country towns. 
 
 Such were the causes of the injurious change which 
 took place in a large portion of the Presbyterian con- 
 gregations : it remains briefly to specify the state of 
 religion, under the variety of sentiments w^hich pre- 
 vailed among them. Where the doctrine of the Puri- 
 tans was fully and faithfully preached, the people felt 
 its influence ; believers were edified, and sinners con-^ 
 
 X 2 
 
308 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 verted to God. Where the preaching, though pure, 
 was dull and cold, the effect was lessened ; coldness 
 seized the people's hearts. Where evangelical truth 
 was scantily brought forward, and but thinly spread 
 over the discourse, which unhappily was the case with 
 too many who professed the orthodox doctrine, its 
 effects were still feebler, and there was less power 
 accompanying the word ; and in proportion as they 
 receded from the pure Gospel, all beneficial influence 
 decayed. 
 
 In those congregations where Arianism was preached, 
 whether in a negative or positive way, the effects were 
 such as might naturally be expected to flow from so 
 great an error. Those men who first embraced it, 
 as well as their adherents, boldly demanded, — ' What 
 evil can possibly arise from having different ideas 
 about a mere speculative opinion ?" They were not 
 aware that it changed the whole system, and insinuated 
 its spirit, not only into the branches, but into the root. 
 When the Saviour is reduced from an equality with 
 God to the condition of a creature, he is infinitely less 
 powerful and compassionate. Hence as man has not so 
 glorious a Saviour, his case is not so deplorable as the 
 orthodox represent it to be ; his guilt is neither so 
 aggravated, nor his depravity so great. An atone- 
 ment made by a creature will suffice for his forgiveness ; 
 and the grace of a creature, for such the Holy Ghost is 
 said to be, will render him all the assistance of which 
 he stands in need. The mercy of God in redemption 
 is not so transcendent as the Calvinists believe; nor 
 the love of Christ, in his humiliation and death, so 
 wonderful. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 309 
 
 From the influence of these ideas, the soul of the 
 Arian preacher undergoes an amazing change. He 
 has lower views of the Gospel in all its parts ; his 
 heart does not now dwell on it with delight ; he takes 
 refuge in other subjects, and, like Mr. Pierce, preaches 
 practical discourses. But these practical discourses 
 are not, like the morals of the Gospel, founded on its 
 doctrines, and forming a compact system which com- 
 mences with the regeneration of the sinner, and de- 
 rives all its life from the influences of the Holy Spirit. 
 He resembles more a follower of Epictetus, and treats 
 of duties in an abstract philosophical form. The same 
 effects are produced in the people's minds : like their 
 preacher, they lose a relish for the pure simplicity of 
 the Gospel, and the effect of its principles is not felt. 
 
 Though, among those who maintained the doctrine 
 of the Trinity, there were different ideas as to the 
 personality of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, from 
 men's wishing to be wise above what is written, it 
 does not appear that these differences produced any 
 material effect, as to the efficacy of their preaching. 
 The divinity of the Saviour was a firm foundation for 
 the Christian doctrine to rest upon. But whenever 
 the divinity of Christ was denied, and he was reduced 
 to the rank of a creature, its benumbing influence 
 was immediately perceived, the doctrine lost its power, 
 and the rest of the system felt the change. 
 
 At first there was more religion in the congrega- 
 tions where Arianism was negatively preached, than 
 those who consider only that system would be led 
 to expect ; but it was owing to the influence of the 
 orthodox doctrine to which the people had formerly 
 
310 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 listened ; and it was maintained by the private exer- 
 cises of devotion, and by the perusal of the writings of 
 the most eminent Non-conformist divines. Though 
 starved in the public ordinances, by the meagre dis- 
 courses of the Arian preachers, they were feasted in 
 their closets, by the volumes of Baxter, Owen, Flavel, 
 Charnock, and Howe. But these Christians were 
 gradually removed by death ; and then the influence of 
 Arianism appeared. The religious principles of those 
 who remained, being less powerful, had a weaker hold 
 on their mind. The exercises of secret devotion which 
 were the delight of their fathers, though not neglected 
 by them, did not produce the same degree of pleasure. 
 Those books which were considered as the classics of 
 the Puritans in the closet, gave place to others less 
 spiritual and evangelical, but more congenial to the new 
 taste. These increased the languor, rendered the closet 
 less agreeable, and their visits to it either shorter, or 
 more infrequent. The stimulus to every duty, formerly 
 communicated by the ardour of public worship, ceased 
 to be felt. Family worship now began to be offered but 
 once a day ; by many it was afterwards confined to the 
 Sabbath ; and with some, it fell entirely into disuse. The 
 former strictness in the observance of the Lord's-day 
 was broken in upon, by many things which their fathers 
 had taught them to be works neither of necessity nor 
 mercy. The domestic regulations, which had formerly 
 been regarded as the characteristics of a dissenting 
 household, were gradually thrown aside. The younger 
 people in respectable families, if not the parents, 
 learned to play at cards when they visited in the houses 
 of the rich and gay, who now became their companions. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 311 
 
 because they moved in an equal station of society with 
 themselves. When they were visited in their turn, 
 they pleaded hard with the old people, and too often 
 prevailed, to be allowed to entertain their guests in the 
 same way. By these fashionable friends, they were 
 introduced to assemblies and balls ; and, to crown all, 
 they at length entered the doors of the theatre, and 
 learned to frequent dramatic entertainments, like other 
 genteel people of the same rank. 
 
 While, under the influence of Arianism, some were 
 thus running headlong into the ways of the world 
 which lieth in wickedness, others were as unprofitably 
 occupied in speculating about religion. Novelty was 
 their study and delight. To turn aside a text from its 
 natural meaning, in order to favour Arianism or Soci- 
 nianism, was a mighty achievement. As this could 
 not, in many instances, be done with a tolerably good 
 grace ; and as many passages in the apostolical writings 
 resisted the efforts of their utmost ingenuity, they had 
 the sagacity to discover that the epistles ought not to 
 be considered as having the same degree of authority 
 with the Gospels *. They scarcely, in the course of 
 this period, arrived at the perfection in this art which 
 has been since attained, to reject chapters, paragraphs, 
 
 * I never knew a man make a distinction between the gospels and 
 epistles but the reason was apparent. He was a Socinian ; and finding 
 little about the sacrifice and atonement of Christ in the evangelists (as 
 there could not be much before our Lord's death), and finding the doc- 
 trine run through every page of all Ihe epistles, he was willing to sink 
 the character of the epistles, and lessen men's ideas of them, in order to 
 support his favourite notions. We are to take our ideas of Christianity 
 not from one part of the New Testament, but the whole of it ; every part 
 has equal authority. — Orton's Letters to Dissenting Ministers, vol. i., 
 pp. 136, 137. 
 
31:2 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 or verses, when they threaten to destroy a favourite 
 system. Others of this class directed their attention 
 to forms of prayer, and bade adieu to the extemporary 
 devotions of their fathers. Where a liturgy forms 
 part of the institutions of an establishment, no in- 
 ference can be drawn from the use of it, as to the 
 state of religion in that church. But when those 
 who have long displayed a preference for extemporary 
 prayer, grow weary of it, and adopt forms, especially 
 such as those of the Liverpool liturgy, the person who 
 attributes this to a decay of vital piety, to indolence of 
 mind and coldness of heart, will not have fixed his 
 arrow far from the centre of the mark. 
 
 But it may be said, is no exception to be made in 
 favour of congregations in which religion flourished ? 
 An Arian congregation, under an Arian minister, 
 where religion was in a flourishing state, perhaps 
 cannot be named in the whole of England, since the 
 day that James Pierce preached that doctrine within 
 the walls of his new meeting-house, at Exeter. Reli- 
 gion may be said to flourish where the members of 
 the society display its influence in sanctity of life, in 
 spirituality of conversation, and delight in the ordi- 
 nances of worship ; where the rising generation appears 
 impressed with the importance of eternal things, and 
 regards the happiness of heaven as the highest ob- 
 ject of pursuit ; and where the careless and profane, 
 awakened by the preaching of the Gospel to a concern 
 for the salvation of the soul, eagerly inquire, " What 
 must I do to be saved ? " In such a congregation, the 
 true ends of its institution are answered ; and among 
 the evangelical Dissenters, hundreds of examples are 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. ' 
 
 313 
 
 to be found. But can the Arians point out such a one 
 in their connexion, or can memory record an instance, 
 since the doctrine found admission into the pulpits of 
 the Non-conformists ? Arianism was the grave of the 
 Presbyterian congregations. 
 
 Among the Independents, the state of religion was 
 so much more favourable, that it may justly excite in 
 every reader a desire to know whence the difference 
 did proceed. Instead of the diversity of sentiments 
 which prevailed among the Presbyterians, the religious 
 principles of the Non-conformists were maintained by 
 the Independents, in all their purity : it may be ques- 
 tioned whether an Arian, or even an Arminian, was to 
 be found in the whole body. There was no denomina- 
 tion in England which could boast of so much unani- 
 mity as to doctrine 
 
 Of their orthodoxy, their system of church govern- 
 ment may be justly assigned as one powerful cause. 
 An Independent church is, in its very nature, a society 
 of converts. Descent is out of the question. None 
 are admitted into communion but such as can give 
 satisfactory evidence that they have believed in Christ, 
 and repented of their sins, and walk as becometh the 
 
 * I see no necessary connexion between Calvinistical sentiments and 
 zealous useful labours, but I have long observed, with great surprise, 
 that our orthodox brethren in the church, and among the Dissenters, are 
 in general most serious and active in their ministry, and those of freer 
 principles more indolent and languid. I have met with few exceptions 
 in the compass of my acquaintance. I do deliberately think that the 
 more persons enter into the peculiarities of the Gospel, and the more 
 regard they pay to the sacrifice of Christ and the influences of the Spirit, 
 the more their own piety will increase, and the more zealous they will be 
 to do good to the souls of others : and I think it not difficult to account 
 for this.— Orton's LeUers to Dissentmg Ministers, vol. i., p. 90. 
 
314 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Gospel. By the church, which is composed of such 
 persons, all affairs are managed, and no new member 
 can be admitted Avithout its approbation. When a 
 pastor is to be chosen, an act the most important of all 
 towards the advancement of religion, the power resides 
 in the church, and in the church alone. Plain John, 
 Thomas, and Andrew, Sarah, Margaret, and Mary, 
 have their vote equally with the highest and most opu- 
 lent in the society. Much contempt has been thrown on 
 this method of procedure ; but to it the Independents 
 owe the continuance of the Gospel among them, in its 
 purity, from generation to generation. Whether, from 
 the year in which Non-conformity began, an Episcopal 
 or Presbyterian congregation can be found in England, 
 in which there has been, to the present day, a constant 
 succession of ministers who have preached the Gospel 
 (and let the doctrinal articles of the Church of England 
 ])e the standard), may be at least a matter of doubt ; 
 perhaps there is a certainty that it has not. But, in 
 Independent churches, examples without number can 
 be produced ; nay, but few can be mentioned in which 
 it has not been preached, in continued succession, from 
 the beginning of the dissent to the present hour. With 
 not a few, it has been common to make the Independent 
 mode of church government the subject of ridicule, and 
 to exult in its numerous inconveniences. While human 
 beings have their imperfections, the influence of these 
 will operate to its disadvantage ; but a system, which 
 has secured the highest benefits, and preserved the 
 purity of the Gospel, where Episcopacy and Presbytery 
 fail, is entitled to the esteem of the wise and the appro- 
 bation of the good. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 315 
 
 Another means of preserving purity of doctrine 
 among the Independents was, the regulation of their 
 seminaries. In whatever relates to the instruction of ^ 
 persons for the ministry, there is nothing of equal im- 
 portance with the character of the person taught. But 
 to this, how little attention has been paid ! The uni- 
 versities unfolded their gates to every youth who had 
 learning sufficient to serve as a foundation for future 
 pursuits, and the highest offices and dignities of the 
 church were open to him, provided he had influence to 
 procure them. Decency of conduct, freedom from 
 vices, and some appearances of seriousness, were neces- 
 sary to obtain admission into the Presbyterian semi- 
 naries. But, in the course of this period, the principle 
 was recognized and acted upon, that no persons should 
 be admitted into the academical institution of the Inde- 
 pendents, but such as displayed a decision of character, 
 and gave satisfactory and credible evidence that they 
 were born of the Spirit, and that Christ was formed in 
 their hearts the hope of glory. 
 
 Some young men, chiefly the sons of ministers and 
 eminent private Christians, after passing through a 
 course of education for the ministry, being found not to 
 preach the Gospel with that ability, fulness, and zeal 
 which the people desired, complaint was made to Dr. 
 Ridgley, the tutor. On an investigation of the subject, 
 a few good men formed themselves into a society for 
 encouraging the education of young persons for the mi- 
 nistry ; and they laid it down, as a fundamental maxim, 
 that none should be admitted but such as, to good 
 natural abilities, added soundness in the faith, and the 
 character of a decided Christian. Such was the origin 
 
316 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of the King's-head Society, composed of private Chris- 
 tians only, from the Independent churches, and such 
 was their object. It is to be regretted that their names 
 have not been handed down, that they might receive 
 that ample tribute of homage which is justly due to 
 worth so distinguished. 
 
 The man who first exhibits and brings forth into 
 action a general principle of truth or goodness, is to 
 be ranked among the benefactors of the human race ; 
 and every such occurrence deserves to be marked as 
 an era in the chronological chart, recording successive 
 discoveries for the advancement of wisdom and happi- 
 ness in the world. Here the general principle was, 
 " that a person ought to be a Christian before he was 
 admitted to be a student in divinity." Its plainness 
 may be supposed by some to detract from the merit of 
 those who adopted and exhibited it : but all general 
 principles^ when exhibited, are plain, and carry their 
 evidence with them. Plain, however, as this principle 
 is, it will not be found, in the voluminous pages of 
 ecclesiastical history, that it was ever acted upon in any 
 age, or in any part of the Christian church, till the 
 King's-head Society made it the ground-work of their 
 plan. It was immediately adopted in that seminary, 
 and the result has fully justified the wisdom of the 
 measure ; for it has sent forth a greater number of 
 ministers, sound in the faith, exemplary in their con- 
 duct, and zealous and successful in their labours, than 
 any other in England. The principle has now so fully 
 approved itself to the judgment of Avise and good men, 
 that the same regulations are adopted by almost every 
 seminary among the evangelical Dissenters ; and the 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 317 
 
 churches are reaping extensive and durable benefits 
 from them. It may be considered as the counterpart 
 of their church government, in admitting none but con- 
 verted persons into communion. No method has yet 
 been discovered, which tends so effectually to secure 
 and to perpetuate a holy, faithful, zealous, and suc- 
 cessful ministry. 
 
 From the other evils which desolated the presby- 
 terian congregations, the Independents were in a great 
 measure free. The rage for free inquiry, which was 
 supposed not to be exercised unless the person adopted 
 new opinions, was happily unknown. Being beyond 
 the charities of candour, and generally considered as a 
 sect excluded from her embraces, she was an utter 
 stranger to them, and they had no intercourse with her. 
 In general, too, they refused to hold any ministerial or 
 Christian communion with such as they suspected to 
 have erred from the faith, and would not receive them 
 as ministers and brethren in Christ, or by their coun- 
 tenance and approbation bid them God- speed. 
 
 The preaching of the Independents was purely evan- 
 gelical. Owen, Goodwin, Charnock, and Flavel, were 
 their favourite authors, whose writings they studied, 
 and whose manner a considerable part of them endea- 
 voured to adopt. In some of the sermons and treatises 
 published by them during this period, we perceive a 
 portion of the energy and unction of the Non-con- 
 formists. Others drank too deeply of the spirit of con- 
 troversy ; and, alarmed at the sight of the heresy of the 
 Presbyterians, spent too much of that sacred time in 
 the confutation of error, which ought to have been de- 
 
318 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 voted to the confirmation and application of evangelical 
 truth. What congregation can be edified by the habi- 
 tual discussion of religious controversies ? The end is 
 far more effectually answered by the peaceful repre- 
 sentation of the doctrines of the Gospel in their evi- 
 dence and use. In some of the Independents, there 
 was a dryness and coldness in exhibiting the prin- 
 ciples of Christianity, of which the former age had 
 given no example. Of this unsavoury mode, their 
 more pious hearers made no complaint ; and they re- 
 ceived great edification from the excellent truths which 
 were delivered by their pastors ; but whatever might 
 be their peculiar taste, this mode of preaching was 
 certainly not calculated to produce a general impression 
 on the audience, and especially on the younger part. 
 The want of application, or rather a deficiency in the 
 application, was a very common fault. Instead of the 
 full address to the conscience and the heart, which for- 
 merly prevailed, after a long discourse on doctrinal 
 points, and frequently blended with controversy, a few 
 brief inferences or remarks contain all that was spoken 
 to the heart. 
 
 Another fault may be found with the preaching of 
 some of the Independents in this period : it was too 
 little in a devotional and practical strain. Watts, and 
 Doddridge, and hundreds more, were entirely free from 
 the charge ; but against many it may be too justly 
 adduced. They seem to have imagined, that if the 
 doctrines of the New Testament be fully exhibited to 
 Christians, they will feel themselves constrained to 
 perform all its duties, without exhortation or counsel 
 from the preacher on the subject. But the minuteness 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 319 
 
 with which the Spirit of God delineates every relative 
 duty, and the speciality of motives by which they are 
 enforced, teach good ministers of Christ, if they will but 
 learn, a very different lesson. 
 
 Nor is the deficiency of taste among the Independ- 
 dents, and inattention to the graces of composition, to 
 be entirely overlooked as a particle of dust in the 
 balance. In a congregation of rustic and illiterate 
 people, the style of the preacher, provided it is per- 
 spicuous, may be of little consequence. But when 
 an audience contains many families of good education, 
 and especially young persons of some refinement, the 
 rudeness of the speaker may prove an injury to the 
 best of causes. Virtue, in a Hottentot's sheep-skin, 
 which sends forth evil odours, will not be so readily 
 received, nor so cordially embraced, as if she w^ere 
 arrayed in clean and neat attire. 
 
 A contracted spirit in too many of the ministers of 
 this denomination, must be considered as a still greater 
 blemish. Their regards were confined within the 
 walls of their own conventicle. The concern that 
 every faithful servant of Christ should feel for the 
 general interests of mankind, prompting to exertions 
 for extending the knowledge of religion, appears to 
 have slipt out of their mind; and they seem to have 
 thought that they had no charge of a single individual 
 of the human race, but those who composed their flock. 
 The unkind idea had its influence on their preaching, 
 which was chiefly addressed to the saints : perishing 
 sinners had but a small portion of their labours. 
 
 It is to be regretted, but not concealed, that during 
 this period there was among the Independents a class of 
 
320 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTEUS. 
 
 ministers, who did a considerable injury to the cause of 
 Clu'ist, by undertaking an office which they were not 
 qualified to fill, and by occupying the place of such as 
 were. Of their piety there was no reason to doubt ; 
 but a man may reach heaven as a private Christian, 
 who is not qualified to conduct others to it, as a minis- 
 ter of Christ. They were inert, inefficient, cold, and 
 lifeless as the grave. Their doctrine was pure, and 
 they performed all the duties of their office with atten- 
 tion ; but they were torpid and dull, and they seemed 
 in every exercise to be half asleep. The abilities of 
 some of them were below the standard for the ministry. 
 Others were not deficient in this respect; but their 
 souls were never roused to energy, and they were 
 strangers to that mental exertion and spiritual fervour, 
 which constitute an essential characteristic of a good 
 minister of Christ. Under such men, congregations 
 declined in numbers and in piety. 
 
 But, after every imperfection has been named, and 
 due abatement made on that account, there was still 
 more true religion among the Independents than in 
 any other denomination : so great a number of judi- 
 cious Christians was nowhere else to be found. In 
 the devotions of the closet and of the family, in the 
 sanctification of the Sabbath, in the pious regulation of 
 their household, they preserved all the spirit of the 
 Dissenters of the former age. The sober manners, the 
 assiduous industry, the economical habits, the absti- 
 nence from the vanities and amusements of the world, 
 which marked the character of the Non-conformists, 
 still remained. The lives of multitudes were eminent 
 for sanctity, and their deaths for peace and joy. Of 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 321 
 
 a considerable number of the orthodox Presbyterians, 
 the same character may be given, with perhaps this 
 exception, that they did not exercise domestic authority 
 with the same degree of vigour, but indulged their 
 children in a greater degree of conformity to the ways 
 of the world. 
 
 The religious sentiments of the two divisions of 
 Baptists, bore a close resemblance to those of the Inde- 
 pendents and Presbyterians. Those of the particular 
 denomination were all Calvinists : and the remarks 
 which have been made on the Independents are appli- 
 cable to such of them as were men of education : but 
 the greater part were still (what is called) lay preach- 
 ers — persons who were not trained up in academies for 
 the pastoral office. 
 
 In the course of this period, this denomination re- 
 ceived injury from the writings of Dr. Gill. He was 
 the oracle of the body ; and his books were spread 
 extensively among them. The lay preachers were 
 tutored by him. The doctor's supralapsarianism is 
 well known, and he carried his ideas as high as any 
 of the name. His eyes were perpetually poring on the 
 divine decrees. The execution of them, in the works 
 of redemption and grace, does not seem to have given 
 him half so much pleasure as prying into the purposes 
 and counsels of heaven : this subject is prominent in 
 all his works. A scholar and a divine may peruse 
 them with considerable advantage ; but to those who 
 are rude in theological knowledge, the danger of re- 
 ceiving injury is not small. The unlettered preachers 
 read them with eagerness and delight, carried the ideas 
 
 VOL. II. Y 
 
322 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 into the pulpit, were often expatiating on the divine 
 decrees, when they should have been enlarging on the 
 revelation of a Saviour, for the deliverance of perishing 
 sinners. There are, indeed, few subjects on which 
 minds untutored, and unaccustomed to mental disqui- 
 sitions, are apt to go so far astraj^ Nor does Dr. Gill 
 himself appear to have escaped without injury. Zealous 
 for what he conceived the honour of the divine decrees, 
 he seems afraid lest God should save more than the 
 elect; and would not venture to call a sinner to re- 
 pentance. His numerous disciples inherited his fears 
 and followed his example. He had also imperfect 
 ideas of moral obligation, and was peculiarly awkward 
 at connecting the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel. 
 From the influence of his reputation, no inconsiderable 
 injury was sustained by many plain ministers and plain 
 people in that communion, who learned to be almost 
 afraid of the commands of God, and received but a 
 defective copy of the duties of a Christian. When 
 such persons confine themselves to the simplicity of 
 the Gospel, they often perform wonders ; but when they 
 plunge into the depths of the most intricate contro- 
 versies, they shew that they have principles which they 
 are unable to manage, and present the appearance of 
 an unskilful rider mounted on an unruly horse which 
 runs away with full speed, and never stops till it has 
 thrown the unhappy man into a hedge of thorns. 
 
 Though these and other blemishes appeared among 
 the particular Baptists, the evangelical doctrine was 
 preached in purity by the majority. The increase of 
 the number of their congregations is an evidence of 
 their zeal. Most probably, their piety was not inferior 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 323 
 
 to that of their predecessors under the former period ; 
 and if they be placed next to the Independents, in re- 
 spect to the measure of vital godliness which prevailed 
 in their congregations, and was displayed in the deport- 
 ment of individuals in private life, it appears to be the 
 station which they are entitled to hold. 
 
 The smallest portion of religion, at this time, seems 
 to have been with the general Baptists. They were 
 among the earliest to forsake their principles, and to 
 run into the Arian system, nor did they stop there. 
 Dr. Foster and JMr. Burroughs were known to be 
 Socinians, at a time when no Presbyterian minister 
 w^ould have dared to avow the Racovian creed ; and they 
 were too rapidly followed into Arianism by the greater 
 part of the original body. What has been said con- 
 cerning the preaching and conduct of the Arian Pres- 
 byterians is applicable to the general Baptists, but in 
 a still higher degree. Some continued in their first 
 principles, but they appear to have declined in piety. 
 
 To acts of pious benevolence performed by the 
 Dissenters during this period, it would be easy to 
 adduce undeniable testimony ; for they who continued 
 to adhere to their original principles were not inferior 
 in its exercise to those of the preceding age. Among 
 other instances, the institution of the " Society for pro- 
 moting Religious Knowledge among the Poor," deserves 
 particularly to be recorded. In the beginning of the 
 year 1750, two shocks of an earthquake, the second 
 succeeding the first in the space of a few weeks, and 
 superior in violence, roused the inhabitants of the 
 
 Y 2 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 metropolis, and filled multitudes with the most serious 
 alarms. Good men, anxious to take advantage of the 
 event, sought, in different ways, to render the serious 
 impressions, created by the judgments of God, lasting 
 and salutary. A public institution of extensive utility 
 was the result. It originated with Benjamin Forfitt, 
 a member of the Presbyterian church in Eastcheap, 
 who conceived the idea, that, by the distribution of the 
 sacred Scriptures and books of piety, among the poor 
 and ignorant, the most essential benefit would be con- 
 ferred upon them. In order to accomplish the object, 
 he called together a few of his friends, to solicit their 
 co-operation*. They formed their plan, entered into 
 a subscription, and, in the space of a few weeks, com- 
 menced their active services by sending a donation of 
 bibles and catechisms to Dr. Doddridge. To the 
 credit of the age, the society increased in the number 
 of its members, and the power of its funds. It has 
 continued in a respectable condition to the present time, 
 and by the distribution of many thousands of Bibles 
 and Testaments, and valuable treatises on religious 
 subjects, has been the means of illuminating multitudes_, 
 in every part of the country, with the knowledge of 
 divine truth. The original founders of the society 
 were evangelical Dissenters composed of Presbyterians 
 and Independents ; but it soon recommended itself to 
 Christians of every denomination, and has ever since 
 been supported by their united patronage f . 
 
 * Samuel Taylor, Henry Grew, Henry Cockrell, William Adkins, and 
 Samuel Sheaf, were the founders of this institution, and their names 
 should be recorded among the benefactors of their country. 
 
 t See Dr. Rippon's Discourse on the Origin and Progress of the 
 Society. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 325 
 
 While the disciples of Christ in the metropolis were 
 thus exerting themselves, those in the country had not 
 been less attentive to the interests of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom. In 1741, Dr. Doddridge, whose soul was ever 
 burning for the cause of God, formed an extensive plan 
 for the advancement of religion, in congregations in 
 dark parts of the country, and abroad. This plan he 
 submitted to the associated ministers of Norfolk and 
 Suffolk : it also received the approbation of the most 
 eminent of the London ministers of various denomina- 
 tions ; and the same year, at a meeting of all his 
 brethren in the neighbourhood at Northampton, it was 
 proposed ; and in another, afterwards at Kettering, 
 was cordially adopted, and began to be immediately 
 carried into execution. It would do honour to any age 
 of the church ; and it will be read with peculiar interest 
 by the most active and zealous disciples of Christ, at 
 the present time. Every one who reads it will be 
 fully convinced that the most eminent of the London, 
 Norfolk, Suffolk, and Northamptonshire ministers of 
 1741, and Dr. Doddridge especially, would have re- 
 joiced to see the plans and labours of the men of this 
 day, and would have cordially co-operated in every 
 measure for the propagation of the Gospel at home and 
 abroad*. 
 
 * The plan is inserted in the dedication of his sermon On the Evil 
 and Danger of neglecting the Souls of Men." The following are its 
 outlines : " That each minister agree to preach, one Lord's day, on family 
 religion, and, another, on secret prayer; that pastoral visiting be more 
 solemnly attended to ; that every head of a family, at least once a year, 
 have a solemn charge to attend to the business of religion in his heart 
 and house; that the work of catechising be set up, in one form or other, 
 in every congregation; that pious persons, who do not receive the Lord's 
 Supper, be introduced into communion ; that such as give offence by 
 their conduct be excluded; that people be advised to enter into little 
 
326 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 During this period, the Quakers continued respect- 
 able for numbers, though perhaps they were not in- 
 creasing. The manners of that day, more sober than 
 those of the present, were favourable to their stability. 
 But to estimate the state of religion among them, is 
 more difficult than in most other sects. Abstinence 
 from the fashionable follies of the world, forms a part of 
 what may be called the civil code of the body, and does 
 iiot so certainly mark the spirit of religion. All the 
 diversity of sentiments which has been mentioned as 
 prevailing in other denominations, was to be found 
 among them : the spring of devout principles was of 
 course more or less powerful ; and perhaps there is no 
 community in which there is a greater diversity of 
 religious character. A high degree of praise is due to 
 those devoted persons in this community who travel 
 
 societies, consisting of six or eight, for religious discourse and prayer, 
 and meet once a week or fortnight ; that a small number of persons most 
 eminent for wisdom, piety, and zeal, act as a stated council for promoting 
 religion in the congregation ; that neighbouring ministers, in one part of 
 the land and another, enter into associations to strengthen the hands of 
 each other by united consultation and prayer." 
 
 The doctor also proposed to consideration, " That further measures 
 be entered into for the admission of young persons into the ministry." 
 He added the following branch of a plan which he was introducing 
 among the members of his own congregation ; " Whether something 
 might not be done in most of our congregations for the propagation of 
 the Gospel abroad, and spreading it in the darker parts of our own land. 
 In order to this, that pious people unite as members of a society ; that 
 they daily offer up some earnest prayers for the propagation of the 
 Gospel in the world, especially among heathen nations; that they attend 
 four times a year for solemn prayer ; that some time be then spent in 
 reviewing the promises relating to the establishment of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom in the world ; that any important information of the progress 
 of the Gospel from foreign lands, be communicated at their quarterly 
 meetings ; that each member contribute something towards supporting the 
 expense of sending missionaries abroad, printing Bibles and other useful 
 books in foreign languages, establishing schools for the instruction of 
 the ignorant, or the like."— Doddridge's Tracts, vol. ii., p. 236 — 246. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 327 
 
 from town to town, and from country to country, to call 
 sinners to repentance, and to stir up the professors of 
 religion to the spirit of the Gospel. From the remarks 
 made by such as are most extensively acquainted with 
 the Friends, it should seem that they sustain great 
 injury in the frame of their minds, from the rejection 
 of the Lord's Supper. That ordinance fixes the 
 thoughts and affections of Christians on the grand 
 foundation of evangelical truth, and has the most salu- 
 tary influence on the heart and life. From the love of 
 Christ in the redemption of sinners, the Quakers have 
 been observed too often to wander, and by no means to 
 dwell on it with the frequency and fulness which its 
 importance and usefulness demand. In every thing 
 relative to a pacific behaviour, and to abstinence from 
 strife, contention, and bloodshed, none have imbibed an 
 equal portion of the Christian spirit ; and they have 
 our cordial wishes that they could number among the 
 members of their society, all the kings of the earth, 
 their ministers of state, and their numerous armies. 
 
 On the state of religion among the Methodists, it is 
 not necessary that much addition should be made to 
 what has been already specified in the account of their 
 origin and tenets. The character of a Methodist was 
 in many respects new ; he had no prototype before in 
 England. There was a publicity in his religion which 
 no other, Dissenter, Puritan, Churchman, or Reformer, 
 had ever displayed. Wherever he was, and in what- 
 ever company, in the house, the market, the inn, or the 
 road, he conversed about religion. His conversation 
 
328 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 had this peculiarity, that he told of his former sinful 
 life, his conversion to God, the alteration in his heart 
 and conduct ; and he plainly said to all, it Avas abso- 
 lutely necessary that the same change should take place 
 in them. He sought to be a universal reformer ; and 
 if there was reason to blame him for want of prudence, 
 his honesty and his zeal entitled him to praise. 
 
 There is in every new community a superior energy, 
 a peculiar fervour in the early days of its existence, 
 which is heightened by an opposition from the world, 
 which harasses but does not crush. This energy was 
 evident in the beginning of Christianity ; it appeared 
 again at the reformation from Popery ; it was roused at 
 the sera of nonconformity ; and at the close of this period 
 was in full force among the Methodists. It is pleasing 
 and commendable, but it gives the appearance of more 
 religion than really exists. Enthusiasm sometimes 
 lurks under it ; and either occupies the place of piety, 
 or almost pushes it out of the heart. A striking in- 
 stance of this occurred among the Arminian Methodists. 
 Mr. Wesley had introduced from the mystics the doc- 
 trine of sinless perfection. Some of the greatest pro- 
 fessors among his follow^ers conceived they had attained 
 it ; and when they were going to receive the Lord's- 
 supper, insisted that the confession should not be read, 
 because, as they w^ere free from sin, they had none to 
 confess. Where opinions so absurd are entertained^ 
 there is reason to fear that the religion of such persons 
 is more in the imagination, than in the heart. Indeed 
 in every revival of religion, even where the pure truth 
 is preached with the greatest wisdom and sobriety, it 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 329 
 
 has always been found, that in very numerous instances 
 the passions were moved almost to extasy, when the 
 soul has not been truly renewed. 
 
 Like almost every new sect, the Methodists were at 
 first exceedingly censorious, and inveighed with aspe- 
 rity, not only against the wicked, but against other 
 Christians, though as truly devoted to God as them- 
 selves. By their leaders they had unwisely been taught 
 this unchristian lesson, which is exceedingly congenial 
 to the depraved heart ; for the Scripture saith not in 
 vain, " the spirit which is in us lusteth to envy :" it 
 lusteth also to contempt and to dislike. Scarcely could 
 two classes of good people be more different than the 
 evangelical Dissenters and the Methodists. The former 
 w^ere a disciplined army of veteran warriors, long inured 
 to service, and to whom every part of service was fami- 
 liar ; the latter were soldiers of the revolution, not so 
 expert, but full of enthusiasm, and eager for the battle. 
 The difference was displeasing to the Methodists, who 
 charged the Dissenters with coldness and deadness, 
 many of whom, for sanctity of life, and faithful per- 
 formance of relative duties, were superior to themselves. 
 The Dissenters, displeased at the charge, and provoked 
 at the irregularities and imprudence of the Methodists, 
 were not backward to retaliate. 
 
 But whatever might be the weaknesses or the faults 
 of the Methodists, the spirit of propagation of religion 
 which their system enjoined, and the unwearied endea- 
 vours of almost every individual to convert his neigh- 
 bour, confer on them distinguished honour. It may 
 indeed be questioned, if from the days of the apostles, 
 the principle " that it is the duty of every Christian to 
 
330 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 endeavour to convert sinners from the evil of their 
 ways," was ever so fully acted upon as by the English 
 IMethodists of both divisions. 
 
 For their discourses, too, the Methodists are entitled 
 to singular praise. The talents of the leaders are 
 known ; and some of their helpers were men of ability, 
 knowledge, and wisdom, as well as zeal. With respect 
 to the greater part of them, as to method, propriety of 
 language, and delivery, they were exceedingly defective. 
 But in the choice of subjects, and in bearing upon the 
 great design of their ministry, they have scarcely been 
 equalled. To convert sinners was their business and 
 their object, and they kept it in view, with a steadiness 
 and perseverance of which there has perhaps not been 
 an instance among any of the sects in the Christian 
 church. In the edification of believers they did not 
 excel ; but in plain, earnest, forcible, and highly im- 
 passioned addresses to the impenitent, they are a pattern 
 to all. Their practice has since been adopted by the 
 evangelical preachers of every other denomination, and 
 it is sanctioned by its success. 
 
331 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 
 LIVES OF EMINENT PERSONS AMONG THE 
 DISSENTERS. 
 
 Sect. I. — Eminent Ministers, 
 
 JOHN SHOWER. 
 He was the second son of a pious and benevolent mer- 
 chant of Exeter. Born in the year 1657, at four years 
 of age he lost his father, but was reared up to maturity 
 under the care of an excellent mother, and enjoyed the 
 benefit of many pious relatives, among Avhom were Mr. 
 Trosse, the subject of a former memoir, Mr. Benjamin 
 Hooper, a servant of Christ, whose death was most 
 extatic, and Mr. Downe, an eminent dissenting mi- 
 nister in Exeter, w^ho marked the opening genius of 
 this his nephew with great delight. When quite a 
 child, he was observed constantly to retire to his closet 
 for devotion, and to return in such a frame of mind as 
 indicated that he had been conversing with heaven. He 
 removed from a school in Exeter, at fourteen years of 
 age, to the academy of Mr. Warren, at Taunton. Some 
 time after, his mother went to London, for the sake of 
 her children's education, and placed this son under the 
 care of Mr. Morton, a distinguished scholar, at New- 
 ington-green, where Mr. Shower drew up and signed, in 
 his eighteenth year, a covenant with God, which displays 
 
332 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 extraordinary ardour of devotion. He preached his 
 first sermon, two years after, to the congregation of Mr. 
 Thomas Vincent, in Bishopsgate-street, on the words 
 of the psahiiist, *' I have chosen the way of truth," 
 which he applied not only to his own individual senti- 
 ments, but to the theme of his ministry, and the con- 
 nection which he Avas entering into with the Non-con- 
 formists. When his liberal behaviour, many years after, 
 gave rise to the rumour that he had conformed to the 
 establishment, he referred to this discourse, and declared 
 that his sentiments concerning the establishment and 
 dissent were unchanged. His seriousness, which well 
 accorded with his treatise on eternity, and the ardour of 
 his affections, poured forth in a happy flow of eloquence, 
 soon rendered him popular in London, where, says Mr. 
 Tong his biographer, " there were, at that time of re- 
 straint, more persons of the best rank who adhered to 
 the Dissenters than afterwards were found, in times of 
 liberty." 
 
 The alarm of the popish plot having induced the 
 Dissenters to establish, in 1678, an evening lecture 
 against popery, at a room in a coffee-house, in Ex- 
 change-alley, Mr. Shower, with three others, preached 
 to a very numerous audience, among whom were the 
 first merchants in the city. In the following year, he 
 was privately ordained, and being chosen assistant to 
 Mr. Vincent Alsop, he was introduced to the company 
 of many persons in high life, among whom, his accom- 
 plished manners tended much to recommend the reli- 
 fifion he w^as ever eao^er to diffuse. 
 
 After two or three years, he was importuned, by the 
 patriotic Sir Samuel Barnardiston, to accompany his 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 333 
 
 nephew in his continental tour. Reflecting on the 
 prospects which presented themselves to him at home, 
 he consented, and, about the year 1683, he went, in , 
 company with his pupil, Mr. Cornish, and a son of Dr. 
 Thomas Goodwin, to Paris, and from thence to Lyons 
 and Geneva. Charmed with the former diocese of 
 Calvin, he stayed there some time, esteemed by the 
 pastors of the city and the celebrated Turretine, whom 
 he found, at first, prejudiced by the representations of 
 the hierarchy against the Non-conformists, but left 
 reconciled to the cause, which they saw, from Mr. 
 Shower s statement, was founded in truth and religion. 
 At Geneva, he formed also a lasting friendship with 
 Sir Richard Blackmore. From thence he went to 
 Turin, Florence, and Leghorn, where they embarked, 
 in an English vessel, for Naples, which, after a stay of 
 fourteen days, they quitted for Rome. Here the popu- 
 larity of Odechalchi, who was called the Protestant 
 pope, could not tempt our countryman to kiss the papal 
 slipper; but the courage of one of the company, in 
 refusing to bow to the consecrated host, w^as so 
 resented, that it became necessary for them to leave 
 " the seat of the beast," sooner than they intended. 
 They went, partly by sea, to Venice, and, after having 
 crossed the Alps, they embarked on the Rhine, for 
 Strasburg ; and, being snatched from the most immi- 
 nent danger of death on the Rhine, they arrived in 
 Holland, where Mr. Shower continued two years. 
 
 On his return to England, he resumed his place in 
 the lecture in Exchange-alley, and soon proved that he 
 had not, like many, purchased his knowledge of man- 
 kind, at the price of a tender conscience and communion 
 
334 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 with God ; for the more he knew of the worhl (says 
 Mr. Tong), the more he seemed raised above it." His 
 last sermon, on leaving England, was on the words of 
 David, — " If I shall find favour in the eyes of the 
 Lord, he will bring me again, and show me both his 
 ark and his habitation. But if he say thus, I have no 
 delight in thee, behold here am I, let him do to me as 
 seemeth good to him." On his return, his first sermon 
 at the lecture was on the aphorism of Solomon ; — 
 " All things are full of labour, man cannot utter it ; the 
 eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with 
 hearing *." 
 
 * He used to relate to his friends, that when he heard the most cele- 
 brated French cathohc preachers, they attempted, by strange methods, 
 to work up the passions of their hearers on the sufferings of Christ. In 
 the midst of a florid harangue, they would take a small crucifix in their 
 hands, and addressing themselves to it, as to the Saviour, with all 
 the arts of eloquence and gesture, would inflame the passions of the 
 people, till the whole assembly burst into tears, in which they were most 
 forward who, at other times, were most profane. Mr. Shower justly 
 observed, " How much is it to be regretted, those who behold the Re- 
 deemer presented to view in the way which God has instituted, the glass 
 of the Gospel, should not discover more of that genuine affection for him 
 which he so well deserves ! " 
 
 He also related a very different scene to which he was witness. As 
 the King of France was evidently intending to revoke the edict of Nantz, 
 the ministers of the church of Charenton kept many days of solemn fast- 
 ing and prayer. On one of these occasions, when they had been engaged 
 all day in exercises of devotion, an eminent minister ascended the pulpit, 
 and, in a lively manner, set before the people the danger of the ark of 
 God. His heart was so full, that he could not go on, and there were 
 floods of tears through the assembly, and an universal outcry. After a 
 considerable pause, he resumed the discourse, but was again interrupted 
 by excess of sorrow, upon which he turned his discourse into prayer, 
 and, with wonderful enlargement and fervour, wrestled with God for his 
 mercy, acknowledged his justice in whatever he should bring upon them, 
 and, by a very solemn resignation, laid themselves and all their privileges 
 at his feet, begging, that if he saw it for his own honour, to suffer the 
 carcases of that generation to fall in the wilderness, he would revive his 
 work in the next, to which the whole congregation gave their assent by 
 a loud — amen. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 335 
 
 But the measures which James II. now pursued, 
 induced Mr. Shower, with Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, Mr. 
 Howe, Sir Patience Ward, and Mr. Papillon, to retire 
 to Holland. Mr. Shower went to Rotterdam, where he 
 was chosen evening-lecturer to the English church, and 
 married the niece of Mr. Papillon. Though highly 
 valued in Holland, and pressed to take on him a pas- 
 toral charge there, he returned, in 1690, to labour Avith 
 Mr. Howe in London. It was observed, that two such 
 ministers as then preached together were too much for 
 one people, and Mr. Shower soon judged it his duty to 
 accept the invitation of a declining church, which his 
 popular talents so increased, that they removed to a 
 larger place in Je win- street, and, after ten years, to a 
 new meeting-house in the Old Jewry. He enjoyed, for 
 some time, the assistance of Mr. Timothy Rogers, and 
 afterwards of Mr. Joseph Bennet. Tlie labours of 
 Mr. Shower w^ere more than popular ; they were use- 
 ful, especially to the young, who are the hopes of the 
 church of God. But, in the midst of his honourable 
 course, he was seized with a fever, in 1706, which, for 
 three weeks, threatened his life. Restored to the 
 prayers and affections of his flock, he enjoyed an in- 
 terval of labour and success, till a scorbutic complaint 
 debilitated his frame ; and, in 1710, he was attacked 
 with a paralytic stroke. After suffering under the 
 apprehension of being laid aside, " as a broken vessel, 
 in which the Lord had no pleasure," he met death, 
 with much delight, June 28th, 1715, in the fifty-ninth 
 year of his age. 
 
 His Reflections on Time and Eternity " have the 
 high praise of being honoured by remarkable useful- 
 
336 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ness. His other publications were sermons on parti- 
 cular occasions, a sacramental treatise, and the " Me- 
 moirs of Mr. Henry Gearing.'* 
 
 DANIEL WILLIAMS, D.D. 
 
 Wrexham, in North Wales, gave him birth, about 
 the year 1644. He was able to say, " from five years 
 old, I had no employment but my studies ; and, by 
 nineteen, I was regularly admitted a preacher." Faith- 
 ful to the voice of conscience, he embarked with the 
 Dissenters when they were tossed with all the fury of 
 the storm, and found the Redeemer faithful to his pro- 
 mise of recompense for every sacrifice made to his 
 cause ; for, when sectarian bigotry drove him from 
 England, he found, in Ireland, both a field of usefulness 
 and a mine of wealth. He became chaplain to the 
 Countess of Meath, and was pastor of a church in 
 Wood-street, Dublin, for nearly twenty years. Having 
 married a lady, who added to her honourable birth and 
 large estate, the superior endowments of intellectual 
 eminence and ardent piety, as his religion was not 
 injured, his usefulness was increased. But when the 
 last acts of James H. gave warning to Protestants, that 
 Ireland was designed to be the citadel of popery, he 
 retired to London, the year before the revolution. 
 
 He instantly acquired an ascendency in his new 
 sphere ; for, at a meeting of the Dissenters, to consider 
 of a vote of thanks to James, for dispensing with the 
 laws, he powerfully contributed to determine them 
 against the measure : — " I am persuaded (said he) that 
 the severities inflicted on Dissenters were rather for 
 their resistance to arbitrary power than for their reli- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 337 
 
 gious dissent ; so that it were better to be reduced to 
 our former hardships than declare for measures de- 
 structive to the liberties of our countrj^" To the 
 praise of courage, patriotism, and self-denial, which 
 this speech deserves, it is not so easy to add that of 
 judgment and political acumen. For what is so essen- 
 tially at Avar with the liberties of our country as those 
 penal laws which restrict the exercise of our natural 
 rights in religion ? Or how could political freedom be 
 more effectually served than by the unrestrained exer- 
 cise of religious liberty, which, for the short time it 
 was insidiously conceded, contributed to shake the 
 throne both of popery and of James ? As to the Pres- 
 byterians' scruples concerning the king's right to 
 abolish the religious tests, — when laws are contrary 
 to God and nature, they have no hold upon the con- 
 science ; and a stern moralist might assert, that any 
 one had a right to abolish them, who was happy 
 enough to possess the power. 
 
 The revolution, however, extricated the Presby- 
 terians from their embarrassments, and introduced Mr. 
 Williams to the new king, with whom he possessed a 
 useful influence in Irish affairs. In the year 1688, he 
 was chosen pastor of a numerous congregation in 
 Hand-alley, Bishopsgate-street, and from his friendship 
 with Richard Baxter, was chosen to succeed him in the 
 lecture at Pinner's-hall. He afterwards removed to 
 that at Salter's-liall, in consequence of his controversy 
 concerning Dr. Crisp's works. Dr. Williams sus- 
 tained that contest with great equanimity and courage ; 
 and as a committee, appointed to investigate the charges 
 of his enemies against his moral character, declared 
 
 VOL. II. Z 
 
338 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 him blameless, his congregation adhered to him with 
 unshaken fidelity and affection. 
 
 Principal Carstairs sent to him from Scotland, in 
 1709, a diploma of D.D. inclosed in a silver box. After 
 having stung to inexorable rage the Earl of Oxford, 
 by a faithful remonstrance against intolerance and the 
 Pretender, Dr. Williams w^as happy enough to escape 
 the premier's revenge by the death of the queen, and 
 to present the congratulation of the Dissenters to King 
 George, on his accession to the British throne. Till 
 within seven years of his death, the doctor was not 
 prevented from filling the pulpit more than five Sab- 
 baths, and at last, a short illness terminated his labours, 
 January 26, 1716, in the seventy-third year of his life. 
 
 Dr. Williams deserves the high praise of enduring 
 with honour a test to which many persons of superior 
 promise have proved unequal; for affluence neither 
 diminished his relish for the pleasures, nor cooled his 
 zeal for the interests of religion. It was not less to 
 his honour, that the provocations of controversy never 
 alienated his affections from the objects of his first 
 attachment, or betrayed him into tempers contrary to 
 the meekness and gentleness of Christ. The ardour 
 with which he defended what appeared to him the 
 cause of truth, secured him the admiration of his friends, 
 while the strength of his polemical talents was felt by 
 his opponents. With a style chaste and lucid, but 
 neither elegant nor vigorous, his works place him 
 equally above the third, and below the first class of 
 divines. His generous employment of a large fortune, 
 to relieve the distressed confessors for truth, to assist 
 his poor brethren in the ministry, and encourage 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 339 
 
 young ministers in their entrance on the work, rendered 
 his life a public blessing ; and his last will, warm with 
 the affections of a heart devoted to charity, to literature, ^ 
 to dissent, and to catholic Christianity, has not suffered 
 his usefulness to be terminated by the hand of death. 
 
 Besides the settlement to his wife, and legacies to 
 his relations, he left donations for the education of 
 youth in Dublin, and the support of a preacher to the 
 native Irish ; to the poor of the congregations in which 
 he had been minister, and of the parish in which he 
 lived ; to several ministers' widows ; to different Pres- 
 byterian churches in the country; to the college of 
 Glasgow; to several institutions for the diffusion of 
 knowledge and the propagation of the Gospel. He 
 ordered a convenient building to be purchased, or 
 erected, for the reception of his own library, and the 
 curious collection of Dr. Bates, which he purchased 
 for that purpose, at the expense of upwards of fifteen 
 hundred pounds. His works were collected and pub- 
 lished in five volumes. 
 
 Dr. JOHN GALE. 
 He was considered one of the ablest ministers of 
 his time among the general Baptists. He was the 
 son of a respectable citizen of London, who sent him to 
 the university of Leyden, where he continued two 
 years, and by his rapid improvement, the result of in- 
 defatigable application, he gained the esteem of the 
 professors, and was honoured with the degree of master 
 of arts and doctor in philosophy, before he was nineteen 
 years of age. He went afterwards to Amsterdam, and 
 spent some years among the Remonstrants, under the 
 
 Z 2 
 
340 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tuition of Limborch and Le Clerc. On liis return to 
 England, he pursued his studies with redoubled ardour, 
 but did not begin to preach statedly till he was thirty- 
 five years of age, an example by no means to be re- 
 commended to imitation. 
 
 " The congregation to which Dr. Gale preached, 
 is said to have been numerous and respectable. His 
 voice was clear and melodious, his style easy and 
 strong, his method exact, his reasoning convincing, and 
 his deportment in the pulpit solemn. The object of 
 his greatest care was to fix deeply in their minds and 
 his own^ that principle of sincerity on which he con- 
 ceived our happiness, or misery, in a future state will 
 depend." Dr. Gale, we hope, did not misplace sin- 
 cerity so grossly as his biographer has done. Paul was 
 as sincere when he persecuted as when he preached 
 the faith. It should never be forgotten, that sincerity 
 is not even a Christian virtue, but when it is connected 
 with divine truth. 
 
 Dr. Gale was admitted to the friendship of several 
 men of eminence, both in church and state, and was 
 a distinguished member of the society which met at 
 Whiston's primitive library, to investigate the doc- 
 trines and practices of the Christian church in the 
 three or four first centuries, and to examine them by 
 the sacred Scriptures. 
 
 In the Salter's-hall controversy he took a very active 
 part, and in a pamphlet defended the conduct of the 
 Non-subscribers. The publication which gave cele- 
 brity to his name, was his " Reflections on Dr. Wall's 
 History of Infant Baptism," in which he is generally 
 acknowledged to have displayed considerable ability. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 341 
 
 and what is not so common in that controversy — mild- 
 ness of temper. He was meditating many important 
 works, a translation of the Septuagint ; an exposition 
 of the New Testament from the pulpit ; and " A 
 History of the Notion of Original Sin, with a view to 
 trace the rise of this opinion, and to shew its repug- 
 nance to the justice and goodness of God, whom he 
 conceives it represents as doing what a wise and good 
 man would have abhorred." To succeed in this, he 
 must have been able to destroy the historical records of 
 every country and every age, for they are records of 
 the temper and conduct of depraved creatures. The 
 execution of these plans was prevented by the attack 
 of a fever, which put a period to his life in December, 
 1721, in the forty-second year of his age. His illness 
 was of short duration, but " borne with that calmness 
 and patience which became a mind firmly possessed 
 with a belief in the superintendence of a wise and 
 good God, to whose providence he always resigned him- 
 self and his affairs." Four volumes of sermons, with 
 his life prefixed, were published after his decease*. 
 
 SAMUEL POMFRET. 
 
 He was born at Coventry in 1650. The only trait 
 recorded of his father's character is, that " he was 
 noted for the great power he had with God in prayer." 
 After acquiring classical knowledge in the grammar- 
 school in the town, which was then in high repute, he 
 was placed under the tuition of Dr. Obadiah Grew. 
 Sent to the university of Cambridge, " the tenderness 
 of his conscience (says his biographer) would not allow 
 * Crosby. Life of Gale. Funeral Sermons by Kinch and Burroughs, 
 
342 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 him to comply with the customs there practised." He 
 removed to the academy of Ralph Button, B.D. at 
 Islington, where he completed his preparatory studies 
 for the ministry. 
 
 The grand qualification, true piety, he received 
 when he was nineteen years of age. The death of his 
 exemplary mother was employed by infinite wisdom 
 to produce in him repentance towards God, and faith 
 in our Lord Jesus Christ. The remembrance of so 
 large a portion of life spent in impenitence, ever after- 
 wards deeply affected his heart ; and he used often to 
 repeat the words of Austin, sero te amavi domine, — I 
 loved thee. Lord, too late. 
 
 When he left the academy, he went to officiate as 
 chaplain in the family of Sir William Dyer, in Essex. 
 Feeling a strong desire to see the world before he 
 settled with a congregation, he went out as chaplain of 
 a merchant vessel carrying a hundred men, which 
 traded to the Mediterranean. On the voyage, as two 
 Algerine corsairs approached in full sail, to the attack, 
 Mr. Pomfret being desired by the captain to go below, 
 replied, " They are the enemies of Christ and his reli- 
 gion ; I will remain on deck and live and die by you." 
 He afterwards fought nobler battles, employed more 
 legitimate methods to overcome the enemies of the 
 cross, and displayed his courage in a way more be- 
 coming the character of a minister of Christ. 
 
 On their arrival at Smyrna, the English consul 
 having lost a son, desired Mr. Pomfret to officiate at 
 his funeral, according to the usage of the church of 
 Eno-land. As he could not conform to it in his own 
 country, he said, " I must be excused abroad ; but if 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 343 
 
 you will accept my services in my own way, I am 
 ready at your call." The consul giving a reluctant ac- 
 quiescence, Mr. Pomfret spoke over the grave of the 
 young man in a manner so pertinent and affecting, 
 and prayed with such fervency and feeling, that not 
 only his friends and countrymen, but Greeks and 
 Turks shed floods of tears. At the conclusion of the 
 service, the consul, embracing him with gratitude, ex- 
 claimed, " If this is your way, I judge it preferable to 
 my own." 
 
 Another trait of his character appears in the follow- 
 ing circumstance. Having purchased fifty pounds 
 worth of hats, to dispose of as a venture abroad, he 
 may be thought by many mercantile men to have 
 carried them to an unprofitable market, when they are 
 told, that he gave them all away to the sailors, on tliis 
 engagement, as the stipulated price, " that they should 
 no more profane the name of God." It will not be 
 thought strange, that such a man produced a great 
 reformation in the ship ; and some of the crew gave 
 the most satisfactory evidence that it proceeded from a 
 change of heart. 
 
 Returning to London, after an absence of two years, 
 he established a lecture in Lincoln's Inn Fields, which 
 was very useful. But being invited to the charge 
 of a congregation at Sandwich, he accepted it, and 
 laboured there, for seven years, with indefatigable 
 diligence and distinguished success. The persecution 
 which raged in the latter end of King Charles II.'s 
 reign, drove him away, and he was constrained to take 
 refuge in London. 
 
 Prevented from returning to his charge in the 
 
344 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 country, he formed a new congregation, which gradually 
 increased till it became one of the largest in London. 
 They met first in Winchester-street, and afterwards in 
 Gravel-lane, Houndsditch, where a meeting-house was 
 built, which, though it would contain fifteen hundred 
 people, was crowded, as long as he was able to exercise 
 his ministry among them. He told a friend, that he 
 had eight hundred members in his church, and the next 
 Lord's-day, he was going to admit twenty more. To 
 furnish such a harvest of converts, the labours of the 
 preacher and their efficacy must have been uncom- 
 monly great. To both these, his biographer bears tes- 
 timony, for he says, " that he exercised his ministry 
 with great constancy and almost incredible pains, and 
 through the blessing of God upon his labours, with 
 such success, that some think the like has not been 
 known in these latter times." He seemed indeed 
 formed for extraordinary things : " he had a marvellous 
 way of striking the consciences of sinners. Few could 
 attend his ministry without strong convictions and 
 awakenings ; multitudes of young people were greatly 
 affected by it. His heart was warm and tender, his 
 zeal as flames of fire, a fluency of apt expressions, with 
 a clear, agreeable, and powerful voice ; and, frequently, 
 carried away by the ardour of his soul, he spoke in such 
 a strain as moved his hearers in an astonishing manner. 
 Mr. Baxter, one of the most powerful preachers in 
 England, when discoursing with a friend about Mr. 
 Pomfret's zeal, and courage, and pains, delivered it as 
 his opinion, * that God would bless him, and such as 
 he was, more than others who excelled them in reputa- 
 tion as judicious preachers.' " 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 345 
 
 Sensible of the importance of an accession of know- 
 ledge, in order to the acceptance of his public labours, 
 he was no less assiduous as a student. When not em-^ 
 ployed in visiting the flock, to the afflicted part of which 
 he paid peculiar attention, he was to be found in his 
 library deeply engaged in reading and meditation, with 
 his pen in his hand, writing down every useful thought 
 which occurred to his mind, in the course of his studies. 
 So tenacious was he of every valuable idea, that he 
 determined to secure it on paper, and this vas his prac- 
 tice, by night as well as by day, when travelling on the 
 road, and in the houses of his friends. 
 
 His devotedness to his Master was uncommon : he 
 lived but to glorify God, and save souls. But what 
 gave life and energy to the whole, was an unusual 
 measure of the spirit of prayer. Such was his delight 
 in it, that he rose every night from his bed, to implore a 
 blessing on his ministry. It was " the effectual fervent 
 prayer of a righteous man, which availeth much." 
 
 He wore out an iron constitution in incessant labours 
 for the salvation of souls. Arrived at threescore years 
 and ten, numerous infirmities crowded upon him, but 
 he bore his sufferings with great submission to the 
 divine will, " and a lively hope of the infinite mercy of 
 God through Jesus Christ." To one that came to ren- 
 der him assistance, he said with great earnestness, 
 " Come, see, see a dying man under exquisite pains, and 
 yet not afraid to die. Lord, now lettest thou thy ser- 
 vant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy sal- 
 vation." He died on January 11, 1722, in the seventy- 
 first year of his age. He published a small treatise, 
 entitled " A Directory for Youth," and a few sermons. 
 
346 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 England sustained a loss from his not spending a 
 portion of his time as an itinerant. In several parts of 
 the country where he happened occasionally to preach, 
 congregations were immediately raised. Of all the 
 men who have appeared in the capacity of itinerants, 
 Mr, Pomfret, in every grand qualification for that office, 
 would have been next to Mr. Whitfield, and in some 
 things his equal*. 
 
 BENJAMIN BENNET. 
 
 He was born at Willsborough, near Market Bos- 
 worth, Leicestershire, in 1674. A dangerous illness, 
 almost in childhood, was the means of fixing on his heart 
 impressions of religion, which were never afterwards 
 erased. He immediately sought to do good to others, 
 and formed a society of boys who met to engage in the 
 exercises of devotion. Arrived at an age for applying 
 to business, he expressed an earnest desire to be trained 
 up for the service of the sanctuary. After going through 
 a course of theological studies, his first station as a 
 preacher was at Temple-hall, in the vicinity of his 
 native place, from which he was called to succeed Dr. 
 Gilpin, at Newcastle upon Tyne, in a very extensive 
 field of labour and usefulness. 
 
 Mr. Bennet possessed very superior talents, which 
 were exerted to the utmost in the discharge of his 
 office. His discourses were weighty and striking. He 
 at once instructed and moved his hearers, whom he 
 commonly delighted with something new. His delivery, 
 which was grave, yet pleasing, possessed a dignity and 
 solenmity that had a most powerful effect. He took 
 * Memoirs of the Life of S. Pomfret, by T. Reynolds. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 347 
 
 great delight in his work, and the importance of em- 
 bracing every opportunity was impressed on his heart 
 by a circumstance which occurred to him during a visit 
 to London. Being importuned to preach at a time 
 when he wished to be excused, Timothy Rogers, who 
 was for several years oppressed with melancholy, ad- 
 dressed him in the following words : " Oh ! preach, by 
 all means preach ; I would fain preach, but cannot. 
 How do you know but you may do some good, which 
 you may never hear of till the day of judgment ?" 
 
 In dispensing the Lord's supper, he displayed an un- 
 common measure of a devotional spirit. His heart was 
 so powerfully affected with the love of Christ, and he 
 expressed himself with so much pathos and unction, 
 that he was thought in that exercise to excel himself. 
 The fluency, the fervour, the pertinency, the holy rap- 
 ture of his prayers melted the hearts of the audience ; 
 and his brethren when present have acknowledged that 
 they were at once greatly edified, and deeply humbled 
 at their own inferiority. 
 
 When a minister excels in public services, it needs 
 scarcely be told that he has laboured hard in private. 
 Mr. Bennet was an indefatigable student, and amidst 
 the various duties of his office in a large congregation, 
 constantly devoted fifty and sometimes sixty hours in a 
 week to hard study. By this means, he collected a very 
 large treasure of divine and human knowledge. 
 
 But that which infused life into his preaching and 
 his studies, was the eminent piety which reigned in 
 his heart. The first hour in the morning was spent in 
 reading the Scriptures, meditation, and prayer; and 
 another in the evening. Every month, it is said, he 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 kept a day of extraordinary devotion, and passed the 
 greater part of it on his knees. He observed frequent 
 fasts with some of the members of the church at his 
 own house, and sometimes more public ones in the con- 
 gregation. If, after this, it be mentioned that he was 
 an eminently wise, prudent, peaceable, and spiritual 
 minister, who lived wholly for the honour of Christ and 
 the happiness of others, and that he was useful by his 
 counsel and influence to all the churches in the northern 
 parts of England, it is only what might be expected 
 from such a man. 
 
 But, in his fifty- second year, he was seized with a 
 fever, which put an end to his valuable life. He was 
 not only willing, but desirous to die. " Death," said he, 
 " is no more to me than it is for a weary traveller, after 
 a hard day's journey, to undress and go to bed. Some 
 considerations, I confess, might plead for my stay in 
 the world a while, but they cannot prevail with me to 
 desire to live. I only desire, that if Providence sees 
 fit to continue me, I may submit." And, at another 
 time, — " I have not one uneasy thought about myself; 
 death is no awful thing to me, but will be a happy 
 remove to the church above, where I have long been 
 desirous to be." He died on September 1st, 1726. 
 
 His " Christian Oratory," which has gone through 
 seven editions at least, is the Dissenters' Whole 
 Duty of Man ; " but unspeakably superior to that work 
 in evangelical sentiments. A Memorial of the Re- 
 formation," and " a Defence of it," contain both enter- 
 tainment and instruction. " Discourses on Popery" are 
 excellent. His " Irenicum " is not much known. Like 
 many other good men, he was not aware of the perni- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 349 
 
 cious effects of Arianism, and he entertained a more 
 favourable opinion of some of the dissenting ministers 
 than they deserved. The general principles of the book 
 are good, but not suitably applied. A volume on the 
 inspiration of the sacred Scriptures has been already 
 noticed. It shows a master's hand in every part, in a 
 pleasing union of learning and piety. 
 
 JEREMIAH SMITH. 
 
 Jeremiah Smith is one " whose record is on high," 
 thouofh it is now difficult to weave a continued narra- 
 tive of his life. He must have been born about the 
 year 1653; but the seminary in which he studied for 
 the ministry is not known, though it is certain that he 
 entered upon the work amidst the terrors of persecu- 
 tion. He was first pastor of a church at Andover, in 
 Hampshire, and afterwards succeeded Mr. Spademan, 
 as co-pastor with Mr. Rosewell, in Silver-street, where 
 he was also one of the Friday-evening lecturers. As 
 this was a superior station among the Dissenters, his 
 talents and devotion honoured the discernment of those 
 who called him to it ; though, in the decline of life, the 
 failure of his voice occasioned a decrease of his hearers, 
 and obscured his eminent worth. 
 
 Amidst the theological contentions of the year 1719, 
 he stood forward the champion of the Trinity ; for, 
 being one of the four who composed the work entitled 
 
 The Doctrine of the Trinity stated and defended," he 
 WTote the part which shows the harmony of the re- 
 formed churches in regard to that doctrine. Though 
 he subscribed, and his colleague ranked with the non- 
 subscribers, their harmony continued undisturbed, for 
 
350 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 " they equally believed the truth." Matthew Clarke, 
 in his funeral sermon, says, " he was warm : and was 
 there not a cause, in a day when the most pernicious 
 and destructive errors, so highly derogatory to the 
 Redeemer's glory, abound among us ? Yet his zeal 
 was of the right stamp, conducted with prudence and 
 discretion, tempered with meekness and charity, with- 
 out rancour and bitterness. His zeal, like our Lord's, 
 did eat up himself, not consume others. He was for 
 no fire from heaven, but that of ' the spirit of judgment, 
 and burning,' to enlighten men's minds, to lead them 
 into all truth, and purge them from the dross of errors 
 and corruptions." In this manner he continued to 
 preach the faith which others were attempting to de- 
 stroy, till near seventy years of age, when he was 
 taken ill on a journey, and, after recovering so far as 
 to have fixed the next day for his return home, was 
 seized with a violent convulsion, which, in half an hour, 
 terminated his life, on the 29th of August, 1723. 
 
 With uncommon pathos, his loss was bewailed by 
 Matthew Clarke, who describes him as a most exem- 
 plary Christian, displaying the influence of religion in 
 every relation of life. He watched over his flock like 
 a good shepherd. He did not ofler that to the Lord 
 or his people which cost him nothing, as was evident 
 to all that heard him. His composures w^ere somewhat 
 elaborate, smelt of the lamp, which, as I have been 
 told by his nearest relative, often burned till after mid- 
 night." His style is, however, remarkably perspicuous, 
 and his discourses prove that he was not thinking of 
 himself, but aiming solely at the consciences of his 
 hearers. Amidst a volume of sermons, preached 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 351 
 
 before the society for reformation of manners, by the 
 most eminent men of that day, one of Mr. Smith's 
 shines with peculiar lustre. The exposition of the 
 Epistles to Titus and Philemon, in the continuation of 
 Henry, was by his pen. 
 
 MATTHEW CLARKE. 
 
 He was the son of the Rev. Matthew Chirke, who 
 w^as ejected from the living of Narborough, in Leices- 
 tershire. The venerable father contrived, amidst all 
 that he suffered for conscience sake, and he drunk 
 largely of the bitter cup, to take peculiar care of the 
 education of his son, whom he early instructed in the 
 learned languages, along with several young persons 
 who were studying under him for the ministry. The 
 parent's wish, to see his son a preacher of the same 
 Gospel for which he was suffering, was honourable 
 to himself ; but it seems to have led him to devote 
 the child to the work, without waiting to see whether 
 God approved, which, but for the grace bestowed 
 upon the youth, might have been a fatal injury to 
 himself and thousands more. After revolving the 
 question seriously in his mind, and reflecting on the 
 sacrifices which the ministry would require, the son 
 was at last animated to comply with his parent's wish, 
 l)y the consideration, that " they who turn many to 
 righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever." 
 On examining his own personal religion, he said that 
 he had endured much distress for w^ant of that remark- 
 able change w^hich many had experienced : but he 
 dreaded, above all things, a hypocritical profession, 
 and though, at first, his abstinence from sin, as well as 
 
352 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 his attention to secret prayer and other duties, might 
 arise from fear of offending his parents, yet he trusted 
 that at last they sprang from a principle of love to 
 God. 
 
 After he had acquired, not only Latin and Greek, but 
 several of the oriental languages, in which his father 
 possessed uncommon skill, and had added to them a 
 familiar acquaintance ^\dth Italian and French, he 
 went to study for the ministry under Mr. Woodhouse, 
 a celebrated tutor, in Shropshire. Having removed 
 to London, and joined a church there, he returned to 
 Leicestershire, w^here his father preached to a congre- 
 gation of Dissenters, at Little Bowden, near Market 
 Harborough, for above forty years. Here young Mr. 
 Clarke began his ministry, amidst the storm which 
 raged in the year 1684. He was so useful, that very 
 hirge additions were made to his father's church, while 
 he was with him. " When he was present," says Mr. 
 Neal, " at the declaration which the new converts 
 made, of the powerful impressions received under his 
 ministry, O how he would humble and abase himself 
 before God in prayer, and set the crown of his success 
 upon the head of free grace ? " In the first three years 
 of his ministry, he also laid the foundation of several 
 congregations in that country. 
 
 He was, in 1687, called to preach at Sandwich, in 
 Kent ; where he was detained by the importunities of 
 those who derived benefit from his labours ; but, after 
 two years, was recalled by the equal solicitations of his 
 father and the flock in Leicestershire. Though he then 
 settled with them, they were compelled, by a sense of 
 duty, to give him up again almost immediately; for, 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 353 
 
 or having preached an occasional sermon in London, 
 he was invited to assist Mr. Ford, in Miles'-lane. Tiie 
 metropolis was, at this time, peculiarly in need of young 
 ministers ; for while many of the old confessors were 
 removed by death, and the threatening aspect of the 
 times had prevented a sufficient number from entering 
 into their field of labour, the alarm for the safety of 
 Protestants had produced a sudden turn in favour of 
 Dissenters, so that the people flocked to the meeting- 
 houses, and the harvest was great, though the labourers 
 were few. 
 
 At first, Mr. Clarke found many difficulties, among 
 which, it is mentioned to his honour, that the sum 
 which the congregation could raise for his support was 
 so small that they w^ere ashamed to inform him of it. 
 But when he knew it, he said he had cast himself upon 
 the providence of God, which had always provided well 
 for him ; and, as he had no reason to question their doing 
 for him according to their ability, he should be satisfied 
 with the will of God, and be content to fare as God 
 should bless them together. About this time he was 
 ordained, and the private devotions which accompanied 
 the public service, proved him solicitous to be found 
 accepted of the chief Shepherd. 
 
 Mr. Ford, the elder minister at Miles'-lane, dying 
 in 1694, Mr. Clarke succeeded him as pastor of the 
 church, and, taking the whole of the service, was, in 
 a short time, the means of changing a declining cause 
 into the most prosperous congregation in London. 
 Seven or eight members were added to the church each 
 month, and the place was crowded with hearers. About 
 
 VOL. II. 2 A 
 
354 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 this time, Mr. Clarke was chosen one of the lecturers 
 at Pinner's-hall. 
 
 The popularity of Mr. Clarke induced the churches 
 to make frequent applications to him for occasional ser- 
 vices, which his ardent zeal for the interests of religion 
 would never suffer him to refuse ; but the excessive 
 labours of body and mind, which perpetual preaching 
 produced, injured his constitution more than he was 
 willing to perceive ; till, in the spring of 1707, he was 
 confined by an alarming fever. The disorder was so 
 violent and extraordinary, that the physicians knew 
 not how to prescribe, and, after many unusual appli- 
 cations, they pronounced his case hopeless. Mr. Clarke 
 settled his temporal affairs, and having taken a solemn 
 leave of his wife, requested to see Dr. Watts, who visited 
 him, and after witnessing, with exquisite delight, " his 
 holy calmness of mind, and firm reliance on the merits 
 of Christ alone for salvation, commended him, as a 
 dying man, to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 unto eternal life." The afflicted church appointed 
 seasons of public prayer and intercession for the life 
 of their pastor, which were continued for nine days, 
 and attended by most of the ministers of the city. 
 " I must confess," says his biographer, Mr. Neal, " I 
 never was present at any solemnity of this nature, 
 where there were such strong crying and tears to 
 him who was able to save from death." The physi- 
 cian, who attended to watch the progress of the dis- 
 ease, though without any hope of administering relief, 
 prescribed, by way of experiment, the strongest cordial 
 that could be prepared, to be taken in a very large 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 355 
 
 quantity. Within a quarter of an hour he lifted uj> iiis 
 hands and said, " I am persuaded this medicine is from 
 God/' for the benefit was immediate, and from that 
 time he rapidly recovered. His appearance in the 
 pulpit, on a day of thanksgiving which the church ap- 
 pointed, was peculiarly affecting. Mr. Tong preached 
 first, on the words of the apostle concerning Epaphro- 
 ditus, — " For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death, but 
 the Lord had mercy on him ;" after which, Mr. Clarke 
 returned thanks to God, and then to his flock, and the 
 ministers who had so affectionately interceded for him, 
 and in a most impressive discourse, declared the solid 
 satisfaction he had enjoyed in the prospect of eternity, 
 and his resolution to consecrate anew to God the life 
 which he had so kindly prolonged. He returned to his 
 labours under the influence of the apostolic precept, 
 " Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive 
 from the dead." His vigour of body was, indeed, never 
 completely restored ; but all his former zeal blazed 
 forth, and was crowned with renewed success. 
 
 On the death of George, Prince of Denmark, Mr. 
 Clarke was deputed, by the dissenting ministers of 
 London, to present their address of condolence to 
 Queen Anne, who received him in her closet. Seven 
 years after, IMr. Clarke's usefulness was interrupted by 
 a fall, which confined him many weeks with a broken 
 leg. Yet, after this, he undertook additional labours, 
 accepting the place of Thursday-morning lecturer in 
 Hanover-street, till his congregation, observing his 
 decline, chose, in 1720, Mr. Timothy Jollie as his 
 assistant. Toward the close of life, he was much de- 
 pressed by the divisions which the Arian controversy 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 had introduced into the dissenting body. " But," said 
 he to Mr. Neal, " I shall shortly be out of the way, I 
 am not far from the place where the weary are at rest." 
 He gained this blissful haven, on the 27th of March, 
 1726, in the sixty-third year of his age. 
 
 His commanding person and piercing eye, increased 
 the effect of a melodious voice. He added the man- 
 ners*of a gentleman to the erudition of a scholar, and 
 rendered his various accomplishments lovely and effec- 
 tive, by the graces of a Christian who lived only for 
 God and religion. " If he triumphed anywdiere," says 
 Mr. Neal, to whom we are indebted for an excellent 
 memoir of him, " it was in the pulpit." His subjects 
 were well chosen, and he brought down the most 
 sublime truths to the level of his hearers ; for though 
 his language was too chaste and correct to offend the 
 most learned, it was so simple and lucid that it must 
 have been peculiarly instructive to the young, the poor, 
 and illiterate. Free from all that could be called cant, he 
 might have been understood by those who never before 
 heard the language of any religious party ; while he 
 preached the doctrines of the Gospel so fully, that it 
 was evident he loved them, and with such fervour, 
 that it was manifest he deemed them essential to the 
 eternal safety of his hearers. With the courage of a 
 lion in the pulpit, he was gentle and inoffensive in the 
 private intercourse of life ; and indeed was considered, 
 towards the close of his days, to be chargeable with 
 excess of modesty and timidity as his chief fault. He 
 stood at the most awful distance from covetousness, 
 which he regarded with horror ; and as his house was 
 that of a bishop " given to hospitality," hm heart was 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 357 
 
 that of an apostle, which could not be confined within 
 the sphere of his own immediate charge, but embraced 
 the whole church of Christ upon earth. He corre^ 
 sponded Avith his brethren in different parts of the 
 kingdom, and by his powerful interest in the city, 
 collected larere sums for their relief. He was one of 
 the first members of the society of congregational 
 ministers and gentlemen for the support of the Gospel 
 in the country, and as it lay near his heart in death, his 
 last sermon to his own flock recommended it to their 
 support. The popularity which he obtained, not by 
 empirical pretences, or unfaithful accommodations to 
 a depraved taste, but by solid excellencies, which the 
 Redeemer crowned with distinguished usefulness, 
 followed him to the last; and while he drew vast 
 crowds to the different places where he frequently 
 preached, he never appeared least loved where he was 
 best known ; but left his own charge the most nume- 
 rous and flourishing congregation in the metropolis. 
 With the inspiration of friendship, added to that of 
 genius. Dr. Watts composed a Latin epitaph Avhich 
 is inscribed on the tomb in Bunhill- fields, and at the 
 request of friends, he gave an English translation which 
 would furnish an elegant and spirited memoir of the 
 deceased. 
 
 WILLIAM TONG. 
 As it was said of Ceesar, that by erecting Pompey's 
 statue, he established his own, it may be observed, 
 that Mr. Tong, though a wise and good man, has 
 chiefly perpetuated his own memory by becoming the 
 biographer of INIatthew Henry. It is, however, due 
 to him, who recorded another's excellencies, that those 
 
358 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 who have known him only by the memoirs of the 
 eminent commentator, should value him for his own 
 worth. He was born on Midsummer-day, 1662, 
 of pious parents, who resided at Eccles, in Lancashire, 
 but was, by the loss of his father, when quite young, 
 left under the care of an excellent mother, for whom he 
 often blessed God. Mr. Tong was at first educated 
 for the profession of the law, and commenced his 
 acquaintance with Matthew Henry, when he also was 
 pursuing the same studies at Gray's Inn. How much 
 reason have we to adore the providence of God, Avho 
 called these excellent men to preach the gospel of his 
 Son, by which their usefulness has been perpetuated 
 beyond the duration of human laws ! Mr. Tong him- 
 self gratefully esteemed his mother, for the influence 
 she exerted in causing him to be educated a Dissenter 
 and a minister, and used to say, " Had I a son, who 
 promised to be serious and faithful, I should prefer 
 training him to the ministerial profession, above any 
 other calling, however lucrative." 
 
 He entered the seminary of the venerable Mr. Frank- 
 land, in 1681, and began to preach, about the time of 
 the accession of James H. He risked the loss of all 
 things, and frequently preached to the poor people in 
 the country, when he knew not but he should be 
 recompensed at night by a jail. He became early 
 acquainted with Philip Henry, and the excellent con- 
 nexions of that apostolic man, who easily perceived 
 IMr. Tong's worth, and Avelcomed his labours among 
 them. But, being threatened with a prosecution in 
 the spiritual court, he was obliged to desist from 
 preaching in those parts, which probably increased his 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 359 
 
 attachment to the principles that had induced him to 
 withstand some very pressing solicitations to enter the 
 establishment. 
 
 Before Matthew Henry could settle at Chester, his 
 biographer was preparing the way for him. Mr. 
 Tong's usefulness was threatened with a sudden ter- 
 mination, by what were deemed symptoms of a con- 
 sumption, but he was shortly restored to the flock, and 
 on Mr. Henry's arrival at Chester, resigned to him the 
 pastoral care. 
 
 He planted a church at Knutsford, in Cheshire, 
 which he soon after left to be ^vatered by others. The 
 friends of religion, in this town, had long enjoyed the 
 labours of IMr. Turner, the established clergyman, from 
 whom those who w^ere Dissenters in principle never 
 chose to separate. But when they who had been 
 accustomed to choose their own minister, found another 
 chosen for them, who rigidly enforced conformity, 
 many of them withdrew, and formed a dissenting 
 church, of which Mr. Tong, by the advice of the two 
 Mr. Henrys, and many other valuable friends, con- 
 sented to become pastor. The success of his labours 
 in this infant society was beyond his expectations, 
 and the difficulties he dreaded, from the rancour and 
 opposition excited by recent circumstances, were pre- 
 vented by his prudent, pacific, catholic spirit. 
 
 After two years, he was again removed to succeed 
 the celebrated Dr. Grew, at Coventry. His zeal and 
 diligence advanced with the extension of his sphere ; 
 for beyond the city of his residence, he published the 
 Gospel, preaching in many towns and villages, with 
 
360 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 SO much success that many new churches were formed. 
 This itinerant spirit deserves the higher praise, as he 
 was at the same time engaged in educating several 
 young gentlemen of rank, and some ministers who 
 afterwards were distinguished in the church of Christ. 
 
 On the death of Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, the congre- 
 gation at Salter's-hall invited Mr. Tong to succeed 
 him. He entered on this important station, in 1704, 
 and was chosen one of the Tuesday lecturers. His 
 reputation and his usefulness increased ; he had one of 
 the largest and richest congregations in London, which 
 he improved to the best of purposes ; for they were 
 induced by his exhortations to make the greatest con- 
 tributions to aid the poor churches in the country. His 
 influence was also powerful among the higher classes, 
 and many who were not Dissenters, deemed themselves 
 honoured by his friendship, which he ever considered 
 a talent entrusted to him for the Redeemer's service. 
 In the disputes at Salter's-hall, he divided with those 
 who approved of subscribing to the doctrine of the 
 Trinity, and before this, had drawn up an introduction 
 to the work written by Mr. Robinson, Mr. Smith, and 
 Mr. Reynolds, entitled " The Doctrine of the ever- 
 blessed Trinity stated and defended." He was dis- 
 missed, by an easy death, to rest from his labours, 
 March 21, 1727, at the age of sixty-five. When in 
 his vigour, he was pronounced the prince of preachers ; 
 for his was the eloquence, which steals silently into the 
 heart, like flakes of falling snow. His reformation 
 sermon is, in point of composition, much superior to 
 his biography of Shower, or Matthew Henry, though 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 361 
 
 the latter is highly valuable for laying open to us the 
 soul of Henry himself, to the completion of whose 
 commentary he contributed by an exposition of the 
 ' epistle to the Hebrews. 
 
 THOMAS REYNOLDS. 
 
 He was the son of a pious citizen of London, who 
 enjoyed the inestimable advantage of being a member 
 of the church over which Mr. Howe watched. De- 
 signed for the law, Mr. Reynolds was sent to Oxford, 
 where he found his tutor so disagreeable, that he pre- 
 vailed with his father to remove him. On his return 
 to London, persecution compelled him to resort to the 
 establishment, where he derived so much benefit from 
 the ministry of one good man, that his whole character 
 was changed. He now wished above all things to 
 become a preacher of the Gospel, among the Non-con- 
 formists ; and when his father reminded him of what 
 he must endure, he declared " that he had counted the 
 cost, and if he might be successful in bringing one soul 
 to Jesus Christ, it would yield him more satisfaction than 
 thousands of gold and silver." Delightfully vanquished 
 by such a reply, the father placed him at the academy 
 of the learned Mr. Morton, at Newington-green, before 
 he was sixteen. 
 
 The threatening aspect of affairs induced several 
 young men to retire to Geneva, to which retreat they 
 were accompanied by Mr. Reynolds. Here they 
 attended the valuable lectures of Turretine, but Mr. 
 Reynolds was distressed with the deepest despondency 
 with regard to his own salvation, which would have 
 incapacitated him for study, had he not been effectually 
 
362 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 relieved b}^ the conversation of an excellent Christian, 
 who happened then to be at Geneva. He removed 
 from thence to the university of Utrecht, to enjoy the 
 instructions of the celebrated De Uries, professor of 
 philosophy, and of Witsius, who then filled the divinity 
 chair with deserved reputation. 
 
 On his return to London, Mr. Reynolds was imme- 
 diately announced as a superior preacher, so that he 
 was chosen to assist Mr. Howe, his former pastor. He 
 was one of those who were set apart at the first ordi- 
 nation among the Dissenters. But while highly valued 
 by Mr. Howe and liis respectable congregation, he 
 deemed it his duty to accept the invitation of a very 
 small church in Cannon-street, which had been recently 
 deprived of a pastor by the death of Mr. Thomas 
 Kentish, an ejected minister. His reward soon followed 
 him ; for his congregation so rapidly increased, that 
 in two years they removed to a new place of worship, 
 which they had obtained leave to build over the King's 
 Weigh-house, in Eastcheap. This must have been at 
 that time a mighty undertaking, and that it should 
 have been accomplished by a society which so lately 
 consisted of but seventeen men, is a striking proof of 
 Mr. Reynolds' success in his new sphere. He was 
 chosen one of the Friday-evening lecturers at the 
 Weigh-house, and was associated with those who 
 preached the merchants' lecture, on Tuesday mornings. 
 
 The Salters'-hall synod, however, involved IMr. Rey- 
 nolds, as well as many others, in trouble. JMr. James 
 Read, his assistant, being opposed to subscription, 
 which his colleague approved, the difference between 
 them was heightened by some suspicions of Mr. Read's 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 363 
 
 orthodoxy, which occasioned his dismission from the 
 Weigh-house, July 20, 17'20. This produced a pam- 
 phlet war, vexatious to Mr. Reynolds, who wished to 
 devote the ardour of his character to nobler purposes 
 than contention among brethren, and who was so much 
 affected by the trouble of his mind, that he became dan- 
 gerously ill. The absence of the shepherd was ungene- 
 rously improved by some, to entice away the flock, 
 who, however, were so faithfully attached to him, that 
 not more than a dozen followed Mr. Read, out of three 
 hundred members who composed the church. 
 
 He returned to his work with fresh vigour and suc- 
 cess, which continued to the end of his days ; for as 
 he had often prayed, with peculiar earnestness, that 
 he might not survive his usefulness, the last time he 
 appeared in public he administered the Lord's-supper, 
 with as much animation and fervour as he had ever 
 displayed. The reflections which had been thrown out 
 against him, for the part he took in the Arian contro- 
 versy, accompanied with insinuations that he repented 
 of his zeal for the doctrine of the Trinity, induced him 
 to pray that he might not die under a cloud, and thus 
 bring a dishonour upon Christ, or cast a stumbling- 
 block in the way of his people. Mr. Wood, his 
 assistant, who attended him in his last moments, re- 
 cords the manner in which God answered his prayers. 
 " I have been more than once with dying ministers, 
 but never saw more of God's gracious presence, or so 
 much of the light of his countenance. He exclaimed, 
 ' O the joys I feel ! My heavenly Father is carrying 
 me to heaven. I am going thither on a bed of roses.' 
 
364 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 He came to his happy end, August 25, 1727, aged 
 sixty. 
 
 In his will, made a few years before his death, he 
 says, " If Mr. Wood shall consent to preach a sermon, 
 and shall think fit to say anything of me, let it be no 
 more than this, — That not being able to do more good 
 was the greatest burden which attended me through 
 life ; and the incomprehensible infinite mercy of God, 
 through the Lord Jesus Christ, is my only refuge, my 
 chief support in the prospect of death." 
 
 DR. EVANS. 
 
 Dr. John Evans was born, about the year 1680, at 
 Wrexham, in Denbighshire. He was descended from 
 ministers for four generations, and only one link was 
 Avanting in the chain, up to the era of the reformation. 
 His father was minister at Wrexham, but was residing 
 at Oswestry, when the Act of Uniformity compelled 
 him to relinquish the office of master of the free school 
 in that town. His mother, who was daughter of Col. 
 Gerrard, governor of Chester Castle, was one of those 
 superior women who adorned the church of Christ at 
 that period. From under the care of Mr. Thomas 
 Rowe, he went to the seminary of Mr. Timothy Jollie. 
 After leaving the academy, he resided at the seat of 
 Rowland Hunt, Esq., in Shropshire, whose hospitable 
 mansion was the resort of many of the excellent of the 
 earth. In this delightful retirement, he performed the 
 herculean task of reading through the five ponderous 
 folios of Poole's Synopsis Criticorum. He afterwards 
 accepted an invitation to settle at Wrexham, where he 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 £65 
 
 was ordained, August 18, 1702, Matthew Henry assist- 
 ing in the service. 
 
 Dr. Williams, hearing that Mr. Evans was invited 
 to Dublin, sent for him to London, where he first 
 assisted the doctor, afterwards became co-pastor, and at 
 length succeeded him. Though differing in some 
 points, which they amicably debated, their union was 
 maintained with uninterrupted cordiality. Previously 
 to entering on his new charge. Dr. Evans spent a 
 whole week in devotional retirement. The time was 
 not lost, for the eminence of his religious and pastoral 
 character was exceedingly great, and his usefulness, in 
 many instances, extraordinary. He was several years 
 engaged in the Lord's- day-evening lecture at Salters'- 
 hall, and afterwards in the merchants' lecture there. 
 His congregation having much increased, they built 
 a larger meeting-house in New Broad- street. Petty 
 France, which was opened on the 14th of December, 
 1729. In the Arian controversy, he refused to sub- 
 scribe to any articles, but maintained the orthodox 
 sentiments. He was at this time engaged in a dispute 
 with Dr. John Cummin g, minister of the Scotch 
 church, London Wall, on the importance of Scripture 
 consequences, in which he acquired considerable repu- 
 tation. The two universities of Edinburgh and Aber- 
 deen sent him, in a very honourable manner, the un- 
 solicited diploma of doctor of divinity. 
 
 In the public services of the Dissenters he was often 
 called to preside, and was appointed to assist in com- 
 pleting Matthew Henry's commentary, of which he sup- 
 plied the notes on the epistle to the Romans so well, 
 that Dr. Doddridge says, " the exposition of the Ro- 
 
366 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 mans, begun by Henry, and finished by Dr. Evans, is 
 the best I ever saw." He was for some years preparing 
 to write a history of nonconformity, from the reforma- 
 tion to the civil wars, but by his death the wwk de- 
 volved on Mr. Neal. A complication of disorders 
 terminated in his death. May 16, 1730, when he was in 
 his fifty-first year. In his last illness, he said, " Though 
 I cannot affirm, as a late venerable minister among us 
 (Mr. W. Lorimer) a little before his death, that I have 
 no more doubt of my acceptance wdth God than I have 
 of my own existence ; yet I have a good hope through 
 grace, and such as I am persuaded will never make 
 me ashamed. This corruptible shall put on incorrup- 
 tion. O glorious hope !" His discourses on the Chris- 
 tian temper form one of the best practical treatises in 
 the English language. Of his sermons to young people. 
 Dr. Doddridge speaks highly ; and he who renders re- 
 ligion intelligible and lovely to the young, performs a 
 valuable service to the church of God. 
 
 DR. EDMUND CALAMY. 
 
 This eminent writer on the subject of dissent was 
 born in London, April 5, 1671, and descended from a 
 father and grandfather of the same name, the former of 
 whom was ejected from the parish of JMoreton, in Essex* 
 and the latter from the living of St. Mary, Alderman- 
 bury, London. He was placed at Merchant Tailors' 
 School, and obtained peculiar esteem from Mr. Hart- 
 clifFe, the master. He afterwards went to the academy 
 of Mr. Samuel Cradock, at Wickham Brook, in Suffolk, 
 wiiere he procured, by his talents and worth, the esteem 
 of several who afterwards rose to the highest posts in 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 367 
 
 the establishment. At seventeen years of age, he re- 
 moved to the university of Utrecht, and studied under 
 the celebrated professors De Uries and Graevius. His 
 application to learning was so eager, that he made it a 
 rule to spend a whole night every week in his study. 
 When Principal Carstairs was sent into Holland, in 
 quest of a person to fill a professor's chair in the uni- 
 versity of Edinburgh, the reputation of Dr. Calamy 
 procured him the offer which he declined. He returned 
 to England with recommendatory letters from Greevius 
 to Dr. Pocock, professor of Hebrew, and Dr. Bernard, 
 Savilian professor of astronomy, by whose means he 
 obtained leave to pursue his studies in the Bodleian 
 library. 
 
 After studying the controversy, he determined to 
 enter on the ministry among the Dissenters, and fre- 
 quently preached in the meeting-house at Oxford, and 
 in the villages around that city. In the year 1672, he 
 was invited to assist Mr. Matthew Sylvester, minister 
 of a Presbyterian congregation in Blackfriars, London ; 
 and two years after was ordained, with several others, 
 at Little St. Helens. He was chosen to assist Dr. 
 Williams, and elected one of the Tuesday lecturers at 
 Salter's-hall. Mr. Vincent Alsop being removed by 
 death from the congregation in Westminster, Dr. 
 Calamy was, in 1703, called to succeed him. Here he 
 saw among his hearers, persons of high rank, to whom 
 he delivered the truths of the Gospel with much ardour 
 and fidelity. The success of his labours rendered it 
 necessary to build a larger place of worship. 
 
 His reputation as a preacher called him forth on 
 many public occasions, and his publications induced 
 
368 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 several distinguished persons in Scotland to invite him 
 to that country, which he visited in 1709. He was 
 received with the highest marks of respect and esteem, 
 and was honoured by the universities of Aberdeen, 
 Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with the degree of doctor in 
 divinity. But the zeal and ability which endeared him 
 to the Dissenters, whose cause he pleaded, was accom- 
 panied with so much kindness and Catholicism, that he 
 was held in high esteem by many who were admirers 
 of the episcopal establishment. For this, indeed, the 
 writer of the London JManuscript seems to blame him, 
 observing, that he warmly opposes those whom he 
 terms narrow souls ; and wherever his diocese reaches, 
 encourages persons of great latitude." IMany eminent 
 men in different communions bewailed his death, which 
 happened on June 3, 1732, in the sixty-first year of 
 his age. His character may, in a great measure, be 
 learned from his works, which were numerous, and are 
 well known. 
 
 He published, in 1702, " An Abridgment of Bax- 
 ter's History of his Life and Times," with some addi- 
 tions, and "An Apology for the Nonconformists." 
 Shortly after, he answered Dr. Hoadley in a work, en- 
 titled, " A Defence of Moderate Nonconformity ;" of 
 which, in a little time, he published a second part, 
 which was, by so good a judge as Locke, pronounced 
 unanswerable. His " Nonconformist JMemorial," con- 
 taining notices of the two thousand ejected ministers, 
 has been, of course, attacked by zealous conformists, but 
 only to prove that it possesses more accuracy than could 
 reasonably have been expected. Rich in agreeable and 
 improving information, it possesses, beyond almost any 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 369 
 
 other uninspired volume, a tendency to produce the 
 heroic disposition of Moses to clioose sufferings with 
 the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures 
 of sin for a season. 
 
 His pen was not devoted solely to the cause of 
 Non-conformity, but was often employed to recommend 
 the doctrines or duties of religion. He published, in 
 1722, thirteen sermons on the Trinity, which were dedi- 
 cated to the king, who received them very favourably, 
 and ordered the author to be presented with a donation 
 of fifty pounds. The life of Mr. Howe, prefixed to the 
 folio edition of his works, was written by Dr. Calamy. 
 The numerous single sermons which he printed, evinced 
 his solicitude for the interests of religion, unconnected 
 with the peculiar tenets of any denomination. He left 
 behind him a manuscript, consisting of three volumes, 
 folio, entitled " A Historical Account of my own Life, 
 with some Reflections on the Times I have lived in." 
 
 SIMON BROWN. 
 
 Distinguished for his talents, he was even still more 
 interesting by the singularity of his afilictions. He 
 was born in 1680, at Shepton Mallet, in Somersetshire. 
 He early became an accomplished scholar, and began 
 to preach before he was twenty years of age. His 
 first pastoral charge was at Portsmouth, where, at that 
 time, a numerous congregation of Dissenters main- 
 tained the doctrines of the cross ; but he removed to 
 London in 1716, and became pastor of the church in 
 the Old Jewry, which highly esteemed his character, 
 and flourished under his care. 
 
 The death of his wife and only son, in 1722, gave 
 
 VOL. II. 2 B 
 
370 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 such a shock to his exquisite sensibility, that it has 
 been considered as the cause of his severe visitation, 
 for which, however, a different reason has been 
 assigned. A complete mental derangement, at first, 
 discovered all the violent symptoms of distraction, but 
 afterwards settled down into a most peculiar species of 
 melancholy. He not only abandoned for ever the 
 labours of the ministiy, but obstinately refused, even 
 when he appeared rational, to join in any exercise of 
 devotion, whether public or private. After his afflicted 
 friends had long urged him to tell the reason of a con- 
 duct so contrary to his former dispositions, he reluc- 
 tantly informed them that he had fallen under the 
 peculiar displeasure of God, who had caused his rational 
 soul gradually to perish, and left him only an animal 
 life, like that of the brutes ; that though he retained the 
 human shape, and a faculty of speaking in a manner 
 which appeared to others rational, yet he had, all the 
 while, no more notion of w^hat he said than a parrot ; 
 that it w^ould, therefore, be profane in him to pray, and 
 incongruous to be present at the prayers of others. 
 Viewing himself as divested of a human soul, he con- 
 ceived that he was no longer a moral agent, the proper 
 subject of either reward or punishment, and persisted 
 in this strain of thought and conversation till death dis- 
 pelled the illusion. 
 
 The congregation at the Old Jewry, having lost all 
 hopes of his recovery, chose Mr. Samuel Chandler to 
 his vacant charge. But they contributed three hun- 
 dred pounds to aid the fortune with which Mr. Brown 
 retired to Shepton Mallet. Here he lived seven 
 years, clinging to his melancholy persuasion of being 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 371 
 
 a mere brute in human form, while he displayed not 
 merely a rational soul, but one of a superior order, by 
 various works of taste, learning, and argument. For 
 his own amusement, he translated the Greek and Latin 
 poets into English verse, in which he has been followed 
 by Cowper, a brother in affliction, but a far greater 
 poet. He WTOte also books for the education of chil- 
 dren, and collected the themata of the Greek and Latin 
 tongues to facilitate the knowledge of the classics. 
 
 But he chastised the abuse of reason in others, as 
 well as proved its vigorous existence in himself, by two 
 works in defence of Christianity against the Deists. 
 The year before he died, he answered " Woolston's 
 fifth Discourse on the Miracles of our Saviour," in a 
 work, entitled " A Fit Rebuke for a Ludicrous Infidel, 
 with a preface concerning the prosecution of such 
 writers by the civil power." This answer is deemed 
 equal to any which Woolston received, and a fine ex- 
 emplification of the inspired precept, " answer a fool 
 according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own con- 
 ceit." The preface forms an excellent apology for the 
 freedom of the press. His life was to the last as use- 
 ful as it was melancholy ; for in the year in w^hich he 
 died, he produced his books against Tindal, entitled 
 " A Defence of the Religion of Nature and the Chi-is- 
 tian Revelation, against the defective Account of the 
 one and the Exceptions against the other," in a book 
 entitled, " Christianity as old as the Creation." The 
 Deistical controversy is said to have produced nothing- 
 superior to this volume, which was dedicated to Queen 
 Caroline, in such an address as his friends deemed it 
 necessary to suppress, lest it should prevent the suc- 
 
 2 B 2 
 
372 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 cess of the work. But Dr. William Harris, who 
 edited these two last works, recommended in an 
 advertisement the case of the author, under a deep and 
 peculiar melancholy, to the compassion and prayers of 
 every serious Christian. 
 
 Disliking to be seen, he obstinately refused to take 
 air or exercise, till he sunk under the influence of his 
 sedentary habits, at the close of the year 1753, when 
 he was about fifty-two years of age. He left several 
 daughters who were consoled by observing that, at the 
 close of life, he not only consented to allow, but even 
 requested prayers to be offered up for him. Might not 
 the useful and religious employment of his disordered 
 powers, in his last works against the Deists, have con- 
 tributed to this happy change ? And is it not to be 
 regretted, that Brown and Cowper, while under such 
 a cloud, each of them trembling at the rebukes of the 
 Almighty, should have spent the remnants of their in- 
 tellects on such pages as those of Homer ? Before 
 his illness, Mr. Brown published a volume of occasional 
 sermons, and another of hymns and spiritual songs, 
 with a very sensible preface, in which he prudently 
 disavows all intention of rivalling the sacred muse of 
 Dr. \^^atts. 
 
 Dr. HARRIS. 
 
 William Harris appears to have been born in London, 
 about the year 1675. In youth, he was a member, 
 together with Dr. Grosvenor, of a society of young 
 men, who met once a week for prayer and religious 
 conversation. It is conjectured that he studied under 
 Mr. Timothy Jollie, at AtterclifFe, but it is certain that 
 he was well taught in the learned languages, theology, 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 373 
 
 and philosophy. Though extremely diffident, he entered 
 the pulpit when very young, and was soon invited to 
 succeed Mr. Timothy Cruso, at Crutched Friars. His 
 friends were happy in being able to conquer his reluc- 
 tance to undertake this charge. Before his ordination, 
 he locked himself into the place where he was to 
 preach, and spent there a whole day, in fasting and 
 prayer, for the Divine blessing on his future labours. 
 The same modesty and seriousness, which he displayed 
 in entering on the work, induced him to prepare with 
 conscientious diligence for the pulpit, in which he 
 always appeared as " a scribe well instructed, rightly 
 dividing the word of truth." He was one of those who 
 preached the lecture on Friday evenings, at the Weigh- 
 house, to encourage psalmody ; and on the death of Mr. 
 Tong, Dr. Harris was chosen to be lecturer at Salter's- 
 hall. The alarm of popery having induced the dissent- 
 ing ministers to preach against the principal doctrines 
 of the church of Rome, he delivered a discourse against 
 transubstantiation. 
 
 He laboured as a faithful pastor for forty-two years, 
 at the end of which period, an illness of a few days re- 
 moved him to the abode of the blessed. May 25, 1740, 
 when he was sixty- live years of age. Dr. Grosvenor 
 preached his funeral sermon, with all the ardour of friend- 
 ship. He ranks him among those who have embellished 
 our language, of which he was deemed the greatest 
 master among the Dissenters. We should rather say 
 with Doddridge, " That his style is plain and easy, his 
 thoughts substantial, but seldom striking or uncommon; 
 nothing to blame, nor very much to admire." His 
 volume of ** Practical Discourses on the principal Re- 
 
374 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 presentations of the Messiah, throughout the Old Testa- 
 ment/' has been praised by Dr. Watts and many com- 
 petent judges. The works which he published amount 
 to nearly forty, but chiefly consist of sermons, except 
 the notes on the epistles to the Piiilippians and Colos- 
 sians, which pass under the name of INIatthew Henry, 
 being written to complete his commentary ; " A prac- 
 tical Illustration of the Books of Esther;" and the 
 prefaces of some works of Nathaniel Taylor, Dr. IVIan- 
 ton, and Mr. Howe, which he edited. He set a high 
 price upon biblical criticism, and made a valuable 
 collection of such authors as wrote on the sacred Scrip- 
 tures, which he bequeathed by will to Dr. Williams's 
 library. His private life was as exemplary as his 
 personal devotion would lead us to expect ; for he was 
 scarcely ever seen angry, or heard to speak to any one's 
 disadvantage. 
 
 DANIEL NEAL, 
 The first historian of those who dissented from the 
 establishment of our country, deserves honourable 
 mention in this history. Born in London, December 
 14, 1678, he was, in that stormy period, left, while 
 very young, an orphan, under the care of his maternal 
 uncle, who supplied a parent's place. At the age of 
 eight years, he studied at Merchant- Taylors' school, 
 where he refused the proffered exhibition to a college, 
 in order to take his lot among the Dissenters. He was 
 nearly twenty when he removed to the academy of Mr. 
 Thomas Rowe, and after three years, went to the Con- 
 tinent to study at the universities of Utrecht and Ley- 
 den. Returning to England, in 1703, in company with 
 the celebrated Lardner, he was soon chosen assistant 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 375 
 
 to Dr. John Singleton, pastor of a church in Alders- 
 gate-street, London, whom he succeeded. For thirty- 
 six years, he laboured, not only in the pulpit, but in the 
 parlour and the study, for the welfare of this flock, 
 which so increased under his care, that they were 
 obliged to remove to a larger edifice in Jewin-street. 
 
 Of the many hours spent in his study, some were 
 devoted to history, connected with the subject of dis- 
 sent, of which he was an ardent patron. This produced, 
 in 1720, " The History of New England; being an 
 Impartial Account of the Civil and Ecclesiastical 
 Affairs of the Country," in two volumes, octavo. 
 America rewarded him with the degree of A. M., the 
 highest which her colleges could confer. During the 
 same year, he defended the Dissenters from the reflec- 
 tions cast on them by Dr. Hare, Dean of Worcester, 
 in his visitation sermon, entitled " Church Authority 
 vindicated." 
 
 He next stepped forward to recommend to the world 
 the practice of inoculation for the small-pox, which, 
 being a novelty, was opposed by hosts of prejudices, 
 but by none so formidable as that Avhich represented it 
 as contrary to religion, and suggested that the devil 
 inoculated Job with this disease. Mr. Neal published 
 a narrative of the method and success of inoculating 
 for the small-pox in New England, which introduced 
 him to Caroline, Princess of Wales, whom he found in 
 her closet, reading " Fox's Martyrology." After dis- 
 cussing the merits of the new discovery, so interesting 
 to a mother, they conversed on the state of the Dis- 
 senters, both in Britain and New England. On the 
 entrance of the Prince, who joined their conversation. 
 
376 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 he was admitted to the honour of kissing hands. The 
 children of the royal family soon after received inocu- 
 lation, which was adopted by the nobility, and from 
 England was introduced into Germany. 
 
 Mr. Neal published, in 1732, the first volume of his 
 " History of the Puritans." Dr. John Evans had 
 laboured in preparing for the work, which he was to 
 have brought down to the year 1640, but at his death 
 the whole devolved on our historian. The praises of 
 Dissenters were not his only reward. The censures 
 of Dr. Maddox, Bishop of St. Asaph, afforded him an 
 opportunity of establishing his credit for temper in 
 controversy, as well as veracity in history. 
 
 In two popular lectures among the Dissenters, one 
 at Berry- street, on the principal doctrines and duties 
 of Christianity, and the other at Salter s-hall, against 
 popery, Mr. Neal took a part. But at length he fell, 
 like many other studious men, a martyr to excessive 
 confinement and mental exertion ; for, after much indis- 
 position, attended with severe pains in his head, and 
 depression of spirits, repeated strokes of palsy removed 
 him to a w^orld where " there shall be no pain," April 
 4th, 1743, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. 
 
 In his own family, his benevolent and devotional 
 spirit has rendered his memory grateful and salutary 
 to children's children. To his congregation he was 
 dear, as a faithful instructor, who, after forty years* 
 labours among them, was far from lingering upon a 
 field which he could no longer cultivate, but sought 
 to perpetuate his usefulness by providing a suitable 
 successor The dissenting churches valued him, not 
 only as their historian, but for his able and manly 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 377 
 
 assertion of their religious rights and privileges. His 
 usefulness among them is said to have been impeded 
 by withdrawing from those who subscribed to the doc- 
 trine of the Trinity * ; but, to every one who asked 
 him, he gave the most satisfactory assurances of his 
 agreement with the subscribers in that important truth. 
 He was, however, too deeply diseased with the epi- 
 demic of that generation which succeeded the last of 
 the Non-conformist ministers, a want of that vigorous 
 tension of mind and heart, ^vhich should give striking 
 evangelical precision to pastoral instruction, and rouse 
 the languid feelings of men to a due solicitude for their 
 eternal interests. The basis of Mr. Neal's celebrity is 
 the History of the Puritans/' He published several 
 minor works, chiefly sermons. 
 
 DR. SAMUEL WRIGHT. 
 
 Dr. Wright, who was born January 3, 1683, was 
 the eldest son of the Rev. James Wright, of Retford, in 
 Nottinghamshire ; but, losing both his parents when 
 very young, he was educated under the care of his 
 grandmother and maternal uncle. He studied for the 
 ministry under Mr. Jollie, where the religious impres- 
 sions which he had received very early were revived, 
 and happily terminated in an effectual change of heart. 
 Having finished his studies, he became chaplain in 
 several distinguished families. Invited to assist Dr. 
 Grosvenor, he resigned his other employments. The 
 great pains which he took in preparing for the pulpit 
 attracted many hearers, and soon opened to him a more 
 important sphere of usefulness ; for on the death of 
 * MS. Penes nos. 
 
378 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 IMr. Matthew Silvester, he was, in 1707, chosen pastor 
 of the vacant church in Blackfriars. The society, 
 Avhich he found very small, so increased under his 
 ministry, that they were obliged more than once to 
 enlarge their place of worship, and at last were enabled 
 to erect a very superior building in Carter-lane. For 
 thirty- eight years, he preached here to a numerous, 
 serious, and affectionate audience ; while, from among 
 the croAvds who were attracted by his eloquence, consi- 
 derable additions were constantly made to the church. 
 Shortly after his settlement at Blackfriars, he married 
 the widow of his predecessor, who was grand-daughter 
 of Mv. George Hughes, of Plymouth, by whom he had 
 one daughter. He was chosen one of the lecturers at 
 Salter's-hall and at Little St. Helens. 
 
 In the Arian controversy, he refused to subscribe to 
 any declaration of faith ; for he was an impassioned 
 friend of liberty, which induced him to take a part in 
 the periodical work entitled " The Occasional Paper." 
 His abhorrence of high-church and tory principles was 
 perhaps inflamed by the injury which he received from 
 Sacheverel's mob, who, in 1709, gutted, according to 
 their favourite phrase and practice, his meeting-house 
 in Blackfriars. As a testimony of the esteem enter- 
 tained for his learning and abilities, he received from 
 Scotland the diploma of D.D. The London manu- 
 script observes, that the doctor's assistant, Mr. New- 
 man, being far gone in Arminianism, and he a zealous 
 Calvinist, the sermon in the afternoon contradicts that 
 in the morning." 
 
 In the midst of health, he used often to say, he could 
 Avith as much composure die, at the command of God, 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 379 
 
 as he could lie down at night ; and in his last illness he 
 often exclaimed, " O that thou wouldest give thy ser- 
 vant leave to die ! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly." 
 He obtained his wish, April 3, 1746, aged sixty-four. 
 He was so much admired as a preacher, that it is said, 
 Dr. Herring, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, 
 frequently went to hear him, to learn from him a just 
 elocution. He also excelled, to a high degree, in prayer. 
 He was censured for being haughty, but was exceed- 
 ingly liberal to the poor*, and a flame of fire in the 
 cause of religion. He printed thirty- seven single ser- 
 mons, at the importunate request of those who had 
 heard them preached. His practical works are in the 
 highest degree important and useful, fully answering 
 the noble ambition which he expressed in the preface 
 to his " Treatise on the Deceitfulness of Sin." " I had 
 rather be the author of the small book that shall be 
 instrumental to save a soul from sin and death, than of 
 the finest piece of science and literature, that tends only 
 to accomplish men for the present state of being." Dr. 
 Doddridge says his treatise on being born again, is 
 one of the most useful published in that age." His 
 book, entitled ' Self Possession,' is one of the best 
 pieces of Christian philosophy that ever was printed, 
 and his * Great Concern' is much preferable to ' The 
 Whole Duty of Man.' " 
 
 * His charity was conducted upon rule ; for which purpose he kept a 
 purse in which was found this remarkable memorandum. " Something 
 from all the money I receive to be put into this purse for charitable uses. 
 — From my salary as minister, which is uncertain, a tenth part — from 
 occasional and extraordinary gifts, which are more uncertain, a twentieth 
 part — from copy money of things I print, and interest of my estate, a 
 seventh part." — Wilson s History of Dissenting Churches in London. 
 
380 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ISAAC WATTS, D. D. 
 
 The eminent divines, hitherto recorded, owed their 
 celebrity to their theological productions ; but Watts is 
 a name familiar to the literary world, as a poet, meta- 
 physician, teacher of logic, and cultivator of elegant 
 literature. He was born July 17, 1674, at Southamp- 
 ton, where his father kept an academy. As Mr. Watts 
 was deacon of the dissenting church, it is probable, that 
 his attachment to the principles of Non-conformity drew 
 upon him the fury of the storm which then raged, for 
 he was immured in prison. The mother of the cele- 
 brated divine, who inherited the heroism of many of the 
 female Puritans, evinced her attachment to her injured 
 partner, by sitting on a stone near the prison door, 
 suckling her son. In him heaven repaid their suffer- 
 ings on account of the Gospel ; for his father, who die( 
 in 1736, in a good old age, enjoyed the happinesf 
 indulged to few, of living to see his son eminent foi 
 literature, and venerable for piety." His mother, who 
 was accustomed to excite the poetic exertions of hei 
 husband's scholars, after school hours, by the promise 
 of a farthing, received the first indication of her son's 
 genius in the following couplet : — 
 
 *♦ I write not for a farthinp:, but to try 
 How I your farthing writers can outvie." 
 
 At four years of age^ he began to learn Latin, and 
 at seven, he composed hymns. He was early placed 
 with Mr. Pinhorne, a clergyman, who was master of 
 the Free-school at Southampton, under whom he studied 
 Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, with so much success, that 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 381 
 
 he became the idol of the tutor, whose praises he has 
 handed down to posterity in an elegant Latin ode. It 
 is not surprising that Dr. Speed, a physician, and other 
 friends at Southampton, should offer to support at the 
 university this child of genius ; but that a youth so 
 flattered should resist the temptation, and declare his 
 resolution to take his lot among the persecuted Non- 
 conformists, was a triumph of principle, which demands 
 the admiration of those who may differ from him in 
 judgment. " Such he was," says Dr. Johnson, " as 
 every Christian church would rejoice to have adopted." 
 
 At the age of sixteen, he went to the seminary of 
 Mr. Rowe. Here he was, for his exemplary conduct, 
 proposed to the students as an object of pious imitation, 
 and his successful diligence in theological and scientific 
 pursuits, as well as in sacred poetry, furnished a sti- 
 mulus to the companions of his studies, among whom 
 he reckoned Hughes the poet, and Dr. Hort, arch- 
 bishop of Tuam. The pure and humble spirit of re- 
 ligion, which too many have lost in the ardour of study, 
 he retained undiminished, and at the age of nineteen, 
 entered into the communion of the church of which Mr. 
 Rowe was pastor. He soon after retired, for two years, to 
 his father's house at Southampton, where, on complain- 
 ing of the psalms sung by the Dissenters, his father 
 desired him to try if he could compose better. The 
 success of his first attempt produced a request for more, 
 till, before he was two and twenty, he had composed a 
 volume, which has furnished thousands of private Chris- 
 tians with exquisite pleasure and improvement, and 
 rendered this part of worship among Dissenters supe- 
 rior to any thing before known in the Christian church. 
 
382 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 From the paternal roof he removed to Stoke Nevv- 
 ington, near London, to reside with Sir John Hartopp, 
 as tutor to his son. During his residence here, he 
 preached his first sermon, on his birth-day, when he 
 completed his twenty-fourth year. This first entrance 
 into the pulpit Avas immediately followed by his election 
 to the office of assistant to Dr. Chauncey, pastor of the 
 Independent church which then met in Mark-lane, but 
 afterwards in Berry-street, whom he succeeded in the 
 pastoral office, on the same day in which King ^\^illiam 
 died. His infirm health soon called for the assistant 
 labours of Mr. Samuel Price ; and when the increase 
 of his disorder laid him aside from public labours, for 
 four years, Sir Thomas Abney invited him to his house, 
 where he was soothed by the kindest attentions, for six 
 and thirty years. He was frequently obliged to retire 
 to bed in a dark room, after preaching, and often unable 
 to preach at all ; but he endeavoured to benefit his flock 
 by publishing sermons for their use. By this means 
 his literary reputation soon spread beyond his own 
 country, and produced him the acquaintance of learned 
 foreigners, as well as the diploma of D. D. from the 
 universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen. As he ad- 
 vanced in years, his increasing infirmities more entirely 
 incapacitated him for the duties of the pastoral office, 
 which he would, with its emoluments, have resigned, 
 but his flock refused, in a delicate and generous man- 
 ner, to accept his resignation. 
 
 He was, indeed, such a pastor, as a Christian church 
 should highly prize. His zeal for the Redeemer's 
 glory preferred the office of a minister of the Gospel, to 
 every other under heaven, and preserved him from the 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 383 
 
 sin of many who, without his literary eminence, suffer- 
 ing their hearts to be divided between Zion and Heli- 
 con, the reveries of Plato and the oracles of God, fall 
 far below the usefulness of the rude, unlettered preacher, 
 whose whole soul is in the work. Watts brought into 
 the sanctuary a taste undebauched by the blandish- 
 ments of profane literature, and could say to his charge, 
 " there is no place, no company, nor employment under 
 heaven, that can give me such delight, as when I stand 
 ministering holy things in the midst of you." In the 
 same spirit he used to declare, " I would rather have 
 been the author of Baxter's Call to the Unconverted, 
 than of the Paradise Lost." The catechisms he com- 
 posed for children, the attention he paid to private pas- 
 toral duties, and the fidelity with which he declared the 
 whole counsel of God, gave him an indisputable claim 
 to the character of a good steward of the mysteries of 
 God. 
 
 The disorder on his nerves, which impeded the la- 
 bours of his life, was peculiarly trying to his ardent 
 mind, and dictated many a pathetic verse, in which he 
 expostulates with his soul under the pressure of his 
 disease, and the dread of unprofitableness. This melan- 
 choly state of debility, wdiich he attributes in great 
 measure to midnight studies, has been said to have pro- 
 duced effects bordering on insanity; but the story, 
 however current, is contradicted by the decided testi- 
 mony of his biographer, to which are added that of Dr. 
 Watts' amanuensis, and the declarations of Sir Thomas 
 Abney's family. He escaped from his accumulated in- 
 firmities by a peaceful death November 25, 1748, in 
 the seventy-fifth year of his age. 
 
384 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The estimate of his character, as a Christian, a di- 
 vine, and a poet, might claim more space than this 
 work could afford. The personal religion which 
 breathes in his psalms and hymns has produced, in 
 many an eminent Christian, the blush of conscious 
 inferiority ; while the ascendency of the devotional 
 spirit, amidst the abstractions of metaphysics, the cold 
 discussions of logic, or the reveries of poetry, has given 
 to everything he touched a tinge of piety, and induced 
 Dr. Johnson to say_, " he converted philosophy into a 
 handmaid of religion." He was not, however, without 
 imperfections. Among these, it will scarcely be our 
 duty to mention his natural propensity to anger, since 
 religion so completely triumphed over it, as to render 
 him habitually meek and forgiving. But it was his 
 unhappines to be enamoured of his own discoveries, so 
 that he cherished, with vanity unperceived by himself, 
 certain theological tenets, not because they were true, 
 but because they were novel, and his own. The tale 
 which has been industriously circulated, of his aban- 
 doning the orthodox creed, at the close of life, may be 
 confuted by the best testimonies. In a letter, written 
 when he was advanced beyond his seventieth year, he 
 praises Doddridge's " Rise and Progress of Religion 
 in the Soul," pronounces the highest eulogiums on the 
 author, as " a hearty believer of the great doctrines of 
 the reformed church" (which, being addressed to a 
 clergyman on the Continent, must mean the Calvinistic 
 church), and closes by declaring, " if Providence would 
 permit me to commit a second part of my life and use- 
 fulness to any man. Dr. Doddridge should be the man." 
 A few months before his death, he said to a friend. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 385 
 
 " I remember an aged minister used to observe, that 
 the most learned and knowing Christians, when they 
 come to die, have only the same plain promises of the 
 Gospel for their support as the unlearned, and so I find 
 it." From the sentiments of the persons who were 
 around him to the last, and the testimony they have 
 given to the continuance of the same state of mind in 
 which they had ever known him, it is evident that no 
 change had taken place in his views with regard to the 
 great foundation of his eternal hopes. 
 
 As a divine. Dr. Watts appears to most advantage 
 in his sermons. He was prevented from attaining the 
 highest excellence, in any one department, by dividing 
 his powers in many different pursuits. On some theo- 
 logical questions, he seems disposed to talk where he 
 has but little to say, and to grapple with difficulties, 
 of which he has no solution to offer. The subject of 
 liberty and necessity, he meets like a general unable 
 to fight, and unwilling to retreat ; so that, adopting a 
 middle course, he encounters the difficulties of both the 
 opposing systems, without the advantages of either ; 
 maintaining, that, where the understanding is able to 
 decide, it guides the will, which, in all other cases, and 
 these are supposed to be numerous, is left to determine 
 itself 
 
 In his " Ruin and Recovery of Mankind," Watts has 
 indeed formed a rare union of prudence and boldness, 
 and given the outlines of a scheme which, in all its 
 essential parts, harmonizes with the sacred Scriptures, 
 and is armed at every point against the attacks of in- 
 fidelity. His writings on the Trinity establish that 
 important doctrine on its true basis — divine revelation ; 
 
 VOL. 11. 2 C 
 
386 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 though they betray a propensity to speculate upon the 
 7nodiis of the Trinity, against which he had himself 
 wisely protested. This tendency to philosophise upon 
 matters of pure revelation, forms, indeed, the chief fault 
 in the doctor's writings, and may be traced to his con- 
 nexion with the philosophers and literati of the day, 
 whose suffrage to his sentiments he was desirous to 
 gain. Like a true poet, he shines most in works of 
 imagination, as his discourses on the future state will 
 testify ; but as an eminent Christian, all his works 
 show that his imagination was his servant, and not his 
 master. That he should have excelled in the opposite 
 department of logic is no common praise ; nor should 
 we omit to mention, that his treatise on that subject 
 was employed as the text-book at the universities. 
 The style of Watts is praised by Dr. Johnson, at the 
 expense of all his predecessors among the Dissenters ; 
 but that eminent critic was not aware that Howe and 
 Bates had long before furnished the Dissenters with 
 more elegant sentences than are to be found in the 
 works of the poet ; and that Grosvenor, the contem- 
 porary of Watts, surpassed him in the charms of pulpit 
 eloquence. 
 
 It is, however, as a poet that Dr. Watts is most 
 generally known and admired; for he unquestionably 
 was the Coryphaeus, who led the way to the modern 
 excellence of sacred poetry. If the imitation, to which 
 he furnished the incitement, may have produced single 
 pieces superior to any of his own, his psalms and 
 hymns, as a whole, are still without an equal, or a 
 second. Many of his psalms, however, are beneath 
 him, and induce the reader of the English prose ver- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 387 
 
 sion, much more the admirer of the Hebrew poetry, to 
 long for something less inferior to the sweet singer of 
 Israel. Yet, in other psalms. Watts has scarcely left 
 us anything further to desire ; for his versions of the 
 fifty-first are the language of repentance incarnate. 
 His lyric poems show what he could have done, had 
 he, like Pope, lived only for poetry and fame ; and his 
 hymns for children, which have a more extensive sale 
 than any other work in the English language, have 
 brought down the sublime truths of religion to millions 
 of infant minds, and inspired them vrith the earliest 
 attachment to the best of beings *. 
 
 DR. DODDRIDGE. 
 
 Philip Doddridge has a double claim upon our notice, 
 as an eminent minister of the Gospel, and as a distin- 
 guished tutor, the guide of the studies of many who 
 afterwards adorned the ministry of the Gospel, or ranked 
 among the literati of theijr day. He was born in Lon- 
 don, June 26, 1702, of parents who could trace up their 
 pedigree to the great, but preferred the honour of de- 
 scent from the confessors for Christ. This son was, at 
 his birth, laid out for dead, but one of the attendants, 
 thinking she perceived some motion, cherished the vital 
 flame, which was destined to be a burning and shining 
 light. His parents, who had not degenerated from the 
 piety of their forefathers, were anxious to transmit the 
 inestimable inheritance to their child, who soon learned 
 the Scripture history from his mother's lectures on the 
 Dutch tiles in the fire-place, and received from her lips 
 indelible impressions of religion. Deprived of them 
 
 * Dr. Gibbon's Life of Walts. 
 
 2 C 2 
 
388 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 both, at a time when the loss was most severe, he was 
 placed at a school which his maternal grandfather had 
 fonnerly taught, and in 1715, was under the tuition of 
 Mr. Nathaniel Wood, at St. Albans, where Dr. Samuel 
 Clark, the dissenting minister, hearing that the person 
 to whom the patrimony of young Doddridge was en- 
 trusted, had dissipated his own property and that of his 
 ward, generously undertook to support him during his 
 education. 
 
 Into the communion of the church under the pastoral 
 care of his patron and friend he was admitted, February 
 1, 1718, on which he made in his diary some very 
 serious reflections. The same year, he retired to the 
 house of his sister, to consider of his future course in 
 life. The Duchess of Bedford, having, by means of 
 some family connexions, become acquainted with his 
 character and circumstances, kindly offered to support 
 him at the university, if he chose to be educated for the 
 church ; but as the voice of conscience forbade him to 
 avail himself of her benevolence, he waited on Dr. 
 Edmund Calamy, to beg his advice and assistance, 
 in entering on the ministry among Dissenters, in 
 which, however, he received from him no encom-age- 
 ment. He made the best improvement of the disap- 
 pointment, and having, shortly after, received an advan- 
 tageous offer of an introduction into the profession of 
 the law, he devoted one morning to ask counsel of 
 heaven, when, in the midst of his prayers, the postman 
 brought a letter from Dr. Clark, offering to assist him 
 in entering into the ministry among Dissenters. " This 
 I looked upon," he says, " almost as an answer from 
 heaven." 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 389 
 
 After a short, but instructive residence with his 
 patron, he went to the academy of Mr. John Jennings. 
 He entered on his public labours July 22, 1722, when 
 he was just twenty years of age, and preached his first 
 sermon at Hinckley, from the apostolic sentence, " If 
 any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be 
 anathema maranatha." He was afterwards much en- 
 couraged and affected, on learning that this first essay 
 was rendered the means of conversion to two persons. 
 Though invited to a superior situation, at Coventry, he 
 modestly preferred to settle at Kibworth, a village 
 where he might at once teach and learn. " His fa- 
 vourite authors (says Orton) were Tillotson, Baxter, 
 and Howe.'* To some of these w^e may trace the excel- 
 lencies of Doddridge as a preacher, to others his faults 
 as a divine. There were, indeed, at this period, several 
 things in his religion to which, in a more detailed re- 
 view, we should think it our duty to object; while his 
 diary discloses such an inspection of his own heart, his 
 studies and his labours in the ministry, as would lead a 
 candid censor to augur the final excellence of his cha- 
 racter, both as a Christian and a minister. 
 
 In October, 1725, to enjoy the company of the in- 
 valuable Mr. David Some, minister of Market Har- 
 borough, he removed to that town, but continued to 
 preach at Kibworth, till 1729, when he became as- 
 sistant to Mr. Some, and preached alternately at both 
 places. This was a change highly advantageous to 
 Doddridge ; for he found in his colleague " all the 
 goodness he could have expected from a father, and 
 received from him greater assistance than from any 
 person, except Dr. Clark, in the affair of his education ; 
 
390 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 for Mr. Some was one of the brightest ornaments of the 
 Gospel and the ministry which the age produced." 
 
 While in this retired situation, the report of his 
 eminent worth brought him several invitations to settle 
 in London, Nottingham, and other places of superior 
 importance ; but he resisted them all, and was not in- 
 duced to extend the sphere of his labours, till he was 
 advised to enter upon the work of tutor to a seminary 
 for the ministry. To this, Mr. Jennings had led the 
 way ; for he had often urged him to keep in view the 
 improvement of his academical lectures, and to study in 
 such a manner as to enrich them. Doddiidge did not 
 then suspect, what he afterwards learned, that Mr. 
 Jennings pronounced him the most likely person to 
 perfect the schemes which eight years employed in the 
 work of tutor had allowed him only to commence. 
 Perhaps it was under the same secret influence, that 
 Doddridge had been induced to draw up a plan of 
 education for the ministry which, when shown to Dr. 
 Watts, induced him and other friends to solicit the 
 author to put it into execution. He commenced 
 the labours of this important office at Harborough, 
 in the summer of the year 1729, with only two or 
 three students, as his diffidence would not admit of 
 more. 
 
 In the following year, he was induced to accede to 
 the repeated invitations of the church at Northampton, 
 to become their pastor, and was ordained March 19. 
 His secret devotions on this, as on every other im- 
 portant occasion, Orton has transcribed from his diary, 
 and thus at once placed Doddridge high in the esteem 
 of every friend to the devotion of the heart, and ren- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 391 
 
 dered his memoirs one of the most edifying books in 
 the English language. 
 
 His reputation as a tutor drew considerable numbers 
 to his seminary. His assistants were respectable scho- 
 lars, and some of them eminent in the literary world ; 
 as the names of Job Orton, Dr. Aikin, and Robertson, 
 professor of oriental literature in the university of Edin- 
 burgh, will sufficiently evince. Some of our readers may 
 learn with surprise^ that not much more than half the 
 number of his students became ministers ; but several 
 who were designed for the ministry died while in their 
 studies, and some gentlemen's sons went to prepare 
 themselves, as in a college, for any situation to which 
 they might be called. Orton attributes to this latter 
 circumstance some evils in the academy, which he says 
 Doddridge himself lamented and wished to rectify ; but 
 Kippis is of a different opinion. The true source of 
 the evils, indeed, was not the intermixture of persons 
 intended for different professions, but the admission of 
 young men who were destitute of the grace of God ; for 
 though there is no infection in laymen, there is in un- 
 regenerate sinners, and when these become ministers, 
 there is no pest so deadly. 
 
 This inattention to the genuine religion of the 
 youths, which we should call the original sin of the 
 institution, poisoned Doddridge's lectures ; for they 
 seem to proceed too much on the idea that the mind 
 of the student was a perfect tabula rasa, destitute of 
 sentiments or prepossessions. Had this been the case, 
 we could not approve of the tutors furnishing them 
 with the wrong, as well as the right, in theology, error 
 as well as truth, and then calling them to make their 
 
392 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 election. If such conduct be defended under the name 
 of liberality, would it not be still more liberal to admit 
 persons who were yet speculating whether Christianity, 
 Deism, or Atheism were most consistent wdth truth ? 
 But, if the advocates for the spurious liberality which 
 perverted the seminary at Northampton, deem it proper 
 to require that a candidate for the Christian ministry 
 should himself be a Christian, the question then recurs, 
 what constitutes a Christian, and each one is justified 
 in requiring that which he deems essential to real 
 Christianity. In fact, if there is no essential difference 
 in sentiments, truth is not important, and free inquiry 
 is worthless. But if truth be regarded as essential to 
 religion, error must be viewed as impious and fatal, 
 which leaves no other way to combine the interests of 
 liberality and piety, but that each communion should 
 form ministers of their own sentiments, and leave to 
 those who differ from them the same liberty. The 
 plan which Dr. Kippis applauds, as forming the glory 
 of Doddridge's seminary, to receive young men without 
 sentiments, to give opposite doctrines an equal chance, 
 and then send forth some to preach Calvinism and others 
 Socinianism, is liberality in a state of derangement. 
 
 Six years after his marriage and settlement at North- 
 ampton, he received, from the Marischal college, 
 Aberdeen, the diploma of D.D. His diligence is suffi- 
 ciently attested by his various duties, and his numerous 
 publications ; but at length his honourable course was 
 arrested, when his friends hoped that he was yet in the 
 midst of his race. He went, in 1750, to St. Albans, 
 to preach a funeral sermon for his friend and father. 
 Dr. Clark, when he caught a cold which brought him 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 393 
 
 to tlie grave. Though his physicians and friends 
 advised him to desist from preaching, for the recovery 
 of his health, they observed that his increasing ardour 
 rendered him indifferent to the alarms of disease, and 
 gave indications of approaching glory. " He seemed 
 to be above the world/* says Orton, " and was daily 
 breathing after immortality.*' To his friends he wrote, 
 " I bless God, earth is less and less to me, and I shall 
 be very glad to have done with it, as soon as my 
 Master shall give me leave." His last services in the 
 church of Northampton were like the words of a 
 herald of mercy returning to Him that sent him. While 
 he was spending a few weeks at Shrewsbury, he re- 
 ceived a letter from some friends in London, filled 
 with so eloquent expressions of affectionate esteem for 
 his character, and sorrow in the prospect of his de- 
 parture, that it was apprehended he would have sunken 
 under the impressions it produced. 
 
 Having tried in vain the Hot Wells, near Bristol, 
 he was prevailed on to undertake a voyage to Lisbon. 
 He at first hesitated, on account of the expense, which 
 his disinterested course of life had left him unable to 
 bear ; but the God whom he had served, to the neglect 
 of all mercenary pursuits, kindly appeared for him, by 
 raising up friends in the time of need. On the voyage, 
 he said to Mrs. Doddridge, " I cannot express to you 
 what a morning I have had. Such delightfiil and 
 transporting views of the heavenly world is my Father 
 now indulging me with^ as no words can express." 
 At his first arrival, the air of Lisbon produced a tran- 
 sient gleam of hope, which again vanished, and on the 
 
394 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 21st of October, 1751, he reached the haven for which 
 he sighed, in the fiftieth year of his age. 
 
 That a man who lived no longer, should have done 
 so much, is a sufficient proof of that diligent improve- 
 ment of his talents, which was his characteristic ex- 
 cellence. This has been said to be shaded by a pro- 
 pensity to tell of the bustle in which he lived. Yet 
 we are disposed to attribute the fault to a more amiable 
 cause than vanity ; for the benevolence of his heart 
 refused to avail itself of the privileges of a great man, by 
 openly resisting the demands which w^ere often made 
 upon his time ; so that he had no other resource than 
 frequently to display the multiplicity of his engage- 
 ments. He cannot be said to have been endued w^ith 
 genius in the highest sense, nor was his learning very 
 profound, though it was extensive, rendering him re- 
 spectable rather than eminent. He may be pronounced 
 one of those Avho have made the most of themselves, 
 in the best sense, raising their talents by faithful im- 
 provement to the first rank of usefulness. As a 
 Christian, he held such intercourse with God, as is not 
 only incompatible with unfaithfulness in the minister, 
 but rendered the preacher the delight of the zealous, 
 and exposed him to the censure of the lukewarm. He 
 was the soul of every association for religious purposes, 
 in the country where he resided ; for his heart was too 
 large to be confined to Northampton. He was not 
 equally excellent as a divine ; for a mistaken candour 
 often destroyed precision of sentiment, and energy of 
 expression. The bias of his own soul, however, was 
 decidedly towards evangelical truth, and though Dr. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 395 
 
 Kippis praises his early sermons, as less Calvinistic 
 than his latter productions, Doddridge himself said, if 
 ever he had been supposed to lean towards heterodox 
 sentiments, it was between the years 1723 and 1730. 
 It affords pleasure to reflect that he was more evan- 
 gelical and Calvinistic as he advanced in years ; and 
 the regret which some have expressed at his orthodoxy, 
 will serve to reconcile others to what they had blamed 
 as not sufliciently decided. 
 
 His publications are deficient in vigour, nor can they 
 be said to evince that exuberance of original thought 
 which forces on the reader the profitable labour of 
 thinking. Yet they are always serious, respectable, and 
 useful. The " Exposition of the New Testament," 
 which is his principal performance, must have cost him 
 much; for he has interwoven a new translation into 
 his paraphrase, and been unsparing of the labour which 
 the harmony of the evangelists requires. The improve- 
 ments are not ingenious, but devotional, and sometimes 
 dull, sometimes ardent; while his notes frequently 
 furnish valuable criticisms. The first excellence of an 
 expositor, a clear perception of the mind of the Spirit 
 which inspired the Scriptures, presented in language 
 which renders it impossible to be misapprehended or 
 overlooked, must not be ascribed to Doddridge. He 
 often attempts to include so many senses, that he vir- 
 tually gives none. His sermons are judicious, calcu- 
 lated to edify, rather than produce Christians, but 
 always aiming at the benefit of the audience, not the 
 display of the preacher. " The Rise and Progress of 
 Religion in the Soul," is a book of such excellencies 
 and defects, as render it equally hazardous to praise 
 
396 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 or blame. The author has worked well upon a bad 
 plan, and though the man who did not understand the 
 religion of the Gospel, would be in some danger of 
 forming a false notion of it from this book, one who 
 already understands it, must be eminent indeed if he 
 find not the perusal greatly to his advantage. Dr. 
 Doddridge claims a place, if not the highest, among 
 sacred poets. Some of his hymns are superlatively ex- 
 cellent, and his epigram on the motto of his family arms, 
 is pronounced, by Dr. Johnson, the best in the English 
 language. 
 
 MOSES LOWMAN. 
 His father was educated at Cambridge for the ministry, 
 but afterwards betook himself to a secular employ- 
 ment. This son, who was born in 1680, was designed 
 for the bar, but left the inns of court to study theology 
 for the Dissenting ministry. With this view, he went 
 over to Holland, in 1699, and spent some years under 
 the tuition of De Uries and Witsius, the one eminent 
 as a metaphysician, the other as a divine. On his re- 
 turn to England, he was, in 1710, chosen assistant to 
 Mr. Grace, minister of a Presbyterian congregation at 
 Clapham. Being ordained pastor of the flock, he con- 
 tinued in this situation, till within a few weeks of his 
 death, which took place, in 1752^ in the seventy-third 
 year of his age. Dr. Chandler, who preached liis 
 funeral sermon, says, " His morals and integrity were 
 unblameable. Here neither calumny could defame, 
 and suspicion herself had nothing to suggest. He 
 lived honoured, useful, and beloved. He met his dis- 
 solution with a well-grounded comfort and hope." 
 Mr. Lowman was a man of considerable abilities. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 397 
 
 who by incessant study amassed an ample treasure 
 both of divine and human literature. He appeared 
 as an advocate for Christianity against Collins, the 
 Deist, in a small treatise, entitled " The Argument 
 from Prophecy in proof that Jesus is the Messiah 
 vindicated," in which he stated with great ability the 
 evidence from prophecy in favour of the Gospel of 
 Christ. His " Dissertation on the Civil Government 
 of the Hebrews," which he composed in answer to the 
 objections of Morgan against the Jewish dispensation, 
 is a very valuable work. The same character is justly 
 due to his " Rationale of the Ritual of the Hebrew 
 Worship." He gained also a large portion of well- 
 earned fame, by his Paraphrase and Notes on the 
 Revelation of St. John." A few single sermons 
 appeared from his pen. Great praise is given to a 
 small piece published without his name, entitled " An 
 Argument to prove the Unity and Perfection of God 
 a priori!' A volume containing three tracts was pub- 
 lished by his friends after his death. 
 
 While Mr. Lowman claims a high degree of com- 
 mendation as a writer, there is none due to him as a 
 preacher. An intelligent man, who w^as his constant 
 hearer, declared that he could never understand him. 
 In the few sermons w^hich he published, there is some- 
 thing remarkably awkw^ard, rugged, and clumsy, and 
 very little calculated to attract the attention of an audi- 
 ence. It is painful to be obliged to find fault with 
 a man who is an able writer, because he is a bad 
 preacher, but for such a fault severe reprehension is 
 due. If the strength of the person's mind is given ^ 
 to his writings ; and his discourses for the pulpit are 
 
398 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 prepared in a hurried and slovenly manner, can it be 
 said that he watches for souls as one that must give an 
 account ? 
 
 DR. FOSTER. 
 
 This divine, whose name is familiar to all who are 
 acquainted Avith the history of pulpit oratory, was a 
 native of Exeter. His grandfather was a clergyman, 
 at Kettering, in Northamptonshire, but his father, 
 who was a fuller, became a Dissenter, by means of an 
 uncle. This son was born, September 16, 1697, and 
 sent, at five years of age, to the free school in Exeter, 
 of which he became the ornament and glory. He re- 
 moved to the academy of the elder Mr. Hallet, and 
 began to preach, with great applause, in the year 1718. 
 In the controversy which then unhappily raged, he 
 adopted the Arian creed, though he at last settled in 
 what may be denominated low Socinianism. Accord- 
 ing to the strange practice of those days, he was invited 
 by an orthodox congregation at Milborne Port, in 
 Somersetshire, to be their pastor ; but his sentiments 
 soon proved so disagreeable to them, that he withdrew 
 to an obscure retreat under the Mendip Hills. While 
 here, he preached to two poor congregations, of which 
 the united salaries were only fifteen pounds per annum. 
 
 He published, as the fruit of his retirement, in 1720, 
 " An Essay on Fundamentals, with a particular Re- 
 gard to the Doctrine of the ever-blessed Trinity," 
 designed to prove that the belief of this truth is not 
 essential to salvation. He came forth from his obscure 
 retreat, to preach at Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, though 
 here his congregation did not consist of more than 
 twenty or thirty persons. The change, which now 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 399 
 
 took place in his sentiments, by his becoming a Baptist, 
 created no difference between him and his little flock ; 
 but as the support which they were able to afford him 
 was quite inadequate to his wants, he entertained some 
 thoughts of quitting the ministry, and is said to have 
 actually deliberated on learning of the person with 
 whom he boarded the trade of a glover. From this 
 he was diverted by the friendship of Robert Houl- 
 ton, Esq., who took him into his house as his chaplain. 
 A pamphlet, supposed to be written by a clergyman, 
 attacked his essay, and pronounced a curse on his 
 patron for receiving him into his house, and bidding 
 him God speed. 
 
 Mr. Foster removed to London, in 1724, to succeed 
 Dr. Gale, as co-pastor with Mr. Joseph Burroughs, 
 in the general Baptist congregation. Barbican. This 
 office he held for more than twenty years, and at the 
 same time carried on an evening lecture, on the Lord's- 
 day, at the Old Jewry, with such popularity as was 
 before unparalleled among Dissenters. " Here was a 
 confluence of persons of every rank, station, and qua- 
 lity. Wits, free-thinkers, numbers of clergy, who, 
 while they gratified their curiosity, had their preposses- 
 sions shaken, and their prejudices loosened*." 
 
 In the year 1731, he published a reply to the Deistical 
 
 * As Pope has celebrated him in the following couplet of the epilogue 
 to his satires — 
 
 ** Let modest Foster, if he will, excel, 
 Ten metropolitans in preaching well," 
 it has been concluded that curiosity drew the poet to hear the orator. 
 His sudden and unusual popularity is said to have been occasioned, as 
 popularity often is, by an accidental circumstance. An eminent phy- 
 sician, happening to go into his meeting-house, for shelter from a shower 
 of rain, was so fascinated, that he stood the whole of the time, and ever 
 afterwards spoke of him in all companies as an incomparable preacher. 
 
400 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 pamphlet, entitled " Christianity as Old as the Crea- 
 tion," of which answer, even Tindal, his antagonist, 
 spoke with great respect. He afterwards printed four 
 volumes of sermons, one of which engaged him in a 
 controversy concerning heresy, with Dr. Henry Steb- 
 bing, one of the king's chaplains, and preacher to the 
 society in Gray's Inn *. 
 
 At the end of the year 1744, he succeeded Dr. 
 Jeremiah Hunt, as pastor of the Independent congre- 
 gation at Pinner's hall, and, two years after, was called 
 to the melancholy task of attending the Earl of Kil- 
 marnock, when that nobleman was in the Tower, under 
 sentence of death for high treasonf . 
 
 The Marischal College, Aberdeen, in 1748, conferred 
 on Mr. Foster the degree of D. D. But his spirits 
 were now declining, and he was removed by a palsy, 
 November 5, 1753, in his fifty-seventh year J. 
 
 His integrity was unimpeached, and the force of his 
 attachment to Non-conformity is set beyond suspicion 
 
 * The wits of the day, who loved to say smart things on suhjects 
 which they did not care to understand, diverted themselves with the 
 charge of heresy, by saying, " Stebbing was a heretic to God, and 
 Foster to the church." 
 
 t After accompanying him to the scaffold, he published An Account 
 of the Behaviour of the late Earl of Kilmarnock after his Sentence, and 
 on the day of his Execution." To this Mr. Malachi Blake, a dissenting 
 minister, at Blandford, in Dorsetshire, published an answer, entitled 
 "Kilmarnock's Ghost;" in which he contended that the unfortunate 
 earl had not been faithfully instructed and warned. Nor could it be ex- 
 pected that one who rejected the divinity, atonement, and imputed right- 
 eousness of Christ, as well as the influences of the Holy Spirit, would 
 give such advice as those who deemed these truths essential to a sinner's 
 eternal hopes would think suited to the awful circumstances in which 
 the earl and his last adviser were placed. 
 
 t It has been said that, at his funeral, one of his admirers exclaimed, 
 " There is a good man gone to glory ! " To which a grave old lady, who 
 stood by, replied, "But he has taken away my Lord, and I know not 
 where he has laid him." 
 
LIVES OP EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 401 
 
 by the design he had formed of entering on a course of 
 manual labour for his subsistence, rather than conform 
 to the establishment, into which he had been invited by 
 those who could have procured him preferment. His 
 popularity as a preacher is said to have been Avell sup- 
 ported by a fine commanding voice, accompanied with 
 an intrepidity in avowing his sentiments, which all 
 ought to imitate. Error is never more dangerous than 
 when it walks in disguise. Though he was charged 
 wdth Deism by some who could not distinguish between 
 his negative creed, and complete infidelity, he ever pro- 
 tested that he was a firm believer in Revelation, and 
 despised the meanness of professing Christianity with- 
 out conviction. 
 
 THOMAS BRADBURY. 
 
 Mr. Bradbury was one of those men of ardent tem- 
 perament, who will always procure distinction among 
 their contemporaries, and when born for eventful times 
 will seldom fail to acquire for themselves a posthumous 
 celebrity. He entered on the stage of life in 1677, at 
 Wakefield, in Yorkshire. His father was a member of 
 the church at Alverthorp, near that town, of which Mr. 
 Peter Nay lor, an ejected minister, was pastor. Under 
 his care^ and at the free-school at Leeds, Thomas 
 Bradbury received the first rudiments of learning. 
 His memory was so tenacious, that Mr. Naylor and his 
 father used to send him to a public-house in Wakefield 
 (where one newspaper was read aloud for the public), 
 to hear and report to them, before he himself under- 
 stood that a man-of-war meaned a ship. His alma 
 mater was the academy of Mr. Jollie, at AtterclifFe, 
 
 VOL. II. 2 D 
 
402 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 where some of the first dignitaries of the church of 
 England received their education for the ministry. 
 Several anecdotes of Mr. Bradbury, while a student, 
 are yet retained in the social circle. 
 
 He began to preach at the early age of eighteen, 
 about the year 1696, when his juvenile appearance in- 
 duced one of the country congregation which he was 
 about to address, to say to him, " Pray, master, do you 
 know who is going to preach to-day ?" On finding that 
 he was to be the preacher, the person expressed, at 
 least by his countenance, so much dissatisfaction, that 
 it extremely discomposed this young Timothy, who 
 ascended the pulpit for the first time, with extreme 
 timidity, perceiving that the apostolic injunction had 
 not prevented men from "despising his youth." He 
 soon, however, rose above his fears, and convinced his 
 hearers that he was a boy in appearance only. He 
 used afterwards to relate this anecdote, with the remark, 
 " I bless God, from that hour, I have never known the 
 fear of man." He soon after left the academy, and was 
 taken into the family of Mr. Whitaker, an eminent 
 minister at Leeds. 
 
 In 1697, he went to Beverley, though not as a can- 
 didate, and two years after became assistant to Dr. 
 Gilpin, at Newcastle upon Tyne, where he continued 
 three years, with almost unbounded popularity. He 
 then removed to Stepney, near London. Here Mr. 
 Tong became his kind director, and prudent, faithful 
 friend. He always, though not in an unscriptural 
 sense, called him his master. But such was his regard 
 for Mr. Whitaker, that as long as he lived, Mr. Brad- 
 bury annually went to Leeds to preach for him, and 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 403 
 
 hear liim. In his progress, he always preached at 
 Sheffield, where, as well as at Leeds, he was heard 
 with delight. He was chosen in 1707, to succeed Mr. 
 Benoni Rowe in Fetter-lane. Here he soon enjoyed 
 the satisfaction of seeing the place filled, and the 
 church increase ; for his talents were admirably adapted 
 to the meridian of the metropolis. But after nearly 
 twenty years of prosperity, an unhappy altercation dis- 
 turbed the harmony, and at length dissolved the union 
 between Mr. Bradbury and his flock. 
 
 The neighbouring church at New-court, Carey- street, 
 over which Daniel Burgess had presided, being at this 
 time destitute, immediately invited Mr. Bradbury to 
 take the charge of them, to which he readily consented ; 
 so that but one Sabbath intervened between the close 
 of his labours at Fetter-lane, and the commencement 
 of them at Carey-street. Those among his former flock 
 who espoused his cause followed him, and on the 27th 
 of November, 1728, a solemn union was formed be- 
 tween the church at New-court, and the numerous 
 secession from Fetter-lane, under the pastoral care of 
 Thomas Bradbury, and the assistant ministry of his 
 brother Peter Bradbury. While the popular talents 
 of the pastor increased the flock, his interest, together 
 with that of his brother, among the opulent citizens, 
 enabled the society to discharge the debt for building, 
 w^hich had long been a heavy burden. 
 
 This pulpit, a second time presented a phenomenon 
 as rare as it is beneficial, — wit consecrated to the ser- 
 vice of serious and eternal truth. The talent of Brad- 
 bury, indeed, was more cutting, that of Burgess more 
 facetious; the latter aimed to recommend grave sub- 
 
 2 D 2 
 
404 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 jects by smiling pleasantries, the former loved to shame 
 noxious errors by stinging sarcasm. Many anecdotes 
 are related of the manner in which Bradbury employed 
 his peculiar talent to promote the cause in which he 
 had embarked*. The courage and animation which 
 wit demands, diffused an interesting vivacity through 
 his public services ; and his perfect command of scrip- 
 tural language served to keep up the high tone of 
 sanctity, which had otherwise been debased by satirical 
 witticism. 
 
 After presiding over the church in New-court, Carey- 
 street, two-and- thirty years, he died, September 9, 1759, 
 aged eighty-two. He left two daughters, one of whom 
 was married, in 1744, to John Winter, Esq., whose 
 brother, the Rev. Richard Winter, succeeded Mr. 
 Bradbury, and who was again succeeded, after a short 
 interval, by his nephew. Dr. Robert Winter, grandson 
 to Mr. Thomas Bradbury. The other daughter was 
 married, in 1768, to George Welch, Esq., banker, in 
 London. The talents and consideration of Mr. Brad- 
 bury, among Dissenters, brought him forward, on public 
 occasions, to present addresses to the throne ; and " Mr. 
 Grainger saw a friendly letter from Archbishop Wake 
 to him, Avhich was part of a correspondence between the 
 metropolitan of all England and him whom the con- 
 
 * His repartee at court has been already noticed, but his religious, as 
 well as his political ardour often called in the aid of his wit. During 
 the Arian controversy, at a general meeting of the ministers of London, 
 at Salter s-hall, he had been contending that those who really believed 
 the doctrine of Christ's divinity should openly avow it, when, to bring it 
 to the test, he said, *' You, who are not ashamed to own the deity of our 
 Lord, follow me into the gallery." He had scarcely mounted two or 
 three steps, before the opposite party hissed him, when, turning round, 
 he said, *' I have been pleading for him who bruised the serpent's head, 
 no wonder the seed of the serpent should hiss." 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 405 
 
 tinuator of Grainger calls, improperly, the patriarch of 
 the Dissenters The same writer has, in his tissue 
 of inaccuracies concerning Mr. Bradbury, greatly exag- 
 gerated his fortune, which, whatever it was, came by 
 the lady whom he married, whose name was Richmond. 
 
 His character has been given to posterity with va- 
 rious degrees of light and shade. " In private," says 
 Noble, " he was the social pleasant companion, and 
 more famed for his mirth than long harangues." The 
 manuscript account of the London ministers says, " had 
 he as much judgment as quickness of wit, and as much 
 temper as zeal, he would have been a man of much 
 greater consideration. His usefulness has been much 
 abated since the Salter's-hall synod ; for though he has 
 been warm on the orthodox side, his ill-conducted zeal 
 has done mischief He made it his business, not only 
 from his own pulpit, but at the Pinner's-hall lecture, to 
 lampoon and satirize the performances of Dr. Watts ; 
 and, amongst others, his hymns and psalms, for which 
 many Christians and churches have reason to bless 
 God." Thomas Bradbury, however, was not the only 
 friend of the Gospel who was prejudiced against the 
 doctor's devotional poetry, and alarmed at the supposed 
 consequences of introducing it into the dissenting 
 worship. As to the spirit with which he levelled the 
 shafts of his wit, it should be remembered that, far 
 from despising the decencies of life, in which he was 
 truly accomplished, he could well bear with those who 
 honestly avowed their dissent from his opinion, but 
 emptied all his formidable quiver on those Avhom he 
 termed trimmers and shufflers. He was, indeed, 
 * Continuation of Grainger, vol. iii., p. 159. 
 
406 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 according to the opinion of the celebrated Roman, a 
 well-educated man, for he knew how to say no ; and it 
 will be to his everlasting honour, that he was perfectly 
 free from the sins of the times, disingenuousness in the 
 concealment of error, or treacherous shrinking from the 
 defence of truth. He was himself aware that his 
 honest zeal should have been accompanied with more 
 suavity of manner *. 
 
 Five sermons on the Christian s joy, in finishing his 
 course, are said to be his best work. Christus in 
 Coelo, or Discourses on the Work of a glorified Sa- 
 viour," is mentioned as his first publication. His 
 " Sermons on the Mystery of Godliness " are well 
 known. 
 
 The larger memoirs, given of those ministers who 
 have occupied this section, were due to their distin- 
 guished worth or eminent station, but should by no 
 means exclude from notice, or esteem, many to whom 
 we can afford no more space than is occupied by their 
 names. Among the churches in London, the first rank 
 of respectability was assigned to Benjamin Grosvenor, 
 
 * An anecdote, communicated by his grandson, Dr. Robert Winter, 
 will interest our readers. His ardent zeal exposed Mr. Bradbury to the 
 hatred of Papists, as well as tories. The former employed a person to 
 take away his life. To make himself fully acquainted with Bradbury's 
 person, the man frequently attended at places of worship where he 
 preached, placing himself in the front of the gallery, with his countenance 
 steadily fixed on the preacher. It was scarcely possible, in such circum- 
 stances, wholly to avoid listening to what was said. Mr. Bradbury's 
 forcible manner of presenting divine truth to view, awakened the man's 
 attention, the word his understanding, and became the means of changing 
 his heart. He came to the preacher, with trembling and confusion, told 
 his affecting tale, gave evidence of his conversion, became a member of 
 the church, and was, to the hour of his death, an ornament to the Gospel 
 which he professed. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 407 
 
 Robert Trail, John Nesbitt, John Hurrion, Robert 
 Bragg, John and Thomas Newman, Joshua Bayes^ 
 Dr. Hughes, John Sladen, Joseph Stennett, Richard 
 Rawlin, Samuel Price, Timothy Jollie, John Astie, 
 Martin Tomkins, John Hill, Richard Lardner, Thomas 
 Cotton, Robert Fleming, John Gumming, and Timothy 
 Rogers. In the country, the most eminent ministers 
 were, Risdon Darracott, of Wellington ; David Some, 
 of Market Harborough ; Thomas Saunders, of Ket- 
 tering ; John Spilsbury, of Kidderminster ; John Sloss, 
 of Nottingham; William Nolent, of Ipswich; John 
 Bert, of St. Edmund's Bury ; John Norman, of Ports- 
 mouth ; Mr. Kentish, Mr. Perry, and Bernard Foskett, 
 of Bristol ; William Moth, of Basingstoke ; to whom 
 may be added, a zealous defender of dissenting princi- 
 ples, Samuel Bourn, of Birmingham. With a mixture 
 of pleasure and regret, we apologize for a mere cata- 
 logue of names, by observing, that the eminent minis- 
 ters of this period were too numerous to admit them all 
 to a distinct memoir. 
 
 Sect. II. — Lives of Eminent Members of Dissenting 
 Churches. 
 
 SIR JOHN HARTOPP. 
 
 This celebrated baronet, whose father was one of the 
 first English gentlemen honoured with that title, was 
 born about the year 1637. He married the daughter 
 of Charles Fleetwood, Esq. Sir John " joined the 
 Independent church over which Dr. Owen presided. 
 
408 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and continued an honourable member, under successive 
 pastors, to the day of his death." He frequently in- 
 structed his family by reading to them the discourses 
 he had taken from the lips of the first preachers in his 
 early days ; and to him we owe many of those which 
 are contained in the folio volume of sermons and tracts 
 by Dr. Owen, with whom he maintained the most 
 endeared friendship. 
 
 Elected to represent Leicestershire in parliament, he 
 became a strenuous advocate for the Bill of Exclusion. 
 The Avhole weight of the court was employed to pre- 
 vent his re-election, but the Hartoppians, as they were 
 called, prevailed, and he was thrice returned member 
 for the county. This popular patriot and pillar of 
 the dissent died, in 1722, at the advanced age of 
 eighty-five. 
 
 Dr. Watts, who had entitled Lady Hartopp's funeral 
 sermon " The last enemy conquered," published one 
 for the baronet, in the form of a treatise, on " The 
 Happiness of separate Spirits." " When I name Sir 
 John Hartopp," says the preacher, all who knew him 
 will agree that I name a gentleman^ a scholar, and a 
 Christian. He shone with eminence among persons of 
 birth and title, while his obliging deportment rendered 
 him easy of access to all his inferiors, and the delight 
 of all his friends. He had a taste for universal learn- 
 ing ; but the book of God was his chief study, his 
 divinest delight. The Bible lay open before him, day 
 and night. Desirous of seeing what the Spirit of God 
 said to men in the original languages, he commenced 
 some acquaintance with the Hebrew, when he was 
 more than fifty years old, and kept his youthful know- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 409 
 
 ledge of the Greek. He took pleasure in the doctrines 
 of grace, in the glories of the person of Christ, God in 
 our nature, and the wondrous work of redemption by 
 his cross ; he adored him as his Lord and God, and 
 was zealous to maintain the honour due to his divine 
 nature. What he knew in the things of God, he re- 
 solved not to know for himself only, but for the benefit 
 of all who had the honour of his acquaintance. Many 
 join with me to confess how often we departed from his 
 company refreshed and advanced in useful knowledge. 
 I cannot but reckon it among the blessings of heaven, 
 when I review the five years I spent in his family. 
 I found much instruction to myself, where I was called 
 to be an instructor. His zeal for the welfare of his 
 country, and of the church of Christ in it, carried him 
 out to the most extensive, toilsome services in his 
 younger and middle age. He applied his time, his 
 spirits, his interest, and his riches, for the defence of 
 the nation, when, forty years ago, it was in the utmost 
 danger of popery and ruin." How pleasant must have 
 been the setting sun of this good old man, when he saw 
 his country saved from tyranny and from popish perse- 
 cution, England under the liberal reign of George, and 
 her churches blessed with such pastors as Watts and 
 many of his contemporaries ! If there are now but few 
 baronets among Dissenters, it is equally true that there 
 are few Hartopps among baronets. 
 
 SIR THOMAS ABNEY. 
 
 Sir Thomas Abney, a Christian patriot, was heir to 
 higher honours than if the blood of all the Howards had 
 
410 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 flowed in his veins ; but he was also descended from 
 one of those families which heralds pronounce ancient 
 and honourable. Wilsley, in Derbyshire, the family- 
 seat for five hundred years, was the place of his birth, 
 in January, 1639. Early deprived of his mother, he 
 Avas committed by his father to the care of a pious 
 aunt. Lady Bromley, who was honoured to produce 
 those religious impressions which rendered him after- 
 wards a public blessing. Having adopted the senti- 
 ments of the Independents, he joined the church in 
 Silver-street, of which Dr. Jacomb, and after him, Mr. 
 Howe, w^as pastor. Sir Thomas married the daughter 
 of the celebrated Caryl ; and, on her death, became, in 
 1700, the son-in-law of Mr. John Gunston, of New- 
 ington-green, whose memory the muse of Watts has 
 forbidden to die. The name of Abney has been 
 handed down to posterity by means of its connexion 
 with that of Watts, who found, in the house of Sir 
 Thomas and his descendants, an asylum, for thirty-six 
 years. 
 
 Though devoted to an unfashionable religion, he 
 rose to the highest civic honours ; for he was chosen, 
 in 1693, sheriff of London and Middlesex, and, before 
 the expiration of his year, alderman of Vintiy Ward. 
 He received from King William the honour of knight- 
 hood, and, some years before the usual term, was 
 elected lord mayor, when his conduct gave occasion to 
 the assertion, that " the House of Hanover owes the 
 throne of Britain to a Dissenter." For, in opposition 
 to the majority of his brethren, he had the courage to 
 propose an address from the common council to King 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 411 
 
 William, assuring him of their determination to stand 
 by him against the Pretender, whom the French king 
 had lately proclaimed sovereign of Great Britain. His 
 boldness and prudence having triumphed in the city, 
 the address not only encouraged the king, to whom it 
 was presented, while he was with the army on the Con- 
 tinent, but gave the tone of loyalty to the nation, which 
 re-echoed the language of the metropolis from Caith- 
 ness to the Land's End. The king dissolved the par- 
 liament, at this favourable moment, and Sir Thomas 
 Abney was chosen member for London, of that legis- 
 lature which passed the act for the abjuration of the 
 Pretender, and the further establishment of the Protes- 
 tant succession. The bill received the royal assent, 
 the day before King William died, and was the means 
 of securing the throne to the House of Brunswick. 
 A person of distinction, complimenting this dissenting 
 lord mayor on his zeal and address in the critical affair, 
 said, " You have done the king more service than if 
 you had raised him a million of money." 
 
 That the dignities to which he was exalted, and the 
 popularity he acquired, did not seduce his heart from a 
 due regard to the honour that comes from above, is 
 evident ; for on the evening of the day on which he 
 entered on his mayoralty, he withdrew silently from 
 the assembly, went to his own house, performed the 
 usual family worship, and then returned to the com- 
 pany. He probably recalled an example w^hich may 
 already have occurred to the reader, that of David, who 
 returned from a royal procession, on a national festival, 
 " to bless his household." Sir Thomas Abney lived to 
 be father of the city of London. This ornament of 
 
412 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the metropolis, the senate, and the church of God, 
 lived to the age of eighty-three, and departed to higher 
 honours, February 6, 1722. 
 
 SIR RICHARD ELLYS. 
 
 This baronet, whose opulence and title were the 
 least part of his honours, sat, during several parlia- 
 ments, in the House of Commons. 
 
 As a man of learning, he made a respectable figure 
 among the literati of his day. A specimen of his 
 talents will be found in his Fortuita Sacra," which 
 is highly creditable to his erudition and his critical 
 powers. The doctrines of the old Puritans formed his 
 creed, and sanctified his soul. Having been under the 
 influence of a different system, he received the know- 
 ledge of the truth from one inferior to himself in every- 
 thing, but an acquaintance with the Gospel ; and the 
 bigotted Arminian was constrained, by the conversation 
 of an aged Christian woman, to throw away his lofty ideas 
 of himself, and to lie prostrate at the foot of the cross, 
 ascribing his salvation to the righteousness of the Re- 
 deemer, and his free and sovereign grace. He was a 
 great admirer of Boston's Four-fold State 
 
 Sir Richard appears to have been first a member of 
 Dr. Calamy's congregation ; but he joined Mr. Brad- 
 bury's church, and continued in communion with that 
 society till his death. 
 
 THOMAS HOLLIS. 
 Sheffield was his native place. The death of his 
 
 * See Ihe account, of this cliange more fully given by himself, in 
 Boston's Memoirs, Appendix, p. 22. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 413 
 
 mother, when he was only twelve years of age, deeply 
 impressed his heart; and the counsels of his father, 
 on the mournful occasion, aided by the affecting dis- 
 courses of Mr. Fisher, their minister, were the means 
 of his conversion to God. From Sheffield he removed 
 to London, and there spent the remainder of his life. 
 
 His temper was naturally warm and impetuous ; but, 
 under the government of Christian principles, it pro- 
 duced an energy of character which displayed itself in 
 extraordinary zeal for the honour of God and the happi- 
 ness of man. Habitual sense of the evil of sin was 
 accompanied with, deep humility ; while, from a lively 
 faith in the promises, flowed the animating hope of 
 eternal bliss. 
 
 The salvation of his children lay near his heart ; 
 and to train them up in the knowledge and practice 
 of religion was his constant care. To find his labours 
 crowned with success was his enviable reward. In his 
 latter years, it pleased God to afflict him with blind- 
 ness ; and though, to a man who wished to do good by 
 personal exertions, its long continuance must have been 
 peculiarly distressing, he was enabled to bear it with 
 exemplary patience, and was never heard to complain 
 or murmur. He died, in the hope of heaven, at a very 
 advanced age, in 1718. 
 
 To do good was, early in life, a ruling principle in 
 the heart of Thomas Hollis, and one of the grand ends 
 for which he considered himself to be called into ex- 
 istence. While but a youth, he laid aside a part of 
 his earnings for pious and benevolent purposes ; and as 
 his property increased, his charity increased still more. 
 That he might be the more extensively useful, he lived 
 
414 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 in the most economical manner. How honourable is 
 frugality, when the design is to feed the hungry, and 
 to convey the knowledge of salvation to the perishing 
 soul ! There is a dignity in it beyond all the splendour 
 of worldly greatness. An immense number of good 
 books was distributed by his hands. A lover of the 
 house of God, and feeling the pleasure and benefit of 
 public worship, besides contributing liberally to the 
 building of meeting-houses, he erected two at his own 
 expense, one at Doncaster and the other at Rotherham, 
 with schools attached to them, and permanent benefac- 
 tions for their support. Sheffield derived advantage 
 from being the place of his birth ; for, besides assisting 
 his townsmen in the erecting of a place of worship, he 
 founded almshouses for the residence of sixteen poor 
 persons, with some additional support. In sentiments, 
 Mr. Hollis was a Baptist ; but he was, for sixty years, 
 member of a Peedobaptist church at Pinner's-hall, under 
 the pastoral care of Anthony Palmer, Richard Wavell, 
 and Dr. Jeremiah Hunt*. 
 
 THOMAS HOLLIS, Junior. 
 
 He was the eldest son of the person just described, 
 and inherited, not only the piety, but the public spirit 
 of his father. He too, though a Baptist, was a member 
 of the same Peedobaptist church. Early in life, he 
 made a profession of his faith in Christ ; and from the 
 benefit of it to his own mind, he used to recommend it 
 earnestly to others. When in business, he was so good 
 a manager of his time, that a portion of it was daily 
 redeemed for mental improvement. In the choice of 
 
 ♦ See Dr. Hunt's funeral sermon for T. Hollis. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 415 
 
 books, he was exceedingly careful, and would often say, 
 that the little leisure he could command made this ab- 
 solutely necessary for him. 
 
 To do good was his delight, and his benevolence 
 was not confined within the limits of a sect. To the 
 Baptists he was a most generous friend. The society 
 of Independents with which he communicated, received 
 distinguished tokens of his bounty. But still more 
 substantial marks of his liberality were conferred on 
 Harvard College, in America. By his donations to this 
 institution, he displayed, not only the benevolence of his 
 heart, but the soundness of his judgment ; for what can 
 so extensively promote the happiness of mankind as 
 piety and learning united in the breasts of public 
 teachers ? Still higher praise is due to Mr. Mollis for 
 the principle which gave a preference to that school ; 
 it was because it did not, like some other colleges, con- 
 fine its benefits to a privileged sect ; but opened its 
 doors to all, and placed all on a level as candidates 
 for its honours and degrees. After being half a 
 century a member of the same church as his father, 
 he died in 1731, in the seventy- second year of his 
 age*. 
 
 John Hollis, his brother^ was, from his youth, equally 
 eminent for his devotional spirit, and his exemplary 
 conduct in every relation. He possessed too the public 
 spirit of the family. He died in 1736, and his funeral 
 sermon was preached by Dr. Hunt. Three such men 
 confer a glory on a Christian society. If any of the 
 posterity of Thomas Hollis the elder still remain, 
 
 * See his funeral sermon by Dr. Hunt, and Crosby's History of Bap- 
 lists, vol. iv. p. 229. 
 
416 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 under what obligations do they lie to be followers 
 of their excellent progenitors ! 
 
 DANIEL DEFOE. 
 
 This remarkable man, the author of Robinson Crusoe, 
 was born in London, in 1638. His father, whose name 
 was James Foe, being a Dissenter, sent his son for 
 education to Mr. JMorton's academy at Newington- 
 green. Daniel, not liking his paternal name, (and 
 certainly it has not a Christian sound) prefixed the 
 syllable De, to give it greater dignity. He entered 
 early into business as a hose factor, but was not suc- 
 cessful ; though unable to satisfy the demands of his 
 creditors, he was acknowledged to have acted honour- 
 ably. From 1692, when this reverse in his circum- 
 stances took place, during the reign of William and 
 the former part of that of Queen Anne, he was in 
 various employments under government. When the 
 union between England and Scotland was in agitation, 
 he was sent to Edinburgh, where he rendered consider- 
 able service in forwarding the important measure. 
 After the accession of the House of Hanover, he was 
 not in any public situation, but subsisted by his pen, as 
 a man of letters. He died in low circumstances, leaving 
 a numerous family. Mr. Defoe had a soul of peculiar 
 ardour which was constantly engaged in some enter- 
 prize, and at times hurried him into excess ; but he was a 
 very able and good man, and his publications have been 
 beneficial to the world, for he was on the side of piety 
 and morals. His religious writings show him to have 
 been well acquainted with the nature of the Christian 
 life, and to have highly valued the pious practices of 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 417 
 
 the old Dissenters. He was, indeed, a stedfast Dis- 
 senter, and wrote various pamphlets in defence of their 
 principles. He entered the lists with Mr. Howe, on 
 the subject of occasional conformity, and it was allowed 
 that the layman maintained his ground against the 
 minister. 
 
 Mr. Defoe wrote a multitude of political pamphlets, 
 from 1683, till after the accession of George. For two 
 of them he was prosecuted ; the reward of one was the 
 pillory and for the other he had a pardon from the 
 queen ; but in neither case was there any thing to his 
 dishonour. Some of his satirical pamphlets were mis- 
 taken for serious compositions. On commercial sub- 
 jects he wrote much, and with singular ability. His 
 Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719 ; but who 
 could tell the number of editions through which it has 
 passed ? Unfair attempts have been made to rob him of 
 his character or his fame with regard to this extraor- 
 dinary performance. The " Family Instructor," in two 
 volumes, had gone through sixteen editions in 1787, 
 and his " Religious Courtship" twenty-one in 1789. 
 There have been between twenty and thirty editions of 
 his " True-born Englishman." By such marks has the 
 public testified its value for his works*. 
 
 JOSEPH WILLIAMS. 
 He was born about the year 1691, and was the son 
 of a pious clothier, at Kidderminster. When he was 
 but seven years old his religious impressions were in- 
 creased, by his father's remarks on the death of his 
 sister. 
 
 * Biographia Britannica, art. Defoe.— Walter Wilson's Memoirs of 
 Defoe. 
 
 VOL. II. 2 E 
 
418 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 After his marriage, lie went on very prosperously in 
 business, till the year 1725, when he lost almost the 
 whole of his capital, which became the means of en- 
 riching him with a more spiritual state of mind and 
 stronger assurance of his salvation. 
 
 On the return of prosperity, he was agitated with 
 solicitude lest he should be lifted up with pride and 
 self-importance, and seek his happiness in the world 
 rather than in God. But in his diary he writes, " I 
 humbly hope, yea surely in this I may be confident, by 
 the experience now of twenty-seven years, but more 
 remarkably of the last twelve years, that the love and 
 favour of God is what I prize above all things." 
 
 His solicitude for the salvation of his children, mani- 
 fested by writing to them such letters as would do 
 honour to any pen, was recompensed by the exquisite 
 delight of seeing their early and decided piety. Of the 
 youngest, who was afterwards the wife of the Rev. 
 Richard Winter, of London, he says, " She has not 
 yet finished her fifteenth year, and has melted my very 
 soul with her sense of gratitude and duty, and her 
 ardent aspirations in favour of her parents." He de- 
 clared that God had given him, not only to long for the 
 conversion of his children, whom from his inmost soul 
 he dedicated to God at their baptism, and devoted to 
 him, every day, but also for the salvation of others 
 who came within his reach. " I have the joy of seeing 
 all my children walking in the truth, and of hoping that 
 no less than seven young persons have been born of 
 God in my family, within these three or four years." 
 This disposition induced him to address a young clergy- 
 man with such effect, that the young man became a 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 419 
 
 faithful preacher of the gospel, and Mr. Williams 
 maintained, from that time, an affectionate correspond- 
 ence with him ; delighted, as he said, with the honour 
 of being a winner of such as are winners of souls. 
 
 In the year 1755, Mr. Williams was taken ill, on a 
 journey, and wrote to his wife the following sentences. 
 " If it be the Divine will, I would gladly return to 
 my native place, either to recover strength, or to die ; 
 but if it please him who said, ' Take Aaron up to 
 Mount Hor, and he shall be gathered to his people and 
 die there,' to say, let Joseph Williams die on the road, 
 or at Windsor, or Oxford, I desire to say in every case. 
 Father, not my will, but thine be done." His wife 
 received the letter, which breathed the language of 
 heaven, an hour before the writer himself was brought 
 home. His complaints terminated in a lethargy, in 
 which he died, December 21, 1755, in the sixty-third 
 year of his age. 
 
 His memory has been cherished with pious affection, 
 by multitudes who knew him personally, or learned 
 from his memoirs how eminently he walked with God. 
 His talents were so considerable, that, had he received 
 a superior education, and devoted his life to the pur- 
 suits of literature, he would have risen to distinction 
 among divines, or authors. Amidst the cares of an 
 extensive business, he published, in 1740, a pamphlet, 
 entitled " The principal Causes of some late Divisions 
 in Dissenting Churches, in a letter from a Dissenter 
 in the country," which was revised by Dr. Watts. 
 In 1748, he gave to the public an abridgment of David 
 Brainerd's Journal among the Indians. His diary forms 
 
 2 E 2 
 
420 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 his highest eulogium, and may be pronounced one of 
 the most useful books which a Cliristian tradesman 
 can read*. 
 
 JOHN TAYLER. 
 
 He was a member of the Baptist church in Wikl- 
 street ; exemplary in his deportment as a Christian ; 
 and eminent in zeal for the salvation of the souls of 
 men. JNIany good books he distributed through the 
 country, for the benefit of poor ministers, and indigent 
 families ; and many were sent abroad, with the same 
 excellent design. It may be mentioned, to his praise, 
 that his benevolence was not confined to a sect ; it was 
 enough for him to know that the person was indigent, 
 and would make a proper use of his bounty. 
 
 Having had a remarkable deliverance, during the 
 great storm in 1703, he commemorated it by annually 
 consecrating the day to devotion : as long as he lived, 
 he employed a minister to preach a sermon suitable to 
 the occasion ; and by his will he made provision for the 
 continuance to the present timef. 
 
 Mrs. BENDISH. 
 If it could not be said of Oliver Cromwell's family, as 
 Xerxes once affirmed of his army, that the men acted 
 as w^omen, it may be asserted that the women displayed 
 the spirit of men. Few families have produced such a 
 constellation of heroines. Among these, Mrs. Bendish 
 shines a star of the first magnitude, and furnishes an 
 
 * Extracts from the Diary, Meditations, and Letters of Mr. Joseph 
 Williams, of Kidderminster, by the Rev. Benjamin Fawcett, of Kidder- 
 minster, of which a new and enlarged edition has been lately published 
 by Mr. B. Hanbury, a descendant from Mr. Williams. 
 
 t Crosby. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 421 
 
 example of the female character so unique as to claim 
 and reward the study of her species. 
 
 She descended from Oliver Cromwell, by Bridget, 
 his eldest daughter, who was married in 1645, to Henry 
 Ireton, of whom Burnet said, that " He had the prin- 
 ciples and temper of a Cassius, stuck at nothing to turn 
 England into a commonwealth, and was bent on the 
 king's death, when Cromwell was in suspense." Mrs 
 Cleypole, Oliver's younger daughter, would have pre- 
 ferred the restoration of the Stuarts to the dangerous 
 elevation of her own family ; but the wife of Ireton 
 disliked the power of her father, for the opposite reason, 
 because she had imbibed from her Cassius a republican 
 antipathy to the government of a single person, and hated 
 the name of Protector, even when borne by a father 
 whom she revered and a brother whom she loved. She 
 united strong sense with commanding deportment, and 
 such devotion as could not fail to be branded for enthu- 
 siasm. The death of Ireton, in 1651, which opened 
 the way for her father's elevation to sovereign power, 
 was followed, after some time, by her marriage to 
 Fleetwood, whom she supplied with more political 
 wisdom than he knew how to use ; and when her 
 counsels were not followed, her foresight anticipated 
 the crisis, which her influence could not prevent. She 
 died soon after the Restoration. 
 
 Mrs. Ireton bore to her husband one son and four 
 daughters, of whom Bridget, the subject of the suc- 
 ceeding pages, was the third. She was born about 
 the year 1649, and was educated under the eye of 
 her grandfather, with whom she was a favourite. From 
 him, she used to say, she so early learned the art of 
 
422 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 keeping a secret, that, when she was only six years 
 old, she sat between his knees, at a cabinet council, 
 and when some of the counsellors objected to her being 
 present, the Protector replied, " There is not a secret 
 that I would trust to any of you, that I would not trust 
 to this child." To prove his opinion well founded, 
 he would tell her something with an air of confidence, 
 and then bid her mother and grandmother get it from 
 her by promises, caresses, bribes, threatenings, and 
 punishments : against all these she held out, with asto- 
 nishing coolness and determination, acknowledging her 
 duty to her mother, but maintaining that she was bound 
 to keep the secret entrusted to her by her grandfather. 
 As she grew up, her character justified these early ex- 
 pectations, and her countenance, an exact feminine like- 
 ness of the Protector, was a faithful index of her mind. 
 
 She married Thomas Bendish, Esq., of an ancient 
 and honourable family, whose father served both King 
 Charles, and Cromwell, in the quality of ambassador. 
 Her husband dying, in 1707, she was left with three 
 children, Ireton, Bridget, and Henry, and remained a 
 widow, during the rest of her life. Her residence was 
 in Suffolk, at a place called South Town, near Yar- 
 mouth. Left with a small income, she laboured to 
 increase it to the extent of her own liberal habits, and 
 the expectations of her family, by embarking wdthout 
 fear in several hazardous schemes. In the salt works, 
 carried on at South Town, she was employed, with 
 indefatigable industry, among her labourers, stooping to 
 the meanest drudgery, from the earliest dawn, till it was 
 dark. Having undertaken the business of grazing 
 cattle, she attended the neighbouring fairs, travelling 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 493 
 
 in a single-horse chaise, by night or by day, whether 
 she knew the road or not. She has been heard to say, 
 that, in the darkest night, on a wild open heath, with 
 which she was totally unacquainted, while encountering 
 the most dreadful thunder-storm, she has yet been 
 perfectly happy, singing a psalm, and not doubting but 
 angels surrounded her chaise and formed her guard. 
 
 As she was not too delicate for the drudgery, she 
 was not too proud for the appearance of labour ; though 
 she was formed to shine in a court, or command upon 
 a throne. The following description is given by an 
 eye-witness, and though evidently a caricature, it may 
 enable a judicious reader to form for himself a picture. 
 " At her residence, which was quite open to the road, 
 I have very often seen her in the morning, stumping 
 about with an old straw hat, her hair about her ears, 
 without stays, and, when it was cold, an old blanket 
 about her shoulders, and a staff in her hand, in a word, 
 exactly accoutred to mount the stage as a witch in 
 Macbeth ; yet, if at such a time, she Avas accosted by 
 any person of rank or breeding, the dignity of her 
 manner, and politeness of her style, which nothing could 
 efface, would instantly break through the veil of de- 
 basement, which concealed her native grandeur, and a 
 stranger to her customs might be astonished to find 
 himself accosted by a princess, while he was looking at 
 a mumper." 
 
 " After working all day, insensible to the calls of 
 nature, she would eat and drink most plentifully of 
 whatever happened to be before her, then throw herself 
 down upon any couch, hard or soft, sleep profoundly 
 for a short time, and rising with new life and vigour, 
 
424 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 dress herself in all the grandeur that her present 
 circumstances, or the remains of former greatness, 
 would allow, and ride in her chaise, or on her pad, 
 into Yarmouth ; pay innumerable visits of business, 
 ceremony, or charity ; figure at the assembly, and re- 
 ceive the precedence in all company, as a lady who 
 once expected to have been one of the first persons in 
 Europe. Splendid she never was, her highest dress 
 being a plain silk, but it was usually of the richest sort, 
 though as far as I can remember, of what is called 
 Quaker's colour, and she wore besides a black silk 
 hood, that was out of date, and though hoops were in 
 fashion, nothing could have induced her to wear one. 
 Yet there was something in her which could not fail 
 of attracting notice and respect, amidst the most nume- 
 rous company, where many might outshine her in 
 splendour of appearance." 
 
 Her benevolence rendered her the common friend of 
 the poor, to whom she gave her money while it lasted, 
 with profusion rather than liberality ; and when she had 
 nothing else, she gave them the wisest advice in the 
 kindest manner, and so powerfully pleaded their cause 
 with the rich, that she seemed not so much to solicit, 
 as to demand the relief she judged it their duty to 
 give. If she found the sick destitute of proper attend- 
 ance, she would perform the meanest offices for them 
 herself, and passed much of her time in the most 
 wretched apartments, administering to the temporal 
 and spiritual relief of the afflicted. Amidst the suffer- 
 ings of the Non-conformists, she stood forth their fear- 
 less champion, and waged war with the hosts of spies 
 and informers, to whom she was a constant terror. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 425 
 
 " Sometimes she circumvented and outwitted them, 
 sometimes she bullied them, but in the end she gene- 
 rally got the poor parson out of their clutches. On 
 these occasions, and all others which admitted of their 
 interposition, she was sure of the common people, who 
 idolised their benefactor, while the higher classes, of 
 all parties, valued her for her dignity of manner, superior 
 sense, engaging elocution, and knowledge of the world." 
 
 As few men could rival this woman in courage, so 
 it was sure to appear, whenever man or woman attacked 
 the reputation of her grandfather, Oliver. Gratefully 
 attached to him, to whom she ascribed the praise of all 
 her excellence, when she was complimented on any 
 attainment, she would reply, " I learned this of my 
 Grandfather." She was such an enthusiast for his 
 fame, that, not contented with pronouncing him the 
 first of mankind, equally distinguished among saints, 
 statesmen, or generals, she also expected that every 
 one in her company should echo to his praises. Two 
 stories are related of her offering to fight duels wdth 
 gentlemen, who had, in a stage coach, disputed the 
 propriety of canonising the Protector ; but as they be- 
 tray marks of being both intended for the same event, 
 though the circumstances are contradictory, and neither 
 of them seem capable of confirmation, they are not 
 worthy to be recorded. In a violent fever, when she was 
 supposed to be deprived of sense, finding Lady Faucon- 
 berg, her aunt, yield too much to what was spoken 
 by some in the room to the dishonour of Oliver, she 
 rose up, to the astonishment of all, and said, " If I 
 did not believe my grandmother to have been one of the 
 most virtuous women in the world, I should conclude 
 
426 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 your ladyship to be a bastard; for I am astonished 
 that the daughter of the greatest and best man that ever 
 lived, should be so degenerate as to hear with patience 
 his memory so ill treated." 
 
 In religion, Dr. Owen was her favourite author, and 
 she has been ridiculed for calvinistic enthusiasm and con- 
 fidence in her election to the kingdom of heaven. That 
 such religion should be viewed by many with an evil 
 eye is not surprising; but when it is affirmed that, 
 possessed of piety, sincerity, and magnanimity, in the 
 highest degree, ardently desirous of serving God and 
 promoting the truest interest of all mankind, even of 
 her bitterest enemies ; she yet was fawning, suspicious, 
 and capable of any falsehood or cruelty, must not 
 every judicious person perceive that the author of such 
 a relation, in attempting an antithesis, has fallen upon 
 a contradiction ? As the best part of the description 
 is supported by the evidence of facts, of which the 
 worst is destitute, reason, as Avell as charity, requires 
 that we should ascribe the former to the excellencies of 
 Mrs. Bendish, and the latter to the prejudices of the 
 reporter. Though she was charged with lavishing in 
 charity what was due to her creditors, she declared 
 that she would die in no one's debt ; and as the fact 
 justified the assertion, should we not ascribe it to her 
 attention to equity, rather than to accidental coincidence ? 
 Her imagination was so lively, that she mixed up her 
 own conceptions with every narrative she heard, and 
 then repeated the whole, under the persuasion that it 
 was all true ; so that, though nothing could have in- 
 duced her to tell a wilful lie, it was never safe to 
 speak after her. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 427 
 
 That her religious principles, engrafted on a tempera- 
 ment so ardent, produced fruits which cool prudence 
 would never relish, we may readily conclude. If she 
 questioned the lawfulness or expediency of any under- 
 taking, she adopted the method, which she said 
 her grandfather always employed with success, by 
 shutting herself up in her closet, for fasting and 
 prayer, and searching the Scriptures, till she came to 
 a determination, on which she acted with the con- 
 fidence of success that usually attained the object. 
 
 Thus she was induced to say, in similar emergencies, 
 she would trust a friend who never deceived her. 
 After her days of labour, she would frequently pay 
 visits, at ten or eleven at night, mounted on an old mare, 
 never accompanied with a servant ; for she said, God 
 was her guard, and she would have no other. The 
 unreasonableness of the hour, never, even in those more 
 sober days, rendered her visits unwelcome, and in addi- 
 tion to the usual sprightliness of her conversation, if 
 religion was the theme, she was generally so elevated 
 as to insist upon singing a psalm before she would 
 retire. She then mounted her mare, at one in the 
 morning, singing a hymn, in notes rather boisterous 
 than melodious, till she arrived at home. 
 
 As she had formerly hazarded her life, by delivering 
 a relation from imprisonment for the Rye-house plot, 
 to which she was said to be privy ; when the revo- 
 lution was determined upon, she was entrusted with 
 the secret, and went about to different shops in the 
 town, to look at silks, and other articles, and on going 
 away, would drop bundles of papers, to prepare the 
 minds of the people for the great event. It was. 
 
428 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 perhaps, for this service that Archbishop Tillotson 
 introduced her to Queen Mary, to obtain for her a 
 pension suited to her former station ; but the prelate 
 and the queen soon after died, leaving the affair un- 
 accompHshed. Mrs. Bendish died in the year 1729, 
 at the age of eighty. 
 
 The best portraits of Oliver Cromwell are said to 
 require only a little softening, to make them the most 
 perfect resemblances of Mrs. Bendish. She was 
 esteemed by the first persons of her days, and Dr. 
 Watts addressed to her one of his lyric poems, which 
 closes with a dissuasive from tears, well suited to her 
 masculine soul *. 
 
 This lady's mental physiognomy must always distin- 
 guish her from the crowd, and he who has once atten- 
 tively marked her features, finds that he has for ever 
 increased his acquaintance with human nature. The 
 energy of her soul, communicating its impetus to ours, 
 renders the fatigue of inaction intolerable ; while her 
 decision of sentiments and character, which compelled 
 every thing to serve her purpose, raises a blush for 
 the chamelion minds that can tamely take the coloui 
 of every surrounding object. Her religion has been 
 charged with enthusiam, but it was evidently the enthu- 
 siasm of benevolence and intellect, to which it was 
 equally impossible to live for herself, or not to think 
 
 * Then let these useless streams be staid, 
 Wear native courage on your face : 
 These vulgar things were never made 
 For souls of a superior race. 
 If tis a rugged path you go, 
 And thousand foes your steps surround; 
 Tread the thorns down, charge through the foe, 
 The hardest fight is highest crown'd- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 429 
 
 for herself. From the splendid rank for which she 
 was formed, she possessed the rare ability of descend- 
 ing, at the call of duty or charity, to the habiliments 
 and fatigues of labour, still retaining the power to 
 charm and enjoy the most polished society; and though 
 she pursued the business of earth as if it were her 
 heaven, she made religion her business, as if she had 
 no other employment on earth. The courage of an 
 Amazon, that could brave danger, and look contempt 
 out of countenance, was united in her breast with the 
 tender charities which give the truest charm to the 
 female form, when watching by the bed of sickness or 
 of death. Though called to force her way through a 
 world in arms against her dearest attachments to kin- 
 dred, liberty, and religion ; her philanthropy ever 
 blazed with unabated ardour, and amidst numberless 
 vexations, she maintained to old age the cheerfulness 
 that could sing hymns to the silence of midnight, or the 
 thunders of a storm*. 
 
 Mrs. ROWE. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe is one of the few w^omen 
 equally celebrated in the world for talents, and in the 
 church for piety. She was the daughter of Walter 
 Singer, a gentleman who was imprisoned for noncon- 
 formity, in Ilchester jail, where he was assisted by 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Portnell, which produced an attach- 
 ment that ended in marriage. Mrs. Singer was re- 
 moved early in life ; but her husband survived many 
 years, and was so much respected in the neighbourhood 
 
 * Anecdotes of Mrs. Bendish, by the Rev. Samuel Say, Dr. Brookes, 
 and Mr. Hewling? Luson.—See Noble's Memoirs of the Protectorate- 
 house of Cromwell. 
 
430 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of Frome, to which he removed, that he was visited by 
 persons of the highest rank, and by Bishop Kenn, once 
 a week. His daughter used to relate, that when he was 
 near his end " he often felt his pulse, complained that 
 it was still regular, but smiled at every symptom of ap- 
 proaching death. He would say. Come, Lord Jesus, 
 come quickly. Come, ye holy angels, that rejoice at 
 the conversion of a sinner, and conduct my soul to the 
 skies. But thy time. Lord, not mine, is best." 
 
 The subject of this memoir, who was his eldest 
 daughter, was born at Ilchester, the place of her father's 
 imprisonment, September 11, 1674. In one of her 
 " devout exercises," she says, " my infant hands were 
 early lifted up to thee, O God, and I soon learned to 
 know and acknowledge the God of my fathers." Her 
 taste for the fine arts appeared in infancy ; for she loved 
 the pencil, when her hands had scarcely strength to 
 guide it, or to squeeze out the juices of the flowers with 
 which she contrived to colour her drawings. Music 
 assisted her in poetry, and gave a measured movement 
 to her prose ; for, when quite young, she scarcely ever 
 wrote a familiar letter, which did not bear the marks 
 of a poetic genius ; and having begun to write verses 
 at twelve years of age, she was announced to the world 
 when she was but twenty-two, by a volume of " poems 
 on various occasions." Her modesty forbidding her 
 own name to appear, her friends gave her that of 
 Philomela, the nightingale, in allusion, perhaps, to the 
 name of Singer, as well as to the sweetness of her 
 strains. In more advanced years, she deeply regretted 
 some things in her early poems. They introduced her 
 to the family of Lord Weymouth, whose son taught her 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 431 
 
 French and Italian, and was surprised to find his fair 
 scholar in a few months able to read Tasso's Jerusalem 
 with ease. She wrote her paraphrase of the thirty- 
 eighth chapter of Job, at the request of Bishop Kenn, 
 when she was not twenty. 
 
 Several men of genius, among whom are mentioned 
 Prior and Watts, were ambitious of being united to 
 this accomplished lady. But Mr. Thomas Rowe, son 
 of the Rev. Benoni Rowe, a distinguished minister of 
 the Gospel, and himself a superior scholar, poet, 
 and historian, was the favoured man. This match of 
 intellect is said to have been happy, beyond the com- 
 mon lot of human life ; though some would have fore- 
 boded that two geniuses would be rendered irksome to 
 each other by mutual claims of ascendancy, or reci- 
 procal neglects of the inferior attentions necessary to 
 the happiness of domestic life. In some tender lines 
 addressed to her, under the name of Delia, long after 
 their marriage, Mr. Rowe says. 
 
 Short be my life's uncertain date, 
 
 And earlier far than thine, the destined hour of fate. 
 
 Whene'er it coraes, may'st thou be by, 
 
 Support my sinking frame, and teach me how to die. 
 
 His wish was granted, for a feeble constitution, ex- 
 hausted by excessive study, sunk under a consumption, 
 May 13, 1715, when he was only twenty-eight years 
 of age. 
 
 As it was in compliance with her husband's inclina- 
 tion that she had resided near London, Mrs. Rowe 
 soon retired to the neighbourhood of Frome, where she 
 determined to spend the rest of her days in the solitude 
 which was her delight. She now wrote the works en- 
 titled Friendship in Death," and " Letters moral and 
 
432 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 entertaining," to impress, as she said, the notion of the 
 soul's immortality, without which all virtue and religion 
 must fall to the ground. In 1736, she published the 
 History of Joseph, a poem, written in her youth. She 
 employed herself much in devout meditation and in 
 contemplation on death ; though, till about half a year 
 before her decease, she scarcely ever knew what illness 
 was. On the commencement of her fatal disorder, she 
 complained that she found her mind not quite so serene 
 and prepared to meet death as usual, but " from the 
 contemplation of the atonement, and mediation of Christ, 
 she afterwards derived such confidence and satisfaction 
 that she said, with tears of joy, * I know not that I ever 
 felt the like in all my life.' " She had nearly recovered 
 her usual health, and had been conversing with a friend, 
 in high spirits, when she retired to her chamber, for 
 extraordinary devotion, as was her custom on Saturday 
 evenings. The servant shortly after heard a noise, and 
 going to her, found her fallen on the floor, in an apo- 
 plexy, which terminated her life, the next morning, 
 February 23, 1737, in the sixty-third year of her age. 
 A devotional book was lying open before her, and some 
 loose papers, on which she had written the following 
 lines : — 
 
 O guide, and counsel, and protect my soul from sin ! 
 O speak and let rae know thy heavenly will ! 
 And whisper heavenly comforts to my soul ! 
 
 The love of money she thought so dishonourable to 
 
 religion, that she used to say, it is fit sometimes to 
 
 give for the credit of religion, when other reasons are 
 
 wanting. In one of her private papers, is the following 
 
 vow : " I consecrate half my yearly income to charitable 
 
 uses ; and though, by this, I have reduced myself to 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 433 
 
 some necessity, I cast my care on my gracious God, to 
 whom I am devoted. I am, indeed, unworthy to wipe 
 the feet of the least of the servants of my Lord ; but let 
 me administer consolation to the afflicted members of 
 my exalted and glorious Redeemer, and I give the 
 glories of the world to the wind." Dr. Watts published 
 her Devout Exercises of the Heart," which we had 
 rather feel than criticise. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
434 
 
 THIRD PERIOD. 
 
 FROM THE ACCESSION OF GEORGE III. TO THE YEAR 1808. 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF NEW SECTS. 
 
 If the increasing of sects renders it necessary to devote 
 a chapter to their rise in every division of this history, 
 it affords some consolation to reflect that we have now 
 to notice but two, the Sandemanians and Sweden- 
 borgians. 
 
 Sect. I. — The Sandemanians, 
 
 It has fallen to the lot of the loudest declaimer against 
 popular ministers, to acquire so much popularity as to 
 found a sect, which, by wearing his name, perpetuates 
 his celebrity. But those congregations, which in Eng- 
 land are known by the denomination of Sandemanians, 
 from Robert Sandeman, to whose labours they owe 
 their existence, are in Scotland called Independents, 
 or Glasites ; John Glas having, several years before, 
 laid the foundation of the sect in the north. 
 
 The difficulty of exhibiting a correct, instructive 
 statement of the peculiar sentiments of a religious sect. 
 
THE SANDEMANIANS. 
 
 435 
 
 is felt with peculiar force, when the Sandemanians are 
 to be held up to public view ; for the differences which 
 separate them from other Christians are so subtle as 
 to be invisible to ordinary sight. In Scotland, the 
 Glasites were at first regarded, not without reason, as 
 a species of Independents, who differed from those in 
 England, only in the date and place of their origin, and 
 in the degree of importance which a new sect naturally 
 attaches to its peculiarities. But when, instead of 
 forming a federal union with the Independents, new 
 churches, not only distinct, but alien from all others, 
 were founded by the Sandemanians in England, it 
 became manifest that their separation from the Scotch 
 establishment w^as produced by other causes than a 
 disapprobation of Presbyterian principles. 
 
 They are, however, as well as the Baptists, strictly 
 Independents. The sentiments of Dr. Owen, the most 
 celebrated defender of that denomination, w^ere adopted 
 by Glas, and given in a new form, without due acknow- 
 ledgment, in his " Testimony of the King of the 
 Martyrs." It is remarkable, too, that as the articles of 
 the Church of England are quoted by English Inde- 
 pendents, in defence of congregational churches, so 
 Mr. Glas appeals to the Scotch confession of faith in 
 support of his Independent principles. Maintaining 
 these sentiments of the first congregational churches 
 with peculiar ardour, and condemning with severity 
 all national establishments of religion, as essentially 
 hostile to the kingdom of Christ, the Glasites Avere, 
 from their origin, known by the appellation of Scotch 
 Independents. 
 
 Upon their system of discipline they engrafted some 
 
 2 F '2 
 
436 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 doctrinal peculiarities. Tlie abstract nature of faith was 
 the apple of discord which separated them from those 
 with whom they agreed in the grand outlines of doc- 
 trine and discipline. Tlie founders of the Sandemanian 
 system, conceiving that they had detected errors in the 
 prevalent opinion, at once defined faith to be a mere 
 belief of the truth," and pronounced all who supposed 
 it to include any approbation of heart, enemies to the 
 grace of the Gospel. " The sole requisite to justifica- 
 jion or acceptance with God," says Mr. Sandeman, is 
 the work finished by Christ in his death^ and proved 
 by his resurrection to be all-sufficient to justify the 
 guilty : the whole benefit of this event is conveyed to 
 men, only by the apostolic report concerning it : every 
 one who understands this report to be true, or is per- 
 suaded that the event actually happened as testified by 
 the apostles, is justified." 
 
 While the Sandemanians refuse to hold communion 
 with any who do not perfectly agree with them in 
 maintaining the sovereign election of grace, and the 
 sufficiency of Christ's righteousness to justify the most 
 guilty, they are far from approving of the Antinomian 
 tenet, that believers are under no obligations of duty or 
 obedience. On the contrary, they are distinguished by 
 the strenuousness with which they insist on the neces- 
 sity of keeping the ordinances and commands of Jesus 
 Christ, in order to entitle any one to the privileges and 
 esteem of a Christian. 
 
 Together with the propriety of practising the for- 
 bearance, enjoined by the Redeemer, in private offences 
 among the members of a church, they maintain the 
 necessity of putting away, at once, those who fall into 
 
THE SANDEMANIANS. 
 
 437 
 
 gross sin. An excommunicated member may be re- 
 stored, on profession of repentance ; but should he 
 again relapse into sin, so as to be a second time ex- 
 communicated, he would be restored no more ; as they 
 say that the Scriptures, the only guide in ecclesiastical 
 aiFairs, give no sanction to any second restoration, nor 
 could we have better evidence of repentance than we 
 had before, which proved fallacious. In all acts of dis- 
 cipline, the whole church must be unanimous. To 
 decide by a majority, say they, supposes, in the mi- 
 nority, a dissatisfaction wdth the determination of the 
 church, contrary to charity, or the love of the brethren. 
 To the question, which so naturally arises, how can 
 absolute unanimity be always maintained among a 
 number of reflecting persons ? they answer, " Diversity 
 of opinion often happens, but when the discussion of 
 the affair fails of bringing all to one mind, the minority 
 is excommunicated." This, of course, leaves the ma- 
 jority with the name of an unanimous church. But it 
 will probably occur to the perspicacity of our readers, 
 that the noncontents can be excommunicated only by 
 the vote of a majority, which must be admitted as valid 
 in the very sentence that is passed in order to avoid it 
 as unlawful. 
 
 No person can be admitted into a Sandemanian 
 church, unless every one approves ; and the kiss of 
 charity is given as the seal of admission. With a 
 member, who has been excommunicated by any of their 
 churches, the Sandemanians hold it unlawful to eat, or 
 drink, or maintain any such intercourse in civil life as 
 might be cultivated with persons who never made a 
 profession of religion. A plurality of pastors, or 
 
438 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 elders, is held to be essential to the perfect order of a 
 church. The officers, who are chosen from among 
 themselves, and are usually engaged in trade, are set 
 apart to their work by prayer, with fasting and imposi- 
 tion of the hands of the presbytery, or of those who 
 were elders of the church before them. They have not 
 only deacons, who provide for the temporal wants of 
 the church, but also deaconesses, elected from among 
 the aged widows. The direction given by the apostle, 
 that a bishop should be the husband of one wife, is 
 supposed, by the Sandemanians, to signify something 
 more than that he should not have a plurality of wives ; 
 for they suffer no one to hold the pastoral office who is 
 either a bachelor, or married a second time. Yet 
 second marriages, which disqualify for office, are not 
 only permitted, but enjoined on all those who possess 
 not the continence spoken of in the seventh chapter of 
 the first epistle to the Corinthians, which is regarded 
 as the rule for all Christians. 
 
 On the subject of baptism, they differ but little, if at 
 all, from Independents ; as they approve of the baptism 
 of the children of believers, whether members of their 
 churches or not. While Sandeman has condemned 
 those who oppose infant-baptism, Glas has, with his 
 usual acuteness, pleaded the cause of children, main- 
 taining that baptism is a token of admission into the 
 catholic church, as the Lord's- supper is a sign of com- 
 munion with a particular congregation. Their meetings 
 on the Lord's-day are peculiarly designed to celebrate 
 the Lord's-supper, which they think the most essential 
 part of the worship of the sabbath. In the intervals 
 between the morning and afternoon services, they dine 
 
THE SANDEMANIANS. 
 
 439 
 
 together, and this feast of love is concluded by the 
 ceremony of kissing each other, as they believe " the 
 holy kiss " to be a divine institution, of perpetual obli- 
 gation. Their public worship is not conducted exclu- 
 sively by the elders of the church, but the brethren are 
 called upon, by those who preside, to exhort and to pray 
 in public. Believing the apostolic injunction, to abstain 
 from blood and from things strangled, to be still in force, 
 they consider it unlawful to eat anything that has been 
 killed by wringing the neck. Indeed, the distinguish- 
 ing tenet of the Sandemanians is, the perpetual obli- 
 gation of every precept of the Scriptures, taken in the 
 most literal sense. This induces them to maintain 
 such a community of goods, that every member of the 
 church must consider his property subject to the claims 
 of the body ; and no one is allowed to accumulate a 
 fortune, which is termed laying up treasures on earth, 
 in defiance of the Redeemer's prohibition. While they 
 consider the distinctions of civil life annihilated in the 
 church, they would reject from their communion all 
 who should refuse submission to the civil government, 
 or the conscientious payment of customs and taxes. 
 Cards, dice, lotteries, and every game of chance they 
 condemn, because the Scriptures have claimed the lot 
 as sacred to God ; but they are far from being rigid 
 with regard to public and private diversions, for even 
 the theatre itself, which most Christians abhor, as 
 a fatal snare to the soul, Sandemanians view with no 
 unfavourable eye. 
 
 The characteristic distinctions of this society are 
 rather in their spirit, than in any peculiarity either of 
 doctrine or discipline. Many agree with them in their 
 
440 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 views of faith, who are far enough from being disciples 
 of Sandeman ; aiid others who adoi)t their discipline, 
 condemn their spirit. Sandeman blew away, with his 
 northern blast, some mists which obscured the glories 
 of the Gospel, and had he spoken the truth in love, he 
 might have been an extensive blessing. But if the law 
 of kindness dwelt on the Redeemer's lips^ and his 
 words dropped as honey from the comb, the words of 
 Sandeman were bitter as gall, and sharper than swords ; 
 so that he seemed to exercise his perspicacity in search- 
 ing for the pearl of the Gospel, only to dissolve it in 
 rancour and spite. It must, indeed, be admitted, that 
 he detects serious errors, and states, in the most lumi- 
 nous manner, important truths, obscured by officious or 
 incautious meddling, of which his remarks on the con- 
 version of the thief on the cross are a proof; but it is 
 painful to see the enemy of God and man perverting 
 these talents to render their possessor a firebrand, and 
 to induce him to fling about unhallowed flames, even at 
 the foot of the cross. For when, with the eye of a lynx, 
 he detects faults, he tears them to pieces with the rage 
 of a tiger. In his eagerness to hunt out errors, he 
 attributes to men principles which they would abhor. 
 Flavel, Doddridge, Boston, and Watts, may have ex- 
 pressed themselves incautiously, and would, no doubt, 
 have corrected some of their statements, had they en- 
 countered such a censor as Sandeman ; but to represent 
 them as teaching men to derive their hopes from some 
 change in themselves, is gross calumny, unworthy of 
 one who professes to reverence the authority that said, 
 *' thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh- 
 bour." 
 
THE SANDEMANIANS. 
 
 441 
 
 The accusations he brings so liberally against others 
 might be easily retorted. The conviction of sin, which 
 he charges the popular preachers with attempting to 
 produce, as a substitute for Christ, or at least as a re- 
 commendation to an interest in his favour, he is com- 
 pelled to acknowledge necessary, when he says, "no 
 man will ever receive the divine righteousness till he 
 is thoroughly pinched with a conviction that he has no 
 other." Thus he abandons at once, all that for which 
 he had been contending with so much asperity, and 
 admits the very principle for which he had branded 
 others with the mark of perdition ; for, in spite of all 
 his refinements and insinuations, those against whom 
 he so loudly declaims, had no other design, in endea- 
 vouring to convince men of sin, than to lead to Christ, 
 under a conviction that they had no other refuge from 
 the wrath to come. 
 
 But it has been the study of this communion to widen 
 the differences between them and others. IMaintaining 
 that contention was the mark of the true church, they 
 dreaded peace, and gloried in perpetual hostilities. 
 Sandeman professes, indeed, to expect nothing but 
 scorn and opposition, and to welcome the cross with 
 all its opprobrium ; yet the incessant mention of the 
 subject betrays at once a soreness of mind, not to be 
 seen in many persecuted men whom he condemns, and 
 a lurking fondness for applause, or at least for notice, 
 which would rather seek it in the pillory than not find 
 it at all. In his doctrinal discussions, he is usually open 
 to censure, when he attempts to furnish a substitute for 
 what he calls popular errors. The architect of ruin. 
 
442 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 skilful and mighty to destroy, he no sooner attempts to 
 erect his own system, than he shows how much easier 
 it is to find fault than to mend. His definition of faith 
 seems to admit that it is an exercise of mind, 'which is 
 no more passive when it gives credit to a truth, than 
 when it approves that truth as lovely ; but, perceiving 
 that it may be said, " a man may value himself for the 
 righteous act of believing God's word, as w ell as for 
 the virtue of loving the divine character ;" he abandons 
 his own definition, and usually disputes as if the tes- 
 timony itself was the faith by w4iich we w^ere justified, 
 and the mind of man was not exercised about it in any 
 way*. He argues against assurance of salvation, and 
 
 * It has been observed, by a very superior divine, " that he who has 
 a just conception of the character of God, and the relation he bears to 
 mankind in general, or to saints in particular, as a God of grace and of 
 justice, cannot embrace the Sandemanian principle, that saving faith 
 consists exclusively in a simple assent to the divine testimony concerning 
 Jesus Christ. The sovereign God, in the person of the surety, bestows 
 the spirit of faith, without which there can be neither a simple assent, 
 nor any thing else deserving of the honourable appellation of faith: and 
 wherever that divine principle exists, there also will be found, as occasion 
 offers, consent, affiance, reception, or approbation, no less than simple 
 assent. This last, in its highest import, is only one fruit of the spirit of 
 faith, which is not more of a saving nature than other exercises of the 
 same divine principle. The dispute agitated by Sandemanians concern- 
 ing faith is merely verbal. Granting that faith, in strictness, is nothing 
 more than simple assent, it is not saving to the exclusion of hope and 
 love, holy fear and penitential sorrow. For, though we are justified by 
 faith, in the scripture sense exclusively, we are not therefore finally saved 
 by it, irrespectively of other graces. If their views of faith be more 
 valuable than any other, it must consist in the supposed ease with which 
 a person may become a Christian. But is it a mighty acquisition to 
 become better versed in the meaning of a word ? In this representation of 
 saving faith, there seems to be a strong, though subtle, spice of legality, 
 under a pretence of ease and simplicity. While the formal pharisee re- 
 quires much labour, in order to acceptance, the advocates of Glas and 
 Sandeman require but very little, a little simple assent, and all the work 
 is done. I fear the difference between these is not in kind but in degree; 
 
THE SANDEMANIANS. 
 
 443 
 
 inculcates so anxious a state of mind, as would excite 
 suspicion that his principles afforded him but little 
 satisfaction or repose. 
 
 The spirit of Elijah, it was observed, rested on Elisha, 
 and unhappily the spirit of Sandeman has infected his 
 followers. Conceited of their knowledge, in which they 
 seem to place the whole of religion, they value them- 
 selves upon what they call their clear views, regardless 
 of the warning, " that knowledge puffeth up." The 
 selfishness of a system which made Sandeman avow, 
 without a blush, that his religion consisted only in love 
 to that which first relieved him, appears in their neglect 
 of the perishing multitude, while occupied with cavils 
 at those who are more devoted to God than themselves. 
 
 That it is much easier to our depraved nature to 
 make new discoveries in abstract truth than to reduce 
 to holy practice principles long admitted, seems not to 
 have occurred to the Sandemanians. When, indeed, 
 the mind is intoxicated with this new wine, old, ac- 
 knowledged principles have lost their power to please ; 
 and as no others have force to sway the heart and life, 
 the pleasures of the world soon become necessary to 
 occupy the vacant mind. Those w^ho have seen San- 
 demanians in their domestic walk say, that there is little 
 or no appearance of family religion among them ; and 
 those who judge by their public conduct, complain that 
 they do nothing for the good of mankind. 
 
 This communion has frequently been accused of 
 hostility to the influences of the Holy Spirit, and to the 
 
 not as work differs from grace, but as much work differs from little work. 
 For a simple assent is a work, an act, of the human mind, no less truly 
 than trust, reliance, confidence, or any other branch of obedience." — Dr. 
 Williams's Essay on Equity and Sovereignty, p. 438. 
 
444 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 doctrine of sanctification ; a charge never met with any 
 adequate defence. It would appear, that the Sande- 
 manian opinion of the faith of devils being the same as 
 that of real Christians, is accompanied with a persuasion 
 that, provided we be placed in certain circumstances, 
 faith will follow, without any divine influence. This 
 may account for the propensity of a Sandemanian to 
 value himself upon his clear views, and to despise, 
 rather than pity, those whom he supposes destitute of 
 real faith ; for where the influence of divine grace is 
 denied, it is in vain to call to humility by the apostolic 
 appeal, " who maketh thee to difler ?" Here also we 
 discover the cause of that chill which is said to seize 
 the devotions of those who adopt this system. When 
 we cannot sincerely ask that God would exert any real 
 influence upon the mind, all other views of prayer will 
 leave it to sink into a cold ceremony. Sandeman's 
 contempt of those effusions of the Spirit and revivals of 
 religion, in which other Christians exult, may be traced 
 to the same cause ; for a latent opposition to divine in- 
 fluence nmst be provoked to rage by such facts as give 
 the lie to his theory. 
 
 The history of this communion is short; for it 
 is but of recent date, its members have not been 
 numerous, and it has never endured those persecutions 
 that swell the annals of a church. John Glas, the 
 first founder of this sect, began, in 1727, to publish his 
 opinions in Scotland. The person who may be de- 
 nominated its second founder, was Robert Sandeman, 
 a young man of fine talents, who had been educated 
 for the ministry in the church of Scotland. From the 
 mother church of the Glasites, at Dundee, of which he 
 
THE SANDEMAMANS. 
 
 445 
 
 was an elder, he removed to Perth, and afterwards to 
 Edinhurgh, here he published, in 1757, his Letters on 
 the Theron and Aspasio of Mr. Hervey, a writer at 
 that time exceedingly popular among the lovers of 
 evangelical truth. These letters, either by means of 
 the popular work on which they fastened, or by the 
 talents which they display, or by their tendency to 
 gratify the general taste for censure and irony, 
 attracted more notice and acquired more celebrity 
 than any previous production of this community. 
 Some persons in London, who read the strictures on 
 Hervey, supposing that because he was sometimes 
 wrong, Sandeman must be ahvays right, formed, in 
 1762, a church on his principles. They met first at 
 Glover's-hall, then, for several years, in the Quaker's 
 meeting-house in Bull and Mouth- street, and at last in 
 Paul's-alley, Barbican. They were joined by several 
 Independent ministers, among whom were Mr. Chater, 
 Mr. Prentice, and JMr. Boosey. But the proselyte 
 who procured them most celebrity was the Rev. Mr. 
 Pike, who had entered into an amicable controversy 
 with Mr. Sandeman. To expostulations concerning 
 the bitter spirit of Sandeman, Mr. Pike received 
 answers which appeared almost satisfactory to him and 
 his friends, and encouraged him to introduce some of 
 the Sandemanian practices into the public worship of 
 the church. 
 
 Mr. Pike published two sermons preached at Pin- 
 ner's-Hall lecture, under the title of Free Grace, 
 saving Grace." Some of the members of his church 
 becoming dissatisfied, several meetings were called to 
 consider the propriety of his continuance with them ; 
 
446 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 but, in the midst of these discussions, appeared a 
 pamphlet, entitled " Reflections on an Epistolary 
 Correspondence, by W. F.," who was William Fuller, 
 Esq., a member of the church. To this pamphlet, 
 designed to shew the dangerous tendency of Sande- 
 manianism, and to warn the church against following 
 Mr. Pike, he wrote an answer, entitled " Free Grace 
 Indeed." Shortly after, was published " The Scrip- 
 ture Account of justifying Faith, Interspersed with 
 Reflections on some Modern Sentiments in Religion, 
 by T. U.," Thomas Uffington, a deacon of the church, 
 who strenuously opposed Mr. Pike's sentiments. An 
 answer to it, entitled " Rational Religion distinguished 
 from that which is Enthusiastic," was written by John 
 Dove, a member of the church, (who had before de- 
 fended Mr. Pike's " Form of Sound Words" against 
 Dr. Fleming,) and who, on account of his trade and 
 his learning, was called the Hebrew tailor. 
 
 These disputes were terminated by Mr. Pike's 
 retaining, through his own casting vote, the place of 
 worship. Those who adhered to the original prin- 
 ciples of the society, removed to a meeting-house in 
 Little St. Helens, where they chose Mr. Barber, of 
 Basingstoke, to the pastoral office. Mr. Pike, how- 
 ever, becoming at length more than a doctrinal Sande- 
 manian, joined the church at Bull and Mouth- street- 
 His talents soon called him to the office of an elder in 
 this church, of which he published a particular account. 
 After officiating here with great acceptance, he was 
 sent to a society of the same sentiments at Trowbridge, 
 in Wiltshire, where he died, in the spring of 1773, at 
 the age of fifty-six. 
 
THE SANDEMAMANS. 
 
 447 
 
 This denomination of Dissenters lias not become 
 nmnerous in England. Besides the church in Lon- 
 don, they formed societies at Nottingham, Liverpool^ 
 Whitehaven, and Newcastle. These churches, how- 
 ever, are not large, and are tending to decay rather 
 than to increase. Scotland and Ireland have proved 
 more favourable to this communion. Controversy arose 
 among the Sandemanians in 1798, in consequence of 
 one of their leaders affirming, that by the work of faith 
 and labour of love, they come to know they are of the 
 truth, and obtain the assured hope of being accepted ; that 
 this is the highest possible enjoyment of Christ's people 
 in this life, and to them the utmost evidence that Jesus 
 is the Son of God. This doctrine was opposed by 
 others as unscriptural, and contrary to the grand article 
 of expecting salvation, only in consequence of the work 
 of Christ. The dispute w^as maintained for some time 
 with great bitterness, and ended in the separation of a 
 number of churches from the rest, in order to pursue 
 this which Sandeman would have called " a devout 
 path to hell." 
 
 Sect. II. — The Swedenborgians, 
 
 This sect, like the preceding, derives its name from 
 its founder, who was Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish 
 baron. His followers, however, wish to be distin- 
 guished from other Christians by the title of " The 
 New Jerusalem Church*." 
 
 * Swedenborg's " True Christian Religion, according to the doctrine 
 of the New .Jerusalem church, which was foretold by the Lord in 
 Daniel vii. 13, 14, and in Rev. xxi. 12." 
 
448 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Were we to commence with what appears to the 
 eye of a stranger the most important distinction of 
 this communion, we should first describe its splendid 
 temples, vestments, and modes of worship ; but with 
 the disciples of Swedenborg these are minor objects, 
 which many of them sacrifice, continuing to join the 
 worship of other Christians, and satisfying themselves 
 with their faith in the doctrines of the new church. 
 The principal of these is, that Baron Swedenborg was 
 honoured with a divine mission to men ; not, indeed, to 
 make an entirely new revelation, but to give, by means 
 of visions and intercourse with the world of spirits, such 
 an exposition of the sacred Scriptures as should lay the 
 foundation of a new dispensation of religion. Those 
 who maintain this first principle, firmly believe the 
 Old and New Testament to be Avritten under the 
 highest species of inspiration, which has so curiously 
 indited these writings, that they contain three distinct 
 senses, the celestial, the spiritual, and the natural. 
 Four different kinds of style also are distinguished; 
 the figurative, which was that of the most ancient 
 church ; the historical, suited to the next age ; the pro- 
 phetical, which belonged to the precursors of Christ ; 
 and the mixed style, adopted in the psalms of David. 
 Each of the different senses of the Scriptures is 
 accommodated to the angels of a distinct heaven, and 
 to men on earth. To speak, however, in the language 
 of this sect, which is foreign from that of ordinary 
 mortals, the sense of the letter is the continent, the 
 basis, or firmament of its spiritual and celestial senses, 
 being written according to the docitrine of corre- 
 spondencies, which furnishes the key to the spiritual or 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 449 
 
 internal sense ; so that they equally err who, on the 
 one hand, neglect the natural sense, or who, on the 
 other, rest in the letter. But the baron must speak for 
 himself. 
 
 " I was once raised up, as to my spirit, into the 
 angelic heaven, and introduced to a particular society 
 therein, and immediately some of the wise ones of the 
 society came to me and said, what news from earth ? 
 I replied, this is new, that the Lord hath revealed 
 arcana, which, in point of real excellence, exceed all 
 the arcana heretofore revealed, since the beginning of 
 the church. They asked what arcana ? I answered the 
 following, 1. That in all, and every part of the word, 
 there is a spiritual sense corresponding with the natural 
 sense, and that the word by that sense is the medium 
 of conjunction between mankind and the Lord, and also 
 of consociation with angels, and that the sanctity of the 
 word resideth in that sense. 2. That the Corre- 
 spondencies, of which the spiritual sense of the word 
 consisteth, are discovered. And the angels asked, had 
 the inhabitants of the earth no knowledge heretofore 
 concerning correspondencies? I replied, none at all, 
 and that the doctrine of correspondencies had been 
 hidden now, for some thousands of years, viz., since the 
 time of Job ; that at that time, and in the ages before 
 it, the science of correspondencies was esteemed the 
 chief of sciences, being the fountain of wisdom to man, 
 because it was the fountain of knowledge concerning 
 spiritual things, relating to heaven and the church ; 
 but that this science, by reason of its being perverted 
 to idolatrous purposes, was so obliterated and destroyed, 
 by the divine providence of the Lord, that no traces of 
 
 VOL. II. 2 G 
 
HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 it were left; that nevertheless, at this time, it was 
 again revealed by the Lord, in order to effect a con- 
 junction of the members of the church with him, and 
 their consociation with the Angels*." 
 
 This doctrine of correspondence between everything 
 in the natural world, audits counterpart in the spiritual, 
 as also between the parts of the human body and the 
 faculties of the soul, is continually referred to, in all the 
 writings of this mystagogue. Thus expounded, the Jew- 
 ish and Christian Scriptures are admitted to be the 
 word of God, " the only medium of communication be- 
 tween God and man, the only source of genuine truth 
 and knowledge concerning the divine nature, kingdom, 
 and operations, and the only sure guide to men in their 
 spiritual and eternal concerns." 
 
 In the theology of this sect, the unity of God is in- 
 culcated, together with a divine Trinity ; but Sweden- 
 borg condemns the use of the expression three persons, 
 as conveying to the minds of all who use it a tritheistic 
 idea, w^hich, he says, originated in the first council of 
 Nice. The divine Trinity which he teaches, is not 
 supposed to have existed from eternity, but to have 
 commenced, if we understand him, from the creation ; 
 and though he sometimes calls it by the scriptural ex- 
 pression. Father, Son, and Spirit, he more commonly 
 speaks of the divine begetting, the Father ; the divine 
 human, the Son ; and the divine proceeding, or Holy 
 Spirit. They say, that Jesus Christ is Jehovah mani- 
 fested in the flesh ; that he came into the world to 
 
 * Swedenborgs " True Chrif?tian Religion," translated from the Latin, 
 by the Rev. T. Hartley, Rector of Winwick, Northamptonshire, 
 Sec. 846. 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 451 
 
 glorify his humanity by making it one with the divine 
 nature, so that the humanity is itself divine, and that 
 there is no other vray of access to God, but by this 
 divine humanity, in which dwells the whole Trinity. 
 For this again we have a visionary revelation. 
 
 To these notions of the Trinity and person of Christ, 
 they add sentiments as peculiar concerning redemption, 
 which they believe to consist, not in the propitiatory 
 sacrifice of the Redeemer, as an atonement to justice ; 
 but in bringing " the hells into subjection, and the hea- 
 vens into order and regulation_, and thereby preparing 
 the way for a new spiritual church ; checking the over- 
 grown influence of wicked spirits over the minds of 
 men, opening a nearer communication with the hea- 
 venly powers, and making salvation, which is regenera- 
 tion, possible for all who believe in the incarnate God, 
 and keep his commandments." " That redemption con- 
 sisteth in these things," Swedenborg says, " I can de- 
 clare with the utmost assurance ; inasmuch as the Lord 
 is at this day accomplishing a redemption which was 
 begun in the year 1757. And because it was permitted 
 to me to see the whole process of this work, I could 
 describe how the hells are subdued, and the new hea- 
 vens were formed, but the description would itself take 
 up an entire volume^." 
 
 The doctrine of a divine influx holds a principal place 
 in the Swedenborgian creed. Every man is supposed 
 to receive this influx from God, but each one according 
 to his state ; for by the evil nature of the wicked, good 
 influxes are changed into their opposite s. We are also 
 subject to evil influences from the hells, or evil spirits, 
 
 * True Christian Religion, p. 140. 
 
 2 G 2 
 
452 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 as well as good from the Lord and his angels ; and all 
 angels, whether good or bad, were once men. By these 
 opposite influences we are kept in equilibrio, at perfect 
 liberty to turn which way we please. If we submit to 
 God, we receive real life from him ; if not, we receive 
 that life from hell, which is called spiritual death. 
 Swedenborg assures us, there is not only a heaven and 
 a hell, the natural consequence of the turn of our minds, 
 but also an intermediate state, called the world of spirits. 
 Few pass at once into heaven or hell, but the good are 
 in the intermediate state purified from remaining evil, 
 and the bad deprived of their extraneous goodness. 
 About the third day after death, man rises again in a 
 substantial body which was enclosed in his material 
 body, and in this he lives as a man to eternity, whether 
 in heaven or hell. 
 
 Tbe last judgment is to be understood, according to 
 the doctrine of correspondencies, to mean the consum- 
 mation of the present Christian church, both among 
 Catholics and Protestants of every denomination, and 
 the new heavens are the new church in its internal, and 
 the new earth, the Swedenborgian, or New Jerusalem 
 church, in its external form. The essentials of the 
 church and of salvation are an acknowledgment of the 
 Lord's divinity, of the holiness of the word, and the 
 life, which is charity. But to most readers enough has 
 been said of these tenets. 
 
 The members of the new church are said to be 
 numerous in England, Wales, Ireland, France, Hol- 
 land, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Turkey, and even the 
 East and West Indies and America. It is probable, 
 however, that their numbers have been much exagge- 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 453 
 
 rated, and that they include many visionary sceptics, 
 who have been amused rather than convinced by the 
 revelation of the Swede. But as his avowed proselyte 
 often remain in their former communion, the church c 
 England, we are told, contains many of them amon^ 
 the laity ; besides " a numerous body of clergy, who 
 are disposed to think favourably of Swedenborg's testi 
 mony." Of these, some affirm that it was never th 
 baron's intention to form a new sect, while others sup- 
 pose that he left it to each one to follow the course 
 which his conscience might dictate, and a third class 
 maintains the absolute necessity of establishing a church 
 upon the principles revealed from heaven. If, however, 
 Swedenborg left it to his disciples' discretion, he must 
 have contemplated the possible formation of a new sect, 
 and if conscience should be called in to decide, would 
 it not bid them flee from any communion which adopts 
 the Athanasian or Nicene creeds, so severely reprobated 
 by Swedenborg and the angels ? 
 
 Numerous members of the new church, convinced 
 that their peculiar doctrines demanded separate worship, 
 published proposals for forming societies, and contract- 
 ing marriages, upon their own principles. Chapels 
 have been erected in London, Bristol, Birmingham, 
 and other parts of the British empire. They give the 
 name of temple to their places of worship, which are 
 very splendid, as are the vestments of the officiating 
 ministers. A liturgy formed from that of the church 
 of England, is used in their worship ; but among the 
 alterations made, in order to render it perfectly Sweden- 
 borgian, the part, called the gloria patri, is exchanged 
 for the following words : " To Jesus Christ be glory 
 
454 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and dominion for ever and ever." " To vrhich the con- 
 gregation answers, " He is Alpha and Omega, the 
 beginning and the ending, the first and the last, who 
 is, and was, and who is to come, the Almighty Amen." 
 
 As this sect maintains no peculiar discipline, we 
 pass to its characteristic features. Of these the first 
 and chief is mysticism, quite to the verge, if not to the 
 very vortex of insanity. The material and the spiritual 
 worlds, the internal and the external man, Avith their 
 correspondencies, so possess the mind, that the objects 
 of sense never produce the same ideas in Swedenbor- 
 gians as in other men. Viewing every thing through 
 the medium of their system, they speak with great 
 rationality, perhaps, in their own estimation, though 
 with strange incoherence, according to the established 
 language of man. The distinction which they make 
 between themselves and other enthusiasts, appears ex- 
 tremely futile ; for what is the advantage of acknow- 
 ledging the letter of the Scripture, instead of our own 
 inspirations, if the Scripture is afterwards to be inter- 
 preted according to visions and angelic revelations ? 
 
 The gnosticism which pestered the Christian church 
 in its earliest ages is here revived. The seons of the 
 ancient sect correspond to the hells of the modern ; the 
 gnostic doctrine of Jesus becoming Christ, at a certain 
 time, resembles the Swedenborgian deification of the 
 Saviour's humanity ; and the production of the Holy 
 Spirit is similar in both systems. The Swedish here- 
 siarch adopted also language that excites the ideas of 
 the Anthropomorphites. How could they have more 
 effectually humanized the deity than Swedenborg has 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 455 
 
 done, in the account of one of his visions, which informs 
 us, that, through all the heavens, they have no other 
 idea of God, than as of a divine man, and that no other 
 God could have created man in his image and likeness ? 
 Zealous Socinians have claimed the members of the 
 new church as Unitarian brethren ; but the unity 
 which these maintain, Socinians would abhor ; as in 
 the New Jerusalem " Arianism, Socinianism, and Cal- 
 vinism, according to its original principles," are all held 
 in devout abhorrence*. 
 
 With regard to predestination, election, and free 
 will, the disciples of Swedenborg are Arminians, for 
 they believe that their master saw Calvin in the other 
 world, holding fast indeed his sentiments, but doomed 
 for them to a sort of hell ; it was, however, hard to ex- 
 pect that he should be convinced by a change of state, 
 of which he was, says Swedenborg, unconscious. 
 Luther, indeed, was admitted into heaven, but only in 
 consequence of a posthumous conversion. Sweden- 
 borg was filled with the common enmity to Calvinism, 
 which he either did not understand, or wilfully misre- 
 presented. But as there is more reason to think well 
 of his honesty than of his intellects, it seems that he 
 really thought the horrible caricature which he sketched 
 was a faithful portrait. How much then must we pity 
 the man who, starting with horror at the spectres of his 
 own raising, frightened others by his vociferations 
 against he knew not what ? This, however, increases 
 our regret, that so many should have yielded im- 
 plicit credit to his visions ; for who, that truly under- 
 stands the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, of election, 
 
 * True Christian Religion. 
 
4oG HISTORY OF Dl,^ SENTEKS. 
 
 or salvation by grace, can for a moment suppose that 
 heaven favoured a man with revelations to overthrow a 
 certain creed, without giving him light to understand 
 it ? While his ignorance is so palpable, his illumina- 
 tion is incredible. 
 
 A sort of Mahomedan heaven is presented in Swe- 
 denborgian's visions to the tastes of those who are 
 offended with the pure spirituality of the scriptural 
 representation of future bliss. To become so familiar 
 with future happiness, as not merely to see, but to 
 touch, to handle it ; to indulge, in spite of the Re- 
 deemer's words, the hope of marrying there, or being 
 given in marriage ; of being restored so completely to 
 a world which we were unwilling to leave, as scarcely 
 to be conscious of any transition ; and thus to per- 
 petuate the enjoyment of the beloved objects of sense, 
 has been, it is to be feared, the golden bait which has 
 induced many to swallow even the visions of Emanuel 
 Swedenborg. 
 
 The history of this sect is very little more than that 
 of its founder. Emanuel Swedenborg was born at 
 Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, January 29, 1689. 
 From the academy of Upsal he went to the uni- 
 versities of England, Holland, F'rance, and Germany, 
 and returning to Stockholm, in 1714, was, soon after, 
 appointed to the lucrative and honourable post of 
 assessor of the metallic college, by Charles XII. 
 Queen Ulrica Eleonora having ennobled him, he 
 took his seat among the equestrian order, by the title 
 of Baron Swedenborg. He was made fellow of the 
 Royal Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, and of 
 several foreign societies. In high esteem among the 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 457 
 
 bishops and learned men of his own country, he main- 
 tained also a correspondence with the most distin- 
 guished scholars in Europe, and published so many 
 philosophical works, that it is doubted whether any 
 other man, except his countryman, Linnaeus, ever gave 
 equal proofs of industry. The study of many of his 
 works is cultivated in some of the universities on the 
 Continent. 
 
 " But whatever of worldly honour or advantage," he 
 says, " may appear to be in the things before men- 
 tioned, I hold them but as matters of low estimation, 
 when compared to the honour of that holy office to 
 which the Lord himself hath called me, his unworthy 
 servant, in a personal appearance, in the year 1743, to 
 open in me a sight of the spiritual world, and to enable 
 me to converse with spirits and angels, and this pri- 
 vilege has continued with me to this day. It was in 
 London that, on a certain night, a man appeared to me 
 in the midst of a strong shining light, and said, ' I am 
 God, the Lord, the Creator, and Redeemer. I have 
 chosen thee to explain to men the interior and spiritual 
 sense of the sacred writings. I will dictate to thee 
 what thou oughtest to write.' " From this time, he de- 
 voted himself entirely to the work to which he supposed 
 himself called, studying the Scriptures and publishing 
 his discoveries, or arcana, as he termed them. 
 
 In his zeal to propagate the doctrines of his missions, 
 Swedenborg frequently visited distant cities, particu- 
 larly London and Amsterdam, where all his theological 
 Avorks were printed, at a great expense. Wherever he 
 resided, when on his travels, he was a mere recluse, 
 almost inaccessible, though, in his own country, of a 
 
458 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 free and open behaviour. He affected no honour, 
 but declined it ; pursued no worldly interest, but spent 
 his time in travelling and printing. He died, March 
 29, 1772; and, after lying in state, his remains were 
 deposited in a vault in the Swedish church, near 
 Ratcliff Highway. 
 
 It is admitted by the translator of his " True Chris- 
 tian Theology," that " he was seized with a fever, 
 attended with delirium, about twenty years before he 
 died ; and men have gone about to pick up what he 
 said and did, and how he looked, at the time, and have 
 propagated this, both in private and in print ; a pro- 
 ceeding so contrary to common humanity, that one 
 cannot think of it without offence, nay even horror." 
 Here is, probably, a reference to what IMr. Wesley has 
 said of the baron's missions commencing at this season 
 of madness ; which, indeed, is the kindest and most 
 reasonable solution of the mystery. That Swedenborg 
 was a man of upright intentions and eminent abilities, 
 both natural and acquired, is indisputable ; but when 
 we are referred to his writings, to decide concerning his 
 sanity, what reasonable man can hesitate to say that 
 they afford sufficient evidence that he was insane ? His 
 was, indeed, no ordinary insanity, but that of a de- 
 votional and philosophic mind, which often appears 
 greatest when in ruins. 
 
 The theological writings of Swedenborg were not 
 much noticed during his life, but have, since his death, 
 been translated into German, English, and French. 
 The first translation into our language was by Mr. 
 Hartley, a clergyman, which attracted so much atten- 
 
THE SWEDENBORGIANS. 
 
 459 
 
 tion, that all the baron's works soon appeared in an 
 English dress, and passed through several editions. It 
 is asserted, that a society of gentlemen in Manchester, 
 formed for the purpose of publishing and circulating 
 them, printed^ in the course of a few years, upwards of 
 sixteen thousand copies, as appears from the annual 
 reports of the society. 
 
 Dr. Priestley, however, determined to try his pole- 
 mical powers in the conflict with visions, angels, 
 influxes, and all the arcana of other worlds. He pub- 
 lished, in 1791, " Letters to the Members of the New 
 Jerusalem Church at Birmingham," in which he la- 
 bours, with all his zeal and address, to overthrow their 
 doctrine concerning the exclusive divinity of Jesus 
 Christ. He was instantly answered, at the request of 
 the body, by Robert Hindmarsh, one of its ministers, 
 who ofiiciated in their metropolitan temple. His " Let- 
 ters to Dr. Priestley " are written in the true spirit of 
 the new church, and with very considerable ability. 
 After ingeniously repelling the doctor's arguments, 
 Hindmarsh asserts, that Socinians are not Christians ; 
 and that their grand peculiarity, the denial of the deity 
 of Jesus Christ, is the unpardonable sin. Were it not 
 that the subject is too serious, as it involves the in- 
 terests of eternity, nothing could be more amusing than 
 this conflict between the opposing elements, fire and 
 water, scepticism and mysticism. Nor can any one 
 who has been accustomed to regard the Swedenbor- 
 gians as visionary enthusiasts, and their antagonist as 
 an acute logician, fail of being surprised at the appear- 
 ance of ease and success with which Mr. Hindmarsh 
 combats Dr. Priestley. 
 
460 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 As the zeal for the erection of gorgeous temples, 
 which this sect displayed in its infancy, has of late 
 declined, nothing now remains to attract strangers ; 
 while the charm of novelty, having vanished, has left 
 some of the proselytes to sink back into mere indiffer- 
 ence, or into their former communions. Thus, after 
 commencing with splendid expectations, the new 
 church is gradually falling into disrepute, and the 
 number of its votaries, never very great, is now de- 
 creasing. This must, to the most liberal and catholic 
 mind, which has not been deranged by Swedenborg's 
 visions, afford pleasure ; for while almost every sect, 
 with, its errors and evils, has also its excellencies and 
 uses, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to say 
 what advantage could accrue to truth, to religion, or 
 human society, by the increase of this communion. 
 
Chap. II. 
 
 STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 
 
 Besides that mighty convulsion in the political world, 
 the American revolution, several events took place 
 within the British isles, by which the cause of religious 
 liberty was affected ; and various exertions were made 
 to extend its dominion and its triumphs. The first 
 attempt arose from a quarter which excited the asto- 
 nishment of the public, and presented a phenome- 
 non which never had its prototype in England. In 
 1772, several hundreds of the established clergy, sup- 
 ported by laymen who were bound by some of the 
 ecclesiastical laws, presented a petition to parliament, 
 praying for deliverance from subscription to the liturgy 
 and the articles of the church. In their petition they 
 thus express their sentiments. " We apprehend that 
 we have certain rights and privileges which we hold of 
 God alone, one of which is^ the exercise of our own 
 reason and judgment. We are also warranted by 
 those original principles of the reformation from 
 Popery, on which the church of England is founded, 
 to judge in searching the Scriptures, each man for him- 
 self, what may or may not be proved thereby. From 
 the enjoyment of this valuable privilege, we find our- 
 selves in a great measure precluded by the laws rela- 
 
462 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tive to subscription, requiring us to acknowledge cer- 
 tain articles and confessions of faith and doctrine drawn 
 up by fallible men, to be all and every one of them 
 agreeable to the sacred Scriptures. We request to be 
 freed from these impositions, and to be restored to our 
 undoubted right as Protestants, of interpreting the 
 Scriptures for ourselves, without being bound by any 
 human explanations, a submission to which is an 
 encroachment on our rights both as men and as mem- 
 bers of a Protestant establishment." What Dissenter, 
 on reading this, does not exclaim, " Is Saul also among 
 the prophets ?" 
 
 So novel an application may naturally be supposed 
 to have roused many enemies in the British legislature. 
 The more liberal professed that the reasoning of the 
 petitioners would come wdth a good grace from the lips 
 of Dissenters, who ought undoubtedly to be left to 
 choose their religious creed ; but that an established 
 church must have more special regulations and laws 
 for its government and direction. The power to enact 
 these, and to frame an ecclesiastical constitution, re- 
 sides in the legislature, on whom it is incumbent to 
 frame it in a manner the most conducive to the public 
 good. The clergy, they said, might have their private 
 opinions on religious subjects ; but that, being teachers 
 of religion salaried by the state, they ought, in their 
 public discourses, to bring forw^ard for the instruction of 
 the people, nothing but w^hat accords with the eccle- 
 siastical statutes of the realm. They further informed 
 the petitioners, that if they had changed their senti- 
 ments, it was always in their power to alter their pro- 
 fession and bid adieu to the established priesthood. 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 463 
 
 But what said the high church party ? In their 
 eyes the petition appeared to threaten the destruction 
 of the church. If the articles, said they, be taken 
 away, the abolition of the liturgy may be expected to 
 follow ; and then where is the church of England, the 
 glory of the reformation ! As the church and the state 
 were so closely connected as to depend, for their very 
 existence, on each retaining its present mode of being, 
 they considered a compliance with the petition as the 
 ruin of both. " Recollect," said they, " the overthrow 
 of the church by the sectaries in the last century ; and 
 if you yield to these men's wishes, you must expect a 
 repetition of the same disastrous scenes." 
 
 The cause of the petitioners was pleaded with great 
 eloquence by Sir William Meredith, who presented 
 the petition to the house, and by several other members 
 of eminent abilities, who argued, with irresistible force, 
 from the topics on which the Dissenters insist in their 
 controversy with the establishment ; but which were 
 supposed to be inapplicable to a body of men salaried 
 by the state for teaching the national creed. After an 
 animated debate, the prayer of the petitioners was re- 
 jected, by a majority of two hundred and seventeen to 
 seventy-one. 
 
 The conduct of the petitioners was exceedingly 
 displeasing to many of their brethren. Among others, 
 Mr. Toplady published a pamphlet against them, in 
 which he charges them with " destroying the title- 
 deeds which insured the property to others, and then 
 wishing to keep the estate as their own." But why 
 may not men complain, if they think themselves 
 aggrieved, and endeavour, as the petitioning clergy 
 
464 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 did, to obtain redress by legal means ? The church of 
 England claims neither infallibility nor perfection ; and 
 her sons, who conceive themselves injured by their 
 mother s severity, may solicit their father's interference. 
 The question of subscription to articles of faith, the 
 hardship and the inexpediency of the practice, had 
 been a few years before discussed, with considerable 
 ability, by Archdeacon Blackburne, in " The Confes- 
 sional ;" and though a Vindication of the Right of 
 Protestant Churches to require the Clergy to Subscribe 
 to an Established Confession of Faith and Doctrines," 
 appeared from the pen of Professor Rutherforth, the 
 other side of the question had numerous adherents. 
 They were blamed by many, for not maturing their 
 plan with sufficient wisdom, for acting with precipita- 
 tion, and especially for not consulting the bishops, and 
 ensuring their patronage. 
 
 In the debates on the petition of the dissatisfied 
 clergy, when the case of the Dissenters in respect to 
 subscription was mentioned, some who strenuously 
 opposed the petition declared themselves willing to 
 relieve Dissenters from the subscription to the thirty- 
 five articles and a half, of the established church. As 
 the clergy reaped the substantial benefits of an esta- 
 blishment, it was but equitable that they should con- 
 form to all the regulations which the legislature had 
 prescribed ; but as Dissenters enjoyed none of these 
 emoluments, it was reasonable that they should be 
 allowed to hold and to preach what sentiments they 
 thought good. 
 
 This display of liberality gave great pleasure to the 
 generality of the dissenting ministers, few of whom 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 465 
 
 were at this time in the habit of subscribing to the 
 articles. Some had embraced a very different system, 
 and could not with a good conscience subscribe what 
 they did not believe. By many, who still retained the 
 belief of the doctrines of the Non-conformists, an opinion 
 was entertained that the civil magistrate has no right 
 to demand a subscription to any human creed ; and 
 that to submit to such a requisition, is to admit his 
 authority in matters of religion. There was a more 
 numerous class which did not carry their ideas so far as 
 to account subscription unlawful ; but they considered it 
 as improper and ineligible, and were pleased with the 
 hopes of being freed from what they did not approve. 
 All these cordially united to apply to parliament for 
 relief from the present subscription, and to substitute 
 a declaration of their belief of the sacred Scriptures as 
 the rule of faith and practice *. The advocates for sub- 
 scription were but few. 
 
 In the session of 1772, a motion for the relief of 
 Protestant dissenting ministers from subscription to 
 the articles, was made by Sir Harry Houghton, the 
 representative of an old and very respectable dissent- 
 ing family in Lancashire, which, being seconded by 
 Sir George Saville, one of the first characters in 
 England, both for personal and public virtue, leave was 
 
 * One minister, Mr. Fell, an orthodox Dissenter, wrote several 
 pamphlets to prove that it is utterly unlawful to subscribe, as a test, 
 any confession or declaration whatever, proposed, or demanded, by the 
 civil magistrate. In answer to men of this sentiment. Job Orton urged, 
 " That subscribing is not acknowledging the magistrate's right in sacred 
 matters ; but only submitting to the condition on which he grants dis- 
 senting ministers an indemnity from civil offices, and the burdens which 
 as subjects they ought to bear, in common with others." — Orton's Letters, 
 vol. ii., p. 10. 
 
 VOL. II. 2 H 
 
466 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 given to bring in a bill to that effect. It was ushered 
 into the house with the most flattering expressions of 
 approbation. But that mmiia which seizes a high 
 church tory, whenever he hears of any privilege or 
 indulgence to be granted to a Dissenter, exerted its in- 
 fluence on the present occasion, and roused many to 
 speak against the bill with all their might. 
 
 To free the Dissenters from subscription, they said, 
 would fill the country with enthusiasm, absurdity, and 
 error. When the present wholesome restraint was 
 removed, Arians, Socinians, and even Deists, would 
 deface and undermine the Christian religion. As the 
 application of the clergy, who had a prior claim to 
 favour, was refused, certainly the Dissenters ought not 
 to be gratified with an acquiescence in their wishes. It 
 might be called a bill, not for the relief, but for the 
 encouragement of Dissenters, by which the church of 
 England would be weakened and injured, and a re- 
 publican religion_, at all times a foe to monarchy and 
 episcopacy, would be strengthened and cherished. The 
 Act of Toleration was designed for the protection of those 
 who could subscribe the articles ; but those who now 
 came forward with their complaints, must be persons 
 of a different character, and therefore not entitled to 
 its privileges. 
 
 The reasoning of the friends of the bill easily dis- 
 pelled the airy sophisms of their opponents ; and to 
 confirm their arguments in favour of religious liberty, 
 they adduced facts. In neither Scotland, nor Ireland, is 
 subscription required of any of the sects which dissent 
 from the churches established in those countries ; and 
 yet not one injurious consequence has arisen from the 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 467 
 
 enjoyment of their liberty. The weight of these con- 
 siderations was felt by the house, the bill passed with a 
 general concurrence, and could even boast of the ap- 
 probation, or at least the acquiescence of the minister. 
 
 From the lords it met with a very different recep- 
 tion. The bishops, those vigilant guardians of the 
 church, tremblingly alive to all its concerns, thought 
 that they descried danger in the bill, and summoning 
 up their eloquence, gave it the most decided opposition. 
 The bill was thrown out, by a hundred and two, against 
 twenty-nine. 
 
 The Dissenters determined to make a second at- 
 tempt, and in the following year (1773) the bill was 
 again introduced, and passed the commons with sub- 
 stantial marks of approbation. But, when it was car- 
 ried to the lords, the former opposition was renewed, 
 and with equal effect, for it Avas again thrown out. In 
 the course of the debate. Dr. Drummond, Archbishop 
 of York, attacked the dissenting ministers with singular 
 violence, and charged them with being men of close 
 ambition. They had, however, the happiness to find 
 an advocate in the great Earl of Chatham, who spoke 
 in the following terms : " This is judging uncharitably, 
 and whoever brings such a charge without proof, de- 
 fames." Here he paused for a moment, and then pro- 
 ceeded : " The dissenting ministers are represented as 
 men of close ambition ; they are so, my lords, and their 
 ambition is to keep close to the college of fishermen, 
 not of cardinals ; and to the doctrine of inspired apos- 
 tles, not to the decrees of interested and aspiring 
 bishops. They contend for a spiritual creed and spi- 
 ritual worship ; we have a Calvinistic creed, a Popisl^ 
 
 2H2 
 
468 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 liturgy, and an Arminian clergy. The reformation 
 has laid open the Scriptures to all ; let not the bishops 
 shut them again. Laws in support of ecclesiastical 
 power are pleaded, which it would shock humanity to 
 execute. It is said that religious sects have done great 
 mischief, when they were not kept under restraint ; but 
 history affords no proof that sects have ever been mis- 
 chievous, when they were not oppressed and persecuted 
 by the ruling church." 
 
 A multitude of pamphlets appeared on the occa- 
 sion, and both the friends and foes of subscription 
 told their tale, and uttered their wishes, their hopes, 
 and their complaints. Israel Mauduit, Dr. Fur- 
 neaux. Dr. Kippis, Mr. Radcliff, and others in the 
 new scheme of doctrines ; Dr. Stennett, Dr. Gibbons, 
 Mr. Hitchin, and Mr. Fell among the orthodox ; Dean 
 Tucker, Dr. Butler, and some anonymous writers in 
 the establishment, all contended in this field of contro- 
 versy ; some on each side with ability and temper, and 
 others with more heat than light. 
 
 Those dissenting ministers, whose sentiments were 
 hostile to the doctrine of the articles, were the first in 
 the field. Such, indeed, was their ardour, that they 
 were accused of acting with imprudent and indecent 
 haste. The meeting of the London ministers, it was 
 said, was fixed on so early a day, that many had not 
 timely notice ; and, when they assembled, the business 
 was so intemperately hurried on and concluded, that 
 some who came a little too late, found every thing set- 
 tled ; nor were the country ministers consulted, as they 
 ought to have been, nor their consent obtained. They 
 were justly blamed too for the strain of their pamphlets, 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 469 
 
 in which they rendered prominent their peculiar notions 
 in theology ; and instead of going on those broad 
 grounds, which were common to all Dissenters, 
 they spoke disrespectfully of the ancient Non-con- 
 formists, as men groping in the dark, while they ex- 
 tolled themselves as unspeakably superior. But had 
 they not asserted this, no one would ever have made 
 the discovery; nor have supposed that Baxter and 
 Howe, Bates and Owen, were in the smallest dan- 
 ger of being eclipsed by these panegyrists of them- 
 selves. Greater commendation is due to that more 
 numerous body among the ministers who had no quarrel 
 with the doctrine of the articles, but who preferred a 
 declaration of their belief in the sacred Scriptures. 
 While they considered Arian and Socinian sentiments 
 as diametrically opposite to the principles of the Gospel, 
 they were desirous of lending their aid to free the men 
 who had embraced these errors from human penalties. 
 Some, however, of the dissenting ministers opposed 
 the application to parliament, because the relief was 
 desired by men who opposed the truth, and wished to 
 oppose it still more openly, whom therefore it was 
 thought improper to encourage. Whatever praise may 
 be due to the good intentions of such men; on the 
 ground of general liberty and the rights of conscience, 
 we would not undertake their defence. 
 
 More may be said for another class of dissenting 
 ministers, who told the Arian and Socinian teachers, — • 
 " We feel no grievance in the Toleration Act : if you 
 do, go and apply for relief ; but do it in your name 
 and not in ours : we will not oppose you, but we will 
 not patronize your cause ; because we think your reli- 
 
470 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 gious principles dangerous to tlie souls of men." Such 
 was the reasoning of Mr. Hitchin's pamphlet. In the 
 various writings published on this subject, the orthodox 
 display a great superiority of temper to those who had 
 embraced the Arian and Socinian creed. To be con- 
 vinced of this, it is only necessary to compare the 
 pamphlets of Ilitchin, Gibbons, and Stennett, with 
 those of Mauduit and RadclifF, and some others of that 
 class. 
 
 After repeated applications for relief, rendered vain 
 by an opposition, so formidable and so decided, the 
 cause seemed to be set for ever at rest, at least till all 
 those bishops and nobles had slept with their fathers. 
 But the determinations of the British peers are not 
 like the laws of the Medes and Persians, which can- 
 not be altered. In the space of a few years, some 
 things occurred which made it appear decent and proper 
 that the dissenting ministers should obtain what they 
 had been so peremptorily refused. In a period not 
 farther distant than 1779, the subject was again 
 brought forward; and, on the motion of Sir Harry 
 Houghton, a bill was introduced, and passed, not only 
 the Commons, but the Lords also, with an opposition 
 so feeble as not to be worthy of being named. The 
 dangers to the church and to the state, which, six 
 years ago, Avere so formidable, now all vanished ; and 
 the Dissenters might, with perfect safety to the civil 
 and ecclesiastical constitution of England, put their 
 name to the following declaration : — " I, A. B., do 
 solemnly declare, in the presence of Almighty God, 
 that I am a Christian and a Protestant, and as such, 
 that I believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 471 
 
 Testament, as commonly received among Protestant 
 churches, do contain the revealed will of God, and 
 that I do receive the same as the rule of my doctrine 
 and practice." 
 
 In the debates of the upper house, the very liberal 
 sentiments of Dr. Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph, the 
 friend and disciple of Hoadley, are alone worthy of a 
 place in the records of history. He argued strenuously 
 against the imposition of every confession of faith, how- 
 ever brief, and general, and true. " It is," said he, 
 " the duty of magistrates, it is, indeed, the very end of 
 magistrates, to protect all men in the enjoyment of 
 their natural rights, of which the free exercise of their 
 religion is one of the first and best. All history is full 
 of the mischiefs occasioned by the want of toleration. 
 One might naturally ask a minister of state for a good 
 pension, or a good contract, or a place at court ; but 
 hardly any one would think of making interest with 
 him for a place in heaven." 
 
 In the history of religious liberty, to be able to record 
 a victory in favour of Roman Catholics must be pecu- 
 liarly grateful to every enlightened Protestant. No 
 terms can describe the injustice and cruelty of the 
 English government to that body of people, from the 
 accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne. We have 
 our Book of Martyrs, in which the sufferings of 
 those who were put to death by Roman Catholics are 
 affectingly detailed ; but few are informed that Roman 
 Catholics have their Book of Martyrs too, and almost 
 as long and as bloody, and that English Protestants 
 were the executioners. 
 
 To the present generation was reserved the honour 
 
472 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of decreeing that the persecuting statutes against the 
 members of the Church of Rome, which would have 
 disgraced the code of Nero, and which had so long 
 been allowed to form a part of ours, were a national 
 injustice, and an infamy no longer to be borne. Who 
 can read without horror, that, by acts of parliament, 
 ** popish priests and Jesuits found officiating in the ser- 
 vices of their church were declared guilty of felony? 
 If a Roman Catholic gentleman was educated abroad, 
 the estate was forfeited. A son who became a Pro- 
 testant, might strip his father, if a Roman Catholic, of 
 his estate, and take possession of it for himself ; and 
 Papists were declared incapable of acquiring real pro- 
 perty by purchase." To that virtuous senator. Sir 
 George Saville, was reserved the glory of proposing 
 to the House of Commons a repeal of these horrid 
 statutes. He prefaced his proposal in the following 
 terms : — " I mean to vindicate the honour and assert 
 the principles of the Protestant religion, to which all 
 persecution is foreign and adverse. The penalties in 
 question are disgraceful, not only to religion, but to 
 humanity. They are calculated to loosen all the bands 
 of society ; to dissolve all social, moral, and religious 
 obligations and duties ; to poison the sources of do- 
 mestic felicity, and to annihilate every principle of 
 honour." The motion received the unanimous appro- 
 bation of the House. The Peers concurred with the 
 Connnons, and these inhuman laws were erased from 
 the statute-book of England. 
 
 Were mankind governed by reason and religion, 
 this act of parliament for the relief of the Roman 
 Catholics from some of their heaviest penalties, must 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 473 
 
 have given universal satisfaction. But inveterate pre- 
 judices, which have, in ahnost every age, been cherished 
 by civil and ecclesiastical rulers, set reason at defiance. 
 In England, the law was allowed to take its course ; but 
 the Scotch, among whom hatred of Popery was one of 
 the leading features of national character, were en- 
 raged at the idea of any countenance given to Popery. 
 Tumults took place in the chief cities of Scotland, 
 Roman Catholic chapels were destroyed, and the houses 
 of some of the principal persons in that communion 
 attacked and injured. To secure the continuance of 
 these persecuting statutes, they formed themselves 
 into a society called The Protestant Association," 
 and chose Lord George Gordon, a younger son of the 
 Duke of Gordon, for their president ; a man of so 
 ambiguous a character, that whether he was sane or 
 deranged, whether weak or wicked, whether an enthu- 
 siast or a deceiver, is still in dispute. 
 
 By the influence of Scotch zealots the spirit ex- 
 tended to England ; and a numerous Protestant asso- 
 ciation was formed in London, with a view to procure 
 the repeal of the recent act, and to subject Papists 
 again to the unrighteous laws. Zeal against an ob- 
 noxious sect is easily kindled, continued, and diffused. 
 It requires the mortification of no evil disposition, and 
 allows the most hateful passions of the heart to exert 
 all their fury. No wonder that the association soon 
 grew to an enormous size. A petition to parliament 
 was prepared, and signed by the names and marks, it 
 is said, of a hundred and twenty thousand persons, 
 who imagined they were defending the Protestant re- 
 ligion, and doing God service. This petition Lord 
 
474 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 George Gordon was requested to present to the House 
 of Commons, of which he was a member ; but he made 
 it the condition of his compliance, that he should be 
 attended by twenty thousand of the men who were 
 enrolled in the lists of the association. 
 
 On the second day of June, 1780, they assembled in 
 St. George's-fields, to the number, it is supposed, of 
 fifty thousand. Scotch and English, in distinct bodies, 
 carrying their ensigns of zeal, and with their president 
 at their head, marched, in regular divisions, to the 
 House of Commons. Their petition was presented, 
 and while it was the subject of debate, a multitude of 
 the petitioners remained without, who, throwing aside 
 by degrees the restraints of duty, began to insult the 
 members of parliament on the way to the house, com- 
 pelling them to cry " no popery,'* and to wear blue 
 cockades. To still greater excesses they were stimu- 
 lated by the conduct of their noble president, who fre- 
 quently came out to them, during the debate, and 
 addressed them in very intemperate language, and at 
 last told them that the people of Scotland obtained no 
 redress, till they pulled down the popish chapels. In- 
 fluenced, most probably, by this information, they pro- 
 ceeded, the same evening, to the demolition of two of 
 the most celebrated Catholic chapels. 
 
 For a week, the metropolis was the scene of tumult 
 and devastation, chapels were destroyed, and the dwel- 
 lings of many Catholics injured and stripped. The 
 prison of Newgate, in which some of the rioters were 
 confined, was attacked and burned, and several other 
 jails shared the same fate. The houses of Lord Mans- 
 field and Sir George Saville were demolished; and a 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 475 
 
 furious mob was extending its ravages, when, to supply 
 the defects of exertion by the civil magistrate, the 
 entrance of a military body restored tranquillity to the 
 terrified inhabitants of London. In the outrages of 
 the evening, after the petition was presented, some of 
 Lord George Gordon's followers were concerned ; but 
 few, if any, in those of the following days. A new 
 class of men gradually rose up in their place, till at 
 last the refuse of the metropolis, intent only on plun- 
 der and mischief, acted the last scene of the tragedy. 
 Of whom the Protestant association was formed, it is 
 natural to inquire. They were collected from different 
 religious denominations ; the church furnished its full 
 share ; many were of the two tribes of Methodists, Avho 
 still clung to the church ; the Scotch furnished a nume-^ 
 rous band ; of regular Dissenters there was the smallest 
 number. No dissenting minister, or layman of note, 
 was to be found among them ; for the doctrine of 
 religious liberty was better understood among Dis- 
 senters than in any other body of Christians. Being 
 interrupted in their debates by the noise and violence 
 of the mob, the House of Commons adjourned, and the 
 subject not being resumed, the act of 1778 happily 
 continued in force. 
 
 As the deliverance of the Roman Catholics from the 
 operation of persecuting statutes was but imperfect, in 
 1791 a bill was brought into the House of Commons 
 to grant them further relief The benefit was, however, 
 limited to such of the body as could subscribe a de- 
 claration against the assumed authority of the Pope, as 
 to temporals. Mr. Fox pleaded, with all his force of 
 argument, that the limitation might be expunged, and 
 
476 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 liberty granted on the broadest basis. He was sup- 
 ported by Mr. Burke, whose liberality for their re- 
 ligious opinions, and elo(juence in behalf of those who 
 held them, never forsook him to the end of his career. 
 Mr. Pitt argued for the limitation ; and his voice pre- 
 vailed. Many of the Catholics, unable to assent to the 
 declaration, were excluded from the benefit of the act. 
 
 Some years after the first success of the Catholics^ 
 a subject which had long preyed on the minds of the 
 Dissenters was brought forward to public notice. The 
 Corporation and Test Acts had, from the revolution, 
 been felt as burdens of oppressive weight, and a con- 
 stant desire of deliverance had been expressed. But 
 tlie spirit of the times would not admit of application 
 for relief. During a period of almost forty years, which 
 introduced into public life an entirely new generation 
 of men, the public mind, as the Dissenters thought, 
 was undergoing a gradual improvement ; and the day 
 was arrived when the fetters, which, for more than a 
 century, had not only confined, but degraded them, 
 would be l)roken. The success with which their 
 attempt to obtain freedom from subscription had been 
 finally crowned, animated them with tlie hopes of a 
 similar issue in the present business. The kind dis- 
 positions too, which had been displayed to the Roman 
 Catholics, in breaking down a system of restrictions 
 which had subsisted for centuries, still further confirmed 
 them in the opinion, that an intolerant spirit had de- 
 parted from all the intelligent ranks in society, and was 
 becoming feeble in the minds of the lowest vulgar. 
 These expectations of success were still more confirmed 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 477 
 
 by the conversation wliicli those of the dissenting body, 
 who had waited on the premier Mr. Pitt, detailed 
 to their friends. " He did not," they said, " patronize 
 their cause ; but, at the same time, he discovered no 
 hostility to the steps which they proposed to take." 
 
 With these prospects, the Dissenters, in 1787, 
 applied to parliament for relief from the operation of 
 the Corporation and Test Acts. Mr. Beaufoy, a man 
 of considerable talents and respectability, introduced 
 the subject to the House of Commons, and supported 
 his motion by an able speech, in which, after giving an 
 historical account of the two acts, and answering the 
 objections usually adduced, he urged the claims of the 
 Dissenters. But Lord North painted in glowing 
 colours the danger to the church from this proposed 
 innovation ; and insisted that the Corporation and Test 
 Acts were merely political regulations, and that the 
 exclusion of Dissenters from offices of trust could not 
 be considered either as an injury or a disgrace. With 
 far greater ability, the acts complained of were defended 
 by Mr. Pitt who, while he expressed the highest 
 esteem for the Dissenters, who had ever been the 
 friends of constitutional liberty, said he could not con- 
 sent to the repeal of the acts. They enjoyed, he said, 
 every religious privilege ; but offices of honour and 
 trust must lie at the disposal of the state for such as 
 were politically qualified to enjoy them. Mr. Fox 
 supported the motion of Mr. Beaufoy, and though, as 
 he observed, the generality of the Dissenters had been 
 his opponents, in his struggle with Mr. Pitt, yet as 
 their cause was the cause of liberty, it should have 
 his most strenuous aid. In the course of his speech. 
 
478 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 lie demonstrated the impropriety of making religion a 
 test in political affairs ; and he charged Mr. Pitt with 
 abetting persecution in principle, though he declined 
 to defend it in words. On a division, a hundred mem- 
 bers voted in favour of Mr. Beaufoy's motion, and a 
 hundred and seventy-eight against it. 
 
 Not discouraged by this refusal, the Dissenters 
 made a second attempt, in 1789, and Mr. Beaufoy 
 again appeared as their advocate in the House of Com^ 
 mons. Lord North and Mr. Pitt were still the 
 opponents of the repeal ; and Mr. Fox, reasoning on 
 general principles, pleaded most powerfully for the 
 removal of these impolitic acts, which prevented the 
 country from profiting by the talents of men of every 
 denomination. The result of the debate was more 
 favourable to the Dissenters than on the former occa- 
 sion : one hundred and two members voted for the 
 repeal, and one hundred and twenty-two for the con- 
 tinuance of the acts. This defeat seemed to the Dis- 
 senters to be half a victory, and inspired them with still 
 livelier hopes of success on a future application *. 
 
 Hitherto the conducting of the business had been 
 left to the select friends of the cause in the metropolis. 
 The Dissenters in the country were mere spectators ; 
 and it would have been well, if they had continued in 
 that state to the end, for their interference proved a 
 serious injury. When the subject was brought, the 
 second time, before the House of Commons, it was ob- 
 served l)y some of the members, that only a few people 
 in London came forward with their complaints ; but 
 
 * See Debates in the House of Comraons, &c., 1789. 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 479 
 
 that the Dissenters in the country did not interest 
 themselves with the matter. To repel this objection, 
 and to convince parliament that it was a subject of 
 universal concern with the Dissenters, meetings in the 
 different counties were held, and resolutions published. 
 Some of these were intemperate ; but this accusation 
 could not be brought against the general mass. To 
 make the public still more thoroughly acquainted with 
 their claims, pamphlets were published, Avhich stated 
 the reasons of the Dissenters for desiring the repeal of 
 these obnoxious acts ; and to these the same observa- 
 tions are applicable as to the resolutions'^. 
 
 If in these things the Dissenters may be conceived 
 to have acted unwisely, let it be remembered, that it 
 was discovered from events and from effects, which it 
 was not possible to foresee. When the question of 
 freedom from subscription was in agitation, the public 
 mind betrayed no symptoms of dislike. But counter 
 meetings and resolutions and pamphlets, many of them 
 most acrimonious, proved that the old spirit of bigotry 
 and intolerance was not dead, as was supposed, but had 
 only slept. 
 
 Other events rendered the prospects of success far 
 less favourable than before. But, after making such 
 preparations^ the Dissenters conceived themselves 
 bound to perseverance. Confiding in the goodness of 
 their cause, they, in 1790, brought their business a 
 third time before the House of Commons. Mr. Fox 
 
 * An immense mass of pamphlets was poured from the press on the 
 subject of the repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts, by S, Palmer, 
 Priestley, Pearce, Capel Lofft, Walker, a Layman, a Dissenter, a 
 Churchman, and many others. 
 
480 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 was now employed to introduce their request. Whether, 
 as he was the opponent of the minister, it was prudent 
 to assign him this office, has been questioned by many. 
 But certainly, as it ought to have been no party ques- 
 tion, if reason is the presiding genius of the Commons' 
 House of Parliament, and causes are decided only by 
 weight of argument and strength of reasoning, the 
 Dissenters could not have made a happier choice. 
 Mr. Fox's unequalled talents were called forth on the 
 occasion : a firm foundation was laid by him on the 
 principles of religious liberty, which he stated and 
 demonstrated with peculiar felicity and energy, and on 
 them he founded his reasonings for the repeal of the 
 obnoxious acts. Sir Harry Houghton seconded the 
 motion, and Mr. Beaufoy supported it, with more than 
 common ability. Mr. William Smith and Mr. Tierney 
 spoke on the same side of the question. Mr. Pitt, as 
 on the former occasions, stood forth the patron and the 
 panegyrist of the acts, and pleaded for their continu- 
 ance. He was followed by IMr. Burke, in a speech of 
 singular ingenuity and eloquence ; but though he was 
 hostile to the repeal, he disapproved of the Lord's- 
 supper being used as the test, and mentioned that he 
 had brought with him a proposal for one of a different 
 kind : he left the house without giving his vote. Sir 
 William Dolben and Mr. Wilberforce closed the list 
 of opponents. On the division of the House, there 
 appeared, for the motion, a hundred and five; and 
 against it, two hundred and ninety-four*. For the whole 
 
 * See Debates in the House of Commons on the Repeal of the Cor- 
 poration and Test Acts, March 2, 1790. Stockdale. 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 481 
 
 power of the ministiy was employed against the Dis- 
 senters, and the clergy were roused to defend the 
 church, which was asserted to be in imminent danger. 
 
 If this was not the era of gaining triumphs for reli- 
 gious liberty, it was at least the era of attempts to gain 
 them. There were still, in the statute-book, laws in- 
 flicting penalties on persons who absent themselves 
 from the service of the Church of England, or who 
 speak in derogation of the Book of Common Prayer, 
 and many others of a similar nature. To free our code 
 from this disgrace, Lord Stanhope, in 1789, made a 
 motion in the House of Peers for the introduction of a 
 bill, that these vexatious acts might be repealed. 
 
 The ire of the episcopal bench was kindled against 
 his lordship and his motion. Dr. Moore, the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, assured the house, that the bill, 
 if permitted to pass, would serve as a cover to every 
 species of irreligion ; and, if people were allowed, 
 without restraint, to speak, write, and publish on reli- 
 gious subjects, there was scarcely any mischief to the 
 church, or to civil society, which might not be effected : 
 the very foundation of religion, as by law established, 
 might be undermined. 
 
 Nor did his lordship stand alone in defence of the 
 church. Dr. Warner, Bishop of Bangor ; Dr. Halifax, 
 of St. Asaph ; and Dr. Horsley, of St. David's ; the 
 last, with his characteristic violence, confirmed the 
 assertions of the metropolitan. The effect of these 
 speeches on the majority of the temporal peers may be 
 judged of by the expressions of Lord Stormont. In 
 raptures of delight, he exclaimed, " Our venerable 
 fathers in God have done themselves infinite credit, 
 
 VOL. II. 2 I 
 
482 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and rendered their characters sacred in the public esti- 
 mation." It is unnecessary to add, that Lord Stan- 
 hope's motion failed. 
 
 These repeated failures did not produce despair ; for, 
 in 1792, another effort was made to extend the bounda- 
 ries of religious liberty. Mr. Fox, who had ever dis- 
 played a readiness to advocate the cause, introduced a 
 motion for the repeal of those penal statutes, which, 
 notwithstanding the Toleration Act, still hung over the 
 heads of those who in any way impugned the doctrine 
 of the Trinity. He represented them as a disgrace to 
 the statute-book ; adduced instances in which Arians 
 and Socinians had suffered by their operation ; and 
 expressed an earnest wish, that now the fire should 
 consume, not heretics, but persecuting statutes. 
 
 As Mr. Pitt had, in the debate on the repeal of the 
 Test Act, declared, in the most unqualified terms, the 
 right of the Dissenters to a complete toleration, it was 
 expected, by the friends of the repeal, that he would 
 give no opposition to the measure. But they were 
 mistaken ; for he argued against the motion, from the 
 irritated state of the public mind, which would be 
 offended by granting such an indulgence ; and the 
 security which Antitrinitarians enjoyed, in contending 
 for their opinions, to the disregard of statutes which 
 had fallen into disuse and oblivion. On a division of 
 the House, Mr. Fox's motion was negatived by a ma- 
 jority of seventy-nine votes. 
 
 About this time (1789) an event occurred in the 
 political world, of a magnitude unequalled in modern 
 times, which excited, through the whole of civilized 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 483 
 
 society, an attention and interest unknown before. To 
 describe the enthusiasm with which the downfall of 
 despotism in France was hailed, by every Briton who 
 had a spark of genuine freedom in his bosom, is beyond 
 the province of ecclesiastical history ; our task is to 
 delineate its moral tendency, and to consider the light 
 in which it was viewed by Christians, and by the Dis- 
 senters in the character of Christians. 
 
 An accurate observer of human nature must have 
 remarked two classes among the disciples of Christ, of 
 a spirit in one respect widely different from each other. 
 Those who compose the first class, regardless of events 
 which are taking place on the theatre of the world, 
 pursue their Christian course in the diligent perform- 
 ance of personal and relative duties, accounting an 
 active interference in other things foreign to their spi- 
 ritual character. The other class, while not inferior 
 in the observance of the same personal and relative 
 duties^, feel themselves bound, because they are Chris- 
 tians, and citizens of the great republic of human na- 
 ture, to take an interest in the welfare of all mankind. 
 Multitudes of the Dissenters entered, with peculiar 
 ardour, into the French revolution, as an event preg- 
 nant with happiness to the people of France, who had 
 been, for nearly two centuries, groaning under the iron 
 rod of despotism, and, for more than one century, under 
 the uncontrolled rage of popish superstition, during 
 which, the unrelenting fury of the clergy never ceased 
 to persecute the Protestants, or to instigate the civil 
 power to persecution. 
 
 Those who are acquainted with the Dissenters know 
 their abhorrence of arbitrary power, as the foe, not only 
 
 2 12 
 
484 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of social happiness, but of pure religion, and the heaviest 
 curse which can possibly befall the human race. Hence 
 arose that lively interest which the Dissenters in ge- 
 neral, and many dissenting ministers, felt in the French 
 revolution. While they rejoiced in the triumphs of 
 political liberty, they looked beyond it, to what Chris- 
 tians consider as its supreme and final design. They 
 considered it as the handmaid of pure religion, and 
 hailed the auspicious season when the disciples of Christ 
 would no more be doomed to silence and sufferings, but 
 have full liberty to propagate the Gospel, without re- 
 straint, through the immense population of the French 
 empire. Knowing, too, the influence which France 
 possessed over the other kingdoms of the continent, 
 they were sanguine in their expectations that liberty 
 would banish the ignorance and superstition which had 
 so long enveloped Europe in Egyptian darkness. But, 
 while these were the sentiments of a considerable num- 
 ber of Dissenters, it is proper to mention that some of 
 them viewed the French revolution with indifference, 
 and others, from the beginning, were averse to the 
 change. 
 
 Early in 1791, a publication of long promise issued 
 from the press, Burke's " Reflections on the French 
 Revolution," which proved the source of discord, and 
 spread strife and contention among the people of 
 Great Britain. From the date of the publication of his 
 book, a melancholy change took place in the public 
 temper. The demon of discord stalked through the 
 land, scattering firebrands. The enemies of the French 
 revolution were roused to the highest pitch of wrath ; 
 became loud in their execration of it, and of all 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 485 
 
 who stood up in its defence ; charging them with 
 being advocates of the bhickest crimes. When the 
 minister declared himself on the side of Mr. Burke, 
 fresh fuel was added to the fire. For a consider- 
 able time, he had observed a cautious reserve ; but, 
 at last, entering into the contest with all the ardour 
 of his soul, he declared his hostility to the French re- 
 volution, and his high disapprobation of the conduct of 
 all those in this country who had professed themselves 
 its friends. Unhappily for the honour of Christ, many 
 of the clergy carried the controversy into the pulpit. 
 Their interference was peculiarly unfortunate, as it 
 drove thousands into infidelity, who, being strongly at- 
 tached to the principles of liberty, and unwisely judging 
 of the clergyman's religious, from his political creed, 
 rashly concluded that both were bad. Perhaps the 
 pulpit was never more profaned by political disquisi- 
 tions and anathemas than at this time. A very un- 
 happy effect was also produced by the outrages which 
 took place at Birmingham, and were continued, for 
 several days, to the terror and injury of some of its 
 most respectable inhabitants, and to the disgrace of the 
 police and magistrates of the town. The riots there, 
 created, not by a legitimate English mob, but by per- 
 sons superior to those who were the apparent actors in 
 the disgraceful scenes, had an unhappy effect on the 
 minds of all the friends of general liberty, who con- 
 ceived that they saw, in this instance, what the enemies 
 of the French revolution would do, if they could. The 
 various measures resorted to by the ministry, some of a 
 more public, and others of a more private nature, and 
 the system of espionage carried on by persons osten- 
 
486 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 sibly employed, or at least patronised by them, served 
 to fill up the cup of discord to the brim. 
 
 In addition to the common share of odium which was 
 liberally poured on the friends of the French revolution, 
 the Dissenters had a peculiar portion, because they 
 were separatists from the church. In the riots at Bir- 
 mingham, their enemies demolished two places of wor- 
 ship, and destroyed the houses of some respectable Dis- 
 senters. At Woodstock too, several persons, who had 
 accompanied their minister to open a house for worship, 
 were treated with great barbarity by a mob ; but these 
 were almost the only scenes of persecuting fury. 
 
 During this tempestuous season, in which party spirit 
 raged with uncommon fury, the Dissenters enjoyed 
 protection. To the honour of the British government 
 it must be mentioned, that religious liberty continued 
 unimpaired. When it is considered that, during 
 this time of strife, the preaching of the Dissenters 
 was extended to many places where they had not 
 made an attempt before, the merit of our rulers is 
 greatly heightened. In consequence of the institution 
 of the ]Missionary society, in 1795, multitudes of mi- 
 nisters and private Christians became sensible of their 
 obligations to diffuse the knowledge of Christianity 
 more extensively at home ; more general and vigorous 
 exertions were made through every part of the country ; 
 and, in hundreds of small towns and villages, houses 
 were opened for the dissenting mode of worship. That 
 men of the world should suspect some deep political 
 design under this cloak of zeal for religion, was natural; 
 and the ministry had many a warning of the impending 
 peril. But the peculiar excellence of the grand prin- 
 
STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 487 
 
 ciples of the British constitution, and the dignity of 
 mind with which the ministry acted on this occasion, in 
 venerating these principles and adhering to that gene- 
 rous conduct which they prescribed, are the just topic 
 of gratitude and praise. In a few years, they had the 
 consolation to observe, that the design of the Dissenters 
 was far remote from every thing of a political nature, 
 and had religion alone for its object and end. 
 
 Towards the close of this period, there was an at- 
 tempt, by a motion in the House of Commons, to make 
 some alterations in the Toleration Act, with a view to 
 abridge the religious privileges of the Dissenters, but 
 it did not succeed. It was now too late ; and had it been 
 carried into execution, the only effect would have been to 
 fill the jails with Dissenters and Methodists. Christians 
 conceive it their duty to seek the eternal happiness of 
 their countrymen, and think that they ought not to be 
 prevented from preaching the Gospel to the ignorant. 
 If unrighteous laws be made to hinder them, they must 
 obey God rather than man, and still continue to preach 
 the Gospel of Christ. If they be sent to prison for dis- 
 obedience, they must endure their confinement with 
 patience: it is persecution for the testimony of Jesus. 
 A year's continuance of such a law would place thou- 
 sands in a state of confinement ; and should the prisons 
 of England, which were built for malefactors, be filled 
 with thousands for preaching the Gospel, in what light 
 would the legislature be regarded by the British public ? 
 
488 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 CONTROVERSIES IN WHICH DISSENTERS WERE 
 ENGAGED. 
 
 Sect. I. — Controversy concerning Dissent. 
 
 The followers of Socirius now attacked the establish- 
 ment, to produce new secessions from her pale. To 
 these attacks Dr. Priestley led the way. His remarks 
 on Dr. Balguy's " Sermon on Church Authority" pro- 
 voked no reply ; but when he censured some paragraphs 
 in Judge Blackstone's Commentaries relating to the 
 Dissenters, that able and popular writer returned an 
 answer, in a small pamphlet, and Dr. Priestley published 
 a reply. The latter says, " I wrote also, with the en- 
 couragement of Dr. Price and Dr. Kippis, an address 
 to Protestant Dissenters as such ; and as an anonymous 
 respondent thought I had laid too much stress on the 
 principles of the Dissenters, I wrote a defence of my 
 conduct*." 
 
 The attempt to obtain relief from subscription roused 
 Dr. Tucker, Dean of Gloucester, to publish " An Apo- 
 logy for the Church of England." This able and 
 moderate defence was answered, with at least equal 
 talents and candour, by Dr. Kippis, in his " Vindication 
 of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers." Theophilus 
 
 * Memoirs of Dr. Priestley, p. 59. 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 489 
 
 Lindsey, having in consequence of his adoption of 
 heterodox sentiments, resigned the vicarage of Catte- 
 rick, in Yorkshire, published, in 1773, " An Apology" 
 for his conduct, which may be considered as a Soci- 
 nian's reasons for dissent. This was followed, about 
 five years after, by similar conduct in another cler- 
 gyman, Gilbert Wakefield*, whose memoirs were 
 designed to answer the same purpose as Lindsey's 
 Apology. The spirit with which these new Dissenters 
 attacked the church, may be learned from Mr. Wake- 
 field's reflections on the immoral conduct of a clergy- 
 man of Liverpool, who had been a dissenting minister. 
 " My inference is as follovt^s : it is scarcely possible that 
 any man who has been educated in the true principles 
 of dissent from the establishment, can afterwards con- 
 form with a good conscience. In spite of every pro- 
 pensity to a charitable judgment, I could not but regard 
 him in the beautifully allusive language of Lord Bacon, 
 as offering to the author of truth the unclean sacrifice 
 of a lie." 
 
 " An Apology for the Liturgy and Clergy of the 
 Church of England," was ascribed, by some, to Dr. 
 Horsley, bishop of St. David's, but, by others, to Bishop 
 Halifax. Whoever the author was, he had rudely at- 
 tacked a publication, entitled " Hints submitted to the 
 serious attention of the Clergy, Nobility, and Laity 
 newly associated," by a layman, whom fame reported 
 to be the Duke of Grafton, a zealous and able supporter 
 of the new species of Dissenters. 
 
 While many were pointing out the faults of the 
 
 * Gilbert Wakefield's Memoirs of his own Life, vol. i. p. 184. Second 
 edition. 
 
490 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 church of England, one writer attempted, in 1792, to 
 expose the evil of all national establishments of religion. 
 The attempt was not, indeed, entirely new ; but Mr. 
 Graham, a Scotch seceding minister of Newcastle, has 
 the honour of making the first grand systematic attack, 
 in his " Review of the Ecclesiastical Establishments of 
 Europe." After a comprehensive survey, he announces 
 the conclusion, that this long- established connexion is 
 contrary to the dictates of the Scriptures, opposed to 
 the genius of Christianity, fatal to the interests of re- 
 ligion, and dangerous to the civil state. The book, 
 failing at first to excite the attention it deserved, pro- 
 voked no immediate controversy ; but as its merit was 
 gradually discovered, its influence on the public mind 
 was proved by an increased opposition to all exclusive 
 establishments in religion, while the clergy of the state 
 were roused to defend their monopoly, and thus a per- 
 manent tone was given to the controversy with the 
 establishment. 
 
 The zealous efforts of Dissenters having become the 
 theme of bishops in their charges, and of the clergy in 
 their visitation sermons, Oxford was the first to pro- 
 claim the church in danger. Dr. Tatham preached a 
 sermon to the university, which he published in 1792, 
 reflecting severely on Methodists and Dissenters, for 
 the ignorance of their teachers, whose want of apostolic 
 call exposed their unhappy followers to the danger of 
 dying without those sacraments to which nothing but 
 episcopacy could give validity. IMr. Benson, one of 
 Mr. Wesley's preachers, wrote " A Defence of the 
 Methodists," which drew from INIr. Russel, curate of 
 Pershore, " Hints to Methodists and Dissenters," to 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 491 
 
 which Mr. Benson again replied, in his " Further 
 Defence of the Methodists." As this antagonist of high 
 church claims, had himself entered the university, to 
 perfect his education, and had been disappointed, he 
 hesitated not to retort upon many of the clergy, the 
 accusations of ignorance, which Dr. Tatham had so 
 liberally heaped upon the Methodists. 
 
 Another attack was made, in 1794, by Samuel Clap- 
 ham, M. A., in a sermon preached at the visitation of 
 the Bishop of Chester, and published by his command. 
 The preacher professed to consider " how far metho- 
 dism conduces to the interests of Christianity and the 
 welfare of society ;" but he merely repeats the vulgar 
 charges of ignorance, enthusiasm, and unauthorised in- 
 trusion into the work of the ministry. J\Ir. Foley, a 
 clergyman of Worcestershire, published a volume of 
 discourses, entitled " A Defence of the Church of Eng- 
 land." As this defence consisted, in great part, of 
 evidence in favour of the divinity of Christ, wiiich the 
 preacher said " the Dissenters of his day almost uni- 
 versally rejected," Mr. Best, of Cradeley, wrote " A true 
 Statement of the Case, or a Vindication of the Ortho- 
 dox Dissenters." He defended Dissenters as a body 
 from the charge of Unitarianism, and asserted, in con- 
 tradiction to Mr. Foley, that even the Presbyterians 
 had by no means universally fallen into Socinianism. 
 
 Dr. Mant, rector of All Saints, Southampton, in a 
 sermon preached at the consecration of his parochial 
 edifice, attacked the Dissenters, for offering up their 
 public prayers without a liturgy, preferring " to pour 
 out their extemporaneous effusions in enthusiastical 
 nonsense." William Kingsbury, M. A., minister of the 
 
492 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Independent congregation in Southampton, addressed 
 to him a sensible, dispassionate letter, entitled " The 
 manner in which Protestant Dissenters perform Prayer 
 in public worship, represented and vindicated." Dr. 
 Mant replied, by the publication of his sermon, in order 
 to show that it was no virulent attack, and called for 
 no serious defence. In answer to the charge of Dr. 
 Douglas, Bishop of Sarum, Mr. Kingsbury published 
 " An Apology for Village Preachers." 
 
 The singularity of this contest was the appearance of 
 a clergyman as the most strenuous defender of the Dis- 
 senters. In a pamphlet, entitled The Scourge," by 
 Clero Mastix, he boldly avowed that the peasantry of 
 the kingdom were so neglected by the regular clergy, 
 as to render the interposition of lay preachers absolutely 
 necessary, to snatch the souls of men from ignorance 
 and vice. 
 
 In this arena appeared a champion of no inferior 
 powers, and of no small confidence in his own prowess, 
 Dr. Horsley, Bishop of Rochester. In his charge to 
 the clergy, in 1800, he first inveighed against the 
 French revolution, and then against Methodists and 
 Dissenters, Sunday-schools, and village preaching. 
 After complimenting the eldest son of the Church of 
 Rome, and pronouncing the Catholic nation of France 
 " one of the most distinguished nations of Christendom, 
 the most distinguished as a Christian nation," his lord- 
 ship maintains, that " the revolution was not the effect of 
 any real grievance of the people, proceeding from the 
 rapacity and ambition of the clergy, but of a plot of 
 infidels, originating in mere malice." The bishop then 
 proceeds to warn the clergy and the public, that a 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 493 
 
 similar conspiracy was formed in this country, to over- 
 turn the throne and the altar. Glancing at the So- 
 cinians among Dissenters, who are represented by his 
 lordship as Atheists, whom he has unmasked, and de- 
 feated, in their first attempt : he says, " The operations 
 of the enemy are still going on. New conventicles 
 have been opened in great numbers ; the pastor is 
 often, in appearance at least, an illiterate peasant or 
 mechanic. Sunday-schools are opened, in connexion 
 with these conventicles, and there is much reason to 
 fear that the expenses of these schools and conventicles 
 are defrayed by associations." 
 
 The best answer to* this prelate was given in the 
 Evangelical Magazine. The reviewer of his charge 
 there asks, whether the discomfited Socinians, the con- 
 cealed Atheists, have now made a league with the 
 evangelical sects ? " Has the patriarch of the sect 
 been preaching at the Tabernacle, or the Foundry ? 
 Or have the orators and oracles of Birmingham and 
 Essex-street been itinerating in the villages ? It is 
 said now to be the plan of the jacobins * to affect great 
 zeal for orthodoxy ;' but will the bishop, who is strictly 
 orthodox, say that this is likely to jacobinise the world ? 
 It is said, the pastor of the newly-formed village con- 
 gregations ' is often, in appearance at least, an illite- 
 rate peasant or mechanic' As if they were more than 
 they appear to be — men of letters, magistrates, nobles, 
 ministers of state, sovereign princes ; like the apostles 
 of jacobinism, on the continent of Europe. ' Surely, 
 my lord is wise according to the wisdom of an angel of 
 God,' for no man living ever before suspected these 
 men to be one whit more important or learned than 
 
494 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 they appear to be. That atheism and sedition are 
 taught in the dissenting or Methodist Sunday-schools 
 is incredible ; for the schools are always open, and 
 children are not remarkable for keeping secrets. 
 Surely, infidels were never famous for devoting their 
 time and talents to the gratuitous instruction of the 
 poor ; and if they wanted a covert for carrying on their 
 pernicious design, they would be more likely to seek it 
 in the bosom of a wealthy establishment than in a 
 sectarian barn." 
 
 But Avhen bishops lead the w^ay, there will not be 
 wanting inferior clergy to follow in the attack upon 
 Dissenters. Francis Wollaston, Rector of Chislehurst, 
 Kent, wrote " A Country Parson's Address to his 
 Flock." His accusations of treason and sedition were 
 thrown out so incautiously, that some of them fell upon 
 respectable individuals connected with the government. 
 The charge underwent full investigation by the highest 
 authorities, the injured characters were honourably 
 vindicated, and a severe reproof was given to the 
 reverend calumniator. He republished his address, 
 however, in a cheap edition, omitting only some of the 
 grossest calumnies. He was answered by " A Letter 
 to a Country Parson." 
 
 This charge of democratic scheming was echoed by 
 Mr. Atkinson, a clergyman of Bradford, in Yorkshire, 
 whose three letters were answered by Mr. Parsons, of 
 Leeds, in his " Vindication of the Dissenters." In Wales, 
 two anonymous publications of the same defamatory 
 cast, drew forth a tract, entitled " The Welch Metho- 
 dists Vindicated." One of the attacks, denominated 
 " Hints to Heads of Families," gravely advised all 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 495 
 
 good churchmen not to buy or sell, or maintain any 
 civil intercourse, with those who separated from the 
 church. It must be presumed, that the writer was not 
 aware that the divine mind, which inspired the reve- 
 lation, had predicted that the time would come when 
 none should be allowed " to buy or sell who had not 
 the mark of the beast in their right hand, or on their 
 forehead*." He was, probably, also as little aware, 
 that if all those whom he would treat as outlaws, and 
 banish from the market, were to form a commercial 
 community, they would have a very brisk trade among 
 themselves ; and that, if they were exempted from 
 supporting the clergy and the poor of the established 
 church, many of her zealous sons would be glad to 
 join with them, for the sake of sharing the profits of 
 their gainful exclusion. 
 
 " A Guide to the Church," by the Rev. Charles 
 Daubeny, placed all the Dissenters under the ban of 
 the Redeemer's empire. Mr. Wilberforce's " Practical 
 View of Christianity " had alarmed Mr. Daubeny, who 
 saw, or thought he saw, in it principles dangerous to 
 the church and to the souls of men. " The Guide to the 
 Church," therefore, repeated the old alarm of schism, 
 and informed the world, that communion with the 
 Church of England was worth as much as their hopes 
 of heaven. " From the general tenour of Scripture," 
 says Mr. Daubeny, " it is to be concluded that none 
 but those who are members of the church can be 
 partakers of the spirit by which it is accompanied. 
 Without, therefore, presuming to determine upon the 
 * Rev. xiii. 16, 17. 
 
496 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 condition of those who are out of the church we are, at 
 least justified in saying, that their hope of salvation 
 must be built upon some general idea of the divine 
 mercy, to which the member of the church has a cove- 
 nanted claim." This ridiculous attempt to throw the 
 Dissenters upon the uncovenanted mercy of God, with 
 a few little tracts in the same strain, seemed designed 
 to prove, that if stout Protestants think popery is always 
 the same, the semi-popery of high churchmen is always 
 the same. 
 
 A member of the more sane part of the Church of 
 England, Sir Richard Hill, published " An Apology 
 for Brotherly Love, and for the Doctrine of the Church 
 of England." To Mr. Daubeny's definition of a church, 
 which was, that it is a society under governors appointed 
 by Christ, the baronet opposed that of the articles, 
 that " it is a society of faithful men, where the word 
 of God is preached ; " which afforded an opportunity of 
 retorting the charge of schism upon Mr. Daubeny him- 
 self, whose heretical words are quoted, to prove that he 
 turns his own parochial temple into a conventicle, and 
 his pulpit into the tub of a schismatic. Mr. Daubeny 
 denies the validity of any sacrament not administered 
 by clergymen episcopally ordained : yet two metropoli- 
 tans, Tillotson and Seeker, and four heads of the church, 
 James I., William III., and the first two Georges, 
 were not episcopally baptized. 
 
 Against the repeated accusations of schism, the Dis- 
 senters republished tAvo tracts, one by Matthew Henry 
 on schism, and the other by Dr. Gill, on the true 
 grounds of dissent. A few episcopal charges attracted 
 / 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 497 
 
 notice, though the preachers can scarcely be said to 
 have directly attacked the Dissenters. Dr. Porteus, 
 Bishop of London, ascribed their increase to the indo- 
 lence and neglects of his own clergy ; Dr. Prettyman, 
 Bishop of Lincoln, was chiefly intent on combating 
 Calvinism, whether in or out of the establishment ; and 
 the Bishop of Norwich condemns only the Metho- 
 distical separatists, while he says, of the regular Dis- 
 senters, " As they have laid aside their passionate in- 
 vective, it is incumbent on us to feel for them, however 
 differing in the form of religious worship, all that good- 
 will which they seem disposed to show to us." But 
 Dr. Barrington, Bishop of Durham, descended from 
 Dissenters, published a charge to the clergy, in 1807, 
 entitled " The Grounds on which the Church of Eng- 
 land separated from the Church of Rome," in which he 
 exhorts his clergy to watch against Papists and Dis- 
 senters, saying to them, " The errors of the Calvinist 
 and the Anabaptist demand your vigilance, as far as 
 they are repugnant to Christian verity, and to our civil 
 establishment." " The Causes of the Increase of Me- 
 thodism and Dissention, and of the Popularity of what 
 is called Evangelical Preaching," was the title of a 
 visitation sermon, by Aclom Ingram, B.D. Though it 
 recommends the refusal of licences to Dissenters, it 
 rather opposes evangelical doctrines than dissenting 
 principles. While their work prospered in their hands, 
 the Dissenters wisely refused to turn aside, to dispute 
 with their numerous accusers. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
498 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Sect. 11. — The Arminian Controversy. 
 
 The first grand attack upon Calvinism, by a Protestant, 
 was in answer to Beza on predestination. James 
 Arminius, having been requested to defend the suc- 
 cessor of Calvin, chose rather to become his antagonist. 
 To extinguish the controversy thus kindled, the synod 
 of Dort was held, and, as the Arminians remonstrated 
 against its sentence of condemnation, they received the 
 denomination of remonstrants. The persecutions which 
 followed, and in which the celebrated Grotius felt the 
 consequences of taking the unpopular side, did more 
 injury to the Calvinistic cause than all the arguments 
 of the remonstrant brethren. Arminianism, having 
 been introduced into England by Archbishop Laud, 
 took care to repay the cruelties which it had suffered in 
 Holland ; but as his semi-popery soon rendered his 
 theology odious, Calvinism regained the ascendant in 
 the time of the commonwealth. John Goodwin must 
 be mentioned as a solitary, but brilliant exception to 
 the general character of those times ; for he, though a 
 zealous republican and Independent, maintained the 
 doctrines of the Arminians, with as much ardour and 
 ability as were ever displayed on that side of the ques- 
 tion. Dr. Owen, who had been brought into notice, 
 and raised to the highest posts of literary honour, by 
 his attack on Arminianism, triumphantly confuted 
 Goodwin's " Redemption Redeemed," in a treatise on 
 the " Perseverance of the Saints." 
 
 The restoration of royalty brought back Arminian- 
 ism. Hammond had endeavoured to make the New 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 499 
 
 Testament speak the language of this system ; and 
 Whitby, in the next century, attempted to enlist on the 
 same side the ancient fathers, in his book on the five 
 points, by which are meant election, particular re- 
 demption, efficacious grace, free will, and final perse- 
 verance. He was opposed by Dr. Gill, in his " Cause 
 of God and Truth." The first part of this work, con- 
 sisting of an examination of the texts of Scripture 
 urged by Arminians, is not so good as might be wished, 
 but is quite sufficient for an answer to Whitby ; the 
 second adduces abundant proofs from Scripture in 
 support of the five points ; the third defends them by the 
 arms of reason, shewing, that if Calvinists are accused 
 of agreeing with Hobbes and the Stoics, the Stoics 
 were the best among the Heathens, for whose salvation 
 Arminians are accustomed to contend, and that the 
 worst tenet of the obnoxious philosophers, — that we 
 get virtue for ourselves, — is the doctrine of Arminian- 
 ism. The fourth part of the ^' Cause of God and 
 Truth," shews that Whitby had no reason to boast of 
 the fathers, whose language is largely quoted in de- 
 fence of Calvinistic grace. 
 
 But the heat of the battle in this country was ex- 
 cited by the separation between the Calvinistic and 
 Arminian Methodists. The breach of the peace be- 
 tween the two brothers in zeal, Whitfield and Wesley, 
 has been deemed so serious an evil, that each has 
 thrown the blame on the other. To us the difference 
 between them appears so wide, that to withdraw from 
 a hollow union was no disgrace to either. As, how- 
 ever, Mr. Wesley's sermon on free grace was the first 
 publication in this controversy, it fastens upon him what- 
 
 2 K 2 
 
500 
 
 HISTOJ^Y OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ever blame attaches to the rupture ; for it is as decided 
 a declaration of war as was ever made by a herald. 
 Whitfield might well say, " I find it has had expected 
 success, it has set the nation a disputing." The pleo- 
 nastic title of free grace, seems designed to steal a 
 march upon the Calvinists, and to snatch from them a 
 popular expression, which they claimed as exclusively 
 their own. By the style of the sermon it seems in- 
 tended for popular effect, to render his adversary's 
 system odious. But as JMr. Wesley admitted the 
 divine prescience, and his follow^ers say of it, as Calvin- 
 ists of the divine sovereignty, that Avitliout it there can 
 be no Deity ; how easy would it be to give a horrible 
 caricature of Arminianism, by parodying its creed, 
 in imitation of IMr. ^A^esley's conduct towards his 
 opponents ? 
 
 Though JMr. Wesley's sermon on free grace com- 
 menced the controversy ; in the complete edition of his 
 works, the first polemical piece is a " Preservative 
 against unsettled Notions in Religion." " A Dialogue 
 between a Predestinarian and his Friend," was Wes- 
 ley's next pul)lication, which puts as weak arguments 
 as possible into the mouth of a Calvinist, ^vho is thus 
 made an easy convert to Arminianism. The same 
 writer reprinted Extracts from a late Author, entitled 
 serious Considerations concerning the Doctrines of 
 election, and absolute Reprobation." He also gave 
 to the world his own " Thoucrhts on the Perseverance 
 of the Saints," in which he opposes that doctrine with 
 far less ability than was displayed by Goodwin, wdio 
 was so completely answered by Dr. Owen. The next 
 publication of Mr. Wesley was entitled " Predesti- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 501 
 
 nation calmly considered ;" this, his most laboured 
 piece, indicates anything rather than calmness or con- 
 sideration. He wrote, against Mr. Toplady, a tract 
 entitled The Consequence proved," and then, leaving 
 that gentleman to be answered by Thomas Olivers, 
 Mr. Wesley abandoned the controversy. 
 
 Whitfield, at the commencement of the dispute, had 
 addressed to the friendship of his former brother, a 
 letter on election ; but he had mistaken the character 
 of John Wesley, who sought victory by appealing to 
 the tribunal of vulgar prejudice ; so that the Calvinistic 
 leader, disgusted with the passions of the theological 
 arena, imitated his antagonist and left the contest to be 
 maintained by his friends. The only mighty polemic 
 who appeared on the side of Calvinism, was President 
 Edwards, of New England, whose book on the Free- 
 dom of the Will," had it been attended to as it de- 
 served, might have settled the dispute. Dr. Gill, who 
 appeared at an earlier period, Edwards, who interposed 
 in the midst of the controversy, and Dr. Williams of 
 Rotherham, who came up at the close, were the only 
 Dissenters who became allies to the Calvinistic Metho- 
 dists ; but they have the honour of bringing into the 
 field the mildest tempers and the mightiest arguments. 
 Edwards, absorbed in the profound discussion, lost 
 sight of everything but the abstract question, which 
 he pursued to such lengths, that not many could follow 
 him. 
 
 The Calvinists, however, delighted with so able a 
 champion, deprived themselves of his efficient co-ope- 
 ration, by vaunting his prowess in an injudicious man- 
 ner. Toplady either did not understand him, or was 
 
502 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 induced by polemical zeal to represent him opposed as 
 much as possible to the Arminians ; so that he was 
 announced to the world as a mere Necessarian, like 
 Priestley, or Hartley. The opposite party, presuming 
 that Edwards was not misrepresented by those who 
 gloried in him as their champion, either shut their 
 eyes, or steeled their hearts against his arguments; 
 concluding a priori that they could not be true ; be- 
 cause they contradicted at once the feelings of nature, 
 the testimony of conscience, and the language of Scrip- 
 ture, which all concurred to prove, that we are moral 
 agents, and not mere machines. Hence Fletcher, the 
 ablest of the Arminian writers, admits one species of 
 necessity, and contends earnestly for it, in opposition 
 to EdAvards, who, strange to tell, wrote his book to 
 establish the same kind of necessity. Once, indeed, 
 the Vicar of Madeley seems fairly to face the American, 
 when Edwards contends that not every kind of necessity 
 is incompatible with* that freedom of the will which 
 is essential to moral agency, praise and blame ; because 
 God is necessarily holy, and devils are necessarily or 
 irreclaimably evil : yet neither the best nor the worst 
 beings act by compulsion ; but the one deserves praise 
 and the other blame. The manner in which Fletcher 
 attempts to answer this, would be amusing, were it 
 not a melancholy spectacle, to see such a man attempt 
 to defend himself and others from the force of truth. 
 
 Augustus Toplady, Vicar of Broad Hembury, whom 
 Mr. Wesley calls " a bold young man," entered the 
 field with such weapons as were admirably calculated 
 to repay the unfair attacks of the Arminians. This 
 clergyman's " Historic Proof of the Calvinism of the 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 503 
 
 Church of England," lies not within our province : it 
 was answered, if not confuted, by Mr. Sellon, who was 
 also a minister of the establishment. Another piece 
 by the Vicar of Broad Hembury, was entitled " More 
 Work for John Wesley." " The Scheme of Christian 
 and Philosophical Necessity Asserted," by the same 
 author, was in opposition to Mr. Wesley's tract on that 
 subject. 
 
 But the attention of the public was called to a com- 
 batant of very different talents and spirit from either of 
 the former. John Fletcher, a Swiss by birth, wrote 
 what he called his first check to Antinomianism. The 
 second check attempts to shew that the Christian church 
 then stood as much in need of reformation from Anti- 
 nomianism, as our ancestors of deliverance from popish 
 errors. He was answered by five letters from the 
 author of " Pietas Oxoniensis," Sir Richard Hill ; on 
 man's faithfulness, on working for life, on God's con- 
 duct to the heathen, and on the sins of believers. 
 Fletcher's third check was in answer to these letters, 
 and by seizing upon their inaccuracies, he maintains a 
 shew of argument, bordering on victory. To this were 
 opposed six letters from Sir Richard Hill, and some 
 friendly remarks of his brother, the Rev. Rowland Hill, 
 which drew forth Mr. Fletcher's " Logica Genevensis, 
 or a Fourth Check to Antinomianism." This con- 
 tained some bitter passages, which betrayed a mind 
 wounded, if not foiled, in the conflict, and w^as answered 
 by Sir Richard Hill's " Finishing Stroke." Fletcher's 
 " Fifth Check, or the Second Part of Logica Gene- 
 vensis," aimed a blow at John Berridge, Vicar of 
 Everton, author of " The Christian World Unmasked," 
 
504 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 who had entered the field against the Arminians. Sir 
 Richard Hill answered again, by " A Creed for Armi- 
 nians and Perfectionists," which is drawn up with con- 
 siderable ability ; and though it was opposed with 
 equal ingenuity by Mr. Fletcher's " Fictitious and 
 Genuine Creed," it left a deep impression. 
 
 Amidst the heat of this controversy, appeared a 
 pamphlet, entitled Arminian Methodism turned out 
 rank Popery at last ;" and another, entitled " A Check 
 upon Checks." Mr. Fletcher having paused, returned 
 to the combat, with new vigour and a better spirit. He 
 published an answer to Mr. Toplady's " More Work 
 for John Wesley," and a reply to the principal argu- 
 ments by which the Calvinists and Fatalists support 
 the doctrine of absolute necessity. These were soon 
 followed by " The Doctrines of Grace and Justice 
 equally essential to the pure Gospel." The contro- 
 versy was closed by Mr. Fletcher, with the " Recon- 
 ciliation," or an easy method to unite the professing 
 people of God, by placing the doctrines of grace and 
 justice in such a light, as to make the candid Armi- 
 nians Bible-calvinists, and the candid Calvinists Bible- 
 arminians^ An exhortation to peace and love is given 
 in such a style and spirit, as will confer more honour 
 on Mr. Fletcher than he will derive from all his 
 polemical theology. 
 
 This controversy was reviewed by Dr. Williams, 
 of Rotherham, in his Essay on Equity and Sove- 
 reignty," after that he had defended Predestination 
 to life, in a masterly sermon. With a mind of suf- 
 ficient compass to grasp the whole extent of the sub- 
 ject, and powers competent to grapple with its mighty 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 505 
 
 difficulties, he has evinced a heart superior to the 
 passions that convulsed the other disputants, and alive 
 to the necessity of the most accurate distinctions, as 
 well as to the important tendencies of each moral 
 system. Of intellectual force, or holy temper, we have 
 scarcely anything further to expect or wish, but we 
 regret that some of those embellishments which Fletcher 
 gave to his polemics, though too often at the expense 
 of truth, are wanting to allure readers to examine the 
 pages of Dr. Williams, who will now instruct only 
 those who are least in need of the information he 
 affords. 
 
 On looking back to the heat of the controversy, it is 
 painful to reflect that scarcely ever was a subject so 
 important so badly discussed. Both sides discovered, 
 towards certain truths, feelings which did them honour; 
 the one being jealous for divine sovereignty and grace, 
 with human dependence ; the other for infinite justice 
 and holiness, with the moral agency of man. But they 
 seem to have reserved their religion for their friends, 
 and to have thought that anything was lawful to an 
 enemy. Forgetting that, from erring man, the errors, 
 as well as sins, of his brother demand sorrow rather 
 than anger ; they let loose all the furies against their 
 opponent's opinion. With whomsoever the victory 
 might be supposed to rest, acquired by such weapons, 
 it could confer no glory. 
 
 Where both parties deserve so much censure, with 
 regard to their tempers, the comparative estimate of 
 their delinquency is difficult, and the condemnation of 
 the one implies no praise to the other. The Calvinists, 
 however, were the more guilty ; for Mr. Toplady bore 
 
506 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 away the palm of contempt and bitterness, evil surmises 
 and provoking speeches. To Mr. Weslej^ indeed, 
 must be attributed the guilt of letting loose the dogs of 
 war ; for his horrid appeal to all the devils in hell gave 
 a sort of infernal tone to the controversy. In point of 
 temper, Fletcher was, of all the disputants, at once the 
 best and the worst. Too much under the impression 
 of the approaching judgment to indulge himself in the 
 ribaldry, sneers, and contempt in which others seemed 
 to glory, he discovered all the seriousness of Saul of 
 Tarsus, in his opposition to the Gospel ; and transported 
 by that zeal which is not according to knowledge, he is 
 often very devoutly wicked, and almost blasphemes, from 
 a sense of duty. In argument, however, he stood alone 
 on the Arminian side ; for though Wesley was shrewd 
 and perspicuous, excelling in that luminous simplicity 
 of language which controversy demands, he soon turned 
 from disputing with enemies, to ruling his votaries ; 
 and left Fletcher to dazzle with eloquence, instead of 
 reasoning, and substitute tropes for arguments. If the 
 coruscations of passion and ephemeral wit should go 
 down to posterity, it will pronounce him too loquacious 
 for a deep reasoner, and too empassioned to investigate 
 duly the most profound and awful themes which can 
 occupy the human mind. 
 
 It is as painful as it is remarkable, that the true 
 point on which the whole controversy turns was never 
 brought into view. This could not be expected from 
 the Arminians, whose cause it would have injured. 
 But the Calvinists, by this neglect, betrayed a want of 
 insight into their own system. The contest, concerning 
 what God designed from eternity, must at last be de- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 507 
 
 cided by what he effects in time ; for his actions are 
 the annunciation of his decrees. As Mr. Wesley pro- 
 fessed to admit that God was the author of conversion, 
 that he gave the will its right direction, and sustained 
 the religion which he first produced ; when this admis- 
 sion is pursued to all its consequences, it proves all that 
 Calvinism requires. Instead, however, of discussing 
 this interesting question which lay within their reach, 
 and tended to edification, as it led them to look into 
 their own hearts, the combatants pushed each other 
 back into the ages of eternity, to speculate upon the 
 order of the thoughts which passed in the infinite mind. 
 
 Another singularity of this contest was the difference 
 of the tribunals to which the litigants appealed. The 
 Arminians seem to have felt as gladiators exhibiting 
 before the world, which must have been much con- 
 firmed in its native enmity to divine sovereignty 
 and grace, by the misrepresentations of Wesley and 
 Fletcher. The church of Christ was the theatre in 
 which the Calvinists sought applause ; but they seemed 
 not sufficiently solicitous whether that applause pro- 
 ceeded from the best or the worst part of the professors 
 of religion. . The Arminians gloried in the patronage 
 of the Monthly Review, and Mr. Fletcher reproached 
 Mr. Hill for appealing to the children of God. That 
 was, indeed, more likely to be true which commended 
 itself to those " who had tasted that the Lord is gra- 
 cious," than that which suits the taste of " the carnal 
 mind, which is enmity against God ;" but in appealing 
 to the people of God, we should not forget that those 
 who lay claim to this title without right, are often the 
 worst judges of truth and holiness. 
 
508 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The effect of the controversy was most pernicious. 
 Without eliciting truth, or illustrating difficult texts, 
 the combatants enflamed the spirit of party, and ren- 
 dered the two bodies of Methodists more hostile to each 
 other than almost any other differing sects. Though 
 Wesley and Whitfield appeared reconciled, they were 
 either not very hearty, or their influence was greater to 
 inflame than to cool the passions of their followers. 
 Both parties Avere driven to extremes. The Calvinists 
 not only shocked their opponents by saying things as 
 strong, rather than as true as possible, against Armi- 
 nians ; but they actually went to lengths which some 
 of them afterwards condemned as the perversion of 
 Calvinism; while others unhappily gloried in these 
 extravagancies as the perfection of the Gospel ; so that 
 real Antinomianism became the pest of many churches, 
 and the scarecrow of the Arminians. These, in their 
 turn, fled from Calvinism with such haste, that they 
 almost rushed into the arms of a mystical deism ; for 
 though Fletcher, as he advanced towards the close of 
 the controversy, felt like a Cliristian on the verge of 
 eternity, and dropped some healing antidotes to the 
 controversial venom ; Wesley seemed only intent on 
 following up his position, that " we are gone too far 
 towards Calvinism." 
 
 Sect. III. — The Socinian Controversy. 
 
 Mr. Cardale, a dissenting minister of Evesham, in 
 Worcestershire, originated this controversy by publish- 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 509 
 
 ing " the true Doctrine of the New Testament con- 
 cerning Jesus Christ, considered ; wherein the nnis- 
 representations that have been made of it, on the Arian 
 Hypothesis, and on all Trinitarian and Athanasian 
 Principles, are exposed, and the honour of our Saviour's 
 divine Character and Mission is maintained." The 
 last part of this title seems designed as a bait to catch 
 readers ; for who would not suppose that a book written 
 to maintain the honour of our Saviour's divine cha- 
 racter, against Arians and Trinitarians, was the work 
 of a Sabellian, or of some one who maintained, like the 
 Swedenborgians, that Jesus Christ was the only divine 
 person ? Mr. Cardale published a supplement to this 
 work, in the form of a comment on Christ's last prayer, 
 and a treatise on the application of certain terms and 
 epithets to Jesus Christ. Dr. Lardner gave a new 
 turn to the dispute. His polemical w^orks were not 
 numerous, and we have only to mention his " Enquiry 
 whether the Logos supplied the place of a human soul 
 in Jesus Christ ;" and " Two Schemes of a Trinity 
 considered, and the divine Unity asserted." Cool dis- 
 cussion characterizes all the works of this eminent 
 writer, who was more formed for research than for dis- 
 putation. Mr. Hopkins, a clergyman of Essex, at- 
 tempted to recommend Arianism to the members of 
 the church of England. He received an answer to his 
 " Appeal" from Dr. McDonnell, and from two or three 
 other writers. Dr. Clayton, bishop of Clogher, re- 
 kindled the fires by his Essay on Spirit," which was 
 answered by several Trinitarians ; but especially by 
 William Jones, in a convincing statement of the Catho- 
 lic doctrine of the Trinity, and by Dr. Randolph. Mr. 
 
510 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Hopkins vindicated him, in a " Sequel to the Essay on 
 Spirit," and the bishop published a " Defence of the 
 Essay," as well as " A plain and proper Answer to the 
 Question, why does not tlie Bishop of Clogher resign 
 his Preferments ?" The Arian hypothesis was most 
 ably supported by Mr. Henry Taylor, in his " Apology 
 of Benjamin Ben Mordecai to his Friends, for em- 
 bracing Christianity," and by Dr. Price, in his " Ser- 
 mons on the Christian Doctrine." 
 
 Dr. Priestley came forth as the champion of Soci- 
 nianism. He published "An Appeal to the serious 
 and candid Professors of Christianity ;" " A Familiar 
 Illustration of certain Passages of Scripture ;" and " A 
 General View of the Arguments for the Unity of God, 
 and against the Divinity and Pre-existence of Christ, 
 from Reason, from the Scriptures, and from History." 
 
 His " Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion " 
 may be considered as a Socinian body of divinity; 
 though it is professedly not polemical. It controverts^ 
 however, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the separate 
 state of the soul, and the eternity of future punish- 
 ments ; and, as the former part is a mere speculation 
 on what the light of nature might teach^ which the 
 doctor confesses to be very little ; in the latter, the 
 same speculative turn prevails concerning the contents 
 of Scripture. Of this most able and best written work 
 of the Socinian coryphoeus, it may be said, that what is 
 good is borrowed, and what is original is good for no- 
 thing. The controversial supplement to the institutes, 
 is Dr. Priestley's celebrated " History of the Corrup- 
 tions of Christianity." Viewed as an historical defence 
 of Socinianism, or rather as a death-stroke to the deity 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 511 
 
 and atonement of Christ, announced, with some parade, 
 it must strike every intelligent reader as the ridiculous 
 birth of a parturient mountain. One short section of a 
 Avork, that extends through two thick volumes, contains 
 all the polemical history to prove the earliest Chris- 
 tians Socinians ; but which proves that Dr. Priestley, 
 unable to find historic documents, could substitute for 
 them mere suppositions, or the modest assumption that 
 primitive Christians must have believed what the 
 doctor believes. 
 
 The history was attacked by an able writer in the 
 " Monthly Review for June, 1783," against whom Dr. 
 Priestley published a reply. Dr. Horsley, successively 
 Archdeacon of St. Albans, Bishop of Rochester, and of 
 St. David's, was one of the ablest antagonists of the 
 Socinians. His three publications on this question are 
 collected into a volume, entitled " Tracts, in Contro- 
 versy with Dr. Priestley, upon the Historical Question 
 of the Belief of the First Ages in our Lord's Divinity ; 
 with a large addition of Notes and Supplemental Dis- 
 quisitions." This episcopal champion for the orthodox 
 creed, who was singly a host, unhappily enlisted in the 
 contest his passions and his pride, to the disgrace of 
 his learning, and the injury of his cause. Dr. Priestley's 
 letters to the Archdeacon of St. Albans, and his remarks 
 on the Monthly Review of the letters to Dr. Horsley, 
 evince the unbroken spirit of the combatant. It has, 
 indeed, been observed, that Priestley followed up the 
 reviewers with so much prowess and policy, that, 
 " finding their country was nourished by the king's, 
 they desired peace, and have ever since paid the So- 
 cinians faithful service." A History of Early Opi- 
 
512 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 iiions concerning Jesus Christ," and " Defences of 
 Unitarianism, for the year 1786 and three following 
 years/' may be said to have completed Dr. Priestley's 
 controversial works ; but he made all his theological 
 writings the vehicle of his Antitrinitarian sentiments. 
 
 Dr. Horne, afterwards Bishop of Norwich, published, 
 with a view to this controversy, " A Sermon on Con- 
 tending for the Faith," and " A Letter by an under 
 graduate of Oxford." Parkhurst, the Hebrew and 
 Greek lexicographer, wrote " A Demonstration from 
 Scripture of the Divinity and Pre-existence of our 
 Saviour ; " and Mr. Whitaker published four dialogues 
 on the doctrine of the Trinity. Dr. Geddes, a Roman 
 Catholic divine, turned the tables upon Dr. Priestley, 
 by " An Historical Argument to prove that some 
 Hundreds of Pastors in the First Council of Nice could 
 not have introduced such a doctrine as Christ's Di- 
 vinity and the Trinity in the Divine Nature." As 
 Dr. Priestley owns that we cannot discover when the 
 doctrine of Christ's deity was introduced; and it is 
 admitted that the Nicene fathers, convened from dif- 
 ferent parts of the world, acknowledged Christ to be 
 God ; Dr. Geddes contends, that this must have been 
 the original Christian doctrine. It is certain, that an 
 attempt to reduce him to the condition of a mere man, 
 now provokes the warmest controversy ; and can we 
 suppose that an attempt to elevate a man to the throne 
 of deity would originally have excited none ? 
 
 Mr. Lindsey, a respectable clergyman, having re- 
 signed the vicarage of Catterick, in consequence of his 
 objections to the Trinitarianism of the Church of Eng- 
 land, published an apology for that step, and a sequel 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 513 
 
 to the apology; both which are efforts to overtlirow 
 the doctrines of the Trinity and deity of Christ. His 
 attempt to explain away texts is exceedingly futile ; 
 and his quotations from the fathers seemed designed to 
 prove that they decide nothing, or that they were be- 
 lievers in Christ's divinity. Mr. Lindsey's " Catechist," 
 " Historical View of the Unitarian Doctrine," " Ad- 
 dresses to the Students of Oxford and Cambridge," 
 " Examination of Mr. Robinson's Plea for the Divinity 
 of Christ," and " Conversations on Christian Idolatry," 
 were answered by Mr. Bingham's " Vindication of the 
 Doctrine and Liturgy of the Church of England," Dr. 
 Randolph's " Vindication of the Worship of the Son 
 and the Holy Ghost," " An Enquiry into the Belief of 
 the Christians of the first three Centuries," by William 
 Burgh, Esq., and Dr. Hawker's " Sermons on the 
 Divinity of Christ." 
 
 Mr. Fletcher, who figured in the Arminian contro- 
 versy, wrote a very spirited piece, entitled " Socinianism 
 unscriptural." The Swedenborgians and the Jews, 
 who had been drawn into the controversy by Dr. 
 Priestley, retorted upon the Socinians with great spirit, 
 maintaining that they who denied Christ's divinity could 
 not, with any propriety, be called Christians. 
 
 Gilbert Wakefield, another clergyman who had 
 abandoned the establishment, on account of his ^Prini- Ua*^ ^''^* 
 tarianism, published " An Enquiry into the Opinions 
 of the Christian Writers of the three first Centuries 
 concerning the Person of Christ." In the " JMemoirs 
 of his own Life," also, he laboured to diffuse his theo- 
 logical sentiments. He was a man of fine talents, con- 
 siderable learning, and stern integrity ; but his religion 
 
 VOL. II. 2 L 
 
514 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 seems to have been the offspring of his passions and 
 his pride. While he acknowledges that the hypothesis 
 of two natures in Christ agrees best with the letter of 
 Scripture, he contends that here also " the letter 
 killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." Had a Trinitarian 
 made such a confession, Avould not this precipitate 
 writer have gloried in it, as a relinquishment of the 
 point in dispute, asking where we were to learn the 
 spirit of Scripture, but from the letter ? 
 
 This controversy was warmly maintained in the 
 pulpit, as well as in the press, and was, after a time, 
 revived by a publication from IMr. Wilberforce, on the 
 difference between the spirit of Christianity and that 
 of most who professed to be Christians. This writer, 
 having affirmed that Socinianism was the halfway- 
 house to Deism, was attacked by Mr. Belsham. The 
 death of Dr. Priestley drew forth funeral sermons, 
 which, containing eulogiums on his sentiments and 
 reflections on those of his antagonists, were calculated 
 to provoke replies. Mr. Belsham*s sermon was 
 answered by some able letters from Dr. John Pye 
 Smith, of Homerton. Gilbert Wakefield's translation 
 of the New Testament, which has a strong tinge of 
 Racovian theology, has been followed by what the So- 
 cinians call " an improved version of the New Testa- 
 ment," accompanied \a ith notes, designed to prove that 
 the sacred writers are Antitrinitarians. This has been 
 animadverted upon by Mr. Nares, a clergyman, in 
 " An Appeal to Christians." 
 
 Neither the Calvinists nor the Socinians discovered 
 extraordinary abilities in this contest. Dr. Priestley 
 and his associates fell below the Polish defenders of the 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 515 
 
 same cause ; nor were any of the Trinitarian writers 
 equal to Dr. Owen. No new light was thrown upon 
 the subject, and no advantage was derived from the 
 discussion ; except that each party appeared before the 
 world in its ow^n colours. 
 
 The mild temper of Dr. Priestley neutralised the 
 polemical gall, but his hatred to Calvinism sometimes 
 burst forth in bitter words. His style, lucid and dis- 
 passionate, was calculated to make an impression on 
 his admirers rather than his antagonists. When 
 pressed with unanswerable arguments from Scripture, 
 he would with philosophic indifference reply, that it 
 was all nothing, to the rational considerations which 
 lead to other conclusions ; but when general considera- 
 tions w^ere shown to favour the evangelical system, its 
 opponents would urge texts of Scripture. As, however, 
 the Socinians modestly called themselves the rational 
 Dissenters, they preferred general reasoning to any 
 other mode of managing the dispute. Dr. Priestley, 
 with amazing coolness, frames his system from what 
 he deems philosophical considerations, and then bids 
 the Scriptures comply. In opposing Calvinists, how- 
 ever, he ought to have known that they deny his first 
 principles ; for selfishness, which they deem the essence 
 of sin, is the soul of his system. Instead of taking it 
 for granted that the universe was made for us, and that 
 the happiness of the creature is the ultimate aim of the 
 Deity, which, to evangelical divines, appears an impious 
 effort to seat the creatures in their Maker's throne, 
 Priestley should have attempted to confute such works 
 as Edwards's Dissertation on the Nature of Virtue," 
 
 2 L 2 
 
516 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and On God's Last End in the Creation of the 
 World." 
 
 In consequence of this essential opposition in their 
 first principles, the writings of Socinians, in this con- 
 troversy, seemed designed to wage war with the 
 Scriptures. He that passes from the one to the other 
 feels that he breathes a different atmosphere, and exists 
 in another world. The tone of scepticism, with which 
 the allies of Priestley speak of everything in theology 
 (except Calvinism, which always inspires them with 
 confident dogmatism), seems designed to expose the 
 certainty which the sacred writers inculcate, wherever 
 God has revealed his mind. Exalted esteem and 
 ardent affection for Christ, inspired by the scriptural 
 representation of his person and redemption, and de- 
 clared to be the vital flame which pervades the living 
 church, is, by the Socinian writers, exchanged for a 
 cold, measured expression of respect, extorted by the 
 ardour of prophets and apostles, in defiance of the frigid 
 tendency of the Racovian creed. 
 
517 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 SEMINARIES FOR THE MINISTRY AMONG THE 
 DISSENTERS. 
 
 Several of the institutions for the education of dis- 
 senting ministers, which flourished under the former 
 periods, expired ; but so many new ones have been 
 formed, that this section will unavoidably extend to 
 considerable length. 
 
 The most ancient of the dissenting colleges is that of 
 Homerton, near London. It was removed from Mile 
 End, in the year 1772. At the commencement of the 
 reign of George III., Drs. Walker, Conder, and Gib- 
 bons were the tutors. John Walker is mentioned, 
 with high respect, as eminently qualified, by extensive 
 and accurate learning, for his office of classical tutor, 
 which he discharged with diligence till he was removed 
 by death, November 19, 1770. Dr. John Conder had 
 been fifteen years pastor of a dissenting congregation 
 at Cambridge, when he was invited to fill the theolo- 
 gical chair at this seminary. He was, soon after, chosen 
 by a church in Moorfields to the pastoral office, Avhich 
 he combined with the able discharge of his academical 
 duties, till the year 1781, when he died, in the sixty- 
 seventh year of his age. The third professorship, which 
 was filled by Dr. Thomas Gibbons, was tliat of rhetoric 
 
518 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 and belles lettres, for which his biography of Dr. Watts, 
 and some other publications, would not prove him emi- 
 nently qualified. He was educated under Dr. Taylor 
 and Mr. Eames ; and was forty years pastor of a 
 congregation at Ilaberdasher's-hall, London. Death 
 having removed him, in 1785, he was succeeded by 
 Dr. Henry JMayo, a more able man, pastor of a church 
 in Nightingale-lane. Dr. Daniel Fisher, minister of a 
 congregation at Warminster, who had succeeded to the 
 office of classical tutor, was, on Dr. Conder's death, 
 raised to the divinity chair. Unpopular as a preacher, 
 he was invited to no pastoral charge, and, in the decline 
 of life, he relinquished his academical duties, and re- 
 tired to privacy, in which he died^ 1708, aged seventy- 
 six. He had been succeeded, as classical tutor, by Dr. 
 Davies, of Abergavenny, who was elected pastor of the 
 Independent congregation in Fetter-lane. Ill health 
 compelled this valuable man to retire to Reading, 
 where he occasionally discharged the duties of the 
 ministry. He was followed by John Fell^ who has 
 been described as " rising, by native talents^ from an 
 obscure station, to become one of the first scholars of 
 the age.*' Thaxted, in Essex, was the scene of his 
 pastoral care, when he was invited to teach Latin, 
 Greek, and Hebrew^ at Homerton. He sunk under 
 the trials of his office, September 6, 1797. 
 
 Mr. Berry, of West Bromwich, followed^ but re- 
 signed the chair, in about four years. His successor 
 was John Pye Smith, who was called, 1801, from the 
 forms of the academy at Rotherham, in Yorkshire, to 
 fill the chair at Homerton. Dr. Fisher, having re- 
 signed the office of theological tutor, it was, for a few 
 
CONTROVERSIES. 
 
 519 
 
 months, filled by James Knight, pastor of a church in 
 Southwark ; but when he quitted it, the classical tutor 
 who had received a diploma of D.D. was placed in 
 that chair ; and Thomas Hill, who was also called 
 from his studies in the academy at Rotherham, was 
 chosen to succeed Dr. Smith, as teacher of the classics 
 and mathematics. 
 
 The other dissenting academy, in the neighbourhood 
 of London, was, at the commencement of this period, 
 under the care of Dr. David Jennings, who presided, 
 as theological tutor, eighteen years, and was removed 
 by death in 1762, when he was seventy-one years old. 
 Dr. Samuel Morton Savage was classical and mathe- 
 matical tutor, and the lectures were delivered at his 
 house in Wellclose-square_, London : the students 
 boarded in private families. But when Dr. Jennings 
 died, a situation was procured for the seminary at 
 Hoxton, and Dr. Savage removed, from the classical, 
 to the theological chair. Dr. Andrew Kippis, and Dr. 
 Abraham Rees, gentlemen of literary eminence, but of 
 theological sentiments widely different from those of 
 the former tutors, were chosen to fill the other depart- 
 ments in this academy. This heterogeneous associ- 
 ation could neither be expected, nor wished, to continue 
 long. Dr. Kippis withdrew from the institution in 
 1784, and the two other tutors followed his example, 
 the next year ; when the seminary, which had furnished 
 many valuable ministers, was dissolved. 
 
 Several friends of evangelical truth, lamenting the 
 heterodoxy or coldness of the former seminary, associ- 
 ated to provide for the churches pastors of a different 
 spirit. They engaged some ministers of established 
 
520 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 reputation to give lectures at their own houses. But 
 this mode soon proved so inconvenient, that they were 
 compelled to provide, in 1783, a building at Mile End, 
 to which they invited Stephen Addington, minister of 
 Market Harliorough, as tutor of what was now called 
 the Evangelical Academy. The friends of the insti- 
 tution procured him the diploma of D.D. He had 
 scarcely commenced the duties of his new office, before 
 he was attacked by a severe indisposition which laid 
 him aside, for some time. He recovered, but was 
 again disabled by affliction, and at length compelled, 
 in 1798, to resign his office. As he had been chosen 
 pastor of the congregation in Miles' Lane, he continued 
 to labour there, under the pressure of iniirmities ; but 
 in February, 1796, he was called away by death, in his 
 sixty-seventh year. He was an amiable man, of correct 
 deportment, ardent piety, and great zeal for usefulness ; 
 but as a preacher, he was more esteemed than admired, 
 for his elocution was defective, and his thoughts, always 
 good, were seldom great. His treatise in defence of 
 infant baptism, and his Life of the Apostle Paul," 
 are the best known among his publications. 
 
 The academy over Avliich he presided was, in 1791, 
 removed to Hoxton, to the house occupied by the 
 former seminary, and placed under the care of Robert 
 Simpson, M.A., who was called from the charge of a 
 congregation at Bolton, in Lancashire. Mr. Collison, 
 Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Hooper, and Mr. Henry Foster 
 Burder, have been tutors here. From its treasurer, 
 Thomas Wilson, Esq., this institution has received the 
 most active and generous services. 
 
 Plackney, in the vicinity of London, was the seat of 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 521 
 
 tinotlier academy, of different principles and spirit. 
 Those who were called the wide Dissenters, resolving 
 to establish an institution for the education of ministers 
 on their own principles, formed, in 1786, the New 
 College. Dr. Kippis, who has already been noticed, 
 Thomas Belsham, and Gilbert Wakefield, formerly 
 felloAv of Jesus College, Cambridge, were called to be 
 the tutors. As the institution expired, within ten years 
 after its establishment, but little can be said of its 
 character. Andrew Kippis, D.D., F.R.S., was born 
 at Nottingham, in 1725. He was descended from 
 ejected ministers, and received his education at the 
 grammar school of Sleaford, in Lincolnshire, but 
 derived such advantages in literature from the kind 
 attentions of Mr. Merivale, as he said it was impossible 
 for him to express. After studying for the ministry 
 under Dr. Doddridge, he preached to several congre- 
 gations, before he was chosen to succeed Dr. Hughes, 
 in Prince's- street, Westminster. At the recommenda- 
 tion of Professor Robertson, the university of Edin- 
 burgh, in 1767, presented him with the diploma of 
 D.D., and he was afterwards chosen member of the 
 Society of Antiquaries, and fellow of the Royal Society. 
 He died in 1795, in the seventieth year of his age. 
 Gilbert Wakefield pronounces him " a gentleman of 
 unlimited benevolence, eminent literary accomplish- 
 ments, from whom no one could withhold respect who 
 was himself respectable *." As a preacher, his stores 
 of knowledge, felicity of style, and energy of elocution, 
 must have rendered him fascinating to those who 
 approved his sentiments. But his labours as an author 
 
 * Memoirs, vol. i. p. 338. 
 
522 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 form the surest basis of his fame. In the historical 
 and philological department of the Monthly Re- 
 view, he instructed the public, and in the preface to 
 the New Annual Register he gave a very valuable 
 history of knowledge, learning, and taste in Great 
 Britain. As an editor of Dr. Doddridge's Lectures, he 
 has shewn his reading and his candour; but the 
 new edition of the " Biographia Britannica" will 
 deliver his name to posterity among the first writers 
 of our language. 
 
 A more recent establishment at Hackney seems 
 designed to give a short and economical course of in- 
 struction, to prepare itinerants to preach Christ to the 
 poor. Its founder was John Eyre, A.M., minister of 
 an Episcopal chapel at Homerton, where he laboured 
 with distinguished zeal and success. As the necessi- 
 ties of the churches left the regular academies no oppor- 
 tunity to furnish itinerants, the plan was formed to 
 give serious young men a more rapid course of instruc- 
 tion, to exclude the dead languages, except so far as 
 was necessary to furnish an introduction to the original 
 tongues of the Scripture, and to give a short course of 
 lectures on biblical and general science, and the duties 
 of a preacher. Two of Mr. Eyre's friends, Mr. Han- 
 son and Mr. Charles Townsend, warmly patronised 
 the new seminary ; and the latter has deserved well of 
 the church of Christ by a contribution of five hundred 
 pounds annually, during his life, and at his death, a 
 bequest of ten thousand pounds. The seminary was 
 fixed in Well- street. Hackney, in 1803, and George 
 Collison, A.M., who had been classical tutor at Hoxton, 
 was chosen to superintend the studies of the young 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 523 
 
 men, whose labours have introduced the Gospel, and 
 formed churches, in many dark places. 
 
 The academy over which Dr. Doddridge presided, 
 >vas, at his death, removed to Daventry^ as Dr. Caleb 
 Ashworth, who was chosen to the office of tutor, re- 
 fused to quit his pastoral charge, at that place. He 
 entered into his academical labours, in 1752, and was 
 removed by death, on the 18th of July, 1775, in the 
 fifty-third year of his age. Some of his pupils still 
 occupy important stations in the dissenting churches, 
 and they unite in representing him as a man who fully 
 justified the high expectations formed of him by Dr. 
 Doddridge. His great abilities and learning, combined 
 with consummate prudence, and unaffected modesty, 
 were devoted, with unremitted diligence, to the im- 
 provement of the students ; for wdiose use he drew up 
 the rudiments of the Hebrew language, which were 
 published without his name, and have been very ex- 
 tensively used. 
 
 Thomas Robins succeeded Dr. Ashworth. He was 
 born in the vicinity of Bedford, and after finishing the 
 studies which were interrupted by Dr. Doddridge's 
 death, under his successor, and preaching at Stretton, 
 in Warwickshire, he removed to West Bromwich, near 
 Birmingham. Yielding to the solicitations of Mv. 
 Coward's trustees, he took the care of the academy at 
 Daventry, where he was chosen to the charge of Dr. 
 Ashworth's congregation. The loss of his voice, in 
 1781, obliged him to withdraw from duties which he 
 had ably fulfilled. 
 
 The assistant tutor at Daventry, Thomas Belsham, 
 A.M., succeeded to the theological chair. This gentle- 
 
524 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 man was educated in calvinistic sentiments, by his father, 
 who was a respectable minister at Newport Pagnel, 
 Bucks. After having studied at Daventry, he took 
 the charge of a congregation at Worcester ; but, on 
 the death of Dr. Ashwoilh, he became second tutor 
 in the academy. As the institution is supported by 
 Mr. Coward's fund, bequeathed with the express 
 condition that the students shall be educated in the 
 principles of the Assembly's Catechism ; when Mr. 
 Belsham abandoned those principles, for the So- 
 cinian creed, he honourably relinquished the theolo- 
 gical chair. 
 
 Mr. Belsham being succeeded by John Horsey, mi- 
 nister of a congregation in Northampton, the academy 
 was again fixed in that town. The value of that 
 honesty, integrity, and decision of character w^liich the 
 former tutor had displayed, was soon manifested by 
 the painful suspicions entertained concerning his suc- 
 cessor; for, as most of the pupils were found to be 
 Socinians, it was concluded that the theological tutor 
 could not be faithfully executing the will of the founder. 
 The state of things being reported to the trustees, they 
 determined to strike at the root of the evil, by dis- 
 solving the academy. 
 
 In the following year, 1799, the institution was 
 revived, and William Parry, M.A., of Little Baddow, 
 Essex, was chosen tutor. A building was purchased 
 for the academy at Wymondley, a village near Hitchin, 
 in Hertfordshire. Mr. Henry Foster Burder was, for 
 a short time, assistant tutor with Mr. Parry. The 
 seminary is supported by ample funds, and the library, 
 increased by the removal of the books belonging to Dr. 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 525 
 
 Savage's academy, at Hoxton, is thought to he the 
 most valuahle among the Dissenters. 
 
 The dissenting academy in the West of England, 
 heing dissolved, at the departure of Dr. Amory to 
 London, several persons resolved, shortly after, to esta- 
 blish a seminary, not for the ministry alone, hut also 
 for the other learned professions and for civil life. 
 William Mackworth Praed, Esq., gave a house at 
 Exeter, into which was removed the library of the 
 Taunton academy, enriched by a bequest of the books 
 of Dr. Hodge of London. It was opened, in 1760, 
 under Samuel Merivale as its superintendant, who was 
 assisted by the celebrated Micaiah Towgood. The 
 former was removed by death, 1771. He had been 
 educated under Dr. Doddridge at Northampton, where 
 he was born, and, at the expiration of his studies, had 
 taken the charge of a congregation at Sleaford, in 
 Lincolnshire, but removed to Exeter, on the commence- 
 ment of the academy, and was chosen one of the minis- 
 ters of the Arian congregation in that city, as well as 
 tutor to the seminary. For extensive learning and 
 refined taste, he has been praised by the first scholars, 
 and, by his pupils, for the mild dignity of his character, 
 and the fairness and perspicuity with which he treated 
 the disputed points in theology. Mr. Towgood died, 
 in 1792, in his ninety-second year, ten years after the 
 infirmities of age had compelled him to relinquish his 
 public labours. 
 
 The other tutors in this academy were men of talents 
 and erudition. Mr. John Turner, who studied under 
 Dr. Jennings, read lectures at Exeter on mathematics 
 and natural philosophy, He died in 1770, and was 
 
526 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 succeeded by Thomas Jervds, who afterwards removed 
 to London. John Hogg, another pupil of Dr. Jennings, 
 succeeded Mr. Merivale, in 1772: he had removed 
 from Sidmouth, to preach at the Mint meeting in 
 Exeter. He abandoned the pulpit, on becoming a 
 partner in a banking-house. The academy, after ex- 
 isting thirty years, was dissolved, for want of pecuniary 
 support. 
 
 But Thomas Kenrick, who had been, first a student, 
 and then a tutor, at Daventry, having succeeded Mr. 
 Towgood, in the pulpit at Exeter, was impelled by his 
 grief for the decline of seminaries on what he termed 
 free principles, to open his own house for such an in- 
 stitution. Subscriptions were procured by his influence, 
 and a prospect of success was opening, when he was 
 removed by a sudden death, in August, 1804, in his 
 forty-sixth year. 
 
 The friends of evangelical doctrine among the Dis- 
 senters could not be unconcerned spectators of the pro- 
 gress of Arianism, which first diseased and then de- 
 stroyed the academies of Taunton and Exeter. The 
 congregational-fund board in London, having determined 
 to establish a seminary on orthodox principles, in tlie west 
 of England, selected for the tutor John Lavington, jun. 
 minister of St. Mary Ottery, Devon. Tliey commenced 
 the institution, by sending down four young men who 
 had received a classical education at their academy in 
 London. As the rules of the seminary are dated 1752, 
 this was, perhaps, the year in which it w^as opened, and 
 as they are signed by twenty-three names, Mr. Laving- 
 ton probably educated that number for the ministry. 
 This good man was, in 1764, removed by death, in 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 5'27 
 
 consequence of a mortification which followed the opera* 
 tion of bleeding. " He was," says his successor, " a 
 man of excellent natural temper, extensive learning, 
 distinguished piety, and great prudence." From the 
 pulpit, Micaiah Towgood lamented his death in the 
 following eulogium : "he was more pious, more learned, 
 and more useful than us all*." 
 
 James Rooker, of Bridport, succeeded Mr. Laving- 
 ton in the office of tutor. The King's-head Society in 
 London for some time allowed an exhibition for the 
 classical education of the young men under Mr. Samuel 
 Buncombe, Mr. Lavington's successor in the pastoral 
 office, previously to their going to attend the lectures 
 at Bridport. A paralytic stroke incapacitated Mr. 
 Rooker for the duties of his office in 1779, and in the 
 following year, which was the fiftieth of his age, he died, 
 leaving a high reputation for superior learning and ar- 
 dent attachment to evangelical truth. Thomas Reader, 
 minister of Taunton, succeeded to the vacant chair of 
 this academy, in 1780. For the fourteen years during 
 which he presided, only eighteen students Avere ad- 
 mitted. Both Mr. Reader and Mr. Buncombe, who 
 may be called the classical tutor, died in 1794. The 
 latter had been educated in the academy under Mr. 
 Lavington, and was ardently attached to the deity and 
 atonement of Jesus Christ, which affi)rded him peculiar 
 satisfaction in his last moments. Mr. Reader was the 
 son of eminently devout parents, who lived at Bedworth, 
 in Warwickshire. He first settled at Weymouth, 
 
 * Manuscript information. He published an Enquiry into the Nature 
 of the Gospel Offer, and a few sermons. After his death a volume of his 
 discourses on Desertion and Affliction was printed. 
 
528 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTER?. 
 
 whence he removed to Newbury, and at hist preached 
 at Paul's meeting, Taunton. Early devoted to the Re- 
 deemer, he used to pray " that his head might be filled 
 with schemes for the divine glory, his heart with the 
 love and his hands with the work of God." 
 
 Mr. Reader was followed by Mr. James Small, 
 minister of Axminster. Under the patronage of the 
 London board, he commenced his labours in 1796, and 
 the Devonshire association secured the continuance of 
 the institution by subscriptions in the county. Tlie 
 Fund Board, the King's-head Society, and subscribers 
 in the west of England, were the supporters of this 
 seminary. 
 
 Looking towards the north of the kingdom, we ob- 
 serve the ancient seminaries extinct, and new ones 
 rising up in their place. In Yorkshire, the academy 
 formerly under Mr. Jollie may be said to be succeeded 
 by that which is established at Rotherham, near Shef- 
 field. A few ministers and public-spirited Christians 
 in London having consulted on " the means of dispelling 
 the cloud of Socinian darkness, then spreading over the 
 northern counties of England," formed a society for 
 educating young men for the work of the ministry in 
 the West Riding of Yorkshire, and, in May, 1756, chose 
 James Scott, minister of Heckmondwicke, to super- 
 intend the studies of the young men. The labours of 
 Mr. Scott repaid the devout solicitude of the founders, 
 but death deprived the church of his services, in 
 January, 1783. He was a native of Scotland, and had 
 studied in one of the universities of that country. Un- 
 der him were educated about sixty ministers, who 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 52^. 
 
 laboured in the northern counties with great fidelity 
 and success. 
 
 His successor was Samuel Walker ; but it soon ap- 
 peared that the important post was not filled to the 
 satisfaction of the benevolent patrons. The institution 
 had been removed to Mr. Walker's residence, at North- 
 ouram, near Halifax, where upwards of thirty persons 
 were educated, in twelve years. At the expiration of 
 this period, dissatisfaction with its state had induced 
 many of the subscribers to withdraw; and William 
 Fuller, Esq. banker, of London, the munificent patron, 
 informed its supporters in Yorkshire, that they must 
 now take it into their own hands, at the same time 
 assuring them that there were those in London who 
 would aid them in the good Avork. 
 
 It was determined, as a provisional arrangement, to 
 transfer the students to the care of the Rev. IMr. Vint, 
 of Idle. Dr. Williams, then pastor of a congregation 
 in Birmingham, accepted the office of tutor. As he 
 yielded, at the same time, to an invitation from the 
 church at JMasbrough, near Rotherham, the latter place 
 was fixed upon as the site of the academy. Three 
 gentlemen of Rotherham, Joshua, Joseph, and Thomas 
 Walker, deserve honourable mention for their munifi- 
 cent donations to the institution ; the former, in the 
 office of treasurer, rendered it the most distinguished 
 services. Premises were erected, the library of the 
 former academy was purchased and much increased, 
 and a philosophical apparatus was procured. 
 
 But many of the churches in the West Riding of 
 Yorkshire felt serious inconveniencies from tlie distance 
 to which the seminary was now removed ; and Edward 
 
 VOL. II, 2 M 
 
530 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Hanson, Esq., then resident in London, offered sixty 
 pounds annually, for the education of two students, near 
 the former site of the academy. Mr. Vint was chosen 
 the tutor ; and Mr. Hanson bequeathed, at his death, in 
 January, 1 802, an annual income of a hundred and fifty 
 pounds. Contributions from the neighbouring churches 
 increased the number of students. 
 
 There were several smaller seminaries established 
 during this period. William Bull, the venerable mi- 
 nister of Newport Pagnel, superintended one, of which 
 the history is rather singular. John Newton, a justly 
 celebrated minister of the church of England, formed a 
 scheme for the establishment of an academy, of which 
 the students were to labour in the Establishment, or 
 among any class of Dissenters, as they chose. Mr. 
 Newton expressed his ideas in a pamphlet, entitled 
 A Plan of Academic Preparation for the Ministry," 
 which w^as sent to Mr. Bull by the poet Cowper, Avith 
 this sentence, " Behold the plan of your future opera- 
 tions, which, as I have told Mr. Newton, the man 
 being found who is able to carry it into execution, 
 ought no longer to be called Utopian." By Mr. New- 
 ton s exertions and influence, subscriptions were pro- 
 cured, and Mr. Bull entered on his office, in January, 
 1783. Four years after, John Thornton, Esq. of Clap- 
 ham, took the expense upon himself, and at his death 
 bequeathed two hundred pounds a year, for the support 
 of the institution, during Mr. Bull's life. Mr. Bull's 
 son still labours usefully in that office, as well as in the 
 ministry of the Gospel, at Newport Pagnel. 
 
 George Welch, Esq., banker, of London, merits 
 grateful remembrance, for his liberality and zeal in 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 
 
 531 
 
 supporting seminaries for tlie ministry. By him Cor- 
 nelius Winter, a venerable minister of the Gospel, at 
 Painswick, in Gloucestershire, was enabled to employ 
 his excellent talents in the useful vrork of tuition. Mr. 
 Thornton contributed to the expenses of this seminary 
 also, and enabled Mr. Winter to educate one in whose 
 usefulness he enjoyed peculiar pleasure, and whose 
 memoir of Mr, Cornelius Winter is so well known, as 
 to leave us little occasion to attempt any addition to his 
 praise*. He died in January, 1808. 
 
 Mr. Welch founded an academy for the south of 
 England also, by placing students under David Bogue, 
 A. M. at Gosport. This seminary was opened in 
 1789. The course of studies occupied three years, and 
 the funds provided by Mr. Welch were for the support 
 of three students, but the subscriptions of other indi- 
 viduals increased the number. On the death of its 
 founder, the liberality of several friends supported the 
 seminary at Gosport, till the year 1 800 ; when Mv. 
 Robert Haldane, of Edinburgh, was the means of add- 
 ing ten students to the original number for three years. 
 The Hampshire Association, aided by friends in other 
 parts of England, afterwards supported the academy. 
 The Missionary Society having, in 1800, resolved to pre- 
 pare their missionaries by a course of instruction, placed 
 them under Mr. Bogue, who gave to one class lectures 
 suited to form them for foreign missions, and to another 
 education for the ministry at home. The latter class, 
 according to the wish of the original founder of the 
 seminary, attended principally to theology. 
 
 Warrington, in Lancashire, is well known as the 
 * Memoirs of Ihe Rev. Cornelius Winter, by the Rev. W. Jay, of Ba'li. 
 
532 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 former seat of an academy, established in 1757. Pre- 
 viously to that period, however, some respectable mi- 
 nisters had been educated in this town, under Dr. 
 Charles Owen, among whom are mentioned the cele- 
 brated Hugh Farmer, and Job Orton. But the first 
 tutors of the academy were Dr. Taylor, of Norwich, 
 Dr. Aikin, of Kib worth, and John Hiot, of Lancaster. 
 This was a mighty triumvirate, but some differences 
 kindled a flame which endangered the existence of the 
 academy, at its very commencement. Dr. Taylor was 
 called away by death^ in March, 1761, at the age of 
 sixty-six. His Hebrew Concordance will secure his 
 reputation for learning and diligence. His publications 
 in defence of the Racovian theology were opposed by 
 Dr. Watts and Dr. Jennings, but most powerfully by 
 President Edwards, in whose hands Dr. Taylor looks 
 little and feeble, almost to contempt. John Seddon sup- 
 plied Dr. Taylor's place, as resident classical tutor at 
 the academy, till death removed him, in 1769. He was 
 equally distinguished for talents, and for departure from 
 the doctrines of the first Dissenters. Dr. Aikin first 
 taught the languages in this academy, and afterwards 
 held the chair of theology and moral philosophy, till the 
 year 1780, when he died. His talents, acquirements, 
 and morals, were eminent; but he is perhaps more 
 celebrated as the father of an eminent physician and 
 writer, and of Mrs. Barbauld, who is equally distin- 
 guished in verse and in prose. 
 
 Dr. Joseph Priestley was invited, in 1761, to succeed 
 Dr. Aikin as classical tutor. Dr. Reinhold Forster, 
 who afterwards accompanied Captain Cook on his 
 second voyage, as naturalist, was, for a short time, a 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 533 
 
 tutor in this seminary. But Dr. William Enfield held 
 the office of superintendent and classical tutor here, 
 from the year 1770, till the academy was dissolved, in 
 1783. Two years after this event, he removed to Nor- 
 wich, where he finished his course, November 3, 1797, 
 in his fifty-third year. He was born at Sudbury, and 
 educated under Dr. Ash worth. He took, in 1763, the 
 charge of a congregation in Liverpool. He was a very 
 superior scholar ; and is well known as the author of the 
 " Speaker," and the " Abridgment of Brucker's History 
 of Philosophy." 
 
 As those Dissenters who had departed from the 
 ancient faith of the Non-conformists were now desti- 
 tute of a seminary for the education of ministers, on 
 their own principles, they established one at Man- 
 chester, in the year 1786, over which Dr. Thomas 
 Barnes, minister of the Presbyterian congregation in 
 that town, was called to preside. To this institution 
 the library and philosophical apparatus of Warrington 
 academy were transferred. Mr. Ralph Harrison, Dr. 
 Barnes's assistant in the pastoral care, was also his 
 colleague in the duties of the seminary. But the same 
 ' cause which contributed to the dissolution of the former 
 institution, occasioned the removal of the academy from 
 Manchester ; for Dr. Barnes, finding himself unable 
 to maintain proper discipline, resigned the chair, in 
 1798, after having filled it with much reputation. He 
 was born at Warrington, and educated there under 
 Dr. Aikin and Dr. Priestley. Leaving the academy in 
 1768, he took the charge of a congregation at Cockey 
 Moor, near Bolton, where he is said to have seen his 
 flock doubled in twelve years. He removed to Man- 
 
534 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Chester, in 1780, and, two years after, established an 
 evening lecture, to which his popular talents drew 
 crowds of genteel hearers. His diploma of D.D. he 
 received from Edinburgh in 1784. To him belongs 
 the honour of having been one of the first promoters of 
 the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, of 
 the academy over which he presided, and of the 
 Auxiliary Bible Society. He died in 1810, in the 
 sixty-fourth year of his age, and the forty-second of his 
 ministry. 
 
 Dr. Barnes, who had been professor of theology, 
 metaphysics, ethics, and Hebrew, was succeeded, in 
 September, 1798, by George Walker, of Nottingham, 
 F.R.S. Advancing years and ill health compelled him 
 to resign, in June, 1803. Mr. Harrison also was 
 induced by the state of his health, in 1789, to relin- 
 quish the office of classical tutor, in which he was suc- 
 ceeded by the Rev. Mr. Loyd, till the year 1792. 
 Charles Saunders, B.A., of Queen's College, Cambridge, 
 was then appointed classical tutor; but in 1799, he was 
 succeeded by William Johns, minister of Totness, who 
 held the office only one year. 
 
 In the mathematical department, Mr. Davis was 
 succeeded, in 1789, by Mr. Nicholls, who after four 
 years resigned his office to Mr. John Dalton, since 
 celebrated for chemical science. When he resisfned, in 
 1800, Mr. Walker took upon himself the whole busi- 
 ness of the institution, for three years. The number 
 of students, under this succession of tutors, was usually 
 from twenty to thirty, but they were not all intended 
 for the ministry. 
 
 Mr. Walker resigned in 1803, when the college 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 
 
 535 
 
 was removed from Manchester, and placed under the 
 care of the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, of York. In the 
 following year, Hugh Kerr, M.A., of the University of 
 Glasgow, was appointed classical and mathematical 
 tutor. He was succeeded, in 1803, by Theophilus 
 Brown, of Peterhouse, Cambridge ; who, on being 
 chosen minister of the Octagon ch^lpel, Norwich, was 
 followed in the academic office by William Turner, 
 jun., A.M. John Kenrick, A.M., was chosen to teach 
 the classics and the belles lettres. Since the removal 
 of the institution to York, the number of students has 
 never exceeded twenty. 
 
 The academical institution which we have traced 
 from Gloucestershire to Carmarthen, continued under 
 the care of Dr. Jenkin Jenkins, till he removed to 
 London in 1779. Robert Gentleman succeeded him 
 in 1780, but the orthodoxy of the institution becoming 
 suspected, the Independents, who had joined with the 
 Presbyterians in its support, withdrew their aid. Mr. 
 Gentleman, soon after, removed from Carmarthen, to 
 take the charge of a congregation at Kidderminster, 
 formed by a separation from Mr. Baxter's former flock. 
 The Independents founded another academy at Aber- 
 gavenny, in Monmouthshire, of which Dr. Benjamin 
 Davies was appointed tutor. 
 
 During the reign of George III., the Baptists paid 
 increased attention to the education of their ministers. 
 The General Association recommended the raising of 
 funds for instructing young men, with a view to the 
 ministry. Edward Terril and Caleb Jope were 
 employed in this useful service at Bristol. But an 
 academy for theological and philosophical studies for 
 
536 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the ministry did not exist in England, till the reign of 
 George II. Mr. Foskett, under whom it began, was 
 horn near Woburn, in Bedfordshire, March 10, 1685. 
 After receiving a liberal education, he studied medicine, 
 but soon quitted that profession for the ministry 
 of the Gospel. He laboured nearly forty years at 
 Bristol, and died in the seventy-fourth year of his 
 age. The companion of his labours, during twenty- 
 four years, pronounced him " a man of fine talents, 
 matured by constant and severe studies, consecrated 
 by ardent piety to the service of the church, and 
 adorned by extensive charity and amiable, unspotted 
 conduct.'* 
 
 Hugh Evans, A.M., who succeeded IMr. Foskett 
 in the academic chair, had been formed by him for this 
 important station. In what manner he filled the pul- 
 pit at Broadmead, and presided in the academy during 
 forty years, his son. Dr. Caleb Evans, has informed the 
 world. He peculiarly excelled in the valuable gift of 
 prayer. He was an able, eloquent preacher ; and his 
 students enjoyed his friendship, as well as instruction. 
 On the approach of death, he said, " I am happy to see 
 these young men rising up, I hope, for great and emi- 
 nent usefulness in the church of God, when I, and 
 many others, shall be here no more." 
 
 Caleb Evans, D.D., who had for some time assisted 
 his father, succeeded to his vacant chair. He had been 
 educated in the Homerton academy, under Dr. Walker, 
 Dr. Conder, and Dr. Gibbons, and was received into 
 communion with the church in London, of which Dr. 
 5tennett Vv-as pastor. With him originated the Bristol 
 i^ducation Society, formed " for the more effectual 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 
 
 537 
 
 supply of ministers to the churches at home, and for the 
 education of missionaries." 
 
 As the academy was now to be conducted on a 
 more extended scale, James Newton, A.M., minister 
 of the other Baptist congregation at Bristol, was in- 
 vited to assist in the education of the students. Emi- 
 nently qualified for the professor's chair, by classical 
 and Hebrew erudition, as well as for the pulpit, by 
 pure religion and theological knowledge, he was too 
 diffident to be popular. He was called away from 
 earth, April 8, 1780, in the fifty-seventh year of his 
 age. Dr. Evans followed him to the place of rest, in 
 August, 1791, in his fifty-fourth year. Many who are 
 still living bear testimony to the superiority of his mind, 
 the extent of his learnings the ardour of his zeal, and 
 the holiness of his character. The grace and energy of 
 his elocution allured great numbers to the pulpit, 
 where he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ." 
 On the bed of death, he said, " As for those who 
 deny the doctrine of atonement, I cannot tell how it 
 may be with them, in the near prospect of death ; for 
 my own part, I have nothing to rest my soul upon, but 
 Christ, and him crucified, and I am now unspeakably 
 happy to think of my feeble effort to vindicate that 
 glorious doctrine." 
 
 After looking around, for some time, in quest of a 
 successor, the society happily fixed upon Dr. John 
 Ryland. Robert Hall, M.A., afterwards of Cambridge, 
 and Joseph Hughes, M.A., now of Battersea, near 
 London, for a time assisted in the instruction of the 
 students, and were followed by the Rev. Henry Page 
 and Mr. Isaac James. In addition to the pastors 
 
538 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 received from the academy at Bristol, it has the honour 
 of having sent forth some valuable missionaries to the 
 Heathen. For the accommodation of the increasing 
 number of the students, an extensive edifice was 
 erected, with a hall for the reception of the museum, 
 which was bequeathed by Dr. Gilford, and has been 
 since increased by valuable curiosities sent by the 
 Baptist missionaries in India. 
 
 A similar institution has been recently formed for 
 the education of Baptist ministers in Yorkshire, sup- 
 ported by the Northern Education Society. It took 
 its rise at an association held in May, 1804, at the 
 meeting-house of Mr. Fawcett, at Hebden Bridge, 
 near Halifax. One individual then present nobly 
 subscribed five hundred pounds towards the object. 
 Generous friends in London, and other parts of the 
 kingdom, have so far aided the funds of the institution, 
 that it has now a capital of two thousand pounds, and 
 annual subscriptions to the amount of two hundred ; 
 which, together with collections in the churches, enable 
 the society to educate sixteen young men. The 
 academy was opened in October, 1805, at Little Hor- 
 ton, near Bradford ; and the choice of William Stead- 
 man, minister of the latter place, to be the tutor, in- 
 spired the most confident hopes of its subserviency to 
 the Redeemer's glory, and the dearest interests of 
 mankind. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. SutclilF, minister at Olney, Bucking- 
 hamshire, prepared young men for the ministry of the 
 Gospel among the Baptists ; and an academy on a 
 small scale was established, about four years ago, at 
 Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire. A seminary at 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 539 
 
 Stepney, hear London, under the care of Dr. Newman, 
 of Bow, and Dr. Cox of Hackney, supplied the wants 
 of this part of the kingdom. 
 
 William Clark, M.A., educated several persons for 
 the ministry, while he was pastor of a Baptist church 
 in Soiithwark, and afterwards when he had taken the 
 charge of a congregation at Exeter. Under him were 
 educated Mr. Button, of London, Henry Coxe Mason, 
 who afterwards studied at Oxford, and became a 
 minister in the establishment, and Peter Edwards, 
 who wrote " Candid Reasons for renouncing the Prin- 
 ciples of Antipeedobaptism." Mr. Clarke was born 
 in London, in 1732, and by his own testimony, his 
 heart was savingly changed, when he was about ten 
 years of age, under the preaching of the celebrated 
 Mr. Whitfield. He studied for the ministry under 
 Dr. Llewelyn and Dr. Samuel Stennett, and, in 1761, 
 succeed Mr. Josiah Thompson, as pastor of the Bap- 
 tist church in Tooley- street, where he laboured success- 
 fully for twenty years. But, when his usefulness 
 seemed to decline, he removed to Exeter, where he 
 died in 1796, in his sixty-fourth year. He was judged 
 eminently qualified, by classical and biblical literature, 
 for the duties of a tutor; and in the pulpit he was 
 ardently devoted to the Redeemer's glory, while his 
 purity of life and catholic spirit endeared him to Chris- 
 tians of all denominations. 
 
 The General Baptists, though of considerable anti- 
 quity as a religious body, and including within their 
 pale many respectable persons^ appear to have re- 
 mained, till late in this period, destitute of a seminary 
 for the education of their ministers. The whole deno- 
 
540 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 mination formerly contented itself, either with self- 
 taught ministers, or with educating its students at the 
 academies established by other bodies of Dissenters ; 
 and that large division, which has advanced from Ar- 
 minian to Arian and Socinian sentiments, still depends, 
 in some measure, upon fortuitous supplies to fill their 
 vacant pulpits. What is called the General Baptist 
 Education Society was formed in 1794. The Rev. John 
 Evans, of London, was chosen tutor of the academy, 
 which was held at his residence in Islington. It was 
 on a small scale, never having more than three or four 
 students at one time 
 
 That which is denominated the evangelical part of 
 the General Baptists formed, in the year 1797, a plan 
 for the establishment of a seminary. At their annual 
 association, a subscription was opened, and a letter, 
 written by Dan Taylor, a venerable minister of London, 
 w^as addressed to the General Baptist churches. In 
 the following year, the institution denominated the 
 General Baptists' Evangelical Academy was opened, 
 and placed under the care of Dan Taylor. It has 
 never contained more than four students, and the whole 
 number received under its patronage has been nineteen. 
 Advanced beyond threescore years and ten, the tutor 
 proposed to resign his office, and, in a judicious dis- 
 course, delivered at Loughborough, before the governors 
 of the academy, in 1807, he sketched the character to 
 be required in his successor ; but no such person having 
 been procured, he continued to labour to form others 
 for the work in which he spent his days. 
 
 The Countess of Huntingdon established a college, 
 * Private information, kindly afforded by Rev. John Evans, the tutor. 
 
SEMINARIES AMONG THE DISSENTERS. 541 
 
 in 1768, at Trevecka, in South Wales. Here, Mr. 
 Fletcher, the advocate of Arminianism, was tutor, till 
 the controversy on that subject separated the Metho- 
 dists into two bodies. Before Lady Huntingdon's 
 death, her friends, aware that she would not be able to 
 endow her institution, formed a subscription for its sup- 
 port. The academy was removed, in 1792, to Ches- 
 hunt, in Hertfordshire, where the Rev. Isaac Nicholson, 
 a clergyman from the establishment, superintended the 
 education of the students. He quitted the chair, to take 
 the charge of a congregation in London, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Horne, Dr. Draper, Mr. Richards, and 
 Mr. James. 
 
 This section will close with an account of seminaries 
 in Wales. The institution, that was removed from 
 Tewkesbury to Carmarthen, had been supported by the 
 united funds of the Presbyterians and Independents ; 
 but when Samuel Thomas, the tutor, embraced Armi- 
 nian sentiments, the Independents withdrew their aid, 
 and formed an academy at Abergavenny. On the 
 death of Mr. Thomas, in 1766, the whole care of the 
 academy at Carmarthen devolved on his assistant. Dr. 
 Jenkins, who removed, in 1775, to London, where he 
 shortly after terminated his useful life. Robert Gentle- 
 man left Shrewsbury, in 1779, to take the charge of 
 the congregation and academy at Carmarthen, from 
 which he removed, in 1784, to preach at Kiddermin- 
 ster. Solomon Harries, minister of Swansea, being 
 chosen tutor, the academy was removed to that place. 
 He was removed by death, in 1785, and was succeeded, 
 in the following year, by William Howell, of Chilwood, 
 near Bristol. On the death of the assistant tutor, 
 
542 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Thomas Loyd, one of the students, David Peter, took 
 his office, but afterwards resigned it, to settle at Car- 
 marthen. John Jones succeeded him; but some dif- 
 ferences arising in the academy, it was dissolved. In 
 the following year, 1795, it was re-established at Car- 
 marthen, where Mr. Peter, minister of the place, and 
 Mr. Davis, of Lanybre, were appointed tutors. 
 
 When the Independents withdrew their aid from the 
 former seminary, they placed a new one under Mr. 
 Jardine, at Abergavenny. Dr. Davies, afterwards 
 tutor at Homerton, removed from the academy at Car- 
 marthen, and assisted Mr. Jardine; on whose death, 
 he became the principal tutor, to the great satisfaction 
 of the Independents in Wales. On the removal of this 
 valuable minister to London, in 1782, the seminary was 
 transferred to Oswestry, where it enjoyed the tuition of 
 Dr. Williams, afterwards tutor at Rotherham. When 
 he resigned the chair, in 1795^ the institution was 
 fixed at Wrexham, where it was placed under the care 
 of Jenkin Lewis. The Congregational Fund Board 
 here supported nine students, who, being usually na- 
 tives of Wales, employ a part of their four years of 
 study in the acquisition of the English language. This 
 institution has been a great blessing to the surrounding 
 country, and has deserved more support than it has 
 received. 
 
513 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Sect. I. — Number and Rank of Dissenters. 
 
 The account subjoined, which has been furnished by 
 the kindness of friends in different parts of the king- 
 dom, will be found to possess sufficient accuracy to 
 enable the reader to form a view of the number of the 
 dissenting congregations. 
 
 
 Presbyterians. 
 
 Independents. 
 
 Baptists. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Bedfordshire 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 16 
 
 20 
 
 Berkshire 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 21 
 
 Buckinghamshire 
 
 3 
 
 14 
 
 17 
 
 34 
 
 Cambridgeshire 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 20 
 
 44 
 
 Cheshire 
 
 12 
 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 37 
 
 Cornwall 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 7 
 
 35 
 
 Cumberland 
 
 15 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 27 
 
 Derbyshire 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 11 
 
 41 
 
 Devonshire 
 
 19 
 
 30 
 
 16 
 
 65 
 
 Dorsetshire 
 
 5 
 
 23 
 
 4 
 
 32 
 
 Durham 
 
 14 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 23 
 
 Essex 
 
 1 
 
 47 
 
 17 
 
 65 
 
 Gloucestershire 
 
 3 
 
 17 
 
 16 
 
 36 
 
 Hampshire 
 
 2 
 
 26 
 
 17 
 
 45 
 
 Herefordshire 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 Hertfordshire 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 24 
 
 Huntingdonshire 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 19 
 
 Kent 
 
 7 
 
 28 
 
 24 
 
 59 
 
 Lancashire 
 
 33 
 
 57 
 
 27 
 
 117 
 
 Leicestershire 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 17 
 
 32 
 
 Lincolnshire 
 
 3 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 46 
 
 Middlesex 
 
 20 
 
 53 
 
 33 
 
 106 
 
 Norfolk 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 33 
 
 Northamptonshire 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 16 
 
 34 
 
 Northumberland . 
 
 37 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 49 
 
 Nottinghamshire 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 17 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 196 
 
 508 
 
 366 
 
 1070 
 
544 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Presbyterians. 
 
 Independents. 
 
 Baptists. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 196 
 
 508 
 
 366 
 
 1070 
 
 Oxfordshire 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 17 
 
 Rutlandshire 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 Shropshire 
 
 3 
 
 20 
 
 11 
 
 34 
 
 Somersetshire 
 
 6 
 
 29 
 
 15 
 
 50 
 
 Staffordshire 
 
 4 
 
 22 
 
 6 
 
 32 
 
 Suffolk 
 
 5 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 47 
 
 S urrey . . 
 
 1 
 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 . 36 
 
 Sussex 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 1 o 
 
 ZD 
 
 Warwickshire 
 
 5 
 
 16 
 
 8 
 
 29 
 
 Westmoreland 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 
 Wiltshire 
 
 2 
 
 38 
 
 17 
 
 57 
 
 Worcestershire 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 16 
 
 Yorkshire 
 
 20 
 
 95 
 
 42 
 
 157 
 
 
 
 
 252 
 
 799 
 
 532 
 
 1583 
 
 SOUTH WALES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ijrcCKnocKsuii c . 
 
 n 
 u 
 
 14 
 
 13 
 
 27 
 
 Cardiganshire 
 
 9 
 
 16 
 
 1 1 
 
 36 
 
 Carmarthenshire 
 
 2 
 
 46 
 
 36 
 
 84 
 
 Glamorganshire 
 
 7 
 
 36 
 
 28 
 
 71 
 
 Pembrokeshire 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 19 
 
 44 
 
 Radnorshire 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 Monmouthshire . 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 24 
 
 NORTH WALES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Anglesey 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1 \ 
 
 21 
 
 Carnarvon 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 26 
 
 Denbighshire 
 
 A 
 
 13 
 
 12 
 
 25 
 
 Flintshire 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 Merionethshire 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 19 
 
 Montgomeryshire 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 9 
 
 24 
 
 
 18 
 
 225 
 
 176 
 
 419 
 
 England .... 
 
 252 
 
 799 
 
 532 
 
 1583 
 
 Total 
 
 270* 
 
 1024 
 
 708t 
 
 2002 
 
 In the islands of Guernsey and 
 
 1 ■ 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 Jersey, 6 French, 1 English 
 
 
 
 
 
 * Most of the Presbyterians in the northern counties, and some in 
 London, consider themselves as of the order of the church of Scotland, 
 and there are upwards of twenty of their congregations Scotch seceders. 
 Six of the London Presbyterian congregations are Scotch. 
 
 t Nearly a hundred of the congregations of this denomination are 
 General Baptists, and twenty Sandemanians. 
 
 There are at least a hundred congregations of a nondescript character, 
 which, not coming under any one of the three denominations, have not 
 been inserted in the list. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 545 
 
 From this list it will be seen, that, during the reign 
 of George III., the Dissenters have not been idle. The 
 increase is the more pleasing, as the great object has 
 been to make Christians. By impartial men, of every 
 denomination, it will certainly be thought not to their 
 dishonour, that practical benefit formed the first tie of 
 attachment, and, with many, almost the only one. An 
 examination of the reasons of dissent, which afterwards 
 took place, confirmed the more inquisitive in a con- 
 viction of the propriety of their conduct, by pointing out 
 to them the strength of the fortress into which they had 
 entered. 
 
 During the whole of this period, the Presbyterian 
 congregations have been falling into decay, and many 
 of them into ruin. At the end of Queen Anne's reign, 
 they formed at least two-thirds of the whole dissenting 
 body ; at present, they perhaps do not exceed a twen- 
 tieth part of the three denominations. Though their 
 congregations, as stated in the list, bear a much larger 
 proportion, they are in general so small, that, with a 
 few exceptions, it would require five or six of them to 
 compose one of a moderate size. But for the endow- 
 ment, bequeathed by some pious Calvinist, scores more 
 of them must have been shut up, and the Arian and 
 Socinian preacher fairly starved out*. If a pious Lon- 
 don Presbyterian^ who died in the year 1714^ were 
 now to rise from the dead, and be carried round to 
 their meeting-houses, in the time of service, he would 
 be filled with amazement and horror. " Where," he 
 
 * The Presbyterian congregations in the four northern counties are 
 not comprehended in this description : many of them, connected with 
 the Scotch, have been preserved from those errors into which their 
 southern brethren fell. 
 
 VOL, II. 2 N 
 
546 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 would say, " are the numerous bodies of people which 
 used to worship here ? " On finding so few congrega- 
 tions, he would naturally inquire, What is become of 
 the rest ? " He would be told, that they wer^ first shut 
 up, and then applied to other purposes, or occupied by 
 other denominations. If he were to say, " What is 
 the cause ? " — Arianism and Socinianism must be the 
 reply. 
 
 During the whole of this period, the Independents 
 have continued steadily to increase ; and, at the present 
 time, they have a greater number of congregations than 
 either of the two other denominations. Their original 
 principles, both in doctrine and discipline, they still 
 retain ; and it may be confidently asserted, that no one 
 class of ministers, in any ecclesiastical body of Protes- 
 tants in the world, are more united in their religious 
 sentiments. They now form the largest body among 
 English Dissenters ; and no denomination can boast of 
 so great a number of ministers who preach the gospel 
 in purity. As a body, none are more judicious. Men 
 of very profound learning among them are not nume- 
 rous. They have no sinecures, by means of which 
 scholars can spend their years in uninterrupted literary 
 pursuits. They are all men of action, and their studies 
 are blended with the labours of the pulpit, and the care 
 of a congregation. At the same time, there are fewer 
 of them ignorant of theology than in any other body. 
 The generality possess that portion of knowledge of the 
 truths of sacred Scripture, and of those things which 
 may be called the peculiar science of ministers of the 
 gospel, which qualifies them for the duties of their 
 office. To the honour of the younger ministers, it may 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 547 
 
 be mentioned, that there never was a greater spirit of 
 improvement, nor a more eager desire to acquire 
 knowledge. 
 
 Those who agree in baptizing none but adults, and 
 that by immersion, differ widely in their theological 
 creed. The old General Baptists have continued, pro- 
 gressively, to decline. Four of their congregations 
 in London were some years ago united in one. Their 
 numbers are now exceedingly small ; for Socinianism 
 in voluntary societies is uniform in its effects. Towards 
 the beginning of this period, a body of General Bap- 
 tists arose, chiefly in the midland counties, which re- 
 verted to the religious principles originally espoused by 
 the sect. These, as they are more orthodox than the 
 others, are more zealous, more numerous, and more 
 flourishing. Their congregations amount to about 
 sixty. They are quite distinct from the old General 
 Baptists, and are known by the name of the New Con- 
 nexion. 
 
 The particular Baptists continue to maintain the 
 same theological sentiments as in the former period. 
 Supralapsarianism has been more common among them 
 than in any other denomination. Dr. Gill's high senti- 
 ments have not ceased to operate, and, in some places, 
 both preachers and hearers have gone far towards doc- 
 trinal Antinominianism, however remote they may have 
 been from the system in their practice. To the igno- 
 rance of some, who were chosen teachers before they 
 had attained that accurate knowledge of the doctrines 
 of the gospel which a teacher of Christianity should 
 possess, much of this evil is to be ascribed. To remedy 
 it, very able men, of their own body (and no denomina- 
 
 2 N 2 
 
548 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 tion possesses abler), have exerted themselves to the 
 utmost, by means of their judicious writings ; and the 
 increase of their seminaries is likely to insure success. 
 The augmentation of their congregations, both in 
 number and size, has been very considerable ; but 
 many of them are still small. Formerly, where there 
 were but a few Baptists, they were content to worship 
 with the independents ; but of late they separate, and 
 form a congregation of their own. This is the more 
 easily accomplished, as what is called lay-preaching is 
 common among them. 
 
 To the Quakers, the manners of the age have, during 
 this period, been exceedingly perilous. That seclusion 
 which their system demands, presents no ordinary trial 
 of principles to their sons and daughters ; and we are 
 not to wonder, if, in very many instances, the spirit of 
 the world has gained the victory. This has occasioned 
 a decrease in numbers, which has not been balanced by 
 the converts who have been brought out of the world. 
 The whole number of the English Quakers is said not 
 to amount to twenty thousand ; and vital piety not to 
 be on the decline, within the last forty years. The love 
 of money is an evil with which this respectable com- 
 munity has been often charged as their besetting sin ; 
 but something might be adduced by way of apology, 
 even though the charge should not be altogether desti- 
 tute of truth. The system of most other sects allows 
 a wider range of concupiscence. The pleasures of life 
 are open to their embrace, and the honours of the 
 world are deemed lawful objects of pursuit. By these 
 means, a greater variety of passions is indulged, and 
 the force of the soul, which, if confined to one, would 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 549 
 
 rage with violence, is weakened by being divided among 
 many. A Quaker, therefore, who loves money some- 
 thing more than these followers of divers lusts and 
 pleasures, may not be inferior to them in virtue or 
 principle. Let not the friends, however, take refuge 
 behind this rampart, but aim to be free from the vice of 
 which they are accused, and present to the world the 
 pattern of every excellence. 
 
 Besides the original Dissenters, during the last pe- 
 riod, other denominations arose, which, in a course of 
 years, have very considerably increased. The Cal- 
 vinistic Methodists, who glory in Mr. Whitfield as 
 their founder, form a respectable, though not a very 
 numerous body. Few ministers ever discovered a 
 more truly Catholic spirit than that extraordinary man. 
 His great aim was to promote religion, not to raise a 
 sect ; and when any were converted to Christ, he had 
 obtained his end, and left them to unite with whatever 
 body of Christians they thought fit. The two taberna- 
 cles which he built in London, remain nearly on his 
 original plan, and contain the largest congregations 
 which assemble for the hearing of the gospel, perhaps, 
 in the whole Christian world ; and it may be ques- 
 tioned, if any two places of worship can count a greater 
 number of true disciples of Christ. In one part of their 
 institution, they have admitted an alteration. Open 
 communion was practised by them at first, and, like 
 the Church of England, they admitted to. the Lord's- 
 supper any person who chose to come ; but they have, 
 in the course of this period, adopted the Independent 
 principle of purity of communion, and consider regene- 
 ration necessary to qualify a member for a place at the 
 
550 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Lord's table. So important does this principle now 
 appear in their eyes, that when, a few years ago, an 
 association was formed, in conjunction with other large 
 and respectable societies in the metropolis and its 
 vicinity, by the name of the Calvinistic Methodist 
 Union, it was a fundamental article, that none should 
 be admitted into their body who had not adopted purity 
 of communion. 
 
 The religious body to which Lady Huntingdon gave 
 a name, has, in its forms and practices, kept nearest to 
 the Church of England, and is that to the English, 
 which the Burghers are to the Scotch establishment. 
 Dissenters, most of them refused to be called ; some 
 have adopted the name of seceders, but they in general 
 say, that they are of the established church. How this 
 alliance can be properly claimed by those whose minis- 
 ters, with the exception of two or three clergymen \a ho 
 officiate in their chapels, have not received ordination 
 from a diocesan, and are not, according to the economy 
 of the establishment, qualified to perform any one part 
 of the clerical office, it is their business to explain. If 
 they should allow that they are without the pale of the 
 Church of England, but plead that they are Episco- 
 palians, it might be asked, " Where are the bishops 
 among you, who confirm and ordain ? " Their college, 
 which has existed almost half a century, has been fre- 
 quently under the superintendence of a clergyman ; but 
 the necessities of the country have often called away 
 their students at an early period of their course, to 
 supply their destitute congregations, or to itinerate 
 among the ignorant and profane. 
 
 The Moravians have not eagerly sought to augment 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 551 
 
 their numbers. If they conceive, as they certainly do, 
 that their religious principles, and their peculiarities of 
 discipline, are more conducive to the interests of true 
 piety than any other, they are greatly to be blamed for 
 not endeavouring to propagate their system to the 
 utmost of their power. There are few denominations 
 whose increase would be heard of with greater pleasure. 
 Their congregations in Great Britain amount to 
 sixteen. 
 
 Against the Wesley an Methodists a charge of want 
 of zeal for the increase of their body will not readily be 
 adduced. Next to the regular Dissenters, they consti- 
 tute the most considerable portion of those who have 
 separated from the established church. Their separa- 
 tion, some of them have stoutly denied. But can those 
 who have different places of worship, different ministers 
 dispensing all the ordinances of religion, and different 
 rules of discipline ; who acknowledge no jurisdiction 
 of the ecclesiastical rulers ; who allow no interference 
 of the state with their proceedings ; who would scorn 
 the thought of the clergyman of the parish exercising 
 any authority over them ; call themselves members of 
 the established church ? This sect was happy in a leader, 
 who possessed skill for governing a religious body, 
 beyond any Protestant in modern times ; and his long 
 life enabled him to nurture it to maturity and strength. 
 Whatever effects his death produced, it did not lessen 
 the ardour of their zeal, nor prevent their increase, for 
 they have continued to multiply, with accelerating ra- 
 pidity, to the present time. Their travelling preachers, 
 who are the regular ministers of the body, amount to 
 six hundred and thirty-nine. The local preachers, 
 
552 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 usually persons in business, who officiate as assistants, 
 are much more numerous. The members in society 
 were, by the computation of the last conference, one 
 hundred and forty thousand, five hundred and fifty. 
 
 In Wales, during this period, the cause of dissent 
 continued to prosper. Ministers laboured with increas- 
 ing zeal, and were rewarded with adequate success. 
 When it is observed, that, from one hundred and sixty 
 congregations, the number has risen to four hundred 
 and nineteen, in the course of this third period, the 
 English dissenting ministers must be constrained to 
 yield the palm of victory and glory to their Cambrian 
 brethren. In the rapid augmentation, may be seen the 
 existence, extension, and influence of evangelical doc- 
 trine, while the Arians and Socinians were hiding their 
 heads, and departing from the enlightened land. 
 
 But, in addition to the labours of the old dissenting 
 denominations, much has been done for the advance- 
 ment of religion in Wales by the " Welch Calvinistic 
 IMethodists." Thomas Charles, of Bala, in Merioneth- 
 shire, an unbeneficed clergyman, of ardent zeal, may 
 be considered as the founder. This truly apostolic man 
 has exerted liimself in the cause of Christ with extra- 
 ordinary success. Aided by the zealous exertions of 
 David Jones, of Llangan, and one or two other clergy- 
 men in South Wales, he has been the instrument of 
 aAvakening multitudes to a concern for their eternal 
 happiness, and of stirring up many faithful men to 
 assist in preaching the truth. Their chapels and preach- 
 ing-places, where worship is regularly maintained, 
 amount to three hundred ; and there are about two 
 hundred preachers in the connexion. In their different 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 553 
 
 societies, there are upwards of thirty thousand mem- 
 bers *. 
 
 Labouring on the itinerant plan, their discipline par- 
 takes of the Presbyterian form. Till of late, the Lord's- 
 supper was dispensed in their chapels, only by the 
 clergymen in the connexion, but now both sacraments 
 are to be administered ; and eight of the preachers in 
 North, and as many in South Wales, have been ap- 
 pointed and set apart to administer baptism and the 
 Lord's- supper, in conjunction with the few clergymen 
 who are connected with them. The exertions of Mr. 
 Charles, in the establishment of Sunday-schools, and 
 his labours in composing, translating, and publishing a 
 great variety of useful treatises in the Welch tongue, 
 at a printing-press under his own inspection, solely for 
 the diflfusion of divine truth among his countrymen, 
 deserve the highest praise. Few have been more labo- 
 rious, or more successful, in advancing the kingdom 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Sect. II. — Labours of Ministers, and their Support. 
 
 Had ecclesiastical history more fully recorded the lives 
 and labours of the clergy, it would have been a more 
 useful branch of study ; for the activity of the zealous 
 would have stimulated their successors to emulate their 
 pious assiduity, and, if possible, to excel them. But 
 
 * Besides their societies in Wales, they have two chapels at Liverpool, 
 one at Manchester, one at Chester, one at Shrewsbury, one at Bristol, 
 and two in London, in all of which the worship is conducted in the 
 Welch tongue. 
 
554 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the writer of the history of his own age has everything 
 before his eyes ; and, provided his information be suffi- 
 ciently accurate and extensive, he is qualified to give 
 an interesting detail, which, though not attractive to 
 those of his own communion and age, will afford enter- 
 tainment and instruction to those who move in different 
 circles, and will be useful to succeeding generations. 
 
 As to the quantity of labour performed by dissenting 
 ministers of evangelical principles, they need not blush 
 at a comparison with those of the preceding period. 
 To the two public services of former times, a third 
 has now been added, and evening lectures are become 
 in most congregations the stated practice. In the 
 course of the week, too, there is a public season for wor- 
 ship on one of the working-days, so that the minister 
 has to preach four times a week. Some would ask, how 
 can this be performed with any tolerable degree of pro- 
 priety ? That some have preached in a slovenly man- 
 ner, must be allowed. But let it be remembered, that 
 those who are accustomed to mental labour can do four 
 times as much as they who are not ; and that the ex- 
 tensive study of theology, at the seminary, enlarged by 
 constant application, gives a fulness of ideas, and a 
 facility in preparing for the pulpit, of which those who 
 have not a body of divinity in their head and heart can 
 form no idea. 
 
 The Calvinistic Methodists differ in their seasons of 
 worship. The afternoon is with them generally a 
 season of leisure, and they confine their services to the 
 morning and evening. The reason, at first^ most pro- 
 bably was, that they might not interfere with the 
 canonical hours of the church, and might more favour- 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 555 
 
 ably attract the attention of the people. Some Inde- 
 pendent congregations have imitated this practice ; but 
 it is devoutly to be wished that it may not gain ground. 
 The attendance shows that, to the greater part of a 
 congregation, especially to mothers of families, to the la- 
 bouring classes, and to the poor, the afternoon is the most 
 convenient time of the day. Should there be no worship 
 at that season, many must be deprived of the only oppor- 
 tunity of instruction which they could enjoy. The long 
 interval between the services is also a serious inconve- 
 nience, and exposes the people to great temptations to 
 mispend the sacred hours, by visits, by walking abroad, 
 or by sitting long at table. A judicious Christian can 
 improve the time to advantage, but who can say that 
 one-third part of his congregation has a claim to this 
 character? The mass will receive unspeakably greater 
 benefit from public worship than in any other way. 
 
 Among the evangelical dissenting ministers, the 
 reading of their sermons in the pulpit has almost gone 
 out of fashion. Where it is retained, instead of pro- 
 curing, as in the former period, commendation for a 
 display of dissenting regularity, it is now generally 
 considered as the staff of the feeble, and the crutch of 
 the lame. In the mode of preaching, there has been 
 an amalgamation of methodism with dissent. The Dis- 
 senter has adopted the more natural address and easy 
 conversation style of the Methodist; and the Metho- 
 dist has taken to the more regular divisions and orderly 
 method of the Dissenter ; and in proportion as method- 
 ism or dissent predominate in the mind, the preaching 
 partakes more liberally of the spirit of the more favoured 
 sect. Where the mixture is in a due proportion, the 
 
556 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 effects are salutary ; for the well-arranged ideas of 
 the Dissenter will be delivered in the natural language 
 and with the fire of the Methodist. But in general, 
 the labour of the Dissenter has been harder to attain 
 than some sparks of the Methodist's fire, and the ease 
 of preaching without much previous study has given 
 a leanness to discourses, which has proved unfavourable 
 to the growth of knowledge and of piety. 
 
 In consequence of this mode of preaching, the taste 
 of the religious public is considerably changed. Me- 
 thodists would not now tolerate the rambling dis- 
 courses of their first ministers ; nor would Dissenters 
 endure the colder compositions and the slavish read- 
 ing of sermons^ wliich once prevailed among them. 
 
 The Arian and Socinian dissenting ministers con- 
 tinue in general to read their discourses ; and if there 
 is any difference in their mode of preaching, it consists 
 in its being more destitute of the peculiarities of the 
 Christian system. The rising generation being taught 
 heresy in their schools of theology, or despising the 
 truth which they heard, never had their minds imbued 
 with evangelical principles, and scarcely proceeded 
 beyond the boundaries of natural religion, of which they 
 make Jesus the prophet, and his resurrection the evi- 
 dence. The sacred Scriptures were treated by them 
 with grx)wing disregard; and during the whole ex- 
 istence of Christianity on earth, so many disrespectful 
 things have never been said of the inspired volume, as 
 by the Arian and especially Socinian Dissenters, in the 
 course of this period. 
 
 Of theological publications by dissenting ministers 
 of this period, the number is considerable, and the merit 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 557 
 
 various. Perhaps they have not been in proportion to 
 those in the former periods, or to the multitude of the 
 pastors ; but the reason is not to their discredit. The 
 frequency of the public services, and the active duties 
 of their office prevent them from enjoying that leisure 
 which authorship necessarily requires ; and it is no 
 dishonour to a man that he does not publish books, if 
 he is zealously employed in communicating instruction 
 with the living voice. A specimen of the manner of 
 preaching mong the Independents may be found in the 
 sermons of Richard Winter, of Stafford, Lavington, 
 Lambert, Lowell, and Jay. Dr. Stennett, Messrs. 
 Robinson, Beddome, Martin, and Fuller, exhibit the 
 sentiments and mode of preaching among the ablest of 
 the particular Baptists. An orthodox Presbyterian 
 among the writers of this period, it will be difficult to 
 find. Examples of the method of teaching by those of 
 a different creed, will be found in the discourses of 
 Price, Priestley, Kippis, and Rees. The General Bap- 
 tists number Bulkley, Evans, and .Dan Taylor among 
 their writers of sermons. Whitfield and Cennick will 
 furnish specimens of preaching among the Calvinistic 
 Methodists ; while Wesley's numerous sermons are a 
 sample of the instruction which the Arminian Metho- 
 dists received from their head. An innumerable mul- 
 titude of occasional sermons by ministers of all deno- 
 minations will give a still juster, because a more 
 extensive view of the measure of talent, theological 
 knowledge, literature, and professional skill which they 
 possess. 
 
 If a comparison be made between them and their 
 predecessors of the two former periods, in the great 
 
558 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 qualification of a Christian minister conveying instruc- 
 tion to his flock, in respect to the weight of doctrine, 
 and the fire and spirit with which it has been delivered, 
 they will not be able to stand in competition with the 
 higher order of Non-conformists ; nor can they boast of 
 a Watts or a Doddridge, who were the glory of the 
 second period. But with these exceptions, whoever 
 reads with impartiality the volumes and occasional ser- 
 mons of the present period, will be convinced that they 
 are not inferior to those which were published in the 
 two preceding reigns. 
 
 Whether equal attention has in the present period 
 been given to the private duties of the minister s office, 
 in visiting the families of the congregation, with a pas- 
 toral design and effect, may be a matter of doubt. The 
 less frequent public services formerly gave more leisure 
 for private inspection, which was considered as an es- 
 sential part of duty ; and the old congregations viewing 
 it as a privilege, felt themselves bound to attend to it, 
 while those newly raised by converts from the world 
 have been frequently less sensible of its importance. 
 The benefits resulting from it are so many and so great, 
 that it is most earnestly to be wished it were attended 
 to with the same seriousness and punctuality as in 
 former times. The visiting of the sick, as it ever has 
 been, is still considered a necessary part of a minister s 
 duty, which must not be neglected. The instruction of 
 the rising generation has, of late, become more general 
 than it ever was before ; and Sunday-schools have dif- 
 fused catechising so extensively, that the children of the 
 poor find in these admirable institutions, teachers who 
 pay greater attention to their improvement than mi- 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 559 
 
 nisters, amidst the multiplicity of their duties, possibly 
 could. If from the manners of the age, the sons and 
 daughters of the rich do not receive pastoral instruction 
 in their early years, the parents are under the greater 
 obligations to teach them ; and if they do not, they will, 
 in addition to other consequences resulting from the 
 neglect, have the mortification to see them outstripped, 
 in the noblest of all kinds of knowledge, by the children 
 of the poor. 
 
 In the course of this period, congregational prayer- 
 meetings have gradually increased, till they are now 
 become universal among evangelical Dissenters. In 
 the earlier times of the dissent, meetings for prayer 
 were common, but under a different form ; they then 
 consisted of a select company of Christians, who ex- 
 cluded others. The Independents had their stated 
 meetino^s of the church, in which the minister and dea- 
 cons, or elder brethren, employed the time in prayer to 
 God ; but the assembly was confined to the members. 
 At the congregational prayer-meetings, now established, 
 all are permitted to attend, and the service is conducted 
 by the minister and the brethren of the church, and the 
 time is spent in prayer and singing of hymns. One 
 evening in the week is, by almost all congregations, 
 allotted to this service. We need scarcely add, that it 
 has been found unspeakably beneficial in promoting the 
 spirit of religion, while it has had the happiest effects 
 in improving the gifts of the disciples of Christ. Among 
 Arians and Socinians such services are rarely to be 
 found. 
 
 Of late years, a new species of congregations has 
 arisen, which blends together the worship of the Dis- 
 
560 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 senters and the establishment. The liturgy is used, 
 and to it is superadded the dissenting service. This 
 practice originated, perhaps, in the tabernacles, and in 
 the chapels under the patronage of the Countess of 
 Huntingdon. The reader of the liturgy is sometimes a 
 clergyman, sometimes a layman who loves the book of 
 common prayer, and has learned to read it well ; and 
 sometimes the minister of the place. In some chapels 
 they have no fixed preacher, but depend entirely on one 
 of those occasional labourers who succeed each other, 
 at intervals of a month or six weeks. 
 
 Formerly, when the bishops held the reins of govern- 
 ment with a looser hand, the tabernacles and Lady 
 Huntingdon's chapels were supplied by clergymen, who 
 at stated seasons left their parochial cures, to officiate 
 for a time in places which were opened under the 
 sanction of the Toleration Act. The liberality of these 
 men certainly intitles them to honour and praise. But 
 as the period advanced, these were removed by death ; 
 the same taste did not prevail among the rising genera- 
 tion of the clergy ; and a stricter system of episcopal 
 jurisdiction has brought the practice nearly to a close. 
 
 A system so novel naturally excites observation, and 
 some will praise and others blame. The introduction 
 of the liturgy into unconsecrated places, rigid church- 
 men consider as a degradation of their ritual ; while to 
 strict Dissenters this mixture of services, and the 
 preaching of their ministers in chapels where the liturgy 
 of the establishment is read, has the appearance of sym- 
 bolizing with the church. But, if the system be im- 
 partially examined, we may not find the evil conse- 
 quences which some dread. 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 561 
 
 The Presbyterians who had adopted forms of prayer 
 under the preceding period, continued to use them ; 
 and when any congregation drank of the cup of soci- 
 nianism, a liturgy became a desirable help to the 
 people, or at least to their minister ; for socinianism 
 and extemporary prayer do not well accord. 
 
 For their temporal support, the dissenting ministers 
 still depended on the contributions of the congregation, 
 furnished under the influence of the maxim, " that those 
 who impart to them spiritual good things, should receive 
 of their temporal good things." To flesh and blood this 
 method of provision does not appear so desirable as 
 the salary of the state, or the tithe of the field ; but, 
 with all its disadvantages, nothing has yet appeared 
 to alter the opinion, that as it was the first, so it is the 
 best — best for the minister, best for the people, and 
 best for the cause of religion. Experience has proved, 
 that Avhere endowments are large, they are, in nine 
 instances out of ten, injurious to the minister, to the 
 congregation, to the dissenting interest, and to true 
 piety. Independence begets pride, and pride gene- 
 rates indifference or error, and sometimes both. Con- 
 siderable sums of money left to train up young men 
 for the ministry in the principles of the Assembly's 
 Catechism, have been employed to give an academical 
 education to the disciples of the Racovian school. 
 Valuable bequests for the benefit of ministers who 
 were preaching the word of life to the poor who 
 crowded the place, now support teachers of very diffe- 
 rent sentiments, who deliver their cold lectures to the 
 walls. An important lesson is thus taught by the 
 voice of God in his providence, which may be said to 
 
 VOL. II. 2 o 
 
562 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 establish it as a general principle, " that to make pro- 
 vision by stable funds for the advancement of religion 
 in future ages, is beyond our capacity ; that it is but to 
 scatter on the ground pearls which may be trodden 
 under foot of swine ; that what can be done by men 
 during their life, they should do ; and that what is left 
 by will should be expended for the cause of religion 
 before the ordinary time of the decease of those into 
 whose hands it is entrusted by the donor." 
 
 The societies established in the former period, by the 
 Dissenters of the three denominations in London, still 
 continue, and furnish very seasonable relief to many 
 poor congregations in the country. Their contributions 
 were gradually aided by legacies, which created a 
 durable capital. 
 
 In the course of this period many benefactors, though 
 not of considerable note for the amount of their gifts, 
 afforded assistance to ministers of poor congregations, 
 and to their widows. The most eminent was William 
 Fuller, Esq., a banker in London. Frugality was 
 necessary to him in youth, and the habit followed him 
 when affluence seemed to demand a more liberal mode 
 of living. His peculiarities brought reproach on his 
 character, but they were beneficial to others. He would 
 take pains to save a sixpence, but he had always his 
 guineas or his hundreds ready for every application in 
 behalf of the interests of religion. With all his eccen- 
 tricities, he was a pious, sensible man, well informed 
 on religious subjects, and zealous for the doctrines of 
 the Gospel. His patronage of the Heckmondwicke 
 academy was a blessing to Yorkshire, which enjoys the 
 salutary fruits to the present time. His benefactions 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 563 
 
 to the orthodox Dissenters, in various forms, were far 
 beyond those of any other person since the commence- 
 ment of the second period. He left a handsome sum to 
 a fund for the benefit of the poor clergy. W e have 
 been informed, that an Independent minister, who was 
 intimately acquainted with him, declared, that in the 
 course of Mr. Fuller's life, and at his death, he gave to 
 the support of the cause of religion in different ways, 
 to the amount of sixty thousand pounds. With the 
 exception of Lady Hewley, of York, who died in the 
 end of Queen Anne's reign, the Dissenters have not 
 had a greater benefactor than William Fuller. 
 
 With all these aids to the contributions of the people, 
 the salaries of the dissenting ministers are exceedingly 
 moderate. The rise in the price of every article of 
 living they have felt, and though the salaries of many 
 of them have been increased, they have, in general, by 
 no means kept pace with the augmented rate of every 
 thing necessary to subsistence When the relative 
 proportion between the depreciation of money and the 
 expense of living is considered, we may confidently 
 assert, that there is not to be found within the limits of 
 Christendom, a body of men so well instructed in the 
 duties of their office, who perform so much service for 
 salaries so moderate. 
 
 * Whether blame be due to any on this account, it may be proper to 
 inquire. The labouring class deserves no censure ; they in general 
 give according to their means. In many places the middle rank 
 ought to do more. A load of censure will fall upon the rich, few of 
 whom contribute their due proportion. Splendid exceptions are to be 
 found, of persons whose liberality is entitled to the highest praise ; but 
 by far the greater part of them do not perform their duty, by giving for 
 the support of religion, in the congregation to which they belong, the 
 proportion which the Gospel demands. 
 
 2 2 
 
564 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Sect. III. — Public Services and Associations of 
 Dissenters. 
 
 Among public services, ordination first occurs. An ordi- 
 nation among evangelical Dissenters is the most edify- 
 ing service of the kind which has ever been in any age of 
 the Christian church. The first question now usually 
 asked of the person to be ordained is, " What reason 
 have you to conclude that you have been converted to 
 God, and are a true disciple of Jesus Christ?" This 
 is a modern addition, and a high improvement ; for the 
 answer is often peculiarly instructive and affecting to 
 the whole auditory, and gives new interest to all the 
 succeeding parts of the service. The sermon to the 
 church now commonly succeeds the charge to the 
 minister, and it is much more appropriate. Formerly, 
 it was often of a general nature, and remotely appli- 
 cable to the occasion ; but, of late years, it is become 
 as explicit an address to the congregation respecting 
 their duties, as the charge to the minister is on the 
 obligations of his office. For this, much commend- 
 ation is due, as it contributes greatly to the edification 
 of the people, by making them acquainted with what 
 they owe to their pastor, and fixing a sense of duty 
 more deeply on the understanding and the conscience. 
 The place in the service which the sermon formerly 
 occupied, is now supplied by a discourse on the nature 
 of a Christian church, its institution, head, offices, 
 members, design, and end. Such is the method of 
 ordination commonly practised among the Independents : 
 it is adopted also by the particular Baptists, except that 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 565 
 
 many of them omit the laying on of hands. The chief 
 parts of this service are also observed by the Calvinistic 
 Methodists. Where voluntary societies are guided 
 by the reason of the thing, they will naturally fall into 
 the various parts of the ordination service, which is 
 practised by the Independent churches. 
 
 Associations, which, during the former period, had, 
 in many parts of the country, fallen into disuse, began 
 now to be revived ; and with such vigour has the prin- 
 ciple of union for the advancement of religion exerted 
 itself, that, in the southern part of England, scarcely a 
 county can be found in which the different denomina- 
 tions of evangelical Dissenters have not their regular 
 meetings. In this line of conduct, the Independents, 
 who were formerly the most tardy, are now the most 
 strenuous and active. Some of these associations meet, 
 once a year, but the greater part twice ; and much of 
 the time is spent in public worship. In addition to the 
 ordinary service, it has of late become the practice to 
 dispense the Lord's supper, in which as many of the 
 ministers as can be employed, take a part, and the 
 associated churches unite in receiving a token of their 
 love to their Saviour, and affection to each other. 
 
 One part of the business of the association is to form 
 and execute plans for the advancement of religion in 
 the county, by the more extensive preaching of the 
 Gospel. In this department of Christian benevolence, 
 the exertions of many of the associations are entitled to 
 the liighest praise ; they have received their reward in 
 part, for their labours have in many places been crowned 
 with eminent success. Many associations employ one, 
 some two, and a few have even three or more itinerant 
 
566 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 preachers. The only limit of their exertions is the 
 scantiness of their funds. It is to the Independents, 
 that the praise of county associations and of the vigorous 
 efforts to do good by these means, is due in the highest 
 degree. Other denominations have been stimulated to 
 follow their example ; even the Arians and Socinians 
 have not been able to vritlistand its force. 
 
 In this period, the Dissenters continued to approach 
 the sovereign, on every proper occasion. The addresses 
 vrhicli follow will serve as a specimen of their senti- 
 ments and language. The former was presented in 
 November, 1760, by the London ministers on the 
 accession of George III. to the throne of his grand- 
 father. 
 
 " Most gracious Sovereign, 
 
 " We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Protestant dissenting ministers, in and about the 
 cities of London and Westminster, most humbly beg 
 leave to approach your Majesty's throne, and to express 
 our deep sense of the great loss your Majesty, your 
 kingdoms, and Europe in general, have sustained by 
 the death of his late Majesty, your royal grandfather; 
 and with hearts full of affection and joy, to congratulate 
 your Majesty's happy and peaceable succession to the 
 imperial crown of these realms. 
 
 " The numerous blessings these nations enjoyed, for 
 a long series of years, under his late Majesty's auspi- 
 cious government, and the great events that were 
 depending in Europe, made the preservation of your 
 royal grandfather's important life, the common desire 
 and earnest prayer of all good men in these nations ; 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 567 
 
 and their concern for his sudden removal would have 
 been more painful and durable, had not the knowledge 
 of your Majesty's virtues, and great abilities for govern- 
 ment, alleviated our anxieties, and dissipated our fears, 
 and filled us with the most pleasing prospects of the 
 sure continuance of our prosperity. 
 
 " Illustrious and ancient descent, princely education, 
 prime of life, dignity of person, early piety and virtue, 
 love of probity and truth, regard to liberty and the 
 rights of conscience, and your known affection to this 
 your native country, peculiarly endear your Majesty to 
 all your subjects, and promise them every thing their 
 hearts can wish from the best of kings. 
 
 "Your Majesty ascends the throne in a time of diffi- 
 culty, and amidst all the great expenses and uncer- 
 tainties of war. We adore the good providence of God, 
 for the distinguishing successes that have attended it ; 
 and we trust, that by his constant blessing on your 
 Majesty's counsel and arms, your Majesty will soon 
 become the glorious and happy instrument of establish- 
 ing such a peace in Europe, as shall effectually support 
 the Protestant religion and liberties, and secure the 
 prosperity of these kingdoms upon solid and immove- 
 able foundations. 
 
 "We recollect, with joy and unfeigned gratitude^ 
 that glorious era, which settled the succession to the 
 throne of Great Britain, in your Majesty's royal house, 
 and perpetuated to these nations, under God, the free 
 and undisturbed enjoyment of all their civil and reli- 
 gious liberties. And we humbly beg leave to assure 
 you, most gracious Sovereign, that, entirely confiding in 
 
568 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 your Majesty's government, we shall not fail, from 
 dictates of conscience and gratitude, to be examples 
 ourselves of loyalty and duty, and to inculcate on all 
 who attend on our ministry, that submission and obe- 
 dience to your Majesty's authority and government. 
 
 " Nor shall we cease to offer up our most ardent 
 supplications to Almighty God, that he would render 
 your Majesty's prosperity so distinguished, as that when 
 Great Britain, in future ages, wishes well to any of her 
 most beloved kings, the descendants of your royal house 
 and family, your felicity, most illustrious Prince ! may 
 bound all her desires, and she may with joy and triumph, 
 say — May their reigns be as long, as glorious, and 
 happy as your Majesty's I" 
 
 To which address his Majesty was pleased to give 
 this most gracious answer. 
 
 " I thank you for this loyal, affectionate address. You 
 may be assured of my protection, and of my care and 
 attention to support the Protestant interest, and to 
 
 MAINTAIN THE TOLERATION INVIOLABLE." 
 
 At the conclusion of the war of the French revolu- 
 tion, in 1802, the Dissenters congratulated his Majesty 
 on the restoration of peace in the following address, 
 which was presented by Dr. Abraham Rees. 
 
 " Most gracious Sovereign, 
 
 " We, your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the 
 Protestant dissenting ministers in and about the cities 
 of London and Westminster, approach your royal pre- 
 
OUTWARD STATE OF DISSENTERS. 569 
 
 sence with profound respect, to testify the gratitude and 
 satisfaction which we feel on the termination of the 
 calamities of war, and on the restoration of peace, not 
 only to your Majesty's dominions, but to Europe in 
 general. 
 
 " We participate the joy which your Majesty must 
 have experienced on the present happy occasion, and 
 we are thankful for the result of those operations and 
 counsels which have produced effects so interesting to 
 our country and the world. 
 
 " We beg leave to express our cordial wishes, that 
 the blessings of peace may be uninterrupted, and that 
 it may conduce to the stability of your Majesty's throne, 
 to the permanence of the British constitution, and to 
 the increasing prosperity of every part of the British 
 empire. 
 
 " May your Majesty long enjoy the satisfaction of 
 witnessing the union and welfare of the dominions over 
 which you preside, and the prevalence of true reli- 
 gion and social order, under the influence of your 
 salutary counsels, through the various nations of the 
 globe. 
 
 " It is our earnest wish, that the blessings which we 
 possess under your Majesty's administration, may be 
 preserved by your protection to a distant period, and 
 transmitted with every security and increase of which 
 they are capable, to future generations ; while it shall 
 be our unremitting endeavour to extend the influence 
 of the gospel of peace and charity, both by our instruc- 
 tion and example, and thus to maintain the attachment 
 of those of your Majesty's subjects, with whom we are 
 
570 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 immediately connected, to your IMajesty's person, family, 
 and government ; it wiW be our unfeigned and fervent 
 prayer that your valuable life may be long continued, 
 that when Providence removes you hence you may ex- 
 change an earthly for a celestial crown, and that the 
 blessings which you have perpetuated, may descend in 
 the illustrious line of your family to the remotest pos- 
 terity." 
 
571 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 INWARD STATE OF RELIGION AMONG DISSENTERS. 
 
 The effects of the Arian controversy, which spread 
 from the west through the kingdom, were secretly, but 
 powerfully felt among the Presbyterian churches. 
 Many, who were not aware of the tendency of error, 
 swallowed the fatal poison because it was gilded with 
 the specious professions of free inquiry, candour, and 
 liberality. Arian preachers were tolerated in congre- 
 gations not yet positively heretical, and urbanity of 
 manners often charmed the families which rejected the 
 new creed. Christians were thus kept from hearing in 
 the church, what should nourish their faith, and from 
 conversing in the parlour on the themes that would 
 inflame their devotion. That heresy stole upon the 
 church by means of the serious garb derived from truth, 
 we know from the testimony of Dr. Priestley, whose 
 memoirs deserve the more attention as they were written 
 by himself While his admirers applaud his honesty, 
 his candour, his extensive information, and philosophical 
 mind ; those who oppose his system, may find its anti- 
 dote in his autobiography. 
 
 It was manifest, however^ that, if the external form 
 of piety was generally preserved, the animating spirit 
 had fled. The influence of habit, the sense of duty, or 
 
572 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the hope of merit, for some time seemed to supply that 
 incentive to the exercises of the closet, formerly fur- 
 nished by the spirit of Christ, inspiring a pure delight 
 in secret communion with God. In the family also, 
 morning and evening prayer were often practised ; be- 
 cause they had been so identified with the forms of 
 a Dissenter's house, that breakfast or supper could 
 scarcely be eaten without the accustomed sacrifice : yet 
 the general use of a form, and the coldness with which 
 it was read, led the sagacious observer to remark, that 
 the fire was going out, and the altar itself would soon 
 be overturned. Where visits or amusements were ex- 
 cluded on the Lord's day, it was often, not because the 
 Dissenters, like their forefathers, were occupied with 
 more sacred employment; but because they had not 
 yet cast off the ancient reverence for the day, which still 
 embittered the pleasures of the world, though it im- 
 parted no sweetness to the exercises of religion. The 
 public assemblies of the Presbyterians often presented 
 a melancholy contrast to the first dissenting churches. 
 
 In the academies, a great proportion of the students 
 were most lamentably destitute of the apostolic spirit of 
 the Puritans and Non-conformists. Instead of aspiring 
 to resemble the father of believers, who was " strong in 
 faith, giving glory to God," they seemed ambitious of 
 proving how cordially they adopted Voltaire's maxim, 
 that " incredulity is the foundation of all wisdom." 
 These destined preachers of the Christian faith entered 
 the seminaries, only to determine whether they should 
 believe anything or nothing. Hence, instead of the 
 fellowship of Christians, in edifying conversation and 
 mutual prayer, for the cultivation of their own religion, 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 573 
 
 that they might be fit examples to their flocks ; they 
 employed themselves in what they called free inquiry, 
 converting the academy into a gymnasium to try tlie 
 strength of their speculative powers. The complaints 
 of the more serious Dissenters were often levelled, 
 not only against the principles of the young men, but 
 also against their conduct, which loudly proclaimed 
 that those who were preparing to teach religion to 
 others, had yet to learn it themselves. 
 
 False candour was the crying sin of Presbyterian 
 Dissenters, in the early part of George III.'s reign, and 
 it polluted their churches by sending forth Arians and 
 Socinians, to preach in the pulpits of the Non-con- 
 formists, at a time when Racovian theology had no 
 academy of its own. Such indifference was dishonour- 
 able to those who still professed orthodox principles ; 
 for who that considers how many preachers they edu- 
 cated to oppose their own creed, can acquit them of 
 culpable neglect? 
 
 The decided heterodoxy of some, the latitudinarianism 
 of many, and the formal coldness of more, began to ren- 
 der the Presbyterians, who had been " the salt of the 
 earth," despicable as " salt which had lost its savour." 
 But the strenuous Independents, w^ho have ever been 
 the glory of the Dissenters, were now their life. The 
 decided sentiments expressed in such works as Dr. 
 Guyse's Commentary, were maintained in the pulpits 
 of the Independent churches, which were composed of 
 members admitted by the vote of the body, upon a de- 
 claration of their faith and their regeneration. The 
 sentiments of the pastors, and the progress of religion, 
 were here watched with a jealous eye. Meetings for 
 
574 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 prayer and religious conference, fanned the flame of 
 religion where it existed, and kept alive a zeal for its 
 diffusion in the world. In many of these churches, the 
 preaching of the unsearchable riches of Christ was 
 attended with such displays of the divine power and 
 blessing, as constantly increased their numbers and 
 their religion. Those of their members who are still 
 living, acknowledge, indeed, with gratitude, that the 
 present zeal of the churches for the propagation of the 
 Gospel is far superior to anything they ever witnessed 
 in early life ; but still they look back with delight to 
 the labours of those whom they first heard. 
 
 In London, not a few churches were then increasing 
 as rapidly as they have since decayed. It would be easy 
 to mention the names of ministers Avhich are still dear 
 to the memory of veteran Christians. Nor would it be 
 difficult to point to those churches in the country, where 
 very considerable revivals attested the divine approbation 
 on the labours of the pastor. Some volumes of sermons 
 by Mr. Lavington, of Bideford, furnish a specimen of 
 the kind of preaching which many dissenting churches 
 enjoyed, and those who have watched the effects of sen- 
 timents, will acknowledge that the hearers of such ser- 
 mons were likely to prove worthy successors to the 
 Puritans. 
 
 The closets of the former Dissenters were kept 
 warmer than those of many modern Christians. In 
 these secret retirements, the elder generation read the 
 Scriptures, meditated, and prayed, with such effect, 
 that they were entitled to retain with some firmness 
 what they had acquired with so much diligence. They 
 had not so frequent social meetings in the church as at 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 575 
 
 present; but they had more religion at home, where 
 their superior knowledge of the Scriptures and of theo- 
 logy enabled them to conduct devotional services to 
 greater advantage. If, in public worship, the per- 
 formances were less animated than those of modern 
 preachers ; there was more to inform the judgment 
 and preserve the mind from the aberrations of false- 
 hood, or enthusiasm, which too often produce a motion 
 like that of the " troubled sea, whose waters cast up 
 mire and dirt." It would be difficult to bring Chris- 
 tians now to listen to those enlarged and correct 
 statements of theological truth, which ministers were 
 then encouraged to give ; nor would the exact, laboured 
 expositions of the Scriptures, common at the com- 
 mencement, be endured at the close of this period. 
 It is at present necessary to vary, to embellish, to 
 enliven public instruction, in every way, in order to 
 suit the more volatile turn of the public mind. If, 
 however, there is some portion of juvenile conceit, 
 in the contempt that is now poured upon the cold 
 regularity of our fathers, it must be admitted that they 
 were not without their share of senile obstinacy. A 
 dread of Methodism was the hydrophobia of many 
 excellent men, whose usefulness it considerably im- 
 peded. 
 
 At the commencement of the reign of George III., a 
 peculiar class of Dissenters had so much influence on 
 the state of religion as to deserve special notice. These 
 were converts from the world, by means of dissenting 
 or methodistic preaching, who imperceptibly adopted 
 dissenting principles and practices, while their spirit 
 was that of Calvinistic Methodists. Many ministers. 
 
576 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 who left Lady Huntingdon's connexion, increased this 
 species of Dissenters. With the fire and freshness of 
 their former communion, they brought with them also 
 a laudable preference for that style of preaching which 
 gave prominence to the truths most likely to awaken 
 the careless, and increase the church from the world. 
 On the other hand, some of them were at first deficient 
 in those effects of good education, a correct deportment, 
 eminent family religion, theological wealth, and accu- 
 rate sentiments, in which the more regular Dissenters 
 excelled. They were irregular troops, but they often 
 brought home more captives than the disciplined squad- 
 rons. That they were, upon the whole, eminently ser- 
 viceable to the cause of real religion among the Dis- 
 senters, cannot be denied. In many instances, they 
 seemed to pour young blood into an aged frame. Among 
 them were bred several of the more useful Dissenters 
 of the present day, who rose up with growing attach- 
 ment to dissenting principles, and zeal for the interests 
 of religion in the communion to which they belonged. 
 This class deserves high praise for having warmly 
 patronized the modern schemes for the diffusion of 
 divine truth. 
 
 The first half of the reign of George III. presents a 
 checquered scene, of which it is difficult to say whether 
 the dark or the bright spots predominate. The ten- 
 dency to departure from the truth, among the original 
 Dissenters, had not yet been opposed with sufficient 
 talent and earnestness ; nor had the solicitude to ex- 
 tend the kingdom of Christ, which has distinguished 
 Dissenters in the present day, been duly manifested. 
 The sin of this period was denounced by the prophet. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 577 
 
 when he said, " Cursed be he that doeth the work of 
 the Lord deceitfully, or negligently." Too many minis- 
 ters, and other public persons, resembled musical instru- 
 ments, whose strings were never strained to the proper 
 pitch, so that all their performances filled the mind with 
 a conviction that they had not thought it worth while 
 to do their best. There were, however, some happy 
 intimations of the rise of that spirit of benevolence and 
 energy which has rendered the close of this period so 
 auspicious to the best interests of mankind. 
 
 The unlawful truce with error, which did more mis- 
 chief than any form of warfare, w^as about the middle 
 of the present reign broken. To Dr. Priestley must be 
 attributed, in a great degree, the violation of the unholy 
 league ; for, if the orthodox owe him no thanks for 
 intentional services, many of them learned from him 
 that decisive declaration of sentiments, and that solici- 
 tude for their diffusion, which they ought to have 
 learned from a better teacher. With a just attachment 
 to liberty of opinion, unfettered by the civil power, he 
 displayed a zeal for his peculiar principles which broke 
 all terms with those who opposed his creed. 
 
 Socinianism having now dropped the mask of can- 
 dour, and avowed her hostility to almost all that was 
 dear to thousands, they startled at the horrors of her 
 visage, and fled far from her domains. Arians, holding 
 the pre- existence of Christ, and ascribing to him a sort 
 of divinity, had often deceived the orthodox ; but the 
 open degradation of Christ to the rank of a mere man, 
 the denial of his miraculous conception, atonement, and 
 even infallibility and impeccability, shocked and alarmed 
 
 VOL. II. 2 p 
 
578 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 all who had sincerely exclaimed with Thomas, " My 
 Lord and my God." 
 
 The state of religion, among the Independents, in 
 the latter part of this period, was more prosperous. 
 Zeal for truth, awakened by the heresy and consequent 
 ruin of the Presbyterians, was, at first, attended with 
 a considerable portion of polemical asperity ; but the 
 flame afterwards burned with greater purity, and im- 
 pelled the orthodox, not merely to gain from the world 
 more than had been lost to dissent by the apostacy of 
 the erroneous, but to diffuse, without regard to sect, the 
 knowledge of Christ to the ends of the earth. This 
 public spirit, which has elevated the character of the 
 Independent churches of our day, is so intimately con- 
 nected w^ith the formation of the Missionary Society, 
 that it becomes necessary to direct the attention of the 
 reader to this event, which has created a new era in the 
 religious world. 
 
 An Independent minister first called the attention 
 of the churches to the object, by an address in the 
 Evangelical Magazine. The churches and their pas- 
 tors entered into the design with great ardour, and 
 were joined not only by several Scotch Presbyterians, 
 who had retained the ancient faith, but by the Cal- 
 vinistic Methodists, as a body, and by some evangelical 
 clergymen. It was agreed to waive the distinguishing 
 tenets of either of these denominations, and to send 
 forth missionaries into the world, to diffuse the grand 
 principles of the gospel, in which they were all united. 
 They sent out at first uneducated men, but a missionary 
 seminary was afterwards established at Gosport. 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 579 
 
 To describe the influence of the society on the public 
 mind would be difficult ; for it drew together, by the 
 most benign and powerful attraction. Christians of dif- 
 ferent communions ; it roused multitudes to the noblest 
 zeal and the mightiest exertions ; and thus gave rise 
 to other societies, both among Dissenters and in the 
 bosom of the establishment, by which the most im- 
 portant blessings have been conferred on the church and 
 on the world. To the annual meetings of the Mis- 
 sionary Society in London, immense numbers of Chris- 
 tians and ministers resorted^ from all parts of the king- 
 dom, producing a striking scene, which powerfully 
 attracted attention, expanded the mind, invigorated the 
 character, and warmed the heart. A spirit of prayer, 
 the harbinger of revival in the church, was excited, 
 not merely by these greater assemblies, but by the 
 appointment of a monthly meeting in all the congre- 
 gations, where Christians improved their own religion, 
 while they interceded for the salvation of the heathen. 
 To the other good effects produced by zeal in the 
 cause of missions, must be added the spirit of liberality 
 excited. Voluntary churches have ever been benefited 
 by the appeals made to their Christian principles and 
 affections, for the support of their pastors and the relief 
 of their poor members ; but the new efforts for the 
 conversion of the heathen gave tenfold force to liberality. 
 It was manifestly impossible to establish missions in 
 the most distant parts of the world, and send forth 
 evangelists, from year to year, without immense funds. 
 These were furnished with delightful promptitude and 
 liberality, not only from the superfluities of the rich, 
 but also from the scanty savings of the labouring poor. 
 
 2 p 2 
 
580 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 The sums thus contributed, must, after the deductions 
 of the coldest calculator, leave many thousands offered 
 from the purest motives of zeal for the divine glory, 
 gratitude for redeeming mercy, compassion for the 
 perishing heathen, and benevolent solicitude for the holi- 
 ness and happiness of man. If such offerings are twice 
 blessed, conferring on the giver those advantages 
 which he intended only for the receiver, how powerful 
 and auspicious must such contributions have been to 
 the cause of pure religion at home ! When, also, these 
 calls upon Christian benevolence were more than 
 doubled by the additional schemes of usefulness which 
 were formed and executed, the happiest method was 
 devised to rescue the disciples of Christ from that 
 indulgence of pride and luxury in the expenditure, or 
 of covetousness in the accumulation of property, which 
 are so destructive to the religion of the heart, and so 
 pernicious to the children of Christians. It would be 
 difficult to enumerate all the benevolent plans formed 
 about this time, by those who worship apart from the 
 establishment, but they furnish the criterion of the state 
 of religion in their churches. The institution of the 
 Religious Tract Society, which was one of the conse- 
 quences of the Missionary Society, has produced some 
 millions of little popular addresses on sacred subjects, 
 the distribution of which has called the zeal of Chris- 
 tians into incessant action. 
 
 Village preaching was the consequence of an ob- 
 jection made to the numerous missions to the heathen. 
 For when it was said, ^' We have heathens enough at 
 home, seek first to evangelise the multitudes in our 
 own country who are destitute of the Gospel, before 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 581 
 
 you go to the ends of the earth ;" some of the friends 
 of missions replied, " Go you to these heathens at home, 
 as you will do nothing for those abroad," by which a 
 few were stung to action ; while the more general 
 reply was, " W e have, indeed, been too long indifferent 
 to the perishing state of our countrymen, and now feel 
 that we are ' debtors both to the Greeks and to the 
 barbarians.' " Thus the breath of lukewarmness blew 
 up the flames of zeal. Sunday-schools, also, were now 
 fostered by Dissenters as nurseries of religion. The 
 new mode of instruction, which Mr. Lancaster and Dr. 
 Bell have introduced, tended much to improve these 
 institutions, and to accelerate the progress of know- 
 ledge among the humbler classes of society. Fuller 
 scope was thus given for religious instruction, and 
 elementary books were so improved and multiplied, 
 that the children of the poor, and ignorant, and vicious 
 received advantages which were before scarcely attain- 
 able by the offspring of the rich, the wise, and the 
 pious . 
 
 Many efforts were now made to render the press, 
 which had been prostituted to the service of the world 
 and sin, subservient to the interests of truth and reli- 
 gion. Some of the most celebrated journals of criti- 
 cism had, since the controversy between Dr. Priestley 
 and the Monthly Review, been devoted almost wholly 
 to socinianism or infidelity ; but other works were, at 
 this era of zeal^ established to give to the public a 
 different estimate of religious books. 
 
 As the independent churches and pastors form the 
 great body of those who are engaged in these bene- 
 volent exertions, their zeal is a sufficient indication of 
 
582 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 religious prosperity. This, indeed, has caused them 
 to throw off the stiffness that once hindered their use- 
 fuhiess, and to inquire how they might become the 
 greatest blessings to the world. What has been 
 already said of the labours of the ministers, proves that 
 they are diligent in public ; and the spirit that breathes 
 in the pulpit, leads to the conclusion that many of them 
 are much devoted to God in secret. The numbers 
 that attend on the meetings for prayer, and the spirit 
 of devotion which prevails there, inspire an equal con- 
 fidence in the personal religion of many of the members 
 of the churches. 
 
 It has been feared, however, that family religion 
 has not proportionably advanced. Some accuse the 
 pulpit of encroaching on the closet, and charge the 
 evening lectures with producing the neglect of family 
 instruction. But the intervals of public worship leave 
 sufficient time, if well improved, for personal and do- 
 mestic exercises ; and if any are drawn off from the 
 private excellencies of the ancient Dissenters, the 
 greater quantity of popular preaching is rather the 
 occasion, or the pretext, than the cause. It is, how- 
 ever, to 'he regretted, that in the larger towns a roving 
 spirit has infected some of the members of churches, 
 which is equally at war with their own edification and 
 the welfare of the societies to which they belong. Nor 
 should it be unnoticed, or unlamented, that there are 
 churches which, by a disgraceful coldness, are pre- 
 vented from co-operating with the rest in the propaga- 
 tion of the Gospel, or sharing with them in their pros- 
 perity and increase. 
 
 The state of religion among the particular Baptists 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 583 
 
 has been prosperous, during the last half of this period. 
 In this denomination have been raised up some men of 
 distinguished talents and usefulness, who have raised 
 its character by the most laudable means.. The zeal 
 which established the Baptist mission in Bengal ; the 
 theological publications which arrested the progress of 
 Socinian and Antinomian sentiments ; and the solicitude 
 foi* the supply of suitable pastors which has multiplied 
 their seminaries, speak in praise of their religion. 
 But, while the writings of some now living have dif- 
 fused the sentiments of the Edwardian school of theo- 
 logy, in opposition to the supralapsarian spirit of Dr. 
 Gill's writings ; the latter have, with uneducated 
 ministers, and the hasty admission of members into 
 this communion, produced so much Antinomianism, that 
 the churches in various places are suffering severely by 
 this noisome pestilence. 
 
 Of the Quakers, it is difficult to speak ; for while 
 they have high and universal praise for their philan- 
 thropy, which entitled them to a large share of the 
 honour due to the abolition of the slave-trade, the inte- 
 rior of their religion is hidden from all but themselves. 
 Socinianism has, of late years, appeared among them, 
 and produced controversy and schism, but the majority 
 have protested against it ; and, it is said^, that religion 
 has increased among the friends. 
 
 Of the Methodists, the Calvinistic part first claims 
 attention. If we judge from the distinguished share 
 they have taken in the exertions for the best interests 
 of mankind, they are, in point of religion, prosperous. 
 The additional seminary, established by one section, 
 sprang from two pleasing causes, an increase of 
 
584 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 congregations, and a solicitude to supply them with 
 well-informed preachers. Like the Baptists, they have 
 suffered severely from the inroads of Antinomianism ; 
 but the increasing taste for good preaching is coun- 
 teracting this evil. 
 
 The Wesleyan Methodists have not been injured by 
 the death of their founder, but have perhaps increased 
 in religious excellence, as well as in numbers, and in 
 influence, during the latter part of this period. They 
 have among them able men, who aim at the noblest 
 objects, and see their recompense in a number of pious 
 people, who are the salt of the communion. 
 
 Antinomianism has made, during the latter part of 
 this period, so much progress in many dissenting con- 
 gregations, as to demand some attention. The Hyper- 
 calvinism, which long had lurked, as a cocatrice-egg in 
 the sand, broke out, during this period, into the fiery 
 flying serpent of Antinomianism. 
 
 This produced the bitterest fruits. Conceit, asperity, 
 and all the evils enumerated by the apostle among the 
 works of the flesh, were canonised by these pretended 
 Calvinists, for cardinal virtues. In too many who are 
 possessed of this unclean spirit, open profaneness has 
 published their shame to the world ; though they have 
 been so completely besotted, as to suppose that drunken- 
 ness was consistent with seriousness, and lewdness 
 with spirituality. During a great part of the reign of 
 George III., this was the most prevailing evil of 
 the day. The erection of Antinomian chapels fre- 
 quently proclaimed its triumph. The essential rectitude 
 of the divine nature, government, and law, which ren- 
 dered the redemption of Christ necessary to our salva- 
 
STATE OF RELIGION. 
 
 585 
 
 tion, is here blasphemed, by prostituting the gospel to 
 the purpose of abrogating the law and giving license 
 to sin. Such a perversion of the system has hardened 
 both Socinians and Arminians in their hatred of Cal- 
 vinism, and furnished them with arms to maintain 
 their warfare. This poison has been swallowed, and 
 administered as largely by evangelical churchmen, as 
 by those in the ranks of dissent. 
 
 An antidote to the poison was furnished by the works 
 of some of the most eminent divines of the past and 
 preceding ages, which now rose into great request. 
 Besides the republication of many single pieces, new 
 editions of the whole or the larger works of Howe and 
 Owen, Baxter and Flavel, Watts and Doddridge, 
 Henry and Edwards, attested the demand, and honoured 
 the public taste. Such, indeed, is the disposition for 
 the most instructive and edifying productions, that it is 
 manifest the religious magazines and other ephemeral 
 works have rather increased than diminished a taste 
 for the ponderous folios of valuable theology, published 
 by the old divines. 
 
 The exact estimate of the religion of any individual, 
 who but the Searcher of hearts can supply ? How 
 much more difficult, then, to say what is the clear sum 
 of truth and holiness among a whole body, composed 
 of very different members ! Without, however, pre- 
 tending to anything further than a rough estimate, 
 such a judgment may be formed as may answer in- 
 quiries, suggest instruction, and afford delight. That 
 there is now more religion among Dissenters from the 
 establishment than at any former period, may be con- 
 fidently asserted. It would be easy to give a long list 
 
586 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of churches, formed of genuine Christians, called out 
 of the world, where it cannot be discovered that the 
 gospel of Christ was ever before preached. To this 
 might be added another list, still longer, of churches 
 which contain, not only a greater number of devout 
 persons, but some of them many times more than ever 
 before composed those societies. If many congrega- 
 tions have been annihilated by error, their deserted 
 places are now reopening, and prove again that the 
 preaching of the cross is " the power of God to salva- 
 tion." The zeal for the formation of new congregations, 
 and for the erection and enlargement of places of wor- 
 ship, is not indeed confined to those in whose success 
 every liberal Christian would rejoice, but extends to 
 those who are actuated by errors fatal to the hopes of 
 men, or passions dishonourable to the name of Christian. 
 Still, however, the good principle so decidedly predomi- 
 nates, that the number of real Christians must be 
 greatly increased. In this respect, also, the religion 
 of individuals is advanced ; for zeal to diffuse the 
 knowledge of divine truth, and to make the most costly 
 sacrifices to win the souls of men from death, tends to 
 nourish and improve all the other graces of the Chris- 
 tian character. 
 
587 
 
 Chap. VIII. 
 
 LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 The chapter devoted to biography, under this period, 
 will probably disappoint many, who will expect to find 
 a distinct memoir of every faithful minister who may 
 be still fresh in their remembrance and dear to their 
 hearts. But our limits will suffer us to give no more 
 than a selection of such as will furnish, by their excel- 
 lencies or their faults, some special instruction to the 
 world. The Presbyterians, as the oldest denomination, 
 claim the precedence, and it will be seen, by the follow- 
 ing memoirs, that they have not ceased to be distin- 
 guished by eminent men. 
 
 GEORGE BENSON, D.D. 
 
 He was born, in 1699, of parents who lived at Great 
 Salkeld, in Cumberland, and being eminently pious, 
 had the pleasure to see several of their children walk in 
 their steps. This son, discovering early a serious spirit 
 and a love of learning, was designed for the ministry. 
 After attending the grammar-school, he went, in 1716, 
 to an academy kept by Dr. Dixon, at Whitehaven, and 
 from thence to the university of Glasgow, where he 
 prosecuted his studies, till 1721. Determining to exer- 
 cise his ministry among the Dissenters in England, and 
 being approved by some of the most eminent Presby- 
 
588 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 terians there, he began to preach in that communion. 
 Dr. Calamy, in whose house he resided for a time, 
 recommended him to a congregation at Abingdon. 
 Here he began to swerve from the orthodox doctrine ; 
 and, being on this account less agreeable to the people, 
 he accepted, in 1729, a call to a society in St. John's- 
 coui-t, South wark. In 1740, he succeeded Dr. Harris, 
 and became colleague to Dr. Lardner. The infirmities 
 of age having compelled Dr. Lardner to relinquish his 
 office, the whole of the service devolved on Dr. Benson, 
 who continued to officiate till his enfeebled constitution 
 obliged him to retire. He was removed by death, 
 April 6, 1762, in the sixty -third year of his age. 
 
 In study. Dr. Benson was indefatigable, and, con- 
 ceiving the world would receive benefit from his re- 
 searches, he became a voluminous author. Being fond 
 of criticism, he thought he could illustrate the New 
 Testament, and became the continuator of the com- 
 mentaries of Locke and Pierce on the epistles. But 
 he had not the talents of his predecessors : he was an 
 impenetrably dull man. He wrote also a history of 
 the apostolical church, a treatise on the evidences of 
 Christianity, a collection of sermons, and a large vo- 
 lume on the life of Christ. Some German divines, 
 having imbibed the same sentiments, highly com- 
 mended the doctor's works. He sent copies of his 
 books to the Archbishop of Canterbury and several of 
 the bishops, and these, as polite men, returned civil 
 notes of commendation. 
 
 JOHN MASON, A.M. 
 
 This useful writer, who is extensively known by his 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 589 
 
 treatise on self-knowledge, was descended from a 
 minister. His grandfather also was the excellent man 
 whose " Select Remains " form the golden volume 
 w^hich Dr. Watts so warmly recommended to the 
 public. The subject of this memoir was born at Dun- 
 mow, in 1705; and, after studying for the ministry 
 under Mr. Jennings, at Kibworth, became chaplain 
 and private tutor in the family of Governor Feaks, at 
 his seat near Hatfield. He was soon called to take 
 the pastoral charge of a congregation at Dorking, in 
 Surrey. Plaving published, though without his name, 
 " A Plain and Modest Plea for Christianity, or a Sober 
 and Rational Appeal to Infidels," he received, by 
 means of Dr. Walker, of Homerton, the unsought ho- 
 nour of a diploma of master of arts, from Edinburgh. 
 But the highest and most-deserved reputation was de- 
 rived from the publication of his " Treatise on Self- 
 knowledge," Avhich appeared in 1745, and has, to the 
 honour of the public discernment, passed through more 
 than twenty editions. 
 
 After a residence of seventeen years at Dorking, he 
 removed, in 1746, to Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, where 
 he preached to a considerable congregation. Amidst 
 his constant labours for the pulpit and the press, he 
 devoted a part of his time to the education of several 
 young persons for the ministry. About the time of 
 George II. 's death, he published two volumes on 
 Christian morals ; and at the close of this work added 
 a sermon on the recent death of the king, in which he 
 noticed the temper of the times ; observing, that " The 
 tories, who had laboured to restore the Stuarts, were 
 
590 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 most clamorous for non-resistance under the worst 
 government, and most forward to resist the best." 
 
 Mr. Mason died in the midst of his usefuhiess, at 
 the age of fifty-eight, in the year 1763. His diligence 
 is attested by his labours as a pastor, tutor, and author. 
 In the pulpit, he pleased by a grave simplicity, but 
 never rose to the higher excellencies of a preacher. 
 His " Lord's-day Evening Entertainment, or fifty-two 
 Sermons on the most serious and important Subjects 
 in Divinity," in four volumes, was the result of his 
 solicitude to promote family religion among the people 
 of his charge. For the instruction of his students, he 
 composed " The Student and Pastor," a work fit to 
 be the companion of Baxter, Burnet, Mather, and 
 Watts, on the pastoral care. With a view to the im- 
 provement of his pupils in the oratorical art, he pub- 
 lished, also, " Essays on Elocution, and on the Power 
 and Harmony of Poetical and Prosaic Numbers," in 
 which he displays very superior sense, and knowledge 
 of his subject*. 
 
 SAMUEL CHANDLER, D.D.. F.R.S. and A.S. 
 
 The man decorated with all these marks of literary 
 honour, was, as may be supposed, one of the most 
 eminent among the Presbyterian ministers of his day. 
 He derived his descent from ancestors remarkable for 
 piety and zeal. Henry Chandler, his father, a dissent- 
 
 * He left a daughter, who was married to Peter Good, a dissenting 
 minister, who hved some time at Romsey, his native town, but after- 
 wards at Havant, in Hampshire, and at length died near Taunton. 
 From this gentleman, by his first wife, the daughter of Mr. Mason, de- 
 scended Dr. John Mason Good, a distinguished writer and physician. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 591 
 
 ing minister at Hungerford, afterwards at Bath, was 
 deservedly held in high estimation by the body. His 
 son Samuel, the subject of this article, was born at 
 Hungerford in 1693; and after having acquired a con- 
 siderable knowledge of the Greek and Latin classics, 
 he engaged in a course of theological study, first under 
 the tuition of Mr. Moore, at Bridge water, and after- 
 wards with Mr. Jones, at Gloucester. 
 
 In 1716, he was called to the pastoral office by a 
 congregation of Presbyterians at Peckham. Like 
 many others, hastening to be rich, he engaged in the 
 South Sea scheme, and lost the fortune which he had 
 gained by marriage. To support his family, which 
 was reduced to straitened circumstances, he for some 
 years kept a bookseller's shop in London. In 1726, 
 he was chosen assistant at the Old Jewry, which w^as 
 then one of the most respectable dissenting congre- 
 gations in England ; and on the removal of Mr. Lea- 
 vesley, their pastor. Dr. Chandler, was appointed his 
 successor. In this situation, he continued, for almost 
 forty years, preaching with great ability and accept- 
 ance, respected by his people, and retaining a full 
 audience to the last. Some of the Scotch nobility and 
 gentry, who at that time had more zeal for the prin- 
 ciples of their church than they manifest at the present 
 day, formed a part of his congregation. 
 
 Dr. Chandler was a hard student, all his days, and 
 it was no difficult thing to find him in the midst of 
 his books. In the earlier part of life, he experienced 
 several attacks of fever, which threatened a termination 
 to his literary pursuits ; but, by betaking himself to 
 a vegetable diet, the seeds of the disease were entirely 
 
592 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 eradicated ; and though, after twelve years, he returned 
 to his former way of living, his health continued 
 vigorous, till the year hefore his death, when that dire- 
 ful sourage of studious men the stone, robbed him of his 
 ease and rest, and warned him of his approaching end. 
 He finished his course, on the 8th of May, 1766, in the 
 seventy-third year of his age. 
 
 He is entitled to a place among scholars of the first 
 class. As a preacher, he presented to his audience, 
 on every subject, much good sense and solid reasoning, 
 expressed in language more remarkable for strength 
 than simplicity and elegance ; and, in his delivery, he 
 displayed much energy, but was deficient in grace. As 
 a writer, his works are both numerous and diversified. 
 He wrote on the deistical controversy ; as also on 
 miracles ; on the History of Joseph ; on the prophe- 
 cies of Daniel ; on the life of David, in two volumes, 
 and on several other subjects. He published some 
 pieces in favour of civil and religious liberty, for which 
 he was a strenuous advocate. He was the author also 
 of a nmltitude of sermons, printed singly on particular 
 occasions ; and four volumes of his discourses were pub- 
 lished from his manuscripts, after his death. Applying 
 his critical skill to the sacred Scriptures, he wrote a 
 commentary on Joel; and intended to give another on 
 Isaiah, but did not accomplish it. Some years after 
 his decease, a quarto volume appeared, containing his 
 notes on the epistle to the Galatians, Ephesians, and 
 Thessalonians. 
 
 Of the doctor's religious sentiments, it is not easy to 
 speak with certainty. In a sermon preached in 1752, 
 to the Society for promoting religious knowledge among 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 593 
 
 tlie poor, " On the Excellence of the Knowledge of 
 Christ/' he speaks the language of Calvin, and in very 
 striking terms, and it was at a time of life when men 
 have commonly made up their mind, for he was in his 
 sixtieth year : but the usual phraseology in his writings 
 bears a greater analogy to the Arminian system. Like 
 many of his denomination, he does not appear to have 
 been sensible of the importance of bringing forward 
 the doctrines of the Gospel into full and constant view. 
 It used to be said of him, that after any illness, he 
 always preached in a more evangelical strain*. 
 
 NATHANIEL LARDNER, D.D. 
 This eminent writer w^as born, June 6, 1684, at 
 Hawkhurst, in Kent. His father, Richard Lardner, 
 a valuable Non-conformist minister, sent him first to 
 a grammar-school, and then to Mr. Oldfield, at Hoxton, 
 near London. At the end of 1699, when he was in 
 bis sixteenth year, he went to the university of Utrecht, 
 and from thence to Leyden. He returned to England, 
 in 1703, but waited till he was five-and-twenty, before 
 he preached, at Stoke Newington, his first sermon, on 
 Rom. i. 16. He still, however, remained a private 
 member of the church over which Matthew Clark pre- 
 sided, and in 1713, went to reside with the widow of 
 the Lord Chief Justice Treby, as domestic chaplain, 
 and tutor to her youngest son, with whom he "made the 
 tour of France, Holland, and the Netherlands. On 
 
 * This gave occasion to an anecdote which is told of him. A gentleman 
 who occasionally heard him, said to one of his constant auditors, as they 
 were coming out of the place of worship, pray has not the doctor been 
 ill lately? Why do you think so? was the answer. Because the sermon 
 was more evangelical than those he usually preaches when he is in full 
 health. 
 
 VOL. 11. 2Q 
 
594 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the death of Lady Treby, in 1721, he writes, " I am 
 yet at a loss to dispose of myself. I can say I am 
 desirous of being useful in the world. Without tliis, 
 no external advantages could make me happy. Yet I 
 have no prospect of being serviceable in the work of 
 the ministry, having preached many years, without 
 being favoured with the approbation and choice of one 
 congregation.'* 
 
 It is not surprising that Dr. Kippis should say, 
 tliis reflected no honour on the Dissenters but it 
 would be no difficult task to defend their conduct. 
 Lardner had not yet acquired celebrity by his writings, 
 and those who now read them feel that his style wants 
 animation and vigour. A very defective elocution con- 
 tributed also to render him unpopular in the pulpit, 
 even after he had established his reputation as an author. 
 He engaged, however, in 1723, in a course of lectures, 
 with several other ministers, on Tuesday evenings, at 
 the Old Jewry. The subject which was allotted to Dr. 
 Lardner, was the proof of the credibility of the Gospel 
 history, and from this time, he applied to his great 
 work, which bears that title. Excessive modesty made 
 him long refuse to publish, but in 1727, the first 
 part appeared in print. An occasional sermon, which 
 he preached at Crutched Friars, procured him his 
 first settlement among Dissenters, as assistant to Dr. 
 Harris. 
 
 In 1740, he lost his colleague, but, resigning to Dr. 
 Benson the office of pastor which was offered, he con- 
 tinued to preach, once a day, till the year 1751, when 
 he quitted the pulpit, partly on account of his deafness 
 and the decrease of his hearers, and partly for the 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DiSSENTERS. 595 
 
 sake of redeeming time for the publication of his work 
 on the " Credibility of the Gospel History." He pub- 
 lished in 1759, without his name, a letter written 
 nearly thirty years before, on the question, whether 
 the Logos supplied the place of a human soul in Jesus 
 Christ. The nature of the work may be learned from 
 this circumstance, that it has the honour of having 
 made Dr. Priestley a Socinian. Lardner opposed the 
 Arian scheme, to which he had formerly been attached, 
 as completely unreasonable, and laboured to prove 
 Jesus Christ a mere man. His diploma of D.D. 
 was conferred in 1745, by Marischal college, Aber- 
 deen. He was seized with a decline in the summer 
 of 1768, and, a few weeks after, was removed from the 
 w^orld in his eighty-fifth year. 
 
 His wwks in defence of revelation, w^hich have de- 
 served and obtained the praise of the learned in all 
 denominations of Christians, were, to the disgrace of the 
 public discernment, so badly received at first, that he 
 was glad to sell the copyright, and the remaining 
 copies, for a hundred and fifty pounds. His modest 
 diffidence, amiable disposition, and strict integrity 
 secured the esteem of all who knew him. 
 
 WILLIAM LANGFORD, D.D. 
 
 This divine merits a place in these biographical 
 sketches, for his respectability of character, and also for 
 the purity of his principles ; because he is said to have 
 been, at the latter part of his life, the only English Pres- 
 byterian minister in London, who retained the faith of the 
 Non-conformists. He was born near Battle, in Sussex, 
 September 29, 1704, and had the honour to be de- 
 
 2 Q 2 
 
596 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 scended from pious parents, His father dying while 
 he was yet a child, his mother removed to Tenterden, 
 in Kent, where he received a classical education. In 
 1721, he was sent to the university of Glasgow, with a 
 view to the ministry. 
 
 After taking the degree of master of arts, in 1727, 
 he returned to England, and settled as pastor of the 
 dissenting congregation at Gravesend. At the end 
 of seven years, he removed to London, to be co-pastor 
 with Mr. Bures, at Silver-street; and as he was em- 
 ployed but one part of the day, he was invited, in 1 736, 
 to be assistant to Mr. Wood, at the Weigh-house 
 meeting, in Eastcheap. He continued to labour in 
 both these places, till 1742, when, on Mr. Wood's de- 
 cease, he received a call to the pastoral office, which he 
 accepted. During the greater paii: of the time, he per- 
 formed the whole of the service himself ; in his latter 
 years, he had several young ministers, in succession, 
 as his assistants. In 1766, Aberdeen conferred on Dr. 
 Langford the title of D D., and he brought no stain 
 on their discernment. 
 
 As he approached the close of life, he seemed to 
 breathe the air of heaven. In his seventy-first year, to 
 other infirmities was added a hoarseness, which ren- 
 dered it difficult for him to speak in the congregation. 
 A friend, in the spring of 1775, invited him to his 
 country seat, in hopes of benefit from a change of air ; 
 but, in the night after his arrival, he was seized by the 
 hand of death, and, after a struggle of a few hours, ex- 
 pired, on the Lord's-day morning, April 22. He was 
 buried in Bunhill-fields, that first of repositories of the 
 dead in Christ, which will, at the resurrection of the 
 
LIVES OF p:minent dissenteks. 597 
 
 just, give up so many bodies of the saints to be made 
 like to Christ's glorious body. 
 
 In this man, who, like Abdiel, stood alone in adhe- 
 rence to the truth, may be seen the happy effects of 
 soundness in the faith. While many of the congre- 
 gations of the Arian and Socinian Presbyterians have 
 been reduced to mere skeletons, and many more of them 
 are annihilated. Dr. Langford's faithful preaching of the 
 truth preserved the flock. At his death, they chose an 
 evangelical minister as his successor ; and under Mr. 
 Clayton, who followed him, the congregation retained 
 the ancient faith of the Non-conformists, and was one 
 of the most flourishing in London. 
 
 PHILIP FURNEAUX, D.D. 
 
 He was born at Totness, in Devon, and after spend- 
 ing his early years in his native place, he came to Lon- 
 don, and entered on a course of theological studies, 
 under Dr. Jennings. He became assistant to Mr. 
 Henry Read, at St. Thomas', South wark; and after- 
 wards was chosen successor to Mr. Lowman, at Clap- 
 ham. For many years he preached a Sunday evening's 
 lecture, at Salter's-hall, alternately with Dr. Prior. 
 
 Dr. Furneaux's character among the Presbyterians 
 stood very high. From those of his sermons which were 
 published, he must be acknowledged to be a man of 
 superior talents. His composition was elegant, but his 
 delivery was, by poring over his notes, and by a whine 
 which would have disgraced a Scotch seceder, most dis- 
 agreeable. Ardent in the cause of liberty, he was one 
 of the most zealous patrons of the application to parlia- 
 ment for relief from subscription to the doctrinal articles 
 
598 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 of the church. His letters to judge Blackstone, on his 
 exposition of the Act of Toleration, and some positions 
 relative to religious liberty, in the celebrated Commen- 
 taries on the Laws of England, display the hand of a 
 master. When the cause of the city of London against 
 Evans, so interesting to Dissenters, was tried, the 
 amazing strength of Dr. Furneaux's memory was seen, 
 in committing to paper, after he returned home. Lord 
 Mansfield's speech on the occasion, with such accuracy, 
 that when his lordship perused it, he found but two or 
 three trifling errors to correct. 
 
 Like many of his brethren, he does not appear to 
 have been fully sensible of the importance of evangelical 
 doctrine, and did not bring it forward with the frequency 
 and fulness which the Gospel demands. On his return 
 from occasionally visiting his friends in Devonshire, 
 some of his hearers thought that he used, for a time, to 
 preach in a more orthodox manner than usual. Good 
 company is to a minister a great blessing, while to 
 associate with such as are erroneous, has proved a curse 
 to thousands. 
 
 After thirty years, Dr. Furneaux was laid aside from 
 every service, by a visitation of providence the most 
 awful and humiliating which human nature can feel. 
 Insanity seized him, and the man who had appeared with 
 so much applause in the pulpit and from the press, was 
 confined, during the remainder of his life, in a private 
 madhouse. One of the biographers of Cowper, the poet, 
 can hardly allow that his disease should be thought in- 
 sanity ; as if so great and good a man ought to be ex- 
 empted from so distressing a malady. But poets need 
 to be taught humility as much as any men on earth ; 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 599 
 
 and God made Cowper their instructor. Ministers of 
 Christ too require lessons. Dr. Furneaux did not suffer 
 in vain, if every minister who reads his mournful his- 
 tory, be influenced to lift up his heart with lively grati- 
 tude to God for the exercise of reason, to feel a deeper 
 sense of dependence for this and every blessing, and of 
 obligation to improve it to the utmost, for the honour of 
 God, and the happiness of man. 
 
 JOB ORTON. 
 
 He was born at Shrewsbury, in 1717, deriving his 
 descent from a line of pious ancestors, and on the 
 mother's side from the family of the great Mr. Perkins, 
 the Puritan, of Cambridge. To his parents, who w^ere 
 the patrons of piety and good men, he was indebted for 
 early instruction in the Christian faith^ and he imbibed 
 from them the principles of pure religion*. At the free 
 grammar-school in his native town, he acquired a con- 
 siderable portion of classical learning. In his sixteenth 
 year, he was put under the tuition of Dr. Charles Owen, 
 of Warrington. The year following, he was sent to 
 Dr. Doddridge's academy at Northampton, and was 
 appointed assistant to the doctor in his academical 
 labours. In 1741, he was drawn to his native town, by 
 the united voices of the Presbyterian and Independent 
 congregations, which joined to receive him as their 
 pastor. On Dr. Doddridge's decease, Mr. Orton was 
 
 * In a memorial of the family, which Mr. Orion drew up for the benefit 
 of his nephews, he thus expresses himself : " You will find no lords, or 
 knights, or persons of rank, wealth, or station among your progenitors ; 
 but as far as I am capable of judging from the best information, there is 
 no one, either male or female, in the Ime of your ancestors, for many 
 generations, but has been serious, pious, and good, and filled up some 
 useful station in society with honom*." 
 
600 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ])resse(l to succeed liiin in tlie academy and congre- 
 gation; but this, as well as a call to succeed Dr. 
 Hughes, in London, (a place which Orton never saw) 
 he declined, and continued his labours at Shrewsbury. 
 Ill health, under which he laboured for a time, led him 
 to seek for help which, during the greatest part of his 
 ministry, he had from Mr. Fownes*. Few men were 
 more diligent than Mr. Orton, or more conscientious in 
 performing the various duties of his office. Before old* 
 age arrived, the nervous complaints with which he was 
 frequently troubled, made him conceive himself unable 
 to continue longer in the pastoral office ; and in his 
 forty-eighth year he resigned. In the following year, 
 he went to reside at Kidderminster, that he might be 
 near a physician in whom he had great faith ; and there 
 he lived, for eighteen long and solitary years. His in- 
 firmities gradually increased, and his sufferings be- 
 coming at last exceedingly acute, terminated in death, 
 in July, 1783, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. 
 
 An independent fortune has seldom been beneficial to 
 a minister of Christ. Had Job Orton been unable to 
 live without the contributions of his people, it would never 
 have entered into his mind, at the age of forty-eight, 
 that he was unable to preach ; and, instead of finding 
 it necessary to retire into private life, for' eighteen 
 years, he w^ould have found no difficulty in retaining 
 his easy co-pastoral station at Shrewsbury, till the close 
 of life. 
 
 To the character of a devout and laborious minister, 
 Mr. Orton is well entitled. He possessed a more than 
 
 * Mr. Fownes published a volume on toleration, which procured hitn 
 a considerable name for acute and masterly reasoning. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 601 
 
 common seriousness of mind, and assiduously clierislied 
 it, by reading, meditation, and prayer*. His diligence 
 in preparing for the pulpit was exemplary, and his ser- 
 mons Avere evidently designed to edify, not to amuse 
 his hearers. In visiting his flock he was a pattern ; 
 and he took more than ordinary pains in the instruction 
 of the rising generation. So sensible was he of the 
 importance of these things, and so tender was his con- 
 science, that, long after his removal from Shrewsbury, 
 he expresses the most painful fears that he had not dis- 
 charged the duties of the ministry with becoming zeal. 
 To the end of life, his heart was set on doing good, and 
 when he had ceased to preach, conversation, letters, 
 plans of sermons were sent to his friends, and every 
 private method adopted. With the same view he pub- 
 lished books — discourses on eternity, on zeal, on Chris- 
 tian worship, meditations for the sacrament, and several 
 volumes of sermons. His life of Dr. Doddridge, which 
 is one of the most useful books to a student and a mi- 
 nister, had been published beforef . 
 
 Amidst all his labours, he complains bitterly of want 
 of success, and not without reason, for one thing was 
 lacking. The inefficacy of Socinian sentiments he 
 plainly saw ; but Calvinists, as such, had none of his 
 love and praise, and Independents shared little of his 
 
 * In the strictness of his hfe, in the simplicity of his manners, in the 
 plainness of his dress, in his house, his furniture, and mode of living, he 
 sought to imitate, and he certainly did resemble the old Puritans ; but 
 the resemblance did not hold in that which was the main spring of all 
 their excellence — he did not possess their views of evangelical truth. 
 
 t After his death, Mr. Gentleman, his successor to a part of the con- 
 gregation, published the exposition which Mr. Orton had written on the 
 Sacred Scriptures, in the form of a paraphrase with reflections, in six 
 octavo volumes. 
 
602 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 favour. He is strenuous in asserting the necessity of 
 preaching evangelical doctrine ; but that doctrine he 
 neither fully understood nor preached. He appears to 
 have early imbibed some notions relative to the person 
 of Christ which were exceedingly injurious, in their in- 
 fluence on himself and on his preaching, and he had 
 not received those enlarged views of the power and 
 grace of the Redeemer which the New Testament dis- 
 plays*. So that, however serious he was, and however 
 desirous to do good, his weapons wanted the due tem- 
 per, edge and weight. Job Orton attempted to cut 
 down the oak of the forest with his penknife. Not a 
 few of his hearers were verging nearer and nearer to 
 Socinianism ; and though his gift in prayer was un- 
 common, for suitableness, variety, and fervour, they were 
 sighing for a Liverpool liturgy. On his resignation of 
 the charge, a division immediately took place. 
 
 RICHARD PRICE, D.D., L.L.D., F.R.S. 
 He was the son of a dissenting minister at Bridgend, 
 in Glamorganshire, and was born the 22d of February, 
 1723. After acquiring a classical education, he was 
 sent to the academy of Mr. Griffiths, at Talgarth, in 
 Brecnockshire. On the death of his parents, he went 
 to London, to his uncle, a very excellent man, who was 
 co-pastor with Dr. Watts, for more than forty years. 
 After pursuing his theological studies for four years, 
 under the tuition of the celebrated Mr. Eames, he 
 
 * When Mr. Orton was expounding Isa. ix. 6, his more orthodox 
 hearers, who had doubts concerning his behef of the divinity of Christ, 
 were all attention, in hopes of hearing their pastor's sentiments ; but they 
 were cruelly disappointed, for when he came to the words, " the mighty 
 God," all he said, was, "the meaning of this I cannot tell, and how should 
 I, when his name is called wonderful?" 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 603 
 
 went to reside with Mr. Streatneld, of Stoke Newing- 
 ton, as his domestic chaplain, and continued in the 
 family for thirteen years ; but, during the greater part 
 of that time, he assisted Dr. Chandler, at the Old 
 Jewry. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Streatfield's death, he was chosen 
 minister of a congregation at Newington-green ; and, 
 while he officiated there in the morning, he was, for 
 some years, afternoon preacher at Jewry-street. This 
 last service he resigned, on being chosen pastor of the 
 congregation of the Gravel Pits IMeeting, at Hackney, 
 where he preached in the morning, and at Newington- 
 green, in the afternoon. These two stations he con- 
 tinued to fill, till February, 1791, when he resigned his 
 charge. Soon afterwards, he suffered the attack of a 
 nervous fever, which w^as succeeded by other com- 
 plaints, that brought him down to the grave, in the fol- 
 lowing summer, in the sixty-ninth year of liis age. 
 
 That Dr. Price was a man of superior talents, and 
 that they were carefully improved by persevering study, 
 all wiU acknowledge. Like most of the Presbyterian 
 ministers of his day, he did not confine his pursuits to 
 theology and the sacred Scripture. For profound skill in 
 mathematical calculations, he had perhaps not his equal 
 in the kingdom ; and this skill he generously employed 
 in promoting the benefit, not only of individuals, but of 
 the nation. By exposing the fallacy of the numerous 
 schemes w^hich at that time were formed for the in- 
 surance of lives and the benefit of survivorship, he put 
 an end to the delusive hopes of many ; but he taught 
 them and others to build on a solid foundation. The 
 widows' fund for the clergy of the church of Scotland, 
 
604 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 wliicli has proved a blessing to lens of thousands, was 
 formed under his direction ; and to liim the nation is 
 said to be indebted for the idea of the sinking fund. 
 On these subjects he published various treatises, of 
 singular ingenuity and accuracy. 
 
 He wrote also on civil liberty, and with the fire and 
 energy of Brutus. Looking around, he beheld des- 
 potism swaying an iron sceptre, stained with blood, 
 over almost the whole earth. He heard the groans of 
 misery from the oppressed, he felt their woes, and with 
 the voice of thunder he claimed their release. With 
 multitudes of mankind, in every age, and especially of 
 those who make the most conspicuous iigure in society, 
 civil liberty has been no favourite. Next to pure reli- 
 gion, she has met with the most uncourteous reception : 
 Avhat reception his publications on this subject found 
 from his countrymen, we need not say. 
 
 With Dr. Price, the mathematician and political 
 writer, we have little concern ; he has a place in this 
 list as a minister and a divine. Early in life he imbibed 
 the Arian opinions. His father was of the faith of the 
 Non-conformists — a Calvinist ; but his son did not 
 relish his father's creed, having been taught the new 
 opinions by Mr. Jones, one of the schoolmasters under 
 whom he studied the classics. Being eagerly em- 
 ployed, one day, in reading a volume of Dr. Clarke's 
 sermons, his father caught him, and was so much dis- 
 pleased that he snatched it from him and threw it into 
 the fire. Dr. Price's biographer, while he exposes the 
 unwise and intemperate heat of the father, does not 
 consult the honour of the son, when he adds, " It is by 
 no means improbable that this orthodox bigotry contri- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 605 
 
 biited more than any other circumstance to lay the 
 foundation of his son's Arianism." 
 
 Dr. Price's publications on religious subjects are not 
 numerous. His sermons contain much good sense. 
 His essays on Providence and Prayer display great 
 talents ; and his " Questions on Morals" are considered 
 as the ablest defence of the system of Cudworth and 
 Clarke. In the controversy with Dr. Priestley, on 
 materialism, both have been highly praised for the 
 temper with which it was carried on. They certainly 
 appear more like men fencing with foils, for a shew of 
 skill, than fighting with swords, for their life. When 
 Dr. Price reasons against the enemies of civil liberty, 
 he burns with indignation against them as the enemies 
 of human happiness. But is not religious truth more 
 important than political verities, and are not its adver- 
 saries greater foes to mankind than political heretics ? 
 In order to maintain consistency of conduct, ought not 
 Dr. Price to have displayed here, at least, an equal de- 
 gree of energy and zeal ? 
 
 The doctor is highly commended for his amiable 
 deportment in private life. There was a simplicity in 
 his character, very remarkable in a man who had 
 mingled so much with the world. His biographer 
 speaks also in the highest terms of his piety, and 
 his ardent devotion in family prayer. Literary honours 
 he enjoyed in great abundance. About the year 
 1763, he was chosen a fellow of the Royal Society, 
 and to the transactions of that learned body he libe- 
 rally contributed. The university of Aberdeen, con- 
 ferred on him, in 1769, the degree of doctor of 
 divinity; and in 1783, from Yale College, in Ame-^ 
 
606 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 rica, he received the title of doctor of laws. His cor- 
 respondents included many of the most eminent cha- 
 racters, in England, America, and France. 
 
 JAMES FORDYCE, D.D. 
 
 His father was a respectable merchant in Aberdeen. 
 James was born there, and pm^sued his studies in the 
 university of his native city. Being early licensed as a 
 preacher, according to the forms of the Scotch church, 
 he was first settled as one of the ministers of what is 
 called the collegiate charge at Brechin. Some years 
 afterwards, he received a presentation to the parish of 
 Alloa, near Stirling. The people, having a partiality 
 for another minister, received the doctor with great 
 coldness. But by his able and affectionate manner in 
 the performance of public service, and by his kind con- 
 descension, seriousness, and punctuality in the private 
 duties of his office, he overcame every prejudice. Here, 
 it is probable, the doctor spent his best and most useful 
 days. While he was in this place, some occasional 
 sermons which he published, especially one before the 
 general assembly of the cliurch of Scotland, " on the 
 Folly, Infamy, and Misery, of Unlawful Pleasures," 
 raised his character very high, for talents and eloquence. 
 About this time, and perhaps on this account, he re- 
 ceived, from the university of Glasgow, the degree of 
 doctor of divinity. 
 
 Having had occasion to preach in London, while on 
 a visit to his friends, in 1760, he received a unanimous 
 invitation from Dr. Lawrence's congregation in Monk- 
 well-street, to be co-pastor with their aged minister, 
 and afterwards his successor. This invitation he 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 607 
 
 accepted, and spent the remainder of his public life in 
 the metropolis of the British empire. Dr. Lawrence 
 did not long survive, and the whole of the pastoral care 
 devolved on Dr. Fordyce. The congregation very 
 rapidly increased, and he drew around him a multitude 
 of genteel admirers. 
 
 The eloquence of the pulpit was the doctor's darling 
 study and pursuit, and whatever could give it effect, 
 both in sentiment and composition, he carefully sought : 
 nor was he less attentive to the charms of elocution ; 
 and whatever the voice or action could contribute to 
 produce, he sought to give. He was a man of un- 
 feigned piety, and some ministers who were inti- 
 mately acquainted with him, said that his conversation 
 was eminently devout, and that he appeared in the 
 parlour to be the warm-hearted evangelical Christian. 
 In his public services, though he was for years 
 greatly admired and followed, he was by no means one 
 of the most successful preachers. The radical defect 
 consisted in his not bringing forward, habitually and 
 abundantly, the peculiar principles of the Gospel of 
 Christ. In order to success, which consists in bringing 
 souls to the possession of the heavenly blessedness, 
 these must be prominent in the discourses of the Chris- 
 tian orator. Without these, the effect of fine senti- 
 ments, elegant language, a melodious voice, and the 
 most powerful action, is feebleness itself 
 
 Dr. Fordyce saw himself surrounded by multitudes 
 of genteel people, and especially of young gentlemen 
 and young ladies, of the first respectability in the city. 
 To them he considered it his business to preach, and 
 he framed his sermons in a manner which he conceived 
 
608 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to be peculiarly adapted to their circumstances. Speci- 
 mens of them we have in his " Discourses to Young 
 Women," and in his " Addresses to Young Men," 
 Such distinctions as arise from wealth, elegance, refine- 
 ment, and literary attainments, Christ has not taught 
 his ministers to make. They are to consider their 
 hearers as saints or sinners ; and to those who are sin- 
 ners they are to say, " Except a man be born again, 
 he cannot see the kingdom of God." To the genteel 
 fathers and mothers, and the elegant young men and 
 women of his congregation, Dr. Fordyce seemed to 
 look as if they had some portion of goodness which 
 needed only to be cherished and improved. 
 
 To the elegance of his compositions much praise is 
 to be given. His elocution was all that he could 
 make it, by intense study and labour. In a simple, 
 natural delivery he did not excel : there was too much 
 appearance of affectation and art. He was more allied 
 to Cicero than Demosthenes. Sometimes, however, 
 he would attempt all the vehemence of the Grecian 
 orator, but frequently he did not succeed : some of his 
 hearers laughed, when he was labouring to make them 
 cry, and sat unaffected while he hoped to make their 
 hair stand on end. 
 
 Towards the close of his ministry, the congregaticTn 
 declined. A dispute with Mr. Toller, the morning 
 preacher, injured it. Men who are borne high on the 
 wings of popular applause, are in danger of making 
 unreasonable claims for themselves, and of forgetting 
 what is due to others. But the main reason of the 
 decay was a deficiency of evangelical truth ; for what- 
 ever ornaments, or beauties, or excellence an orator s 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 609 
 
 preaching may have, if he has not Christ in it, people 
 grow tired of it at last. In 1782, listening to his own 
 feelings and the advice of medical friends, he bade 
 adieu to the pulpit, and retired into the bosom of 
 private life. His public labours were closed with a 
 charge to his successor, Dr. Lindsay : it is the best of 
 his publications, and contains principles so excellent, 
 counsels so wise and good, and views of divine truth so 
 scriptural, that if his own ministry had been conducted 
 by them in all their extent, he would have never had 
 reason to complain of the decay of his congregation, or 
 of want of success. 
 
 After quitting his public station, he spent several 
 years in a retreat near Christchurch, in Hampshire, 
 where he enjoyed the intimacy of Lord Bute, who like 
 himself had bidden adieu to the busy world, and to 
 whose valuable library Dr. Fordyce had free access. 
 Here he published his " Addresses to the Deity." 
 The doctor afterwards removed to Bath, and died there 
 suddenly, on the 1st of October, 1796, in the seventy- 
 sixth year of his age ; " with the peace of God in his 
 heart (says Dr. Lindsay in his funeral sermon), and the 
 triumphant hope of Christianity, to illuminate his future 
 prospects, and dispel the terrors of impending dis- 
 solution." 
 
 JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, LL.D.,F.R.S. 
 
 This celebrated philosopher and polemical divine, 
 who has instructed the world by his scientific dis- 
 coveries, as much as he has agitated the church by 
 controversy, was born at Fieldhead, near Heckmond- 
 wicke, March 13, 1733. His parents were pious, 
 orthodox Dissenters ; but he was brought up by an 
 
 VOL. 11. 2 R 
 
610 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 aunt, who spared no cost to give him such an education 
 as should quahfy him for the ministry. After acquiring 
 a knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, he studied 
 under Dr. Ashworth, at Daventry. Fondness for 
 books was, according to his own account, the motive 
 which induced him to enter the ministry ; and as " the 
 most heretical ministers in the neighbourhood were 
 frequently his aunt's guests," he seems to have acquired, 
 before he went to the academy, a predilection for their 
 heresies. Having experienced " great horror of mind," 
 from a conviction that he had never been regenerated, 
 and having been denied communion with the church 
 where his aunt attended, on account of his rejection 
 of the doctrine of original sin ; it should excite no sur- 
 prise to hear him say, " I vt^as, before I went to the 
 academy, an Arminian, and when there, saw reason to 
 embrace the heterodox side of almost all the questions 
 which were continually debated, though I was not yet 
 more than an Arian *." 
 
 He first settled at Needham Market, in Suffolk; 
 but as he betrayed his Arian sentiments, his " hearers 
 fell off apace f." Here, he says, I became persuaded 
 of the falsity of the doctrine of the atonement, of the 
 inspiration of the authors of the books of Scripture as 
 writers, and of all the ideas of supernatural influence, 
 except for the purpose of miracles J." He settled, in 
 1758, at Nantwich, in Cheshire, where his whole time 
 was occupied with the labours of a school, and with ex- 
 periments in natural philosophy, to which he now be- 
 gan to apply himself with great diligence. He re- 
 moved to Warrington, in 1762, to become tutor to the 
 * Memoirs of his own Life. -I" Ibid. t Ibid. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 611 
 
 academy, established under the auspices of the hetero- 
 dox Dissenters. Here, having married, he resided six 
 years. Till this time, he says, he had " no particular 
 fondness for the studies relating to his profession as 
 a minister ;" and no one who reads the memoirs 
 of his subsequent life, could perceive in them any in- 
 creased attachment*; for now the foundation of his 
 future fame was laid by application to the study of 
 chemistry. Meeting with Dr. Franklin, in London, 
 and engaging, at his suggestion, to write the history of 
 electricity, his attention was forcibly directed to a 
 subject in which he was destined to excel. Having 
 published his " Chart of Biography," Dr. Percival, of 
 Manchester, then a student at Edinburgh, procured for 
 him a diploma of LL.D., and he was admitted to the 
 Royal Society, in consequence of his new experiments 
 in electricity. 
 
 After he had attained to these honours, he accepted, 
 in 1767, an invitation to become minister of Millhill 
 chapel, Leeds. Here he " became what is called a 
 Socinian." He now commenced his discoveries in air 
 and in chemistry in general, on which he published in 
 1772. But he soon exchanged the office of a Christian 
 minister for that of librarian to the Earl of Shelburne, 
 afterwards Marquis of Lansdowne. He travelled with 
 his noble patron on the continent of Europe ; but some 
 difference arising between them, he withdrew, to take 
 charge of a congregation in Birmingham. Here he 
 published his " History of the Corruptions of Chris- 
 tianity," which drew him into the controversy already 
 reviewed. The application of the Dissenters for the 
 repeal of the Test Act, involved him in a contest with 
 
 3 R 2 
 
612 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the established clergy of Birmingham. But the cele- 
 bration of the anniversary of the French revolution, 
 July 14, 1794, became the occasion of his quitting the 
 kingdom ; for though he had done nothing to deserve 
 it, the mob was excited to burn his meeting-house and 
 dwelling, where they demolished his library, philosophi- 
 cal apparatus, and everything belonging to him on which 
 they could lay their hands. 
 
 Dr. Priestley fled to London, where the congregation 
 of the late Dr. Price, Avith much magnanimity, chose 
 him to succeed their former pastor. Feeling, however, 
 that he was an object of abhorrence to many of his 
 countrymen, his own attachment to his native land was 
 weakened ; and in 1794, he embarked for America, 
 where he received kind treatment and protection. He 
 settled at Northumberland, in Pennsylvania. " Though 
 he was," says his son, " uniformly treated with kind- 
 ness and respect, by the people of the place, yet their 
 sentiments in religion were so different from his own, 
 and the nature and tendency of his opinions were so 
 little understood, that the establishment of a place of 
 Unitarian worship, perfectly free from any Calvinistic 
 or Arian tenet, was next to impossible. For the two 
 or three first years, he read a service, either at his own, 
 or my house, at which a few (perhaps a dozen) English 
 persons were usually present. In time, as their 
 numbers increased, he made use of a school-room near 
 his house, where from twenty to thirty regularly 
 attended*." 
 
 About the beginning of the year 1804, he was 
 alarmed by the increase of a complaint which he sus- 
 * Memoirs, p. 191. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 613 
 
 pected to be a stoppage of the oesophagus. He was, 
 at one time, incapable of swallowing anything, for 
 nearly thirty hours. " He dwelt," says his son, " with 
 satisfaction, on having led a useful as well as a happy 
 life, and on the advantages he had derived from reading 
 the Scriptures daily. Desiring me to reach to him a 
 pamphlet, which was at his bed's head, ' Simpson on 
 the Duration of Future Punishment ;' ' It will be a 
 source of satisfaction to you to read that pamphlet,' said 
 he, giving it to me. ' It contains my sentiments, and 
 a belief of them will be a support to you in the most 
 trying circumstances, as it has been to me. We shall 
 all meet finally ; we only require different degrees of 
 discipline suited to our different tempers, to prepare us 
 for our final happiness*.' " To his grandchildren, he 
 said, as they were retiring to bed, " I am going to 
 sleep, as well as you, for death is only a good long 
 sound sleep in the grave, and we shall meet again f." 
 Thus he departed, February 6th, 1804, in the close of 
 his seventy-first year. 
 
 His character as a chemist and natural philosopher, 
 the only firm basis of his fame, is foreign to this 
 history. But while the mildness of his disposition, the 
 urbanity of his manners, and the uniform integrity of 
 his conduct deserved respect, his peaceable demeanour, 
 and valuable discoveries, claimed treatment far other 
 than that which he received from his country. His 
 political principles were in favour of the British con- 
 stitution, and if ever he was a republican, it was not 
 till after his experience of its practical effects had 
 weaned him from our system of government, and his 
 
 * Memoirs, p. 217. t Ibid. p. 218. 
 
614 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 hospitable reception in America had made him, from 
 gratitude, a convert to her politics. Previously to 
 that period, he is said to have declared that he was, 
 in theology, a Unitarian ; but approving of king, lords, 
 and commons, he was a Trinitarian in politics. What- 
 ever was his opinion, it furnished no excuse to his per- 
 secutors ; for he never violated the genuine laws of our 
 constitution in his writings, which were addressed to the 
 judgment of the discerning, not to the passions of the 
 mob, and were rather tame than intemperate. 
 
 As to his theological creed, it could not justify the 
 usage he received ; for though he led the way to an 
 open determined avowal of Socinianism, no patron of 
 liberty of conscience will impute this to him as a civil 
 crime ; nor should the friends of the orthodox creed 
 condemn him for the frankness that rendered him the 
 real, though unintentional friend of the truth, which 
 has triumphed, ever since Priestley tore the mask of 
 concealment from error, and bade it to be honest. The 
 reflections he poured on evangelical sentiments were 
 often bitter enough, indeed ; but the same may be said 
 of the charges brought against him and his creed ; and 
 it was Horsley, rather than Priestley, who enlisted the 
 depraved passions of men, and the cruel prejudices of 
 party politics, to contend in the arena, which should 
 have been occupied solely by the authority of revelation, 
 and the force of argument. If " the heresiarch" ever 
 enjoyed a triumph, he owed it not to his own prowess, 
 but to his enemies' violence ; and if he may exult over 
 the ruins at Birmingham, orthodoxy must weep to 
 think that her name was usurped by those who rushed 
 into the field and lost her cause. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 615 
 
 When, however, we look into the Memoirs of Priest- 
 ley for the Christian and divine, what language can 
 express our disappointment ? Induced by the love of 
 books to enter the ministry, the consequences to him- 
 self and the church were just such as every discerning 
 Christian would have anticipated. To rid himself of 
 the dread he felt from a consciousness of being unre- 
 generate, he adopted the compendious but hazardous 
 method of denying the necessity of regeneration. 
 Hence all his future aberrations from the truth ; for to 
 the carnal mind, light appears darkness and darkness 
 light. Hence, also, the mere man everywhere shows him- 
 self, instead of the Christian. The student, the author, 
 the chemist, the philosopher, meets us in every page of 
 his auto-biography ; but if, for a moment, we conceive 
 we have caught a glimpse of the Christian divine, we 
 find, on a closer inspection, that it was only his shade. 
 
 His diary seems to have been preserved to convince 
 the world, that though true religion is the ethereal soul, 
 breathed into us by the lips of the Eternal, false religion 
 is at best the mere carcase, formed from the dust 
 whence the beasts were taken. The finest specimen 
 of mere human nature is, indeed, here set off against 
 Christ and the grace of the Gospel. Mildness, pru- 
 dence, science, literature, morals, and public spirit 
 appear in the doctor's Memoirs. Yet what a display of 
 a fallen creature ! What an illustration of the truth, 
 that mere man at his best estate is altogether vanity ! 
 Self is the animating soul of his system ; it beats in 
 every vein ; and though it is modest and retiring, in 
 consequence of literary culture, it is self still. If, on 
 any occasion, Priestley thinks of others, it is not God 
 
616 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 or his Christ, but the creature. Through life, and 
 on the verge of death, he exults, either that he has 
 lived a happy life, respected by the respectable, or that 
 he has been useful to the world. When his young 
 friends at Birmingham expressed their regard for him, 
 after the riots, he exults not in the evidence this afforded 
 of his having been a blessing to them, but in the 
 thought that he had done his duty to them. All this 
 had not been evil, if it had not been everything. But 
 we ask what has become of the Deity ? Where is the 
 pure flame of regard for his glory ? Has heaven re- 
 voked the precept, which was to prophets, apostles, 
 and ancient saints, the compendium of all religion, 
 " Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye 
 do, do all to the glory of God ?" 
 
 For a profound theologian, fit to explode errors and 
 elicit truth. Dr. Priestley was by far too careless and 
 precipitate. He never afforded time enough to mature 
 his own sentiments, much less to correct those of a 
 world. He was perpetually removing from place to 
 place : in one part of his life a laborious schoolmaster ; 
 in another, travelling companion or librarian to a noble- 
 man ; spending much of his time in walking or other 
 exercises, more in philosophical experiments^, or pre- 
 paring for the press ; and though a philosopher and a 
 minister of religion, not only reading novels and plays, 
 but, for many years of his life, giving never less than 
 two or three hours a day to games of amusement, as 
 cards and backgammon^." He seems to have 
 imagined, that discoveries for eternity were to be made 
 by the same mechanical process as experiments in 
 
 * Memoirs. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 617 
 
 physical science, and that nothing further was neces- 
 sary for the attainment of truth than sceptical indiffer- 
 ence, and a few hours' study. Almost all his works 
 bear the marks of this haste and rashness. Unhappily 
 for him, to precipitancy in adopting error, he added 
 pertinacity in adhering to it. He could always advance 
 in the road of heterodoxy, but never recede. As he 
 found himself^ before he died, the last stubborn de- 
 fender of the phlogistic theory, and was considered 
 by other chemists as a good experimentalist, but a 
 bad systematizer ; so he was regarded by profound 
 divines as obstinately adhering, in spite of evidence, to 
 doctrines espoused upon the most superficial and in- 
 adequate research. 
 
 His death completed the scene exhibited through 
 life. The eternal fate of the individual must be left to 
 his judge, who alone can say what passed, after Priestley 
 ceased to hold intercourse with those who watched his 
 dying moments*. But as the cause of Socinianism 
 lived in this champion, it died in his death. When 
 he bids his family good night, and speaks of death as 
 " a good long sleep," we almost fancy ourselves tran- 
 sported to Paris, at the era of the infidel and revolu- 
 tionary fury ; for, alas ! Priestley speaks only of sleep- 
 
 * His brother Timothy Priestley, of London, preached a funeral 
 sermon for him, in which he says, Curiosity has brought numbers to 
 hear what I say of his eternal state. This I say, not one in heaven, nor 
 on the road to that happy world, will be more glad to find him there 
 than myself. When I consider that the praise and glory of free grace 
 is that which God principally designs, and that we find in divine reve- 
 lation some of the chiefest offenders have been singled out, and made 
 monuments of mercy, such as Manasseh, Paul, and others, and also that 
 he who can create the world in a moment, and raise the dead in the 
 twinkling of an eye, can make a change in any man in one moment ; 
 here, and here alone are founded my hopes." 
 
618 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 ing in the grave, and not like Paul, of " sleeping in 
 Jesus." Nor is this the worst; for when we seethe 
 dying philosopher pointing to a book on the termination 
 of hell torments, declaring that it had been his support 
 in trying moments, and recommending it to his child 
 as a source of consolation, can the benevolence of the 
 Christian refrain from pouring over the afflictive scene 
 the tears of bitter regret ? Are these thy consolations, 
 O Socinus ? Could the amiable, the upright, the scien- 
 tific Priestley turn from his family, with no better 
 alleviation to the parting pangs than this consideration, 
 " We shall all meet finally, we only require different 
 degrees of discipline (the discipline of hell!) to prepare 
 us for final happiness." If the creed of this dis- 
 tinguished man were true, the veriest wretch that died 
 unpardoned^ unbelieving, unrepenting, might say as 
 much as Priestley, " We shall all meet finally, for we 
 only require different degrees of discipline." And 
 what turned the eyes of the philosopher downwards to 
 the state of punishment ? Was it because he could 
 not, with Stephen^ " look upward, see Jesus at the 
 right hand of God, and invoke him, saying. Lord Jesus, 
 receive my spirit ?" But from such a scene of clouds 
 and darkness, of sleep before the resurrection, and 
 punishment for ages after, we turn away with the 
 anguish of deep commiseration, only repeating again, 
 that the death-bed of Dr. Priestley pronounced the 
 doom of the Socinian creed. 
 
 JOHN GUYSE, D.D. 
 
 Our list of Independent ministers begins with this 
 eminent man, who derived his descent from pious 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 619 
 
 parents, and was born at Hertford, in 1680. Highly 
 favoured of heaven, he early felt the renewing influence 
 of divine grace, and, at the age of fourteen years, was 
 admitted to communion with the dissenting church 
 in his native town. From his youth, he applied him- 
 self, with great diligence, to classical learning, and 
 afterwards pursued a course of academical studies, 
 under the tuition of Mr. Payne, at Saffron Walden. 
 In his twentieth year, he began to preach, and was 
 chosen assistant to Mr. Ha worth, the ejected minister 
 from St. Peter's church at St. Albans, who had been, 
 for twenty years, pastor of the congregation at Hertford. 
 Not long after Mr. HaAVorth rested from his labours. 
 Dr. Guyse was unanimously invited to succeed him ; 
 but so diffident was he of his fitness for the office, that 
 a considerable time elapsed before their earnest entrea- 
 ties could prevail. The Arian heresy, which spread 
 through the land, and infected individuals in most con- 
 gregations, reached Hertford, and threatened the ruin 
 of the flock. Dr. Guyse, aware of the danger, like a 
 good shepherd, boldly stood forward in defence of the 
 truth. He published in 1719, a small volume on the 
 divinity and person of Christ, and another in 1721, on 
 the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Some years after this 
 dreadful curse had been averted from the congregation, 
 his health became impaired_, and the services of the 
 Lord's-day so much oppressed his frame, that he was 
 scarcely recovered before the arrival of the next. In 
 1727, he listened to a call from London by a part of 
 Matthew Clarke's congregation, which had separated 
 from his successor ; and Mr. Guyse became their 
 
620 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 minister, at a meeting-house in New Broad-street*. 
 
 There his talents, matured by assiduous reading and 
 
 reflection in the retirement of the country, found a 
 
 proper field for their exercise, were called forth in the 
 
 public services of the metropolis, and had their due 
 
 weight and influence. In 1732, the university of 
 
 Aberdeen conferred on him the degree of D.D. For 
 
 a long course of years. Dr. Guyse continued his labours 
 
 among his people, and, during the greater part of the 
 
 time, he was assisted by his only son, who died, two 
 
 years before his father. In the latter part of life, he 
 
 w^as afllicted with a painful lameness in his leg, and a 
 
 decay of sight which ended in blindness. But he still 
 
 preached ; and an old lady of his congregation, it is 
 
 said, exclaimed, Doctor, I wish you had been blind 
 
 these twenty years, for you never preached so good a 
 
 sermon in your life, as you have done to day." That 
 
 the good woman's remark was not wholly void of 
 
 foundation, is more than probable. He had been 
 
 accustomed to write all his sermons, and to read them, 
 
 according to the evil practice of the age. The language 
 
 Avas more studied, the composition more stiff, the delivery 
 
 more formal, and the tone more monotonous and cold. 
 
 But when, after his blindness, his well-furnished mind 
 
 framed his discourses, everything was more suited to a 
 
 popular audience ; the language was that of conversa- 
 
 * A sentiment suggested to him by Mr. Bragge is supposed to have 
 had considerable influence in determining his mind on the occasion : 
 " There are various reasons for a minister's lawfully leaving his people, 
 and one certainly is, when, upon a full trial, his labours are too great for 
 his health. Christ does not call upon his servants to kill themselves in 
 his service : he is too good a master to require it, and too great a one 
 to need it." 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 621 
 
 tion, more free and perspicuous ; the illustrations were 
 by a man preaching in the pulpit, not studying in his 
 library ; there was greater simplicity and force in the 
 ideas, and the delivery Avas more animated, as well as 
 more natural. We wish no man blind that he may be 
 a better preacher ; but we wish all to preach in a 
 natural, simple, instructive, animated, and affectionate 
 manner, while they have eyes to see. 
 
 It would be doing injustice to Dr. Guyse to consider 
 him as an ordinary man in his day : he was undoubtedly 
 one of the chief of the Independent ministers, and 
 became so by legitimate means. He attained his 
 eminence and his influence by his talents, his wisdom, 
 his piety, his zeal, and his public spirit. Students 
 found him an affectionate father, and a faithful coun- 
 sellor ; and younger ministers had recourse to him in 
 their difficulties, for they could confide in his prudence 
 and his friendship. For his indigent brethren (and 
 this has always been a numerous class among the Dis- 
 senters) he deeply felt, and was always ready to give 
 every assistance in his power. In promoting the in- 
 terests of the King's-head Society, an institution to 
 which the highest praise is due, he was ardent, perse- 
 vering, and active. 
 
 As a champion for the doctrines of the Gospel, 
 Dr. Guyse stood forth in the first rank of the army of 
 Christ, and braved the reproach of want of candour, 
 and all the cant of the wide Dissenters of that day. 
 In the discharge of his pastoral duties he w^as eminently 
 exemplary ; and during the whole course of his minis- 
 try, his church continued harmonious and flourishing. 
 Viewed in his domestic relations, he was peculiarly 
 
622 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 amiable ; and those who dwelt in his house perceived 
 the pure and beneficent influence of evangelical prin- 
 ciples on his temper, and his conduct. Some of his 
 contemporaries accused him of covetousness ; but when 
 his death brought the true state of his affairs to light, 
 they acknowledged that the charge was without foun- 
 dation. For a man in business to be thought richer 
 than he is, may prove a benefit ; but it is always dis- 
 advantageous to a minister, for his character, as well as 
 his circumstances, are injured by the mistake. 
 
 His works were numerous. In addition to the two 
 which have been mentioned, he published, " The 
 Standing Use of the Scriptures," " Youth's Monitor, 
 in several Discourses," a volume of occasional sermons, 
 some preached at Coward's lecture, and a sixth part of 
 the Berry-street sermons : all judicious, weighty, seri- 
 ous, evangelical, and instructive. In the controversy 
 with Dr. Chandler on preaching Christ," he had 
 evidently the advantage, both in argument and temper ; 
 and his opponent never appeared to so little advantage 
 as in that dispute. But Dr. Guyse's great work was 
 his " Paraphrase on the New Testament," first pub- 
 lished in three quarto, and since in six octavo volumes. 
 It displays a sound judgment, an intimate acquaintance 
 with the original, considerable critical acumen, with 
 much seriousness and zeal for truth. Great fault has been 
 found with him for not giving what he conceived to be 
 the meaning of the sacred writers, but collecting to- 
 gether the various senses put on the text by orthodox 
 divines. Amidst the inconveniencies of this mode, one 
 singular advantage will result to students in divinity 
 and young ministers, that there is scarcely a book 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 623 
 
 wherein they will find in so narrow a compass so great 
 a variety of excellent ideas on almost every text. 
 
 When the time drew nigh that he should bid adieu 
 to life, he displayed the spirit of a good minister of 
 Jesus Christ. His serenity of mind, and hope of a 
 blessed immortality were beheld by his friends with 
 delight. " Thanks be to God," said he, " I have no 
 doubt, no difficulty in my mind as to my eternal state ; 
 if I had, I could not bear what I now feel. I know in 
 whom I have believed ; here my faith rests. The 
 peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, which I have long 
 preached, are now the support of my soul : I live upon 
 them every day, and thence I derive never-failing 
 comfort." — " How gracious is my God to me : how 
 often has he made good to me that promise, ' As thy 
 day so shall thy strength be.' — I am not afraid of 
 death : I am afraid lest I should err on the other side 
 in being too desirous of it." He entered into rest, 
 November 22, 1761, in the eighty-first year of his age. 
 
 SAMUEL WILTON, D.D. 
 He was born in 1744, and his mother was a de- 
 scendant of Timothy Cruso. During his earliest years 
 he was placed under the care of a maiden aunt, whose 
 pious instructions, united with those of his parents, were 
 the means of producing those deep impressions of reli- 
 gion which he ever afterwards displayed *. He enjoyed 
 the classical advantages of the grammar-school of Christ- 
 
 * Her name was Elizabeth Wilton, who, in conjunction with Mrs. 
 Rachel King, sister of Dr. King, minister at Hare-court, for many years 
 kept a boarding-school for young ladie*?, at Hackney. For the eminent 
 services they rendered to the cause of religion, in their important and 
 honourable employment, as well as for their personal piety, they deserve 
 to be mentioned in a history of Dissenters with the highest respect. 
 
624 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 church hospital, in the vicinity of which was his 
 father's house. He hegan his academical studies 
 for the ministry under Dr. Jennings, and, having 
 completed them under Dr. Savage and Dr. Rees, 
 he entered the ministry at Tooting, in Surrey, as 
 successor to the celebrated Dr. Henry Miles, F.R.S,, 
 and was ordained in 1766. The congregation, which 
 was very small, soon began to increase ; nor will this 
 appear strange, if we consider the means which he 
 employed. To the ordinary services of the Lord's- 
 day, he added an evening lecture in the week ; he cate- 
 chised the children, visited the flock, conversed with 
 the poor, and was peculiarly attentive to the afflicted. 
 He exerted himself to establish, in connexion with 
 his brethren, evening lectures in the neighbouring 
 towns and villages, that the knowledge of the Gospel 
 might be more extensively spread abroad. 
 
 In the application to parliament in 1772, for relief 
 from subscription, he took a very active part. Ardent, 
 to enthusiasm, for civil, and especially religious liberty, 
 he was appointed one of the members of the committee 
 for conducting the business. Some of the London 
 ministers having opposed the measure, he addressed 
 to them an apology for renewing the application ; and 
 in 1774, he published a " Review of some of the Articles 
 of the Church of England, to which a Subscription is 
 required of Protestant Dissenting Ministers:" both 
 were received by those of his side of the question with 
 more than common approbation. 
 
 He was chosen, on the death of Dr. Langford, his 
 successor. The congregation at the Weighhouse was 
 then small ; but under Dr. Wilton it gradually in- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 625 
 
 creased. It pleased, however, the Head of the church 
 soon to call him away from his labours. His last 
 sermon was preached in an evening lecture at Hackney, 
 March 29, 1778, from Psalm cxix. 123. Having 
 to preach, on the following Lord's-day, a funeral dis- 
 course, he spent, in preparing for the service, a great 
 part of the Saturday night. On retiring to rest, he 
 found himself attacked by a violent fever, which being 
 neglected at first, in a few days put an end to his 
 valuable life. Though surprised, as it were, by a 
 mortal disease, in the midst of his days, he expressed 
 no regret at his sudden departure ; but welcomed death 
 with firmness, or rather wdth cheerfulness and joy. On 
 the day in which he died, lie said to a friend who came 
 from the city to visit him, " You now see me in the 
 near view of death, and I rejoice in the prospect. It 
 has been my delight to preach the Gospel of Christ, 
 and to promote his glory. I am not afraid to die, for 
 I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that 
 he is able to keep that which I have committed unto 
 him against that day." He then added, " you will go 
 to prayer with me : let us offer a few more petitions to 
 God, before we enter the world of praise, from which I 
 am at no great distance." To another friend, he 
 lamented his imperfections, but at the same time ex- 
 pressed his confidence in God : I have had my 
 doubts, but my hope is well founded, I have had such 
 manifestations of the love of God, that I do not and 
 cannot doubt." Such was the frame of his soul when 
 the delirium of the fever returned, which speedily 
 wasted his remaining strength, and at midnight, April, 
 3, 1778, he expired. 
 
 VOL. II. 2 s 
 
626 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 Dr. Wilton was a man of more than common powers, 
 of solid judgment, a lively imagination, and a strength 
 of memory equalled by few. He possessed a wonderful 
 ease in composition, and great fluency of expression. 
 In his preaching there was a remarkable savour and 
 fervency, and in prayer an eminent degree of devotion, 
 copiousness, and variety. But his style was not simple, 
 he spoke too fast, had a monotonous delivery, looked 
 down on his Bible as if he had been reading his notes, 
 and was very long in his services : these were a con- 
 siderable bar to his popularity. 
 
 But while these faults are noticed, let it be remem- 
 bered that he was a superior man and an excellent 
 minister of Christ. A fire was constantly burning in 
 his breast, the fire of zeal for his Master's cause ; he 
 exerted himself to the utmost, and he had this additional 
 excellence, that he made others exert themselves too. 
 Many worthy men need a' person of energy to set them 
 on, and to keep them in motion from year to year. Dr. 
 Wilton possessed this valuable talent, and he did not 
 hide it in a napkin. 
 
 THOMAS STRANGE. 
 
 His father was a pious farmer at Evenley, in North- 
 amptonshire, who, tliough he died when his son was 
 only six years of age, perceived in him such a spirit of 
 seriousness and study, as made him desirous that he 
 should be devoted to the ministry. But by a step- 
 father, Thomas Strange was some time afterwards called 
 to agricultural labours. With the prophet Elisha, 
 he followed his father's oxen in the plough, and with 
 king David, fed the flock upon the hills. In such 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 627 
 
 services, vigour of constitution is often acquired, the 
 benefit of which is felt, in all the labours of the study 
 and the pulpit, during the whole of life. But the 
 mind of the shepherd's boy was improved, as well as 
 the body. He read whatever he could procure, and 
 his eagerness for new books can be conceived only by 
 those who, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, 
 have no money to purchase them. His choice, how- 
 ever, appears to have been well directed ; for, before 
 his sixteenth year, he was truly devoted to God, and, 
 in the absence of his step-father, conducted the worship 
 of the family with unusual propriety. 
 
 The providence of God having removed the family 
 to some distance, he had an opportunity of hearing 
 Mr. Hayward, of Potterspury, a man highly celebrated 
 in the neighbourhood for his popular preaching and his 
 zeal. Charmed with his gifts, young Strange, in com- 
 pany with another youth of similar dispositions, used to 
 walk ten miles, every Lord's- day, to attend on the 
 ministry of Mr. Hayward, whose church he afterwards 
 joined. 
 
 All this time, his heart was eagerly fixed on the 
 ministry of the Gospel, and he used to say, " I would 
 be willing to live on bread and water, if I might be 
 but a faithful and useful servant of Jesus Christ." 
 It was, however, the language of a hopeless wish ; but 
 the Head of the church, who had work for him to do, 
 gave him the desire of his heart. Mrs. Strange having 
 mentioned the wish of her son and his companion to 
 Mr. Hayward, he represented the case to Dr. Dod- 
 dridge, who invited the young men to Northampton. 
 
 At the close of his academical course, he was called 
 
 2S2 
 
628 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to the pastoral office by a congregation at Kilsby in his 
 native county, the members of which dwelt partly there, 
 and partly in three neighbouring villages. Though the 
 situation was destitute of every worldly recommend- 
 ation, he accepted the invitation. Every Lord's-day, 
 he preached twice at Kilsby, once at Creek, and gene- 
 rally' once at one of his two other villages ; and in this 
 course he persevered to the end of life. His assiduity 
 in the private offices of the ministry was not less worthy 
 of praise. The attention he paid to the catechising of 
 the children of the congregation was unwearied. His 
 visits to the house of sorrow and pain were frequent 
 and edifying ; and that he might convey instruction to 
 the families of his charge, in health as well as in sick- 
 ness, four evenings in the week w^ere, during the 
 winter, devoted to the important service. So desirous 
 was he of doing good at all times_, that when he was 
 employed in his garden, he used to have one of his 
 children or scholars present, with whom he conversed 
 on some improving subject. 
 
 It too frequently happens, that when a minister has 
 laboured, for some years, in a place, especially if the 
 people are poor, he begins to think that he would be 
 more comfortable in some other situation, for which he 
 begins to look around with eagerness. He now does 
 everything with discontent ; his heart is taken off from 
 his people, and he is unconcerned about their welfare. 
 From this evil, Mr. Strange was happily preserved ; 
 he persevered in the love of his people and of his situ- 
 ation to the end ; and the consequence was, as might 
 be expected, honourable to himself and advantageous 
 to his flock. Their number gradually increased, and 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 629 
 
 after exhausting their skill in finding room for every 
 addition they could make, a larger place of worship 
 became indispensably necessary. It was a bold attempt, 
 but he was a man of energy ; and he succeeded in 
 erecting a connnodious and substantial meeting-house, 
 and providing funds to discharge the cost. In one of his 
 other villages, a new place was built ; and in a third, 
 a cottage Avas purchased and fitted up for worship. 
 
 Although he commonly preached four times and 
 walked eight miles, on the Lord's-day, it was his prac- 
 tice to rise, on the Monday morning, an hour or two 
 before his family, to choose subjects for the following 
 Sabbath, and to draw out the plans, that he might have 
 respect to them in his thoughts, his conversation, and 
 his reading in the course of the week. This was taking 
 time by the forelock ; and how much more beneficial 
 must it have been to the congregation to receive the 
 mature fruits of their pastor's meditation and study, 
 than where the minister does not think of the sermons 
 till the preceding evening, or the morning of the day 
 itself! 
 
 The habitation and domestic economy accorded with 
 the simple character of a chorepiscopus , with his small 
 salary and humble congregation. His parsonage was 
 a cottage, with a rude orchard adjoining to it. Though 
 the house retained its old walls and its thatch, one 
 internal improvement after another made it a decent 
 and commodious abode. The orchard became by the 
 labour of his hands a delightful garden, and his bees 
 filled their hives with honey. Unable, with a salary of 
 forty pounds a year, to procure the aid of a servant, his 
 wife, and afterwards his daughters, managed all the 
 
630 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 domestic concerns with his aid ; and they lived in an- 
 cient simplicity, having every office performed by the 
 hand of love, without an attempt at show, but free from 
 want, contented and grateful. 
 
 Many in a similar situation, have betrayed the spirit 
 of a beggar; always expecting, always asking; what 
 they have received, carelessly spending ; and when they 
 die, their family looks to the religious public for relief 
 Mr. Strange pursued a nobler course. He lessened his 
 wants, he diminished his expenditure, he increased his 
 exertions, he saved what the others would waste. He 
 made additions annually to a small sum which he re- 
 ceived in marriage ; and, at his death, left some hun- 
 dred pounds for the support of his widow and four 
 children. 
 
 Let it not be supposed that this was the fruit of nig- 
 gardly penury. Mr. Strange had the spirit of a prince. 
 At his first settlement, perceiving the need of a village 
 school, he undertook the instruction of the children, and 
 devoted the profits to pious and charitable uses. For 
 some part of his time, he had a few boarders at twelve 
 guineas a year; but he was forward to every good 
 work. " Economy and exertion (says his biographer) 
 constitute the barrel and the cruse, out of which most 
 families of every rank and profession might freely take 
 for themselves and their family, without danger of ex- 
 hausting them." 
 
 Mr. Strange's delivery was exceedingly disagreeable, 
 both in tones and gesture. If the defect was not natural, 
 it would have been worth the labour of years to con- 
 quer the vicious habits ; but his own people did not 
 perceive any thing amiss. A defect of sight, which in- 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 631 
 
 creased with his years, prevented him from reading so 
 much as he desired ; but perhaps this inconvenience 
 was more than compensated by greater degrees of 
 thought and reflection. 
 
 As he was the first dissenting minister at Kilsby, 
 the villagers, as is natural from the prejudices of 
 those who never saw any resident minister but their 
 own, felt the strongest aversion to a Non-conformist, 
 and regarded him with a very evil eye, which rendered 
 even civility to him a difficult task. But by the wis- 
 dom, the sanctity, and the meekness of his deportment, 
 he overcame these unreasonable sentiments, and was 
 very highly esteemed by all. Such too was the in- 
 fluence of his life and doctrine, that when one of his 
 congregation married a member of the established 
 church, it was observed he generally gained a prose- 
 lyte ; and they made no bad choice who preferred him 
 as their teacher. 
 
 After persevering in a course of faithful labour in 
 his villages, for more than thirty years, he began to 
 feel infirmities, which seemed to him to indicate the 
 approach of death. To his youngest son, who was 
 with him, for some weeks, he frequently intimated 
 these expectations. " I shall not be with you long : 
 seek, my son, another father, and don't delay prepara- 
 tion for eternity." In the summer of 1784, attendance 
 at an ordination, at Bicester, appears greatly to have 
 injured his health, which, from that time, gradually 
 declined. 
 
 The sentiments of such a man, in the views of 
 death, will be read with no common feeling. In a 
 conversation with three of his brethren, who met acci- 
 
632 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 dentally at his house, he said, " I have always valued 
 and preached the doctrines of grace, but nothing gives 
 me so much concern in the review of my ministry, 
 as that I have not more insisted on and pressed the 
 fruits of grace." Part of the last fortnight of his life 
 was spent at Kettering, with his eldest son, where, 
 being frequently asked by his Christian friends his 
 sentiments and views, in the near prospect of death, his 
 answer was : " I wish to die a broken-hearted sinner, 
 renouncing everything of my own, and depending 
 entirely for future happiness on the free grace of God, 
 through the atonement and righteousness of Christ." 
 Finding all medical aid vain, he desired to go home 
 and die at Kilsby, the scene of his labours and success ; 
 and, a few days after his return, he calmly yielded up his 
 spirit, September 5, 1784. His last words to his sur- 
 rounding friends were : " Farewell till the day of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ: the Lord have mercy, spiritual and 
 everlasting mercy, on every one of you, upon this con- 
 gregation, and upon the whole Israel of God. The Lord 
 gave, and the Lord hath a right to take away^ blessed 
 be the name of the Lord." The tears and groans of 
 his flock attested the greatness of their loss : it would- 
 be an easier task to find a suitable successor to the see 
 of Canterbury, than to the village of Kilsby. 
 
 SAMUEL BREWER, B.D. 
 This excellent man, born at Rendham, in Suffolk, 
 was educated for the ministry under the tuition of ^Ir. 
 Hubbard. Not long after the completing of his studies, 
 his tutor died ; and he became his successor in the 
 congregation at Stepney, where Matthew Mead had 
 exercised the ofhce of the ministry, for more than fifty 
 years. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 633 
 
 Mr. Brewer's predecessor, though a very able and 
 very pious man, was not apt to teach." In this 
 quality Mr. Brewer excelled, and the consequence was, 
 that the congregation immediately increased, and be- 
 came the largest among the Dissenters in London. 
 His intellectual powers were not of a superior order ; 
 but the knowledge which he had acquired, he laid up 
 in a warm heart ; and he was not Moulin raisonnant, 
 a reasoning mill, as Voltaire calls Dr. Clarke, but with 
 a holy fervour, addressed the hearts and affections of 
 his hearers. 
 
 The popularity which he gained at his first entrance 
 into the pulpit, he retained to the close of life : nor 
 need we wonder that he did. The ardour of his 
 preaching was not an ebullition of the fire of youth, but 
 the expression of an unquenchable zeal for the glory 
 of God, and the tenderest compassion for the souls of 
 men. He gave force to his preaching, by the sanctity 
 of his life, by a display of the meekness and gentleness 
 of Christ, and by a conscientious and diligent perfor- 
 mance of the duties of his office. 
 
 The permanence of popularity with a minister is 
 by no means universal nor general, and scarcely 
 anything is more mortifying to a person who has 
 enjoyed it, than to see that he has lost it. Self-love 
 may come to his aid, and throw the blame on the fickle- 
 ness of the people ; but the minister who makes the 
 study of the Scriptures his daily employment, who pre- 
 pares with diligence and with prayer, Avho endeavours 
 to render truth so plain that none can misapprehend it, 
 and kindles it into a flame by pouring it forth from a soul 
 burning with love, will not disperse his flock. It will 
 
634 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 seldom be heard that such a minister is becoming un- 
 popular, and his audience dwindling away ; for if some 
 who are fond of novelty take their flight, an equal or 
 superior number of more valuable persons will fill their 
 place. 
 
 Mr, Brewer's life was spent in the cares and duties 
 of the pastoral office ; for these he considered the grand 
 business of his existence. No learned volumes came 
 from his pen ; but sinners were from year to year con- 
 verted by his ministry, and he was training up a multi- 
 tude of immortal souls for eternal glory. Mr. Brewer 
 was remarkable for great particularity in prayer : 
 some good people used to say, that when it was his 
 turn to preach the Tuesday lecture at Broad- street, 
 they learned from his prayers all the religious news 
 of the neighbourhood. In his own congregation, he 
 took particular notice of every event. Having many 
 seafaring people among his hearers, when a merchant 
 ship was going to sail, he specified the captain, the 
 mate, the carpenter, the boatswain, and all the sailors 
 with great affection ; and it is said, that impressed with 
 a belief of the benefit of his prayers, they frequently 
 brought him home, as a token of gratitude, something 
 of the produce of the country to which they went. The 
 skill of some in mentioning the particular cases of 
 persons is singularly felicitous ; but it is also interest- 
 ing, and is calculated to impress the mind. 
 
 Few men preserved through life a more uniform dis- 
 play of piety, prudence, and peaceableness. He de- 
 clined an offer of great pecuniary advantage to himself 
 and his family, in such a manner as to impress all with 
 the highest ideas of his integrity and disinterestedness. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 635 
 
 When he advanced in years, he felt the need of help, 
 and Mr. Ford was appointed his fellow labourer. He 
 continued, however, to do what he could, and he 
 preached at the lecture in Broad-street, on the Tuesday 
 preceding his death, from 2. Tim. i. 12. The frame 
 of his heart in the prospect of departure, was that of 
 an eminent Christian. Submission to the Divine will, 
 reliance on the power and grace of the Redeemer, and 
 the hope of the Heavenly glory, all shone forth with 
 conspicuous lustre. His last words were those of the 
 psalmist, " Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and 
 afterwards receive me to glory. Whom have I in 
 heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I 
 desire beside thee : my flesh and my heart faileth, but 
 God is the strength of my heart and my portion for 
 ever." He expired on Saturday, June 11, 1796, in the 
 seventy- third year of his age. 
 
 ISAAC TOMS. 
 
 He was born in London, August 22, 1710, and had 
 the happiness to descend from a line of ancestors emi- 
 nent for their piety and their sufferings in the cause of 
 Christ. The first part of his classical education he 
 received at Duckenfield, near Manchester, and at the 
 same time, received deep and lasting impressions of 
 religion. In his thirteenth year he returned to London, 
 and was four years at St. Paul's school. 
 
 His father designed him for trade, but the son's in- 
 clination led him to study. In his seventeenth year, 
 his fervent piety, and skill in the learned languages, 
 recommended him to the office of chaplain and private 
 tutor at Hackney, in the family of Sir Daniel Dolins^ 
 
636' 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 whose son's sight was so defective, that he depended 
 on Mr. Toms' reading and conversation. Much time 
 was daily spent in these exercises^ and directed to the 
 most important subjects ; for he was anxious to make 
 Mr. Dolins, who was an amiable and pious youth, inti- 
 mately acquainted with the principles and evidences of 
 natural and revealed religion, that he might be fortified 
 against the snares of infidelity, to which, from his ex- 
 alted station, he might be exposed in future life. These 
 studies, while they improved the pupil, were no less 
 beneficial to the tutor. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Toms came into this situation, he 
 entered on a course of theological studies^ under the 
 tuition of Dr. Ridgley and Mr. Eames ; and he after- 
 wards preached in the metropolis and its vicinity. At 
 this period of his life, Mr. Toms may be justly hailed 
 with veneration as the precursor of the Tract Society, 
 for he composed and printed a variety of useful tracts, 
 which he endeavoured to distribute. Five of them 
 were afterwards adopted by the Society for Propagating 
 Religious Knowledge among the Poor ; and many 
 thousands of these were dispersed through the world. 
 
 In this situation, he continued nearly sixteen years. 
 The office of chaplain was then by no means uncom- 
 mon among the most opulent Dissenters, and students 
 and younger ministers were usually called to fill it. 
 Whether it was favourable to their future character as 
 pastors of congregations, may be doubted. They 
 saw the great world, but it was a world with which they 
 Avere in future to have little intercourse or concern. If 
 it improved their manners, there was no small danger 
 that more than was gained by the gentleman, was lost 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 637 
 
 by the minister. If a fondness for high living and 
 genteel company became a fixed habit, in consequence 
 of their residence with the great, it proved injurious to 
 the future pastors of dissenting congregations, who, if 
 they would be faithful and successful, must mingle 
 chiefly with the humbler classes of mankind. Ministers 
 of the present day have lost nothing by the oflice of 
 chaplain falling into disuse, whatever the families them- 
 selves may lose. Mr. Toms, however, escaped unhurt. 
 Possessing the spirit of a zealous disciple of Christ, he 
 was anxious to be employed in a more extensive sphere 
 of usefulness. A valuable living was pressed on him, 
 by a man of rank, with whom he became acquainted 
 at Sir Daniel's table : but we give no great praise to 
 virtue in refusing the offer, for it is what every man of 
 integrity with his principles w^ould do. The plea 
 which has been alleged, of a more extensive field of 
 usefulness, is not valid ; for every dissenting minister, 
 if he finds his field of labour too confined, may extend 
 its boundaries : of this Mr. Toms' future exertions 
 furnish a fair example. 
 
 An invitation from a congregation at Hadleigh, in 
 Suffolk, met with his acceptance, though the salary was 
 but thirty pounds a year. He was now, in 1743, the 
 country minister, intent on doing good, in every way 
 that his situation would allow, or his heart could de- 
 vise. Besides the services in his own place, he esta- 
 blished lectures in the neighbouring villages, and 
 schools in which the children of the poor were taught 
 to read. His affection for the young was exceedingly 
 great, and he was peculiarly concerned for their salva- 
 tion. In dispensing the ordinance of baptism, he 
 
638 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 showed the tenderest regard for the child, and his whole 
 heart flowed forth in his earnest exhortation to the 
 parents to train it up in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord. He is said never to have engaged in the 
 service, without previously devoting some time in 
 prayer both for the parents and the child. In the 
 choice of subjects for the pulpit, it was his invariable 
 practice to ask counsel from God. 
 
 To exemplary activity in the work of the ministry, 
 Mr. Toms united the most amiable conduct in private 
 life. The natural irritability of his temper he sub- 
 dued_, by imposing silence on himself in seasons of pro- 
 vocation, till he had read over the passages in the Old 
 and New Testament relating to the subject, which he 
 kept always by him for the purpose, in the original 
 tongues. In the discharge of domestic duties he was 
 a pattern, and scarcely could more perfect harmony 
 and tender affection subsist, than between him and Mrs. 
 Toms, who was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel Say 
 of Westminster, and was the partner of his days, from 
 the time of his settlement at Hadleigh, till the year 
 preceding his death. 
 
 For two and forty years, he laboured as a good 
 minister of Christ; but, in 1785, he felt old age 
 creeping upon him. From that time till 1798, re- 
 signing the morning service to another, he preached 
 regularly in the afternoon ; but at the close of that 
 year, he was constrained to bid adieu to the pulpit. 
 Still he was carried to the house of God, to join with 
 his flock as a private worshipper ; and when he could 
 say no more, he used to dismiss the assembly with the 
 apostolical benediction, " The grace of our Lord 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 639 
 
 Jesus Christ be with you all." Increasing infirmities 
 obliged him, November 2, 1800, to take his farewell 
 of public worship ; and, from that time, he was con- 
 lined to his house. Obliged at last to keep himself 
 in his chamber, he said, " I perceive that I am gently 
 slipping into eternity and, under the pressure of 
 weakness which was daily becoming greater^ he used 
 to express himself thus : " O to be humble, to be 
 patient, to be thankful, to be increasing in grace, to be 
 fitting for glory, to prize the great salvation more and 
 more." Being visited by a neighbouring minister, who 
 spoke to him of the great reward laid up for him in 
 heaven, he replied, " Sir, if ever I arrive at the world 
 of blessedness, I shall shout, grace, grace !" So long 
 as he was capable of speaking, he repeated the words 
 of the publican, " God be merciful to me a sinner ;" 
 and when he could speak no more, his looks expressed 
 the devotion of his soul. 
 
 This truly apostolic man fell asleep in Jesus, 
 January 2, 1801, in the ninety-first year of his age. 
 
 JOHN GILL, D.D. 
 This eminent writer forms an honourable commence- 
 ment to our list of Baptist ministers. He was born 
 November 23, 1697, at Kettering, in Northampton- 
 shire, where his father was deacon of the Baptist church. 
 He made rapid advances in classical learning at a 
 neighbouring grammar-school, and when young resorted 
 so frequently to a bookseller's for the purpose of read- 
 ing, that it became proverbial that a thing was as cer- 
 tain as that John Gill was in the bookseller's shop. 
 Driven from the grammar-school by the bigotry of the 
 
640 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 clergyman who presided over it, liis friends endea- 
 voured to procure him admission into a seminary for 
 the ministry, by sending specimens of liis advancement 
 in different branches of literature. These, however, 
 defeated their object; for they produced the following 
 strange answer : " he is too young, and should he con- 
 tinue as it might be expected he would, to make such 
 rapid advances, he would go through the common circle, 
 before he would be capable of taking care of himself, 
 or of being employed in any public service." It is to 
 be hoped, that this frozen reply was accompanied by 
 some explanation, which made it appear more justifiable 
 than in its present detached state. 
 
 Not discouraged by this repulse, young Gill pursued 
 his studies with so much ardour, that before he was 
 nineteen, he had read the principal Greek and Latin 
 classics, had gone through a course of logic, rhetoric, 
 natural and moral philosophy, and acquired a consider- 
 able knowledge of the Hebrew tongue. But it is 
 supremely gratifying to find that religion was still 
 dearer to him than learning. The Baptist church in 
 his native town first received this extraordinary youth 
 as a member, and then called him forth into the mi- 
 nistry. For this work, he went to study under Mr. 
 Davies, at Higham Ferrers, but was soon invited to 
 preach to the Baptist congregation in Horsely-down, 
 near London, over which he was ordained in 1719, 
 when he was in his twenty-second year. 
 
 He now applied with intense ardour to oriental lite- 
 rature, and having contracted an acquaintance with one 
 of the most learned of the Jewish rabbis, he read 
 every book of rabbinical lore which he could procure. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 641 
 
 In this line, it is said, that he had but few equals, and 
 that he was not excelled by any one whose name is re- 
 corded in the annals of literature. Having published 
 in 1748, " A Commentary on the New Testament,'* 
 in three folio volumes, the immense reading; and learn- 
 ing which it displayed, induced the university of Aber- 
 deen to send him the diploma of D.D., with the follow- 
 ing compliment. " On account of his knowledge of 
 the Scriptures, of the oriental languages, and of Jewish 
 antiquities, of his learned defence of the Scriptures 
 against Deists and Infidels, and the reputation gained 
 by his other works, the university had, without his 
 privity, unanimously agreed to confer on him the degree 
 of doctor in divinity." 
 
 He published also " A Commentary on the Old 
 Testament," which, together with that on the New, 
 forms an immense mass of nine folio volumes. At the 
 close of this Herculean labour, he was so far from sittinfj 
 down to rest, that he said, I considered with myself 
 what would be next best to engage in, for the further 
 instruction of the people under my care, and my 
 thoughts led me to enter upon a scheme of doctrinal 
 and practical divinity." This he executed in three 
 quarto volumes. Amidst these labours of the study, 
 added to those of the pulpit, he lived to a good old age, 
 and departed to his rest, in the year 1771, when he was 
 far advanced in his seventy-fourth year. He was mar- 
 ried and had a numerous family, but his wife died seven 
 years before him, and he was survived by only two of 
 his children. 
 
 Besides the works already mentioned, he maintained 
 
 VOL. II. 2 T 
 
642 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 the five points of Calvinism in his " Cause of God and 
 Truth," with much temper, argument, and learning. 
 He published also " A Dissertation on the Hebrew 
 Language," discourses on the Canticles, and many ser- 
 mons, as well as smaller controversial pieces. His 
 private character was so excellent, that it has been 
 said, his learning and labours were exceeded only by 
 the invariable sanctity of his life and conversation." 
 
 As a divine, he was a supralapsarian Calvinist ; but 
 in his Body of Divinity, he is so far from condemning 
 sublapsarian sentiments, as heretical or arminianised, 
 that he attempts to show how the two systems coalesce*. 
 He discovers, however, an anxiety to support his high 
 scheme, at every opportunity, and often catches at the 
 shadows of arguments for its defence. He seems to 
 inquire how much, rather than how well he could write, 
 on every subject; and while he displays vast reading, 
 he neither discovers much reflection himself, nor excites 
 it in others. Indeed he possessed knowledge, rather 
 than wisdom; for his learning was not inspired by 
 genius ; and while his works impress the judicious 
 reader with esteem for the purity of his intentions, and 
 admiration for the magnitude of his labours, they excite 
 regret that they had not been prepared wdth greater 
 delicacy of taste, and revised with more accurate judg- 
 ment. It is above all to be lamented, that they have 
 diffused a taste for extravagant Calvinism, which has 
 induced many who were devoid of his sanctity, to pro- 
 fane his name, in order to sanction their errors or their 
 lusts. 
 
 * Body of Divinity, book ii. chap. ii. p. 303. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 
 
 643 
 
 ROBERT ROBINSON. 
 
 On January 8, 1735, he was born, at SwafFham, in 
 Norfolk, in circumstances by no means propitious to 
 future eminence. He was, however, sent, for some 
 years^ to a grammar school, and made rapid progress in 
 the knowledge of the French and Latin tongues. But 
 the death of his father and of some of his mother's 
 friends, obliged her to take him away, at the age of 
 twelve ; and we find him in a situation, where, most 
 probably, necessity compelled her to place him, — that 
 of an apprentice to John Anderson, a hair-dresser, in 
 Crutched-friars, London. 
 
 Religion appears to have been with him the subject 
 of early investigation ; for, during his apprenticeship. 
 Dr. Gill, Dr. Guyse, and Mr. Romaine were his fa- 
 vourite preachers ; but Mr. Whitefield he esteemed 
 above them all. He began a diary, in the manner of 
 that celebrated man ; and before Mr. Robinson had 
 completed his nineteenth year, he seems to have con- 
 ceived the idea of becoming a preacher. Previously to 
 the termination of his apprenticeship, his master, per- 
 ceiving his attention to the reading of religious books, 
 and the hearing of sermons from popular ministers, gave 
 up his indentures, and left him to follow his own plans*. 
 
 * A person, zealous for the dignity of the dissenting ministry, feehng 
 great indignation at the reflections thrown by a high-minded churchman 
 on Robert Robinson, for the meanness of his early employment, thus via- 
 dicates his favourite preacher : — 
 
 " Surely, his having been apprenticed to a barber is no proof, nor 
 rational presumption of deficiency in either natural or acquired abilities ; 
 if it were, I could furnish abundant instances of a similar kind in the 
 establishment. 1 could tell this gentleman of one bishop who was ap- 
 prenticed to a pastry-cook ; another, a wool-comber ; a rector of a city 
 parish, who in early life was a gold wire-drawer ; of a lecturer of St. 
 
 2 T 2 
 
644 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 It is probable that he immediately began to preach. 
 His first sermon was delivered to a few poor people at 
 Mildenhall, in Suffolk ; and he soon received an invita- 
 tion to officiate in the tabernacle at Norwich. After 
 he had preached there for some time, he quitted the Cal- 
 vinistic Methodists, and formed an Independent church 
 of thirteen persons, w^ho had imbibed his sentiments. 
 Of this church he became the pastor, baptizing infants 
 and performing all the other offices of an Independent 
 minister. In a short time, he became a Baptist ; and, 
 in 1759, when he was only twenty-four years of age, 
 he was invited to the charge of the Baptist church at 
 Cambridge ; of which, after a trial of two years, he 
 became pastor. He was then married, and had his 
 mother to support ; but it appears that, neither the 
 church, nor he, had spent much time in considering how 
 his family were to live ; for the first half-year's salary 
 was little more than three pounds. It^ however, gra- 
 dually increased ; for, so acceptable were Mr. Robin- 
 son's services, that in a few years the place of worship 
 could not contain the flourishing congregation. The 
 old meeting-house was pulled down, and a commodious 
 building erected, at their own expense ; " an example 
 
 Andrew's, who had been a staymaker; of another lecturer of a church 
 in East Cheap, London, who had been a baker; of a rector of a large 
 parish just out of the city, who had been an upholsterer, and after that 
 a lawyer ; of another who had been a linen-draper ; of another, now 
 living, who was an ironmonger. All these last had been not only ap- 
 prenticed, but actually in business ; and shocking, dreadfully shocking, 
 as it may be to ecclesiastical aristocracy, some of them had been even 
 journeymen ! Many more instances of a similar kind might be easily 
 found, but these are sufficient to show that the Dissenters are not, and 
 even poor Robert Robinson was not, in this respect, below par." — 
 Monthly Magazine, for August, 1809, p. 6. 
 
 But this is performing a needless task: Non tali auxilio, non defenso- 
 ribus istis Chrisius eget. 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 645 
 
 (says his biographer, Mr. Dyer) which it were to be 
 wished Dissenters in general would attend to, and not 
 indulge themselves, as they frequently do, with houses 
 for worship, unnecessarily large and improperly elegant, 
 by laying a severe tax upon distant societies, and espe- 
 cially those of the metropolis." In 1773, Mr. Robin- 
 son, removing from an obscure village in the neigh- 
 bourhood, where he had hitherto lived, to Chesterton, 
 with a family of nine children, commenced farmer ; 
 and, some years afterwards, coal-merchant. Some of 
 his brethren strongly expressed their fears that his 
 engagements in business would injure his spirit as a 
 minister : *' Godly boobies," he exclaimed, " too idle 
 many of them to work, too ignorant to give instruction, 
 and too conceited to study, spending all their time in 
 tattling and mischief ! — Are these the men to direct 
 my conduct, to censure my industry ? " 
 
 The rapidity of his early changes from one denomi- 
 nation to another was unhappily followed by a versa- 
 tility, in niaturer years, with regard to subjects of 
 unspeakably greater importance. After being twenty 
 years a minister, it became evident (says Mr. Dyer) 
 that Mr. Robinson by no means adhered to the systems 
 which have obtained the name of orthodox. The dis- 
 covery produced a coldness in many of liis former 
 friends and admirers, and by many of them he was 
 entirely deserted. In consequence of this, he threw 
 himself into other and very different connexions. His 
 own account of the matter is, — " I have been seven 
 weeks in London ; my own party treated me with neg- 
 lect, and even preached against me, in my presence, 
 about mental errors, which, ita dii me ament, not one of 
 them understands. I preached, however, for the Ge- 
 
 ( 
 
646 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 neral Baptists, and for Dr. Rees, Kippis, Price, Wor- 
 thington, &c., so that now the slandering orthodox 
 name me an Arian and Socinian, with apparent grace." 
 His own congregation is said to have been more steady 
 in its attachment : He was (they said) the man of 
 our choice, and is still of our esteem : " and, if some 
 grew cold, by the most valuable part of the society he 
 was admired to the last. 
 
 His constitution appears to have decayed at an early 
 period, and, for some time before his death, he laboured 
 under a dejection and languor of mind. To remove 
 the complaint, his friends hoped that a journey to 
 Birmingham, and an interview with Dr. Priestley, 
 which he had long desired, would prove beneficial to 
 him." He set out, and travelling slowly, arrived there 
 on Saturday, the 5th of June, 1790. The next day, he 
 preached twice ; in the new meeting, in the morning, 
 and, in the evening, at the old. Dr. Priestley was 
 charmed with his conversation, but much disappointed 
 in his preaching : his discourse (he said) was uncon- 
 nected and desultory ; and his manner of treating the 
 doctrine of the Trinity savoured more of burlesque 
 than serious reasoning. The impression left on Dr. 
 Priestley's mind was, » that Mr. Robinson was of the 
 Unitarian faith, and had received considerable light 
 from Priestley's theological waitings." On the Tuesday 
 evening following, he retired in good health, and, on 
 the Wednesday morning, was found dead in his bed. 
 
 Mr. Robinson's works were numerous, and many of 
 them show the author to have been a man of uncommon 
 talents. He published " A Plea for the Divinity of 
 Christ," and a translation of Claude's Essay on the 
 Composition of a Sermon," with a curious farrago of 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 647 
 
 notes. His translations of Saiirin's Sermons have been 
 much read : but Saurin and Robinson were cast in very 
 different moulds ; so that the bold, nervous spirit of the 
 latter was not the most proper organ for conveying the 
 elegancies of the former. If the volume of Village 
 Sermons " had been written when evangelical senti- 
 ments had a stronger hold of his mind, they would 
 have been almost unequalled. Had the patience of 
 investigation, the calmness of research, and impartiality 
 in narrating the result, which Lardner so eminently 
 displayed, been possessed by Robinson, his " History 
 of Baptism " and " Ecclesiastical Researches " would 
 have been in greater repute. 
 
 The indulgence of eccentricity, and a fondness for 
 novelty, were strong features in his character. For 
 some time, in order to follow nature, he would eat only 
 when he was hungry, and go to bed when he was over- 
 powered with sleep, so that day was turned into night, 
 and night into day. How absurd and inconvenient 
 these fancies must have been in the head of a large 
 family, may be easily conceived. Eccentricity, it has 
 been often said, is one of the attributes of genius, but 
 nothing can be farther from the truth : it is the pretext 
 of men who could lay claim to genius on no other 
 account. True genius will prove the corrector of eccen- 
 tricity. Who ever heard of the eccentricities of Gro- 
 tius, of Sir Isaac Newton, of Locke, of Baxter, or 
 of Howe ? That some men of genius have been eccen- 
 tric is acknowledged ; but men still more eccentric can 
 be produced in unspeakably greater proportion, from 
 whose souls no spark of genius was ever elicited. 
 
 Mr. Robinson's talents as a public teacher were of 
 the highest order. He knew how to draw every ear 
 
648 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 to attention, and his dominion over his audience was 
 absolute. His influence over a multitude of well-edu- 
 cated and well -principled youth among the Dissenters 
 was powerful, extensive, and pernicious. That he 
 quitted the camp of the orthodox will not excite sur- 
 prise in those who have observed his spirit. That 
 unbounded self-conceit, and more than sovereign con- 
 tempt of others, which he frequently betrayed, expose 
 a heart already removed from under the influence of 
 evangelical truth, and fully prepared to drink the cup 
 of Socinianism to the very dregs. 
 
 JOHN COLLETT RYLAND, A.M. 
 
 This remarkable man was born in 1723, and before 
 he became solicitous for his eternal welfare, showed 
 the characteristic ardour of his mind in the eager 
 pursuit of worldly follies. But in the spring of 1741, 
 he was, with forty other persons, gathered into the 
 church under the ministry of Benjamin Beddome, at 
 Bourton-on-the-Water, in Gloucestershire. Mr. Bed- 
 dome, perceiving something extraordinary in this youth, 
 introduced him to the academy at Bristol, under Mr. 
 Bernard Foskett, where his intense application to 
 learning was impeded by the mental conflicts he 
 endured*. 
 
 His first pastoral charge was at Warwick, where 
 he was ordained over the Baptist church, in 1750 : he 
 removed, after nine years, to Northampton. Here his 
 
 * Perplexed with doubts concerning the existence of God, and his own 
 eternal safety, he wrote the following resolution, which admirably dis- 
 plays his peculiarity of mind: " June 25, 1744, aet. twenty years. If 
 there is ever a God in heaven or earth, I vow and protest in his strength, 
 or that God permitting me, I'll find him out, and I'll know whether he 
 loves or hates me, or I'll die and perish, soul and body, in the pursuit 
 and search. Witness John Collett Ryland." 
 
LIVES OF EMIMENT DISSENTERS. 649 
 
 labours were eminently successful; for the church, 
 which consisted of no more than thirty members, when 
 he took the charge of it, received, under him, an addi- 
 tion of three hundred and twenty persons. But some 
 pecuniary embarrassments occasioned his removal, in the 
 year 1786, to Enfield, where he had a flourishing school, 
 and preached occasionally. He was removed, however, 
 to a heavenly mansion July 24, 1 792, in his sixty-ninth 
 year. His body was interred at Northampton, the 
 scene of his most successful labours, where his son. 
 Dr. Ryland, afterwards preached, till he was called to 
 take charge of the Baptist academy at Bristol. 
 
 The eccentricities of his mind and manner have 
 often been the theme of anecdotes which his surviving 
 relatives say were not always true. The warmth of 
 his disposition appeared, indeed, principally in a noble 
 ardour for the divine glory and the diffusion of evan- 
 gelical truth ; but it sometimes produced effects over 
 which he mourned. In his personal religion, he chris- 
 tianised the heathen's maxim by beginning with God, 
 whose word he studied early every morning, and in the 
 
 * When he was dangerously ill, the people of the town, as they passed 
 by the corner of his house, would exclaim, " God send that man may 
 live ; if there is a good man in the town, he is one." At this general 
 concern for his recovery, one poor profane creature was so provoked, 
 that hearing the ejaculations of others for his safety, he wished, on the 
 contrary, that he might die and be damned. He uttered this imprecation 
 as he passed through the churchyard, which was near the parsonage- 
 house where Mr. Ryland then lived. Having recovered, he became the 
 instrument of that man's conversion ; for he courted a young woman of 
 the Baptist congregation, and expressed his determination to obtain her 
 in marriage, though he vowed he would cut off her legs but he would 
 prevent her going to meeting. He used, therefore, to wait for her near 
 the meeting-house, and then go home with her. But, one evening, after 
 standing about the door pretty early, he felt himself inclined to go in, 
 and look at the place, when others following him into the gallery, he 
 found it difficult to make his retreat. He was compelled, therefore, to 
 stay and hear the sermon, which pierced him to the heart. 
 
650 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 pulpit he was always lively, generally striking, fre- 
 quently eccentric, and sometimes sublime and impressive 
 beyond description. 
 
 SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D. 
 
 He was born at Exeter, where his father, Dr. Joseph 
 Stennett, officiated, for many years, as pastor of the 
 Baptist church. Samuel, his youngest son, having early 
 discovered a pious disposition, w^as admitted a member 
 of his father s church, and received an academical 
 education under Mr. Hubbard, at Stepney ; for most of 
 the eminent Baptist ministers of that period were edu- 
 cated at the seminaries of the Independents. 
 
 His talents as a preacher meeting the approbation 
 of the church, he was appointed assistant to his father, 
 at whose death he was chosen the successor, and was 
 ordained in the year 1758. From that time, he con- 
 tinued to labour there, dispensing the ordinances of 
 religion with great acceptance, with success, and with 
 an eminent degree of mutual affection. In 1763, he 
 received the degree of D.D. from Aberdeen. 
 
 Dr. Stennett's talents were improved by assiduous 
 and extensive study. Possessing a respectable portion 
 of classical knowledge^ he paid considerable attention 
 to modern literature. As a preacher he greatly ex- 
 celled. The pure principles of the Gospel he exhibited 
 with great clearness and precision, so as to attract 
 attention and inspire pleasure. In elocution, he was 
 superior to most of his denomination. His eloquence 
 was not of the ardent and vehement kind — he w^as no 
 Demosthenes ; but, in a soft, tender, insinuating per- 
 suasion and influence, he was a master. 
 
 In whatever related to the cause of religious liberty, 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 651 
 
 he felt himself deeply interested, and ever afforded his 
 most vigorous exertions. To his own denomination he 
 was a most active and zealous friend. He was perhaps 
 the last of the dissenting ministers who cultivated social 
 intercourse with the great ; a practice common in the 
 former generation, and conceived to be beneficial to the 
 body. In private life. Dr. Stennett was remarkably 
 amiable and engaging, and, in the performance of re- 
 lative duties, exemplary. As a minister, a Christian^ 
 and a man. Dr. Stennett was very highly esteemed, and 
 the pleasing lustre which politeness gave to his excel- 
 lence procured an additional degree of respect and 
 affection. 
 
 He published a volume on the Baptist controversy ; 
 and on a subject where it Avas difficult to say anything 
 new, he has the praise of saying what he had to say, 
 with good temper. His two volumes " on Personal 
 Religion " w^ere well received by the public. His ser- 
 mons on relative duties are very valuable, and his book 
 on the Scriptures may be read with much profit. With- 
 out much originality of thought, or depth of reasoning, 
 his style is very pleasing, and if some will not allow it 
 the praise of elegance, they must acknowledge that it is 
 exceedingly neat. 
 
 When near death, he said to those around him, " the 
 sufferings of Christ are my support : what should I do 
 now, if I had only such opinions of him as Dr. Priestley? 
 Christ is able to support to the uttermost them that 
 come unto God through him." " He is able to keep 
 that which I have committed to him against that day.'* 
 Rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, he died, August 
 24, 1795, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. 
 
652 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 SAMUEL PEARCE, M.A. 
 
 The excellencies of this young minister, who was 
 little more than shown to the church, have been honour- 
 ably recorded by a living writer. If this short memoir 
 should send any one who is entering on the care of souls 
 to the perusal of his biography, he will see a model 
 worthy of imitation ; and if he should catch the same 
 spirit, thousands will have to bless God for it, to eternity. 
 
 Plymouth was the birth-place of Samuel Pearce. 
 Born in the year 1766, he was early inspired with the 
 love of evangelical truth, under the ministry of Mr. Birt, 
 pastor of the Baptist church in his native town. To 
 the eminent and ardent religion of Mr. Pearce it soon 
 appeared desirable to devote his life to the service of 
 Christ. He studied for the ministry, under Dr. Ryland, 
 at Bristol ; and from the academy he removed to take 
 charge of a Baptist church at Birmingham. Here, his 
 judicious, fervent, and incessant labours rapidly in- 
 creased the congregation, while his affectionate and 
 devout deportment endeared him, not only to his own 
 flock, but to all who had wisdom to perceive or virtue 
 to approve the image of Jesus Christ. 
 
 But a mistaken confidence in the firmness of his con- 
 stitution, the frequent error of the noblest minds, early 
 deprived his communion of one of its brightest orna- 
 ments. Prodigal of his strength and health, he not 
 only preached very frequently, but took many journeys, 
 which exposed him to colds ; and, unable to arrest for 
 a moment his rapid course, he preached while his lungs 
 were dangerously affected, so that, at length, he sunk 
 under a consumption. When his eyes were open to his 
 case, he observed, " I always felt a peculiar aversion 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 653 
 
 to the idea of dying by a consumption, but I have now 
 been reconciled to' it, by reading the words of the evan- 
 gelist, — ' This spake Jesus to Peter, signifying by 
 what death he should glorify God.' I am pleased to 
 die, by whatever death 1 may most glorify God." He 
 was removed from the world, which he had improved, 
 in October, 1799, when he was only thirty-three years 
 of age. 
 
 With an elegant mind and cultivated taste, he was 
 never " corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ ;" 
 and while his benevolent heart burned with unquench- 
 able ardour for the salvation of Britons and Hindoos, 
 he displayed, in an eminent degree, the meekness and 
 gentleness of the Saviour. If he preached, the most 
 careless were attentive, the most prejudiced became 
 favourable, and the coldest felt that, in spite of them- 
 selves, they began to kindle ; but when he poured out 
 the devotions of his heart in prayer, the most devout 
 were so elevated beyond their former heights, that they 
 said, " We scarcely ever seemed to pray before." While 
 he thus stood on the threshold of heaven, he conceived 
 the design of devoting himself to the Baptist mission in 
 Bengal, to the establishment of which he powerfully 
 contributed; but a council of his friends forbade, and 
 he who said " It was well that it was in thine heart," 
 called him to worship with the spirits of the just, 
 gathered from every land. Let young ministers learn, 
 from his example, to work while it is day^ and to re- 
 member that the bloom of youth and the splendour of 
 talents should be consecrated to the Saviour of men. 
 
 Among those who are termed the laity, though many 
 performed valuable services to the dissenting cause, 
 
654 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 during the commencement and the middle of the reign 
 of George III., few demand special notice ; for the 
 titled and the wealthy had fallen off to the establish- 
 ment, and those who, by piety, were, like Christ's fore- 
 runner, " great in the sight of the Lord," were like him 
 hidden, in a great measure, from the view of men. The 
 same causes prevent us from giving the biography of 
 any of those pious females who have, in great numbers, 
 benefited om* churches, but of whom no one has stood 
 forth in such prominence as to demand a distinct me- 
 moir. With one distinguished philanthropist, however, 
 we must close our biographical records. 
 
 JOHN HOWARD, Esq., F.R.S. 
 
 The reward due to him that invents a new mode of 
 doing good might justly have been claimed by this 
 celebrated man. He was born, in 1727, at Clapton, 
 near London. His father had acquired a fortune, as 
 an upholsterer, in Long-lane ; and having destined 
 his son to trade, placed him, as an apprentice, with the 
 grandfather of the late Alderman Newman, a wholesale 
 grocer in Watling-street. But the father dying, and 
 leaving him a handsome fortune, young Howard quitted 
 business, and travelled on the Continent. Having 
 purchased some works of taste in Italy, he decorated 
 with them his elegant seat at Cardington, near Bedford, 
 where he had been nursed in his infancy. But, on his 
 return from his travels, he resided at Stoke Newing- 
 ton ; and, being an Independent and a Calviuist_, he 
 joined the church under the care of the Rev. Meredith 
 Townsend. Here he caused a house to be provided for 
 the minister, and distributed large sums in charity. 
 
 Having received kind attentions during illness from 
 
LIVES OF EMINENT DISSENTERS. 655 
 
 a widow of the name of Loidaire, he married her, 
 though more than twice his own age. She died three 
 years after, and Mr. Howard, then, determining to 
 leave England, gave away his furniture to his poor 
 neighbours. The vessel in which he embarked for 
 Portugal was captured by a French privateer, and Mr. 
 Howard endured incredible hardships in prison, which 
 afterwards directed his attention to sufferers in jails. 
 Having been enabled, by the benevolence of a stranger, 
 to return to England, he resided for some time at Car- 
 dington, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal Society, 
 and married Miss Henrietta Leeds, a lady of great 
 worth, by whom he had one son. But the mother 
 being snatched away by death, the child was corrupted 
 by a vicious servant, and, after running into vice, was 
 consigned to a mad-house, where he died young. 
 
 In 1769, Mr. Howard visited France, on one of 
 those tours of benevolence which have conferred on 
 him the most enviable fame. Having returned to his 
 favourite seat, he became a blessing to the place of his 
 residence ; and being made high-sheriff of the county 
 of Bedford, he not only paid the most unwearied atten- 
 tion to its jails, but also to those of all the adjoining 
 counties. Being examined before the House of Com- 
 mons, on the state of the prisons, he received the 
 thanks of the House for his attention to them. After 
 inspecting and improving those of England, Scotland, 
 and Ireland, he set out, in 1775, on a tour through 
 France, Flanders, Holland, and Germany. In one 
 year he* travelled eight thousand one hundred and 
 sixty-five miles in his own country ; afterwards went 
 on the Continent, to visit the dungeons of wretchedness, 
 where his own life was risked to save that of others. 
 
656 
 
 HISTORY OF DISSENTERS. 
 
 In 1781, he published a complete edition of his work 
 on Prisons, and found that he had travelled, in his 
 attempts to improve their condition, about forty-three 
 thousand miles. In one of these unparalleled expedi- 
 tions of mercy, he expired, having caught a fever in 
 his medical attendance on a lady, n«ar Cherson in Tar- 
 tary, January 20, 1790. 
 
 All Europe joined his own countrymen in bewailing 
 the loss of the man who had expended thirty thousand 
 pounds, and travelled almost sixty thousand miles, to 
 visit scenes from which others turned away in disgust — 
 to find out the neglected, and to bring consolation to 
 those who seemed abandoned to despair. Mr. Howard 
 was endued with fine talents, which he incessantly 
 employed, under the influence of the most exalted 
 benevolence, to benefit first his own country and then 
 the world*. His monument in St. Paul's Cathedral, 
 which presents not a very faithful representation of his 
 fine countenance, was erected by the public, after 
 death, as he remonstrated against that honour during 
 life. The following was the inscription which he wrote 
 for his tomb : — 
 
 ** John Howard, died , aged . 
 
 My hope is in Christ." 
 
 The consent of almost the whole civilized world has 
 given him the first of all titles, — The Philanthropist. 
 * See Memoirs of Howard, by James Baldwin Browne, Esq., L.L.D. 
 
 END OF VOL. II. 
 
 London :— Printed by W. CtowBS, Stamford-atreet. 
 
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