Dr. Tillotson) would bear a variety of reflections. I shall only say that as for "his tenderness to the Dissenters," (particularly mentioned) I verily think, that was not much to be boasted of. He did indeed express somewhat that looked that way, in the contest with King James, just at the close of his reign ;*

Among the original letters from which the Hon. Agar Ellis has lately illustrated the period of English history immediately preceding the Revolution, is one, addressed to “John Ellis, Esq. Dublin," and dated "London, July 21, 1688." The anonymous writer says:

"The Archbishop and the clergy of London are said to have had several conferences with the chief of the Dissenting ministers, in order to agree such points of ceremonies as are indifferent between them, and to take their measures for what is to be proposed about religion at next Parliament." See "Ellis Correspondence," ii. 63.

The "Lord Chief Justice Herbert," on the circuit had been declaring the intention of "the King," to "call a Parliament in November at farthest," and recommending "the choice of such members, as would comply with the King in repealing the penal laws and the tests." Ibid. p. 61.

In another anonymous letter, dated "London, Sept. 13, 1688," it is reported from the Weekly Occurrencer, " that the Dissenters had offered to lend his Majesty a considerable sum of money." On this report, "some allege that their practice in past times makes it now hard of belief, and very improbable." p. 175.

Ibid,

The following passages from the letter, "July 21," describe a laudable competition between the rival episcopal churches, such as may now be fairly expected, since to British and Irish Catholics has been secured by law, with a few exceptions, (conceded to policy rather than demanded by justice) a too long

and for that (as it has been before observed,) there was this good reason, that the reading a declaration in favour of the Dissenters in the public churches was the thing about which the Church was then breaking with the King, which very order he had himself encouraged by his former proceedings. But, had he not been that way cramped, contrary to his expectations, we have no great reason to believe he would have expressed any regard to the Dissenters at all at that time, any more than he did before. He would, in all probability, have contentedly left them under the very same hardships and severities as formerly and have suffered "the straggling sheep" to have straggled on, without bating an ace in

withheld community with Protestants, in the use and enjoyment of common rights.

"The bishops that were lately in the Tower, are gone to their respective bishopricks, and have resolved to hold frequent catechisings and confirmations; and last week the Archbishop began at Lambeth, and at Croydon in Surrey, where the Bishop of Gloucester assisted him in confirming several thousands of children, that were brought to them.

"This good example is followed, also, by the Roman clergy about the town; and last week Bishop Ellis, assisted by Father Poulton, the Jesuit, confirmed some hundreds of youth, (some of them were new converts) at the new chapel in the Savoy." Ibid. pp. 61, 62.

The next letter, dated "July 24," reports that, "the French King" is "inviting back his subjects from all parts, especially the handicraft part of them, whose departure is said to have much prejudiced his revenue." Ibid. p. 66. See Voltaire, supra, p. 125, n. *.—Ed.

the rigour of the Ecclesiastical administration. He seems to have been of the mind of "Rosse and Paterson," and other Scottish bishops, who, we are told by Bishop Burnet,*" signed an address," in 1686, "offering to concur with the King" (James) "in all that he desired with relation to those of his own religion, provided the laws might still continue in force, and be executed against the Presbyterians."

The contest among the Dissenting ministers went on this year, and rose higher instead of abating. Several papers were successively drawn up in order to an accommodation, but to little purpose. They only created fresh debates, one side being very ready to suspect their brethren of verging towards Arminianism, or even Socinianism; and they on the other side being extremely tender of any thing that might be capable of giving encouragement to Antinomianism.

Mr. Howe, this year, preached at the merchants' lecture at Pinner's-hall (and afterwards published,) two admirable sermons upon "the Carnality of Religious Contention." And though Mr. Williams, who was at all times very zealous against the Antinomians, and all their open or secret abettors, had a considerable majority of the ministers concurring with him, and adhering to him, and approving his

Gospel Truth," &c. yet there appeared plainly enough, in some of the papers that were drawn up about this time, a mighty inclination to cast a slur * "Own Time," i. 680-C.

upon him, as carrying some things at least too far, (particularly in his sense of Phil. iii. 9, where the Apostle speaks of "his own righteousness which is of the law, and the righteousness which is of God by faith.")

This made others the more jealous, especially when they found some prevailed with to abet a design of that nature, who they were convinced were as much against Antinomianism as any persons whatsoever. This tended to an unhappy confusion, which will appear to any one that reads the "Report of the Present State of the Differences in Doctrinals between some Dissenting Ministers in London;" the "Faithful Rebuke to a False Report;" the "Defence of the Report ;" and the "Vindication of the Faithful Rebuke to a False Report;" a" View of an Ecclesiastic in his Locks and Buskins," (said to be written by Mr. Ferguson,) and other things that were afterwards published.

As to the public, there was this year a great miscarriage of the Smyrna fleet, wherein we sustained a loss that was very considerable. There was, also, a battle at Lauden, in Flanders, in which, though King William did all that could be desired or expected from a valiant general, he yet was worsted, and lost sixty pieces of cannon and nine mortars. It is hard to say whether the confederates or the French lost the most men. Before the end of the campaign, our enemies besieged Charleroy, and took it from the Allies.

I continued (1694) preaching with good Mr. Sylvester at Blackfriars, and living in Hoxton-square; Mr. Thomas Reynolds and I lodging together, under one roof. We chose to live there for greater retirement, and that we might have more leisure and conveniency for study. He was assistant to Mr. John Howe, as I was to Mr. Matthew Sylvester, and there was an uninterrupted harmony between us.

We thought it requisite to be ordained, and this year took measures in order to it. We had both made sufficient trial of the ministry, to be able to form a judgment, and were both determined to choose it for the business and employment of our lives. Therefore, we thought our continuing any longer to preach as probationers only, was not regular. Withal, we were, ever and anon, called upon to baptize children, which we could not do while unordained; and found it would be agreeable to those to whom we were assistants, that, by being ordained, we might be in a capacity of giving them yet farther assistance, by administering either of the Sacraments, as there might be occasion, either by reason of their absence or indisposition. We talked, also, with Mr. Joseph Bennet, who, after having been for a number of years an acceptable and useful occasional preacher in divers places, was at that time settling with a congregation that had chosen him pastor at Newington-green; and we found him desirous to be ordained at the same time.

Providence having cast our lot in, or near the