E 45 ·C14 PREFACE. DR. CALAMY has been long distinguished by his Defences of English Protestant Nonconformity, and by his very interesting biographies of Nonconformists. The Historical Account of his Life and Times, now first printed, is taken from a copy of his autograph which had remained in the family of Sir Walter Stirling, Bart. for more than half a century. Of the existence of another copy, in the possession of the Author's immediate family, I was informed, several years since, by the late Edmund Calamy, Esq. whose son, the Rev. Michael Calamy, at my request, has favoured me with the use of it; though he is not, in the least, responsible for this publication. Both MSS. were, no doubt, correct and early copies of the Author's autograph. Mr. Calamy's MS. (which is in complete preservation,) was collated with the original by the Author's son, the Rev. Edmund Calamy, who died in 1755. Sir Walter Stirling's MS. has every appearance of having been as early a copy. After a minute comparison of these MSS. I have found a very exact verbal agreement. Yet I am greatly indebted to the liberal courtesy of Mr. Calamy, whose copy has enabled me to supply several deficiencies; and thus to complete the Historical Account, as left, in 1731, by his pious and learned ancestor. In fulfilling what may be not unjustly regarded as Dr. Calamy's purpose, I have endeavoured to exercise a discretion peculiarly requisite on a work of so much variety, and which concludes abruptly, when the author's rapidly declining health forbade the obvious advantage of his revisal. I have, in the notes, (while occasionally correcting, though more frequently confirming and illustrating the Historical Account,) availed myself of that "true liberty," to the exercise of which, all the great interests of mankind have been largely indebted, and which Milton, after Euripides, has asserted for "free-born men," that they " may speak free:" yet I have not, I trust, in any instance, designedly separated those congenial associates, Truth and Freedom. Clapton, Oct. 22, 1829. J. T. R. CONTENTS EPISTLES. Erasmus. Melancthon. Grotius Thuanus. Ca- Schultetus. Synod of Dort. John Hales. Of my family and parentage; birth and education; until the time of my entrance upon academical studies; with an addition of some passages relating to the court and ministry, in the latter part of the reign of King Family from Normandy. Edmund Calamy. Declines the 1671. Duchess of Orleans. Cabal. Triple League. Duchess Three last Parliaments of Charles. Declaration. Ba- James II. proclaimed. Dr. Sharpe. Charles II. a papist. tion for Oxford. CHAPTER II. 1686-1691. OF Course of education. Associates. Goodwin. Author's first |