The History of Dissenters, from the Revolution to the Year 1808 Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833 Excerpt: ...The Independents, in general, were of a different mind: but this was the common practice of the Presbyterians, both in town and country, during the severe reigns of Charles and James, when Presbyterians had no worldly benefit to gain by this conduct. Some of them continued it, after the Revolution, and were actually practising it, when the bill to prevent them was introduced, without any regard to the dignities or emoluments of civil office. The venerable names of Baxter, Howe, Bates, and Henry, sanctioned the practice by their approbation and example. For an ample account of the manners of the great in those days, the reader is referred to Addison's Description of the Tory Foxhunter. Chalmers Preface to the Tatler, and Drake's Essays in the Spectator, &c. In consequence of these ideas, notwithstanding the Corporation and Test Acts, there were always Dissenters, in corporations and in offices under government, because these acts required them to do nothing but what they had frequently done when in private life. But, while they joined occasionally, they did not choose to confine themselves entirely to the ministrations of the English church. They preferred the dissenting mode of worship and government, as well as the ministry of the Nonconformists; and with them fixed their stated communion, as members of the churches which they had formed. When the Revolution enabled the Dissenters to erect places of worship, and to hold their assemblies in public, the persons who attended them were more easily observed and known. It is possible that a greater number were admitted to civic honours and public offices, by which the jealousy was increased. But, while the clergy grudged the Dissenters their hearers, and the more narrow-minded members of the church of Englan...