271

Protest of the dissentient peers against the bill

Reflections on the measure

272

275

The whole scheme blasted by the death of Anne

276

SECTION III.

The Spirit of religious Liberty among Dissenters during

this Period.

A large proportion of them were presbyterians, who

were not eminent for the liberality of their views 279

Yet adversity had taught them wisdom

The principles of the independents more favourable to

religious liberty

280

282

As also of the baptists

283

And of the quakers

ib.

Happy progress of principles in this period

284

CHAP. III.

REASONS OF DISSENT.

SECTION I.

General Principles on which Dissent is founded.

Influence of the reformation

287

Improvement in the character of the English clergy

Different views of union among Christians

288

289

Value of inflexible adherence to principle

290

They hire a place for their own worship in London

The Protector's behaviour towards them

The quaker-discipline established

Their courage in suffering at the restoration
William Penn joins them

Quakerism introduced into America

The diffusion of their sentiments in the world
William Penn in favour with James the second

CHAP. II.

STATE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DURING THIS P

PAC

1

1

SECTION I.

State of religious Liberty during the Reign of King

The importance of religious liberty

Its introduction to our isle by king William

His liberal views

His efforts in favour of dissenters

The toleration act

Reflections on it

Liberty of conscience but of late date

Locke, its great patron

The project for a comprehension of the dissente

Rejected by the parliament

Reflections

Different views of the toleration act

SECTION II.

State of religious Liberty during the Reign of (

The bill for preventing occasional conformity
State of society at this period

Contest between the lords and commons on

for preventing occasional conformity

Sacheverell, the champion of high church

He is persecuted into importance

He is impeached by the commons

Condemned by the lords

A dissenter gives a statement of those principles which

separate him from the church of England

The first principle is, that Jesus Christ is the sole head

of the church

PAGE.

292

293

The second, the sacred Scriptures are the only rule of

faith and practice

294

Dissenters refuse implicit submission to any other

authority in religion

295

Another principle with dissenters is the right of private

judgment in religion

299

No priest is to judge for me

Nor magistrate in spiritual concerns

Every one has a right publicly to profess the religion

which he approves

Christ gave his disciples this authority

This can never be dangerous to the state

As the state of England and of America proves

The church of Christ entirely spiritual and distinct

from the state

SECTION II.

Particular Reasons of Dissent.

ib.

300

303

304

305

306

308

The church of England a creature of the state

Which still governs what it first formed

312

313

To such a church a dissenter refuses to belong

The church has no power to decree rites and ceremo-

315

nies

ib.

If the church of England possess any such power, the

same must be conceded to that of Rome

Dissenters object to the multiplicity of offices and

dignities in the church of England

Dissenters prefer extemporary prayer to the incessant

repetition of the liturgy

Every Christian minister ought to be able to lead the

devotions of the church

The liturgy of the church of England cut into shreds 325

Filled with repetitions

Unedifying mode of reading the psalms

The liturgy adopts another and a worse translation of

the psalms than the authorised version of the

Scriptures

ib.

ib.

326

326

The length of the morning service objectionable

The Creeds. Difference between the Nicene and

Athanasian creeds

The anathemas of the Athanasian creeds

Errors in the office of baptism

Unscriptural origin and tendency of confirmation

Visitation of the sick

Evil tendency of the burial service

-

PAGE.

327

329

330

ib.

332

ib.

333

Substitution of sponsors for parents in baptism

338

Sign of the cross in baptism

339

Imposition of kneeling at the Lord's supper

340

Ministers restricted to the form in administering the

353

354

356

Compulsory relation between a minister and his flock

in the church of England

In the establishment the people are nothing

Infidels here appoint pastors over the flock of Christ

Tyrannical spirit of the church of England

To the state we are indebted for more lenient measures 361

The church always in fear of danger

Which may keep a Christian from remaining within

her walls

Many dissent purely for the sake of hearing evangelical

doctrines, and joining in spiritual worship