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Secondly, friends should not proceed to second marriages, till at least one year is elapsed from the death of the former wife, or husband, and the practice accordingly has been such; for to do otherwise would look indecent.

To their general meeting at London, which assembles at Whitsuntide, are admitted friends from all the churches they have in the world, to give an account of the state of every particular church which from some parts is done only by writing, and then a general epistle is sent to all the churches.

These espistles, from their general meetings in London, have something in them of a very pious and moral tendency, of which we shall afterwards give a specimen. In the mean time, we cannot help observing, that of all religious denominations, these people suffer more than others. They are obliged to pay all sorts of taxes, and yet none of their poor become burdensome to the parishes.

The Papists have had greater iudulgences shewn them than the Friends, and there are numbers of Papists in the workhouses in England. It is true, those of the Quakers or Friends, must be also admitted, on condition of their applying for it; but we cannot say but it is rather cruel, to make men pay for the support of the poor, seeing they support all their own, and that in so decent a manner.

The following epistle was written by that great ornament of the literary world, Dr. John Fothergill, at the last yearly meeting at London, May 29, 1779. It will serve to shew what are the sentiments of those peaceable people under the present unhappy circumstances of affairs.

Dearly beloved friends and brethren,

In the love of God, and the fellowship of the gospel, which we have, with deep thankfulness of heart, in a good degree experienced to attend us, both in our meetings for worship, and those for transacting the affairs of the church, we affectionately salute you; with fervent desires that brotherly love, peace, and concord, may continue and encrease amongst us, and that a tender and Christian concern may come upon all, in their respective stations, for the maintenance of good order, and the promotion of truth and righteousness upon earth.

By accounts received from the several quarterly meetings in England, and by epistles from Wales, North-Britain, Ireland, Holland, New-England, New-York, Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, we are informed that love and unity are generally preserved

in the churches, to many of which divers have been joined through convincement; and that a considerable number of well-disposed youth appears in various parts.

The sufferings of our brethren in America have been great in many places, especially in Pennsylvania, the Jerseys, Long-Island, Rhode-Island, and Nantucket. These sufferings have principally arisen from that confusion and distress which are inseparable from war, from the laws enacted for promoting. military services, and from acts enforcing declarations of allegiance to those in power.

The friends who were banished from Philadelphia have been permitted to return to their habitations, excepting two, who died in exile; and some of those who were imprisoned have been set. at liberty.

It is with satisfaction we understand, that their meetings for worship and discipline are duly kept up, and that notwithstanding the difficulties and dangers which surround them, friends attend them with diligence, and many from remote places; their minds are often tendered therein, and united in love one to another, and in deep sympathy with the sufferers amongst them. And it evidently appears, that the turning of the mighty hand of the Lord upon them hath not been in vain; but that, having learned by the things they have suffered, and from the apprehension of future probations, they are engaged to wait for that divine help, protection, and support, which alone can enable them to endure with patience and holy resignation the trials that are permitted to attend them.

Our brethren in those parts gratefully acknowledge the kindness and regard of friends in England and Ireland, in so early and liberally contributing to the relief of their distresses. Many, from easy circumstance, have been reduced to great hardships. and necessities, but have been measurably kept in a state of contentment: these have shared the benevolence of those who have be enpreserved from the like sufferings. It appears, that their afflictions, though grievous in divers places, have tended to awaken many to a proper sense of their condidition, and to encrease a watchfulness and care, that they may walk answerable to the mercies received, and faithful in the testimonies committed to their charge, against wars and other antichristian practices.

May a deep sympathy with our afflicted brethren affect every mind; and may we all watch unto prayer, that it may please the Divine Majesty to shorten the day of their distress.

The

The sufferings of friends brought in this year from England and Wales, being chiefly for tithes, and those called church-rates, amount to three thousand seven hundred and sixty three pounds; and those from Ireland to one thousand two hundred and fifty-four pounds.

Inasmuch as we have sufficient ground to believe that the true gospel ministry is freely received from the Holy Head and unchangeable High-Priest of the Christian church, and by him commanded to be freely given; we cannot esteem the laws of men, made in the apostatized state of the professing churches, as of any force to supersede his divine law, or to warrant us to act in violation thereof; we therefore exhort you, brethren, be true and stedfast in the fast in the faith once delivered to the saints, and deeply suffered for by divers of the Protestant martyrs, as well as by our own faithful predecessors. However any amongst us, to whom blindness in part hath happened may swerve from the law, and from the testimony, suffer it not to fall as in the streets, through your weakness, or the want of your example; lest for your denial of Christ before men, he deny you before his Father, and the holy angels.

Let us also remind such as may be remiss in attention to the teachings of the grace of God in their own hearts, that the kingdom of Christ is a peaceable kingdom; and though his servants walk in the flesh, they do not war after the flesh. He commands them to love their enemies; and many who have followed him in the regeneration, and abode under his governmeut, have found themselves restrained from all wars and fightings; which are not of the spirit of the Saviour, but that of the destroyer of mankind. Believing this, we cannot consistently take any part therein; nor be concerned as owner of armed vessels, in letters of marque, or as purchasers of prize. goods; neither

can we assist in the sale of them for whoever amongst us so confederate with the captors, afford evident tokens that they either prefer the gain of a corrupt interest to the convictions of divine light in their own consciences, or that they are become insensible of them; both which must tend to their condemnation.

Now, dear friends, seeing our time is ever silently upon the wing, and the opportunity afforded us for the important work of preparation daily shortening; knowing also, that the solemn period advances, wherein every individual, however occupied in this transient mode of being, must soon be called hence, and may, in a moment unexpected, be broken off from every temporal connection, by that aweful command, "Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward: " Let us be vigilant, and in earnest so improve the precious time allotted us, that when this awakening call approaches, our consciences may not accuse us; but our faith may be firm, and an admittance granted us into that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God!

"See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith from God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

Eph. v. 15.-vi. 23.

Before we conclude the account of these people, it may be necessary to observe, that as the Friends,commonly called Quakers, will not take an oath in a court of justice, so their affirmation is permitted in all civil affairs; but they cannot prosecute a criminal, because in our courts of justice, all: evidence must be upon oath.

ACCOUNT

ACCOUNT OF THE NONJURORS.

WE have had already occasion to treat of diffe

rent sects of Protestants, who embraced sentiments arising from disputed points in theological systems, or metaphysical disquisitions. We shall now proceed to point out a party whose religion is founded on politics.

The Nonjuring religion is, in all respects, a political system and is founded on an opposition to the revolution settlement; but this cannot be understood, till we consider it historically. This naturally leads. us back to a period before they took their rise. As in religious disputes there ought always to be some sort of candour mixed with the argument, so politics should be treated with modesty. The grand point in dispute between these people, and the established churches of England and Scotland depends entirely on the revolution settlement, but why it should be so, must be explained to the reader.

The sectaries in England, who brought king Charles to the scaffold and the block, had two objects in view. The first was to procure the church livings, and the second to obtain a power to domineer over the consciences of the people. Religion, with them, was considered in the same light as it was with pope Alexander VI. and his natural son Cæsar of Borgia. For it is well known, that they overturned the constitution in church and state, and trampled on the ruins of their plundered country. The consequence was, that the two royal brothers were obliged to seek refuge in foreign countries while they were very young. Complaisance to those who supported them during a state of exile, induced them to embrace the Roman Catholic religion.

In 1660, Charles returned and was crowned king of Great Britain, but concealed his religion till his dying day. At the same time, James returned along with his brother, a confirmed Papist. The Presbyterians thought to have ingratiated themselves with the young sovereign, but his father's sufferings could not be effaced, they sunk deep into his mind, and therefore he resolved to set up episcopacy in England and in Scotland.

Accordingly episcopacy was established both in England and Scotland; and the Presbyterians, who

had been turned out of their churches, were prosecuted upon the act of uniformity. That these people who had trampled on the constitution in a manner unknown before in all the annals of history, deserved a little chastisement cannot be disputed, but at the same time it must be acknowledged, that the extension of the regal power went too far. Many of the people who had suffered under the cruel and inhuman government of the sectaries, forgetting the charity they owed to their fellow creatures, and the duty they owed to God, took every opportunity of retaliating. There is no grudge, (says Mr. Sterne) like a religious one; for false religion always discovers itself in seeking revenge.

Here was a large field opened for the clergy, who accepted of the civil emoluments, to exert themselves in persecuting those who in point of government, differed from them in sentiments. And although the sectaries who had overturned the government and murdered their sovereign, had no right to expect any favours, yet it was the duty of the episcopalians to have treated them with lenity. True Christianity is known by its peaceable and forbearing disposition, false religion by its underminding arts.

Never, perhaps, were the Protestant clergy of England in a more corrupt state than during the reigns of Charles II, and James II. Finding that they enjoyed the royal favour and that nothing could give so mush pleasure to the court as the persecuting of the Dissenters, they exerted themselves to the utmost in that horrid employment. In their pulpits, they taught that the king was above law, and that it was the greatest sin in the world to call his authority in question. They were ridiculed by the poets, as appears from the following lines:

Each day unto my flock I taught,
Kings were by God appointed;
And told damnation was their due,

Who touch'd the Lord's anointed.

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sions.

It would have been very well for them, had they confined themselves to the duties of their office, in teaching the doctrines of Christianity; but the most wretched thing of all was, they sought to dabble in politics. They were continually hatching plots against government, and many persons suffered in Had these men consequence of their new notions. considered the nature of Christianity they would never have acted in this manner, but their notions were carnal and their views selfish.

Some of them, however, ran into wild extremes and what will ever appear remarkable, they met the Papists half way on the road. Like some patriots in the present age, they took pleasure in doing every thing they could to disturb government, and at the same time, they felt the iron hand of opposition from the whigs. The whigs, those inveterate enemies of all, who opposed them in search after places of honour or emoluments, were the most severe against the Nonjuring principles. They could have borne with any thing, so as an opportunity presented itself to wreak their vengeance on the nonjurors, No. 31.

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The reason is obvious. The whigs were seeking for places, the tories were discarded. Had the Nonjurors not meddled with the affairs of government in England, they might have lived in peace; but wisdom is not to be conveyed to fools, nor knowledge to men of no understanding.

The English Nonjurors became obnoxious to government. On the accession of George I. future ages will read, with detestation, the account of cabals that were set up in order to oppose government on the one hand, and support it on the other. The grand principle upon which these people founded their doctrine was, hereditary right. How far they could act consistent with the dignity of rational creatures in doing so must be left to the judgment of every man who knows any thing of the history of England.

Is hereditary succession a principle in our law? The answer is in the negative. We shall prove it from historical evidence.

William obtained the crown of England by conquest. His eldest son Robert did not succeed him, but he was succeeded by his second son William Rufus. Rufus, dying without issue, was succeeded by his brother Henry I. while Robert the heir apparent, was still alive; and who for his pretensions to the crown, had his eyes put out and died a prisoner at Bristol.

Stephen succeeded by force without right, and Henry II. succeeded on the hereditary line. From that time till the death of Richard II. it went on, when a very remarkable revolution took place. Henry IV. had but a slender title to the crown, and that crown sat tottering on his head. Soon after the wars commenced between the houses of York and Lancaster, and, consistent with the right of hereditary succession, neither of them had any right to the crown. The Stewarts succeeded in a real heriditary right to the crown of England, but the justice of the nation pointed out, that they had no right to trample on the liberties of the subjects.

It is much to be lamented, though it is true, that while the Dissenters were rioting on the spoils of their deluded people, the Nonjurors were inventing schemes for the subversion of government.

The English Nonjurors contrived all things wrong. In plotting against the government, they involved their hearers in many difficulties, and some of them were apprehended and executed. This, indeed, is not much to be wondered at; for the Nonjurors were, in those times, what mock patriots arc at present in England. All their ceremonies are the same as those of the established church, and the difference is only 9 A.

of

of a political nature. They are, however, dwindling away, and possibly there are not above twenty meetings of them in England. They read the church service, but instead of praying for king George, they pray for the king in general terms but then it must be observed, that no more than five of them are permitted to meet together, exclusive of the minister and the clerk. That they should subsist long cannot be expected, that they have subsisted so long, is an insul: to common

sense.

Account of the Scottish Nonjurors

The Scottish Nonjurors were more numerous than those in England, and, in some respects they were more respectable.

The nobility of Scotland had just notions of pubLic liberty, whether civil or ecclesiastical; and had the episcopal party acted with prudence, modesty, and, decency at the revolution, their order would not have been overturned. But quite the reverse took place. King William was desirous of establishing episcopacy in Scotland, or rather continuing it upon its former establishment, and most of the Scottish nobility concurred in that sentiment. How ever, the episcopal clergy acted just as they had done some time before, namely, as if they had laboured under a penal infatuation.

Dr. Alexander Ross, a man of some learning, but high clerical notions, was at that time bishop of Edinburgh. This man was deputed by his brethren the Scottish clergy, to wait on king James, when they heard that the prince of Orange intended landing in England. They offered that if king James would support them and their order, they would stand by him to the last. The meaning was, they would assist him in establishing popery and persecuting the Presbyterians.

This, however, was rather the act of the bishops' than of the whole body of the clergy, for many of the episcopal clergy were at that time shining ornaments to religion in Scotland. Mr. Nairn, Mr. Charters, and Mr. Annan, were men of great moderation, and wrote some things that will ever do honour to their memory. But to return to Dr.. Ross.

The bishop had not got above half way to London, when he heard that the king was fled, and that the prince of Orange had arrived in London. Under such circumstances he knew not how to

act, and therefore wrote to his brethren in Scotland for their advice. In the mean time he continued his journey to London, where he met with Dr. Hickes, dean of Worcester, and some other clergymen who afterwards, made a shining figure among the English Nonjurors!»

Had Dr. Ross considered the interests of his brethren, he would have in their name, without any authority from them, professed loyalty to king Wil liam, especially as the convention of estates both in England and Scotland, had voted him and his princess the crown. E low set wo

We have already taken notice of the behaviour of some of the Scottish bishops in our account of the episcopal church of that nation, namely, that as the Presbyterians were mad, so the bishops persecuted them, not only with unrelenting cruelty, but actually committed depredations on the liberties of the subjects, and the fundamental laws of the constitution.

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For these, and for many other malversations, they had great reason to imagine that they would be brought to a severe account had their religion been countenanced, and men of virtue and mode ration would have been placed in their room. It is true, that they knew the greatest part of the bas tion was inclined to support the order, while they hated the prelates. Many of the ancient nobility, who above thirty years ago had suffered under the merciless cruelty of the Presbyterians, were still alive, and they dreaded. being brought under the same inquisitorial power.

It is certain, that the Scottish nobility, and a vast majority of the commons, would have supported episcopacy, had the bishops taken the oaths to the the new government; but the whole number (14); remained obstinate, and above five hundred private ministers followed their example..

Under such circumstances it was necessary that there should be some form of religion established; and in the midst of their disputes, the following article was presented to the convention of estates at Edinburgh, and was admitted an article in the claim of rights: "That prelacy, or the superiority of any office in the church above presbyters, is and hath been a constant grievance to this nation, ever since the reformation (they having been rêformed from Popery by presbyters) therefore it ought to be abolished."

Upon this article being admitted in the claim of rights, episcopacy was overturned, and presbytery. established.

As it was on the construction of this article in

the

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