other, and help the Papists to triumph over them all?

The two Kingdoms of England and Scotland are happily united; each Perfuafion has the Advantage of a publick Establishment, with a Toleration to those that respectively differ from it. But this, it seems, is not fufficient; nothing but the Introduction of the Geneva Plan, or fomething like it, thro' the whole united Kingdom, can give full Satisfaction. To accomplish this Defign, Mr. N. has taken much Pains to represent the Church of England as founded in Violence and Bloodshed, its Constitution contrary to the Word of God, and invading Chriftian Liberty; and, to the great Joy, no doubt, of Papifts, fhews múch Displeasure against almost every thing done at the Reformation, and very feverely treats the Memory of the great and worthy Inftruments of it. The taking away the superfluous Popish Furniture and Vestments, which, according to his own Principles, had been abused to Idolatry, and were a Profanation of the Chriftian Worship, he exprefsly calls by no better Name than the Papifts give it, N's Hift. Sacrilege, or Church-Theft; and cen-.77. fures the Proceeding in Parliament, ac-vid. Burn. cording to the Advice of pious Prote- Hift. Vol. II. Stant.330.Appen.

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ftant Exiles, to establish the Proteftant Religion, for not having the Confent of a Popish Convocation. Heath, fays he, [Queen Mary's] Archbishop of York made an elegant Speech against "the Act of Uniformity of Common "Prayer and Service in the Church, "and Administration of the Sacra6c ments; in which, among

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things, he obferves VERY JUSTLY, that an Act of this Confequence ought to have had the Confent of the [then Popifh] Clergy in Convocation, before it pafs'd into a Law." On the contrary, this Gentleman introduces the Patrons of the Geneva Model, as Perfons zealous for Christian Liberty, that were only defirous of fhewing a greater Regard to Scripture, promoting a purer Reformation, a holy Difcipline, &c. Thus while he describes one as exceeding bad, the other extreamly good, what is the natural Inference from all this, but that the corrupt Church should be abolish'd, and a pure one plac'd in its room, by all who hate Perfecution, regard the Laws of Christ, or value Chriftian Liberty?

Tho' many wife and moderate Men think it an Unhappiness to have this Controverfy revived at this Juncture; yet, if it fhall appear, that Mr. N's

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History contains many things injurious to the Memory of the Great Foundrels of the Proteftant Religion, and very partial Reprefentations of those who acted by her Authority; it must be thought a Piece of Juftice to that good Princefs, as well as to her Minifters and Servants, to re-confider this Matter. If all the Proceedings in a long Reign of Forty Four Years were not equally praife-worthy, 'tis not to be wonder'd at. Human Frailties attend Perfons of every Rank, and it will appear that the Puritans were as far from being faultlefs, as their Superiors. 'Tis but Juftice therefore to divide the Blame, and let each Side have its proper Share. With this View publick Notice is taken of Mr. N's Performance, that the Church of England, which has always been the great Support and Bulwark, as well as the Refuge and Afylum of the Proteftant Religion, may not lye under fuch a heavy Load as he has laid upon it; when fo large a Part justly falls to the Share of other Perfons.

Justice to the Establish'd Church obliges us to obferve, that the Bishops and Clergy thereof have exprefs'd no Defire to engage the King's Protestant Subjects in Difputes with one another, nor made any Attempts to revive these

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Controverfies about leffer Matters, when Christianity itself, and the Prostant Religion, are fo vigorously assaulted. In the prefent Cafe, the very Rights of Self-defence had probably been waved, if Silence under fuch an Attack, would not, to the great Hurt of the Proteftant Intereft, have given an Appearance of Truth to fome injurious Representations. In order therefore to do Juftice, and lay this Matter fairly before the World, 'tis requifite to throw fome Light into thofe Characters of the Queen, her Miniftry, and Bishops, which this Gentleman has drawn fo very black and frightful. It will at the fame time be neceffary to caft fome Shade into his Pictures of the Puritans, which are made too bright and glaring. This laft is indeed the more unpleasant Part of the Work; and had they not been applauded at the Expence of the great Inftruments of the Reformation, their Characters would have pafs'd untouch'd. However, as they are now dead, and unable to answer for themselves, they shall be treated with all the Candour and Tendernefs that are confiftent with Truth, and no more fhall be faid of them than is neceffary to the Defence of their Accufed Superiors. The Treatment

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thefe have met with fhall not be made an Example in fpeaking of the other. The Establishment of the Church of England on the Bafis on which it now ftands, was effected in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth; we fhall therefore pass over the preceding Parts of Mr. N's History, and confider this as the prin cipal Period when the Controverfy with the Puritans properly had its Rife.

A few Obfervations upon the Circumstances of Affairs in that Reign, will give fome Light to the Dispute, if under them it fhall appear,

1. That Queen Elizabeth was really a Proteftant, and wifely fix'd upon the moft proper and fcriptural, as well as moft catholick and comprehenfive Eltablishment of the Proteftant Religion.

2. That the Puritans were neither defirous of a Toleration for themselves, nor willing to grant it to any others; but folely aimed at the establishing their own Platform, and perfecuting their Fellow-Subjects and Fellow-Proteftants.

3. That they were treated with great Indulgence and Favour, and allow'd to enjoy many and confiderable Preferments in the Church. 4. That