parochial churches in and about London, for the sake of their pews and their cloaths, rather than for conformity to the public worship. For they would not join in any part of the Prayers for King George, and his royal family, but at the mention of those names, they would rise up or sit down, or, at least, express their dissent in some visible manner." This statement must be taken with certain deductions, for the writer usually traduces the Nonjurors. The following extract exhibits the character of the writer's own principles. "In the mean time too many of the Church clergy, though offended with Dr. Hickes for urging a separation from Parochial Churches, yet they gave in very much to the principles, upon which that practice was founded, viz. The Independency of the Church from the State, the more than spiritual power of the Church."[1] Such a man could scarcely form an impartial judgment of the Nonjurors, when he had conceived such views of the complying Clergy.
Still, few of the actual Nonjurors were implicated in the Rebellion. This statement is fully supported by contemporary writings. The following passage is so pertinent, that no apology is needed for its insertion. "The principles, on which the legality of the present establishment is maintained, are, I think, but improperly made a part of the present quarrel, which divides the nation. There are but few, who have not precluded themselves on this point: those I mean, who have had courage and plainness enough to own their sense and to forego the advantages, either of birth or education, rather than give a false security to the government, which under their pre-
- ↑ Life of Kennet, 161, 162.
