posed with a safe conscience: Died, March 5th, 1743." His refutation of the charge of Popery was noticed in a previous chapter; but it may be added, that, in Ballard's Collection of Letters, it was actually stated, that he had become a Papist, and had formed a separate congregation. The latter assertion was true: and it is contradictory of the former, since, had he become a Papist, he would not have formed a separate congregation, but would have united himself with the Church of Rome. The circumstance shews how ready many persons were in those days as well as in our own, to allege the charge of Popery against men of sound and orthodox principles.[1]
Thomas Baker, the learned antiquary, died in the year 1740, in the 80th year of his age. Some notices of his labours have been given in a preceding chapter: but a few particulars may be added. He lost his living in 1690, for declining the Oath of Allegiance, on which occasion he retired to his fellowship in St. John's College Cambridge, which he held until the year 1716. Those who had taken the degree of B. D. were undisturbed in their fellowships, until the reign of George I., when the Oath of Abjuration was imposed. Jenkin, the Master of the College, was anxious to leave things as they were: but he was informed by those in authority, that the Oaths must be pressed. Baker's correspondence was very extensive: and even Burnet held him in much estimation. There is a Letter from Burnet, which really exhibits the Bishop in a more amiable light, than that in which he usually appeared, when discussing the Nonjuring questions. Alluding to "The Hereditary Right of the Crown Asserted," the Bishop, after stating that he
- ↑ Nichols, i. 409—412.
