BOOK
XXII.

1784.

By these grand and leading features are the opposite parties of the present reign clearly discriminated; and whether these parties shall con

In the last century the Presbyterians, differing little or nothing from the National Church in articles of faith or points of doctrine, and admitting almost universally episcopal government to be most agreeable to the primitive' model, were yet highly offended at the retention of so great a part of the Romish ritual-her feasts, her fasts, her vestments, and her ceremonies. A conformity with these they regarded as unlawfully symbo lizing with Popery-as an alarming and sinful advance towards antichristianism and idolatry. When it was deemed necessary or expedient, at least by the Long Parliament, in the course of the civil wars, to call in the assistance of the Scottish nation, the English Presbyterians embraced the Scottish covenant as the indispensable condition of attaining it—and episcopacy being rejected in all its forms and modifications, the Scottish model or "platform" of government and discipline by classes and assemblies was adopted and established throughout the kingdom. The Independents in a short time totally supplanting the Presbyterians, the new mode of worship fell into contempt—this daring and military sect affirming each separate church or congregation to possess a power over its own members, complete and independent of all other or superior jurisdictions; thus, as the historian Neale observes, "striking at the main principles of the hierarchy." This opinion naturally led to the novel and noble principle first introduced by them of an universal and unlimited toleration. In a long series of years the points of resemblance and dissimilarity between these two sects are much changed. The dissenters of all denominations are now agreed as to the non-existence of any higher ecclesiastical authority founded on Scripture or primitive an

XXII.

tinue to be known under the established denomi- вOOK nations of Whig and Tory, whether by the appellations of Court and Country, King's Friends or

tiquity than that of an individual church or congregation-
and the difference now consists entirely in opposing formulas
of faith—the Independent congregations adhering strictly to
the Calvinistic or orthodox system, and the Presbyterians de-
'viating into a wide field of latitudinarianism and heresy,
branching into all the theological distinctions of Arminianism,
Arianism, Socinianism, &c. The dissenters of the latter de-
nominations have indeed of late years chosen to decline alto-
gether the appellation of Presbyterians, as conveying, since
the days of Hudibras, ideas of cant, grimace, and enthusiasm,
by no means characteristic of these sceptical, reasoning, and
philosophical sects; choosing rather the simple and dignified
title of Christian Unitarians. The Baptists, or Anabaptists,
as they are usually styled, differ no less widely among them-
selves as to speculative points of doctrine, and have no com-
mon centre of union as a sect but in their rejection of the rite
of baptism as it has been customarily practised in the Chris-
tian church in all ages-confining it to adult Christians in
the mode of immersion only. Amongst the Quakers, no less
than other professors of Christianity, it is certain that a great
diversity of sentiments subsists respecting the doctrines incul-
cated by it. But this benevolent and pacific sect wisely lay much
more stress on the spirit and temper of the religion they pro-
fess, than on any peculiar dogmas of faith. And since the
frantic but transient fervors by which they were originally
actuated subsided, they have distinguished themselves by an
enlightened and active zeal in the cause of universal charity,
humanity, and freedom, both civil and religious. The Mo-
ravians constitute a fifth sect, in a national and political view,
almost too insignificant for mention. They had their origin

1784

XXII.

1784.

BOOK Patriots, is of little importance, so that the terms be distinctly defined and generally understood; although in different individuals these different systems will of course be blended and diversified by all the possible tints and shades of moral and political variety.

No sooner had the Whigs, after a long and laborious opposition, driven their antagonists the Tories from the helm, and found themselves in full possession of the powers of government and the confidence of the people, than, in consequence of the unfortunate misunderstanding and subsequent conflict of their leaders, they were again broken and divided; and each division was under the necessity of strengthening itself by forming new and dangerous connections with their former opponents. On the secession of Mr. Fox, the earl of Shelburne called in the aid, though in a somewhat covert manner, of the Jenkinson party;

in Germany within the present century-the famous count Zinzendorf being their head and first founder. Notwithstanding the spirit of fanaticism, and, if they are not heavily calumniated, of immorality, which marked their earlier stages of progression, they are now known only as an humble, quiet, and industrious people, little connected with the community at large, submissively obedient in religious matters to those whom they regard as their spiritual superiors, and in civil concerns to the government of the country under whose pro tection they live, with little disposition or ability to enter into any speculative discussion of these topics.

XXII.

1784.

and when a fair prospect of supplanting that BOOK nobleman in a short time occurred, Mr. Fox scrupled not, to the astonishment and indignation of the kingdom, publicly to coalesce with lord North and his numerous partisans. The earl of Shelburne having been far more guarded in his previous declarations, as well as his subsequent political associations, escaped the obloquy which attended the more flagrant inconsistency of his once popular rival; who, by openly connecting himself with that individual minister of the crown whom he had so long and so successfully laboured to vilify and disgrace, had for ever forfeited his claim to the flattering appellation of "the Man of the People."

On the dismission of the coalition administration, Mr. Pitt, the head of the new ministry, was in a manner compelled, like his predecessor lord Shelburne, to admit no inconsiderable proportion of the Tories to share in the honors and emoluments of government; and the nation, equally enraged at the Whigs and the Tories of the coalition, willingly excused the re-admission of those members of the old Tory administration who could plead the recent merit of inveighing against the coalition, and of opposing the India Bill of Mr. Fox.

From this mixture of Toryism in the new administration, nevertheless, the most pernicious

BOOK and direful consequences have ultimately resultXXII. ed. The reign of the present monarch has in

1784.

Proceed

ings rela

Westmin

ster return.

deed been distinguished by a strange and dreadful fatality; and the deplorable infatuation almost invariably actuating the national councils, and which has been productive of such mighty mischiefs, may well appear to the contemplative and philosophic mind-penetrating beyond the dark cloud which bounds the view of common observers the destined means of accomplishing the grand and beneficent purposes of that wisdom in comparison with which the highest human sagacity is as weakness and folly. But these are re-. flections which more properly appertain to the province of the theologist than the historian.

-

After the division which took place on the adtive to the dress, and which terminated in the complete triumph of the new ministry, the business which chiefly for a time occupied the attention of the house and of the public was the complaint stated by Mr. Fox respecting the conduct of the highbailiff of Westminster, who had obstinately and daringly refused to make the return in his favor, although he had upon the face of the poll a majority of 235 votes. Mr. Fox, however, was not deprived of his seat in parliament by this infamous procedure, being, through the interest of his friend sir Thomas Dundas, chosen member for the borough of Kirkwall, in the Orkneys; on