Here is

for the accomplishment of predictions, big with terror; and of promises, pregnant with joy; we will yet wait, confident that we cannot wait in vain. O no, these are realities, which nothing can ever, ever, ever shake. They are realities which language is too poor to describe; and the intellect, too mean to conceive. a depth of woe, vast as immensity; and here, a height of bliss, immensurable as eternity. Yes, our assured confidence, in the accomplishment of the promises, shall travel over those mountains of difficulties, which on earth, or in heaven, we shall be-. hold levelled by Omnipotence.

THE BIGOTS IN THE DUST.

THE CALVINIST BIGOT.

Lewis du Moulin, Doctor in physic, distinguished by his learning and accuteness as a controversial writer, being in his last sickness visited by Doctor Burnet, and admonished of the foul language used in his books against Doctor Stillingfleet, Dean of Paul's, Doctor Durell, Dean of Windsor, Doctor Patrick, Dean of Peters-

borough, &c.* desired Doctor Burnet to ask them pardon in his name; and when he spake of the Dean of St. Paul's, he expressed much sorrow, and shed some tears; and upon their motion; signed this recantation, following.

f

"As for my books, in which I mixed many personal reflections, I am now sensible I vented too much of my own passion and bitterness; and therefore I disclaim all that is personal in them, and am heartily sorry for every thing I have written to the defaming of any person.

* The controversy of the reasonableness of Toleration, was now, in the reign of Charles II. (in 1668) warmly debated without doors; many ill-natured books were written to expose the Calvinistic Doctrines of the Presbyterians, as leading to Antinomianism, and licentiousness of manners. Others exposed their character and manner preaching. Among these must be reckoned, "The friendly debate," which, though written by a good man, had an ill effect in sharpening peoples' spirits too much against the Dissenters. The author was the learned Dr. Patrick, afterwards Bishop of Ely. But I must do this prelate so much justice as to say, that in his advanced age, he expressed his dissatisfaction with this part of his conduct; and, in a debate in the House of Lords, about the occasional bill, declared, that although he had been known to write against the Dissenters, with some warmth, in his younger years, he had lived long enough to see reason to alter his opinion of that people, and that way of writing. A rare instance of ingenuity and candour.

Neal's History of Puritans, vol. ii. p. 546.

I humbly beg God, and all those I have so wronged, pardon for Jesus Christ's sake; and am resolved if God shall spare my life, never to meddle more with such personal things, and do earnestly exhort all people, as a dying man, that they will study more love and mutual forbearance in their differences; and will avoid all bitter and uncharitable reflections on one anothers persons. And, as I pray those worthy men of the Church of England to have charity and tenderness for the dissenters from them; so I beg of the Dissenters that they would have a due regard and respect to those of the church of England; of many of whom I say now, let my soul be with theirs; and that all true protestants among us may heartily unite and concur in the defence and preservation of the holy reformed religion, now by the mercy of God, settled among us. And that men of all sides, may according to St. Paul's rule, Cease to bite and devour one another, lest we be destroyed one of another; and that whereunto we have already attained, we may walk by the same rule; hoping that if any man is otherwise minded, in some lesser things, God shall either reveal that to him, or mercifully forgive it, through Jesus Christ, into whose hands I commend my spirit, and desire to appear before God, in and through him, who gave himself for me; and, therefore, do now study to learn

of him to be meek and lowly in heart, and to love all the brethren as he loved me.

This, in sincerity of heart, I,

(SIGNED)

LEWIS DU MOULIN.

Oct. 5, 1680.

THE ARMINIAN BIGOT.

Mr. John Child, having written a book, called, The second argument for a more firm union amongst Protestants; where he fell foul upon the Nonconformists, was thereupon, smitten with remorse; and to one Mr. C. H. coming to visit him, (taking up the book in his hand) began to read, where he saith, "The greatest Number of Dissenters, do hold principles dangerously heretical, and most abominably abusing the most Holy God, &c." But, before he could end that paragraph, being under extreme agony of mind, and weeping bitterly, put the book from him, and spake to this effect, viz.; "I have represented those Calvin's principles, beyond whatever they conceived; strained their opinions, beyond their in-. tentions and drawing such consequences, as never were in their minds. And, strik

ing his breast, with much anguish, said, "These words lie close; I shall never get over this; I write in prejudice against them, calling them a villainous body of people, which was unjust*. Professing he could not repent; (and, with a very firm countenance, said) I shall go to hell; I am broken in judgment; when I think to pray, either I have a flushing in my face, as if I were in a flame, or I am dumb, and cannot speak, or else, I fall asleep upon my knees; all the signs of one whom God hath left forsaken, and hardened. An

*" All sober men were of opinion, that it was ungenerous and cruel, to treat a number of peaceable men, whom the laws had put almost out of their protection, in so ludicrous a manner, as was done by Parker, afterwards Bishop of Oxford; who, Bishop Burnet says, was rather impious than otherwise. Religion itself suffered by it. "I remember, (says Lord Chief Justice Hales) that when Ben Johnson, in his play of the Alchymist, introduced Amartus, in derision of the Puritans, with many of their phrases, taken out of scripture, in order to render that people ridiculous, the play was detested, and abhorred, because it seemed to reproach Religion itself; but now, when the Presbyterians were brought upon the stage (in the reign of Charles II.) in their peculiar habits, and with their distinguishing phrases of scripture, exposed to the laughter of spectators, it met with approbation and applause." Nor was this to be wondered at, for the torrent of vice, rolling down from off the hill of royalty, deposited its filth in its descent-corrupted, and corrupting.

Neale's History of the Puritans. Vol. ii. p. 547,