Memoirs of the Life and Times of Daniel De Foe

for the Ministry.-But diverted from that Profession.-Unfavourable Character of the times.-His Defence of a Gospel Ministry. And Statement of the Qualifications necessary for it.-Defends Himself from the Charge of being Illiterate, against Browne and Tutchin.-Scurrility of Writers at that time

CHAPTER III.

Restoration of Charles II.-De Foe's Account of that Event, and its Consequences to the Nation.-Profligacy of the Court.-De Foe's Picture of the Times.-May Poles.Drunkenness.- Swearing.-Cavaliers Responsible for the Change of Manners.-Anecdote of Milton.-Early Steps to Enslave the Nation.-Charles's little regard to Oaths.His Conversion to the Catholic Religion.-Duplicity to the Presbyterians.-Act of Uniformity.-Revival of Ecclesiastical Observances.-Curious License for Eating Flesh.-The King's Declaration of Indulgence.-Character of Lord Clarendon. Sheldon's Buffoonery.-Preaching of the Times. -Severity of the Parliament.—And of the Clergy.—Barbarity of Sheldon and Ward.-Character of the Court Clergy. Some of a better Spirit.-Anecdote of Wilkins and Cosin

CHAPTER IV.

The King and Parliament unite in Oppressing the People.Sydney's Account of the Introduction of Bribery.-Marvel's Representation.-De Foe's Account of the Peusion-Parliament. The Springs of Charles's Policy.-His Treaty with. the French King.-The Cabal.-Intermission of Parliaments. -Charles's Perfidy to the Dutch.-And to his own Subjects. Shuts up the Exchequer.-De Foe's Account of its Ruinous Consequences.- Declaration of Indulgence.Shaftesbury's Reflections upon it.-Re-called.-The King's Duplicity. Wickedness of Laws to Prescribe Religion.—

333

CONTENTS.

The Test Act.-Opposed by the Court.-The King gives

his Assent.--Conduct of the Earl of Bristol.-And of the

Dissenters.-Reflections upon it.—Their Patriotism praised

by De Foe. His Account of Alderman Love's Speech.-

And of the Policy of the Court in Religious Matters -Per-

secution renewed.- De Foe's Remarks upon the Subversion

of Justice

CHAPTER V.

Boldness and Indiscretion of the Catholics.-Address of the

King.-Popish Plot.-Involved in Mystery.-Sensation pro-

duced by the Discovery.-Sir William Temple's Account of

it.-Expectations of the Catholics at this Time.-Reason-

ably grounded.-Their turn to Suffer.-Violence of the Par-

liament. Character of Titus Oates.-Many Catholics put

to Death. The King's cold-blooded Cruelty.-He ridicules

the Plot. And employs Papists.-De Foe's Reflections

upon the Popish Plot.-His Description of a Protestant

Flail. Carries one himself.-He Enlists early in the Popu-

lar Party.-Curious instance of Credulity.-Change in the

Temper of the Nation.-De Foe's Account of the Origin of

Whig and Tory.-He is present at a Meeting with Oates

and Bedloe.-The Duke of York openly Professes himself

a Catholic.-The Bishops attempt his Conversion.-Their

curious Interview.-Project in Parliament to set aside the

Duke. The King's Fraudulent Conduct towards the Dis-

senters. A spirit of Liberty awakened.-De Foe's Reflec-

tions upon the Bill of Exclusion.-The King Attacks the

Charters. In which he is Defended by Sprat.-His curious

Notion of Providence.-The City resigns its Charter.-De

Foe's Account of the Proceedings in Common-Hall.-Sham

Plots.-Coke's Remark upon them.-Many Patriots sacri-

ficed.-De Foe's Remarks upon the Death of Sydney.—

And upon the Infatuation of the Times.-Johnson's Re-

marks upon the Death of Stephen College

De Foe commences Author.-Writes against Roger L'Estrange.

-Account of his Pamphlet.-His Publication upon the

War between the Turks and the Imperialists.-Persecution

of the Hungarian Protestants.-State of Affairs in England.

-Persecution Revived.-Severe Proceedings of the Magis-

trates. And the Bishops.-Marvel's Remarks upon

Conduct of Christians.-De Foe exposes the Folly of Per-

secution. And the Absurdity of the Sacramental Test.-

Death of Charles II.-His Character

CHAPTER VII.

the

Accession of James II.-His fair Promises.-Flattering Ad-

dresses. He seizes the Customs.-And goes Publicly to

Mass.-Servility of Parliament.-Observation of Maximilian

II.-Character of the Duke of Monmouth.-His Expedition

to England. Rising in his Favour.-De Foe joins his

Standard.-Obstacles to his Success.-De Foe's Account

of the Enterprise.-Defeat and Execution of Monmouth.—

Cruelties in the West.-De Foe's Escape.-Anecdote of one

of the Duke's Followers.-De Foe's early Engagements in

Trade

102

CHAPTER VIII.

De Foe embarks in the Controversy upon the Dispensing

Power.-Advances of the Catholic Religion.-Anecdote of

the Earl of Perth.-Reflections upon the Rivalry of Sects.

-Fashionable Doctrines of the Times.-The Clergy Abet-

tors of Tyranny.-Locke's Account of their Politics.-De

Foe's Testimony.-Bishop Cartwright's Politics.-Altered

Tone of Parliament.-Anecdote of Colonel Fox.-The King

Governs by his Prerogative.-Pliancy of the Judges.-

Exercise of the Dispensing Power.-Discussion of Contro-

versial Subjects in the Pulpit prohibited.--Disregarded by the Clergy. Their Inconsistency.-Kettlewell a Passivepreacher.-Ecclesiastical Commission.-University of Oxford practises Resistance.-The King declares for Universal Toleration.Issues a Declaration of Indulgence.- De Foe's Reflections upon it.-Use made of it by the Catholics.And the Dissenters.-Addresses promoted.-Sentiments of Kettlewell and others upon the Toleration.-Publications upon the Dispensing Power.-De Foe writes upon it.Distinctions of Tyranny.-Commanding Attitude of Dissenters.-De Foe's Remarks upon it. And upon their Forbearance. And their Short-sighted Policy.-Their Moderation exemplified in the case of Jeremiah White.-'They are courted by Churchmen.-Who make an ungrateful Return. The Clergy become Advocates for Resistance.Causes of it Explained.-De Foe Reprobates their Dishonesty.-New Test of Church of England Loyalty.—The King Renews his Declaration, and orders it to be Read in Churches. Opposed by the Clergy.-James Forewarned of their Resistance.-The Bishops Petition the King. Their curious Interview.-Committed to the Tower.-Reflections upon that Proceeding.-Sensation produced by it. -Good Conduct of the Bishops.-Tried and Acquitted.- Expressions of Joy upon the Occasion.-James grows Sullen and Exasperated.-Reflections upon his Conduct .. 114

CHAPTER IX.

Supplications of the Church in her Extremity.-Overtures to the Dissenters.-Sancroft proposes a Reformation in the Church. His Healing Instructions to the Clergy.-The good of Affliction.-Its Effects upon Sancroft-And upon the rest of the Clergy.-The Tories become alienated from James.-Bolingbroke's Remarks upon their Conduct.-Invitation to the Prince of Orange.-His Declaration.--Disingenuity of the Bishops.-Arrival of the Prince.-De Foe's Account of the Sensation produced by it.--Its Effect upon