ened the zeal of (other way) good men for the substance of it, so much being spent about external and indifferent things. It also gave advantages to Atheists to treat the most sacred points of our holy faith as ridiculous, when they saw the professors of it contend so fiercely, and with such bitterness, about slighter matters. He was much offended at all those books,

spirit of moderation, charity, and forbearance; and furnish a practical comment on the text of the Apostle, who exhorts us 'To honour all men, and love the brotherhood.' The reader will learn to abjure and abhor the maxims of bigotry and intolerance, which then so powerfully prevailed. Firm, indeed, to his own principles, he will be ever ready to show a tenderness for the prejudices of others. Instead of widening, he will endeavour rather to heal the wounds of religious discord.

Whoever peruses the history of the Church in the time of the Usurpation, and contemplates the unhappy consequences which flowed from her divisions, will find abundant reason to deplore the intemperate zeal of the opposite parties; by which it unfortunately happened, in their indiscriminate hostility to each other, that those, who were the most distinguished for talents, learning, and piety, were often the greatest sufferers. The retaliations for the injuries, which the friends of the Established Church had received, were deeply felt and justly lamented in the person of Baxter, whose estimable qualities and rare endowments must make every good man wish he had escaped the rod of per

secution.

The Church of England, indeed, revolts at the principle. Her weapons are spiritual. Those, whom she cannot convince by argument, she disdains to subdue by violence. Let us hope the age of persecution is fled for ever; that our eyes are open, not more to it's impiety, than to it's impolicy. We live in times, when the real friends of religion and virtue have more reason than ever to overlook their differences in speculative opinions, and unite together in stemming the torrent of vice and infidelity which is ready to overwhelm us. Our political situation, moreover, demands of every true patriot those sacrifices, and the promotion of Christian unity, love, and concord.

that were written to expose the contrary sect to the scorn and contempt of the age, in a wanton and petulant stile. He thought such writers wounded the Christian religion through the sides of those, who differed from them: while a sort of lewd people, who had assumed to themselves the title of the Wits' (though but very few of them had a right to it) took up from both hands what had been said to render each other ridiculous, and thence persuaded the world to laugh at both, and at all religion for their sakes. And, therefore, he often wished there might be some law, to make all scurrility or bitterness in disputes about religion punishable. But as he lamented proceeding too rigorously against the Nonconformists, so he declared himself always on the side of the Church of England,* and said; those of the separation were good men, but they had narrow souls, who would break the peace of the Church about such inconsiderable matters.'

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He scarcely ever meddled in state-intrigues; yet upon a proposition set on foot in 1668, by the Lord Keeper Bridgeman, for a comprehension of the more moderate Dissenters, and a limited indulgence toward such as could not be brought within it's operation, he dispensed with his maxim, of avoiding to engage in matters of State.' There were several meetings upon that occasion. The divine of the Church of England, who appeared most zealous for it, was Dr.

"I must say (observes even Baxter, in his Letter to Stephens') that he was of opinion, that the wealth and honour of the Bishops was convenient, to enable them the better to relieve the poor; and rescue the inferior clergy from oppression, and to keep up the honour of religion in the world."

Wilkins, subsequently promoted to the bishopric of Chester; a man of a great mind, true judgement, eminent virtues, and unaffected piety of character. He being determined, as well by his excellent temper, as by his foresight and prudence, by which he early perceived the mischiefs generally accruing to religion, and the dangers likely to be encountered by the Reformation in particular through those divisions, set about the project with a degree of magnanimity that was indeed peculiar to himself: for though he was much censured by many of his own side, and seconded by very few, he yet pushed it as far as he could. After several conferences with two of the most eminent of the Presbyterian divines, heads were agreed upon, some abatements were to be made, and various explanations were to be accepted. The particulars thus concerted were brought to the Lord Chief Baron,

* Though Hale lived in great friendship with some other eminent clergymen, as Ward, Bishop of Salisbury; Barlow, Bishop of Lincoln; Isaac Barrow, Master of Trinity College; Tillotson, Dean of Canterbury, and Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Paul's (men so well known, and so much esteemed, that as it was no wonder the Lord Chief Baron valued their conversation highly, so those of them who are yet alive will think it no lessening of their character, that they are reckoned among his friends) yet there was a peculiar intimacy and freedom in his converse with Bishop Wilkins. He had also, during the preceding wars, lived in a long and entire friendship with the apostolical Primate of Ireland, Archbishop Usher: their curious searches into antiquity, and the sympathy of both their tempers, led them to a great agreement almost in every thing: and he held frequent intercourse with Mr. Baxter, his neighbour at Acton, whom he regarded as a person of great devotion and piety, and of a very subtile and quick apprehension. Their conversation lay most in metaphysical and abstracted ideas and schemes.

who put them in the form of a bill, to be presented in the next session of parliament.

But this charitable and well arranged project was opposed by some zealous clergymen, who thought it below the dignity of the Church to alter laws, and change settlements, for the sake of those whom they esteemed Schismatics. They believed, indeed, that it was better to keep them out of the Church, than to bring them into it; since a faction might arise upon their introduction, which in their judgement would be more dangerous than the schism itself. They farther remarked, that if some things were now to be changed in compliance with the humour of a party, as soon as that was done, another party might demand other concessions, and there might be as good reasons invented for the latter as for the former: adding that, many such concessions would shake those of our own communion, and tempt them to go over to the Church of Rome, as one that was at least constant and true to herself. These were the reasons chiefly urged against all comprehension; and they wrought with such efficacy upon the greater part of the House of Commons, that they passed a vote against the receiving of any bill for that effect.

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In 1671, he was raised to the office of Chief Justice of England, vacant by the death of Sir John Keyling. This promotion gave great satisfaction to the people, who considered him in his new capacity as the guardian of their liberties, and thought they could not be better deposited than in the hands of a person, who not only thoroughly understood, but also possessed both courage and integrity to maintain, the sacred trust. In this situation, beside enforcing what

the weaker counsel managed but indifferently, he was not satisfied barely to give his judgement; but added, especially in intricate cases, such an account of the reasons which determined his decisions, that the counsel not only acquiesced in his authority, but were frequently induced by the force of his arguments to change their opinions; so that his giving of judgement was, really, a learned lecture upon that point of law.

But he held his important post only four years and a half; being suddenly attacked with an inflammation of the diaphragm, in the beginning of the year 1676, which in two days reduced him so low, that finding himself unable to go through the fatigue of public business, he solicited a writ of ease; and

*

* He had been a long time wearied with the distractions, which his employment brought upon him, and his profession was become ungrateful to him. He loved, indeed, to apply himself wholly to better purposes, as will appear from a paper written by him upon this subject, which is here subjoined:

'First, If I consider the business of my profession, whether as an Advocate or as a Judge, it is true, I do acknowledge, by the institution of Almighty God and the dispensation of his Providence, I am bound to industry and fidelity in it and as it is an Act of Obedience unto his Will, it carries with it some things of religious duty; and I may and do take comfort in it, and expect a reward of my obedience to him, and the good that I do to mankind therein, from the bounty and beneficence and promise of Almighty God. And it is true also, that without such employments Civil Societies cannot be supported, and great good redounds to mankind from them; and in these respects the conscience of my own industry, fidelity, and integrity in them is a great comfort and satisfaction to me. But yet this I must say concerning these employments, considered simply in themselves, that they are very full of cares, anxieties, and perturbations.

'Secondly, That though they are beneficial to others, yet they are of the least benefit to him that is employed in them.