CONTENTS. De Foe's Commendation of Biography.-Its Object the Study of Man. Remarks of Lord Bolingbroke.-De Foe Famous in his Generation.-His Country and Extraction.-Origin of his Name.-Conjecture upon its Etymology.-Remarks upon his Descent.-Account of his Grandfather Daniel.-And his Father James Foe.-His Collateral Relations.-Birth of De Foe.-Belongs to Dr. Annesley's Congregation.-Early Exhibition of his Character.-Anecdote of him when a Boy.-Importance of early Principles.-He is educated amongst the Dissenters.-Religion of a Non-conformist.- De Foe's Education at Newington Green.-Account of the Academies of the Non-conformists.-Defects of those Insti- tutions. Some Particulars respecting Mr. Morton's Semi- nary.-De Foe's Vindication of his Tutor against the As- persions of Wesley.-Account of Mr. Charles Morton.- PAGE for the Ministry.-But diverted from that Profession.-Un- favourable Character of the times.-His Defence of a Gos- pel Ministry.And Statement of the Qualifications neces- sary for it.-Defends Himself from the Charge of being Illiterate, against Browne and Tutchin.-Scurrility of Writers 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 Ecclesiasti- cal Observances.-Curious License for Eating Flesh.-The King's Declaration of Indulgence.-Character of Lord Cla- rendon. Sheldon's Buffoonery.-Preaching of the Times. -Severity of the Parliament.-And of the Clergy.-Bar- barity of Sheldon and Ward.-Character of the Court The King and Parliament unite in Sydney's Account of the Introduction of Bribery.-Marvel's Representation.-De Foe's Account of the Pension-Parlia- ment. 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 Sub- jects.-Shuts up the Exchequer.-De Foe's Account of its Ruinous Consequences.-Declaration of Indulgence.— 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 -Persecution renewed.- De Foe's Remarks upon the Subversion of Justice li 49 CHAPTER V. Boldness and Indiscretion of the Catholics.-Address of the King.-Popish Plot.-Involved in Mystery.-Sensation produced by the Discovery.-Sir William Temple's Account of it.-Expectations of the Catholics at this Time.-Reasonably grounded. Their turn to Suffer.-Violence of the Parliament. 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 Popular 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 Dissenters. A spirit of Liberty awakened.-De Foe's Reflections 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 sacrificed.-De Foe's Remarks upon the Death of Sydney.— And upon the Infatuation of the Times.-Johnson's Remarks upon the Death of Stephen College . 62 De Foe commences Author.-Writes against Roger L'Estrange. CHAPTER VII. upon the Accession of James II.-His fair Promises.-Flattering Addresses. 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 84 102 CHAPTER VIII. De Foe embarks in the Controversy upon the Dispensing 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 f VOL. I. |