singularity and popular applause. When the religious disputes became warm
in the nation, the zeal of this party broke out, and burned with such
amazing ardour that it levelled all distinctions. To increase the
confusion, Archbishop Laud insisted on conformity, and persecuted all who
refused obedience to his mandates with the utmost rigour. But
persecution, for the most part, proves destructive to the cause it is
intended to promote. The miseries the Puritans endured, and their
firmness and perseverance in the midst of sufferings, contributed to give
them that merit and importance in the eyes of the nation, which otherwise
perhaps they had never attained. Their sober and rigid manner of life,
the plainness of dress which they affected, and the strong tendency they
shewed towards religion in all their words and actions, had great weight
with the vulgar and credulous part, and induced them to entertain high
notions of their sanctity, and to venerate them as the peculiar people of
God. Their number increased and became formidable. Many men of rank,
disgusted at the measures of court, and apprehensive that the liberties
of the nation were in danger, turned zealous republicans, and seemed to
aim at a total subversion of the constitution, both in church and state.
The King, though a well-wisher to religion, hated the principles of the
Puritans, and considered them as dangerous and deceitful. Those
enthusiasts, on the other hand, were determined to endure the severest
persecutions, rather than admit the common prayer, organs, and surplices
into their worship, and conform to the popish ceremony of kneeling at the
sacrament. In short, the dispute about trifling ceremonies became serious
on both sides, and augured no good to the nation. Dr. Laud, observing not
only the laity but the clergy also infected with puritanical principles,
deprived many of their livings, merely for not conforming to all the
ceremonies of the church. During these troubles many fled to New England;
and others caused houses to be built and lands cleared for them, with a
view of retiring there, should their contention for religious freedom in