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XXXV. Those who had either adopted, || But it met with a favourable reception in Great without exception, the principles of Des-Car- Britain, whose philosophers perceiving, in its tes, or who, without going so far, approved the infant and unfinished features, the immortal method and rules laid down by him for the in- lines of Verulam's wisdom, snatched it from vestigation of truth, employed all their zeal its cradle, in a soil where it was ready to and industry in correcting, amending, confirm- perish, cherished it with parental tenderness, ing, and illustrating, the metaphysical species and have still continued their zealous efforts of philosophy; and its votaries were exceed to bring it to maturity and perfection. The ingly numerous, particularly in France and in Royal Society of London, which may be conthe United Provinces. But among the mem- sidered as the philosophical seminary of the bers of this philosophical sect there were some nation, took it under their protection, and who aimed at the destruction of all religion,|| have neither spared expense nor pains to cultimore especially Spinosa, and others, who, like vate and improve it, and to render it subserviBalthasar Becker,* made use of the principles of ent to the purposes of life. It owed, more esDes-Cartes, to overturn some doctrines of Chris- pecially, a great part of its progress and imtianity, and to pervert others. This circum-provement to the countenance, industry, and stance proved disadvantageous to the whole genius of that immortal protector of science, sect, and brought it into disrepute in many the pious and venerable Robert Boyle, whose places. The metaphysical philosophy fell, how-memory will be ever precious to the worthy ever, afterwards into better hands, and was and the wise, the friends of religion, learning, treated with great wisdom and acuteness by and mankind. The illustrious names of Barrow, Malebranche, a man of uncommon eloquence Wallis, and Locke, may also be added to the and subtlety; and by Leibnitz, whose name is list of those who contributed to the progress consigned to immortality as one of the greatest of natural knowledge. Nor were the learned geniuses that ever appeared in the world.† Nei- divines of the British nation (though that order ther of these great men, indeed, adopted all the|| has often excited the complaints of philosoprinciples and doctrines of Des-Cartes; but both phers, and been supposed to behold, with a of them approved, upon the whole, his philoso- jealous and suspicious eye, the efforts of phiphical method, which they enlarged, amended, || losophy as dangerous to the cause of religion) and improved, by several additions and correc- less zealous than the other patrons of science tions, that rendered its procedure more luminous in this noble cause. On the contrary, they and sure. This is more especially true of looked upon the improvement of natural knowLeibnitz, who, rejecting the suggestions of ledge not only as innocent, but as of the highest fancy, seemed to follow no other guides than utility and importance; as admirably adapted reason and judgment; for Malebranche, having to excite and maintain in the minds of men a received from nature a warm and exuberant profound veneration for the Supreme Creator imagination, was too much ruled by its dic- and Governor of the world, and to furnish new tates, and was thus often imperceptibly led supports to the cause of religion; and also as into the visionary regions of enthusiasm. agreeable both to the laws and the spirit of the Gospel, and to the sentiments of the primitive church. And hence it was that those doctors, who, in the lectures founded by Mr. Boyle, attacked the enemies of religion, employed in this noble and pious attempt the succours of philosophy with the most happy and trium

XXXVI. The mathematical philosophy already mentioned, was much less studied and adopted than the metaphysical system, and its followers in France were very few in number.

of the soul's immortality in his controversy with Des-Cartes, and by Leibnitz with corrupting and de-phant success. But the immortal man, to stroying the whole system of natural religion: see Des-Maizeaux, Recueil de diverses pieces sur la Philosophie, tom. ii.* Leibnitz has also ventured to af firm, that Sir Isaac Newton and his followers rob the Deity of some of his most excellent attributes, and sap the foundations of natural religion. In short, the controversial writings on both sides are filled with rash and indecorous reproaches of this kind.

*

whose immense genius and indefatigable industry philosophy owed its greatest improvements, and who carried the lamp of knowledge into paths of nature that had been unexplored before his time, was Sir Isaac Newton,* whose name was revered, and whose genius was ad

See, for a farther account of the particular mired, even by his warmest adversaries. This

tenets and opinions of Becker, sect. ii. part ii. chap. ii. sect. xxxv. of this century.

For an ample and interesting account of Malebranche and his philosophy, see Fontenelle's Eloges des Academiciens, tom. i. p. 317, and, for a view of the errors and defects of his metaphysical system, see Hardouin's Atheists Unmasked, in his Œuvres Melees, p. 43. Fontenelle has also given an account of the life and philosophical sentiments of Leibnitz, in the work already quoted, vol. ii.; but a much more ample one has been published in German by Charles Gunther Ludewig, in his history of the Leibnitian Philosophy. However, the genius and philosophy of this great man are best to be learned from his letters, published by Kortholt.

Mr. Hume's account of this great man is extremely just, and contains some peculiar strokes that do honour to this elegant painter of minds. In Newton, (says he,) this island may boast of hav. ing produced the greatest and rarest genius that ever arose for the ornament and instruction of the species. Cautious in admitting no principles but such as were founded in experiment; but resolute to adopt every such principle, however new and unusual; from modesty, ignorant of his superiority above the rest of mankind, and thence less careful to accommodate his reasonings to common apprehensions; more anxious to merit than to acquire fame; he was, from these causes, long unknown to the world; but his reputation, at last, broke out with a lustre, which scarcely any writer, during his own life-time, had It appears, on reference, that the censure is ever before attained. While Newton seemed to not conveyed in such strong terms as those employ-draw off the veil from some of the mysteries of naed by our historian; Leibnitz merely says, that Gas- ture, he showed, at the same time, the imperfections sendi appeared to hesitate and waver too much con- of the mechanical philosophy; and thereby restored cerning the nature of the soul, and the principles of her ultimate secrets to that obscurity, in which they natural religion. ever did and ever will remain."

great man spent, with uninterrupted assiduity, || sects such of their respective tenets as seemed the whole of a long life in correcting, digesting, to them most remarkable for their perspicuity and enlarging, the new philosophy, and in and solidity, more especially those concerning throwing upon it the light of demonstration and which all the different sects were agreed. evidence, both by observing the laws of nature, These they compiled and digested into a sysand by subjecting them to the rules of calcula- tem, and pushed their inquiries no farther. The tion; and thus he introduced a great change into philosophers of this class are generally termed natural science, and brought it to a very high Eclectics. From these remarkable differences degree of perfection.* The English look upon of sentiment and system that reigned among it as an unquestionable proof of the solidity the jarring sects, some persons, otherwise disand excellence of the Newtonian philosophy, tinguished by their acuteness and sagacity, that its most eminent votaries were friends to took occasion to represent truth as unattainareligion, and have transmitted to posterity ble by such a short-sighted being as man, and shining examples of piety and virtue; while, to revive the desperate and uncomfortable docon the contrary, the Cartesian or metaphysical trine (shall I call it, or jargon) of the Sceptics, system has exhibited, in its followers, many that had long been buried in the silence and flagrant instances of irreligion, and some de- oblivion which it deserved. The most emimonstrations of the most horrid impiety. nent of these cloudy philosophers were Sanchez, a physician of Toulouse, de la Mothe le Vayer, Huet, bishop of Avranches, to whom we may justly add Peter Bayle,§ who, by the erudition and wit that abound in his voluminous works, acquired a distinguished reputation in the republic of letters.

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XXXVII. The two famous philosophical sects now mentioned, deprived, indeed, all the ancient systems of natural science, both of their credit and their disciples; and hence it might have been expected that they would have totally engrossed and divided between them the suffrages of the learned. But this was not the case; the liberty of thinking being restored by Des-Cartes and Newton, who broke the fetters of prejudice, in which philosophical superstition had confined, in former times, the human understanding, a variety of sects sprang up. Some trusting to their rior genius and sagacity, and others, more remarkable for the exuberance of their fancy than for the solidity of their judgment, pretended to strike out new paths in the unknown regions of nature, and new methods of investigating truth; but of their disciples the number was small, and the duration of their inventions transitory; and therefore it is sufficient to have barely mentioned them. There appeared also another sort of men, whom mediocrity of genius, or an indolent turn of mind, indisposed for investigating truth by the exertion of their own talents and powers, and who, terrified at the view of such an arduous task, contented themselves with borrowing from the different *The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philoso- | phy, as also the other writings, whether philosophical, mathematical, or theological, of this great man, are abundantly known. There is an elegant account of his life, and literary and philosophical merit, given by Fontenelle, in his Eloge des Academiciens, tom. ii. p. 293.-See also the Biblioth. Angloise, tom. xv. par. ii. p. 545, and Biblioth. Raisonee, tom. vi. par. ii. p. 478. See more especially the late learned and ingenious Mr. Maclaurin's Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Discoveries.

*

There is still extant a famous book of this

writer, entitled, de eo quod nihil scitur, which, with
the rest of his works, and an account of his life, ap-
peared at Toulouse, in 1636. See Bayle's Dictionary,
and Villemandi Scepticismus debellatus, cap. iv.
† See Bayle's Dictionary for an account of this

author.

Huet's book concerning the Weakness of Human Amsterdam, in 1723, and lately in Latin. It appears, Reason was published after his death, in French, at however, that this eminent writer had, long before the composition of this book, recommended the searches, and looked upon it as the best adapted to sceptical method of conducting philosophical reestablish the truth of Christianity upon solid foundations. See the Commentarius de Rebus ad eum pertinentibus, lib. iv. p. 230; and Demonstrat Evantheir manner of proceeding, who, by sceptical argugelicæ Præfat. sect. iv. p. 9, where he commends ments, invalidate all philosophical principles, before they begin to prove the truth of Christianity to those who doubt of its evidence. It is well known that the Jesuits, who were particularly favoured by Huet, have, on many occasions, employed this method to throw dust in the eyes of the Protestants, and thus lead them blindfold into the Romish communion, and that they still continue to practise the same insidious instrument of seduction.

Every thing relating to the life and sentiments of Bayle is abundantly and universally known. His life, composed by M. Des-Maizeaux, was published at the Hague in 1732.-The scepticism of this insidious and seducing writer was unmasked and refuted, with great learning and force of argument, by J. P. de Crousaz, in a voluminous French work, entitled, Traite du Pyrrhonisme, of which M. Formey gave an elegant and judicious abridgment under the title of Triomphe de l'Evidence.

SECTION II.
PART I.

THE HISTORY OF THE MORE ANCIENT CHURCHES.

CHAPTER I.

Containing the History of the Romish Church.

pontificate in 1621, seemed to be of a milder disposition, though he was not less defective than his predecessor in equity and clemency I. HIPPOLITO ALDOBRANDINI, under the pa- toward those who had separated themselves pal name of Clement VIII. continued to rule from the church of Rome. An unjust severity the church of Rome at the commencement of against the friends of the Reformation is, inthis century, having been elected to that high || deed, the general and inevitable character of dignity toward the conclusion of the preceding the Roman pontiffs; for, without this, they one. The eminent abilities and insidious dex- would be destitute of the predominant and terity of this pontiff, as also his ardent desire distinctive mark of the papacy. A pope of extinguishing the Protestant religion, and inspired with sentiments of toleration and extending the limits of the Romish church, are charity toward those who refuse a blind subuniversally acknowledged; but it is much mission to his opinions and decisions, is a conquestioned, whether his prudence was equal to tradiction in terms. Urban VIII., who prethe arduous nature of his pontifical station, and viously bore the name of Meffei Barberini, and the critical circumstances of an incidental who, by his interest in the conclave, ascended kind that arose during his administration.* the papal throne in 1623, was a man of letters, He was succeeded in 1605 by Leo XI. of the an elegant writer, an elegant poet, and a gehouse of Medici, who died a few weeks after nerous and munificent patron of learning and his election, and thus left the papal chair open genius;* but nothing could equal the rigour to Camillo Borghese, by whom it was filled and barbarity with which he treated all who under the denomination of Paul V. This pon- bore the name of Protestants. He may be intiff was of a haughty and violent spirit, jeal- deed considered as a good and equitable ruler ous to excess of his authority, and insatiably of the church, when compared with Innocent furious in the execution of his revenge upon X. of the family of Pamphili, who succeeded such as encroached on his pretended preroga- him in 1644. This unworthy pontiff, to a tive, as appears in a striking manner by his profound ignorance of all those things which rash and unsuccessful contest with the Vene- it was necessary for a Christian bishop to know, tians.t-Gregory XV.,‡ who was raised to the joined the most shameful indolence and the most notorious profligacy; for he abandoned his person, his dignity, the administration of his temporal affairs, and the government of the church, to the disposal of Donna Olympia,† a woman of corrupt morals, insatiable avarice, and boundless ambition. His zealous endeavours to prevent the peace of Westphalia, however odious they may appear when considered in themselves, ought not to be reckoned among his personal crimes, since it is to be sup

* This pontiff had an edition of the Vulgate published, which was very different from that of pope Sixtus; and this is one of the many instances of that contrariety of opinion which has prevailed amongst

the infallible heads of the church of Rome.

This contest arose, partly from two edicts of the republic of Venice for preventing the unnecessary increase of religious buildings, and the augmentation of the enormous wealth of the clergy; and partly from the prosecution of two ecclesiastics for capital crimes, who had not been delivered up to the pope at his requisition. It is not surprising that these proceedings of the Venetians, however just and equitable, should inflame the ambitious fury of * See Leonis Allatii Apes Urbanæ. This little a pontiff, who called himself Vice-God, the Monarch work is a sort of index, or list, of all the learned and of Christendom, and the Supporter of Papal Omnipo-eminent men who adorned Rome, under the pontifitence. Accordingly, Paul subjected all the domi- cate of Urban VIII. and experienced the munificence nions of the republic to an interdict, while the Vene- and liberality of that pontiff; and their number is far tians, on the other hand, declared that unjust and from being small. The Latin poems of Urban, which tyrannical mandate null and void, and banished are not without a considerable portion of wit and from their territory the Jesuits and Capuchins, who elegance, have passed through several editions. had openly disobeyed the laws of the state. Prepa- These poems were composed while he was yet rations for war were proceeding on both sides, when a cardinal. After his elevation to the pontificate, an accommodation, not very honourable to the pope, he published a remarkable edition of the Romish was brought about by the mediation of Henry IV. of Breviary and several bulls; among which, that which France. This controversy between the pope and abolishes the order of Female Jesuits and certain the Venetians produced several important pieces, festivals, those relating to image-worship, and to composed by Sarpi on the side of the republic, and the condemnation of Jansenius' Augustinus, and by Baronius and Bellarmine in behalf of the pontiff. that which confers the title of Eminence upon the The controversy concerning the nature and limits cardinal-legates, the three ecclesiastical electors, of the pope's pretended supremacy is judiciously and the grand master of Malta, are the most worthy stated, and the papal pretensions are accurately ex- of notice. amined, by Sarpi, in his history of this tyrannical interdict, which, in Italian, occupies the fourth volume of his works, and was translated into Latin by William Bedell, of Cambridge.-It was Paul V. that dishonoured his title of Holiness, and cast an eternal stain upon his infallibility, by an express approbation of the doctrine of Suarez, the Jesuit, in defence of the murder of kings.

His family name was Alexander Ludovisio.

This Donna Olympia Maldachini was his brother's widow, with whom he had lived, before his elevation to the pontificate, in an illicit commerce, in which his holiness continued afterwards.

↑ See the Memoires du Cardinal de Retz, tom. iii. and iv. of the last edition published at Geneva.-For an account of the disputes between this pontiff and the French, see Bougeant's Histoire de la Paix de | Westphalia, tom. iv.

posed, that any other pontiff, in his place, || tablishments, will be unable to stand firm, for would have made the same attempts without any considerable time, against the insidious hesitation or remorse. He was succeeded in stratagems, or declared opposition of a deluded the papal chair, in 1655, by Fabio Chigi, who multitude, who are corrupted by the prevaassumed the title of Alexander VII. and who, lence of licentious morals, whose imaginations though less odious than his predecessor, never- are impregnated with superstitious fictions and theless possessed all the pernicious qualities fables, whose credulity is abused by pious that are necessary to constitute a true pope,|| frauds, and whose minds are nourished, or and without which the papal jurisdiction and rather amused, with vain rites and senseless majesty cannot be maintained. The other ceremonies.* Be that as it may, all the wise parts of his character are drawn much to his and salutary regulations of Innocent XI. were disadvantage, by several ingenious and emi- suffered to go almost to ruin by the criminal nent writers of the Romish church, who re- indolence of Peter Ottoboni, who was raised to present him as a man of a mean genius, une- the head of the Romish church, in 1689, and qual to great or difficult undertakings, full of assumed the name of Alexander VIII. A craft and dissimulation, and chargeable with laudable attempt was made to revive them by the most shameful levity and the greatest in- Innocent XII., a man of uncommon merit and consistency of sentiment and conduct.* The eminent talents, whose name was Pignatelli, two Clements IX. and X. who were elected and who, in 1691, succeeded Alexander in the successively to the papacy in 1668 and 1669, papal chair; nor were his zealous endeavours were concerned in few transactions that de- absolutely destitute of success. But it was serve to be transmitted to posterity. This also his fate to learn, by experience, that the was not the case of Benedict Odeschalchi, who|| most prudent and resolute pontiffs are unequal is known in the list of pontiffs by the denomi- to such an arduous task, such an Herculean nation of Innocent XI. and was raised to that || labour, as the reformation of the church and high dignity in 1677. This respectable pon-court of Rome; nor were the fruits of this good tiff acquired a very high and permanent reputation by the austerity of his morals, his uncommon courage and resolution, his dislike of the grosser superstitions that reigned in the Romish church, his attempts to reform the manners of the clergy, and to abolish a considerable number of those fictions and frauds that dishonour their ministry, and also by other solid and eminent virtues. But it appeared manifestly by his example that those pontiffs, who respect truth, and act from virtuous and Christian principles, may, indeed, form noble plans, but will never be able to carry them into execution, or at least to give them that measure of stability and perfection, which is the object of their wishes. By his example and administration it appeared, that the wisest institutions, and the most judicious es* See the Memoires du Cardinal de Retz, tom. iv. p. 16, 77.-Memoires de M. Joly, tom. ii. p. 186, 210, 237.-Archenholtz, Memoires de la Reine Christine, tom. ii. p. 125. The craft and dissimulation attributed to this pontiff really constituted an essential part of his character; but it is not strictly true that he was a man of a mean genius, or unequal to great and difficult undertakings. He was a man of learning, and discovered very eminent abilities at the treaty of Munster, where he appeared in the character of nuncio. Some writers relate, that, while he was in Germany, he had formed the design of abjuring popery, and embracing the Protestant religion, but was deterred from the execution of this purpose by the example of his cousin count Pompey, who was poisoned at Lyons, on his way to Germa. ny, after he had abjured the Romish faith. These writers add, that Chigi was confirmed in his religion by his elevation to the cardinalship. See Bayle, Nouvelles de la Repub. des Lettres, Oct. 1688.

Clement IX. was of the family of Rospigliosi, and the family name of Clement X. was Altieri. See Memoires de la Reine Christine, tom. ii. There are upon record several transactions of Clement IX. that do him honour, and prove his dislike of nepotism, and his love of peace and justice. Some maintain, and with the strongest appearance of truth, that this pontiff had formerly been a soldier, though this report is treated as groundless by count Turrezonico, in his dissertation de suppositiis militaribus Stipendiis Bened. Odeschalchi. See an interesting account of this pontiff in Bayle's Dictionary.

pope's wise administration enjoyed long after his decease. The pontiff, whose reign concluded this century, was John Francis Albani, who was raised to the head of the Romish church in 1699, and assumed the name of Clement XI. He surpassed in learning the whole college of cardinals, and was inferior to none of the preceding pontiffs in sagacity, lenity, and a desire, at least, to govern well; but he was very far from opposing, with a proper degree of vigour and resolution, the inveterate corruptions and superstitious observances of the church over which he presided; on the contrary, he inconsiderately aimed at, what he thought, the honour and advantage of the church (that is, the glory and interests of its pontiff) by measures that proved detrimental to both; and thus showed, by a striking example, that popes, even of the best disposition, may fall imperceptibly into the greatest mistakes, and commit the most pernicious blunders, through an imprudent zeal for extending their jurisdiction, and augmenting the influence and lustre of their station.

* See Journal Universel, tom. i. p. 441; tom. vi. p. 306. The present pope, Benedict XIV.,* attempted, in the year 1743, the canonization of Innocent XI.; but the king of France, instigated by the Jesuits, op posed this design, chiefly on account of the misunderstandings that always subsisted between Louis XIV. and Innocent, of which more will be said

hereafter.

For an account of the character, morals, and election of Innocent XII., see the Letters of cardinal Norris, published in the fifth volume of his Works, p. 362.

In the year 1752, there appeared, at Padua, a Life of Clement XI., composed in French by the learned and eloquent M. Lafitau, bishop of Sisteron. In the same year M. Reboulet, chancellor of Avig. non, published his Histoire de Clement XI. These two productions, and more especially the latter, are written with uncommon elegance; but they abound with historical errors, which the French writers, in general, are at too little pains to avoid. Besides, they are both composed rather in the strain of pane

*This note was written during the life of Bene. dict XIV.

clamours, multiplied their libels, and had recourse to the succours of indecent raillery and sarcastic wit, to cover as well as they were able, the striking defects of a bad cause. On the other hand, the Lutheran writers exerted themselves in exposing the sophistry, and refuting the arguments and invectives of their adversaries.

II. The incredible pains that were taken by || the pontiffs and clergy of the Romish church, to spread their doctrine and to erect their dominion among the nations that lay in the darkness of Paganism, have been already mentioned. We are, therefore, at present, to confine our narration to the schemes they laid, the cabals they formed, and the commotions they excited, with an uninterrupted and mischiev- III. The first flames of that religious war, ous industry, in order to recover the possessions which the Roman pontiffs proposed to carry and prerogatives they had lost in Europe, to on by the arms of the Austrians and Spaniards, oppress the Protestants, and to extinguish the their servile and bigoted instruments, broke out light of the glorious Reformation. Various in Austria, where, about the commencement were the stratagems and projects they formed of this century, the friends of the Reformation for these purposes. The resources of genius, were cruelly persecuted and oppressed by their the force of arms, the seduction of the most | Roman catholic adversaries. * The solemn trea alluring promises, the terrors of the most for- ties and conventions, by which the religious midable threatenings, the subtle wiles of con- liberty and civil rights of these Protestants had troversy, the influence of pious, and often of been secured, were trampled upon, and violatimpious frauds, the arts of dissimulation, in ed in the most shocking manner; nor had short, all possible means, fair or disingenuous, these unhappy sufferers resolution, vigour, or were employed for the destruction of the re-strength, sufficient to maintain their privileges. formed churches, but in most cases without success. The plan of a dreadful attack upon the friends of the Reformation had been, for some time, formed in secret; and the bigoted and persecuting house of Austria, at the pope's persuasion, undertook to put it in execution. However, as injustice, however arrogant, usually seeks some pretext to mask, or at least to diminish its deformity, so the church of Rome endeavoured before-hand to justify the persecution, of which the flame was ready to break out. For this purpose, the pens of the perfidious and learned Scioppius,* of the Jesuits Tanner, Possevin, Hager, Hederic, and Forer, jurists of Dillingen, were employed to represent the treaty of peace, concluded between Charles V. and the protestants of Germany, as unjust, null, and even rendered void by the Protestants themselves, by their departing from, or at least perverting, by various changes and modifications, the confession of Augsburg. This injurious charge was proved groundless by several Lutheran doctors who, of their own accord, defended their communion against this instance of popish calumny; and it was also refuted by public authority, by the express order of John George, elector of Saxony. The task was committed to Matthew Hoe, who, in the years 1628 and 1631, published an accurate and laborious defence of the Protestants, entitled, Defensio Pupillae Evangelices. The mouth of calumny was not stopped by these performances. The accusers continued their

gyric than of history. An attentive reader will, however, easily perceive, even in these panegyrics, that Clement XI., notwithstanding his acknowledged sagacity and prudence, took several rash and inconsiderate steps, in order to augment the power, and multiply the prerogatives of the Roman pontiffs; and thus, through his own temerity, involved him. self in various perplexities.

The Bohemians, who were involved in the same vexations, proceeded in a different manner. Perceiving plainly that the votaries of Rome earnestly wished to deprive them of that religious liberty which had been purchased by the blood of their ancestors, and so lately confirmed to them by an imperial edict, they came to a resolution of taking up arms to defend themselves against a set of men, whom, in consequence of the violence they offered to conscience, they could look upon in no other light than as the enemies of their souls. Accordingly a league was formed by the Bohemian Protestants; and they began to avenge, with great spirit and resolution, the injuries that had been committed against their persons, their families, their religion, and their civil rights and privileges. But it must be acknowledged, that, in this just attempt to defend what was dear to them as men and Christians, they lost sight of the dictates of equity and moderation, and carried their resentment beyond the bounds, both of reason and religion. Their adversaries were alarmed at a view of their intrepidity, but were not dismayed. The Bohemians, therefore, apprehending still farther opposition and vexations from bigotry, animated by a spirit of vengeance, renewed their efforts to provide for their security. The death of the emperor Matthias, which happened in 1619, furnished them, as they thought, with an opportunity of striking at the root of the evil, and removing the source of their calamities, by choosing a sovereign of the reformed religion; for they considered themselves as authorized by the ancient laws and customs of the kingdom, to reject any one who pretended to the throne by virtue of an hereditary right, and to demand a prince whose title to the crown should be derived from the free suffra

* Raupachius, in his Austria Evangelica, (a German work with a Latin title,) has given an accurate account of this persecution and these commotions. The same learned and worthy author had formed the

* Scioppius seems rather to merit the titles of malevolent and furious, than tha: of perfidious, unless his turning papist be considered by Dr. Mosheim as an instance of perfidy. This is the intemperate and odious satirist who was caned by the servants of the English ambassador at Madrid, for the invec-design of publishing an authentic and circumstan. tives he had thrown out against king James I. in a book which was burned by the hands of the common hangman at Paris.

† See Salig, Hist. August. Confessionis, t. i. lib. iv. cap. iii. p. 768.

tial relation of the sufferings of the Protestants in Styria, Moravia, and Carinthia, with an account of the perfidious snares that were laid for them, the whole drawn from unexceptionable records; but death prevented the execution of this scheme.

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