A Dialogue, Containing Some Reflections on the Late "Declaration and Remonstrance" - 12
Zeal. Pray, good Sir, when was it ever known that we Protestant Dissenters discover’d an angry persecuting Spirit? We are indeed a very zealous People, and we think it our Duty to be so; besides, if I remember right, I have either read or heard that our Fore-fathers have suffer’d and been persecuted for this same good Cause, namely, for being Presbyterians.
Lovell. Very well, Sir, I will allow the latter Part of your Argument, it is true: At the Time when a Paper War was carried on, and libelling between Conformist and Non-conformist prevailed, your Predecessors and Forefathers did suffer a good many Things, and stood it out bravely: I believe also, that there was many great and good Men who became of that Sect, and were an Honour to the Religion they profess’d.-But alas how is the Scene changed? The Grown is fallen from your Heads; or, as one of your own Poets elegantly expresses it,----Happy the Times; but ah! those Times are gone, when wond’rous Power and radiant Grace round the tall Arches of the Temple shone, &. &. Indeed in these Times when Non-conformists were but comparitively few in Number, and were a Laughing-Stock to others, then, and for many Years after, true Religion, Zeal, and a Spirit of Love, prevailed gloriously: But when they became more numerous, and the Ministers and People more rich, they began to aspire after worldly Power and Greatness, their Godly Zeal abated, and in its Stead grew up Bigotry, Superstition and Party-Zeal; and by Degrees, the same bitter persecuting Spirit by which their Fore-fathers were persecuted took Place in them, and continues more or less unto this Day: From hence it is, they are divided and sub-divided into so many Sects and Parties, every one
