That I might know the utmost that could be said. against the latitude into which I had run, I sent it with a letter to Mr. Williams, begging he would let me have his strongest objections against my scheme. This I the rather did, because I knew he was in his judgment for the divine right of Presbytery, though there were but very few among our ministers that I ever could discern to be of that mind.

He sent me word, some time after, that he had read it with care, and thought a discourse of that nature might, in the circumstances we were in, be seasonable enough; and, therefore, would not, by any means, discourage me; but added, that when a proper season came, he apprehended he could overthrow the whole fabric, with ease. When I saw him next, I told him, frankly, that the principles there advanced were spreading so wide, and prevailing so generally among us, that if he neglected the present opportunity, he might afterwards find it very difficult to make way for other notions. But he did not alter his opinion, to the last.

However, I had the full approbation of a great number of my brethren and as a testimony of it, they invited me to a handsome entertainment in Ironmonger-lane, where they gave me their common thanks for the service I had done their cause, by fixing it on so firm a foot. I had also a message from the ingenious Mr. Locke,* letting me know that he had read this Introduction, and thought

* He died October 28, this year, aged 72.-ED.

it such a defence of Nonconformity as could not be answered; and that standing to the principles there laid down, I had no occasion to be afraid of any antagonist.

In the last visit I made Mr. Howe, a very few days before he died, speaking of this Introduction, and signifying his hearty approbation of it, he made it his request to me, that, at a proper juncture, I would take it off the stocks, (as he was pleased to express it,) make it more general, without a reference to any particular persons or writings, and publish it as an Essay towards an Ecclesiastical Settlement. It was his opinion it might be of considerable service. No such juncture has yet presented, and I know not whether there may, in my time. If not, I recommend the care of it to my son, if it should please God he should survive me.

Not long after publishing my "Defence of Moderate Nonconformity," part 2, I received an anonymous letter, intimating that the writer, and some other young students, were at that time in suspense between Conformity and Nonconformity, and waited, with some impatience, for the issue of the debate between Mr. Hoadly and me, begging I would hasten what was yet behind, and mentioning some particulars in which it was desired I would be as clear and full as I was able. The letter was so drawn up, that I was at a loss to judge whether it came from a friend or an enemy. I was very desirous, if possible, to discover the writer, and have some personal conversation with him. I showed the letter to such of

my brethren as came in my way, hoping one or other of them, might happen to know the hand.

At length, meeting Mr. Cunningham (who lived then at Manchester, and was come to make a visit in town, though he afterwards came and settled among us,) at Hamlin's Coffee-house, I gave it him to read, and observed he smiled at reading it. I asked his thoughts, whether it came from a friend or an enemy? he told me that he well knew the hand, and that I might be assured it came from no enemy, but from an honest worthy person, though exceedingly modest. He added, that the writer had been his pupil, and was as yet unsettled; and had appointed him to meet him about a little business at that house, within a quarter of an hour. We agreed, that I should go to a vintner's in that neighbourhood, and wait for him, and when he had done his business with the young gentleman, he should bring him with him, without the least notice whom he was going to; and that I should leave it to him, first to break the matter to the gentleman, after we had been some time engaged in discourse.

According to agreement, in a very little time Mr. Cunningham came, and brought his friend, who, I observed, blushed upon perceiving that I was the person Mr. Cunningham came to see as his friend, without naming me. After salutations, we entered into free discourse about divers matters, in city and country. The gentleman seemed very easy, and not

to have the least apprehension that he was discovered. At length, Mr. Cunningham asked him, what occasion he had to write a letter to his friend, Mr. Calamy, without setting his name to it. He started at the question, and asked, what occasion there was, when the world was so wide, to fasten any thing of that nature upon him? Mr. Cunningham told him that need not seem at all strange, since he was so well acquainted with his hand. He added, he was glad of the opportunity of bringing us two together, that we might be acquainted, and come to freedom in discourse, which he apprehended would be no disadvantage.

I, thereupon, invited him to come and see me, and promised to treat him with all imaginable frankness; and if, after he had himself made trial, he could prevail with the other young gentlemen to come with him, they also should be welcome. We entered into a little discourse about some passages in his letter, before we parted, and he promised to come and converse with me afterwards, and did so, but never could prevail with the others. One of them, an ingenious youth, went soon after to Cambridge, and outspending himself, grew uneasy and melancholy, and at length distracted; turned Papist, took a musket on his shoulder and went into Flanders, and I never could hear with any certainty what became of him. My young gentleman, on the contrary, adhered to the principles of his education, settled in the ministry, and became very useful

among the Dissenters, though he since died, much lamented.

About this time, the Dissenters of the three several denominations, showed very plainly, that they were not for confining liberty to themselves, and those of their own way, by letters that they wrote, signed with their names, into New England, about some laws there against the Quakers. But I here refer to my Abridgment.*

Oct. 28, this year (1704) died John Locke, Esq.t who knew how to write controversy, and differ in conversation, with equal strength and manners. This gentleman was the author of several of the pamphlets that are collected together in the "State Tracts," of King Charles's reign; particularly with respect to the Dissenters.

1705. The late attempt to tack the Bill against Occasional Conformity to a Money Bill, gave the low Church party an advantageous opportunity of exerting themselves in the election of a new House of Commons this year, and this proved a Whiggish Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament met June 28, and the Duke of Argyle was High Commissioner. The Queen most earnestly recommended to them the settlement of the succession in that kingdom in the Protestant line, and the passing such an act for treating of a Union between the two kingdoms, as had passed in England. But the Scots were not yet to be brought into the Protestant Succession. + See supra, pp. 30,

• P. 670.-C.

31.-ED.