[149] Gough’s Hist. of the Quakers, iii. 232–235.
Sewel says nothing like what I have quoted from Gough. He remarks respecting the Bill, “By this we now see the religion of the Quakers acknowledged, and tolerated by an Act of Parliament.”—Hist., ii. 357.
[150] Birch’s Life of Tillotson, 182–184.
[151] Ibid., 180.
[152] Stillingfleet was in the Commission, but he was prevented from attending by a fit of the gout. Life of Stillingfleet, 75.
Dr. Williams, afterwards Bishop of Chichester, kept a diary of the proceedings of the Commission, which, with a Copy of the Alterations, is printed in a Parliamentary Return, 1854. To this Return I am chiefly indebted for what follows. The papers printed in it had long been desired by historical students.
[153] Spelt Aldridge in the Parliamentary Return.
[154] Return, 98.
[155] Return, 15. It would be beside the mark to enter upon a discussion relative to the creed itself, but I would call attention to a valuable little book on the subject, by my friend Professor Swainson, and another by Mr. Ffoulkes. I need scarcely refer to the Fourth Report of the Ritual Commission. The theological part of the Creed I consider to be a valuable exposition of truth; but how any charitable Christian can justify the damnatory clauses is to me inexplicable.
[156] Friday, Nov. 1; Monday, Nov. 4; Wednesday, Nov. 6; Friday, Nov. 8.