Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The History of the Puritans, or Protestant Nonconformists, Vol. 1 of 3: From the Reformation in 1517, to the Revolution in 1688; Comprising an Account of Their Principles
James had any principles of religion besides what he called kingcraft, or dissimulation, he changed them with the climate, for from a rigid Calvinist he became a favourer of Arminianism in the latter part of his reign from a Protestant of the purest kirk upon earth, a doctrinal Papist and from a disgusted Puritan, the most implacable enemy of that people, putting all the springs of the prerogative in motion, to drive them out of both kingdoms.
But instead of accomplishing his designs, the number of Puritans increased prodigiously in his reign, which was owing to one or other of these causes.
First. To the standing firm by the constitution and laws of their country which brought over to them all those gentlemen in the house of commons, and in the several counties of England, who found it necessary, for the pre servation of their properties, to oppose the court, and to insist upon being governed according to law these were called state Puritans.
Secondly. To their steady adherence to the doctrines of Calvin, and the synod of Dort, in the points of predestination and grace, against the modern interpretations of Arminius and his followers. The court divines fell in with the latter, and were thought not only to deviate from the principles of the first reformers, but to attempt a coalition with the church of Rome while niost of the country clergy, being stiff in their old Opinions (though other wise well enough affected to the discipline and ceremonies of the church), were in a. Manner shut out from all preferment, and branded with the name of Doctrinal Puritans.
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