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by the contrivers of them. All men there con-cluded, that in Scotland the very voice of libertywas totally suppressed ; and that, by the pre-valence of tyranny, grievances were so rivetted,that it was become dangerous even to mentionthem, or complain to the prince, who alonewas able to redress them. From the slavery ofthe neighbouring kingdom, they inferred thearbitrary disposition of the king ; and from theviolence with which sovereign power was thereexercised, they apprehended the miseries, whichmight ensue to themselves upon their loss ofliberty. If persecution, it was asked, by a pro-testant church could be carried to such extremes,what might be dreaded from the prevalence ofpopery, which had ever, in all ages, made openprofession of exterminating by fire and swordevery opposite sect or communion? And if thefirst approaches towards Unlimited authority wereso tyrannical, how dismal its final establishment;when all dread of opposition shall at last beremoved by mercenary armies, and all fense ofshame by long and inveterate habit ?

V

HAP.

LXVI.

1678 .

Vol. XI.