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A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

A new edition of Toland's History of the druids: - Free History Ebooks

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LTPE OF TOLAND.Ins Apology) in as p:ootl protestant families as anyin <strong>the</strong> kingdonj, till he went to <strong>the</strong> famons miiversity<strong>of</strong> Leyden, to perfect his stndies, under <strong>the</strong>celebrated S>anheniins, Triglandins, &c. Therehe was supported by some eminent dissenters inEngland, who had conceived great hopes from Insuncommon parts, and might flatter <strong>the</strong>mselves, heMould one day become <strong>the</strong> Colossus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> party;for he himself informs us, in a pamphlet publishedat London in 1697, that he had lived in <strong>the</strong>ir communion,ever since he quitted popery. "Mr.Toland (says he, in answer to <strong>the</strong> imputation <strong>of</strong>being a rigid non-conformist) will never deny buttlie real simplicity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dissenters' worship; andX\\Q seeniing equity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir discipline, (into which,being so younp;, he could not distinctly penetrate)did gain extraordinarily on his affections, just ashe was <strong>new</strong>ly delivered fi-oml-^i<strong>the</strong> insupportableyoke <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most pompous and tyrannical policythat ever enslaved mankind, under <strong>the</strong> name orshew <strong>of</strong> religion.But, wlien greater experience,and more years, had a little ripened his judgiaent,he easily perceived that <strong>the</strong> differencesso wide, aswere notto appear irreconcileable; or at least,that nsen who were sound protestants on bothsides, should barbarously cut one ano<strong>the</strong>rs' throats,or indeed give any disturbarice to <strong>the</strong> society about<strong>the</strong>m. And as soon as he understood <strong>the</strong> lateheats and animosities did not totally, if at all, pro»ceed from a concern for mere religion; he allowed

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