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having been converted by the perusal of the first copy of the ‘Fratres Poloni’ which was brought into this country.
Hales's celebrated tract on Schism is chiefly derived from
Socinus; and the works of
Chillingworth frequently betray a familiarity with the Polish writers.
His well-known letter to
Dr. Sheldon, in which he argues the question of subscription in a most clear and unanswerable manner, on principles which admit of no refutation or dispute, assigns the
Athanasian Creed, among other insurmountable obstacles to his subscribing the
Articles of the English church, and partaking by that means of the emoluments and preferments which his friends were able and willing to bestow upon him. There is good reason to believe that his difficulties went farther than this; and though it is unfortunately too true, that, notwithstanding his manly and honourable protest, he was in no long time prevailed on to subscribe, and was appointed to sundry preferments accordingly, it is impossible to recognize in this conduct anything but another instance of that practical weakness and inconsistency which is often found in the acutest, and, in the main, most upright minds.
Certainly his writings abound with declarations of the most enlarged and liberal character, leading of necessity in their practical application to a spirit of free inquiry and mutual toleration for which that age was by no means prepared.
It is thought by some, that Milton was even at this period what it is now no longer a matter of doubt that he at length became; but it does not appear that there is any direct evidence for this, nor any other presumption of it than what is derived from the natural tendency of the manly and
