information he received respecting the oppressions of Dissenters afforded him pleasure, for by relieving them he expected their attachment, and they now had a favourable opportunity of being revenged on their former opponents; but having the cause of Protestantism at heart, and hoping to experience greater moderation for the future, they generously passed all by. Every body knew the king had no desire to favour the Nonconformists by these measures, but that his real design was to encourage popery; yet when it is recollected with what rigour they had been treated nearly twenty-five years, it cannot surprise us that they embraced this opportunity with joy, and in some instances with thankfulness.

Many of Mr. Heywood's friends and hearers resided in Halifax, and when James's declaration for liberty of conscience was published, they rented a large room in, or near, the town for their greater convenience, and requested his labours there one part of the Lord's day, or every alternate sabbath; and he may be considered as the founder of the dissenting interest in that town. But this division of service, though calculated to promote the furtherance of the gospel, did not give satisfaction to the whole of his congregation. "I commenced preaching at Halifax-bank-top," he says, "July 3rd, 1687, and had a great attendance of people. But my friends at Coley were much discouraged at my leaving them in the afternoon, though I advised with them beforehand, and obtained the consent of most for that day, but they were not willing that I should go every Lord's day afternoon. Murmurings arose, and some peevish words were uttered. I was much troubled, could not sleep, and aggravated things in my imagination. At last I committed the matter to God in prayer. My friends at Halifax were much troubled,

and a meeting was appointed, July 19th. God wonderfully melted our hearts in prayer for composing spirits, and liberty was given me till the meeting-place in Shelf should be got ready. I have made use of this liberty with great comfort and satisfaction till this day, Feb. 4th. Multitudes of people have flocked to the place and heard with attention, and some have been convinced by my preaching. Blessed be God."

Emboldened by the liberty enjoyed through the king's declaration, the Nonconformists began to erect convenient places for public worship. Hitherto Mr. Heywood's hearers had assembled in his own house, which was not sufficient to accommodate the numbers now disposed to attend his ministry. Various attempts were made to build a chapel, and several places were mentioned as suitable for that purpose, but none met with cordial approbation. At length Mr. H. undertook the work alone, and at his own expense, concerning which he thus writes: "When I was in prison, I had many solemn thoughts of heart, and made serious vows what I would do for God if ever I had my liberty; and in these God hath answered my desires. I have had far more opportunities of service since my release from imprisonment than before, and more assistance than formerly; blessed be God. One thing I vowed conditionally, that if God gave me property in the world, I would lay it out for him and the good of his church; and my Lord hath answered me in both. He hath given me something to expend, and a heart to lay out what I have. I have long had it on my mind to erect a school, but had no ground on which to build it. While I was contriving for the public good, behold an unexpected providence of God offered itself to my abundant satisfaction, it was this: my neighbourhood wanted a meeting-place upon the king's declaration. Three or

four places were proposed, but none of them were judged convenient, and my house was now too small. The people met, but could do nothing. W. Clay proposed to give ground to build on, and stones to build with. I urged this proposition on the people, and promised to give £10, towards the building, but they were not hearty about it. At last having some masons with me, Jan. 24th, 1688, I went over to J. Priestley and told him my design, and desired his consent and counsel; I said I would build it myself, and not ask them a penny towards it. The next day I set the men to get stones, but I met with many discouragements, which sent me often to a throne of grace. Scarce any would own me in the work, and some of my friends thought it a rash undertaking; but I had the more recourse to my God. The burden lay heavily on my wife, who was much discouraged at times. April 23rd, 1688, I laid the foundation stone* at the southeast corner. The workmen went on apace and it was ready for use July 8th, when I preached in it on Psal. cxxxii. 8. There was a vast multitude of people, more than could crowd into it, though it has three large wings. Blessed be God, that hath succeeded my poor endeavours, answered my prayers, and again given us a token for good." On the day when the new place was opened, several persons from Warley and elsewhere were admitted members of the church. The building cost Mr. H. about £60; and he received but little help from the people, except that W. Clay gave the land and stones, and different families erected pews

* It is related of him, that when he laid the first stone he kneeled down upon it, and spent a whole hour in giving thanks to God for the liberty now enjoyed and so long desired, and in praying for the success of present and future endeavours to promote the cause of Christ.

for their accommodation; but on a review of what God had enabled him to expend in building this sanctuary, he adds, "I do not repent it."

This freedom of worship enjoyed by the Nonconformists was very precarious, being dependent on the caprice of a monarch who had no love for them, nor the protestant cause; but the affairs of James were approaching a crisis attended with lasting benefits to this kingdom. He was carrying things with a high hand, and the wiser part of the nation foresaw the ruin of their religion and liberty, if he continued to reign. To the joyful surprise of multitudes, it began to be rumoured that the Prince of Orange was preparing to invade the land, to secure the Protestants, and to preserve the liberties of the people. "The affairs of the nation," says Mr. Heywood," astonished every considerate person. King James had tried the church of England and the Dissenters, but could not bring either of them to consent to take off the penal laws and tests from the papists, that they might be legally admitted to places of authority; wherefore his popish council and Jesuits were put on trying new measures, and what could not be done by fraud must be effected by force. Soldiers were raised, and many Scotch and Irish Papists were brought into the kingdom, and drawn towards London. The guns on the tower were planted towards the city; treaties were made with the French king, to help with an army to subdue heretics; all faces gathered blackness, and a dreadful consternation seized the people. Popish officers were appointed in the army and navy, and lordlieutenants, justices, and mayors were selected, who either were popishly inclined or were indifferent, but subject to the king's pleasure. Though the Dissenters had liberty, we knew it was not out of love to us, but

for another purpose. We had heard the king had said, he was forced to grant liberty for the present to those whom his soul abhorred. In the midst of these events, the king on the first of October, issued writs for choosing a parliament. The day of election came, and multitudes went to York to choose two knights, but were prevented from proceeding by the king's calling in the writs, because he had heard the Prince of Orange was coming against him. Nobody scarcely believed it, but in the end it proved true. The prayers of the Lord's people were now awakened to great solicitude, and earnest cries to heaven, seeing ourselves in the midst of dangers." James, who was a weak and superstitious prince, perceiving his cause daily losing ground, abdicated his throne, which was afterwards filled by William and Mary. Soon after their establishment on the throne, the renowned Toleration Act was passed, and the freedom of religious worship was secured to the Dissenters by law. Opportunities of public usefulness were now very numerous, and cheerfully embraced by Mr. Heywood. Like a wise husbandman, after a long and dreary winter, he rejoiced at the return of spring, and laboured to the utmost of his power, though near sixty years of age. In the review of this wonderful year, he mentions with gratitude, that though his horse had fallen nine times with him, yet by the goodness of God he had not been materially hurt, and that he had been supported under abundant labours.

Mr. Heywood was never able to ascertain his natal day, but having found the day of his baptism from the register at Bolton church, he usually observed its return with peculiar solemnity. On this day it was his custom to review the labours and remarkable providences of the past year, and to enter on new engage