[3] This proposition is true, notwithstanding that, in the early times of the English government, the clergy were the great and principal opposers of the crown; but at that time their possessions were so immensely great, that they composed a considerable part of the proprietors of England, and in many contests were direct rivals of the crown.
[4] The clergy had concurred in a shameless manner with the King's arbitrary designs, according to their usual maxims in such cases, and, in return, were allowed to persecute their adversaries, whom they called heretics and schismatics. The established clergy were Episcopal, the nonconformists Presbyterians; so that all things concurred to throw the former, without reserve, into the King's party, and the latter into that of the Parliament. The _Cavaliers_ being the Court party, and the _Roundheads_ the Country party, the union was infallible betwixt the former and the established prelacy, and betwixt the latter and Presbyterian nonconformists. This union is so natural, according to the general principles of politics, that it requires some very extraordinary situation of affairs to break it.
[5] The question is perhaps in itself somewhat difficult, but has been rendered more so by the prejudices and violence of party.
[6] The celebrated writer above cited has asserted, that the real distinction betwixt _Whig_ and Tory was lost at the _Revolution_, and that ever since they have continued to be mere _personal_ parties, like the _Guelfs_ and Ghibellines, after the Emperors had lost all authority in Italy. Such an opinion, were it received, would turn our whole history into an enigma.
I shall first mention, as a proof of a real distinction betwixt these parties, what every one may have observed or heard concerning the conduct and conversation of all his friends and acquaintance on both sides. Have not the _Tories_ always borne an avowed affection to the family of _Stuart_, and have not their adversaries always opposed with vigour the succession of that family?
The _Tory_ principles are confessedly the most favourable to monarchy. Yet the _Tories_ have almost always opposed the court these fifty years; nor were they cordial friends to King _William_, even when employed by him. Their quarrel, therefore, cannot be supposed to have lain with the throne, but with the person who sat on it.
