pretended Saints. These men, who baptized horses and pigs in the
name of the Trinity, sang psalms when they marched. One cannot
easily comprehend the nature of fanaticism, except when we learn
that they refused to pay rents!

[281] That curious compilation by Bruno Ryves, published in 1646,
with the title "Mercurius Rusticus, or the countrie's complaint of
the barbarous outrages committed by the sectaries of this late
flourishing kingdom," furnishes a fearful detail of "sacrileges,
profanations, and plunderings committed in the cathedrall churches."

[282] The festival of Corpus Christi, held on the first Thursday
after Trinity Sunday, was the period chosen in old times for the
performances of miracle-plays by the clergy, or the guilds of
various towns; for an account of them see vol. i. p. 352-362.

[283] There is a little "Treatise of Humilitie, published by
E.D.--Parson, sequestered"--1654; in which, while enforcing the
virtue which his book defends, he with much _naivete_ gives a strong
opinion of his oppressors. "We acknowledge the justice and mercy of
the Lord in punishing us, so we take notice of his wisdom in
choosing such instruments to punish us, _men of mean and low rank,
and of common parts and abilities_. By these he doth admonish all
the honourable, valiant, learned, and wise men of this nation; and
as it were write our sin, in the character of our punishment; and in
_the low condition_ of these instruments of his anger and
displeasure, the rod of his wrath, he would abate and punish our
great pride."

BUCKINGHAM'S POLITICAL COQUETRY WITH THE PURITANS.

Buckingham, observes Hume, "in order to fortify himself against the
resentment of James"--on the conduct of the duke in the Spanish match,
when James was latterly hearing every day Buckingham against Bristol,
and Bristol against Buckingham--"had affected popularity, and entered
into the cabals of the puritans; but afterwards, being secure of the
confidence of Charles, he had since abandoned this party; and on that
account was the more exposed to their hatred and resentment."

The political coquetry of a minister coalescing with an opposition
party, when he was on the point of being disgraced, would doubtless open
an involved scene of intrigue; and what one exacted, and the other was
content to yield, towards the mutual accommodation, might add one more
e