OSWESTRY TO RUABON. Ill 



exalting an obfcure individual, pofTefled but of mo- 

 derate talents, to the greateft height of popularity, 

 was indu6ted to the living of Chirk in 1709. 



Sacheverell feems to have little talent, learning, 

 virtue, or religion. Furious in high church prin- 

 ciples, he courted the popular favour by impe- 

 tuoully, and without intermiilion, exerting himfelf 

 in the mod outrageous and inflammatory difcourfes 

 againft the perlbns then in power, and againfl the 

 diflenters, in defence of the dodrines of non-refift- 

 ance and pafTive obedience.- — ^A fermon that he 

 preached at St. Paul's was of fuch a nature as 

 immediately to attract the attention of the public ; 

 and a fhort time after it was printed, upv/ards of 

 40,000 C9pie5 were circulated over the kingdom. 



The clergy in general were (launch in his defence, 

 and, to filence the rifmg difcontent, it was thought 

 necelTary for the Houfe of Commons to impeach the 

 author of high crimes and mifdemeanors. His trial 

 was heard in Wellminller hall, and laded three 

 weeks. During this time Sacheverel was every day 

 conveyed thither in a coach, attended by the mod 

 tumultuous crowds, who all exprefied the greate/l 

 concern for his caufe. He was found guilty, but 

 fuch was the popular fury againft his enemies, that 

 the Houfe thought it expedient to proceed no fur- 

 ther than merely to fufpend him from preaching 

 for three years, ordering his fermon to be publicly 

 burnt' 



It 



