^■T. 89.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. cix 



loyalty, and religion, a reverence for constituted authorities, as -well 

 as for all other institutions, springs and is inseparable. Walton 

 could no more have been a republican than an atheist ; but 

 whilst his tolerant spirit and sound common sense preserved him 

 from bigotry, his good taste made him abhor the cant and 

 fanaticism which usurped the name of religion, and became the 

 cloak for the most reckless ambition, and the basest hypocrisy. 

 A close observer of the history of the reign of Charles the First 

 will find that the outrages which were committed by the republi- 

 cans upon the habits, tastes, and prejudices of the cavahers, had 

 as much influence in attaching them to the monarchy, as abstract 

 sentiments of duty and loyalty. 



Some extracts from Walton's remarks upon public affairs will 

 best show his political opinions, and they merit particular attention 

 as specimens of his style, which is clear and nervous, and will 

 bear a favourable comparison with that of the best writers of his 

 time. Speaking of the religious dissensions which preceded the 

 death of Charles the First, Walton says, " To heighten all these 

 discontents and dangers, there was also sprung up a generation of 

 godless men ; men that had so long given way to their own lusts 

 and delusions ; and had so often and so highly opposed the 

 blessed motions of the blessed Spirit, and the inward light of their 

 own consciences, that they had thereby sinned themselves to a belief 

 of what they would, but were not able to believe : into a belief 

 which is repugnant even to human nature (for the heathens 

 believe there are many Gods), but these have sinned themselves 

 into a belief that there is no God ; and so finding nothing in 

 themselves, but what is worse than nothing, began to wish what 

 they were not able to hope for, ' that they should be like the beasts 

 that perish ; ' and in wicked company (which is the atheist's 

 sanctuary) were so bold as to say so : though the worst of man- 

 kind, when he is left alone at midnight, may wish, but cannot 

 then think it. Into this wretched, this reprobate condition, many 

 had then sinned themselves. And now when the Church was pes- 

 tered with them, and with all these other irregularities ; when her^ 

 lands were in danger of alienation, her power at least neglected, 

 and her peace torn in pieces by several schisms, and such heresies 

 as do usually attend that sin ; when the common people seemed , 

 ambitious of doing those very things which were attended with 

 most dangers, that thereby they might be punished, and then 

 applauded and pitied ; when they called the spirit of opposition 

 a tender conscience, and complained of persecution, because they 



