Meaning of 'Enthusiasm' as generally dreaded in the eighteenth century, 226 A vague term, but important in the history of the period, 227 As entering into most theological questions then under discussion, 229 Cambridge Platonists: Cudworth, Henry More, 230 Influence of Locke's philosophy, 234 Warburton's 'Doctrine of Grace', 237 Sympathy with the reasonable rather than the spiritual side of religion, 237 Absence of Mysticism in the last century, on any conspicuous scale, 238 Mysticism found its chief vent in Quakerism 240 Quakerism in eighteenth century 241 Its strength, its decline, its claim to attention, 244 French Mysticism in England. The 'French Prophets', 246 Fenelon, Bourignon, and Guyon, 249 German Mysticism in England. Behmen, 251 William Law, 253 His active part in theological controversy, 254 Effects of Mysticism on his theology, 255 His breadth of sympathy and appreciation of all spiritual excellence, 257 Position of, in the Deist controversy, 259 Views on the Atonement, 259 On the Christian evidences, 260 Controversy with Mandeville on the foundations of moral virtue, 261 His speculation on the future state, 261 On Enthusiasm, 263 His imitator in verse, John Byrom, 264 The Moravians, 265 Wesley's early intimacy with W. Law and with the Moravians, 266 Lavington and others on the enthusiasm of Methodists, 269 Points of resemblance and difference between Methodism and the Mystic revivals, 271 Bearing of Berkeley's philosophy on the Mystic theology, 274 William Blake, 275 Dean Graves on enthusiasm, 276 Samuel Coleridge, 277 CHAPTER VIII. CHURCH ABUSES. (_J.H. Overton._) Fair prospect at the beginning of the eighteenth century, 279 Contrast between promise and performance, 279 Shortcomings of the Church exaggerated on many sides, 280 _General causes of the low tone of the Church:_-- (1) Her outward prosperity, 280 (2) Influence and policy of Sir R. Walpole, 281 (3) The controversies of her own and previous generations, 282 (4) Political complications, 282 (5) Want of synodal action, 282-4 Pluralities and non-residence, 284-6 Neglect of parochial duties, 286-7 Clerical poverty, 287-9 Clerical dependents, 289 Abuse of Church patronage, 290-2 Evidence in the autobiography of Bishop T. Newton, 292-3 " " " Bishop Watson, 293-6 " " " Bishop Hurd, 296-7 Clergy too much mixed up with politics, 297-8 Want of parochial machinery, 298-300 Sermons of period too sweepingly censured, 300 But marked by a morbid dread of extremes, 301 Political sermons, 302 Low state of morals, 303 Clergy superior to their contemporaries, 301 The nation passed through a crisis in the eighteenth century, 306 A period of transition in the Church, 307 Torpor extended to all forms of Christianity, 308 Decay of Church discipline, 309-310 England better than her neighbours, 311 Good influences in the later part of the century, 311-2 CHAPTER IX.