[223] The first nonconforming sect in England originated in 1556. It broke off from the Church, on a question of vestments. The chief divisions of English Nonconformity in the latter half of the sixteenth century were (1) the _Brunists_, or _Barronists_. The disciples of Brun quarrelled and divided amongst themselves. (2) The _Familists_, an offshoot of the Dutch Anabaptists, a mystic sect which quarrelled with the Puritans. (3) The _Anabaptists_, who were not only religious sectaries, but who differed with the Church on sundry social and civil matters. "They denied the sanctity of an oath, the binding power of laws, the right of the magistrate to punish, and the rights of property." (Perry's _History of the English Church_, p. 315.) See also Hooker's Preface to his _Ecclesiastical Polity_, c. viii. 6-12; and the "Life of Sir Matthew Hale," _Eccl. Biog._ iv. 533, on the "indigested enthusiastical scheme called _The Kingdom of Christ_, or _of his Saints_."--ED. [224] A common device in religious and political conflicts. See _Strype_, in support of this instance.--W. W. 1822. Probably the reference is to the case of Cussin, a Dominican Friar. He pretended to be a Puritan minister; and, in his devotions, assumed the airs of madness. See in Strype's _The Life and Acts of Matthew Parker,_ _Archbishop of Canterbury_, vol. i. chaps, xiii. and xvi.--ED. [225] 1827. The Throne is plagued; ... 1822. [226] See the note to the previous sonnet, No. XL.--ED. XLII GUNPOWDER PLOT[227] Fear hath a hundred eyes that all agree To plague her beating heart; and there is one (Nor idlest that!) which holds communion With things that were not, yet were _meant_ to be. Aghast within its gloomy cavity 5 That eye (which sees as if fulfilled and done Crimes that might stop the motion of the sun) Beholds the horrible catastrophe Of an assembled Senate unredeemed From subterraneous Treason's darkling power: 10 Merciless act of sorrow infinite! Worse than the product of that dismal night, When gushing, copious as a thunder-shower, The blood of Huguenots through Paris streamed.[228] FOOTNOTES: [227] Originated by Robert Catesby, the intention being to destroy King, Lords, and Commons, by an explosion at Westminster, when James I. went in person to open Parliament on the 5th November 1605.--ED. [228] The massacre of St. Bartholomew, which occurred on August 24, 1572.--ED. XLIII ILLUSTRATION THE JUNG-FRAU AND THE FALL OF THE RHINE NEAR SCHAFFHAUSEN