Shehadconceivedstrongsuspicionswhichweredailyconfirmedbycircumstancestriflingorimaginary。ShefanciedthattheQueencarefullyshunnedherscrutiny，andascribedtoguiltareservewhichwasperhapstheeffectofdelicacy。377InthistemperAnnehaddeterminedtobepresentandvigilantwhenthecriticaldayshouldarrive。Butshehadnotthoughtitnecessarytobeatherpostamonthbeforethatday，andhad，incompliance，itwassaid，withherfather’sadvice，gonetodrinktheBathwaters。
　　Sancroft，whosegreatplacemadeithisdutytoattend，andonwhoseprobitythenationplacedentirereliance，hadafewhoursbeforebeensenttotheTowerbyJames。TheHydesweretheproperprotectorsoftherightsofthetwoPrincesses。TheDutchAmbassadormightberegardedastherepresentativeofWilliam，who，asfirstprinceofthebloodandconsortoftheKing’seldestdaughter，hadadeepinterestinwhatwaspassing。Jamesneverthoughtofsummoninganymember，maleorfemale，ofthefamilyofHyde；norwastheDutchAmbassadorinvitedtobepresent。
　　PosterityhasfullyacquittedtheKingofthefraudwhichhispeopleimputedtohim。Butitisimpossibletoacquithimoffollyandperversenesssuchasexplainandexcusetheerrorofhiscontemporaries。Hewasperfectlyawareofthesuspicionswhichwereabroad。378HeoughttohaveknownthatthosesuspicionswouldnotbedispelledbytheevidenceofmembersoftheChurchofRome，orofpersonswho，thoughtheymightcallthemselvesmembersoftheChurchofEngland，hadshownthemselvesreadytosacrificetheinterestsoftheChurchofEnglandinordertoobtainhisfavour。Thathewastakenbysurpriseistrue。Buthehadtwelvehourstomakehisarrangements。HefoundnodifficultyincrowdingSt。James’sPalacewithbigotsandsycophantsonwhosewordthenationplacednoreliance。ItwouldhavebeenquiteaseasytoprocuretheattendanceofsomeeminentpersonswhoseattachmenttothePrincessesandtotheestablishedreligionwasunquestionable。
　　Atalaterperiod，whenhehadpaiddearlyforhisfoolhardycontemptofpublicopinion，itwasthefashionatSaintGermainstoexcusehimbythrowingtheblameonothers。SomeJacobiteschargedAnnewithhavingpurposelykeptoutoftheway。Nay，theywerenotashamedtosaythatSancrofthadprovokedtheKingtosendhimtotheTower，inorderthattheevidencewhichwastoconfoundthecalumniesofthemalecontentsmightbedefective。379
　　Theabsurdityoftheseimputationsispalpable。CouldAnneorSancroftpossiblyhaveforeseenthattheQueen’scalculationswouldturnouttobeerroneousbyawholemonth？Hadthosecalculationsbeencorrect，AnnewouldhavebeenbackfromBath，andSancroftwouldhavebeenoutoftheTower，inampletimeforthebirth。AtalleventsthematernalunclesoftheKing’sdaughterswereneitheratadistancenorinaprison。Thesamemessengerwhosummonedthewholebevyofrenegades，Dover，Peterborough，Murray，Sunderland，andMulgrave，couldjustaseasilyhavesummonedClarendon。IftheywerePrivyCouncillors，sowashe。HishousewasinJermynStreet，nottwohundredyardsfromthechamberoftheQueen。YethewaslefttolearnatSt。
　　James’sChurch，fromtheagitationandwhispersofthecongregation，thathisniecehadceasedtobeheiresspresumptiveofthecrown。380WasitadisqualificationthathewasthenearkinsmanofthePrincessesofOrangeandDenmark？OrwasitadisqualificationthathewasunalterablyattachedtotheChurchofEngland？
　　Thecryofthewholenationwasthatanimposturebadbeenpractised。Papistshad，duringsomemonths，beenpredicting，from，thepulpitandthroughthepress，inproseandverse，inEnglishandLatin，thataPrinceofWaleswouldbegiventotheprayersoftheChurch；andtheyhadnowaccomplishedtheirownprophecy。Everywitnesswhocouldnotbecorruptedordeceivedhadbeenstudiouslyexcluded。AnnehadbeentrickedintovisitingBath。ThePrimatehad，ontheverydayprecedingthatwhichhadbeenfixedforthevillainy，beensenttoprisonindefianceoftherulesoflawandoftheprivilegesofpeerage。Notasinglemanorwomanwhohadthesmallestinterestindetectingthefraudhadbeensufferedtohepresent。TheQueenhadbeenremovedsuddenlyandatthedeadofnighttoSt。James’sPalace，becausethatbuilding，lesscommodiousforhonestpurposesthanWhitehall，hadsomeroomsandpassageswellsuitedforthepurposeoftheJesuits。There，amidstacircleofzealotswhothoughtnothingacrimethattendedtopromotetheinterestsoftheirChurch，andofcourtierswhothoughtnothingacrimethattendedtoenrichandaggrandisethemselves，anewbornchildhadbeenintroducedintotheroyalbed，andthenhandedroundintriumph，asheirofthethreekingdoms。Heatedbysuchsuspicions，suspicionsunjust，itistrue，butnotaltogetherunnatural，menthrongedmoreeagerlythanevertopaytheirhomagetothesaintlyvictimsofthetyrantwho，havinglongfoullyinjuredhispeople，hadnowfilledupthemeasureofhisiniquitiesbymorefoullyinjuringhischildren。381
　　ThePrinceofOrange，nothimselfsuspectinganytrick，andnotawareofthestateofpublicfeelinginEngland，orderedprayerstobesaidunderhisownroofforhislittlebrotherinlaw，andsentZulesteintoLondonwithaformalmessageofcongratulation。
　　Zulestein，tohisamazement，foundallthepeoplewhomhemetopenmouthedabouttheinfamousfraudjustcommittedbytheJesuits，andsaweveryhoursomefreshpasquinadeonthepregnancyandthedelivery。HesoonwrotetotheHaguethatnotonepersonintenbelievedthechildtohavebeenbornoftheQueen。382
　　Thedemeanourofthesevenprelatesmeanwhilestrengthenedtheinterestwhichtheirsituationexcited。OntheeveningoftheBlackFriday，asitwascalled，onwhichtheywerecommitted，theyreachedtheirprisonjustatthehourofdivineservice。
　　Theyinstantlyhastenedtothechapel。Itchancedthatinthesecondlessonwerethesewords:"InallthingsapprovingourselvesastheministersofGod，inmuchpatience，inafflictions，indistresses，instripes，inimprisonments。"AllzealousChurchmenweredelightedbythiscoincidence，andrememberedhowmuchcomfortasimilarcoincidencehadgiven，nearfortyyearsbefore，toCharlestheFirstatthetimeofhisdeath。
　　Ontheeveningofthenextday，Saturdaytheninth，alettercamefromSunderlandenjoiningthechaplainoftheTowertoreadtheDeclarationduringdivineserviceonthefollowingmorning。AsthetimefixedbytheOrderinCouncilforthereadinginLondonhadlongexpired，thisproceedingofthegovernmentcouldbeconsideredonlyasapersonalinsultofthemeanestandmostchildishkindtothevenerableprisoners。Thechaplainrefusedtocomply:hewasdismissedfromhissituation；andthechapelwasshutup。383
　　TheBishopsedifiedallwhoapproachedthembythefirmnessandcheerfulnesswithwhichtheyenduredconfinement，bythemodestyandmeeknesswithwhichtheyreceivedtheapplausesandblessingsofthewholenation，andbytheloyalattachmentwhichtheyprofessedforthepersecutorwhosoughttheirdestruction。Theyremainedonlyaweekincustody。OnFridaythefifteenthofJune，thefirstdayofterm，theywerebroughtbeforetheKing’sBench。
　　Animmensethrongawaitedtheircoming。FromthelandingplacetotheCourtofRequeststheypassedthroughalaneofspectatorswhoblessedandapplaudedthem。"Friends，"saidtheprisonersastheypassed，"honourtheKing；andrememberusinyourprayers。"
　　Thesehumbleandpiousexpressionsmovedthehearers，eventotears。Whenatlengththeprocessionhadmadeitswaythroughthecrowdintothepresenceofthejudges，theAttorneyGeneralexhibitedtheinformationwhichhehadbeencommandedtoprepare，andmovedthatthedefendantsmightbeorderedtoplead。ThecounselontheothersideobjectedthattheBishopshadbeenunlawfullycommitted，andwerethereforenotregularlybeforetheCourt。Thequestionwhetherapeercouldberequiredtoenterintorecognisancesonachargeoflibelwasarguedatgreatlength，anddecidedbyamajorityofjudgesinfavourofthecrown。TheprisonersthenpleadedNotGuilty。Thatdayfortnight，thetwenty—ninthofJune，wasfixedfortheirtrial。Inthemeantimetheywereallowedtobeatlargeontheirownrecognisances。Thecrownlawyersactedprudentlyinnotrequiringsureties。ForHalifaxhadarrangedthattwenty—onetemporalpeersofthehighestconsiderationshouldbereadytoputinbail，threeforeachdefendant；andsuchamanifestationofthefeelingofthenobilitywouldhavebeennoslightblowtothegovernment。
　　ItwasalsoknownthatoneofthemostopulentDissentersoftheCityhadbeggedthathemighthavethehonourofgivingsecurityforKen。
　　TheBishopswerenowpermittedtodeparttotheirownhomes。Thecommonpeople，whodidnotunderstandthenatureofthelegalproceedingswhichhadtakenplaceintheKing’sBench，andwhosawthattheirfavouriteshadbeenbroughttoWestminsterHallincustodyandweresufferedtogoawayinfreedom，imaginedthatthegoodcausewasprospering。Loudacclamationswereraised。Thesteeplesofthechurchessentforthjoyouspeals。SpratwasamazedtohearthebellsofhisownAbbeyringingmerrily。Hepromptlysilencedthem:buthisinterferencecausedmuchangrymuttering。TheBishopsfounditdifficulttoescapefromtheimportunatecrowdoftheirwellwishers。LloydwasdetainedinPalaceYardbyadmirerswhostruggledtotouchhishandsandtokisstheskirtofhisrobe，tillClarendon，withsomedifficulty，rescuedhimandconveyedhimhomebyabyepath。Cartwright，itissaid，wassounwiseastominglewiththecrowd。Somepersonwhosawhisepiscopalhabitaskedandreceivedhisblessing。A
　　bystandercriedout，"Doyouknowwhoblessedyou？""Surely，"
　　saidhewhohadjustbeenhonouredbythebenediction，"itwasoneoftheSeven。""No，"saidtheother"itisthePopishBishopofChester。""Popishdog，"criedtheenragedProtestant；"takeyourblessingbackagain。"
　　Suchwastheconcourse，andsuchtheagitation，thattheDutchAmbassadorwassurprisedtoseethedayclosewithoutaninsurrection。TheKinghadbeenbynomeansatease。Inorderthathemightbereadytosuppressanydisturbance，hehadpassedthemorninginreviewingseveralbattalionsofinfantryinHydePark。Itis，however，bynomeanscertainthathistroopswouldhavestoodbyhimifhehadneededtheirservices。WhenSancroftreachedLambeth，intheafternoon，hefoundthegrenadierguards，whowerequarteredinthatsuburb，assembledbeforethegateofhispalace。Theyformedintwolinesonhisrightandleft，andaskedhisbenedictionashewentthroughthem。Hewithdifficultypreventedthemfromlightingabonfireinhonourofhisreturntohisdwelling。Therewere，however，manybonfiresthateveningintheCity。TwoRomanCatholicswhoweresoindiscreetastobeatsomeboysforjoiningintheserejoicingswereseizedbythemob，strippednaked，andignominiouslybranded。384
　　SirEdwardHalesnowcametodemandfeesfromthosewhohadlatelybeenhisprisoners。Theyrefusedtopayanythingforthedetentionwhichtheyregardedasillegaltoanofficerwhosecommissionwas，ontheirprinciples，anullity。TheLieutenanthintedveryintelligiblythat，iftheycameintohishandsagain，theyshouldbeputintoheavyironsandshouldlieonbarestones。"WeareunderourKing’sdispleasure，"wastheanswer；
　　"andmostdeeplydowefeelit:butafellowsubjectwhothreatensusdoesbutlosehisbreath。"Itiseasytoimaginewithwhatindignationthepeople，excitedastheywere，musthavelearnedthatarenegadefromtheProtestantfaith，whoheldacommandindefianceofthefundamentallawsofEngland，haddaredtomenacedivinesofvenerableageanddignitywithallthebarbaritiesofLollard’sTower。385
　　Beforethedayoftrialtheagitationhadspreadtothefarthestcornersoftheisland。FromScotlandtheBishopsreceivedlettersassuringthemofthesympathyofthePresbyteriansofthatcountry，solongandsobitterlyhostiletoprelacy。386ThepeopleofCornwall，afierce，bold，andathleticrace，amongwhomtherewasastrongerprovincialfeelingthaninanyotherpartoftherealm，weregreatlymovedbythedangerofTrelawney，whomtheyreverencedlessasaruleroftheChurchthanastheheadofanhonourablehouse，andtheheirthroughtwentydescentsofancestorswhohadbeenofgreatnotebeforetheNormanshadsetfootonEnglishground。Alloverthecountythepeasantschantedaballadofwhichtheburdenisstillremembered:
　　"AndshallTrelawneydie，andshallTrelawneydie？
　　ThenthirtythousandCornishboyswillknowthereasonwhy。"
　　Theminersfromtheircavernsreechoedthesongwithavariation:
　　"Thentwentythousandundergroundwillknowthereasonwhy。"387
　　Therusticsinmanypartsofthecountryloudlyexpressedastrangehopewhichhadneverceasedtoliveintheirhearts。TheirProtestantDuke，theirbelovedMonmouth，wouldsuddenlyappear，wouldleadthemtovictory，andwouldtreaddowntheKingandtheJesuitsunderhisfeet。388Theministerswereappalled。EvenJeffreyswouldgladlyhaveretracedhissteps。HechargedClarendonwithfriendlymessagestotheBishops，andthrewonotherstheblameoftheprosecutionwhichhehadhimselfrecommended。Sunderlandagainventuredtorecommendconcession。Thelateauspiciousbirth，hesaid，hadfurnishedtheKingwithanexcellentopportunityofwithdrawingfromapositionfullofdangerandinconveniencewithoutincurringthereproachoftimidityorofcaprice。Onsuchhappyoccasionsithadbeenusualforsovereignstomaketheheartsofsubjectsgladbyactsofclemency；andnothingcouldbemoreadvantageoustothePrinceofWalesthanthatheshould，whilestillinhiscradle，bethepeacemakerbetweenhisfatherandtheagitatednation。ButtheKing’sresolutionwasfixed。"Iwillgoon，"besaid。"Ihavebeenonlytooindulgent。Indulgenceruinedmyfather。"389Theartfulministerfoundthathisadvicehadbeenformerlytakenonlybecauseithadbeenshapedtosuittheroyaltemper，andthat，fromthemomentatwhichhebegantocounselwell，hebegantocounselinvain。HehadshownsomesignsofslacknessintheproceedingagainstMagdaleneCollege。HehadrecentlyattemptedtoconvincetheKingthatTyrconnel’sschemeofconfiscatingthepropertyoftheEnglishcolonistsinIrelandwasfullofdanger，andhad，withthehelpofPowisandBellasyse，sofarsucceededthattheexecutionofthedesignhadbeenpostponedforanotheryear。Butthistimidityandscrupulosityhadexciteddisgustandsuspicionintheroyalmind。390Thedayofretributionhadarrived。SunderlandwasinthesamesituationinwhichhisrivalRochesterhadbeensomemonthsbefore。Eachofthetwostatesmeninturnexperiencedthemiseryofclutching，withanagonizinggrasp，powerwhichwasperceptiblyslippingaway。Eachinturnsawhissuggestionsscornfullyrejected。Bothenduredthepainofreadingdispleasureanddistrustinthecountenanceanddemeanouroftheirmaster；yetbothwerebytheircountryheldresponsibleforthosecrimesanderrorsfromwhichtheyhadvainlyendeavouredtodissuadehim。Whilehesuspectedthemoftryingtowinpopularityattheexpenseofhisauthorityanddignity，thepublicvoiceloudlyaccusedthemoftryingtowinhisfavourattheexpenseoftheirownhonourandofthegeneralweal。Yet，inspiteofmortificationsandhumiliations，theybothclungtoofficewiththegripeofdrowningmen。BothattemptedtopropitiatetheKingbyaffectingawillingnesstobereconciledtohisChurch。ButtherewasapointatwhichRochesterwasdeterminedtostop。Hewenttothevergeofapostasy:butthereherecoiled:andtheworld，inconsiderationofthefirmnesswithwhichherefusedtotakethefinalstep，grantedhimaliberalamnestyforallformercompliances。Sunderland，lessscrupulousandlesssensibleofshame，resolvedtoatoneforhislatemoderation，andtorecovertheroyalconfidence，byanactwhich，toamindimpressedwiththeimportanceofreligioustruth，musthaveappearedtobeoneofthemostflagitiousofcrimes，andwhichevenmenoftheworldregardasthelastexcessofbaseness。Aboutaweekbeforethedayfixedforthegreattrial，itwaspubliclyannouncedthathewasaPapist。TheKingtalkedwithdelightofthistriumphofdivinegrace。CourtiersandenvoyskepttheircountenancesaswellastheycouldwhiletherenegadeprotestedthathehadbeenlongconvincedoftheimpossibilityoffindingsalvationoutofthecommunionofRome，andthathisconsciencewouldnotlethimresttillhehadrenouncedtheheresiesinwhichhehadbeenbroughtup。Thenewsspreadfast。AtallthecoffeehousesitwastoldhowtheprimeministerofEngland，hisfeetbare，andataperinhishand，hadrepairedtotheroyalchapelandknockedhumblyforadmittance；
　　howapriestlyvoicefromwithinhaddemandedwhowasthere，howSunderlandhadmadeanswerthatapoorsinnerwhohadlongwanderedfromthetrueChurchimploredhertoreceiveandtoabsolvehim；howthedoorswereopened；andhowtheneophytepartookoftheholymysteries。391
　　ThisscandalousapostasycouldnotbutheightentheinterestwithwhichthenationlookedforwardtothedaywhenthefateofthesevenbraveconfessorsoftheEnglishChurchwastobedecided。
　　TopackajurywasnowthegreatobjectoftheKing。Thecrownlawyerswereorderedtomakestrictinquiryastothesentimentsofthepersonswhowereregisteredinthefreeholders’book。SirSamuelAstry，ClerkoftheCrown，whosedutyitwas，incasesofthisdescription，toselectthenames，wassummonedtothepalace，andhadaninterviewwithJamesinthepresenceoftheChancellor。392SirSamuelseemstohavedonehisbest。For，amongtheforty—eightpersonswhomhenominated，weresaidtobeseveralservantsoftheKing，andseveralRomanCatholics。393ButasthecounselfortheBishopshadarighttostrikeofftwelve，thesepersonswereremoved。Thecrownlawyersalsostruckofftwelve。Thelistwasthusreducedtotwenty—four。Thefirsttwelvewhoansweredtotheirnamesweretotrytheissue。
　　Onthetwenty—ninthofJune，WestminsterHall，OldandNewPalaceYard，andalltheneighbouringstreetstoagreatdistancewerethrongedwithpeople。SuchanauditoryhadneverbeforeandhasneversincebeenassembledintheCourtofKing’sBench。Thirty—
　　fivetemporalpeersoftherealmwerecountedinthecrowd。394
　　AllthefourjudgesoftheCourtwereonthebench。Wright，whopresided，hadbeenraisedtohishighplaceovertheheadsofmanyablerandmorelearnedmensolelyonaccountofhisunscrupulousservility。AllybonewasaPapist，andowedhissituationtothatdispensingpower，thelegalityofwhichwasnowinquestion。Hollowayhadhithertobeenaserviceabletoolofthegovernment。EvenPowell，whosecharacterforhonestystoodhigh，hadborneapartinsomeproceedingswhichitisimpossibletodefend。Hehad，inthegreatcaseofSirEdwardHales，withsomehesitation，itistrue，andaftersomedelay，concurredwiththemajorityofthebench，andhadthusbroughtonhischaracterastainwhichhishonourableconductonthisdaycompletelyeffaced。
　　Thecounselwerebynomeansfairlymatched。ThegovernmenthadrequiredfromitslawofficersservicessoodiousanddisgracefulthatalltheablestjuristsandadvocatesoftheTorypartyhad，oneafteranother，refusedtocomply，andhadbeendismissedfromtheiremployments。SirThomasPowis，theAttorneyGeneral，wasscarcelyofthethirdrankinhisprofession。SirWilliamWilliams，theSolicitorGeneral，hadquickpartsanddauntlesscourage:buthewanteddiscretion；helovedwrangling；hehadnocommandoverhistemper；andhewashatedanddespisedbyallpoliticalparties。ThemostconspicuousassistantsoftheAttorneyandSolicitorwereSerjeantTrinder，aRomanCatholic，andSirBartholomewShower，RecorderofLondon，whohadsomelegallearning，butwhosefulsomeapologiesandendlessrepetitionswerethejestofWestminsterHall。ThegovernmenthadwishedtosecuretheservicesofMaynard:buthehadplainlydeclaredthathecouldnotinconsciencedowhatwasaskedofhim。395
　　Ontheothersidewerearrayedalmostalltheeminentforensictalentsoftheage。SawyerandFinch，who，atthetimeoftheaccessionofJames，hadbeenAttorneyandSolicitorGeneral，andwho，duringthepersecutionoftheWhigsinthelatereign，hadservedthecrownwithbuttoomuchvehemenceandsuccess，wereofcounselforthedefendants。Withthemwerejoinedtwopersonswho，sinceagehaddiminishedtheactivityofMaynard，werereputedthetwobestlawyersthatcouldbefoundintheInnsofCourt:Pemberton，whohad，inthetimeofCharlestheSecond，beenChiefjusticeoftheKing’sBench，whohadbeenremovedfromhishighplaceonaccountofhishumanityandmoderation，andwhohadresumedhispracticeatthebar；andPollexfen，whohadlongbeenattheheadoftheWesterncircuit，andwho，thoughhehadincurredmuchunpopularitybyholdingbriefsforthecrownattheBloodyAssizes，andparticularlybyappearingagainstAliceLisle，wasknowntobeatheartaWhig，ifnotarepublican。SirCreswellLevinzwasalsothere，amanofgreatknowledgeandexperience，butofsingularlytimidnature。
　　Hehadbeenremovedfromthebenchsomeyearsbefore，becausehewasafraidtoservethepurposesofthegovernment。HewasnowafraidtoappearastheadvocateoftheBishops，andhadatfirstrefusedtoreceivetheirretainer:butithadbeenintimatedtohimbythewholebodyofattorneyswhoemployedhimthat，ifhedeclinedthisbrief，heshouldneverhaveanother。396
　　SirGeorgeTreby，anableandzealousWhig，whohadbeenRecorderofLondonundertheoldcharter，wasonthesameside。SirJohnHolt，astillmoreeminentWhiglawyer，wasnotretainedforthedefence，inconsequence，itshouldseem，ofsomeprejudiceconceivedagainsthimbySancroft，butwasprivatelyconsultedonthecasebytheBishopofLondon。397ThejuniorcounselfortheBishopswasayoungbarristernamedJohnSomers。Hehadnoadvantagesofbirthorfortune；norhadheyethadanyopportunityofdistinguishinghimselfbeforetheeyesofthepublic:buthisgenius，hisindustry，hisgreatandvariousaccomplishments，werewellknowntoasmallcircleoffriends；
　　and，inspiteofhisWhigopinions，hispertinentandlucidmodeofarguingandtheconstantproprietyofhisdemeanourhadalreadysecuredtohimtheearoftheCourtofKing’sBench。TheimportanceofobtaininghisserviceshadbeenstronglyrepresentedtotheBishopsbyJohnstone；andPollexfen，itissaid，haddeclaredthatnomaninWestminsterHallwassowellqualifiedtotreatahistoricalandconstitutionalquestionasSomers。
　　Thejurywassworn；itconsistedofpersonsofhighlyrespectablestation。TheforemanwasSirRogerLangley，abaronetofoldandhonourablefamily。Withhimwerejoinedaknightandtenesquires，severalofwhomareknowntohavebeenmenoflargepossessions。ThereweresomeNonconformistsinthenumber；fortheBishopshadwiselyresolvednottoshowanydistrustoftheProtestantDissenters。Onenameexcitedconsiderablealarm，thatofMichaelArnold。Hewasbrewertothepalace；anditwasapprehendedthatthegovernmentcountedonhisvoice。Thestorygoesthathecomplainedbitterlyofthepositioninwhichhefoundhimself。"WhateverIdo，"hesaid，"Iamsuretobehalfruined。IfIsayNotGuilty，IshallbrewnomorefortheKing；
　　andifIsayGuilty，Ishallbrewnomoreforanybodyelse。"398
　　Thetrialthencommenced，atrialwhich，evenwhencoollyperusedafterthelapseofmorethanacenturyandahalf，hasalltheinterestofadrama。Theadvocatescontendedonbothsideswithfarmorethanprofessionalkeennessandvehemence:theaudiencelistenedwithasmuchanxietyasifthefateofeveryoneofthemwastobedecidedbytheverdict；andtheturnsoffortuneweresosuddenandamazingthatthemultituderepeatedlypassedinasingleminutefromanxietytoexultationandbackagainfromexultationtostilldeeperanxiety。
　　TheinformationchargedtheBishopswithhavingwrittenorpublished，inthecountyofMiddlesex，afalse，malicious，andseditiouslibel。TheAttorneyandSolicitorfirsttriedtoprovethewriting。ForthispurposeseveralpersonswerecalledtospeaktothehandsoftheBishops。Butthewitnessesweresounwillingthathardlyasingleplainanswercouldbeextractedfromanyofthem。Pemberton，Pollexfen，andLevinzcontendedthattherewasnoevidencetogotothejury。Twoofthejudges，HollowayandPowell，declaredthemselvesofthesameopinion；andthehopesofthespectatorsrosehigh。Allatoncethecrownlawyersannouncedtheirintentiontotakeanotherline。Powis，withshameandreluctancewhichhecouldnotdissemble，putintothewitnessboxBlathwayt，aClerkofthePrivyCouncil，whohadbeenpresentwhentheKinginterrogatedtheBishops。Blathwaytsworethathehadheardthemowntheirsignatures。Histestimonywasdecisive。"Why，"saidjudgeHollowaytotheAttorney，"whenyouhadsuchevidence，didyounotproduceitatfirst，withoutallthiswasteoftime？"Itsoonappearedwhythecounselforthecrownhadbeenunwilling，withoutabsolutenecessity，toresorttothismodeofproof。PembertonstoppedBlathwayt，subjectedhimtoasearchingcrossexamination，andinsisteduponhavingallthathadpassedbetweentheKingandthedefendantsfullyrelated。"Thatisaprettythingindeed，"criedWilliams。"Doyouthink，"saidPowis，"thatyouareatlibertytoaskourwitnessesanyimpertinentquestionthatcomesintoyourheads？"TheadvocatesoftheBishopswerenotmentobesoputdown。"Heissworn，"saidPollexfen，"totellthetruthandthewholetruth:
　　andananswerwemustandwillhave。"Thewitnessshuffled，equivocated，pretendedtomisunderstandthequestions，imploredtheprotectionoftheCourt。Buthewasinhandsfromwhichitwasnoteasytoescape。AtlengththeAttorneyagaininterposed。
　　"If，"hesaid，"youpersistinaskingsuchaquestion，tellus，atleast，whatuseyoumeantomakeofit。"Pemberton，who，throughthewholetrial，didhisdutymanfullyandably，repliedwithouthesitation；"MyLords，IwillanswerMr。Attorney。IwilldealplainlywiththeCourt。IftheBishopsownedthispaperunderapromisefromHisMajestythattheirconfessionshouldnotbeusedagainstthem，Ihopethatnounfairadvantagewillbetakenofthem。""YouputonHisMajestywhatIdarehardlyname，"
　　saidWilliams:"sinceyouwillbesopressing，Idemand，fortheKing，thatthequestionmayberecorded。""Whatdoyoumean，Mr。
　　Solicitor？"saidSawyer，interposing。"IknowwhatImean，"saidtheapostate:"IdesirethatthequestionmayberecordedinCourt。""Recordwhatyouwill，Iamnotafraidofyou，Mr。
　　Solicitor，"saidPemberton。Thencamealoudandfiercealtercation，whichtheChiefJusticecouldwithdifficultyquiet。
　　Inothercircumstances，hewouldprobablyhaveorderedthequestiontoberecordedandPembertontobecommitted。Butonthisgreatdayhewasoverawed。HeoftencastasideglancetowardsthethickrowsofEarlsandBaronsbywhomhewaswatched，andwhointhenextParliamentmightbehisjudges。Helooked，abystandersaid，asifallthepeerspresenthadhaltersintheirpockets。399AtlengthBlathwaytwasforcedtogiveafullaccountofwhathadpassed。ItappearedthattheKinghadenteredintonoexpresscovenantwiththeBishops。ButitappearedalsothattheBishopsmightnotunreasonablythinkthattherewasanimpliedengagement。Indeed，fromtheunwillingnessofthecrownlawyerstoputtheClerkoftheCouncilintothewitnessbox，andfromthevehemencewithwhichtheyobjectedtoPemberton’scrossexamination，itisplainthattheywerethemselvesofthisopinion。
　　However，thehandwritingwasnowproved。Butanewandseriousobjectionwasraised。ItwasnotsufficienttoprovethattheBishopshadwrittentheallegedlibel。ItwasnecessarytoprovealsothattheyhadwrittenitinthecountyofMiddlesex。AndnotonlywasitoutofthepoweroftheAttorneyandSolicitortoprovethis；butitwasinthepowerofthedefendantstoprovethecontrary。ForitsohappenedthatSancrofthadneveronceleftthepalace，atLambethfromthetimewhentheOrderinCouncilappearedtillafterthepetitionwasintheKing’shands。
　　Thewholecasefortheprosecutionhadthereforecompletelybrokendown；andtheaudience，withgreatglee，expectedaspeedyacquittal。
　　Thecrownlawyersthenchangedtheirgroundagain，abandonedaltogetherthechargeofwritingalibel，andundertooktoprovethattheBishopshadpublishedalibelinthecountyofMiddlesex。Thedifficultiesweregreat。ThedeliveryofthepetitiontotheKingwasundoubtedly，intheeyeofthelaw，apublication。Buthowwasthisdeliverytobeproved？Nopersonhadbeenpresentattheaudienceintheroyalcloset，excepttheKingandthedefendants。TheKingcouldnotwellbesworn。Itwasthereforeonlybytheadmissionsofthedefendantsthatthefactofpublicationcouldbeestablished。Blathwaytwasagainexamined，butinvain。Hewellremembered，hesaid，thattheBishopsownedtheirhands；buthedidnotrememberthattheyownedthepaperwhichlayonthetableofthePrivyCounciltobethesamepaperwhichtheyhaddeliveredtotheKing，orthattheywereeveninterrogatedonthatpoint。SeveralotherofficialmenwhohadbeeninattendanceontheCouncilwerecalled，andamongthemSamuelPepys，SecretaryoftheAdmiralty；butnoneofthemcouldrememberthatanythingwassaidaboutthedelivery。ItwastonopurposethatWilliamsputleadingquestionstillthecounselontheothersidedeclaredthatsuchtwisting，suchwiredrawing，wasneverseeninacourtofjustice，andtillWrighthimselfwasforcedtoadmitthattheSolicitor’smodeofexaminationwascontrarytoallrule。Aswitnessafterwitnessansweredinthenegative，roarsoflaughterandshoutsoftriumph，whichthejudgesdidnotevenattempttosilence，shookthehall。
　　Itseemedthatatlengththishardfighthadbeenwon。Thecaseforthecrownwasclosed。HadthecounselfortheBishopsremainedsilent，anacquittalwascertain；fornothingwhichthemostcorruptandshamelessjudgecouldventuretocalllegalevidenceofpublicationhadbeengiven。TheChiefjusticewasbeginningtochargethejury，andwouldundoubtedlyhavedirectedthemtoacquitthedefendants；butFinch，tooanxioustobeperfectlydiscreet，interfered，andbeggedtobeheard。"Ifyouwillbeheard，"saidWright，"youshallbeheard；butyoudonotunderstandyourowninterests。"TheothercounselforthedefencemadeFinchsitdown，andbeggedtheChiefjusticetoproceed。HewasabouttodosowhenamessengercametotheSolicitorGeneralwithnewsthatLordSunderlandcouldprovethepublication，andwouldcomedowntothecourtimmediately。Wrightmaliciouslytoldthecounselforthedefencethattheyhadonlythemselvestothankfortheturnwhichthingshadtaken。Thecountenancesofthegreatmultitudefell。Finchwas，duringsomehours，themostunpopularmaninthecountry。Whycouldhenotsitstillashisbetters，Sawyer，Pemberton，andPollexfenhaddone？Hisloveofmeddling，hisambitiontomakeafinespeech，hadruinedeverything。
　　MeanwhiletheLordPresidentwasbroughtinasedanchairthroughthehall。Notahatmovedashepassed；andmanyvoicescriedout"Popishdog。"HecameintoCourtpaleandtrembling，witheyesfixedontheground，andgavehisevidenceinafalteringvoice。
　　HesworethattheBishopshadinformedhimoftheirintentiontopresentapetitiontotheKing，andthattheyhadbeenadmittedintotheroyalclosetforthatpurpose。Thiscircumstance，coupledwiththecircumstancethat，aftertheyleftthecloset，therewasintheKing’shandsapetitionsignedbythem，wassuchproofasmightreasonablysatisfyajuryofthefactofthepublication。
　　PublicationinMiddlesexwasthenproved。Butwasthepaperthuspublishedafalse，malicious，andseditiouslibel？Hithertothematterindisputehadbeenwhetherafactwhicheverybodywellknewtobetruecouldbeprovedaccordingtotechnicalrulesofevidence；butnowthecontestbecameoneofdeeperinterest。Itwasnecessarytoinquireintothelimitsofprerogativeandliberty，intotherightoftheKingtodispensewithstatutes，intotherightofthesubjecttopetitionfortheredressofgrievances。Duringthreehoursthecounselforthepetitionersarguedwithgreatforceindefenceofthefundamentalprinciplesoftheconstitution，andprovedfromthejournalsoftheHouseofCommonsthattheBishopshadaffirmednomorethanthetruthwhentheyrepresentedtotheKingthatthedispensingpowerwhichheclaimedhadbeenrepeatedlydeclaredillegalbyParliament。
　　Somersroselast。Hespokelittlemorethanfiveminutes；buteverywordwasfullofweightymatter；andwhenhesatedownhisreputationasanoratorandaconstitutionallawyerwasestablished。HewentthroughtheexpressionswhichwereusedintheinformationtodescribetheoffenceimputedtotheBishops，andshowedthateveryword，whetheradjectiveorsubstantive，wasaltogetherinappropriate。Theoffenceimputedwasafalse，amalicious，aseditiouslibel。Falsethepaperwasnot；foreveryfactwhichitsetforthhadbeenprovedfromthejournalsofParliamenttobetrue。Maliciousthepaperwasnot；forthedefendantshadnotsoughtanoccasionofstrife，buthadbeenplacedbythegovernmentinsuchasituationthattheymusteitheropposethemselvestotheroyalwill，orviolatethemostsacredobligationsofconscienceandhonour。Seditiousthepaperwasnot；forithadnotbeenscatteredbythewritersamongtherabble，butdeliveredprivatelyintothehandsoftheKingalone:
　　andalibelitwasnot，butadecentpetitionsuchas，bythelawsofEngland，nay，bythelawsofimperialRome，bythelawsofallcivilisedstates，asubjectwhothinkshimselfaggrievedmaywithproprietypresenttothesovereign。
　　TheAttorneyrepliedshortlyandfeebly。TheSolicitorspokeatgreatlengthandwithgreatacrimony，andwasofteninterruptedbytheclamoursandhissesoftheaudience。Hewentsofarastolayitdownthatnosubjectorbodyofsubjects，excepttheHousesofParliament，hadarighttopetitiontheKing。Thegallerieswerefurious；andtheChiefjusticehimselfstoodaghastattheeffronteryofthisvenalturncoat。
　　AtlengthWrightproceededtosumuptheevidence。Hislanguageshowedthattheaweinwhichhestoodofthegovernmentwastemperedbytheawewithwhichtheaudience，sonumerous，sosplendid，andsostronglyexcited，hadimpressedhim。Hesaidthathewouldgivenoopiniononthequestionofthedispensingpower，thatitwasnotnecessaryforhimtodoso，thathecouldnotagreewithmuchoftheSolicitor’sspeech，thatitwastherightofthesubjecttopetition，butthattheparticularpetitionbeforetheCourtwasimproperlyworded，andwas，inthecontemplationoflaw，alibel。Allybonewasofthesamemind，but，ingivinghisopinion，showedsuchgrossignoranceoflawandhistoryasbroughtonhimthecontemptofallwhoheardhim。
　　Hollowayevadedthequestionofthedispensingpower，butsaidthatthepetitionseemedtohimtobesuchassubjectswhothinkthemselvesaggrievedareentitledtopresent，andthereforenolibel。Powelltookaboldercourse。Heavowedthat，inhisjudgment，theDeclarationofIndulgencewasanullity，andthatthedispensingpower，aslatelyexercised，wasutterlyinconsistentwithalllaw。Iftheseencroachmentsofprerogativewereallowed，therewasanendofParliaments。ThewholelegislativeauthoritywouldbeintheKing。"Thatissue，gentlemen，"hesaid，"IleavetoGodandtoyourconsciences。"400
　　Itwasdarkbeforethejuryretiredtoconsideroftheirverdict。
　　Thenightwasanightofintenseanxiety。Somelettersareextantwhichweredespatchedduringthatperiodofsuspense，andwhichhavethereforeaninterestofapeculiarkind。"Itisverylate，"
　　wrotethePapalNuncio；"andthedecisionisnotyetknown。Thejudgesandtheculpritshavegonetotheirownhomes。Thejuryremaintogether。Tomorrowweshalllearntheeventofthisgreatstruggle。"
　　ThesolicitorfortheBishopssateupallnightwithabodyofservantsonthestairsleadingtotheroomwherethejurywas，consulting。Itwasabsolutelynecessarytowatchtheofficerswhowatchedthedoors；forthoseofficersweresupposedtobeintheinterestofthecrown，andmight，ifnotcarefullyobserved，havefurnishedacourtlyjurymanwithfood，whichwouldhaveenabledhimtostarveouttheothereleven。Strictguardwasthereforekept。Notevenacandletolightapipewaspermittedtoenter。
　　Somebasinsofwaterforwashingweresufferedtopassataboutfourinthemorning。Thejurymen，ragingwiththirst，soonlappedupthewhole。Greatnumbersofpeoplewalkedtheneighbouringstreetstilldawn。EveryhouramessengercamefromWhitehalltoknowwhatwaspassing。Voices，highinaltercation，wererepeatedlyheardwithintheroom:butnothingcertainwasknown。401
　　Atfirstninewereforacquittingandthreeforconvicting。Twooftheminoritysoongaveway；butArnoldwasobstinate。ThomasAustin，acountrygentlemanofgreatestate，whohadpaidcloseattentiontotheevidenceandspeeches，andhadtakenfullnotes，wishedtoarguethequestion。Arnolddeclined。Hewasnotused，hedoggedlysaid，toreasoninganddebating。Hisconsciencewasnotsatisfied；andheshouldnotacquittheBishops。"Ifyoucometothat，"saidAustin，"lookatme。Iamthelargestandstrongestofthetwelve；andbeforeIfindsuchapetitionasthisalibel，hereIwillstaytillIamnobiggerthanatobaccopipe。"ItwassixinthemorningbeforeArnoldyielded。Itwassoonknownthatthejurywereagreed:butwhattheverdictwouldbewasstillasecret。402
　　AttentheCourtagainmet。Thecrowdwasgreaterthanever。Thejuryappearedintheirbox；andtherewasabreathlessstillness。
　　SirSamuelAstryspoke。"Doyoufindthedefendants，oranyofthem，guiltyofthemisdemeanourwhereoftheyareimpeached，ornotguilty？"SirRogerLangleyanswered，"Notguilty。"Asthewordspassedhislips，Halifaxsprangupandwavedhishat。Atthatsignal，benchesandgalleriesraisedashout。Inamomenttenthousandpersons，whocrowdedthegreathall，repliedwithastillloudershout，whichmadetheoldoakenroofcrack；andinanothermomenttheinnumerablethrongwithoutsetupathirdhuzza，whichwasheardatTempleBar。TheboatswhichcoveredtheThames，gaveanansweringcheer。Apealofgunpowderwasheardonthewater，andanother，andanother；andso，inafewmoments，thegladtidingswentflyingpasttheSavoyandtheFriarstoLondonBridge，andtotheforestofmastsbelow。Asthenewsspread，streetsandsquares，marketplacesandcoffeehouses，brokeforthintoacclamations。Yetweretheacclamationslessstrangethantheweeping。ForthefeelingsofmenhadbeenwounduptosuchapointthatatlengththesternEnglishnature，solittleusedtooutwardsignsofemotion，gaveway，andthousandssobbedaloudforveryjoy。Meanwhile，fromtheoutskirtsofthemultitude，horsemenwerespurringofftobearalongallthegreatroadsintelligenceofthevictoryofourChurchandnation。YetnoteventhatastoundingexplosioncouldawethebitterandintrepidspiritoftheSolicitor。Strivingtomakehimselfheardabovethedin，hecalledonthejudgestocommitthosewhohadviolated，byclamour，thedignityofacourtofjustice。Oneoftherejoicingpopulacewasseized。Butthetribunalfeltthatitwouldbeabsurdtopunishasingleindividualforanoffencecommontohundredsofthousands，anddismissedhimwithagentlereprimand。403
　　Itwasvaintothinkofpassingatthatmomenttoanyotherbusiness。Indeedtheroarofthemultitudewassuchthat，forhalfanhour，scarcelyawordcouldbeheardincourt。Williamsgottohiscoachamidstatempestofhissesandcurses。
　　Cartwright，whosecuriositywasungovernable，hadbeenguiltyofthefollyandindecencyofcomingtoWestminsterinordertohearthedecision。Hewasrecognisedbyhissacerdotalgarbandbyhiscorpulentfigure，andwashootedthroughthehall。"Takecare，"
　　saidone，"ofthewolfinsheep’sclothing。""Makeroom，"criedanother，"forthemanwiththePopeinhisbelly。"404
　　Theacquittedprelatestookrefugefromthecrowdwhichimploredtheirblessinginthenearestchapelwheredivineservicewasperforming。Manychurcheswereopenonthatmorningthroughoutthecapital；andmanypiouspersonsrepairedthither。ThebellsofalltheparishesoftheCityandlibertieswereringing。Thejurymeanwhilecouldscarcelymaketheirwayoutofthehall。
　　Theywereforcedtoshakehandswithhundreds。"Godblessyou，"
　　criedthepeople；"Godprosperyourfamilies；youhavedonelikehonestgoodnaturedgentlemen；youhavesavedusalltoday。"Asthenoblemenwhohadappearedtosupportthegoodcausedroveoff，theyflungfromtheircarriagewindowshandfulsofmoney，andbadethecrowddrinktothehealthoftheKing，theBishops，andthejury。405
　　TheAttorneywentwiththetidingstoSunderland，whohappenedtobeconversingwiththeNuncio。"Never，"saidPowis，"withinman’smemory，havetherebeensuchshoutsandsuchtearsofjoyastoday。"406TheKinghadthatmorningvisitedthecamponHounslowHeath。Sunderlandinstantlysentacourierthitherwiththenews。JameswasinLordFeversham’stentwhentheexpressarrived。Hewasgreatlydisturbed，andexclaimedinFrench，"Somuchtheworseforthem。"HesoonsetoutforLondon。Whilehewaspresent，respectpreventedthesoldiersfromgivingaloosetotheirfeelings；buthehadscarcelyquittedthecampwhenheheardagreatshoutingbehindhim。Hewassurprised，andaskedwhatthatuproarmeant。"Nothing，"wastheanswer:"thesoldiersaregladthattheBishopsareacquitted。""Doyoucallthatnothing？"saidJames。Andthenherepeated，"Somuchtheworseforthem。"407
　　Hemightwellbeoutoftemper。Hisdefeathadbeencompleteandmosthumiliating。Hadtheprelatesescapedonaccountofsometechnicaldefectinthecaseforthecrown，hadtheyescapedbecausetheyhadnotwrittenthepetitioninMiddlesex，orbecauseitwasimpossibletoprove，accordingtothestrictrulesoflaw，thattheyhaddeliveredtotheKingthepaperforwhichtheywerecalledinquestion，theprerogativewouldhavesufferednoshock。Happilyforthecountry，thefactofpublicationhadbeenfullyestablished。Thecounselforthedefencehadthereforebeenforcedtoattackthedispensingpower。Theyhadattackeditwithgreatlearning，eloquence，andboldness。Theadvocatesofthegovernmenthadbeenbyuniversalacknowledgmentovermatchedinthecontest。NotasinglejudgehadventuredtodeclarethattheDeclarationofIndulgencewaslegal。OneJudgehadinthestrongesttermspronounceditillegal。Thelanguageofthewholetownwasthatthedispensingpowerhadreceivedafatalblow。
　　Finch，whohadthedaybeforebeenuniversallyreviled，wasnowuniversallyapplauded。Hehadbeenunwilling，itwassaid，toletthecasebedecidedinawaywhichwouldhaveleftthegreatconstitutionalquestionstilldoubtful。Hehadfeltthataverdictwhichshouldacquithisclients，withoutcondemningtheDeclarationofIndulgence，wouldbebuthalfavictory。ItiscertainthatFinchdeservedneitherthereproacheswhichhadbeencastonhimwhiletheeventwasdoubtful，northepraiseswhichhereceivedwhenithadprovedhappy。Itwasabsurdtoblamehimbecause，duringtheshortdelaywhichheoccasioned，thecrownlawyersunexpectedlydiscoverednewevidence。Itwasequallyabsurdtosupposethathedeliberatelyexposedhisclientstorisk，inordertoestablishageneralprinciple:andstillmoreabsurdwasittopraisehimforwhatwouldhavebeenagrossviolationofprofessionalduty。
　　Thatjoyfuldaywasfollowedbyanotlessjoyfulnight。TheBishops，andsomeoftheirmostrespectablefriends，invainexertedthemselvestopreventtumultuousdemonstrationsofjoy。
　　Neverwithinthememoryoftheoldest，notevenonthateveningonwhichitwasknownthroughLondonthatthearmyofScotlandhaddeclaredforafreeParliament，hadthestreetsbeeninsuchaglarewithbonfires。RoundeverybonfirecrowdsweredrinkinggoodhealthtotheBishopsandconfusiontothePapists。Thewindowswerelightedwithrowsofcandles。Eachrowconsistedofseven；andthetaperinthecentre，whichwastallerthantherest，representedthePrimate。Thenoiseofrockets，squibs，andfirearms，wasincessant。OnehugepileoffaggotsblazedrightinfrontofthegreatgateofWhitehall。OtherswerelightedbeforethedoorsofRomanCatholicPeers。LordArundellofWardourwiselyquietedthemobwithalittlemoney:butatSalisburyHouseintheStrandanattemptatresistancewasmade。LordSalisbury’sservantssalliedoutandfired:buttheykilledonlytheunfortunatebeadleoftheparish，whohadcomethithertoputoutthefire；andtheyweresoonroutedanddrivenbackintothehouse。Noneofthespectaclesofthatnightinterestedthecommonpeoplesomuchasonewithwhichtheyhad，afewyearsbefore，beenfamiliar，andwhichtheynow，afteralonginterval，enjoyedoncemore，theburningofthePope。Thisoncefamiliarpageantisknowntoourgenerationonlybydescriptionsandengravings。A
　　figure，bynomeansresemblingthoseruderepresentationsofGuyFauxwhicharestillparadedonthefifthofNovember，butmadeofwaxwithsomeskill，andadornedatnosmallexpensewithrobesandatiara，wasmountedonachairresemblingthatinwhichtheBishopsofRomearestill，onsomegreatfestivals，bornethroughSaintPeter’sChurchtothehighaltar。HisHolinesswasgenerallyaccompaniedbyatrainofCardinalsandJesuits。Athisearstoodabuffoondisguisedasadevilwithhornsandtail。NorichandzealousProtestantgrudgedhisguineaonsuchanoccasion，and，ifrumourcouldbetrusted，thecostoftheprocessionwassometimesnotlessthanathousandpounds。
　　AfterthePopehadbeenbornesometimeinstateovertheheadsofthemultitude，hewascommittedtotheflameswithloudacclamations。InthetimeofthepopularityofOatesandShaftesburythisshowwasexhibitedannuallyinFleetStreetbeforethewindowsoftheWhigClubontheanniversaryofthebirthofQueenElizabeth。Suchwasthecelebrityofthesegrotesquerites，thatBarillononceriskedhislifeinordertopeepatthemfromahidingplace。408But，fromthedaywhentheRyeHousePlotwasdiscovered，tillthedayoftheacquittaloftheBishops，theceremonyhadbeendisused。Now，however，severalPopesmadetheirappearanceindifferentpartsofLondon。TheNunciowasmuchshocked；andtheKingwasmorehurtbythisinsulttohisChurchthanbyalltheotheraffrontswhichhehadreceived。Themagistrates，however，coulddonothing。TheSundayhaddawned，andthebellsoftheparishchurcheswereringingforearlyprayers，beforethefiresbegantolanguishandthecrowdstodisperse。Aproclamationwasspeedilyputforthagainsttherioters。Manyofthem，mostlyyoungapprentices，wereapprehended；butthebillswerethrownoutattheMiddlesexsessions。Themagistrates，manyofwhomwereRomanCatholics，expostulatedwiththegrandjuryandsentthemthreeorfourtimesback，buttonopurpose。409
　　Meanwhilethegladtidingswereflyingtoeverypartofthekingdom，andwereeverywherereceivedwithrapture。Gloucester，Bedford，andLichfield，wereamongtheplaceswhichweredistinguishedbypeculiarzeal:butBristolandNorwich，whichstoodnearesttoLondoninpopulationandwealth，approachednearesttoLondoninenthusiasmonthisjoyfuloccasion。
　　TheprosecutionoftheBishopsisaneventwhichstandsbyitselfinourhistory。Itwasthefirstandthelastoccasiononwhichtwofeelingsoftremendouspotency，twofeelingswhichhavegenerallybeenopposedtoeachother，andeitherofwhich，whenstronglyexcited，hassufficedtoconvulsethestate，wereunitedinperfectharmony。ThosefeelingswereloveoftheChurchandloveoffreedom。DuringmanygenerationseveryviolentoutbreakofHighChurchfeeling，withoneexception，hasbeenunfavourabletocivilliberty；everyviolentoutbreakofzealforliberty，withoneexception，hasbeenunfavourabletotheauthorityandinfluenceoftheprelacyandthepriesthood。In1688thecauseofthehierarchywasforamomentthatofthepopularparty。Morethanninethousandclergymen，withthePrimateandhismostrespectablesuffragansattheirhead，offeredthemselvestoendurebondsandthespoilingoftheirgoodsforthegreatfundamentalprincipleofourfreeconstitution。TheeffectwasacoalitionwhichincludedthemostzealousCavaliers，themostzealousRepublicans，andalltheintermediatesectionsofthecommunity。ThespiritwhichhadsupportedHampdenintheprecedinggeneration，thespiritwhich，inthesucceedinggeneration，supportedSacheverell，combinedtosupporttheArchbishopwhowasHampdenandSacheverellinone。Thoseclassesofsocietywhicharemostdeeplyinterestedinthepreservationoforder，whichintroubledtimesaregenerallymostreadytostrengthenthehandsofgovernment，andwhichhaveanaturalantipathytoagitators，followed，withoutscruple，theguidanceofavenerableman，thefirstpeeroftherealm，thefirstministeroftheChurch，aToryinpolitics，asaintinmanners，whomtyrannyhadinhisowndespiteturnedintoademagogue。
　　Those，ontheotherhand，whohadalwaysabhorredepiscopacy，asarelicofPopery，andasaninstrumentofarbitrarypower，nowaskedonbendedkneestheblessingofaprelatewhowasreadytowearfettersandtolayhisagedlimbsonbarestonesratherthanbetraytheinterestsoftheProtestantreligionandsettheprerogativeabovethelaws。WithloveoftheChurchandwithloveoffreedomwasmingled，atthisgreatcrisis，athirdfeelingwhichisamongthemosthonourablepeculiaritiesofournationalcharacter。Anindividualoppressedbypower，evenwhendestituteofallclaimtopublicrespectandgratitude，generallyfindsstrongsympathyamongus。Thus，inthetimeofourgrandfathers，societywasthrownintoconfusionbythepersecutionofWilkes。
　　WehaveourselvesseenthenationrousedalmosttomadnessbythewrongsofQueenCaroline。Itisprobable，therefore，that，evenifnogreatpoliticalandreligiousinterestshadbeenstakedontheeventoftheproceedingagainsttheBishops，Englandwouldnothaveseen，withoutstrongemotionsofpityandanger，oldmenofstainlessvirtuepursuedbythevengeanceofaharshandinexorableprincewhoowedtotheirfidelitythecrownwhichhewore。
　　Actuatedbythesesentimentsourancestorsarrayedthemselvesagainstthegovernmentinonehugeandcompactmass。Allranks，allparties，allProtestantsects，madeupthatvastphalanx。InthevanweretheLordsSpiritualandTemporal。Thencamethelandedgentryandtheclergy，boththeUniversities，alltheInnsofCourt，merchants，shopkeepers，farmers，theporterswhopliedinthestreetsofthegreattowns，thepeasantswhoploughedthefields。TheleagueagainsttheKingincludedtheveryforemastmenwhomannedhisships，theverysentinelswhoguardedhispalace。ThenamesofWhigandTorywereforamomentforgotten。
　　TheoldExclusionisttooktheoldAbhorrerbythehand。
　　Episcopalians，Presbyterians，Independents，Baptists，forgottheirlongfeuds，andrememberedonlytheircommonProtestantismandtheircommondanger。DivinesbredintheschoolofLaudtalkedloudly，notonlyoftoleration，butofcomprehension。TheArchbishopsoonafterhisacquittalputforthapastoralletterwhichisoneofthemostremarkablecompositionsofthatage。Hehad，fromhisyouthup，beenatwarwiththeNonconformists，andhadrepeatedlyassailedthemwithunjustandunchristianasperity。HisprincipalworkwasahideouscaricatureoftheCalvinistictheology。410HehaddrawnupforthethirtiethofJanuaryandforthetwenty—ninthofMayformsofprayerwhichreflectedonthePuritansinlanguagesostrongthatthegovernmenthadthoughtfittosoftenitdown。Butnowhisheartwasmeltedandopened。HesolemnlyenjoinedtheBishopsandclergytohaveaverytenderregardtotheirbrethrentheProtestantDissenters，tovisitthemoften，toentertainthemhospitably，todiscoursewiththemcivilly，topersuadethem，ifitmightbe，toconformtotheChurch，but，ifthatwerefoundimpossible，tojointhemheartilyandaffectionatelyinexertionsfortheblessedcauseoftheReformation。411
　　Manypiouspersonsinsubsequentyearsrememberedthattimewithbitterregret。Theydescribeditasashortglimpseofagoldenagebetweentwoironages。Suchlamentation，thoughnatural，wasnotreasonable。Thecoalitionof1688wasproduced，andcouldbeproduced，onlybytyrannywhichapproachedtoinsanity，andbydangerwhichthreatenedatonceallthegreatinstitutionsofthecountry。Iftherehasneversincebeensimilarunion，thereasonisthattherehasneversincebeensimilarmisgovernment。Itmustberememberedthat，thoughconcordisinitselfbetterthandiscord，discordmayindicateabetterstateofthingsthanisindicatedbyconcord。Calamityandperiloftenforcementocombine。Prosperityandsecurityoftenencouragethemtoseparate。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　ChangeintheOpinionoftheToriesconcerningtheLawfulnessofResistance——RussellproposestothePrinceofOrangeaDescentonEngland——HenrySidney——Devonshire；Shrewsbury；Halifax——Danby——
　　BishopCompton——Nottingham；Lumley——InvitationtoWilliamdespatched——ConductofMary——DifficultiesofWilliam’sEnterprise——ConductofJamesaftertheTrialoftheBishops——
　　DismissionsandPromotions——ProceedingsoftheHighCommission；
　　SpratresignshisSeat——DiscontentoftheClergy；TransactionsatOxford——DiscontentoftheGentry——DiscontentoftheArmy——IrishTroopsbroughtover；PublicIndignation——Lillibullero——PoliticsoftheUnitedProvinces；ErrorsoftheFrenchKing——HisQuarrelwiththePopeconcerningFranchises——TheArchbishopricofCologne——SkilfulManagementofWilliam——HisMilitaryandNavalPreparations——HereceivesnumerousAssurancesofSupportfromEngland——Sunderland——AnxietyofWilliam——WarningsconveyedtoJames——ExertionsofLewistosaveJames——Jamesfrustratesthem——
　　TheFrenchArmiesinvadeGermany——WilliamobtainstheSanctionoftheStatesGeneraltohisExpedition——Schomberg——BritishAdventurersattheHague——William’sDeclaration——JamesrousedtoaSenseofhisDanger；hisNavalMeans——HisMilitaryMeans——HeattemptstoconciliatehisSubjects——HegivesAudiencetotheBishops——HisConcessionsillreceived——ProofsoftheBirthofthePrinceofWalessubmittedtothe——PrivyCouncil——DisgraceofSunderland——WilliamtakesleaveoftheStatesofHolland——Heembarksandsails；heisdrivenbackbyaStorm——HisDeclarationarrivesinEngland；JamesquestionstheLords——WilliamsetssailthesecondTime——HepassestheStraits——HelandsatTorbay——HeentersExeter——ConversationoftheKingwiththeBishops——
　　DisturbancesinLondon——MenofRankbegintorepairtothePrince——Lovelace——Colchester；Abingdon——DesertionofCornbury——PetitionoftheLordsforaParliament——TheKinggoestoSalisbury——
　　Seymour；CourtofWilliamatExeter——NorthernInsurrection——
　　SkirmishatWincanton——DesertionofChurchillandGrafton——
　　RetreatoftheRoyalArmyfromSalisbury——DesertionofPrinceGeorgeandOrmond——FlightofthePrincessAnne——CouncilofLordsheldbyJames——HeappointsCommissionerstotreatwithWilliam——
　　TheNegotiationaFeint——DartmouthrefusestosendthePrinceofWalesintoFrance——AgitationofLondon——ForgedProclamation——
　　RisingsinvariousPartsoftheCountry——ClarendonjoinsthePrinceatSalisbury；DissensioninthePrince’sCamp——ThePrincereachesHungerford；SkirmishatReading；theKing’sCommissionersarriveatHungerford——Negotiation——TheQueenandthePrinceofWalessenttoFrance；Lauzun——TheKing’sPreparationsforFlight—
　　—HisFlightTHEacquittaloftheBishopswasnottheonlyeventwhichmakesthethirtiethofJune1688agreatepochinhistory。Onthatday，whilethebellsofahundredchurcheswereringing，whilemultitudeswerebusied，fromHydeParktoMileEnd，inpilingfaggotsanddressingPopesfortherejoicingsofthenight，wasdespatchedfromLondontotheHagueaninstrumentscarcelylessimportanttothelibertiesofEnglandthantheGreatCharter。
　　TheprosecutionoftheBishops，andthebirthofthePrinceofWales，hadproducedagreatrevolutioninthefeelingsofmanyTories。AttheverymomentatwhichtheirChurchwassufferingthelastexcessofinjuryandinsult，theywerecompelledtorenouncethehopeofpeacefuldeliverance。Hithertotheyhadflatteredthemselvesthatthetrialtowhichtheirloyaltywassubjectedwould，thoughsevere，betemporary，andthattheirwrongswouldshortlyberedressedwithoutanyviolationoftheordinaryruleofsuccession。Averydifferentprospectwasnowbeforethem。Asfarastheycouldlookforwardtheysawonlymisgovernment，suchasthatofthelastthreeyears，extendingthroughages。ThecradleoftheheirapparentofthecrownwassurroundedbyJesuits。DeadlyhatredofthatChurchofwhichhewouldonedaybetheheadwouldbestudiouslyinstilledintohisinfantmind，wouldbetheguidingprincipleofhislife，andwouldbebequeathedbyhimtohisposterity。Thisvistaofcalamitieshadnoend。Itstretchedbeyondthelifeoftheyoungestmanliving，beyondtheeighteenthcentury。NonecouldsayhowmanygenerationsofProtestantEnglishmenmighthivetobearoppression，suchas，evenwhenithadbeenbelievedtobeshort，hadbeenfoundalmostinsupportable。Wastherethennoremedy？Oneremedytherewas，quick，sharp，anddecisive，aremedywhichtheWhigshadbeenbuttooreadytoemploy，butwhichhadalwaysbeenregardedbytheToriesas，inallcases，unlawful。
　　ThegreatestAnglicandoctorsofthatagehadmaintainedthatnobreachoflaworcontract，noexcessofcruelty，rapacity，orlicentiousness，onthepartofarightfulKing，couldjustifyhispeopleinwithstandinghimbyforce。Someofthemhaddelightedtoexhibitthedoctrineofnonresistanceinaformsoexaggeratedastoshockcommonsenseandhumanity。TheyfrequentlyandemphaticallyremarkedthatNerowasattheheadoftheRomangovernmentwhenSaintPaulinculcatedthedutyofobeyingmagistrates。Theinferencewhichtheydrewwasthat，ifanEnglishKingshould，withoutanylawbuthisownpleasure，persecutehissubjectsfornotworshippingidols，shouldflingthemtothelionsintheTower，shouldwrapthemupinpitchedclothandsetthemonfiretolightupSaintJames’sPark，andshouldgoonwiththesemassacrestillwholetownsandshireswereleftwithoutoneinhabitant，thesurvivorswouldstillbeboundmeeklytosubmit，andtobetorninpiecesorroastedalivewithoutastruggle。Theargumentsinfavourofthispropositionwerefutileindeed:buttheplaceofsoundargumentwasamplysuppliedbytheomnipotentsophistryofinterestandofpassion。
　　ManywritershaveexpressedwonderthatthehighspiritedCavaliersofEnglandshouldhavebeenzealousforthemostslavishtheorythathaseverbeenknownamongmen。ThetruthisthatthistheoryatfirstpresenteditselftotheCavalierastheveryoppositeofslavish。Itstendencywastomakehimnotaslavebutafreemanandamaster。Itexaltedhimbyexaltingonewhomheregardedashisprotector，ashisfriend，astheheadofhisbelovedpartyandofhismorebelovedChurch。WhenRepublicansweredominanttheRoyalisthadenduredwrongsandinsultswhichtherestorationofthelegitimategovernmenthadenabledhimtoretaliate。Rebellionwasthereforeassociatedinhisimaginationwithsubjectionanddegradation，andmonarchicalauthoritywithlibertyandascendency。IthadnevercrossedhisimaginationthatatimemightcomewhenaKing，aStuart，wouldpersecutethemostloyaloftheclergyandgentrywithmorethantheanimosityoftheRumportheProtector。Thattimehadhoweverarrived。ItwasnowtobeseenhowthepatiencewhichChurchmenprofessedtohavelearnedfromthewritingsofPaulwouldstandthetestofapersecutionbynomeanssosevereasthatofNero。
　　Theeventwassuchaseverybodywhoknewanythingofhumannaturewouldhavepredicted。Oppressionspeedilydidwhatphilosophyandeloquencewouldhavefailedtodo。ThesystemofFilmermighthavesurvivedtheattacksofLocke:butitneverrecoveredfromthedeathblowgivenbyJames。Thatlogic，which，whileitwasusedtoprovethatPresbyteriansandIndependentsoughttobearimprisonmentandconfiscationwithmeekness，hadbeenpronouncedunanswerable，seemedtobeofverylittleforcewhenthequestionwaswhetherAnglicanBishopsshouldbeimprisoned，andtherevenuesofAnglicancollegesconfiscated。Ithasbeenoftenrepeated，fromthepulpitsofalltheCathedralsintheland，thattheapostolicalinjunctiontoobeythecivilmagistratewasabsoluteanduniversal，andthatitwasimpiouspresumptioninmantolimitapreceptwhichhadbeenpromulgatedwithoutanylimitationinthewordofGod。Now，however，divines，whosesagacityhadbeensharpenedbytheimminentdangerinwhichtheystoodofbeingturnedoutoftheirlivingsandprebendstomakeroomforPapists，discoveredflawsinthereasoningwhichhadformerlyseemedsoconvincing。TheethicalpartsofScripturewerenottobeconstruedlikeActsofParliament，orlikethecasuisticaltreatisesoftheschoolmen。WhatChristianreallyturnedtheleftcheektotheruffianwhohadsmittentheright？
　　WhatChristianreallygavehiscloaktothethieveswhohadtakenhiscoataway？BothintheOldandintheNewTestamentgeneralruleswereperpetuallylaiddownunaccompaniedbytheexceptions。
　　Thustherewasageneralcommandnottokill，unaccompaniedbyanyreservationinfavourofthewarriorwhokillsindefenceofhiskingandcountry。Therewasageneralcommandnottoswear，unaccompaniedbyanyreservationinfavourofthewitnesswhoswearstospeakthetruthbeforeajudge。Yetthelawfulnessofdefensivewar，andofjudicialoaths，wasdisputedonlybyafewobscuresectaries，andwaspositivelyaffirmedinthearticlesoftheChurchofEngland。Allthearguments，whichshowedthattheQuaker，whorefusedtobeararms，ortokisstheGospels，wasunreasonableandperverse，mightbeturnedagainstthosewhodeniedtosubjectstherightofresistingextremetyrannybyforce。Ifitwascontendedthatthetextswhichprohibitedhomicide，andthetextswhichprohibitedswearing，thoughgenerallyexpressed，mustbeconstruedinsubordinationtothegreatcommandmentbywhicheverymanisenjoinedtopromotethewelfareofhisneighbours，andwould，whensoconstrued，befoundnottoapplytocasesinwhichhomicideorswearingmightbeabsolutelynecessarytoprotectthedearestinterestsofsociety，itwasnoteasytodenythatthetextswhichprohibitedresistanceoughttobeconstruedinthesamemanner。IftheancientpeopleofGodhadbeendirectedsometimestodestroyhumanlife，andsometimestobindthemselvesbyoaths，theyhadalsobeendirectedsometimestoresistwickedprinces。IfearlyfathersoftheChurchhadoccasionallyusedlanguagewhichseemedtoimplythattheydisapprovedofallresistance，theyhadalsooccasionallyusedlanguagewhichseemedtoimplythattheydisapprovedofallwarandofalloaths。Intruththedoctrineofpassiveobedience，astaughtatOxfordinthereignofCharlestheSecond，canbededucedfromtheBibleonlybyamodeofinterpretationwhichwouldirresistiblyleadustotheconclusionsofBarclayandPenn。
　　ItwasnotmerelybyargumentsdrawnfromtheletterofScripturethattheAnglicantheologianshad，duringtheyearswhichimmediatelyfollowedtheRestoration，labouredtoprovetheirfavouritetenet。Theyhadattemptedtoshowthat，evenifrevelationhadbeensilent，reasonwouldhavetaughtwisementhefollyandwickednessofallresistancetoestablishedgovernment。
　　Itwasuniversallyadmittedthatsuchresistancewas，exceptinextremecases，unjustifiable。Andwhowouldundertaketodrawthelinebetweenextremecasesandordinarycases？Wasthereanygovernmentintheworldunderwhichtherewerenottobefoundsomediscontentedandfactiousmenwhowouldsay，andperhapsthink，thattheirgrievancesconstitutedanextremecase？If，indeed，itwerepossibletolaydownaclearandaccuraterulewhichmightforbidmentorebelagainstTrajan，andyetleavethematlibertytorebelagainstCaligula，sucharulemightbehighlybeneficial。Butnosuchrulehadevenbeen，oreverwouldbe，framed。Tosaythatrebellionwaslawfulundersomecircumstances，withoutaccuratelydefiningthosecircumstances，wastosaythateverymanmightrebelwheneverhethoughtfit；
　　andasocietyinwhicheverymanrebelledwheneverhethoughtfitwouldbemoremiserablethanasocietygovernedbythemostcruelandlicentiousdespot。Itwasthereforenecessarytomaintainthegreatprincipleofnonresistanceinallitsintegrity。Particularcasesmightdoubtlessbeputinwhichresistancewouldbenefitacommunity:butitwas，onthewhole，betterthatthepeopleshouldpatientlyendureabadgovernmentthanthattheyshouldrelievethemselvesbyviolatingalawonwhichthesecurityofallgovernmentdepended。
　　Suchreasoningeasilyconvincedadominantandprosperousparty，butcouldillbearthescrutinyofmindsstronglyexcitedbyroyalinjusticeandingratitude。Itistruethattotracetheexactboundarybetweenrightfulandwrongfulresistanceisimpossible:butthisimpossibilityarisesfromthenatureofrightandwrong，andisfoundinalmosteverypartofethicalscience。Agoodactionisnotdistinguishedfromabadactionbymarkssoplainasthosewhichdistinguishahexagonfromasquare。Thereisafrontierwherevirtueandvicefadeintoeachother。Whohaseverbeenabletodefinetheexactboundarybetweencourageandrashness，betweenprudenceandcowardice，betweenfrugalityandavarice，betweenliberalityandprodigality？Whohaseverbeenabletosayhowfarmercytooffendersoughttobecarried，andwhereitceasestodeservethenameofmercyandbecomesaperniciousweakness？Whatcasuist，whatlawyer，haseverbeenablenicelytomarkthelimitsoftherightofselfdefence？Allourjuristsboldthatacertainquantityofrisktolifeorlimbjustifiesamaninshootingorstabbinganassailant:buttheyhavelonggivenupindespairtheattempttodescribe，inprecisewords，thatquantityofrisk。
　　Theyonlysaythatitmustbe，notaslightrisk，butarisksuchaswouldcauseseriousapprehensiontoamanoffirmmind；andwhowillundertaketosaywhatisthepreciseamountofapprehensionwhichdeservestobecalledserious，orwhatistheprecisetextureofmindwhichdeservestobecalledfirm。Itisdoubtlesstoberegrettedthatthenatureofwordsandthenatureofthingsdonotadmitofmoreaccuratelegislation:norcanitbedeniedthatwrongwilloftenbedonewhenmenarejudgesintheirowncause，andproceedinstantlytoexecutetheirownjudgment。Yetwhowould，onthataccount，interdictallselfdefence？Therightwhichapeoplehastoresistabadgovernmentbearsacloseanalogytotherightwhichanindividual，intheabsenceoflegalprotection，hastoslayanassailant。Inbothcasestheevilmustbegrave。Inbothcasesallregularandpeaceablemodesofdefencemustbeexhaustedbeforetheaggrievedpartyresortstoextremities。Inbothcasesanawfulresponsibilityisincurred。Inbothcasestheburdenoftheproofliesonhimwhohasventuredonsodesperateanexpedient；and，ifhefailstovindicatehimself，heisjustlyliabletotheseverestpenalties。Butinneithercasecanweabsolutelydenytheexistenceoftheright。Amanbesetbyassassinsisnotboundtolethimselfbetorturedandbutcheredwithoutusinghisweapons，becausenobodyhaseverbeenablepreciselytodefinetheamountofdangerwhichjustifieshomicide。Norisasocietyboundtoendurepassivelyallthattyrannycaninflict，becausenobodyhaseverbeenablepreciselytodefinetheamountofmisgovernmentwhichjustifiesrebellion。
　　ButcouldtheresistanceofEnglishmentosuchaprinceasJamesbeproperlycalledrebellion？ThethoroughpaceddisciplesofFilmer，indeed，maintainedthattherewasnodifferencewhateverbetweenthepolityofourcountryandthatofTurkey，andthat，iftheKingdidnotconfiscatethecontentsofallthetillsinLombardStreet，andsendmuteswithbowstringstoSancroftandHalifax，thiswasonlybecauseHisMajestywastoogracioustousethewholepowerwhichhederivedfromheaven。ButthegreatbodyofTories，though，intheheatofconflict，theymightoccasionallyuselanguagewhichseemedtoindicatethattheyapprovedoftheseextravagantdoctrines，heartilyabhorreddespotism。TheEnglishgovernmentwas，intheirview，alimitedmonarchy。Yethowcanamonarchybesaidtobelimitedifforceisnevertobeemployed，eveninthelastresort，forthepurposeofmaintainingthelimitations？InMuscovy，wherethesovereignwas，bytheconstitutionofthestate，absolute，itmightperhapsbe，withsomecolouroftruth，contendedthat，whateverexcesseshemightcommit，hewasstillentitledtodemand，onChristianprinciples，theobedienceofhissubjects。Buthereprinceandpeoplewerealikeboundbythelaws。ItwasthereforeJameswhoincurredthewoedenouncedagainstthosewhoinsultthepowersthatbe。ItwasJameswhowasresistingtheordinanceofGod，whowasmutinyingagainstthatlegitimateauthoritytowhichheoughttohavebeensubject，notonlyforwrath，butalsoforconsciencesake，andwhowas，inthetruesenseofthewordsofJesus，withholdingfromCaesarthethingswhichwereCaesar’s。