We need not, however, enter at length upon this point, since the arguments on both sides are generally known. But there are other questions, which though now nearly forgotten, are of considerable interest, and such as cannot be passed over in a history of the Nonjurors. It has been remarked, that a history of the controversies of any particular time is a history of the period: and the remark applies with full force to the Nonjurors.
Many pamphlets and tracts were published on the subject of the Oath to the new Sovereigns: and some very remarkable changes in practice occurred within a few years after the Revolution. Some persons complied after a resistance or a refusal of several months; while others, who had taken the Oath, recanted, and were received into communion with the Nonjurors. Among the former the most conspicuous, perhaps, was Sherlock, who had actually been deprived for his refusal. I have given some account of Sherlock's sudden change in a former work, to which I would refer the reader.[1] In that work, I have expressed my opinion, that he was seeking for a
- ↑ A History of the Convocation of the Church of England. A bookseller seeing him handing his wife along St. Paul's Churchyard, said, "There goes Dr. Sherlock, with his reasons for taking the Oath at his fingers' ends." It has been said, "The party he had deserted were not convinced by his pamphlet. Bishop Overall's Acts and Canons had not converted them, or their wives had not taken the same pains, or had not been so skilful in their persuasions." He was succeeded by his son in the mastership of the Temple, who subsequently became Bishop of London. He too had some scruples like his father. He preached a sermon the Sunday after the battle of Preston, strongly in favour of George I.,
not proved. Bail was allowed, but this he refused to find; because, by doing so, he considered, that he should recognize the authority of the court, which he denied. At length he was released at the intercession of friends. Chalmers's Biog. Dict.
