read in all the churches in their respective dioceses.[1] King James was no friend to toleration; but he claimed the power of dispensing with the penal laws, in order that the Romanists might reap the benefit. The Bishops and Clergy generally resisted the attempt as unlawful. They knew that James only wished to tolerate Popery. They warned the Dissenters of the danger, and to their noble conduct the salvation of the Church must be attributed.
Feeling that the attempt was illegal, the Bishops agreed upon a petition to his Majesty, which must be regarded as a proof of their unshaken determination to resist the encroachments of the Church of Rome. Of so much importance was this petition deemed, that an answer was prepared and published by the King's Printer. Most of the Bishops and Clergy, therefore, refused to read the Declaration. They were in a very difficult position. By reading it they would violate their consciences; by refusing they would incur the royal displeasure. The first declaration, since it was not commanded to be read in churches, did not involve such consequences. Undoubtedly this addition was intended to make the
- ↑ The First was dated April 4th 1687; the Second April 27th 1688. A large number of Tracts was published on both sides of the question. The reader's attention is directed especially to the following: "Reflections upon the New Test, and the Reply thereto." "A Letter to a Dissenter." "A Letter of a Dissenter to his Friend at the Hague." "Some Considerations about the New Test." "A Letter from a Clergyman, containing his Reasons for not reading the Declaration." "Reasons why the Church of England as well as Dissenters should make their Addresses of Thanks." This last was printed by Hills, the King's Printer. The Oxford Clergy published their "Reasons for not Addressing;" To this there was a Reply printed also by Hills: "A Reply to the Reasons of the Oxford Clergy against Addressing."
