such an impression, in order that he might be induced to quit the country. It appears that an intimation was made to the King, that he was in danger. To determine on flight therefore under such an apprehension was not unnatural.[1] If William expected the crown, he must have been anxious for the removal of the King. James fancied that the Prince wished him to depart. He remarks that the guards at Rochester were not so particular in watching him, "which confirmed him in the belief that the Prince of Orange would be well enough contented he should get away."[2]
In forming an opinion of the men, who did not concur in raising William to the throne, we must endeavour to place ourselves in their circumstances. Whatever may have been the views of some of the intriguing Whigs, the greater part of the nation must have been taken by surprise at such a result. "Whatever the Prince and some particular persons, whom our author mentions, might design or hope for, possibly not one man in a hundred at that time ever thought of seeing themselves delivered in the manner they were afterwards."[3] All, who subsequently became Nonjurors, were ready to admit that circumstances might arise to render a Prince incapable of government: and some of them thought, that an immoveable persuasion in a false religion was sufficient to warrant the interference of the legislature.[4]
It must, therefore, be borne in mind, that all those excellent men, who subsequently became Nonjurors, were prepared to support a Regency, and to constitute
