dissimilar: and the fact may be taken as another evidence, that it would have been wise on the part of the government, not to have insisted upon the Oaths, except in new appointments. In that case Sancroft would probably have acted where he could personally, and on occasions on which he entertained scruples, he would have granted a commission, as in the consecration of Burnet.
Into the particulars of King William's proceedings in Ireland it is unnecessary to enter. A day of Fasting and Humiliation was appointed: and as usual a Form of Prayer was issued for the occasion, to be used in all Churches and Chapels for the success of his Majesty. But the opportunity was seized for circulating another Form, in which King James was prayed for in the usual manner. It was published by some of James's followers; but the authorship is not known. Large numbers, however, were distributed. It was called The Jacobite Liturgy, or The New Liturgy. The suspended Bishops were suspected; and some persons of more than ordinary pretensions to wisdom imagined, that they could discover traces of the same hand that had drawn up the Form, which had been publicly used prior to the landing of King William. This latter Form had been prepared by Sancroft: consequently it was intended to insinuate, that the Archbishop was concerned in this New Liturgy. For some time the Bishops were silent, conscious of the utter groundlessness of the charge; but at length, for the satisfaction of others, they deemed it necessary to publish a Vindication. It was signed by Sancroft and four of the Bishops, the Bishop of Gloucester being absent. They however pledged themselves for their absent brother. The New Liturgy bore this title,
