XLIII.

THE TRIAL OF THE SEVEN BISHOPS.

A. D. 1688.

JAMES, Duke of York, the brother of Charles II., was a zealous Roman Catholic. Many people in England wished that he should be excluded from the throne because of his religion, but his friends were strong enough to prevent this. When, at the death of Charles II., he succeeded him as James II., his first words as King were to promise that he would defend the Church of England, and respect the laws. Men were filled with hopes that in spite of his religion he would govern justly and for the good of his people. But they were soon disappointed.

At that time no one who was not a member of the Church of England could hold any office under Government. James II. knew quite well that he could not get Parliament to alter this law, so on his own authority he admitted several Roman Catholics to offices which they could not legally hold. He soon went further, and published what he called a Declaration of Indulgence, which gave leave to all Dissenters, as well as to all Roman Catholics, to fill any office in the State, and to hold their services wherever they liked, in spite of the laws which forbade their doing so. In this way James II. hoped to gain

the Dissenters over to his side. The Dissenters would have rejoiced greatly if they could, in a rightful way, have gained permission to hold their religious services. But they loved the liberties of their country too well to be grateful for the favours shown them by the King, who had no right to put aside the laws on his own authority. Instead of being delighted, as James II. had hoped, most of the Dissenters began to show clearly that as Protestants they felt far more sympathy with the Church of England than with James II. and the Roman Catholics.

James was disappointed in the effect of the Declaration of Indulgence, and a year afterwards he ordered it to be published again, to show people that he had not changed his mind. It seemed as if he wished to irritate the clergy of the Church of England as much as possible, for he gave orders that the Declaration should be read in all the churches on two successive Sundays. This put the clergy in a very difficult position. They had always taught that it was the duty of subjects to obey their King, and to believe that what he did was right. But they could not help looking upon the Declaration as unlawful; and, if so, how could they read it in their churches? The London clergy, at a general meeting, decided not to read the Declaration, and several of the Bishops and chief clergy met together at Lambeth Palace to consider what was to be done. After praying together, they discussed the matter very seriously. In the end the Archbishop of Canterbury drew up a petition to the King, which he and the six other Bishops present signed. The words of the petition were very respect

ful; but it said that as the Bishops considered the Declaration illegal, they could not in honour read it in God's house.

From what

The next day the Bishops went across the river to Whitehall to give the petition to James. The Archbishop did not go, for he was out of favour at court. James ordered the Bishops to be at once admitted to his presence. he had heard he believed they were willing to do as he wished, and he was in very good humour. When the six Bishops knelt before him he bade them rise, and took the paper from them. "This is in my lord of Canterbury's hand," he said. "Yes, sir, his own hand," was the answer. James's goodhumour quickly disappeared as he read the paper. His face grew dark as he folded it up, and looked round upon the Bishops. "This," he said, "is a great surprise to me. I did not expect this from your Church, especially from some of you. This is a standard of rebellion." The Bishops answered by passionately assuring the King of their loyalty. James, with his usual obstinacy, only repeated his words again. "We put down the last rebellion," said one of the Bishops; "we shall not raise another." A second exclaimed, "We rebel! we are ready to die at your Majesty's feet." Another, full of courage, said, "Sir, I hope that you will grant us that liberty of conscience which you grant to all mankind.” But James only grew more angry. "What do you do here?" he cried at last. "Go to your dioceses, and see that I am obeyed. I will keep this paper. I will not part with it. I will remember that you have signed it." The Bishops went quietly and sadly away. That very evening the