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History of the Nonjurors.
9

senters, says one who was by no means unfriendly to them, "were in general ripe for attaching themselves to the party of the King."[1] It is said too, that Sunderland and others, who were in the interest of the Prince of Orange, fell in with the Dissenters, and persuaded the King to persevere.[2]

Hallam admits, that the Dissenters have been ashamed of their conduct. Some Addresses were presented by the Clergy; but they "disclose their ill-humour at the unconstitutional indulgence, limiting their thanks to some promises of favour the King had used toward the Established Church."[3] Swift says, speaking of the Bishops, "if the Presbyterians expressed the same zeal upon any occasion, the instances are not, as I can find, left upon record or transmitted by tradition."[4] Efforts have been made to defend the Dissenters in addressing the King, but it is not possible to remove the reproach under which they lie, not only of not acting against Popery, but even of forwarding James's views. "Addresses came from all sects and persuasions throughout the kingdom, filled, with the most rapturous professions of loyalty. Anabaptists, Presbyterians, and Quakers promiscuously crowded the royal presence, and laid their offerings at the foot of the Throne. James was compared to Cyrus, to Moses, to several other deliverers of the people of God in the ancient world, his piety was praised, his moderation exalted, his


  1. Dalrymple, i. 189.
  2. Macpherson, i. 432. Calamy, i. 380. Hallam, iii. 91. Rapin, ii. 758.
  3. Hallam, Const. Hist. iii. 101.
  4. Swift's Works, viii. 401.