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History of the Nonjurors.

were guiltless of any such imputation. He had no suspicion of Compton.[1] A writer, whom I shall have occasion to notice presently, is very severe on Compton, and also upon Burnet, for the part they took in this matter: "Nor will any that know the men allow, that Jack Boots or Cambric Sleeves embarked in dethroning or driving away the King, out of any regard unto, or concernedness for the reformed doctrine and worship: but that they did it out of pique and revenge, and upon the motives of ambition and covetousness, in the one to get a bishopric, and in the other to preserve one."[2] Compton is designated Jack Boots, from the fact of his heading a troop of horse at the Revolution. Burnet is called Cambric Sleeves, on the alleged ground, that he declined to wear lawn sleeves after he became a Bishop, having them made of a different material.

On the Bishops declaring, that they had not concurred in inviting the Prince, and that they were altogether ignorant of his design, the King requested them to sign a Paper expressive of their abhorrence of the invasion. This, however, they declined. They honestly declared that they had taken no part with the Prince: they advised his Majesty to preserve the religion and liberties of the country; but they would not sign any Declaration of Abhorrence. Throughout this anxious period, Sancroft and his brethren, with the exception of Compton, acted a most consistent part. They resisted the King's il-


  1. Gutch's Collectanea, i. 442, 444; vol. ii. 366.
  2. Whether the preserving the Protestant Religion was the motive unto, or the end that was designed in the late Revolution, 4to.