bury, he could not expect that his opinions would have much weight with the Clergy: yet he ventured to address them, in a Pastoral Letter, before he quitted London. This was written under the plea, that he was detained in London; but really, that he might put forth his views respecting the Oath of Allegiance, which was the subject of the Letter. The opinions which he advanced were such as no rightminded Englishman could maintain. "Since I cannot," says he, "yet come to do the duties of my function among you, I think myself obliged to supply my absence by watching over you as effectually as I can at this distance." He proceeds at once to the Oath of Allegiance; and after many arguments, which probably most men would admit, he comes to the reasons, which induced the Prince of Orange to act. "Even at Common Law an heir in remainder has just cause to sue him that is in possession, if he makes waste on the inheritance, which is his in reversion. It is much more reasonable, since the thing is much more important, that the heir of a crown should interpose, when he sees him that is in possession hurried on blindfold to subject an independent kingdom to a foreign jurisdiction, and thereby to rob it both of its glory, and its security. And when a pretended heir was set up in such a manner, that the whole kingdom believed him spurious. In such a case it cannot be denied, even ac-
of the enterprize might lead to the entail of the crown on that illustrious house. Biog. Brit. Art. Burnet. Ralph calls him, "The Champion in Ordinary of the Revolution, and ready to enter the lists against all comers." Ralph, ii. 3. Alluding to his elevation to the Episcopal bench, the same historian remarks: "and thus our Historian, in acknowledgement of his many services, became a Lord of Parliament." Ibid. 59.
