3 i8 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

c h a p. religion might be, it should only be a privateXA'vir. thimj between God and his own foul, and neverJ<>7S. should appear in his public conduct. Notwith-

standing this strong effort, in so important apoint, he prevailed only by two voices; a suffi-cient indication of the general disposition of thepeople “I would not have,” said a noble peer,in the debate on this bill, “so much as a popish“ man or a pop,sir woman to remain here ; not" so much as a popish dog or a popish bitch ;“ not so much as a popish cat to pur or mew“ about the king.” What is more extraordinary;this speech met with praise and approbation.

Encouraged by this general fury, the wit-nesses went still a step farther in their accusations;and though both Oates and Bedloe had oftendeclared, that there was no other person ofdistinction, whom they knew to be concerned inthe plot, they were now so audacious as to ac-cuse the queen herself of entering into the designagainst the life of her husband. The commons,in an address to the king, gave countenance tothis scandalous accusation ; but the lords wouldnot be prevailed with to join in the address. Itis here, if any where, that we may suspect thesuggestions of the popular leaders to have hadplace. The king, it was well known, bore nogreat affection to his consort; and now, morethan ever, when his brother and heir was somuch hated, had reason to be desirous of issue,which might quiet the jealous fears of his people.This very hatred, which prevailed against the