JAMES II.

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refugees passed over into England ; and all menwere disposed, from their representations, toentertain the utmost horror against the projects,which they apprehended to be formed by theking for the abolition of the protestant religion.When a prince of so much humanity and of suchsignal prudence as Lewis could be engaged, bythe bigotry of his religion alone, without anyprovocation, to embrace such sanguinary andimpolitic measures; what might be dreaded, theyasked, from James, who was so much inferiorin these virtues, and who had already been irri-tated by such obstinate and violent opposition?In vain did the king affect to throw the highestblame on the persecutions in France: In vain didhe afford the most real protection and assistanceto the distressed Hugonots. All these symptomsof toleration were regarded as insidious; oppositeto the avowed principles of his sect, and beliedby the severe administration , which he himself hadexercised against the nonconformists in Scotland.

The smallest approach towards the introductionof popery, must, in the present disposition of thepeople, have afforded reason of jealousy; muchmore so wide a step as that of dispensing withthe tests, the sole security, which the nation,being disappointed of the exclusion - bill, foundprovided against those dreaded innovations. Yetwas the king resolute to persevere in his purpose;and having failed in bringing over the parliament,he made an attempt, with more success, forxstablilhing his dispensing power, by a verdict of

HAP.

LXX.

ICS5,