Page:History of the Nonjurors.djvu/62

 

CHAPTER II.

 

The Oath of Allegiance.—Arguments respecting it.—Death of Bishop Lake.—His Confession.—Death of Bishop Thomas.—Various Views of the Oath.—Kettlewell.—Difficulties of the Case.—Latitudinarian Principles of the Time.—Sancroft's Commission.—Form of Prayer for King William.—A new Liturgy.—The Bishops clear themselves.—Plans suggested for preventing the Schism.—Some comply after the Battle of the Boyne.—Burnet's Influence.—His Conduct examined.—Sancroft.—Trial of Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton.—Charge against Bishop Turner.—Prayers.

 

he crown having been settled on William and Mary, it became necessary to adopt measures to secure the stability of the government: and the most important question related to the Oath of Allegiance. In its original state it presented very serious difficulties, inasmuch as it so strongly implied the doctrine of hereditary right. It was therefore altered into the following simple form: "I, A B, do sincerely promise and swear to bear true allegiance to their Majesties King William and Queen Mary." The oath of supremacy consisted of two parts: the one an oath of abhorrence of the Pope's excommunicating power: the other a declaration, that no foreign prince or power had, or ought to have, any jurisdiction in this kingdom.

I need not dwell upon the various particulars con-