The theory of the Puritan sectaries was very different.

Those sectaries had no scruple about smiting tyrants with the sword of Gideon.

Many of them did not shrink from using the dagger of Ehud.

They were probably even now meditating another Western insurrection, or another Rye House Plot.
James, therefore, conceived that he might safely persecute the Church if he could only gain the Dissenters.

The party whose principles afforded him no guarantee would be attached to him by interest.