Such had been, even in England, the relations between the King and the Puritans; and in Scotland the tyranny of the King and the fury of the Puritans had been such as Englishmen could hardly conceive.

To forget an enmity so long and so deadly was no light task for a nature singularly harsh and implacable.
The conflict in the royal mind did not escape the eye of Barillon.

At the end of January, 1687, he sent a remarkable letter to Versailles.

The King,--such was the substance of this document,--had almost convinced himself that he could not obtain entire liberty for Roman Catholics and yet maintain the laws against Protestant Dissenters.

He leaned, therefore, to the plan of a general indulgence; but at heart he would be far better pleased if he could, even now, divide his protection and favour between the Church of Rome and the Church of England, to the exclusion of all other religious persuasions.