Still there was an objection to him which, even if the presidency had been vacant, would have been decisive: for he had never been a Fellow of either New College or Magdalene.

But the presidency was not vacant: Hough had been duly elected; and all the members of the college were bound by oath to support him in his office.
They therefore, with many expressions of loyalty and concern, excused themselves from complying with the King's mandate.
While Oxford was thus opposing a firm resistance to tyranny, a stand not less resolute was made in another quarter.

James had, some time before, commanded the trustees of the Charterhouse, men of the first rank and consideration in the kingdom, to admit a Roman Catholic named Popham into the hospital which was under their care.

The Master of the house, Thomas Burnet, a clergyman of distinguished genius, learning, and virtue, had the courage to represent to them, though the ferocious Jeffreys sate at the board, that what was required of them was contrary both to the will of the founder and to an Act of Parliament.

"What is that to the purpose ?" said a courtier who was one of the governors.