The courts of justice were in such a state that their decisions, even in civil matters, had ceased to inspire confidence, and that their servility in criminal cases had brought on the kingdom the stain of innocent blood.

All these abuses, loathed by the English nation, were to be defended, it seemed, by an army of Irish Papists.

Nor was this all.

The most arbitrary princes had never accounted it an offence in a subject modestly and peaceably to represent his grievances and to ask for relief.

But supplication was now treated as a high misdemeanour in England.