"Sir," he said, "I am quite confident that there is not one of my brethren who is not as guiltless as myself in this matter." The equivocation was ingenious: but whether the difference between the sin of such an equivocation and the sin of a lie be worth any expense of ingenuity may perhaps be doubted.

The King was satisfied.
"I fully acquit you all," he said.

"But I think it necessary that you should publicly contradict the slanderous charge brought against you in the Prince's declaration." The Bishop very naturally begged that he might be allowed to read the paper which he was required to contradict; but the King would not suffer him to look at it.
On the following day appeared a proclamation threatening with the severest punishment all who should circulate, or who should even dare to read, William's manifesto.

[500] The Primate and the few Spiritual Peers who happened to be then in London had orders to wait upon the King.
Preston was in attendance with the Prince's Declaration in his hand.

"My Lords," said James, "listen to this passage.