He was one of the persons on whom the opposition had most confidently reckoned.

But the honour now offered to him, and the hope of obtaining a large sum due to him from the crown, overcame his virtue, and, to the great disgust of all classes of Protestants, he was sworn in.

[436] The vindictive designs of the King against the Church were not accomplished.

Almost all the Archdeacons and diocesan Chancellors refused to furnish the information which was required.

The day on which it had been intended that the whole body of the priesthood should be summoned to answer for the crime of disobedience arrived.