Still the thing was done.

Ten thousand clergymen had solemnly called heaven to attest their promise that they would be true liegemen to William; and this promise, though it by no means warranted him in expecting that they would strenuously support him, had at least deprived them of a great part of their power to injure him.

They could not, without entirely forfeiting that public respect on which their influence depended, attack, except in an indirect and timidly cautious manner, the throne of one whom they had, in the presence of God, vowed to obey as their King.

Some of them, it is true, affected to read the prayers for the new Sovereigns in a peculiar tone which could not be misunderstood, [464] Others were guilty of still grosser indecency.

Thus, one wretch, just after praying for William and Mary in the most solemn office of religion, took off a glass to their damnation.