So warmly indeed did those who had hitherto been regarded as half Jacobites express their approbation of the policy of the government that the thoroughgoing Jacobites were much disgusted, and complained bitterly of the strange blindness which seemed to have come on the sons of the Church of England, [567] All the acts of William, at this time, indicated his determination to restrain, steadily though gently, the violence of the Whigs, and to conciliate, if possible, the good will of the Tories.

Several persons whom the Commons had thrown into prison for treason were set at liberty on bail, [568] The prelates who held that their allegiance was still due to James were treated with a tenderness rare in the history of revolutions.

Within a week after the prorogation, the first of February came, the day on which those ecclesiastics who refused to take the oath were to be finally deprived.

Several of the suspended clergy, after holding out till the last moment, swore just in time to save themselves from beggary.

But the Primate and five of his suffragans were still inflexible.