He was decidedly for a toleration.

He was even for what was then called a comprehension: that is to say, he was desirous to make some alterations in the Anglican discipline and ritual for the purpose of removing the scruples of the moderate Presbyterians.

But he was not prepared to give up the Test Act.

The only fault which he found with that Act was that it was not sufficiently stringent, and that it left loopholes through which schismatics sometimes crept into civil employments.

In truth it was because he was not disposed to part with the Test that he was willing to consent to some changes in the Liturgy.
He conceived that, if the entrance of the Church were but a very little widened, great numbers who had hitherto lingered near the threshold would press in.