To put the Janes, the Souths, the Sherlocks into such a situation that they must either starve, or recant, publicly, and with the Gospel at their lips, all the ostentatious professions of many years, was a revenge too delicious to be relinquished.

The Tory, on the other hand, sincerely respected and pitied those clergymen who felt scruples about the oaths.

But the Test was, in his view, essential to the safety of the established religion, and must not be surrendered for the purpose of saving any man however eminent from any hardship however serious.

It would be a sad day doubtless for the Church when the episcopal bench, the chapter houses of cathedrals, the halls of colleges, would miss some men renowned for piety and learning.

But it would be a still sadder day for the Church when an Independent should bear the white staff or a Baptist sit on the woolsack.