[159] See several in the _Somers Tracts_, vol. x. One of these, a "Letter to a Member of the Convention," by Dr. Sherlock, is very ably written: and puts all the consequences of a change of government, as to popular dissatisfaction, etc., much as they turned out, though, of course, failing to show that a treaty with the king would be less open to objection. Sherlock declined for a time to take the oaths; but, complying afterwards, and writing in vindication, or at least excuse, of the revolution, incurred the hostility of the Jacobites, and impaired his own reputation by so interested a want of consistency; for he had been the most eminent champion of passive obedience. Even the distinction he found out, of the lawfulness of allegiance to a king _de facto_, was contrary to his former doctrine. [160] 1 W. & M. c. 8. [161] The necessity of excluding men so conscientious, and several of whom had very recently sustained so conspicuously the brunt of the battle against King James, was very painful; and motives of policy, as well as generosity, were not wanting in favour of some indulgence towards them. On the other hand, it was dangerous to admit such a reflection on the new settlement, as would be cast by its enemies, if the clergy, especially the bishops, should be excused from the oath of allegiance. The House of Lords made an amendment in the act requiring this oath, dispensing with it in the case of ecclesiastical persons, unless they should be called upon by the privy-council. This, it was thought, would furnish a security for their peaceable demeanour, without shocking the people and occasioning a dangerous schism. But the Commons resolutely opposed this amendment, as an unfair distinction, and derogatory to the king's title. _Parl. Hist._ 218; Lords' Journals, 17 April 1689. The clergy, however, had six months more time allowed them, in order to take the oath, than the possessors of lay offices. Upon the whole, I think the reasons for deprivation greatly preponderated. Public prayers for the king by name form part of our liturgy; and it was surely impossible to dispense with the clergy's reading them, which was as obnoxious as the oath of allegiance. Thus the beneficed priests must have been excluded; and it was hardly required to make an exception for the sake of a few bishops, even if difficulties of the same kind would not have occurred in the exercise of their jurisdiction, which hangs upon, and has a perpetual reference to, the supremacy of the Crown.