The second reading of the Bill, embodying the scheme, occasioned a debate, which went over well-worn topics, and presents no points of interest. The measure emanated from the Episcopalian party in the House of Commons; but the Presbyterian members, to the amazement of every one, did not promote it. They knew it could not be carried in the House of Lords; and the clergy, as Kennet confesses, were “no further in earnest than as they apprehended the knife of the Papists” to be near their throats.[41] The Bill dropped--what else could be expected, there being on one side no earnestness in making the offer, and on the other no disposition to accept it?[42] [Sidenote: 1680–81.] With the Bill founded on the principle of comprehension another was brought forward, based on the principle of toleration. It proposed to exempt Protestant Dissenters “from the penalties of certain laws.”[43] The measure made way through the House of Commons, and it forced itself through the House of Lords;[44] but because distasteful to the King on account of its limiting toleration to Protestant Nonconformists, it was put aside by some contemptible trick, when other Bills were presented for the Royal assent.[45] On the day of the prorogation, the Commons by a formal resolution pronounced the prosecution of Protestant Dissenters to be a grievance to the subject, a detriment to the Protestant interest, an encouragement to Popery, and a danger to the kingdom’s peace.[46] However strange it is to find such a resolution in the Journals, after a Bill had been carried through the two Houses to the same effect a few days before, the fact may be explained by the circumstance that the Commons had become aware of the foul play practised on these cherished measures. It seems incredible, but such was the factious spirit existing, that the Court and High Church party--who were prepared to vindicate, or to wink at all kinds of excesses in the despotism of the Crown--positively objected to the resolution, as an unconstitutional method of invalidating Acts of Parliament.[47] [Sidenote: OXFORD PARLIAMENT.]