Many pious persons in subsequent years remembered that time with bitter regret. They described it as a short glimpse of a golden age between two iron ages. Such lamentation, though natural, was not reasonable. The coalition of 1688 was produced, and could be produced, only by tyranny which approached to insanity, and by danger which threatened at once all the great institutions of the country. If there has never since been similar union, the reason is that there has never since been similar misgovernment. It must be remembered that, though concord is in itself better than discord, discord may indicate a better state of things than is indicated by concord. Calamity and peril often force men to combine. Prosperity and security often encourage them to separate. CHAPTER IX Change in the Opinion of the Tories concerning the Lawfulness of Resistance--Russell proposes to the Prince of Orange a Descent on England--Henry Sidney--Devonshire; Shrewsbury; Halifax--Danby--Bishop Compton--Nottingham; Lumley--Invitation to William despatched--Conduct of Mary--Difficulties of William's Enterprise--Conduct of James after the Trial of the Bishops--Dismissions and Promotions--Proceedings of the High Commission; Sprat resigns his Seat--Discontent of the Clergy; Transactions at Oxford--Discontent of the Gentry--Discontent of the Army--Irish Troops brought over; Public Indignation--Lillibullero--Politics of the United Provinces; Errors of the French King--His Quarrel with the Pope concerning Franchises--The Archbishopric of Cologne--Skilful Management of William--His Military and Naval Preparations--He receives numerous Assurances of Support from England--Sunderland--Anxiety of William--Warnings conveyed to James--Exertions of Lewis to save James--James frustrates them--The French Armies invade Germany--William obtains the Sanction of the States General to his Expedition--Schomberg--British Adventurers at the Hague--William's Declaration--James roused to a Sense of his Danger; his Naval Means--His Military Means--He attempts to conciliate his Subjects--He gives Audience to the Bishops--His Concessions ill received--Proofs of the Birth of the Prince of Wales submitted to the--Privy Council--Disgrace of Sunderland--William takes leave of the States of Holland--He embarks and sails; he is driven back by a Storm--His Declaration arrives in England; James questions the Lords--William sets sail the second Time--He passes the Straits--He lands at Torbay--He enters Exeter--Conversation of the King with the Bishops--Disturbances in London--Men of Rank begin to repair to the Prince--Lovelace--Colchester; Abingdon--Desertion of Cornbury--Petition of the Lords for a Parliament--The King goes to Salisbury--Seymour; Court of William at Exeter--Northern Insurrection--Skirmish at Wincanton--Desertion of Churchill and Grafton--Retreat of the Royal Army from Salisbury--Desertion of Prince George and Ormond--Flight of the