84 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SANCROFT. 



were going through, with leaving, under any 

 circumstances, the sovereign power in the hands 

 of James. After the full experience that had 

 now been afforded of his infatuated bigotry, 

 no rational hope remained that he would ever 

 desist from his designs, as long as he should 

 remain invested with power to carry them on. 

 In consequence, his expulsion from the throne 

 was a direct intended object with many who 

 favoured the design of the Prince of Orange; 

 by more, was foreseen as a probable result of 

 that expedition : and it certainly argued a cer- 

 tain degree of blindness to consequences in the 

 Archbishop and others who agreed with him, 

 when concurring, as they did, in the measures 

 themselves, they discerned not beforehand those 

 results to which they were manifestly leading. 

 It has already been remarked* that, in de- 

 clining to take any part in the great measure 

 of settling the government, a measure which 

 demanded all the strength of the counsels of 

 the nation, and in which a person of his high 

 character and eminent station was especially 

 called upon to assist, he must be considered, 

 even under the most favourable view of his 

 conduct, as very deficient in the energy and 

 decision which became him; and here indeed 



* See V. i. p. 430. 



