No. XIV.—Vol. II., p. 139.
James, towards the close of the year 1687, contemplated the calling of a Parliament. There is a collection of papers in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, to which my attention has been directed by the learned and courteous librarian, the Rev. Mr. Coxe, containing interrogations, addressed to Justices of the Peace and others, as to whether persons were likely to be returned who would pledge themselves to vote for taking off the tests and penal laws respecting religion. The following extract from a letter by John Eston, dated Bedford, November 22, 1687, is very curious:—“My Lord,—Since your honour spake with me at Bedford I have conferred with the heads of the Dissenters, and particularly with Mr. Margetts and Mr. Bunyon, whom your Lordship named to me. The first of these was Judge Advocate in the Army under the Lord General Monk, when the late King was restored; the other is the pastor to the dissenting congregation in this town. I find them all to be unanimous for electing only such members of Parliament as will certainly vote for repealing all the tests and penal laws touching religion, and they hope to steer all their friends and followers accordingly; so that if the Lord Lieutenant will cordially assist with his influence over the Church party, there cannot be in human reason any doubt of our electing two such members.” Again, December 6, 1687, the same writer says:—“The Dissenters are firm for us, but the Churchmen are implacable against us.”—MSS., Vol. I., Penal Laws of Test.