272. King's conduct towards the Church, 1688. Obv. Pedestal inscribed BRITANNIA; on it, dove, chalice, wafer, rosary and mitre, and in centre, Bible surmounted by cap inscribed, LIBERT.: above, hand from cloud with scroll, inscribed, C. FAGELII EPISTOLA EFFLAGITATA A I. STEWARDO. 1687. Leg. LIBERTAS CONSCIENTIÆ HOC MONILI ORNATA. Rev. Dog wearing rosary swallowing book with M. I. (Magnum Juramentum) trampling on another with L. C. (Libertas Conscientiae) and throwing down from column ornamented with serpent-band a third with S. R. P. (Salus Religionis Protestantis) and seals T. P. (Test and Penal Laws). RES IMMODERATA CUPIDO EST. MDCLXXXVIII. Silver. Size 2·3. Struck. By J. Smeltzing.
Tho Obverse represents the religious toleration of Britain; the Mitre of the Church of England, the chalice, wafer, and rosary of Rome, and the dove of the Nonconformists having the free Bible in their centre. The inscribed scroll refers to the engagement by James of James Steward, a Scottish lawyer, to write letters to the Pensionary Fagel with a view to induce William and Mary to approve the abolition of the Test and Penal Laws. The Reverse symbolizes James devouring his coronation oath, trampling on the liberty of conscience, and removing the Test and Penal Laws, which sealed the safety of the state.
273. Trial of the Seven Bishops, 1688. Obv. Bust of Sancroft r., in robes and skull cap. GVIL. SANCROFT ARCHIEPISC. CANTVAR. 1688. Rev. Medallions with portraits of the six Bishops; in centre, another of Bishop of London: stars in field. G. B. F.; on edge, SI FRACTUS ILLABATVR ORBIS IMPAUIDOS FERIENT RUINÆ. (Hor. Car. III. 3. 8.) Silver. Size 2. Struck. By G. Bower.
The Bishops who were committed to the Tower for opposing the declaration of indulgence issued by James, were Sancroft of Canterbury, Lloyd of St. Asaph, Ken of Bath and Wells, Turner of Ely, Lake of Chichester, White of Peterborough and Trelawny of Bristol; to these is added the portrait of Compton of London, who on account of his opposition to James had been suspended and removed from the Council table and Deanery of the Chapel Royal.
274. Another. Sancroft and Pleiades, 1688. Obv. Same. Rev. Seven stars, Pleiades in the midst of the starry heavens. QVIS RESTRINGET PLEIADVM DELICIAS. IOB. C. 38. Silver. Size 2. Struck. By G. Bower.
The seven Bishops are likened to the beneficent Pleiades.
275. Another. Obv. Jesuit and Monk undermining Church founded on a rock supported by hand from heaven. THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAILE. (Mat. xvi. 18.) Rev. Seven Medallions of Sancroft and the six Bishops with Eng. inscr. L. AB. CAN. &c.; over each, mitre. WISDOM HATH BVILDED HER HOVS SHE HATH HEWEN OVT HER 7 PILLERS. (Prov. ix. 1.) Silver. Size 2·25. Cast and chased. Dutch, and of very coarse work.
The Church is the Church of England undermined by the Jesuits and Monks, but protected by Heaven.
276. Another. The Bishops imprisoned, 1688. Obv. The White Tower of London; in the distance, Bishops approaching, under a guard; populace on the other side. PROBIS HONORI INFAMIÆQVE MALIS: and in ex., names of seven Bishops with date of imprisonment 8/18 June and liberation 15/25 June, 1688. Rev. Sun and moon equally balanced in scales suspended from clouds. SIC SOL LUNAQUE IN LIBRA. Silver. Size 2·3. Struck. By J. Smeltzing ?
The sun and moon are said to represent the King and the people equally balanced.