[483] An anonymous correspondent writes on November 24, 1665 (State Papers), to Lord Arlington, that "all are amazed at the late Act against Nonconformity, judging it against the law of nature, and therefore void, but that the Presbyterians will defeat its design, for some of the chief incline to take the oath."
[484] Eccles. Hist., i. 500.
[485] He was present on each occasion of the Bill being read, Oct. 26, 27, and 30. See Lords' Journals.
[486] Eccles. Hist., ii. 112.
[487] Burnet, i. 224.
[488] Baxter's Life and Times, iii. 3.
[489] Parl. Hist., iv. 328.
[490] Ralph's Hist. of England. "The providence by which it was thrown out was very remarkable, for Mr. Peregrine Bertie, being newly chosen, was that morning introduced into the house by his brother, the now Earl of Lindsey, and Sir Thomas Osborne, now Lord Treasurer, who all three gave their votes against the Bill, and the numbers were so even upon that division that their three voices carried the question against it."—Locke's Letter from a Person of Quality.
[491] He was not made Lord Keeper until 1667.
[492] Neal, iv. 401, says it was moved that the word unlawfully might be inserted in the oath, before the word endeavour, but all was rejected. He refers for authority to Baxter, iii. 15, (it should be 13) but I find nothing there to that effect. If it was as Neal states, it is difficult to understand how Bates could have argued as he did.