Criminal seditious libel was brought into the common law courts in 1664, when Benjamin Keach was tried for writing a book containing contradictions of the doctrine of the established church. He wrote against infant baptism and asserted that laymen might preach the gospel. The justice intimidated the jury to find him guilty. He was sentenced to be fined, to spend two hours in the pillory in two successive weeks, and his book to be burned before his face. He was to be imprisoned until he found sureties for his good behavior and renunciation of his doctrine and for his future appearance in court. Juries were loath to find anyone guilty of seditious libel.
James II succeeded Charles II to the throne and fostered Roman Catholicism by appointments and by attempting to suspend laws unfavorable to Catholics. He commanded all bishops to read in the churches his Declaration of Indulgence exempting both Catholic and Protestant dissenters from all penal statutes based on religion. Seven bishops refused to obey and jointly petitioned him, stating that his action was illegal according to Parliament. He prosecuted them for seditious libel in the petition. The jury found them not guilty. James discharged the two justices of the five who had rejected the seditious libel doctrine which had been created by the Star Chamber Court. This roused the whigs and tories in turn to discharge him by joining in inviting Protestants William of Orange and Mary to take the throne in his place. James was effectively chased out of England by William's advancing army in the Glorious Revolution of 1688-9, which took away the powers of final authority from the king, but without transferring them to any other body. A "Bill of Rights" stated that
1. -The king may not suspend laws or dispense with them without consent of Parliament.
2. -The establishment of a Court of Commissioners and like bodies for ecclesiastical causes is illegal.
3. -The king may not levy money or extend an authorized levy without consent of Parliament.
4. -Subjects have a right to petition the king without prosecution.
5. -The king may not raise or keep a standing army within the country in time of peace without the consent of Parliament.
6. -Protestants may have arms for their defense as allowed by law.
7. -The elections of members of Parliament should be free.
8. -The freedom of speech or debates or proceedings in Parliament should not be impeached or questioned in any court or place outside of Parliament.