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66 POLITICAL CONSEQUENCESBut if the Reformation on the one hand laidthe foundation of an increase of the kingly powerin England, it didnot do this without creatinga disaffected party on the other ;which, when the helm of state passed into a less experiencedgrasp, was the means of raising a storm under the violenceof which the throne gave way, and for a long time remainedprostrate.In times like those such a Reformation as that in England,which was in a certain sense only half a Reformation, wasnecessarily a dangerous undertaking. A period of revolution will not submit to partial measures,, because it is a period of fanaticism. What else then could be expected, thanthat, in the eyes of the pure reformers, the remaining framework of the hierarchy should be deemed an abomination ?that Episcopalians and Catholics should be held to differ inlittle except in name And when ? the Church of Englandwas finally guarded about by limits which excluded all othercommunions from a participation, not only in it, but in themost important political rights,how could it be otherwisethan that a contest should ensue? Then, as the religiousprinciples of the insurgents were purely democratic, whatwas more natural than that the fate of the hierarchy shouldinclude that of the throne ?Considered from this point of view, the events of theEnglish revolution, which are too well known to require anyfurther notice, appear in their proper light,as one connected whole. With the restoration of the throne the dominant church was restored also ;but when, by the famousToleration Act of William III., (1688,) the penal laws againstthe JHssenters were removed, they could no longer form apolitical party. With the Catholics it was no doubt different; but their number in England was too small to causeapprehension. There may certainly be times, and therehave been in England, when the introduction of a Test Actmay be necessary but whether ; its continuance conducesmost to security or danger, is a question which I shall leaveothers to answer. However thismay be, the general interests of Great Britain remained inseparably connected withthe Reformation ;and by it, after one of the most wonderfulrevolutions of destiny, the throne was opened to that familyglorious dominion England witnessed the ap-