Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

Rome, and his usual answer to the supplications of
the Commons, praying him to take steps to prevent
the growth of Popery, was the issue of a new
proclamation, which neither hurt the Romanists nor
benefited the Protestants. Now the Parliament,
more in earnest, resolved to exclude all Papists
from any share in the government. For this end the
"Test Act" was framed. This Act required, "That all
persons bearing any office, or place of trust and
profit, shall take the oaths of Supremacy and
Allegiance in public and open court, and shall also
receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
according to the usage of the Church of England."
The swearer was also required to subscribe a
declaration that he did not believe in
Transubstantiation. This test aimed at a great deal,
but it accomplished little. If it excluded the more
honest of the professors of the Roman creed, and
only these, for no test could bar the entrance of the
Jesuit,[5] it equally excluded the Nonconformists
from the service of the State. Immediately on the
passing of the Bill, the Duke of York and the Lord
Treasurer Clifford laid down all their offices.
These were the first-fruits, but they were altogether
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