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Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

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afterwards.<br />

It was while the k<strong>in</strong>g was pursu<strong>in</strong>g this course -<br />

- trampl<strong>in</strong>g down the laws, subject<strong>in</strong>g some of the<br />

most em<strong>in</strong>ent of his subjects to barbarous<br />

<strong>in</strong>dignities, and prepar<strong>in</strong>g the army to deal the f<strong>in</strong>al<br />

coup to the Protestant religion and the liberties of<br />

England that he published (April 4th, 1687) his<br />

"Gracious Declaration for Liberty of Conscience."<br />

In this edict his Majesty declared it to be his<br />

op<strong>in</strong>ion that "conscience ought not to be<br />

constra<strong>in</strong>ed," and accord<strong>in</strong>gly he suspended all<br />

oaths and tests for office, and all penal laws for<br />

nonconformity to the established religion, and <strong>in</strong><br />

general removed all disabilities from every one, <strong>in</strong><br />

order that all fit to serve him might be eligible to<br />

public employment. All this <strong>James</strong> granted solely<br />

<strong>in</strong> virtue of his royal prerogative.<br />

To the Nonconformists this Indulgence was the<br />

open<strong>in</strong>g of the prison doors. They had been<br />

grievously harassed, and hav<strong>in</strong>g a natural right to<br />

their liberty, it does not surprise us that they were<br />

will<strong>in</strong>g to part with their fetters. They could now<br />

567

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