18

HTSTOEY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XI.

1689 .

Notting-

ham.

The vexation with, which they saw Danby presiding in theCouncil, and Halifax hearing the Privy Seal, was not diminishedby the news that Nottingham was appointed Secretary of State.Some of those zealous churchmen who had never ceased to pro-fess the doctrine of nonresistance, who thought the Revolutionunjustifiable, who had voted for a Regency, and who had to thelast maintained that the English throne could never be onemoment vacant, yet conceived it to be their duty to submit tothe decision of the Convention. They had not, theysaid, rebelledagainst James. They had not selected William. But, now thatthey saw on the throne a Sovereign whom they never wouldhave placed there, they were of opinion that no law, divine orhuman, bound them to carry the contest further. They thoughtthat they found, both in the Bible and in the Statute Book,directions which could not be misunderstood. The Bible enjoinsobedience to the powers that be. The Statute Book containsan act providing that no subject shall be deemed a wrongdoerfor adhering to the King in possession. On these groundsmany, who had not concurred in setting up the new govern-ment, believed that they might give it their support withoutoffence to God or man. One of the most eminent politiciansof this school was Nottingham. At his instance the Conventionhad, before the throne was filled, made such changes in theoath of allegiance as enabled him and those who agreed w'ithhim to take that oath without scruple. “My principles,” hesaid, “do not permit me to bear any part in making a King.But when a King has been made, my principles bind me to payhim an obedience more strict than he can expect from thosewho have made him.” He now, to the surprise of some of thosewho most esteemed him, consented to sit in the council, and toaccept the seals of Secretary. William doubtless hoped thatthis appointment would be considered by the clergy and theTory country gentlemen as a sufficient guarantee that no evil