Note 19 — Chapter V

During this session an Act was passed, by which every one was obliged to take the oath of allegiance—“a very moderate test,” says Hume, “since it decided no controverted points between the two religions, and only engaged the persons who took it to abjure the pope’s power of dethroning kings.” Mr. Hallam’s testimony is equally conclusive: “We cannot wonder that a parliament so narrowly rescued from personal destruction, endeavoured to draw the cord still tighter round these dangerous enemies. The statute passed on this occasion is by no means more harsh than might be expected.”—Const. Hist. i. 554-5.