Note 211 — Chapter XL · A.D. 1700-1800. THE JEWS IN ENGLAND.

It is a singular fact that, although the bishops had nothing to do with the promotion of this Bill, the principal odium of it was cast upon them. It was held that they were bound in conscience to prevent its passing, or at all events to do their best to prevent it. William Romaine affirmed, in a pamphlet which attracted much attention, that ‘the set of bishops then on the bench were the only ones from the time of Christ who would have countenanced so anti-Christian a measure.’ The general charge made against bishops is that of intolerance. It is curious to observe that, if they ever are in advance of the laity in tolerance, it is at once made the subject of bitter reproach to them.