e party endeavoured, and had almost effected
his ruin. This work, tho' finished in the year 1683 was not published
till 1685, when it came into the world, under the immediate direction
of king James the IId. It was no doubt in consequence of this court
service, that he was made dean of Westminster, Anno 1683; and bishop of
Rochester the year following. Another step he took in the short reign of
king James, likewise exposed him to the resentment of that power
which took place at the revolution, which was his sitting in the
ecclesiastical commission. By this he drew upon himself almost an
universal censure, which he acknowledges to be just; as appears by a
letter he wrote upon that occasion to the earl of Dorset, in the year
1689; which thus begins.

'My Lord,

I think I should be wanting to myself at this time, in my own necessary
vindication, should I forbear any longer to give my friends a true
account of my behaviour in the late ecclesiastical commission. Though I
profess what I now say, I only intend as a reasonable mitigation of the
offence I have given, not entirely to justify my sitting in that court;
for which I acknowledge I have deservedly incurred the censure of many
good men; and I wish I may ever be able to make a sufficient amends to
my country for it.'

His crime in this particular was somewhat alleviated, by his renouncing
the commission, when he perceived the illegal practices they were going
to put in execution. His offences were strenuously urged against him,
and had not the earl of Dorset warmly espoused his interest, he had
probably been stript of his ecclesiastical preferments. His lordship
charged the ill-conduct of both these affairs upon king James and his
ministry; and thereby brought the bishop's opponents to a perfect
reconciliation with him.

Notwithstanding this accommodation, such was the inquietude of the
times, that his lordship had not long enjoyed this tranquility, before
there was hatched a most villainous contrivance; not only to take away
his life, but, the lives of archbishop Sancroft, lord Marlborough,
and several other persons of honour and distinction; by forging an
instrument under their hands, setting forth, that they had an intent
to restore king James, and to seize upon the person of the princess of
Orange, dead or alive; to surprize the tower, to raise a mighty army;
and to bring the city of London into subjection. This black conspiracy
to murther so many innocent perso