disliked the Ecclesiastical Commission, he had consented to be a
Commissioner. True it was that he had, while declaring that he could see
nothing blamable in the conduct of the Bishop of London, voted sullenly
and reluctantly for the sentence of deprivation. But this was not
enough. A prince, engaged in an enterprise so important and arduous
as that on which James was bent, had a right to expect from his first
minister, not unwilling and ungracious acquiescence, but zealous and
strenuous cooperation. While such advice was daily given to James by
those in whom he reposed confidence, he received, by the penny post,
many anonymous letters filled with calumnies against the Lord Treasurer.
This mode of attack had been contrived by Tyrconnel, and was in perfect
harmony with every part of his infamous life. [192]

The King hesitated. He seems, indeed, to have really regarded his
brother in law with personal kindness, the effect of near affinity,
of long and familiar intercourse, and of many mutual good offices. It
seemed probable that, as long as Rochester continued to submit himself,
though tardily and with murmurs, to the royal pleasure, he would
continue to be in name prime minister. Sunderland, therefore, with
exquisite cunning, suggested to his master the propriety of asking the
only proof of obedience which it was quite certain that Rochester
never would give. At present,--such was the language of the artful
Secretary,--it was impossible to consult with the first of the King's
servants respecting the object nearest to the King's heart. It was
lamentable to think that religious prejudices should, at such a
conjuncture, deprive the government of such valuable assistance. Perhaps
those prejudices might not prove insurmountable. Then the deceiver
whispered that, to his knowledge, Rochester had of late had some
misgivings about the points in dispute between the Protestants and
Catholics. [193] This was enough. The King eagerly caught at the hint.
He began to flatter himself that he might at once escape from the
disagreeable necessity of removing a friend, and secure an able
coadjutor for the great work which was in progress. He was also elated
by the hope that he might have the merit and the glory of saving a
fellow creature from perdition. He seems, indeed, about this time, to
have been seized with an unusually violent fit of zeal for his religion;
and this is the more remarkable, because he had just relapsed, after
a short