There was something monstrous in the supposition
that any Bishop of the Church of England could rebel against his
Sovereign. Compton was called into the royal closet, and was asked
whether he believed that there was the slightest ground for the Prince's
assertion. The Bishop was in a strait; for he was himself one of the
seven who had signed the invitation; and his conscience, not a very
enlightened conscience, would not suffer him, it seems, to utter a
direct falsehood. "Sir," he said, "I am quite confident that there
is not one of my brethren who is not as guiltless as myself in this
matter." The equivocation was ingenious: but whether the difference
between the sin of such an equivocation and the sin of a lie be worth
any expense of ingenuity may perhaps be doubted. The King was satisfied.
"I fully acquit you all," he said. "But I think it necessary that you
should publicly contradict the slanderous charge brought against you
in the Prince's declaration." The Bishop very naturally begged that he
might be allowed to read the paper which he was required to contradict;
but the King would not suffer him to look at it.

On the following day appeared a proclamation threatening with the
severest punishment all who should circulate, or who should even dare to
read, William's manifesto. [500] The Primate and the few Spiritual Peers
who happened to be then in London had orders to wait upon the King.
Preston was in attendance with the Prince's Declaration in his hand. "My
Lords," said James, "listen to this passage. It concerns you." Preston
then read the sentence in which the Spiritual Peers were mentioned. The
King proceeded: "I do not believe one word of this: I am satisfied
of your innocence; but I think it fit to let you know of what you are
accused."

The Primate, with many dutiful expressions, protested that the King did
him no more than justice. "I was born in your Majesty's allegiance. I
have repeatedly confirmed that allegiance by my oath. I can have but
one King at one time. I have not invited the Prince over; and I do not
believe that a single one of my brethren has done so." "I am sure I have
not," said Crewe of Durham. "Nor I," said Cartwright of Chester.
Crewe and Cartwright might well be believed; for both had sate in the
Ecclesiastical Commission. When Compton's turn came, he parried the
question with an adroitness which a Jesuit might have envied. "I gave
your Majesty my answer yesterday."

James repeated