That the object with which the Test Act had been framed and supported was rather political than religious is notorious; indeed, it was supported by the Protestant Dissenters, though they themselves were to suffer by its operation, so greatly at that time did the dread of Popery and the French King overpower every other consideration.[192] On the Roman Catholics, after the reign of James II.

had increased that apprehension, the restrictions were tightened.

But those which inflicted disabilities on the Protestant Non-conformists had been gradually relaxed.

The repeal of two, the Five Mile and the Conventicle Acts, had, as we have seen in the last chapter, been recent measures of Lord Liverpool.

But the Test Act still remained, though it had long been practically a dead letter.