It was important that there should be a great preponderance of authority in favour of the dispensing power; yet it was important that the bench, which had been carefully packed for the occasion, should appear to be independent.

One Judge, therefore, the least respectable of the twelve, was permitted, or more probably commanded, to give his voice against the prerogative.

[86] The power which the courts of law had thus recognised was not suffered to lie idle.

Within a month after the decision of the King's Bench had been pronounced, four Roman Catholic Lords were sworn of the Privy Council.

Two of these, Powis and Bellasyse, were of the moderate party, and probably took their seats with reluctance and with many sad forebodings.