[257] That section of the dissenting body which was favourable to the King's new policy had from the first been a minority, and soon began to diminish.

For the Nonconformists perceived in no long time that their spiritual privileges had been abridged rather than extended by the Indulgence.

The chief characteristic of the Puritan was abhorrence of the peculiarities of the Church of Rome.

He had quitted the Church of England only because he conceived that she too much resembled her superb and voluptuous sister, the sorceress of the golden cup and of the scarlet robe.

He now found that one of the implied conditions of that alliance which some of his pastors had formed with the Court was that the religion of the Court should be respectfully and tenderly treated.
He soon began to regret the days of persecution.