And, if the designs of the court succeeded, he could not doubt that between poverty and apostasy he must soon make his choice.

He therefore determined to cross those designs; and it soon appeared that there was no guilt and no disgrace which he was not ready to incur, in order to escape from the necessity of parting either with his places or with his religion.

[270] It was not only as a military commander, high in rank, and distinguished by skill and courage, that Churchill was able to render services to the opposition.

It was, if not absolutely essential, yet most important, to the success of William's plans that his sister in law, who, in the order of succession to the English throne, stood between his wife and himself, should act in cordial union with him.

All his difficulties would have been greatly augmented if Anne had declared herself favourable to the Indulgence.