When in a large company an opinion was expressed that the peers would prove intractable, "Oh, silly," cried Sunderland, turning to Churchill, "your troop of guards shall be called up to the House of Lords." [310] Having determined to pack a Parliament, James set himself energetically and methodically to the work.

A proclamation appeared in the Gazette, announcing that the King had determined to revise the Commissions of Peace and of Lieutenancy, and to retain in public employment only such gentlemen as should be disposed to support his policy.

[311] A committee of seven Privy Councillors sate at Whitehall, for the purpose of regulating--such was the phrase--the municipal corporations.

In this committee Jeffreys alone represented the Protestant interest.

Powis alone represented the moderate Roman Catholics.