Sancroft declared that he had taken every precaution against publication, and that he knew of no copy except that which he had himself written, and which James had taken out of Lloyd's hand.

The veracity of the Archbishop is beyond all suspicion.
It is, however, by no means improbable that some of the divines who assisted in framing the petition may have remembered so short a composition accurately, and may have sent it to the press.

The prevailing opinion, however, was that some person about the King had been indiscreet or treacherous.

[366] Scarcely less sensation was produced by a short letter which was written with great power of argument and language, printed secretly, and largely circulated on the same day by the post and by the common carriers.

A copy was sent to every clergyman in the kingdom.