A few words from him decided the event of the conflict.

The bill was rejected thirty-six hours after it had been brought in by a hundred and ninety-two votes to a hundred and sixty-five, [613] Even after this defeat the Whigs pertinaciously returned to the attack.
Having failed in one House they renewed the battle in the other.

Five days after the Abjuration Bill had been thrown out in the Commons, another Abjuration Bill, somewhat milder, but still very severe, was laid on the table of the Lords, [614] What was now proposed was that no person should sit in either House of Parliament or hold any office, civil, military, or judicial, without making a declaration that he would stand by William and Mary against James and James's adherents.

Every male in the kingdom who had attained the age of sixteen was to make the same declaration before a certain day.

If he failed to do so he was to pay double taxes and to be incapable of exercising the elective franchise.
On the day fixed for the second reading, the King came down to the House of Peers.