ABSTRACT
The accession of the Roman Catholic James II on 6 February 1685 directed the minds of all Protestants toward the threat of popery. James’ attempt to appoint Roman Catholics to key posts, and the granting of the Declaration of Indulgence of April 1687 sharpened their fears. Although Independents and Baptists, who had never contemplated comprehension within the Church of England, accepted the Indulgence, some Presbyterians made overtures to the Church of England in order to face the common threat.1 The Declaration was reissued in April 1688 and ordered to be read in Churches in London and Westminster on 20 and 27 May, and throughout the country in June. Archbishop Sancroft and six other bishops signed a petition to James, refusing to read the Declaration. They were imprisoned in the Tower of London and tried for publishing seditious libel, but were acquitted on 30 June 1688. The same day the Admiral of the Fleet, Arthur Herbert, carried a letter to Holland which would lead to the accession of William of Orange and the ‘Glorious’ Revolution.
