Glorious Revolution DBQ

Source: John Evelyn, writer and founding member of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, diary entry, 1688 7th October—Dr. Tenison [an Anglican minister] preached at St. Martin’s church, showing the Scriptures to be our only rule of faith, and its perfection above all traditions. After which, near 1,000 devout persons partook of the Communion. The sermon was chiefly a response to a sermon by a Jesuit, who the Sunday before had disparaged the Scripture and railed at our translation. Some who were present [on that Sunday] pulled the Jesuit out of the pulpit, and treated him very coarsely. Hourly expectation of William, the Prince of Orange’s invasion heightened to that degree, that his Majesty [James II] thought fit to dispense with all laws and in the meantime, he called over 5,000 Irish and 4,000 Scots soldiers, and continued to remove Protestants and put in Papists at Portsmouth harbor and other places of trust, and retained the Jesuits about him, increasing the universal discontent. It brought people to so desperate a pass, that they seemed passionately to long for and desire the landing of the Prince of Orange, whom they looked on to be their deliverer from Popish tyranny, praying incessantly for an east wind, which was said to be the only hindrance of his expedition [from the Netherlands] with a numerous army ready to make a descent.

Source: King William III, declaration, October 10, 1688 The Declaration of His Highness William, by the Grace of God, Prince of Orange, etc., of the reasons inducing him to appear in arms in the Kingdom of England, and for preserving the Protestant religion, and for restoring the laws and liberties of England, Scotland, and Ireland: We for our part will concur in everything that may procure the peace and happiness of that nation, which a free and lawful Parliament shall determine, since we have nothing before our eyes in this our undertaking but the preservation of the Protestant religion, the covering of all men from persecution for their conscience, and the securing to the whole nation the free enjoyment of all their laws, rights, and liberties, under a just and legal government.

Source: Excerpts from the English Bill of Rights, passed by Parliament and ratified by William III, 1689 Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons, being now assembled in a full and free representative of this nation, do in the first place (as their ancestors in like case have usually done) for the vindicating and asserting their ancient rights and liberties declare: That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by royal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal; That levying money for or to the use of the Crown by pretence of prerogative, without grant of Parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal; That the raising or keeping of a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law; That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law; That the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament; That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted; And that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening and preserving of the laws, Parliaments ought to be held frequently.

Source: Gilbert Burnet, Anglican bishop and close friend of William III, sermon preached at the coronation ceremony of William III, April 1689 When the encouraging and promoting of a vigorous piety, and sublime virtue, and the explaining and propagating of true religion is the chief design of their rule; when impiety and vice are punished, and error is repressed; when the decency of the worship of God is kept up, without adulterating it with superstitions; when order is carried on in the Church of God, without tyranny; and above all when princes are in their own deportment [conduct], examples of the fear of God . . . and when it is visible that they honour those who fear the Lord, and that vile men are despised by them, then do they truly rule in fear of God.

Source: Gilbert Burnet, Anglican bishop and close friend of William III, sermon preached at the coronation ceremony of William III, April 1689 When the encouraging and promoting of a vigorous piety, and sublime virtue, and the explaining and propagating of true religion is the chief design of their rule; when impiety and vice are punished, and error is repressed; when the decency of the worship of God is kept up, without adulterating it with superstitions; when order is carried on in the Church of God, without tyranny; and above all when princes are in their own deportment [conduct], examples of the fear of God . . . and when it is visible that they honour those who fear the Lord, and that vile men are despised by them, then do they truly rule in fear of God.

Source: Gilbert Burnet, Anglican bishop and close friend of William III, sermon preached at the coronation ceremony of William III, April 1689 When the encouraging and promoting of a vigorous piety, and sublime virtue, and the explaining and propagating of true religion is the chief design of their rule; when impiety and vice are punished, and error is repressed; when the decency of the worship of God is kept up, without adulterating it with superstitions; when order is carried on in the Church of God, without tyranny; and above all when princes are in their own deportment [conduct], examples of the fear of God . . . and when it is visible that they honour those who fear the Lord, and that vile men are despised by them, then do they truly rule in fear of God.