pretensions, and their passions were so deeply engaged that it
exceeded even the power of superstition itself any longer to control
them. They also foresaw that the thunders of Rome, when not seconded
by the efforts of the English ecclesiastics, would be of small avail
against them; and they perceived that the most considerable of the
prelates, as well as all the inferior clergy, professed the highest
approbation of their cause. Besides that these men were seized with
the national passion for laws and liberty, blessings of which they
themselves expected to partake, there concurred very powerful causes
to loosen their devoted attachment to the apostolic see. It appeared,
from the late usurpations of the Roman Pontiff, that he intended to
reap alone all the advantages accruing from that victory, which under
his banners, though at their own peril, they had everywhere obtained
over the civil magistrate.

The Pope assumed a despotic power over all the churches; their
particular customs, privileges, and immunities were treated with
disdain; even the canons of general councils were set aside by his
dispensing power; the whole administration of the Church was centred
in the court of Rome; all preferments ran, of course, in the same
channel; and the provincial clergy saw, at least felt, that there was
a necessity for limiting these pretensions.

The legate, Nicholas, in filling those numerous vacancies which had
fallen in England during an interdict of six years, had proceeded in
the most arbitrary manner; and had paid no regard, in conferring
dignities, to personal merit, to rank, to the inclination of the
electors, or to the customs of the country. The English Church was
universally disgusted; and Langton himself, though he owed his
elevation to an encroachment of the Romish see, was no sooner