waiting for fuller illumination, was disposed to render every
service in his power to the professors of the old faith. James,
who was never very discerning, and who in religious matters was
absolutely blind, suffered himself, notwithstanding all that he
had seen of human knavery, of the knavery of courtiers as a
class, and of the knavery of Sunderland in particular, to be
duped into the belief that divine grace had touched the most
false and callous of human hearts. During many months the wily
minister continued to be regarded at court as a promising
catechumen, without exhibiting himself to the public in the
character of a renegade.61

He early suggested to the King the expediency of appointing a
secret committee of Roman Catholics to advise on all matters
affecting the interests of their religion. This committee met
sometimes at Chiffinch's lodgings, and sometimes at the official
apartments of Sunderland, who, though still nominally a
Protestant, was admitted to all its deliberations, and soon
obtained a decided ascendency over the other members. Every
Friday the Jesuitical cabal dined with the Secretary. The
conversation at table was free; and the weaknesses of the prince
whom the confederates hoped to manage were not spared. To Petre
Sunderland promised a Cardinal's hat; to Castelmaine a splendid
embassy to Rome; to Dover a lucrative command in the Guards; and
to Tyrconnel high employment in Ireland. Thus hound together by
the strongest ties of interest, these men addressed themselves to
the task of subverting the Treasurer's power.62

There were two Protestant members of the cabinet who took no
decided part in the struggle. Jeffreys was at this time tortured