First, Doctor John Overall, Bishop of Exeter, had written an
elaborate treatise on the rights of civil and ecclesiastical
governors. This treatise had been solemnly approved by the
Convocations of Canterbury and York, and might therefore be
considered as an authoritative exposition of the doctrine of the
Church of England. A copy of the manuscript was in Sancroft's
possession; and he, soon after the Revolution, sent it to the
press. He hoped, doubtless, that the publication would injure the
new government; but he was lamentably disappointed. The book
indeed condemned all resistance in terms as strong as he could
himself have used; but one passage which had escaped his notice
was decisive against himself and his fellow schismatics. Overall,
and the two Convocations which had given their sanction to
Overall's teaching, pronounced that a government, which had
originated in rebellion, ought, when thoroughly settled, to be
considered as ordained by God and to be obeyed by Christian
men.60 Sherlock read, and was convinced. His venerable mother the
Church had spoken; and he, with the docility of a child, accepted
her decree. The government which had sprung from the Revolution
might, at least since the battle of the Boyne and the flight of
James from Ireland, be fairly called a settled government, and
ought therefore to be passively obeyed till it should be
subverted by another revolution and succeeded by another settled
government.

Sherlock took the oaths, and speedily published, in justification
of his conduct, a pamphlet entitled The Case of Allegiance to
Sovereign Powers stated. The sensation produced by this work was
immense. Dryden's Hind and Panther had not raised so great an
uproar. Halifax's Letter to a Dissenter had not called forth so