At this time, also, England took an important step in the
direction of religious liberty. Parliament passed a Toleration Act, conceding
to the Dissenters the right of worship, though not the right of holding any
civil or military office. The Dissenters might now serve their God as they
pleased, without fear of persecution. Unitarians and Roman Catholics, as well
as Jews, were expressly excluded from the benefits of the act. The passage of
this measure did much to remove religion from English politics as a vital
issue.
THE "GLORIOUS REVOLUTION"
The revolution of 1688-89 A.D. thus struck a final blow at
absolutism and divine right in England. An English king became henceforth the
servant of Parliament, holding office only on good behavior. An act of
Parliament had made him and an act of Parliament might depose him. It is well
to remember, however, that the revolution was not a popular movement. It was a
successful struggle for parliamentary supremacy on the part of the upper and
middle classes—the nobles, squires, merchants, and clergy. England now had a "limited"
or "constitutional" monarchy controlled by the aristocracy. Not till
the nineteenth century did the common people succeed in establishing a really
democratic government in England.
