"But this I'm sure I know full well."
That Dr. Fell, with some learning and a character for loyalty, had
somewhat in him which a discerning observer could not like, is become
notorious since the publication of his correspondence with the
obsequious and unprincipled Earl of Sunderland respecting Locke, whom
James II. wished the Dean to deprive of the income he received as a
student of Christ Church. (See Appendix to _Fox's History of Early Part
of Reign of James II._) Dr. Fell there tells the Earl that he had long
watched Mr. Locke, and made "strict inquiries," but that no person had
ever heard him speak a word against the government. He adds, that
language disparaging Locke's political friends had frequently been used
for the treacherous purpose of provoking such replies as might have been
used to his ruin, but hitherto all in vain; and that, as he had
withdrawn to the Continent, some other plan must now be adopted. He
accordingly proposes a mode of ensnaring him, subjoining, that if the
King would simply order his expulsion, the mandate should be obeyed,
without asking for any proof of his deserving such a sentence. This was
accordingly done; but in two short years the circumstances of all the
parties were changed. The Bishop and Dean was gone to appear before Him
who has said, "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment;" the King had
withdrawn to the Continent, expelled by his own terrors, and deprived of
his inheritance; Locke was returning to his native land, to be counted
one of its chief ornaments; the Earl of Sunderland had betrayed his
master, and was desiring to be allowed to do any dirty work for another.