Indeed it is estimated that there are more than 12,000,000 Dissenters in Great Russia alone.
In 1673 he opposed the Indulgence, supported the Test Act, and spoke against the proposal for giving relief to the dissenters.
With a passionate hatred and distrust of the Catholics, and an intense love of political liberty, he united the desire for ease to Protestant Dissenters.
In 1687 James made a bid for the support of the Dissenters by advocating a system of joint toleration for Catholics and Dissenters.
In April 1687 he published a Declaration of Indulgence - exempting Catholics and Dissenters from penal statutes.