,-,,.v^^v ^^ •"*"' ^//.>,
princp:ton. n. j.
Purchased by the
Mrs. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund
BR 742 .B6 1820 v. 2
Brown, John, 1722-1787.
A compendious history of the
British churches in
<^mi^y^^^^<UTp
A
COMPENDIOUS HISTORY
OF THE
BRITISH CHURCHES
IN
ENGLAND,
SCOTLAND, IRELAND, AND AMERICA.
WITH AN
INTRODUCTORY SKETCH
OF THE
SHstori) of t\)t Sfflallrcusts.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SECESSION.
BY JOHN BROWN,
LATE PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY UNDER THF ASSOCIATE SYNOD,
AND MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, HADDINGTON.
Walk about Zion, — tell the towers thereof, mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her
palaces ; that ye may tell it to the generation following." Psalm xlviii. 12, 15.
VOL. IL
EDINBURGH:
rraxTED for thomas Hamilton, London^ and
E. MONTEITH Sf CO. EDINBURGH.
1820.
rnntrJ by TUIfoui -ind CUrkf .
Kainburi:h, IH?H.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II,
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
CHAPTER I.
Christianity Introduced—Popery follows, and gains ground about
1100 years— Resby, Craw, Hamilton, Wishart, Mill, &c. burnt
for opposing it — and many others persecuted 1
CHAPTER n.
Protestant Reformation pushed on by Knox— Promoted by the No-
bility and others, opposed by the Queen Regent— Established by
the Parliament, A. D. 1 560— Confession of Faith— First Book of
Discipline — Reformation carried on by the Ministers and others
in opposition to Queen Mary— and under the Earl of Murray
further established— Morton attempts to introduce Prelatic
Church Government, but is opposed by Knox, who soon after
died— and others — Second Book of Discipline is formed 15
CHAPTER nr.
King James VI. introduces the National Covenant; and Presby-
teries formed— He once and again labours to establish Prelacy
and his own Erastian Supremacy— National Covenant renew-
Jv CONTENTS.
Page
cd — Prcibjflcrian Church Government established— Assembly
Covenant with God, and earnestly promote Reformation '^•^
CHAPTER IV.
King James favours Papists, and by captious questionfi — Clergy-
men's Vote in !*arliament — Constant Moderators — Packed Ge-
neral Assemblies — Introduction of Diocesan Bishops and Po-
pish Ceremonies — And by Persecution of the Faithful about
twenty-seven years, terribly defaced the Church — King Charles
I. and Archbishop Laud, for about thirteen years more, incrcas-
«d her misery, by supporting Amiinianism and Prelacy, and
obtruding more Sup«r»»itlon "^
CHAPTER V.
By bold and piudi-nt Remonstrances — by solemnly renewing their
Covenant with (lod — by warlike Defence of themselves against
Charles I. and Montrose, his Lieutenant — by entering into a Co-
venant with, and assisting the English — by opposing Hamilton's
Knpapcmcnt — by adopting new Standards or Doctrine, Wor-
ship, Discipline, and Government, and by many excellent Acts
of Assembly and Parliament, the Covenanters carry their He-
formation to great Perfection, between 1637 and IGol I'^D
CMAPTEii VI.
By the rash Admission of King Charles II — by public Resolutions
oflhcCommisjiion to please him — by his unlimited Restoration —
RcesUblishment »>f Prelacy — Im|>ositionof sinful Oaths and De-
c laraiionii, and Bond? — And terrible Persecution of all faithful
Adherents to their Covenants wilh(;o<l — sind cyvnbyhh Im{nlf,in.
rirjofthc IcM Faithful — and by the Labours of King Jame* VIL
i<» introduce Pofxry. the once attained Reformation is almost
ml inly ruined, l>ctwccn Id'A and 16W ^^
CHAPTER Vn.
Kini; William btu»- enthroned. Prelacy it abolished, and Presby-
tery ic-e*t«bli-.hnl — Many, but not all. grievances iitlitrNted —
Mjny jrtHMl Ait.% o( AsMuiblitf — Religion •Jmost at a stand for
CONTENTS. V
I'agc
Qlwve twenty years— but afterwards much hurt by the Union
Settlement — By the Abjuration Oath — Toleration Act — Resto-
ration of Patronage — Condemnation of tho Marrow — Simson,
Glass, Campbell, Wishart, &c/s Errors — Manifold divisions
thereby occasioned 375
AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE RISE ANp
rUOGRESS OF THE SECESSION.
COi^IPENDIOUS HISTORY
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT
OF THE
MOST MATEHIAL TRANSACTIONS SINCE THE INTRODUCTION
OF CHRISTIANITY TO THE PRESENT TIME.
TOGETHER WITH
A HISTORY OF THE
COMPENDIOUS HISTORY
OF THE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
CHAPTER I.
Christianity Introducedr— Popery follows, and gains ground
about 1100 years — Resby, Craw, Hamilton, Wishart,
Mill, Sfc. burnt for opposing it — and many others per-
secuted.
Who first published the gospel of Christ in North
Britain we know not: But, from our ancestors'
zealous attachment to observe their Easter upon the
1 4th day of the moon, we are tempted to think that
some of their first preachers had come from the
Lesser Asia, after that superstition had become fa-
shionable there. It is said, that about A. D. 203,
King Donald I. and his queen, with several of his
nobles, embraced the Christian religion ; and that
Cratilinth, about seventy years after, more fully
established it, and abolished heathenism. Probably
vor,. I. B
\l A CU.MrENDIOUS HISTORY 01 THK
llic terrible persecution raised by Diocletian, the
Roman emj)eror, about A. D. t502, obli/;ed both
preachers arj»l other Christians, in the south parts of
the ishind, to flee northward, where his power could
not reach them. — Palladius, coming from Rome, in
the .Olh century, to assist our preachers in their op-
position to the Felatiian heresy, is said to have intro-
duced diocesan prelacy, and to have sent St. Patrick
from near Glnsi^ow to Ireland, in order to christia-
nize the inhabitants, or to introduce bishops among
them. But so inconsiderable was the power of these
j)rimary bisho|)s, that it was not till about six hun-
dred years afterward that they had any fixed dio-
ceses in Scotland. About this time, Hildebert, Se-
dulius, Columba, and other learned men, flourished
here, antl were encouraged by Congall our kin^^.
And in this, or the next century, Kintogern, Bal-
dred, Conval, INIornan, Cormack, Ilebred, l^unstan,
Jonas, Gabrian, (iall, and Columban, were famed
preachers, 'J'he two last travelled into France and
Switzerland, if not also into part of Italy.
About A. n. .;2(), the Saturnalian festivals of the
heathens, which had in other |)laces been before
transferred to the pretended honour of Jesus Christ,
were introduced into Scotland, and still continue to
be observed in our revels of Christmas and the
new year, under pretence of honouring the birth
and circumcision of our Saviour. In tlie seventh
rentury, Thomian, Cohitnban, Chroman, Hathan,
Herman, Laustran, Slellan, Seigan, Corman, Ai-
Han, Tinan, Colman, Adaman, Chilian, Wire,
Plechelm, Samson, and Chinens, ma<ie a respect-
able figure in the clej ical order. But nu)st of them
were terriblv harrassed by Augustin, Wilfrid,
noniface, arxl other P<mtin{al mi>>i()naries from
Rome, because they refused to suhjrct their con-
.sciences or country' to his Papal Alajesty, and op-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. O
posed the observation of Easter on the day ap-
pointed at Rome, as well as the imposition of celi-
bacy on the clergy, and of their shavin^r of their
heads in the form of a cross, to mark their mission
from Christ. In the eighth century, we find a
considerable number of learned men, of whom John
of Air, Alcuin, Clemens, and Raban, favourites of
Charles the Great of Germany and France, appear
to have been the chief; but whether they were all
natives of Scotland I know not.
About A. D. 860, a Synod held at Scoon enacted,
That all clergymen should reside at their charges ;
instruct their people by their example, as well as
by their doctrine ; that they should keep no hawks
or hounds for hunting; that they should neither
cany warlike weapons, nor plead any civil causes.
Constantine, the king, also enacted, That drunken-
ness should be punished with death ; and that none
should take above one meal a-day, or accustom
themselves to lie on soft beds. About A. D. 904^,
King Gregory, in a convention of states at Forfar,
is said to have exempted the clergy from all taxes,
service in war, or subjection to civil courts; — and
to have given them power to draw tithes, enact
ecclesiastical canons, and judge of matrimonial and
testamentary causes. It was moreover €n acted,
that every king, at his coronation, should swear to
maintain all the clerical privileges. About A. D.
977> Beornel, or Bernet, a Scotch bishop, and
others, were summoned to England, to have their
heretical principle of the lawfulness of priests' mar-
riage disproved and condemned. Dunstan, bishop
of Canterbury, their principal opponent, by causing
the beams of the floor on which they sat, to be
secretly cut, that it might sink under every one
but himself, pretended that their fall, while he re-
u^ained safe, plainly marked the decision of heaven
4 A ( U.MPKNDIOUS IIISTOKY OF THE
in his favours. AI)Out the beginning of the eleventh
century, King Malcolm fixed the bishops to parti-
cular dioceses, and erected the bishoprics of St.
Andrew's, Glasgow, IMurray, Caithness, Murthlack,
and Aberdeen. Turgot was the first bishop of
St. Andrew's. In this century, Marian, Patern,
Amichad, Sigebcrt, and Elias, Scotch preachers,
made a respectable figure in Germany. Kings
began to be anointed at their instalment. About
A. D. 119<S, King Alexander, suspecting the in-
trusive ambition of Thurstan, archbishop of York,
desired Radolf of Canterbury to provide a bishop
for St. Andrew's : and notwithstanding all that
Thurstan could do to oppose it, one Eadmer w as
sent. But he, refusing to profess his subjection to
the Cantcrburian see, was soon obliged to relurn
to England.
In the twelfth century, kings and others appear-
ed madly intent on promoting Monkish tkvotion.
The abbeys of Scoon, St. Columba, Jedburgh, Kel-
so, Melrose, Newbottle, Holyroodhouse, Kinloss,
Cambuskeneth, Dundrennan, Ilolm and Coultram,
and two convents at Newcastle, and one at Ber-
wick, and aButher at Carlisle for nuns, were built,
and endowed with revenues mostly by King David,
who also erected the bishoprics of Ross, Brichen,
Dunkeld, and Dumblane, and was rewarded with
the honour of a Papal Saint. His successors
founded the abbies of Coupar, Angus, Sawtry,
Abcrbrotliick, Balmerino, and the convent of ^lax-
WL'l. Tiu' prior of St. Andrew's, Richard a canon,
and David a presbyter, were the most noted for
learning. The Scotch clergy, !)eing cited to a
council at Northampton, boldly refused all subjec-
tion to ilif archbishop of York, (iilhert, a young
canon, was their principal disputant. The convent
of Si. Andrews' election of an Englishman to that
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 5
Bee, occasioned a furious contest between King
William and the Pope, who had laid the whole
kingdom under an Interdict of all religious service,
had not Scot, the elected bishop, by his earnest
supplications, prevented it.
In the thirteenth century, the Franciscan and
Dominican monks spread themselves into Scotland.
King Alexander II. having assisted the French
against King John of England, now an absolute
slave and deputy of the Pope, his holiness laid his
whole kingdom under an Interdict. When his Le-
gate afterward came to declare the nation absolved
from this dreadful curse, he so terribly oppressed
them, that they were forced to complain of his
conduct at Rome. Another Legate quickly fol-
lowed, to raise contributions for carrying on the
holy war in Canaan. Having spent what he got in
debauchery, as he returned, he pretended that he
had been robbed of it. Another Legate was sent
from Rome to demand new contributions : but
king Alexander prohibited him, or any other, on
any such errand, to enter his kingdom. Not long
after, Ottobon, and afterward Rustani, were sent
to require payment of the Pontifical dues. But
as king Alexander III. prohibited the raising of
money in his kingdom, without his special allow-
ance, they dared not to enter the country. In this
century were founded the monasteries of Pluscardy,
Beauly, and Archattan, the nunneries of Hadding-
ton and North Berwick, the Abbey of Culross,
and another in Galloway, and the famed cross of
Peebles. Gilbert, Earl of Strathearn, bestowed
one-third of his estate on the see of Dumblane,
and another on the abbey of Inchaffray. From
the death of Alexander, in A. D. 1285, to the end
of the next century, the furious contentions be-
tween the Bruges and Baliols for the royal dig-
6 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
nity, and tlie treacherous invasions and oppressions
of the English thereby occasioned, diverted the
Scots from their mad sii{)erstition, and ahnost de-
solated the country. Neither party rep^arded the
Papal mandates of peace, but as they tended to
their own interests.
In A. n. 14-07, Resby, an En<:^lishman, and in
I K'il, Paul Craw, a Bohemian, were burnt as he-
retics, by order of Henry Wardlaw, bishop of St.
Andrew's, who founded an university there, a!)out
14-12. Bishop Kennedy, his successor, built the
college of St. Salvator. Patrick (Traham, who
succeeded him in 1 l-(j(i, got himself declared an
archhislwp, to whom all the other (' jcesans were
required to be subject. But their opposition,
and the strugglings of Shevez for the office of
archdeacon, made him delirious. Shevez, by the
Pope's assistance, obtainec! the see. He and lilack-
ater, who was made arciibishop of Cxlasgow about
1480, spent their strength in fierce contentions
about pre eminence. iMcanwhile, some Waldtnses
or W'ickldntes, had taugiit in ti.e counties of Kyle
and ('unningham, TJiatno images ovght io he made or
wurshij)])C(l : nor nllcs of saints adored; that it is
not tan/ lit tu propagate the Christian religion In/ force;
that Christ gave the power of tnnding and loosing to
Peter ^ hut not to the hishops of Home as his successors:
that Christ appointid no clerical consecrations ; that
the hread and vine in the Lord's supper retain their
original suhstance q/lr their consecration ; that no
tithes ought to he jniid to the clergij ; that every he-
lievcr in Christ is a jirirst ; that the Pope is not the
successor of Peter, unU-ss iyi his Satajiical hinderance
of Christ's work ; that he deceives the people with his
liulU and Indulgences ; that masses are of no use
to souls in Purtratory ; that clerical hencdictions are
cf no value; that the Pope sets himself above and
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 7
against God ; that he cannot remit the pains of Pur-
gatory ; that clerical excommunications are not to he
feared; that it is never lawful for Christians to swear;
that true Christians every day feed upon the body of
Christ: For spreading of these opinions, perhaps
partly misrepresented by their enemies, about thirty
persons were summoned before the privy council.
But they answered with such confidence and strength
of reasoning, that it was thought safest to dismiss
them.
While king James IV.'s brother and bastard son
were archbishops of St. Andrew's, things w^ent on
pretty quietly. But after the death of the last, a
furious contention for that wealthy see, between
Dougfas of Dunkeld, Forman of Murray, and Hep-
burn, prior of St. Andrew's, took place. At last
Douglas yielded, and Forman obtained it, on con-
dition of his paying a life-rent of 3000 crowns to
Hepburn. Meanwhile, or afterward, the learned
doctors of the university were busied in disputing.
Whether the Lord's prayer might be addressed to
the saints ! Pretended relics being in great repute,
a Romish pedlar, who had a large stock of them,
opened his pack near Haddington. Among other
rarities, he presented a bell which had a rent in it,
said to have been occasioned by a false oath ; and
pretended, that such w^as its sacred sensibility, that
if any person with his hand on it, dared to swear
falsehood, it would rend, and the swearer's hand
cleave to it ; but, if nothing but truth w as sworn,
it would not rend, or the swearer's hand stick to it.
One Fermor, a sensible man, bent upon exposing
this pretence, begged allowance to swear with his
hand on this beli ; and holding it up to the multi-
tude, that they might see in what condition it and
his hand were, he laid his hand upon it and so-
lemnly swore, That the Pope xuas Antichrist^ and his
S A roMPExnious history of the
(urdinals, ai'chb'ishops, bislufps^ priests, and monks^
locusts come from hell to delude men from God, and
that the}/ woidd return to hell- Lifting his hand
freely from the hell, he held it up to the multitude
that they nii^^ht see that no ehan^e had been made
upon it ; and that, according to its owner, he had
sworn nothing hut the truth. The pedlar sli[)t ofl*
ashamed, nor did any more of his sort trouble the
nation.
iNTcan while, about A. D. 1528, Patrick Hamilton,
abbot of Ferm, having in Germany drunk in consi-
derable knowledge of the truth from Luther, Me-
lancthon, Lambert, and others, he on his return,
communicated it to his friends. He was accused
of maintaining, That mens siji fid corruption of nature
remained after their Ijaptism ; that no man can, by the
power of his own Jree will, perform any thing spiritu-
alhf c;ood\ that no man is without sin in this life; that
every true Christian may know himself to be such; that
men are not justified by good works, but by faith only;
t/uit good works do not make a man good, but a man
being made good by God^s spirit, performs good
works ; that evil works repented of do not make a man
Intd ; that faith, hope, and charity, are inseparably
coniweted ; that without the assistance of God's gra-
cious influence we can do nothing but sin : that it is
devilish doctrine to assert, that mens actual penance
can purchase God's pardon of their sin; that auri-
cular confession of sin is not necessary to salvation ;
that there is no Purgatory ; that the Old Testament
saints were in heaven Itefore Christ^s death ; that the
Pope is Antichrist, and hath no more power than any
ordinary priest. He maintained before their court,
that the f^^t seven of these* assertions were cer-
tainly true, and that he could not condemn the
seven last till he saw better reason than ever he
had done. He was therefore condemned to be
CHUUCH of SCOTLAND. 9
tnirnt. While he was in the flames, Fiiar Camp-
bell and some others plagued him with entreaties
to recant. He solemnly summoned Campbell
speedily to answer at God's tribunal for his con-
duct so contrary to his own conscience. Campbell
soon after died miserably, frantic and desperate.
Mr. Hamilton's brother, James, and his sister, Ka-
tharine, were also prosecuted for heretics : but
king James secretly conveyed them out of the
way.
While Boethius, principal of the college of Aber-
deen, and Mair, professor of divinity, and afterward
provost of that of St. Andrew's, by their l>atin histo-
ries of their nations, encouraged others to the study
of learning, the burning of Hamilton roused multi-
tudes to examine whether his principles were truth
or error, and found them supported by Sciipture.
Friar Seaton taught, That the law of God is the onlij
rule of righteousness ; that no man can satisfij for his
own sin; that pardon of it is only obtained by true faith
in the merits of Christ and an unfeigned repentance ;
that the Scripture requires bishops to preach the gospel.
Being persecuted by his superiors, he fled into Eng-
land. Gavin Loggy and William Airth began to
perceive the truth, and in their sermons to expose
the wickedness of the clergy. Henry Forrest of Lin-
lithgow, a simple priest, who used an English New
Testament, having been decoyed by his confessor to
acknowledge, that he thought Mr. Hamilton a good
man, and his articles defensible, he was treacher-
ously discovered, imprisoned, and burnt. Several
were prosecuted for heresy, but recanted. David
Straiton, who had been converted from a most fu-
rious and turbulent profligate, and Norman Gour-
lay, were condemned to the flames for their denial
of purgatory, and of the Pope's jurisdiction in Scot-
land. Alesse, Fife, iNPDougal, and M'Bee, com-
VOL. T c
10 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
jirarrd not, hut lied '\ntn V.nu;\i\m\. After the death
of Lord Cromweh the first three retired thenee into
S«i\ony; and at Last Fife returned to Scothand.
IVF'Bee n^tired to Denmark, and \\ as remarkably
useful in promotinc: the reformation r)f that country.
In 15d8, Killore, Belfrai^e, friars; Simson, a priest;
Forrat, a canon ; and R. Forrester, were hurnt for
h(Metics. The hishop of I)unk( Id had warned For-
rat, that his preachini^ every Sabbath rendered him
suspected of heresy, and advised him never to
])reacli on the (pistle or f;osj)el of the day, but when
it was a e^ood one; and thanked his Maker, that
lie had lived well many years, without knowing"
cither Old or New I'estamcnt. Russel, a ^rey friar,
and Kennedy, a young man of 1<S years of age, sub-
mitted to the llames with great piety and cheerful-
ness, for the sake of the truth.
.Tames l^eaton, archbishop of St. Andrew's, dying,
his ne|)hew, the Cardinal, succeeded him. He im-
mediately commenced a prosecution against Sir
.Tohn F^orthwick, for holding. Thai /he Pope had no
greater authority than other tjtshops; that his indul-
gences and remissions hut deceived the people \ that cler-
gyrnen miu;ht laitfu/lj/ marry y that the reformed princi-
ples, worship, and government embraced in England,
were commendable \ that clergipnen ought not to possess
temporalities, but kings should convert ecclesiastical re-
venues to other pious uses ; that the canon law can be
of no force ^ because it is contrary to the law of God;
that the friars and monks ought to In' affolished ; that
thr Pope was guilty (f simony, in his setting of spiri-
tual things : — as also for refusing to acknowledge
the Popf's authority, and for reading and distiibut-
ing copies «.r the Knglish New Testament, and other
heretical books, l^ut to save himself from the
flames Sir .lohn eseajied into Fnglaiui.
King ilcnry VTH. of England, having sent to
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 11
his nephew, king James V. some books of the Eng-
lish Reformers for his illumination, and solicited a
friendly meeting with him at York, in order to ad-
vise him to a similar reformation of religion in Scot-
land, the Scotch clergy, dreading the most fatal con-
sequences to themselves, warmly remonstrated to
James, how offensive such an interview with his
heretical uncle would be to his Holiness and all
good men ; and how dangerous to himself. They
promised him an yearly compliment of 50,000
crowns, and insisted that, by confiscating the
estates of such noblemen as Avere guilty of heresy
and rebellion, he might raise 100,000 more. Per-
suaded by their solicitations, he declared war
against his uncle. Some terrible visions, and the
death of his two sons in one day, were thought to
be warnings from God against proceeding in this
war. — He had no sooner heard of the defeat and
shameful rout of his army of 10,000, who, under
Oliver Sinclair, had marched into England, by
about four or five hundred undisciplined peasants,
than he died of grief, A. D. 154'^. Not long after,
the Committee of Estates allowed the nation to
read the English Bible, till the bishops should pub-
lish a better. But cardinal Beaton, having got a
testament forged for the late king, which declared
himself the principal Regent of the kingdom, for
Mary the royal infant; and having got out of prison,
and even decoyed Hamilton, Earl of Arran into his
views, he commenced a furious persecution of the
protestant heretics, particularly in Perth. Some
were executed, others banished, and Lord Ruthven
deprived of his provostship. In Angus many were
prosecuted for reading the New Testament, which
was pretended to have been forged by Luther-
Some were executed for refusing to pray to the
J 2 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTOHY 01 TUF,
Vir;4'ln IVFary; and five, on suspicion that they had
eaton a goose on Fr'ulajf.
Jn J.5H', (xcorpc Wishart, a native of Mearns,
ljef;^an to preaeh the izospel, es])ecially at Montrose
and Dundee. Beaton drove him from the hitter,
but not till he had warned the inhabitants, that
God would speedily punish their coi\tenipt of the
gospel. To the inexprest^ible vexation of the arch-
bishop of Glasgow, Wishart, with great zeal, and
no inconsiderable success, retired to the west of
Scotland, and there i)reached the glad tidings of
salvation. Being informed there, that on the 4th
day after he had left Dundee, the plague had bro-
ken out among the inhabitants, he hastened back
to them with the ofiers of mercy, in the midst of
their distress. He soon afterward preached at
1 laddington, and observing, that though thousands
attciulcd a stage play, yet scarce an hundred at-
tended liis sermons, he denounced the vengeance
of (toJ against the inhabitants ; which soon after
overtook them bv means of the French and Knijlish
in the siege and deience of the place. After several
narrow escajx^s, he was apprehended at Ormiston
in l^ast Lothian. Contrary to the solemn promise
of Bothwel his apprchender, he was at last delivered
up to Cardinal Beaton, carried to St. Andrew's,
and there condemned to be burnt. After he had
received the Lord's su])per in his prison, together
with the caj)tain of the castle, he cheerfully suffer-
ed, foretelling the uidiai)py death of the Cardinal,
whi), Irom his window, pleased himself with the
view of his torments ; — as be had formerly done
the remarkable illumination of the kingdom with
the g(Kpi I of Christ.
To tlie great satisfaction of the Popish elergy,
Beaton had appointed that none should pray for
the soul of the heretical \Vi<liart. under tliehii^hest
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 13
pains. But not lon^ after, two Leslies, William
Kirkaldy, James Melvil, and a few others, surprised
the Cardinal in his castle, and having killed him,
showed him to the mob from that very window
from which he had glutted his cruel eyes with the
burning of Wishart. In killing him, James Melvil
solemnly protested to him, that he bore him no
private grudge, but laboured to avenge his treacher-
ous and horrid murder of that man of God. The
conspirators and their friends, to the number of
about 140, defended themselves in the castle, till
they obtained a capitulation. John Rough, an Eng-
lishman, was their preacher in the castle, and after-
w^ard John Knox, a native of East Lothian, came
and assisted him. They were accused of preaching
in the castle and town. That no mortal inan can he
head of the church; that the Pope is Antichrist, and
not so much as a member of Christ'' s mystical body ;
that every man is bound to receive the religion received
from God\ that the sacraments ought to be administered
in the manner prescribed by Christ, and exemplified
by his apostles, that the Mass is abominable idolatry y
and a blasphemous reproach of our Saviour* s death;
that such bishops as do not preach are not true ones;
that the law of God doth not necessarily appropriate
the tithes to the clergy. But as Mair, the provost of
the university and prior of the abbey, favoured their
tenets, they escaped with an admonition. Rough
returned to England, and there, by Bonner's influ-
ence, died a martyr in 1,557.
Notwithstanding their capitulation, the besieged
judging the Pontifical remission obtained for them
insufficient, refused to surrender the castle, and
were therefore anew besieged, and at last obliged
to surrender on the sole condition of having their
lives spared. In 1550, Knox and others of them,
who had been put into gallie$ or prisons, were li-
14 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
IxTatiii in cnnsfNiucncc of the remarkable victory
ot the Kn^hsh at iMusselhur^h. But no sooner
hiu\ tho Scotch managers obtained peace from the
Enc^bsh, than thiy renewed their persecntion of
the lVot('>tants. Adam Wallace, a simple man,
beini; apprehended at Winton in East Lothian,
was condemned and burnt for teaching his ncii^^h-
bours, and for baptizin^^ his own child for want of
a faithful minister; and for denial of Purf^atory ;
and for maintaining that prayers for the dead were
superstitious, the mass an idolatrous service, and
the bread and w ine in the Lord's Supper not turned
into the body an<i blood of Christ. Notvvithstand-
inir their hard work in determining how the Lord's
prayer should be directed to God, and how^ to the
saints, the clergy found time to publish a most piti-
lul explication of it, and of the ten commandments,
which, from its price, was called the Tivopcnnn
Vculh
CHURCH OF SCOTLA.ND. 15
CHAPTER 11.
Protestant Reformation pushed on hy Knox — Promoted hij
the Nobility and others, opposed hy the Queen Regent —
Established hy the Parliament, A. D. 1560 — Confession
of Faith — First hool' of Discipline — Reformation car-
ried on hy the M'misters and others in ojiposition to
Queen Mary — and binder the Earl of Murray further
established. Morton attempts to introduce Prelatic Church
Oovernment, but is opposed hy Knox, who soon after
died — and others. Second hook of Discipline is f aimed.
I^KTURNiNG fi'om England, on account of the
Marian persecution, there begun John Willock and
John Knox, along with Harlow an Englishman,
preached the gospel, and declaimed against the
abominations of Popery. The clergy quickly com-
menced a process against Knox, and soon after
against the other preachers. But so many of their
friends attended them at their trial, and even in
the Regents presence threatened to avenge the
injury done them on their prosecutors, as quite
dispirited them, and made them glad to desert the
diet. At the request of his old congregation there,
Knox retired to Geneva, and thence directed his
appeal to the nobles, gentry, and Commons of Scot-
land, from the bisho[)s, who had raised a new pro-
cess against him in his absence, and burnt him in
effigy. Much about the same time he directed
his appeal to a free General Council, and to the
Xiueen Regent and her subjects.
)G A CO.MPI'.NDIOUS inSTOriY OF Tlin
Dnry, hislioj) of (Talloway, and Pantlier of Ross,
two principal persecutors, dyinf; as brutes, the
buri^hs of Dundee, Pertli, Montrose, Cupar, St.
Andrew's, Mdinhur^d), Stirlinij^, an(i otiiers ; — not a
lew ol' the nobility, the (hike of Chastleraull, now
Hamilton, the earls of Ar^yle, Glencairn, Arran,
INTonteith, Uothes, Marshal, and Morton ; Lord
.lames Stewart, afterward T.arl of Murray ; the
Lords Lorn, Ruthvcn, Lindsay, Ochiltree, Boyd,
Gray, Yester, and Sancjuh.'ir; Sir David Lindsay,
Sir James Sandilands, and other gentry, with mul-
titudes of the commons of Cunningham, Kyle,
Carrick, Angus, INIurray, Lothian, Fife, and Strath-
crn, instructed by Knox and other preachers, and
by reading the Scripture and Christian conference,
])egan to detest the clerical tyranny, an(i to doubt
of the lawfulness of attending ^lass, or offering
their children to Popish bajitism, or of assisting
Government in their maintenance of Popish idola-
try, or persecuting men for their adherence to truth;
or even of cpiietly permitting their fellow-subjects
to be murdered for the sake of religion. They
quickly perceived it to be their duty, to make an
open confession of their faith, and to attempt a
reformation from these evils, of which they had
secretly complained. Being convinced of their
obligation to exert themselves to their utmost for
the abolishment of idolatry, superstition, and ty-
ranny, and to promote the pure administration of
gospel do( triiies and worshij), they resolved to exa-
mine their own strength. Lor this purpose, while
they agreed to hold social meetings at set times for
prayer and reading of the Scriptures, till they could
be pruvitlcHl with preachers, and Argyle and others
took preachers into their families, — they employed
some of their most proper hands, especially in Fife
and .Vn^nis, to travel through the kingdon), and sq-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1*7
3icit the nobility, gentlemen, and burojiers, to
make an open confession of the truth, and to assist
one another in the defence of it. Tliese agents
appear to have carried about with them forvis of
an association^ to be subscribed by such as inclined.
Soon after, they elected rulin^^ elders among them,
to whom they promised subjection in the Lord.
From their frequent meetini^s, they be^an to be
called the Congregation. Laying thejr account
v/ith persecution from the Popish clergy and their
supporters, several noblemen and others, in A. O.
1557, entered into a solemn covenant to promote
the reformation of religion, and to defend each
other in so doing; which was subscribed by the
Earls of Argyle, Glencairn, and Morton ; Lord
Lorn, John Frskine of Dun, Si^c.
Finding, by the return of their copies of asso-
<:iation, which they had sent through the kingdom,
that their reforming intentions were approven by
the most of the nation, they appointed Sir James
Sandilands to present their requests to the Queen
Regent, and to insist, that public prayers, and the
administration of the sacraments, should be in their
own language; that ministers should be elected by
their people ; that the life and doctrine of candi-
dates for the holy ministry should be carefully tried,
and all ministers ignorant or scandalous, deposed,
and others that were fit substituted in their stead.
They represented to her, the reasonableiiess of their
open confession of their principles, and of their
protecting one another against the cruelty of the
Popish priests. In order to procure their consent
to the settlement of the crown upon the daup.hin
of France, who had lotely marri'r'd her da'.ghter
Mary, the heir of it, the Queen Regent pretended
to allow them their pubbc worship in their own
language, providing that it should be performed
VOL. I. D
18 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY Oh THK
without any tninuUs, — and that thtir prcaclieis
should not ofiiciato publicly in Edinhur^^h or
J.cith.
l^ut thr I'.arl oC Ar^-yks after much f'aitliful re-
sistance of the Archbishop's solicitations, havin[(
(lied, u itnes^iiii; to the truth, and other well ai-
fectctl noblemen bein^- removed, probably by poi-
son, in France, — the Popish clerg'y, j)rovoked by
the above concessions, and secretly countenanced by
the <^ueen liCi^ent, resumed their courage in 15.5N,
and fell upon Walter Mill, an a,i,a'd priest. Firmly
adherini; to the truth, he was condemned to the
flames, \\ hich lie endured with remarkable cheer-
fulness. Mis speech at the stake left a very deep
impression on the minds of spectators. They also
procured a sentence of outlawry and banishment
against Paul iVIethven, who had preached about
Dundee and other places of An^^-us. But notwith-
i^tanding- all their malice, the people attended his
sermons, and afforded him necessary support. At
first, the Popish doctors offered a public disputation
on the [)oints of difference. But as the llcformcd
insisted that the Scriptures^ not the canon law,
should be the standard of judi^ment, and that their
banished brethren should be allowed to assist at it,
they refused to comply with their terms.
In conse(|uence of Knox's j)ublishetl a|)peal from
the clerical decision at^ainst him, the Lortls, and
other principal men of the con«;rei;ation, insisted,
that the laws em|)owerin<; the bishops to proceed
against heretics, should be re}>ealed ; that nothin^^
should be reckoned hcrcsi/, but what was contrary
to the fundamental doctrines of (iod's word ; and
that su{ h as were prosecuted for it before civil
judL^cs, should be allowed to except ai;ainst the wit-
nesses, an(J j)ropose their own delences, as well as
other criminals. The Queen Kegent kept their pe-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 19
lition in her pocket, pretending that it was not ex-
pedient to have it read in parliament, as the cleri-
cal members would oppose her designs ; and tliat it
would be more proper, first to procure the favour
of the convocation. The Lords yielded for the
time: but, before the parliament was dissolved,
they solemnly protested, That, since they could not
obtain a just reformation according to the word of
God, it should be lawful for them to believe and act
in mattersof religion, as they could answer to God and
theirownconscience,tilloncethe Popish clergyshould
prove themselves true ministers of Christ, and purge
themselves of such crimes as they were ready to
lay to their charge ; that no Protestant should in-
cur any danger for non-observance of the laws and
rites of the Popish church ; that as they desired no-
thing but an orderly reformation of religion, no tu-
mults, occasioned by the diversity of religions, or
violent reformation of abuses, should be imputed to
them. But, by her fair promises to remember these
points, and to rectify matters to their satisfaction,
the Queen Regent prevented the marking of their
protest in the minutes of Parliament.
It was easily foreseen that all application for re-
dress to the Convocation, in which the principal
corrupters of religion, and whose carnal interest
was closely connected with the corruptions com-
plained of, had the sole sway, could be to no pur-
pose. The Queen Regent having got her point,
relative to the settlement of the crown on Fran-
cis, her son-in-law and countryman, settled, and
being offended with the freedom of some of the Re-
formed, gave plain hints of her intention to crush
them, and to make examples of some of their chiefs,
in order to terrify the rest. Accordingly, in next
spring 1559 she issued a proclamation, requiring all
her subjects to observe the festival of Easter, in the
20 A COMPRNDTOrS HISTORY OF TIIK
W'ontod Popish miinner. Snrli ministers as refused
compliance were summoned !)efV)rp her privy coun-
cil at Stirling, on the lOth of jMay. The Hefor-
incrs SI nt tlie earl of (ilenrairn and Sir Iluf^h Camp-
bell to solicit her favour to their ministers, and to
put her in mind erf lier |)romises. Bnt she iold ihcm
in a fury, that in despite of all their supporters,
these ministers should be banished from the kin^-
don). and that the promises of princes ivere not to
be uroed upon them any further than consistent
v» ith their own convenience. I'he commissioners
replied, that if she renf)iniced her jironiises to them,
they would renounce their subjection to her; and
desired her seriously to ponder the consequences.
rindini; that vast multitudes, chiefly from Angus
and Mearns, were on their way to attend the minis-
ters at their trial, and to n^ake an open confession
of their faith, and being advanced to IVrth. had
«ent John Krskine of l)un to assure her of their
j)eacea!)le ai)proach, she, by flattery, and solemnly
declaring that the diet of council against the mi-
nisters should be deserted, and nothing done to
their j>rejudice, engaged him to persuade his con-
stitui-nts to stop, and disperse themselves home-
ward. ViUt no sooner had she heard of their return,
than she held the meeting of council, and outlawed
th( ministers in their absence. Highly oftcnded
w ivh her (iiiisian treachery, and some other attempts
to niin her Protestant subjects, Erskine posted to
Perth, c\cuseri his former advice relative to their
dispL'i-sion, informed them of the Regent's proce-
dure against their ministers, and warned them to
prcj)an' tor the woi-st.
A nudtituile of the Koformed quickly reosseni-
Wed at Perth ; and Knox, having just returned tVoui
Geneva, pn'ached a warm distourse against the I'o-
pish idoblry. lie had scarce iinished it, when a
6
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 21
presumptuous priest began to celebrate high mass^
and struck a boy, who exclaimed against his unsuf-
ferable impudence. A tumult immediately ensued,
and every monument of idolatry in that church was
destroyed. The mob, assembling, fell on the mo-
nasteries, destroyed all the monuments of idolatry
they could find, and levelled the buildings almost
with the ground ; but permitted the monks to carry
off the spoil. Not one of the protestants took for
his own use the value of a groat. The inhabitants
of Cupar in Fife and other places, served the mo-
numents of idolatry in much the same manner. In-
formed of these things, the Regent vowed to de-
stroy every inhabitant of Perth, man, woman, and
child, and to burn the town to an heap of ashes,
and sow the place with salt. She represented the
Protestants as intending nothing but rebellion. To
refute her calumnies, the principal Reformers made
her a solemn offer of wonted obedience, providing
they could have the word of God truly preached to
them, and the sacraments rightly administered.
They certified her, that if she did not put a stop to
her cruelty, they would defend their brethren, take
arms against their enemies, and manifest their
innocence to Francis and Mary their sovereigns,
and to other Christian princes. They warned her
French troops, that if they attacked them, it should
be at their perd. They entreated the Popish Lords
to refrain their fury till their cause should be tried,
and they have opportunity to manifest the abomin-
able practices of the Romish priests, and the false-
ness of their religion. They warned the Protes-
tants, that if any of them should take arms against
their brethren, they should be held traitors to God^
and excommunicated from their society. They
boldly declared, that, with God's assistance, they
would defend themselves and their brethren against
22 A coMrENnior:^ iiisronv of the
tlicir enemies, though t( n t imcs their number. TJicsc
resolute declarations o( the master of Lindsay, lairds
of Halvaird nnd I.undy, and some other barons of
Angus and I'ile, made a deep inijnession tm some
of the Regent's adherents. They began to doubt
of the lawfulness of persecuting men, who oHered
all due obedience to civil authority, and required
nothing but liberty of conscience, and to have their
religion tried by the word of (»od. As the prelates,
and their clerical agents, to their utmost, suppressed
the spread of their petitions, and inflamed their fel-
low subjects against them, the Jieformers publisii-
cd a declaration, bearing. That if they persevered
iu such conduct, and did not mitigate those ^^ horn
they had inflamed, they would apprehend them,
wherever they could find them, and treat them as
()[)en enemies to God and man ; and that they would
make no peace with them, till they should desist
from their public idolatry and cruel persecution of
God's chiMren.
Iniormed that nuiltitudcs were marching from
the south-west parts of the kingdom to join this re-
solute body, — and finding that lord James Stewart,
prior ol St. Andiew's, the bastard brother of (iueen
Mary, and the earl of Argyle, who had married her
bastard sister, her commissioners to the congrega-
tion at Terth, were convinced that their Protestant
brethren had bein falsely charged with rebellious
intentions, the Regent and d'Oselle, her IVeneh ge-
neral, re>olved to strike u[) an agreement with them
upon as liard terms as possible. lUit the Marl of
(ilencairn, with 'J 'AX) of his friends, having, with
almost in( redible expedition, marchcdovei the moun-
tains westward of Stirling, canu' up before it was
fjni>hed, and obliged her to grant more advantage-
ous terms, vi::. 'J'hat none of the towns should be
challenged for destroying the monuments of idola-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 32
try ; that the profession and practice of the Protes-
tant religion should be freely allowed through the
whole kingdom ; that no French soldiers should
come within three miles of Perth ; and that all
other matters should he left to the determination
of the Parliament. But the Reformers returning
to their own homes, the Regent was scarcely ad-
mitted into Perth, when she changed the magis-
trates, fined and banished many of the inhabitants,
and left behind her a guard of Scotch soldiers in
French pay.
Before their departure from Perth, the Refor-
mers had solemnlij covenanted ]om\\y to promote the
reformation of religion in the nation, and to defend
one another in so doing. The Earls of Argyle and
Glencairn,Lord James Stewart, Boyd, Ochiltree, &c.
subscribed it. Argyle, and Lord James Stewart,
who had mediated in order to obtain the late treaty,
Lord Ruthven, the Earl of Monteith, and the laird
of Tullibarden, finding that it had been so shame-
fully violated, deserted the Regent ; and the two
first, with their assistants, destroyed the monuments
of idolatry at St. Andrew's, Stirling, Linlithgow,
and Edinburgh, and set up the reformed worship ;
and restored it at Perth. She thought to have cut
them off at St. Andrew's : but being informed of
her design, they offered battle to her troops at
Ciipar moor. She fled to Dunbar, though her
forces were ten to one of her opponents : but being
informed that many of the Reformers had gone
home, she in vain attempted to surprise the Pro-
testant lords at Edinburgh. Nevertheless, as she
had the castle, and the French troops on her side,
they entered into a new treaty with her, bearing,
that no Protestants should be molested for what
innovations they had made, till the parliament
should settle these matters, and none of their mi-
Qif A COMPENDIOUS HISTOnV OF THK
r.istcis hv hindered from prearhin£^; that the Po[)ihb
iilolatjy shuuUl not he restored, where it iiad been
suppressed ; and that no soldiers should be quar-
tereil in Kdinhur^h. 'J'lje Reformers would not
admit the mass to Ije celebrated in that city ; but
the Re^^nt restored it at Leith and llolyrood-
housc. The Duke of Chatelcrault havin^^ returned
to them, and his son the Earl of Arran having
joinwl them, the Protestant lords again vovcnantcd
to assist and defend one another in the mainten-
ance of their religion. I^ut the Regent receiving
a reiniorcement of French trooj)s, resolved to force
them back to the Romish delusions. After some
missives had been exchanged, the war began. 'Y\\v
Regent's troops w<?re stationed at Leith, and those
of the lords' at Edinburgh. The lords declared
Jier suspcfidcd from her regency, on account of her
Jiahitual disregard of the welfare of her subjects,
and her oj)i)ression of them by French troops.
Jiut the necessity of their affairs, and the desertion
of some of their party to her, obliged them to re-
retreat to Stirling in no small perplexity. Here
Knox, in a sermon, sharply reproved them for
putting their trust in the Duke of Chatelcrault and
Jiis son, rather than in Ciod, who had formerly
enable<l them to perform what appeared far beyond
thtir ability ; and Ur encouraged them to pray and
bopt; that he Nsould lurtlier interpose in their ta-
vour. 'J'hey applied to (JucH-'n Elizabeth of Eng-
laml for sume assistaiue in men and money. A
.*»um of m(»ney u as sent them; but Hothwel, a
friend of tJ>e Regent, took it by the way. About
eight thousand English also came to their aid.
The lonls having renewed their nuilual covenant,
Bolcmtily engaged to concur with them in expelling
the Flench, whom they besiegul in Leith, with
considerable loss on buth side*. The Fri-nch
CHl/RCH OF SCOTLAND. 25
troops, having repulsed the allies, and slain a con-
siderable number of them, piled up their naked
bodies along the side of the wall. The Regent,
from the castle of Edinburgh, beholding the horrid
spectacle, was transported with joy, and cried.
That it was the finest tapestry ever she had seen ;
^nd wished that all the fields between Leith and
the castle were adorned in like manner Not long
after, she died of a shameful and loathsome distem-
per, lamenting the misery which she had brought
on her subjects, by employing French troops against
them, and professing that she expected salvation
only through the blood of Christ. As she could
not obtain Popish funeral in Scotland, her corpse,
after about five months, was transported to France.
After a short truce, a treaty of peace was finish-
ed in July 1560, between Queen Elizabeth of Eng-
land and Francis and Mary of Scotland, in which
the interest of our Reformers were included ; and
the articles of which were, That Francis and Mary
should never more claim the sovereignty of Eng-
land or Ireland, and should erase the royal arms of
these kingdoms from all their escutcheons and
household furniture; that the transactions of the pre-
ceding year should be buried in oblivion, on both
sides; that both French and English forces should
return home with all convenient speed; that Francis
and Mary should make no war without the advice
of their privy council and estates of Parliament;
nor any of the Scotch nobility assemble soldiers, in
any case not allowed by the laws and customs of
the country, without consent of their Sovereign and
his council; that no foreigners should be put into
places of power or trust ; and that a free parliament
should meet in August next, for settling the reli-
gion and liberties of the kingdom.
VOL. I. F.
^ OO.MPENDKH'S HlbTOllY OF THE
After obscrvinLT a solrnin thank?<;ivini^ to God
for their reinarkaljle ilclivcranre, the Ueforniers
disposeil of their twelve prineipal preaehers to the
best advaiitai^e, John Knox to Mdinhiiri^li ; (Muis-
topher (iootlinan to St. Andrew's; Adam Uerriot
to Aberdeen; Jolin Row to Perth; William Chris-
tison to Dundee ; David Fcriruson to Dunfermline:
and Paid Methven to .Kdhur^h; John Spotswood
was apjiointed superintendent of Lothian and
IMersc; John Winram of Fifr; John Er>kint' of Dun
of An^-us and Meanis ; John Wilhjck oi Clydsdalc
and y\ir, and places adjacent; and John Carswel of
Ariivleshire and the Western Isle^'.
The estates of Parliament assembled Aii^-nst
1560; but as Francis and Mar} liad not fulfilled
their promise, in sendini; up a commissioner to re-
present them in it, there was some dispute whether
its meeting was lawful and valid. Hut it was at
last resolved in the aflirmative. 'j'he Protestant
nobility, ^^entry, buri;esses, and others, presented a
j)etition, craving. That the corruptions of the Po-
pi>h churrh might be condemned and abolished, and
the worship oi the j)rimitive church restored ; that
the authority of the Pope should be renounced and
prohibited; and the patrimony of the church ap-
plied to supj)()rt ministers, teachers, and the poor.
All these demands were readily granted, except the
last ; the nobles, who had seized uj)on the ecclesias-
tical revenues for themselves, being very loth to lose
their prey. — The ministers were a[)pointed to thaw
up a confession of that faith, the civil establishment
of Avhich they requestiul: for hitherto the llelormers
had u>ed the Conjr.ssiofi of (irnrvay as their ecclesias-
tical standard. Heing exhilnted to the jiarliament
on the fourth day after, it was approved, without
the least alteration, and without a contrary vote,
except of Athole, Sommervil a?id lU)rthwick. v, ho
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 27
said, They were resolved to believe as their fathers
had done. The ten Popish clergymen present, whose
interest tempted them to oppose it, were perfectly
silent, which made the earl of IMarshal insultingly
to say, that certainly it contained the very truth of
God. — The parliament also abolished the Pope*s
jurisdiction in this realm, rescinded all acts in fa-
vours of idolatry, and appointed, that such as said
or heard mass should be imprisoned for the first
fault, banished for the second, and hanged for the
third. But whether this or a subsequent meeting
appointed the Protestant clergy to meet in a Gene-
ral Assembly, twice every year, I know not. Sir
James Sandilands, a knight of Malta, who had be-
haved himself very neutrally in the late broils, was
sent over to France with the above mentioned acts,
to get them ratified by Francis and Mary : but his
message was treated with the utmost contempt.
Nevertheless, the Reformers the less regretted the
want of their ratification, as they had so solemn a
warrant for the holding of parliament. Francis'
death prevented the execution of Mary's resent-
ment, as well as the massacre of the Protestants at
Orleans, — for which her Gidsian uncles had got
every thing prepared. Both Papists and Protestants
immediately dispatched their commissioners to in-
vite Mary home to her native country; and the con-
tempt she suffered in France, after her husband's
death, caused her gladly to accept the invitation,
and hasten her return.
Meanwhile, the twelve ministers above mention-
ed, w ith thirty-two ruling elders of note, met in
their first General Assembly, December 20, 1^60,
and approved of the disposal of the ministers, and
presented afo7'?n and order for the election of super-
intendents, ministers, elders, and deacons. As, in
their Confession of Faith, they had scarcely touched
28 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THB
upon church ^^ovcrnment and disciplinr, and did not
fully aij-ree with the Order of (^eneva respecting
funeral sermons and set forms of prayer, they ap-
pointed Messrs. Knox, Willock, Winram, Spot*-
wo d, Row, and l^one^Ias, to draw up a Form of
churr], s;overnmcnt and discipline. They finished it
in a few week-^, and presented it to the privy coun-
cil about the middle of January 15G1, for their ra-
tification But some of the members, perceiving
that their behaviour was to be more strictly watch-
ed, and that it inferred a recovering of the eccle-
siastical revenues, which they had seized, and re-
quired an application of them to pious uses, it could
not obtain a judicial ratification. But, instigated
by Knox, the Duke of Chatelrault, the Earls of
Argyle, Arran, Glencairn, Marshal, Morton, and
Rothes, and the Lords James Stewart, Yester, Boyd,
Ochiltree, Herreis, and Lindsay, the masters of
Maxwell and Lindsay, George Gordon, bishop of
Galloway, Alexander Campbell, dean of Murray,
and oth<'rs, liarons, or burgesses, subscribed an
extrajudicial approbation of it.
This Jirst book of discipline required the abolish-
ment of superstitious days, vou s, meats, prayers,
and of idolatry and all monuments thereof. It
prescribed the manner of administering and receiv-
ing baptism and the Lord's Supper, and other ordi-
nances of public worship; the form of installing
ministers, ruling elders, deacons, superintendents,
and readers of the Scripture, in the church, and
their work ; the form of censuring scandalous per-
ikuns ; the order of the weekly meetings of minis-
ters for the joint exercise of their preaching gifts;
the form of i elebrating marriages and managing
buriaU; aiul rules for towns, parishes, universities,
churdi revenues, and re|)arations of kirks. Our
Reformers considered their superintendents as »
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 29
mere temporary expedient for promoting the wel-
fare of their infant church, widely different from
diocesan bishops. They were to be elected by all
the kirks within the bounds of their visitation, —
to be examined, and admitted by the ministers and
neighbouring superintendents. They were obliged
to preach thrice every week, and as much oftener
as possible, and to visit the several congregations
in their bounds thrice a-year, and put every thing
to rights. They had no sole power of excommu-
nication or ordination allowed them ; but were
themselves subjected to the censures of the mini-
sters of their province or synod, and especially to
those of the General Assembly, to which they were
bound, twice every year, to give an account of their
conduct. In the book of discipline^ ten or twelve
of them were proposed : but, I suppose, through
want of necessary salaries to bear their expences,
their number never exceeded five. Public readers
of the Scriptures were necessary in that infant
state of the church, in which not one of an hundred
was capable of reading them. Their work was to
read some chapters of the English Bible to the
people, especially when, as was often the case, they
had none to preach to them.
Notwithstanding the convention of estates had
no inclination to ratify the hook of discipline, they
appointed the Popish cloisters and monasteries to
be demolished ; in consequence of which, many
costly buildings, much ecclesiastical furniture, and
even many valuable registers and libraries, were
destroyed. But the Popish bishops, abbots, and
priors, being allowed to retain much of their wont-
ed revenues, they disposed of what had been reck-
oned the property of the church as civil property,
to their bastards or otherwise. After the news of
king Francis' death, the Popish clergy and mob of
30 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
lAlinhnrjnh made some attempts aq^ainst the pro-
testant religion, (o which the care and ( ourai^e oi
the lieformers ^^ave a timely cheek, so as, for some
months, scarcely any durst cele!)rate mass, or ma-
nifest themselves Papists hy their manner of wur-
sliip. I^it no sooner had (Jueen Mary returned,
in August l.5(jl, than she restored the mass in her
own ahhey chapel. IIi;;hly offended, many of the
Pr(»testants declared, that they could not be un-
concerned spectators of such gross corruption oi
the worship of God, nor would suffer the land
a^ain to he defiled therewith in their presence. To
deter them, JMary issued forth a proclamation for
protecting her domestics in their idolatrous devo-
tion. The Karl of Arran protested, That notwith-
standing this proclamation, it should he held as
lawful to punish her servants for saying or j)artak-
ing of mass or other idolatrous practices, as if they
were murderers. Knox, in his sermons, and other-
wise, holdly declaimed against the Protestant cour-
tiers, who, contrary to their solemn oath, sufl'ered
the idolatry of the mass to be committed; and
added, that one tolerated mass was more terrible
to him than ten thousand armed forces invading
the kingdom, as it would provoke (fod to give them
up to ruin. To Mary's face, he ])oldly averred,
I'hat the mass was an idolatrous worship; and that
Papists betook themselves to fire and sword, be-
cause they could not support their cause by Scrip-
ture or ri'ason. He viudicated his own conduct,
and maintained, that if ])iinces furiously oppress
and murder their subjects, they may be restrained
and imprisoned. Not long after, the town council
of Kdinhiirgh enacted. That no obstinate I'apist,
mass. priest, drunkard, fornicator, or adulterer,
should be received into their city. In revenge
.hereof, Mary imprisoned the provost, declared the
CHURCPI OF SCOTLAND. 31
city free to all her subjects, appointed the council
to elect a new provost, and caused her own mass
to be more publicly and pompously celebrated.
The second General Assembly, meeting in De-
cember, Lethington, one of Mary's zealous Protes-
tant supporters, gave them some trouble relative
to the lawfulness of their convention without her
allowance, and in opposing their supplication of her
to procure them a civil ratification of their hook of
discipline. The Assembly sustained theanselves
impowefed by Jesus Christ, as head of his church ;
nor, for twenty years after, had any commissioner
from the sovereign any place in their meetings..
Jn February 1562, the privy council, by an act,
assigned two parties of the remaining revenues of
the church to the Popish clergy, and the other third
to the Popish Queen, out of which she was to pay
stipends to the Protestant ministers, some of whom
had 100, others 200, and some SOO merks, assigned
them; which were of the same value as ten or
twelve times as much at present. Knox observed
that it boded ill to the church, when the devil had
the two first parts of her revenues firmly secured
to him, and God had but a poor chance for the last
third.
In their General Assemljly, which met in June
1562, the Reformers agreed upon an uniformity in
the administration of the sacraments, according to
the Genevan hook of comnion order; and that the
life, doctrine, diligence, and faithfulness of the
superintendents, should be tried in every assembly.
They earnestly petitioned her majesty to remove
the idolatrous mass out of her family and kingdom,
and take care. That adulterers, fornicators, blas-
phemers, and open contemners of God, and his Sab-
baths and sacraments, should be condign ly punish-
ed ; that ministers and poor should be proper! v
32 A COMPENDIOUS HlSroitV O! THK
provided for, and kirks duly repaired. Messrs.
Knox and Hay were appointed as oecasional super-
intendents to visit the counties of Galloway, Kyle,
Carrick, and Cunnintrhani. In his travels, Rnox
so eilectually re{)resentcd the dani^er of the Pro-
testant relii^ion from the then prevalence of the
Popish courtiers and their friends, that a great part
of the barons and gentry in the three last mention-
ed places, entered into a Jifth solemn engagement to
promote the true Protestant religion, support their
ministers, and j)rotect each othei ; which was sub-
scribed by the Earl of Glencairn, the Lords Boyd,
Cathcart, Ochiltree, and about 170 or 180 others.
At the next (xcneral Assend)ly, in December, Win-
ram, superintendant of Fife, was accused of slack-
ness in his visitations; and of being addicted to
worldly business, negligent of preaching, rash in
liis excommunications, and rigid in his exaction of
tithes. Erskine of Angus was accused of admit-
ting men to be ministers, and exhorters, or proba-
tioners, without any due trial ; and Popish priests,
and other wicked or ignorant persons to be readers;
and scandalous persons to be ruling elders ; and of
conniving at ministers not residing at their charges,
and not duly attending the weekly exercises of
jirophesying or mutual imj)rovement. Methven of
Jedburgh was accused, deposed, and excommuni-
ratcd lor uncleanness with his servant maid. No
doubt, these blcMuishes in three of the twelve re-
forming ministers, did, in the awful providence of
Ciod, much hurt their cause.
In June, 1563, the Assembly finding that the
superintendents had not been duly laborious and
faithful, or had too much work on their hands, ap-
pointed Rnox and some others, whom they ac-
counted most Uarned and faithful, to visit particu-
lar districts, plant churches, promote the licstiuc-
4
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 33
tion of idolatrous monuments, suspend, depose, and
transplant ministers, as the superintendents did,
and with the sa^ne assistance from con^re<4ations,
synods, meeting^s for exercise, or learned men.
Such as found themselves injured by their minis-
ters, elders, or deacons, were allowed to appeal to
the superintendents and their synod, and from these
to the General Assembly, which, for about twenty-
two years, met once in six months They also
appointed the Earl of Marshal, Lord Ruthven, Le-
thington, and the celebrated George Buchanan, to
revise their hook of discipline, in order to procure
a parliamentary ratification of it. But they do not
appear to have fulfilled their task. Lord James
Stewart having been advanced to be Earl of Mur-
ray, became much more negligent of the establish-
ment of religion, and of punishing mass -priests,
which occasioned a difference between him and
Knox. In a set dispute with the time-serving
Lethington, Knox and Row boldly maintained.
That it was lawful for subjects to resist tyrannical
princes, and to refuse her majesty the use of her
idolatrous mass. Knox was prosecuted before the
privy council for writing some letters calculated to
convene his Protestant brethren for consultation,
when he apprehended their religion and liberties
were in danger; but, notwithstanding all the ef-
forts of Mary and her courtiers to ruin him, he was
acquitted.
A narrative of Mary's refusal to ratify the treaty
of 1560, with her cousin Elizabeth of England;
of Huntley's influence at court, and hindering
Mary's conference with Elizabeth, for fear of here-
tical infection ; his intrigues to ruin or murder the
Earl of Murray, and the remarkable defeat of him
and his rebellious associates in the battle of Cor-
richy, 1.562: or of the Duke of Lenox's return
VOL. I F
Si A COMPRXDIOUS HISTOIIV 01 THE
from Ent^lniul ; and the amours and marriap:e of
Henry, liis son, with the (iucen, notwitlistanding
all that Murray and his friends could do to the
contrary ; of Mary's flattering- the Protestant lords,
in order to obtain their consent to her marria^^e
witli Henry, and consequent contempt of them, and
refusing- to e^'rant them security for their religion ;
lier advancement of Kizzio, the Italian musician,
and shameful intimacy with him; and the nojjles'
slauo^hter of him l)y her husl^and's direction, when
she intended to make him chancellor, in order to
attaint the Earl of Murray and his party, who liad
fled into England ; and of Mary and Bothwel's
iiuirder of Henry, in order to their marriage; and
the prosecution of Mr. Craig, for publicly intimat-
ing his detestation of that marriage, when he was
recpiired to publish the banns of it ; of the nobles'
prosecution of Botlnvel, till he fled the country;
and deposition of Mary from her royal power, as a
subverter of their religion and liberties; and impri-
sonment of her in the castle of Lochleven ; and of her
escape from thence and flight into England ; and
of the nobles' production of the proofs of her whore-
dom with Hothwel, and being his accomplice in the
murder of Henry her husband; and of her plots
against Elizabeth during her twenty vears impri-
sonment in England ; and her violent death by tlie
base and villanous influence of Elizabeth ; — or of
the civil war carried on for seven years with ter-
rible barbarity, between her partizans and those of
James her son, who was crowned, an infant, in
J. 0^)7, would scarcely answer our purpose.
Mary's intentions to extirpate the Protestant re-
ligion, daily became more and more evident. In
I.^f^.O, Hamilton, bastard brother of the Earl of
Arran, was n stored to Ins dignity and revenues of
Archbishop ol St. Andrew's. Ucr pretended kind-
I
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. S5
ness and flatteries gained many of the Protestant
chiefs to her interest. The Earl of IMurray and
some others were highly offended with Knox and
his faithful brethren, for their pulpit declamations
against her Popish idolatry. In order to obtain
their consent to her marriage with Henry, her Po-
pish cousin, she fawned upon the Protestants, and
seemed almost ready to concur with their articles
for the abolishment of Popery, and for provision to
their ministers, schools, and colleges ; and for the
punishment of horrible crimes. But she had no
sooner gained her own purpose, than she peremp-
torily told them, That she would never part with
her mass ; and absolutely refused to concur with
any laws against Popery or profaneness, or to al-
low the ecclesiastical revenues with which her
council had intrusted her, to go for the support of
their clergy. The destruction of Rizzio, her Italian
darling, in her arms, by Ruthven, Morton, and
others, who abhorred his advancement, provoked
her to pretend great kindness to Murray, her bas-
tard brother and his companions, who had just re-
turned from their exile in England, in order that
she might bend all her fury against the destroyers
of her paramour. — Nevertheless, she absolutely re-
fused to have James, her child, for whom the Pro-
testants were so liberal of their thanksgivings to
God, baptized in their scriptural form.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly had enacted,
Tiiat no superintendents should depose any mini-
ster, exhorter, or reader, without the advice of the
nearest discreet ministers, and no longer than till
the following Assembly, which might restore, or
further censure the offenders, as they thought pro-
per ; and that they should excommunicate no de-
linquents, in places where there v/ere no reformed
congregations, without the advice of such as were
3C A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY 01' THH
nearest. They appointed Messrs. Knox and ( Tall-
in draw up liulc.s for the rifj;ht ohscrvat'u)n oj pu' ic
fasts. Tliey presented to the privy council, a so-
lemn Rernonst ranee ai^ainst the restoration of the
Pt)|)ish arehl)ishnp of St. Andrcw*s to his ancient
and now enlarged jurisdiction. They wrote a let-
ter to the Englisli bishops, in favours of their Puri-
tan brethren, that were persecuted for their non-
compliance witli the surplice, cornered cap, and
other remains of Popish superstition ; and also ap-
proved the latest Helvetian (^onfessioji of Faith,
except as to the observation of holy days.
In consequence of a precedini; agreement, many
noblemen and barons met in the Assembly 15(i7,
between the deposition of Mary and the coronation
of .lames her son ; and agreed. That the acts of
1.360, lor establishing of the Protestant religion,
and giving the ministers a third part of the ancient
benefices, ought to be duly executed ; and that, in
the ensuing j)arliament, they should exert them-
selves to their utmost to have the Protestant reli-
gion established upon a sure footing, and to have
every future king bound, by his coronation oath, to
maintain and practise it, as a condition of his sub-
jects' allegiance to him ; — and to have the mass
and (jther relics of idolatry abolished, and th'^ Pro-
testant religion introduced into every part of the
realm ; and to have the horrid crimes of adultery,
whoredom, blasphemy, and the like, duly pu-
nished.
Alter the parliament, which met that year, had
confirmed the election of the Karl of Murray to be
Kr;;i nt (or .lames his infant nephew and king, they
ratified the Coniession ot Faith compiled in ].5()(>,
and declared, That all who should oppose it, or re-
fuse to receive the sacraments in the l^rotestant
manner, should be hekl as no members of thi^
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 37
church. They enacted, That all kin^^s, princes,
and magistrates, at their instalment, should swear
to maintain the true Protestant religion now esta-
blished, and abolish every thing contrary to it, —
and root out all heretics and enemies to the true
worship of God, when duly convicted : They ap-
pointed the thirds of ecclesiastical benefices to be
paid to the reformed ministers, till the church
should obtain full possession of the tithes as her
proper patrimony ; and that, though patrons may
appeal from superintendents and provincial synods,
the General Assembly shall have the final decision
relative to all presentations, from which none may
appeal. They ordained, that no ecclesiastical juris-
diction be acknowledged within this realm, but
what is established in, and proceeds from this re-
formed kirk, concerning the preaching of God's
word, administration of sacraments, and correction
of manners : They appointed Messrs. Knox, Craig,
Erskine, and Spotswood, to mark out what pro-
perly belonged to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and re-
port to next meeting of parliament.
Next year, the General Assembly appointed
Messrs. Craig, Row, Pont, Christison, Lindsay, and
Willock, to revise the Order of excommunicaiion,
drawn up by Knox, and report their judgment. It
was agreed to, and printed before their Psalm book,
and plainly shews. That they reckoned their su-
perintendents as merely occasional officers, that had
no sole power of any kind. They also appointed
an order of electing commissioners to their Gene-
ral Assemblies, bearing. That superintendents and
commissioners for visitation of kirks should all have
power of voting in them ; that ministers and com-
missioners of shires should be chosen by synods ;
that commissioners from burghs should be chosen
by the council and kirk-session of the place ; and
38 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
that ministers should !)e chosen hy turns. After
tiie erection of Presbyteries, ministers were elected
hy them.
'J'he nnirder of the Re<^ent, Earl of IMurray, by
Hamilton of I>(Uh\vel llaui;h, occasioned no small
contention about the ehoice of his successor. And
the Karls of Lennox and Mar filled his place but
a!)out two years between them. Durin^^ tiie re-
gency of INIurray and Lennox, relij^ion prospered,
ecclesiastical courts enjoyed full freedom in plant-
ing" of churches and censurin^^ of offenders, and
other i)arts of their work. In I.O70, the General
Assembly established regulations of their meetings,
that : 1st, After a sermon by the Moderator of the
last Assembly, a new INIoderator should l)e chosen,
^d, The conduct of superintendents and commis-
sioners for visitation of kirks should be tried, dd.
Penitents and scandalous persons shall have their
cases considered. 1th, Matters referred by the
j)receding Assembly, or Lords of Session, shall be
considered. .0th, I'he conduct and accounts of ec-
clesiastical collectors shall be examined, (ith, Pe-
titions from superintendents, and appeals from sy-
nods, shall be heard. 7th, (Juestions projiosed on
the first or second days of the meeting, shall be
considered. 8th, and lastly, Bills and complaints
shall be judged. The Assembly also enactetl, Tliat
every candidate for the ministry should, at his ad-
mission, solemnly engage never to desert his office
under pain of infamy and perjury.
In L'j71, the Assend)ly ordained, That all adul-
terers, murderers, incestuous persons, and other
more heinous offenders, should be prosecuted be-
fore the provincial synods, which met twice every
year ; and that all (juestions should be first pro-
posed to synods, and only such as were too hard
for them should be laid before every Assembly.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 39
Messrs. Knox, Erskine, Winram, Pont, and Row,
having drawn up articles concerning the 'proper
object of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, bearing, That it
belonged to the church to judge of true and false
religion, doctrine, heresy, and every thing annexed
to the preaching of the word, and administration
of sacraments ; — to elect, examine, admit, suspend,
or depose all such as have charge of souls, or enjoy
ecclesiastical benefices ; — to admonish, rebuke, and
excommunicate the scandalous, and receive to re-
pentance, and absolve the penitents ; — to judge of
ecclesiastical pleas between church officers, and of
causes relative to marriage and divorce. They
approved these articles, and presented them to the
parliament for their ratification, along with a peti-
tion. That ecclesiastical benefices should only be
conferred on such as the church should find quali-
fied for the charge. But the Earl of Morton, who
now managed that court, and some other Lords,
abused the commissioners from the Assembly with
insolent language. Morton even obliged John
Douglas, whom he had just before presented to the
arbishopric of St. Andrew's, in the room of Hamil-
ton, who had been hanged for a traitor, — to vote
in the parliament as a bishop, under pain of trea-
son ; though the superintendent had prohibited
him to vote, under pain of excommunication.
In preferring Douglas to the archbishopric, Mor-
ton had secured most of the revenues for himself,
and left Douglas little more than a high sounding
character, and a chance of some Antichristiaii
power. The gain which Morton made by this in-
famous bargain, tempted him and Mar the Regent,
a great part of whose estate consisted of church
property, to enlarge their incomes in the same
scandalous manner, by preferring to bishoprics
such pitiful wretches as could be content with
40 A compi:ndious history of the
episcopal titles and shaiiows of power, and allow
their promoters the most of the revenues claimed
by their sees. These the people called tulchan
bishops, in allusion to calves' skins, stuffed with
straw, and placed before cows, to make them f^ive
their milk. — An occasional nicetin«; of ministers
and others, that used to be members of the Gene-
ral Assembly, pretended to have the power of it,
and marked their stron«^ inclination to comply with
that of the two infamous Earls. Pont was allowed
to be a I.ord of Session, providing that he conti-
nued his ministerial work Encouraged by their
compliances, 3Iar and his |)rivy council appointed
jMorton the chancellor, Ruthven the treasurer,
Adam nominal bishop of Orkney, and Robert com-
mendator of Dunfermline, secretary, and four others,
to meet with their superintendents or their com-
misioners, and along with them to conclude a Form
of chunk policy^ and method of supporting ministers
and the royal dignity, — which might be binding till
his iNIajesty should be of full age, or at least till
the Estates of Parliament should abolish it.
This convention was quickly hold at l^eith. But
it doth not appear that any ministers but Erskine,
Winram, Hay, Lindsay, Pont, and Craig, were pre-
sent. They agreed, That the titles of archbishops,
bishops, deans, and the forms of dioceses, should
be retained as before the Reformation; that a chap-
ter of learned mifiisters should be annexed to every
episcopal see; that in case of a vacancy the dean
or president of this chapter should exercise the
episcopal [)ower; that bishojis should have no more
power than the superintendents, till it should be a-
greed on ; that they should be subject to the (ge-
neral Assembly in every spiritual affair ; that they
should admit none to the ministry without the ad-
vice of six of their chapter: — they agreed on the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 41
manner of the creation of such as should be pre-
sented by the king* to bishopricks ; and that every
one admitted to ecclesiastical functions or livin«»-s,
should swear an adherence to the Confession of
Faith, and an allegiance to his majesty. They
also made some rules concerning* abbots, priors, or
commendators, "i hat they should be men of learn-
ing*, and might be Lords of Session or members of
Parliament, representing the church. They fur-
ther agreed, That no minister should leave his
charge forty days in the year, without express
licence from the king or his bishop; that Readers
might administer baptism, or celebrate marriage,
if it had been duly intimated. They also enacted
some regulations of ecclesiastical benefices, and of
the orders and offices in colleges. The most of
their agreements marked an Antichristian and car-
nal mind. Morton took care that nothing shcmld
be secured to the clergy, but their tithes, which he
knew not how to take from them, unless in dona-
tive pensions to noblemen's servants, or by causing
them to dispone them in fee to their masters.
Mar, being episcopally inclined, highly approved
the above regulations. To the great grief of Knox
and others, John Douglas, who was remarkable for
nothing but compliance with the covetous humour
of Morton, was solemnly admitted archbishop of
St. Andrew's. Knox not only refused to conse-
crate him, but also publicly denounced a curse up.
on the giver and the receiver of that office. In-
formed of these proceedings, Beza of Geneva,
begged of Knox and his brethren, to beware of re-
introducing the plague of prelacy, which they had
thrust out in their Reformation. Nevertheless,
James Boyd was made archbishop of Glasgow,
John Faton, bishop of Dunkeld, and A. Graham,
^f Dumblane. Soon after, we find G. Douglas
G
i2 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
bishop of Murray, and some olhcis, — of Caitliness,
Brecllin, Isles, (iailoway, SsC.
In tlu' end of this yi'ar, l.'>71, died John Knox,
our princij)al Reformer, in a truly humble and
Christian manner. His zeal for, and trust in his
(^od, made him fearless of every thing but sin.
INIorton, who hated him, after his death attested,
that he never feared the face of man. The ma-
jesty of his master Christ, appearing in him, made
his enemies stand in awe of him. (^ueen Mary,
notwithstanding all her levity and wickedness,
owned that she was more atraid of his prayers than
often thousand armed men. He foretold a multi-
tude of unhkely events, wnich were exactly fulfill-
ed, particularly. That the thick walls of the castle
of St. Andrew's should prove as egg shells in de-
fence of the conspirators against Cardinal Beaton;
that the English would not deliver them, but they
would fall into the hand of their enemies, and be
carried into a foreign country; that notwithstand-
ing manifold repulses, God would perfect the refor-
mation of religion in Scotland ; that Queen ]Mary
would be compelled to hear the word of God ; that
since Henry her husband had burned the Psalm
book to please her, God should strike them both
head and tail ; and since he went to mass to j)lease
her, God should make her the instrument of his
destruction; that tht castle of Edinburgh should
spue Sir A\'illiam Kirkaidy over its walls, and he
should be hanged for his obstinate adherence to
the wicked (Jueen ; and that its St. David's tower
should run down liki' a sand glass; that, if 3Iorton
did not study to promotf the welfare of the church
and nation, his regency should have an ignominious
end ; that Th(jmas lAlaitland should die misc'rably
among strangers, and Lethington unhappily at
home, as the punishment of their treacherous op-
position to the cause of Christ.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. -^3
Alarmed by the articles of the convention at
Leith, the faithful ministers, notwithstanding all
the power and influence of Morton, now Regent,
set themselves to o[)pose them. The General As-
sembly, 1573, declared it impossible for any man
faithfully to fulfil the work of a minister, and of a
civil judge ; and prohibited every minister, after
Pont, to accept of a place in the Court of Session.
The complaints against Pont for his neglect of vi-
siting the county of Murray, as he had been ap-
pointed, justified their conduct. They likewise
appointed every meeting of the clergy for exercise
of their gifts to have a copy of the acts of the
assembly ; and that every province should have
copies of the orders given to superintendents, that
they might observe whether they did faithfully
execute them or not. After the General Assem-
blies had, for eight years, laboured in limiting the
power of the new bishops, and in censuring them
for exceeding their bounds, and for their admission
of ignorant and scandalous persons into ecclesiasti-
cal offices, and for their personal negligence and
immoralities, they, notwithstanding much opposi-
tion from Morton, and even from the young king,
put them down altogether, as dregs of Popery.
And, with much deliberation, formed the second
hook of discipline, and declared. That the office of
Readers, Exhorters, and Visitors of the church,
being but temporary, should now cease. Some of
the corruptions complained of, in the eleventh
chapter of that book, were soon after abolishedc
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY, &C. ^
CHAPTER III.
Jk'mg James VI. introduces the National Covenant; and
Presbyteries Jbrmed — He once and again labours to esta-
blish Prelacy and his own Erastian Supremacy — No-
ticmal Covenant renewed. — Presbyterian Church Govern^
vient established — Assembly Covenant with God, and
earnestly promote Refornmtion.
ni^HE French zealots and Spaniards had formed a
sacred league to extirpate the Protestant religion,
and their Popish brethren in Britain were disposed
to join them ; dispensations had l)een sent them
from Rome, allowing them to enter into any en-
jT^agement, by oath or otherwise, in favour of the
Protestant religion, providing they continued firm
adherents t^ the Pope and his religion in their
heart. King James, now about fourteen years of
age, under one of his religious fits, or prompted by
some church-men, or by his favourites, Stewart of
Aubigne, his father's cousin, now made Earl of
Lennox, and Stewart of Ochiltree, now made Earl
of Arran, who, about this time, for difi'erent ends,
professed great zeal for the Protestant religion, —
required John Craig, his minister^ to form a cove-
>:ant or oath, so expressly pointed against Popery,
that no Papist, whose conscience was not utterly
4« A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OK THK
debauclicd, ini<;ht Ix^ capable to swear it. Crai^
<lre\v up wliat hath since !)een ordinarilj called the
national covenant^ which was subscribed by James
and his privy council, the Karls of Ar<,^yle, Lennox,
Bothwel, Uuthven, and the Lords O^ilvy, Cath-
cart, James Stewart, c^c in the beginning- of 1581
James also ajipeared extremely zealous for esta-
blishing order in the church, and making provision
for lier clergy. He proposed, that the nine hun-
dred and twenty-four parishes in the kingdom
should be reduced to six hundred, and these classed
into .////// presbyteries; and that of these six hun-
dred ministers, one hundred should have five hun-
dred mcrks; two hundred of them, three hundred
merks ; other two hundred of them, but two hun-
dred merks ; and the other one hundred about one
hundred merks Scots, for their yearly stipend ; the
least of which being then an ecjuivalent of eighty
bolls of oat meal, these salaries were not so despi-
cable as we are apt to imagine, had they not been
miserably [)aid
(jlad to find the court in such a temper, the As-
scnd)ly quickly fornu d these presbyteries, and sup-
plicated his majesty and coun<il, that there mi;^ht
lie a Judge appointed at Edinburgh, to judge of
wrongs done to ministers, and an act of Parliament
declarin<j; the j)articular grounds of the deposition
of clergymen; and that vacant benefices should be
bestowed upon su( h as minister in the church, not
upon laymen, 'i'hey cited the Poj)ish abbots, com-
m( ndators, priors, priores>es, and bishops, who still
enjoyed the ecclesiastical revenues, and were basely
dilapidating them to compear betore next As-
seml.ly to answer for tiieir conduct. Upon his ma-
j( sty's denianiHng how the third estate of Parlia-
ment was to be now supj)lied, when bishops were
out down, they agreed, That conmiiijbioiiers frou^
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 47
the Assembly should fill their place. But I do not
find that they intended that these commissioners
should be clergymen. They also appointed the
Covenant, which had been lately subscribed by
James and his council, to be subscribed by all ranks
in the kingdom, and that such should be censured
who refused to do so. They prohibited all private
celebration of baptism or marriage, under pain of
deposition to ministers.
No sooner had Lennox, lately converted from
Popery, got rid of Morton his rival, than he laid
aside his religious appearances, and presented Mont-
gomery, minister of Stirling, to the archbishoprick
of Glasgow, in the room of Boyd, and got him ad-
mitted by force ; but secured for himself a great
part of the episcopal revenues. He and Adamson
of St. Andrew's, by their scandalous behaviour, and
by their fraudulent and violent opposition to re-
forming measures, gave their brethren no small
trouble in their assemblies. Montgomery was ex-
communicated ; but Lennox supported him. Bal-
canquel, A. Melvin, Dury, and no doubt other
faithful ministers, thundered forth their declama-
tions against the court's encroachments upon the
spiritual power of the church. Balcanquel and
Melvil were prosecuted, and Dury was banished on
that account.
In consequence of their trouble with Montgo-
mery, the Assembly 1582, under pain of excommu-
nication, prohibited all indirect methods of enter-
ing into ecclesiastical offices ; all asking of presen-
tations from magistrates or patrons ; and all at-
tempts to free themselves from the jurisdiction and
discipline of the church by appeals to. great men,
or courting Uieir favour. They declared all de-
privation from ecclesiastical offices, as well as exa-
mination and admission to them, to belong to the
48 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOUY OK THF
governors of tlic? church ; and that dcpiivatiun is
from njjice, as will as from the salary. J'hey de-
chircd herosy, l\)|)ery, common swearing-, blas[)he-
my, perjury, adultery, incest, fornication, man-
slaut^^hter, theft, common opj)resiion, common
drunkenness, takinp^ of immoderate usury, non-resi-
dence at their charges, unnecessary absence from
them, or nee^hct of the duties thereof for forty days
in a year, >\ ithout very relevant grounds, or their
holding ol' more benefices than one at the same
time, or their dilapidation of the church-rents, or
their simony, to be sufficient grounds of deposing
ministers. They remonstrated to King James,
That, l>y the advice of his counsellors, he had, to
the dishonour of Christ, assumed a spiritual head-
ship over the church, somewhat similar to that of
the Pope ; that ecclesiastical benefices were be-
stowed upon men that were violently intruded into
the ministerial office ; that Presbyteries, Synods,
and General Assemblies were, by letters of horning,
hindered from censuring the scandalous ; that while
Dury was suspended and banished for his faithful-
ness, Montgcmiery, though scandalous arid excom-
municated, was entertained and recpiired to preach ;
that the privy council had, by an act, pretended to
annul his excumnuinication ; that such as abused,
hurt, or murdered ministers or others, concerned
in the prosecution of Montgomery, and other scan-
dalous persons, were not punished, but favoured ;
that, contrary to his promise, Lennox had never
reformed his family from Poj)ery or Papists ; and
that thr laws, which had been made for the main-
tenance of the true religion, and for punishment of
its open enemies, were not executed ; — and insisted
for the redress of these grievances. Lennox and
Arran thought to intimitlate and prosecute the
presenters of this remonstrance. But when they
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 49
saw how boldly A. Melvin subscribed it before their
face, they dismissed them in safety, suspecting that
they were supported by some secret influence.
While James, and Lennox, and Arran his direc-
tors, continued oppressing the church, the nominal
bishops, fearless of censure, abandoned themselves
to their wonted enormities. But the nobles having
rescued James out of their hands, and taken Arran
prisoner, and charged Lennox to return home to
France, the General Assembly appointed particular
Presbyteries to prosecute the bishops of Murray,
Aberdeen, Brechin, Dunkeld, St. Andrew's, and
Dunblain, for neglecting their ministerial work,
and for their familiarity with excommunicated per-
sons, wasting of the church's patrimony, and other
personal scandals. They supplicated his majesty
and estates. That the acts of Parliament, relative
to the liberties and jurisdiction of the church, be
so explained and enlarged, as that she may have
the sole power of the admission or deprivation of
ministers, trial of their doctrine, and stopping of,
or loosing from censure ; that Presbyteries of pas-
tors and ruling elders be legally authorized, and an
adequate punishment denounced against such as
oppose their meetings ; that Synodical and General
Assemblies be authorized to meet as often as they
find necessary for the good of the church, and have
full power to appoint their own time and place of
meeting ; that no league be made with the Papists
abroad, and that such as have, contrary to their
oath, apostatized to Popery, be punished with ban-
ishment or otherwise, as traitors to God ; that pro-
per methods be taken to recover the patrimony of
the church, and provide for her ministers ; that all
presentations be directed to Presbyteries ; that mi-
nisters disabled for their work by age or trouble
H
.♦O ^ (()MJ*k:NI)lul * nU'TORY Of '1 H K
f njov their salaiii's for lite. 'I'hey also declared all
baj)tism of infants hy laics to he void and null.
For ten months, while the Lords had the direc-
tion of James, ministers had full liberty to exe-
cute their office ; Papists, excommunicated and li-
centious persons, either left the country, or assum-
ed an appearance of Protestant relii^inn and scjher
conversation : the friendship between Scotland and
En<>land revived. James himself, in a multitude
of forms, the convention of estates, and the (gene-
ral Assembly, liad all declared the nobles, takin^]^
him out of the hands of Lennox and Arran, his evil
counsellors, to be a lawful, honest, and good service
to him and the nation, — for which they should
never be pursued. But James's new tutors being
more intent to instruct him in the methods of vir-
tue and lawful government, than to flatter his pride
and other predominant lusts, he soon wearied of
them, and made his escape from them in June 1.3S3.
And, notwithstanding all the remonstrances of the
General Assembly, Papists were as highly favoured
by him as ever. Archbishop Adamson, a drunken
glutton, under pretence of drinking spaw water,
repaired to England, to contrive with the managers
there the proper methods of elVectually introducing
Episcopacy into Scotland. Though scarcely seven-
teen years of age, James returned to his former
work of persecuting such as faithfully testified
against the proceedings of him and his favourites.
Dury was (!harge(l to remove from Edinburgh, an(i
remain at Montrose. A. ]\lelvin was cited before
the privy council for some spx?eches he was said to
have uttered at a public fast. The university of
St. Andrew's presented a solemn attestation of his
innocence, subscribed by thirty of the principal per-
sons in the college and place. But James and his
CHURCH OF SCOTLA^'D. 51
courtiers disregarded every thing that was in fa-
vours of such ministers as were faithful and zea-
lous ; it was only pitiful and scandalous wretches
that they inclined to protect. Melvin compeared,
and after protesting that it belonged to ecclesiasti-
cal courts to judge of his doctrine, he repeated and
vindicated his words. While James and his coun-
cil raged, he laid down his Hebrew Bible before
them, and told them, that there were his instruc-
tions for preaching. After admitting his enemies
to be witnesses, they could find nothing in his
words to make an handle of; and therefore re-
solved to imprison him in the castle of Blackness,
on account of his refusing them to be proper judges
of his doctrine. But he retired into England. AH
these that had been principally concerned in rescuing
James from his wicked directors, were charged to
leave the country, and never to return to Britain
or Ireland without his express licence ; and all
their servants were prohibited to come within ten
miles of his residence.
But few of the ministers dared to meet in the
Assembly 1584. Nor durst even these transact
any business. Faithful ministers were every where
persecuted. Spies were employed to watch their
sermons, and inform the court if they uttered any
words on which they might be prosecuted. Patrick
Galloway suffered no small trouble for denouncing
the just judgments of God against those that sub-
verted the Protestant religion, and abused his ma-
jesty and his authority. Davidson, Carmichael,
Pol wart, and others, were obliged to flee into Eng-
land. After Adamson had laboured to render our
faithful ministers as odious as possible, and con-
certed how to conform the Scotch church to the
English, he returned home. A Parliament was
soon after held in May, with such secresy and dis-
.v2 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOKY of IHK
patch that it was almost ended he fu re it was heard
of. Adani.soii and Montgomery represented the
Estate of bishops in it. A lord of the articles hav-
ing informed some ministers of Edinhurgh of it,
they, in vain, attempted to get access to it. 'J'his
Parliament enacted, That his majesty had the su-
preme authority in all causes ccclvsiu.stlcid as well
as civil ; that all refusing to acknowledge the privy
council as judges in any matter, or pretending tiiat
things merely ecclesiastical did not belong to the
civil jurisdiction, or attempting to diminish the
power and privileges of bisho])s, that were the third
estate in l^irliament, should be held and punished
as high treason; that all holding of assemblies,
ecclesiastical or civil, without his majesty's special
permission or appointment, or the uttering of any
false or reproachful speecjies against him or his an-
cestors or ministers, from pulpits or otherwise,
should be capitally punished. When these acts
were proclaimed, i^alcanquel and Pont protested
against them. James, having ordered the magis-
trates of Edinburgh to imprison all such as dared,
from the pulpit, to utter one word against these
acts, l^alcanquel and Lawson fled into Englanil,
and remitted a faithful warning to their peojile ; to
which James obliged the town council to return a
most abusive answer. I'he ministers replied in a
discreet vindication of themselves. Another l*ar-
liament that year enacted, That every minister,
reader, and niaster of a college, should, within forty
days subscribe the above acts of Parliament, and
solemidy engage to observe them, and to submit
themselves to bishops as their ordinaries, uniier
pain ol' losing their sti])cnds. Craig, and too many
others complied ; but most of the more faithful
ministers fled into England.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 6S
In 1585, Elizabeth having taken ofFence at the
slaughter of some of her subjects by the Scotch bor-
derers, the fugitive Lords returned; and a pestilence
prevailing in Edinburgh and places about, they got
James into their management, and reduced Arran
to his original meanness. But they manifested more
zeal for the recovery of their own civil property,
power and dignity, than for the redress of ecclesi-
astical grievances. When the Parliament met at
Linlithgow, the commissioners from the church pre-
sented to his Majesty a remonstrance against the
Erastian acts of the preceding year, to which he gave
asoftjbut not very important reply. They were thank-
ful that it was not worse, and insisted that he would
confer with some of their most judicious and godly
ministers concerning the discipline of the church, in
order to have it distinctly established by the Parlia-
ment. Not long after, a conference was held be-
tween some of the privy cousellors and some cler-
gymen, who from their allowance of power to bi-
shops and their chapters, appear to have been none
of the strictest.
In 1586, the Synod ofFife excommunicated Arch-
bishop Adamson, for his wicked intrusion of himself
into that antichristian office, and his vi^icked and
contemptuous behaviour in it : But he 'appealed
from them to his Majesty, Estates of Parliament, and
Privy Council; and drawing up a form of excommu-
nication against James and Andrew Melvin, and
others of the more faithful members of the Synod,
he caused his boy, attended by one or two of his jack-
men, to read it in the church ; and notwithstanding
his own excommunication, and a preceding suspen-
sion, he would preach. — In consequence of his sham
submission, corroborated by James's solicitation, the
next Assembly took off, or rather declared null, his
Synodical excommunication; against which Andrew
$^ A CUMPKNDIOUS HISTORY 01 Tiff-:
Mclvin and Thomas Buclianan enteroti their solemn
protest. From the dechirations of the Synods of
Merse, Teviotdale, and Tweedale, it appears, that
the ministers were far enoni^h from unanimity of sen-
timent eoneernin^ the suhs( ription of the I'>a5tian
acts of 1581<. But it is still more plain, that, to se-
cure rest for Arehl)ish()p Adamson, the privy eouncil
appointed A. Melvin, j)rofessor of divinity at St. An-
drew's, to traverse the counties of An^us, Perth, and
ISIearns, for confutin<^ and converting; the trafficking
Jesuits; and Adamson to supply ids place, by teach-
ing two lessons of divinity every week. But as this
change was like to have ruined the college by the de-
parture of all the foreign and other students of divi-
nity, king James, at the university's request, per-
mitted A. Melvin to return to his work. But his
persecution of Gibson and C'owpcr, manifests, that
James still hated all those that dared to testify against
his conduct from the pulpit. He at once banished
all the ministers of Edinburgh, because they would
not pray for his mother's life, before they had pro-
per eviilence of the injustice of her condemnation.
Hesupported Montgomery and Adamson, whose con-
duct was base, and their consciences always at his
nod. Pont was presented to the bishoprick of Caith-
ness ; but it seems, he refused to accept of it.
Lesly, a staunch Papist, who had so zealously sup-
ported Mary in England, was restored to his bi-
shoprick of Ross.
In conse(pience of a remonstrance from the mini-
sters, the Parliament, 1.387, enacted, ^J'hat Jesuits
and trafficking priests, hearers of masis and apostates
to Popery, should be duly prosecuted and punished.
The preceding laws relative to the l^rotestant reli-
gion were renewed and confirmed, by a general act.
And, from reganl to the king's purse, the episcopal
revenues were annexed to the crown; which was a
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 55
stab to the heart of the prelatical interest. In 1588,
James and his Estates made another act against Je-
suits, trafficking' priests, hearers of mass, and re-
volters to Popery. They also entered into a new
bond or covenant to maintain the Protestant religion,
and defend his Majesty's person and authority against
the holy leaguers or others, and to bring Papists and
excommunicated persons to condign punishment;
and, for the more harmonious promotion of these
ends, to submit all differences among themselves
to the arbitration of some friends. About the same
time, the General Assembly prohibited Archbishop
Adamson to marry the Popish earl of Huntley ; and
also observed two fasts, the one upon Thursday, and
the other on the Lord's day; — and agreed, that there-
after, the first day of every General Assembly should
be employed m fasting and humiliation. Another so-
lemn fast was observed about the end of October,
on three several Sabbaths — with which they con-
nected the administration of the Lord's supper.
Notwithstanding the remarkable defeat of the
pontifically blessed Spanish Armada in \5SS, the
earls of Huntley,.Errol, Crawfurd, and others, main-
tained a correspondence with Philip of Spain, and
with the Duke of Parma, in order to promote a
Spanish invasion. The discovery of their treachery
procured pompous, but scarce ever executed, laws
against the Papists. Upon a supplication from the
Assembly, the Bond for religion was again ra-
tified in the council. Orders were issued for about
ninety six ministers, in the different parts of the na-
tion, to convene the godly and well affected of all
ranks, and administer to them the national covenant,
and take their subscriptions to it, and to the late
bond for maintenance of religion and his Majesty's
authority. To prevent tumults by Papists, about
130 of the nobility and gentry were appointed to
5(i A COMPENDIOL'S HIi)TORY OF THF
attend and support them, in this work. The zeal
of the Presbyterian elerii^y for James' safety, mani-
fested in this nnd other matters of that critieal junc-
ture, and their kcepin;^ of liis kin^^dom in such or-
der, while he took his romantic voyage to brin^
liome his new queen from Denmark, so ingratiated
them, that, takini; one of liis rebgious fits, he pre-
sented liimself in their (General Assembly, and ex-
tolled their constitution, as highly preferable to that
of any other church u[)on earth. Archbishop Adam-
son's dying recantation — his profession of his sin in
marrying Huntley in opposition to the authority of
the church, and in opposing his Presbytery, and
slanderously defending the Erastian acts of the Par-
liament 1384 — and of his sorrow for the same, and
his earnest solicitation to be absolved from the ex-
communication pronounced against him by the Sy-
nod of Fife, also encouraged the faithful part of the
clergy.
For the confirmation of their Presbyterian go-
vernment, the Assembly had reijiiired all ministers
and intrants to subscribe their second Book ofdkci-
pline, James, who had rendered himself odious to
many of his subjects, by his continued favour to the
l^Jpish lords, and !)y neglecting to avenge the mur-
der of the late Fail of ^lurray, upon Huntley, one of
them, was become fond of their favour. At their
recjuest, and perhaps by means of iNIaitland his chan-
cellor, who neciled to wipe otf suspicions of his hav-
ing a iiand in that murder, he held a conference with
some of the principal of them — in consequence of
which an act was made by the Parliament, June,
1 .092, rat I filing Preshijterian government^ and appoint-
in f( the rcLtnlar viectnifj; of Assemblies, and assigning
to Si/ nods, Prest)ijtirics, and Sessions, their respective
work : and annulling all former acts in the time of
Poj)ery, contrary hereto, and declaring, that the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 5^
acts of 1584, should not hinder the church to exer-
cise her own intrinsic power in judging ecclesiasti-
cal causes — and annulling the act which granted
commissions to bishops, and appointing all presen-
tations to ecclesiastical charges to be directed to
Presbyteries- — and appointing them to accept of can-
didates presented by his iMajesty or other patrons,
if duly qualified. This Parliament further enacted,
That if patrons did not timeously present a quali-
fied candidate, the right of presentation should de-
volve on the Presbytery. — And they prohibited all
markets on the Lord's day, or erection of church
lands or tithes into tem;5oral lordships.
Notwithstanding this favourable act, it appears,
from the reasons of their fast on two Sabbaths of
December, that a considerable part of the nation
continued perishing in ignorance for want of teach-
ers ; that many of all ranks, especially of the nobi-
lity, were inclined to Popery and Atheism ; that
Jesuits, and other Popish Priests, swarmed without
control ; that blasphemy of God's name, contempt
of his word, and of civil magistrates — treason, mur-
der, adulter}^ witchcraft, and other like abomina-
tions, mightily prevailed. The Assembly appointed
Messrs. John Davidson, Robert Bruce, Walter Bal-
canquel, David Lindsay, and four others, as a stand-
ing committee, to espy the dangers of the church ;
and appointed brethren in the different parts of the
nation to give them j)roper information concerning
Papists and immoralities.
By letters intercepted in the end of this year, it
was found, that the earls of Huntley, Errol, and An-
gus, and others of inferior rank, had continued their
treasonable correspondence with Philip of Spain, and
that it was intended, that S0,000 Spaniards should
invade the kingdom, either at Kirkcudbright in Gal-
loway, or at the mouth of the Clyde, westward of
o6 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOllY OF THE
(ilas^ow. IltTt'iipoii, .lames cinittcd a proclamation
against the guilty, and called Ids sidjjects to make a
resolute stand (or the defence of their country ; and
lie, and a considerable nund)er of his nobles, barons,
and oljieis, entered into a solemn association or co-
venant, to exert thepiseives to their utmost in de-
fence of the Protestant religion, and in punishini^
the traitors. lUit, notwitstanding' all this parade,
James took care to protect his Papal friends, who
sought his life, and the l^lrliament 1.093, as good
as absolved them, under pretence that no proper
proof could be had against them. Tliis render-
ed them and their brethren more and more insolent.
The vSynod of Fife made this a ground of fasting;
and, to James' great vexation, delivered up unto
Satan, Huntley, Eirol, Angus, and Home, and their
principal assistants, as apostates to Popery ; and
Huntley and the laird of Auchindou n, as also mur-
derers of the earl of Murray. Tiie (Tcneral Assem-
bly, not only formed 1-8 |)articular Presbyteries, ap-
pointed rules for the visitation of them, and prohi-
bited ministers to publish any slander against his
Majesty, but also insisted with him to bring the ex-
( omnmnicaied lords to their trial. Chancellor
JNIaitland got that matter relerred to the conven-
tion of Estates, in which, upon a sham submission,
sent u[) in writ, these traitors were absolved from
all past treasons, providing they be good subjects
and Protestants for the future, and pay a certain
fine. This absurd indulgence of the obstinate ene-
niies of the religion and liberties of the nation, high-
ly provoked the zealous Protestants, especially wiien
they ob>erved them, regardless o( the terms of their
absolution, proceeding in their wonted courses.
'i'he Assembly ].0J)1< confirmed the sentence of ex-
conununication inflicted by the Synod of" Fife, and
insisted with James for their condign punishment;
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 59
and that proper methods should be taken to stop
the increase of Popery. He returned them soft
words, which, it is probable, he never intended to
reg-ard. Lord Home got himself reconciled to the
church. The rest, to whom Bothwel, who had for
a time terribly disturbed the nation with his vio-
lences, joined himself, were declared outlaws, and
their estates forfeited. In 1595, we find little more
than the Assembly's appointment of commissioners
to visit colleges, plant vacant churches, and try per-
sons that enjoyed ecclesiastical benefices.
Chancellor Maitland, perhaps chiefly to support
himself in opposition to Bothwel, had for some time
past favoured the church. After his death, the ma-
nagement of matters chiefly depended on the eight
commissioners for the now super-expended royal re-
venues—some of which were reckoned concealed
Papists. In the beginning of 1596 James emitted
a proclamation, requiring all his subjects to with-
stand the Spaniards and all their agents ; but he
took care not to mention the Popish lords as any of
them. Nay, while, in his beggared condition, he was
soliciting the General Assembly for a public con-
tribution in all their congregations to assist him
against the Spaniards, he allowed the wives and
friends of the outlawed Papists to enjoy the whole
of their revenues.
The General Assembly, consisting of about 400
ministers, having met in March, applied themselves
to search out the causes of the Lord's controversy
with the nation, and to appoint measures for the
better preservation of their religion and liberties.
They began with an inquiry into the sins of the mi-
nistry ; and, for remedies of the corruptions which
they found among them, they appointed, That ail
candidates, at their admission, should be carefully
tried concerning their knowledge, prudence, and
60 A COMl'lNlilOUS HISTORY OF THP
Spiritual experience ; that they should be solemnly
int( rrof^ated, what had moved them to accept of the
charge; that ?i<)in' \\\u) in^yicd themselves, oi soli-
cited admission to a place or char«;e, slwxild he adm'd-
fcd, nor any of the Presbytery, who had solicited for
one, be allowed to act in his ele( tion or admission ;
that none should ask a presentation, without advice
of the Presbytery, in whose bounds the charge lay;
that such ministers as shoidd not be i^ivcn to prayer
and diligent study, j)articularly of the Scri])tures —
or, who should not study to be spiritual and power-
ful in their ministrations, and to apply their doc-
trine in opposition to the prevalent corruptions of
the place and time ; or, who should preach in a dry,
scholastic, and obscure manner; or who should be
careless about promoting religion, negligent in visit-
ing the sick, or in taking care of the poor; or, who
should connive at the sins of their hearers, especially
persons of high rank ; or should be slothful in the
administration of the sacraments, or admit to them
peisons ignorant, profane, or scandalous — or upon
little or no trial — should be rebukkd for the first
offence, and be DKroi;KD, if thereafter they conti-
nue in their evil course; — that all admitters of per-
sons to sacraments for money or worldly gain, be
directly deposed ; — that every minister have a ses-
sion, composed of the fittest |)ersons in his congrega-
tion, to assist him in governing his charge ; — that
their discipline strike not only against whoredom,
murder, and the like, but against cursing, profane
swearing, profanation of Sabbath, disobedience to
j)arents, idleness, and want of a lawful calling,
drunkenness, want of God's worship and good order
in faniili<'s, neglect of the religious education of chil-
dren, lying, slander, backbiting, and breach of pro-
mise— and that all ministers that persevere in the
neglect hereof be detoskd : — That none that fall
1
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 61
into scandal be readmitted to fellowship in sealing
ordinances, without proper evidence of repentance :
That such ministers as dilapidate benefices, or de-
mit them for favour or money, or exchange or set
tacks of them, or tjiat transplant themselves with-
out advice of the church, be censured: That all mi-
nisters, that are light or wanton in their behaviour,
apparel, speech, or company, or that sport them-
selves with dancing, cards, or dice ; or that keep
inns, take immoderate interest for money, bear
worldly offices in families of great men, deal in mer-
chandise, forestalling of corn, or other worldly oc-
cupations, tending to discredit their office, or divert
them from their work — or that are liars, revilers,
backbiters, flatterers, breakers of promise, braw-
lers, or quarrelers — be dk posed, if they do not re-
form, when duly admonished: That no minister wait
upon the court, or commence a law suit of impor-
tance, without the allowance of his church : That
such as, notwithstanding admonition, take no care
to cause their family behave in a sober and religi-
ous manner, shall be judged unfit to govern the
church of God : That such as do not study to be
every where edifying and spiritual in their conver-
sation, be rebuked : And that none take part with
scandalous persons, who are under process by their
brethren. — In order to impress these matters more
deeply on their consciences, Mr. John Davidson of
Prestonpans, after he had read and briefly explained
the 3d and 33d chapters of Ezekiel relative to the
duty of Watchmen, laid home their sins to them,
with such faithfulness and power, as issued in much
deep contrition of heart, and solemn confession of
sin, renovation of their national covenant with God,
andengagementto walk more warily and labour more
diligently in their charges. Not a few of the clergy
being absent, the Assembly appointed, that there
62 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
shoukl be like limniliation and c()V(?nantin^' with Cod
in their synodical ineetin;;s ; and in Presbyteries,
for the sake of such as could not attend at Synods.
The covenant w as also renewed in many con^rej^a-
tions; and where it was not, the subse(juent lielec-
tion quickly appeared.
Tlie As<eiubly further represented to all ranks in
tlie nation their aboundin*^' wickedness — in the de-
cay of zeal for the cause of God — the prevailing i£^-
noranre and C(>nteinj>t of (iod s ordinances — the ne-
glect of his worshij) in families, or masters turning
over the performance ol it upon their cooks, or other
servants — the neglect of spiritual converse, and pre-
valence of that which is carnal and profane — the
countenancing of idolatry and superstition — the ob-
servation of Popish festivals, bonfires, ])ilirrimages,
singing of carols at Christmas, \:e — blasphemy of
(iod's name, or cursing in common discourse; pro-
fanation of the Sabbath, by the labours of seed-time
and harvest, and by journies and trysts about civil
business, or by carnal sports and recreations, danc-
ing, drinking, or keeping of markets; — neglect of re-
lative duties, and of the religious education of chil-
dren and servants — orchildren commencing law suits
against their parents, or giving themselves in mar-
riage without regarding their consent; — murders,
or countenancing of murderers; — adulteries, forni-
cations, incests, unlawful marriages and divorces,
legitimation of adulterous or other bastard children,
drunkenness, gluttony, gorgeous and vain apj)arel,
fdthy or bloody speeches; — sacrilegious seizing of
the church's j)roperty, to the hindrance of the s})read
of the gospel; oppression of tenants \n ith rackeci
rents, slavish services, or unseasonable tithing —
oppression of the |)oor by usury, forestalling of mar-
kets, or withholding of corns from sale — strolling
about ol" pipers, fiddlers, songsters, sorners, sturdy
beggars, or like unlawful callings, and all counte-
nancing of them.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 63
They represented to the courts of civil judica-
ture, their great wickedness, in their almost uni-
versal neglect of doing justice between man and
man ; their remissions or reprieves in cases of mur-
der, incest, or adultery ; the advancement of weak
and wicked men into the office of judges ; the ne-
glect of punishing Papists, particularly the Popish
Lords, and their adherents, but allowing the rents
of their forfeited estates to their wives and friends,
who supported them ; the allowing of pretended
bishops, abbots, or priors to vote in parliament, in
name of the church ; buying of pleas ; delaying or
wresting of justice for the sake of bribes ; and suf-
fering about four hundred parishes to continue
without any fixed gospel ministrations, for want of
provision to ministers.
They no less faithfully represented to the king
himself, the sins of his family, that sometimes fa-
mily worship, and even the reverend asking of God's
blessing upon meals, or giving thanks for them,
were neglected ; that they made no conscience of
attending the sermons on week days ; that he and
his favourites sometimes conversed in time of ser-
mon ; that he and his courtiers were guilty of pro-
fane cursing and swearing; that murderers. Pa-
pists, and excommunicated persons, were counte-
nanced in his family, or allowed to be in his com-
pany ; that his queen and her ladies were not duly
delicate in their company, but indulged themselves
in night-wakes, balls, and sinful absenting from the
worship of God — They also represented to him
some methods of redressing the more public griev-
ances.— And they agreed to appoint a committee
to attend his court, in order to promote the plant-
ing of churches, and procuring of stipends ; and
that, if patrons did not present candidates before
six months from the death of the former incumbent,
the Presbytery should immediately present one.
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY, kc. 65'
CHAPTER IV.
King' James favours Papists, and hy captious questicnS'^
Clcrgymcti\s Vote in Parliament — Constant Moderators
— Packed General jissemblics — Introduction of D'wcC'
sail Bishops and Popish Ceremonies — And by Persecu-
tion of' the Faithjid about txcenty-seven years, terribly
defaced the Church — King Charles I. and Archbishop
Laud, for about thirteen years more, increased her
viiseiy, by supporting Arminianism and Prelacy, and
obtruding more Superstition,
In the end of 1569, the Popish Lords, finding
their foreign quarters not to their wish, resolved to
return home, and make their peace with their coun-
try, on the easiest terms. As it was suspected
that James encouraged, if he did not formally in-
vite them to return, the ministers took the alarm,
and the Assembly and their commissioners remon-
strated against their continuance in the country,
as they were notorious enemies to its religion and
liberties, — and against James' allowing the Popish
countess of Huntley to be present at the baptism
of his daughter Elizabeth, and his entrusting that
princess to the care of the Popish lady of Living-
ston, who was upon the point of being excommuni-
cated by the church. Andrew Melvin, in his bold
K
6G A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
anJ zealous nianiur, faillilully represented to him
liis and his couneirs wiekethiess, in labouring to
bear dow n the faithful ministers of Christ, and to
assume authority in spiritual causes, and to protect
the Popish I.ords. Janus gave them no satisfac-
tion, but told them, That he and they would never
agree, till the limits of their respective jurisdictions
should be distinctly fixed; and particularly, till it
should be enacted, that no minister should, from
the pulpit, meddle with his and his council's pro-
cedure ; — that no Cieneral Assembly should meet
without his special command, nor any deed of it
be of any force, before it was ratified by him or bis
commissioner; and that no church judicatory should
meddle with any causes against which the civil
laws do strike.
Not long after, James summoned Mr. David
Black in St Andrew's, to appear before his privy
council, to answer for some words, which he was
said to have uttered from the pulpit, against the
behaviour of himself, his queen and council. Black
protested, that the church was the proper judge of
his doctrine at first instance, and declined the au-
thority of the council, as incompetent to be primary
judge in this matter. Solemn attestations of his
innocence of that which was laid to his charge,
from a great number of his most respectable hear-
ers, in the magistracy and university, uere produced
before the council ; but these were altogether disre-
garded, and the deposition of his enemies, however
imalicious, and of others grossly ignorant, were sus-
tained against him as prool : and he was banished
to the north side of Tay. About three or four
hundred ministers signed an advice to Mr. Black,
to decline the council. None was more active in
procuring svibx riptioiis than Spoiis^iioodf afterward
Archbishop oi Si. Andrew's, who, at the same time.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 67
treacherously informed James of all their proced-
ure. The faithful ministers earnestly remonstrated
against his majesty and councirs judging and pu-
nishing their brother, Mr. Black. But all was in
vain. He was determined to humble them.
Highly offended with the commissioners, whom
the church had appointed to watch against her
dangers, on account of their faithful information
of Presbyteries, and for their remonstrances against
the favour shewn to the Popish Lords, or the like,
James charged every one of them to depart from
Edinburgh ; and then stretched every nerve to de-
coy those that remained into his Erastian measures.
He promised his utmost efforts to procure better
stipends to the clergy, if they would demonstrate
their loyalty, by subscribing a Bond, which he had,
or intended to form. Fearing that some, by their
poverty, might be induced to comply, the banished
commissioners transmitted a warning to the several
Presbyteries to be on their guard. The bond,
which James prepared for their subscription, con-
tained in it a promise of allegiance, and of submit-
ting their doctrine relative to things which might
be reckoned to concern the king and his council,
to them as proper judges of it, and never to de-
cline their jurisdiction as incompetent. Against
the subscription of this Bond, the ministers pled.
That it was superfluous to bind themselves to al-
legiance, since they had done that sufficiently in the
national covenant, which had been lately renewed;
that their doing it, in the manner required in this
bond, supposed them to have been formerly disloyal;
that this bond, proceeding from the church's ene-
mies, was to be suspected as a snare; that the in-*
famy of those that subscribed a like bond, by ihe
instigation o^ Archbishop Adamson in 1584*, was a
warning to forbear subscribing at present; that
68 A COMPKNDIOLS HI5T0UY OF THR
this l»ond restrained faithful reproof, and means of
repentance, and made the kint; head of the church as
well as of the state, and was contrary to the word
of God, and to the laws made for the liberties of
this ( hurch.
Uohei t Bruce, and other ministers of Edinburgh,
declined to confer with James, till he shoidd recal
the commissioners of the church, wiiom he had ba-
nished from the city. Some courtiers, who hat-
ed the Ku;iiT managers of the royal revenues, by
dealin^r with both parties, laboured to kindle strife
between them and the church. 'J'o free himself of
four hundred pounds Scots of debt, one Robert
Stewart a macer, ^ave up to the king a list of such
burghers in Edinburgh, as were most careful for
the safety of faithful ministers; in consequence of
which, 21' of them were charged to depart from
the city. Alarmed herewith, ^^lessrs. Balcanquel
and Bruce represented the dangerous situation of
the church to such as were well affected to her.
They, after mutual consultation, appointed the
Lords Lindsay and Forbes, Mr. Bruce and some
others, to represent to his majesty his duty to in-
terpose his authority for the prevention of impend-
ing dangers : But he refused to regard their re-
quest. Some agents of the court, by raising a re-
port, that he had given an unfavourable answer;
and that the inhal)itants were in arms; — and l)y
crying at the doors of the churches, in which
they were assend)Ied, Save jfoursclvcs, and in the
streets, To nrms, raised a considerable mob, — some
of which thought the king had I)een in danger,
and others, that their ministtrs had been murder-
ed. Notwithstanding his sickness, the provost rose,
got out, and quelled the uproar.
AflVightrd for the consequences, James sent for
their petition that same night, and promised ta
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. €9
content the ministers and their supporters. They
insisted that he should remove from his council,
Seaton, Elphinj^ston, and Hamilton, three of the
OcTAViANs formerly mentioned, whom they judged
troublers of the church, and supporters of the ex-
comnmnicated Popish lords ; and that these lords
should be banished the country till they should
offer proper satisfaction to the church and nation ;
and that the commissioners of the church should,
by a royal proclamation, be invited back to Edin-
burgh, whence they had been driven. But his
fright being over, he refused their agents access
to present these requests to him ; and at last, pre-
tending to be provoked with the late tumults, he
fled off to Linlithgow, appointed all strangers to
depart from Edinburgh, and prohibited the judges
to hold any more courts in it. Messrs. Bruce,
Balcanquel, Balfour, and Watson, minsters of Edin-
burgh, and Cranston of , were summoned to
appear before the privy council at Linlithgow, and
answer as required ; and warrants were issued to
apprehend five of the principal burghers that fa-
voured their courses. Expecting no justice, the
ministers fled, but the burghers compeared and
were cast into prison. The ministers and other
friends of the church were exceedingly grieved on
account of the tumult, as they perceived how it
would be improved to the reproach of the work of
God in their hands. On the Sabbath after, Mr.
Bruce publicly declared his detestation of it, and
of the neutrality of too many ministers, and of the
countenance given to the Popish lords. After their
flight, he, and Balfour, and Watson, remitted large
vindications of themselves and brethren from all
share in the tumult.
Bent to have the Scotch church conformed to
the English,, in order that his succession to Queen
*0 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Elizabeth of Ent^land mi^lit be the easier, James
had already formed a list of his intended bishops ;
but as thini^s were not yet quite ripe for establish-
ing them in their sees, he published fifty-five ques-
tions, which he re(juired the (general Assembly to
answer, viz. Whether matters relating to the ex-
ternal ^^overnment of the diunh mi^ht not be dis-
puted ? What power the kin^ and chT^y have in
the makini; of ecclesiastical laws ? When it is law-
ful for ministers to leave their flocks ? Whether
ministers may a])ply their doctrine to such as are
not of their congregation ? Whether ministers may,
from the pulpit, point out particular transgres-
sors ? For what enormities they may publicly blame
magistrates ? Whether such public declarations
from the pulpit against the faults of particular per-
sons, ought to proceed on full certainty, or upon
mere report and suspicion ? Whether preachers may
wander from their text in declaiming against vices?
Whether a minister may exercise jurisdiction with-
out the consent of the greater part of his session ?
Whether the session be judges of their minister's
doctrine? Whether ruling elders may ever mode-
rate in sessions ? Whether the minister alone hath
power to choose the members of session ? Why-
ruling elders and deacons are nut chosen for life ?
How many Presbyteries ought to be in a county ?
And how many pastors in each ? Whether only
pastors, or also all ruling elders and deacons ou^ht
to have votes in Presbyteries? What ought to be
handled in Presbyteries, which may not be trans-
acted in sessions ? What form of process ought to
be used before sessions and Piesbyteries ? What
ought to be decided in Synods, which may not in
Presbyteries? What j)ower of judgment have go-
vernors and professors of colleges in Presbyteries,
Synods, and Asscniblies ? Whetiier any but the «u.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. '71
preme magistrate, when he is Christian and pious,
hath lawful power to convene General Assemblies ?
Whether should the meetings of General Assem-
blies be ordinary or extraordinary ? Who have
right to vote in Assembliess ? Whether all men of
religion and learning in the church, or only all pas-
tors, or only commissioners? How many members
are necessary to form a General Assembly ? How
many of these ought to be ministers ? And how
many not ? Who have the power of choosing com-
missioners to sit in General Assemblies ? Whether
an act of the General Assembly be valid without
the king's consent ? Whether two thirds of the
votes be necessary to render an act authoritative ?
Whether inferior judicatories can judge persons
that do not reside within their bounds? What ju-
dicatory shall administer discipline to the king's
household and council ? Ought every person re-
quired to attend church judicatories to have a for-
mal citation assigning its own grounds ? Can an
inferior court summon persons to a superior one ?
Must private admonitions, with reasonable inter-
vals, take place before all citations ? W^hat interval
is necessary betv/een different admonitions, or be-
tween admonition and citation, and between cita-
tion and compearance ? Of how many citations
doth the neglect infer contumacy ? Whether simple
contumacy, without a particular crime, or a parti-
cular crime without any contumacy, be a sufficient
ground of excommunication ? What different church
censures are there ? What scandals may Presby-
teries judge of, and what not ? May murderers,
usurers, and such as do not pay their just debts, be
excommunicated ? If so, why should not all the
thieves of the Highlands and borders, and mer-
chants be excommunicated ? May an appeal be
made from an inferior to a superior judicatory ? Is
72 A COMrFNDIOUS IIISTUKV 01 TIIF
the sentence suspended during* an appeal to a
hi^^her court? Ou«;lit all processes to be extracted
tor the helionf of parties ? Is summary excommu-
nication, without any citation, lawful ? May any
but pastors vote in a sentence of excommunication ?
ilath every church judicatory equal jiower to ex-
communicate offenders ? May Papists, who were
never members of our chur( h, be excommunicated ?
May Christian kinj^rs annul notoriously unjust ex-
communications ? May a whole council and uni-
versity be excommunicated ? And for what ? By
whom? And in what manner? Tf the clergy ne-
glect their duty, may Christian kings rectify their
disorders? May fasts for general causes be appoint-
ed by Christian i)rinces ? IMay church courts re-
quire persons to give an oath of purgation ? .Alay
points relative to civil rights be judged in church
courts ? 'I'hese (|uestions had answers returned to
them by order of the Synod of Fife, and by Patrick
(Talloway, and by anotlier minister of a more zea-
lous cast.
Soon after, James called an assembly at Perth,
and took care to have an hitherto unparalleled num-
ber of north country clergymen to be members of
it. After no small disputing, the majority voted
it to have the power of a General Assembly. Drop-
ping a numi)er of his above mentioned questions,
James required them to declare. That it should Ije
lawful for either the prince, or any pastor, to move
their doubts, and crave information concerning any
part of their government, which is not exj)ressly
appointed in the word of God ; that no minister
should publicly meddle with affairs of state, or
with any of his Majesty's lau s and ordinances ;
l)ut if they think them w^rong, privately com])lain
to himself and his council ; tliat no minister shall
publicly point out any transgressors, except fugi-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 73
lives and excommunicated persons, so as the hearers
may know them ; that none shall meddle with any
point not pertinent to his own congregation ; that
every Presbytery shall take care of these in their
bounds behaving regularly in these matters ; that
three different citations, with eight days of inter-
val, shall precede every excommunication ; that
no Presbytery or Synod shall censure any person
who doth not reside in their bounds ; that all cita-
tions shall contain the cause and crime for which
the person cited are to answer ; that except their
ordinary meetings of Session, Presbytery, or Synod,
ministers shall hold no convention without his ma-
jesty's consent ; that in principal towns no minis-
ter shall be chosen without the consent of their
particular flocks, and of his majesty ; that some
discreet ministers shall be appointed at a proper
time to reason upon the rest of his questions ; and
that till that be done none shall touch upon them
either in pulpits or judicatories ; and that some of
the northern clergy shall be appointed to absolve
the Earl of Huntley from his excommunication,
providing he give them full satisfaction. The con-
sciences of this pliant Assembly could not come up
to the Avhole of James's demands : but they did
what they could to gratify him. They fixed as
terms of satisfaction for Huntley, that he should
renounce the Popish religion, subscribe the national
covenant, join in communion with the church ; and
in the kirk of Aberdeen profess his sorrow for his
apostacy and murder — and that, as an evidence of
his sincerity, he should reconcile himself to those
that had promoted his prosecution, and should pro-
vide sufficient stipends for the kirks on his lands.
At the request of Angus's countess, and of Errol
himself, ministers were appointed to deal with
them, and to absolve them on the same terms as
L
74 A COMPENDIOUS HiSTOllY Ul- THli
[lunlloy, except in that whicli related to the niiii-
(icr of the Kail of Murray, in which An^us ami
Krrol had no hand. Meanwhile, t(j please the faith-
ful party, this Assemhly supj)li(ate(l James to j)ub-
lish a declaration of his real intentions to maintain
the true Protestant relij^ion and discipline present-
ly professed, and to banish from his kini^doni all
obstinate l*a])ists, Jesuits, and exconnnunicated i)tr-
sons, and apprehend and imprison them if they
should return ; and to relax his outlawry against
the ministers of Edinburgh and otherii, and allow
Messrs. Black, Howison, and Welsh to return to
their flocks; to deal favourably with the city of
l^dinbur^h, notw ithstanding the late mob, or other
provocations; to promote the due punishment of
such as had, or should assault, hurt, or mutilate
ministers; and to provitle suHicient stipends where
they were wanting. He pretended that he was
ready to grant all their desires, except what jc-
lated to the outlaws mid banished.
Few besides the commissioners from Fife came
up to the ordinary meeting of the General Assem-
bly in April J5<J7- After confession of their sins,
they took a solemn protestation for the liberties of
the church. In May, King Jameses second Asscm-
hlij met at Dundee. As he had called them toge-
ther, his will was their rule, and to please him and
his council was their great end. Upon information
from the Presbyteries of Murray, Aberdeen, and
Angus, concerning the excommunicated lords, these
Pr( sbyteries were appointed further to deal w ith
tlu ni, and to receive them upon tern)s much the
same as above mentioned. 'J'iiey added some ex-
plications to the declarations, which had been re-
(piired or given at Perth. They answered the rest
of James's ensnaring questions as much to his con-
tent as they could, 'i'iiey appointed a commission
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 75
of their number to confer with his majesty for pro-
moting" of perfect harmony with him and his coun-
cil, and to execute the articles which had been
passed. Thus, I think, began the Commissions of
the General Assemblies, which have often trans-
acted more public v/ork than the Assembly itself.
These commissioners now appointed, together with
James and his agents, dressed up matters to their
pleasure ; and the Assemblies as their tools turned
their will into the form of acts. To prevent the
faithful ministers from counteracting their designs,
the principal of them were put out of the way.
Black and Wallace were removed from St. An-
drew's. A. Melvin had been put from his rector-
ship, and expelled the university, had not the cla-
mour of the people and of the foreign students
obliged them to let him alone. But, to prevent
his interfering with the government of the church,
James and his ecclesiastical commissioners enacted,
That no masters or professors in universities should
vote in any church courts upon matters of discipline.
The Popish lords being restored to the fellowship
of the church, the Parliament which met in De-
cember restored them to all their civil privileges
and honours. Some years before, mention had
been made of ecclesiastical commissioners to sit in
Parliament as the third estate, instead of the dig-
nitaries of the Popish church ; but without any
hint whether they should be clergymen or not.
Now the ecclesiastical commission insisted, that
some ministers should have vote in Parliament in
order to secure the interests of the church. The
abbots, priors, and lords of session opposed it as
derogatory to their power. But James got it car-
ried ; and the more easily, as the other estates of
Parliament thought that no Presbyterian minister
would accept the Popish title of bishop, ahbul, or-
76 A COMPRNDIOL'S HISTORV OF THE
prior, in order to enjoy sudi promotion. Havin<;
carried this point, James and liis ecclesiastical com-
mission appointed next General Assembly to meet
at Dundee, two months sooner tlian had been in-
tended. After it had met, and aj::reed to hury
some grievances, and a|)pointeti another conimis-
sion, and James had allowed the banished ministers
to return to their changes in Edinburi;!), c\:e. he,
in a solemn hara!ii;ue, represented to the Assembly
the necessity of some ministers voting in Parlia-
ment, and protested, that he had no intention to
introduce any Popish or English bishops, but was
merely concerned for the welfare of the church.
The speeches of those ecclesiastical commissioners
that thirsted for episcopal sees, were but an echo
to his. After much warm dtbate it carried, that
about /if hj one ministers should have a vote in Par-
liament as commissioners from the church, but un-
der strict limitations, in order to prevent their as-
suming any [)ower over their brethren. JMr David-
son of Preston-Pans entered a solemn protestation
against this act, but it was not allowed to be marked.
The terror of his majesty's presence kept many of
his brethren from adhering to his protest. But he
had no sooner crossed the Tay in his way home,
than about three or fourscore sul)scribed it, tlinugh
it was afterward thought prudent to cut off their
names. This Assembly further enacted. That the
minutes of Synods be brought up to every Assem-
bly in order to be examined ; that none be married
till they be thrice lawfully jiroclaimed ; that such
ministers as celebrate clandestine marriages be de-
posed ; and that the parties satisfy the church by
pitb/ic repentance ; that no images be carried about
at burials ; that Presbyteries meet every week ;
and that a proposition of divinity be handled in
tlieir meeting once a month ; that every minister
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 77
have a weekly examination of part of his congre-
gation ; that every Presbytery send up commis-
sioners to the Assembly, not above three in their
own name, and a ruling elder in name of the barons,
and two ruling elders from Edinburgh, and one in
the name of every other burgh.
About the beginning of 1599, James appears to
have been seized with a fit of zeal for the Romish
abominations. Beaton, the old Popish archbishop
of Glasgow, was restored to his dignity, and ap-
pointed ambassador to the court of France. James
transmitted an affectionate missive to his Holiness,
and requested that the bishop of Vaison, a Scotch-
man, might be created a cardinal, and empowered
to act in the correspondence betwixt them. Edward
Drummond was instructed by James to negotiate
with the Pope and his cardinals for promoting this
design. This affair happening afterward to be di-
vulged, secretary Elphingston, who had been made
Earl of Bal merino, took the blame upon himself,
and had a sham process directed against him, on
that account. But few that consider James's con-
stant regard to the Popish party, and the mean
shifts with which he ordinarily attempted to cover
his base designs, will doubt of his being the real
author of that letter. In his Basilicon doron, pub-
lished that year, he declares, That parity among
ministers is inconsistent with monarchy; that with-
out bishops, the three estates of parliament cannot
be established ; that presbyterian zealots seek to
establish a democracy/ in the state ; that kings ought
to hate none more than proud Puritans, and ought
never to suffer their chiefs in any kingdom.
To make voting of ministers in Parliament go
down the more quietly with the nation, several
conferences were held concerning it. These of
Falkland, where the caveats were considered, and
78 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
of llolyroodlionse, were the most noted. In the
last, after readint:^ the act of Assembly at Dundee,
concernin<; these commissioners from the chur(h to
vote in Parliament, and the caveats for llmitinrr their
ponrr, the ministers entered on the dispute, hut
could neither a^ree upon the lawfulness of their
votin^^, or ihe title that should he ^iven them.
Highly provoked with the hold speeches and un-
answerable reasoninf^s of Andrew Melvin and his
friends, .James threatened, that if they wouhi not
fill up the third estate of Parliament with their ec-
clesiastical commissioners, he would fill it up as he
j)leased. His majesty still needing the assistance
of the complaisant clergy of the north, the Assem-
bly, 1600, met at Montrose. This affair was in-
troduced by a conference between four on each
side. Patrick Sharp, James Melvin, Patrick Simp-
son, and David Barclay, on the one hand, main-
tained, That the acts of Parliament, and Assem-
bly, appointing ministers to vote in Parliament,
are directly contrary to the word of God, — as all
ecclesiastical prelacy and carnal dignity are, Luke
xxii. 25, 26. Matth. xx. 26. 1 Tim. iii. Tit. i.
1 Pet. V. 1 — 3. As it makes men, who are sepa-
rated to the service of God, turn back to the world
and the offices of it. Num. iii. 44, 45. and xviii. 6.
Deut. X. 8. and xviii. 12. Acts xiii. 1, 2, 3. Rom.
i. 1. As it hinders ministers from their proper
work, Luke ix. .0.9, 60. Deut. xxxiii. 8. Acts vi.
'2. hinders them from ])reaching the word in season
and out of season, 1 Chron. ix. 33. 2 Tim. iv. 2.
•lohn xxi. 1.5, 16, 17- Acts xx. 20, 28, As it re-
presents the ministerial charge to be light and in-
considerable, contrary to Kzek. iii. xxxiii. Zech.
xi. 17. Acts XX. 20, 28, .Si. 1 Pet. v. 2. 2 Cor.
ii. 1.0 — 17. lleb. xiii. 17. As it confounds offices
and jurisdictions, which God hath distinguished.
CHUllCH OF SCOTLAND. 79
Num. xviiii. 4, 7. 2 Chron. xvii. xix. Matth. xxii.
21. Deut. xxii. 9 — 11. As it makes ministers to
meddle with things not pertaining to their office,
1 Pet iv. 15. .John xvi. 15, and xviii. 36, Luke
xii. 13, 14. John viii. 11. As it entangles Christ's
soldiers in the affairs of this life. Num. iv. 3. 2
Tim. ii. 4. As it hath no example in the Christian
church for almost eight hundred years after Christ;
— as the offices of magistrates and ministers are so
different in their subjects, matter, manner, and end
of administration ; — and as this church hath ex-
pressly prohibited ministers to be notaries, farmers,
innkeepers, <§c.
So strong was the reasoning, and so firm the op-
position, that James, by all his authority and craft,
could not obtain that these commissioners should
be continued till death, or till some fault should
render them unworthy of their power, but merely,
that they should be chosen every year. But he
and his party got the act so marked in the minutes,
as to import no more, than that they should, every
year, give an account of their conduct, and lay
down their commission at the feet of the Assembly.
The Caveats, formerly agreed upon in the con-
ference at Falkland, were ingrossed into this act,
and imported. That the Assembly, with advice of
Presbyteries and Synods, should nominate six out of
every district, from whom his majesty should
choose one ; That these commissioners should ne-
ver propose any thing in name of the cl^urch, with-
out special direction from her, or such things as
they can answer for to her ; that, under pain of
deposition, they should never forbear to oppose
what was prejudicial to the liberty of the church;
that, under pain of infamy and excommunication,
they should give account of their conduct to every
Assemblv, and obtain a ratification of it ; that thev
80 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORV 01 THE
should rest contented w ith whatever benefice the
king allows them, without attempting to hurt the
salary of any other minister; that they should
neither directly nor indirectly dilapidate their be^
nefices, nor grant any disposition or lease of it,
without consent of his majesty and the General
Assembly; that they should continue to execute
the office of pastor to their congregation in all
points, and be subject to the trial of Presbytery
and Synod, as other brethren ; that, under pain of
deprivation, and of the nullity of every thing after-
ward transacted by them, they should never claim
any power above their brethren in the exercise of
church government ; that in Presbyteries, Synods,
and General Assemblies, they should in all things
behave as other ministers ; that before their admis-
sion to their commissionersJtipy they should swear to
observe the above limitations exactly ; and that up-
on their deposition from the ministry, they should
lose their benetice and seat in j)arlianient. — It was
further ordained, That they should have no vote
in General Assemblies, unless by virtue of a com-
mission from their [)resbyteries ; and that their
ambitus or using of any means to obtain j)refer-
ment, should be sustained a sufficient cause of de-
privation.— This Assembly appointed a commission
to finish their work, any nine of whom, with his
majesty and his agent, made a quorum or number
sufficient for acting.
Convinced that James's veracity was little to be
depended upon, Messrs. Pruce, Halcancpiel, Bal-
four, Watson, and Hall, ministers of Kdinburgh,
hesitated to jiublish his representation of his dan-
ger and his deliverance from a conspiracy of the
Ei^rl of Gowry and his brother at Perth, in the
way of public thanksgiving to (;od. He there-
fore prohibited them to preiu h in his dominions.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 81
under pain of death. As the citizens would ac-
cept of no other in their stead, he was obliged
to permit them all to return, except Mr. Bruce,
who therefore retired to France. Njor did James
rest, till he had g-ot Balcanquel, Balfour, and
Watson, transported, and some of his own crea-
tures put in their place.
To prevent the faithful ministers' attendance,
or ready opposition of his measures, James caus-
ed the General Assembly to meet at Burnt-
island, in May 1601, ten weeks sooner than
had been appointed. Nevertheless, Messrs.
Davidson of Prestonpans, and James Melvin of
Anstruther, transmitted their monitory letters,
obtesting all the members to be faithful to the
cause of Christ, in opposition to the manifold
corruptions then creeping in. To deceive the
honest party, James and his complaisant dupes
joined them in assignation of the causes of the
decay of religion, and of proper remedies there-
of: viz, the wrath of God on account of the con-
tempt of the Gospel ; the sloth of ministers, and
their neglect to discover apostates from the Pro-
testant religion; the want of able ministers,
especially where the Popish Lords and other
nobles reside ; the rash admission of candidates
into the ministerial office ; the untender conver-
sation of ministers, and their suiting of them-
selves to the humours of their people ; the de-
solation of the churches of Edinburgh ; the ad-
vancement of ill affected persons into places of
power and trust ; the education of his majesty's
children in the company of Papists, and of the
young nobility by suspected masters ; the decay
of schools ; the overlooking of the restored
Lords' non-performance of the terms of theii
M
82 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORV OF THE
reconcilement. Tl)oy, however, took care to
make no mention of their own attempts to over-
turn the reformation which had !)een attained,
and to render the churcli dependent on the mere
will of the civil ma^n^trate. — Not lon^ after,
Mr. Bruce was permitted to return home; but
it was required of him to imitate his other hesi-
tating brethren, and in different places to inti-
mate from the pulpit his belief of James' account
of the perhaps altogether ])retended conspiracy,
lie abhorred such sinlnl and sneaking compli-
ances, and so continued under the royal frowns.
The next General Assendjly was appointed to
meet at St. Andrew's, in the end of July J 602:
but James, to mark his spiritual supremacy,
transferred it to llolyroodhouse, on the 10th of
November following. At the entry, James
IMelvin protested against the change of the day.
The ministers, who had been appointed to deal
with f limtley, Errol, Angus, Honjc, and Herreis,
reported their conduct : but, except that of those
who had attended Errol, it was little to the pur-
pose. Notwithstanding their former negligence,
young Spotswood and the rest were appointed
to deal further with them, and with the other
Popish Lords, INIaxwel and Semple. A nume-
rous committte was appointed to visit the
church, and inijuire into the conduct of minis-
ters, congregations and presbyteries ; and Rules
of visitation were presc riU'd. But the leading
men in it were too intent on preUuieal dignities
to execute this work to any good purpose.
'J'he Synod of Fife piesented a number of
grievances ; That General Assend)lies were not
regularly held according to the laws of God and
the land, or the necessity of the church, but th^
dHtJRCtt OP SCOTLAND. 83
diets of meeting altered without the knowledgt?
or consent of either presbytery or synod ; that
ministers were summoned before the privy coun-
cil at first instance, to answer for their doctrine,
or manner of discipline ; that applications in
presbyterial exercises were condemned ; that the
government of the church was put into the hand
of a few commissioners, to the injury of pres-
byteries, and synods ; that the doctors of uni-
versities were debarred from General Assem-
blies; that the observation of the caveats, by
the church's commissioners to vote in parlia-
ment, is not inquired into ; that the alteration
of the ministers at Edinburgh hath much hurt
the cause of religion, and encouraged its ene-
mies ; that laws for church government have
been made, contrary to the judgment of almost
the half of the ministry ; that the land is defiled,
and the church hurt, by indulging the French
ambassador in the free and public use of his
idolatrous mass ; that excommunicated Papists
are allowed to continue in the country; that
the absolved nobles give no evidence of their
professing any thing but Popery ; that pains are
taken to conceal the danger of the church from
faithful ministers or professors ; that church dis-
cipline is not duly executed against incest, mur-
der, adultery, or the like : To this heavy com-
plaint, scarce any other answer than a mere shift
was returned.
But with much more pleasure, the Assembly
considered a plan for the enlargement of their
stipends ; — and, at James's desire, allowed of the
celebration of marriage on the Lord's day ; and
ordered, that all who made profession of the
Protestant faith should have their children bap-
84 A COMPENDIOUS IIISTOUY OP THE
tized. Yoiin^ Spotswood was accused of attend-
ing mass in France: but James and his com-
plaisant cleij^y got tliis matter hushed. — Tliis
Assembly was far from being free. INIessrs. 11.
Bruce, J. Davidson, and A. Melvin, were ex-
pressly prohibited to come near it. Such as
faithfully sj)()ke their mind were upbraided and
mocked by the king or tne moderator, and com-
manded to be silent. Not long after, some fur-
ther pains were taken with Mr. Bruce to make
him approve James's account of Cjowrie's conspi-
racy. But, finding that no condescension would
procure his restoration to his flock at Edinburgh,
he would make none, and re])resented his rea-
sons to the town council. 'J'he commission of
the Assembly declared his kirk vacant, and at
the same diet, ap[)roved a marriage between two
adulterers, both of whose former yoke-fellows
were still living, and absolved them from the ex-
communication inflicted on ihem by the minis-
ters of the south.
When James set off for London to receive the
English crown in A. D. KiOS. all the imj)ris(in<Hi
malefactors were liberated. But A. IMelvin and
J. Davidson had their confinement continued,
and R. Bruce continued secluded from his
charge. A[)prehending that James's communion
with tlie FiUglish church would lead him to at-
tempt a reducing of the Scotch to the sanie
forms of worship and government, the synod of
Fife, in 1601", appoiiUed some of their number
to present their faithful advice to the Assembly's
commission, begging them to insist for a parlia-
mentary ratification of all forme; laws made in
favours of the church, and to protest, that any
thing enacted contrary to the religion presently
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 85
established by either commission, or otherwise,
should be held null and void; and to insist, that
none should vote in parliament, in the name of
the church, but such as bear office in her, and
are appointed by her; and that such commis-
sioners shall not, under pain of deposition, pro-
pose any thing in parliament in the name of the
church, without express direction from her ; nor
keep silence, when any thing detrimental to her
interests is proposed ; and that care be taken,
that no prejudice be done to her doctrine, wor-
ship, discipline, or government, by the intended
UxVioN of Scotland with England.
Spotswood, now made archbishop of Glasgow^
instead of Beaton the Ilomish priest, Gladstones,
bishop of Galloway, and Lindsay, bishop of Ross,
being appointed commissioners for regulating
the terms of that union, marked an absolute
unconcern about every thing religious. But the
Earl of Morton Insisted for a clause in their
commission, bearing. That the state of religion
in doctrine and discipline should be preserved
in Scotland. In vain, he also begged the com-
mission of the Assembly to assist in securing'
that point, though, with difficulty enough, he
procured an act or clause, bearing, that the re-
ligion presently established in Scotland shall not
be in the least prejudiced by the intended union
of the two kingdoms ; — which his opponents
took care to keep out of their records. — iMean-
wiiile, under deep apprehensions of their danger,
the presbytery of St. Andrew's and synod of
Lothian renewed their subscription of the na-
tional covenant, and Spotswood, nominal arch-
bishop of Glasgow, and John Law his successor,
subscribed among them.
86 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
AVith Kin^^ James's own consent, the Assembly
at Holyroodhouse had appointed their next
meetincr at Aberdeen, in July IfiOl. Jiut the
ecclesiastical commissioners to sit in parliament,
fearing to give account of their conduct, pro-
cured a delay. James required, that the meet-
ing should be deferred till the union of the two
kingdoms should be deliberately considered, and
a new warrant for holding it emitted. NevtTthe-
less, the presbytery of St. Andrew's, zealous for
the liberties of the church, appointed Messrs.
James Melvin, William Erskine, and William
Murray, their commissioners to attend it. Up-
on the day appointed, they repaired to the place
of meeting in Aberdeen, and solemnly protested,
That the hurt that should happen to Christ's
church, by the neglect of this meeting, shoidd
not be imputed to them, or their constituents.
Instigated by some northern ministers, the pres-
bytery of St. Andrew's, by their missives and
otherwise, procured such a number of correspon-
dents from other parts of the kingdom to attend
at next synod of Fife, that I.auriston, the king s
commissioner for ecclesiastical alTairs, fearing^
that it would turn out a General Assembly,
procured an order from the privy council to hin-
der their meeting. But finding, that they only
claimed tlie powers of a synod, he forbore.
Heavy complaints were made, that the church's
commissioners to vote in parliament did not ob-
serve the CAVKATs; and that some who IkuI been
nominated to bishoprics, voted without any com-
mission.— The synod agreed to petition his Ma-
jesty. That General Assemblies might be regu -
Jarly held, according to the act of parliament,
and the former custom of this church : that Pa
J
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 87
pists and contemners of church discipline might
be prosecuted by the civil judges ; that he him-
self would interpose for the protection of the
persecuted English Puritans, and for the redress
of such ministers as had their salaries injured by
the last modification of stipends.
James had appointed the meeting of the Ge-
neral Assembly at Aberbeen, July, ^, 1605, un-
less he should convene it sooner. The fearful
abounding of scandal, Popery, and almost every
thing horrid, made presbyteries and synods to
supplicate for the hastening of this meeting.
But Spotswood, Hall, Gladstones, and Galloway,
their commissioners to his Majesty, betrayed
them, and chiefly courted his favour and prela-
tical preferments. — When the time of meeting
drew near, James transmitted orders not to hold
it. And to confound commissioners, some co-
pies of this order represented the 2d, and others
the 5th of July, as the day formerly appointed.
No more than nineteen members met on the 2d
day. When Lauriston saw them determined to
proceed regularly to business, he left them. Mr.
John Forbes being chosen Moderator, they read
the order of the privy council requiring them to
dissolve, and to appoint no new diet of meeting :
they agreed to proceed to no further business at
present; but appointed their next meeting at
Aberdeen, upon the last Wednesday of Septem-
ber next, and appointed the several presbyteries
to direct their commissioners to it. As they
were about to dismiss, Lauriston returned and
protested, That from the beginning he did not
acknowledge them a lawful Assembly. Upon
the 5th of July, Mr. John Welsh and other
^even commissioners from the south and west:
88 A COMPRNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
came up, antl finding the meeting dissolved, pro-
tested that they eame up to keep it, and that
they approved of what had heen done. Return-
ing to the privy eouneil, Lauriston affirmed,
That upon INIonday the first of July, he liad, by
a public proclamation at the cross of Al>erdeen,
j)rt;hibit(.'d the meetin^T of Assend)ly in his ma-
jesty's name. Hut though multitudes were on
the spot the whole day, not one could testify
that he heard this public proclamation. To
corroborate Lauriston's false affirmation, it is
said, that the clerk ante-dated the indorsement
of the charge.
The ministers, who had kept this meeting of
the Assembly, were immediately prosecuted be-
fore the privy council. The magistrates of
Aberdeen were charged to prevent the meeting
in September; and presbyteries and synods pro-
hibited to own the validity of the late meeting.
The ecclesiastical commission readily declared it
void anil null to all intents. After three months
imprisonintMit in Blackness castle, — and vindica-
tion «)i their own conduct, and declining of the
privy council as incompetent judges, iMessrs.
John Forbes, John Welsh, Robert Dury, Andrew
Duncan, Alexander Strachan, and John Sharp,
were condemned to perpetual banishment from
the kingdom, as guilty of high treason ; and had
probably been hanged, had not the terrible fer-
ment ot the nation intimidated James and his
council. iMessrs. Charles Fairholm, John iMonro,
Nathaniel Inglis, James Greig, William Forbes,
John Ross, and Robert Voungson, after lying in
dilVerent prisons, were banished to remote parts
of the kingdom. All ministers were prohibited
publicly to pray for, or make honourable men-
tion of their condemned brethren.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 89
Neither the terrible pestilence, of which about
"/OjOOO are said to have died in or about London,
and not a few about Edinlxir^h, St. Andrew's,
&c. nor his own and his English Parliament's re-
markable deliverance from immediate destruc-
tion by the Popish gun-powder plot, diverted
James from his beloved work of persecuting the
faithful ministers of Christ, and introducing the
English Episcopacy into Scotland. Upon some
new revival of Mr. Bruce's hesitation to believe
his account of Cowrie's conspiracy, he was con-
fined to Inverness. A. and J. Melvin, James
Balfour, William Scot, John Carmichael, Robert
Wallace, Adam Coult, and William Watson,
were called out of the way to London, under
pretence of conferring with them concerning the
lawfulness of the meeting at Aberdeen, and the
proper method of holding General Assemblies,
&c. James Melvin died in his return home. Af-
ter three years imprisonment, on account of a
short Latin satire on the English worship in his
Majesty's Chapel, Andrew was permitted to re-
tire to France, where he died.
Meanwhile, James having called a Parliament
at Perth in 1606, which solemnly acknowledged
his supremacy in all causes, and appointed an
oath of the same import to be sworn upon the gos'
pels- They also restored the estate of bishops
to all their ancient honours, rights, and revenues ;
and erected chapters for their respective sees.
Against this deed the two Mel v ins, just before
they set off for London, with about forty others,
of whom Ballantyne, Abernethy, and Cooper,
were afterward bishops, entered a solemn protes-
tation, bearing, That it was contrary to the word
of God, their national covenant, the constitutions
N
00 A COMPKNDIOLS HISTORY OF THE
of this cliurcl), and the laws, jieaco, and lionoiii
of the kins^doin. Tlicir reasons were nioru lar^^'^c-
]y explained in a tract then |)ul)lishcd under the
title of The course of Conforinity. An Asseml)lj
was soon after held at Liriiithi^ow, which con-
sisted of such statesmen, and of such clcr^ynieu
as James called uj), without any re^^ird to com-
missions from their respective IVeshyteries. Un-
der |)retence of zeal against Poj>ery, they a|)-
pointed a minister in every Presljytery,\vho should
inform the privy council against Papists, and who
should have a yearly salary of an hundred pounds
Scots for his pains, and also the honour of con-
stantly moderating in his Presbytery, till proper
course should be taken with the Pa])ists, and the
peace of the church settled. They supplicated
iiis Majesty in favours of such of the banished
ministers as should confess their faults to him.
The nominated bishops j)rotested, That they in-
tended to usurp no pre-eminence over their
brethren. Some cautions were proposed for li-
mitation of the j)Owcrof the constant moderators.
Nevertheless, the managers, within about six
months, had the miiuite so formed, as to bear,
that the constant moderators of Presbyteries
shoulil be constant members of General Assem-
blies, and the bisho[)s or their vicars constant
moderators in Synods. Fully persuaded that his
innovations would meet with warm opposition,
James, by a proclamation, solemnly chargeil all
the NOMiNEKs to accept of their new honours,
and all Presbyteries and Synods, u'luler pain of
rebellion, to accept ol' their constant moderators.
Nevertheless, several of the ministers nominateil
to be constant moderators oi' l^esbyteries, refus-
<jd that promotion. -Many l*rcsbyterics, and all
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, 91
tlie Synods, except that of Angus, absolutely re-
fused their constant moderators. Some Presby-
teries admitted them only when compelled to it
under pain of rebellion, and upon condition that
the matter should be canvassed in a free and
lawful General Assembly, which they did not
think that of Linlith£;'ow to be. The principal
opposers were banished, imprisoned, or otherwise
persecuted ; such ministers as needed, or hoped
for augmentation of their stipends, could not
obtain letters of prosecution for it, before the
bishops or constant moderators granted them
w^arrants for that purpose.
James intended to convene another Assembly
at Linlithgow for promoting his introduction of
bishops. By causing some commissiuners, who
had been long before appointed to visit the Pres-
byteries, and procure commissioners to it ; and
by a zealous spreading of Dr Downham's ser-
mon in favours of the English Episcopacy, he
and his agents laboured to promote their cause.
Nor were the faithful ministers inactive. They
offered public disputations in favour of their prin-
ciples. They circulated proper forms of commis-
sion and instructions for those that should be de-
puted to the Assembly from Presbyteries, bearing,
That they should insist in the Assembly, That
Synods and Presbyteries should have the power
of choosing their own moderators established to
them ; that none charged with any particular
commission from the Assembly should be mo-
derator of Presbytery, Synod, or Assembly ; that
the acts against non-residence, at their charges,
negligence, and other corruptions of ministers,
sjiould be duly executed ; and that none but such
S2 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
as had commissions from Presbyteries should
have any vote in (General Assem!)iies.
In July HjOS, the Assembly met After a de-
ce'tful flourish ol searchint^ out the causes of the
increase of Pop? i v, and of re-excnmnnini( atin^
the Karl of Huntley, and ^ivin^ order for the ex-
conmumication of Anji^us, Krrol, and Semplc,
and of jjroposinti methods for the delation of other
Papists, they attempted to j)roceed to the rsta-
hlhhmvnt of bishops ; but finding themselves
unable to carry an art for that purpose, they ron-
tinued most of the former mend)ers in their com-
mission, eleven of whom were nominated bishops,
and eleven of whom were declared a rjuonn/iy
having full power to act. To impose on minis-
ters less zealous or judieious, commissioners were
appointed to travel between parties, in order to
firjd some midlum m their differences, relative to
the doctrine and discipline of the chi-rch In
J\lay 160J^ a conference was held at I'alkirk, for
procuring- the consent of o|iposers to the intro-
duction of Prelacy. But notiiing was gained in
its several diets. Another conference was ap-
pointed at Stirling. But the bishops and their
votaries did not attend it, as they found that
they could not carry their cause by the force of
reasoning, even after James had removed A.
Alelvin, and many (»t their ablest opponents, out
of the way. In June that same year, the Par-
lianient appointed the bishops to transmit once
ever) year a list of all the Papists in their several
dioceses to the council ; — ratified the resfura/iun
of bishops to their ancient dignities, powers, and
pnrogaiives, alway reserving to the king his su-
premacy in all causes ccclisicLsfica/ and civil ; and
made an act relative to the apparel of civil judges,
tnURCII OF SCOTLAND. 93
prelates having vote in Parliament, and minis-
ters ; leaving it to his majesty to prescribe the
particular forms of the clerical vestments.
Archbishop Spotswood having become an ex-
traordinary Lord of the Session, about the be-
ginning of A. D. 1610, led the way for himself
and his clerical partisans to screw themselves
further into civil offices. Soon after he and Glad-
stones, archbishop of St. Andrew's, had each of
them a royal warrant to hold High Commission
courts within their respective boundaries, which
might punish persons as they pleased in a civil
or an ecclesiastical manner. Their appointed
assistants were noblemen, bishops, gentlemen,
and ministers, some of which last appear to
have been nominated merely for form sake, as
it could not be expected that they would accept
of any such antichristian and arbitrary power.
But the archbishop, with any four that he pleased,
were declared a quorum^ sufficient to transact
business. The bishops having become lords in
Parliament, Privy Council, Exchequer, and Ses-
sion, possessors of extensive property and juris-
diction, patrons of many benefices, moderators
in Synods, stated commissioners of the General
Assembly, and principal members in the king's
courts of high commission, a General Assembly
was called at Glasgow in June l6iO, when no
body expected it, and just after his majesty, by
his proclamation, had required another, ap[K)int-
ed a few days before, not to be held. It con-
sisted of 169 members, viz. constant moderators
of Synods and Presbyteries, who already had
their annual salaries of 100 pounds, and hoped
for better at his majesty's hand, together v» ith
such commissioners from Presbyteries as were
1
94> A CO.MPKNDIOrS HISTORY OF THE
rerkoncd scdiicible into the measures of the
court. Plenty of bribes, under the name iA' sub-
sistence moneij, were distributed amon^them, and
others had better stipends promised tiiem. 'J'he
northern eleri^y came up trom tlie remotest cor-
ners, and brought with them consciences suffi-
ciently complaisant. 'J'he llarl of l)unl)ar, at-
tended by a troop of his majesty's life guards,
did all that he could to promote his master's in-
tintions. 'J'hey condemned the Assem!)ly of
IGO.A at Aberdeen, as an Hnlawjid and seditious
nlcetin^'. I'hey acknowledi^ed the power of
callini,'' Assend)lies to be an inherent ri^ht of the
crown. They enacted, That no ordination of
pastors should be confirmed unless it was con-
summated by the bishoj) ; that no minister shoidd
l)e deprived without the (onsent ol the bishop ;
that bishops or their vicars should preside in all
provincial Synods and (General Assemblies, and
iiave the sole power ol visit iui;- the dioceses.
Under pretence of only changin«j^ the name of
Pfrsljj/tiricSy which they said was offensive to his
majesty, into the vicitinu;s oj'fhc ministers of their
hounds, they left bishops at liberty to choose
whom they pleased for n'itnes.u-s rather than as-
sistants in tlu ir acts of jurisdiction. They fur-
ther enacted, That all presentations should be
directed to bi>h()|)s instead of Presbyteries ; that
no excommunication or absolution should take
j)lace without the bishop's direction ; that minis-
ters absenting of themselves from episcojial visi-
tations of their dioceses should inia suspension
and deposition, if continued in ; that every en-
trant should, at his admission to the ministry,
swear alh i^iance to his majesty as supreme otq-
vernor in the conservation and purgation of reli-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. QJ
gioii, as well as in things temporal ; to which, it
seems, they afterward clandestinely added ohc-
dience to his oj'dinarij, i. e. bishop of the bounds,
&c. ; that marriage should be celebrated upon
the Lord's day, if people desired it ; that the two
archbishops, three other bishops, and three others
appointed by them, should deal with his majes-
ty for the planting of vacancies. They also
formed some sham directions for the bishops, and
asserted the necessity of General Assemblies,
and their power over bishops: and finally enacted.
That no minister, under pain of deposition,
should publicly speak against their acts, or treat
of the equality or inequality of ministers, in the
church of Christ. As IMessrs. Patrick Simsou
and Walter Balcanquel, and others, loudly in-
veighed against the apostacy and perjury of the
bishops, James, by a proclamation, charged all
his subjects, under the highest pains, not to im-
pugn, but obey all the acts of the Assembly,
aiid to inform the next magistrate or some mem-
ber of the privy council of every thing contrary
which they knew ; and charged all judges and
magistrates immediately to imprison all trans-
gressors, ministers or others.
As James and his votaries did not expect, that
even their above packed Assembly would distin-
guish the office of a bishop from that of a pastor,
in the manner of Bancroft, and other late high-
fliers in England, no mention was made in it of
the consecration of bishops. But soon after,
Spotswood of Glasgow, Lamb of Brechin, and
Hamilton of Galloway, posted to London for it ;
and on their return consecrated their brethren
without consulting either Presbytery or Synod.
Gladstones of St. Andrew's met with verv little
9(S A COMl'KNDiOUS HISTORY OK THli
ojiposition ill iUc Synod of An^iis, hut in tlic^e
of V'li'v and Lothian, with niurli more than he
wished. W Ik ii the Parliament m(>t in 16 1 2,
they formally (fn/mffrd their (KhmI of i5i)2y cstd-
Ulshhiij; Prcshijicnf ; they ratified the acts of the
late Assembly of (ilasi^ow with explications,
curtailments, enlaii^ements, and alterations. By
this act of J Parliament, hishops were I'reed from
all trial of their lifi' or doctrine by the General
Assend)ly ; they miii^ht dej)ute w hom they pleased
to he moderatcjrs in Synods ; they mii^ht dispose
of all henefiees to which the patron did not pre-
sent a qualified candidate within six months from
the commencement of the vacancy ; if the !)ishoj)
refused to admit his candidate, the patron mifjht
appeal to the archbishop, and from him to the
lords of Session or privy council, " that they, by
letters of horninof, mii^ht ohli<;e the bishop of the
diocese to do his duty. In the oath for entrants
to the ministry, they must swear allei^iance to
the kinu^ as suj)reme in all causes spiritual and
errh'siastiral as well as temporal, and swear obe-
dience to their ordinary. It was not required,
that men should be forty years of ag-e, or ten
years in the ministry, before their election to
bishopricks ; nor was the continuance of the
weekly meetings of ministers in the least men-
tioned.
After a little breathing, James and his agents
pushed on their designs. In 16 1. G, all adult
subjects were commanded to receive the Lord's
su|)per at Easter in all time coming. Spotswood
being now archbishop of St. Andrew's, and Law
of (rlasgow, they united their hi<xh commission
courts, in order to render their sentences more
powerful and striking; and <bur members, with
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 97
one archbishop, had full power to transact busi-
ness. None might appeal from their decisions
to either privy council, or lords of session. As
Popery still increased, and the Earl of Huntley
made considerable disturbance in the country,
the Assembly of Aberdeen, in 1616, made no
small empty noise how to check the increase of
Popery, and promote the conviction or punish-
ment of Papists. They published a new Con-
fession of Faith, chiefly directed against the errors
and corruptions of the Romish church ; and to
exclude the national covenant, they appointed all
officers in the church, and students in the col-
leges to swear and subscribe it. They also ap-
pointed bishops Galloway, Hall, and Adamson,
to compose a small catechism for public use, in
order to exclude those of Ci^aig and Davidson.
Upon some sham submission, they absolved the
excommunicated Earl of Huntley. But the chief
design of their meeting was to resolve on com-
posing a Liturgy and Book of Canons for discipline.
In summer 1617, James, paying a visit to his
native country, laboured, with all his might, to
promote the ecclesiastical conformity with Eng-
land. In his own chapel at Holyroodhouse, he
introduced a pompous celebration of the Lord's
A^w/jjot^r with sacred vestments, instrumental music,
and other superstitions of the English cathe-
drals : — and soon after required all his bishops
and nobles that were present in Edinburgh to re-
ceive it in the same manner. But scarce the
half of the lords would receive it kneeling. —
The Parliament, meeting June 1 7th, the Lords
of the Articles framed some acts for depriving the
church of the poor remains of her power ; one of
which imported. That his majesty, with the ad-
o
08 A coMrrNnm? N ni^rnuv of tiik
vice of siirli l»isli()|)> or minirlcrs as Ik? pKasod to
c'onsult, sliniilil \\i\vv lull puvver to detcrinine all
matters relative to the external government of
the (hurcli. In formed hereof, ////// ministers
omitted a solenni protestation ai^ainst it. Hall,
Struthers, and Ramsay of Kdinbur^Hi, quickly pro-
lessed their repentance, liut Arciiihald Simson
of Dalkeith, P. Steuart of Kdiid)iirgii, and David
C'alderwood of Crailing, beini^ far less pliable,
were de[)rived from their oflice, and confined.
Calderwoodwas troubled for not attending Synod,
notwithstanding the high commission had pro-
hi!)ited him to attend part of the time. He was
banished the kingdom. Nevertheless this spirit-
ed opposition made the Parliament to supersede
their act.
In IGU), James had hinted his intentions to
introduce kneeling ^X, the Lord's table; the sacred
observation of the festivals of Christ's birth, death,
and ascension, and of the descent of the Holy
Ghost; i\\^ private administration of baptism and
the Lor d^s Supper, together with t^e confirmation
of children^ by laying on of the bishop's hands.
liis bishops represented to him, that it would be
necessary to get these articles authorized by a
General Assembly. After he and his tools had
tixed upon the mendiers, one was indicted upon
J. 5 days warning, to meet at St. Andrew's in No-
vember, 1017. Hut here his majesty met with
more opposition than was ex[)ectcd. They only
yielded to allow the communion privately to sick
persons, providing there were a proper number
])resent, and the minister gave the elements out
of his own hand. Highly (dlended with their
partial com|)liance, and with their delay of the
principal points, James ordered that none of the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 99
Opponents or non-Uquds should have any modifica-
tion of their stipends for that year. But coolin/^
at last, he indicted another Assembly at Perth
next year, which he took care to pack with such
nobles and gentlemen, as he knew would scarce
stick at any thinj^ to please him, while his bi-
shops, with promises of augmented stipends,
took care to secure a proper number of minis-
ters. Archbishop Spots wood, having mounted
the chair as moderator, James's expostulatory
letter was read, — and seconded by the declama-
tions of Spotswood, and of Young, an Episcopa-
lian doctor from England. Spotswood disdain-
fully rejected every motion made by his oppo-
DCTits ; and, without regard to either Presbytery
or Synod, nominated the committee of overtures.
To induce the Assembly to comply with his ma-
jesty's will, it was promised, that none should be
obliged to practise these ceremonies ; and that he
would never seek to introduce any more from
England. Such as offered to reason against the
ceremonies proposed were rebuked, and threat-
ened. Nevertheless ybr(z/^2;e ministers, one no-
bleman, and one doctor of a university, voted
against them.
The Assembly had no sooner carried an act for
the above mentioned articles, than James ratifi-
ed their deed by a public proclamation ; appoint-
ed his subjects to refrain from labour on the four
festivals specified ; and denounced the most ri-
gorous punishment in person and property
against all that should dare to disobey his man-
dates. The introduction of kneeling in receiving
the. Lord's supper occasioned terrible confusion.
Messrs. William Arthur, Richard Dickson, John
Murray, Pvobert Bovd, Robert Blair, John Ker,
iOO A COMPENDIOUS HISTQIIY OF TUB
Thomas Hoc;;', Andrew Duncan, Henry Blyth,
David Forrester, Rolieit Bruce, John Weenis,
John Scrim^eor, Jolin (iillespie, John Hume,
Geor^^e Grier, James Porteous, William Living-
ston, John Ferguson, Archihalii Simson, and
many other eminently holy and faithfid ministers
were prosecuted before the hi^^h commission,
which deprived, fined, or imprisoned such as re-
fused compliance with the articlks, or testified
a^^ainst the prevalent corruptions. Robert Bruce's
principal crime u as, that he and some of his bre-
thren had kept two private fasts at his house in
Old Monkland. Richard Lawson, James Cathkin,
John IMein, William Ri^g, and others in Edin-
burgh, and in other places, where their pastors
informed against them, were cruelly persecuted
by the high commission, for scrupling to kneel
at the communion, and to observe the appointed
festivals, t\:c. INIeanwhile, such was the tender
sympathy of the court party for the idolatrous
and treacherous Papists, that Anderson, a traf-
ficking priest, being apprehended, was kindir
set at liberty, and honestly apparelled, and had
his charges paid, got a compliment of ^100
wSterling, and then was safely conveyed to
France.
After the bishops and their agents had very
unsuccessfully laboured three years in the intro-
duction of the Art'u Ics of Perth, the Parliament
at Edinburgh, IGSil, solemnly ratified them,
though not without great opposition. Fifteen
of the nobility, and Jorty -Jour of the. commission-
ers from burghs, voted against this deed. Not-
with^tan(ling his majesty's charge to all the
malecontcnt clergy to remove from the city, and
all possible care to restrain their access to Parlia-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 101
ment, a number of them sent up a warning a-
gainst the ratification of the Articles, and after-
wards entered a solemn protestation against it.
While the Marquis of Hamilton, as the king's
commissioner, rose to touch the act with the
sceptre, three terrible flashes of lightning dart-
ed into his face, attended with claps of thunder,
which broke almost immediately on the Parlia-
ment House, and such a darkness and rain as had
not been known in the memory of man. Some
interpreted these things as marks of God's ab-
horrence, and others as marks of his approbation
of the Parliment's deed, which enacted. That in
token of their deep humility, every partaker
should receive the communion on his knees ; that
the Lord's Supper should be administered to per-
sons long sick, or apparently dying, providing
there were three or four fellow partakers ; that,
in case of necessity, baptism should be privately
administered to infants, and report made thereof
to the congregation, next Lord's day ; that after
proper instruction by their minister, children
about eight years of age shall be solemnly con-
firmed by the bishop of the diocese, with prayer
and laying on of hands ; and that the seasons of
Christ's bi?ih, death, ascension, and effusion of the
Holy Ghost, be religiously commemorated by ser-
mons, abstinence from labour, and the like.
When this deed was proclaimed at the Cross of
Edinburgh, Dr. Barclay fixed one copy of the
ministers' protestation on the cross, another on
the church door, and a third on the gate of
Holyroodhouse, and took instruments with the
usual solemnities.
Having now got the civil, as well as the ec-
clesiastical law, on his side, James, by letters to
102 A COMrKNDlUUS UlSTUUV UF THK
till' hisliops, whit li wtro prohalily planned, if not
coni[)lctcly fornicd by tliernsclvcs, and subscribed
at their desire, enjoined the most rigid execution
of it: and they took care to obey him. For
quietly eomin:;; from his place of confinement
to Edinburi^Hi, about an aiVair of 20,000 merks
value, Mr. Uubert I*ru(i', once reckoned by Janus
worth the half of his kin^^chjm, was imprisoned
in the castle, and John Welsh, whom, after lit
years exile, grievous bodilv trouble had forced
from France, was di'nied allowance to die in liis
native country. While (iod by most terrible
rains ruined the crop, and carried otf the bridges
of Berwick and Perth, Messrs. John 3Iurray,
John Row, David Dickson, George Dunbar,
George Johnston, and others, were deprived, ba-
nished, and confined by the high commission. It
being re[)orted, That J^avid Calderwood, whose
Altarc Damasccnum, printed in both Latin and
English, had so galled the Kpiscopal party, iiad
died in Holland, Patrick Scot, it is said, by his
majesty's direction, published a recantation in his
name; and to prevent his rcl'uting it, went to
Holland to seek him out, ami murder him if he
were still alive.
As the sessions, council, and citizens of Edin-
burgh, had long used to meet on the Tucsdai/ be-
fore the administration of the Lord's Supper, in
order to make known and remove whatever ob-
jections they had against their ministers, — Bailie
William Uigg, .John Dickson, John Fleming,
James Nairn, and .lohn Nairn, being interrogat-
ed, by the provost, objected, that Mr. Forbes,
afterwaid bishop, had taught, I'hat there was but
little dillVrence between the Papists and Protes-
tants in ihe doctrine of justiticalion ; and James
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. • 103
Cathkin, John Mein, and others, having desired
the administration of the communion in the for-
mer manner, — William Rigg, John Dickson, a
butcher, John Hamilton, apothecary, John ]Mein,
and William Simson, were cited before the privy
council. ^ Bailie Rigg was first confined to his
own house, and afterwards imprisoned at Black-
ness, and fined in fifty thousand pounds Scots.
William Simson and John Dickson were con-
demned to imprisonment in the common jail of
Edinburgh; John Mein at Elgin; and John
Hamilton at Aberdeen, and fined in twenty
thousand merks Scots.
Notwithstanding all that James and his
bishops could do to prevent the spread of Cal-
dervvood's A/tare Damascenuin, which so effectu-
ally demolished the whole structure of the Eng-
lish hierarchy and superstition, — and his Course
of Conformity, with several other tracts, which
had been printed in Holland, many copies of
them were secretly transmitted hither, and
greedily purchased and read. The death of
Hamilton, the zealous promoter of the Articles
of Perth in the parliament, and of James him-
self, in the beginning of A. D. 1625, gave a
transient check to the persecuting rage : and
Robert Bruce, and no doubt several others,
were permitted to leave their respective con-
finements.
But in vain either church or state expected
happiness under Charles I. who pursued the
maxims, and copied the pattern of his father.
He was scarcely proclaimed king at Edinburgh,
when his clergy notified their intention to have
the communion celebrated on the following Sab
104 ^ COMPKNDIOUS niSTOKV OF THR
bath, which was Easter. Rut the callinf^ of
people and ministers to meet on the 'I'lie^day
before, for the removal of offences and dillVren-
ces, was omitted. This was reckoned liie !nf)re
j;rievous, as the Articles of Perth hatl occasi 'oed
inanifold prejudices and contentions amyriiT li ose
that had formerly lived in the most j>irlect
friendship. Charles having;' appointed a nuiional
fast on the '20th of July, the presbyteriari mini-
sters added to his reasons others of thi'ir own.
The warm opponents of the Articles of Perth
and others, bein^ informed of Ids pretences to
piety and moderation, dispatched Mr. Robert
Scot of Glasgow, to j)resent their sr.opiication
for a redress of that i;rievance. instead of
regarding it, Charles, by a letter to Spotswood,
instigated him and his fellow bishops, to proceed
in the course into which l.is father had put
them. I'hey extolled his pi* ty to the highest,
and so zealously obeyed his orders, that if a
minister but conformed to Episcopacy and the
Articles of Perth, he was almost in no danger of
being quarreled for any thing else.
Provincial synods had now little more left
them than the name. Bisliops, or their depu-
ties, were their constant modeiators. The con-
stant moderators of presbyteries, and a few
others chosen by the bishoj»s, or their agents,
formed into the privy conference or committee
of overtures, had the whole power of managing
affairs. Nevertheless, as some still continued
zealous for the presby terian form of government,
and for the wonted simplicity of gospel worship,
Charles issued forth a public proclamation, bear-
ing, That he did not in the least intend to alter
the government of the church presently esta-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. IQ^
blished ; and that siicli as should dare to disturb
it, or suggest, that he intended to alter it in
favours of the non-conformists, should be punish-
ed. This encouraged his bishops to endeavour
the removing of all that scrupled to conform
from all places of power and trust. Charles
himself, by a letter, required the tovv^n council
of Edinburgh to elect none for maf^istrates but
such as observed the articles of Perth : and about
the same time issued forth a proclamation against
all Papists and Non-conformists. But the Pa-
pists vi^ere protected and cherished, as they were
of the queen's religion, and not disliked by the
managers. Having modelled the Court of Ses-
sion to his pleasure, he formed his privy council
of forty-seven, that of the Exchequer of fifteen,
and the High Commission of seventeen mem-
bers, which last, in the manner of the English
one, had power to call before them whomsoever
they pleased, for transgressing the acts of par-
liament, or for speaking against his majesty or
his progenitors, or their conduct, and to punish
them with fines, imprisonment, deprivation, ex-
communication, kc.
While Elizabeth his sister, and progenitor of
our now royal family, had above eighty thousand
of her subjects in Bohemia and Palatinate, and
an infinity of her allies, murdered by the Papists
in Germany, the zeal of Charles and his bishops
inflamed hot only against those that appeared
most averse from returning to Rome. Certain
of protection or an easy escape, the Papists here-
on became insolent. Charles commanded the
Lords of Council, the advocates and clerks, to
communicate kneeling, as a pattern to others.
Finding none of his own party qualified to check
106 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
the increase of Popery at Paisley, where the
Earl of Abercorn, and his mother and brother,
impudently promoted it. Law, archbishop of
Glasgow, permitted Mr. Robert Boyd of Troch-
rig to be settled there. H»it he had scarcely
taken up house there, when the Karl's brother
threw all his books into the street, as he was
preachine^ on the Lord's day. For this he was
cited before the council ; but as Mr. Boyd in-
treated, that he might not be imprisoned, and
as he himself professed his sorrow for what he
liad done, and his brother and the magistrates
undertook publicly to reinstate Mr. Boyd in his
possession, the affair was dropped. But when
Mr. Boyd, along with the magistrates, returned
to take possession, they found the doors bolted ;
nor could they break them open, as they were
without their jurisdiction, a mob, consisting
chiefly of women, thought to have been hounded
out by the EarFs mother, so abused iMr. Boyd
with revilings and throwing of dirt, that he was
obliged to return to his own house at Trochrig
in Carrick. About this time, several trafTicking
priests were apprehended at Dundee, Dumfries,
^c. but their court-favoured brethren procured
them all an easy deliverance.
In July 1626, Charles held a convention of
estates chiefly for recovering into hh own hand
the tithes and church lands, which his lather had
disponed to laymen. While the possessors beg-
ged him to drop his designs, the bishops and
their clerical favourites met in Edinburgh, and
dispatched the hish()|)s of Ross and Murray, with
AVhiteford and Struthers, to beseech him to curb
the insolent Papists, and to perfect his revocation
of bis father's donations of the church's property,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 107
^nd to promote the augmentation of ministers'
stipends. Upon their return, the conforming
and non-conforming ministers agreed to appoint
some, from their respective presbyteries, to con-
sult for the welfare of the church. The archbi-
shops absented, that they might have it in their
power to declare the meeting null, if things were
not carried to their mind. This meeting agreed
to supplicate his majesty, to promote the fixing
of proper stipends on ministers, and the planting
of vacant congregations ; and that the sentences
might be taken off ministers, who had been pro-
secuted for non- conformity — and they be allowed
to be candidates for, or members of, the General
Assembly, if Presbyteries please ; and that none
might be troubled for non-conformity, or with
subscriptions at their admission, before such an
Assembly should be held. The Conformists chose
the bishop of Ross, and the Non-conformists Mr.
Kobert Scot of Glasgow, to present their petition.
The archbishops and other diocesans were highly
offended with the most of these conclusions.
Hence Mr. Scot went not to court, while the bi-
shop went ; and being charged with secret in-
structions from his diocesan brethren, betray-
ed the cause of the meeting. Nevertheless, the
Non-conformists were charged with part of his
expenses. Charles appointed commissioners to
value the tithes: but some barons procured a let-
ter from him, allowing the gentry an easy com-
position for such as were still in their hands.
The commissioners insisted, that such tithes as
were in the bishops' hands ought also to come
under the revocation^ that his majesty might have
a part of them. — Meanwhile, a sudden inunda-
tion of the sea, upon the parishes of Caerlaverock
108 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
and Rnthwcll, in Cialloway, alarmed tlic surviv-
ing iidialutants and tJjcir neighbours, and render-
ed tlieni deeply |)enitent of their sins, and con-
cerned for their eternal ^alvati^n.
As few of the eoninuiiiicants in several chur-
ches, in or about Edinburgh, had kneeled at the
sa( rament at Easter the preceding- year, the ge-
neral session, wliirh met before it in 1G28, beg-
ged their ministers to dispense it in the ancient
inannt r, for the avoiding of strife and confusion.
Some of these were for allowing every one to sit
or kneel as he pleased. Others were for no kneel-
ing, and for the communicants dividing the ele-
ments among themselves. The \on-conformists
insisted, That they should first celebrate the sa-
(Tament in the former manner, and then suppli-
cate his majesty's tavour, if he were displeased.
But the Conformists got it carried, first to sup-
plicate his permission. In their supplication,
and by Sydserf their commissioner, they repre-
sented, That few of their people now joined in
the Lord's supper, and few of those that did,
would receive it Icjieeling : that notwithstanding
all their pains to extinguish it, the contention
was still increasing, and had already become in-
tolerable ; that by means of it, ministers in-
veighed against, and people hated, one another ;
that atheists wen* tempted to reckon the whole
of religion an indilVerent thing, which might be
altered at men's pleasure; that kneeling at the
communion had an apjiearance of symbolizing
with Papists, and encouraged them in their ido-
latrous worship of the sacramental bread; — and
besought him to dispense with their obedience to
the act of Assembly and Parliament imposing it.
Instead of granting their rc([uest, Charles ap-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 109
pointed the archbishop of St. Andrew's to cite
them to his tribunal, and inflict such punishment
upon their ring-leaders, as might effectually de-
ter others from all such supplications for the fu-
ture ; and to labour with all his might to estab-
lish the form of worship appointed by law. These
things prevented the dispensation of the Lord's
supper at Edinburgh for that season. — Upon the
two last Sabbaths of May, and the Wednesday
betwixt them, Charles appointed a solemn fast
to lament the troubled state of the churches
abroad, and the sins abounding at home, and to
beseech the Lord to avert his threatened judg-
ments, and succeed his Majesty's arms against
France. To these, some Non-conformists added
the innovations made upon the government and
worship of the church, and the persecution of
faithful ministers for opposing them ; which fo-
mented the difference between the two parties.
The Non-conformists more and more gained the
affections of the people, while the Conformists,
losing their esteem, instigated the bishops to
persecute them — who having power on their side,
threatened to excommunicate all such as should
not speedily conform. Being excluded from all
the churches of Edinburgh, Mr. Robert Bruce
preached in several of these in the neighbourhood,
whether multitudes of the citizens resorted to
hear him. Informed of this, Charles required
his privy council to confine him to his own house
in Kinnaird, and within two miles around : but
about the same time required the excommunica-
tion of the Popish earls of Angus, Nithsdale,
Abercorn, and their ladies, to be dispensed with,
and no laws executed against them, till himself
should come down to Scotland.
110 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
While, about the beginninij of A. D. 1629,
Dr. Forbes of Abenlet-n, Wc(lderl)urn of St. An-
drew's, and Maxwc'l and Sydserf of Edinburgh,
occupied themselves in ventinf^ their Arminiaii
tenets, which now paved the way for preferment,
tlie privy council, alarmed by repeated complaints
of the increase and insolence of the Papists, aj)-
peared more than ordinarily earnest, in prosecut-
in^' them, particularly if they were excommuni-
cated; and in taking care of the Protestant edu-
cation of their children. Not to appear behind
them in zeal, the conforming clergy took up a
list of about 500 gentry and others, and sent up
INIaxwel to London to learn his iMajesty's plea-
sure concerning them. But Huntley, through
the queen's influence, procured such an order of
soft dealing with them, as amounted to a kind
of royal protection of them. iMeanwhile, the
Presbyterians were more and more cruelly per-
secuted, many of the inhabitants of Edinburgh,
Leith, and places ad jacent, being cited before the
privy council and High Commission, and arbitra-
rily fined, if they did not answer to satisfaction.
IVIessrs. Lamb of Traquair, D. Forrest of Leith,
and Crcorge Dunbar of Air, were deposed for
their opposition to the course of defection. Ro-
bert ISIelvil, assistant to the aged minister of
Culross, having in a sermon, before hiiu, boldly
inveighed against the pride of Adam Ballantyne,
bishop of Dunblane, and his contempt of the
faithful ministers of Christ, had no doubt also
been prosecuted, if he could have been deprived
of any legal salary. The bisho[)s regarded the
alTronts which they received from the people
the less, as his Majesty highly favoured them
•uid the Bishop of St. Andrew's was ordered tn
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. Ill
take the precedence of the Chancellor in the pri-
vy council, and in places of public resort.
The pride of the bishops having rendered them
odious to a great part of the nobility, a number
of ministers, about the end of this year, trans-
mitted a Representation of 28 grievances to his
majesty ; and begged, That he would interpose
his influence for the redress of them. But per-
haps he never deigned to read it. About the
beginning of 1630, Struthers, a conformist mi-
nister of Edinburgh, offended by the wide steps
some of his brethren were taking towards Eng-
land and Rome, and hearing that Maxwel, his
colleague, had brought from London an order to
the Primate of St. Andrew's, and his diocesan
brethren, to prepare matters for the reception of
the whole government and manner of worship
used in the English church, wrote a letter to Sir
William Alexander, now Earl of Airth, and the
king's secretary, in which he represented, that
K. James, by his commissioner, had promised to
the Parliament in 1621, that no further altera-
tions should be made in the public worship; that
the introduction of other rites, especially if with-
out the consent of the church, would render
the bishops still more odious ; — would deprive
people of their best pastors, alienate their affec-
tions more and more from one another, and in
the issue make them either Papists or Atheists.
— Meanwhile, faithful ministers were remark-
ably countenanced of God at their sacramental
and other occasions. Multitudes crowded to
their communions ; and being eager to hear as
much of the gospel as they could, when they had
an opportunity of it, they began to have one ser-
mon upon Saturday before, and another on the
J 12 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OT THK
Monday after. IMr. John I/ivini^ston a pioba
tioner, after liavini^ run so far ofl', that mornin::^,
preached a sermon at the kirk of Shots, on I\Ion-
day .Iiine 21, at which ^00 were converted to
Christ, and ahnost every one in his lar^e audi-
ence remarkably affected. This was an evident
answer of the prayers in which most of the peo-
ple had spent the whole of the preceding- niixht.
Soon after, the prelates' persecution of him ol)lii;-
cd him to flee to the north of Ireland ; where,
for some years, he and IMessrs. Robert Blair,
Robert Cunint^ham, James Hamilton, George
Dunbar, John JNI'Lellan, and Josias Welsh, la-
boured with great success in the work of the
Lord. The like divine influence attended the
ministrations of iNIr. David Dickson at Irvine
and places about, in the west of Scotland. To
bring a reproach upon this work of God, Satan
drove some into disagreeable excesses and fren-
zies : but, by the care of these faithful ministers,
his designs were in a great measure defeated.
Being informed of an intended Convention of
States, for imposing a new tax for the supply of
his Majesty's, or his hungry courtiers', necessities,
and for making trial, how farther innovations
would relish — but pretending to redress grievan-
ces, the Nonconform ministers, by the Karls of
Rothes, Cassils, and Linlithgow, and the Lords
Yester,Ross, Balmerino, IMelvil, andLowdon, and
some well affected gentlemen, presented a sup-
plication for liberty to administer the Lord's
supper as pastors and people should find most
for edification; and that such entrants as scru-
pled, should not be obliged, before their admis-
sion to the ministry, to swear the oath of si/prc-
iiiacii and canonical obedience. But the court and
4
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 113
bishops, by their warm opposition, prevented the
readino^of it. Balmerino afterwards insisted, that
the oath» which was imposed without the autho-
rity of Parliament, should be laid aside ; and that
according^ to law, no bishops should be allowed
to deprive or suspend any minister, without the
trial and consent of the ministers in that bounds.
But the managers also smothered this motion in
the birth.
In 1631, the apostacy still increased. Dr. Max-
well taught, That our Saviour at his death de-
scended to hell, in order to deliver from it the
souls of virtuous heathens; pretending, that this
doctrine tended much to his glory, and to the
comfort of Christians. John Adamson of Liber-
ton taught, that the church of Rome is a true
church of Christ. Wedderhurn of St. Andrew's
and Sydserf, without control, published their Ar-
minian errors: Many of the conform clergy, and
especially the bishops, altogether abandoned
themselves to drinking in taverns, and sports on
Sabbath afternoons. Foster of Melrose, having
but one hut of corn in his barn yard, zealously
manifested his Christian freedom, by causing his
servants carry it into his barn on Sabbath. Not
a few as faithfully bore witness against their abo-
minations— among whom we may reckon Messrs.
John Sharp, who was banished in 1605, but on
account of his distinguished learning recalled,
and made professor of divinity in the new college
of Edinburgh; Robert Bruce, who now died in a
triumphant manner, holding his finger on the
last verses of Rom. viii ; Robert Boyd of Troch-
rig, John Scrimgeor, John Chalmers, John Dick,
William Scott, John Row, John Ker, James Cur-
ry, Ad. Colt, David Foster, Richard and David
Q
lit A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Dicksons, James Grei^, John Ferguson, James
In^lis, \\'illiarn I jvin^'-ston, Tlioinas Ilo^, and
Alexander Henderson, wlio had been eon verted
from Prelacy by a note of Mr Bruce; Samuel
Rutherford, who, like some others, had ^ot into
the ministry, without any sinful enicai^ement, by
means of some of the nobility — Robert l)oui;las,
(leorge (iillespy, a preacher, and others.
Nuthintrof importance relative to the church
happened in 1G.'32. But next year, Charles, at-
tended by ])ishop Laud and many others, came
down to Edinburgh, in order to be crowned, and
to abolish the remains of Presbytery, and perfect
the relicfious conformity of the two nations. Af-
ter beint; crowned in t!ie most splendid and cere-
monious manner, he, on next Sabbath, was gra-
tified with the I^nglish mode of worship, and
with the most fulsome flattery from the pulpit,
and the most insolent railing against such as
scrupled at lioly vestments, or any thing else,
which he pleased to a])j)oint in the worship of
God. The afternoon was spent in extravagant
feasting, attended with concerts of music, sound-
ing of" trumj)ets, and the like profane, carnal j)a-
rade. The Parliament having met, asserted his
supremacy over the church in all causes, and his
power of prescribing proper vestments f(jr clergy-
men, the last of which it seems his father had
never executed. They ratified all former acts in
favours of the religion presently professed, that
is, as they had dressed it up with Kj»iseoj)acy and
superstition. Hence the fait hi ul party o|)posed
their ratification. They ratified his revocation
of his progenitor's grants of tithes and church
lands. The faithful ministers delivered to Sir
John Hay, elerk register, under the form of pro-
CHURCH OF Scotland; 116
testation, a petion for redress of grievances, crav-
ing. That as the commissioners from the church
had transgressed the caveats, they might be sus-
pended from voting in parliament, till they were
heard ae^ainst them on that point; that the alte-
rations in the act of Parliament 1612, from that
of the assembly 1610, might be rectified; that
the act 1592, establishing Sessions, Presbyteries,
Synods, and General Assemblies, might be revis-
ed and ratified ; that, as was promised when they
were introduced, none should be urged to ob-
serve the articles of Perth; and that all imposi-
tion of oaths not appointed by the Assembly or
Parliament on Intrants, l>e prohibited. Sir John,
being a sworn enemy to religion, and a slave to
the bishops, was highly offended with the peti-
tion, and especially with Mr. Hog's solemn man-
ner of delivering it. The same ministers, by Mr.
Hog, transmitted another supplication to Charles
himself, who lodged at Dalkeith, beseeching him
to favour their forementioned petition in the Par-
liament. But he, detesting their honest designs,
got both their petitions smothered in the birth.
Instigated by the ministers, a number of the
lords, barons, and burgesses, presented to the
king and Parliament a petition, craving. That
the novations lately introduced into the church,
should be abolished; that such as had no interest
in the happiness of the kingdom, or had been de-
clared incapable of being judges in any court,
should be debarred from seats in the Parliament.
Charles heartily abhorred their requests. Ne-
vertheless, he had no small difficulty to carry the
ratification of his spiritual supremacy, and of the
hierarchy and superstition which his father had
introduced. Notwithstanding all his solicitations
lie A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
and threatenings, and even calling for a pen to
mark their names that served or opposed him,
JlJU'cn carls and lords, witli furiif-j'uur commis-
sioners from burghs, voted against that act. Bi-
shop Ikirnet aflirms, that it was really carried in
the negative. Hut Hay, tiic register, who collect-
ed thevotcs, affirming that it was carried in theaf-
firmative, the Earl of Rothes, who had opposed it
with great freedom and strength of reasoning,
averred the contrary. Charles, meanly interpos-
ing, told Rothes, that the clerk's declaration must
stand, unless he, at the hazard of losing his head,
would prove him guilty of falsifying the records
of Parliament. Knowing that Charles, instigat-
ed by his bishops, would rain down his vengeance
upon them, as soon as he could get an opportu-
nity, the nobles prepared a representation of their
designs and reasons thereof. Rut either their
want of unanimity among themselves; or their
information ot his intention to refuse to hear it ;
or his sudden departure to London, prevented
their |)resenting it to iiim.
Having returned home, and made Laud, his
faithful attendant, archbishop of Canterbury, he
transmitted an order to Ballantyne, bishop of
]>umblane, and dean of his royal chapel at Edin-
burgh, to take care to have the communion there
received on their knees, and in cups consecrated
to the king's use, on the first Sabbath of every
month, and to cause all the lords of privy coun-
cil and session, advocates, clerks, and writers to
the signet to receive it in Ci\.w form, at least once
eveiy year, as a pattern to others ; and to report
their obedience or disobedience in this matter to
him. Nevertheless, it is said, that no more than
six lords of privy council, seven of session, two
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 117
advocates, one writer to the signet, with the clerk
of the bills, and two young lords, conformed to
this order.
While Charles had been in Scotland, he had
erected a new bishoprick at Edinburgh, and no-
minated William Forbes, a minister of the city,
zealous for the reconcilement of the popish and
protestant religions, to it. After a farce of elec-
tion by the chapter, he was solemnly consecrated,
in January, J 634, in the presence of the two
archbishops and five bishops ; and had the little
and g7'eat kirks united to form his cathedral.
Notwithstanding his monkish temper, he imme-
diately dispersed his mandates, requiring all mi-
nisters in his diocese, within fourteen days, to
subscribe an engagement to full conformity, and
to administrate the sacraments to none but those
of their own congregations, under pain of being
punished as schismatics. Most of the Presbytery
of Edinburgh subscribed the engagement, on the
same day that they received his mandate. Four
of them took it to an advisement. But William
Arthur at Westkirk, and James Thomson at Col-
lington, flatly refused their subscription. Other
Presbyteries were much less complaisant. Some
expressly refused to come under any such en-
gagement. The Presbytery of Greenlaw trans-
mitted to him their reasons against compliance,
and warned him, that the wrath of God would
certainly overtake him, if he persisted in requir-
ing ministers to act contrary to their conscience.
He had scarcely threatened to make the best in
Edinburgh kneel at the communion, or lose his
Episcopal gown, when a vomiting of blood put
an end to his violent measures, about two months
after his instalment. To obtain his fat benefice,
118 A COMPRNDIOCS HISTORY OF TIIK
Syclserf laboured to imitate him in Arminianism,
and in approaches towards Popery, liut Charles,
knowin;,^ him to he much hated in lulinhurgh,
transported Dr. Lindsay from Brechin, and placed
Sydserf in his room.
A rude drau«^ht of tlie intended address of the
nobles to his majesty, at the conchision of the
above mentioned Parliament, having been left in
the handsof Babnerino, one Dunmuir awriter,who
had been allowed to view Ins library, clandestinely
took a coj)y of it, which lie inadvertently shewed
to Hay of Nau^hton, who took a copy of it w bile
he slejit, and transmitted it to Archbishop Spots-
wood. He, as usual, posted off with it on the Lord's
day to London ; and represented to Charles,
That it amounted to lease-making against him
and his government ; and that copies of it were
industriously spread by the noblemen concerned
in it, in order to alienate his subjects, and make
ministers to refuse the vestments, and other rites
prescribed by law. At last, he and his fellow bi-
shops procured a commission for some ignorant,
mercenary, or Pojiish creatures of the court, to
try the authors and favourers of it, as guilty of
treason. Ilaig, the advocate, who had draw^n it,
after writing a letter to Balmerino, bearing that
he had written it without any iielp or direction
from him, fled off. After some months imprison-
ment Balmerino was brought to his trial. Not-
withstanding all that the bishops could do, seven
of the jury brought him \\\ not ii;uilty. Traquair,
to please them, gave his casting vote against him.
But finding, that the subjects were fully deter-
mined either to liberate him, or to revenge his
death upon those that had condemned him, with-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 119
out any shadow of ground, he quickly procured
for him a royal remission.
In 1685, death had scarcely transported the
pious Viscount of Kenmure, and five or six of the
faithful ministers of their heavenly thrones, when
Archhishop Spotswood was made chancellor of
Scotland, Ballantyne transported to Aberdeen,
and Sydserf to Galloway, and Wedderburn made
bishop of Dunblane, and Whiteford of Brechin.
Some ministers of every presbytery were made
Justices of peace; but few, except thorough paced
episcopalians, accepted of that office. It was in-
tended to provide ministers for all the abbacies,
in order to have as many ecclesiastical lords to
vote in Parliament. But the nobility opposed
this motion ; and Traquair persuaded Charles,
that it would be for his advantage to keep the
abbacies in his own hand. To pacify the morti-
fied bishops, a royal patent was issued, empower-
ing every one of them, with any six associates
that he pleased, to judge all persons within their
diocese, in the manner of the high commission.
Without delay they improved this power for the
destruction of their opponents. For imposing an
intrusion on his parish, Alexander Gordon of
Earlstown was cited before Sydserf and his Gal-
loway commission; fined for absence, and banish-
ed to Montrose. For refusing to conform, or to con-
sent to the intrusion of a conformist on his charge,
Mr. Glendoning of Kirkcubright, aged seventy-
nine, was confined to his parish. Wm. Dalgleish,
a neighbouring minister, was confined in like
manner. For continuing to hear Mr. Glendon-
ing, the magistrates of Kirkcudbright were con-
fined at Wigton ; and his own son, being one of
them, imprisoned, because he would not incarce-
ii
120 A COMPHNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
rate his father. Mr. William Livinj^ston of F.a-
nark was prosecuted by the archhi^iiop of Glas-
gow for eniployini; his son .loiiu to preach, who,
alonij: with his brethren, had been lately silenced
by the bisiiops of Ireland : but the old man so
boldly vindicated his coiuluct, and laid home to
the consciences of liis judt;es their many heinous
offenres aj^ainst (jod, that they were ^Had to be
rid of him. Walter (Treii^s who had enter(Hi to
Balmerino with Spotswood's own consent, and
by the call of both patron and people, was cast
out as an intruder, that wanted collation from
him. John IMein, merchant in Edinburgh, was
again prosecuted for not observing an anniversary
fast, and attending his own [)arish church. The
members of the college of justice and people of
Edinburgh, were mightily urged to perfect con-
formity, in all the novations introduced 'J'hus
the bishops carried all before them, leaving little
else for the friends of reformation, but to cry to
the Lord because of their oppressors.
In the beginning of \(jS6t IMaxwell bishop of
Ross, \\\\[^ was already a lord of the privy coun-
cil, a lord of the excluHpui, and an extraordinary
lord of the session, thought to have got the high
treasurcrship, which Morton demitted. But the
nobles, otfended with Si)otswoo(rs promotion to
the chancellorship, procured that office for the
Earl of Tra(piair, who often proved a thorn in
the side of the bishops. Traipiair's j)rocuring
a pension of .-0 200 Sterling for Maxwell, si-
lenced him a little. Hut when he s(>licited the
dissolution of the commission for valuation of
tithes, 'IVacpiair, by gaining not only the nobles,
but even part of tlie bish.)ps to the opposition,
prevented his success. S])otswood durst nut ap-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 121
pear against Traquair, for fear he should detect
his villanies. The archbishop of Glasgow had
obtained a royal grant of the first fruits in his
diocese ; but Traquair found means to pocket
them himself. He also thought to oblige the in-
habitants of Glasgow to pay their ministers sti-
pends, and to deprive their council of the Patro-
nage of Blackfriars and the Loxv-kirks; but Tra-
quair defeated his plan.
In 1 630, Mr. Samuel Rutherford had been cit-
ed before the high commission ; but a storm hin-
dering Spotswood to cross the Forth, and Alex-
ander Colvil, one of the Judges, befriending him,
the diet was deserted. Some ministers in his
presbytery, labouring to exasperate Spotswood
against him, a new prosecution of him and Mr.
Dalgleish was intended in 1634. But Lord Kirk-
cudbright screened Rutherford from his persecu-
tors' rage. In 1636, he was obliged by Sydserf,
to appear before the high commission for his non-
conformity, and his preaching against the Articles
ofPerthf and writing against Arminians. He de-
clined their jurisdiction as unlawful and incom-
petent : nor would he give any of the bishops pre-
sent their lordly titles. Notwithstanding all that
Lord Lorn and others could do in his behalf, he
was prohibited, under pain of rebellion, to exer-
cise his ministry any more in Scotland, and char-
ged to confine himself in Aberdeen and its envi-
rons, during his Majesty's pleasure. In that con-
finement he wrote many of his letters, which have
since been so refreshing to multitudes. Mr. Da-
vid Dixon, whom the Earl of Eglinton had got
restored to his charge, was on the point of being
deposed by the archbishop of Glasgow, for employ-
ing Messrs. Blair, Livingston and others, whom
R
122 A coMPr.NDiur^ iiistoky uj the
the episrojial persecutors had driven from Ire-
land.
\h' this time Laud of Canterbury was deeply
concerned to have a perfect conformity establised
between the Scottish and Kni^^lish ( luirclies. Ho
laboured to persuade the Scottish bishops to re-
ceive the Env:Hsli I'dnrgij. But, in their ])ride,
and to avoid all appearance of their dejiendence
on England, they insisted for a liturgy of their
own composition, but near to the English in both
matter and form. U'his occasioned a dryness be-
tween them and the Canterburian primate. But
Charles, advised by Laud and his underling bi-
shops of London and Norwich, took the matter
upon himself. lie fixed upon the alterations
which he thought proper, and required the Scot-
tish bishops to frame their service book according
to them, and particularly to retain all the Eng-
lish Sai/its (Jdj/Sf and add the most renowned of
Scotland to them, especially those of the royal
family or episcopal order, and by no means to
omit Sai?iU Geofgc and Patrick — and to retain the
phrase, receive ye the Holij Ghost, in the Rubric,
for ordination ; — and to insert among the lessons
ordinarily read, ^\'i<dom of Solomon, i, ii, iii,
iv, V, vi. and Ecclesiasticus i, ii, v, viii, x,
XXV, xlix. And he further required, that in all
bishops houses, universities, and colleges, this
service book should be used twice every day.
While Maxwell, Sydserf, Wedderburn, Ballan-
tyne, and other bishops were forming this liturgy,
it was foreseen, that a booli of canons would be
necessary to enforce the use of it. Charles there-
fore authorized them to conqiose one, falsely pie-
tending, That the sul)Stanee of the acts of the
CHURCH OF SCOTLANn. 123
General Assemblies could not otherwise be pro-
perly known, as a fixed standard of manas^ement.
Scarcely had the canons been published, when
the whole body of Presbyterians declared ag-ainst
them, as obscure and corrupt in many things ;
an^t as irregularly imposed. They particular-
ly complained, That the 1st, 12th, and 13th
canons, advanced the king's prerog-ative too hig"h,
and left the church entirely at his mercy ; that
the 2d, 5th, and 15th, urged an implicit subscri})-
tion to a service book or liturgy not yet finished
and published; that the 6th rendered ministers
in part slaves to the bishops ; that the 10th laid
the innocent and guilty parties on a level in the
case of divorce; that the 16th seemed to bind to
the bidding of prayer, prescribed in the 55th.
Against the rest they complained, that bishops
were established with absolute jurisdiction, and
Popish idolatry and superstition revived by them;
that the whole structure of their ancient and so
often ratified church policy was abolished; sessions
and Presbyteries condemned as conventicles ; rul-
ing elders and deacons rejected ; and all ecclesi-
astical causes dragged to episcopal tribunals ; —
that they contained a number of Popish terms, as
sacramental confession, and absolution — appointed
all ranks to come to the Lord's Supper and all
other sacraments ; or contained ambiguous terms,
as that ministers are ordained to urge the neces-
sitij of good w^orks. The liturgy or book of com-
mon prayer, was at last finished. It did not con-
tain so many lessons from the Apocrypha as the
English ; but those which it had w^ere appointed
to be read when the audience was like to be most
numerous. The Psalms of it were not taken from
the Vulgate, but from the last English translation.
121< A (:(jMrKM)iuiJs niiroiiY oi the
Bui, in many thin^^s relative to altars, offering of
the elements in the comnnmion, prayer for the
dead, ministers standini; at the altar, and some-
times turninc^ their face from the people, and with
respect to Ciirist's corporeal presence in the Eu-
charist, it aj)proached nearer to the Romish mass
book than the English had done. — It was more-
over loudly complained, that these books were
imposed without being first examined and ap-
proved by any General Assembly ; and that the
^:anons, under pain of excommunication, prohibit-
ed all ([uestioning of the rectitude of any thing
in them.
^\'hen Charles and his privy council issued
forth their proclamation for the observance of
these books, some insisted for a delay of the ex-
ecution. But the young bishops, who had fram-
ed them, and Tracpiair, who, to ruin them, push-
ed them forward, zealously insisted for immediate
obedience to the royal mandate, and the new
laws. Notwithstanding the ministers were ur-
ged to compliance in their diocesan Synods, ma-
ny of them would not so much as purchase the
books. The bishops falsely rej)resented to the
council, that the most judicious ministers had all
dutifully complied, and obtained an act for rais-
ing/r//(/'.9 o/V/or// /;/£,'- against the reluctants, oblig-
ing each of them to provide two copies of the
service hook for the use of the parish, within fif-
teen days after their charge, under pain of being
held rebels against his Majesty and his laws.
But this act was only a temporary bugbear,
'/eal for the increase of tiieir revenues somewhat
diverted the attention of the two archbishojis.
Spotswood hoped to draw the tithes and abbey
of St. Andrew's to himself; and by obtaining a
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 125
locality in each parish, to enrich himself, and im-
poverish the family of Lennox, which had grant-
ed leases of the tithes. His brother of Glasgow
expected to get £ 5000 Sterling out of the
annuities within his diocese. But, by procuring
a royal dissolution of the commission for valua-
tion of tithes, and by other methods, Traquair,
to their unspeakable vexation, defeated their de-
signs. They resolved on a journey to court, to
complain of his conduct, and to procure redress
to their purse. And in order to secure themselves
a favourable hearing, they laboured zealously to
promote the use of the new liturgy before they
set out. They procured a letter from Charles,
and an order from his privy council, requiring his
subjects in Edinburgh to use it as a pattern to the
rest. Spotswood then convened the ministers,
and threatened them with immediate suspension,
if they should disobey. It seems that all of them
promised compliance, except Messrs. Andrew
Ramsay and Henry Rollock ; the immediate sus-
pension of whom did but so awaken the indigna-
tion of the people, that they would not allow the
rest to comply, however willing they wq^yq, to
do it.
Dean Annan had scarce began to read the ser-
vice in St. Giles' church, when the people began
to make a noise. Bishop Lindsay hastened to the
pulpit to pacify them ; but by casting of stools
and the like at them, both bishop and dean were
in danger of their life. Almost all the sober
people went home, bitterly reflecting upon the
bishops, for bringing matters to such a j)ass, by
their innovations. The magistrates and privy
counsellors, having driven from the church such
as aimed their blows at the bishop and dean, the
]2(') A flO.Ml'LNDlUL'S IIJS'IOUY OF irfF.
service was gut peiruniud u illi shut doors. Ijiit
Annan, and especially the bishop, was in no small
dani^er as they went home. Fairlic, bishop of
Argyle, anel his assistants, who attempted to in-
troduce the liturgy into the Greyf'riars chueh,
had not much better encouragement. I do not
find that it was attemi)ted in any other churches
of the city. Not a single person, except the mere
rab])le, appears to have been concerned in these
tumults. I)ut the bishops and their votaries, to
the great grief of the privy council, inv diately
sent off' an express to his Alajesty, in which they
represented the citizens as the authors or actors
of all ; and complained of the absence of Tra-
quair, who had been detained by a heavy rain.
After the privy council had made a thorough ex-
amination, Tracjuair, in their name, informed
Charles, that the whole tumult was owing to the
low rabble, especially the most abject. And, in
a letter to the iNIarquis of Hamilton, he laid the
blame upon the folly and precipitancy of the bi-
shops. The town council of Edinburgh wrote a
letter to archbishop Laud, representing the inno-
cence of their citizens, and their own readiness
to receive the liturgy ; and they offered an addi-
tional stipend to such ministers as would use it ;
and promised to them and their assistants [)rotec-
tion in so doing, liut as none of the contorming
clergy inclined to venture their heads on such
terms, the bishops agreed to suspend the service
till his ^lajesty's [)leasure concerning the late tu-
mult should be known. All sacred meetings on
week days were dropt in the city, which, having
an ap[)earance of a Popish interdiction, inflamed
the people more and more. As both ministers
and magistrates desired to promote the service ,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1*21
and the ministers oflered to read it themselves
till decent readers could be found and instruct-
ed, providing" that the ministers in the suburbs
and neighbourhood, should be obliged to do
the same, and that the city should give assurance
for their indemnification, the privy council or-
dered a bond of assurance to be drawn up, and
expeded, and appointed the magistrates to make
diligent search after the authors and abettors of
the late tumult, and to provide readers for their
churches. But notwithstanding all their diligence,
sufficient readers could not be had : and so the
service was delayed, to the great mortification of
Charles and his bishops.
Meanwhile, the two archbishops had done
what they could, to promote the sei^vlce in the
country, and had charged Messrs. Alexander
Henderson of Leuchars, and David Dickson of
Irvine, and many others, under pain of being im-
mediately denounced rebels, to buy, each of them,
two copies of the prayer book for the use of their
parishes. Nevertheless, not only were readers
every where hard to be found, but the reluctant
ministers, in four different petitions, begged the
privy council to grant a suspension of the JDishops'
orders — in which they pointed forth the principal
errors of the Canons and Liturgy, and offered a
friendly dispute on these points ; — they shewed
what bad consequences had, or might attend
the introduction of novations and imposition of
liturgies; and that the church had no security at
all, if princes might change her ancient and inno-
cent forms of worship without her consent ; and
that his Majesty had bound himself to make no
alterations in this kingdom, without the lawful
advice and cojisent of all concerned. Many no--
5
I'JS A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
blemcn, by their letters, and gentlemen, by per-
sonal solicitation, be^^r^anl the privy counsellors to
keep that yoke otr the neck of ministers. The
council therefore enacted, 'J'hat letters of horning
relative to the service book, should extend no
further than to the purchasing of it. They re-
presented to his Majesty, that notwithstanding
all their endeavours to the contrary, the increas-
ing opposition to his new liturgy had baflled all
their attempts to introduce it ; and begged that
some of their number might be called up to give
him full information of the critical state of the
nation, in order that proper steps might be taken
to hush the commotions, and introduce his litur-
gy. The supplicants thanked them for their mo-
deration ; but tiie bishops were highly dissatisfi-
ed, as, contrary to their intention, the odium of
the imposition, being removed from the council,
fell all on themselves.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 129
CHAPTER V.
By bold and pi'iident Remonstrances — by solemnly re~
new'ing their Covenant with God — by ivarlike Defence
of themselves against Charles I. and Mcnitrose his
Lieutenant — by entering into a Covenant with, and as-
sisting the English — by opposing Hamilton'' s Engager-
ment — by adopting neiv Standards of Doctrine^ Wor~
ship. Discipline, and Government, and by many exceL
lent Acts of Asserably and Parliament, the Covenan-
ters carry their Reformation to great Perfection, be-
tween 1637 and 1651.
JjuRiNG the throng and hard labour of the har-
vest, the country was pretty quiet. But it was
scarcely finished, when, instead of a few consci-
entious ministers, no less than twenty noblemen,
a considerable number of barons, mostly ruling
elders, and near an hundred ministers, the pro-
vosts, or eldest bailies, of Glasgow, Stirling, Ayr,
Irvine, Dumbarton, Dunfermline, Culross, Kirk-
caldy, Dysart, Cupar, Lanark, Inverkeithing,
Burntisland, and Anstruther, with commissioners
from sixty eight parishes, mostly gentlemen of
principal influence in the counties of Ayr, Fife,
Lothian, Clydsdale, Stirling, and Strathearn, many
of whom knew not of others, till they met at the
s
130 A COMHENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
door of tlie ( nuncil house, remonstrated against
the imposition of the service book — In Charles's
reply to his coiinrirs letter, he eomplained that
they had not exenited his (ormer direetions; that
they had proposed no new expedient, but had al-
lowed an interruption of the service. lie per-
cioptoril) ordered them, hy their presence and
influence, to cause it to he estahlished in Edin-
bur^^h without further d lay; and that the other
bish()j)s should introduce it into their dioceses, as
had been done in those of Ross and Dum!)lane ;
and that the council should warn all the burc^hs
to choose none for their ma^^istrates, for whose
conformity they could not answer. Neverthe-
less sixty-eight different remonstrances against
the introduction of the service hook, were present-
ed to the council, representing it as contrary to
the religion presently professed, and as irregu-
larly imposed, without consent of the General
Assembly, and contrary to acts of Parliament.
From all these, the Earls of Sutherland and
Wemys formed one general remonstrance, which
was subscribed by a great number of n(tbles. In-
tent u|)on executing his Majesty's directions, the
council delayed answering of these petitions ; but
promised to ac(juaint the petitioners witii his
pleasure, as soon as it should be signified to them.
And, by the Duke of Lennox, they transmitted,
to him the general petition, and another from the
city of (Glasgow, and a third from the diocese of
Dumblane, in whi( h he alleged the service book
had l»een cheerfidly received. They also inform-
ed him of their diligence in executing his orders,
and appointed Lennox to lay before him a true
state of" the circumstances ol the n.'ition. Highly
offended, liial the council would not sacrifice their
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. ISl
own consciences, and the public peace and tran-
quillity for promoting their power and ceremo-
nies, the bishops represented Sir Thomas Hope
his Majesty's advocate, and the Earl of Traquair,
as little better than traitors, that secretly sup-
ported the rebels in their remonstrances.
After thanking the council for their good in^
clinations to redress their grievances, the petition-
ers returned home, and applied themselves to
search their own ways, and turn to the Lord,
by confession, prayer, and humiliation for sin-
to assist them in which work, Messrs. Henderson,
Dickson, and Ker, drew up some directions.
Their numbers mightily increased. Sir John Hay,
the new provost of Edinburgh, had hindered the
citizens from petitioning along with their bre-
thren. But soon after, such multitudes of them
attended the town council as obliged them to re-
monstrate to the standing committee of the
privy council against the service book, and to pro-
mise to have the petition transmitted to his Ma-
jesty. Hay excused this petition, as originating
from the strangers, which had lately crowded the
place; and Spotswood thought to have had it dis-
cussed by the council, before any others could
come up. But Archibald Johnston, afterwards
Lord Warriston, by his careful information of his
friends, prevented that. There was scarce a shire
southward of the Grampain hills, from which
noblemen, gentlemen, burghers, ministers, and
others, did not convene to supplicate the coun-
cil, or to wait for their answer to their former
petitions. Above two hundred parishes gave in
new supplications. The petitioners being now
too many for common consultation, divided them-
selves into four divisions or tables of nobility, gen-
152 A COMPRNDIOUS HISTORY OT THF
try, ministers, and hnrpessrs, wliicli began their
mt'('tiriq;.s u ilh prayer, and ibrnuHl a survey of
tlie new liturgy.
Informed of these tilings, Charles, by a so-
lemn proclamation, prcdiibited the council to pro-
ceed in jiidi^int^ of ecclesiastical allairs, and
charged all the petitioners to return to their re-
spective liomes, under pain of b( ing denounced
relv Is. And, to punish the citizens of Iklin-
burgh for their joining with the other petitioners,
he ordered the council and court of session to
remove to Linlithgow, and thence to l^undee ;
\vhich occasioned a remarkable interruption of
public justice in the kingdom. A tract aga nst
the E/tg/ish Popish ccrnnonies, by INIr. George
Gillespy, was also prohibited by public procla-
mation. Spotswood craftily absented himself
from the council. But the malcontents, look-
ing on him and his fellow bishops as the great
instruments of" oppression, and a dead weight
upon the other lords of privy council, drew up
a formal complaint against them, in which they
charged them \\\\.\\ the framing of the service book,
and sowing in it the seeds of idolatry, super-
stition, and fal>e doctrine, contrary to the religion
legally establislx d ; and even approaching nearer
to tlie Popish Missal tlian the l.nglish had done;
— and \\\\\\ forming the Ihxtk of Canons^ in
which bishops arc empo>Nered to tyrannize over
ministers and people at plcrisure , — by which
means, they had wionged his iNIajesty, kindling
discord between him andhi> .subjects, and between
the subjects themselves,--and had rent the church,
and undei mined her doctrine, worship, discipline,
and government; — and tli(i(forc they begged,
that they might be brought to tlieir trial, and
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 133
duly punished ; and in the mean time, not be al-
lowed to sit judges upon the petitioners. This
complaint was signed by twenty-four noblemen,
some hundreds of gentlemen, some hundreds of
ministers, and most of the burghs. Nor doth it
appear, that any but Mr. R. Bailie, afterward
principal in the college of Glasgow^ did hesitate
to subscribe it, who thought some expressions of
it too severe. — Finding that their former suppli-
cation had not been presented to his majesty, ac-
cording to promise; and that the courts of jus-
tice were removed from their city ; and that, after
their fellow petitioners returned home, they would
be exposed to the resentment of their provost,
severals in Edinburgh, chiefly women, attended
the town council, and threatened them, that un-
less they would concur with the other burghs in
their supplications and complaints, and would re-
store Messrs. Ramsey and Rollock, their minis-
ters, and Henderson a reader, they w^ould not
suffer one of them to come out alive. This obliged
them to an immediate compliance. These fe-
male insurgents, in their way home, had handled
the bishop of Galloway and the provost too rough-
ly, had not the nobles prevented them.
After several unsuccessful addresses to the
privy council, the numerous supplicants returned
home, having resolved to meet again upon the
15th of November. Then greater numbers than
ever attended at Linlithgow, and were joined by
the Earl of Montrose, and some other noblemen.
Notwithstanding the counsellors could not pre-
suade them of the lawfulnes of their conventions,
they agreed. That, since their grievances were
not like to be soon redressed, the noblemen, with
two gentclmen from every shire, and a minister
134 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OP THE
from every pres])ytery, and a commissioner from
every hur^li, should attend the council, and the
rest return home. They also aii^reed, that Ro-
thes, Montrose, Lindsay, and Loudon, as depu-
ties for the nobles ; the lairds of Reir, Cunning-
hamiiead, and ()Id!)ar, for the shires; the two
bailies of F^diidjurgh, and provost of Culross, for
the burghs; and Messrs. James Cunningham and
Thomas Ramsay for the ministers, should ordi-
narily attend at Edinburgh for receiving answers
of petitions, and giving in remonstrances to the
council. After settling a method of gentlemen
serving by turns, and of advertising their consti-
tuents in case of need, and a solemn admonition
to, and promise of personal and family reforma-
tion, most of them returned home.
The above-mentioned deputies remonstrated to
the lords of privy council. That if they find his
jMajesty not rightly informed of their grievances;
or it they obtain not redress by the methods agreed
upon, it shall be lawful for them to assemble their
constituents; — that such bishops or ministers as
have slandered their conduct as seditious, shall
be obliged to give satisfaction for their offence ; —
that since it was none but the low mob that rais-
ed the late tumult in Edinburgh, the council shall
intercede with his Majesty for the return of the
courts of judicature to that city; — that Messrs.
Ramsay and Rollock shall be reponed to their
charges ; — and that the bishops be prohibited to
urge the use of the service Injok, till his Majesty's
pleasure be further known. They were the more
zealous on this last point, because Wedderburn,
bishop of Brechin, had prohibited the town coun-
cil of that place, to send any commissioners to
sup])licate against it; and, upon their refusing to
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1^5
obey him, had taken instruments in the name of
God, the King, and himself, as a privy counsel-
lor, and on the Sabbath following-, contrary
to the advice of the Chancellor and Treasur-
er, had gone to his pulpit to read the service^
armed with pistols, his servants, if not also his
wife, being prepared to second his warlike at-
tempt. But he was so drubbed by some of the
people, in his way home, that he never repeated
his dangerous task.
Though the privy council, to shift a proper an-
swer to the people's demands, solemnly protested
to their deputies, that they were not regularly
met, they, as constituted, dispatched two mis-
sives, one to Charles, and another to the Earl of
Stirling, secretary for Scottish affairs ; in which
they represented the necessity of the restoration
of the ordinary courts of judicature, and their own
reasons for yielding so far to the aggrieved sub-
jects. TheEarl of Roxburgh, their agent, return-
ed from London, with an ample commission
from his Majesty. But it being whispered^ that
he had orders to apprehend some of the principal
noblemen among the petitioners, the deputies
convened all their commissioners. But, upon
Traquair's entreaty, and the council's promise to
do nothing to their prejudice, they remained at
Edinburgh. Directed by his Majesty's letter,
the council made three acts, declaring, that he
had no intention of altering the religion presently
professed, or the Imusofthe country; and appoint-
ing two meetings of council every week at Dal-
keith, and thereafter at Stirling, of which that
on the Thursday should discuss complaints and
grievances — and aj)pointing the Court of Session
to meet in the beginning of February next, JGii8.
4.
13G A COMPENDIOUS HISTORV OF THE
for tlio adiniiiist ration of civil aflairs, wlii( h, lor
almost a year, had been totally interrupted, or
run into ronliision. 'I'hc n»alcontents plainly
pcrc<Mve(l, that, by the ri'lh^ion pnscnihj t'stab-
lishrd, (^harles meant Prelacy and its attendant
snperstitir»ns, and by the Idwa of the kin!j;dom,
such as had !»een enacted since his father's acces-
sion to the Eni^lish throne; — the council there-
fore findinii;- them hiiihl/ disaffected, and that
they could not apprehend their chiefs, or, by pro-
mises or presents, detach the poorer sort from
them, tried several methods to divide them, or
at least to persuade them to alter their supplica-
tion in October last; especially in that which re-
spected the bishops. But instead of comj)liance,
the commissioners supported their [)etiti()n, evin-
ced their duty to subscribe it, and proved, That
it was necesN[iry for the honour of Christ, the
preservation of their religion and liberty, and for
the honour and advantage of Rin^ and country,
and for preventing the re-introduction ot Popery,
and for keeping themselves free of any consent
to the innovations imposed, or any hand in the
persecution of their faithful brethren.
Finding that the council for several days had
but laboured to divide them, or to shift their re-
quests, the deputies appointed two of their num-
ber to protest at each door of the council-house,
in name of all the aggrieved subjects, That they
ought to have inmiediate recourse with their grie-
vances before his Majesty himself, and to j)rose-
cute them, in a legal manner, before the ordina-
ry judges ; that the bishops, being their oppo-
site parties, ought not to sit in any judicatory
as judges of tlieir cause, till once they should
have purged themselves of the crimes with which
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 137
they were ready to charge them ; that it shoukl
be lawful for them, in religious matters, to con-
form themselves to the word of God, and lauda-
])le constitutions of this church, and in no wise
dangerous to refuse the canons or liturgy im-
posed without, or against, the acts of General
Assemblies, or laws of this kingdom ; that no bad
consequences, arising from the council's refusing,
or shifting, to redress their grievances, should be
imputed to them ; and that their supplications
proceeded from conscience, and merely tended to
the preservation of the true reformed religion,
and the liberty of the nation. Informed of this
intended protestation, the privy counsellors pro-
mised the deputies a hearing of their requests
upon the 21st of December. The commissioners
therefore appointed the twelve deputies to pre-
sent their supplication and complaint to the coun-
cil, and to do every thing necessary for obtaining
a proper answer to them. They also agreed upon
the observation of a general Fast, leaving it to
ministers and their sessions to fix the time and
assign the causes of it ; — and advised ministers
to shew their people the heinous nature of the
late innovations, and how contrary they were to
the national covenant, which had been sworn
about forty years before, viz. in 1596; and kind-
ly to warn universities against receiving the ser-
vice book, or tolerating the teaching of any false
doctrine among them.
The council having met, and the bishops with-
drawn— consisted only of laymen. Lord Lou-
don, as agent for the other deputies, presented
two copies of their supplications, which had been
given in September and October preceding, with
a new one, in which they complained of the bU
138 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
shops usine^ the service book ; and that some mi-
nisters of E(iinl)ini;h liad, in their sermons and
Otherwise, reproached their lawful attempts for
redress of t;-rievances as seditious and rebellious —
and hesoui^ht their lordships to deal with his Ma-
jesty, and to their utmost endeavour their redress.
He also presented a dccHnature of the bishops as
judges in their cause, since they had been contrivers,
introducers, and ur^rers of the rttura^j/ and canons,
and authors of their other grievances. He and Mr.
Cuningham enforced their supplications with
most affecting speeches, the last of which, it is
said, drew tears from several counsellors, and
gained Lord Lorn, afterwards IMarquis of Argyle,
to the petioners' side. The council, from con-
science or from necessity, found themselves oblig-
ed to represeni the whole matter to his Majesty,
and not agreeing whether to depute Roxburgh
or Traquair for that purpose, they left it to
Charles to choose whom he pleased. After be-
ing imposed upon by young Spotswood, president
of the session, and better informed by a letter
which Rothes had sent to the Earl of Hadding-
ton, he called up Traquair, who refused to look
on, or carry along with him, an information from
the deputies; but permitted Lord Orbiston, jus-
tice clerk, one of his attendants, to carry it. Pre-
sident Spotswood had so biassed Charles, that
Tra;;uair had no small diflirulty. Stirling, who, by
I^aud's direction, ha<l kept ba( k part ol the inl'or-
mation sent l)y the council, was at last left in the
lurch. Instigated by a letter from old Spots-
wood, the archbishoj), Charles resolved to iiave
all the proceedings of the malcontents condem-
ned, and every thing similar prohibited under
pain of high treason. Traquair repeatedly re-
1
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 139
inonstrated against this step, as calculated to en-
danger the public peace ; i3ut he was remanded
with new instructions to the council
After his return to Scotland, Traquair, to de-
ceive the malcontent deputies, pretended, That
he had brought no instructions relative to their
affairs. But they, being informed of the truth
by their friends at London, appointed four or
five of their number to attend the council at Stir-
ling. Traquair and Stirling laboured to dis-
suade them from this, or at most to send up only
TWO, whom, it seems, Traquair intended to ap-
prehend and imprison in the castle. Some of the
bishops' friends talking of this, the malcontents
resolved to go to Stirling in a body. Traquair
diverted them from this, and persuaded them to
depute only a few. Finding them determined to
prosecute their attempts for the preservation of
their religion and liberties, he, after informing
them that the council was to sit at Stirling to-
morrow, together with Roxburgh, set out for it
a little after midnight, intending to have his Ma-
jesty's instructions approved and proclaimed be-
fore any of the deputies could come up. After
having, to no purpose, waited two hours for a
quorum of the council, they, about ten o'clock,
forenoon, proclaimed his Majesty's mandates,
bearing, That he, not the bishops, was the origi-
nal cause of the disputed canons and liturgy; that
he condemned all conventions of his subjects in
order to form supplications against these pious
and innocent books, as altogether illegal and se-
ditious, and prohibited all such meetings for the
future, under pain of rebellion; — that none should
approach his privy council without special allow-
ance ; and that such as hud, or were coming up,
140 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
for any such purpose, should witliin six houis de-
part from Stirlinq-, under pain of liigh treason.
Informed by his own servant of the early depar-
ture of Tracpialr and Roxhurg^h, Lord Lindsay
and the Karl of Iliinie posted to Stirling; and
were ready with a public notary to protest against
the king's proclamation, as soon as it was read. —
They further remonstrated, That the seeds of
superstition and idolatry are contained in tiie li-
furgy and canons, and many other novelties ineun-
sistent with the liberties, laws, and religion of
this kingdom ; — that they and their constituents
ought to bealloAved to accuse the bishops; — that
the High C'ommission Court is contrary to the
fundamental laws of the nation, and calculated
to establish the tyranny of bishops; that they
Avill not yield to the bishops as their judges, till
they have manifested their innocence in some
competent court; and that all their meetings and
supplications had no other end, but the preserva-
tion of the purity of religion and of his Ma-
jesty's honour, and the liberty of church and
state. The rest of the malcontent commission-
ers came up in the afternoon, but could not ob-
tain a copy of the King's proclamation. They
refused to leave Stirling before the counsellors
promised to do nothing further in thtir affair ;
but were scarcely gone oft' when the treacherous
council met, and admitted tlie bishops to judge,
and approved his ."Majesty's proclamation.
Next morning the deputies waited upon the
council, and so effectually represented the impro-
priety and sinfulness of their conduct, as made
the Karls of Angus and Napier profess tlieir sor-
row for their rash a|)probation of the King's pro-
clamation, and Sir Thomas Hope, his advocate.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 14^1
refused to subscribe it. When the proclamation
was published at Linlithi^ow, the protest taken
against it at Stirling was renewed. When it was
read at Edinburgh, sixteen noblemen, with a great
number of barons, gentlemen, ministers, and bur-
gesses, protested against it, and that they should
have immediate recourse to his IMajesty and other
competent judges, for redress of their grievances ;
that the bishops should not be held their lawful
judges, till they had purged themselves of the
crimes laid to their charge ; that no deed of coun-
cil made in their presence, should be prejudicial
to the sup{)licants ; that no danger should be in-
curred for disregarding liturgy, canons, courts, acts,
or proclamations, introduced without, or contrary
to, the standing laws of church or state ; and that
no bad consequences of the council's refusing to
hear their remonstrances, and redress their grie\'-
ances, should be imputed to them.
Convinced that Traquair and Roxburgh had
but deceived them, instead of labouring to re-
move their radical grievances, the malcontents
assembled at Edinburgh in great numbers, in Fe-
bruary 1638, to consider more fully of proper
methods of redress. Moved by the nobility, as-
sisted by Messrs. Alexander Henderson and Da-
vid Dickson, all the tables agreed to renew their
national covenant vj'xih God, the violation of which
they judged an original source of all their calami-
ties ; and a committee was appointed to form a
bond suited to their present circumstances. Af-
ter the original bond of 1381, and a list of many
acts of Parliament, which manifested the several
points to be sworn, as commanded, or allowed by
the civil laws, they subjoined the new bond,
'.vhich alone was to be sworn and subscribed. 'J'he
i42 A COMPRNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Earl ofCassilis, .Afr. Bailie, and a few otiiers, who
liad been edueated in lii^li notions of his Majes-
ty's prero^'-ati\ es, or of tlie lawfulness of Prelacy,
liad some dinicidtics ; hut after some reasoning,
and the alteration of a few words, all present
agreed to it, except three or four clergymen from
Ano;us. As some scrupled, directly to condemn
the Articles of Perth and other innovations as
vnlawjul in themselves, the draught of the cove-
nant bond referred all determination on that point
to the first free General Assembly, and engaged
the swearers to no more than ^forbearance of them
till that should take j)lace. By the discipline of
the church, they meant no more than the substan-
tial points of it used in 1581. Such as had sworn
conformity to the novations introduced, were told,
that they might nevertheless engage to forbear
the use of them for a time, on account of their
oflensivcness. Such as suspected that the bond
too much limited the maintenance of the King's
authority, were told, that their swearing to main-
tain his avithority in the defence of the true reli-
gion, and of the laws and liberties of the king-
dom, did not exclude tlieir maintenance of it in
other cases; that in the bond of J 58 I, they were
btill more expressly bound to defend their reli-
gion ; that they engaged to maintain the King's
authority along with their religion, and therefore
their defending of one another in the maintenance
of religion, was no more than the laws of the
kingdom required of them. Some other difficul-
ties were started, but removed in a IViendly man-
ner.
The ministers having, on the preceding Sab-
bath, represented the breach of former covenants
with God as the peculiar spring of all the cala-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 143
mities under which the nation had groaned ;
and that the renovation of such a solem dedica-
tion of themselves to God, was a proper mean of
obtaining his favour and help for their deliverance,
the covenant was sworn on the first Sabbath of
March, with great solemnity, and subscribed by-
many thousands, viz. all the nobility, except the
privy counsellors, and four or five more ; and by
commissioners from all the shires in Scotland, and
commissioners from all the burghs, except Aber-
deen, St. Andrew's, and Crail ; and by a multi-
tude of gentlemen and ministers. Copies of it
were immediately sent to every presbytery, along
with a demonstration of the lawfulness of sub-
scribing it, and directions how it should be taken
in parishes ; and as the clergy of Aberdeen and
Glasgow chiefly adhered to their scruples, some
ministers were appointed to deal with them. Be-
fore the end of April, almost the whole adult
persons in the kingdom, except the Papists, who
were then about 600, the courtiers, who feared
his Majesty's displeasure, and some clergymen
who had sworn the oath of conformity, had cheer-
fully concurred in the covenant : And notwith-
standing the opposition of their clerical doctors,
the most of the inhabitants of St. Andrew's and
Glasgow, also joined in it. But at Aberdeen,
the shrewd reasoning of the doctors, together with
the general inclination to Prelacy and supersti-
tion, had no small influence. We have elsewhere
proved, from many authentic vouchers, that there
were few adult persons in Scotland, who did not
take the covenant, in one shape or other, that
year.
Having thus, under uncommon influence of the
Spirit of God, dedicated themselves to him, and
1 1.1« A COMPHNDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
be^un to reform tiu'ir practice and families, tlie
covenanters transmitted a supplication to his Ma-
jesty, re[)resentin«; the eciuity and lef;ality of their
proceedini^s, anci the injustice of the bishops, who
had opposed them ; and they besoui^ht the Duke
of Lennox, Marquis of Hamilton, and some other
noble courtiers, to intercede with him for a gra-
cious answer. The privy council also sent up
Lord Orbiston to inform him of what had hap-
pened, and to bei;* that he would put a stop to
the ?i()vaf lon^' cou\\)\'d\n(jd of, or at least allow the
consciences of his subjects a fair hearin;;. Spots-
wood, deep drowned in debt, and other bishops,
wdio knew themselves to be hated by the people,
lied off" to the court. Orbiston, accordin<^ to his
instructions, faithfully informed his Majesty, and
disposed him to receive further information, for
obtaining- of which, Tracpiair, lioxburt^h, and
Lorn, were called up to him. The Scotch law-
yers beiiiij^ con>.uUed, Whether the covenanters
assemblini; themselves, without his ^Majesty's au-
thority, protestini; a^^ainst his royal proclama-
tions, and cnterini;' into covenant with (Tod, and
with each other, were warrantable by law, gave
their opinion. That most of their conduct was
legal, and none of it against any exj)ress law. It
was even suspected, that they had walked by the
direction of Sir Thomas Hope, the King's advo-
cate, in the most critical steps of it. No sooner
liad the three commissioners got to London, than
the Scotch affairs were taken into serious consi-
deration. 'I'he bishops, chietly of Brechin and
Murray, i'oreseeing that they would be inevitably
ruined, if Charles should incline to clemency,
did all that lay in their power to exasperate him
Jo the most violent mea:>ures against the cove-
/
CHURCH OK SCOTLAND, 145
panters. The noblemen with great zeal opposed
them. Lorn candidly laid open all that he knew
of the grievances of his country, and declared
his dislike of the Articles of Perth, the liturgy, and
canons, and of the conduct of the bishops ; and
that he was resolved rather to leave his country,
than to concur in binding these burdens upon his
fellow subjects. As Traquair insisted for peace-
able methods, the bishops reproached him with
giving the covenanters intelligence, while he, to
avenge himself, charged the miscarriage of his
Majesty's designs on their imprudence and vio-
lence.—Fearing that the commencement of a war
in Scotland might give the English malcontents
an opportunity of obtaining their wished redress,
the English counsellors were no less averse to it than
the Scotch. Lennox, in a fine and warm oration,
remonstrated that there was no present necessity
for a war ; nor were the motives of such impor-
tance as to plunge the two kingdoms into a war,
in which, be victorious who would, his Majesty
would lose a multitude of his subjects, or the
hearts of such as survived it ; and insisted, that
either the occasion of the present ferment should
be removed out of the way, or time should be al-
lowed for it gradually to work off, or his Majesty
might yield to the covenanters' demands. These
and like speeches, with the news of multitudes
entering into the covenant, made Charles prefer
peace, and made the bishops to be looked upon as
the real enemies of the kingdom.
About this time, Presbyteries, disregarding
their espiscopal superiors, began to ordain mini-
sters without consulting them, and removed their
constant moderators. Rutherford returned to
Anworth in Galloway; I^ivingston, Hamilton,
u
146 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
M^Lellan, Blair, and I\o\v, who had been driven
from Ireland, were sctllcd in vacancies, or as as-
sistants to others. The Ej)iscopalian doctors of
St. Andrew's published their reasons for refusini^
the covenant, and Drs. Haron and Forbes of Aber-
deen conmunced a paper war with the covenan-
ters. lUit botli were quickly silenced by more
nervous replies. The King's suspension oC the
civil courts for about a year tempted some Jliij^ii-
landers of his party to plunder and o[)press their
neighbours, and some women and low rabhle to
abuse some contbrm clergy. — ^\hile the covenant-
ing clergy did what they could to prevent or sup-
press such riots, the bisiiops and their agents im-
proved them, to provoke his ^Miijesty to an open
war with the whole covenanters.
Charles having resolved for a time to yield
something to them, he was on the point of en-
trusting that critical management to Traquair :
but the bishops, who reckoned him their mortal
enemy, by a long and trifling accusation, divert-
ed him from this. 'J'he Marquis of Hamilton
was therefore entrusted with it. To prevent all
division of the covenanters among themselves,
by any concessions which his Majesty might of-
fer, the Earls of Rothes, Cassilis and ^lontrose,
drew up a draught of the lo^uest terms upon which
the religion and liherties of the nation could be
settled in a solid manner, viz. That the service
hook and boo/c of canons should be discharged; that
the HiLi;h Commission Court should be for ever
dissolved ; that the articles >>/' Perth should not be
urged by authority; that no clergymen should
have vote in l^arliajucnf^ without an exact suhmis-
sion to the caveats fixed hy the Cieneral As-
sembly 1600; that no unlawful articles or oaths
CHURCH OF-SCOTLAND. 147
should be imposed upon entrants to the minis-
try; that proper security should be given for the
holding of yearly General Assemblies ; and that
a Parliament should be called for the redress of
grievances. To preserve unity among themselves,
the covenanters farther agreed, That no answer
should be given to statesmen without com.mon
consent ; that a committee should be chosen out
of each table to prepare and manage matters; and
that some gentlemen, ministers, and burghers,
should meet with the nobles, that it might not
be thought they took too much upon them ; tliat
all of them should attend at Edinburgh as ap-
pointed ; that, to shew their adversaries that their
principal strength did not lie in their nobility,
fewer of these should attend than formerly; that
if any proclamation be issued contrary to the de-
sign of their former supplications, it should be an-
swered by a protest, containing for substance the
eight articles above mentioned; that if his Majesty
prohibit the canons and liturgy^ and limit the
High Commission, they shall insist for the redress
of their other grievances, and none rest content
with less than the said eight articles contain ; that
the number of commissioners be doubled against
the time of Hamilton's arrival ; that the reports
of the subscription of the covenant be called up
from every corner of the kingdom ; and that they
should observe a solemn/tw/, to confess their own
sins, and implore God's favour and help at their
general meeting.
While the bishops that remained in Scotland
gave all the information they could against the
covenanters to court, Hamilton having received
twenty-eight instructions from his Majesty, part
of which he was to conceal or avow, as circum-
14t A iOMPENDIULS HISTOUY OV Hit
j^tances irquiird, pnparcJ for his journey to Scot-
land. Hut, fearing' that his I'urious countrymen
might, by their advice, counteract his pencelul at-
tempts in Ills al)s('nct', he rcfusetl to leave the
court, till as many of them as could ho s[)ared,
were ordered down !)efQre him. This was ex-
tremely disa«;rcealjle to the !)ishops, and to Pre-
^Mdt•Ilt Spotswoud and Sir John Hay, formerly
mentioned, as they knew themselves to be detest-
ed at home; and several of them were in danger
of prosecutions for debt. No sooner had Hamil-
ton arrived at Edinburgh, than he found, to his
great dissatisfaction, tliat the covenanters had
agreed, that not one of them should wait upon
him without theeoncurrenceofalltherest. Charles,
on the other hand, sent sixty barrels of powder,
and some hundred stands of arms and matches,
to be lodged in the Castle, to be used against
them, if his proposals should not succeed. Being
secretly landed at Fisherrow, and thence convey-
ed to Dalkeith, this occasioned a report that
Tracpiaii had brought them to blow up the cove-
nanters, when they should meet to confer with
Hamilton ; and his vindication of liimself gave
too nmeli ground to suspect his Majesty's hostile
inlentions. It was also reported, that Ilamilton,
as he passed, had ordered the sheriffs of Northum-
berland to have their trained bands in readiness.
Nor did he appear capable of clearing himself.
It was also reported, that the Earls of Hunile},
Herreis, Aberc^rn, and Winton, intended to
man h their w hole forces to Edinburgh for sup-
porting his Majesty's j)leasurc. The covenanters,
who as yet appear to have purchased no arms
from abroad, set a watch upon the castle, that it
CHURCH OF SCUTLAND. 1*^
might not be reinforced or supplied with any
thing more than necessary provisions.
The marquis of Hamilton having taken up his
lodging at Dalkeith, the privy counsellors met
with him there ; all of whom the ministers served
with an earnest intreaty to subscribe their cove-
nant The covenanters, thinking it neither safe
nor convenient to attend the privy council at
Dalkeith, Hamilton, after some altercation, and
a treaty, came to Edinburgh, where about 20,000
of thein, five or seven hundred of whom were nii-
nisters, met him; together with the town council,
inhabitants, and an infinity of women and chil-
dren ; and old Mr. William Livingston wel-
comed him with a short address.— In vain each
party laboured to find out the secrets of the
other. At last, Hamilton told them, that his
majesty was willing to abolish the canons, liturgy,
and other grievances, providing they would give
up with their covenant. By appointment, Mr.
Alexander Henderson drew up reasons against
this, bearing. That it would involve them in per-
jury before God ;— would imply an acknowledg-
ment of the unlawfulness of their covenanting;—
would mark the vilest ingratitude to God, who
had singularly encouraged them in it ; — would
deny his commandment^binding them to vow and
pay to him; — would condemn whatever like
work had been, or might be, transacted in this
church ; that they could not give up their cove-
nant without the consent of God and every per-
son concerned in it ;— that it could not be expect-
ed, that their surrender of it would influence
their opponents to concur with them in swearmg
to the same things by virtue of a new command,
but would repreeent them as inconstant, as breaks
150 A cOMrtNDIOUS HISTORY Of THE
ers of tlicir oath, and deniersof their faitli, while
God was calling them to confess it. The marquis
could obtain no niorc% than tliat the body of the
covenanters siiould retire from Edinburgh, leav-
ing some deputies to transact with him in their
name. These deputies immediately drew up a
supplication, in which, after an enumeration of
their grievances, they insisted for dijree General
Asscvibhj, and a Parliament, in order speedily to
redress them, as they were daily growing worse
and worse. And, to procure an immediate an-
swer, they dispersed a paper to be advised upon,
so as it might come into the hands of the cour-
tiers, bearing. That since the grievances com-
plained of respected the whole kingdom, the
remedies behoved to be equally public and exten-
sive, and eifectual for preventing like grievances
in time coming ; that only a free Assembly and
Parliament are able to produce such effects ; that
the bishops could not be their judges, till they
purge themselves of the crimes laid to their
charge ; that, if the court take dilatory methods,
it would be proper to consider of some other me-
thod of calling a General Assembly ; that, if the
court should violently enforce obedience to their
will, a committee should be allowed to deliberate
what might be done for the defence of their reli-
gion, liberty, and laws. Perhaps these strong
hints disposed the marquis to receive their peti-
tion with the more appearance of regard.
lie offered to proclaim his majesty's pleasure ;
hut the deputies, knowing that it would not be
satisfactory, assured him, that they would be con-
strained to protest against it ; that thereby they
might justilytlieir own aud their fathers' conduct;
tliat llu V in> :ht manifest their adherence to their
CHURCH OF SCOTLA.ND. 151
former testimonies ; that they might preserve and
manifest their union among themselves ; and
that thoy might publicly thank his majesty for
the concessions which he had made. When he
saw that the deputies had erected their scaffold
for theEarl of Cassilis, Mr. William Livingston,
and two others, to protest against the proclama-
tion at the cross of Edinburgh, he forbore to pub-
lish it ; and, as if earnestly desirous of peace, re-
quired a conference with the deputies. They ap-
pointed Rothes, Montrose, and Loudon, to con-
fer with the Earls of Traquair, Southesk, and
Lord Lorn. As the agents from Hamilton pre-
tended, that in the covenant there seemed to be
a combination for protecting delinquents against
public authority and law, in other points besides
those which concerned the religion and liberties
of the kingdom ; the covenanters, in a remon-
strance, explained this, and gave the strongest
assurances of their loyaliy, and again petitioned
for a free Assembly and Parliament. Chiefly
intending to gain time, till his majesty should be
ready to attack them with the sword, Hamilton
proposed to the covenanters, that since his pre-
sent instructions could not content them, he
would ride post to London, and represent their
case, in consequence of which, he hoped quickly
to return with more satisfying proposals. Igno-
rant of his vi^icked designs, they relished his mo-
tion, and besought him to agent their cause with
his majesty, and procure them a free Assembly
and Parliament; and added, that if he did not
quickly return, they should be excused, if they
took it for a denial of their request ; that their
cause should be no wise hurt by proclamations,
or any thing else, before his return ; that, in the
152 A tOMrKN'UlOLS HISTORY OK IIIK
mean time, no forts shoulil be repaired or forti-
fied, or lawful coinmerce by sea or land interrupt-
ed ; that none of the bishops should repair to
court, or, if ealled up, should return with, or be-
fore him ; and that tiie liturgy and auiojis should
be of no force.
To deceive the covenantini; conimissif)ners, and
make most of them return honje, Hamilton pre-
tended to set off for London ; but returned next
da V, when he hoped there would be none to protest;
puhlislu'd a j)ro(:hiination, |)rohal)ly drawn up by
bimstif in his Majesty's name, in which he pro-
mised never to ur«^e the observation of the liturgy
and canniu, but in a fair and legal manner; that
he intended no alteration of the reliorion or laws
of the kini^dom ; that he would rectify the Hisfb
Commission by advice of his council; that with
the first conveniency he would call a free Gene-
ral Assembly and Parliament, for the establish-
ment of the religion presently professed. The
Earl ofCassilis, Alexander Gibson, laird of Dury,
Archibald Johnson, advocate, John Ker, minister
of IVestonpans, and James Fletcher, provost of
Dundee, protested againt it. Being informed,
that the j)rivy council was solicited to approve of
this proclamation, the covenanters delivered to
the Marquis, anil every other member, a copy of
their reasons against the ratification of it, bear-
ing. That it did not disallow or abolish the //7//r-
/,n/ and canoru, but confirmed the proclamation
of Fehruary 19th, and directly avowed, that they
might l)e legally imposed; that it did not abolish,
but establish the High Commission Court; that
it did not grant any of their recpiests, but con-
demned their procedure as disorderly and crimi-
nal ; that it ;rave no ground to hope for freedom
CHURCH OF SCOTLANC. 153
from the articled of Perth, but the contrary ; that
it altogether concealed the guilt of the bishops;
that it gave no certainty of a free Assembly or
Parliament ; that it did not acknowledge these
things, of which they had complained, as innova-
tions or superstitious ; but represented them as
means of confirming religion. But before the
counsellors got these reasons, all of them but
Lorn and Southesk had subscribed the procla-
mation, at their own houses, and attested it to
be sufficient to content all his Majesty's good sub-
jects.
The disappointed covenanters, after solemn
supplications to God, presented to the Marquis
a complaint of the counsellors approbation of the
proclamation, bearing, That thereby the Lords
had, without hearing them, condemned their pro-
ceedings as criminal, and part of them as treason-
able; had confirmed all the calumnies of their ad-
versaries against them, and justified the injuries
which they had received; and stopt the course of
his Majesty's favour towards them, on better in-
formation ; had provoked him to use his power
against them as disobedient subjects; had prema-
turely shewed, that they would asi*ist his Majesty
in executing his threatenings against them; — and
therefore they begged them to rescind their act.
Moved herewith, the Lords never rested till they
got back their act and tore it to pieces. Hamil-
ton then offered the covenanters a more favour-
able proclamation, prohibiting the observance of
the liturgTj and canons , and rescinding all acts of
council in favours of them, and forbidding the
High Commission to sit till it should be duly re-
gulated. But as this did not satisfy the covenan-
ters it was not published. They nevertheles!?
X
154 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY 01 THE
j»romised to behave (juietly till tlie .Alanjuia
i^hould ^(} to London, and inl'onii his Majesty
Jiow things stood, and return. Meanwhile Cliarles
carried on his preparations in Kn;;land and Irc-
lanil tor a \s arlike inva>i(jn of* his native country;
and his doctors of Aljerdeen did what they could,
liy p\d)lishiiii^ their objections and duplies, to op-
pose and disgrace the covenanters' bond. But
these were so answered by Messrs. Henderson
and Oickson, that a considerable number in and
about Aberdeen, both ministers and peo|)le, sub-
scribed the covenant, notwithstanding all that
the doctors and Earl of Huntley could do to re-
strain them.
In consecpiencc of Hamilton's information con-
cerning Scotch aflairs, Charles, after declaring
his own adherence to the Confession of Faith es-
tablished in 1.'360, empowered him to cause all
the mend)ers of privy council to subscribe it, to-
gether with a neiu bond for the maintenance of
its doctrines, and of the Ring's authority. If they
complied, he might call a General Assembly
when and where they pleased, but, it behoved
Lim to take care that the bishops should have
power to vote, anil one of them be moderator;
that he might declare the articles of Perth indilfer-
ent, and that ministers should be admitted, as
befcjre the late commotions ; that he should re-
strict the power of bishops as little as possible ;
and might, if he found j)roper, publish the last
nHiitioni'd proclamation and act of council. He
had oth( r private instructions to take care oi pre-
Ian/ and y>;vA//, .v.
Kelurning to Kdinburgh, Hamilton demanded
of the covenanters, That all those ministers that
had l>ecn suspended by Presbyteries since .lanu-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 155
ary last, without warrant of their bishop, should
he reponed in their charges ; that all their former
moderators of Presbyteries be reponed in their
places ; that such ministers as have been admit-
ted since that time leave their charges ; that peo-
ple resort to their own churches ; that no mini-
sters come to the Assembly, unless they be cho-
sen commissioners; that all the lawful moderators
of Presbyteries, be commissioners ; that no lay
person, i. e. ruling elder, should interfere in the
choice of commissioners from Presbyteries; that
they should either give up, or alter their cove-
nant ; that they should forbear their meetings in
time coming ; that ministers should have their
stipends paid, and be secured in their persons. —
The covenanters, having answered these demads
in a manner that shewed they could not be easily
imposed on, Hamilton reduced them all to two,
namely, That no lay elders or ministers of ano-
ther Presbytery should vote in the choice of com-
missioners to the Assembly; and that the Assembly
should meddle with nothing which had been es-
tablished by the Parliament, unless in remon-
strances and petitions to that supreme court. Af-
ter some friendly dispute among themselves, the
covenanters rejected these demands, as snares
laid to entrap them; and finding that the Marquis
did not shew due forwardness in calling such
a free Assembly as they wished, they resolved to
call one themselves, and published their reasons
for so doing, viz. That General Assemblies were
necessary for the welfare of the church ; that
Christ had given his church full power to convene
and hold councils when necessary ; that by virtue
of this divine right, this church had long, with
remarkable countenance from God, held her Ge-
]')G A COMPKNOIOUS HIbTORY OF THK
ncral Asseml)lios; that the laws of the land, and
even the corrupt Assemhlies of 160'j, and IGIO,
allowed the necessity of General Assemblies ;
that at present a General Assembly was peculi-
arly necessary for the suj)pression of error, re-
dressing of grievances, restoring of discipline,
peace, and unity ; for the mutual edification of
ministers and j)eople ; for confirmin*,^ such a doubt
of the truth; for protecting faithful ministers,
and censuring Popish and Arminian teachers.
Tliey also solved the objections which might be
made to their calling of it.
Finding that the covenanters were resolved to
have an Assembly more free than his instructions
permitted him to call, Hamilton, with no small
difficulty, persuaded them to delay all steps to-
ward calling one themselves, till he should again
post to London, and solicit his Majesty's concur-
rence with their views. They agreed to wait till
the 20th of September, upon condition that he
should insist with his Majesty, that the Assembly
should be frke, both as to its members, and the
matters handled in it ; that it should be held
within a short time; and that it should meet in
a place most conmiodious for all concerned ; and
that all interception of their letters in England
might be prohibited. — INIean while, the deputies
agreed upon ui lks of choosing commissioners to
the Assembly to be transmitted to the several Pres-
byteries, viz. I'hat the number of commissioners
should be regulated by the act of the Assembly at
Dundee in l';97; that their commission should
empower them to act according to the word of
(jn«l. and the confession of faith in every thing
judged ; tliat every kirk session should have an
♦'Ider nl the Presliytery, when the commissioners
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 157
should be chosen ; that ministers under scandal
be immediately processed, in order to prevent
their being chosen for commissioners ; that no
moderators of Presbyteries be members of As-
sembly by virtue of their office ; that notwith-
standing their late solemn fast upon the 22d and
29th of July, they should observe another on the
Sabbath immediately before the election of com-
missioners, in order to implore the Lord's direc-
tion in this important step. As not a few of the
clergy were averse from ruling elders sitting with
them, in Presbyteries, Synods, or Assemblies, co-
pies of a paper, proving by a great many acts of
Assembly and Parliament, that such officers had,
and ought to be in this church, in order to pro-
cure ready access for them into Presbyteries. More-
over secret instructions were transmitted to the
more trusty clergymen, bearing. That they should
protest against the choosing of any for commis-
sioners, that were under any process for scandal;
that they should take care to have the bishops
timely brought under process for their offensive
behaviour; that ministers prepare themselves for
disputing upon such points as are like to be hand-
led in the Assembly ; that three ministers be cho-
sen out of every Presbytery, where they can be
had well affected to the cause of truth ; that the
well affected consult among themselves before tlie
election, that their election may fall on the same
persons; that the election of such as have chosen
bishops, have sat in the High Commission, have
countenanced the Ring's chapel ceremonies, or
have offered to observe the liturgy and canojis^ or
have been justices of peace, be avoided, unless
they have acknowledged the sinfulness of their
former courses ; that where well affected noble-
1j8 a compendious history or Tin:
men or i^entlomon may Ix* (Mjmmissioned as rul-
ini; I'ldiTs in diUVMcut i'rcsbytei ii's, they Ijo cho-
sen in til it Picshylcry in which thero are fewest
ahlr ministiTs. 'i'hisc hints were ofTertNl not as
anihni ii.'ilivc rules, hut as advices, as many had
but little knoNvledji^e of Piesbyterian government.
While Sessions and Prehyteries were busy pro-
motini,^ the election of profier commissioners,
Tliomas Abernethy, a Jesuit, liaving heard at
Rome of the wonderful providences of (^od to-
wards his native country, hastened to witness
them, and had not been long here, when, mani-
festly persuaded of the truth, he was, \ipon his
earnest entreaty, admitted into their church fel-
l()wshi|). His deep marked repentance and con-
version, and his zeal for the covenant, not a little
encouraged the covenanters.
Hamilton having reached the court, infi^rmed
his Majesty, that lie durst n(jt divulge his last in-
structions, lest he should have thereby exposed tiie
royal authority to contempt, and that he could
think ol nothing so apt to remove the present jea-
lousies of the malcontents, as an order for the re-
novation of the nutlondl covenant f)f 1,381, which
contained a jiarticular renunciation of Pcpery,
the fears of which had occasioned the malcontents'
late covenant. Charles was heartily |)rovoked
to find all his stratagems so unsuccessful ; but,
not being yet ready for the open w ar w hich he
intended, he iiiNlrueted tlieiMar(juisto prohibit the
litur^j/ and (y/z/cz/jt, the J/io/i (\)/nni'tssi()ny and ob-
servance of the articles of I\rfli : — to declare the
admission of ininisters to their oflice j>erfectly
free ; and that bishops should be subject to the
Assend>ly ; and to indict an Assend)Jy and Par-
liament as he saw cause, and to rccpiire all the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 159
subjects to subscribe the covenant of 1581, and
bond of 1589. Returning to Edinburgh, Hamil-
ton read his instructions to the privy council,
but could not persuade them to subscribe the
above-mentioned cownant and bond, till a clause
was added, bearing, that they subscribed it accor-
ding to its original meaning. They declared their
satisfaction with his Majesty's concessions ; and
that all his subjects ought to rest contented with
them ; and promised to sacrifice their lives and
fortunes in executing them, and settling the peace
of the kingdom. They issued a proclamation for
a General Assembly to meet at Glasgow, Novem-
ber 21st, and warned bishops and commissioners
to attend it ; and another for a Parliament at
Edinburgh, on the 15th of May next ensuing,
and warned the nobles, bishops, barons, and com-
missioners from burghs, to attend it. They
commanded all the subjects to subscribe his Ma-
jestifs covenant and bond, with all expedition ; —
and then published his Majesty's proclamation.
The covenanters did not think it sufficient for the
redress of their grievances — as it did not clearly
and distinctly condemn the ijinovations of which
they had complained ; — it allowed the bishops
their wonted power, and so called them to their
seat as judges in the Assembly and Parliament.
They largely exhibited their reasons against ad-
mitting of any limitation of the Assembly, as
contrary to the word of God, the large Confes-
sion of Faith, and book of discipline, their former
contendings, and the ends of General Assemblies,
and to the acts of the church, or of Parliament,
ratifying the liberties of that court. They refus-
ed to subscribe his Majesty's coveiiant, as they
did not know but therebv he intended to invali-
IHO A COMPKNOIOUS HISTORY OF Till!
date and dis^^raco thtir late bond; as such a suIj-
scriptinn inii^ht amount to a takiii;^ of Clod's name
in vain, nuiltiplyini; oaths without necessity; as
it niii^ht divide them anioni; thcnisclve?, and so
involve thiin in perjury; as it uould import that
their former vows haci been rash and destitute of
lawful authority; as it would expose them to the
reiiroaeh of ineon>isteney in reli<;ion; as it would
involve them in an approbation of the articles of
Pcrthy their subseription answerini; to his Majes-
ty's eommand ; as it mii^'^ht consist with an ap-
probation of the liturgy and canons; as it import-
ed an unlawful .£^<)in<^ back from truth, when
(iod was calling to a steady adherence to it ; as
it approved the Ring's proclamation, and so im-
ported acquiescence in his pardon of their former
proceedings, which they reckoned their recjuisite
duty and glory ; and because that part of the
narrative of his IMajesty's covenant was different
from that of 1581 ; and that it contained no en-
gagement to practical reformation ; and because
the counsellors' subscription of it had but tend-
ed to widen breaches, instead of healing them.
They farther protested, That the present distrac-
tions of church and state were owing to the no-
rations of whieh they complained and not to their
groundless fears, as the proclamation prj^tended ;
and that all (piestions relative to the freedom of
the Assembly in its constitution, members, and
points to be judged, or form and order of proce-
dure, should be left to the determination of the
As8cml)ly itself; that the bishops should attend
it, nut as judges, but merely for trial and censure;
and that, adhering to their own late covenant
with God, they ought not to be charged to sub-
wribe any other, or to procure subscriptions to
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 161
it ; that the subscription of his Majesty's cove-
nant by the privy council, should nat be preju-
dicial to theirs. — In this lon^ protest, the cove-
nanters had their eye upon the proclamation oC
September 9th, and the acts of council complexly
taken, as they knew that proclamation was to be
explained by them.
Notwithstanding- this solemn protest, Hamilton
and the privy council dispatched their commis-
sioners, assisted by their missives, to procure sub-
scriptions to his Majesty's covenant. By extolling
his condescension, and the necessity and expedi-
ence of subscribing it, these commissioners did
what they could. Aware of this divisive mea-
sure, the covenanters sent their deputies through
the nation, with copies of their late protest and
additional advices, warning their friends to avoid
the snare, and in as large numbers as they could,
to read the protest, wherever the King's procla-
mation should be read. Where the court com-
missioners got the start, chiefly in the counties
of Aberdeen and Banff, in which the Earl of
Huntley had remarkable influence, they obtain-
ed not a few subscriptions. About 28,000 in all,
subscribed it, more than the half of whom were
in these two shires. In Aberdeen, the doctors
would not subscribe it without declaring, that
they understood it as consistent with Prelacy
and the ceremonies. The citizens subscribed it in
the same sense. Here the Lord and ]Master of
Forbes, at the hazard of their life, read the pro-
test ; but the people were generally too much
overawed by Huntley, and addicted to the court,
and its novations, to regard it. The inhabitants
of Glasgow, warmly urged by Hamilton himself,
and by Orbiston, lord justice clerk, were many
Y
162 A ( O.MrKNDIOUS HI.'5'IOUV OK THE
of them on the point of subscribing^ ; but, having
jj^ot sonic time to think on it, their scruples in-
creased, and few complied.
While the court laboured to have all the ma-
ojstrates of burghs to their mind, the elections
for the Assembly went almost every where in fa-
vours of the covenanters. Part of the Presbytery
of (ilasgow, for a time, opposed the election of
any ruling ciders lo represent them. lUit the
reasonings of Lord Loudon, and of Messrs D.
Dickson, R. Blair, and .1. Bonner removed most
of their scruples. As there were no judicatories
hut Presbyteries, at the time, for citing the bi-
vhops to take their trial at the Assembly ; and as
the King had called them up as judges, and his
commissioner refused warrants to cite them as
pannels, the covenanters first drew up a libel
against them all, in which they accused them of
their common faults, transgression of the caveats
established by the Assembly 1600; — behaving
themselves in a lordly manner ; — pul)licly teach-
ing, conniving at, or countenancing Popish and
Anninian errors. To these they subjoined char-
ges of drunkenness, whoredom, playing at cards
ami dice, proiane swearing, bribery, simony, ly-
ing, dishonesty in civil bargains, and the like, to
be applied to particulars as they deserved. Ele-
ven noblemen, thirty- one barons and gentlemen,
five nunisters, and six burghers and commons, in
name of the covenanters that were not chosen
nH'ml)ers of the Assenddy, were appointed to pro-
secute them btfore the Presbyteries where they
resided; and to add to the general libel what
other partieular crimes they could prove against
them. 1 he Presbyteries, according to the advice
"f the 'J'ables, referred the matter to the Assem-
7
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 16'3
biy, and appointed the libel, with a citation of
them to the Assembly, to be read from every pul-
pit within the bounds of the Presbyteries con-
cerned. Many processes were also commenced
against scandalous ministers, part of which were
referred to the Assembly.
The Tables farther advised, That all the no-
blemen who had subscribed their covenant, should
meet at Glasgow on the Saturday before the As-
sembly ; that every ruling elder chosen for the
Assembly, should bring along with him four gen-
tlemen as his assistants, whom he might consult
in difficult cases ; that each burgh should send up
from two to six of their most judicious member.^
for the same purpose ; that according to his JNIa-
jesty's proclamation, the first Lord's day of No-
vember should be spent in solemn fasting in con-
gregations, for the Lord's direction, before mini-
sters set off; that congregations take care that
no minister be hindered from attendance, for want
of necessary charges ; that such as had been de-
coyed or compelled to subscribe the Ring's cove-
nant, declare the same in writing, or before their
sessions. To prevent a numerous attendance of
the covenanters at the Assembly, which might at
once protect and encourage their friends, Hamii^
ton and his party did what they could, prohibit-
ing every person concerned to bring in any with
him but his own family and ordinary retinue.
But the covenanters protested, That all should
have liberty to attend, who had interest as par-
ties, witnesses, judges, or assessors; and that all
might come with such retinue as the privy coun-
sellors should give example of. Traquair adivs-
ed to put as many of the covenanters as possible
to the horn, for not paying their taxes or debts-
i^M. A ( o.Mrr.NDiOLis iiistouy of thk
some oi' tliLin a few days before the niectini,^ of
the Asscml)Iy. i>iit they encountered this stra-
tagem with such a spirited remonstrance, as
ohMiTciI the Manjuis and council to drop it.
When the Lords of Session met at I'kiinlnir^h
on the first day of November, Hamilton required
them to subscri!)e liis Majesty's covenant, inti-
mating, that ids declared nieaninfr of it was con-
sistent with all the novations introduced into the
church since 1.580. Hut, after a debate of three
hours, only nine of them would subscribe it. The
Lords Dury, Craii^hall, Scotstarvet, and Inner-
teil, refused, and j)rotested. Hamilton declared
in the privy council, that it was his ^Tajcsty's
pleasure, that Episcopacy might be limited, but
not that it should be abolished ; and therefore
uri^ed them to a|)[)rove it, as a mean of deterring
the Assembly from presuming to condemn it.
But vSir Thomas Hope, lord advocate, so vigor-
ously opposed this motion in a paj)er which he
sent to the council, that it miscarried. Hamilton,
almost infuriated, charged vSir Thomas to repair
to (ylasgow, and there defend Episcopacy for liis
royal master, as he should answer at his peril.
But Sir Thomas declined it, as a piece of service
for which he could not answer to (^od and his
conscience. Uj)on which Hamilton prohibited
him to go to that place at all. While the cove-
nanters were spending tlie 4th and some follow-
ing days of November in solemn fasting and
prayer for direction in, and ble-sing on, the en-
suing Assembly, as Charles had appotnicd them,
liis (hsigu of making war upon them, and forcing
ihcm III submit to his impositions, became more
and more manifest. The ]:nglish arrested the
Scotch horses that were in their countrv : but
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 165
this was got compromised. Their ships were
stopped and searched by his command, pro])ably
in order to apprehend General Lcsly in his return
from Sweden. The command of the castle of
Edinburgh was taken from the Earl of Mar, and
given to Ruthven, a trusty royalist. Prepara-
tions were made for the fortification of Berwick,
Carlisle, he.
Archbishop Spotswood had advised to hold this
Assembly at Aberdeen, to which the old, and
most able and trusty covenanters could not have
travelled in the winter season, and where the
learned doctors of both universities were lo op-
pose them, and the Karl of Huntley could have
suddenly raised several thousands of bloody men
to overawe or suppress them. But Providence
directed Hamilton to fix upon Glasgow, where
no doubt he hoped that himself would have no
small influence. The Assembly met on the day
appointed, Nov. 21st, 1638, and consisted of 140
ministers from 58 Presbyteries, and 95 ruling
elders, and 2 from the universities. Never had
our church or Assembly, in which solid sense,
strict piety, bold and prudent zeal, and divine di-
rection, so remarkably appeared. After spend-
ing part of the first day in solemn prayer and fast-
ing, and reading of his Majesty's letter appointing
the Marquis of Hamilton his Commissioner, they
proceeded to the choice of their Moderator. Ha-
milton, Traquair, and liCvvis Stewart, who acted
as King's advocate, vehemently pled, that the
commissions of the members should be first tried,
that so it might appear vvho had right to vote in
the election. But Rothes and I^oudon, with
Messrs. Dickson, Henderson, and William Li-
vingston o])pnsed them with equal zeal and ^\\\w-
106' A COMIM-NDIOI'S HISTORY OF THE
rior strciii^tli of ari;iinuMit. I'liey pled, That it
bud \)vvii i\ic ((Histant practice fust to choose the
Moderator ; that such respect was due to com-
missions, the most of which were, doubtles, va-
lid, as entitled them to vote in the ( hoice of a
Moderator, that so the j)romiscuous meetini^
mii^ht he gradually foriiu'd into an Assembly
instructed witii re«^ular commissions; that it he-
Kings to the freedom of an Assembly, that com-
missioners choose their iModerator immediately
after the exhibition of their commissi(jn, lest any
thing be irregularly transacted in their presence
without their consent ; that, in their suj)plica-
tions, they had insisted, that the matter and man-
ner of assembling should be judged by the As-
send)ly itself, which cannot be done till the Mo-
derator be chosen ; and that it would be a wrong-
ing of the churches, which had sent up these
commissioners, not to suifer them to embody
themselves in an orderly manner.
At last, after advising witii the privy counsel-
lors, thelNIarquis permitted them to choose their
Moderator ; — but protested, That this should
not import his ap[)robation of any commission
which he should lind ground to exce|)t against ;
and that the choice of the Moderator should not
prejudge the bishops of any oHice or dignity be-
longing to them. \n opposition to this, llothes,
in name of the commissioners, j)rotested. That
the Manjuis's protestation shouhl no wise hurt
any law fid commission to be produced, or mar
the freedom of the Assembly, which was to be
fenced in the name of the Son of (iod; and that
no protest in favours of the bishops coultl be ail-
initled, till both they and tluir claims were tried
and allou til. Lord Montgomery, in name of the
CHURCH OP SCOTLAND. 167
prosecutors of the bishops, protested, that tlie
Marquis's protestation should not hinder the dis-
cussion of their libel ae^ainst them. Hamilton
then pled, that a declinature which he had receiv-
ed from the bishops, should be immediately read.
This being refused, he insisted, that six privy-
counsellors should be allowed to vote as his as-
sessors, according as they had been directed in
his Majesty's letter ; — which was also refused.
After both sides became weary of altercation and
protestation, they proceeded to the choice of their
Moderator. Mr. Bell, an old minister of the place,
who had opened the Assembly as Moderator pro
temp, taking care to put none other on the leet
but such as were too infirm, beside the celebrat-
ed Mr. Alexander Henderson, he was unani-
mously chosen, who having anew constituted the
court with prayer, made an handsome speech for
the direction and encouragement of his brethren.
Next day the Marquis, supported by Traquair
and Lewis Stewart, again unsuccessfully insisted
for the votes of the assessors, which issued in his
new protest against the denial, and a counter-
protest by Loudon in name of the commissioners
to the Assembly. For refusing Hamilton's de-
mand, it was pled, That the Assembly was an ec-
clesiastical meeting of ecclesiastical rulers ; that
no political preses had any vote in the ancient
councils; that in the thirty-nine first General As-
semblies of this church, there was not so much as
a King's Commissioner present ; that after one
was introduced, he never had more than one vote;
that Hamilton's commission empowered none
but himself; that as he represented his Majesty,
the voting of assessors along with him as his equals,
would derogate from theroyal dignity ; that thougli
J 68 A roMl'KNDlOUS Ulbl'OliY OK THK
assessors had a power of reasoning, it behoved to
he only after the reasonin;^ of members, and in
the way of proposing doubts.
The election of a clerk coming next upon the
carpet, Hamilton insisted, that Thos. Sandilands
should officiate for his aged father James, who
had been chosen by the Assembly 1616*. But
the votes carried it almost unanimously in fa-
vours of Archibald Johnston, advocate, who, for
almost two years, had faithfully served the cove-
nanters without any reward. Upon inijuiry for
the registers of former Assemblies, Sandilands
delivered up two volumes, which contained, at
least, part of the acts between 1,090 and 1610,
together with the minutes of 1616, 1617, and
1618, signed by Ids father. As soon as it ap-
peared, that no other mendjer knew where any
more could be had, Johnston, their clerk, present-
ed four vcdumes, which contained all the acts
from 1560 to 1.390, exce{)t about twenty leaves,
which had been villainously cut out by Archbishop
Adamson, together with another volume, which
contained the acts of that whole period, some-
what abridged. A committee was aj)p(Mnted to
examine these books ; and upon an exhibition of
nineteen marks of their genuineness, the Assem-
bly sustained them as authentic registers. Mr.
William Scot of Cupar, afterward produced
another copy of these old minutes.
Notwithstanding the ^lanjuis's earnest strug-
gle to have the bishops' didlnaturc first received,
the Ass('nd)ly proceeded to examine controvert-
ed commissions ; and rejected such as pr(jceeded
on irregular election, or that were not rightly at-
tested. The bishops' dcdinaturc of the Assembly
was then read bv Dr. Hamilton of Glassford theiV
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 16fl
procurator. In it they protested, That the meet-
ing was unlawful, and all its proceedings null and
void, because most, if not all, the commissioners
to it had been chosen before his majesty had in-
dicted it ; and that the clerical commissioners to
it were not qualified according to law, having
never subscribed the Confession of faith, in the
presence of their bishops, nor sworn the oaths of
fidelity and supremacy, — nay, had refused to sub-
scribe the Confession of Faith or covenant, as re-
quired by his Majesty in September ; and that
they had seditiously impugned the dignities and
privileges of bishops, who were an Estate in Par-
liament; that they had their commission from
Presbyteries, which had deposed their proj)er, z. e.
constant moderators, and elected others in their
stead ; that they had been chosen by lay elders ;
that they had seditiously opposed the order of the
king and authority of the church, and so are dis-
qualified to sit in any ecclesiastical court ; that
they allowed of lay elders voting in the Assem-
bly ; — and that most, if not all, of the members
had pre-condemned Episcopacy and the articles
of Perth, and, by their covenant, had bound
themselves to oppose them ; that by their calum-
nies and libels, they had made themselves parties
in the cause of the bishops ; that they had ex-
cluded all the bishops from sitting in the Assem-
bly, unless they were deputed to it by Presbyte-
ries ; that they had deprived primate Spotswood
of his privilege of moderatorship, and thrust one
chosen by Presbyteries and laymen into his place.
In fine, they pretended, that it was altogether
absurd for Presbyters and much more for lay el-
ders, to judge diocesan superiors. The Assem-
bly prepared their answers to these reasons
J 70 A rOMPKNllIOUS HISTORY (»K TUF
iinuinst next s(*Jt'riint, in which they maniftsted
iheahsolutc falsohuocl ol' some, and the weakness
ot' others.
After a tidioiis (lisj)ute with Dr. Baleancjuel,
whom the manjuis hail brou;;ht alun^; with him
for an assistant ; and when the Assembly was
proecedin;; to vote, whether tliey had power to
judi;e tlie hisljops, notwithstanding their cU'cli-
naturi\ Hamilton <^ave in a written declaration,
in iiis Majesty's name, wiiieh seemed to i^rant
not a litth' redress; hut really bore, that every
thinf; should be left to the king's will, and that
the Assembly had no proper power to judf^e of
any thing, nor the church any security for any
thing. To this the moderator made an hand-
some reply, in which he thanked his majesty for
what kindness he had shewed, and pointed out
what power civil magistrates have with respect
to the church and her Assemblies. As they per-
ceived the Marquis intent upon breaking with,
and leaving them, they were at great pains to ob-
viate his pretended scruples with respect to their
commission, the freedom of their election, the
conduct of the Tables^ and the power of ruling
elders. They shewed him the impropriety of
allowing advocates to plead the cause of the bi-
shops at their bar, as it was contrary to the na-
ture of ecclesiastical courts, was not allowed in
privy council, and had been refused by the As-
sembly ITi'iCj. But nothing could retain him.
After repeatedly declaring, that he would not
suffer them to Judge the bishops, he, in his own
and their name, protested, that no act of the As-
sembly shoidd be binding on any of the subjects ;
and in hisMajesty's named issolved their meeting,
and prohibited them to proceed to any business ;
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 171
but whether under any penalty, none of my cre-
dible vouchers inform. Rothes protested against
the dissolution of the Assembly ; and that they
could not dissolve it, till their work was finished,
as it had been called by his majesty, and consti-
tuted according to the word of God ; as his ma-
jesty's commissioner had acknowledged it a law-
ful court, and sat seven days in it and exhibited
his majesty's declaration to be registered in the
minutes of it ; that the continuance of it v/as ne-
cessary for the many reasons contained in their
former supplications for it ; that their covenant
bound them to maintain the privileges which
Christ had left to his church ; that according to
the laws of this church and kingdom, neither the
king nor his commissioner have power to dissolve
a General Assembly ; that the Assembly had
formerly sitten, notwithstanding contrary require-
ments of court ; that to dissolve now, after so
much preparation and progress towards redress
of grievances, without finishing their work, would
offend God, and increase their misery ; that it
was absolutely necessary to explain the meaning
of the national covenant subscribed in 1581, and
1590 ; and therefore he protested, That the As-
sembly had full power to continue and discuss
the whole business for which it had convened.
Messrs. Henderson, Dickson, and others, by their
sensible and affectionate speeches, encouraged their
brethren to adhere to their duty, and shew them-
selves as faithful to Christ as the Commissioner
had done himself to his king's command. Deep-
ly affected hereby, Lord Erskine, son to the Earl
of Mar, with tears begged the Assembly's allow-
ance to subscribe their covenant. Messrs. For-
bes and iM'Kail ministers, hitcly come from Hoi-
175 A COMPENDlOUb HISTORY OF TIIK
land, rulloued his exainj)lc. Kncourag'ed by this,
and conscious of their duty, the whole Assem-
hly, cxcc])t four or five, by a vote, promised to
continue sittin^^ at all hazard, till their business
should be finished : and immediately after, by
another vote, sustained themselves lawful and
comj)ctent judi^es of the bisho|)s, notwithstand-
ing^ their declinature and protestation.
Next day, November 29th, a proclamation
subscribed by the ^lanjuis and most of the privy
counsellors was published over the cross of Glas-
gow, prohibiting all the members of the Assem-
bly, under pain of high treason, to meet or judge
any thing further ; and charging them to leave
(rlasgow within twenty-four hours ; and declar-
ing, that all their acts and deeds posterior to
yesterday's dissolutions should be held null and
void; and prohibiting the subjects to regard or
obey the same. In answer to this, Archibald
.lohnson. Lord Krskine and others, read the pro-
testation, which Rothes had given in the day be-
fore, as the mind of the court. And further pro-
tested, that they and their brethren had no dis-
loyal designs; that all ecclesiastical causes of ge-
neral concern ought to be discussed, and the
j)eace of the church fully settled, and its peace
i\Ui\ order re-established, before the Commission-
ers depart ; that if the JMarquis would leave the
church and kingdom in such disorder, it should
1)1' lawful for them to continue sitting till they
had finished their work; that this Assemblyshould
be held lawful, and its dveiU of eijual ibice with
those of other free General Assemblies; that no
bad coiibicjuenccs ensuing upon the hindering or
molesting of the freedom of this Assemblv should
be imputed tn tlinn, but to the bad advice ol the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1 T5
bishops; on accountof which, they are hereby again
summoned to attend the Assembly, hear proof led,
and sentencepassed upon themaccordingto justice.
In fine, they protested their adherence to all their
former protestations, and left room for extending
their paper or reasons, as they should find neces-
sary for vindicating their procedure.
After the hurry of the proclamation, the As-
sembly met, and the Moderator recommended to
them, as in the sight of God, to behave them-
selves in the most pious, prudent, peaceable, and
orderly manner, answerable to their circum-
stances. Lord Lorn, i. e, Argyle, came back,
and being desired by the Moderator to counte-
nance them, and witness the rectitude of their
procedure, he promised to do so, and begged
them to proceed wisely, with the utmost defe-
rence due to their Sovereign. Some at first
looked upon him as a court spy and check upon
them; but it soon appeared, that he acted from
an hearty love to Christ and his cause. About
the same time, the Earls of Wigton, Kinghorn,
Galloway, Mar, and Lord Napier, privy counsel-
lors, joined the covenanters, which not a little
encouraged the Assembly. To wipe off the re-
proaches which had been cast upon them, in the
bishops' declinature, Messrs. Blair, Livingston,
Hamilton, and M'Lellan, who had been driven
from Ireland, shewed that it had been merely for
their adherence to the doctrine, worship, disci-
pline, and government of the church, sworn to in
the late covenant. And Messrs. Dickson, Ru-
therford, and the Laird of Earlstoun, who had
been censured by the High Commission, repre-
sented their case to the full satisfaction of the
>vhole Assembly. On that day, and the next,
Ifi- A CDMf ENDIOCS HISTORY OP THE
committees were appointed to incjuire into the
ori^^inal sense of the national covenant ; — to pre-
pare matters for the trial of the bishops ; — to con-
hiiler the new liturgy and canons ; — and to form
an act nullilyint,^ the Assemblies IGOG — 1G18.
After the Moderator liad largely shewed the
intrinsic power of the church, particularly in ad-
ininisterin<i^ discipline to her scandalous members,
and IMessrs. Dickson and Ramsay had shewed the
error and wickedness of the Arminian tenets, the
Assembly proceeded to discuss some cases of scan-
dal, which had been referred to them. INIr. Mit-
chel bein^;' proved charj^eable with Arminian er-
rors, and f^loryin^ in them ; and with procuring
an order by the !)ishops' means for stopping his
trial bef(^re his Presbytery ; and with declining
this Assembly, was deposed and excommunicated.
J)r. Panther being proved guilty of approaches
towards the Popish doctrine of justification by
works, and towards the Pelagian, in denying ori-
ginal sin, and of propagating Arminian errors,
was referred to a committee, which deposed him.
Dr. (Jladstones, being proved guilty of drunken-
ness and Atheistical profaneness, was deposed.
AVhcn the trial of the I)isho[)3 came on, it was
proved against them all. That they had tram-
pled on the Caveats of the Assembly 1600; —
had accepted consecration to their Episcopal of-
fice; and oppressed the church with innovations.
A^'ainst Spotswood Archbishop, of St. Andrew's,
»t was further proved, that he had been an ordi-
nary profaner of the Lord's day, playing at cards
or dire 111 tiu.. time of public worship, or riding
throu;;li the country the whole day; that he some-
tim<'!<sattippli„jri,; taverns till muinight; that he
had falsified the acts of the Aberdeen Assemblv;
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. ] 7.5
and was an avowed reproacher of our old Assem-
blies and national covenant ; and it was further
undertaken to prove him guilty of adultery, sacri-
lege, and frequent simony. Against S)'dseif of
Galloway, it was proved, that he had taught Ar-
minian errors ; that he had kept a crucifix in his
closet, and defended the use of it from his own
comfortable experience ; that, at his own hand,
he had appointed two anniversary fasts in his dio-
cese ; that, at his Synod, he had compelled mini-
sters to receive the communion upon their knees;
that, for mere non-conformity to novatiojis, he
had deposed and procured the banishment of the
most eminent ministers, and had confined or fin-
ed sundry gentlemen ; that he had shewed kind-
ness to excommunicated Papists ; that he had
condemned family prayers; that he had profaned
the Lord's day, buying horses, and transacting
other secular business on it. Against Whiteford
of Brichen, it was proved, that he had been guilty
of several acts of adultery and excessive drink-
ing; that he had used a crucifix in his closet;
that he had preached Arminian and Popish er-
rors ; and that he was generally infamous for se-
veral other crimes. Against Lindsay of Edin-
burgh, it was proved, that he had violently urged
the late innovations; that he had refused to "ad-
mit such to the ministry as would not first take
the order of preaching deacons ; that he used to
bow towards the altar, and wear the rochet ; that
he had domineered over Presbyteries, allowed
clandestine marriages, and countenanced corrupt
doctrines ; that he had lifed up the elements in
the Lord's supper at the consecration, and labour-
ed to prove that Christ's manhood was omnipre-
sent. He might also have been proved guilty of
J 7^5 A COMPKNDIOi;> HFSTORV OF TlIF?
profane cursinp^ and swearing, and of avowed ne-
glect of lecUiriiii;. A;;ainst Hallantyne of Aber-
deen, were proved frecpient acts of simony, vio-
lent pressin^;^ of tlie iUur<rii and canons^ suspend-
ine^ of ministers for fastinc^ on the T^ord's day,
anci ordcrini; all fasts to ht* held on Wednesdays:
and that he had, in the Popish manner, consecrat-
ed the ( hapel of the infamous Lady of Wardhouse;
nnci that he had stopped processes ai^'ainst Pa-
pists and incestuous persons. Ag^ainst Maxwel
of Ross, it was [)roved, that he had publicly read
the litur^ry in his own house and cathedral ; that
he bowed towards the altar; that he deposed
faithful ministers, and admitted known fornica-
tors to the Lord's table ; that he was a familiar
companion of Papists, and an ordinary player of
cards and dice on the Lord's day, and once upon
a communion Sabbath ; that he had often admi-
nistered Popish absolution to sick persons; that
he had consecrated ])reachin«»- deacons ; that he
had robbed his vassals of above 40,000 merks ;
that he kept superstitious fasts every Friday;
that he ordinarily set off on his journeys on the
Lord's day; and that he had been a principal in-
strument of all the trouble which liad lately be-
fallen the church and nation. Against Wedder-
born of Dumblane it was proved, that he had been
a princij)al compiler of the lilurgj/, and practiser
and urger of it, and other i?inovatiofis ; that he
had been an assistant of Archbishop Laud, and a
propa^rator of Arminian errors. Against Lind-
i»«»y, archbishop of (ilasgow, it was proved, that
he had urged ministers to observe the liturgi/ and
canons under pain of horning; that he had op-
pressed his ( lergy with his exactions, and kept
some of them altogothcr out of their stipends ;
5
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 177
that he had sold the office of commissary ; that
he had greatly oppressed his vassals ; and that
he had imposed oaths of his own invention up.
on candidates for the ministry. These eight
were deposed from all power in the church, and
summarily excommunicated, and delivered over
to Satan. Against Graham of Orkney it was prov-
ed, that he had tyrannically domineered over his
clergy; that he had openly profaned the Lord's
day by curling on the ice ; that he had dilapi-
dated part of the ecclesiastical revenues to his
friends ; that he overlooked adulterers and char-
mers ; that he neglected preaching himself, and
withheld from ministers a part of their stipends
for the building of his cathedral. Against Guth-
ry of Murray it was proved, that he had avow-
ed conformity to the English Popish ceremonies;
that at his daughter's marriage he had danced in
his shirt ; that he had conveyed some women
barefooted to a chapel, in order to do Popish pen-
ance ; that he ordinarily rode about on the
Lord's day, and had said, that he would borrow
a part of that from God, and make it up some
other way. Against Fairly of Argyle, it was
proved, that he had urged wicked oaths upon
entrants to the ministry, and the observance of
the liturgy ; that he had oppressed his vassals ;
and that he had preached Arminian errors, and
had profaned the Lord's day. These three, to-
gether with Campbell of the Isles, were deposed
from all power and function in the church, with
certification, that they should be excommunicat-
ed if they did not speedily manifest their repent-
ance. Lindsay of Dunkeld, and Abernethy of
Caithness, though little better than their bre-
thren, having submitted themselves to the As-
2 A
178 A COMFKNDIOUS HISTORV OF THK
sembly, were only deposed from their pretended
power of ruling over other ministers, and repre-
senting the church in I\'nliament, and suspended
from the ministry, with certification, that if they
did not sui)mit to tiiis censure, they shoukl he ex-
communicated. A number of inferior clergymen
were also tried and censured for their scandalous
behaviour, |)art of it so gross, as to be a reproach
to humanity itself Others were remitted to their
Presbyteries, or to committees ap|)ointed by the
Assembly, by which they were susj)ended or de-
posed, as was reckoned most just and expedient.
In their intervals of censuring work, the As-
sembly carried forward their othei' business. The
six Assemblies of 1606, i60«, 1610, 1616, 1617,
J6I8, which King. Tames had packed and govern-
ed by his own will, were declared to have been
no courts of Christ, but null and destitute of all
authority Upon this the Moderator observed,
that all those that had entered to the ministry
under bishops, were now freed from their oath of
conformity ; that Presbyteries did well in casting
ofl' the bishops' authority as early as possible;
and that it was now their duty to stand fast in
the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them
free. After Mr. J)ickson and Lord Loudon had
largely spoken to the same purpose, an act was
made, declaring the oaths imposed by the bisho|)s
upon entrants to have been null and void from
the beginning ; that the power of Presbyteries
had been unjustly suppressed, and therefore it
^vas must lawful tor them to resume it, and to
choose their Moderators, and censure, and admit
to the ministerial office, or a seat in the Presby-
tery, accordiuM; to justice. That same ilay, large
tracts which had been formed against the llturgif
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. l79
and canoiiSf \A\q formula of clerical ordinations y and
the High Comviission were read; and all the four
condemned. They condemned the liturgy or hook
of common prayer, because it was devised, and in-
troduced, and pressed by the bishops, without any
direction or warrant from the church; because it
contained a Popish form of divine service, and
many Popish errors and ceremonies, the seeds of
manifold and gross superstition and idolatry, and
550 repugnant to the doctrine, discipline, and or-
der of this church, and to the confession of faith,
national covenant, and acts of Assembly and Par-
liament establishing the true religion. They con-
demned the book of canons f as devised by the bi-
shops without any warrant and direction from
the church, in order to establish their own tyran-
nical power over the worship of God, and the
consciences, liberties, and goods of men, and to
overthrow the whole government of the church
by Assemblies, Synods, Presbyteries, and Ses-
sions established by her confession and constitu-
tions. They condemned the book of consecration
and ordination, as introduced without any civil
or ecclesiastical warrant; as establishing offices in
God*s house without warrant of his word; as re-
pugnant to the discipline and constitutions of this
church; as hindering faithful men from the mini-
stry, or from fulfilling the duties of it. They con-
demned the High Commission, as erected without
the consent of either church or state ; as subvert-
ing the ordinary judicatories of the church; as
arbitrary, and not regulated by any laws; as
mingling the civil and ecclesiastical power, and
so as unlawful in itself, and prejudicial to the li-
berties of the church, and the King's honour m
maintaining them.
J so A co.mim:n'diuus iiistouy ok tiik
The national covenant having" Ijeen lately ta
ken in three different senses, Ar^yle and others
introated, tluit they would speedily manifest the
original meaning of it. From many old acts of
Assembly, in favours of parity amon^ ministers,
and against Episcopacy, it was found evident,
that Prelacy was considered about 1.581 and K589,
as a branch of the Romish hierarchy abjured in
the national covenant; and therefore ou^^ht to be
removed out of the church. 'J'hough ai)()ut fifty
members did not add the word (injured in their
vote, yet only Mr. Bailie i)lainly manifested his
doubt of all kind of Prelacy being renounced in
that oath — The Assembly also, by comparing
them with the word of (lod and old acts ot As-
send)ly, found the artkles oj' Perth to be abjured
by the covenant J.G81, and l.'>89; and therefore
to be removed.
In their 'J.'^d and 21th sessions, the .Assembly
n vived (jld, or framed new acts for promoting of
reformation among alJ ranks. They revived the
act of l.>iu;, relative to the corruptions of mini-
sters, and remedies of them. They aj)proved the
erection of some Presbyteries, and erected others
in Argyleshire. I'heyappointed that Presbyieries
be holden weekly ; and that an exercise and ad-
ditions be given in, and an exegesis exhibited and
sustained at each; that Presbyteries visit all the
c(ingregati(jns in their bounds once every year,
and examine how family worship is observed, and
take care that the youth be diligently instruct-
eil ; that schools and colleges be visited, and the
orthodoxy, ability, and regularity of conversation
of the masters, tried ; that no nunister be absent
froui hij* congregation above forty days in a year,
witliout special liberty ; that schools be planted
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 181
in landward places, and the teachers catechise
the common people ; that Presbyteries have the
whole power of admitting ministers, and choos-
ing their own Moderators ; that the Lord's sup-
per be more frequently administered ; that, in or-
dinary cases, ministers be twenty-five years of age
before they be ordained ; that burghs take pro-
per care to change their markets, which are on
Monday or Saturday, to some other day of the
week; that the Lord's day be carefully sanctified;
that there be afternoon sermons in country pa-
rishes; and that Presbyteries take care to have
the old acts against going of mills, salt pans, or
fishing of salmon, on that day, duly executed: —
that obstinate frequenters of the company of ex-
communicated persons be excommunicated; that
such as speak or write against the late covenant
of this Assembly or its acts, be censured ; that all
Popish titles of abbots, priors, deans, or other ec-
clesiastical dignity, be abolished ; that none be
admitted into any office of pastor, reader, or tea-
cher, contrary to the will of the congregation
to which they are appointed ; that no marriages
be celebrated without due proclamation of banns;
that funeral sermons be disused, as savouring of
superstition ; that the abilities and practice of
candidates for the ministry be carefully examin-
ed ; that Presbyteries take care to excommuni-
cate such ministers as acquiesce not in lesser cen-
sures inflicted by this Assembly. — They also fixed
a plan of fourteen Synods, and assigned six Pres-
byteries to the Synod of Merse and Tiviotdale ;
six to that of Lothian ; four to that of Dumfries ;
three to that of Galloway ; tv^o to that of Ayr ;
five to that of Glasgow ; five to that of Argyle ;
five to that of Stirling ; four to that of Fife ; four
182 A COMfEKDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
to tliat of An^ns; scveii to that of Aberdeen; three
to that of Ross ; three to that of Caithness ; two
to that of Orkney; six to that of Murray ; and
ap|)uintc(l their first nieetin^^s on particular days
of April next; and that they should all maintain
a rorres[)ondence with their next neighbours, and
lor that purpose send one or two eommissioners
to their nieitnii^s. — It is scarcely worth while
to mention the transportations requested at this
As^sembly, as of Air Dickson to Glas£^ow ; of Mr.
Cant to Pitsli<;o; of Messrs. Sharp and Hamilton
to Paisley ; of Mr. Douglas to Kirkaldy ; and of
Blair and Rutherford to St. Andrew's. The two
last warmly opposed their own removal ; nor
would Rutherford at all accept of the professor-
ship of divinity, witliout a congregation to which
he uiight preach Christ. But, in prevent trans-
portation for the future, as much as possible,
it was recommended to Presbyteries to settle
McNsis. David Calderwood, James Cuthry, and
about sixty-eight others, who, in the Jate times,
had l)et n denied admission, and driven from their
charges.
Next day the Assembly condemned all civil
potrer of ministers. They agreed to petition the
Parliament for a ratification of their acts. They
asserted the divine right of ruling ciders. Upon
December 'JOth, in their last session, they enact-
ed, that none should print an) thing relative to
the ehuich, without a licence from their clerk ;
that Presbyteries and Synods should censure such
ministers as were scandalous, or would not ac-
knowledge this Assembly, and submit to its re-
(juirtnients. They approved the late national
covenant, and recjuired all ministers, masters
of universities, colleges, and schools, and others,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1S3
who had not subscribed it, to take it speedily, as
ahjming P^^elaci/, the articles of Perth, and the civil
places and power of ministers ; and prohil)it the
taking of it in any other sense. They asserted
the intrinsic power of the church, and the divine,
ecclesiastical and civil warrant of the General
Assembly to meet once every year, or oftener, as
her necessities require. They appointed their
next meeting at Edinburgh, on the 3d Wednesday
of July next ; but required Presbyteries rather to
keep the King's diet, if he should appoint one.
They formed a supplication to his IMajesty, vin-
dicating their conduct, and imploring his appro-
bation and concurrence. They appointed the
marvellous kindness of God towards them to be
thankfully commemorated in their several con-
gregations and Presbyteries, after their return
home ; and that they should read the acts of As-
sembly to their congregations on the firt Sabbath,
and on the next observe a solemn thanksgiving to
God. After an excellent speech by the Modera-
tor, in which he exhorted all present to consider,
and be thankful for the Lord's goodness to them,
and to manifest their gratitude to his Majesty in
earnest prayer for him and consciencious obedi-
ence to him ; he was seconded by Messrs Dick-
son and Ramsay; — and Argyle, desired by theiMo-
derator, represented their deep obligation to a
careful performance of their duty toward superi-
ors, inferiors and equals. After concluding with
prayer, the Moderator added, Now we have cast
down the walls of Jericho, let him, who rebuilds
them, beware of the curse of Hiel the Bethelite.
On the 18th of December,a royal ruocLAMATioN
was read over the cross of Edinburgh, extolling
his Majesty's condescension; vindicating the con-
iSi A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
(JiK t of tlu'!Nfan|uisori lamiltonjiis commissioner,
.111(1 rliar^int: the covenanters w ith many disorder-
ly and di.sloyal practices, in ^uardini; the castle ol"
Mdiidmr^'h, stopping importation of warlike am-
munition to his xMajcsty's houses, carrying; arms
\v ith them to the (ilas^ow Assembly, contrary to
his proclamation ; and citing- his privy counsellors
to answer to him and his Parliament lor their
subscription of the late proclamation at (ilas-
i^ow, \c. In their imiotpst, read in answer to
this, the covenanters re])lied, That they had done
nothinp;* to the castle of Edinburgh, but watched
it in order to prevent their own danger; that, by
the laws of the land, and maxims of all nations,
the public safety is the supreme law, and the end
of all lawful power; that, by the laws of the land,
all forliluations are to be kept for the welfare of
the subjects, as well as for his Majesty's behoof;
that they had carried arms to (ilas^njw to defend
themselves from the outlawed clan (Trec^ors, who
just !)efore had ravaged the country about — and
had but followed the example of his Majesty's
Commissioner and his attendants ; that, according^
to law, counsellors, who had given bad counsel,
ou^ht to be prosecuted before j)roper judiifes, civil
or ecclesia>tical. They further sheu c il, that the
firohibition of obedience to the acts of Assembly,
and assurance of protection in disobedience to
them, contained in the pnnhnnation, were con-
trary to scripture — the practice of the primitive
church — the civil and canon law — the law of na-
tions— the acts of fovmer faithful assemblies —
and to the large confession of faith, and national
covenant.
After the Assembly, the court party appeared
more and more furious. The old college of Aber-
7
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 185
tleen threatened Mr. Lundy, their Commissioner,
with deprivation, because he had continued in
the Assembly after it was dissolved in his Ma-
jesty's name. They agreed to shut their gates
against the Committee, which the Assembly had
appointed to visit their university, and that no
member should acknowledge their power under
pain of deprivation. The Marquis of Huntley
published the King's proclamation of December
18th, and declared his resolution to keep the
country for his Majesty's service. The town
council put their city into a posture of defence.
Before Hamilton set off for London, in the be-
ginning of January 1639, some principal cove-
nanters waited upon him, and besought him to
intercede with his INIajesty in their favours ; but
he answered them with threats of a speedy exe-
cution of royal vengeance upon them. They
nevertheless transmitted their supplication to
Charles himself, who received it with the utmost
contempt, but still disguised his warlike inten-
tions, being not fully prepared to execute them.
He meant to invade them with 60,000 forces
from England and Ireland. But the Papists and
high flying Episcopalian clergy were almost the
only willing contributors towards the charge.
Scotchmen at court were required to abjure the
late covenant and Assembly, and to swear, that
they would assist his Majesty against their coun-
try, whenever he should require them. Under
pretence, that the Scots were arming to invade
and extirpate Prelacy from England, Charles,
on January 26th, issued forth a proclamation, re-
quiring all the English nobility and gentry to at-
tend his standard at York ; and appointed Hunt-
ley his lieutenant general for raising of forces in
2 li
186 A COMPFNDIOUS IIISTOUY OF THK
Scotland. iNfcain; liilc, the covenanters proceed-
ed in refniniini^ the country froin wickedness,
and in censuring the scanchdous. To vindicate
themselves, they carefully dispersed a paper
thr()U«^h Mn^^land, diicctcd to all t^ond Christians
there, llij^hly cnra^'^ed at the iUw credit wiiich
it obtained, the Scotch bishops instii^ated Charles
to emit a pioclaniation, declaring all the cove-
nanters traitors and tcbfls, lo be read from all the
pulpits in England. The answer of the covenan-
XvT^ to it, w Inch was also industriously dispersed
through MriLiland, rendered th(.'ni more and more
pitied, and their enemies proportionally abhorred.
Heini; at last fully convinced of Charles's inten-
tions to attack thcni in war, they studied to have
the lawfulness of takin^^ up arms in their own
liefcnee fidly cleared to their own consciences, as
well as to the world. I\[r. Hailie and the Karl of
Cassilis, for a time, much doubted if it was law-
ful to resist their Sovereiirn, in a forcible manner.
But y\T. Henderson, by ap])ointnient, drew up a
paper which solved their scruples, and vindicated
such conduct. Some moved, that they should sup-
j)licate assistance from the French, Swedes, or
Dutch ; but others, doubtin*; of the propriety of
confederacies with Lutherans, and much more
with Papists, they resolved, by the help of (iod,
to stanii by themselves. Only they aq-reed to
supplicate the French Kinc^, the States General,
the Prince of Orauj^e, (iueen of Sweden, and
Kin«; of Dernnark, to intercede with their own
Sovi'rci^ri,^ tiijit lie would ^-rant their rccpiests a
fair and unbiassed hearing; whii !», had they done,
it would have prevented much r( proach of them
in the nations around. IMcanw Idle, they ear-
ne:>tly prepared for their own warlike defence.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 187
While General I.esly invited home the Scotch
officers from the Swedish army in Germany, and
procured military stores from Holland, Argyle
laboured to secure the peace of the North, and to
fix as many as he could in the covenanters' inte-
rest. But Huntley, his brother-in-law, was too
much in the bishops, if not the Pope's interest,
to attend their meeting when desired.
The danger of the covenanters was exceedingly
alarming. The Scotch mariners, travellers, and
merchants, in England and Ireland, were every
where treated as rebels ; their goods seized, and
their persons imprisoned, unless they abjured the
late national covenant and Glasgow Assembly.
The King's army at York increased fast. The
Marquis of Huntley and Earls of Airly and
Southesk, and the citizens of Aberdeen, began
to take arms, and threaten the covenanters in
these parts with immediate destruction. In the
South, the Marquis of Douglas, Lords Nithsdale,
Herreis, and their followers, and those of the
Mar( uis of Hamilton, had or were taking arms
for the same purpose. The Earls of Galloway,
Dumfries, Traquair, Roxburgh, Queensberry, and
the Viscount of Dalziel were suspected of an in-
clination to join them ; and that, by the influence
of Hamilton and others, the citizens of Glasgow
would be made to do the same. The Earl of An-
trim was preparing to transport hither ten or
twelve thousand of his Irish countrymen, pro-
bably most of them cruel and murderous Papists.
jMany of the Scotch M'Donalds had gone to join
them, in hopes of robbing Argyle of Kintyre, as
they returned. Hamilton conducted his Majes-
ty's navy for the Firth of Eorth, whiie he himself
brought northward the main army l)y land.
IScS A COMrilNDIOUS IlISTOUY 01" 'iiii:
Xutwitlistandini,^ all, the cuvrnantcrs levied
and trained their troops in the best way they
could. God delivered into their hand the strong
castles of Kdinhiiii^h and Oumharton without a
single drop of hlood. Nnr did those of Stratii-
avon, Douglas, Tantallon, and Brodick cost
much more. Instigated hy Montrose and Mar-
shal, ahout seven or eight thousand, northward
of the 'J'ay, took arms, with whom Montrose
oMigcd the Ahcrdonians to surrender their city,
and obliged Huntley to swear the covenant, as
directed hy the Assembly, and to send Commis-
sioners to concur with the other covenanted de-
puties at J']diid)urgh, in supporting the common
cause. I laving fortified Leith, and put the coun-
try into a posture of defence, the covenanters
once and again, but without success, attempted
to supplicate his IMajesty*s friendship. — Mean-
while, Providence marvellously interposed in their
favours. Five or six thousand Walloons and Irish,
coming over against them, were by the Dutch Ad-
miral driven back to Dunkirk, which then per-
tained to England. The tyranny of Strafford,
l/ieutenant of Ireland, rendered it unsafe to send
over any more than about J 500 ragamuffins, good
for little else but theft, robbery, and munler.
Most of the English either declined serving in
the invasion, or were very unhearty in it. The
Po|)e reipiired his votaries to withhold their as-
si^tance, unless upon condition of a secured open
liberty for their religion. Contrary winds de-
tained Hamilton's fleet till Huntley and his fac-
tion were suppressed, and the covenanters had
got most of their warlike stores imported from
abroad.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. ISJ)
Hamilton, at last arriving in the Forth, trans-
mitted to the town council of Edinburgh, the
King's proclamation, declaring them all traitors^
who did not within eight days submit to his will;
and disponing their estates to their superiors or
vassals, that should assist in suppressing them —
to be published over their cross: If ready obedience
was not given, Charles had appointed him to pro-
secute them with fire and sword. The council
begged to be excused from publishing this procla-
mation till the Estates of Parliament, which ^vere
to meet in a few days, should consider it. Meet-
ing upon May 9th, they found, that as the pro-
clamation was written and printed without the
kingdom, and not warranted by the privy coun-
cil, and was of so dangerous consequence, it could
not be legally published ; that by the laws of the
land, no treason or forfeiture of life or estate,
even of the meanest subject, far less of Peers,
and the body of the nation, could be declared,
but in the Parliament or supreme court of jus-
tice, upon due citation and legal proof; and that
as the proclamation required a material renunci-
ation of their covenant, they could not obey it
without bringing a curse upon the nation. They
transmitted their resolution to the Marquis. He,
next day, wrote to the Earl of Rothes, and
after receiving a bold reply, ret\irned answer,
that he intended to die in his Majesty's cause,
and to the utmost of his power prove an enemy
to his obstinate countrymen. He was neverthe-
less more merciful than his party wished, and la-
boured to persuade Charles to a treaty of peace.
The Parliament meeting on May 15th, they
agreed to prorogue it till any day his Majesty
pleased. But, before they left Edinburgh, thej
li)0 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY 01 THE
appointed Gonoral I^csly tlioir military Comman-
thr in Cliict" Mcanwliik', Lord Ahoyn, Umitley's
son, and other Lords appointed hy Charles, had
raised a new army in the North. An invasion
from Irchnul was hourly expected. The inacti-
vitvof Charles's armvon the north border of VjUS-
Jand, and of his fleet in the Forth, was apprehend-
ed to proceed from a design to j^ain time, till the
covenanters should he ohliij^cd to disperse them-
selves for want of provisions. After solemn fast-
in£]^ and prayer, INIontrosc, who was offended that
his late a( tivity in the North was not rewarded
Avith the prfncipal command, was dispatched to
attack the royalists in the North. General Lesly
marched his army toward the border of Eng-
land— while the select committee fixed the pro-
per methods of modellin*:^ and supplying their
troops. The accounts o( their instructions, and
of Lesly 's march, being conveyed to the English ar-
my atBirks,al)out three milessouth from Berwick,
threw many of them into a terrible consternation,
('harle;* was obligeil to issue forth a proclamaiion,
That he was desirous of peace, and ready to grant
the Scots their just recpiests. But, fearing that
information of the true state of affairs would ren-
dermanyof his officers and forces altogether averse
to attack them, he commanded their army not to
come within ten miles of his own ; in wliich, to
manifest their desire of peace, and their readi-
ness to obey him in every thing lawful, they sub-
mitted. 'J'iie bishops persuaded hiui, that fear
had made them stop at the appointed distance —
and to re j)ublish his proclamation of April 25ih,
declaring them all rcfh/.s that did not lay down
their arms within eight days, and setting a price
on the heads ul their chiefs, and charging their
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 191
vassals and tenants to pay them no more rents.
This was published at Dunse. The Earl of Hol-
land, with 4000 men, was appointed to publish
it at Kelso : but Colonel Monro, and the Lords
Fleming and Erskine, with their forces, obliged
them to retire with the utmost terror and preci-
pitation. Lesly advanced to Dunse Law with his
army. Contemptible enough in his crooked shape,
and of no more than the rank of a gentleman, he
behaved himself with such prudence and autho-
rity, that all the nobles readily obeyed his com-
mands, which he wisely issued forth in the form
of advices. His raw troops, being daily exercis-
ed, made great progress in military skill. They
had sermons and public prayers, every morning
and evening, from their beloved ministers. Scarce-
ly was there a single tent, in the whole army, in
which joint prayers and praises were not twice
every day offered to God. — The frame of their
souls was no less spiritual and elevated, than if
they had been attending a noted communion.
Persuasion of the goodness of their cause, and of
God's assistance in it, made them altogether bold
and resolute for battle, if necessary.
His army being increased to 20,000, Lesly in-
clined advancing nearer to the English camp,
that, if possible, he might apprehend some of the
principal incendiaries, who had kindled the war.
Informed of his intentions, the English laboured
in fortifying their camp ; and being inferior iu
numbers and ardour, were earnestly desirous of
peace. In order to deceive the covenanters, one
Lesly, a Scotch domestic of Charles, came to
their camp at Dunse Law, and, with solemn pro-
fessions of regard to his country, falsely pretend-
ed that the English forces were multiplying so
1
192 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
fast, that tliiy were in tlic utmost dan^jcr of bc-
iiii^ «|»iickly ^u allow I'd up hy them; and thciffore
bct;L;i.'d that ihcy would once more supplicate his
INIajcsty for a treaty of peace, in which, he said,
several oltlie Kui^lish nobility wouhi second them.
The Scots, nothin;^ terrified by his ti«lin<4s, but
looking (tn him as sent by some of the iMiglish,
condescended to transmit another humble suppli-
cation to Charles, alon«; >\ ith a letter to the Lords
of his Kn^lish Council. Puffed up with pride,
Charles insisted, that they should first publish
his above-mentioned declaration of April L^5th,
at the hea(i of their army. They shewed Sir Ed*
ward V'ernham their reasons for refusinc;' to do so;
but to shew their readiness to ^o as far as they
could, they read it with (^reat reverence at the
General's table. Vernham j^ave such a favour-
able report of their conduct, as made Charles
think his order had been as t;ood as obeyed.
Hereupon theKarls of Arundel, Essex, [lolland,
Salisbury and Berkshire, and Secretary Coke,
were empowered to treat with the Earls of
Rothes, Dunfermline, and Loudon, Sir William
Douglas, sheriff of Teviotdale, Mr. Henderson,
and Archibald .Johnston. The Scots (^)mmis-
sioners had scarcely entered into Arundel's tent,
when Charles himself came in, and upbraided
them for accusiuLC him of not listeniui,^ to the re-
quests ot his loyal subjects. After bei^^i^in^; his
permission to speak freely, they, to his disho-
nour, plainly represented their caust\ and their
just delences of it. And in the conclusion of the
conference, Loudon, upon his knees, declared,
that they insisted for nothini; more than the free
t njoyna-nt nt their religion and liberties, accor-
dint^ to the civil and ecclesiastical laws of their
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 19S
kingdom. This Charles professed his readiness
to grant; but, instigated by the bishops of Ross
and Aberdeen, kc. he talked more tartly on the
Monday after, and interrogated them, Whether
he had the sole power of indicting Assemblies ?
Whether he had a negative voice in them ? and.
Whether they might sit, after he had command-
ed them to dissolve ? After suggesting, that the
decision of such questions properly belong to the
Assembly itself, they, for themselves, allowed
Kings to have a power of calling General Assem-
blies, and expressed their hopes that himself would
allow, that in extreme necessity the church might
convene of herself, and enact constitutions for
the preservation of religion, the plain reasonable-
ness of which they shewed.
Being informed, that their army intended to
take their station nearer to his camp, he abandon-
ed his queries, and desired the Commissioners to
fix the particulars which they required as terms
of peace. They proposed, that the acts of the
Glasgow Assembly should be ratified by the Par-
liament ; that in all time coming church affairs
should be finally determined by the Assembly, and
civil affairs by the Parliament; that all his Ma-
jesty's forces, by sea or land, should be recalled ;
that all arrested persons, ships, and goods, should
be restored; that all excommunicated persons
who, for their own private ends, had promoted
the public commotions, should be remitted to Scot-
land to suffer condign censure and punishment.
They subjoined their reasons to each of these de-
mands. After some perplexity, and taking the
advice of his council, Charles replied. That
though, for many reasons, he could not approve
the Assembly of Glasgow, yet he would not only
2c
194 A COMt'KNDlOL'S mSTOHY OF TIM-.
acfree to take away the rdurij;ij and canons^ and
the Hig;h Commission, but also dispense with the
articles of Perth, and order, that no oath should
be recjuired of entrants to the ministry, but what
was appointed by act of l^arliauient; and tliat bi-
shops should be censurable according to their de-
merits by the (ieneral Assembly; and further
agree, that all matters ecclesiastical should be fi-
nally determined by the Assembly, and all civil
affairs hy civil courts; that General Assemblies
should be kept once a-year, or oftener, as neces-
sity required ; and that, for settling the present
distractions, a free General yVssembly should '»e
indicted on the 6th, and a Parliament on the
20th of August next ; that, upon their disband-
ing their army, dissolving their Tables and con-
venticles, and restoring his castles, forts, and am-
munition, and restoring to his subjects their lands
and goods, which had been seized since the late
Assembly, he would withdraw all his forces, and
make restitution of iiwiiry thing detained, on his
part.
After some further conference, and several r^ri-
vate concessions by Charles, the Scotch Commis-
sioners were almost satisfied, and the articles of
pacification were drawn up, bearing, That the co-
venanters' forces should l)e disbanded within forty-
eight hours after the publication of his above de-
claration is agreed upon; that all his castles, forts,
and ammunition shall be delivered, as soon after
the said publication as he shall send his servants
to receive them ; that thereon all his ships shall
depart with the first fair wind, and till then shall
in no wise interrupt the trade or fishing; that he
flhall restore all j)ersons, goods, and ships, wiiich
linve been detained since November last ; that
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 195
there shall be no meetings of the subjects in Scot-
land, but such as are warranted by act of Parlia-
ment ; that there be no further fortifications
made, and these, that are, remitted to his Ma-
jesty's pleasure ; that all his good subjects have
their lands, houses, and goods restored to them,
which have been seized since November last. As
the articles to which his Majesty had agreed, at
the private conference, were not subscribed, nor
made public, the Earl of Cassilis, after the reading
of the public articles in the camp, read and pro-
tested, upon a short information agreed to by the
managers — That though his Majesty did not ap-
prove the Glasgow Assembly, he did not intend
that the acceptance of his declaration should in-
fer any disapprobation of it ; and that their ac-
ceptance of it imported no such thing. This in-
formation was again read along with his Majes-
ty's declaration at the cross of Edinburgh. AVhile
these things were transacting at Birks, Montrose
had, with no small difficulty, levied an army in
the North, and he and Colonel Middleton had
routed Aboyne's forces, and were just going to
plunder the city of Aberdeen, when an express
concerning the pacification prevented it.
Neither party were pleased with the above
treaty. The furious royalists pretended. That
Charles had lost a glorious opportunity of com-
pletely crushing the covenanters, and had disho-
noured himself, by allowing them such equal
terms; and they loudly reproached Flamilton
and others, as advisers to it. Many of the cove-
nanters were displeased with the obscurity of
the articles, and especially with the surrender of
the castle of Edinburgh, and the fortifications of
Ixith, without proper terms. Nevertheless, they
burnt their camp, disbanded their army, and gave
196 A tOMPKNDlOL'S III.STURY OF TIIK
up the castle of Kdinburgli to Hamilton, who
committed it toRuthvcn, who had ac(juired much
iiiilitaiy honour in the Swedish army. But Charles
paid no such regard to his solemn agreement,
but left strong" <;arrisons in Berwick and Carlisle,
and disbanded his other forces very slowly. And
he and his friends ripened matters for a new rup-
ture. In Edinburgh, Huntley and Aboyne, his
son, were scarcely liberated from prison, when
Aboyne and Iluthven, in their drunken revels,
provoked some common people to chastise their
insolence ; this was loudly complained of. Grant
and Dugair, two tools of Huntley, ravaged the
territories of the Earl of Marshal and other co-
venanters in the North. The covenanters pro-
test against his calling of the bishops to the
next General Assembly as members ; their allow-
ance of subsistance money to Lesly and some
other officers, till they could be otherwise provid-
ed; their meeting together, in order to pay off the
debt which tiiey had contracted in the war; their
enemies falsely charging them with forcing the
subs( ription of* their covenant, and some parts of
it misunderstood ; and their Commissioners di-
vulging some of his private concessions, j)rovoked
("harks against them. Under pretence of de-
sired consultation with them, but really intend-
ing to apprehend, if not assassinate them, he call-
ed up fourteen ot their principal leaders to Lon-
don. But the mob, having got some notice of
his intentions, prevented their ojjeying him. This
di:^appiiintment so enraged him, that he had re-
called both Assembly and Parliament, if Hamil-
ton had not persuaded him otherwise, ami Tra-
<juair a.^surtd him, that no act of Parliamiiit,
wl)ich*passed without the bishops, >\ ho were the
third Estate, could have force in law.
CHURCH OF^SCOTLAND. 197
Hamilton having refused to be Commissioner
to tlie next Assembly, Traquair was appointed,
and was instructed to declare against lay elders
having any vote in the election of Commissioners
from Presbyteries, or in any fundamental point
of religion ; to shift all questions relative to the
last Assembly, or to the King's power in calling
or dissolving Assemblies ; to permit the abolish-
ment of Prelacy, not as sinful in itself, but as ne-
cessary to the peace of the kingdom ; to allow
the swearing of the covenant, providing that Pre-
lacy be not abjured in it, as contrary to the word
of God and Protestant religion ; to endeavour to
have those ministers who have been deposed,
speedily reponed, upon their profession of repen-
tance— and that the King may have a power of
choosing fourteen ministers to vote in Parliament
instead of the bishops; to indict another Assem-
bly as far back in the following year as possi-
ble ; to take heed that nothing civil be treated
in the Assembly, and no Commissioner be sent
from it to the King ; nor any act made for the
continuance of the tables or any like meetings.
And, at the end, to protest, That if any thing
prejudicial to the King's interest should have
been granted, he should be heard for redress in
his own time and place. From these instructions
it appears, that Charles merely inclined to de-
ceive the covenanters, whom he could not subdue;
and that he really inclined to yield nothing at all
important, and left himself an open door to revoke
every concession made in his name. Accordingly,
in a few days after, he wrote to Traquair, that he
would not yield to a ratification of the Glasgow
Assembly, nor to the abolishment of Prelacy, as
contrary to the covenant of \5S\i and the consti-
198 A COMriiNDIOLS HISTORY OK THIi
tiitions of tills church; nor to have the service hook
and canons corulcinncci as containin;^ divers seeds
ofPoperyand superstition, or the Hi rrh Commhssion
conticiniuHl, as without law, or ch*structive to ci-
vil and ecclesiastical judicatories — nor the r7;7/c/^^
of Perth as contrary to the national covenant — or
that the Assenihlit's Piorj — Hjl8, should be de-
clared di'stitnte of authority ; and that if any such
thini^ sliould be done he should protest against it.
lie further instructed him, that he would not be
bouful to allow General Assemblies every year;
and that the covenant behoved to be sworn as it
htuod in 1581, without any interpretation sub-
joined to it, unless the Rin^ approved it. IMean-
v/hile, he admonished the bishops not to ^o to the
Assembly, as nothing but partiality could be ex-
pected at it; and assured them, that notwith-
standing his present concessions, he was firmly
determined to have their grievances redressed.
The General Assembly having met, August
12th, Mr. Henderson opened it with a sermon
from Acts v. 33. and exhorted the Commissioner
and members to vie with each other in thankful-
ness, zeal, moderation, and prudence. No sooner
had Mr. Dickson, the new moderator, finished a
like speech, than Tracjuair excepted against all
the ( ommissions of such as had been elected by
more ruling elders than ministers, or for places
in which they had not their residence — or of el-
dns elected for places in which they resided, but
had not been originally chosen to their office; or
of such as were under horning and outlawry —
but named no body. The Assembly therefore
procci'dcd to their business, and with pleasure
received (;raham of Orkney, and Lindsay of
Ounkcld's renunciation of Prelacy. To please
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 199
his Majesty, and retain what they had j^ot, they
formed the substance of the service hook and ca-
nons, the High Commission and articles of Perth ,
prelatical offices, civil poiver of ministers, and cor-
rupt Assemblies, into one act, and as it were re-
enacted them, in terms a little softened, declar-
ing, that the liturgy, canons, and High Commis-
sion should be still rejected, the articles of Perth
no more practised. Episcopal jurisdiction and ci-
vil power of clergymen still held unlawful in this
church ; that the six Assemblies of Linlithgow
1606, and 1608, of Glasgow 1610, of Aberdeen
1616, of St. Andrew's 1617, and of Perth 1618,
should hereafter be accounted destitute of all au-
thority ; — and that, in order to prevent the like
evils in time coming, General Assemblies shall
be held once every year or oftener, if need be, in
consequence of remonstrance to his I\lajesty of
the necessity thereof ; and that Sessions, Presby-
teries and Synods, should be constituted accor-
ding to the order of this church. This act was
voted with great harmony ; and Traquair declar-
ed his approbation of it, and promised that it
should be ratified in the ensuing Parliament. To
prevent the precipitant entry of novations for the
future, the Assembly enacted, that no novation
tending to disturb the peace of the church should
be proponed, till the matter had been first com-
municated to the several Sessions, Presbyteries,
and Synods — that commissioners may come up
prepared to give a solid determination.
Contrary to Traquair's inclination, the reports
of the commission of the last Assembly relative
to their censuring of scandalous clergymen were
produced and approved. Their number amount-
ed to eighteen ; Init the Assembly recommended
200 A (:r)MPKNnrous history of tiif
to inferiorjudicatories to reponc them and others,
who had been deposed for declininfj of the last
Assembly, or for readini; of the service book, upon
any tolerable manifestation of their repentance.
They next considered the large decldi'ation pub-
lished in his Majesty's name, but really composed
by Dr. Balcanquel, without Charles havini^ any
knowledge of many of the facts, but by Jiis mis-
representation. Nine ministers, the Earls of
Rothes, Cassilis, and Loudon, the Lords Kirk-
cudbrii^ht and Burleif^h, and two ij^entlemen, were
appointed as a committee to examine it. They
pointed out eight articles dishonourable to his Ma-
jesty,/A /Wcezi dishonourable to this church, thirteen
dishonourable to the nation, t went i/- six gross fals-
lioods, and four most WTCtched misrepresentations
of their conduct. The Assembly therefore sup-
plicated Charles to call in the copies of it, and
appoint the writers of it to be prosecuted for their
calumnies. But either Traquair neglected to pre-
sent their petition, or Charles disrei^arded it. —
They also authorised the subscription of the na-
tional covenant, as explained by the Glasf^ow As-
sembly, and besought the privy council to rerjuire
it of all the subjects with due ex[iedition. Tra-
quair subscribed it, with a declaration, which he
said merely respected him as King's Commis-
sioner ; and he promised to have their act rati-
fied by the Parliament. They recommended to
the Parliament a supplication in favours of some
ministers, who had been oj)pressed by Huntley
and otluT loyalists, in the Highlands and Islands.
They approved several overtures, bearing, That
n commiltre should be appointed to revise all the
acts of fornu-r Assemblies, that might be of ge-
neral u>c i that the Parliament should be intreat-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 201
ed to restrain people from going to England
for irregular marriages ; that Commissioners to
the Assembly, from remote places, should have
their expenses furnished by the Sessions in these
Presbyteries that send them; that deposed mini-
sters demit their charges under pain of excom-
munication ; that the acts againsts Papist and
excommunicated persons, and such as frequent
their company, or encourage them, be duly exe-
cuted ; that a public catechism and order of fa-
mily worship be drawn up ; and that candidates
presented to kirks be carefully tried with respect
to their fitness for their charge.
As, by the instigation of Strafford, an oath ac-
knowledging the King's supremacy in all eccle-
siastical and civil cases, and an abjuration of the
Scotch covenant, and all like bonds, had been im-
posed upon such Scotsmen as were found inEng.
land, and especially in Ireland, where Strafford do-
mineered, many who had been thereby oppressed,
besought the Assembly to intercede in their fa-
vours, and declared themselves ready to swear
the oath of allegiance, or any other declaration of
loyalty consistent with their covenant. The As-
sembly recommended this affair to the ensuing
Parliament. It is observable, that many tender
Christians, who fled from Ireland, to avoid the
above oath, escaped the massacre, while those,
who complied with it from carnal considerations,
were quickly stript of their lives and property by
the Papists. — After appointing their next meeting,
INIr. Dickson, in a solemn speech, represented the
mixture of God's mercy and justice towards them
for some time past ; and that, on account of his
Majesty's education and misinformation, they
ought always to view his conduct in the most fa-
2 D
202 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
vourablc lig'lit ; — and commended Hamilton and
'IVaiinair iur the services which they had done
this church; and recommended to ministers and
elders their respective duties in the present cir-
cumstances. Soon after the risini,^ of this Assem-
bly, a solemn thanksgiving^ was observed through
the kingdom, the causes of which were drawn up
by the Presbytery of Kdin!)urgh.
A\ hen the rarliament met, August .'31st, it was
proposed to have the following articles enacted
into standing laws. That the Parliament con-
sist only of Lords, Barons, and Burgesses ; and
that all acts empowering Commissioners from the
kirk be rescinded ; that the acts of the late As-
sembly relative to bygone evils and the remedies
thereof be ratified; that the whole power of nam-
ing the Lords for forming the articles to be con-
sidered in Parliament, be in the three estates
themselves; that the castles of Edinburgh, Dum-
barton, and Stirling, be entrusted to none, but by
the advice of Parliament; that the large declara-
Hon which, in his Majesty's name, had so exceed-
ingly calumniated the covenanters, be condemn-
ed ; and that the privy council be subordinated to,
and censurable by the Parliament. But Traquair,
the Commissioner, directed by Charles, or afraid
that such deeds would enrage him, jirevented
their establishment, by proroguing the Parlia-
ment nine tiiues in the months of September and
October. — Finding themselves thus restrained,
tlicy deputed the b'arlsof I .oudon and Dunfermline
to implore Charles's allowance to proceed in their
work : and, meanwhile, a solemn fast was ohserv-
<'d for bewailing that their enemies were like to
frustiat( tlu'ir great expectations; and that op-
pression and violence much prevailed in the nor-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 203
thern parts of the kingdom ; that there were few
faithful labourers in the church, and no due care
taken of the seminaries of learning; that the case
of the truly poor was much overlooked, while
sturdy beggars ranged about without controul ;
and that unthankfulness, carnal security, indo-
lence in promoting of the reformation, which they
had solemnly engaged, and neglect of God's wor-
ship in public, private or secret, much abounded.
Informed of the approach of Dunfermline and
Loudon, and, supposing that they had no com-
mission from Traquair, Charles prohibited them
to come within a mile of his presence. By the
Queen, Strafford, and Laud's influence, his
private concessions to the covenanters at the
treaty of Birks, were openly impugned, and pub-
licly burnt by the hangman. Traquair was charg-
ed to prorogue the Parliament till the 2d of June,
1640; and to declare such as should refuse to rise,
guilty of high treason. When he executed his
orders, November 14th, the Estates read a solemn
declaration against his deed, narrating what had
been done, and declaring the prorogation null
and void: but that, to carry their obedience to the
utmost length that could consist with a good
conscience, they would discontinue their meet-
ing till, by their committee, they had presented
their remonstrances to his Majesty. Commission-
ers from this committee were allowed to repair
to Charles. But Traquair, to atone for the of-
fence which he had given by his concessions in
the Assembly, after several attempts to divide
the covenanters, or to exasperate them by his ar-
bitrary procedure, repaired to court, and there
represented their conduct in tlie most odious
light, and suggested, that they could only be sub-
204 A COMPENDI()r> m^luUi Ul 'IUE
ilucd hy force, some methods oC which he point-
ed out — and tliiis inlhimed the Kn^^lish courtiers.
l)un((.*indiiic and Loudon, and two gentlemen,
were nevertheless sent up to his Majesty, hut di-
rected to he ware of acknowledj^in^^ the Eni^lish
council as their juci^^ts; — t(j refute the misrepre-
sentations of Tracpiair ; to support the articles
which had heen proposed to the Parliament; to
insist for a speedy recal of that court; to remon-
strate against fdling the castles of Edinhurgh and
Oumharton \\ith foreigners, or exacting from
Scotchmen in l^ngland and Ireland any oath in-
consistent with their covenant. — They managed
their cause with great spirit — illustrated the ar-
ticles mentioned, and answered a multitude of ob-
jections made hy Laud and Tracpiair.
After Charles and his council had, for a time,
pretended a desire of agreement, that they might
carry on their warlike preparations the more un-
ohservahly, the Scotch Commissioners were ta-
ken into custody, and Loudon committed to the
Tower for a letter, w hich, they pretended, he had
sent to the French King. The letter referred to
Jiad lje(Mi drawn up a year before by Montrose,
when Charles was marching to invade Scotland,
and had been transcribed by Loudon, and sub-
scribed by them two, and the Lords Mar, IMont-
g(jmery, Forrester, and General Lesly ; but never
made use of; nor had either date or direction.
One Goram getting hold of it, delivered it to
Tra(piair, and he to Charles, who h.)j)ed to turn
it to Ills own atlvantage, particularly in making
a sacrifice of l^oudon, who had been a principal
leader of the covenanters. Upon examination,
Loudon readily acknowledged his own hand writ-
ing and subscription; but pled, that the letter was
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 205
written before the late pacification, when his Ma-
jesty was marching to invade his native kingdom;
and that, in these circumstances, they thought
none so fit to intercede with him as his brother-in-
law, than which their letter desired no more.
Notwithstanding, Charles was determined to have
him assassinated, and ordered Balfour, lieutenant
of the Tower, to have his head struck off, before
nine o'clock next morning. After informing Lou-
don, Balfour acquainted Hamilton with this man-
date. He and Balfour having got access to Charles,
so represented to him the infamous nature of
murdering a nobleman, to whom he had given a
safe conduct, and the terrible consequences that
might follow, that they got him, with reluc-
tance, to tear his warrant. Some time after, up-
on promise of concealing his treatment, and en-
gaging to use his utmost endeavours to dispose
his countrymen to subjection, Loudon was per-
mitted to return home.
In November 1639, Charles and his council
had resolved upon a new war with the Scots.
But it was difficult to find money to bear the ex-
penses of it. Strafford subscribed for L. 20,000
Sterling, the Dukes of Lennox and Richmond
for as much, if not double. Many of the Eng-
lish nobility and gentry subscribed largely enough,
chiefly the Papists, instigated by their Queen.
By Strafford's influence, the Irish Parliament
voted about L. 24^,000 The English clergy vot-
ed an annual compliment of L. 20,000. All these
being insufficient, Charles was obliged to call an
English Parliament to provide more ; but whose
stubborn commons would allow him no mo-
ney, unless in the way of securing their own re-
ligion and liberties, which he and his agents had
1
20G A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OP THK
foarrully inrriiii^eil. lie therefore had recourse
to methods dishonest and iiifainous — which <;ave
the covenanters time to prepare for their own de-
fence. INIeanw hihs Charles did them all the mis-
rhief that he could. Their ships were arrested
in Eni;land and Ireland; and these that were traf-
fickini; to other places were seized, and these in
them harharously imi)risoned. The castle of Edin-
l)ur^Hi was repaired and reinforced, and the i^ar-
rison daily killini; some of the inhabitants, or
spoiliui,^ their iiouses. The English General had
a commission to destroy the whole Scotch nation.
Charles published a declaration, requiring all his
subjects in England and Ireland, to take arms
against them, and treat them as rebels. The
Irish Parliament declared them such. Alarmed
by these things, the covenanters sent Rothes and
Lindsay to solicit the Marquis of Hamilton to in-
tercede for them with their King. But finding
no help in man, they betook themselves to God
by fasting and prayer. The Presbytery of Edin-
burgli. which had been desired, by the Commit-
tee of Estates, to warn the church of her ap-
proaching danger, proposed a solemn fast on ac-
count of the gross ignorance, superstition, sorce-
ry, profanation of the Lord's name and Sabbath,
neglect of his worshi]), uncleanness, intemperance,
fraud and violence, contrary to their covenants —
and on account of their perplexing outward cir-
( nmstances, thereby procured: They also spread
inlormatory renujnstrances among their friends
in England, part oi which were burnt by'the hang-
nuii. Ni'vertheless they did not begin their war-
like piiparations till June next year: Nor did
they ^tir, till the Parliament had concluded on
I he war, ami aj)|)ointed the general officers. 'J'hcse
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 207
in the west did not begin their march till Au
gust.
When the Parliament met at Edinburgh, June 2,
1640, Traquair durst not attend it, as Charks's
Commissioner. But the Lords Elphingston and
Napier, Orbiston, justice clerk, and Lewis Stew-
art, as King's advocate, were empowered in his
absence to prorogue their meeting. But, upon
reading their commission, Elphingston and Na-
pier doubted of the legality of their acting with-
out Traquair's order, and the other two could do
nothing but protest. The Estates therefore vot-
ed themselves a legal Parliament, and chose Lord
Burleigh for their President; and enacted all the
articles proposed at their former meeting, with
some variations. They ordained that this and
all future meetings of Parliament should consist
only of Noblemen, Barons, and Burgesses, re-
scinding all former laws in favours of the voting
of bishops or other clergymen ; — that all future
Parliaments shall have the power of appointing
a committee for drawing up articles to be laid
before them — the members of which each Estate
shall choose from among themselves. They ra-
tified the act of the last General Assembly con-
demning bygone corruptions, and appointed the
late covenant to be subscribed by all ranks under
all civil pains ; and particularly by members of
Parliament before admission to a seat, and by all
magistrates, ministers, and state officers, before
their admission. They declared, that the power
of jurisdiction in the church stands only in As-
semblies, Synods, Presbyteries, and Sessions; and
revived the act of 1.G92, establishing Freshi/terian
government in all the heads of it ; and rescinded
all laws in fcxvours of Prelacy ; but, for fear of
'J08 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTOllV OF THE
givins^ a handle to their exasperated Kin^, left
unnoticed s'une former acts of Parliament estah-
lishini; his eoelesiastical supremacy. 'J'hey de-
clared null and raid all the censures inflicted hy
the late hishops or Iheir aijcnts; and that Presby-
teries had the power of presentini^ ministers in
these parishes in which the bishops had claimed
it; and ordained, that Presbyteries, with consent
of the eoni;re«;ation, should plant these parishes
which had lain six months vacant. They prohi-
bited the ^"oiiii; of mills antl salt pans, and the
fishing of salmon on the Lord's days, or the holding
of fairs upon ^Mondays ; and appointed justices
of peace and kirk sessions to j)revent the profa-
nation of the Sabbath by the confluence of reap-
ers, or of peoj)le to hire them in harvest. They
ratified all the former laws against Papists, ex-
communicated persons, and such as reset them ;
and appointed letters ol' horning to be issued forth
against the bishops and other excommunicated
persons. They approved the Assembly's suppli-
cation against the large dcclaraiiony and ordered
the authors and spreaders of it to be punished as
\:^\\\iy oUeaseviaking unA sowing division between
his Majesty and his loyal subjects. They enact-
ed, that a free Parliament should be held once,
or oftener, in every three years ; that the castles
of Edinburgh, Dumbarton, and Stirling, should
be entrusted only to natives, well afl'ected to King
and country ; that none should vote in Parlia-
ment by proxy; that none should be nobilitat-
ed, who had not ten thousand marks of yearly
Tent in the kingdom ; that the Lords should no
more !)e distinguished into temporal -^unX spiritual:
that the privy < ouncil should be accountable to
his Majesty and Parliament, and be punishable
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 209
for giving wrong counsel. They declared null
and void all unlawful proclamations issued in his
Majesty's name, since the commencement of the
late troubles ; and that the ancient acts of Parli-
ament forbidding leagues and conventions among
the subjects, did not extend to such as were made
for the preservation of the King's life or authori-
ty, or of the religion, laws, and liberties of the
kingdom. They appointed twelve Noblemen,
sixteen JBarons, and twelve Burgesses, as a com-
mittee to give directions concerning the impend-
ing war ; and appointed a tenth of all land and
house rents, and a twentieth of all interest of mo-
ney, to be raised for carrying it on ; and that
the heirs of such as should be slain in the defence
of their religion and country, should have a free
entry to what belonged to them. They further
appointed all the subjects to subscribe a bond for
the maintenance and defence of the acts of this
Parliament ; appointed general officers for their
army ; and passed a sentence of forfeiture upon
General Ruthven for refusing to deliver up the
castle of Edinburgh, and for the daily mischief
he did to the city. After nine days the Parlia-
ment rose ; and their committee sent a copy of
their acts to Lord Lanark, secretary for Scotch
affairs — and suggested, that if the violences of-
fered to their persons and goods without the
kingdom, were not quickly repressed, they be-
hoved to provide for their own deliverance
and safety — and assigned the reasons of their
conduct. But Charles was so far from being sa-
tisfied, that he considered their parliamentary pro-
cedure as a blow at the root of his authority.
The General Assembly met at Aberdeen, July
28, 1640; and, after enacting some rvlcs Un-
it K
210 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORV OF TIIF
the orderini^ of their own meetings, they ordain-
ed, I'hat all ni()?uinu'nts of idolatry, particularly
in the North, should ho destroyed; that the laws
against witches and charmers should be carefully
executed; that such as should speak against the
covenant after they had taken it, sliould be cen-
sured ; that candidates for the ministry, who re-
fus(»d to subscribe it, should be declared inca])a-
ble of teaching children, reading in kirks, preach-
ing within Presbyteries, or residing in burghs,
universities, or colleges — and should be j)rocessed
as scandalous, if they continued obstinate. They
appointed a solemn fast upon the 2Sth of August,
on account of their distressed circumstances. As
in this northern Assembly there were many cler-
gymen, who either did not l)elieve Prelacy and
the Articles of Perth to be sinful in themselves,
or were unwilling to acknowledge them as such,
they did not attack the doctors of Aberdeen in
their adherence to these ; but found them guilty
of Arminianism. Dr. Forbes was spared for the
time, on account of his ingenuity ; and Scroggs
on account of his health; butSibbald, tenaciosusly
adhering to his errors, was deposed.
An atfair, relative to prarjing societies y gave
them much more trouble. During their want of
faithful ministers, many serious people, in Scotland
and Ireland, had met together on Sabbaths, and
other occasions, for prayer and spiritual confer-
ence. Some, before they were driven from Ire-
land, had been a little infected with Brovnism
troiu Kngland, and had inclined to join the Inde-
penilents in New Kngland. 'i'hese brought along
w ith them some of their singularities, which were
overlooked, on account of their remarkable piety,
till an a|)pcarancc thereof hapi)cned in the charge
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 211
of Henry Guthry of Stirling, afterward worthless
bishop of Dunkeld. The Laird of Lecky, a man
remarkable for knowledge and serious godliness,
and who had been a distinguished sufferer under
the late bishops, much encouraged fellowship
meetings for prayer and Christian conference.
Several of his neighbours, who could not read
themselves, or who thought his manner more edi-
fying than their own, attended his family worship.
Some, who probably came as spies, alledged, that
in prayer he used some expressions not duly ho-
nourable to Guthry his minister. Guthry imme-
diately prosecuted Lecky before his Presbytery,
and got fellowship meetings condemned as preju-
dicial to the standing office of the ministry, and
got the magistrates to extirpate them from the
place. Not satisfied with this, he laboured to
have them utterly abolished from the nation ; and
by collecting and exaggerating reports of their
imprudences, he drew Mr. Henderson and Mr.
Calderwood, who had seen the Brownistical dis-
orders in Holland, and some other leading cler-
gymen, to his side. In the Assembly 1638, he had
attempted to foist in a complaint against these
meetings. But Messrs. J. Livingston, S. Ruther-
ford, and D. Dickson, and others, unwilling that
many serious saints should be publicly discredit-
ed for the imprudence of a few, got the affair
kept from any public hearing ; and it was agreed,
that Guthry should preach up the duty of family
worship, upon which he said these meetings en-
croached, and that the eminently pious Messrs.
Blair, Livingston, and JM^Lellan, who befriended
such societies, should preach against night meet-
ings, and the abuses complained of. Their soft
4nd Christian methods of correcting or prevent-
'Jl'J A (OMrENDIoas IIISTOllY 01- THE
iiii^ such abuses not plcasini; Guthry, who hated
to sec or hear of any others more serious than
liimself, he continued to exclaim aejainst these
meetiui^s in general. To quench this flame of con-
tention, Messrs. Henderson and liorthwick u])ou
the one side, and Dickson and Blair upon the
other, held a solemn conference on the i)oint. Hen-
derson drew up a paper of rt'gulaiiojis or caveats for
such meetings, bearini^, that the members should be
few, and such as were proper to meet together;
that the meetings should not interfere with public or
family worshi]) or relative duties, nor be held in
the night ; that they should be ocasional, and no
wise tending to separate the member from the
rest of the congregation ; that no impertinent
(juestions or uncharitable judging of others should
lie allowed in them ; that if any members in th^ni
bad any objection against the common form of
public worship, (as Jtoiciug in the pulpit, and sing-
ing the Gloria Pain) they should discreetly lay
them before the persons concerned ; and, finally,
that all things relative to them should be con-
ducted with holiness, prudence, humility, and
charity. This gave general satisfaction. But
Ciuthry and his assistants, pretending that caveat::
l)rought in bishops, pushed the matter into this
northern Assembly, in which they expected their
friends to be strongest. Guthry poured forth
torrents of accusation against the absent Lecky,
and the society meetings. Simson of Bathgate
seconded him ; and, in the most outrageous man-
ner, U])braided Rutherford, Livingston, and
M'Lelian, as encouragers of them. Supported
by the Karl of Seaforth, and many of the northern
clergy, (Juthry and his faction thought to have
carried an act for the utter sujiprcssion of them.
CilUUCIi OF SCOTLAND. 213
But Dickson, Bailie, Rutherford, and others, so
warmly opposed then!, that they could only get
it enacted, That people should observe family
worship with the members of the family alone ;
that reading of prayers is lawful, where none can
pray extempore ; that none but preachers shall
explain scripture; and that no innovation relative
to the time, matter or manner of religious wor-
ship, or the number or quality of joiners in it, be
introduced without allowance from the Assem-
bly.
Meanwhile, Charles and the covenanters pre-
pared for war of another kind, and laboured to
divert the blame of it from themselves. Charles
loudly complained, that they, by their own au-
thority, had raised forces, provided large stores
of artillery, and imposed taxes; that they had
published scandalous papers, under pretence of
informing the English; had refused materials for
the reparation of the castle of Edinburgh ; had
committed violence upon some of the garrison,
and prepared to block them up ; had imprisoned
Lord Southesk and others for their loyalty ; had
written to the French King for assistance ; and
that the magistrates of Edinburgh had, on seve-
ral occasions, refused due obedience. The cove-
nanters pled. That they had done nothing but
what his Majesty's refusals to grant their just
and humble petitions for redress of grievances,
and the violences committed by persons pretend-
ing his orders, had obliged them to ; that 1;hey
had granted favours to those in the castle of Edin-
burgli, notwithstanding the unprovoked injuries,
murders, and violences which they had suffered
from them ; that they had but protected South-
csk and his followers lioni the violence of (he
21 i A COMPENDIOUS HISTOIIV Ol- THK
inol); that the council and citizens of E(lin!)iir<(h
had done every thin^ in their power, as faithlul
and humble servants ; that they never intended
to ask any assistance from the French Kin^, far
less to subject themselves to his authority, but
merely desired to prevent his taking offence at
them, and helpintj to destroy them, and desii^ned
to suj)|)li(ati' his mediation in their favours, in or-
der that an unnatural war mif^ht be prevented;
that they had never sent him the letter referred
to, nor so much as ever directed or dated it;
that they reckoned it a notorious breach of the
law of nations, to .have their deputies, under his
INFajesty's safe conduct, imprisoned by him, and
Loudon, who had no more hand in the above
mentioned letter than others, punished, without
so much as a form of trial.
Ar/^yle bein«j^ appointed to deal with the disaf-
fected chieftains and clans of the North, invaded
the territories of the earl of Athol, apprehended
himself and fourteen other principal loyalists —
ami obli«;cd his vassals to pay the contributions
required by theParliament, together with.^l 0,000
Scrits, for the support of his army, which had
been raised on their account. He used the ter-
ritories of Airly in much the same manner. But
it doth not apj)ear that ever he allowed any
thing to be taken IVom the people, but the com-
mon tax, and that which he found necessary for
the subsistence of his troops. Robert ^lonro,
>vho was (lis|)atc!ied against the Martpiis of
Huntley, Earl of Aboyne, and Sir James Ogilvy
<»f l>anir, was not so delicate, lie, at his own
hand, imposed the covenant upon such as he
thought disalVected, and remitted about forty ol
the ( ili/.ens ol Aberdeen and gentlemen altuiit,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 215
prisoners to Edinburgh, *He turned Huntley's
palace into a garrison, and destroyed Sir James's
mansion house, and wherever he came, seized on
the effects of the royalists.
The march of the English required the cove-
nanters to meet them in a proper place. They
found no such difficulty in levying men or money
as Charles did. Instigated by the preachers,
every fourth man was ready to take arms on a
call. Such as had money, cheerfully lent it up-
on the public security of the Committee of Es-
tates, and others gave their silver vessels to be
coined. The women readily contributed their
yarn and cloth for the service of the troops, in
tents or the like. In their march, such as could,
carried thirty or forty days' provision along with
them. Every regiment had a minister attending
it, of whom Messrs. Henderson, Blair, Livingston,
Bailie, Cant, and G. Gillespy were the most not-
ed. In the beginning of August, they assembled
at Dunse, about 25,000, and for three weeks con-
tinued on the border, learning to handle their
weapons, and preparing for an entrance into eter-
nity. At their appointed times for private wor-
ship, nothing was to be heard but singing of
psalms, reading of Scripture, and prayer to God,
in their tents. At first the covenanters had re-
solved not to enter into England. But the Eng-
lish nobility, having informed their late commis-
sioners at London, how averse their nation was
from the war, and encouraged them to a bold
prosecution of their righteous cause, and Lord
Sackville, and one Darley, having written letters
to some ol" them, in name of a number of the Eng-
lish nobility, whose subscription he forged, encour-
aging them to enter England, as they might expect
21(1 \ COMFKNDIOIJS lUSTOUV OF THR
that the English wouM not only take the oppoi-
tiinity to insist for a redress of their own anil
their «^rievances, but wouhl assist them witii men
and money, as soon as they entered Enghmd, and
send them liome liberally recompensed for their
labour ; — and sometime after, havin*^ reeeived
another letter upbraidini^ them for their slack-
ness to enter into that country, and sut^gestin«^,
that it had lost them .ClO,000 Sterlin,!,', which
was prepared for them ; and that Charles's troops
had neither money nor an inclination to resist
them. Knowing that there was much truth in
these missives, they resolved to march into Eng-
land ; but, to prepare tiieir way, they dispersed
two dilVerent i)apers of information, — in the first
of which, they shewed, That their march into
England was necessary, in order to avoid the
maintenance of two armies on their border, aiul
to secure their trade and the administration of
justice at home; that it was merely defensive, as
his majesty's promises formerly made to them
had been notoriously violated, and their commis-
sioners refused a hearing at court, till a war
against them was resolved upon ; that the Parlia-
ments of England and Ireland had been conven-
ed to grant subsidies for making war upon them ;
that his majesty had already begun a war upon
them, in seizing their ships and goods, and in the
murder of several inhabitants of Edinburgh by
his garrison in the castle ; that they were ready
to lay down their arms as soon as they could ob-
tain a sure peace; that the Lord, by their march
into England, might perhaps lead to the abolish-
ment of I'relacy there, from whence it had come
totluiu; that they did not march against the
kingilom of llngland, but against Archbishop
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 217
Laud's faction of Papists, Atheists, Arminians,
and Prelatists, who misled his majesty, and were
enemies to both kingdoms ; and therefore they
hope their English brethren will not refuse them
victuals for money ; that they did not come to
commit disloyalty against their sovereign, or to
enrich themselves with plunder, but to do the
kingdom what good they could, in the regular
punishment of those that had troubled them;
and that the long prayed for uniformity in refor-
mation might be promoted. In the other, they
shewed what injuries had been done them, and
that they entered England, in order to promote
the regular punishment of Laud, Strafford, and
other incendiaries, and the securing of their own
religion and liberties. And they engage to re-
turn home, as soon as these ends shall be gained.
God rendered the day of the covenanters' so-
lemn fast, Aug. 28th, remarkable for a strange
mixture of mercy and judgment. On it their
troops routed about five or eight thousand Eng-
lish, that were posted at the ford of Newburn to
prevent their passage over the Tyne, with the
loss of about twelve persons, and the wounding
of a few others; which spread such a terror
among Charles's army, that they precipitantly re-
tired from Newcastle and places about, to Dur-
ham. The sickness and death which prevailed
in the castle of Dumbarton, made the garrison
glad to deliver it up to the covenanters. The
English garrison of Berwick came to Dunse with
a considerable number of carts, to carry off the
Scotch artillery and ammunition ; but the earl
of Haddington coming up with them, sent them
back laden with nothing but their own dead and
wounded. Returning to the castle of Dunglass,
2 F
2\S A rOMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OP THR
Ills English servant, |)io])al)Iy bribed by the garri-
son of Kerwick, set lire to a magazine of powder,
and blew up the fort, in which the earl and his
brother, ten gentlemen, and fifty-four servants,
instantly perished ; and about thirty others were
grievously wountled. 'J'he alarm given by the
noise, made the people in Fife and Lothian to
set up their beacons. Imagining that this was
occasioned by the king's fleet coming up tlu?
Forth for their relief, the garrison in the castle
of Edinburgh caroused so heartily as to consume
most of their provisions, and were obliged next
Sabbath to surrender that fort.
After premitting a declaration of their peace-
ful intentions, the covenanters took possession of
Newcastle, in which they found 5000 stand of
arms : — And while Charles's troops fled faster be-
fore them than they were pursued, they, though
flushed with conquest, in an humble supj)lieation,
represented to him, after what manifold suifer-
ings, necessity had obliged them to march into
England, and how harmlessly they had behaved
in it, and earnestly insisted that he, with advice
of his English Parliament, would redress their
grievances, that they might cheerfully obey him
as their native sovereign, and his throne be esta-
blished among them. Charles had treated this
w ith the utmost contempt, if another, subscribed
by thirteen of the English nobility, comj)laining
of their grievances, and insisting for redress, had
not been presented to him about four hours after ;
lor which the lords Howard and Wharton had been
immediately shot at the head of the army, had
not Ihunilton got him convinced, that it would
occasion a general mutiny, if not total revolt of
the troops. Charles proudly disdained to answer
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 219
the covenanters' petition himself, but being afraid
of their approach toward his camp, lie ordered
Lanark, Hamilton's brother, to require them to
mark their particular grievances, and he would
call a parliament at York to advise an answer to
them ; and to command them to march no far-
ther into England, if they wished for any recon-
cilement. The committee of their army quickly
replied to Lanark, That they insisted, that the
acts of their last Parliament should be published
in his Majesty's name, as well as of the Estates ;
that the castles and forts of the kingdom should
be used for their security ; that none of their
countrymen in England or Ireland should have
any oaths imposed upon them inconsistent with
their covenant ; that notour incendiaries should
be brought to public justice ; that their ships
and goods should be restored with recompense
of damage ; that all the w rongs which have been
done to them, be fully recompensed ; that all pro-
clamations of them, as traitors, be recalled ; that
all garrisons on the borders, and all other hinder-
ances of free trade, be removed.
Last year, Montrose, w^ho had been once a
zealous covenanter, instigated by his envy of Ge-
neral Lesly's promotion, had shewed an inclina-
tion to desert to the king ; at this time a treach-
erous letter of his was discovered. But, as he
begged forgiveness of his rashness, and it was
suspected that Lords Drummond, Boyd, Fleming,
and some others were also unfaithful, Lesly, with
some of the ministers, got the matter made up,
that no breach might happen in so critical a junc-
ture. As the English doubly rated the provi-
sions which they sold to them, Lcsly ordered the
town of Newcastle to ad'ord his army L.2U0
220 A COMrF-NDIOUS lUSTOHV OF "^UK
worth of* victuals a-day, Northumljerland L.300,
and the county of Durham L.3.50, for ready mo-
ney, orj^ood security. Hut the English collectors
sometimes exacted the double of what tliey <;ave
to the army, and laid the heaviest burdens on the
j)uritans, to provoke them ai,^1inst their Presby-
terian brethren. Knc^lish vagabonds put on blue
bonnets, and plundered the country in name of
Scotsmen. 'J'he servants of such clergymen as
had run olf from their charges, robbed them of
that which was left to their keeping, and then,
perhaps by their master's direction, laid the blame
on the Scots. Loud complaints of these things
were made to Charles, who delighted to receive
them. But the covenanters quickly manifested
their innocence.
It scarcely appears, that Charles really intend-
ed a pacification. Instead thereof, he laboured
to increase his army, jirocure [)rovisions, and fur-
nish his garrisons, and required all the trained
hands northward of the river Trent to be ready
to march upon a day's warning. It was report-
ed that Strailord had sent for ten thousand Irish
Papists to join them. Lesly therefore demanded
four or five thousand recruits from Scotland,
which, with a band of gentlemen from Argyle-
shire, immediately marched to his assistance.
Rut the English peers, meeting at York upon
September 2 1th, apj)ointed eight earls and as ma-
ny lords to treat with the Scots. The Earls of
iMorton, Traquair, and Lanark, with Sir Lewis
Stewart and Ilenry Vane, were appointed their
assistants. But the Scots would not admit them.
The carls of Rothes, Lowdon, and Dunfermline,
A. Henderson, and Archibald .b»hnston, and six
gentlemen, were commissioners from the cove-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 221
iianters. After some conferences at Rippon, the
place of treaty was transferred to London, and a
cessation of arms was immediately agreed upon,
providing that the Scotch army should have
L.850 Sterling j^er day allowed them for subsist-
ence, till the treaty should be finished ; that no
fortification should be erected on either side ;
that the river Tees should be the boundaries be-
tween the two armies, unless the Scots should be
obliged to appoint detatchments to collect the
contributions allotted them on the south side
of it.
After several months, the treaty was finished,
and the English Parliament ageed to it, August
7, 1641. It imported. That all the acts of the
last Parliament at Edinburgh should be publish-
ed, and have the same force of law as any other
acts of Parliament ; that all the forts of Scotland
should be furnished with the advice of the Es-
tates of Parliament ; that all censures inflicted
for taking of the national covenant should be an-
nulled, and none hereafter inflicted ; that only
such Scots as settled in England, should be sub-
jected to the laws of it ; that the Parliament
should have full power to prosecute all evil coun-
sellors and delinquents ; that none, disqualified
by sentence of Parliament, shall be admitted to
his majesty's service or friendship ; that all ships
and goods seized by either party be restored,
and damages be refunded ; that L.30,000 Ster-
ling be paid to the Scots to indemnify their
loss in this war ; that all proclamations and
pamphlets representing them as 7'cbels or z/;i-
dutij'ul subjects, be recalled and suppressed, and
their loyalty pul)lished from all the pulpits in his
majesty's dominions, upon the day of solemn
2'i2 A COMrKN'DIOUS HISTOHV OK Till':
tlianksL;ivini; for the peace; that the t,^1lTisons
l)e removed i'rom Herw iek and Carlisle; that the
Scots desire of an iinifonnity in church i^overn-
inent and worship was approved, and the Eng-
lish Parliament wouhl proceed in that matter, as
they found most conducihle to the glory of God
and the [)eace of the church and state in both na-
ticHis ; tliat his majesty, or the Prince cjf Wales,
shall visit Scotland as soon as possible ; that he
])refer none to oflices without the recommenda-
tion, or at least consent of the Parliament, privy
council, or college of justice ; that some Scots-
men he placed about him ; and none but such as
are of the reformed religion, about either himself
or the Prince ; that all that hath happened in the
late troubles be buried in everlasting oblivion,
except that the Scots bishops, Traquair, Sir Ro-
bert Spotswood, Sir John Hay, and JMr. Walter
]>alcan(piel, shall be prosecuted as incendiaries ;
that no war shall !)e declared against any of the
three kingdoms, but with consent of Parliament ;
and such as without such consent make war upon
their fellow subjects, shall be prosecuted as trait-
ors by both nations concerned ; that the Scotch
l\irliament, which shall meet to ratify this trea-
ty, have full power to sit till they finish their
business, unless they adjourn with their own con-
sent ; and that none who commit a crime in one
])art of his ^Majesty's dominions shall be protect-
ed in another.
Meanwhile, the Assembly met at St. Andrew's,
July 20, IGtl ; but adjourned to Edinburgh, be-
cause many of the nu^nbers behoved to attend
the approaching Parliament. Jn favours ol 31r.
1 lou ie, of the college of St. Andrew's, and others,
they enacted, that superannuated ministers should
3
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 223
eiijoy their benefices for life, — They established
some rules for the universities, and appointed
every Presbytery to maintain a bursar at the
college; and Mr. Henderson recommended it to
the city of Edinburgh, and other principal burirhs,
to maintain some students of distinguished abili-
ties at some foreign university, as thereby them-
selves or the church might be provided to the
greater advantage. They appointed, that the ut-
most care should be taken of the religious conver-
sation of candidates for the ministry ; and that
none should be allowed to preach in another
Presbytery, without testimonials from that which
had licensed him. The flame relative to fellow-
ship meetings for prayer and spiritual conference
had still continued. Lecky and his friends in-
sisted for preferring an accusation against Guthry,
their leading antagonist, and to have the act of
the preceding Assembly, which respected their
meetings, cancelled. Guthry and his partisans
were no less eager to support it, or, if possible,
to make it worse. The ministers of Edinburgh
were generally for a total suppression of all pri-
vate meeting for religion, except these of families.
IMany of the citizens were no less zealous to pre-
serve praying societies, and to have the act of the
Aberdeen Assembly either repealed or explained.
The court found themselves obliged to cancel
that act, as if it had never existed, and to substi-
tute another in its room, which imported, that
all ministers and others should labour to restrain
all impiety and all mocking at religious exercises,
or casting of odious names upon godly persons;
and that, on the other hand, great care should be
taken, lest under pretence of religious meetings
and exercises, errors, scandal, schism, or anything
22 i A COMPRNDIOUS HSTORY OK TIIR
contrary to peace or truth, should be cherished,
or the duties of particular callings neglected; and
api)ointed that Presbyteries or Synods, should
censure the transgressors of this on either hand.
By another act, they prohibited tlie introduction
of any novelty in doctrine, worship, or govern-
ment, till it was first allowed by the General As-
sembly. Being desired by the Parliament, they
examined the bond, which Montrose, and some
other treacherous covenanters, had subscribed,
and of which the Parliament had burnt the origi-
nal— and declared it nnlazcful and unbinding, as
it was contrary to their former engagements to
do nothing without common consent, and as it
tends to promote division : but gave it as their
opinion, that such subscribers as should, under
their hand, accpiiesce in this judgment, should be
no further troubled. The Lords Seaforth, Ring-
horn, and Laird of Lowr immediately complied,
as did most of the other subscribers afterward.
They offered their mediation for Montrose and
some other su])scribers, who it seems did not sub-
mit; but the Parliament refused it. — Being in-
formed that the Independents at London pre-
tended tliat Messrs. Dickson and Cant were in-
wardly of their sentiments, the Assembly unani-
mously declared their rejection of Independency
as contrary to the national covenant; and appoint-
ed Mr. Henderson to inform their London friends
that they were all of one heart and soul against
Inde[)endency, as well as against Prelacy. — To
promote an easy correspondence with the reform-
ed churches abroad, they appointed the Scotch
minister of Campvere, in Holland, and an elder
from his session, to be members of each Assem-
bly. Mr. Henderson having moved the drawing
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 225
up of a Confession of Faith, Catechism, Directori/
for Worship, and Form of Church Government, in
which it might be hoped the English would agree
with them, his motion was embraced ; and Mr.
Dickson, the moderator, and such assistants as
he pleased were enjoined to form them. But he
resolutely declined the task as too difficult. A.
committee was appointed for reforming the wild
Highlands, and the Isles, from their remaining
heathenish and Popish abominations; and a com-
mission to finish such work as they had not got
overtaken.
The Parliament of 1640, had been adjourned
from time to time, till July 15, 164^1, when
thirty-nine Noblemen, forty-nine Barons, and
fifty-seven Representatives of burghs met ; but
resolved to transact no important business, till his
Majesty should come down in the following month.
Nevertheless, they formed overtures for regulat-
ing their meetings. They concerted measures for
prosecuting Traquair, Sir R. Spotswood, Sir John
Hay, Walter Balcanquel, and Dr.-Maxwel, late
bishop of Ross, as incendiaries ; and Montrose,
Lord Napier, Sir G. Stirling of Keir, and Sir
Lewis Stev/art of Blackball, for plotting to under-
mine their fellow covenanters. A scurrilous libel
against his country, and in defence of his divisive
lK)nd, drawn up by ^lontrose's direction, was read^
and he was required to subscribe a recantation of
it. Such of the above criminals, as could be ap-
prehended, were imprisoned ; and Lord Loudon's
labour to excuse them as far as he could, almost
rendered himself suspected. — It plainly appeared,
that Montrose had slandered the Marquis of Ar-
gyle, as having publicly talked to Athole, and
other eight of his late prisoners, that he and hi?
2 G
226* A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
friends had consulted lawyers and divines con-
cerning^ the dethronement of his Majesty, and had
thoiit^ht of doin^^ it at tlieir preceding Parliament,
hut would do it at the next. — Montrose pive up
Stewart, commissary ol" Dunkehi, as his informer,
who at first acknowledged, under his hand, that he
had done so. But, being prosecuted, he said, that
he had invented the story out of mere malice
against Argyle; and that, by the advice of Mon-
trose, Napier, Keir, and Blackhall, he had trans-
mitted a sul)scrihe*i copy of his forged speech to
his .Majesty. They also, at the Assembly's desire,
ordered all misrepresentations of the covenanters,
to be razed from the minutes of the privy coun-
cil.
Being at last come up to the Parliament, along
with Prince Frederick Palatine, his nephew,
Charles, after his speech, offered to touch with
his sceptre the thirty- nine acts of the preceding
Parliament. But the sagacious members, per-
ceiving that he thus intended to mark these acts
as formerly destitute of legal authority, and so
unhinge the late treaty, and all that was before
done in prosecution of these acts, warded off the
blow, and pled that the validity of these acts had
l)een already secured by the trcatij^ and nothing
remained for his Majesty, but to consent to their
pubbcation. Upon the 18th of August, they en-
acted. That all the members, I)efore taking their
seals, should swear the national covenant nwd hand
of 16^8, as explained to abjure Prclacij and the
articles of Perth y together with an oath, binding
them to reason and vote, as they judged most
conducive to the glory of (iod and the peace of
this church and kingdom, and to defend to the
Uttermost his .Majesty's person, honour, and es-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 227
tate, together with the rights of Parliament and
suhjects, and to preserve the union and peace be-
tween the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and
Ireland ; and, by all proper methods, labour to
bring to condign punishment all such as had, or
should do any thing contrary to the purity of re-
ligion, or the laws, liberties, or peace of the na-
tion By this act, they hoped to exclude all the
malignants, who hated the covenanting interest.
But the Duke of Lennox, Marquis of Hamilton,
andEarlsof Morton, Roxburgh, Annandale, Kin-
noul, Lauderdale, Perth, Lanark, Galloway, and
Dumfries, after some demur, yielded to the terms,
and so the number of Peers was increased to for-
ty-eight. Profane Carnwath alone chose rather
to want his seat, than to swear oaths which he
had no intention to keep. Charles subscribed the
treaty of Rippon and London^ and the Parliament
solemnly approved it by an act, which they trans-
mitted under the great seal to the Parliament of
England. That same day, Charles and they ap-
pointed the thirty- nine acts of the Parliament
last year to be published as bearing authority
from the moment in which they were framed.
They appointed a solemn thanksgiving on the
7th of September, of which the General Assem-
bly drew up the reasons. The thanks of the
Parliament were given to the commissioners, who
had formed the treaty ; and a complimentary re-
ward appointed to General Lesly and IMr. Hen-
derson.
The malignant enemies of the pure religion
and full liberties of the kingdom, cherished by
Charles, who one day came to Parliament at-
tended by five hundred of tliem, laboured to tra-
.duce the .Marquises of Hamilton and Argyle,
'J26 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOHY Oh THE
But the affair was pot compromised ; and even
INTontrose, Napier, Kcir, Hlackliall, president
Spotswood, Hay, and .Monro, who had deliver-
ed to (ioram the letter, which had occasioned
so much tr()ul)h^ and dam^^er to Loudon, were li-
berated upon security for their ^^ood behaviour,
and their compearance for trial, before the com-
mittee of Estates in January next. The Parlia-
ment voted 10,000 men to Prince Frederic, for
enahline^ him to recover his Electorate in Ger-
many from the Popish oppressors. But the
breakinf,^ out of the Popish massacre of the Pro-
testants in Ireland prevented the execution of
this, and obliged his Majesty to post off to Lon-
don, as soon as this Parliament ended. The Par-
liament appointed a solemn fast upon 2d and
4th Sabbaths of November, of which the Com-
mission of the Assembly drew up the reasons.
Another fast was observed in the ensuiui^ March,
but by whose appointment we know not ; nor
that any general Jasl or t/ian/csgiring was observ-
ed, of which the ehurch did not at least draw up
the reasons. They also enacted, That none
should go to England to be married, without
proelamation of banns, under severe penalties:
that besides formerly required qualifications, all
patrons should subscribe the national covenant;
that all monuments of idolatry should l)e abolish-
ed, and Presbyteries should see to have them re-
moved out of churches, colleges, cJiapels, and
other pid)Iic places ; that excommunicated per-
sons, or persons who did not communicate at their
ow n parish church, at least once a-year, should
be pr«)S(Tuted aceording to their respective ranks ;
that such as caused their mills or salt pans to go,
or hired reapers, or sold goods on the Lord's day.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 229
or otherwise profaned it, should be severely pu-
nished. They disposed of the Bishop's rents
chiefly to the universities, and to some nobility
and gentry. They made some acts for payment of
the public debt, which had been contracted in
the late war, and in favours of orphans and fa-
therless children, and for the administration of
justice and encouragement of trade and manu-
factures. They approved the conduct of Argyle,
now made a Marquis by his Majesty, and other
commissioners in the late war; appointed a com-
mittee for preservation of the peace between the
two kingdoms, and appointed next meeting of
Parliament in June 1644<, unless his Majesty
pleased to call one before that time.
Upon Charles's return to London, his bishops
loudly reproached him as undoing, in an instant,
all that himself and his father had, with no small
difficulty, established in many years. The differ-
ences between him and his English Parliament
having become very wide, the Scotch commis-
sioners, who had gone up to concert measures
for sending their troops to Ireland, to check the
Popish murderers, who about that time massa-
cred two or three hundred thousand of their Pro-
testant neighbours, offered their mediation. —
Charles, highly displeased, commanded them not
to interfere with him and his English Parliament,
without first communicating their proposals to
him. Having sent off 6000 forces to Ireland,
under General Monro, the breaking out of the ci-
vil war in England obliged them to retain the
other 4000 intended for it, at home. By the in-
fluence of Montrose, and other Bonders, Charles
laboured to cause the Scotch privy council t(»
threaten the English Parliament with their as-
230 A COMTHNDIOUS IIISTOIIV OF THK
sistancc of him : ])ut the covenanters, by theii
counter sii|)|)lications, prevented it.
When the Assenihly met at St. Andrew's,
July 'J7, HM-2, a report lliat Montrose and his
feUovv Jiondcrs intended to force them to dechire,
that the national covenant favoured the making
of war upon the Kn^lish ParliaFnent, caused so
many of tlie covenanted nohles to attend, that no
such ihinir durst be attempted. The Assembly
appointed that the minutes of Synods should
be tried by the Assembly ; that transported mi-
nisters should not undergo new trials ; that, in
consequence of his iMajesty*s concession, six can-
didates for a vacant charge in the low country,
ai.d as many as can be had for one in the High-
lands, !)e nominated by the Presbytery, with con-
sent of the UKJst, or best of the congregation, to
tlic patron, out of which he must present one.
Argyle and some other patrons offered to give up
their right of presentation, if ministers would pro-
mise to insist for no augmentation of stipends ;
but they would not consent. The Assembly also
established some rules for reclaiming of Papists,
non-communicants, and profaners of the Sab-
bath, and for family worship, catechising, &:c. ;
and for (h lating of adulterers, wizards, and the
like, to the civil magistrate; and for burdening
and limiting transportation of ministers ; and for
.settling of sc!iools; and for sending over ministers
to the remains of their Protestant brethren in the
north of Ireland, who had earnestly petitioned
for them; they prohibited the taking of contrary
oaths in liic purgation of adulterers, fornicators,
and the like — and all slandering of ministers, or
using of tlu ir names, in public pa[)ers, without
their consent. They appointed a committee to
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 231
visit the Isles of Orkney and Shetland, in order
to reform them from their heathenish and Popish
corruptions, and to regulate the universities of St.
Andrew's and Glasgow; and made an act for the
suppression of Popery, and monuments of idola-
try in the North. They erected a new Presby-
tery at Biggar, and joined that of Sky to the Sy-
nod of Argyle, They appointed a general con-
tribution for the Protestants in Ireland. And,
as both Charles and his English Parliament had
courted their favour, they, without siding them-
selves, urged both to promote a reformation of
England in public worship and church govern-
ment, and supplicated the privy council to concur
with them herein, and appointed a public fast
and prayer, that the Lord might succeed their
project.
Some noblemen, who had been commissioned
to beseech his Majesty, to give satisfaction to his
English Parliament, being very ill used by him
and his party, and the letters transmitted to them
broken up, were therefore recalled. Meanwhile,
Hamilton, Montrose, and other Bonders, finding
it impossible to arm the nation in general against
the English Parliament, concerted with Charles
how to raise an army in the North, and seduce
General Monro and his troops to their party ;
and at least make the Earl of Antrim accommo-
date matters with the Irish Papists, and then
transport an army of them into England for his
assistance against his Parliament. But iMontrose,
refusing to serve under Hamilton, their reproach-
es of each other manifested part of their de-
sign, and the rest appeared from missives found
upon Antrim, when he was providentially appre-
hended by a Scotch officer near Carrickfergus,
252 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF TlIP:
and from the examination of him and his servant.
Instigated by the Popish Queen, Montrose car-
ried on his work in the North, and ^ot all the
chiefs, ()i;ilvies, and (iordons, to substirilje an as-
sociation in favours of Charles. But Lord Mar-
shal refusini^toronrur,and even persuadini^ Hunt-
ley to recal his sul»cription, ^ave a rheck to this
project. Montrose therefore courted the favour
of the covenanters, who, he hoped, would put
more trust in him than his new friends had done.
But new proofs of his villany made them also to
despise him.
Charles's troops had almost defeated those of
the Parliament at Kd«^ehill, in October, and had
entirely routed them, had not Balfour, a Scotch
officer, with his battalion at the head of the foot,
made a i^^alhint defence, while Prince Rupert of
the Palatinate drove the cavalry before him. The
Scotch managers, laying their account that his
Majesty, after he had subdued his English oppo-
nents, would turn his victorious arms against
them, ordered Loudon, their chancellor, to issue
forth warrants for callini; a convention of Estates,
in order to put the country into a proper posture
of defence. Notwithstanding all that Hamilton
and Sir Lewis Stewart could say. they voted them-
selves a legal convention. Charles being inform-
ed of their meeting, by his missives limited their
dcli!)erations to the supply of their army in Ire-
land, the procuring of the arrears due to them
from the Knglish, and the preventing of ground-
less jealousies of himself, and restricted them
troni doing any thing towards raising forces for
the Knglish Parliament. Instigated by the Earl
of Derby, Morton, Koxburgh, Rinnoul, Lanark..
Anuandalc and Carnwath, wrote to the Queen,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 233
that unless his Majesty detached three or four
thousand of his troops to Scotland, that country
would probably be lost to him. The English
Parliament having intercepted this letter, remit-
ted it to the convention. Upon which these Lords
submitted, and promised to interfere no fur-
ther with the English affairs, and were all excus-
ed, except Carnwath, who appeared to have ac-
cused his countrymen to the King as rebels, and
their commissioners as favourers of the rebellion
in England, in order to ruin him and his children.
He fled, and was fined L. 10,000 Scots for the
public service.
The affecting sermons and edifying behaviour
of the Scotch ministers, who had attended their
commissioners at the making of the late treaty at
London, had rendered many of the English pu-
ritans fond of the nearest union and conformity
in religious matters with the Scots. A correspon-
dence for that effect had ever since subsisted.
Their distress, since the battle of Edgehill, had
rendered a league with the Scots most necessa-
ry. After some warning, the commissioners
from the English Parliament, attended by
JMessrs. Marshal and Nye from the Westmin-
ster Assembly, came to Edinburgh in the be-
ginning of August 164^3, in order to solicit an
amicable and religious league. Meanwhile, the
Assembly met and received a letter from C^harles,
indorsed to Sir Thomas Hope, Lord Advocate,
and those convened with him. Notwithstanding
his Majesty's shyness to acknowledge them an
Asse?Mf/, they boldly censured the ministers of
Auchterarder, for refusing to publish the decla-
ration emitted against the cross petition of the
Bonders, in which they had urged the priw couu-
2h
*23if A COMPENDIOUS HISTORV OF Tllli
cil to publish his INIajesty's reasons lor making-
war on his English Parliament, without publish-
ing their vindication aloni^ with it. Instii^ated by
Archibald Johnston, who had lately been made a
knii^ht, they suf^i^ested to tiie Convention of Es-
tates, 'J'hat, as the Kin^^'s war with his English
Parliament was directed against the reformation
of religion, the Protestant faith was in danger;
that the English had helped them in their dis-
tress ; that if the serious part of the church of
England be ruined, that of Scotland cannot ex-
pect long to survive; that the intended uniformi-
ty of discipline and worship between the two
kingdoms, would much strengthen the Protestant
interest in general; and that his JMajesty's actions
had so often contradicted his promises, that they
could not trust him. They enacted, I'hat pro-
fessors of divinity, being ministers, might be cho-
sen commissioners to the Assembly, either by the
university or Presbytery ; that there should be no
burials in churches where God is worshipped, and
his sacraments dispensed. They appointed a new
supply of ministers for the north of Ireland, and
a committee to incjuire into the nature and pro-
per remedies of witchcraft, for which many about
this time were delated and burnt; and that mi-
nisters and magistrates should search for all books
calculated to promote separation from pastors;
ami that all sentences of supreme judicatories
should remain in force till repealed by themselves;
that no deposed clergymen should be rej)oned,
lait by the advice of the Assembly; and they con-
tninedali former acts for the sanctification of the
Sabbath, and that masters should be censured,
who |)ermitted their servants to transgress. — As
the customary repetiiion of the dodoiom/ and Gh-
1
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 235
riapatri, at the end of public worship, and kneel-
ing in the pulpit, had offended not a few of the
godly, IMessrs. Henderson, moderator, D. Dick-
son, and D. Calderwood, were appointed to draw
up a directory for the worship of God. Finding
it difficult to procure candidates with the Gaelic
ianguage for the Highlands, they appointed such
students as could speak it, to be preferred in the
bestowing of burseries, and in order to get the
Highlands and Isles supplied as well as the low
country, while probationers were scarce, they be-
sought his INIajesty to accept of a list of three
candidates for a vacancy in the low country, and
of one in the Highlands, in order to a presenta-
tion. All the commissioners from burghs and
shires, having supplicated an abolishment of pa-
tronage, it was recommended to Presbyteries to
devise a proper plan of settling congregations,
which might remove all contests between patrons,
Presbyteries, and people. They prohibited all
ministers, having landed estates, to sit members
in the Parliament or Convention. They appointed
the Earl of Huntley to be admonished for his ne-
glect of family worship, his not communicating,
and his retaining of Popish servants. They ex-
communicated Roger Lindsay for blasphemy,
and appointed John Seaton to put from his house,
a woman with whom it was suspected he kept a
criminal correspondence. They agreed upon a
religious and solemn covenant with the English
Parliamentarians ; and, at the request of the
Westminster Assembly, appointed IMessrs. A.
Henderson, R. Douglas, S. Rutherford, R. Bailie,
and G. Gillespie, ministers, the Earl of Cassilis,
Lord Maitland, afterwards Earl of Lauderdale,
and Archibald Johnston, now a lord of session, by
the name of Warrlsion, ruling elders, to join them.
236 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
After the Assembly and Convention of Estates
had approvcil of the .soh-mn hague a fid vovtuanty
it was transmitted to l^ondon, and with some
small alterations approved by the Assembly, and
botli houses of Parliame!U. lieini^ remittt d to
E(linl)ur*;h, the Commission ol the General As-
sembly, C)ct. 1 1th, apjiointed it to be sworn and
subscribed throiij;!! the whole cliurch, and, by
missives to Pie.sl)yteries, directed them how to
forward the same. In consequence hereof, the
(^ommittee appointed by the Convention of Es-
tates next day a])pointed it to be sworn and sub-
scribed by all the subjects, under pain of beini^
held and punished as enemies to relig-ion and his
majesty's lionoui, and peace of the kint^doms,
and to have their goods confiscated for the use
of the public, and not to be allowed to enjoy any
benefit, j)lace, or office within the kini;doin, and
appointed sherifls and other magistrates, to as-
sist ministers in promoting this engagement. As
this and some other deeds of this period imjiosing
their covenants under such penalties, cannot be
justified, it is agreeable to find none but Mon-
trose and Monro, two military men, one of whom,
at least, afterward turned a murderer of his bre-
thren, yo/c/YVj/ urging these covenants. Every
where, the solemn league being read the one Sab-
bath, it was, with marvellous unanimity, sworn
the next, by both men and women, and subscrib-
ed chiefly by men. Nor do I find, that the de-
cliners of it ever suffered in the least for so doing.
Nov. ijf^, I61-3, the Committee of Estates and
commissioners from England finished their trea-
ty ul friendship. !)earing. That the solciiui Ica^i/i:
and (uwiuint should be sworn and subscrilied
by all riiidvs in both kingdoms; that K^,000
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 237
foot, and 3,000 horse should immediately march
to the assistance of the English Parliament, with
victuals and pay for the space of forty days ; that
this army should be commanded by a Scotch ge-
neral, but subject to the direction of the two Far-
liaments,and their committees; that the whole ex-
pences contracted by the Scots, should be repaid
to them at the end of the war ; that their army
should receive L30,000 SterHng per month out
of the estates of the English papists and other
malignants, and have 1^.100,000 per advance;
that the Scots shall assist with their credit in
raising L.200,000 for that purpose, and for pay-
ment of their troops in Ireland, whicli shall be
repaid them at the end of the war ; that no paci-
fication shall be made with his majesty, without
the consent of both kingdoms ; that the Scotch
troops in England shall be no v/ise employed,
but to ansvv^er the ends of this treaty ; that the
English shall assist the Scots in any like extre-
mity ; and that eight ships shall protect their
coasts and trade.
In January i64^i, the Scots army, to the amount
of 21,500, marched into England, under the com-
mand of old General Lesly, now earl of Leven,
and John Bailie lieutenant-general of the, horse,
and David Lesly of the foot ; and notwithstand-
ing the Independents giving the honour to Crom-
v/ell, who had perhaps gone off in his wounds,
had the principal hand in gaining the famous vic-
tory of Marston Moor, in which Charles lost about
ten thousand of his forces, and all his baggage.
To oblige them to return home, that Charles
might at least recover the west of England, Mon-
trose, Crawford, Nithsdale, Aboyne, ()gilvy, Rao,
Herreis, he. entered into an association at Ox-
I?JS A coMPKNniors history of THF
ford, to return to Scotland, and raise forces for his
majrsty. Antrim undertook to send them 10,000
Irish, under the crunniand of Alexander ^TDon-
ald, a Scot. Huntley took the field with a con-
piderahle body, which Ar^yle quickly suppressed.
In ri'lurninLr northward, through Westmoreland,
IMontrose raised a body of forces, and set up his
majesty's standard at Dumfries. Hut the She-
riff of Teviotdale marchinf^ a body of country-
men toward them, they fled at the sifrht, and
IMontrose himself escaped to Carlisle. I'he com-
mission of the General Assembly laid him under
the lesser excommunication, and ordered it to
be published fiom all the pulpits in the kingdom.
Exasperated l)y this, he pushed his way north-
"uard alon^- with two others, and put himself at
the head of the Irish ragamuffins, who, in smal-
ler numbers than was expected, had just landed
in Argyleshirc, where they committed the most
barbarous ravages upon ministers and others,
whom they looked on as most hearty in the cove-
iianling interest. lie conducted them eastward
through Badenoch and Athole, where many join-
ed them, and in Perthshire, a whole regiment
raised by lord Kilpont. Argyle, with a body of
undisciplined countrymen, thought to attack
thcni : but .Montrose fell upon them before they
were ready ; and, especially in their flight, killed
many of them. After ravaging Argyleshire, and
turning it into a kind of desert, he marched to-
ward Lochaber and (ilenco, in order to collect
his friends in that country.
Meanwhile, the Scotch commissioners to the
Westminster Assembly were but coldly received
by many ; nor till after a warm debate, were
they allowed to be members. But after their ad-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 239
mission, much deference was paid to their judg-
ment ; and they had no small hand in promoting
of Presbyterian government. None of them
made a more shining appearance than Gillespy
the youngest. The General Assembly, meeting
at Edinburgh, in May 16i4', received letters from
the Presbytery, which attended the army in Eng-
land,— from tbeir commissioners at London, —
and from the Westminster Assembly, — together
with petitions from Ireland for supply of minis-
ters,— to all which they returned favourable an-
swers. They declared the bond of association at
Oxford framed by Montrose and his fellow cove-
nant breakers, perfidious^ and calculated to throw
this church and kingdom into confusion ; and
empowered their commission to })roceed against
all that entered into it to the highest excommu-
nication, unless they should publicly acknowledge
their offence. They appointed ministers to de-
late to their Presbyteries, all such as manifested
dissatisfaction to the covenanted cause. They
wrote to the churches in Holland, thanking them
for sending supplies of money to their distressed
brethren in Ireland, and informing them of their
own critical circumstances and covenant with
God. They appointed ministers to be more dili-
gent in raising the fines annexed by law to scan-
dals, and applying them to pious uses. They ap-
pointed a contribution in favours of their Protes-
tant brethren in Ireland, and gave order for sup-
plying their armies with ministers; and appoint-
ed a solemn fast to confess their sins, lament
their miscM'ies, and supplicate relief from God.
The Parliament meeting, June 4th, made a
number of acts for preventing the desertion of their
troops, and for levying others with proper expe-
240 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOIIY OF THE
dition ; — for decLaring it treasonable to take arms
or hold out houses a<;ainst the Estates ; — for ra-
tification of the late cunvcnlion and committee oj
Estates, and their acts, particularly these which
approved and imposed the solemn league and co-
venant ; — for a])pointing commissioners for pro-
moting peace between his Majesty and Parliament,
upon proper terms; — for paying to the burghs the
debts owing them for arms and ammunition; — for
approving the conduct of Argyle and Burleigh,
in suppressing the northern insurrections ; — for
preventing the profanation of the Sabbath, and of
public fasts, by captions for debt or the like; — for
granting divorces, when shrewd tokens of adultery
are proven; — for prohibiting fares and markets
on Mondays ; — for restraining innkeepers from
unnecessary selling of drink on the Lord's day; —
for prohibiting patronages belonging to particular
ministers; for preventing application of vacant
stipends to private uses ; — for securing to mini-
sters, universities, hospitals, and schools, the re-
venues belonging to them from the estates of
forfeited malignants; — for renewing the commis-
sion for valuation of the tithes and assignations of
manses and glebes to ministers ; — for carrying on
the war against Montrose and other enemies, and
supporting of such as shall be disabled in it; and
for continuing the commission for conservation of
the peace with England, a])pointed b}' the former
Parliament, non-covenanters excepted.
When the Assembly met in January 1645,
they approved the directonj for public worship
framed by the Westminster Assembly, with some
explications and limitations ; as also some over-
tures for the .advancement of learning in schools
and colleges, and for the maintenance of bursars.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 241
They authorised their commission to approve the
Westminster directory for church government, and
ordination of ministers, leaving room to examine,
whether doctors have power to administer the sa-
craments? and what are the respective rights of
Presbytery and people, in the calling of ministers?
They emitted a solemn warning, calling all ranks
to a proper improvement of God's great mercies
and alarming judgments, and appointed that all
such ministers as did not read it from their pul-
pits, should be censured. They prohibited the
observation of Christmas, and other superstitious
days, the abuses at penny weddings, and the re-
poning of deposed ministers to their former char-
ges. They represented to his Majesty his great
wickedness, in permittmg the Irish invaders, un-
der his commission, to exercise cruelty upon, and
murder multitudes of his best subjects ; in his
permission of Popish idolatry in his family and
kingdom ; in his authorising the hook of sports,
and profanation of the Lord's day thereby encou-
raged ; in his neglecting to punish the notorious
scandal and profane behaviour of his court ; his
stopping of his ears against the petitions of his
faithful subjects; his compliance with Papists, and
concluding an advantageous cessation of arms with
the massacrers in Ireland ; and in his following
the counsels of wicked men, and opposing the re-
formation of his kingdom. They encouraged their
commissioners at Westminster, further to pro-
mote the religious uniformity between Scotland
and England, and appointed Mr. Henderson to
assist the English commissioners, in the religious
part of the treaty at Uxbridge, with his INIajesty.
They appointed ministers to attend their eleven
242 A COMfENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
new reginu'nts, and others to supply their Pro-
testant brethren in Ireland.
The Parliament, meeting at Edinburgh on the
24'th oi" the same month, appointed an augmen-
tation of ten or twelve thousand men to their ar-
my, intended to reduce Montrose and his fol-
lowers ; and made a number of acts for defray-
ing the expenses of the war ; and for putting the
country into a posture of defence, by mustering
all men between 1 6 and (JO, on one day, that they
might see what arms or men were wanting, and
might train such as appeared in the military ex-
ercises.— Montrose took Dundee by storm, and set
it on fire in several places ; and, about the same
time, murdered multitudes in St. Andrew's and
Kirkaldv, almost in cold blood, rendering two
hundred women widows in one day. Finding
that the covenanters' troops were divided into
two bodies, he first attacked the weaker under
Urie, and then the stronger under Bailie, and
routed them both. The Parliament being there-
fore obliged to meet again in July, a raging pes-
tilence kept them from Edinburgh, and drove
them from Stirling to Perth. They appointed a
new levy of ten thousand troops to withstand
IMontrose; and devised methods for paying them.
They ratified the Assembly's act, approving of
the VVesminster directory for public worship ; and
under penalties suited to men*s difterent ranks,
prohibitid profane swearing, drunkenness, and
mocking at religion ; and ai)pointed deputies in
eve ly parish to levy fines imposed for scandals,
and to punish the scandalous in their persons.
Finding that the covt nanted forces were assem-
bled at Perth, Montrose attempted to ])ush south-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 243
ward, to favour his junction with a body of horse,
which he expected from his Majesty : and, to
draw off Bailie's attention, M'Donald, with'liis
Irish, fell upon the Campbells, near Cupar An-
gus, murdering all that he met with. But Bailie
still hanging close to him, Montrose was obliged
to return northward, once and again, to levy more
troops. At last, when the covenanters' newly
raised forces had gone home, he marched up to
the Bridge of Erne, in order to attack their remain-
ing army. But they, expecting reinforcements
from Fife, would not stir from their entrench-
ments. He therefore marched southward by Kin-
ross ; and, then turning westward to Stirling,
burnt into a desart the parishes of Muckart and
Dollar, which pertained to Argyle. Informed of
his motions, the covenanters marched the near
way to Stirling, burnt the houses of Menstry and
Airthry, which belonged to malignants ; but did
no hurt to their tenants ; and came up with him
at Kilsyth, August 15, 1645, where he gave
them battle before their expected western assist-
ants came up; and, with very small loss on his
side, killed most of their troops, giving, it is said,
no quarter to such as offered to surrender Ter-
rible was the havock made in the pursuit; and
terrible the case of the nation, in consequence of
It — many thousands having lost their fathers,
brothers, or children. While the covenanting no-
bles and gentry fled oflf* to England and Ireland,
Montrose took up his head quarters at Bothwcl,
and, by detachments of his troops, relieved his
friends, and raised contributions from Edinbugh
to the Western Ocean. The malignant noblemen
flocked about him ; and Charles sent him a com-
mission, appointing him Captain Genera), and
2U A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Deputy Governor of Scotland ; and empowered
hini to call a Parliament, and create Knii^hts
to sit in it. By proclamations at Kilinhurijli, I.in-
litli»;o\v, aii(l(.la>i;o\v, he summoned a I'arliaincnt
to meet at (ilas^ow, on the 'JOth of October en-
suin^^, and made M'Donalil, his murderous lieute-
nant, a Knight.
Amidst their distress, envy of pref 'rments and
carnal stupidity had fearfully prevailed among
the covenanters; and not a few, amidst the licen-
tiousness of war, had become openly profane.
Tlie raging pestilence, and the six bloody defeats
they had received from Montrose, together with
the alarming sermons of their faithful ministers,
awakened them not a little. Finding no help in
man, and that their apostate and barbarous ene-
my carried all before him, they betook themselves
to solemn lasting and prayer; and the Lord quick-
ly appeared for their relief. Intending to join
him with all the forces they could collect, the
Earls of Home and Koxburgh invited IMontrose
to march towards the south-east of Scotland. To
favour their junction with him, he took up his head
quarters at Philiphaugh, beside Selkirk. jNIean-
w bile David Lesly and Colonel Middleton march-
ing N\ ith part of the Scotch army from England,
aj)prehended Home and Koxburgh; and then took
tlicii route by Dunglass and Haddington, where
none watched their motions; and then suddenly
turning southward, through the favour of the
night and mist, unexpectedly fell upon Montrose's
army, from which the (Gordons and M'Donalds
liad lately gone home with their j)luiider, and
killed or took prisoners the most of them. 'J'he
most malignant of the prisoners N\ere tried and
executed as traitors and muiderers. The iMai-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 245
quis of Douglas, with other Lords and Gentle-
men of the low country, made their peace with
the Committee of Estates. D. Lesly returned
with his army to England, and left iMiddleton,
with the horse, to pursue Montrose, who had got
back into Athole. M'Donald, with his Irish mur-
derers, continued ravaging Argyleshire; putting
almost every thing to fire or sword. ArdingUiss
conducted about twelve hundred of the poor in-
habitants to Monteith, to live upon the JMalig-
nants. But Inchbrake and the Athole men fall-
ing upon them at CaJlender, killed not a few of
them, and forced the rest to flee towards Stirling.
Argyle carried them thence to Lennoxshire, to
live upon the lands of Lord Napier, and other ma-
lignants. He then brought over a part of the
army from Ireland, at whose landing in his coun-
try, M'Donaldand his Irishmen fled to the West-
ern Isles, and thence into Ireland. IMontrose,
having got northward, formed a new association
with the Earls of Seaforth and Sunderland, Lord
Lovat, and a great many other of the principal
chiefs. But the ecclesiastical commission hav-
ing published a declaration against this league ;
and the committee of Estates an indemnity to all
such as should desert it, except the Earl of Sea-
forth ; and Middleton marching northward with
his troops, all the subscribers, except Seaforth,
quickly disclaimed the bond, and several of them
professed their sorrow for joining in it. Charles
having fled into the Scotch army in England, or-
dered JMontrose to lay down iiis arms: upon which
he retired into Germany, and assisted the Emper-
or in oppressing and murdering the Protestants.
Meanwhile, the Parliament, which met at St.
Andrew's in the end of November 164J, made a
'216 A COMPENDIOCS HISTORY OF THE
variety of acts — for approviiifj^ the conduct of
(^ien'Tal Bailie and the Lords Monti^oinery and
Sinclair, at the battle of Kilsyth, and for levying
new taxes and forces for suppressing the mali^^-
nants; — for the relief of such as had Ijcen plun-
dered by Montrose and Ids party, and fur punish-
\l^^ <»f the principal prisoners that had been ta-
ken at Philiphauqh. They prohibited all hold-
in"^ of lairs on Mondays or Saturdays, and all
printing" of books relative to religion, without
a licence from the Assembly or Commission, or of
others without a licence from his Majesty's secre-
tary ; — and all lykewakes under pain of L.20
Scots for each fault : and appointed Presbyteries
to have the sole |)ower of planting- vacant parish-
es, the patrons of which are excommunicated,
or have not sworn the covenant; and that schools
l)e erected \n evciy |)arish, with a salary not below
100, and not above 200 merks Scots, besides usual
percjuisites ; and appointed a Committee of Es-
tates to manage the government of the nation
»luring the interval of Parliament, the members
of which are allov/ed a salary for their work.
When the (Tcneral Assembly met at Edini)urgh
in the beginning of June 1616, Charles, from the
Scots army, sent them a very humble letter, ex-
pressing his grief for the divided state of his king-
dom, and his earnest desire to comply with the
requests of his Parliament, and recommending
himself and hisdistracted kingdom to their j)rayers.
Hy Messrs. Henderson, Blair, Douglas, James (ru-
thry, and A. Cant, they presented to him a most
Christian and loyal answer, with other recpiests.
They enacted tiiat ante- nuptial fornication should
'iiQ censured in the ordinary manner, as aftt r acts
of justice do not atone for former faults; that
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 24-7
every professor in the universities present to the
Assembly a copy of his prelections ; that the in-
terest of congregations in the calling and admis-
sion of ministers, and what relates to it, be ma-
turely considered by Presbyteries and Synods,
and their proposals for preventing contentions,
be returned; that compliers with Montrose ought
to be censured; that no students of divinity shall
preach to the people, till they be regularly licens-
ed; that no ships should launch from harbour, or
loose anchor on the Lord's day — nor any children
go out of the kingdom without testimonials from
their Presbytery, and without bringing back such,
relative to their conduct when abroad. They laid
the Earl of Seaforth under the higher excommu-
nication. And, awakened by the rage of sword
and pestilence, they pointed out the corruptions
of ministers, in their private and public conduct,
and the proper remedies thereof. They approv-
ed some overtures respecting the mutual corres-
pondence of Presbyteries, the assistance of poor
students, and the planting of kirks and schools in
the Highlands, with candidates that understand
their language. They wrote to the Parliament
of England, and to the Wesminster Assembly,
commending their past endeavours, and beseech-
ing their further diligence in promoting an uni-
formity in reformation between the two king-
doms. They ordered their solemn thanks to be
given to Mr. David Calderwood, for the trouble
he had taken in collecting the history of this
church; appointed him and his clerk to be indem-
nified for their labour, and the work to be pub-
lished as soon as possible. The confusions of
these times prevented the publication. His
abridgment of it was published about thirty
LM8 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
years after, as a testimony ai^^ainst the then do-
iuineerin<; Ki)iseopacy. An attempt uas made
about thirty years a^o to i)iiblish the full history;
but subscriptions failed.
Let us now, for a while, turn our eyes toward
En«;land. Scarcely had the Parliamentarians, by
the victory of Marston .Moor, perceived themselves
able to withstand all the furces that his Majesty
could brin^^ aj^ainst them, than they ungratefully
provoked their Scotch deliverers to a breach. To
shut them up to mutiny, desertion, or oppression
of the country by taking- free quarters, they with-
held their pay, pretending that the interest would
sufficiently balance the delay of payment. Being
thus obliged to take free quarters, these were
dishonestly over-rated. Want of subsistence oblig-
ed them to want ministers, which occasioned a
profane licentiousness in severals. Sometimes the
English Parliament, for weeks, or even for months,
neglected to answer the remonstrances of their
conmiissioners. Their expresses were sometimes
intercepted, and their letters opened, while the
House of Commons screened the olfenders. In
their treaty with Charles, at Uxbridge, they
changed al'.nost every thing in the propositions
made to his Majesty, which marked the power
of, or did honour to the Scots, and assumed all
to themselves. Notwithstanding all these provo-
cations, the Scots, regardful of their solemn co-
venant with God, did all that in them lay, and
even renounced part of their own interest, in or-
der to promote the peace and welfare of England.
In INIay IfJlO", Charles, after he had empower-
ed Ormond and Digby to clap up a peace with
the Irish Papists, which almost established their
religion to tliem, in order that he might obtain
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 219
their faithful service against his Protestant sub-
jects in Britain, — he fled from Oxford when it
was upon the point of being blocked up by the
parliament's army ; and in company with two or
three more, rode within a few miles of London ;
then directed his course toward the sea ; and at
last resolved to throw himself into the Scotch ar-
my, which lay at Newcastle ; and continued with
them about eight months. Commissioners from
the Committee of Estates presented to him some
propositions for peaoe ; and these above-mention-
ed, from the Assembly, laboured to remove his
prejudices against Presbytery and the covenants.
At least pretending that he believed Episcopacy
to be of divine appointment, and that he had
bound himself by his coronation oath to support
it, he and Sir Robert Murray debated this point
in a series of letters w ith Mr. A. Henderson ;
in which he pretended, that the English, in their
reformation, had preciselij followed the apostolic
appointment, and the universal pattern of the pri-
mitive church ; and that where the succession of
episcopal priesthood ceaseth, there is no valid ad-
ministration of the sacraments ; that no reforma-
tion of churches is lawful, but under the direction
of royal authority ; that no real defects could be
pointed out in the reformation established by
King Edward and Queen Elizabeth ; that Pres-
byterian government was never known till Cal-
vin introduced it at Geneva; that the unani-
mous consent of the Fathers is the true standard
of interpreting scripture ; and that the clause in
his coronation oath respecting religion being in-
serted in favours of the church, the Parliament
cannot dissolve that obligation without her con-
sent. In his replies, Mr. Henderson shewed,
2 iv
2^0 A COMI'KNIMOUS HISTUUY OF THE
I'liat many serious Christians and learned di-
vines, had all alon^ coni[)lained of the imperfec-
tion of the l*]ni;lish icformation ; that, to the
^nief of other Protestant churches, it had occa-
sioned no small contention and schism ; that all
subjects, hein*; under the whole law of God, and
hound to take care for their own and posterity's
eternal salvation, ou^ht to reform themselves, if
j)rinces be net^bi^ent or attached to prevalent cor-
ruptions ; that in the ajjostoHcal a^e, there was
no dilfereTice between bishops and presbyters ;
that not the j)ractice of the church some a<^es
alter Cliri^t, or the consent of fathers, but the
word of God, is our rule in religion ; that it is
now impossible to know the universal practice of
the primitive churcli, or the unanimous consent
of the Fathers ; that, according to these Fathers,
the scriptures must be interj)reted by themselves,
and our faith not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God ; — that when the formal
reason of an oath is removed, the obligation of it
ceaseth ; and when the Parliament repeal laws,
the coronation oath doth not bind to oppose their
deed ; that his royal and learned father, never ad-
mitted episcopacy to be ajipointed by Christ or
his apostles, and all the reforming divines, even
of I'^ngland, had reckoned it merely an human ap-
pointment ; that the Westminster Assembly had
jjroved Presbyterian government founded on the
scripture ; that magistrates' supremacy over the
church in spiritual affairs cannot be justified
from the word of (iod or right reason. The felt
approaches of death, probably hastened by grief,
that Charles, by his obstinate refusal to comply
with his Parliament, was like to ruin himself and
his kingdoms, obliged Mv. Henderson to break
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 251
off his answer to Charles's fourth letter, and retire
to his country. The Episcopalians gave out, that
he died of remorse, that he had occasioned so
much trouble to so pious a king, and published a
forged recantation, as if made by him on his death-
bed. But the General Assembly declared it false
and scandalous.
Old General Lesly, at the head of an hundred
of his officers, on their knees, in an humble sup-
plication, earnestly besought Charles to satisfy
his English Parliament, and favour the solemn
League and Covenant. Lord Loudon represented
to him his absolute necessity of com])lying with
their demands, if he inclined to keep the throne
for himself, or his family. Meanwhile, the Inde-
pendents and their friends, afraid of Charles's com-
pliance with the Parliament's demands, and par-
ticularly with Presbytery by the Scots influence,
got a vote carried in the Parliament, that there
was no further need of their army in England.
Hereupon their pay was withheld, their quarters
were straitened by the Parliament's forces ; and
they had almost nothing but the four northern
counties to support them. Want of pay obliged
them to take free quarters, which, by the Secta-
rians' means, occasioned loud cries of oppression.
They also published scurrilous defamations of
them, as covenant-breakers, apostates, and com-
pilers with malignants. These and the like
abuses made the Scotch army heartily tired of
England, and anxious to return home, as soon as
they could secure the payment of the arrears due
to them. They produced proper claims for al-
most a million Sterling: but, when the English
offered them ^200,000 in hand, and security for
.€200,000 more, they, to testify their disinterest-
2^2 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THP.
cclncss and love of peace, accepted it, September
2, 164-6, in place of full payment.
About sixteen days after this pecuniary agree-
ment was fully settled, Charles, in despite of all
that had or could be said to persuade him, refus-
ed to comply with the Knglish Parliament's pro-
positions for peace. Hereupon that Parliament
voted, that his person should be disposed of as
they thought fit. Against this deed the Scotch
commissioners earnestly remonstrated, and insist-
ed for a joint consultation with respect to the dis-
posal of his majesty's person. Loudon repre-
sented to the English commissioners, That, by
the solemn league, both kingdoms were united to
God, and to their king, and to one another ; and
that after the Scots had done so much to promote
the welfare of England, it was neither consistent
with honour, conscience, or equity, to dispose of
his majesty's person, without consent of both
kingdoms ; and he, as in the above-mentioned
remonstrance, insisted that he might be allowed
to reside in or near London, that so an agreement
between him and his Parliament might be speed-
ily effected ; — or at least that commissioners
might be again sent to him to explain their pro-
positions, and endeavour to remove his scruples.
Argyle, in his address to both houses of Parlia-
ment, begged them to promote the work of refor-
mation according to the solemn league, and nei-
ther to persecute true pieiy, nor to allow lawless
liberty ; and that they would endeavour to main-
tain the peace of the two kingdoms, and study-
to reform, not ruin his majesty, and to regulate,
but not destroy monarchy.
\\'hilc the Scots were labouring to persuade
Ciiarles to agree with his English Parliament,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 253
he, finding their army heartily attached to their
solemn league, soon wearied of them, and repeat-
edly applied to his English Parliament for their
allowance of his safe dwelling in London, or near
to it. They appointed him Holmby, in the coun*
ty of Northampton, for his residence, and agreed,
That as soon as he should come thither, and the
Scots retire from England, they would concur
with them in endeavouring to obtain his consent
to their propositions. These resolutions being
transmitted to Charles, and to Scotland, the Par-
liament there earnestly besought him to comply
with theproposals, shewed him the reasons of so do-
ing, and the danger of his refusing, as they could
not, in that case, assist him in recovering his king-
dom ; and that both kingdoms would be obliged to
take some joint course for disposing of his person,
till he should give satisfaction to his Parliaments.
While he was with the Scotch army, he earnest-
ly solicited them to join with the Episcopalians,
that they might be enabled to destroy their sec-
tarian enemies. But, his proposals being laid be-
fore the Assembly in June, they declared as
warmly against joining with the one as with the
other. And the Commission in December, re-
monstrated against his coming to Scotland, as he
would probably act up to his former principles,
and endeavour to draw them from their sokiiDi
league; and as it would confirm the English in
their suspicions of underhand dealing with him,
before he came to their army; and as it would
involve them in breach of covenant, and a bloody
war with England.
When the Scotch Parliament met in January
1647, they, considering that notwithsanding his
promise to their army when he came to it, and
2.3 l< A COMPKNniOUS HISTORY OF THE
the many addresses presented to him from this
kingdom, he* continued stifly to refuse the propo-
sitions which the Ilni^lish Parliament had made
to him ; and that he liad requested said Parlia-
ment i'nv allowance to reside in or near London,
and they had allowed him to reside at Ilolmby
house, they consented that he repair to either of
these |)laces, and there remain till lie should give
satisfaction to hotli kingdoms with respect to
their propositions of peace — providing that no
injury he done to his person, or change of govern-
ment, from that of the three preceding years, be
attempted, and that his posterity be no wise pre-
judiced with respect to their succession to the
throne. Along with this declaration transmitted
to the English Parliament, they insisted, that
when his Majesty shall come to Holmliy House,
committees from both Lords and Commons shall
l)e apj)ointed to deal with him to procure his con-
sent to the propositions for peace; and that Com-
missioners from Scotland should have free access
to deal with him for the same purpose; — and that
no pacification should be made without the con-
sent of both kingdoms. The other acts of this
J*arliament were — for suppressing the remains of
3Iontrose\s faction ; for reinstating of some who
Iiad been forfeited for their junction with him ;
for distributing L. .0000 Sterling among the chil-
dren and widows of such as had been slain in the
late war; for prosecuting excommunicated per-
sons as rebels, after forty days contumacy ; for
suppression of all observance of Christmas and
other superstitious seasons, by the removal of col-
liers, sailers, or the like; for reparation of dama-
l^es suft'cred for conscientious adherence to the
religion and liberties of the kingdom; for declar-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 255
ing" null and void all engaerements to Montrose,
McDonald, or their associates ; for the lords of
privy council's taking the children or pupils of
Papists from them, and committing them to such
as will train them up in the Protestant religion,
and in virtuous behaviour; and for disbanding all
their troops but 7,200.
Horrible have been the outcries of Jacobites
and their friends against the Scotch army and
Parliament, as if they had sold Charles, their
King, for L. 200,000 Sterling ; for it seems they
never got more of the milion that was owing,
and L.400,000 that was promised them. But it
ought to be considered, that Charles did not come
to the Scotch army but unwillingly, as his last
shift, and that without either warning or terms;
and that all the money they got, and much more,
was due to them for what laborious and useful ser-
vice they had performed for the English, ere
Charles came near them, and was granted to
them entirely upon that footing, without the least
mention of the King in the agreement ; that the
agreement relative to this money was concluded
before there was any treaty respecting his Majes-
ty's person, whether he should go to Scotland or
remain in England, and five months before he
went from Newcastle to Holmby; that the affair
of the money was finally settled in September 2,
and the warm debates iDCtween the Scotch Com-
missioners and English Parliament concerning
the disposal of Charles's person, did not take place
before October following; that, during his stay
in the Scotch army, he had repeatedly petitioned
the English Parliament for allowance to come to
London, or some place near to it, which is much
the same with what the Scots yielded to ; that
2.^fj A COMPKNDfOUS HISTORY OF TIIK
lUirinc^ the montlis of November, Deccm!)er, and
January, the Parliament had laboured to per-
suade him to a compliance with the propositions
of peace ; and a few days before he removed to
riolmby house, the Scots had offered to sacrifice
their lives and fortunes in the re-establishment
of him on his throne, if he would but do so; and
that when the Scotch army returned iiome, there
was no appearance of things taking- the turn
which they aflorwards did ; that the Scots en-
trusted his Majesty's person to the Parliament of
England, who were, by duty, by oath, and by
interest, as deeply bound to protect him as them-
selves, and would have done it, had not Charles's
trusting of himself to the Sectarian army occa-
sioned their tall, and so hastened his own ruin.
No sooner had the Scots heard that the Kng-
lish armv, now under Sectarian management,
had his Majesty in their power, than they added
the Earls of Loudon and Lanark to their former
Commissioners, in order to ])ersuade him to a full
compliance with the [)ropositions of peace. In-
stead hereof, Charles, finding his expectations
from the English army disappointed, especially
by means of Lanark, attempted to engage the
Scots Commissioners to commence a war against
the English, in order to his restoration. Hopes
of annuities, by which he might relieve his deep-
ly indebted estate, drew Loudon himself into the
snare. Returning home about the beginning of
I'obruary 1018, these Commissioners, chiefly Lou-
don and Lauderdale, represented to their bre-
thren, that his IMajesty had been very ill used
by the English Parliament, and could put no trust
in tlu' arn^y; that, contrary to their covenant, the
interest of religion, and i)eace of the kingdom,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 257
that Parliament had extended their demands up-
on him, and had absolutely refused to allow the
Scots to concur with them in settling matters
with him as their common Sovereign ; that, after
dissenting from their procedure, they had dealt
with Charles to confirm the solemn league^ establish
Presbyterian government^ and disallow the heresies
and sects presently swarming in England ; that
he is willing that the covenant be confirmed by act
of Parliament, providing that none be constrain-
ed to take it ; that he is willing that Presbyteri-
an government be established for three years,
providing that he and his family be allowed the
use of the liturgy ; that he is willing to concur in
an act for the suppression of sectaries and blas-
phemers, and to have it secured by an act of
Parliament ; that neither he nor his heirs shall
quarrel any for their obedience to the acts of the
last triennial Parliament of Scotland, or its com-
mittees. Meanwhile, the English Parliament
sent down some commissioners to cultivate har-
mony with the Scotch Parliament, and to notify
their intentions to pay speedily, at least part of
the L. 200,000 which they owed to their armies,
which had served them in England and Ireland.
During these litigations in England, the Gene-
ral Assembly met at Edinburgh in August 1647,
had established some directions for secret and fa-
mily worship; had prohibited persons' withdraw-
ment from public worship in their own congrega-
tions ; — after a double reading of the Westmin-
ster Confession offaith^ and calling of all such as
doubted of any thing in it, to j)ro[)ose their ob-
jections to a committee appointed to answer them,
had approved it, but explaining' part of chap. xxxi.
to mean only, that, in extraordinary cases, mini-
2 1.
258 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
sters and other fit persons, by virtue of tlicir of-
fice, or by a 7nen' call of the ^^a^i^trates, picking
out parti(*ular pumiiIkts, as in the Westminster
Assenihlv, may hohl Synods without anjj drlcga-
Hon I'rotn Ihnr churches; had prohibited the spread
of erroneous books, which the Knirlish sectaries
were inclined to pour into the country ; liad ex-
tracted and approved in eight propositions the
principal heads of Gilespy's Hundred and eleven
projHhsitionSy which they had remitted to the con-
sideration of the most famous foreign divines, as
well as recommended to the examination of their
own ministers and doctors of universities, in or-
der that they may send up their judgment of
them to the next Assembly ; and had written a
letter to their countrymen abroad, informing
them of (jod's mercy's to them, and of their pre-
sent difficulties, and begging their sympathy and
prayers; had formed some overtures for excite-
ment of teachers in universities, and for baptiz-
ing children of beggars, ^c. ; and had appointed
some to review the metre version of the Psalms,
transmitted tothem by the Westminster Assembly.
Next year, their Commission had an uncom-
mon struggle with the state. In the beginning
of March 161^8, the l\irliament met, and began
to resolve on a war with the J^^nglish army, in or-
der to rescue his Majesty out of their hands, and
restore him to his throne, the Ecclesiastical (Com-
mission conceiving, that all his concessions which
LoTidon had mentioned, were neitiier satisfacto-
ry, nor much to be trusted, especially as most of
the ufhc'crs intended for comnuuui in the project-
ed engagement, were too evidently enemies to a
covenanted reformation — presented to ihe Par-
liaiucut d remunslruncc against that undertaking.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 259
as dans^erous to both church and state. Nor
could the Parliament hinder their faithful publi-
cation of it, and reading of it in all the churches of
Edinburgh. Not long after, the Commission be-
ing informed that, contrary to the large treaty
with the English in 1643, it had been carried in
Parliament, to surprise and take Berwick and
Carlisle, and place garisons in them, and that Ar-
gyle, and fifty-six other members, had protested
against it, they besought the Parliament, that
nothing might be done before the lawfulness of
the war and principal state of the question be
agreed upon ; that the breaches of the covenant
and peace of the kingdoms by the Sectarians
should be made evident, and reparations unsuc-
cessfully sought, before any war be commenced;
that if war should be found necessary, it might
be so stated, as to offend none of the English that
stedfastly adhere to the covenant; and carried on
without any concurrence with Papists, Prelatists,
or malignants ; that his Majesty's concessions
should be declared unsatisfactory, and security
obtained from him, That he, for himself, heirs,
and successors, shall agree to the acts ratifying
the solemn league, and establishing Presbyterian
government, the Directory for worship, andConfession
of Faith in all his dominions, and never make any
opposition to them ; and that none but such as
had been faithful to the covenanted cause should
be entrusted with the management of public af-
fairs ; and that there might be no engagement
for war in favours of his Majesty, in which the
church should not have the same interest as in
the solemn leamie
After some wrangling, the Parliament, instead
of coming to any agreement with the Commis-
HGO A COMPENDIOUS HISTOHY OF THE
sion, reflected lii^lily upon them for meddling
witli civil allairs, thouj^^li it is plain these in hand
deeply aflec ted their solemn covenant with (iod,
and the e*tal)lishment of religion in tlie three
kin<;doms, and tended to plunge multitudes into
eternity in an act of sinning. The principal Sy-
nods in the nation, and some Preshyteries in
others, solemnly thanked the Commission for
their faithfulness, who, being hereby encou-
raged, boldly insisted that the Parliament should
clear the lawfulness of the war before they pro-
ceeded any further. For this purpose, the Par-
liament published a large, but very uncandid, de-
claratioiiy in which they accused the English of
several breaches of their former trcati/ and solemn
league, and declared their intentions to require
the English Parliament to take effectual methods
for making all their subjects swear the solemn
league^ and for establishing i\i\\y J^reshj/ierian go-
vernment, the Directory for war ship, and Confes-
sion if Faiilu and causing the same to be every
where received; and for sup|)ressing .^oc'////(/;z^7;/,
Arminianism, Arianism, Anal >apt Ism , Antinomi-
anism, Familisnu Brownism, Independencxj, and
other heresies and schisms, and for suppress-
ing Popery, Prelacy, and the service book ; and
that his Majesty be allowed safely to reside in or
near London, for the pur|)ose of his Parliament's
treating with him, in order to the establishment
of religion and peace; and that all the members
of Parliament may attend it, and a|)plications be
made to his iMajesty without any hindrance; that
the Sectarian army under (General Fairfax be
disbanded, and none but such as take the cove-
nant, (jr are well alFected to religion, l)e hereaf-
ter employed, either in the army or to command
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 261
They further declared. That they
did not intend to make war upon any of the En^^-
lish that adhered to their covenant, but to main-
tain their liberty ; that they would enter into no
association with Papists, Prelatists, or others
who refused to take the covenant ; nor allow
any but such as were faithful to it to have any
trust, or command in this war; that they would
edeavour to rescue his JMajesty from the Secta-
rians, that he might freely concur with his peo-
l)le in promoting the ends of the solemn league ;
that though they would immediately put the
kingdom into a posture of defence, they would
not begin a war, till the lawfulness of it should
be fully cleared, and reparation of injuries un-
successfully sought in a peaceable manner ; and
that, in their whole conduct, they would carefully
prosecute the ends of the solemn league and cove-
nant with England.
Not satisfied with this declaration, the Com-
mission, April 28, remonstrated, That the breach
of covenant was not chargeable upon all the Eng-
lish, but merely upon the Sectarians, as it was no
less upon the malignants in Scotland ; that such
as encouraged his Majesty to decline giving satis-
faction, relative to his securing of religion, hin-
dered his deliverance; that they could not prove
upon the English Parliament any such breaches
of treaty as could be sufficient grounds of a war
with them; that it would be inconsistent to desire
the English Parliament to hold all the refusers
of the solemn league as enemies to religion and
♦heir country, while no such penalty had ever
been executed against the shifters of it in Scot-
land; that they ought not to insist for his iMa-
jesty's being allowed to * '" in or near Lon-
2C2 A coMi^r.NDioirs iiiSTonv of the
don, without insisting for his givin|^ satisfaction
to his Parliament, concerning the security of their
religion and peace of the kingdom ; that there
was as much need for preventing the rise of a Po-
])ish or Prehitical party in the army, as for dis-
handing ihe Sectarians; and that the proposed
engagement in war with the Englisli, |)lainly
tended to j)revent the dishanding of the Sectarian
army. — Xolwithstanding this remonstrance, the
Scotch Parhainent transmitted their demands to
the I'Jiglish Parliament, and published their above
mentioned dvclaration. The Commission, heart-
ily grieved herewith, emitted a declaration, hear-
ing, 'J'hat they were ready to agree to the na-
tion's engaging in a war w ith the English, if they
were satisfied concerning the sufhciency of the
grounds, and the lawtuiness of the means for car-
rying it on. But as things stood, they reckoned
the engagement dangerous to the reformed reli-
gion, prejudicial to the true interests and liberty
of this church, favourable to the Popish, Prelatic,
and malignant party, inconsistent with the union
of the kingdoms, and the satisfaction of the Pres-
byterians in England, and therefore contrary to the
word of (Tod and our solemn covenants; and that
the managers of it pretended zeal against the
sectarians, merely for a cloak to the favour which
they intended for nialignants; and had even late-
Jy pled, that Scotland was in no danger from the
sectaries. Highly offended with the faithful op-
position of the Commission, the Parliament sent
letters to the several Presbyteries, complaining of
it ; — in answer to which the Commission publish-
ed a rindicalion of themselves.
Several synods, presbyti i ies, and shires, again
petitioned the Parliament, that religion might be
secured, and the union of the kingdoms preserv-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 263
ed, and no war commenced without very weii^bty
grounds, maturely considered. The Parliament,
after they had framed an answer to these, laid it
aside, and pretended to ask the advice of the
Commission concerning the proper method of se-
curing* religion. After testifying their regard to
the Parliament, and to his Majesty's liberty and
honour, they advised that these petitions should
be granted ; that the surprising of Berwick and
Carlisle be disclaimed, and no longer continued ;
that all peaceable methods of treating with Eng-
land, and supplication to his Majesty be further
tried, in order to compose differences ; that his
concessions mentioned by Loudon be declared un-
satisfactory ; that they declare against any en-
gagement for restoring him to his house with
freedom and safety, which is almost equivalent to
his having the exercise of his royal power, before
he gave it under his hand and seal, That he shall,
for himself and his successors, agree to the acts
of Parliament enjoining ihesoleinii league and cove-
nant y and fully establishing Pr^eshyterian govern-
ment, the directory for ivorship, and confession of
faith, in all his dominions, and never make oppo-
sition to, or endeavour a change of any of them ;
that they should make it evident, that they have
no intention to enable his Majesty to bring the
proceedings of both nations, relative to the so-
lemn league, into question, or to abridge the
power of his Parliaments ; that they should take
proper methods to suppress such Papists, Pre-
latists, or malignants, as had, or might take
arms to plunder and murder their fellow sub-
jects : that nothing be done which may infringe
the union of the two kingdoms, or disoblige the
Presbyterian party in England ; that all putting
2C)h A COMPKXIJIOUS HISTORY OF TIIK
of such as had been indifTcTent neutrals, or oppos-
ers of a covenanted reformation, into places of
power and trust, should he (juickly remedied ;
that there should he no en;^agement for the war
without a solemn oath, in which the church
should have the same direction as in the solemn
lL'a!j;iif: that such as have heen oppressed for not
contrihutini^ to the levies for the army be refund-
ed, and no such thin^'- permitted for the future;
that the profaneness and insolence of soldiers be
severely j)unished; that nothing be enacted detri-
mental to the liberty of the church, and no arbi-
trary power entrusted to their officers or ai^ents;
or an oath imposed tending- to ensnare the con-
sciences of the subjects.
Regardless of these advices, the Parliament ap-
pointed an army to be immediately raised under
the command of Duke Hamilton, and the Earl of
Callender as his lieutenant; and laid an enormous
tax upon the nation, for defraying the expenses
of the war. Argyle, Sutherland, Cajsilis, Eglin-
ton, Loudon, and Lothian, with many other
Lords, Barons, and Burgesses, protested against
their cn^^agcmcjtt. Colonels Ker, Strachan, Hal-
ket, and other officers, refused to serve in it; and
had their places filled with scandalous malig-
nants. Such as refused to pay the new tax, were
terribly oppressed and spoiled by soldiers quar-
tered upon them. The Parliament next pre[)ar-
ed a dccUtrailoji to be sent into England, recount-
ing all that they thought criminal in the conduct
of the sectaries, ami pretending that, as they had
got no satisfaction to their former demands, they
had been necessarily obliged to this engagement
ill war; that they intended to preserve the re-
formation of religion as established by law in
I
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 265
Scotland, and to rescue his Majesty from his
base imprisonment, that he may with safety and
honour come to one of his houses in, or near
London, where he may treat with his Parliament,
and to restore freedom to his English Parliament,
that they, together with the Scotch, might con-
clude the treaty with their Sovereign, answerably
to the petitions presented to him by the city of
London, at Oxford and Newcastle ; and to pro-
cure the disbanding of the army under General
Fairfax — and that none but covenanters, and well
affected to religion and Presbyterian church go-
vernment, miglit hereafter be employed in troops
or garrisons. Notwithstanding all these preten-
ces, many notorious malignants were principal
agents in carrying on this engagement. Hence
the more serious covenanters generally disliked,
and, as they had opportunity, opposed it.
The General Assembly, which met July 12,
1618, approved and ratified the proceedings of
the late commission. The committee of Estates,
which the late Parliament had entrusted with
the execution of their designs, demanded, what
they thought necessary for securing of religion ?
The Assembly replied, that they knew no possi-
bility of securing religion, while this unlawful
engagement was carried on, since none of the
just desires of the late commission had been grant-
ed ; that it was plainly calculated to break the
union of the two kingdoms ; that all proper
means to prevent a war have been neglected, and
malignants and incendiaries have been joined
with ; that it hath been carried on in the way of
polluting men's consciences by unlawful bands
and oaths, and of oppressing sucli in their j)er-
sons and estates as had been most zealous for the
2 M
266 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
covenanted interest, — and of remarkable en-
croachnrients on the liberty of Christ's church.
The coiniiiittce therefore required them, to de-
monstrate from the word of (4od the unlawful-
ness of their engagement, and what interest the
church had in the undertakini^ of wars; in an-
swer to which the Assend)ly emitted a lar<;e dc-
c/aratinny plainly illustrating both these points
from the scripture. And, as the Parliament had
required all the subjects, under pain of beiui;' held
enemies to their kin<^ and country, solemnly, by
their oath and subscrij)tion, to acknowledge all
their acts relative to the enga<i^ement to be law-
ful, and to engage to prosecute the same as a
most proper mean of remedying former evils, and
of preserving his Majesty's authority, along with
the religion, laws, and liberties of the kingdom,
the Assembly declared, That a sinful oath, tend-
ing to draw the subjects from their former prin-
ciples and covenant with God, and importing a
solemn ap])robation of acts, which they had not
yet seen, — of acts made in opposition to the
known mind of the church, and sinful in several
respects ; and they warned all concerned to for-
bear swearing of it, under pain of censure ; and
they earnestly besought the committee of Estates,
to consider \\ hat guilt they would incur by im-
posing such a sinful bond. They also remonstrat-
ed to his majesty, that his concessions were not
satisfactory ; and that the present engagement
in war was not a proper mean of his deliverance ;
and that by his former refusals to hearken to
their advice, he had occasioned the death of
many thousands of his subjects, and the fearful
increase of Popery, profaneness, and many other
abominations in his kingdom ; and they besought
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 267
him deeply to repent of his wickedness, secret
and open, as a true mean of restoration to his
throne. They appointed all ministers, under
pain of censure, to preach against the above en-
gagement and bond, as well as the Sectarian er-
rors, and increasing profaneness. They appoint-
ed, that none but elders approved by the minis-
ter and session, be admitted into the Assembly
as commissioners from burghs ; that commission-
ers report their whole procedure to the next As-
sembly at their first meeting ; that no collections
for the poor be made in the time of God's wor-
ship ; that no deposed ministers be reponed with-
out the consent of the Assembly, or if malignant,
to his former congregation ; that forty Highland
boys be educated for the ministry at the public
expence, in order to plant the vacant congrega-
tions in that country ; that all students, at their
entry to the college, and others at their admis-
sion to the Lord's table, take the covenant ; that
duellers be censured in much the same manner
as fornicators. They approved the Larger and
Shorter Catechisms compiled by the Westminster
Assembly, and prohibited an erroneous cate-
chism then published. After consideration of the
prevalent sins of that time, they pointed out pro-
per remedies, civil, domestic, and ecclesiastical,
and approved several overtures relative to excom-
municated persons, Papists, and their children.
They returned friendly answers to several letters
sent them from the Westminster Assembly, and
appointed their commissioners in it to exert
themselves to their utmost for promoting a full
and fixed uniformity in religion. And, as the
times were so critical, they appointed a large
commission of 100 ministers, and 60 elders, of
ilGS A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
whom 13 ministers, aiul lour ciders were declar-
ed a quorum.
Notwithstandiiii; all opposition, duke Hamil-
ton, Lanark his brother, and their Iriends, car-
ried on the C7igage7nc7i(, ami invaded Eni^land,
still pretending; regard to the covenant and Tres-
byterian i;ovcrnment. But so abandoned were
many of* their soldiers, that they fell upon a mul-
titude of sincere covenanters, when a>send)led at
a sacramental occasion at rslachiin. and killed
and wounded a number of them. At Carsphearn,
they fell u|)on another assembly employed in sa-
cramental work, and devoured the elements.
About the middle of Aui^ust, their engagement
issued in the slauohter and rout of their army by
Cromwell at Preston, and in imprisonment and
death to Hamilton and other commanders of it ;
and not lonp^ after, in the ignominious death of
Charles, who had planned and pushed them to
it. Sir (George JMonro had brou<::ht his army
from Ireland to assist them :• but, after murder-
ing a number of his fellow-covenanters in the
west, tiiat opposed the engagement, Argyle, Cas-
sils, and Lovvdon, and their friends, obliged him
to return l)ack. After routing the engagers,
Cromwell had directly marched his army into
Scotland, had not Argyle and his party, who now
prcvaded in the Committee of Estates, represent-
ed to him how earnestly the Assembly, and a
consider(d)le body in the Parliament, had opposed
the Hainiltonian engagement and invasion of Eng-
land.— In the beginning of October, the Commis-
sion of the CTfueral Assend)ly appointed a reno-
vation of the aoleinn league and covenant, with a
solemn acknowledgment of preceding breaches
of it, and engagement to duties, which the Com-
CHUnCH OF SCOTLAND. 269
mittee of Estates ratified, without aunexing any
penalty, and which was pretty generally complied
with through the land. Many scandalous cler-
gymen were soon after deposed, and the rest, by
frequent inquiries, excited to their work ; and,
for a year or two, the preaching of the gospel
was very remarkably blessed through the land.
After publishing a tract against association with
malignantSf idolaters^ and the like, and leaving a
dying testimony against the same, Mr. G. Gilles-
py, moderator of the preceding Assembly, died,
greatly lamented.
The Committee of Estates called a Parlia-
ment, but secluded from it such as had voted for
duke Hamilton's engagement, many, if not most,
of whom professed their willingness to have no
more share of the public management. After
spending a day in solemn humiliation and fast-
ing, they renewed their covenants with God and
one another, as directed by the Commission.
They repealed all the acts of the last meeting of
Parliament, and of their Committee of Estates,
which authorized or promoted Hamilton's en-
gagement. They approved the protestation which
had been taken against it, and the opposition
made to it at Machlin moor. They, by an act
of classes, and another for purging the army, se-
cluded the promoters of it, and all malignant
and scandalous persons from all places of power
and trust, and even from the army, till they L'ive
proper evidence of repentance. They approved
the Commission's solemn testimonies against the
toleration of errors and sectaries in En^lanti.
They enacted. That before any future king 1)C
admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he
shall, by oath, and under his hand and seal.
!?70 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
declare his allowance of the national covenant,
and of the solemn league, and oblige himself
to prosecute the ends of the same, in his sta-
tion ; and that he shall, for himself and his
successors, agree to acts of Parliament, en-
joinini^ the solemn league and covenant, and fully
cstablishini; Pre.shj/trrutn p;overnment^ the Direc-
tory for nor ship , Confession of faith, and Cate-
chisms, as approved hy the Crcneral Assembly
and Parliament, — in all his dominions ; and that
Jie shall observe these in his own j)ractice and fa-
mily, and never make opposition to, or endeavour
any change of them ; and that he shall leave all
counsel and counsellors prejudicial to said religion
and covenants, and shall give satisfaction to his
Parliament as now constituted, in what other
things they find necessary for the civil and reli-
gious welfare of the nation ; — and agree, that all
civil matters be determined by the Parliaments
of this kingdom, and all church affairs by the Ge-
neral Assemblies. They ratified three acts of
the Assembly and Commission, approving the
larger and shortei' Catechisms, and enjoining the
renovation of the covenant. They enacted. That
drunkenness, profane swearing, scolding, obscene-
language, uttered or printed, mocking at piety,
and drinking of healths, be punished, and the
guilty, upon their fourth conviction, to be impri-
soned, till they find security for their good beha-
viour, under pain of L.400 to noblemen, 400
merks to barons, 200 merks to gentlemen, heri-
tors, and burgesses, L.40 to yeomen, and L.20 to
servants ; — that such as married in a clandestine
manner should be imprisoned three months, and
l)e fined, nol)lemen in L.6lK)(), barons and landed
gentlemen in 6000 merks, gentlemen and bur-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 271
gesses in 2000 merks, and others in 500 nierks,
to be paid before they should be liberated ; and
that such as, according to the act of IG%5, are
nominated to lift the fines or inflict corporal pun-
ishments on scandalous persons, accept that office,
and deliver up the fines to the kirk sessions for
the use of the poor, except the tenth part, which
is allotted to the officers employed in executing
that work : — that going of mills and salt-pans, or
fishing of salmon, or other unnecessary labour on
the Lord's day, be punished ; that all blasphem-
ers, and revilers, and obstinate deniers of God,
or of any of the persons of the Trinity, and all
worshippers of false gods, cursers and beaters of
parents, or guilty of incest, be punished with
death ; that none but such as are of a blameless
conversation, and apparently well affected to the
covenanted reformation, be admitted to, or con-
tinued in any place of power, or trust, in the
state, army, or burghs ; — and that all commis-
sions, patents, honours, offices, or gifts, received
from his majesty before he give satisfaction to
his Parliament, are null and void, and the seek-
ers thereof censurable. They made an act for
contributions of assessments on parishes, and for
withholding of supply from sturdy beggars, and
for relief of such poor as are willing, but unable
to work, — and for relief of such as through ship-
wreck, burning, devastation, or the like, are re-
duced to poverty. In fine, they abolished pa-
tronage as a Popish corruption, contrary to the
second Book of discipline, and to several acts of
Assembly, and prejudicial to the liberty of the
Christian people, and the hee calling and entry
of ministers, — and declared, That admission by
the Presbytery, upon the call of the congregation.
272 A COMI'ENDIOUS 1IIST(JJIY OV THE
shall give ministers suflicient right and title t<»
their manses, glehes, and stipends; — meanwhile
declaring the patron's right to the tithes as he-
fore ; and recommending it to the General As-
semhly to estahlish a proper rule of calling mini-
sters, giving to Presbyteries and congregations
their resj)ectivc powcr^ in that matter.
I'his Parliament had scarcely begun their above
work, whvn they received information, that the
Sectarian army in England had extruded all the
hearty fjiends of monarchy from their Parlia-
ment at Westminster ; had brought back his Ma-
jesty from the Isle of Wight, to which he had
fled from them ; and aj)})ointed an high court of
justice to try him for his liCe. Shocked with these
things, both church and state appointed their com-
missioners at London to exert themselves to their
utmost for j)reventing his trial. In their remon-
strance of January 6th, 1619, these commission-
ers, in name of the kingdom of Scotland, repre-
sented to the House of Commons, the several en-
gagements the two kingdoms had lately come
under, with res|)e(^t to religion and the preserva-
tion of his majesty's person ; and earnestly insist-
ed. That no violence should be done to him, and
nothing at all, without the consent of both king-
doms. Upon the 16th of January, the Commis-
sion published a tcslimnnij against the errors and
comluct of the Sectaries, and a warning to their
fellow covenanters in England, which were pre-
sented to the House of Commons, on January
26. — Finding the Sectaries determined to have
liis Majesty's liCe, the Scotch commissioners at
London, in nanu' of their ParlianicMit, in January,
pri'scnlcd to the Speaker of the House of Com-
mons, a solemn protestation against it ; and, des-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 273
pairirjf!^ of success with them, as the army had
now modelled them, they, upon the 'i-9th, remon-
strated to general Fairfax against the putting of
his Majesty to death, as horrid and scandalous.
He was nevertheless beheaded next day, pre-
tending to die a martyr for the laws and liberties
of his people, of whom his stubbornness, pride,
and treachery had produced the terrible oppres-
sion, and plunder, and even the death of perhaps
four hundred thousand in Britain and Ireland.
Informed of his exit, the Scotch covenanters,
infatuated with zeal for their royal family, imme-
diately proclaimed Charles, his eldest son, then
about eighteen years of age, their King, and pro-
mised to defend him according to the solemn
league and covenant ; but declared, that he be-
hoved to give satisfaction concerning religion and
the unity of the kingdoms secured by that cove-
nant, before he be admitted to the exercise of his
royal power; an information of which they trans-
mitted to him at the Hague, by Sir Joseph Dou-
glas, along with a faithful warning from the Com-
mission. And as the English House of Com-
mons had excluded him from their crown, they
transmitted to them their proclamation of him,
along with a solemn remonstrance, in which they
represented how the English Parliament had all
along, from 1 642, solemnly declared, that they in-
tended no hurt to his Majesty's person, or abridg-
ment of his authority — no commonwealth form
of government — or toleration of heretics, blasphe-
mers, or the like; — and remonstrated against the
violence done to his late Majesty, and insisted on
their proclaiming his son to be their King, and
that no toleration should be given to heretics or
blasphemers. Highly olTended with these free-
2 N
L'Tl' A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
(loms, the Sectarians, who now ruled as they
pleased, imprisoned the Commissioners from Scot-
land. Hut, Ix'ini; cpiitkly convinced that this
was an infjin«;cment of the law of nations, they
conveyed tnem safe to their own country, ^^ean-
while, the Scotch Parliament had dispatched the
Earl of Cassilis and Cieorge Winram, along with
Messrs. Bailie and Wood, from the church, to ob-
tain projHT satisfaction from Charles at the
Ila'^ue. But JNIontrose, and a number of Eng-
lish malignants, buoying him with hopes of an
unhampered access to Ireland, \\ hence, by the as-
sistance of Ormond and his malignant or Popish
friends, he might force his way to the English
and Scotch crown, without any conditions, he
despised the covenanters* proposals.
I'he General Assembly meeting in July, ap-
proved and ratified the deeds of the late Commis-
.sion, and approved the conduct of their Commis-
sioners which had been sent to deal with his JNIa-
jesty. They prescribed censures for such as had
assisted IMontrose, and served in Hamilton's en-
gagement ; and that the principal offenders be
not re-admitted to communion in sealing ordi-
nances, but by the General Assembly or their
Commission, and others by Presbyteries. They
published a solemn warning relative to the pre-
sent dangers, and the necessary duties of mini-
sters and others with respect to them ; and par-
ticularly the necessity of obtaining proj)er secu-
rity from his Majesty relative to religion, and
the exclusion of all malignants from places of
power and trust, before he be admitted to the ex-
ercise of his royal power. They wrote a brother-
ly exhorljitioh to their friends in England, bewail-
ing the broken state of their church and king-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 275
«?om, and beseeching and encouraging them to
cleave to their duty according to their covenant
with God. In a letter to their young King, they
declared their detestation of the murder of his
father, and lamented that he himself had con-
temned the representations presented to him by
the church's Commissioners ; — held an intimacy
with Montrose, a perjured rpurderer of many
thousands of his best subjects^ and approved his
conduct ; — and had settled a peace with the Po-
pish murderers in Ireland, and granted them a
peace, and the full liberty of their idolatry and
other abominations ; — and besought him, as he
regarded his own and his kingdom's happiness,
to submit to the laws of Christ, and the counsels
of truth and peace. They prohibited all promis-
cuous dancing, as productive of scandal, immodes-
ty, or lasciviousness. They thanked the Parlia-
ment for their abolishing of Patronage ; begged
that the tithes belonging to the church might
not only be applied for ministers stipends, but
also to bear other pious expenses in parishes; and
they appointed, that in electing of ministers, the
Session should be the proper electors ; but the
members of the congregation should be asked
their consent. If the greater part of a congre-
gation dissented from the choice of the Session,
unless it was plainly causeless prejudices, the can-
didate was to be laid aside. But if only a lesser
part dissented, except where the grounds were
plainly relevant and weighty, the Presbytery
should proceed to the trials and ordination, but
in such a manner as tended to bring all parties
to an harmonious agreement.
Next year, 1650, the Parliament again dis-
patched the Earls of Cassilis and Lothian, Alex-
HlG A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
ander Brodie, and George Winram. Lords of Ses-
sion, with Messrs. John Smith and Alexander
Jaffray, alonc^ with Messrs. John Livin^:ston,
James Wood, and (^eor^^c Hutchinson, to Breda,
to try if they couU\ persuade their youn^ K.inf;
to accept of the terms, upon which they liad
ac^recci t<> a(hnit him to exercise his royal power.
Partly by the treachery of Lothian and Winram
of Lihherton, and partly !)y Charles's exj)ecta-
tions that Montrose, whom he had appointed to
invade Scotland from the North, with such fo-
rei«;'ners as he could get, would procure his unli-
mited admission, he held oiT from compliance
till the time was almost wholly elapsed. But un-
derstandins^ that D. Lesly had taken JMontrose
prisoner, >\ ith his commission on him, and scat-
tered his 3000 forciq;n mercenaries ; and that
CromwclTs success in Ireland had rendered him
altoi^cther hopeless of availini^ himself of that
kiui^dom ; and findini;-, hy Lihhcrton's treachery,
that the Scotch Committee of Estates had order-
ed their Commissioners to break of}^ all treaty
with him, on account of his empowerini;' ■Montrose
to attack them by violence — he pretended to com-
})ly with all their proposals, enq-a'^ini; himself to
remove from his counsels all that stood excom-
municated by the kirk ; — to take the national co-
venant and .solemn leajrjte and covenavf., and prose-
cute the ends of them ; — and to ratify and ap-
j)rove all acts of Parliament enjoining- these cove-
■nantSy and establishing" Presbyterian (yovernmcntj
ihe Direcfonj oj n'or.s/iij>y and Confession of faith ,
:iiul Catechisms; and that all civil matters should
be determined by. the present and subsequent
Parliaments, and all ecclesiastical ones by the Ge-
neral Assemblies. Notwithstandiuii' all this, he
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 977
continued till the very last, to use the English li-
turgy at Breda, in o{)|josition to all that the ec-
clesiastical Commissioners could say to the con-
trary. On his passage, he had shewed some un-
willingness to take the covenants; but his malig-
nant friends persuaded him to comply. Accor-
dingly, at his arrival in the mouth of the Spey,
June 23, 1650, he declared his willingness to swear
them ; and Mr. Livingston, who had with reluc-
tance, and not without being decoyed into the
ship, come along with him, as he thought they
were bringing the plague of God to their country,
after a faithful sermon, administered the national
covenant and solemn league to him, which he swore
in the following words subjoined to them : " I
" Charles, King of Great Britain, France and Ire-
" land, do assure and declare, by my solemn oath,
" in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher
" of hearts, my allowance and approbation of the
** national covenant, and of the solemn league and
" covenant above written, and faithfully ol)lige
" myself to prosecute the ends thereof in my sta-
" tion and calling; and that I, for myself and suc-
*' cessors, shall consent and agree to all acts of
"Parliament enjoining i\\id national covenant, and
'« solemn league and covenant, and fully establish-
** m^ Preshyterial government, the directory ofxvor-
" ship, the confession of faith and catechisms, in the
" kingdom of Scotland, as they were approven by
" the General Assembly of this kirk, and Parlia-
** ment of this kingdom ; and that I shall give
«• my royal assent to the acts of Parliament en-
" joining thesafne in the restof my dominions; and
** that 1 shall observe them in my own practice
** and family, and shall never make opposition to
" any of these, or endeavour any change thereof.**
21S A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
— This oath he immediately subscribed, and iflf
other things submitted as pleasantly as he could,
and even parted with the new Duke of Hamil-
ton and witli Lauderdale, and other favourites.
But hating^ every thint^ that looked like strict-
ness in relif^ion, and especially the faithful re-
proofs, which he received from time to time, he
was heartily wearied of his new attendants.
Charles having refused to subscribe and pub-
lish an acknowledgment of his own and his fa-
ther's wickedness, and declaration of his future
resolutions, offered to him by the Committee of
Estates, and Commission of the General Assem-
bly, many of the members of which exceedingly
suspected him, the Commission meeting at the
West kirk of Edinburgh, August 15, 1G50, de-
clared, That this kirk or kingdom did not own
or espouse any malignant party, or quarrel, or in-
terest, nor would fight, but merely upon their
former grounds and principles, in defending the
cause of (^od and the kingdom, as they had done
these twelve years past ; and that, as they dis-
claimed the sin of the King and his house, they
would not own him or his interest, but in subor-
dination to God, and so far as he disclaims his
own and father's opposition to the work of God
and to the covenant — and likewise all the ene-
mies thereof; and that they would quickly mani-
fest the same to Cromwel, who, marching to in-
vade their country, had, in pajiers transmitted
to them, charged them with the contrary. The
Committee of Estates, that same day, approved
and heartily concurred in this declaration of the
state of any war for defending his Majesty. —
Charles, though heartily sorry, that he could not
get his malignant friends into places of posvcr and
GHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 279
trust — to engage the covenanters to withstand
Cromwel, who was fast approaching, published
a most solemn declaration at Dunfermline, Au-
gust 16, blessing God for recovering him from the
snare of his malignant counsellors; confessing and
bewailing his own and his father's hearkening to
evil counsels, and opposition to the work of refor-
mation, and to the solemn league and covenant,
as well as the idolatry of his mother, and tolera-
tion of it in their family; and his own encourage-
ment and countenancing of the Irish Papists ; —
and declaring his deliberate, and judicious, and
candid approbation of the national covenant and
solemn league and covenant, and his firm resolution,
in the Lord's strength, to prosecute the ends
thereof in his station, really, constantly, and sin-
cerely, all the days of his life ; and that, in order
to this, he will have no enemies but the enemies
of the covenant, or friends but the friends of it ;
and that, as he now detested all Popery, super-
stition, idolatry, Prelacy, error, heresy, schism,-
profaneness, he would, to the utmost of his power,
labour to extirpate them from all his dominions ;
and begging and requiring all such of his sub-
jects, as had formerly opposed the covenants and
cause of God, to lay down their enmity, and all
regard to human interest, as opposed to the in-
terest and honour of God ; and professing that he
would only reckon these his best servants and
most loyal subjects, who served him, and sought
to promote his interests, in subordination to the
glory of God, and the gospel and kingdom of Je-
sus Christ. Mr. Patrick Gillespie obtested him,
in the name of Christ, not to subscribe this de-
claration, no, not for three kingdoms, if he had
ihe smallest hesitation in his mind concerning
280 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
tlio rio^htcousncss of it. But Charles repeatedly
declared, that he was sat'isficd in his mind irith it,
and therefore woidd suhscrihe it. Not lon^ af-
ter, he solemnly declared his fj^reat ohhij^ations to
the iNIanjuis of Arjjfyle for liis faithful endeavours
to restr)re him to his just ri;;hts, and promised
Jiim ills hi*;hest favour and IViendship, and digni-
ties which he could confer, toc^cther with pay-
ment of I.. 4-0,000 of deht; and, it is said, secretly
promised to marry his daughter.
After victory had, for eif];-ht days, seemed to
incline to the side of the Scots army, commanded
by David Lesly, the committee of war obliged
him to leave the hill, where he had advantage-
ously [)osted his troops, in order to prevent Crom-
weKs escape from Dunbar, Cromwel, with his
half dead forces, overpowered the larger army of
the Scotch covenanters, and entirely routed tliem,
Sept. 3. No doubt Cromwel, who had been be-
fore in such desperatelike circumstances, mighti-
ly rejoiced in his victory : but perhaps not so
iiiuch as Charles did over the death and captivity
of so many of his covenanting subjects, that
seemed so bent to restrain his vicious inclina-
tions. After two days spent in solemn fasting,
and after he had relincpiislud the covenan-
ters at Perth, in order to throw himself into an
army of malignants, which he expected IVliddle-
ton had rai>ed for him in the North, and being
obliged by disappointment to return to Perth,
Charles was solenmly crow ned at Scoon, January
J, in.3l, and again swore the covenants, as he
had done about six months before. And not long
aft( r, he and his i^arliament, in June, ratified all
his pu'( t'ding treaties, transactions, engagements,
and actions, and enacted them into a perpetual
4
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 2Sl
law: and it was expressly provided, That in all
succeeding Parliaments, every member, before
they entered on business, should subscribe the
covenant : and without this, the constitution of
the Parliament was declared void and null.
2 0
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY, kc, 283
CHAPTER VI.
Bf/thc rash Admission ofK. CJiarlcsII. — btj public Resolu-
tions of the Commission to please him — by his imlimit-
ed Rcstoj'ation — Re-establihment of' Prelacy — Imposi-
tion of sinful Oaths ayid Declarations^ arid Bonds —
And terrible Fei'secutiwi cyf all faithful Adherents to
their Covenants with God — arid even by his Indulgen-
cies of the less Faithful — and by the Labours of K.
James VII. to introduce Popery ^ the once attained Re-
formation is almost entirely ruined, between 1651 and
1688.
Ihese solemn transactions of Charles and his
malignant friends, were but a scene of shocking-
dissimulation. In consequence of the route at
Dun!)ar, and of a lesser defeat at Hamilton a lit-
tle after, it was pretended, that the English could
nut be resisted, unless all able to bear arms should
be raised without distinction ; and Charles and
his Parliament at Perth, required the quorum of
the Commission, which had met upon a sudden
call at that place, December 1 1<, 16.30, to deter-
mine what persons might be admitted to rise in
arms tu assist the standing forces against thear-
28i A CO.MPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
mics of the Knglish sectaries, who, contrary to
tlio soh'f/in lca<^2ic and vnvtnanty had must unjustly
invadetl, ami were destroyinf:^ the kingdom? 'J'o
this the Commission replied, That, in this case oi'
so great necessity, ihey could not he against rais-
ing all able to hear arms, excepting excommuni-
caied, Ibrfeited, or notoriously j)rof'ane or flagi-
tious persons ; or who had heen long continued
and inveterate ()i)posers of the covenant and cause
of (lod; providing always, that none should he put
into such trust and power, as may he prejudicial
to the cause of (Jud ; and that such officers as are
of known integrity and affection to the cause, and
])articularly such as have sufTered in former wars,
jje preferred. In consecpience of this resolution,
several of the general officers, and more than half
nf the colonels employed were malignants, and
not a few of them such as had been with .Alon-
trose. — These proceedings were exceedingly o(-
fcnsive to many ministers and Presbyteries, par-
ticidarly to those of Stirling and Aberdeen, wiiich
represented their dissatisfaction to the next meet-
ing of the Commission. For their public testi-
monies against them, IMessrs. (iutlny and Den-
net of Stirling, were called f)efore Charles and
his comviittcc of Estates at Perth, l^ut they, by
repeated protestation, declined the jurisdiction
of his INIajesty and his Committee as not proper
judges in matters of doctrine, which pertained to
the church. INTeanwhile, the Commission, pro-
voked with the opposition of ministers and Pres-
byteries to their answer, published a vindication
of it, prohibited all miiiisters or preachers to
speak or write against it, and ordained Presbyte-
rii's to censure such as op[>used it ; and, to pre-
vent their being members, urdained all such as
3
CHURCH OK SCOTLAND. 2S5
Opposed it, to be cited as scandalous to the next
Assembly at St. Andrew's.
Highly pleased, that he had thus sent the co-
venanting clergy a tearing of one another, and es-
pecially trampling the strict party, whom he
most heartily hated, under their feet, he, and the
nialignants, whom he had got into the army, in
order that they and their friends might get into
the judicatures, required the Commission to de-
termine, whether, for the more effectual prosecu-
tion of the public I'csolutions for the defence of the
King and kingdom, such could lawfully be mem-
bers of the Committee of Estates, who were de-
barred from public trust by the ad of classes, pro-
viding they have since satisfied tiie kirk for their
oft'ence, and been admitted to enter into cove-
nant ? And whether it would be sinful to repeal
the act of classes? To these the Commission re-
plied. That as their solemn covenants and decla-
rations mentioned as grounds, in the act of classes,
did not particularly determine what time such
persons should be excluded from })laces of trust,
for by-past offences, but only bind to the due pu-
nishing of offenders, and to purge judicatories
and places of power and trust, and to endeavour,
according to the law of God, to have them filled
only with such as are of known affection to the
cause of God, and of a blameless, C'hristian con-
versation— nothing hindered the Parliament to
admit such secluded persons to be members of
the Committee of Estates, and to take off the
censures inflicted upon them by the act of classes,
providing they have satisfied the church for their
ofl'ences, and have renewed and taken the cove-
nant, and l)e qualitird f«»r such f>laces, according
to the wold ol God, and late ackiiowlcdginent of
Jio A coMrKN'nioijs histouy of thk
v///.y, and cnf^afi'cment to duties. In consequence
ol* tills answer, tin* act of classes was repealed,
and nndtitudes of niali^nants and profane per-
sons, upon a mock profession of repentance, were
aflinitted menil)cr?> of Parliament and Committee
of Instates, and into i)laces ol power and trust,
and soon had the whole management of the na-
tion in their hands. Thus multitudes thcji, and
ever .shici\ have been admitted to he the minlsiers
of God for good to the nation, in a way of tramp-
Jin2^ on the law of God, and plain violation of our
solemn covenants with him. No wonder, there-
fore, that so many of them prove a curse to us
instead of a blessini^. Nor is it any wonder, that
the synod of Glasf^ow, and especially the forces
of the five south-western shires, presented such
remonstrances to the Commission and Committee
of Instates at Perth, against the rash admission
of Charles to his crown, without any proof of his
sincerity, and ai^ainst all junction with his favou-
rite malii^nants, the last of which Charles and liis
(Committee of Instates voted to he trecusonahle :
J)ut, about fifteen members, who disliked the pa-
per itself, dissented.
As the Commission, to maintain their own
ground, had enacted, that none who opposed theii
resolutions should be achiiitted mcndjers of their
ensuinp^ Assembly, and had wrote circular letters
(') Presbyteries for that elfect, and to cite the
more active opposers as pannels to the bai, their
own party punctually obeyed them. In Presby-
teries where they had a majority, none but friends
of the resolutions were chosen for their Commis-
i»ioners; and where they were the minority, they
cither protested a;;ainot the choice, or withdrew
ami elected one by themselves. When the As-
CHURcrf or Scotland. 287
semhly mot at St. Aiuliew's, July 18, 10,31, a
consi(lorM!)le body of ministers presented a peti-
tion, earnestly beseeching' them, That, as the act
and letter of'theCommission had hindered the free
election of Commissioners, by which many of the
most eminent abilities, and constant faithfulness
and zeal, had been secluded, and as many elec-
tions were questionable, on account of" their not
being made in due order, or of persons qualified
according to the constitutions of this church ; and
as many Commissioners were hindered from at-
tendance by the English troops, who were mas-
ters of almost all the country south and westward
of the Forth — the meeting might be adjourned
for a time, and the act and letter of the Commis-
sion declared no bar of electing such for members
as remain unsatisfied with the j;?^6/ic' rcwhdions ;
and that it might be recommended to Presbyte-
ries to elect men of approved abilities and inte-
grity, against whom there could be no exception
by the acts and constitutions of this church; and
that, in the mean time, a solemn fast be observ-
ed through the whole land in order to entreat
the Lord to shew the causes of his contending;
and that by his giving light on all hands, he would
graciously heal their divisions. The prevailing
party, many of whom had been long galled with
the faithfulness and credit of the antlrcsolidioncrs,
scorned to regard this request ; but, having con-
stituted themselves, and resolved to proceed U)
business, sustained the elections of such Com-
missioners as they hoped would favour the rcso/u
fio7i6\ and of as few others as possible. Their oj)-
ponents therefore solemnly protected, that the
meeting could not be held a /rre a?id lairful C^e-
neral Assembly of the church of Scot hind — in re-
288 A COMIM-.NDIOUS UISIJTOKV or TUF.
^ard, tliat tlir Cvvc vlvcl'um of Commissioners had
heen prclimitrd liy tlic letter and ad of the Com-
mission al)<>vt' ini'iitionod ; in re^-ard many Com-
missions s could not attend on aecount of the mo-
tions of the Kni^lish army in the country; ami
in reL,^ard that many of the Commissioners of the
preeedini^ Assemhly had betrayed their trust,
and had, in their remonstrances and papers, stir-
red up the civil magistrate against their brethren
who remained dissatisfied with their public reso-
Inthms ; and who, by their above mentioned act
and letter, had prelimited the freedom of the
court, were admitted members of it, and their mo-
deratorchosen to be moderatorof it, notwithstand-
ing they had been regularly and timeously ex-
cepted against as not admittable, till their pro-
ceedings should be tried and approved by the As-
sembly ; and in regard, that his iMajesty, by his
letter, and his Commissioner, by his speech, have
ex(^ited them to persecuting measures against
su( h as remain unsatisfied with the proceedings
of the late Commission, before they be tried and
approved by the Assembly itself: And they pro-
tested in their own name, and of all ministers,
ruling elders, and others, in the church of Scot-
land, that should adhere to them. That, as this
nieeting of Assembly was woi free, laxcfuJ, or valid
in its constitution, they had no power of jurisdic-
tion in determining controversies — making acts —
(Muitting declarations — -judging protests, appeals
IVom, or proceedings of inferior judicatories — ■
eensuring persons or paper — or in issuing forth
Conunissions : And particularly they protested.
That they might not proceed to approve or jus-
tifv the det'ds of the late Connnission, which con-
tained manv things contvaiy to the trust conunit-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 289
ted to it, in allowing and carrying on a conjunc-
tion with malignants, and bringing them into
places of power and trust, in the army and judi-
catories, contrary to the word of God, solemn
leagm and covenant, late acknoiuledgment of sins
and engagement to duties, and to the constant te-
nor of former declarations, warnings, remon-
strances, causes of humiliation, supplications,
acts, and constitutions of this church ; and fur-
ther protested. That all their determinations,
acts, ratifications, declarations, sentences, cen-
sures, or commissions, should be held null and
void, no way binding on the church of Scotland —
and that it should be free for themselves and all
such as adhered to them, to exercise their minis-
try, and enjoy their Christian liberty according
to the word of God, and our covenants, and other
acts and constitutions of this church; and that it
shall be free for them to choose Commissioners,
and meet in a free, lawful General Assembly,
when the Lord shall give opportunity for it.
Lord Warriston, by a letter to this Assembly, re-
presented, in a multitude of constitutions of this
church between 1560 and 1650, how faithful mi-
nisters had withstood the civil magistrate's judg-
ing of their doctrine by themselves, and how, by
protestations, the Lord had, from time to time,
kept up a testimony for his truths and cause ;
and he protested against the Assembly's ratifica-
tion of the paper, in which the late Commission
had approved to the Parliament their confine-
ment of the ministers of Stirling, for their preach-
ing against the countenancing of malignants, or
of any other paper of theirs, prejudicial to the
cause of Christ.
2 P
290 A COMPENDIOUS IIISTOIIY 01- THE
Ilet»artllcss of all opposition from their pious
opponents, the Assembly pushed forward in esta-
biishini;- themselves, and gratifying" Charles and
liis malignant dissemblers. They deposed .hrcc,
and sus])endcd o/ie, of the ministers who had pro-
tested against the validity of their constitution,
and ratified all the proceedings of the late Com-
mission. Their oj)i)onents therefore quickly pulj-
lished their j)roofs, that this meeting was no iree
lawful General Assembly of the church of Scot-
land, viz, J. That the Commission, by their act
and letter to Presbyteries, had plainly restricted
the freedom of the election of the members of it,
in directing them to choose none but such as con-
curred with the public resolutions ; and had inti-
mated, that dissenters from these resolutions ought
to be looked on, not as fit to be members, but as
transgressors to be cited as j)annels ; had declar-
ed, that, if any such should be chosen, they would
not be admitted to be judges, but obliged to an-
swer at the bar as guilty offenders ; and that
Presbyteries, which should choose such, should
be looked upon as disobedient contemners of the
public order of the kirk. 2. That many, who had
been excepted against, as guilty of betraying-
their trust, and of a scandalous apostacy from
their sworn reformation, and conspiring with the
enemies of our religion, — had, contrary to the
constitutions and former practice of this church,
been sustained members, without trying their con-
duct, the facts and sinfulness of wliich was ofler-
ed to be proved ; and even been admitted to
judge of the relevancy of the objections offered
against their being sustained judges. S. There
was \\i) proper freedom of debate on the ])rinci-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 291
pal points necessary to be handled, as the Com-
mission had stirred up the civil magistrate against
their brethren who disapproved their pithlic re-
solutions; in consequence of which the ministers
of Stirling had been confined, and the Parliament
had ordered all such to be proceeded against as
enemies to religion and the kingdom. The Com-
mission had, by their warnings and letters, stir-
red up Presbyteries to censure them, or cite them
to the Assembly as scandalous transgressors, and
many of them had been cited accordingly. The
king, by his letter, and his commissioner, by his
speech, had stirred up the Assembly to take such
severe methods with them, as might deter others
from ever doing the like : — all which the Assem-
bly had first connived at, and then approved.
4. Persons were not allowed to speak their mind
in this Assembly, and the letter of Lord Warris-
ton, who was an elected commissioner, and had
been singularly faithful and active, and acquaint-
ed with the constitutions of this church, was ob-
stinately refused a reading. 5. On account of
the roving bands of the English, and even of the
Scotch army in the heart of the country, many
members could not attend, and none at all from
nine or ten Presbyteries ; and, even in their re-
turn home, his Majesty and his Committee of Es-
tates had apprehended and confined severals, be-
cause they had not shewed themselves friendly
enough to the public resohdions, 6. That the
members of the late Commission, before any ap-
probation of their proceedings, were admitted as
judges of a protestation, which insisted, That
these proceedings should not be ratified, because
contrary to the word of God, and their solemn
covenants and constitutions, and in judging of
292 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
the Protestors, in order to censure. Nay, tliat
the committee, which managed the condemnation
of the protestation, chiefly consisted of members
of the Commission The Uesolutioners, for whom
it is shocking to find not only Bailie, but Dick-
son and Douglas, zealous advocates, published a
vindication of their Assembly and conduct, and
condemned the above mentioned protestation as
liighly criminal. But their reasonings were suf-
ficiently refuted by their opponents.
Charles and his army being entirely routed at
Worcester by the English forces, Sept. 3, 16'.51,
such as had been appointed members of the Com-
mission by the Assembly 1650, and sundry of
their friends, who disliked the public resolutions,
soon after drew up a Representation of the causes
of God^s wrath against the nation, and an acknoit'-
Icdgemcnt of the s'nis of the ministrij, the most full
and candid, perhaps, that ever was published in
the Christian church. In their Causes of God's
urathi they mention, and illustrate by instances
and aggravations, and by many scripture proofs
of their sinfulness and ruinous influence, the fol-
lowing, viz. Gross ignorance ; looseness and pro-
fanity in opposition to all God's commandments ;
the despising and neglecting of Jesus Christ, and
his word and ordinances ; neglect of family reli-
gion and the power of godliness, or even loathing
and bearing it down ; base love of the world, is-
suing in covetousness and oppression, and even
l)erjuries ; abuse and prostitution of the public
faith of the kingdom ; hypocritical, carnal, and
selfish prosecution of covenanting, and other ne-
cessary and religious duties ; deep security, im-
penitence, obstinacy, and incorrigibleness under
manifold signs and tokens of the Lord's anger j
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 293
fearful backslidings from attained reformation
and covenant engagements, in falling from once
attained singleness and honesty of heart, fervency,
zeal for God, spiritual liveliness, tenderness of
conscience, and purity of conversation ; — in some
falling off more secretly, and others more open-
ly to the malignant party, headed by Montrose,
and afterward by duke Hamilton ; — in neglect-
ing, hindering, or condemning the purging of the
judicatories and army in 1649, and afterward,
according to covenant engagements ; — in agree-
ing to invest, and actually investing the king
with the government of the nation, notwithstand-
ing many clear evidences of his disaffection and
enmity to the work and people of God ; — in re-
fusing manifold discoveries of guilt given in tes-
timonies of Synods, Presbyteries, and other re-
monstrances and representations ; — in the public
resolutions of both kirk and state, for bringing
malignants into the army and into places of
power and trust ; — in joining in arms with the
forces of the king, after the malignants had the
principal management of them, and were by them
carrying on their own ends ; — the prelimiting
and corrupting of the General Assembly, — rati-
fying former defections, and commencing perse-
cution against the faithful opposers thereof,
In the Acknowledgement, they point out the sins
of ministers, before their entrance into their of-
fice,— in their entering into it, and during their
continuance in it, — in their private and their so-
cial conduct, — in their ministerial work, preach-
ing of the gospel, dispensing the sacraments, vi-
siting families and sick, catechising, ruling and
^-ensuring, and in respect of public matters.
29i< A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Nothwithstandinp^ General Monk had subdu-
ed these parts of the nation which Cromwel
had left unconcjuered, and all tin* counties had,
on the 2d April, 1652, acknowledged the sove-
reipity of the English, the General Assembly met
at Edinburgh in July. Lord Waniston, Messrs.
Andrew Cant, John Livmgston, Samuel Ruther-
foord, and thirty-two others, presented to them
a representation, protest, and proposals signed by
sixty-seven ministers, and ninety-five ruling elders,
probationers, and others, in which they lament.
The great inward and open apostacy from once at-
tained reformation, and that an approbation of
the public resolutions was now considered as the
principal qualification of candidates for the holy
ministry, or of screening scandalous ministers
from censure, and that notwithstanding the
changed circumstances of the kingdom by the
prevalence of Cromwel and his sectaries, and the
complete rout and flight of Ring Charles, so much
use had been made of the authority of the last
year's Assembly, begun at St. Andrew's, and
thereafter removed to Dundee ; — and earnestly
and solemnly beseeching them. That since many
commissioners were restrained from attendance,
and the far greater part of the commissions of
those that had come up, were controverted by
dissents and protests at their election ; and, since
their Ibrmer conduct had so much hindered re-
formation, and the edification of souls, — they
would not constitute themselves into an Assem-
bly, but appoint a free and friendly conversation,
in order to remove difficulties, and fall on some
licaling overtures. vVnd they laid before them
the 1 olio wing Proposals for removing offences.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 295
and restorini^ mutual harmony and confidence,
I. That they will ^ive proper evidence of their
approbation of, and adherence to the national co-
venant and solemn league, late acknowledgment of
sins and engagement to duties, and other laudable
acts of uncontroverted Assemblies, and act ac-
cording to them in dispensing" of sealing ordi-
nances, censuring offenders, or absolving peni-
tents. ^. That it be considered, how, after our
sad defection and fearful judgments, we may ho-
nour the Lord, obtain his favour, and prevent like
apostacy from him. 3. That a proper method
be established for securing against error, heresy
and schism on the one hand, and against the
danger of malignancy on the other ; and that
proper marks be fixed, by which malignants may
be known and judged. 4. That proper methods
be taken, according to the rules of this church,
for purging out intruders and scandalous persons
from the ministerial office ; and that none be
hereafter admitted, but such as have the positive
qualifications required by the word of God and
constitutions of this church. 5. That proper rules
be fixed and practised for censuring of scandals,
and debarring the ignorant and profane from the
Lord's table. 6. That care be taken, that none
be absolved from censure, but such as give that
evidence of their repentance, which the word of
God and constitutions of this church require. 7.
That an effectual course be taken to prevent fur-
ther hurt from the controverted constitutions
and procedure of the Assembly at St, Andrew's
and Dundee, and for securing the right constitu-
tion of the Assemblies in time coming.
These requests and proposals being altogether
disregarded, they presented another paper, in
206 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
which they observe, how they had been contemn-
ed ; how an Asseml)ly indicted by the null meet-
ing of Dundee, had been pretended to be the on-
ly method oC healini^^ their divisions ; how these,
once hearty promoters of Prelacy, having- gotten
the ascendant in judicatories, had more than ever
manifested tiieir contempt of their covenant en-
gagements, and covenanted reformation, — and
had become persecutors of such as were endea-
vouring faithfully to adhere to the Lord and his
cause, according to their solemn vows : — they de-
clare their adherence to their former testimonies
against their apostacy, and protest, That the con-
stitution and acts of this Assembly shall be held
jiull and void, and not binding by virtue of any
authority derived from them. 1. Because it de-
rived its indiction and autliority from the pretend-
ed Assembly of St. Andrew's and Dundee last
year. 2. It is for the most part constituted of
the same kind of persons as it, who have begun,
supi)orted, and carried on a course of defection,
contrary to the word of God, and the covenants
and constitutions of this church. 3. Because, by
the act of that i)retended Assembly, last year,
which required all Presbyteries and Synods to
inflict censures upon all ministers, probationers,
students, and private Christians, who opposed
the public resolutions, and did not acquiesce in
their acts, — all opposers are rendered incapable
f»r election, and in consequence of it, several Sy-
nods and Presbyteries, in their approbation of the
ihnuls of that Assembly, had made several preli-
initations. k Many Presbyteries had refused to
send up commissioners to this meeting, as a Ge-
neral Ass(Mnbly of the church of Scotland ; and
lUo election of such as liave come up as commis-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 297
sioners, is generally controverted. Regardless
of all these things, the Assembly proceeded to
business, and enacted. That scandalous ministers
or others should be duly restored to their office
and church fellowship, not without evidence of
thorough repentance ; and that none should be
licensed to preach the gospel, or ordained to be
ministers or ruling elders, or be commissioned to
Presbyteries or Synods, before they give it under
their hand, that they approve of the public reso-
lutions, or at least will never make any opposi-
tion to them : — but refused to a[)prove a decla-
ration in favours of Independency and toleration
of errors, which some of the English had present
€d to them. Finding the Scotch clergy ex-
tremely attached to their king, Cromwel would
not allow them to hold any more General Assem-
blies ; and sometimes his officers drove them out
of their Synods. This did the less hurt, as the
resolutioners, in their courts, chiefly aimed at
supporting their own authority, and crushing
their protesting brethren.
Deprived of civil assistance from Charles and
his malignant favourites, to persecute the protcs-
toj's by fines, imprisonment, or death, the public
resolutioners persecuted them with manifold re-
proaches, as miners of their king and country, —
as favourers of the English sectaries and their
usurpations, — as renters of the church, and the
like ; and lalioured to their utmost to keep these
of their principles from any ministerial charges,
which, in divers places, occasioned a protesting
minister and a resolutioner in the saine congre-
gation. So ternble were their torrents of re-
proach and calumny, that even Principal Bailie,
notwithstanding all his coolness, prudence, piety,
2 Q
S98 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
and learninp^, appears, in his letters, ready to re-
ceive and spread ill-ijroiinded calumnies, to black-
en the characters of his mo^t eminent, and, a lit-
tle before, dearly beloved brethren. The uncom-
monly meek and calm Mr. Guthrie of Stirling he
represents as a kind of forward flainini]^ fire-brand ;
the almost too peaceful iMr. Livingston as a vio-
lent pusher ; the pious and learned IMr. Simson
of Airthas an arrant fool; holy Rutherfoord, and
uniting Durham and Blair as working the ruin
of the church ; great M*Ward as guilty of being
Rutherford's servant ; and pious Andrew Gray
and Hugh Binning, whose sermons the Lord
then, and since, hath so remarakably blessed, as
romantic, new-fashioned, and unsubstantial preach-
ers ; and in short, the protestors' settlements of
ministers, carriage in judicatories, and at solemn
fasts, and sacramental occasions, which were at-
tended with such marvellous powers from on high,
as a scene of disorder, pride, and selfishness.
But the more their brethren reproached and
persecuted them as they could, the more the Lord
countenanced their labours, and made them sing
as in the days of their youth, about 1688 and
1049. Remarkably warned of, and dreading
times of restraint, they were exceedingly diligent
in their ministrations, and these were attended
with amazing success. JNIultitudes of the most
serious attended their many sole m?i fasts and their
sacramental occasions; and so marvellous was the
influence they felt, that they were often in a kind
of spiritual tranre the whole time. After one sa-
cramental occasion, about sixty of the aged hear-
ers earnestly applied themselves to learn, that
they might read the word ol God. — '' 1 have been
many years' says Mr. Kirkton in his iMS. Me-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 299
moirs ** in a parish, where I never heard an oath;
and one might have rode many miles without
hearing one. In a great part of the country, one
could not have Iod»"ed in a family, where God
was not daily worshipped by reading, signing of
Psalms, and prayer. People were generally so
sober, that the inn-keepers complained of the
ruin of their trade." The Lord also gave them
peculiar favour in the sight of the English inva-
ders, who relished their unfavourable apprehen-
sions of King Charles, and his malignants, Pre-
latists, and Papists — and repeatedly offered them
the government of the country, which they al-
ways refused. And indeed none were more zea-
lous against compliance withCromwel and his sec-
taries, or for continued praying for Charles, than
Lord Warriston, Mr. James Guthry, and other
principal men among the protestors. Even Ar-
gyle fell under their frown for some involuntary
compliances that he had made.
The English had the whole civil government
of the nation in their hands. No newly plac-
ed minister could plead in law for his stipend
without a warrant from some of their judges.
The English Parliament even gave their judges
and sequestrators a power to put out scandalous
ministers or teachers in universities, and prohi-
bited ministers' public praying for Charles, as
their King, under pain of losing their stipend.
This both protestors and resolutioners refused to
comply with; and such was their zeal for their
wicked and treacherous Prince, that the Lord's
Supper was not dispensed for some years in Edin-
burgh and several other places, because they
scrupled to admit the magistrates to it, who had
been obliged to crouch under the English con-
300 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
querors. By means of Durham, Blair, and some
other pacificators, the protestors and resolutio-
ners had several conferences in order to atrree-
nient in Mi.3.5; and the matter uas carried up be-
fore (!!romwel, who ha<l usurped the government
of Britain ; hut without any effect. Wearied of
the scrupulo>ity of" the protestors, and courted
with hirf^^e offers hy Sharp, afterward archbish-
shop, in name of the resohitioners, he gave both
parties an e(pial liberty. As he indulged the sec-
taries, which abounded in his time, with liberiy
to spread their [)rinciples,and to restrain the Pres-
byterians from foisting into their causes of fasting
any thing in favours of Charles or against him-
self or his government, had taken the power of
appointing general fasts, and fixing the causes
thereof next to wholly into his own hands — Ru-
therford and sixteen other protestors, in the coun-
ties of Fife and IVrth, emitted a solemn testimony
against these things, and in behalf of their cove-
nanted reformation.
During the confusions which happened after
Cromwel's death in 16.58, both protesters and
lesolutioners aj)peared pretty calm, and agreed
to bury their differences. — Instigated by Messrs.
Robert Douglas, and James Sharp, iNFonk, who
liad commanded the English forces in Scotland
f(u- several years, undertook to restore Charles to
his throne, and, by the vilest perjury and trea-
chery, got it accomplished. Charles himself was
wearied of his miserable and pinched circumstan-
ces abroad, and stuck at no dissimulation by let-
ters, to persuade the nation of his virtues and
good intentions 'I'he no!)les at home disdained
cTouchini: to luiglishmen (»f no rank in the world.
The Mibjects in general were tired of an unset-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 301
tied government. Such as thought they had serv-
ed Charles, though but in pillaging their neigh-
bour's houses, expected that he would richly re-
ward them : his friends in general highly extolled
his excellencies. And thovigh, in his travels, he
had solemnly professed himself a Papist, some
divines represented him as the great instrument
by which God would fulfil the promises of Anti-
christ's destruction. Sharp, whom the resolution-
ers chose for their agent to concert matters with
General Monk and Charles, and to take care
that no injury might be done to their church,
notwitlistanding his most solemn professions of
sincerity, betrayed them, and concerted with
Charles how to introduce Episcopacy, in reward
of which Charles gave him twenty chalders of
corn, and the archbishoprick of St. x\ndrew's;
and, in the mean time, stirred them up against
the protestors, whom he represented as abhorred
by his Majesty ; so that it is hard to say if the
Prelatic persecution made their circumstances a
whit worse than the resoiutioners would have
made them.
Convinced that the protestors would oppose
their introduction of Prelacy, Charles and Sharp
heartily agreed to ruin the principal of them as
quickly as possible. Charles therefore gave or-
ders to imprison the Marquis of Argyle, Lord
Warriston, Sir James Stewart, provost of Edin-
burgh, and Sir John Chiesly, who shewed the
most bold opposition to the beheading of his fa-
ther ; while he advanced to honour Sir John
Fletcher, who had, among the first, abjured him-
self, and Middleton and Sharp, who had shewed
not a little forwardness in taking the engagement
of fidelity to the English commonwealth. — Some-
302 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
time after, a sole mn thanksgiving for Cliarles's
restoration, at Ktlinf)uri;li, the afternoon of which
was spent in honiil dmnkenness, dehauchery, and
madness — tbeCommittee of Estates appointed by
the Parliament in lf).31, all the members of which
had conciuTcd with their Sovereign in taking
the national covenant and solemn league, and some
of them had advised him to make that solemn de-
daralion at Dunfermline, August 1 C, 16.30, met
on the 2d of August 16G0. — Finding that the re-
solutioners would neither join with their protest-
ing brethren to form a supplication to his Majes-
ty, nor form one Ijy themselves, Mr. James Guth-
ry, and nine other ministers, and two elders,
met in a private bouse in Edinburgh, to form a
draught of a supplication to be laid before a larger
meeting of their brethren, particularly the synod
of (rlasgow. In this draught, they represented
to his Majesty, how hateful the procedure of the
late usurpers had been to them, in offering vio-
lence to the Parliament of England, in murder-
ing his royal father, and in secluding himself
from his government, and in their impious en-
croachments upon the kingdom of Jesus Christ,
&c. — how thankfully they acknowledged the
Lord's signal preservation of his Majesty's per-
son, and in restoring him to his throne ; — how
they did, and resolved to pour forth their fervent
sup[)lications to God for him ; and hoped, that
he would protect, countenance, and encourage
them as their gracious Sovereign — what dangers
threatened religion and the work of reformation
in these kingdoms, from the unremitted endea-
vours of Papists, Prelatists, and malignants on
the one hand, and of the sectaries on the other;
and therefore humbly besought his Majesty t(^
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 803
employ his royal power for the preservation of
the reformed religion, in doctrine, worship, disci-
pline and government in the church of Scotland ;
and for the reformation of religion in England
and Ireland ; — and that all places of trust might
be filled with such as have taken the covenant,
and are of approved integrity and known affec-
tion to the cause of God ; — and that his Majesty
would remove the ceremonies and service hook from
his church and family, and from other places of
his dominions, and publicly signify his approba-
tion of the covenant, into which he had so solemn-
ly entered, and of his purpose to adhere to it — as
it was the desire of their soul, that he might be
like David, a man according to God's own heart,
and to Solomon, of an understanding heart to
judge the Lord's people, &:c. The committee,
hearing of their meeting, caused apprehend them
all, except one elder that escaped, and without
hearing them, imprisoned them in the castle of
Edinburgh, from whence the Parliament next
year liberated them all, except Mr.Guthry. Next
day the committee emitted a proclamation against
all unlawful m.eetings, without his Majesty's spe-
cial authority, and against all seditious petitions
and remonstrances, as every faithful one was now
called.
By a flattering letter directed from Charles to
the resolutioners of the Presbytery of Edinburgh,
in which he promised to support their cause, and
maintain their religion as by law established ; —
by a proclamation against Rutherford's Lex rex,
and the causes of God's wrath, as containing many
things injurious to his Majesty, and laying the
foundation and seeds of rebellion, and the burn-
ing of what copies they could find, at Edinburgh,
304f A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OK THE
by the hane^man; — and by a proclamation against
rciiiimslrants and their ddhcroits; — and hy tlie con-
finement or "nnprisonment of some i^entlemen or
ministers, that tfiey mii^ht have no infhience uj)-
on the eh'ctions (or the ensiiinn^ Parliament, or
citint^;- them to it as criminals — prepaiations was
made for its hein^ wiiolly comj)hiisant. Great
rare was taken that none should be elected coin-
iiiissioners, hut such as should in all thinirs he
subservient to the will of the court. For this
reason, it seems none else could be found fit in the
biMi^h of" Lanark, but their jyiper. And care was
takin to have the elections of those that were
otherwise disj)osed set aside. The most part of
the members were absolutely infamous, who wal-
lowed in profaneness, whoredom, and drunken-
ness. Only Loudon, Cassilis, Sutherland, Craw-
ford, Horthwick, Torphichen, and a few other
old convenanters, who often dissented from the
deeds of the rest, retained their wonted sobriety.
And indeed, drunkenness, whoredom, cursing,
and blasphemy, were now reckoned badges of
loyalty ; and piety, or even common gravity, a
mark of rebellion. Charles himself appears to
have been a [)rofligate atheist, abandoned to pro-
fane swearing, drunkenness, and whoredom, and
ca[)able of the most base dissimulation. Sharp,
his director and agent, was chiefly remarkable
for activity, craft, and dissimulation. Such as
were intimately ac(pjainte(l with him reckoned
him a downright atheist, who affected to believe
that there was neither God, heaven, nor hell; he
used no private prayer, and scarcely had prayer
in his family once a-month; he lived, who knows
how long, in whoredom with one Isabel Lindsay,
and, with his own hand^ strangletl the child which
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 305
she bare to him. And there is not a little ground
to believe, that he had entered into a solemn
compact with the devil, in order to preserve his
life and carry on his designs.
The Parliament having met on the 2 1st of
January, 1661, after a faithful sermon from
Mr. Robert Douglas, would choose their after
preachers for themselves ; who, by their fulsome
harangues, excited them to render his Majesty ab-
solute, and to establish some greater authority
in the church to keep her ministers in order.
Highly pleased with such stuff, the Parliament
appointed a new oath of allegiance^ acknowleding
the King's supremacy over all persons, and in all
causes. They enacted. That no conventions,
leagues, or bonds, should be made without his
Majesty's consent, and prohibited the renew-
ing of the solemn league and covenant, or any
other covenants or public oaths concerning the
government of the church or kingdom, without
his special warrant and approbation; and appoint-
ed all persons in public offices to swear the oath
of allegiance or supremacy before mentioned, and
subscribe the declaration asserting his Majesty's
prerogative ; bearing, that it was his and his suc-
cessors' sole right, to choose and appoint officers
of state, privy counsellors, and lords of session; —
and to call, hold, and dissolve all Parliaments
and other conventions of the states ; that no acts
of Parliament are binding without his special ap-
probation or commission; that the power of mak-
ing peace or war doth only reside in him, and
his heirs and successors ; that it is high treason
for any subjects to rise or continue in arms
without his authority, or to meet for determining
any matters, civil or ecclesiastical, except in
2 R
306 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OP THE
the ordinary jude^mcnts, or to make leagues and
Ijonds, witliout his s])ecial consent; that the so-
lemn league and covenant, and all treaties fullow-
in^ upon it, are 7iot obli<ratory upon any of the
subjects of this kinf:^dom ; and that none could
hiw fully recjuire the renewing of said covenant,
or any other covenant, or renew the same, with-
out hisiMajesty's s])eeial warrant and approbation:
Tliey declared the Convention of Estates 164^3,
which enjoined the solemn league and covenant,
and all the Parliaments between 1640 and 1649
inclusively, i^ozV/and nuUm their very constitution,
and so their deeds of no authority. They declar-
ed, that the Protestant religion was settled as be-
fore 16;<8, and the government of the church
should J)e secured as his Majesty found most pro-
per. They appointed the '^9th of jMay to be kept
as a ycarli/ thaiik.s^ivin<j; to God ; and by the pre-
amble of this act, they laboured to bring in God
and all the subjects as approvers of their fore-
mtntiont'd acts, and as solemn reproachers of the
"IV hole covenanted work of reformation. And, in
fine, they restored Patronages, and required all
presentees to take the above oath of allegiance
and declaration, 1'he Parliament confirmed their
statutes w ith the blood of the Marquis ot Argylc,
whose estate Middleton the president expected,
and of Mr. James Guthry, and with the harrass-
luent, imprisonment, or banishment of his tellow
prtitiornrs, and other protestors; — most of whom
bad suffered for their attachment to his Majesty,
during Gromwel's usurpation. Had not God re-
moved Rutherford by a triumphant death, he had
al.Mi been sacrificed. Meanwhile, by the influ-
eud' of the resolutioners, and by the court's dis-
solution of synods, and by the general fainting
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 307
of ministers, or their divisions among themselves,
not one judicial testimony was lifted up against
the wickedness of the Parliament in Scotland.
After the rise of the Parliament, Charles, in-
stigated by Middleton and Sharp, and assured
that the best part of the nation earnestly wish-
ed it, and that not so much as twenty of the re-
solutioners would oppose it, — by a proclamation,
founded on his newly established supremacy, —
established Episcopalian government. Sharp was
made archbishop of St. Andrew's, and Fairfoul
of Glasgow, under whom twelve others Vvere
made bishops. None of them had the least ap-
pearance of seriousness, except Leighton of Dum-
blain. Meanwhile the Earl of Tweeddale was im-
prisoned for some words he had spoken in favours
of Mr. Guthry, and his not voting for his death.
The privy council emitted a proclamation, pro-
hibiting the election of any for magistrates or
counsellors in burghs, that were not hearty for
bishops and the king's arbitrary power. And to
prevent the printing or spread of such scandalous
and seditious papers, as Argyle's and Guthry's
dying words, the Covenanters' Plca^ &zc. they pro-
hibited the printing of any books or papers, with-
out warrant from the king or Parliament. They
soon after prohibited all ecclesiastical meetings
in Synods, Presbyteries, and sessions, till author-
ised by the archbishop and bishops. Presbyteries
were prohibited to ordain ministers ; and if
they but begged leave to represent their griev-
ances, it was held seditious or treasonable. Lord
Loudon, and soon after Mr. Bailie, died of grief,
for the alterations they saw made in both church
and state. Messrs. Dickson, Douglas, and Wood,
too late, became sensible of their mistake in sup-
.•^08 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
porting the puJdk resolutions^ while others were
fretted to see the pre-apprehensions of the pro-
testors so fearfully verified, and to hear tlitm-
selves blamed by them for bringing matters to
this dreadful coiulitiun.
The Parliament meeting on May 8, 1G62, ad-
mitted the newly consecrated bishops to their
seats with great pomp and ceremony ; and then
re-establishi'd the government of the church by
archbishops and bishops, as founded upon his iMa-
jesty's inherent supremacy over the church ; —
declared it high treason for subjects, on any pre-
tence, to enter into leagues or covenants, or take
np arms against the king or any commissioned
by him ; and that the national covenant, as ex-
plained in 1688, and the solemn league and cove-
nant were unlawful oaths, no way binding on such
as had sworn them ; — and repealed all acts civil
and ecclesiastical aj)proving these covenants ;
particularly the seditious meeting of the Assem-
bly at (rlasgow in KiSS, and all the acts and
d"eeds thereof; and declared, that if any spoke,
Avrote, printed, or prayed against his majesty's
supremacy over the church, or against the Epis-
copalian government now estal)lished, he shuuld
be incapable of any public trust. They next ap-
pointed all those ministers, who had been ordain-
ed since 10 69, many of wiiom had suffered much
for their attachment to Charles, under Cromwel,
to get presentations from their patrons, and re-
nouncing their former ordination, to receive ad-
mission from their bisho[)s ; and that all minis-
ters, under severe penalties, should attend their
bisliop's Synod, and assist him in all things he
recpiirctl ; and that all masters of colleges, who
did not submit to Prelacy^ should be turned out.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 309
and none be allowed to preach, keep schools, or
teach children of quality, without the bishop's li-
cence. They further appointed all persons in
public trust, to subscribe a second declaration,
bearing. That they judged it unlawful, upon
any pretence, to enter into leagues or cove-
nants ; or to take up arms against the king, or
those commissioned by him ; and that all the
convocations, petitions, and protestations for be-
ginning and carrying on the late troubles, {i. e,
covenanted reformation, between 1637 and 1651)
were unlawful and seditious, and particularly
that the jiaiional covenant, as sworn and explain-
ed in 1 QSS, and the solemn league and covenant,
were, and are, in themselv^es unlawful oaths, and
imposed upon the subjects contrary to the funda-
mental laws and liberties of the kingdom, and
no way hind any that swore them, to endeavour
any alteration of the present government of either
church or state. After the act of indemnity had
been so long delayed, in order to terrify people
into compliance, it was now passed, with an ex-
ception of about 800 persons, some of whom were
dead, and others were infants, or had never ex-
isted, on whom was laid a fine, of about L. 85,000
Sterling, which Middleton hoped to get for him-
self: and besides, twelve persons were, by bal-
lotting, to be excluded from all places of power
and trust. They also issued a proclamation,
bearing. That all ministers, who did not observe
the anniversary thanksgiving, on the 29th of May,
should he deprived of their benefices. To tes-
tify their loyalty, the magistrates of Linlithgow,
with great parade, burnt the covenants, which
themselves had sworn, along witii Lex rex, and
the causes of God's wrath, ike.
310 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OP THE
A number of ministers had been summoned
to the Parliament for a terror to others, that
mi^ht incline tu adhere to their old principles.
The day after the Parliament rose, the privy
council met, and appninted all parsons, vicars,
and ministers, to attend uj)on their diocesan Sy-
nods, the diets of which were then appointed by
the bishops and archbishops. To enforce this
act, and put honour on the bishops, Middicton
the commissioner, and Glencairn the chancellor,
with the Earls of Morton, Linlithgow, and Cal-
lender, and Lord Napier, took a tour to the west
of Scotland, where, in their different lodging
places, they wallowed in drunkenness, gluttony,
and profaneness, and at Ai/r, about midnight,
drank the dcrirs health at the cross. In conse-
quence of the archbishop's complaint, That none
of the ministers ordained since 164-9 had owned
him for bishop; and that he and his fellow bi-
shops would be mere cyphers or objects of hatred,
unless more effectual methods were taken to en-
I'orce submission to them, the council met at Glas-
gow, October 1st : and while most of the mem-
bers were mortally drunk, enacted, that all such
ministers as did not, before the end of that month,
apply to their bishops for collation and admission,
should be deprived of their stipends for the pre-
sent year, and removed from their parishes and
Presbyteries ; and never after exercise any part
of their ministerial office ; and that such of their
parishioners as afterwards repaired to their ser-
mons, should be punisheil as frequenters of con^
venticles. As several of i\\e ministers had retired
from the country to Ldinbnrgh, the council re-
quired the magistrates to oblige all the inhabi-
tants every evening to give an account of all their
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. SI 1
lodgers, under what penalties should be thought
proper. They appointed all the ministers of
Edinburgh, who did not comply with Prelacy,
to desist from exercising their ministry, and leave
the city before Martinmas next : and commenced
a process against Sir James Stewart the provost,
and his son, for entertaining Mr. Hugh M-Kail,
and against Messrs. Donald Cargil, John Brown,
and John Livingston, and sixteen other ministers,
in order to force them to comply with the bishops,
or banish them from the kingdom. By such
means, above three hundred ministers, generally
of remarkable piety, gifts, and diligence, and
most of them great sufferers for their attachment
to Charles, during the usurpation, were driven
from their charges, and their places filled with
men shamefully ignorant, many of them a scan-
dal to human nature in vice, and others of them
of the most violent and persecuting tempers ; and
all of them, by the bishops and their assistants,
forcibly intruded upon congregations : No won-
der then, that such as had any regard to the laws
of Christ scrupled to hear them, and resorted to
such opposers of Prelacy as were not yet cast
out, or to the family worship of the ejected mi-
nisters, in such numbers, that the houses could
not contain them ; from which field meetings
gradually originated.
After Middleton had established Prelacy, he
himself was disgraced ; and soon after died mi-
serably at Tangier, killed, according to his for-
mer imprecation, by the broken bone of that arm,
which he had held up, in swearing the covenant ;
and Lauderdale his opponent became prime mi-
nister in his stead. After the council had com^
menced further processes against forty more mi-
312 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
nisters in Galloway, and the diocese of Dunkeld,
and given orders to Sir James Turner, a savage
commander of the military, to suppress all pri-
vate religious meetings for instruction, prayer, or
conference, the Parliament met June 18, \66S,
and enacted. That all non-conform ministers
that shall presume to exercise their office in any
manner, shall be punished as seditious persons;
and all with-drawers from the conform incum-
bents of their own parish, be punished, — every
nobleman, gentleman, or heritor, in the fourth
part of his yearly revenue, every yeoman or ten-
ant, in about the fourth part of his moveables
after his rent is paid; and every burgess, with the
loss of his freedom, and the fourth part of his
moveables, together with such corporal punish-
ment as the council find proper : They appoint-
ed all persons in public trust, to subscribe the de-
claration of last year; and that if any elected
to be counsellors or magistrates in burghs, refus-
ed to sign it, they should be for ever incapable
of being magistrates or of merchandizing. They
appointed a national Synod of bishops, &:c. but
which could enact nothing that the king or his
commissioner was unwilling to confirm ; — and
which indeed never met. They ordered a levy
of 20,000 foot, and 2000 horse, to be ready to
serve his Majesty in any part of his dominions,
as he should find necessary. Lord Warriston,
whom Charles's physician had attempted to
poison at Hamburgh, and then taken from him
sixty ounces of blood, being apprehended in
France, was, notwithstanding his weakness of bo-
dy and mind produced by the poison and loss of
blood, sentenced to death, and his head to be fixed
on the Netherbow port, along with Mr. Guthry's,
(i
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 313
The privy council commenced a prosecution
against sixteen ministers for continuing to exer-
cise their office, and against William Gordon of
Earlstoun, for refusing" to hear the curate of his
parish ; and emitted a proclamation, That all mi-
nisters that did not duly attend the bishops'
courts, should, within twenty days, remove them-
selves, families, and substance, out of their re-
spective parishes, and not reside within twenty
miles of the same, nor within six miles of any
cathedral church, or three miles of any royal
burgh ; — and enacted, That all persons who shall
come from Ireland without sufficient testimo-
nials, and do not return within fifteen days,
shall be imprisoned, and treated as seditious ;
— and that all persons that, notwithstanding
three admonitions given by their minister, with-
draw from public worship, shall upon his attes-
tation, be prosecuted according to law ; and that
all noblemen, sheriffs, and officers of the army,
shall assist ministers in their prosecution. — In
consequence of this, the curates in the west and
south, after sermon, called over the roll of their
parishes, and delated whomsoever they pleased
of the absents to Sir James Turner, the profli-
gate and barbarous commander of the forces in
that country ; who, together with his soldiers,
judged and punished them as they thought fit ;
and, by this means, and by raising the fines im-
posed by IMiddleton's Parliament, plundered and
ruined the country.
By Bishop Sharp's instigation, Charles appoint-
ed a ///i;'^ Co w/zimzo/i court in 1661, consisting
o[ nine bishops, and thirty- five laymen, and of
which one bishop and four others were ^quorum,
J]aving power to prosecute, suspend, and depose
2 s
Sli> A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
ministers, and to fine, imprison, &c. them and
others, who continued in tlieir non-conformity to
the religion estahlished by law ; and appointed
the officers of the army or militia, and lords of
j)rivy council to assist them, in apprehending and
punishing of such delinquents. In consequence
whereof, persons were called before them with-
out information, accusation, or witness; and re-
quired to answer whatever questions were pro-
])Osed. If any offered any legal defence, he was
rc(|uired to take the oath of supreniacij^ the refu-
sal of which was reckoned sufficient guilt. They,
in the manner of the Spanish inquisition, and the
privy council, in their wonted manner, proceeded
to ruin every serious opposer. Such non-conform
ministers, as yet remained in their charges by the
favour of some of the nobility, or the like, were
driven from them, and soldiers were appointed to
force people who absented from the sermons of
their intruded curates, to pay twentypence for
every time they should be absent. Besides seve-
ral proclamations for enforcing or executing the
above mentioned acts of Parliament against non-
conformists and preachers, or attenders upon re-
ligious meetings not allowed by law, they emit-
ted one against Brown's apohgetical relation of the
suj/'erings oj'ihcjaitlful ministers and professors of
that period, and ordered it to be burnt in the street
of Edinburgh by the hangman ; and all that had
copies of it to deliver them up to their sheriffs,
or be liable to a fine of L.2000 Scots : and iNIr.
James Guthrie's widow and daughter were pro-
secuted for having it.
In IGGG, the remains of the fines imposed by
the Parliament of 1G(>2, Ibr some trifling conq)li-
ances with the Knglish usurpers, or the like, were
exacted with rigour by the King's troops,, who
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 315
took free quarters till they j^ot them : no excuse
was accepted, unless by taking the oath of supre-
macy, and subscribing the declaration ; and such
as could neither pay their fines, nor entertain the
troops, were dragged to prison. Sir James Tur-
ner and his soldiers were empowered to fine the
west country people for non-attendance on the
ministrations of their profligate curates, and even
to fine gentlemen, if their ladies or servants did
not attend ; and to quarter on tenants, if their
landlords withdrew. No widowhood or poverty
excused from the fines. The soldiers snatched
the meat from the mouths of innocent children,
and gave it to their dogs; and when they had con-
sumed all their provisions, they sold or burnt the
furniture. In this manner. Turner and his
troops levied almost L.60,000 Scots, from the
two shires of Galloway and Dumfries for their
non-conformity. — Being obliged to give up the
infamous High Commission^ two regiments of
foot, and six troops of horse were raised, under
General Dalziel, a profligate savage, educated in
the military service of Russia, in order to force
the non-conformists to hear the curates: the coun-
cil emitted a proclamation, requiring masters to
answer for the conformity of their servants, and
heritors for that of their tenants, and give bond
accordingly, under pain of horning.
Sir James Turner, though it is said he scarce-
ly acted up to his orders, had almost wholly ruin-
ed the south-west of Scotland, and obliged
multitudes to leave their houses, and wander
among mosses and mountains. Four countrymen
in Galloway, being informed that his merciless
soldiers had apprehended a poor old man, and
were going to roast him naked upon a red-hot
.'5IG A COMPENDIOUS HISTOUY OF THE
^riilircm, went and bettered tliem to let him alone:
but, instead of hearkenini^ to this humane desire,
the soldiers fell u[jon the men, who, ^-ettinc^ the
better of theni, disHinied them, and relieved their
friend ; and fearin^^ that tiie other soldiers in the
parish would fall upon them, they, and seven or
einht more, surprised the l)arty, which all laid
down their arms, except one that was killed.
'J'he countrymen about, apprehending^ that Tur-
ner would cruelly resent what had been done,
upon them, without loss of time, went to Dum-
fries and surprised liim, and disarmed his troops
without hurtini^ any of them but one that was
wounded; — and then, at the cross, publicly drank
the Kino's health, and prosperity to his govern-
ment. Informed hereof, the council published a
proclamation, which could not reach those con-
cerned till it was too late, requirin<^ them to lay
down their arms, and surrender themselves to his
INIajesty's Lieutenant-General, or some other of-
ficers, within twenty- four hours, and prohibiting
all persons to assist, harbour, or keep any corres-
pondence with these rebels, but containing no
promise of indemnity in case of surrender. Af-
ter some deliberation, that persecuted handful
formed themselves into a small army, and re-
solved to march towards Edinburgh, in order to
give their persecuted friends an opportunity to
join them; and at Lanark, being about 1500,
they renewed their solemn covenant with God ;
and, about the same time, drew u]) a manifesto
nowise disowning his IMajesty's authority, but
bearing, that they had taken up arms to defend
themselves and their persecuted brethren, in their
adherence to their covenants, into which the King
himself iiad solemnly entered, and to protect them-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 517
jselves and friends from such cruelty and violence
as they had for some time past suffered. As Dal-
ziel, with Charles's troops, marched up towards
them, they marched eastward, byBathgate, till they
came to Collington, about thee miles from Edin-
burgh. Greatly diminished by their fatigue, in
marching so far,in one of the last nights of Novem-
ber, and disappointed of their expected assistance
from the Lothians, they, about nine hundred,
marched by the east end of Pentland hills, where,
while they were quite dispirited and fatigued, and
expecting a peaceful negotiation, Dalziel, contra-
ry to his promise of a cessation of arms, fell upon
them, and killed fifty of them, and took as many
prisoners. But the country people in the neigh-
bourhood killed and took prisoners not a few
more. Notwithstanding, Charles himself was so
ashamed of the illegal cruelties proved against
Sir James Turner, that he dismissed him from
his service, yet the privy council, to whom, just
before their skirmish at Pentland, the poor peo-
ple had begged leave to represent their grievances
for two or three years, persecuted, murdered, im-
prisoned, forfeited, or banished them that had ta-
ken arms, or that gave them any harbour or lodg-
ing. And such as got an indemnity, had it, at
the expense of wounding their conscience, by sub-
scribing what they called the bond of 2-)eacc^ iw
which they engaged for themselves and these un-
der them, to live 'peaceahli) ; that is, to l)ear no
testimony against the abominations established
by law.
As the nobles were wearied of persecuting mi-
nisters and people merely for not hearing of cu-
rates, many of them shamefully ignorant or pro-
fligate ; and as it was expected that it ivould di-
318 A COMPENDTOUS HISTORY OF THE
vide and weaken the Presbyterian party, Charles,
moved by Tweedale, by a letter in 1G69, grant-
ed an iNDUf.GKNCK to them, under certain condi-
tions, whi( h, through the opposition of the bi-
sho})s and their clergy, had no small difficulty to
obtain the approbation of the council. In conse-
quence of this, about forty-three Presbyterian
ministers were indulged either in their own pa-
rishes when vacant, or in some other parish, as
the council judged meet. Another indulgence
was granted to about eighty, in 1672, to keep
matters quiet,while Lewis of France, andCharles,
his pensionary, laboured to destroy the Dutch na-
tion, which kindly sheltered their persecuted Pro-
testant brethren. Some few of the persons, to
whom these indulgences were offered, refused to
acce[)t them. Some of them that did accept,
testified against the conditions, or betook them-
selves to silly shifts to quiet their conscience, and
cover their shame; while a considerable number
boldly pled for their own compliance, and raged
at the field preachers, who testified against it. It
was })led in favours of it, that magistrates, for
ends known to themselves, may prohibit mini-
sters to preach for a time, and afterward permit
them to preach ; that though magistrates have
not power to silence ministers altogether, yet they
have power to prohibit the public exercise of their
ministry, and again, when they think fit, to grant
that liberty unto them ; that the second book of
discipline allows magistrates to place ministers,
when the kirk isrorru})ted, and all things are out of
order; that Kings Hezekiah and Josiah reformed
the Levites, purged the temple, and apjwinted
the courses of the priests and Ijcvites; that seve-
ral of the indulged were sent to their own char-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 319
ges ; that if the indulgence be rejected, because
it proceeds from the King's supremacy, then he
might banish all preaching out of his dominions,
by commanding to preach by virtue of his supre-
macy ; that the preaching of the gospel is so im-
portant and necessary, that many things may be
comported with, in order to obtain it ; that the
mere making use of his Majesty's present favour
doth not homologate the exorbitancies under
which we have groaned; that the rulers did not
assign the indulged ministers to particular charges
by express deputation, but only by permitting
and allowing them to exercise their ministry
there ; that, after the ruin of our liberties, we
may accept a relaxation, which is sinful on the
granter's part; that, though the magistrate's prin-
cipal design in these indulgences be to establish
his own supremacy over the church, yet the ac-
cepting of them cannot imply an approbation of
that design ; that, as the magistrate proposeth
this indulgence by command, obedience to the
command cannot imply an engagement to the
prescriptions annexed ; that, notwithstanding his
carrying his supremacy to the highest, the King
hath not assumed the power of church order or
dispensation of word and sacraments ; that the
indulged ministers plainly owned, that the ordi-
nation of Christ is the only proper foundation,
upon which the exercise of their ministry, by the
permission of this licence, doth subsist, and the
magistrates' allowance is but merely the removal
of his former unjust restraints ; that acceptance
of the indulgence imported no subjection of the
ministry to the arbitrary will ui' men, but rather
an acknowledgment that our persons are in sub-
jection to them.
3
SCO CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
On the other hand it was pled, that the procla-
mation for the induli;ence plainly flowed from the
King s supremacy over the church, and maintains
his council's power to depose ministers from, and
restore them to the exercise of their ministry, as
they find proper ; and that it w as granted to
some ministers to prevent others from preaching
to any but their own families : and that it was
clogged with several sinful conditions, as, that
they behoved to utter nothing agaisnt Prelacy, or
the King's supremacy ; that, unless they attend
the bishops synods and Presbyteries, they must
confine themselves to the parishes in which they
preach ; that they should admit none to sealing
ordinances, or to marriage, who belonged to any
other established, or indulged minister, without
his allowance; that they give no coimtenance to
peo[)le of other congregations coming to hear
them ; that they all administer the Lord's supper
on the same day ; that they ])reach only in their
own churches, under pain of being held keepers
of conventicles; that all matters of discipline,
which formerly belonged to Presbyteries, must
still belong to the Bishops, Presbytery of the
bounds, or next to it: — that therefore, 1. The
itrcepfancc of the indulgence reflected dishonour
upon Jesus Christ, the only King and head of his
church, as it practically declared, that the accep-
ters did not hold their ministry wholly and only
of Jesus Christ ; that they hold the exercise of
it from the magistrates either solely or in con-
junclion with ('hrist ; that thus they receive the
ollice or exercise of their ministry from men, who,
in this deed, neither do, nor can act in a subor-
dination to Christ, as the head and fountain of
fill church [)owcr; that thus they acknowledge all
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 321
tl}e rules and directions prescribed by them for
ordering- of the exercise of the ministry, to be in-
sufficient ; and that not Christ alone, but mai^is-
trates, have power to prescribe the qualifications
necessary for the exercise of the ministry ; that
not Christ alone, but magistrates also, have power
to prescribe how he will have such an officer set
ov^er such a particular flock; and that hereby they
concur with limitations in, and about the dispen-
sation of Christ's spiritual ordinances, not pre-
scribed by himself, nor by any ministerial power
subordinated to him, but in opposition to him,
both in matter and manner. 2. It is contrary to
Presbyterian principles ; such as, that it belong-
eth to the church, and to church officers, to try
and examine qualifications of such as are to ex-
ercise the ministerial office, and, by explaining
and applying Christ's rules, to declare who are
fit and qualified for it ; that it belongs to the
church, or church judicatories, to convey mini-
sterial office and power to persons qualified, and
to grant them a protestative mission, authorising
them to exercise their ministerial function ; and
to plant and transplant ministers to particular
charges, or loose their relation to them, as the
good of the church requireth ; that it belongs to
church judicatories to give injunctions concerning
the exercise of the ministry and dispensation of
the ordinances of Christ ; that the power of cen-
suring, suspending, or deposing ministers, belongs
to the church, not to a King or his council. 8. It
supports and confirms the Ring's Erastian supre-
macy. The acceptance of it, made the subsequent
act, of almost unlimited headship over the church,
necessary to warrant the granting of it; and that
act of suprqnacy alone makes the King's indul-
2 T
322 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
^ence a Ief]^al deed, and secures the indulged
i'roiH beini^- held seditious persons in the eye of
the law. All the particulars included in the two
preccdint^ arguments, belong to the Ring's claim-
ed headship over the church. "J he matter of the
indulgence is the very matter of the supremacy
alloted him to settle, enact, and enut constitu*
lions, acts, and orders concerning matters, meet-
ings, and persons ecclesiastical, according to his
royal pleasure. The acceptance of a benefit flow-
ing from an usurped power, manifestly homolo-
gate> that usurped power. 4. It wrongs the peo-
ple concerned in them, in practically giving up
their former relation to their flock, and taking a
new charge without any call from the people.
5. While it plainly confirms and adopts the Eras-
tian principle of the dependence of the ministry
upon the magistracy, and the necessary support
of it on the magi>trate*s will, it tends to the re-
markable hurt of the church. IMagistrates thrust-
ing out faithful ministers, and putting in whom
they pleased in their room, did, under the Arian
Emperors, and even under Ring James, much
hurt to the church. According to his method,
magistrates may quickly deprive us of faithful,
or even Protestant ministers, and [)lant naugh-
ty, erroneous, or Popish priests in their stead :
nay, by the indulgence, the most part of non-con-
form ministers are shut up m one corner by two's
or three's, in a parish, wliile the rest of the land
is given up to the will of Prelatists, Papists, or
Quakers. It is intended to restrain these field
meetings at which multitudes of souls have alrea-
dy found so much spiritual benefit. It tends to
introduee the subjection of all ministers to the
(council in ecclesiastical aftairs. It encouragcth
CHURCH Of SCOTLAND. 323
0th6i*s to enter into the ministry upon base con*
ditions. It abandons the discipline of the chnrch
tpthe bishops and their curates. It i^ivesnpw iih an
ordination of a faithful succession of faithful mi-
nisters to the church. 6. It gives up with all our
own and our fathers sufferings for our opposition
to patronage or Erastian encroachments of Kmg
or council on the power of Christ and his churchy
and for the sole headship of Christ, or for Pres-
byterian government. 7- It strengthens the hands
of Prelatists, as hereby ministers imprison them-
selves in congregations under their influence. It
tempts them to seek collation from bishops. It
withdraws them from helping their faithful suffer-
ing brethren, and leaves the curates in quiet pos-
session of the most of the nation, and secures it
to them in all time coming. It encourageth a
kind correspondence with curates, and diminish-
eth zeal ai^ainst them. It justifies them in ac-
cepting Prelacy from the same fountain of the
King's supremacy. The conditions, under which
the indulgence is accepted, mightily strengthens
their hands. 8. It is contrary to our covenants,
in so far as they bind to the doctrine of Christ's
being the onl^ head of the church, and to maintain
Presbyterian government, and the liberties and
privileges of the church of Scotland, and abjure
Prelacy and Erastianism. 9. The accepters of
this indulgence condemn themselves, in so far as
they had, or have any regard to field or house meet-
ings for religious worship; or have or do condemn
the King's ecclesiastical supremacy, or the entry
of curates by the bishops ; or have refused to con-
tinue with their parishes on the footing of a new
appointed presentation; or have refused to join
with bishops and their curates in Presbyteries and
324 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
sydods, accordinj; to Bishop Leighton's pro-
posals of (trrommodation ; or have, or do scruple
at the bishops' collation of their ofiice upon them.
10. It is prejudicial to field meetings, which have
been remarkably blessed by (lod to the edifica-
tion of multitudes. The Kini;'s letter represents
it as contrived and granted in order to supjiress
them utterly. It draws off the accepters from
preaching in the fields, and if all named by the
council had accepted, few had been left to carry
on that necessary work, to which God seems to
be loudly calling. The acceptance of it by so
many, encourageth the rulers in prosecuting their
designs against these meetings, by the most cruel
and bloody acts. It withdraws the people from
these meetings, and so rents them asunder. It
materially condemns these meetings as unlawful
and seditious, and exposeth such as scruple to
hear the indulged, to the fury of their adversaries.
1 1. The acce])tance of that indulgence is exceed-
ingly offensive. It grieves and discourageth such
ministers and peo])le as scrupled at, or thought it
unlawful. It violated the accepters' sacred bonds
of unity; and, by withdrawing from the brethren,
particularly such as preached or heard at field
meetings, they weakened their hands. It encou-
raged the Prelates and rulers to proceed with an
high hand, in their apostacy and persecution It
will tempt posterity to submit to magistrates' im-
position of ministers, in what manner, and under
what restrictions they please. It will grieve and
stumbU" our Protestant brethren abroad, to un-
'^^•rstand, that after all the faithful conteiulings
M)tch ministers, from the reformation till
so rtiany, after a short struggle, have so fear-
complied upon a small temptation.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 32.5
No wonder then, that Messrs. John Burnet,
Donald Cargil, and eight or ten others refused to
accept this indulgence. Being unable to attend
the council, Mr. Burnet sent his reasons of refus-
al to the chancellor, bearing, that as Christ alone
was the sole head of the church, all ministerial
office, and power of exercising it, flowed from
him ; whereas the indulgence flowed from that
absolute supremacy which his Majesty claimed,
and had been affirmed to him by Parliament, as
an inherent right of the crown ; — that he could
not so much as interpretatively condemn field
meetings, which had been always peaceably at-
tended, and been remarkably blessed by God ; —
that he reckoned there was still a pastoral rela-
tion standing between him and his former flock,
of which not fifty, out of twelve hundred exami-
nable persons, had ever yet submitted to the cu-
rate placed among them — so no relation could be
fixed between him and another congregation, by
an act of a mere civil judicatory ; — that his con-
finement did not merely confine his person, but
even his office, and the gospel itself; and so hin-
dered him from the duty he was called to for
the good of the church, which was now in hazard to
bes\vallowedupbyJesuits,Quakers,&c.; and while
three parts of the kingdom were groaning under
the want of the faithful preaching of the gospel,
a few shires in the west were made the common
jail of all the ministers permitted to preach; that
he looked on a permission to preach without any
call from the people, authority or assistance of a
Presbytery, and without the exercise of church
discipline and government, as very lame, and the
restrictions annexed to it, as an heavy yoke. —
The other refusers of the indulgence drew up a
j)aper of much the same import ; and in which
S26 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
they begg-ed the council to believe, that their
non-compliance (lowed from real tenderness of
conscience; and that by their influence and deal-
ing with ins Majesty, they might have an unre-
strained liberty to preach to their flocks, or others,
as providence called them, in a peaceable manner,
for the edification of the body of Christ.
Several of tlie compilers with the indulgence
formed a paper of grievances to be given in to
the council, when they received it, as a testimo-
ny against the evils implied in the grant of it,
bearing, that however thankfully they received
his Majesty's permission to exercise their minis-
try, yet they disliked that Erastianism, which ap-
peared in the grant of it ; that, though they dis-
allowed all tumultuary and seditious meetings
of subjects, yet they could not condemn the field
meetings for preaching and hearing the gos()el.
as stick, and were grieved that the grant of their
indulgence did so ; — that the indulgence breaks
the relation between ministers and their former
Hocks, and deprives the people, to whom they are
appointed, of any free call ; that it shuts them
iij) sometimes, by two's or three's, in a parish,
where one might serve, and imposed on them
flocks belonging to faithful brethren ; that it
confined them as evil doers, without any trial or
conviction of guilt, and hindered them from meet-
ing in judicatories or even mutual converse, and
restrained the faithful preachingof the gospel from
a great part of the nation; and exposed such as did
not comply, to far greater sufiferings than former-
ly; that it entirely cut oif from the people all hope
of haviuiT their f.iitliful pastors restored to them •.
and that all their restrictions were plainly form-
ed in favours of the Frelatic party, and to the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 827
disadvantage of Presbyterian ministers and peo-
ple implied a subjection to Erastianism, and some
of them thrust the accepters into a direct and
formal subjection to Prelacy. — After they had in
several meetings, considered this paper, they
dropt it altogether for want of harmony, with re-
spect to it. — They agreed, that when they ap-
peared before the council, to receive their licence,
and instructions, Mr. George Hutchinson should.
by a speech, in their name, give some testimony
ao'ainst the Erastianism and sinful restrictions
connected therewith. But by neglecting to speak
at the beginning, and by delivering himself in an
obscure equivocal manner, it was to little or no
purpose. Meanwhile, IMr. Alexander Blair ho-
nestly told the council, that as he looked upon
himself as an ambassador of Christ, he could not
receive instructions from them, for regulating
him in the exercise of his ministry, and let fall
their instructions: on account of which the coun-
cil ordered him to prison.
While the outed ministers were sadly divided
about the indulgence, great pains were taken to de-
coy them and the people into, at least, a partial
submission to Prelacy. Dr. Burnet, afterwards
bishop of Salisbury, and other popular preachers,
were sent to the West Country, to preach in the
several kirks, in hopes that this would bring the
people to a liking of Episcopal preachers. But
few heard them, except some of the younger sort,
out of curiosity. Burnet says, that he and his
brethren were amazed to see poor common peo-
ple, even cottagers and servants, so capable to ar-
gue upon church government, and the power of
Princes in matters of religion. 'J'his failing,
Leighton of Dumblain, now administator of the
328 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Archbishopric of Glasgow, proj)oscd an accom-
viodation to the Pres!>yti'rian minislt'is, allowing;
them to retain their own prineiples, and to [)r(j-
test aj^ainst what they thoui^ht wrong in Prela-
cy, and tlien, like their fathers before 16S8, to
concur in Presbyteries, which had constant mo-
derators. The Presl)yterian ministers, indulged
and not indulged, after several conferences, de-
clined compliance, and the more readily, as Lei^h-
ton, with all his hii^h pretences to relij^ious peace
and piety, would not or could not assure them,
that the bishops, who moderate, should not have
a negative over the synod's decisions.
But force was the principal mean used for
causini^ both ministers and people to submit to
what the court pleased. As Charles's first indul-
gence of the Presbyterian ministers at his own
hand, by his council, had exceeded the limits of
the supremacy which had been formerly allowed
him by the Parliament, and was contrary to the
laws establishing Prelacy, the bishops complain-
ed of it, as an illegal trampling on their power. —
The Parliament Hj69 therefore asserted him and
his successors to have an unlimited supremaci/
over the church, as an inherent ri<j;ht of the crown,
by which they ndght order and dispose of the ex-
ternal government of the church, and settle, en-
act, and emit such constitutions, acts, and orders,
concerning it, and the persons employed in it, and
all ecclesiastical meetings, and matters to be pro-
posed and determined in them, as they pleased ;
and rescinded all laws, acts, and clauses thereof,
and all customs and constitutions, civil and ec-
clesiastical, which are contrary to, and inconsist-
ent with his Majesty's supremacy as now assert-
ed. This Parliament also ratified some acts of
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 329
the privy council, requiring all the inhabitants of
the south-west of Scotland, under severe penal-
ties, to deliver up their arms; and that if parish-
ioners permitted any hurt to be done to the vio-
lent persecuting curates, they should be reputed
as having art and part of the crime, and be liable
for all damages ; and forfeiting the estates of such
as had been concerned in the late rising of Pent-
land hills. Soon after, the council in 1670, to
please the bishops and their curates, prohibited
the indulged ministers to lecture or expound a
portion of Scripture before the forenoon sermon,
under pain of being forbidden the exercise of their
ministry, within this kingdom. The soldiers were
appointed to apprehend the ministers, heritors,
and tenants, that presumed to attend the field
meetings for preaching of the gospel, and to cause
them appear before the council, along with a list
of witnesses against them.
Mr. John Menzies, minister of Caerlaverock,
near Dumfries, shocked with the severities used
against Presbyterians, while Papists, who abound-
ed and promoted their idolatry and superstition
with great zeal, remained unmolested, presented
a solemn testimony against Prelacy to his Pres-
bytery, and Messrs. Alexander and John Car-
michaels, Thomas Forrester and others, after-
ward deserted the Prelates. But none of these
things moved the persecutors to moderation.
The Parliament, 1670, enacted, That wlioso-
ever refused to be witnesses, even against their
nearest relations, with respect to breaches of the
public laws of the kingdom, and particularly their
attendance at field preachings, should be fined,
imprisoned, or banished ; — that if any outcd mi-
nister nut licensed by the council, or tolerated by
2 u
330 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
the bishop, presume to preach, expound the scrip-
ture, or pray in any meeting", hut in his own house,
and where only his own family are present, he
shall be imprisoned, till he find bail not to keep
another conventicle, under the penalty of 5000
merks, or else consent to leave the kin^^dom,
never to return without his majesty's licence ;
and that these present at house conventicles be
fined, — heritors in a fourth part of their yearly
rent, tenants in L.25, and cottars in L.12 Scots,
— and that every minister or preacher at field
meetings, be punished by death and confiscation
of goods, and these present be fined in double of
the above for house meetings ; and that every
apprehender of a field preacher should have 500
merks of reward ; and the sheriffs, stewards,
and lords of regalities, all the fines below these
of heritors for themselves ; — that every person,
who procured baptism for his child by any unli-
censed or unauthorized minister and not in a re-
gular manner, shall be fined, heritors in a fourth
part of their yearly rent ; every person above a
tenant in a L. 1 00 Scots ; every inferior merchant,
tenant, or considerable tradesman, in L.50 ; every
meaner burgess, tradesman, or cottar in L.20,
and every servant in half a year's fee ; and sher-
iffs, stewards, and lords of regalities, to have all
fines below these of heritors, as their encourage-
ment to diligence in their execution of this act ;
— that all subjects of the reformed religioji, who
do not frequent the ordinary meetings for divine
worship in their own parish churches, for every
offence, be fined, heritors in an eighth part of their
yearly rent ; every person above the degree of a
tenant, in L.12 Scots; every tenant or consider-
able tradesman and inferior merchant in L.6 ;
CHURCH OF i>COTLAND. 331
and all below that station in L.2 Scots As
an addition to these persecuting acts, the Parlia-
ment 1672, enacted, That none should be oflicers
of the militia but Episcopalians ; and both offi-
cers and soldiers take the oath of allegiance and
declaration, under pain of imprisonment and ba-
nishment; that none but those authorized by law,
should ordain any to the ministry ; and all ordi-
nations by Presbyterian ministers since 1661, be
held void and null; that all that had not a certi-
ficate from their parish minister that their chil-
dren were baptized within thirty days of their
birth, should be fined, heritors in a fourth part
of their yearly rent ; merchants in L.lOO Scots ;
&c. and that all that did not observe the anni-
versary of the 29th of May, should be fined, or
otherwise punished.
Dreadful were the severities carried on against
the non-conformists. While the indulged minis-
ters were disliked by many of the people, for
their want of due faithfulness, they were not a
little harassed by the council for their lecturing,
— baptizing of children not belonging to their pa-
rishes,— giving some testimony against the apos-
tacy of the times, and for not observing of the
anniversary thanksgiving on the 29th of May, or
the like. The refusers of the indulgence, and
all that preached at, or attended field meetings,
were still more cruelly persecuted, by fines, im-
prisonment, or banishment. Many were the ex-
orbitant fines imposed upon gentlemen, and others,
in the shires of Dumbarton, Lanark, Ayr, Gallo-
way, Dumfries, and Renfrew, for mere non-con-
formity to Prelacy, and non-attendance on the
ministrations of ignorant and |)rofligate curates.
These of eleven gentlemen in the shire of Ken-
.332 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
frew, amounted to near L. 3 1,000 Sterling.
Finding that, notwithstanding, the field meetings
more and more increased, the council in June
1674, emitted two proclamations, the first of
which requires heritors to become bound for their
tenants, and tenants for their families, cottars,
and servants, that they should not, under the pain
of L.2.3 Scots for each tenant, — L.12 for each
cottar, — and a fourth part of their year's fee for
each servant, and the half for each wife or child,
be present at any house conventicle, nor at any
field conventicle, under the penalty of the double.
If tenants refused to give bond to their heritors,
their whole property was to be forfeited for them,
and no new leases were to be granted without
such engagement. And all magistrates had an
imlimited power to require every person whom
they suspected, to give security for their good be-
haviour in this matter. The other imported, That
all those that should apprehend convocators to,
or attenders on conventicles, should be reward-
ed with their fines or forfeited property ; and
whoever should apprehend any minister at con-
venticles, should have 1000 merks, and 2000 for
JNIessrs. Welsh, Semple, and Arnot. — They fined
eleven gentlemen in Fife, in about L.7000 Scots,
for attending conventicles, and because one of
them had harboured jMr. Welsh ; and denounced
forty or fifty more, and soon after fifty more, who
compeared not,rc6c7<y.— The field meetings still in-
creasing, and being attended with remarkable
countenance from God, several conform ministers
attended them, and joined the sufferers. The
council, finding that they could not get all the
attendants prosecuted, not a few of which were
ladies and their children, they raised new regi-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 333
merits of soldiers, and stationed them in a consid-
erable number of garrisons in these places where
conventicles were most commonly held, in order
that they might deter from them or rush forth
upon the people, while they were met for public
worship ; and the country about was required to
furnish them with all things necessary. In con-
sequence hereof, some of the sufferers began to
take arms with them to their meetings, in order
to defend themselves, if attacked. They also is-
sued forth letters o{ iiitercommuning against about
ninety or an hundred ministers, gentlemen, ladies,
and others for preaching, or hearing at conventi-
cles, or not appearing when summoned, to re-
nounce their principles, or fall a sacrifice to their
persecutor's rage. These letters cut them off
from all society in the kingdom of Scotland ; and
it was declared, that whosoever should receive,
harbour, or converse with them by word or writ,
or supply them with meat, drink, clothes, or any
other necessaries of life, should be prosecuted
with rigour as guilty with them of the same
crimes ; and all sheriffs, &c. were ordered to ap-
prehend them wherever they could be found.
This year the fines levied by the Earl of Hume
in Berwickshire, amounted to near L.27,000 Scots.
Meanwhile, God remarkably countenanced some
sacramental occasions among the suflerers, espe-
cially one in Elginshire, where the real Christ-
ians were generally so filled with the consolations
of Christ, that they scarcely knew, whether they
were in the body or not; and not a few were de-
lightfully converted to the Eord.
The council had a little before enacted, that
every proprietor, on whoso ground a convent iile
or field meeting for preaciiing the gosix.l wai
3.3I< A COMl*HNI)iOUS HISTORY OK THE
held, should pay L.50 Scots of fine, and had ri-
i;orousIy prosecuted, fined, or imprisoned such
ministers or attendants on such meetings, as they
could find, and had punished several of the in-
dulged ministers with the want of a year's sti-
pend, and of it in all time coming, unless an order
for payment were granted by the council, — they,
at last, in 1G77, projected the raising of 8000 sa-
vage Highlanders to march into the south-west
counties of Scotland, and there, by free quarters,
plunder, murder, or whatever way they pleased, to
iorce people to hear the curates, and oblige heri-
tors to bind themselves for their tenants, and te-
nants for their families and cottars, behaving them-
selves answerably to the laws. The Highland
host and regular forces, to the number of 10,000,
with such a train of artillery as if they had in-
tended to besiege fortified cities, marched thi-
ther ; but, notwithstanding all their free (piar-
tering, plunder, and other oppressions, the heri-
tors, and several noblemen among them, refused
to give bond for the conformity of their families
or tenants ; nor could the people be got provoked
to take arms in their own defence, which would
have given the managers an handle to murder
them, or by forfeiture deprive them of every
thing belonging to them. After some weeks, the
managers being ashamed of their horrid cruelties,
anil shameless robberies, ordered the Highland-
ers, all but ^00, home. They carried along with
them horses and goods to the utmost of (heir
power. To mention particular plunders would
i)e endless. Trom the three small districts of
Kyle, Canick, and (ainningham, they destroyed
and carried off about the value of L. 140,000
Scots. The council pushed on the subscription
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. S35
of the bond a])ove mentioned, though generally
without the success they wished, notwithstand-
ing they insisted, that such as refused, shuuhl
give lawborrows, or security for their kind beha-
viour to his majesty. The refusers, and sundry
noblemen among them, were cruelly prosecuted.
The bond and highland host being found ineffec-
tual to put a stop to field meetings, or force peo-
ple to hear the profligate and persecuting curates,
a Convention of Estates was called in 1678, which
imposed a cess of L.360,000 yearly, for the space
of five years, in order to maintain a standing ar-
my for the suppression of field conventicles. The
payment of this cess, as the indulgence had done
before, to the great joy of the bishops, occasion-
ed warm contentions among the Presbyterians.
Some thinking it lawful to pay it, as a tax laid
on by authority, even as Christ paid tribute to
Caesar, and advised others to do the same ; —
others thinking it unlawful, as an imposition of
tyrants, and plainly intended to promote wicked
ends. After the council had ordered sixty-seven
of the imprisoned sufferers to be transported to
Virginia, as a kind of slaves, and whom provi-
dence relieved at London ; and had levied more
troops, and formed a new military oath for secur-
ing the soldiers' full execution of the cruel work
committed to them, and prosecuted many parti-
cular persons, and punished them by fines, impri-
sonment, or the like, a few of the suflerers, who
had formed a resolution to kill one Cannichael,
who had, for a considerable time, most furiously
persecuted the non-conformists in Fife, fining,
and imprisoning multitudes, and torturing ser-
vants to make them discover their masters or
their property, and beating wives and chihlron to
330 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
make them inform ai^^ainst their husbands am!
parents, — not to mention his rapes, adulteries,
and like abominable wickedness. After they had
in vain searched for him, where they were in-
formed he was to hunt that day, and were just
goini^ to separate, they were unexpectedly inform-
ed, that archbishop Sharp was at Ceres, in his way
home to St. Andrew's. They thought that God
had delivered into their hand this perjured de-
stroyer of their church, arch-persecutor, and mur-
derer of multitudes of their brethren, and who
sought their own life ; and so reckoning them-
selves in an open state of war with him, resolved
to take away his life, which they did, not with-
out some difficulty, about a mile south-west from
St. Andrew's. It is certain, he richly deserved
to die by the hands of public justice in the most
shameful and miserable form. But how far, in
their circumstantiated case, it was lawful and pru-
dent for these persons to take away his life, I
leave to the judgment of God, whose providence
preserved all that had an active hand in it from
the fury of their murderous persecutors, notwith-
standing all they could do to apprehend them. It
nevertheless gave the managers, who represent-
ed his death as a kind of martyrdom, an handle
for proceeding in, or increasing their cruelties,
and for ensnaring many with that question. Whe-
ther the kUruii^ of him was murder or not ?
The council having emitted a i)roclamation
prepared by Sharp, before his death, represent-
ing field conventicles as tending to the ruin of
the Christian religion, the introduction of Popery
and heresy, the subversion of monarchy, and the
tnntenipt of all laws and government; and ap-
puinting all judges and oilicers of the army to pro-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 337
ceed against all that went to them with arms as
traitors, and to execute the laws against all other
attendants on them.— The persecuted, whose
numbers daily increased, therefore found, that
their safety was promoted by their attending in
large multitudes. Pushed by Robert Hamilton,
brother to the Laird of Preston, and the ladv of
-barlstoun, a pious Christian, but perhaps too
rash and headstrong, a number of them agreed
upon a solemn testimony against the apostacy,
wicked laws, and cruel persecution of the mana-
gers; and he, and about eighty armed men, pub-
lished It at the cross of Rutherglen, on the anni-
versary thanksgiving for Charles's restoration.
May 29, 1679, and burnt a copy of the wicked
acts, against which they testified. This more and
more provoked the fury of the managers. Gra-
ham of Claverhouse, afterward Viscount of Dun-
dee, a most cruel and bloody monster, having an
unlimited power to kill and destroy all that he
found in arms, seized Mr. King, and about fourteen
others, who neither were in arms, nor had any
thing laid to their charge ; and driving them
before him, bound two by two, attacked a field-
meeting near Drumclog the day after, being Sab-
bath, but was defeated with the slaugliter of
twenty, if not near forty, of his soldiers.' Claver-
house escaping to Glasgow, alarmed the troops
that were there. Hamilton and his friends, flush-
ed with their success, and perhajjs too dilatory
in their pursuit, entered into Glasgow, next day;
but after the loss of six or eight, were, by the
firing upon them from the houses, obliged to
retreat to Hamilton, where they formed a sort of
camp for their own defence.
2 X
S38
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
The council, by proclamation, required all
those who had taken arms, to lay them down,
and surrender thcniselves to some officer of the
army or mni^^istrate, within the space of twenty-
iour hours, hut |)romised no indemnity; — and re-
quired all heritors and heads of families to per-
niit none of tlu ir tenants, children, or servants
to join them, under pain of he in^ looked upon as
disaffected persons; — and farther required all the
luilitia in the kiui^dom, to join and act with the
rci^ular forces, under severe penalties; and all he-
ritors and freeholders to attend the King's host.
Finding-, that those who had appeared in arms,
had nothini^* to expect but tortures and death,
their friends hastened from all places around to
defend them, if possible, in so much, that the
King's trooj)s, fearing an attack, retreated from
Glasgow to I]dinbu)gh, and begged that assis-
tance should be sent them from Kngland. To
render him odious to the non-conformists, both
in England and Scotland, Charles, his father, ap-
pointed the Duke of Monmouth to command the
army ; and the council insisted that the barl)a-
rous Dalziel should be his lieutenant. JMean-
while, the divisions which took place among the
sufferers, who were once about four thousand,
but many of them poorly armed, relative to the
making of the 'nuluhj;cnce a cause of fasting, and
the owning of Charles's l'in(j;Jii outJwritij, made
many leave them, and dispirited such as remain-
ed, that few of them behaved with any courage,
and so were easily routed at Bothwcl-l]ridge,
lour hundred being killed, mostly in the pursuit,
and twelve hundred surrendered prisoners, who
were stripped almost naked, and obliged to lie flat
on the ground fur a considerable time ; and if any
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 3S9
but raised himself a little, he was shot dead in an
instant. Some of the officers proposed to burn
Glasgow, Hamilton, and all the country about
Bothwel- Bridge. But Monmouth rejected their
motion with indignation. — His compassion to the
sufferers issued in his being quickly recalled, and
Dalziel, who was as cruel as either managers or
devils could have wished him, made General of
the forces in his stead.
Dreadful was the case of the prisoners at Edin-
burgh. Many of them were tried and executed :
others were shipped off for Virginia to be slaves,
and, after most barbarous usage, were mostly
drowned in a storm on the coast of Orkney, the
Popish captain having obstinately refused to open
the hatches, to give them an opportunity to es-
cape, as himself and the sailors did. Struck with
horror at the cruelty, a sailor risked his life, and,
by cutting through the deck, got about fifty of
them out alive, while some hundreds were thus
wilfully drowned in the hold. Not only they
who had been in arms, in the affair of Bothwel,
but such as had harboured or assisted them with
meat or drink, or who had not attended the King's
host, according to the proclamation, were cruelly
prosecuted, and their estates or property forfeit-
ed, and given to such persecutors as his Majesty
and the council thought fit. Some that were
thought less guilty, were released upon signing a
bond, in which they acknowledged the rising at
Bothwel Bridge rc^6('//io/i, and engaged nevermore
to take up arms without, or against his Mnjesty,
or his authority, even in self-defence ; !)ut they
were to have no benefit of the indemnity, if ever
they should be found in arms at any field c(jnven-
ticle. Many choosed rather to continue prisoners.
310 A COxMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
and hazard even life itself, than subscrihe such a
bond. About the same time, indulged ministers
were recjuired to subscril)e a bond, in which they
engaged themselves to live praccabbj, (i. e. give
no |)lain testinumy against the managers* aposta-
cy and persecution) and to present themselves be-
fore the privy council, when called, and to have
sureties, who shoidd engage themselves, their heirs,
and successors, for their so doing, under pain of
paying six thousand nierks Scots, if they did not
present them to the council. These bands, most
of the ministers thought lawful, in their present
circumstances. But others, chiefly the author of
the Banders disbanded, shews that it was sinful,
scandalous, and inconvenient to comply with
them.
An indemnity was published, but with so ma-
ny exceptions of ministers and heritors, who were
concerned in the rebellion, or any way contribut-
ed to it, or who did not come to assist the King's
host, and loaded with the condition of engaging
never to bear arms against the King or his au-
thority, nor to be present at field conventicles,
that it was almost good for nothing. Meanwhile,
Claverhouse, with his dragoons, terribly oppress-
ed the west country by free quarters, plunders,
tortures, and murders. Circuit courts were ap-
pointed rigorously to punish all such as did not
lay hold on the indemnity; and all, who had been
concerned in the risings of Pentland and Both-
wel, and the murder of the archbishop, or had any
way supplied or corres|)onded with them. The
propriciors of the grounds, on which any of the
murderers of the archbishop lived, who were par-
ticularly described, were commanded to appre-
hend them, and present tliem to the circuit: —
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 34*1
and if they fled, their wives, chiUhen, and ser-
vants, were to be driven from the place. A re-
ward of ten thousand nierks was offered to those
who should bring in any of these murderers,
dead or alive, particularly John Balfour of Kin-
loch, and David Hackstoun of Rathiliet, (who
had refused to have any hand in the slaughter,
lest it should be said private injuries, done to
him by Sharp, had influenced him.) Great num-
bers were condemned and executed, sometimes
merely because they scrupled to acknowledge the
slaughter of the archbishop to be murder, and the
rising at Bothwel rebellion, or would not take the
hond prescribed by the council
Next year, 1 6"80, Charles and his council agreed
to appoint the soldiers to attack all tlmse that
had been forfeited by the Parliament or criminal
court, all ministers and heritors w ho had been in
the rebellion, or heritors who had contributed
any thing to it ; all rebels, who had not taken
the hond, or had been at field conventicles since
the 27th of July last; all those who had injured
the Episcopal clergy ; all assassins, especially the
murderers of the archbishop ; and api)ointed the
mansion-houses, castles, or towers standing on
the forfeited estates, to be used by the forces as
garrisons, from which they might be ready to
sally forth upon the above and like persons. A
paper found upon Henry Hall, when he was ap-
prehended at Queensferry, and a declaration ])ub-
lished at Sanquhar, in which all allegiance to Ring
Charles was renounced, and especially the solemn
excommvmication, and deliverance to Satan, of
King Charles, Dukes of York, Monmouth, Lau-
derdale, and Rothes, Sir (jeori;e 3M\enzie, the
King's advocate, and General Dalzlel, on account
342 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
of their respective horrible crimes, by Mr. Donald
Cargil, at the I'oi u ood, not only terribly infuri-
ated the persecuting niana^^ers, but drew upon
the strict party loads of re[)roach from their in-
dulged brethren. But it is certain that, in all
these cases, what was done, was u\)Ov\ Just causes.
It is certain, the actors were in uncommon cir-
cumstanccv-^, uIkmi both church and state were
really unhin^^i d by persecution, apostacy, and ty-
ranny. How far then private persons, or one mi-
nister mii^ht lawfully, or even prudently, do what
pertained to the Estates of the nation, or a church
judicatory, is not safe for us to judge, unless we
were certain we had an equal measure of the direct-
ing Spirit of God. It is certain, the nations of Eng-
land and Scotland, about eight years after, prac-
tically aj)proved the rejection of Charles's tyran-
nical authority ; and that God, in his providence,
appeared to approve that excommunication, in
the miserable ends of those that were laid under
it, as Cargil had foretold.
Meanwhile, multitudes of gentlemen were for-
feited in their absence, for their supposed ac-
cession to the rising at Bothwel. The soldiers
killed or took prisoners the outlaws wherever
they could find them; and if a person was but ob-
served with a Bible or other good book in his
liand, he was in danger of iiis life. — At Air's moss,
in Kyle, Bruce, with about a hundred and twenty
dragoons, attacked about forty suflVrers, and kill-
ed nine, among whom was Richard Cameron, a
])reacher, and his brotherlMichael, and tookHack-
stoun of Bathillet, and others prisoners. After
much torture, llackstoun was condemned, hang-
ed with uncommon cruelty, and, before he was
dead, ins heart was taken out by the hangman,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 343
and held up, on the point of a knife, on all the
sides of the scaflbld,and then burnt; and after that,
his head fixed on the Nether Bow, with iNIr. Ca-
meron's and others, and one quarter of his body
fixed up at St. Andrew's, a second at Burntisland,
a third at Leith, and a fourth at Glasgow. — Be-
fore now, the managers had scarcely stuck at any
thing false, unjust, l3ase, or barbarous. Notwith-
standing their marking of it in their register of
council, Rothes, Lauderdale, and Halton, his bro-
ther, and Archbishop Sliarp, liad perjuriousiy de-
poned against James Mitchel, that they had never
given him a promise upon of his life, condition of
his candidly acknowledging that he discharged a
pistol at Archbishop Sharp, several years before his
death. — When they could not find witnesses, they
tortured people to force them to confess what
they pleased. They falsely marked the acknow-
ledgments they made. If they could find nothing-
else, they required them to take some of their un-
hallowed oaths, bonds, or declarations, that either
compliance might wound their conscience, and
divide them from their fellow sufferers, or their
refusal might be a handle for fining, imprison-
ment, banishment, forfeiture, confiscation of
goods, or the like. Their servants in the army
acted up to their heart's content, in oppressing
the people, till the whole of Scotland, southward
of the river Tay, was generally rendered absolute-
ly miserable by plunder, oppression, and blood-
shed, kc. Hut when the Duke of York, a zea-
lous Pai)ist, little better than banished from Eng-
land, came into Scotland, in 16'81, he rendered
the persecution hotter than ever. No less than
twenty men and women were iormally condemn-
S4fi A COMPKNDfOUS HISTORY OF THE
cd and executed, of which Mr. Cargil was one,
in this one year, for cleavinj^ to Christ.
The Parliament sitting down on the 28tb of
July, after a cold ratification of all former laws
relative to religion, asserted, That the Kings of
thisrealnideiive their royal power from God alone,
and succeed lineally thereto, accordin^,^ to their
known dei;Tees of proximity of blood ; and that
none can attempt to alter or divert it, without in-
volving the nation in perjury and rebellion, and
exposing them to all the fatal and dreadful con-
sequences of a civil war. They next offered a
new supply to the King, in order to support his
army in bearing down field conventicles, and
doubled the fines for attending them : and
burgesses, besides their former fines, were to
lose burgesship, and be banished from the
town. I'his Parliament also formed a Tkst for
all that should be capable of any office in church
or state, or of electing or being elected members
of Parliament, and from which none but the
King's lawful sons and brothers were exempted ;
in which they solemnly swore. That they owned
and professed the true Protestant religion con-
tained in the old Scotch Confession of Faiths and
believed it to be founded on the written word of
God, and that they should adhere to it in all the
days of their life, and educate their children in it,
and never consent to any alteration contrary to
it; — and renounced all Popish ami fanatical prin-
ciples contrary to, or inconsistent \\ ith said Pro-
testant religion and Confession of Faith ; — and
swore and affirmed, Hiat Charles II. is the only
supreme governor of this realm, and in all causes
ccclcsiasttctd as well as civil; — and promised to
assist and defend all rights, jurisdictions, prero-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 34^
'^gatives, privileges, pre-eminencies, and authori-
ties belonging to him, his heirs and lawful suc-
cessors ; — and further affirmed and swore, that
they judged it unlawful for subjects, upon any
pretence whatsoever, to enter into covenants or
leagues, or to convocate or assemble in any meet-
ing, to consult or determine in any matter of state,
civil or ecclesiastical, without his Majeslifs com-
mand, or exj^ress licence^ or to take up arms against
him, or any commissioned by him, and that they
should never so rise in arms, or enter into such co-
venants or assemblies; and that there lieth no ob-
ligation upon them, from the national covenant, or
solemn league, or any other manner of way whatso-
ever, to endeavour any alteration in the govern-
ment either of church or state, as it is now estab-
lished by the laws of this kingdom ; and that they
shall, to their utmost, defend, assist, and main-
tain his Majesty's jurisdiction, aforesaid, against
all deadly, and shall never decline his Majesty's
powerandjurisdiction, as they shall answer to God.
This oath was a medley of Popery, Prelacy,
Erastianism, and self-contradiction. After swear-
ing to the Protestant religion, the sole headship
of Christ oyer his church, and the duty of subjects
to repress tyranny, and defend and save the lives
of oppressed innocents from tyrants, the nation-
al covenant, that great bulwark against Popery,
is renounced, the utmost extent of the King's
absolute supremacy over both church and state
sworn to, and the bringing in of a P()[)ish succes-
sor— and all taking up arms in self-defence,
against the King or his officers, or doing any
thing for rendering the government of cither
church or state more perfect, is abjured. .^lany
of the curates themselves exceedingly scrupled
at it. But, by an act of council, which had no
346 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OP THE
power to explain an oath imposed by Parliament,
especially one which the taker swore that he
took in the lilcral sense of the words, declaring,
That the oath did not bind to every particular
article i){' the confession, but only in so far as it
contained the do( trine upon which the Protes-
tant churches had settled the reformation — and
that the tkst did not cut off such rights as the
jiriniitive church enjoyed for three hundred years
after Christ — and assuring*, that the King never
intended to change the government of the church,
all of them, except about eighty, swallowed it,
rather than lose their stipends, and expose them-
selves to persecution. The conform ministers
of Aberdeen drew up several queries against
it, importing that they knew not how to swear,
that the said confession is the true standard
of the Protestant religion, which forbids re-
sistance of magistrates, only while they pass
not over the bounds of their office, and declares
the bearing down of fyranny a good work, and yet
abjure all resistance of magistrates on whatever
pretence ; or, to swear that the King is the only
supreme governor over all persons, in all causes,
when the said confession obliged them to believe,
that Jesus Christ is the onlij head of the church ;
or, how to believe the present established govern-
ment of the church to be of divine and apostolical
authority, and yet that the King had power to al-
ter it at his pleasure ; or to swear to it, if it was
so indifterent, as that he might change it at his
pleasure ; or, how to swear to defend all the
King's privileges, and prerogatives, before they
bad considered and found them Jill consistent
with ihQ principles of religion y — or, how to abjure,
as vnlanfd, all entering into covenants without
the King's consent, when it was certainly lawful
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 3i7
to enter into a covenant with Christ, or witli
one another, for casting off the yoke of heathen-
ism or Poj3ery, even contrary to the command
of earthly Sovereigns ; — or, to abjure, as vnlaw-
fid, all mcelings of subjects to consult or deter-
mine in all matters of state, civil or ecclesiastical,
as these comprehend all meetings for the worship
of God, or ordinary exercise of discipline ; or, to
swear, that they were under no obligations to en-
deavour any alteration of the government in
church or state, unless they were certain that tlie
constitution was absolutely perfect, and suited
to every circumstantiated case, contrary to said
Confession of Faith — This opposition of the cu-
rates exposed them to no small trouble and ha-
rassment, and about twenty of them were oblig-
ed to quit their charges.
The Duke of Hamilton, the Duchess of Rothes,
whose husband had lately died under great hor-
ror, amidst the prayers of her Presbyterian mini-
sters, Hopeton, and several other persons of rank^
also declined taking this tkst. The Duke of
Queensberry was allowed to take it, with an ex-
plication. The Earl of Argyle, being, through
the hatred of the Duke of York, required to take
it again and again, a month before the time pre-
j^cribed by law, ventured to take it with this ex-
l)lication, as far as consistent rcith itsclj] and iviih
the Protestant religion and his loyalty to the King.
For this he was immediately prosecuted, as a de-
praver of the King's laws, and condemned to death
as a traitor. But he escaped from prison, and
(led to Holland — while not a few others, who
refused this test, were turned out from their
civil offices, and these fdled with such as York
and his party thought sufficiently disposed to op-
3iS A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
press and murder every true Protestant. The
Laird of iAfcldniin, who had extorted about
L. 100,000 Scots from the shire of Teviotdale,
and who had lately got iiis oppressive powers
against the faithful nonconformists enlarged, was
appointed sherilf-dej)ute in East Lothian. And
while the council and justiciary court proceeded
in their forfeiting, imprisoning, banishing, or mur-
dering work, Claverhouse, Grierson of Lagg, and
other officers of the army, held military courts
in the south and west parts of the kingdom, to
which they summoned all men and women above
sixteen years of age, and caused them to swear,
sometimes under very odd and dreadful impreca-
tions, whether they had ever been Sitjield meet-
ings^ or countenanced any who frequented them?
and what they knew of their neighbours or others
in the parish ?
The indulged ministers having gone far in their
sinful com])liances with defection, and those that
were not indulged, forborne to preach in the fields,
but only in houses, because of the fury of the ma-
nagers against field meetings, the more zealous
sulferers had none whom they could hear, with-
out scruple, after the death of Cameron and Car-
gil, they therefore resolved to unite themselves
more closely by a general meeting, once every three
months, of correspondents from their particular
meetings, for prayer and spiritual conference. In
these meetings, which continued Irom 1681, till
after the revolution, they agreed upon such testi-
monies against defections, or suj)j)lications for re-
formation, as they judged proper; they concert-
ed schemes for obtaining gospel ministers whom
tjiey could hear with Ireedom, and for having
JNIr. James llenwick and other students, taught
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 3^9
and ordained in Holland, for their service ; they
laboured, by representations, to vindicate them-
selves to their friends in Holland, and other
places, from the invidious reproaches cast upon
them by the persecutors, and by the indulged,
and other lukewarm Presbyterian brethren. Ne-
vertheless, it had perhaps been better they had
dealt less in some ticklish debates. One of their
first productions was their declaration published
at Lanark, January 12th, 1682, in which they, in
an answerableness to the disjointed and confused
condition of both church and state, professed to
cast off the authority of Charles Stewart, be-
cause, in his first Parliament, he had unhinged
that excellent constitution of church and state,
which their ancestors had formed and established;
he had exalted himself into an unlimited supre-
macy in all matters, civil and ecclesiastical ; he
had adjourned and dissolved Parliaments at his
pleasure ; he had fearfully oppressed and perse-
cuted the godly for conscience' sake; he had hea-
vily taxed his subjects, and dilapidated the reve-
nues of the crown, for keeping up a brothel, rather
than a court ; and had in the late Parliament se-
cured the succession of the crown to his Popish
brother, formed the test, &c. — And they burnt the
TEST and act of succession. This conduct, and es-
pecially as several expressions of the declaration
were very incautious, more and more enraged the
managers, and the council apj)ointed tbis and the
declarations of llutherglen and San(|uhar, ah)ng
with the solemn league and covenant, to be pub-
licly burnt by the hangman, at the cross of Kdin-
burgh, ^\ ith great solemnity, 'i'he bailie, \\ ht)
delivered the covenant into the hand of the hang-
man for this purpose, soon after had all his Imusc.^
350 A COMPKNniOUS IIISTdRY OF THE
in the Parliament close, which were reckoned the
most stately in luirope, burnt to asiies, Ijv unac-
countably kindled, and unquenchable flames,
wliich did scarce hurt any other.
Thcnccforu ard to the death of Charles in 1 GS5,
there was a constant scene of the most horrid op-
pression, murder and assassination of the saints of
(tocI, and ofall such as shewed them any favour.
While iMcldruD), Claverhouse, Grierson, White,
and other officers of the army, and others of like
bloody dispositions, held their circuit courts,
through a great part of the south, and especially
south-west of Scotland, particularly in the shire
of Lanark, where the declaration had been pro-
claimed, and had lists of such as belonged to flic
societies, or who had shewed them any favour, in
so much as permitting them to travel through
their fields, and had not raised the /iiw and en/
against them, and laboured to raise the country
against them, or of such as did not constantly at-
tentl their parish churches — presented to them
by the clerks of the j)laces, or curates of the pa-
rishes— and fined, imprisoned, tortured, or killed
them, as they pleased. Wives were prosecuted
for holding any converse with, or giving any sup-
ply to their outlawed husbands, or j)arents with
their children. Such as appeared not, were for-
feited or denounced rebels and outlaws, or inter-
conu^iunedintheirabscnce. Suchasdidappear, and
disproved that which had been laid to their charge,
were never a whit better, unless they took the
test, wliich was ap|)ointed to be tendered to all
susi)e(ted persons as a trial of their loyalty. Tiie
council enacted, that it should be held frcaso?iahic
for any to say, that they owned the King's au-
thority according to the covenants. Nothing would
CIIDIICH OF SCOTLAXn. 351
please them from the prosecuted siifTerers, but
an owning' of it without any limitation.
Mr. Renwick, having- got ordination, eame from
Holland in 168:3, and preached in the fie](is. He
was speedily intercommuned, and they that at-
tended his sermons furiously sought for, hy every
method, to their utter destruction. Wliile the
seaports were shut up, that they might not es-
cape out of the kingdom, they were every where
pursued by the merciless soldiers. Every neigh-
bour was sworn to discover them, and bound up
from giving them meat, drink, or lodging. In-
formers were hired to find out their lurking pla-
ces, and what persons were inclined to shew them
any kindness. They w^ere put from under the
protection of the laws of their country. No terms
were allowed them, but a renouncing of their
principles, and by horrid oaths, involving them-
selves in the most dreadful perjury. The corres-
pondent societies therefore published an apologe-
ileal declaratio7i, in which they warned all such
as should hereafter, by their commands, informa-
tions, apprehensions, or murders, manifest that
they maliciously thirsted for their blood, might
lay their account, that they would avenge their
conduct in proportion to the degree of it, to the
uttermost of their power. By this they ho])ed to
deter, at least informers and country ])co])le, from
hunting them out. But the council improved it,
as an excitement to empower every soldier in the
kingdom to kill directly in houses or fields, every
person that declined to answer their queries to
satisfaction, concerning his owning of the King's
authority — and that the killing of Bisliop Sharp
was murder, and the rising at liothwel liridge re-
bellion, and concerning their renunciation oC (he
352 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
covenants, as unlawful and unl)inding oaths ; —
and to impose an oath of ahjuratlon renouncing
said declaration, as if it declared war against his
IMajesty, and asserted it lawful to kill all such as
serve him, in church, state, army, or country, on
all the subjects on the south of I'ay, as the foun-
dation of their having- a certificate or free pass to
travel unmolested ; — and certify, that if any tra-
vel without such a certificate, that they have ta-
ken said oath of ahjuratlon, they shall be holden
as communers with the execrable rebels, who pub-
lished the declaration, and prohibit every subject
to harbour, lodge, or entertain any person what-
soever, unless they have such certificates : — and
enact, tliat if any heritor, factor, or chamberlain,
do not bring all the inhabitants on their lands, be-
fore the privy counsellors, or other commissioners,
to take this oath of ahjuratlon, they shall be hol-
den as guilty of the principal crimes of rebellion
and assassination, and be punished accordingly :
and further required, that all those who had cer-
tificates, as above, should swear, when required,
that their certificates were genuine, and that they
were the persons mentioned in them ; and to of-
fer a reward of five hundred merks Scots, to any
who should discover any person who had a hand
in framing said apologetical declaration, or was
a member of the said societies. — The indulged
ministers, who had carelessly beheld the sufferings
of their more cruelly persecuted brethren, if not
sometimes rejoiced at them, and added to them
by their malevolent reproaches, had now a larger
share of hardship than ever before. The council,
in the end of 1684, appointed all of them to be
ejected from their charges, because they had not
duly observed their in^triuHlons, and some of them
1
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 353
had not observed the anniversary faM, in Septem-
ber last, and required them to give bond not to
exercise their ministry in Scotland ; and because
they would not comply, a great number of them
were imprisoned.
Chahles having been, it is said, poisoned by
his brother, and certainly got his mittimus into
eternity in the Popish form, James was solemnly
proclaimed king, and an oath of unlimited obe-
dience included in the proclamation, February
]0, J 685. But he was never so com))Iaisant, as
to take their coronation oath. So!ne imprisoned
gentlemen, and a number of indulged ministers,
were released : but the persecution against field
conventicles, and such as favoured them, still raged:
many were murdered by Claverhouse, Grierson,
Douglas, and other officers and soldiers ; and not
a few in Elginshire sadly harassed by the Earls
of Errol and Kintore, and major-general Monro.
The laird of Brody was fined in 20,000 merks,
for having a conventicle in his house, which was
given in compliment to colonel INIaxwell, a Pa-
pist. The laird of Grant was fined, because his
lady, who was in a bad state of health, had not
attended her own church for some time, nor the
neighbouring church, at six or seven miles dis-
tance, w hen her own was eighteen months vacant.
On March 2, the new kmg's indemnity was pul)-
lished, but it excepted so many of the principal
sufferers, that it was of little vabie. And none
could have any benefit by it, without taking the
oaths of that period.
The Parliament having sat down, April 28,
1685, made a cold and short act for the security
of the Protestant religion. They owned his Ma-
jesty's unlimited and absolute authority, and de-
2 z
S54f A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
dared their abhorrence of every principle contra-
ry to it ; and corivinced that no person or collec-
tive body could partake of any power and autho-
rity but in dependence on iiim, and by commis-
sion from him, they, for themselves and the
whole nation, oHercd their lives and fortunes to
defend and maintain him and his heirs, and law-
ful successors, in the possession of their crown,
sovereignty, prerogatives, &:c. against all mor-
tals. For facilitating processes for treason, they
ratified the former custom of proceeding against
prisoners in twenty-four hours ; but, for the fu-
ture, allowed them to be cited in forty-eight
hours: — and appointed such as refuse to swear
as witnesses in cases of treason, conventicles, or
church irregularities, to be punished, as guilty of
those crimes in which they refuse to be witnesses.
They declared it treasonable to give or take the
national covenant, as explained in 1688, or the so-
lemn league and covenant, or to w^rite in defence
of them, or to own them to be obligator^/ upon
themselves or others. They declared it legal,
and to be observed in all time coming, that hus-
bands be fined for their wives* withdrawment
from hearing the curates. They enacted, that
the not revealing of supplies given to, or demand-
ed for, traitors, be held and punished as treason ;
— thai all who shall preach at a house conventicky
where five more thai^ the family are present, or
that shall be present as hearers at a conventicle
where any are hearing without doors, shall be
punished with death and confiscation of goods;
— and that all who refuse to accept the office of
magistrates, justices of peace, constables, officers
of the militia, or any other employment assigned
them by the king or his council, shall be fined
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. S55
for their contempt. They appointed all Protes-
tant heritors, life-renters, &c. except women, to
take the test before such a time : and empower-
ed justices of peace to proceed against church
irregularities, and to have the fines of all below
heritors, for their encouragement to diligence.
They appointed all the subjects to take the oath
of allegiance or snpremavi/ formerly mentioned ;
and ratified all that the council, the justiciary,
and their commissioners had done, in banishing,
imprisoning, or fining the refusers of said oath.
They approved and confirmed the decision of the
council, making it treason to refuse to disown
the Societies' apologetical relation. They appoint-
ed all proprietors of lands or houses to insert in
their tacks an express clause, by which the te-
nant shall bind himself, that he, his family, cot-
tagers, and servants, shall live peaceably, free of
all fanatical disorders, under pain of losing the
half of their moveables, each for his own fault.
They ratified the act of council for raising the
hue and cry against all outlawed persons, parti-
cularly such as befriend j^^/d conventicles. They
enacted. That all masters of ships, at their launch-
ing and landing, bring all their passengers before
the next magistrate to give an account of them-
selves. They made an act for securing the pre-
sent council, and all committees, judges, or offi-
cers of the army, or other commissioners under
them, against all pursuits or complaints of com-
missions or omissions, in his majest^-'s service.
The earl of Argyle, in order to make a diver-
sion in favours of the duke? of Monmouth's at-
tempt upon England, having landed with about
300 men in the west of Scotland, was quickly ap-
prehended, and all his friends either apprehend-
356 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
ed or dispersed. This gave the council some
V ork toexeruto him and his principal assistants,
and to transport the rest, whom they apprehend-
ed, to America. l>ut none of these things abat-
ed their rigour against field meetings, and such
as attended on, or any way favoured them. Cla-
verhouse, Westraw, and tlieir military judges,
murdered them as fast, in the fields or their own
houses, as ever ; and often would not so much
as give them time to pray before death. Ac-
cording to order, they drowned two women in Gal-
low.:y, by tying them to a stake within the sea-
mark, merely for refusing to take the Ahjuration.
— Prisoners were crowded together, almost starv-
ed, and driven from one prison to another. INIany
were banished to the plantations, for refusing
the oaths of Siiprcviacii and Ahjuration, and the
Ti'st, some of wliom survived manifold hardships,
and returned after the Revolution. Though
the correspondent societies did not join with Ar-
gyle, as they thought he and iNIonmouth went
upon too broad a bottom, they published a dccla-
ration, in which they disowned the royal autho-
rity of James, on account of his being an excom-
municated Papist, and murderous idolater ; and
declared their detestation of Popcrij, Sictarian-
ism, and inalig;nancij. — and their detestation of
all niurdcro us and assassinating principles, and all
manner of roljbing oi' open enemies or others, and
all unwarrantable practices, such as the killing
of the curate at Carsphearn, — which had been
ialx'ly charged upon them.
Toward the end of this year, James began to
e\« mpt his favourites, l^ipists or others, from
tak.ng the 7V.y/, while he required it to be im-
posed on all others, as the Parliament had order-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 3.57
eel. But the persecutions against the supporters
oi field convcnliclcs, and against the parlizaiis of
Argyle, were carried on with great vigour. John
Nisbet of llardhill, and Edward IMarshall, were
publicly executed. Others were more privately
murdered, or died in prisons, and others scourged
or banished for their non-conformity. Notwith-
standing Sarah Stewart attended the curate her-
self, she had her house plundered, she was driven,
with a sucking child, leaving other three babes be-
hind her, to the prison of Wigton ; and lay there
eleven weeks, because she would not engage to
discover her husband, and never to converse with
him. — The soldiers continued to plunder the poor
non- conformists in the cruellest manner. — Mean-
while, many who had been with Argyle, or fa-
voured his cause, were obliged to hide themselves
in dens and caves of the earth, and others were
forced to pay prodigious compositions for their
fines. About eighty of them, mostly of the name
of CampheU, were indicted, and sentenced to be
executed, when apprehended.
In the three following years, 1G86 — 1688, the
registers of the privy council are wanting. — And
to lull the nation asleep, for the more j)eaceablc
introduction of Popery, James and his agents
abated their persecuting rage. But the conten-
tions between the persecuted themselves rather
increased. The most false and groundless re-
j)roaches were invented and spread against Mr.
llcnwick and his friends. These had not a little
alienated holy INIr. Peden from him ; but Mr.
Kenwick's conference with him on his death-bed,
fully removed all his prejudices, and made him
sorry that ever he had so credited these misrepre-
sentations of him. One of the ministers, who
7
S5S A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
came over with Argyle, provoked that Mr. Ren-
wick and his friends did not readily join that no-
bleman, accused them of overturninjj;- Presbyte-
rian government, and setting up a [)npular con-
fusion instead of it, — committing the trial and
censure of scandals to men that were not church
officers ; — of thrusting themselves into the magis-
trate's room, as a convention of Estates, and ma-
naging both civil and ecclesiastical fiflairs by the
same persons, and in the same Assembly; — and of
imposing unha[)py restrictions on ministers, in
the exercise of their ministry, and requiring all to
be disowned who were not precisely of their
judgment with respect to debated points. Alex-
ander Gordon, John Dick, and Robert Cathcart,
exceedingly misrepresented and reproached Mr.
Renwick and his adherents, both in Scotland and
Holland, as, contrary to our covenants, acting
like Papists, who believe their church infallible,
— in declining to hear a minister, be he ever so
faithful, for the least alleged personal failing; —
like Independents, taking upon them to depose
ministers, and differing little from the Separat-
ists ; — in sending over a youth scarcely read in
the common heads of divinity, to be ordained at
Groningen in Holland, a most corruj)t church ;
and setting him up, as Jeroboam did his idol
calves, instead of the faithful ministers of the
church of Scotland ; — and in judging of faults,
dispensing censures, and making ecclesiastical
laws and acts, as if they, tlu»ugh laics, were a
General Assembly. I'hese odious calumnies
obliged Mr. Renwick and his friends to publish
their Infoniiatory Vlndicaf'wu. from which, as well
as from RtiLWu-k\s LiJ'c, and tlie Minutes oj tlwir
general Correspondence, lately published, it is^abun-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. $39
dantly manifest, that Mr. Renwick was a young
man of uncommon piety, solid judgment, and
great candour, humility, meekness, and prudence,
with whom none of his reproachers, for ou^4it I
know, were worthy to he compared ; that, hy the
kind providence of God, and the pious condescen-
sion oi the Dutch ministers concerned, he got his
instruction and ordination in a cleanly manner ;
that neither he nor his friends ever thought
every personal failing of a minister a cause of
deposing him, or even so much as of withdraw-
ing from him in the most broken state of the
church ; that, in their correspondent meetings,
they did not judge either of scandal or censure
of offenders, but of their own duty with respect
to them, whether the scandal was such as to
warrant their withdrawment from them ; which
power the Scripture allowed them, Rom. vi. 17.
2 Thess. iii 6, 14 ; that, though they had reject-
ed the authority of the present magistrates as ty-
rants, who had no authority from God, nor ac-
cording to the good laws of the land, yet they
had no more set up themselves or meetings
in their room, than those who had declined the
authority of the bishops had thrust themselves
into their episcopal office ; that they never in-
tended to lay any restrictions on ministers, but
only desired, I'hat they would declare the whole
counsel of God, and would freely preach up all
duties, and down all sins. JNIr. Renwick and
some of his friends, having afterward met with
Robert Cathcart, attacked him on his dej amatory
wformaiioTiy which he had been so careful to
spread far and near : he was obliged to excuse
himself by saying, That he had wrote of them
not as what tliey were, but what they would be.
360 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
How villanous such conduct, and how shameful f of
Wodrow to ij;irc Jit in and li'ts Injbrmation such ho-
nour able place in his histonj !
While jMr. Renwick was thus abused by wide-
spread calumnies, and sometimes by protesta-
tions against his preaching- at places, i^iven in by
fellow sufferers, especially apostates from the
correspondent societies, Kin*;- .fames laboured
with all his might to have all the penal laws
against Popery annulled, in order that it might
be speedily established. Their Arminian princi-
])les, unconcern about any thing serious, and lust
of court favour, and the promotions which they
expected from it, made most of the established
clergy ready to comply with his intentions. He
therefore summoned a Parliament to meet in
April 16SG. (ireat care was taken to pre[)are the
members for compliance with his \v\\\. But Whit-
ford, son to one of the former bishops, who had long
before turned Papist, and had been concerned in
the massacre of the remains of the Waldenses in
Piedmont, having, notwithstanding all that the Po-
j)ish priests could do or say, died in great horror,
a few days before the Parliament, confessing his
execrable murders, and crying out against Popery
as that bloody religion ! Sir Robert Sibbald, a
most learned anti(piary and [)hysician, having
been lately persuaded, by the Earl of Perth, to
turn Papist, had scarcely done so, when he was
ashamed of his conduct, retired to London, and
after some months retirement from company, and
close study, became so fully convinced of the er-
rors of Popery, that lie could not be easy, till he
had come down to Edinburgh, to make a public
recantation in the church, a few weeks before the
Pailiament met. These events, so circumstan-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 361
tiated, awakened many, especially of the laity, to
their old zeal against Popery. Notwithstanding
James's earnest letter, and all that his agents
could deal with members, by promises or threat-
enings, the Parliament refused to repeal the pe-
nal laws. Some of the principal opposers were
therefore turned out of their places, which they
held under the crown, and their places, especially
in the privy council, supplied with Papists. At
the same time. Popish books were ifidustriously
dispersed through the nation, while aJl printing
or selling of any thing contrary to his Majesty's ab-
solute dispensing power, or to his Popish religion,
was carefully repressed.
Having got the council modelled to his mind,
James continued his zeal agRinstJield conventicles.
j^. 100 Sterling was offered to any that should
bring in Mr. Ren wick, either dead or alive, and
some of his friends were murdered in the fields.
Some also of Argyle's assistants were condemned
to death in their absence. But, encouraged by
the English judges, to believe it an inherent
right of the crown to dispense with all laws,
James required the council to support and main-
tain his innocent Q2iiho\\cs, who, amidst all the un-
natural rebellions raised against himself, his royal
brother, and father, had still adhered to the royal
interest, supported the crown, and died for the
peace of their persecutors, against all the penal
laws, and in the free private exercise of their re-
ligion in their own houses; and to take under
their special protection and care, his cliaj)lains
and others, whom he had appointed to celebrate
the worship of God, in the Popish manner, in his
chapel at Ilolyroodhouse, and to take care to pu-
nish all preachers or other?, who should insinuate
that he intended to make any violent alteration
S62 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
of the established religion. In February 1687,
after recommending it to the council to root out
the field convcnticleSy with all the severity of the
laws, and the most rigorous prosecution by the
forces — he, by his sovereign authority and absolute
power, granted a Toi.b iwt ws to moderate Presbi/-
ierians to meet in their private houses, and hear
such ministers as accepted the indulgence, and
said or did nothing seditious or treasonable, con-
trary to the peace of his reign ; — and to Qua-
kers, kc. ; — and to Papists — so that they shall be
as free in all respects, as any Protestant subjects,
to exercise their religion, and enjoy all offices,
benefices, &c. which he might think fit to bestow
upon them : — and, by the same absolute power,
suspended, stopped, and disabled all laws, cus-
toms, or constitutions against any Papists, and
cassed, annulled, and discharged all oaths, by
which any subjects were disabled from holding
places, &c. and all laws enjoining the said oaths;
and in place thereof, only require them to swear
an oath, bearing, that he was rightful King,
or supreme governor of these realms, and of
all persons therein ; and that it is unlawful,
on any pretence whatsoever, to rise in arms
against him or any commissioned by him; and
that the swearers should never so rise in arms,
nor assist any that did so, nor ever resist his per-
son or authority, but should, to the utmost of their
power, assist, defend, and maintain him, and his
heirs and lawful successors, in the exercise of
their absolute power and authority, against all
deadly. The council having published this pro-
clamation with all solemnity, returned him an
answer approving it, and intimating their readi-
ness to prosecute the ends of it, and thanking him
for his royal word for maintaining the Protestant
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 368
religion, as the best security they could have.
Duke Hamilton and the Earls of Panmure and
Dundonald, having refused to subscribe this an-
swer, were by him quickly turned outof the council.
And the council was required to suffer no Pres-
byterian minister to preach without their allow-
ance, nor until they had sworn the above-men-
tioned oath to maintain his unlimited and irresist-
ible power. But quickly after, he allowed the
Presbyterian ministers to preach during his plea-
sure, and so long as they behaved agreeably to
his will, without taking this oath. Amidst all this
lenity, sixteen men and five women were banish-
ed to America, because they would not own the
present authority to be according to the word of
God, nor condemn the Sanquhar declaratioUy nor
engage never to hear Mr. Renwick.
Finding that his two former indulgences had
little effect, James, in July 1687, caused his coun-
cil proclaim a third, in which he declared his pro-
tection of the bishops, &c. in the free exercise of
/^eiV Protestant religion, and his suspending, stop-
ping, and disabling, by his absolute power, all pe-
nal laws made against any for non-conformity to
the established religion — and allowed all his sub-
jects to meet and worship God after their own
w^ay, in private houses, chapels, or places hired
and built for that purpose, providing tliat his
counsellors or sheriffs be informed of such houses,
and of the names of the preachers; and that these
meetings be peaceably and openly held, and all
persons freely admitted to them, and nothing
taught which may any way tend to alienate the
subjects from him, or his government — but com-
manding all the judges, magistrates, and officers
of the army, vigorously to prosecute all guch as
^ .*-f .
36ii A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
were g-uilty of preaching at, or attending field con-
venticles Upon this, most of the Scotch mini-
sters who had been banished, or had retired to
other countries, returned home; and, at a meeting
of Presbyterian ministers at Edinburgh, a consi-
derable number agreed not only to accept the
toleration, but also to present an address of thanks
to James for it, which they not very candidly
subscribed, in name of their brethren, as well as
their own. After this, the Presbyterian ministers
began to hold presbyteries and synods, as their
circumstances permitted. — Mr Ren wick and his
followers, who ^vere as. much exposed as ever,
paid no regard to this toleration, but published a
testimony against it, and were much offended with
those Presbyterian ministers who had complied
with, and solemnly thanked James, on account of it.
They looked on the granter as one with wiiom
they could not communicate in any such transac-
tion, being by his principles bound to keep no
fai.h with heretics, and having repeatedly shew-
ed his treachery and dis^iniulation ; — and as an
apostate, bigotted, and excommunicated Papist,
and, as such, under the curse of Christ, as well
as under the imprecations of his grandfather, who
wished the curse of God to fall uj)on such of his
posterity as should, at any time, turn Papists.
They looked on him as no magistrate ; but, by
the laws of the land, incapable of government,
liaving neither given, nor being capable to give
the security required by the coronation oath.
They looked on the toleration itself, as plainly
proc( edmg from his usurpation of an absolute and
unlimited power, inconsistent with the law of
(tOcI and liberties of mankind ; that it implied in
it a dispensation of all the penal laws against Pa-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. S65
pists, and its proper tendency was to introduce a
lawless loyalty, establish royal tyranny, and unite
the hearts of Protestants to Papists as safe neiujh-
bours. They observed, that, by means of it, Pa-
pists were encouraged, their numbers increased,
and the executive power lodg-ed in their hands,
&c. They considered it as dishonourable to the
cause of Christ, to be merely tolerated under the
notion of a crime, and the exercise of it clogged
with unlawful restrictions of speaking nothing*
against Popery, Prelacy, or absolute power of
Kings. They looked on it as extending not only
to archbishops and bishops, but to all Quakers
and Papists, and so opening a door for all blas-
phemy and idolatry. — They looked on the accep-
tance of it as a scandal, which could not but of-
fend the generation of the righteous. They con-
sidered the addresses of thanks made on this oc-
casion as a train. of fulsome and blasphemous flat-
teries, to the dishonour of God, the reproach of
his cause, the betraying of the church, the hurt
of the nation, and the exposing of the addressers
to contempt. With respect to the ministers' ad-
dress above mentioned, they observed, how con-
trary it was to Presbyterian principles to congra-
tulate an antichristian usurper, for undermining
religion and overturning laws and liberties ; — to
justify the abrogation of the national covenants,
in giving tlianks for a liberty, by which ijll tiie
laws confirming them, or confirmed in thetn, are
cassed and disabled; — to thank their King for
opening a door for bringing in Poju-ry, which, by
their solemn covenants with (iod, they were deep-
ly engaged to extirpate. Thus, like the body of
the English dissenters, Renwick and his friends
had no freedom to accept ut liberty, at the e\-
S66 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
pense of the free introduction of Popery, and the
enslaving of their nation. They also solemnly assert-
ed the perpetual obligation of the national covenant
and solemn league ; and the propriety of keeping
up field meetings for gospel ordinances, as a re-
taining of that liberty which Christ had given,
whether magistrates will or not; — as a publ'C
testimony against the public dishonours done to
Christ ; as a testimony against the Popish tolera-
tion, and as a public testimony for the headship
of Jesus Christ alone, in opposition to the injuries
done him, and for our covenants, which are declar-
ed criminal by the same law which prohibits these
meetings ; — and in order to prevent the discou-
ragement of friends to a covenanted work of re-
formation, and the hardening of enemies, and en-
couraging them to banish all meetings out of the
land.
Soon after, Mr. Renwick, who had been mar-
vellously preserved, notwithstanding about fifteen
or twenty desperate searches for him, was appre-
hended in the beginning of 1688. Notwithstand-
ing none had spoken before the council or justi-
ciary with more boldness and freedom, yet such
was the sense, meekness, and candour with which
he answered their questions, and spake in his own
defence, that even his persecutors were affected,
and behaved with uncommon mildness to him, who
had for several years been the distinguished butt
of their malice. He, like the Marquis of Argyle,
Messrs. Guthry, Cargil, Kid, King, and the other
martyrs, had his soul ravished with the consola-
tions of Christ for some time before, and at his
death. And after it, few, except some of the
Presbyterian ministers who had been indulged
and thanked J amea for his toleration, and the Pa-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 367
pists, spoke of him without reverence or regard.
Nay, the faithful sufferers in general, at their
public worship, their society meetings, and private
and secret exercises of religion, had generally
such gales of divine influence on their souls, as
balanced all their outward troubles. Even in this
world, they received their hundred fold with per-
secution. So good a master is Christ to his faith-
ful servants.
Meanwhile the Romish priests bestirred them-
selves to their utmost, to fill the country with
catechisms and manuals of devotion. James and
his agents laboured to cramp the liberties of the
Presbyterians as much as they could, and to pro-
secuteand turn them outof their prearhinghouses.
on any frivolous pretence ; and still more eagerly
prosecuted the followers of Renwick. James de-
clared his dissolution of all judicatories and ma-
gistrates in royal burghs, and that he would main-
tain all his former proclamations ; and threaten-
ed those that would not comply with his mea-
sures. To debar Mary and Anne, his two Pro-
testant daughters, from the succession to the
crown, a pregnancy, and at last a delivery of a
son by his queen, was publicly asserted, and so-
lemn thanksgivings to God, on that account, ap-
pointed. But most of the Protestants believed
the whole to be an imposture, instead of the mi-
raculous eflect of a vow her Majesty had made
to the Virgin Mary of Loretto. — Informed that
William Prince of Orange, the husband of his
daughter Mary, invited by many persons of rank,
intended to invade Britain, and at least procure
the subjects' security for their religion and liber-
ties, he amused the English with hopes of a Par-
liament, and pretended to ask the advice of the
S68 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
bisliops. But the privy council and bishops of
Scotland, heinj^ entirely at his devotion, offered
him their lives and fortunes for his service, and
Were desired to imprison all suspected persons.
They ordered all the heritors to ^et ready their
best horses and men, and to assemble them in
particular places, that they mi^ht, as need hap-
pened, march to his Majesty's defence or assist-
ance. In the beginninii of November the bi-
shops transmitted a letter to James, admiring
what marvellous deliverance and prosperity he
liad met with — thanking* God for giving- him a
son and heir to his throne — and thaaking him-
self for the assurance he had given them of pro-
tecting their established religion; and their deep
concern to hear of an unnatural invasion from
Holland ; and their fervent prayers, that all con-
cerned in it might be covered with shame. And,
as the Prince of Orange had sent a declaration,
representing as the grounds of his expedition,
how the laws of the kingdom liad been arbitrari-
ly overturned ; how Papists had been put into
places of power and trust, and means used for
a speedy introduction of Popery ; how the rights
and privileges of burghs had been taken from
them by mere arbitrary power, without any cita-
tion, trial, or sentence; how evil counsellors
liad subjected all administration of justice to an
absolute and despotic power, and had turned out
and put in judges as the sovereign pleased ; and
what an exorbitant power had been exercised in
imposing bonds and oaths; — in imprisoning gen-
tlemen without any alleged treason; — in forcing
many by tortures to accuse themselves; — in im-
posing arbitrary fines, frighting and harassing
many parts of the country with intcrcommuning
7
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 369
and circuit courts, making some incur forfeiture
of life or property for the most general and harin-
less converse with their nearest relations outhiw-
ed; — empoweringofficers and soldiers barbarously
to destroy, hang, shoot, and drown the subjects,
without any form of law, or any respect to age or
sex — not giving some of them time to pray to
God for mercy ; and all this for no other reason,
but because they would not satisfy them in such
questions as they proposed to them without any
warrant of law, and against the common interest
of mankind, which frees all men from being obli-
ged to discover their secret thoughts — besides a
great many other violences and oppressions, &cc. —
The council emitted a proclamation to prevent
the spread of it ; but it made people the more
fond of seeing it.
Notwithstanding their deep poverty, the fol-
lowers of Mr. Renwick, who had JMr. Linning
ordained for them in Holland, as his successor,
had, a little before, collected L.240 Sterling, and
therewith ransomed a number of their brethren,
that had been transported to be slaves in Barba-
does. They had scarcely heard of William's land-
ing in England, when they warned the western
curates, peaceably to leave their charges ; and
some who did not, were more sharply used. They
also laid out themselves to destroy all monuments
of Popish idolatry, not only in the west, but some
of them in Edinburgh. They, but with too littk-
unanimity, renewed the covenants at Lesmahago.
'J'hey used what influence they could, to iiave
proper persons elected to be representatives in
the convention of Estates; and with no great una-
nimity raised a number of men to guard it, and
3 B
'^70 A COiMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Otherwise promote the establishment of William
on the throne. iMany of them were formed into
their regiment under Lord Angus, which served
against Claveriiouse and his nialignants ; but
while their junction with the established forces
dis])leased many of tiieir friends, they were not
over well used by the managers of the state and
officers of the army at the battle of Gillicran-
ky, c^c. These societies prepared an address to
the Prince of Orange, in order to have their
grievances redressed ; but, by reason of their di-
visions among themselves, and some incidents
which retarded it, till it was too late, it was ne-
ver presented, as neither was their petition to the
convention of Estates. They drew up a petition
to the Parliament 1G90, in which they complain-
ed that the redress of grievances had been so
long delayed ; that, though Prelacy had been
abolished, yet many wicked acts supporting it,
and suppressing Presbyterian government, were
not yet repealed, and many of the curates con-
tinued in the peaceable possession of those
churches into which they had been intruded; that
many acts or forfeitures stood unrepealed ; that
ir.any acts condemning our covenants and cove-
nanted reformation as rebellion, and imposing
wicked oaths and bonds, stood yet unrepealed;
that many, who had been active in the late per-
secuting times, and even murderers of their bre-
thren, were continued, or admitted to places of
power and trust — and craved, that these giiev-
anccs may be redressed ; and that Presbyterian
govcrnmc nt may be restored as it was established
in UiH); that a lull and free General Assembly
of Presbyterian ministers and elders be called.
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 371
with full power to order church afTairs, cof^noscc
public scandals, remove intruders from churches,
and plant them with faithful ministers; that pa-
tronage, the King's supremacy over ecclesiastical
causes, and all indulgences proceeding from it
and the late toleration^ proceeding from abso-
lute power, be condemned, as contrary to law,
and abolished; that some proper method be devis-
ed for renewing of the covenants ; and the admi-
nistration hereof left to the General Assembly.
This petition was presented to the committee for
the church, but disregarded by most, and never
presented to the Parliament.
Meanwhile, another address was*drawn \\\) in
name of many thousands, representing to William,
still Prince of Orange, how the prevailing party,
who had apostatized from their former reforma-
tion, had, by laws, bonds, and oaths, excluded
such as were able and faithful, from all places
of power and trust both in church and state ;
had invested the King with an absolute supremacy
over both church and state, by which he might dis-
pense with all laws, and issue forth what com-
mands he pleased, to be obeyed without gainsay-
ing ; had enacted and executed many laws, per-
secuting men by fines, imprisonment, death, or
the like, for their adherence to the true religion,
and particularly for preaching and hearing the
gospel; had annulled all the reforming Parliaments
between 1638 and 1650, and all their acts, though
part of them had been ratified by the King; had
terribly oppressed the nation by enormous taxes,
and by annexing to the crown (or bestowing on
favourites) the estates of sucli as they pleased to
punish with forfeiture ; iiad required persons of
all sexes, degrees, or quality, to depone againsl
372 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
delinquents, their nearest relations; and that such
as ref'jsed to depone against themselves, should
]je holden guilty of what was inquired at them;
and that masters be answerable for their tenants,
wives, cliildren, servants, and cottars, that they
shall not attend conventicles ; had indemnified
all judges and officers of the army, against all
pursuits that can be raised against them, for what
they do, or omit, in serving his Majesty — even in
wounding and killing such as fled from their bar-
barities, (Sec. 6cc. These things they illustrate
from the several acts of that period, and from
the practices of the managers. And, they sup-
()licate, that a free Parliament may be speedily
called, in which no bishop or evil counsellor may
sit ; that the j)ublic oaths may be laid aside or
rectified ; that Prelacy may be abolished, since it
had always been a grievance in this land, and was
contrary to the word of God and our solemn co-
venants; that Presbyterian government be restor-
ed, as in the reformation period, and renewed in
1638, and continued till 1660; that such Presby-
terian ministers as are yet alive be restored to
their charges, and the present curates, who are
generally intruders or scandalous, b« liable to the
judgment of the church judicatories ; that patro-
7Wgcs be abolished as in 1649 ; that the subjects
be restored to their several civil rights, and fines
and forfeitures restored, &:c. Whether this large
and sensible paper was presented to William I
know not. But the Presbyterian ministers pre-
sented a short one, in which, after congratulat-
ing his appearance lor their relief, and apologizing
for their compliance with the late toleration, they
beseech him to take effectual methods for deli-
vering tlieni from the yoke of Prelacy, which had
CHUKCH OF SCOTLAND. ^13
been obtruded contrary to the will of thecburch,
and to the genius of the nation — and for restor-
ing Presbyterial church government, and Presby-
terian ministers that were still alive, to their for-
mer charges.
A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY, &CC. 375
CHAPTER VII.
King' WiUiam being enthroned, Prelacy is abolished, and
Presbytery re-established — Many, but not all, griev-
ances redressed — Many good Acts of Assemblies —
Religion almost at a stand for above twenty years —
but afterwards much hurt by the Union Settlement —
By the Abjuration Oath — Toleration Act — Restoraticm
of Patronage — Condemnation of the Marrow — Sim-
son, Glass, Campbell, Wishart, ^c.'*s Errors — Manifold
Divisions thereby occasioned,
Ci
i- HE Convention of Estates having met in April
1689, found that James, being a professed Pa-
pist, had assumed the royal power, and acted as
King, without ever taking the coronation oath
required by law; and had invaded the fundamen-
tal constitutions of this kingdom, and altered it
from a legal limited monarchy to an absolute and
despotic power ; and had exercised the same to
the subversion of the Protestant religion, and the
violation of the laws and liberties of the nation;
and inverted the ends of government, by which
he had forl'aulted the crown — and the throne was
376 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
become vacant ! (Tliiis they practically approved
the principles oi" Rcnwick and his followers on
this point.) And alter declaring the several prac-
tices of James and his counsellors contrary to law,
and claimino; their rvj^lits in opposition to the same,
they, confiding" that William would perfect their
deliverance which he had begun, and maintain
for them the enjoyment of their said rights, and
preserve them from all other attempts upon their
religion, laws, and liberties, they declared him
and Mary, his spouse, their King and Queen; and
assigned the crown to the longest liver of them,
and to the heirs of her body ; which failing, to the
Princess Ann of Denmark, and the heirs of herbody;
which failing, to the heirs of the body of said Wil-
liam, King of England. And they required, that
instead of all the oaths, declarations, and tests, re-
quired by the preceding persecuting Parliaments,
no more than a simple oath of allegiance be re-
quired of persons in places of power and trust.
They appointed the coronation oath of 1567, but
not that of 1651, to be administered to the King
and Queen, at their acce^.tance of the crown.
They formed articles of grievances to be redress-
ed by the Parliament; appointed a new military
oath; issued forth proclamations against Papists,
who had lately swarmed in the nation, and for
securing suspected persons — and for a public
thank.szlvifii^ to God for his merciful deliverance
of the nation.
The Parliament meeting on June 5th, 1689,
without any bishops, declared their meeting of
noblemen, barons, and burghs, to be a lawful and
free Parliament, which none might disown or im-
pugn under pain of treason. I'hey acknowledg-
ed William and IMary king and queen of Scot-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 377
land, and declared it high treason to disown or
impugn the same ; appointed the new oath of al-
legiance to them, to be sworn by all in public
trust ; and rescinded all preceding laws and acts
of Parliament, in so far as they imposed any other
oaths of allegiance, supremacy, declarations, and
test, except the oath of fidelity in administering
particular offices. They abolished Prelacy as a
great and insupportable grievance to the nation,
and contrary to the inclinations of the generality
of the people, ever since the Reformation.
In their second session, April, 1690, they rescind-
ed the act of 1 66-9, which established the king's
unlimited supremacy over the church ; they re-
stored the ministers that were thrust from their
charges since 1660, to them. They ratified the
Westminster Confession of Faith, engrossing it in-
to their act, as the public confession of the Scotch
church, and restored Presbyterian government as
agreeable to the word of God, and most condu-
cive to the advancement of true godliness, as
it was settled in Act 114^ of the Parliament
1592; reviving said act, in all its heads and
clauses, except that part of it which relates to
patronage, which they afterward rescinded ; and
placed the power of electing ministers in Protes-
tant heritors and ruling elders, leaving to the
congregation to give their consent or their dis-
sent, supported by reasons to be judged by the
Presbytery. They lodged all the power of church
government in the restored Presbyterian minis-
ters, and ministers or elders admitted by them,
and allowed them to try and purge out all insuf-
ficient, negligent, and erroneous ministers, and
appointed their first General Assembly to meet
at Edinburgh on the third day of October next.
3 c
878 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THft
They prohibited the vacation of the courts of jus-
tice at Christmas. They rescinded all the laws
which required the subjects to defame or renounce
the covenants, or which required conformity to
Prelacy, or required them to take any oaths,
bonds, declarations, or tests, imposed in or after
1661, or exposed them to any penalty for defend-
ing the covenants, hearing Presbyterian ministers
in fields or houses, — or refusing said oaths and
declarations ; — and all acts enjoining the anni-
versary thanksgiving for Charles's restoration on
the 29th of i\Iay ; and all acts enjoining civil
pains upon sentences of excommunication ; and
all acts asserting the unlimited power of the
king ; and all acts of forfeiture on account of
non-conformity to Prelacy and the persecuting
measures of these times.
After the General Assembly had sat down in
October 1690, and observed the first day of their
meeting in solemn fasting and humiliation, and
had returned an answer to his jNIajesty's letter,
in which they assure him, that the re-establishment
of Presbytery which they enjoyed, was not more
agreeable to the inclinations of all his best subjects
within this kingdom, than it was acceptable to
God, — Messrs. Linning, minister, and Shields and
Boyd, preachers among the correspondent socie-
ties, in the south-west, presented two papers to
the Assembly. In the larger one, after profes-
sions of thanksgiving to God, That tyranny had
been repressed, Popery suppressed, and Prelacy
depressed, — the doctrine of this church asserted,
and the Confession of faith formerly received,
approved, and established by the Parliament, —
the worship and ordinances of Christ adminis-
tered in great purity, — the government appoint-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 379
ed by him restored to what it was in 1592, — the
discipline so retrieved, that all ecclesiastical courts
may, without restraint, assert all the authority,
and exercise all the power, with which he hath
entrusted them, — Erastian usurpations are abro-
gated,— the church's intrinsic power redintegrat-
ed, and the corruptions introduced by compli-
ances so far abdicated, that they are not in the
constitution of the church, and do not continue
to be the scandal and snare of the times ; and
lamenting. That in zeal to purge out corruptions,
— in acknowledging all former attainments in re-
formation,— in renovation of our solemn cove-
nants with God,-- and in faithful testifying against
all corruptions of great or small, — the glory of
the church appeared much inferior to what it
had been in former times ; — they therefore be-
seech the Assembly, that in order to a happy and
desirable communion of all the friends of a cove-
nanted work of reformation, — the several steps of
defection in the preceding period be diligently in-
quired into, confessed and condemned ; particu-
larly ministers laying aside the exercise of their
ministry at the command of the magistrate, —
giving way to, not testifying against, but even
submitting to, and encouraging others to submit
to the ministry of the curates, who were mani-
fest intruders, — Erastians both in principle and
practice, — schismatics, who caused divisions and
oflences contrary to the received doctrine and
order of this church, — perjured covenant break-
ers,— in several points erroneous, — and in several
respects scandalous; and while the hearing of and
submittitig to them was rc(iuiroil as an evidence
of hearty compliance with Erastianism and Pre-
lacy, and of yielding to the rescinding of our to-
380 ^ COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THB
venants, — and ^avc ofTence, hardening those that
complied with Prelacy, and weakening the hands
and condemning; the sufferings of such as opposed
it, — and amounting to a preferring of them to
the faithful ministers of the true church of Scot-
land, as the case was circumstantiated. 2. The
horrid violations of our solemn covenants with
God ; and substituting in their rooms, such oathsy
bonds, and tests, as solemnly renounced them,
and obliged to contrary courses, — all which in-
ferred or implied a sinful confederacy with the
wicked managers in promoting a course of apos-
tacy from God, — were, in the sense of the im-
posers, condemnatory of, or contradictory to the
covenants, and some part of the covenanted re-
formation,— were imposed by the malignants
without consent of the church, and could not be
sworn in truth, judgment and righteousness. 3.
What injuries had been done to Christ's incom-
niunicable headship over his church by the king's
usurped supremacy, and what proceeded there-
from ; particularly the indulgences, the plain end
of contriving and granting which was to advance
and establish the supremacy, and divide Presby-
terians among themselves ; and the granting of
which included an exertion of the whole power
of the supremacy, in taking away and restoring
at pleasure the power of Christ's stewards ; and
the acceptance of which was considered by the
granter, as implying a submission to all the
sinful restrictions contained in his grant, —
and was a faint yielding to prevailing Eras-
tianism, and defection from former ministerial
freedom and faithfulness ; and thus hardened
Erastian enemies, stumbled real friends, and
oifended posterity. \. The late toleration,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 381
^nd addressing for it, and acceptance of it, which
plainly proceeded from an usurped absolute jiower,
and was intended for the introduction of Popery
and slavery ; — was extended not only to Prelacy,
but to Popery, Quakerism, and all idolatry, blas-
phemy, and heresy, contrary to the word of God,
our confession and covenants ; — was clogged
with such limitations as exceedingly hampered
the freedom of the ministry ; — and was exceed-
ingly scandalous, disgraceful to the Protestant
religion, as if it were only to be suffered as an evil
thing ; confounding and grieving to our true
friends ; and occasioned disdainful insulting of
Prelatists and Papists over Presbyterians and co-
venanters. 5. General want of zeal and faith-
fulness in renewing our covenants with God,
notwithstanding they have been so fearfully bro-
ken and affronted. 6. Too general silence, or
only ambiguous speaking against the crying sins
of the preceding period, which cannot be contro-
verted among Presbyterians, as imposing and
taking bonds contrary to the covenants and work
of reformation, in order to shift persecution, or to
purchase preferments ; — manifold forms of perse-
cution, and even shedding of the blood of multi-
tudes for righteousness' sake. 7. That many who
had sworn the wicked oaths, and sundry ways
persecuted the godly, were admitted to scaling
ordinances ; and that many, who had iiabitually
complied with prelacy, and borne oflice under it,
and had taken the above-mentioned oaths and
bonds, were admitted to be ruling elders; and
some who had been trained uj) to be curates ad-
mitted to the ministry, without any proper evi-
dence of their repentance. — And though they
did not plead, That every one of these oll'enccs,
382 A COMPRNDIOUS HISTORY OP THB
or every dee^ree of any, should be proceeded
against by disciplinary censure ; yet they pled.
That as the Convention and Parliament had
found prelacy, supremacy, and the like, contrary
to the laws of the land, the vVssembly would find
these, and the fruits thereof, contrary to the laws
of Christ, and state them as causes of a solemn
general fast ; — that proper methods be taken for
renewing our covenants in a manner accommo-
dated to their circumstances, — none being forced
to swear or subscribe, or so much as admitted,
unless they appear to have a competent know-
ledge and sense of the sins acknowledged, and
duties engaged to therein ; and that, in answer-
ableness to the allowance of Parliament, due
care be taken to purge out all curates that are
either insvfficicnt, negligent, erroneous, or scanda-
Imis, as the continuance of such had done much
hurt after 1638 ; — the people are perishing in ig-
norance and irreligion under their ministry, and
their continuance will exceedingly obstruct the
planting of the Lord's vineyard with faithful pas-
tors.— This large paper was given into the com-
mittee of overtures, and read by them ; but,
in their report of the impropriety of reading it,
it was carried by one vote in the Assembly, that
it should not be read there. Tiie printed act of
Assembly says, that the committee of overtures
represented, that though tiiis paper contained
several good things in it, yet it also contained
several peremptory and gross mistakes, unseason-
able and impracticable proposals, and uncharita-
ble and injurious reflections, tending rather to
kindh^ contention than to comj)ose divisions.
But IMr. l.inning, in his picface to Shields on
Church coniiHunion, strongly avers that these
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 383
words were not in the original minutes, but af-
terwards fraudulently foisted in by the clerk, and
the correctors of that act for the press.
In their short paper, they do little more than
intimate. That, after laying their larger paper at
the feet of the Assembly, to be disposed of as
they should judge proper, they declared their sub-
jection of themselves and doctrine to the judica-
tories, and promised to live in union and commu-
nion with, and subjection and due obedience to,
the authority of this church. This the Assem-
bly accepted of, and received them into church
fellowship with them. The societies with which
Messrs. Linning, Shields, and Boyd were con-
nected, likewise gave into the committee of over-
tures a pretty large representation of their grie-
vances, the substance of which was much the
same as that of their preachers. It was ordered
to be put into the hands of those that were to
draw up the Causes of the general Jast, that they
might make a proper use of it. Notwithstand-
ing they were not satisfied, many, if not most of
these societies, especially where they had more
godly and faithful ministers in their parishes^
joined in the establishment, giving in testimonies
against what they took to be wrong, to tlie mi-
nisters or sessions, at their junction.
This Assembly ordered Presbyteries to censure
the late incumbents, or others who should not
observe the fasts and thanksgivings appointed by
the church, or should privately administer the sa-
craments, celebrate clandestine marriages with-
out due proclamation of banns, or be guilty of
any other irregular carriage. Tiiey appointed,
that all probationers licensed to preach, all en-
trants into the ministry, and all oilier ministers
381 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THB
and elders received into a share of the church go-
vernment, should subscribe their approbation of
the Westminster Confession of Faith ; that notice
be taken what Papists are in their bounds, and
how their children are educated, and pains be taken
to reclaim them ; that all celebration of marriage
without due proclamation of banns, on three se-
veral Sabbaths, in the respective parishes, be dis-
cliarged, and the contra veners censured ; that
kirk sessions take care to execute the acts of for-
mer General Assemblies against profanation of
the Lord's day by unnecessary sailing, travel-
ling, <^c. and that application be made to Parlia-
ment for altering all the markets which are on
Saturdays and Mondays; they allowed two or
more Presbyteries to associate together till the
vacancies be filled; they prohibited ministers who
had charges to remove out of the kingdom, with-
out consent of their respective judicatories ; they
prohibited all private administration of baptism
and the Lord's Supper, as contrary to their end
of solemn communion with the church, and as
tending to nourish the Popish notion of their be-
ing absolutely necessary means of salvation ; they
approved methods of erecting schools in the High-
lands, and of spreading the Gaelic Bibles, New
Testaments, Psalm books, and Catechisms, for
which some English had so liberally contributed ;
they declared null all the censures which the re-
solutioncrs or protestors had passed upon one ano-
ther; they, agreeably to their letter to the King,
and to tlieir declaration by their moderator, that
they would de[^ose no incumbents simply for their
judgment concerning the government of this
church, nur urge re-ordination upon them — ap-
pointed their commission for the north of Tay,
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 38.'5
to pnr^e out all wlio, upon due trial, should he
found insufficient, ncp;ligcnf, scandalous, or errone-
ous ; — to take care that none should be admitted
by t!iem to ministerial communion, or a share of
church i^overnment, but such as are found to be
orthodox in their doctrine, of com|)etent al)ilities,
of a pious, loyal, and peaceable conversation, and
of an edifyino- gift, and who may be expected to
be true and iaithful to God and the government,
and diligent in their ministerial vvork; and to ])ro-
ceed very cautiously in receiving information and
inflicting censures on the late conformists, that
none may have ground to complain.
No part of their work required more candour
and faithfulness than their act for a general
fast, and nowhere were they more deficient.
They indeed assign as grounds of humiliation,
that the nation had dealt treacherously with God,
and been unstedfast in his covenant ; — the inte-
rests of Christ, and privileges of his church, had
1)een sacrificed to the lusts of men ; the King's su-
premacy over the church advanced in surh a way,
and to such an height, as no Christian church had
ever acknowledged; the government of the church
altered, and Prelacy, which hath been alwaj-s
grievous to this nation, introduced, and many of
the then standing ministry of Scotland had sud-
denly and readily complied with it ; many faith-
ful ministers had thereupon been cast out, and
insufficient and scandalous men intruded on their
charges; and many families ruined, because they
would not own them as their pastors; ungodly,
unlawful oaths and bonds had been imposed and
taken, and many ruined and oppressed for not
3 u
386 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
taking them ; iniquity had been established by
law, and uniii^htoous statutes had been made
and executed ; and many had been cruelly per-
secuted f ( r their conscience towards God ; there
had been too i^eneral fainting, ministers not giv-
ing seasonable and necessary testimony against
the dtfectitius of the times ; tiie abomination of
the mass liad been set up in many places, and
Pof)ish schools erected, and severals fallen into
idolatry ; — dreadful impiety, profaneness, athe-
ism, profanation of God's name by ignorant swear-
ing and breaking of oaths, neglect of God's wor-
shi[*, profanation of the Sabbath, violence and
shedding of innocent blood, shameful sensuality,
mutual divisions and heats, and reproaches among
the friends of truth, &c. had greatly abounded.
Jr gave no small offence to many of the most se-
rious, that in these causes of fasting, the mini-
sters had shewed such aversion to mention their
own sins, particularly respecting the indulgences
and toleration above mentioned ; that they had
not more plainly represented all these evils as
highly aggravated, being at once contrary to the
word of God, and to the so often repeated co-
venants of the nation with him ; that the seve-
ral horrid abominations of the preceding period
were n(jl more particularly, and much more
plainly and strikingly inentioned.
King Vv'illinm hnd !)een bred up in Erastian no-
tiou'i of magist; a' os' power over the church, and
perhaps also in the pohtit al maxim, that no par-
ti* uiar form f»f church '^ov( rnment \<, founded in
the w.^rd of God, but Trcsl^yteiy. Prelacy, or In-
dependency, beome most o^rccahle to it, as they
best suit tiie inclinations ur circumstances of ra-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 387
tions concerned. The sentiments of most of liis
courtiors v\ere much the same. jMany pt^rsMjis
of rank were so concerned about their own tnn-
poral deliveranc>^, and gtttin<^ hack thrir foriVit-
ed estates, that they much overlooked the spirit-
ual interests of the church. Not a ievv of ihe
ministers wanted proper zeal, and others were
loth to break with them. Wearied of their loni^
and dreadful persecution, which had murdered or
rendered outwardly miserable about ei^ht<'en or
twenty thousand in Scotland, and sixty thousand
in England, the Presbyterians were generally
willing to take up with less than they wished,
rather than to provoke William and the great
ones to frown upon them, and disturb their quiet.
Hence the reformation which took place between
16:68 and 1650 was wilfully overlooked, and the
wicked acts of Charles's first Parliament, in so far
as they buried it, or the Parliaments which es-
tablished it, left unrescinded. The Parliament
laid aside a draught of an act, which but debar-
red such as had been active in the persecuting
work from places of power and trust. As the
state did not rescind all the laws in favours of
Erastianism, or against our covenants, the church
did not so plainly assert the sole headship of Christ
over his church, and her intrinsic power to ma-
nage all her spiritual concerns independent of
the magistrate, nor the divine right of Presbyte-
rian government, nor the j)erpetual obligation of
our solemn covenants, as the opposition thereto
in the preceding period called for: nor were .ei-
ther church or state much inclined to put their
necks afresh under this yoke of God.
38^ A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
No doubt, encouraged by his courtiers, King
"William laljomcd to render the Presbyterians
and tlieir judicatories as dependent on the civil
authority as he could. By keeping the curates
in their churches, aUowing thcni their stipends,
and evtn procuring for many, perhaps some hun-
dreds of tliem, an easy access to the established
church, he laboured to promote his own carnal
interests. By two letters to their Commission,
and another to the Assemhli/, 1692, he strongly
urged Presbyterian ministers to proceed further
in assuming these Episcopalian curates into a
share of the established church government.
And, because the Assembly did not seem so for-
ward in this matter as he wished, the Earl of Lo-
thian, his commissioner, dissolved their meeting
without naming any future diet. I\Ir. Crighton,
their moderator, remonstrated against this disso-
lution, and in their name boldly declared. That
the ojjicc -hearers in the house of God have a spiritual
1 N T u I N s i c poiverjrorn Jesus Christ, the only h k ad
of his church, to meet in Assemblies about the affairs
thereof the necessity of the same being represenled to
the magistrate; and craved, that the dissolution of
this Assembly without indicting a new one to a
certain day, might not be to the prejudice of our
yearly (ieneral Assemblies, granted us by the laws
of the kingdom — and named the 2d of August
next year for the diet of their next meeting.
To th's remonstrance ail the members declared
their adherence. This free, faithful, and open
testi'uony for the sole headship of Christ and in-
trinsic power of his church, much gladdened the
heaiis of the godly, who were grieved for the
neutrality and indiflerence about the cause of
Ciirist whieh then prevailed. But some ministers,
aHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 389
addicted to the court, clandestinely apoloq;ized
for this honest dealini^ to his IMajesty, as if it
had been improper ; nor did any of them hold
their appointed meetine^ of Assembly next year.
Not only did Kine: William, five or six times
in his reign, adjourn the meeting' of the (General
Assembly, and was too readily obeyed, but the
Parliament .1698, by their Gth act, appointed the
new oath of allegiance, together with an assurance,
sincerely acknowledging William and P.Iary the
only lawful and undoubted Sovereigns of this
realm by right, as well as hy possession, and faith-
fully engaging to maintain their title and govern-
ment against the late King James, and all his
adherents, and all others — to be taken not only
by all noblemen, and all civil and military of-
ficers, but also by all ministers of the gospel,
clerks of church judicatories, precentors, and vo-
ters in the election of ministers, under pain of
their being deprived of their offices and salaries,
or banished, or otherwise punished, as the privy
council should judge proper. By their 2Sd act,
for settling the quiet and peace of the church, after
a solemn and perpetual confirmation of act 5th,
l(J90, ratifying the Confession of Faith and Ca-
techisms, Presbyterian government, in all the
heads, articles, and clauses thereof, they further
enacted. That none, who had not first taken and
subscribed the oath of allegiance, and subscribed
i\\e assurajice, and also subscribed the Confession
of Faith, as the confession of his faith, and acknow-
ledged Presbyterian government, as now settled,
to be the only government of this church, and
promised to submit thereto, and concur therewith,
and never endeavour, directly ur indirectly, the
prejudice or subversion thereof — be admitted, or
1
390 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
hereaft<*r roiiliniiod, n minister or preacher with-
in this rhun |» ; jjui ihat all the curates who
had not yet been assumeii by the Presbyterian
courts, shonld, \\ithiii thirty days, offer them-
selves for admission on the above terms; that if
they did so, th' y should have their Majesties' pro-
teiHion, unless ti)ey ^hould, v iihin thirty days
after their said application, be proved sianda'oiiSy
errnncovs, ncghgnity or insufficient : And farther
ordait.eJ, 'J'hat the j^rivy council, and all other
inat;istrati s, judges, and officers of justice, give
all due a distance in rendering the sentences of
churrl: juilicatories effectual. By their 27th act,
169.5, tiie Pr.rliament again required all ndnisters,
Preobyterian and Kpi^copalian, who had not ta-
ken the above-mentioned engagements to the go-
vernm( nt, to qualify themselves without delay,
under pain ol deprivation from both (ffice and be-
nejfic. The Parliament of 1693, appointing a
monthly fast on account of the war with France,
and other groimds, had been less disliked by ma-
ny, had n(it one publicly declared end of that war
been to cause Lewis XIV". of France make ?T/5rt-
rafion to the holy See of Rovie for whatsoever he
had acted against it, and make void all the in-
famous proceedings of the Parliament of Paris
against the holy father Pope Innocent XI.
The bulk of the Presbyterian ministers did
what they could to comply with his Majesty's
pleasure, 'i hey pretended, that the oath of al-
legiance and the assurance were imposed on them
as subjects, atid not as a condition of, or quali-
fication for their holding or exercising their of-
fice. Hut the words of the act inijiosing them,
and especially the exclusion of Mr. James Hogg
from sitting in the Assembly 1695, by the King's
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 391
commissioner and advocate, on account of his
want of that legal qualification, plainly manifest-
ed the contrary. These ministers not only frown-
ed on, reproached, and harassed Mr. Hoi^g, and
others no less loyal than themselves, because they
looked on the imposition of said oath and assu-
rance as a political snare, disgracing' their office,
and making them liable, on every change of civil
government, solemnly to acknowledge the rights
of the present governors; and as an Erastian ad-
dition to the ministerial qualifications prescrib-
ed by Jesus Christ. Several i)rocesses were at
once commenced against the eminently pious and
useful Mr. John Hepburn of Orr, in Galloway,
on account of his open and perhaps sometimes
imprudent testimonies against the taking of that
oath, and other defects of the revolution cluuch,
and his preaching and baptizing within the bounds
of some of his laxer brethren. After suspend-
ing him from the exercise of his ministry, they
stirred up the magistrates to punish him with a
long imprisonment at Edinburgh. lie at length
submitted, and was restored to the exercise of
his office ; but, returning to his reprehended
conduct, he was deposed in 170.5, as one that ob-
stinately continued in erroneous opinions and
schismatical courses. In J 694, the Assembly
agreed on a fokiMula for the reception of the cu-
rates, in which, answerably to the conin^and of
the Parliament a!)ove-mentione(l, tliey should de-
clare their belief of the whole doctrines contain-
ed in the Co'Jcssion of Failhy and cngagr *'(m-
stantly to maiiitain them, and should acknow-
ledge Presbyterian government now sctt'td bv
law, to be the only government ol" tliis < liurcli,
(N, B. not the only government prescribed bv
392 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF TIIR
Christ in his word) ami cnj;aged to submit to
and concur with it, and to ohsei-ve an unifonnitj
of pul)lic worship, as at present performed and
allowed in this church.
Meanwhile the Parliament made sundry .good
acts for confirming the laws in favours of the
Confession of Faith and Presbyterian church g"0-
vernment ; and for restraining blasphemy, pro-
faneness, clandestine and irregular marriages,
spread of Popery, and holding of weekly markets
on Saturdays and Mondays, in towns ; — and for
settlement of schools and encouragement of
preachers, particularly in the North, &c. ; — and
a[)plication of vacant stipends to promote such
purposes. The Assembly fixed the proportion of
commissioners to its meetings, viz. two ministers
and one ruling elder, from Presbyteries of not
above twelve ministers; three ministers and one
elder from Presbyteries of not above eighteen mi-
nisters; four ministers and two elders from Pres-
byteries of not above twenty-four ministers, and
so proportionally in larger Presbyteries; and that
none should be admitted members but ministers
and ruling elders. Finding that the Assembly
of lG42's burdening their allowance of transpor-
tation, in some cases — with burghs maintaining
of students of divinity at the universities, in order
to prevent the need of it, as much as possible, and
that the Commission of 1650's lamenting over
the sinfulness of fretpient transportations, even
to eminent charges, had not effectually restrain-
ed vacancies from troubling their neighbours and
judicatories with attempts to procure ministers,
probationers being scarce, from other congregr.-
lions, they, by act (Hh, 161)1', recommended to
all vacant congregations, not to call any settled
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. S93
minister from any other congregation, till they
had first seriously, but without success, endea-
voured to be supplied with a free object. And,
for preventing transportation, they afterwa d,
in their Large Overtures concerning discipline
and government, declare the power of supply-
ing vacancies to belong only to their own Pres-
bytery, and that no minister of another Pres-
bytery ought so much as occasionally to preich
in them, l)ut with advice of the neighbour-
ing ministers, and the hannonious consent ol
the elders ; — and that Presbyteries should la-
bour bij all means to p?'evcnt transportaiion of
ministers who are already usefully settled; as
transportation is often a great grievance, and is
seldom to be practised. They appointed every
minister to lecture a considerable portion of scrip-
ture, according to the Westminster director ij for
public worship ; that candidates for preaching the
gospel be sufficiently known to be of a sober,
grave, prudent, and pious behaviour, and like to
be useful and edifying in the church, and be duly
attested in order to licence, or when removing
from one Presbytery to another; and that no mi-
nister employ any in his own pulpit, but with
the consent of the Presbytery ; that great cau-
tion be used, both in admitting and censuring of
curates ; that no minister be hastily censured
for not qualifying himself according to the civil
law ; that, in order to restrain the abounding j)ro-
faneness, ministers preach plainly and laitiifully
against it, judicatories impartially exercise dis-
cipline against offenders — proper testimonials be
recjuired on a person's removal fjom one place to
another — ministers and elders take care th.it tin*
worship of (iod be daily performed in families —
SOif A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
none be ruling elders who do not make conscience
of this necessary duty — none grossly ignorant or
scandalous be admitted to the Lord's Table —
and ministers and sessions apply to magistrates
for execution of the acts of Parliament against
profaneness. They further appointed, that preach-
ers in vacant congregations, particularly in the
North, should have a proper allowance out of the
vacant stipends ; that all intrusions of curates or
others into vacant congregations should be care-
fully prevented ; that Presbyteries carefully
maintain exercises and additions, by members at
their meetings — have frequent privy censures —
and maintain bursars of divinity at colleges; that
the Irish or Gaelic Psalms and Catechisms be
used where that, and not the English language,
is understood ; and that no preacher who un-
derstands the Irish language be settled in the
low country.
The Assembly 1695 prescribed forms of com-
missions for members sent to their meetings; es-
tablished directions how to deal with trafficking
Papists and Quakers — and for transmitting pro-
posals of new acts concerning doctrine, worship,
discipline, or government to Presbyteries, to be
maturely considered by them, before they be en-
acted by the Assembly as binding rules. They
appointed forty-four ministers to go and preach
in the North, one-half of which, in the present
necessity, might be transported thither, if they
got calls; that in Presbyteries where two-thirds
of the congregations were settled, one- fourth part
of the ministers should go north and one-eighth
part be transported; that, in order to content the
deprived parishes, their next minister shouhl be
declared iiitransportable, without their cunscntj
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 395
unless he had insupportable grievances ; — tliat
ministers should preach catechetical doctrine ;
that no ministers, sessions, elders, Presbyteries, or
synods, should give recommendations for charity
without their own bounds ; that ministers labour
to their utmost to restrain the spread of deisti-
cal opinions, or any other errors contrary to the
Conjession of Faith; that great care be taken
that none be licensed to preach the gospel, or or-
dained to the ministry, but on proper trial of their
abilities, piety, and good behaviour — particularly
of their knowledge of the Scriptures in their ori-
ginal languages, if not also in the Syriac and
Chaldaic, and of the principal controversies re-
specting doctrine, worship, discipline, and go-
vernment ; that synods and Presbyteries take
care to prevent the commission of irregularities
by vagrant ministers ; and that ministers be very
cautious in recommending persons to public of-
fices in the church without consulting the Pres-
byteries concerned.
In 1697 the Assembly appointed that a roll of
probationers and of students of divinity, who do.
not attend the professors that teach it, be yearly
presented to the Assembly, read before it, and
registered in the minutes of it ; — that the large
overtures concerning the discipline and method of
proceeding in ecclesiastical judicatories should be
transmitted as overtures from private hands to
the several Presbyteries, that they may send their
observations on them to the Commission, which
is to prepare them for the consideration of the
Assembly ; that ruling elders and deacons, who
neglect the daily worship of God in their fami-
lies, be seriously admonished or rebuked, and
be removed from their office, if they continue ia
39G A COMPENDIOUS HISTOHY OF THR
that sin ; and that this act, together with that
of 1694*, against profaneness, be read from tlie
pulpit, in every congregation yearly, on the first
Sabbath of INIay ; that ministers punctually ful-
fil their appointments to preach in vacant con-
gregations ; that no novations in doctrine, disci-
pline, worship or government, be enacted by the
Assembly, till the matter have been maturely
considered by Presbyteries; that commissioners
to the Assembly duly attend the several meet-
ings of it; that ministers, sessions, and Presbyte-
ries, exert themselves for restraining the abound-
ing of swearing, cursing, Sabbath-breaking, pro-
fane withdrawment from and contempt of gos-
pel ordinances, or mocking at religion and the
exercises of it, together with fornication, adul-
tery, drunkenness, tippling, deism, blasphemy,.
and other abominable sins — and deal with magis-
trates, faithfully to execute the laws against
such vices ; and that this act be every year read
from every pulpit at Whitsunday and JMartinmas.
They also laboured to supply the army with
preachers, and the North with ministers, cate-
chists, and schoolmasters ; and recommended to
Presbyteries to be very cautious in either cen-
suring or admitting the still outstanding curates.
Finding that former appointments of ministers
to preach or be settled in the North, had exceed-
ingly failed, the Assembly 1698 formed a num-
ber of overtures for the supply of that poor, des-
titute and ignorant country, and appointed twe?ifi/
])robationers to go and preach in it. They ap-
pointed the above-mentioned lar^c overtures to be
further considered by Presbyteries ; and after-
wards framed others for the repression of pro-
faneness — checking the spread of Popery, and
3
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 397
preventing marriage without proclamation of
banns for three several Sabbaths. Not a few
serious people, especially in the south and west,
still scrupling" to join the established church, r)n
account of her original defects and superadded
blemishes, the commission published their ^ea^o/z-
ahle admonition, in which they very plainly as-
serted the sole headship of Christ over his church,
her intrinsic power derived from him, and the di-
vine right of Presbyterian chnrcli government, and
laboured to shew that the church was in such a
state of purity that she may be safely joined
with, and could not, without sin and danger, be
deserted.
The Assembly 1G99 chiefly occuj)ied them-
selves in forming acts and overtures against pro-
faneness and Popery, and for the spread of Chris-
tian knowledge in the North, and for that end
planting schools and ministers there, — and for
causing all ministers, probationers, and school-
masters, subscribe the Confession of Faith. They
also transmitted to Presbyteries several overtures
concerning the revisal of the registers of judica-
tories,— school-masters' diligence in teaching the
principles of the Protestant religion, — and con-
cerning witchcraft, — obstinacy in scandal, — Pa-
pists' renunciation of their delusions, — and con-
cerninc: the makina" and observation of acts of
Assembly. The Assembly 1700 did little more
than form the last mentioned overtures into acts,
and make further provision of ministers for the
North. 'I'he Assembly ] 701, moreover, condemn-
ed an Apology for J\I. Antonia Bourignion, wiiieh
denied (4od's permission of sin, or infliction of
punishment for it, — ascribed to ('hrist two hu-
man natures, one formetl from Adam belore tiie
398 A COMPKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
creation of Eve, and another born of the Virgui
]\Iary ; — denied God*s decrees of election and re-
probation as wicked, cruel, and partial ; — denied
his foreknowledge of futurities ; — and maintain-
ed, That all men have a i^ood and an evil spirit
in them before their birth ; — that man's will is
unlimited, and he must have some infinite (piali-
ty, by which he may unite with God ; — that
Christ's human nature had sinful corruption in
it, and his will had in it rebellion ac^ainst the will
of God ; — that men may be perfect in this life, or
purified from sin in the next ; — that natural gene-
ration takes place in heaven ; — that there are now
no true Christians in this world, (S^c. The curates
having so terribly neglected the administration
of the Lord's Supper, that in all the bishopric of
Argyle, it was dispensed but twelve times in
twenty-eight years, the Presbyterian ministers
had no small difi[iculty to render it as frequent as
they wished. This Assembly recommended the
more frequent administration of it, and that the
number of ministers assisting at it should be
lessened. They revived the acts of 1615 and
1G49, against Lykwakes, abuses at penny- wed-
dings, and promiscuous dancings. They trans-
mitted to Presbyteries some overtures concern-
ing scandalous i)ersons turning Papists, in order
to escape discipline, — Protestants marrying Pa-
pists,— intimations of excommunication through
the whole Presbytery, or in case of obstinacy,
through every kirk in the nation, — or irregular
absolution from censure by curates or others ;
and concerning the strict trial of candidates for
the ministry, — and the calling of Presbyteries to
account for their diligence in the restraining of
profaneness.
CHURCH OF SCOTI,ANn. 399
King William dying just after the Assembly
1702 had convened, they did nothing that needs
to be here recorded. Queen Anne having suc-
ceeded him, several Synods, dreading her un-
friendly disposition, thought proper to form acts
expressly asserting Christ's sole headship over his
church, her intrinsic poiver, and the divine right of
Presbytery : and some of the more zealous minis-
ters thought to have pushed an act of that kind
in the Assembly 1703. But, to prevent it, the
liaughty Earl of Seafield, her commissioner, dis-
solved their meeting, when they had done little
more than to form some directions for planting
of ministers in the North, — and to draw up an
address to her majesty in favour of their Presby-
terian government, and representing the extra-
ordinary growth of Popery, the disorderly beha-
viour of the curates, and the abounding of im-
morality and profaneness ; — and had given some
recommendations for supplying and preserving
the registers belonging to the Assemblies, and
their committees and commissions, part of which
had been destroyed by the dreadful fire in 1701 ;
and concerning the Large Overtures of 1697. —
Many protestations from all corners of the house
were offered against this dissolution of their
meeting, and for the intrinsic power of the cliurch.
But Mr. Meldrum, the moderator, was so over-
whelmed with abuse by the commissioner, and
with confusion, that he concluded with prayei-,
before any thing could be regularly marked.
Ever since, I think, the General Assemblies have
been first dissolved by the moderator in the
name of Christ, and then by the coiinnisiionc!
}n the name of the sovereign.
400 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THIi
Probably to lull the Piesi)yterians asleep, one
act was niatle by Anne's Parliament, in 1702,
and another in 170.'3, ratifyin^^ all former laws in
favour ui' the Co/ifcssLun of Failh, and Preshijtc-
rian church govciiiment, partieularly the act /;th,
1G|)0. JNIany had fearful apprehensions of a de-
sign to have Prelacy tolerated, if not established
by the Parliament I7O0, but the Lord threw the
members into such heats and confusions, as issued
in declaring it treasonable to alter the govern-
ment of the church. Nevertheless, a treaty of an
incorporating union with England was almost
immediately after projected, and, notwithstand-
ing much opposition, carried on and concluded.
When it was laid before the Parliament in I70O,
and the majority of members appeared to favour
it, both ministers and people were exceedingly
concerned, and presented addresses against it.
The Commission of the General Assembly sat
during the whole session of Parliament, and was
uncommonly numerous. They first presented an
address for an unalterable establishment of their
religion, in the present and all succeeding gene-
rations, as far as human laws could go. ^Po sa-
tisfy them, the Parliament enajted. That the
perpetual establishment of the doctrine, worship,
discipline, and Presbyterian government of this
church, should be held as an unalterable, funda-
mental, and essential condition of the intended
union, if it should be concluded. Many thought
that this would be a better security for their re-
ligion than any act of the Scotch Parliament
alone. But the most part of the true Presbyte-
rians still continued averse to an incorporatinrr
vniou, or coining under the jurisdiition of a Bri-
tish Pailiament, in which the l^nglish Prclatists
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 4C)1
would be ten to one of the Scots. Notwith-
standing great opposition from noblenien and
gentlemen, who expected temporal advantages
by promoting the union, the Commission pre-
sented a second address, in which they represent-
ed the danger they would be in of oaths, tests,
and impositions inconsistent with their principles;
and that it was contrary to their principles and
covenants to approve of the civil power of bishops,
to twenty-six of whom the nation w ould be sub-
jected in the British Parliament. To this they
got no answer, but a clause inserted into the act
for securing the church, bearing, TJiat no oath,
test, or subscription, should ever be imposed within
the bounds of this church and kingdom, contrary to
our Presbyterian establishment; but leaving Scotch-
men liable to such impositions in any other part of
the British dominions. The Parliament there-
after declared, that the Parliament of England
might provide for the security o{ ihitix church with-
in that kingdom, as they shoidd think expedient.
By this, they, contrary to the word of God, and
our solemn covenants with him, particularly the
solemn league, consented to the securing of Pre-
lacy and the ceremonies in England, as an essen-
tial and fundamental condition of the union. The
Commission being informed of this, notwith-
standing great opposition, presented a third ad-
dress, craving. That there might be no such sti-
pulation or consent to the establishment of the
hierarchy and ceremonies in Englaml, as they
would not involve themselves and the nation
in guilt. But the expectation of .C40(),(X)0
Sterling, to balance the loss ofDarien to the
Spaniards, through the treachery of the English,
and the hopes of worldly advantages from the
3 r
402 A COMPENDIOL'S HISTORY OP THE
court, or in point of trade, made most of the
Parliamenters overlook every tiling relif^ioiis, —
so that the pcipetual estal)lishment of Episco-
pacy and the ceremonies in Eni^land, as well as of
Presbyterian [rovcrnment and the simplicity of s;os-
pel worship attending it in Scothind, were l)oth
fixed as fundamental and unalterable conditions
of the union ; and each nation, by a solemn deed
of their Parliament, guaranteed to the other an
establishment of religion not a little contrary to
their own.
Besides their labour in prosecuting and de-
posing INIr. John McMillan in 1703, who, besides
declaiming against the defects and blemishes of
the Revolution church, denied the authority of
the civil magistrates, because of their not taking
the covenants, and wanting other qualifications
required in Scripture, and by the laws between
1638 and 1650, — and of Mr. John Hepburn in
170.5, on account of his relapsing into his former
conduct, — the principal appointments of the As-
sembly in 1 70i are. That ministers should lecture
a considerable portion of scripture at a time ;
that none should be commissioners to the Assem-
blies but such as have subscribed the Confession
of Faith y and have relation to, and reside in, the
place from which they are sent ; that scandalous
persons, who turn Papists to escape censure, be
excommunicated; that excommunications be in-
timated in the bounds of Presbytery, Synod, or
through the whole kingdom, as may l)est corre-
spond witii the obstinacy of the scandalous per-
son; that candidates for licence and ordination
l)e very strictly tried, and that Synods take care
that it be so ; that Synods call Presbyteries to
account with respect to their diligence in the
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 403
restraining' of profaneness, and causing- tlic acts
made against it to be read from all their pulpits
twice every year ; that Synods and Presbyteries
carefully observe, that none be permitted to vent
any Arminian, Arian, or Socinian errors ; that
students who understand the Irish language, be
preferred to bursaries in colleges before any
others ; that Presbyteries earnestly travel in col-
lecting money from noblemen and others, in
order to raise a fund for the establishment of
schools in the Hi£chlands, and forminc: libraries
there; that proper means be concerted for print-
ing a new edition of the Irish or Gaelic Bible,
and for translating the Confession of Faith auA
Larger Catechism into that language, and for
rendering the Psalms and Shorter Catechism, al-
ready translated, more generally useful ; that care
be taken to repress Popery, and prevent Protes-
tants marrying with Papists; that an exact i^^or/;i
of Process be speedily and carefully drawn up, and
great pains used for recovering registers and
other papers belonging to the church ; that Pres-
byteries and ministers see to the erection of a
school in every parish, and that the youth be pro-
perly taught in schools as well as in colleges.
About this time, the Large Overtures were again
published in a more correct state. They con-
tained directions for the right constitution of
church JUDICATORIES in general, and respecting
their moderators, clerks, registers, proceedings,
behaviour of members in them, and conclusion of
their meetings, — and more particularly for the
constitution of kirk skssions, — election and or-
dination of elders and deacons, — marriage, — ad-
mission of infants to ba[)tism, — admission to, or
debaning from the Lord's tal)lc, — procedure with
401 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
drunkards, swearers, profaners of the Lord's day,
fornicators, adulterers, and other unclean per-
sons,— privy censures : — for the constitution of
Presbytekies, — licensing of preachers, planting
of vacant congregations, — ordination or trans-
portation of ministers, appeals and references
from sessions, censuring of gross scandals, from
which sessions do not absolve, — processes in or-
der to the greater excommunication, Presbyterial
exercises, — privy censures : for the constitu-
tion and opening of Synods, — procedure of their
committees, — procedure in processes, — privy cen-
sure of Presbyteries, — and conclusion of their
meetings : and for the constitution and open-
ing of General Assemblies, — procedure of their
several committees, — procedure in their own work,
— appointment and procedure of Commissions, —
and concluding their meetings. But the indo-
lence of Presbyteries, the restoration of patrona-
ges, and the embarrassment of the Assemblies
with other business, hindered the establishment
of many of these excellent directions from being
formed into standing rules. INfost of the acts
of the Assemblies 1705 and 1706 were little
more than enforcements of preceding ones rela-
tive to profaneness, S^c. — and for calling in the
assistance of magistrates to prevent abuses at
penny lueddings, and for recommending the late-
ly composed Scripture songs; for giving in of
Overtures and References to the Assemblies, and
the exact registering of the minutes of church
courts ; and for strict admission to the Lord's
Supper ; parochial visitations, — and ministerial
visitation of families. — The most important acts
of the Assembly 1707 are these, largely directing
how to prevent the increase of Popery, and es-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 40 >
tablishing' a most QXCQWeni FormoJ' Process, cliicf-
ly extracted from the Large Overtures.
While the perjury and other evils of the union
settlement more and more confirmed Messrs.
Hepburn and M'Millan in their former courses,
the established church, in her Assemjjly 1708,
established excellent rules for ministers' visita-
tion of families ; they formed new acts for pre-
venting the profanation of the Lord's day, and
other impieties ; they enjoined Presbyteries to
beware of rashly licensing or ordaining any can-
didates, whose qualifications were doulitful ; they
recommended their forming an Overture for pre-
venting competition of calls, or giving a second call
to any candidate before his former one was final-
ly discussed ; they empowered their Commission
finally to examine and establish the public use
of the scripture songs^ which had, for several years,
been under consideration. In 1709 they recom-
mended the utmost reverence in the public wor-
ship of God, and ordered a warning to that pur-
pose to be read from every pulpit ; they earnest-
ly called all under their inspection to concur in
promoting the erection of a Society for propaga-
ting Christian knowledge in the Highlands ix\u\ fo-
reign parts of the world, and required ministers
and elders to collect what they could from their
people, as a fund for supporting this excellent
design : They recommended to each Presbytery
to form a library for itself, out of the books sent
by friends from England, and such others as they
could obtain. They, as had been repeatedly
done beibre, retpiired Presbyteries carefully to
examine the Large Overtures^ that they m'ght
!iave them si)eedily established as a rttmphte di-
rectors lor their judicial prdcedurc. — The A>>em-
i()() A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Illy 1710 fornuHl sotnc new overtures for pre-
venting' the JiccMisini^ of too many, or unciualilied
preachers. They reipiired all general fasts, ap-
l)ointe(l by either church or state, for just and
necessary causes, to be duly observed. 1 hey ap-
pointed all ministers in whose bounds Bourignian
errors are spreading, to preach particularly and
faithfully against them; and all Presbyteries in
whose bounds they are vented, carefully to cause
all schoolmasters, teachers, chaplains, and gover-
nors of youth to subscribe the Conjessioii of Falih
as the confession of their faith ; and that no heri-
tors or heads of families retain in such stations
any that refuse their subscription : that Presby-
teries transmit to the Commission an exact and
full account of the principal propagators of these
errors, and the professors of divinity publish a
full collection and nervous confutation of them.
Tiiey formed directions for disposing of bursaries
in colleges to students, especially such as had
the Irish language. In answer to a representa-
tion of the society for propagating Christian
Knowledge, they appointed all those who had not
made the above recommended collections, to do
it without further delay, and enjoined Synods to
point out to the Society what places had most
need of schools and catechists. Almost every
Assembly, for a considerable number of years, is-
sued recommendations for the assistance of that
useful Society, with collections of money or
otherwise. 'Hie Assembly I7II recommended
to Presbyteries to have the Lord's Supper so ad-
ministered in their bounds, that people might
liav(! access to it every month of the year. Tliey
earnestly enjoined Presbyteries to labour, to their
ulmobl, to have the wor^hip of God set up, and
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 407
daily performed, in all the parts of it, in every
family in their bounds. They formed a new act
for the cautious and careful procedure of Preshv-
teries in trying, licensing", and ordaining candi-
dates for the ministry ; and eslahlished a For-
mula of questions and engagements for them at
licence and ordination, in which they solemnly
declare, That they believe the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament to be the word of God,
and only rule of faith and manners; that they
sincerely own and believe the wholk doctrine?
contained in the Conjl'ssion of FaiOi, and ^\ ill, to
the utmost of their power, constantly maintain
the same, along with the purity of worship i)re-
sently practised in this church, — and disown all
Popish, Arian, Socinian, Arminian, Bourignian,
and other doctrines, tenets, or opinions whatso-
ever, inconsistent with, or contrary to said Con-
fession of Faith; — that they believe the Presbyte-
rian government and discipline of this church to
he founded on the u'ord of God, and will maintain,
sup})ort, and defend the same all the days of their
life ; — that they will meekly submit themselves
to their respective judicatories, and maintain the
unity and peace of the church, and follow no di-
visive course from her established doctrine, wor-
ship, discipline, and government ; — that zeal for
the honour of God, love to Jesus Christ, and de-
sire of saving souls, are their great motives and
chief inducements to enter into the holy minis-
try, and not any worldly designs or interest; —
that they have used no vndiir vwtJiod.s, either hy
iJwmselves or oiJiers, in procurnig their call ; that
in the strength of Christ they will live an holy
and circumspect life, and faithfully, diligent 1'
and checjlully discharge all the parts of tin- i
y,
lii-
408 A coMPKNnioi.'s history of the
nisterial work to the edification of the body of
Christ, i)articularly of the ])eople entrusted to
them. These, however little regarded by many,
still continue the ordination vows of all ministers
in the established church. This Assembly fur-
ther prohibited all students or preachers to offer
themselves to licence or ordination, unless they
carried sufficient testimonials from their profes-
sors, parishes, and Presbyteries ; and aj)pointed
their CommJssion to acquaint ministers in foreign
j)arts what testimonials they may safely receive
IVom candidates that offer themselves to licence
or ordination with them. As good order, as well
as the Large Overtures, required vacant congre-
gations to be supplied only by their own Presby-
tery, unless they be invited by the Presbytery in
whose bounds that vacancy lies, or at least some
neighbouring minister of it ; the Large Overtures
requires the invitation of neighbouring ministers,
and the harmonious consent of the elders of the
vacant parish.
During the preceding twenty-two years, the
]{cvolution church had continued in much the
same condition. The Lord had not a little coun-
tenanced her ministrations, especially by the
more faithful, for the instruction, conviction, con-
version, and edification of souls, which had been
left by the curates in a most ignorant or profli-
gate case. The clergy had somewhat rectified
several defects of their original erection with re-
spect to the asserting of Christ's sole headship over
tlie church, her intrinsic power, and the divine
right of Fresbijterian government. The modera-
tor of the Assembly 1692, with consent of the
members, boldly remonstrated to the king's com-
missioner, that the office-bearers in the house of
Ciod have a spirit ual Intrinsic power from .lesus
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 409
Christ the only hend of his church, to niert in
Assemblies about the affairs thereof M my |)ro-
testations of the same kind were made in the
Assembly 1703, when the Queen's commissioner
dissolved it. The Assembly 1701^ plainly tohl
her majesty, that they were now a^-ain met in a
national Assembly in the name of the Lord Je-
sus Christ. — and a])[)rovcd several Synod books,
which contained new acts assertini; Christ's sole
headship over his chnrcli, her intrinsic poxver^ and
the divine right of Presttytcrij. The Assembly
J 705, in their ,5Lh act, expressly assert tlu* Lord
Jesus Christ to be the alone king and head of his
church. The Asssembly 1707, in their llthact.
expressly declare, IViat our Lord Jesus Christ
hath instituted a government and governors ecclesi-
astir.al in his own house, with jjower to meet for the
order and government thereof. At the conclusion
of each Assembly, the moderator, before the
king's commissioner, publicly declares, that as
the Assembly met in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the only king and head of his church,
so they part in the same. — The Commission
1698, in their Seasonable AdmonitioHy pui)licly de-
clare. We do believe and own, that Jesus Christ
is the ONLY H^AD and king of his church;
and that he hath instituted in his church officers
and ordinances, order and government, and not
left it to the will of men, magistrate, or church, to
alter it at their pleasure. And we believe this go-
vernment is ne'ither Prelatical nor congregational,
hut Presbyterian^ which now, throuirh the mercy
of God, is established amniig us; ami believe wc
have a letter foundation for this our government
than the inclinations of the people, or laws of jnen.
This seasonable Admonition was ratifnd and ap-
.'3 G
410 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
proved l)y the Assembly 1699, act xii. By the
above mentioned Fokmlla of 1711, every can-
didate licensed to ppf^ach, or ordained to the mi-
nistry, is required solemnly and j)ublicly to avow,
That tlie Presbyterian ^^overnment and discipline
of this ehiireh lire J'uundid on the word of God. —
All alonii' to 1710, the Assemblies, in their causes
of fasting- or otherwise, more or less acknowledged
the binding obligation of our public covenants.
In act 5th, 1700, they lament our continued un-
faithfulness to God, notwithstanding our solemn
covenants and engagements to the contrary. In
act 9th, 1710, they say, Our sins are the more
aggravated, that they are against so solemn and
repeated vows, and engagemeids, and covenants
with God, which have jjeen openly violated and
broken by persons of all ranks, and treated with
public contempt and indignities. To these two
acts they, for several years after, refer in their
causes of lasting. In act 7th, 1710, they say,
The crying sins both of former and present times
are highly aggravated by the violation of our ^o-
lemn covenants and engagements to the contrary.
But, by this time, tlie temporal advantages of
our incorporating union with Kngland began to
be more anil more overi)aianced by the introduc-
tion of sinful corruptions from that country. The
Sahbath began to be greatly profaned by driving
of cattle and other unnecessary labours. The so-
cieties for reformation of manners gradually-
dwindled a^^'ay. Our nobility and gentry, by
little and little, gave up with family religion, and
dropt the very form of godliness. Spending much
of their time in England, they either contracted
a liking to the hierarchy and suj)erstition there
used, or lived nuich in the neglect of i)ublic wor-
ship ; and being there under no ministerial ii\-
1
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 411
spection, they and their families foUowoc! their
own inclinations without controul. — Pul)lic oaths
in qualifying men for civil offices, or in collecting
of taxes, w^ere exceedingly multiplied, and much
perjury thereby increased. The aljjuraiion oath,
which had for some years been used in l.ngland,
was extended to those in places of power and
trust in Scotland, to be taken along with the
oath of allegiance and the assurance. The ej)is-
copalian party introduced the English ceremo-
nies and service, which their fathers had refused.
And notwithstanding the Assembly 1707 made
an act against it, and the commission used some
means to prevent it, they were but the more for-
ward to set it up, or extol it, and to rail at the
gospel simplicity of the established worship. Nay,
the idolatrous worship of the Papists was openly
practised and connived at. A superstitious form
of swearing, by laying the hand on and kissing the
gospel, was introduced into some of our civil
courts. Such Scotsmen as served the sovereign
in England or Ireland, were required to take the
Lord's Supper in the English manner, as a test of
their loyalty, and otherwise conform to the litur-
gy and ceremonies. An observation of su])ersti-
tious holy days was encouraged by the vac. a ion
of our civil courts in the end of the year, .yc.
Addresses to the House of Peers were rejecicd,
unless they were directed to the Lords spiutval
as well as temporal. Strongly attached to
their Popish pretcnder,many of the episcopal dcr-
gy, of whom, in 1707, 1^>.) still retained their
churches and stipends, began to plead lor a
middle state of souls after death, and jjr^jjers for
the dead; — the Lord's Supper !)eing a prupitiatorj/
sacrifice for sin ; — the ?nising of the sacramental
1
412 A COAirKNDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
^vine with water; the necessity of ahsolufion hj
a jwicsf, and cnnfcssion of sins to him in order to
1 ori;iveness of them ; the anoiniing with oil ia
baptism and other eases ; — the ncccssifv of epis-
coj)al ordination and hoptism to salvation ; — the
hirding towards the altar, and at the name of Je-
sus ; — the reception of the vwaning of the scrip-
tures jrom the cliurch or clergy ; — and tlie rejec-
tion of the Athanasian creed, concerning the Tri-
nity, used in the Knglish service, and to recom-
mend Popish bo(jks containing devotions and
'prayers to the virgin Mary and other saints.
iMeanwhile, contrary to the most solem secu-
rity granted to the Presbyterian establishment in
the treaty of union, the British Parliament, 1712,
grimted the episcopalians an almost unbounded
iolcraiion^ providing their clergy took the oaths
to the government, and prayed for Queen Anne,
who was now straining every nerve to bring her
Popish su])posed brother to the throne— prohibit-
ing magistrates to oblige them to appear before
any established church judicatory, and recpiired
them to protect them in their public worship, so
long as they did not turn Paj)ists or blas})hemers.
To protect such of them as should scruple at the
oathoi' ahjuratio/it which solemnly renounced their
Popish pretender, and avowed the rightful suc-
cession of the elector of Hanover to the crown
in liis stead, the Parliament, now managed by
JaC'bilical influence, imposed that oath upr)n
every Presbyterian minister, under a very heavy
penalty, if thiy should continue to ofliciate with-
out taking it. \ly the imposition of this oath,
(Vfihigt/oi/s or ddngrrous in several of its (expres-
sions, and expres>ly said in the English act, first
imposing it to be calculated lor the pcrpeii(al
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 413
maintenance of the church of Engl and as hij tair cs-
iahlisJied^ and in which one had to swear to main-
tain the succession of the British crown as li-
niited by two acts of the English Parliament, one
of which expressly provided, that the successor
should be of the communion of the church of Enrr.
land, and swear to maintain her as hij law establish-
ed, the Presbyterian clergy would either, by their
general refusal, ^ive the court a handle to over-
turn their establishment, or at least be divided
and weakened, and the refusers a()pear as dis-
loyal as any of the Jacobites, thoui^h their scru-
ples were very different ly founded. And, to pro-
voke the Presbyterians the more, the Parliament
restored patronages in their v. hole extent, pro-
viding only, that patrons took the oaths to i^^o-
vernment, and did not profess themselves Pa-
pists. The Jacobites' doctrine of unlimited olje-
dience toSoverei^^ns, and their distinction of them
by right and by actual possession, qualified multi-
tudes of them in Scotland, as well as in Eng-
land, to swear the oa/h of ahjura{wnt when im-
posed by authoriti), and now plainly enough im-
posed, as a mean of enthroning their Pojjish pre-
tender.
These acts, so hastily passed, exceedingly
alarmed the Scotch Presbyterians, 'i'he tolera-
/io7ienervated their discipline, and encouraged the
Jacobites in their rudeness and insolence towards
the establisiied religion and clergy, and opened
a door for almost every error and abomination in
the worship of God. I'he restoration (f jjat/onagr
was calculated to fdl the church with Ja< dbiiish
or naughty clergymen by means of solicitations
or simoniacal pactions, and so occasion much
perjury in their ordination vows, and render their
414 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
ministrations contemptiMc, useless, and hurtful.
The imposition of the ahjurafion. oaf/f on ininisfcrs^
as a condition of their entrance to, or exercise of
their office, rendered them more and more the
slaves of an Krastian court — tended to debauch
their consciences, in taking oaths without any ne-
cessity, or even without due certainty of their
lawfulness, or any plain tendency to the lionour
of Cod, and to diminish their zeal for their co-
venanted reformation and Presbyterian govern-
ment, and render them approvers of the perjuri-
ous settlement of religion by the incorporating
union with England ; and threatened, as it soon
actually did, to produce the most mournful divi-
sions among ministers, or between them and their
hearers. To prevent the passing of these acts,
the Commission transmitted solemn addresses to
her Majesty, pleading the laws j)erpetually con-
firmed by the union settlement in opposition to
the int( nded toleration and restoration of patron-
ages, which addresses the Assembly approved, and
seconded wi*h an address of their own. The
Commission 'also addressed her w ith respect to
the alijuration oath^ and, in a solemn profession of
their loyalty, declared their sense of it — which
she said was acceptable to her. Hereupon the
Assembly, in another address, begged that she
would interpose her influence for preventing the
prosecution of scrupulous refusers of it. Messrs.
Carstairs, ]jlackwell, and Hailie, were sent to
London to present these addresses, and to agent
their cause; but all to no purpose.
As the abjuration oath produced the most dis-
agreeable divisions, the Assemblies, 1712, 17KS,
1714, and 1715, by express acts, recommended
and obtcatcd all ministers to cultivate peace and
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 415
liarniony, notwithstanding their difTercnt views
or practices with respect to it. The other more
remarkal)le acts of these Assemhlies were, for
assisting and encoura^inc^ the Soclchj for Propa-
gating Christian Knowledge ; for reoular admis-
sion of infants to baptism; for more frequent ad-
ministration of the Lord's Supper; for purging
the scandals of scddiers ; for directing the visi-
tors of synod registers; for regulating the licens-
ing of preachers, and discouraging unworthy bur-
sars; and for execution of former acts to [)revent
the growth of Popery. The Commission, 1713,
emitted a seasonable warning to be read from eve-
ry pulpit, entreating people to beware of being
deluded by the subtile pretences of the Jacobites,
who really laboured to bring them under the
yoke of a Popish pretender ; and the Assembly,
1714^, presented an address to her Majesty, re-
presenting the alarming increase of Popery.
About this time the curates were become ex-
tremely insolent and abusive, intruded them-
selves into vacant congregations, and encourag-
ed their followers to mob such as were appoint-
ed by their Presbyteries to preach in them. But
most of them joining in the rebellion, 1715, they
were turned out of their kirks by the JMagis-
trates.
After the accession of King George T. to the
throne in 1714*, the Assembly il\5 transmit-
ted to him and the members of Parliament, a new
representation of their grievances, relative to the
toleration and ahjuralion oath, patronages, and (he
sacramental test imposed on Scotch uien while
serving the Sovereign in England and Ireland.
He got his Parliament, that year, to turn the as
of reduplication on the two English acts men-
416 A COMPENDIOUS HISTOUV OF THP:
tioned in that oath into which, and to declare
that it was not intended to oblige his subjects in
Scotland to any thini; inconsistent with their
lei^-al establishment oi' their relii^ion. And as,
not\vithstandin2^ this, many still scrupled at that
oath, the Parliament, 17 tD, removed all mention
of their Enf^lish acts out of the form of it imposed
upon ministers and schoolmasters. In conse-
quence of this, the most of the ministers took it,
and the few that did not, became disliked by their
brethren, but more esteemed by many of the peo-
ple. About the same time, the Parliament en-
acted, That all presentations given by patrons to
candidates for vacant cong-regations should be of
no effect, unless the presentee accepted or de-
clared liis willingness to accept, which it was, for
a time, expected few or none would. At least the
church had full power to prohibit candidates to
accept presentations, until they had first the call
of the congregation.
The union settlement, and especially ministers
taking the oath of abjuration, having given new
ground of offence to Messrs. John M'Millan. late
minister of Balmaghie, John Taylor of Wam-
phray, John Flepburn of Orr, and James Ciil-
christ of Dunscore, as well as to Messrs. John
]M*Neil and John Adamson, ])rcachers — they
went about inveighing against the same. On this
account the Assemblies 1715, 1716, 1717, and
their inferior judicatories, prosecuted them with
no small severity. No less than about twenty-
four acts and overtures were passed against these
pious, but sometimes imprudent and mistaking
friends of our covenantid reformation, eleven
of whieli respected Mr. Hepburn, arc! nine iMr.
M*JMillan. JNIr. Hepburn had been driven from
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 417
his charge, and suffered a lono^ imprisonment, he-
sides many other harassments. JNIr. INI'iMillaii
had been driven from his charge, and another
thrust into his place. Mr Gilchrist was depos-
ed and laid under a sentence of excommunica-
tion, appointed to be intimated in all the parish
churches in Scotland. Meanwhile these, and the
two following" Assemblies, made acts for assist-
ance to the Sociefi/ for Propagating ('hristian Know-
ledge, and for the speedy settlement of ministers
in the Highlands — and against Popery and pro-
faneness; — and repeatedly enjoined Presbyteries,
without delay, seriously to consider the large
overtures above-mentioned, in order to their be-
ing established as a complete directory for disci-
pline and government ; — and prohibited prelatical
curates or Presbyterian separatists, to exercise dis-
cipline on any members of thischurch. The Assem-
bly, 17 18, issued arecommendation for providing a
fund for supporting the indigent widows and or-
phans of ministers. The Assembly, 1719, enjoin-
ed every minister to take care to have deacons as
well ^s riding ciders m his congicgation. They issu-
ed a solemn warning against smugp^ling of goods,
and perjuries at custom houses, in matters of
trade, to be read in all the parishes of Scotland,
and enjoined synods, Presbyteries, and sessions,
to execute the acts of Assembly against abuses at
penny- weddmgs, and to apply to the magistrates
to execute the civil laws against such as are
found guilty. They also framed an overture for
regulating the settlement of vacant congrega-
tions, especially where the patron's (h^lay for six
months had put the matter in the hands of the
Presbytery, iji which elders, and especially heri-
tors, a majority of whom is required, are repre-
3 n
418 A COMrENDIOlTS HISTORY OF THE
sented as the proper electors, thouf^li, especially
where there arc no elders, heads of families, and
persons of f^ood reputation in the congregation
are to be regarded.
But the |)rincipal business of these Assemblies
respected the dorlr'nu' of the church. In i714
there c omnienced a flagrant report, that Mr John
Simson, Professor of divinity in the college of
Glasgow, had taught Arminian and other gross
errors. Mr. James Webster, a most pious and
zealous minister of Edinburgh, finding by con-
verse with him, that there was too much ground
for this report, laid the matter before the Gene-
ral Assembly. They unreasonably burdened
him with the prosecution of iMr. JSimson before
his own Presbytery of Glasgow. Notwithstand-
ing all his subtile shifts and quibblings, it was
found evident, from his answers to his libel, and
his letters to Mr. Rowan, that he had taught,
That nothing is to be admitted in religion but
what is consonant to reason; — that regard to our
own happiness in the enjoyment of God ought
to be our chief motive in serving him, and that
our glorifying of God is subordinate to it ; — that
the heathen may know, by the light of nature,
that God hath provided a remedy for sin, and if
they w^'^uld pray sincerely for the discovery of
the way of salvation, he w ould grant it to them ;
that if men would w ith diligence, sincerity, and
faith, use the means lor obtaining saving grace,
God hath promised to grant it to them; and that
the using of these means, in this manner, is not
above the reach of their natural powers ; — that
there was no proper covenant made by God w ith
Adam for himself and his posterity; and that he
was not our federal head ; that it is inconsistent
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 419
with God's justice and goodness, to create souls
wantini^' original riohteousnes, and that the souls
of infants since the Fall are created pure and
holy; — that it is prohable, there are more of man-
kind saved than damned ; and it is more than
probable that baptized infants, dying in infancy,
are all saved ; — that there is no sinning in hell
after the last judgment, &c. all which erroneous
tenets were fully refuted by JNIessrs. M'Laren
and Flint, ministers of Edinburgh. But such
was the power of his friends in the Assembly
1717, which concluded his process, that in their
9th act, they only say, that he had given offence,
and had vented some opinions not ncccssanj to
be taught in divinity, and that have given more
occasion for strife, than to the promoting of edi-
fication ; that he had used some expressions that
bear, and are used by adversaries in an unsound
sense, though he disowns that unsound sense;
and for answering the objections of adversaries,
he had adopted some hypotheses different from
what are commonly used among orlhoilox di-
vines, and are not evidentli) founded on Scripture,
and tend to attribute too much to natural rea-
son and the power of corrupt nature, which un-
due advancement of reason and nature is always
to the disparagement of revelation and effica-
cious free grace ; and therefore prohihit him to
use such expressions, or to teach, prcacii, or other-
wise vent such opinions, propositions, or hypo-
theses, as aforesaid.
l>\it the Assemblies were far from being equal-
ly kind to such as earnestly endeavoured a clear
illustration of the doctrines of (lod's free grace
reigning through the righteousness of Christ.
Mr. Hamilton of Alrth havijig published a cate-
420 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
chetiral treatise concerning the covenants of works
and grace, aiul the sacraments of haptisin and
the Lord's Supper, in a more evan<:^elical strain
than some wished, tiie Assemhly, 1710, prohi-
bited all ministers or members of this church to
print or disperse in writ any catechism, without
the allowance of the Presbytery of the bounds,
or the Commission. The Presbytery of Auch-
terarder havinjn;- begun to require candidates for
licence to acknowledge it vnsoimd to teach that
men must forsake their sins in order to come to
Christ, the Assembly, 1717, on the same day
they had dealt so gently with professor Simson,
declared their abhorrence of that proposition as
tinsound and most detestable — as if men ouglit on-
ly to come to Christ, the alone Saviour from sins,
after they have got rid of them by repentance.
Mr. James Hogg, one of the holiest ministers in
the kingdom, having published or recommended
a celebrated and edifying tract of the Cromwel-
lian age, called the Marrow of Modern Divi nit tj,
the Assembly 1720, fell upon it with great fury,
as if it had been replete with Antinomian er-
rors, though it is believed many of these zealots
never read it, at hast had never perused it, in
connection with the 2d part oi' it, which is whol-
ly taken up in manifesting the obligation, mean-
ing, and advantages of observing the law of God.
They condemned the ottering of C hrist as a Sa-
viour to all men, or to sinners as such — and the
doctrine of believers' full deliverance from under
the law as a broken covenant of works. 1 hey
asserted men's holiness to be a federal or condi-
tional mean of their obtaining eternal happiness.
They condemned these ahnost express declara-
tions of Scripture, that believers are not under
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 421
the law ; that they do not commit sin ; that the
Lord sees no sin in them ; and cannot he an^ry
with them — as Antinomian paradoxes, and con-
demned the distinction of the moral law as a co-
venant of works, and as a binding rule of dutij in
the hand of Christ, in order to explain these ex-
pressions. IMessrs. James Hof^i-ir-, Thomas Bos-
ton, Ehenezer and Ralph Erskines, Gahriel Wil-
son, and seven others remonstrated to the next
Assembly a^-ainst these decisions, as injurions to
the doctrine of God's Grace ; and, in their an-
swers to the Commission's twelve (jueries, they
illustrated these doctrines with no small clear-
ness and evidence. Perhaps influenced hy this,
as well as by the wide-spread detestation of their
acts, 1720, on that point, the Assenibly 1722
re-considered the same, and made an act explain-
ing and con/inning them. This was less gross
and erroneous. Nevertheless the twelve repre-
senters protested against it as injurious to truth ;
but this protest was not allowed to be marked.
The moderator, by the Assembly's appointment,
rebuked them for their reflections on the Assem-
bly 1720, in their representation, and admonish-
ed them to beware of the like in all time coming;
against which they protested. Mr. Wilson hav-
ing preached an excellent sermon before the sy-
nod of Merse and Teviotdale, in 172J, in whicli
he had freely hinted his dislike of the legal doc-
trines and other corruptions then prevalent, af-
ter two years harassment before the synod and
Commission, he was at last dismissed by the As-
sembly 1723 with an admonition.
Little more of importance was done in these
Assemblies, unless that about L.12(K) Sterling
were collected fur the persecuted i\otestaots of
422 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
Lithuania, and four of their students appoint-
ed to be supported hy bursaries whih^ attend-
ing the study of divinity at the college of Edin-
burgh. Several acts were made for preventing
the increase of Popery, and, in I72'J, they repre-
sented to his IMajesty the danger of his govern-
ment l)y it. Otiier acts were made against pro-
fanencss, and for assisting the Socidyjor Propa-
gating Christian Knowledge, and for planting pro-
per ministers and teachers in the North. They
enacted, That none shold be admitted to, or con-
tinued in, the office of elders or deacons, unless
they were circumspect in their walk, punctual
in their attendance on ordinances, and strict in
their observation of the Lord's day, and in regu-
larly keeping up the worship of God in their fa-
milies ; and that none should be sent to, or ad-
mitted members of the General Assembly, unless
they were attested by the Presbyteries, &:c. as
thus qualified.
Many of the clergy, perhaps fond of avoiding
every appearance of good will towards the JMar-
row of Modern Divinity, seemed now more legal
and Haxterian in their doctrine than formerly.
This induced multitudes of serious Christians,
who had been formerly not a little disgusted by
their swearing of the altjuration oath, to leave
them, and hear the representers and their friends,
whom the late dispute, and their harassment at-
tending it, had made to search and see further into
gospel truth. These, notwithstanding their emi-
nent exemplification and earnest urging of gos-
pel holiness, were exceedingly traduced by the
prevailing party, as new scJiemers, and Antinonni-
an encou racers of a licentious life. Tiiey had
probably been more abundantly reproached and
7
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 4.23
harassed, had not the managers got their hands
full of other business. Mr. Hepburn, above-
mentioned, dying, his friends in Angus-shire al-
most persuaded Mr. Francis Archibald, ministerof
Guthry, into their sentiments. By this and some
concurrent circumstances, more than ordinary
noise concerning the national covenant and solemn
league happened in that country. Roused here-
by, Mr. John Glass, a young popular preacher in
it, set himself to rail at these covenants, as un-
warrantable under the New Testament, and not
obligatory, and even against some articles of the
Confession of Faith. He further taught, that
national churches are unwarrantable under the
New Testament ; that the kingdom of Israel was
of an ecclesiastical nature, and its officers church
officers ; that then church and state were the
same ; and both entirely typical ; that the Old
Testament church was an earthly kingdom ;
that all church covenants that bring her in-
to any connexion with the state, are legal and
earthly, and means of introducing profane per-
sons into her. By his address he decoyed Mr.
Archibald into his notions, to which they soon
added others, as that Ccmfessions of Faith ought
not to be subscribed; that only congregational
churches are warranted under the Gospel ; that
illiterate men are fit for preaching the (xospel ;
that Christian congregations have power to or-
dain their own teachers ; that all members have
a share in governing the church ; that Chiistian
magistrates have no more power about religious
matters than other men, and ought not to em-
ploy their power for advancing religion, or for
restraining or i)unishing heretics, or for giving
more encouragement to good Christians, than to
424 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
other ^ood subjects. Notwithstanding all means
for reclaiminLC them, they obstinately went about
preachinc;^ their principles in fields and streets, or
printing pamphlets in favours of them. They
were therefore suspended in 17-8, and l^ecause
they contemned this censure, they were, about
two years after, deposed. But notwithstanding
their laying out themselves to their utmost, to
erect independent churches of a new form, in
every corner where they could find any encou-
ragement, the Assembly 17^59 reponed them to
their office, though not to their charges. — On the
other hand, it began to be loudly reported, that
professor Simson had not only continued to dis-
regard the prohibition of the Assembly 1717,
and teach his above-mentioned errors — but also
had taught, that ,Jes2is Christ is not necessarily ex-
iste?if ; — that the persons in the Godhead are not the
very same in substance ; — that necessary existence,
supreme Deity, and being the only true God, may
be taken in a sense import in i^ the personal property
of the Father, and so not belonging to the Son or
Holy Ghost. Both libels were fully proven
against him ; but the first was left undiscussed.
In consequence of his declaring his mind on the
latter points in orthodox language, and after
much (piibbling and tergiversation, professing
his sorrow for some of the oifensive expressions
proved against him, the Assembly J 728, suspend-
ed him from all exercise of any ecclesiastical
power or function till another Assend)ly should
think fit to restore him. And the Assend)Iy
1720 further declared, that it was not fit that
he should be any further entrusted with the
training up of students for the holy ministry.
This slight censure of an Arminian, and an Ari-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 42'5
an blasphemer, exceedingly grieved and olTend-
ed multitudes of the mere serious.
Scarcely was this prosecution of Professor
Simson finished, when Mr. Campbell, professor of
church history in the college of St. Andrew's,
began, from the press, to ridicule close walking
with God, and acknowledging him in all our
v/ays, as enthusiasm, and to aver, that in the in-
terval between Christ's death and resurrection,
his disciples looked on him as a cheat and im-
postor;— that self love is the chief motive and
standard of, all virtuous and religious actions; —
that the existence of God, and the immortality of
the soul cannot be known by the light of nature;
that notwithstanding the laws of nature are a
certain and sufficient rule to direct rational minds
to happiness, and the observation of them is the
great mean of our real and lasting felicity. For
these he was processed before the judicatories ;
but, by his artful colourings of his tenets, and
pretences to adhere to the Confession of Faith ,
as Professor Simson had always done, he not
only escaped censure, but drew the Assembly,
1786, which finished his process, into an appro-
bation of his doctrine concerning self love.
Dr. William Wishart, late principal of the col-
lege of Edinburgh, was soon after found to have
taught from the press. That men are not alto-
gether, if at all, vitiated with original sin ; that
the light of nature may, in some instances, be
sufficient to lead mankind to complete happiness ;
that freedom of inquiry should never be restrain-
ed by any Formula of doctrine, or Confession of
faith ; that the minds of children should not be
biassed to the principles of a party, by learning
catechisms by heart ; that civil magistrates have
3 I
4-26 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
no power to punisli heresies of any kind, but their
jurisdiction reacheth only to those crimes that
are committed against the state; and that all
men oui;ht to have full liberty to speak and write
as they please, provided their senti»>ients do not
endanger the welfare of civil society. — His {)ro-
cess came Ijefore the Assembly i7.>(^; but his
artful colouring of his errors, and his profession
of adiierence to the Confession of Faith, brought
him off, without any censure; inconsequence of
which, he soon after, from the press, recommend-
ed Dr. Whichcofs sermons to the students of di-
vinity to form upon, — without the smallest warn-
ing against the Arminian and Socinian errors
therein contained, viz That as to moral duties,
we have the Jul! concurrence of all heathen authors
that are ani/ whit reformed; (according to which,
dependance on Christ, walking with God, ur vvor-
shipping him in three persons, in and through
Christ as mediator, and the like, are not moral
duties,) — that the great differences hetivecn men in
the several ages of the tvorld, have not been about
any necessarif truth or any thing plainly declared
in scripture, (according to which, the doctrine of
three distinct persons in the God-head, — the true
and supreme God head of Christ, — the necessity,
reality, and vicarious nature of his satisfaction
for our sins, — free justification l)y his imputed
righteousness, — regeneration and sanctification
by the almighty influence of his spirit ; and of
original sin imputed or inherent, — men's natu-
ral inability to will or jierform that which is natu-
rally good, cVc. — are all excluded from being ne-
cessary truths, or clearly revealed in the scrip-
ture,)- that no perfection of God's nature in-
clines him. to punish sin, but to be reconcileable to
(ill that repent; — that that repentance, which is in
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 427
the power of every man, is the term or condition of
the neio covenant, renders men objects of the divine
compassion, and removes the necessity of divine pun-
ishment ; — that to be accepted in and throv(j;h Christ,
or justified through his righteousness, is to be assur-
ed, that God through the perfection of his own na-
ture, is reconcileable to sinners, and is absolutely re-
solvedand engaged to pardon their sin in and through
Chiist, to all who repent and believe ; that religion
is just a moving according to reason ; that if men
use their natural pouters aright by consideration,
they may spiritucdly understand the scriptures, and
make room for, and render the infucnce of God's
grace effectual, and find him their superlative de-
light, (!^c. (§c.
While the errors that were creeping into the
church, were so tenderly handled, and the spread-
ers of them dismissed from the bar of General
Assemblies on the easiest terms, they, who set
themselves against the growing defections, were
not a little oppressed. For about a dozen of
years after patronages had been restored by the
Parliament, no candidates had courage to im-
prove a presentation for their own intrusion on
reclaiming congregations. At first, one or two
probationers began to accept presentations : but
the outcry against them was so great, that they
soon retracted and passed from them. But Mr.
Chambers, Principal of the college of Aberdeen,
having accepted a presentation to Old Machir,
probationers and others took courage, and fol-
lowed his example ; and though they, at first,
qualified their acceptances, with having the peo-
ple's consent, yet they would not retract, after
the people had shewed their aviTsion. About
1729 and 1730, intrusion of ministers upon the
428 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
footing of presentations was become pretty com-
mon, and \; ere warmly supported by the Assem-
l)lies, and especially by their commissions. This
rendered the attempts of som- l^resbyt^^ries and
Synods to restrain them ineffectual. The kin^^,
having the patronage of very many parishes in
his hand, such ministers as expected favours from
the court, promoted the intrusions with all their
might; and, in judicatories, and printed pam-
phlets, denied and railed against the right of the
Christian people to elect their own pastors;
while IMessrs. Currie, Hill, and others, laboured
to establish that right.
Finding that they were like to be much troubled
with remonstrances, dissents, and protestations,
in Assemblies, Commissions, and inferior judica-
tories, the Assembly, 1 780, refused to record
them, and to prevent any standing testimonies
against their refusing to assert the truth, in di-
rect opposition to professor Simson's errors and
blasphemies, and their violent procedure in the
intrusion of ministers, they enacted, that no rea-
sons of dissent or protest should be recorded in
their minutes. Several remonstrances and peti-
tions were given in to the Synods of INIerse and
Lothian, as well as to the Assembly 1731, but
no way regarded. A remonstrance by forty-two
ministers and throe elders, and another by about
1600 Christian people, many of them ruling el-
ders, were presented to the Assembly 1 732, in
which they represented the many abounding de-
fections, which grieved their spirit, as well as dis-
honoured God, and tended to the ruin of his
church, and begged, that the Assembly would
address his majesty and Parliament, for rescind-
ing their acts imposing the sacrainental test oh
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 4-29
the members of this church ; — estaMishiiii]; the
foleratlon^ — restorin*^ patronages^ and lor hiyini^
aside the new form of swearin*^ in the j^ospels,
— and for aHowino- the addresses of this church,
though not directed to the spiritual Lords; that
the Assembly would exert themselves to put a
stop to the intrusion of ministers on reciaiminp^
congreg-ations; would restrain commissions from
countenancing it, even where neither the Pres-
bytery nor congregation, in the least, concur in
the call, trial, or ordination, of the candidate ;
that no appeals from Synods be judged by the
commission, unless the members of that sede-
runt be supernumerary to these of the Synod,
in ministers, as well as elders ; that, if any of
the actings of the commission be contrary to the
constitutions and known principles of this church,
they shall be reversed, and themselves censured ;
that instead of judicatories being condenmed any
more for testifying their displeasure at candi-
dates's offensive acceptance of presentations, none
may be licensed or ordained, that favour that
course ; that the seventh act of Assembly 1730,
prohibiting the recording of reasons of dissent
may be repealed ; that, according to the injunc*
tion of some former Assemblies, an act may be
made to restrain the legal and heathenish man-
ner of preaching lately introduced by some young
ministers and preachers; — and that a solemn war-
ning be emitted by the Assembly against Pro-
fessor Simson's errors, and others, which are
spread through the land, in order to prevent the
infection of them. But neither of tht^se remon-
strances were allowed so much as a hearing. But,
in consequence of an overture of the preceding
Assembly, not a little worse than that of J 71 IK
430 A COMPKXniOlTS HISTORY OF, THE
and contrary to the instructions of most part of
Presbyteries that sent any, they enacted, that
Protestant heritors, of any denomination or char-
acter, and elders, should be the onlij electors of gos-
pel m blisters This act was reckoned by multi-
tudes an overturning^ of Christ's spiritual king-
dom, and a robbini^ of his people of their spirit-
ual rights, in his name and under pretence of
his authority. But the next assembly prohibit-
ed the Presbytery of Dunfermline, and by conse-
quence all others, to administer sealing ordi-
nances to any, whose conscience hindered them
to submit to the ministrations of an intruder vio-
lently imposed upon them.
Several ministers, in sermons before synods or
Presbyteries, as well as others, testified against
this act of 1732, respecting the election of mi-
nisters. Among others, INIr. Ebenezer Erskine,
whose evangelical, clear, and majestic manner
of preaching, made him highly respected by the
people, but disliked by many of his brethren, in
his sermon, before the synod of Perth, in Octo-
ber, 1732, testified against that act, and ])atro-
nage, and some other prevalent corruptions. Af-
ter three days' warm disputation, the synod ap-
pointed him to be rebuked at their bar for the
matter and manner of the quarreled parts of his
sermon. Twelve ministiMs and two e!d<Ms dis-
sented. He appealed to the next Assembly, but
instead of receiving any redress or protection,
he was ordered to receive a rebuke. Persuaded
that the truths ot (tocI, which he had maintained
in his sermon, were hereby injured, he protested
that, without violating his conscience, he could not
submit to the Assembly's sentence — an«. that he
should be at liberty to give like testimonies
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 431
against the act, 1732, or otlier defections, on
any proper occasion. Messrs. William W ilsun oC
Perth, Alexander INIoncrief of Abernelhy, and
James Fisher of Rinchiven, for exoneration of
their own consciences, also protested against the
sentence. Without allowing these four mini-
sters to attempt any defence of their conduct,
the Assembly appointed their Commission, in
August next, to proceed against them, by sus*
spension or liigher censure, if they did not re-
tract their protest, and profess their sorrow for
taking it. W^hen the Commission met, these
ministers were, with great difficulty, allowed to
represent their minds, and adhering to their pro-
test, they were all suspended from the exercise
of their ministry. The Commission, in Novem-
ber, finding them still impenitent, did, by their
moderator's casting vote, loose them from their
relation to their congregations. They protested
for the validiti/ of their office and continued relci'
Hon to their congregations, and declared a Sk-
ciiSsioN, not from the constitution of the church
of Scotland, but from ihe prevailing parhj, in her
judicatories, ay and until they should return to
their duty — because, 1. They were breaking down
her Presbyterian constitution of church govern-
ment— in trampling on and making decisions
contrary to the order prescribed by her hanier
laws, enacted in her purest times, for securing due
deliberation in forming standing laws and gene-
ral rules — in exercising a lordly power over the
consciencies of Christ's people, empowering heri-
tors and elders to impose on them whatever spi-
ritual guides and pastors they pleased — in pro-
moting violent intrusions of ministers on re-
claiming congregations ; — in censuring and eject-
0
432 A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THK
ing ministers merely for their protesting against
a sinful act of Assembly ; in allowing the
Commissions to usurp the power of Presby-
teries in the settlement of pastors, if they re-
fused to carry on violent intrusions — and in
threatening the highest censures to such as ad-
ministered the seals of God's covenant to tlu^se
whose conscience hindered them from subnvt-
ting to the ministry of intruders. 2. They w ere
pursuing methods evidently tending to cor-
rupt the doctrines contained in their own Con-
fession of Faith — in so easily dismissing the pro-
cess against Professor Simson, and refusing judi-
cially to assert the truth in opposition to his er-
rors and blasphemies — in caressing INIr. Camp-
bel while he spreads his erroneous tenets — and
in permitting or encouraging preachers to enter-
tain their hearers with dry harangues of almost
mere heathen morality instead of the gospel of
Christ. 3. They were imposing on ministers
sinful terms of communion, and breach of ordi-
nation vows, in requiring them to forbear proper
and zealous opposition of the prevalent course
of apostacy from the doctrine, w orship, govern-
ment and discipline, of this church. 4. They
continued obstinate in their evil courses, not-
withstanding all ordinary means used to reclaim
them.
Deeply affected with this rent, the honest par-
ty in the church, exerted themselvs, to their ut-
most, in the choice of proper members for the
next Assembly, in order to have the leading
grievances redressed, and the breach healed. The
Assembly 1734, not without great opposition,
laboured to give an effectual check to the preva-
lent course of defection. They renewed and
CHXJRCH OF SCOTLAND, IS$
«ti^ngthcncd the old acts of Assembly I6ti9,
LGi^l, IGD5, 1697, J 700, and 170.5, which liad
lieen made to be barriers and fences of our con-
stitution a<^ainst vinovatioiifi, Tliey rescinded
the 7th act of Assembly IG'30, which liindered
members to testify against wron^ deeds of judi-
catories, by recording tlieir reasons of dissent,
because it was not made according to these bar-
rier acts. And, upon the same account, they re-
pealed the 8th act of Assembly 1 732, above-men-
tioned, because it gave too much countenance Uh
violent settlements, and too much power to dis-
iiffected heritors, and was unfavourable to the
liberties of the Christian })eople. They reverse*.!
a violent settlement of Auclitermuchty, made by
the commission against the will of the congre-
•gation and Presbytery, and thus declared the
ileeds of the commission reversible. They had
probably cast out some otiier intruders. If com-
plaints had been regularly tabled before thern.
They laid commissions under some new regula-
tions, and prohibited them to execute any settle-
ments, when the Presbytery or Synod of the
bounds declined it. They empowered the Synod
0^ Perth and StirUng to restore the ibiir ejected
ministers to their charges, without requiring any
acknowledgments from them, — which was soon
after done. The}', by an act, dechircl, that due
and regular ministerial freedom was still lelt en-
tire, notwithstanding the acts oi 17. ':J3 against
them. They appoint(»d a committee to furm an
overture for the right preaching of the g^)sj)el,
and for restraining the new-lashioned, legaJ, and
iicathenish Iwirangues. They t^ijoined their com-
•mission to appoint sl national fast, which hud
been for many years neglected^ that alJ rank^
"13^ A COMPENDIOUS HISTORY OF THE
miij^lit nioiirn for the prevailing defections of the
church and land, which they quickly did, but
many of the court party neglected to observe it.
They also empowered their commission to ad-
dress the king and Tarliament for relief from
patronages, which they did, but in vain. The
Assembly 1735, appointed the Synod of Fife to
grant sealing ordinances to the people of Kinross,
as they shall find most for edification — and let-
ters were sent to some Presbyteries, allowing
them to treat others who had been oppressed by
violent settlements, in the same manner. The
Assembly 1736, by an act, declared it the prin-
ciples of this church, T/iat no viiniscer should be
intruded into any parish contrarij to the uill of
the congregation. By their 7th act, they enjoin
ministers and preachers to warn tlieir hearers
against any thing that ter^ds to Atheism, Deism,
Arianism, Socinianism, Armiiiianism, Bourig-
nianism, Popery, Su[)erstition, Antinomianism, —
and to insist in their sermons on man's lost es-
tate by nature, the necessity of supernatural
grace, and ot faith in the imputed righteous-
ness of Christ, — and chiefly h:b(?ur to lead sin-
ners from the covenant of works to that uf grace
for life and salvation, and from sin and self to
Christ as a surety and saviour ; — and in j^ressing
holiness, to shew them their inability lor and
aversion to every thing spiritually good, and that
iniion with Christ is the true and only source of
all grace and holiness — and that men's best per-
formances and attainments are but loss and dung
in point of justification before God. And
tluy enjoin professors of divinity to instruct their
students in preaching the gospel according to
this act ; and require Presbyteries, at their pri-
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 435
vy censures, to inquire concerninor the observa-
tion of it. But the countenance given by tliese
two last Assemblies to some violent intrusions,
or to Professor Campbell's errors, made their
good acts little regarded; and made the four
seceding ministers lose all inclinations or
hopes of returning to the fellowship of the
church.
Meanwhile, one captain Porleous, a most aban-
doned profligate, had been condemned to death for
several murders, but had been reprieved for a time,
by the interest of some great men. Provoked here-
by, the mob, conducted by some skilful leaders,
lianged him at Edin'ourgh in September, 1736.
Enraged by their bohi conduct, and perhaj)s,
groundlessly apprehensive that some of the more
strict ministers, who det(?sted the reprieving of
such a notorious murderer, l>ad encouraged the
mob, the king and Parliament, having framed an
act for the discovery of his murderers, aj)pointed
all the ministers of Scotland to read it in the
time of God s public worship in their churches,
every first Sabbath in the month, for a whole
year, beginning in August, 17S7, under this pe-
nalty, for the first day's neglect. That tJici/ shall
he declared incapable of sitting or •i^i^lijig in anj/
church judicatory/. JNIany ministei^v looking on
several things in the act as inconsistcFit u ith
justice and equity ; and that it was not j)roper
for Christ's ambassadors of the gospel of peace,
to become heralds or executors of the sanguinary
laws of men ; that the reading of such a civil act
from the pul|)it, on the Lord's day, in the time
of divine service, was a profanation of his Sab-
bath and worship ; and tliat they could not ac-
quiesce in the penalty annexed to the first ne-
I3G A COxMTKNDIOUS HISTonY OV TFTK
glcct, w'ithocit practically owning" the civil ma--
V^hir?i\.{: head nf Ihe rhurch, having power to fi?c
the qualifications and conditions of ministers' ex-
ercise of their office in /[governing' the church of
God, which they reckonecf, at once contrary to
the estahlished doctrine of this church, and to
their own solemn engagements to maintain it.
Many others, especially such as had, or wished
for, court favour, made a shift to come over those
scruples, and read at least part of the act, the
whole or part of the time. These different views
and practices produced some alienation hetween
the parties for a time ; hut, after a ^ew years,
they liavmoniously agreed to bnry it in oblivion.
The Seceding ministers* publication of their
second TesHmonjfy in which they had represented
the backslidings of church and state frorr> their
covenanted doctrine, worship, discipline, and go-
vernment, and laudable acts and constitutions
for supijorting- it, more plainly than most of the
established clergy wished, — and their supplying-
of people with sermon, who could not submit to
intruders, or scru])led to hear the readers of the
act concerning captain Porteous, — having highly
displeased the ecciesiabtical managers, — the As-
sembly )7S8 therefore appointed their commis-
sion to libel and cite them to the next Assem-
bly. When they, now increased to the number
of eight, appeared at the bar, they were informed
by tiie Assembly IToD, that they were ready to
drop all that was contained in their libel and
every thing bygone, and recx^ive them with open
arms, providing they would, for the future, Ibr-
])ear all separating courses, and join in the com-
munion of the church. But, instead of such com-
^^liance, these ministers solemnly declined the
CHURCH OF SCOTLANO. 437
Assembly and otiier established judicatories, as
not right constitute courts of Christ in their pre-
sent condition, because instead of" purging out,
they received and supported, intruders and other
scandalous persons, as mem!>ers ; because they
had generally, for many years past, been active
in carrying on a course of defection, tolerating
the erroneous, countenancing error, and enact-
ing laws, by which the liberties of Christ's mini-
sters and people were suppressed ; and because,
by their reading of the Parliament's act concern-
ing captain Porteous, they had submitted tl^em-
selves to the civil magistrate, as head of t]ic
cintrch, instead of Christ. This declinature so gall-
ed the managers and others of the prevailing
party, that, without finding them guilty of ciiher
error in doctrine, w scandal in practice, the As-
sembly 1740 deposed them from all exercise of
their ministerial office in this church.
Since tliat period things have been nothing
bettered, but rather grown worse. While prac-
tical godliness in persons and families hath sadly
decayed, and error and impiety of almost every
kind have prevailed, and become fashionable,
settlements of ministers have proceeded on the
footing of Patronage. But long custom hath ren-
dered these, and all their soul-ruining consequen-
ces, less affecting, even to many of the godly.
Errors, and even scandalous practices, unless ex-
tremely gross, ordinarily pass uncensured. Viola-
tions of these commands, which immediately res-
pect (iod himself, are by many reckoned very
venial, or no transgressions. Little more than
gross acts of murder, or approaches to it : gross
and notorious uncleanness, and especially di-
rect theft and robbery, is practically held as either
438 A COMrENDIOUS HISTORY OF THR
censurable by the church, or punishable by th^
state. The Seceders have now about two hun-
dred ministers settled in Britain and Ireland,
besides others in America. But their falling
from their first love, indulirence of conformity to
the world, and their anc^ry divisions about thing's
which many of themselves do not fully under-
stand, have cxceeding-ly marred their usefulness
in maintaining- Christ's injured truths, and win-
jiing- souls to his service. The Reformed Pres-
bytery was formed about 1713, by IMr. John
jM'Millan above-mentioned, and Thomas Nairn,
who left the Secession. In many things they re-
semble the Seceders, but differ from them, in im-
pugning" the present civil government. Their
splitting into parties, on a debate concerning- the
extent oj ChrisCs deaths weakened these old dis-
senters^ as they call themselves, and retarded
their increase. The Presl)ytery of Relief origi-
nated from j\rr. Thomas Gillespy, whom the Ge-
neral Assembly in 1751 deposed, because he
would not, contrary to his conscience, assist in a
violent intrusion, — and some other ministers of
the church of Scotland, who, at their own hand,
left their established charges, and took up with
such people as invited them in other places.
Their scheme of admittin;^ persons of ditfeient
denominations to sealirig ordinances, and g"iving
their people an answerable allowance in hearing
and joinin«2^ in sealing ordinances, is excctulingly
suited to the taste of the age. But divisions
and other incidents have not a little retarded
their expected increase. Besides all these, there
are, I think, between twenty and thirty thousand
Papists, who, notwithstanding^ all the laudable
CHURCH OK SCOTLAND. 439
diligence of the Society for propagating;' Christian
Knowledge in that country, tlo chiefly swarm in
the north. How nianv Epicopalian minsters or
people there be in Scotland at present, 1 do not
certainly know.
KXD OK THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OK SCOTLAND.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Historical Account of the Rise and. Pro
gress of the Secession^ by the Rev, John Brown of
Haddington^ is so intiinaiely Connccfed with the
History/ of the Church of Scotland, tJiat it has been
lho7ight proper to annex it to the present volume, —
Ami the Publishers flatter Uiem&elves that it xvill he
c'07isideredf by iJie Public^ as a valuable addition
to his History of the Scottish Church: the work of
^^ a man wlio^'' says 07ie of his biographers, *^ though
^^ firm in his adherence to what he judged to be truth,
*• and strenuous in its defence, tms at Vie same time
*' the friend of forbearance boih in principle and
** pracliccJ^
AN
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE
RISE AND PROGRESS
OF TUE
SECESSION.
MR. JOHN BROWN,
LATE MINISTER OF TUE GOSPEI- AT IIAUDINGTOK.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
RISE AND PROGRESS
SECESSION
1 HE connection of the Secession with former
events, renders necessary a rehearsal of a variety
of facts, prior to the date of it. — Our reformers
not only published, but procured tlie estabbsh-
ment of the doctrines of Christ, maintained by
Calvin, in their Confession of Faith : they also
introduced his scriptural plan of Presbyterian
church-i^overnment ; according to which, every
minister has ccpial power, and acconbiiii;- to which
the ecclesiastical courts of Sessions, Presbyteries,
and Synods, are held of divine authority; and
subordinated the former to the latter.
'JMie i;reat lines of this plan they marked out,
in their fust book of discnpline : a more clear and
distinct delineation thereof they gave in their sc-
4 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
cond; whicli every minister amorjf^ tliem was
required to subscribe. An express parliamentary
ratification of this form of church-government,
they, after no small stru^-^lin^', at last obtained
in J. 592. In direct contradiction, however, to
their second book of discipline, patronage was
confirmed, and sundry other evils not fully abo-
lished.
Quickly after, partly by fraud, partly by force.
King James gradually pulled down the Presby-
terian form of church-government, and set up the
Episcopalian in its stead. He assumed a spiritual
headship over all persons and causes in the church.
This the parliament required many of the sub-
jects to acknowledge by oath. The simple and
scriptural form of worship, introduced by our re-
formers, he began to exchange for the supersti-
tious one of the English. By his influence, a ge-
neral assembly at Perth, chiefly composed of his
own creatures, admitted the five subsequent arti-
cles, viz. kneeling at theLord's Supper; privatead-
ministration of it to sick persons ; private admi-
nistration of baptism to distressed infants ; con-
firmation of children by the laying on of the hands
of the Bishop ; and the annual celebration of five
holidays, commemorating the nativity, death, re-
surrection, and ascension of Christ, and the mira-
culous descent of the Holy Ghost. These, from
the place where they were enacted, are ordina-
rily termed. The Articles of Perth.
James had not finished his intended model-
ling of our church, when death cut him oft'. His
son Charles I. Avith the assistance of Archbishop
Laud, bestirred himself, to render her altogether
E?iglish, or rather a little ?no?'e Romish. Fired
with indignationat the tyrannical imposition of
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 5
lialf-popish canons and liturgy, many of all ranks
in Scotland took the alarm. With the most hold,
though i)atient struggling, they at last obtained
the royal indiction of a free assembly and par-
liament. The assembly meeting first in 1088,
had plenty of rubbish to remove: — The national
covenant, sworn a little before, referred a vast
deal of matter to their consideration. The six
packed meetings of the general assembly, which
assisted King James to deform the church, they
annulled. The liturgy, the book of canons, and
of ordination ; the unlawful oaths of entrants to
the curacy; the ofiice of Bishops; the High Com-
mission-court ; and civil offices of kirk men, they
condemned. The most active ringleaders in the
former apostacy, they censured. All the Bishops
were cited to their bar; and, notwithstanding of
whatever themselves, or the King's commissioner
could do, in their behalf, nine of them were ex-
communicated, three of tliem deposed from all
office in the church, two of them deposed from
their Episcopal function, and suspended from the
ministry. The assembly, moreover, restored kirk-
sessions and synods, provincial and national,
agreeable to the order prescribed in the second
book of discipline; and revived or enacted a num-
ber of excellent rules for maintaining the order
and purity of the church. They not only con-
tinued their meeting after the King's commis-
sioner pretended to dissolve it, but expressly af-
firmed their divine, ecclesiastical, and civil au-
thority, to hold general assemblies, whenever it
is necessary. They nevertheless avowed that the
King, though a bigot for Prelacy, had power to
call and convene such courts; and in case he call-
ed one next year, they agreed to desert the diet,
6 AN IirSTOniCAL ACCOUNT OF THE
which themselves had fixed, and observe that
wJiich his Majesty should appoint.
This faithiul assembly of Glasgow, Ring
Charles proclaimed to be, after his Commission-
er's dissolution thereof, an unlawful and sedi-
tious meeting; nor did any of the reforming
parliaments ever acknowledge its authority.
The substance of its principal acts the assembly
1639 threw together into a new act, and soften-
ed some of the expressions. This the parliament
161-0 explicitly ratified. They also revived the
fore-mentioned act of 1592, in all the points and
articles thereof; and expressly declared, that the
sole and only power and jurisdiction within this
kirk, stands in her sessions, Presbyteries, synods,
and general assemblies. With one consent both
church and state went forward, promoting re-
formation, and suppressing Popery, Prelacy, and
profaneness ; and prompted their neighbours in
'England and Ireland to follow their example.
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Cate-
chisms, with their Directory for Worship, were
ratified by both church and state. The West-
minster Form of Church'govermncnt was expressly
received by the church; but never ratified by our
state.
For eleven years of this reforming period, pa-
tronage retained its legal force ; nay, by some
acts, both church and state, directly or indirect-
ly, approved it. Care was, however, taken, that
no minister should be obtruded upon the Chris-
tian peoi)le against their will. In 1619, the par-
liainent entirely abolished it as a Popish custom,
and an oppressive grievance to the people of God.
In eonsctpicnee liereof, the assembly that year
IVamed a Directory for the election of ministers ;
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 7
which, it is presumed, ascribes to the session
more power than is allowed them, by the ora-
cles of Christ.
Nothing so much distinguished our ancestors,
as their public covenanting with God. Divinely
assured, that, in the days of Moses, Joshun, Asa,
Joash, Josiah, and Nehemiah, the Hebrews had,
with his approbation, thus dedicated themselves
and their seed to the Lord: Convinced that pub-
lic covenanting is no where, in the sacred page,
represented as a ceremonial service, and so must
be equally lawful under the N^ew dispensation as
under the Old: Convinced that it was expressly
j)romised to take place under the Gospel* ; and,
with apostolic approbation, was probably prac-
tised in the INIacedonian church j : Convinced,
that if subjects, on proper occasions, may enter
into a solemn association and bond, to promote
the service, honour, and safety of their Sove-
reign, the professed subjects of Jesus Christ,
may, in a social manner, devote themselves to
promote his interest and honour: Convinced,
that if a number of purchasers at once may take
out a charter for their property, wherein they
constitute themselves and their heirs the v.':ssals
of a Prince, Duke or Lord; there can be nothing
unreasonable if a number of men take hold of the
everlasting covenant, and God in it, for their
God, and the God of their seed; and hereon de-
vote themselves and posterity to be his honmir-
able vassals and servants: Convinced, that if one
man may solemnly devote himself to his .Maker,
himdreds, nay, tiiousands, may do so together:
Convinced, that if one, or nidic may in b.i!»li>iii
" \>n. \\\ IS, 21. «. ..r. ..11. ..
8 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
surrender his seed to tlie Lord, a whole nation
may surrender their posterity to him; — therefore
they did so in their public covenants. Alway
supposini^ such vows good in their matter, plain
in their form, seasonable in their juncture, and
taken in truth, judgment, and righteousness, our
ancestors were convinced, the three first precepts
of the moral law approved thereof. The first
requires us to avouch the Lord to be our God ; —
why may not a number do this together ? The
second enjoins our receiving, observing, and keep-
ing pure and entire, the ordinances of God's
worship; — why may we not vow to be faithful to
this trust, and to cleave to the Lord? Especially,
when the third requires us to swear hi/ his name,
and voio to the mightij God of Jacob.
Our ancestors knew, that the seasons of pub-
lic covenanting, specified in Scripture, were af-
ter signal deliverances ; amidst threatenings of
sore trials and heavy judgments ; or when ear-
nestly endeavouring to withstand, or reform from
signal corruptions. They thought the occasions
whereon they practised it, tallied therewith.
When the Popish powers abroad were forming
their league, to extirpate the Protestant cause,
and its adherents; was it unseasonable for King
.James, and his council, prompted by the church,
to set on foot the national covenant, or for the
church to re(|uiie the subscription thereof? —
When King Charles, Achbishop Laud, and their
creatures, combined to bury the pure worship
of God, the Presbyterian form of church govern-
ment, and the civil liberties of the nation, was it
unseasonable for the tables of the nobles to set on
foot the renovation of the national covenant ;
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECF.SSIoy. 9
and stir up their brethren, to swear to maintain
these valuable points ?
With respect to the matter of their (M)vcnant?,
our fathers were ready to defy their adversaries,
to show them any thin^ rcnouna'd, that was not
prohibited by the divine law ; or any thini^ es-
jyoused, that was not therein required. \n 1.580
and 1581, Popery in i^eneral, and in many par-
ticular heads, >vas abjured ; and the Protestant
religion, in doctrine, worslii[), discipline, and
government, then professed, was sworn to. h\
1590 an engagement to defend the King's person
and authority was subjoined. In 159G they con-
fessed their various sins, and engaged to walk
more circumspectly for the future. In 16:^8 the
maintenance of the true Protestant religion, and
of the civil authority of King Charles, then a
Prelatic persecutor ; an opposition to Laud's ca-
nons and liturgy ; and a forbearance of some no-
vations already introduced, till tried and allowed
in a free general assembly : together with the
leading of holy and exemplary lives ; and the as-
sistance and defence of one another, in fuUilling
these vows — were sworn to and engaged. Epis-
copal government, the five articles of Perth, and
the civil places and power of kirkmen (whose
lawfulness was left undetermined in the cove-
nant 1638, in order that Episcopals, as well
as others, might take it) being condemned by the
assembly that year, the covenant was afterward
subscribed, as importing a renunciation ul these
novations.
In the solemn league, most of the Scots, and
multitudes in England and Ireland, swore, in
their places and callings, to endeavour the pre-
servation of religion in Scotland, and the refor-
I© AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
mation of it in England and Ireland, according
to the word of God, and tlie example of the best
reformed churches ; and so promote an unifor-
mity of religion in all the three kingdoms, that
they and their children might live together in
faith and love, and the Lord delight to dwell
among them.
They engaged, in their respective stations, to
endeavour the abolishing of Popery, Prelacy,
superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, or what-
ever else is contrary to sound doctrine and the
power of Godliness. They swore to promote the
peace of the nation ; to support the authority of
the King, and the privileges of the parliament ;
and to promote union among themselves in pro-
secuting these laudable ends. — In 164-8 the Scots,
purged of many rotten-hearted professors, by the
English defeat of Duke Hamilton's engagement,
undertaken in favour of King Charles I. made
an extensive acknowledgment of their breaches
of the solemn league : Error, heresy, schism. In-
dependency, Anabaptism, Antinomianism, Fami-
lism, Libertinism, Scepticism, and Erastianism,
then rampant in Britain, were abjured ; the
maintenance of King Charles, still a strict Epis-
copalian, hisauth(»rity, and of the liberties of both
church and state, uas engaged to. What thing
vnlawful is here espoused ? What thing lawful is
here renounced ? What is here sworn to, that is
not implied in the ordination vows of every mi-
nister of the established (hurch? What that is
not implied in every candid adherence to the
Westminster Confession of Faith ? What that is
not implied in every proper baptismal engagement.^
Whatever rigour they used, in imposing these
covenants; whatever allowance they gave any to
RISE AND PROGRKSS OF THH SECESSION. 11
swear them, who did not understand iheni, or
who did not appear inclined to perform his vows,
must never be justified. It is certain they were
less culpable on these heads than many su[)pose.
Notwithstanding of the compulsory laws, 1 scarce
find an instance of any forced to take the cove-
nants, except by JNTontrose and Monro, who were
military men, anti both of them at last noted
enemies to the genuine covenanters. It is cer-
tain multitudes took these covenants with cheer-
fulness, knowledge, and candour; and that sur-
prising evidence of sobriety, and serious godli-
ness, appeared among them ; prayerless and pro-
fane persons, or families, were held as a detes-
table nuisance. Their very armies resendjled a
congregation of saints. Multitudes sufl'ered to
the death, for adhering to these vows, and died
rejoicing in God their Saviour. Whom God thus
honoured, let not us dare to calumniate as fools,
and lavish of their lives.
The ratification of these covenants I)y the state,
on some ol" the covenanting occasions, no doubt
inferred a civil security of the religion therein
espoused, even as the ratification of the Confes-
sion of Faith, and other subordinate standards,
inferred a civil security to the Protestant reli-
gion therein exhibited But as the latter makes
not the Protestant religion a mere state religion;
neither did the former render the covenants
merely state covenants. In the national, the co-
venanters expressly declare, that therein they
join themselves to the true protestant ( hur( h, os
livi'h/ menihrrs of the same in Christ thi ir Head.
Times without number, they represent their
engagements as covenants wrni (ion, which ne-
cessarily infers their reckoning them reli^ivus.
12 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF Till!:
not state covenants, uhich cannot be made with
God. without sup[)osin^" a renovation of the Jew-
ish Theocracy, in which God sustained the cha-
racter of princijial 3Iai;istrate. In J. 596, and
I^SSy the most noted occasions of covenantinp;',
they were not so much as influenced by the
smallest injunction from the state. In It; 1-3
and 164S the other two most remarkaljle sea-
sons thereof, the ecclesiastical authority had the
lead, and the civil did little else than add its
sanction to what appointments the church had
made. And in every period, ministers, not states-
men, were the ordinary administrators of these
oaths.
In this covenanting work, they never intend-
ed a mere acknoiuledgment of the obligation of the
divine lau\ with respect to the duties contained
in their covenant; !iut a morestrict bindingoftheiiu
selves to these necessary duties, bij a new and supers
added obligation. An obligation not increasino^
the original obligation of the divine law to these
duties, but one entirely distinct from, and su-
peradded thereto. In this view have all na-
tions of mankind, in all ages, made use of secon-
dary obligations, af promises, ])onds, vows, pro-
missory oaths, as means of more deeply impress-
ing the original mandates of the law of nature or
revelation, by the constitution of a new, solemn,
and distinct obligation, which cannot be violat-
ed, without superadding the new and distinct
crimes of infidelity, treachery, and perjury, to
that of rebellion against, and disobt^dience to,
the original revpiirement of tlie moral law. The
obligation of the divine law to perform the du-
ties contained in the covenants was the same
thousands of years ere they were thought of, and
niSE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 13
would have been the same, suppose they hatl ne-
ver been thought of, anil is entirely divine. The
law of God warrants the eonstitution of tlie ob-
ligation of lawful covenants to duty ; and when
it is constituted recjuires the fulfilment thereof;
and enforces the same with a divine sanction of
rewards, in case of fulfilment, and of punishment,
in case of breach. But tiiis obligation, and which
alone is the ohlif^aiion of the covenant, iiath no ex-
istence before the first covenanting act, and is
constituted by it. 'J'he divine obbgation of the
moral law extends ecjually to all men. The ob-
ligation of covenants being constituted by a hu-
man act, in obedience to the law of God, extends
only to such as either immediately or mediately
engage in those covenants*, and relates only to
this imperfect state.
That the obligation of the national covenant
and solemn league is perpetual, binding the
whole nation, in this and succeeding ages, is evi-
dent.
1. The things covenanted are duties required
in the law of God ; and so it cannot but be for
the honour of God, and the good of the nation,
and every person therein, they be perpetually ob-
served.
2. These covenants were public deeds of our
fathers, who had power to dedicate us to the
Lord, in that manner, as well as in bajjtism. —
And from God\s ancient grant of the nation to
his Son, Psal. ii. 8. Isa. xlii. I. cVc. they had
strong encouragement to do so. The covenant-
ing work in Scotland was so often repeated, and
on some occasions, particularly in Ui.'58, so uni-
* See SvnoU's Catechism on ihirU Command.
14 AX IIISTOUICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
versal, that it is scarce probable there is a
Scotch family on the continent, which is not de-
scended from some covenanter *.
S. These covenants were public deeds of the
representatives of both church and state, acqui-
esced in by tlie subjects, and so as hindinrr as
the covenant of Israel with the Gibeonites, which
was only sworn by the Princes of the congrega-
tion, Josh. ix. and yet continued binding on the
whole nation four hundred years afterward,
2 Sam. xxi.
4. These covenants were public deeds of the
body of the adult members in both church and
state, and often repeated and ratified by the su-
preme authority of both, and so binding upon the
whole church and nation, and their posterity af-
ter them, Deut. v. 2, S. and xxix. 1 — 13 f.
Even the public curse imprecated by the Jews,
met at the passover, iMath. xxvii. 25. hath af-
fected their whole nation and their posterity.
Without supposing that public covenants of pa-
rents, and of representatives of church or state,
or of the greater part of a society, were bind-
ing on their descendants, the body represented
the whole society, and such as accede thereto,
there could be no dependence on public covenants
• See Rapin, vol. ii. fol. 303. Hume's Hist, on ann. 1638, p. vi. 257.
Neal's Hist. Puritans, vol. ii. p. m, 2,5{> iJGO 2(il. Dickson, Henderson,
and Cant's Answers to, and Kcplies of. Doctors of Aberdeen, p 4", 40, 44- 77.
97. Spang's Historia Motiiuni, p (iO. Brown's ApoIogeticalJlclation, p. 48.
Hind let Loose, p. 77. 514 — 520. Livin<iston"s Life, p. 'J2. JJishop
Ciuthrie'sMeiwoirs, p. 35. Stevenson's Hist, vol. ii. p 291 — 297,311, 445.
Willison's Testim. p. 7. Wilson's Defence, p. 210 — 243. Cniickshank's
Hist. vol. i. p. 'S\^.
-f For proof of the perpetual obligation of these covenants, see Timor-
ais's ( ovcnanters' Plea, Croft's Fastening of Peter's fetters, Hind let I a>osc,
p. 514 — 520. Urown's Apologctiral Kelation, p. 327 to 4-li. See also
Brown's Letter on the perpetual oblii^ation of the Scotch Covenants, Walker's
Sermons, both hitely published.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 15
and treaties in, or between societies. Whenever
the immediate covenanters, or often a i'vw of
them, died or lost their power, the ohlit;- ition of
the treaties would be voided, and so all thiiiL^s
kept in confusion.
Twelve years of reformation were scarce elaps-
ed, when all the above advances therein bei^an to
be plucked up by the roots. To support King
Charles II. ag^ainst Cromwell, but contrary to
solemn enslavements, m icked malignants were
received into places of power and trust. By this,
both church and state were thrown into fearful
disoiders. Those of the general assembly, who
countenanced this promiscuous admission, were
called Resohitionei'S : these who warmly opposed
it, were designed the Protester. The nation
was overspread, and torn asunder by the warm-
est animosity, and the mutual censures betwixt
them. Cromwell having routed their King, and
forced him to flee the country, restricted both
parties.
When Charles II. was restored to his kingdom,
anno 1660, he, and most of his subjects, profane-
ly trampled on their solemn vows. Zealously,
and at no small expense, had the covenanters
supported his interest, and promoted his restora-
tion: Destruction and ruin were their only re-
ward. Their covenanted reformation, Irom J6iJ7
to 16^0, was declared null and void; and much
of it rebellious and treasonable. Their cove-
nants were declared unlawful, and not binding
on the swearers ; many of tlu' subjects were
obliged solemnly to renounce them as such ; by
order of authority they were publicly burnt; and
it was declared treasonable t(» give or take tliem.
JEpiscopacy was restored and advanced. The
16 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
Kin^ was declared supreme head of the church
in all causes, to whom the orderini:^ of her whole
external govcrjmient did solely heioii;^, as an in-
herent rijj^ht of his crown. By oaths, declara-
tions, or tests, the subjects were reijuircd to jus-
tify these odious crimes. Such as (aithfully op-
posed, were fined, imprisoned, tortured, banish-
ed, or murdered, under, and without colour of
law. At the very beginning", about two-thirds
of the ministry complied with the court. Not a
few others, too cowardly, deserted their judica-
tures and flocks : many accepted of an indul-
gence to preach, flowinj^ from Charles's supre-
macy, and hampered with sinful restrictions, as,
that they should not meddle with the Sove-
reign's spiritual headship ; should not marry, or
admit to the seals of the covenant, any who re-
sided in the congregations of curates, unless at-
tested by them ; should either attend the Pre-
latic courts, or confine themselves to their own
parish, &:c. They afterward thanked the Duke
of York for his toleration, clearly founded on
his claim to absolute power, and calculated to
introduce the whole delusion, idolatry, and ty-
ranny of Antichrist.
In 1688, when James and his agents were just
going to wreath the yoke of Popery and slavery
about our necks, God ejected him from his throne,
and crushed his designs. The parliament which
met thereafter, abolished prelacy, the King's su-
premacy in ecclesiastical affairs, the Yule va-
cance, together with the persecuting acts of the
preceding period. Its wicked oaths and declara-
tions, they discharged; and, in room thereof, ap-
point(Hl a simple oath of allegiance, and a solemn
declaration of lidelity to our Sovereign King Wil-
r>
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 17
liam. They revived and confirmed all fornier laws,
in so faras against Popery, and lurthe maintenance
of the true reformed Piotestantrelif^ion. They rati-
fied the Westminster Confession of Faitli, and en-
grossed it into their act. 'J'hey ratified and conlirin-
edPresbyterianchurchgovernment and discipline,
as agreeable to the word of God, and most conducive
to the advancement of true pletjj and i^odlin ss, and
the establishing of peace and tranqniUiiij within this
realm. They revived tiie 1 14th act of the par-
liament 1692, in so far as it estahlished the same;
and rescinded all acts and laws in so far as con-
trary to said Protestant reliiifion, and Presbyte-
rian g-overnment and discipline. The govern-
ment of the church they lod«;ed in the iiands of
such ministers as had been ejected for oj)j)osin;^
Prelacy. They abolished patrona<^e ; but lodg-
ed the election of ministers in the hand of heri-
tors and elders, with the consent of the con/;re-
o^ation. They made a variety of excellent acts
against profaneness and blasj)hcmy. (Jueen
Anne's first parliament lurther ratified the true
Protestant religion, together \\lth thenorsliip,
discipline, and government of this church ; and
declared the unalterable continuance thereof an
essential ixwil fundamental condition of the union,
in all time coming.
In 1090, the General Assembly s|)ent the first
day of their meeting in solemn lasting, and la-
menting over the sins of the land. Tlie former
assemblies concerned in the above-mentioned
public resolutions, were given uj) to o!)livion.
Whatever censures the resolutioners or jirotestcrs
had passed upon one another, were declared null
and voitl. In the act for a national last, a mul-
titude of the abominations of thi- ru rsiHiilin:; pi!-
18 AN HISTOIUCAL ACCOUNT OF THE
riod Were condemned and lamented. The par-
liamenTs settlenit nt of religion was acquiesced
in without any c()iiij)laint. In the acts of this,
and other subsequent assemblies, we find a va-
riety of occasional hints, inq)lyinc^ an acknow-
ledgment of the authority of the <^a^neral assem-
blies from 1638 to 10.30 ' Till after 1710, espe-
cially in acts for fastini;, we find Irequent hints
of the binding" obligation of our covenants. In
the Commission's Seasonable Admonition, ratified
by the assembly 1699, and in some acts of fol-
lowing assemblies*, we have as full an assertion
of Christ's sole headship over his church ; of her
intrinsic power; and of the divine right of Pres-
byterian government, as can be met with in the
records of this church. In 1706 the Commis-
sion remonstrated against subjecting the nation,
in any degree, to the authority of the English
Bishops, as spiritual lords in the British parlia-
ment ; and against making the confirmation of
Prelacy in England an essential condition of the
union. In 1711, the Commission, and in 171^,
the Assembly, warmly remonstrated against the
British parliament, their granting a toleration
to all sects, except Papists and blasphemers; and
against their restoring of patronage.
King William and his managers were far enough
from being hearty IViends to a covenanted refor-
mation, or willing to allow of the ejection of loy-
al Episcopalian clergy, whose lives were tolera-
ble. For fear of provoking him and his agents
to oppose or subv' rt the cstabli>hment ol' Pres-
byterian government and discipline, the princi-
pal promoters of the revolution minced matters,
* Adnion. p. 5. Ass. 1703. act 7. IG. Ass, 17U7. act 11, Ass.
171 1, act 10.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION'. 19
as far as their consciences would permit. Hence
a number of well-disposetl persons in the revohi-
tion church, thoui^ht the procedure of both par-
liament and assembly defective. Considering the
horrid wickedness of the persecuting ptMiod, they
were displeased that the threefold representation
of grievances, especially that by Mr. Shields and
his brethren, presented to the assembly lf;i)0,
was refused to be read or considered ; that the
wicked oaths, acts, indulgencies, and persecution,
and other evils of that period, were not more ful-
ly and plainly condemned, and the testimonies of
the martyrs against them clearly approven.
Considering the indignity done to the work of
reformation between 1G:58 and 16'5(), they were
persuaded it ought not to have been so much
overlooked, or left under any slur, but solemnly
and plainly approven. Considering what daring
indignity had of late been done thereto, they
thought the sole headship of Christ over his
church, together with her intrinsic po^^ er, and
the divine right of Presbytery, should have been
more clearly, and still more solemnly, asserted,
in acts made for that very purpose. They were
grieved that our covenants were not more so-
lemnly and particularly approven, and their ob-
ligation upon posterity more fully asserted and
evinced ; and that no steps were taken towards
the renovation thereof. I'hey were offended that
noted persecutors possessed civil places ui' power
and trust, and were so easily admitted to sealing
or(lin;inces, and even to tlu^ office of elders in the
church: — offended that the Hishops' early flight
to England, and the favour of some great men,
screened them from chureh-censure ; and tliat
jnany curates were admitted by the chuich into
20 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
iTiinisterial fellowship, without any express re-
nunciation ofahjured Prelacy, or profession of sor-
row for their compliance with it. They were of-
fended that the meetin^Ts of the General Assem-
bly were so tamely dissolved, or prorof:^ued, at
the will of Kin^ William, or Queen Anne.
It is easy to see that such persons would hearti-
ly detest the parliament's consentini^ to the con-
firmation of Prelacy in England, as an essential
condition of the union ; and reckon it contrary
to Scripture, and a plain burial of the solemn
leai,aie, wherein we are engaged to endeavour the
reformation of England from Prelacy : — would
be grieved with the introduction from England,
of the abjuration-oath, as a qualification for ci-
vil offices ; of custom-house-oaths ; of unnecessa-
ry repetition of oaths ; of superstitious swear-
ing by touching and kissing the Gospel- ; and
of Scotsmen's receiving the Lord's Supper in
the English manner, as a qualification for civil
offices, while serving the Sovereign in EnL>land ;
and with the parliament's restoration of patro-
nag(% and the superstitious Yule vacance of our
civil courts ; and with their granting an almost
unlimited toh'ration. But it was the imposition of
the abjuration oath, especially upon the minis-
try, which then occasioned the most mournful
often ce and division in the church. Every true
Presbyterian heartily abhorred Popery, and de-
tested the Pretender for its sake : but knowing
that God had expressly prohibited the taking of
his name in vain, and that he will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain, Exod.
XX. 7.-— that forwardness in swearing oaths is
marked as part of a wieked man's character,
Eccl. ix. 2. and great caution therein as part of
RISE AND rROGilESS OF THE SECESSION. 21
the character of a saint, Gen. xxiv. 2 — D. Know-
ing that every oath oui>lit to be fur confirniation,
to make an end of strife, Ilcb vi. j (j. and so
ought, as far as the terms can admit, to ht* ta-
ken in the sense of the imposer; — that it oui;lit
to be sworn in trulh, and in judirmcut, an*! in
righ/cousficsSy Jer. iv. 2. and with a single eye to
the glory of God, 1 Cor. x. SI. Knowing that
Ave in this land can take no oath contrary to our
public covenants, the national and solemn league,
wherein we abjure Popery, Frelac)', superstitious
ceremonies, Lrastianism, schism, kc. witliout in-
volving ourselves in the most fearful perjury ; —
many truly loyal, judicious, and godly ministers
and Christians scrupled at taking it, or even at
joining in church-fellowship with these mini-
sters whf) took it. Besides other objections.
1. They thought that oath unnkckssaiiy, and
so a taking of the name of the Lord their God
IN VAIN ; — as every thing lawful therein contain-
ed, is just the moment before sworn in the alll-
GiANCfe, and solemnly engaged to in the assur-
ance. It moreover appeared to them, that this
oath was of no use to exclude treacher^ius Jaco-
bites from places of power or trust, or to secure
the Protestant succession in the family of Hano-
ver.— The imposition of it both in I 702 and 1711
being chiefly owing to Jacobitical influence; and
none make less scruple to take it than most of
the Jacobites.
2. Notwithstanding the jurants being obliged
to [)rofess, upon oath, that every word in it has
a ])/ain and common sc?isCy in which they swear
they take it, wi/hout arij/ secret fiSenut/ion what-
soevcr, they found in it several expressions which
they deemed unsafe ; as to swear the sovereign
22 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
to be LAWFUL and rightful king of all the do*
minions and countiiL's helon^-ing to Great Bri-
tain ; as they hardly knew what countries Bri-
tain claimed ; or the lawfalness of her claim to
some of them ; nay, suspected her claim to some
of them to he merely founded on treachery and
violence : — to swear they would to the utmost
of their power defend the sovereign against all
attempts which should be made against his dig-
nity, which thf»y were certain, in the original
form of the oath, included his spiritual headship
over the church, as well as his civil supremacy ;
and in most part of his dominions certainly re-
tains the same signification ; nor hath it ever
been declared, that it hath not that signification
when the oath is sworn in Scotland : — and to
swear they would do their best endeavours to
disclose all treasons, i. e. whatever was declar-
ed treason by the Scotch, English, and British
laws ; when they had scarce access to examine
all these laws, and were scarce satisfied that every
thing they declared treasonable was really so.
3. As the parliament of England, in their ori-
ginal imposition of this oath, had expressly de-
clared, that one end thereof was the perpetual
maintenance of the church of En<rlancL as by laiv
estahlishedy i. c. as corrupted with Popish Prela-
cy and ceremonies. — And in this oath thejurant
swears, that he will to tlic utermost of his power
maintain the limitation and succession of the
British crown as it is, or which stands limited
by an English act, which expressly requires tlie
Sovereign to be ojthe communion of the chvrch of
Euf^land, and to swear to nia'intain her as by law
established ; — they thought the oath engaged
tjiem indirectly to support Prelacy and the cere-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 23
monies in Ens^land, and to endeavour to shut up
the Kin^ to swear a sinful oath, and ])ractise un-
lawful church-feUowship as a condition of enjoy-
ing his royal powers and privilei^^es. — This tliey
looked upon as contrary to Scripture, 1 Tiiess.
V. 22. Eph. V. 11. Col. ii. 20,21. Luke xxii.
24! — 27. and expressly contrary to our covenants,
whereby Prelacy and ceremonies, whether in
Scotland or England, are abjured as sinful, i\nd
to be extirpated. Many even thought that a
swearing to maintain the succession of the crown
against all others, to fhe heirs <>/' the bodif of So-
phidy upon the simple condition of their bcimr
Protestants, was unlawful, as being contrary to
some fundamental laws of the kingdom ; and as
it might, in a variety of suj)posable cases, in-
volve the adherent to this oath, in unreason-
able conduct.
4. When they judged the swearing of this
oath an unnecessary taking of God's name in
vain ; when they looked on the above and other
expressions of it as obscure or unsafe; w hen they
looked on it, as including an engagement to the
indirect and mediate maintenance of Prelacy,
and the ceremonies in England ; and when they
moreover knew, that, contrary to manifold laws
of God, Lev. xix. 14. Deut. xxvii. 18. Kom. xiv.
13 — 22.andxv. I — S. 1 Cor.x.2.S.31 — 3^. andviii.
9 — 1^^. Rom xvi. 17, IS. Malth. xviii. 6, 7. they
would, in taking it, lay stumbling-blocks in the
way of others; encourage or harden some in tak-
ing it rashly and ignorant ly in the too common
manner; or, in taking it frejpitnily, perhajis se-
veral times in one day or week, to qualify them
fordifiVrent ofliccs in the slate; or give occa>ion
to contention, schism, evil-speaking, and mutual
24> AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
revilinE^, in the societies wherewith they were
connected — they could not allow themselves, for
fear of any human penalty, to take it heartily
and WILLINGLY, as every jurant has to swear he
doth. — 'I'o these reasons, a variety of answers
were })ublished ; hut destitute of that candour
or clearness necessary to satisfy a duly tender
and well-informed conscience, in the awful and
solemn point of an oath.
AVhile the affair of the abjuration-oath conti-
nued rending the church, I\Ir. John Simson, pro-
fessor of divinity at Glasgow, in his defences to
the assembly, against Mr. James Webster, main-
tained, that Heathens have an implicit discovery
of redemption through Christ : that if they, or
others, with such moral seriousness, as they are
by nature capable of, use the means of liappi-
ness they have, they shall certainly obtain sav-
ing grace and endless felicity : that all infants
have their souls formed as pure and holy as
Adam's was, and dying in nonage, shall |)robably
be saved : that no proper covenant of works was
made with Adam, as the representative of his
posterity : that our own happiness ought to be
our chiet end in the service of God: that there is
no immediate precourse of God attending, and
influencing ihe acts of his reasonable creatures :
and that there will be no sinning in hell after the
last judgment. — After tedious altrrcations, at
various meetings, the assembly 1717 found these
positions no more but opinions not ncccssarij to be
taught in divinifi/ ; opinions ?wt cvklc?it/j/ Jowuhd
in Scripture, and some oj t/icni tending to alirihuic
too much to the power of corrupt nature: and they
discharged him, or any other under their inspec-
tion, to propagate them.
I
RISE AND TROriRKSS OF THE SECESSION. 25
That verv day, however, they rondcmned, as
most inisouiid and detestable^ this proposition.
That it is unsound to teach. We must forsake our
sin in order to come to Christ, and to insUttini^ us in
covenant with God. This was thought a plain
affirming, that we ought to forsake our sin,
saving ourselves from the h)ve, power, and prac-
tice thereof, before we come to Christ, as the
only Saviour; or have any interest in his new-
covenant blessings. To give a check to this, and
other legal errors, then too ranij)ant, a noted Eng-
lish treatise, entitled, The Jf arrow of Modern
Divinity, was republished, with a recommenda-
tory preface by Mr. .Tames Hog, one of tlie ho-
liest ministers in the kingdom. For about eighty
years this treatise had maintained a considera-
I)le character with the serious : now, the Assem-
bly 1720, many of whose members, it was shrewd-
ly suspected, had never much, if at all, perused
it, condemned a great number of passages there-
in, and charged ministers to warn their people
against reading it. In this hasty attack, they
too plainly condemned the ofl'ering of Christ as
a Saviour to ^// men, or to \\\qv[ as sinners ; and
the maintaininir, that believers are fully deliver-
ed from the commanding and condemnmg power
of the law as a covenant of works. 'J'hey too
plainly asserted our holiness to be a federal, or
conditional means of our obtaining everlasting
happiness ; and that slavish fear of endless mi-
sery, and legal hope of future blessedness, ought
to influence the saints in their study of gospel-
holiness. — These almost entirely scriptural ex-
pressions, that believers arc not under the law,
and do not counnit sin ; that the Lord sees no sin
in them, and cannot be an^n/ uith (hem ; they dc-
26 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
dared Antinomian paradoxes. The distinction
of the moral law into the forms of a covenant,
and of a rule of duty in the hand of Christ, used
in order to explain these expresions, they utterly
condemned. Messrs. Thomas Boston, Ebenezer
anil Ralph Erskines, with nine others, remon-
strated against this decision ; and in tlieir an-
swers to the Commission's twelve queries, with
no >iinall evidence elucidated the truth. The As-
sembly i7'^2 resumed the affair, rebuked the
twelve representers for some ex[)ressions in their
representation, and made an act explaining and
confirmini^^ the act of 1 720 relative thereto. This,
thouijh not so gross as the former, the represent-
ing L-rethren protested against, as injurious to
truth I but the Assembly refused to mark their
protest. Not a few ministers, in order to avoid
the most rlistant appearance of favouring the
Marhow, seeminii to become more legal in their
doctirne than (brmerly, great numbers of serious
Christians crowded after the representers and
their friends. These, notu ithstanding of their
distinguished holiness of practice, and zealous
recommending of it to their hearers, were ex-
ceedingly tiaduced. as n(^w schemers, and Anti-
noi'.ian encouragers of a lircMitious life
Probably their reproach and trouble had been
more extensive, had not a flagiant report spread
al»road, tliat INIr. John Simson not only con-
temned thf Assend)ly*s prohiijition, and \aught
bis fore mentioned errors; hul had taught, that
Jesus Christ is not necessarily existent: that the
persons in the Godhead an not the very same in
substance: that ncicssa/j/ (wisfcnct', .suprtinc Dciii/,
and bcMig the o///// true C-</, m;!y be takm in a
sense importing the personal propeit) ot the i'a-
tlier, and <?o nnt !)cloni4iive' t<) the Son and (foly
Ghost.- — The toachin<4' of these Aiian tenets was
sufiieientlN ()ro\'ed a<;ainst him. But to tfie As-
seinMy he presented deehuarions in orthodcix
lani;ua^e ; and after mueli quibbling, prott .>s* d
his sorrow for some o( the oftrnsive expressions
that were proved against him. When the pro-
cess had eontinued more than two years, the As-
sembly .72s suspended him fV()m t*i'.' exer< ise of
all eeelesiastieal funetion, till another assenibly
should think fit to take off the sentence, 'i'he
Assembly ; 729 furtl^r deelared, that it was not
proper to entrust him any more with the train-
inii^ up of youn^ men for the holy ininistry I'he
libel relative to his continuir)(^ to teaeh his tbr-
nier errors, was fully jiroved, but left undis-
cussed. Many were offLuded, that his b!aspi)e-
my and error were so slightly censured.
Not lont,^ ."fter, IMr. Campbell, Professor of
church history in the university of St. Andrew's,
in his. printed tracts, ridiculed close walkini,^ with
God, and consulting him m all i»ur ways, as tn-
ihusiasm. He averred, that, in the int( rval be-
tween Christ's death and resurrection, his disci-
ples looked upon him as a downrii;ht impostor,
lie maintained that self love is the rhiel motive,
and standard of all actions, relit;rous or virtu-
ous. He asserted, that the existence of (iod, and
the immortality of the soul, cannot be knjfun by
the Iii;ht of nature: and that the laws of naiure
are a certain and sufficient rule to direct ration-
al minds to happiness; and our observation ilure-
of the great means of our real and lasiinn t( li-
city. — Tiiese he so varnished ovrr, in Ins de-
fences, that he never was censured on a count
of them. Tiiis added to the lurnier ulfence.
28 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
The mal-administration of church-government
■was now become notorious and glaring. For
ahout thirteen years after Queen Anne liad re-
stored j)atr()nage, none accepted the presenta-
tion unless he had tlie call or consent of the
Christian people. The British parliament in
171 9 ex])ressly declared, that unless the candi-
date accepted, the presentation was null. How
easily then might the church have restrained
her candidates trom accepting ! But it was, and
is more and more otherwise. During Mr. Sim-
son's last process, the violent intrusion of pre-
sentees u])on reclaiming^ungregations began.
To cut otr standing testimonies against their
own sinful conduct, the Assembly 1730, by an
express act, discharged marking the reasons of
any protest or dissent in their minutes. Nay,
in this and some subsequent Assemblies, it be-
came fashionable to refuse to record the dissents
or protests themselves. Against this, and other
growing defections, about forty ministers, and
sixteen hundred people, presented a warm re-
monstrance to the Assembly 1732, and begged a
judicial assertion of truth, in opposition to jMr.
Simson's errors. These representations the As-
sembly refused to hear: and, contrary to instruc-
tion from the far greater part of presbyteries
which sent any, they enacted, that Protestant
heiitors, whether prelatic Jacobites or not, and
elders, should be the sole electors of gospel mi-
nisters. This act was reckoned an overturning
of Christ's spiritual kingiium, in his own name ;
and u robbing his people of their spiritual privi-
lege, undei pretence of his authority. Next As-
sembly, under pain of the highest censure, pro-
liibited the Presbytery ot Duuiferlinc, and by
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 29
consequence every other, to allow sealiii«; ordi-
nances to such whose conscience could not sub-
mit to the ininistrv of a presentee, violently ob-
truded upon them. According to this, many be-
hoved either to trample on their conscience, and
the Christian law, or to be held as Heathen men
and publicans.
Meanwhile Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, in a sermon
before the Synod at Perth, October 1732, de-
cried patronage, and the Assembly's above-men-
tioned act, relative to the election of ministers,
and some other prevalent courses of defection.
After three days of warm disputation, the sy-
nod ordered him to be rebuked at their bar, for
the matter and manner of his sermon. Twelve
ministers and two elders dissented. Himself ap-
pealed to the ensuing general Asscmijly. But,
instead of redress, that sui)reme jutlicature ap-
pointed him to receive a rebuke at their bar.
Conceiving the truths of (Jod affirmed in his ser-
mon were hereby injured, he protested, that
without violating his conscience he could not
submit ; and that he should be at liberty to give
a like testimony on every i)roper occasion. For
their own exoneration, Messrs. William Wilson.
Alexander Moncrief, and James Fisher, adhered
to his protest. Without allowing these four bre-
thren to attempt a defence of their conduct, the
Assembly appointed their Commission to proceed
againt them, in August next, by suspension, or
higher censure, if they did not retract their pro-
test, and profess their sorrow lor taking it. In
August, being hanlly permitted to declare their
mind, and still adheiing to their protest, they
were su>peiu!eil from tlie exereisi' ol their office.
In November, tiie Conmiissiun still finding them
.■^0 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
impeniteut, did, hy tlieir moderator's casting
vote, loose tli'ir tninistcrial relation to their re-
spective coni;i< .^'ations. These four brethren
protested, that their oifi^^e, and their relation to
their conjure, ations, should be held as valid as
if no sui'h sentence; had been passed; and they
declared a Sl^CKS^I^JN, not from the constitution oi.
the church of Scotland, but from the prevai/'uig
purffj in hrr Judicatures.
'jiiat they mi^ht regularly adhere to their
principles, and afFr»rd relief to such as were op-
pressed with lnlru^i(Jn^, they quickly after, with
prayer and fasting, constituted themselves into
an ecclesiastic court, which they termed, the As-
sociate Preshvtcry. Their minutes hear, that
Messrs. Wi}s(>n and Moncrief, soon after, framed
their first testimr)ny to the doctrine, worship,
disciplifie, and yovernment of the church of Scot-
land; and that tliis wa^ judicially a[)proven J 734,
in their meetings at Coltargy and Dunfermline.
Herein th('y exhibit their reasons of secession,
and which readers ought carefully to observe, viz.
1. That the prevailing partij, in the establish-
ed judicatures, we7^e t)r caking doxvn the Preshyte-
rian constitution of church government, by tlieir
trampling upon, and making decisions in an or-
der quite contrary to that prescribed in the barri-
er acts of this church, in her purest times, ena(^ted
to secure due deliberation, in the appointment
of standing laws, and general rules; by their ex-
ercising a lordly power over the consciences of
Christians, empowering heritors and elders to
impose on them their spiritual guides ; by their
promoting the violent intrusion of |>resentees up-
on reclaiming congregations; by their censuring
and ejecting uiiuisters, merely for protesting;
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. ."^L
against a >inful art of the General Assembly ; l>y
their allowing the Commission to take into their
own hand the Presbytery's power in settling a
pastor, if the expedini? a violent intrusion was
by the Presbytery refused : and by their tlircut-
ening tiie highest censure to these who adnjini-
stered sealinj^' ordinances to such as coiild not,
in conscience, submit to the ministry (d' intruders.
2. 'IMiat said prevail in:;- party were pursuing
such methods as Jmd nii evident tendency to cornipt
the doctrines of truths contained in their own Con^
fession of Faith; in thrir so easily dismissin;^ the
process relative to ProlVssor Simson, and refus-
ing; judicially to assert the truth in opposition to
his errors; in th<-ir caressiuL;; I'rofessor ('amp-
bell, while he spread his erroneous tenets ; and
finally, in their [)ermitting or encouraging pr(»ach-
ers to entertain their hearers with dry harangues,
of almost mere Heathen morality, instead of the
gospel of Christ
S. That they rvere imposinfi; vpon ?ninisters sin-
fnt terms oj' conunnniony even tlie breach of their
ordination-vows, in forbearing a proper op[)osi-
tion to the prevalent course of apostacy from the
doctrine, worship, discij)line, and government of
this church.
^. That they were co?>tini/infrin those evil nai/s,
notu ithstandina; of the use of ordinary means to re-
claim them. And which last they took, as bring-
ing the matter to a crisis, leaving no probable
view of redress, but m a v\ ay of se|)arati()n. — In
this testimony, the seceding brethren, as on
many other occasions, declarcil their /e;dous adhe-
rence to their ordination vows, and to every sub-
ordinate standard espoo-v I in lh< ir motlier-
ehurcii. They likewise avowed tiicir intention
32 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
to maintain church-fellowship, with all these of
lier ministers, or members, who faithfully oppos-
ed, and groaned imder the prevalent course of
defection, as o])portunity should permit.
In I7-^4< the Assembly was very diflerent from
some of the precedinj^. The better part had vi-
gorously bestirred themselves in the choice of
the members. Sundry corrupt and tyrannical
courses received an observable check. The Sy-
nod of Perth was appointed to repone the seced-
ini^ brethren to their respective charges : but as
this appointment represented the reposition as
effected without condemning the act of the pre-
ceding Assembly, or the conduct of their Com-
mission, these brethren accounted it as an act of
favour, rather than of justice ; and so deemed
the truths, which suffered along with them, not
duly vindicated. Hence they forebore return-
ing to the established judicatures upon such a
foundation. They published the reasons of their
conduct, and the terms upon which they were
willing to accede to the judicatures. About two
years and a half, however, they kept their meet-
ings of Presbytery, for almost nothing but prayer
and conference ; waiting, and wishing, for an
opportunity of an untainted return.
But observing the established judicatures fast
relapsing into, or proceeding forward in, their
former defection ; — observing that Professor
Campbell's sentiment of self-love being the great
standard and motive of all actions, religious and
moral, as varnished over by him, was inconsider-
ately approven by the Assembly 1736; and ob-
serving that the excellent acts of that Assembly
against i/ifn/sio?is, ov for orthodox preaching, were
generallv disregarded; — they beuan to supply
1
RISE AND PUOGRKSS OF THR SECFSSIOy. 33
with sermon such oppressed Christians as peti-
tioned for it; and Mr. Wilson was appointed to
educate students for the work of the inin stry,
in connection with them Meanwhile M< >srs.
Ralph Erskine and Thomas Mair, minister-, ac-
ceded to the Associate Presbytery, declaring that
they joined them not as diffcTent from, hut as a
pait of the church of Scothmd, witnessing" ai^i)ifist
the corruptions of the prevailing party in her
cstahlisheii judicatures ; that they intinded no
withdrawment from such i;()(lly brethren in the
ministry, as were t^roanini;* under, and wrrst-
linir against the then prevailing course of l)a< k-
sliding; and that thty resolved to return to the
above-mentioned judicatures, whenever these re-
turned to their duty. — 'J'his form of secession the
Associate Presbytery cheerfully accpiiesced in;
and declared to be in ellect the same with their
own.
AJjout the same time, the Associate Presby-
tery published a skcond tksi imony to the doc-
trine, worship, governnunt, and disriplinc of the
church of Scothind. It was not designed to state
the grounds of secession ; — lor thi' defections of
the prelatic p(Tsecutors, and of the civil govern-
ment, from neither of which they made their se-
cession, were therein r( hearsed ami ( ondt inncd;
— but was designed and calculated to represent
the grounds of the T.ord's controversy \\ ith the
g(Mieration ; calculated to i^ive ajudieial appro-
bation of former ste[)s of reloi niatioi), and to con-
demn the steps of apostacy therefrom ; and to
condemn the prevalent errors of the time, and
expressly assert the truth, in direct opposition
thereto.
r
3h AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
In this testimony, they marked out and con-
demned the leadinf^ defections of both church and
state, from 1650, when the apostacy remarkably
began, to 17'^G They expressly condemned the
errors of Professors Simson and Campbell ; and
shewed their contrariety to the word of God,
and the standards of this church. I'hey solemnly
asserted, that the Old and New Testaments are
not merely a si/J/icienty and the prificipal, but the
ONLY RULE to dircct us, how to glorify God, and
enjoy him : that Jesus Christ is the supreme, the
only true God ; the same in substance and dig-
nity with his eternal Father : that God from all
eternity decreed all things according to the coun-
sel of his own will ; and elected a certain num-
ber of mankind to everlasting life, of his mere
good pleasure, without any regard to their fu-
ture good works, as the condition or ground of
his choice : that God entered into a covenant of
life, upon condition of perfect obedience, with
Adam, as the representative of all his natural
seed : that by Adam's breach of that covenant,
in eating the forbidden fruit, all men are con-
ceived and born in sin ; are by nature children of
disobedience and wrath ; and can do nothing spi-
ritually good : that though there be no nccessaty
connection between the natural seriousness of
unregenerate men, and their obtaining of saving
grace ; yet it is their duty carefully to attend the
ordinances of the gospel, as the means whereby
God conveys his converting Spirit and influence;
that the light of nature is not sufficient to guide
fallen men to any true or lasting happiness :
that Christ assumed our nature; is very God,
and very man, in two distinct natures, and one
person for ever : that he, as surety, undertook
BISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. S.j
for all the elect, and them only, and gave to
the law and justice of God whatever ohodience
and satisfaction they could rc(|uire of us : that
his surety-rii^hteousness, imputed to us, is the
only foundation of our forgiveness of sin, ac-
ceptance into favour with God, and title to
eternal life, and not any thing wrought in, or
done by us : that want of conformity to Ciod's
law, in heart or life, is truly and properly sin ;
and that sinning and suffering will \)v the misery
of the damned in hell through all eternity: that
all believers in Christ are fully delivered from the
moral law as a covenant of works, so as to be
thereby neither justified nor condemned : but are
for ever under it, as a binding rule of obedience,
given by Jkhovah the Creator and Redeemer of
man : that God needs nothing from, nor can be
profited by, any creature; and therefore rewards
their good actions merely of his own free will
and gracious bounty : that not self-interest or
pleasure, but the holy law of God, is the supreme
and sole standard of all actions, religious or mo-
ral : that not self love, but a view of the glorious
excellencies of God, as revealed in Christ, and a
kindly regard to his authority, are the leading
motives of our love and obedience to him : that
no believer can ever totally or finally fall away
from his state of grace ; nor did Christ's disci-
ples, while he was in the grave, account him a
downright impostor: that Jesus (Mirist a/onc is
the Iving and head of his church ; to whom alone
it belongs to give unto her, laws, ortlinances, and
officers ; and to whom (tfoni' Iut officers are sub-
ject in their spiritual ministrations: that Christ
hath in his word prescribed a paiticular form of
government for his church, distinct from, and
S6 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
not subordinate to, the civil magistrate: that the
form of government a|)|)ointed by him to conti-
nue in his New-Testament church till his second
coming, is the Presbyterian, according to which
there is no office above that of a pastor ; and
congregational sessions, consisting of a minister
or ministers, eldeis an i deacons, which are sub-
ordinated to Presbyteries, or classes, and these
to Synods; and he hath appointed no other form
either Independent, Episcopalian, or Erastian :
that Christ hath entrusted this government, not
to all church •members,but to office-bearers, whose
power is entirely subordinated to the laws de-
clared in his word : that these officers have power
and warrant from Christ, to hold General As-
semblies, and other ecclesiastical courts, as often
as is necessary for the good of the church : that
Christ's kingdom, being oi a spirituaf nature, the
ministers, and other officers thereof, ought to be
set over congregations, by the call and consent
of such therein, as are admitted to full commu-
nion in all her sealing ordinances, no person's
vote being preferred upon any secular acconnt.
Along with this assertory declaration of truth,
they condemned and declared their detestation
of the contrary errors. They professed their
hearty adherence to the Westminster Confession
of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Di-
rectory for Worshij), and Form of Chuich Cro-
vernnient. I'hey declared their adherence to the
National Covenant, as exj)lained to abjure Pre-
lacy, the civil places and power of kirknun, and
the Articles ot Ferth; and to the Solemn League
and Covenant of the three kingdoms ; and to
every act of Asst mbly, or other testimony, in so
far as calcidated to promote or maintain tlieir
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 37
fathers' covenanted work of reformation. And,
finally, they, in their judicative capacity, declar-
ed their adherence to the representations present-
ed by them to the Commission of 1733; to their
first testimony; and to their reasons of not acced-
int^ to the judicatures of the established church :
and so made those papers as really parts of this
testimony, as if they had been v^holly engrossed
therein.
This testimony, as Mr. Wilson, its principal
drawer and defendant, observes, was never in-
tended for a new standard, but for a public ad-
herence to such as had been long acknowledged
by the nation. The extent of it, especially when
considered as comprehending the three pamph-
lets just now mentioned, made it very unfit to
be adopted as an ecclesiastical standard. Per-
sons, iiowever, who acceded to, or joined with
the seceding brethren, commonly professed their
aj)probation thereof, so far as they understood it;
but it must not be imagined they were required
to believe the real certainty of every narrative of
fact therein contained. To have demanded a
religious adherence to narrations of fact, depend-
ing entirely on the testimony of fallible histori-
ans, would have been antichristian tyranny.
Knowing the hundreds and thousands of mis-
takes observed in the most noted histories ;
knowing the ignorance and fallibility of mankind;
the seceding ministers abhorred the thought of
having their followers' faith to stand in the wis-
dom or authority of men ; and not wholly in the
wisdom, power, and veracity of God. ^Nlr. A\'il-
son openly averred, that IMr. Currie's charging
this testimony with twenty-luiir historical mis-
38 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
takes, no way aflected its proper substance ; but
was a mere wranti^lin^ about circumstances; and
that the plain meaning of people's approving of it
at their accession, was their signifying their con-
jiinciion with the Associate Preshyterii, hi the same
confession of the truths of God held forth from his
word, in our received standards. Now, it is no-
tour, that not the word of God, but acts of Par-
liament, or Assembly, or like fallible vouchers,
support the historical narrations therein con-
tained.
Though plenty of objections were mustered
up against this testimony ; some reckoning it
sinfully defective, and others reckoning it as much
redundant ; yet the prevailing party of the mini-
stry in the nation, proceeding on in their defec-
tion, and a multitude of them giving new offence,
by reading from their pulpit, on the Lord's day,
an act of Parliament for discovering the murder-
ers of Captain Porteous, in which that civil court
had claimed a spiritual headship over the church,
constituting themselves judges of ministers' qua-
lifications to sit in her courts, and threatening ec-
clesiastical eensure, if their civil authority was
not obeyed ; two ministers, and a multitude of
elders and private Christians, joined the seced-
ing brethren. 'J'lie reading of Porteous's paper
from the pulpit, in the time of divine service,
they reckoned a very criminal [)rofanation of the
Christian Sabbath ; and a sunjeetion of the read-
ers to the Parliament as their spiritual head.
The offended people warmly j)etitioned the As-
sociate Presbytery to afford them sermon, and
liold fasts with them, that they might mourn
over ti)e apostacy and wickedness of the times.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. S9
Their requests were granted, but not without
much deliberation.
These people were far from accounting their
leaving of their ministers unreasonable or ground-
less. They knew God had commanded his peo-
ple to come out of a corrupt church, that they
might not be partakers in her plagues*; that he
had commanded them to withdraw from brethren
walking disorderly!; that he had charged them
to mark such, as by their evil courses caused of-
fences, and to avoid themf; had charged them
to beware of the legal leaven or doctrine of the
Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod ||. In vain
you told them that Jesus Christ, and his pro-
phets and apostles, maintained communion with
the Jewish church : they knew the qualifications
of New Testament ministers did not turn upon
natural descent and ceremonial purity, so much
as under the Old ; but upon things spiritual and
moral. They knew men did not now cut off
themselves from all public ordinances, by with-
drawing from a particular national church, as
they did when there was but one tabernacle or
temple, wherein God caused his own name to
dwell. They defied you to prove, that Jesus,
and his prophets or apostles, countenanced the
corrupt party in their time : they granted that
he, just before his death, required his disciples
to regard the civil rulers who sat in Muses' seat:
but they challenged you to prove, he required
them to hear the ecclesiastical officers who sat
ill Aaron's: they challenged you to prove, that
Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, sat in the
• Uev. xviii. 4. f 2 Thcs. iii. G. X liom. xvi. i:
H Mark viii. l).
40 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
Jewish Sanhedrim, after it condemned the Lord
of glory ; or, tliuii^^h they had continued in this
civil court, with very wicked companions, to
prove from thence, our duty to continue in a
particular church, or with a particular part there-
of, ohstinate in their wickedness and apostacy.
In vain you told them, God, in the apostolic age,
enjoined no separation from the churches of Co-
rinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Pergarnos, and Thya-
tira, notwithstanding of the various corruptions
therein: for they believed no particular church
was to be separated from, till she appeared ob-
stinate in apostacy ; and they defied you to
prove that any of these churches continued ob-
stinately deaf to the apostolic admonitions given
them. In vain you told them, that their with-
drawment was a breaking up of the communion
of saints, and an interpretative condemnation of
Christ for holding commimion with any who did
not withdraw along with them : they knew God
had charged them to withdraw even from bke-
THKKN who walked disorderly : they challenged
you to shew, how one, who was bound by the
word of God, and solemn covenant with him, to
maintain the doctrine contained in the Confes-
sion of Faith, and Presbyterian govern mc-nt,
could, without any disorder or degree of scan-
dal, countenance or bid God speed a minister
who was obstinately overthrowing ^aid doctrine
or government : they knew God had charged
them to buy the truth, and not sell it ; no, not
though it were to obtain fellowship witli good
men : they knew not how inward grace, which
lies in the hidden man of the heart, could be the
term of visible church communion, especially to
such as cannot search the heart, and try the reins
7
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SRCT.,SST0N. ii
ef their neighbour: they challeng-ed you to prove
that there is no real saint in the Popisii church,
from which, notwithstanding, (lod expressly re-
quires us to withdraw; or to prove that Luther
and Calvin's obedience to that ( ommand, auu)unt-
ed to a breaking^ up the communion of the saints,
and was an interpretative condemning- of Christ,
merely because some saint, whom he loves to the
end, and vvaters every moment, sinfully disobey-
ed his solemn mandate, and did not come along
with them. "Do we," said they, ''condemn Christ
for retaining his saints always in his everlasting
arms, if we refuse to sit down with them at a
communion table, that moment they commit
adultery, as David; idolatry, as Solomon; or, with
curses and oaths, deny their Master, as Peter?"
They knew the grounds of separation from a
church, ought always to be solid and weighty ;
such as heresy in doctrine, idolatry in w«>rship,
tyranny in government, violent intrusion of pas-
tors, scandalous lives of the ministry, or sinful
terms of communion: they thought they had se-
veral of these in their case. Knowing what vows
their ministers came under at their ordination,
they reckoned them guilty of perjury and scan-
dal, if they were notorious breakers thereof. If
their pastor entertained them with legal and Ar-
minian harangues, instead of the gospel of Christ,
they tliought it full time to flee from the poison,
and go where they might have food for their
souls. If, through his unfaithfulness, they, at
the Lord's table, were in danger of having tiie
elements to receive from an elder knou n to be a
profane swearer or drunkard, and to give to a fel-
low-communicant, as well known to be a grossly
ignorant, or almost a praycrlcss person, thev
f
42 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OP THE
thought their condition very unhappy. If he ha-
bitually accommodated the censures and other
ordinances of the church, to the humours of his
hearers, especially the great, they suspected the
man-pleascr could not be a servant of Christ. If
he was extremely slothful and careless, or more
given to his farm or carnal employment, they
susj)ected Christ had not sent him, as he had not
given him a spirit for, and love to his work. If
their pastor had a better personal character than
some others, but prostituted this gift of God, to
support such as were naughty, by assisting at
their communions, or conniving at their sinful
procedure in judicatures, they reckoned this a
plain bidding of them God speed, and so account-
ed him a noted partaker in their evil deeds : A lit-
tle leaven, said they, leaveneih the luhole lump.
Nothing they more objected to than the vio-
lent intrusion of a pastor, by the power and in-
fluence of a patron. They knew the sacred ora-
cles assign the choice of church-officers to adult
church-members, free of scandal. The hundred
and twenty disciples at Jerusalem, chose can-
didates for the apostleship*. The multitude
of the Christian people chose their deacons, and
the apostles ordained thcmf . In all the churches
elders, or presbyters, were ordained hij the election
or siijfrages of the professed believersi. Christ
charges his people to try the spirits\\ ; a sure proof
they have some capacity for it : but to what pur-
pose should they try them, if they have not
power to choose the fit, and refuse the improper,
but must accept whoever is imposed upon them ?
Christ's kingdo7n himself declared with his dying
« Act* i. l.>— 2(;. t Acts vi. 1—6. :;: Chap. xiv. ?3. Gn
§ 1 John iv. I.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 43
breath, is not of this ivorld, John xviii. 36, ; how-
then is it possible for civil property to constitute
one a member, far less a ruler thereof? How-
can civil property, however considerable, enable
the patron to discern better than themselves,
what minister's talents are best suited, and most
edifying to the souls of such as are taught ofGod'^
Will his civil property qualify him to answer to
God for all these souls, over whom he imposes a
pastor ? Can civil property exalt a man in spiri-
tual things above God's poor ones, who are rich
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath
promised to them that love him ? Is God a re-
specter of persons? If he condemn the preference
of a rich man to a poor, in respect of a seat in
our worshipping assemblies*, is it possible that he,
for the sake of civil greatness, will give any man
power to dispose of the souls of his people, into
the hand of such spiritual physicians, guides, and
governors, as the man pleaseth ? If one may
choose his natural physician, is it reasonable to
deny him the choice of one for his soul ? In a vo-
luntary society, such as the church, how can one
have the relation of a minister to a congrega-
tion thereof, fixed, without, or contrary to their
consent ? How can we believe him a messenger
of Christ ? How can we pray for, or in faith hear
him as such, for whom Providence would never
open a regular entrance, but he was obliged to
be thrust in by the window, as a thief and a rob-
ber ? In vain you told them of the great man's
superior learning ; they had read in their Bible,
that the mysteries of the kingdom are often hid
from the wise and prudent of this world, ajid re-
* James ii. 1—13.
4l4l AN HISTORKAL ACCOUNT OF THE
vealed unto babes ; and that n >f many vnse men af-
ter the fie sh, not manif noble are called In vain
you told thetn, that a ^ivat part of the con^rre-
gation were the patron's tenants or servants;
their l^ihle infornu'd them, that in Christ there is
neither male nor jhnaU\ bond nor free ; but Christ
is all and in alt. In vain yon told them, the rich
pai'.i most, or all of the stij)end ; they kncnv the
contrary ; that heritors purchase the lands with
the burden of the stipend thereon, and so obtain
the '» at the less prire : their Bible informed
them, it was a suhckkkm'^, not a Christian j)rin-
ciple, that the spiritual ^ifts of God, or privileges
of his church, can l}e purchasrd leith moneif. In
vain you told them, that the residence of the
great was more fixed than of the poor cotta^i^er;
they shewed you instances of the poor remain-
ing in the same p rish from generation to gene-
ration, while the rich had often changed their
property : they pointed out the poor man, who
more attended the gospel, and more prayed for
success to it, and was more a comfort to his faith-
ful minister, in one year, than sundry great men
and patrons in t\\ enty. To as little purpose you
told them that the civil law compelled to settle
the presentee, be the opposition what it would;
they knew the contra; y ; and moreover their Bi-
ble had taught them, that luc ought to obei/ God
rather than men.
For what simony, sacrilege, perjury, and cruel
wasting of the church, said they, doth patronage
open a door? To [)lease a frienti, to gratify or re-
ward a chaplain, the presentee is complimented
with the Sdcred function : the souls of men are
sold over to his care, and the devoted revenues
secured to his purse ; and what hinders him to
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 45
return some obsequious compliance, or carnal ac-
knowledgment, for the presentation lie receives?
How readily are the lionour of Christ, and the
salvation of men, thus betrayed into the hand of
their open adversaries? A notorious infidel, a
blasphemer, a profaner of the Sabbath, an athe-
istical neglecter of the worship of God in his
closet and family, an unclean whoremonger, an
habitual drunkard; in fine, one who has not so
much rt-ligion as, with Satan, to believe and trem-
ble^ if he is a patron, chooses ambassadors for
Christ, and pastors to the souls of his people.
Will this man commit the presentation for the
ministry to faijhful, or not rather to errone-
ous, com[)laisant, and naughty men?
By patronage, how readily may one be admit-
ted to the sacred office, who, at his ordination,
will solemnly declare and vow before God, an-
gels, and men, that he b -lieves the whole doc-
trine c(»ntained in the Westminister Confes-
sion of Faith to be founded on the word of
God ; and that he will maintain and defend it
in opposition to all Popish, Arian, Arminian,
and other errors : and yet, in contradiction to
his sworn confession, will that moment believe,
and w ill afterward habitually or frequently ])reach
to his people, Arminian and other errors: — in
contradiction to his sworn confession, will in-
dulge his hearers in the neglect of Sabbnth-saiic-
tification, and of the daily, secret, and private
worship of God : — in contradiction to his sworn
confession, will habitually baptize the children
ot such whose gross ignorance unfits them to
profess their faith, and whose notour wicked-
ness demi'nstrates, they intend no obedience to
Christ \ — and will admit, perhaps, w ithout any
46 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
trial, to the Christian feast, persons who know
not the very first principles of the oracles of God;
or who are openly wicked, swearers, drunkards,
whoremongers, 6cc. ?
How readily may one he admitted, who, at his
ordination, will solemnly avow that he helieves
the Preshytcrian government and discipline to be
founded on, and aj^reeahle to the word of God;
and engage that, to the utmost of his power, he
will maintain and defend it all the days of his
life; while, in contradiction thereto, he that very
moment improves a Popish presentation, as the
whole or chief part of his call to that office, and
intends to encourage others in doing the like : —
in contradiction to his vow, is constantly dispos-
ed to ridicule our covenant-engagements, to
maintain said government and discipline; and
our martyrs who suffered in adherence thereto;
and, as oft as occasion permits, will assist in
breaking down various points of Presbyterian
government ; will perv^ert the discipline, over-
looking or protecting those guilty of error and
scandal, and censuring the conscientious adhe-
rents to truth ; or at least without protesting
against, or inward grief for them, will witness at-
tacks on the doctrine, worship, discipline, or go-
vernment of Christ ?
By patronage, how readily may one be admit-
ted to the ministry, who, at his ordination, will
solemnly affirm, that zeal for the glory of God,
love to Jesus Christ, and desire of the salvation
.of men, not any worldly interest or view, are his
chief motives to undertake that office ; and that
he hath used no undue means, by himself or
others, to. procure his call ; while it is notourly
known he, by himself or friend, solicited, at least
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 47
accepted, a Popish presentation, to procure, or
rather instead of, a call ; and whose future un-
concern for his flock, attended with a sharp look-
out for his stipend, will plainly manifest, that
not zeal for the glory of God, love to Christ, or
desire of men's salvation, but worldly views and
interest, were his chief motives to undertake that
work ?
Hereby one is readily admitted to the sacred
function, who, in his ordination- vows, will so-
lemnly engage to rule well his own family ; to
live a holy and circumspect life ; and faithfully,
diligently, and cheerfully to discharge all the
parts of his ministerial work ; who, in contradic-
tion to these vows, will frequently indulge him-
self in such loose and carnal behaviour as no way
becomes a follower and messenger of Christ ;
will too often neglect the morning and evening
sacrifice of secret or family worship ; will almost
wholly neglect the religious instruction of his chil-
dren or servants ; will witness his hearers pro-
fanely swear, or prostitute the Sabbath, without
administering a shadow of reproof to them; will
flatter men, especially if great, in a sinful course,
and encourage them to hope that their good
works will recommend them to the favour of
God ; — who will, in Jesus' name, attest elders
to the General Assembly, as persons of a sober
and Christian practice, strict observers of the
Sabbath, punctual attenders upon public ordi-
nances, regular maintainers of the daily worship
of God in their faniLlies, when he knows for cer-
tain the truth of the very reverse ; will cheer-
fully, and without trial, admit vile persons to
partake of the sacramental food of the chikhen
of Christ ; will spend his precious, his devoted
48 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
hours in idle chat, or in overseeing farms, or per-
lisini^ romances and plays; and by nejj^lectin^ to
visit his people, even when sick and dyinp^ ; by
nei^lectin<i^ to catechise them, especially such as
are of ai;e or hii;li rank; and by his preaching
about an hour on Sa!)batli, for the most of the
year, and the like; will plainly shew the mini-
sterial work to be, not his pleasure,, but his task,
which, for the sake ot his benefice, he must un-
dergo.
In fine, said they, by patronae^e one may be
admitted for a Presbyterian minister, who, if
searched out, may be found an almost Papist or
Heathen ; for, does he not seemingly believe the
lawfulness of Jesuitic equivocation, or the vali-
dity of Popish dispensations to sin, who, in the
above manner, solemnly vows, and constantly
practises the very reverse? If he contemn, if he
jest at part of the sacred page ; if his sermons
and practice mark him determined to know every-
thing rather than Jesus Christ, and him crucijicd;
has he not practically denied the Christian faith,
and become worse than an infidel? If he harangue
upon the dignity of our corrupt nature, u])0ii
our ability to do works sj)iritually good, and
their influence to recommend us to our Maker's
indulgence and favour, passing in silence the
imputation of a Saviour's |)erfect righteousness,
and the free and all-powerful operation of his
Sj)irit; is not this the sum of the abjured Popish,
Pelagian heresy? is not the denial, or passing
in silence tlie appropriating work of saving faith,
much of the same import with holding the gene-
ral and doubtsome faith of the Pope? If he as-
sist in deposing a brother for conscientious re-
fusal of an appointment, not warranted in the
7
klSE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 49
word of God; is he not guilty of ahjtired Popish
tyranny against Christian liberty? If he, even
without trial, admit the grossly ignorant, and
notoriously wicked, to the seals of the new cove-
nant, infers not that his Popish belief that the
very act of receiving the sacraments is profitable,
be the manner of doing it what will? Doth not
even the private administration of baptism flow
from, and tend to confirm, the Popish tenet, of
that ordinance being absolutely necessary to sal-
vation ? If a minister entertain his people with
flighty language, which they do not understand,
is that much different from the Roman service
in an unknown tongue? If, instead of the heart-
searching and affecting truths of God, he amuse
them with antic gestures, and foppish elocution,
wherein are these preferable to Romish beads?
Is not his withholding from them proper instruc-
tion, and carelessly suffering them to continue in
gross ignorance, a practical holding of his H<)li-
ness's maxim, that ionorance is the mo/her of devo-
tion^ If he dismiss from public censure, without
appearance of sorrow for the offence; or, if he
accept or allow the acceptance of money, instead
of public satisfaction for scandal, gives he not in
to the abjured Popish penance? If he pursue for,
if he cheerfully accept his l)enefice, while he doth
as little for it as possible, is not this an imita-
tion of the Romish lazy monks?
To such purpose reasoned the people who left
their pastors and joined the secession. Too many
of the above-mentioned j)ossible fruits of patro-
nage they thought plainly marked in the con-
duct of several of the intruded. Where no vio-
lent intrusion took place, it was not always the
worst minister who lost the greatest number ot
50 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
his people to the seceders. The general preva-
lence of gross ignnrance, and loose living, in a
congregation, often proved an eflectual bulwark
against the progress of the secession. But where
a diligent pastor had trained up his people in the
knowledge of their standards ; if he died, or
stumbled into some leading defection, there was
oft a crowding towards it. Not a few, at the
first, represented their grievances to their pas-
tor, before they left him. These generally ob-
tained but small satisfaction ; and some of them
were excommunicated for their pains ; so the
course came to be frequently disused"".
jMany who left their established pastors,
thought they were bound to train up their chil-
dren in the way wherein they should go, that
when old, they might not depart from it. They
thought themselves obliged to train up their chil-
dren witnesses for God, as well as themselves.
They durst not hazard their childrens' souls with
a naughty, legal, or lazy pastor ; or who had no
token of a mission from Christ ; or who prosti-
tuted his good character, by assisting the naughty
on sacramental occasions, ^:c. any more than their
own. They knew not how what was poisonous,
hurtful, or inex[)edient to the aged, could be
nourishing, harmless, and fit for the young.
Tlieir cause they accounted the cause of God;
and trembled at the tiiought of having a hand
• A late author proposes the hurt done to tlie wealth of the nation, by
the Secession, in the payment of stijHjruls to so many secetling ministers, as
a jwwerful reason for endeavouring to crush the Secession : but let him
know, that if seceders act in character, they can easily save as much time
and expense, from the service of Satan, in the articles of pride, dnmken-
ness, iVc. as will fully answer what is required for their peculiar circum-
stance* in religious uti'airs; and, it is belie veil, that author meets with as fen
kcccders either bankiupts or beggars, as he docs o( his own party.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 51
in its dropping", and being buried in their house.
The scripture had informed them that children
left to themselves bring their parents to shame.
They observed that few seceders' children whom,
while under age, their parents had not trained
up in their own way, comforted and honoured
these parents with much appearance of serious
godliness : and therefore they caused their little
ones attend the seceding preachers as well as
themselves.
Numbers of them even carried their seceding
views into the affair of their marriage. In obe-
dience to our valuable laws, civil and ecclesias-
tical, they so generally detested clandestine mar-
riages, that for many years an instance of it was
scarce found among them. Clandestine mar-
riage they looked on as sinful in a variety of
respects.
1. Sinful, as contrary to the very law of na-
ture, which suggests, that an entrance into the
nuptial state should be public, in order to pre-
vent future solicitations of persons concerned, to
uncleanness, or marriage with another. Hence
it is the common law or custom of every nation
under heaven, except where the sexes live in the
manner of beasts, to have marriage publicly in-
timated or celebrated. Thus even nature itself
teaches us, 1 Cor. xi. 14.
2. Sinful, as it is a rebellion against the pru-
dent regulations appointed, repeatedly appoint-
ed, in this and other Christian kingdoms and
churches, in the purest of times. In these clandes-
tine marriage hath been, not by a few weak in-
dividuals, but by the collective wisdom of both
church and state, prohibited under severe cen-
sures and penalties, as a scandalous and criminal
7
J2 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
nuisance to both Their lawful statutes God
himself ado|)ts, and commands us to obey for
conscience sake, and under pain of damnation,
Rom. xiii. I — .3. 1 Pet. ii. IS. Heb. xiii. 7, 17.
S. Sinful, as contrary to the manner of mar-
ria<j:es aj)jiroven in Scripture. Both in the Old and
New Testament, BKritorHiNG is represented as
antecedent to marriage, Exod. xxi.8. and xxii. 16.
L' V. xix. 20. Deut. xx. 7. and xxii 2.^3, 27, 28. and
xxviii. 30. Matt. i. 18. he marriages of Jacob,
Gen.xxix 22. Sampson, Judg. xiv. 1 — 8. at Cana
of(Talilee, John ii. 1 — 1 1. were public. The allu-
sion to marriage. Psal. xlv- 9 — 15. Christ's pa-
rables of the cliildren of the bride-chamber ; mar-
riage of the King's son ; and of the ten virgins,
Matt, ix 15. and xxii. i — U3. and xxv. 1 — 13,
do all suppose the universal custom of public
marriage,
4. Sinful, as it includes a rash and indelibe-
rate rushing into a most important state of life,
deeply connected with the glory of God, the or-
der of his church, and the temporal, spiritual,
and eternal happniess or misery of the persons
concerned, and their seed; — contrary to all these
Scriptures which require diseretion, deliberation,
and circumspection and wisdom in our conduct,
Psal cxii. 5. Eccl. v. 2. Isa. xxviii. 16. Prov. xix.
2. Eph v. 15.
5. Sinful, as it d(^priv^s parents of their due
honour and authority, and robs them of their
niost precious pro|)erty on earth — their children.
When (:iod created Adam and Eve, he, as their
parent, formally joined them in marriage, Gen.
ii. 18 — 25. Nothing is more plainly command-
ed of God, than that parents should have a prin-
cipal hand in disposing of their children in mar-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 53
riage, Exod. xxxiv. 16. Deut. vii. S. 1 Cor. vii.
38. How rebellious then, against him, must it
be, for children to dispose of themselves, with-
out consulting their parents ! How base ingrati-
tude thus to requite parents, who have with much
labour, care, and expense, brought them up !
How dishonest to dispose of that property of
their parents, which is dearer to them than ei-
ther money or goods, without their consent; and
that, too often, to the spiritual, if not temporal
and eternal ruin of themselves and their seed!
How contrary this to God's command of honour-
ing, obeying, and dealing honestly with parents!
Exod. XX. 12. Eph. vi. 1, 2. Prov. xxviii. 24.
6. Sinful, as therein a solemn oath is pro-
faned, being used in an ordinance of Satan, an
irregular method of marriage, and given to one
who is ordinarily no more than a profligate va-
gabond, who basely takes upon himself to admi-
nister the same without any authority from ei-
ther church or state. How directly contrary this
to that awful command, thou shalt not take (he
name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord
will' not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in
vain ! Exod. xx. 7.
7. Sinful, as it is a manifest fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness. It is plainly an
institution of the prince of darkness, calculated
to cover antecedent fornication, or to introduce
persons into a state and life of adultery with such
as stand married to some others; and, by means of
it, 1 have known one man married to three or four
wives, all alive at once. It is a Satanical inven-
tion for the speedy gratification of burning fleshly
lust, and for catching a claim to some external
property, in a manner indirect and dishonest.
54f AN HISTORICAL ACCOUXT OF THE
Suppose some should have none of those base
ends in view, yet herein they put on the shame-
ful badi^e, and render themselves so like the
others, that the world cannot distinguish between
them ; and so they justify, encouraf^e, and hard-
en them in their sin; — in much the same man-
ner as one would encourap^e and harden people
in whoredom, should he, while his own house is
at hand, wittingly take his lodging and victuals
in a public stew, suppose he should never so much
as touch one of the harlots within. In this light,
how contrary are such marriages to 1 Thess. v.
22. Abstain from all appearance of evil: Eph. v.
1 1. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works o/'
darkness, but rather repi'ove them ? And how
plainly a conscjiting with thieves, and partaking
with vile adulterers? Psal 1. 18.
8. And hence sinful, as it imprints a very
public and lasting blot upon our Christian cha-
racter, wiiich is very precious, and, as well as our
body and soul, is in baptism devoted to God.
How contrary to Scripture, Prov. xxii. 1 . Eccl.
vii. 1. do devote that character, which ought to
be an ornament to Christ and the Gospel, Tit.
ii. 10. to be a chariot lov Satan, in which he may
ride triumpliant against Ciirist and his church,
and insult the order and decency prescribed in
his word !
9. SiNFCL, as in the case of Christians it gives
a most public offence to the church, and occa-
sions a reproach and blasphemy of the name of
God among the profane, contrary to 1 Cor. x.
*31, 32. Rom. ii. 21.. iMatt. xviii. 7.
10. Sinful, as directly contrary to tlie express
]aw^ of Christ, of marrying onlj^ in the Lord, that
is, in the way of consulting the Lord for direc-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 5!i
tion; with such only as appear to fear the Lord,
and in a way calculated to bring the blessing of
the Lord upon their family — and of doinfr all
things decent! ij and in order — and to the use of cdi-
fpng, 1 Cor. vii. 30. and xiv. 26, 40.
11. Sinful, as it implies a contempt of the
awful warnings which God, in his word and pro-
vidence, hath given against such marriages ; and
as, without a thoroi!igh repentance, it is calculat-
ed to bring the judgments of God upon the per-
sons guilty, and their posterity after them. The
only clear instances of such marriage, and in which
the consent of parents was contemned, recorded
in Scripture, are three ; and all followed with
the terrible vengeance of God, The professing
descendants of Seth saw the irreligious daugh-
ters of Cain, that they were fair, and gratified
their inclinations with an immediate marriaefe.
What followed? An universal brood of grace-
less profligates for their children, and then an
overwhelming flood to drown both parents and
children, Gen. vi. ] — 8. Another instance is
that of Esau. What followed? Grief to his pa-
rents, and an exclusion of himself and his poste-
rity from the church of God, till their remem-
brance ceased from among men. Gen. xxvi. 34, 35.
and xxxvi. IMal. i. 2, 3. A third instance is
that of Judah, who, at his own hand, in a ramb-
ling visit, married a Canaanitish maid. What
followed ? Most shocking scenes of wickedness
and misery in his family, Gen. xxxviii On
many such accounts did Seceders consider clan-
destine marriages as highly criminal. iMany of
them wedded only such as were of, or favour-
ably disposed to, their own way. This, other
circumstances suitable, they thought most agree-
56 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
able to the divine command, of bein^ equallij yok-
i'dy and of marryin*^ none apt to seduce them
from the way of the Lord. This course they
thoiit,rht most exj)edient to promote religious in-
timacy between husband and wife; — to promote
liarmomy in their family-prayers; — and to secure
the careful education of their children in the
Avays of truth.
The secession had not lon^ continued, when
the connexion i)etween the ministers and people
became considerably strict. To have a minister
without the established church, and a people
within it, they could not comprehend. While they
had freedom to continue within, they reckoned
it schismatic to own and support a minister with-
out. To have connected themselves with a se-
ceding minister, by giving him a civil bond for
his stipend, they thought contrary to the nature
of Christ's kingdom^ which is not of this world,
and too near a-kin to a giving, and an encourage-
ment of him to take, the oversight of the flock
for filthy lucre. A promise or vow at their ac-
cession, never to hear any but seceding mini-
sters, w as, that I know of, never recpiired. The
influence of conscience, real or profVssed, was
their bond of connexion. By this the people left
hearing many in the establishment, because they
thought them not apparently messengers of Christ.
They left hearing of others, because of their
connexion with the former; or, because they did
not see how hearing of them, could either tend
to awaken to reformation any in the church, or
to confirm any in the secession, which they took
to be the way of the Lord. All the nation be-
ing under solemn vows tu promote the covenant-
ed work of reformation, such as were contem-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 51
Hers, of it, or careless about it, were by them
thought not altog-ether Ji'ee of scandal on that
head. To admit to sealing ordinances, such
whose most noted scandals they could have no
influence to censure, or purge, was thought to
involve in considerable perplexity. For seced-
ing ministers to have judged of their fitness for
the seals of God's covenant, who never commit-
ted themselves to their care, but continued pleas-
ed with their established pastors, might have ap-
peared very assuming ; and in some cases have
occasioned disputes in their own congregation.
From such views the seceding ministers were
much on the reserve, with respect to the admis-
sion of these who were not of their body, nor
disposed towards an accession thereto. It was
suspected such a reserve was too hastily indulg-
ed in the breach of fellowship with Messrs. John
Rid, James Wardlaw, and other worthy mini-
sters, or people of that stamp, who remained be-
liind them in the established church. This some
of the seceders repented of, when they had not
these, nor their equals, in the church, to hold
communion with. It cannot, however, be deni-
ed, that some of these worthy ministers, by con-
necting themselves at sacramental, or other oc-
casions, with intruders, or their abettors, gave
too much provocation.
The plain, and as was reckoned, harsh dealing
of the second testimony, with the crowding of
the people after the seceding ministers, mightily
provoked the managers in the established church.
The eight brethren were libelled and cited to the
Assembly USD. When they compeared, the As-
sembly intimated their readiness to drop the li-
bel, and every thing bvgone, and to receive them
58 AN HISTORICAL ACCOJNT OF THE
with open arms into full ministerial and Christian
communion with them. This offer tlie seced-
ing ministers refused to accept ; and conceiv-
ing that the court chiefly consisted of intrud-
ers, and others active in the growing defec-
tion, they boldly declined her authority, as a
not right constituted judicature of Jesus Christ.
Provoked anew with this daring attack, the ma-
nagers resolved to resent it with vigour. "With-
out finding them erroneous in doctrine, or scan-
dalous in practice, the next Assembly, 1710, de-
posed them from the ministerial office, as to the
exercise of it in this church. The Assembly's
restoration, to the office of the minidry, Mr. John
Glass, an impenitent and furious independent,
who had plainly broken his ordination-vows, and
continued declaiming against Presbyterian go-
vernment, reproaching our national covenanting,
and setting up as many sectarian congregations
as lay in his power, attended their prosecution
against the seceding ministers. A notour evi-
dence they were zealous for themselves, not for
the truth.
These brethren had never given evidence that
their secession was made for the sake of filthy
lucre. They did not, before they took that step,
in the manner of some since, secure themselves
in larger stipends : — And now being deposed, they
clave to their flocks, though, in sundry of them,
the hope of subsistence was for the present pretty
inconsiderable. The civil magistrate quickly turn-
ed them out of their kirks, and claims to their
benefice. Their prosecution occasioned the in-
crease of their followers. As their numbers in-
creased, so did their trials. Some royal fasts be-
ing indicted, on account of the Spanish war, some
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 59
of their people, in a particular corner of the
country, where the anti-government opinions
considerably prevailed, solicited them to deter-
mine judicially, whether it was lawful for seced-
ers to continue observing fasts and thanksgiv-
ings, even on grounds and causes specified by
themselves, upon the days nominated by the
King for such exercises. To this petition no
answer was given, till a pro re nata or interim
meeting of Presbytery, appointed for consider-
ing a different affair, and while fourteen of
twenty-two members were absent*, Messrs. Tho-
mas Nairn, Alexander JMoncrief, and Thomas
JMair, irregularly dragged in that question. When
it was carried, I think by four votes against
THREE, that in regard they conceived the estab-
lished church-judicatures had surrendered their
power of appointing fasts and thanksgivings in-
to the hand of the Sovereign ; arid that the So-
vereign had taken that power into his own hands,
it would be a sinful conniving at his Majesty's
exercising a spiritual headship over the church,
for seceders to observe public fasts or thanks-
givings on the diets named by him, even on causes
or grounds of their own framing.
Three of the four who voted this decision, af-
terwards altered their opinion. And the deep
* The members present at this Presbytery, as marked in the original mi-
nute, now before me, besides JMr. Thomson, Moderator, were .Messrs.
Alexander Moncricf, Thomas Nairn, Thomas JMuir, William Ilutton,
Kbcrczcr and Ralph I'^skines, ministers, and JMr. James W^ardlaw, from
Dunterndine, rulinj^-cldcr : The first four of whom voted for that act, as
far as it disallows Seceders observing fasts by their own authority, on days
appointed by the supreme civil magistrate, and the tlircc last voted against it.
This meeting was held at Dunfermline, January H, 17 tl. Many of tho
members went home the lirst week, as is evident from the number of absents.
Mescri. William Wilson was at Perdi ; Mr. . I anus Fibber was at Kinclca-
ven ; Mr. James Muir was at I^inton, and ]Mr. Snnlon was at Kilniaurs;
and the whole ciders were absent, except Mr. .lames Wardlaw — The meet-
ing was^J'O re naUiy and tiicrcfore tlic apiwintmcnt of tlie firu>t illegal.
GO AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
silence concerning this affair, in tlrj covenant
acknowledgment of sins which they, some time
after, drew up, plainly shews that the above-
mentioned decision was far from being generally
approven by the ministers. Numbers of the peo-
ple, however, in different corners, once giving
into a prejudice in favours of it, it was but in icw
places found for edification to observe pubHc
fasting or thanksgiving on the diets nominated
by the King. The seceding ministers indeed
failed not to recommend private fasting on such
occasions ; and to admonish their people to be-
ware of offending others with any pul)lic labour.
So that, excepting a few of the forward and less
judicious, as little open offence was ever given to
the government, on this head, by the seceders as
by them who professed to be the most zealous ob-
servers of the royal fasts.
From a number of favourable reports concern-
ing the English methodists, not a few of the se-
ceders had judged them laborious reformers, and
prayed for their success. By letters, jMr. Ralph
Erskine corresponded with Mv. John Wesley,
one, if not their principal leader. Informed by
a private hand of his unsoundness, informed by
Mr. Whitefield, that he and his brother blas-
phemed the doctrine of' election, and scarce preached
one principle agreeable to the gospel of Jesus Christ;
and finding that iMr. Wesley declined giving him
any satisfaction, with respect to his orthodoxy,
he entirely dropped his correspondence with
him. Nor indeed were the seceders sorry there-
at, when they afterwards observed how i\Ir. Wes-
ley copied after the Popish orders, in sending
forth, or superintending a number of lay-preach-
ers, labouring in different nations ; — and had, in
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. CI
the Popish manner, instituted a confession of
heart-secrets, in the societies under his care, cal-
culated to render them dissem])lers, or to render
him and his underlings so much master of their
secrets, as should make it dangerous for them to
desert his cause: — when they heard of his money-
rated tickets for different degrees of saintship ;
when they observed what fulsome pride, what
want of candour, what pretence to working of
miracles ; what estimation of Popish or Popish-
like superstition, what vain and false character-
izing of his followers, as a body of perfect, or
almost perfect men; what extolling of Servetus,
a most shocking blasphemer of the blessed Tri-
nity, as a /t'o/y and luise man, appears in his pub-
lic performances : when they observed how he
taught, and recommended his preachers to teach
in his societies. That orthodoxy, or soundness of
opinion, is a slender part of religion, if any part
at all: That God gives every man, in his natural
state, a power to accept of an offered salvation :
That every man, in his baptism, has a principle of
grace infused into him, which cannot be lost
but by a long course of sinning : That the fulfil-
ling of the broken law, in its precept and penalty,
by Christ, was not necessary to purchase our sal-
vation : That not Christ's satisfaction to law and
justice, but faith and repentance, are the terms
of salvation to fallen men: That men have reason
to complain, if Christ died not for all, and if all
be not rendered able to receive him : I'hat if (lod
pass by nine-tenths of mankind, if he deny any
soul what is necessary to his present good, or fi-
nal acceptance ; if he hate any we are bound to
love, he cannot be infinitely good, nay, is worse
than we are : That if God from eternity chose
62 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
some to everlasting life, and purposed to leave
others to perish in their sin, he is an almicrhtjj fjj-
rant, and more false, cruel, and unjust, than the
DEVIL : That God's purpose of election consists
in his choosing obedient believers, accordin:^ to
the foreknowledge of their good works; and our
obedience to Christ is the cause of his becominir
the author of eternal salvation to us: That no
man is particularly elected till the day of his con-
version to God: That it is better to be a Turk, a
Deist, an Atheist, than to believe God has only
chosen so?ne men to everlasting life, and not
others, or to believe that Christ did not die equally
for all men : That to say the covenant of grace
v»^as made with Christ, and its condition exacted
from, and fulfdled by him, in our stead, \s false,
and the very centre of Antinomianism : That the
phrase Imputed righteousness has done immense
hurt, and tempts men to work all uncleanness
with greediness ; the nice metaphysical doctrine
of Christ's imputed righteousness leads men to
licentiousness ; the doctrine of the saints having
a sinless obedience in Christ their Head, while
they are notorious, that is, manifestly sinners in
themselves, is calculated to please and encourage
the vilest rakes : That not the imputed righteous-
ness of Christ, but our faith, is our justifying
righteousness before God : That our keeping of
the commandments is undoubtedly the way to
eternal life ; that we are to obey the law in or-
der to our final acceptance with God ; our holi-
ness, as well as the blood of Christ, will give us
boldness in the day of judgment, and will be the
ground of our being then i)ronounced righteous:
Tijat our salvation is by works as a condition ;
that we are rewarded of (lod according to our
works, for the sake of our works, and according
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 63
to the merit of our works: That Heathens, who
never heard of Christ, are accepted of God, for
their fearing- God, and working righteousness,
according- to the light they have : That there is
no such thing as a state of justification, or sanc-
tification, but men are every moment accepted
of God or not, according to their temper or work:
That our justification is incomplete at first, and
is perfected by degrees ; that to be justified is
the same thing as to be born of God : That a
man may be justified, and yet not have the Spi-
rit, norChrist dwelling in him: That we cannot
possess justification or peace with God, without
knowing that we do so: That we cannot be Chris-
tian believers, except we be free from sin : That
the best of men do not complain of disorder in
their affections ; nor that, when they would do
good, evil is present with them : That while our
heart is perfect in piety or love, we may, in our
life, be compassed about with sinful infirmities :
That the doctrine of the unfailing perseverance of
the saints is deadly poison: that the souls of be-
lievers, at their death, do not immediately pass
into the heavenly glory, but to a middle state
called Paradise : That church or state may im-
pose indifferent ceremonies in God's worship,
and exclude Christians from church-communion,
merely because their conscience cannot comply
therewith. On these, and many other accounts,
the seceders have hot a favourable opinion of
IMr. Wesley, nor of the preachers he superin-
tends, as it is feared they too much resemble
their leader.
From Mr. George Whitefielc^'s own missives to
Mr. Erskine, and other reports, sundry, if not all
of the seceding minister's conceived no small re-
6h AN HISTORICAL ACCOtTNT OF THE
^ard for him. But finding, by converse with him,
that he decried every particular form of church-
f^overnment, as ii mere luiman device; findini;, in
his sermons and journals, a number of hints,
which they deemed not agreeable to the word of
God ; and exceedingly olFendcd with his printed
account of God*s dealing with his soul, wherein
they thought he had shown a strange fondness
to run the parallel between himself and Jesus
Christ; had represented Poj)ish, and some other
bad books, as the darling directors of his spiri-
tual exercise ; had founded his call to the mini-
stry upon early stirring of his aifections, idle tales,
dreams, or impressions ; had represented absti-
nence from flesh in Lent, living on coarse food,
Avearing of woollen gloves, a patched gown, and
dirty shoes, as great 2)ro7note?'s of the spiritual life;
had averred, that in his unconverted state, he
had endeavoured to do all to the glory of God ;
Avas built up in the knowledge and fear of God ;
received abundant grace, in receiving the Lord*s
Supper; and increased in favour with God and
man; had represented his conversion as if begun
in an uncommon drought and clamminess in his
throat, and which, by means of his casting him-
self dov/n on the bed, and, in imitation of Jesus
Christ, crying out, / tliirst, was removed, and
succeeded with a ravishing joy, and rejoicing in
God his Saviour, by which his conversion was fi-
nished ; and pretended to have been guided by
tlie Spirit, and by watching and reading the
Scripture on his knees, in the viinutest circuin-
sta/ice, as j)lainly as the Jews, by consulting the
Urim and Thummim, cVc. : These, and the like
things, togetluT with his letter and extract, where-
in he insisted for joining Christians of all deno-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 65
minatlons, Papists or Protestants, Quakers, Ari-
ans, Arininians, &c. if not also Jews and Hea-
thens, into one religious society, without mind-
ing their different sentiments ; provoked the se-
ceders to turn their regard into dislike, and warm
opposition.
In 1742 a surprising commotion, in the souls
and bodies of men, happened in various places of
the nation, as they attended upon sermons. This
many extolled as a wonderful work of the Spirit
of God. The seceders allowed that the lives of
many were reformed by it for the present ; and
that truly divine and converting influence might
attend the gospel truths preached on these occa-
sions : yet, because of the bodily convulsions,
the disorderly noise, the imaginary views of
Christ as man, the dislike to a covenanted work
of reformation, and the proud boasting, which
they thought attended it, they accounted it mostly
delusive. Amidst the warm contention on so
critical a topic, it is possible both parties run in-
to extremes, and became stumbling-blocks one
to another. But multitudes of the su])jects of
this famed influence returning to their v/onted
course, the seceders were thereby not a little con-
firmed in their own sentiments thereof
Meanwhile they had another trial from among
themselves. It was their earnest prayer to God,
that he would make our Sovereign, Ring George,
and every subordinate magistrate, hearty friends
to, and promoters of a covenanted work of refor-
mation. They were, however, firmly persuaded,
that difference in religion did not make void,
or in the least annul their just power and autho-
rity. They zealously testified against such in
the land, who denied their civil authority iu
i
66 AX HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
things lawful. Such were often publicly debar-
red from recL'ivinf,^ the Lord's Supper with them.
In the late rebellion, many of them voluntarily
bore arms against the pretender; not one of them
appeared on his side. Numbers of them suffer-
ed considerable hardships, rather than do any
thinp^ tending to the su])port of his army or cause.
Mr. Thomas Nairn, however, one of their mini-
sters, presumed to assert, that none but a cove-
nanted Presbyterian could be the lawful Sovereign
of this realm. Quickly his brethren prosecuted
him with vigour, and expelled him from their
society. They judicially refuted his sentiments,
and published a large declaration, wherein they
shewed, from the word of God, our subordinate
standards, and covenants, that the whole nation
ought, for conscience sake, to obey the present
civil government, in all things lawlul. Nor, in
respect of obedience to our laudable civil laws,
are they, or their people, afraid to risk a compa-
rison with any party in the kingdom.
After about seven years advisement, the se-
ceding ministers agreed on a bond for public co-
venanting with God; and in the end of i^i^S
themselves began to swear and subscribe it. Next
year their act of Presbytery, relative tliereto, to-
gether with a judicial vindication of gos])el-truth
from the injuries done it, by the General Assembly
1720 and 1722, was published by them. Their
covenant-bond had been abundantly short, and
mostly plain, had it not reduplicated upon a long
confession of sins, of Mhich it is probahle lew of
their [)eople could J'ui/jj know the import and cer-
tainty. It must not be imagined the seceding
brethren inserted, into this confession, such a
multitude of historical hints, that [)eople might
RISE AND PROGRESS OF TIIK SECESSION. 07
swear to the truth, the fact thereof. To have
sworn many of these historical articles in truth,
righteousness, and judgment, was absolutely im-
possible: they had no vouchers for them but the
fallible testimony of men. Besides, to swear the
certainty of facts in an oath directed to God as
the party, appears a blasphemous attempt to
certify the Omniscient, and teach the Almighty
knowledge. It wac necessary, however, that
people should have a considerable knowledge of,
and certainty for what they solemnly confessed
to God, lest their confessing work should partly
amount to a hypocritical slander. The {)resby-
tery's act, constituting the swearing of this cove-
nant the term of ministerial and Christian com-
munion with them, was not a little condemned.
It was by many tliought quite unreasonable, that
a person zealously attached to divine truth, nay,
to our subordinate standards and covenants, and
of an eminently holy practice, should be exclud-
ed from church-fellowship with them, merely be-
cause he could not understand the meaning or
certainty of every thing in this bond and ac-
knowledgment of sins ; or would not confess
or swear to God what he understood not. Not
a few of the seceding ministers were afterwards
sensible of the sinfulness of this act: nor do I
know that ever the most zealous for covenant-
ing, did, with respect to the admission of their
peo[)le to sealing ordinances, act up to the tenor
of it.
To punish thcScceders's pride of their success;
their want of due tenderness to, and concern for
those who remained Ijehind them in the esta-
blished church ; their slightly laying to heart
the sms of the land, which they professed to wit-
68 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
ness a:;aliist; and their sad nce^Iect to do more
than others^ in a holy and exemplary practice,
the Lord i^'ave them up to a most unchristian
contention and breach amon^ themselves. In
1745 their ministers were so increased as to con-
stitute three presbyteries under one synod. Their
synodical work commenced with an inquiry into
the lawfulness of some oaths, not imposed by
Parliament, but used in the land. They were
of opinion that the masox-oath implied in it au
iq-norant, childish, and superstitious profanation
of the name of God, and therefore harmoniously
a«^reed to take pains to prevent any of their peo-
ple having afterward any hand in the swearing
thereof.
With respect to the oath imposed in some
burghs, there was the warmest contention in
their synod. The great point of debate was,
whether it was lawful for a seceder to swear
that clause, I profess and allow with m\) heart, the
tfiic religion pirsenili/ professed iviiJiin this realm,
and authorised by the laius thereof; I shall abide at,
and drfnd the same to my Uje's end, renouncing the
Roman religion called Papistry, JMessrs. Ebenezer
and Ralph Erskines, James Fisher, and others,
contended, that since it was the true, the divine
religion, professed and authorised in Scotland,
iTSELT, and not the human and faulty manner of
profe^sing and settling it, that was sworn — the
words of the oath not being, \^ j^j'esently profess-
ed and authorised, but words of a very diil'erent im-
})ort: that since, in their secession, they had ne-
ver pretended to set up a new religion, but to
cleave closely to that, which they had before
professed: That since, in their vari(jus teaiinuj-
nies, they had solemly appro ven the doctrine,
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. GO
worship, discipline, and government of tlio
church of Scotland ; had solemnly declared their
adherence to the standards avowed by the
established church, and no other ; had so often
declared their adherence to the ordination vows,
which they had taken in the established church,
whereby the}^ were sworn to that very religion,
doctrine, worship, discipline, and government,
professed and authorised in the realm : That
since, though they had stated a quarrel with
the manner in which the true religion is pre-
sently professed and settled, and had testi-
fied against the corruptions of both church and
state, yet they had been so far from stating a
quarrel with the true reUglon itself, professed and
authorised in the realm, that they had but two
years before, in their declaration of principles
against Mr. Nairn, judicially declared the reli-
gion presently authorised to be their own, so-
lemnly thanking God, that our religion has
such SECURITY hij the V RE sii'iiT civil gover7Wientf
as no nation on earth enjoijs the like; therefore they
pled, that the synod could not, without the most
glaring self-contradiction, prohibit the swearing
of the above clause, as, in itself , sinful for a se-
ceder. — Messrs. Alexander Moncrief, Thomas
IVIair, Adam Gib, and others, no less warmly
contended, that this oath being administrated
by these of the established church, and ought to
be understood in the sense of the magistrates,
for v.iiose security it is given ; and the true re-
ligion mentioned in it to be understood as re-
duplicating upon every act of Parliament or
Assembly inconsistent with the law of God; and
as including all the corruptions of both churcli
and state : and so natively inferred, tl^.at the
70 AN insToniCAL account of the
swearing of the disputed clause imported a so-
lemn renunciation and droppini^ of the whole of
their testimony. They contended, that the words
true religion, j)resenthj professed and authorised,
in a time of reformation, would reduplicate only
upon j;ood acts of Parliament and Assembly ;
but in a time of deformation, reduplicated upon
all the bad.
iVftcr no small disputing, the defenders of the
clause, and now called Burghers, for the sake of
peace, offered to condescend to an act discharg-
ing seceders to swear this clause of the oath, as
inexpedient for them in the present circumstan-
ces, viz. of strife and contention a])0ut its mean-
ing. This proposal the antiburghers rejected.
Nothing would please them but an act declaring
the ])resent swearing of it sinful for seceders,
and inconsistent with their testimony and cove-
nant-bond. In a meeting of Synod, April 9,
171 6, they carried a, decision to their mind. A num-
ber of the burgher ministers and elders protested
against it ; and soon after gave in their reasons,
im})orting, that it was sinful in itself, contrary to
Christian forbearance, tending to rent the church,
enacted contrary to the order prescribed in the bar-
rier acts, and carried by a catch, when many mem-
1)ers weie absent. Contrary to order, the Anti-
burghers neglected to have their answers to these
reasons ready against next meeting of Synod ;
and some of them having, in the meanwhile, pub-
licly debarred from the Lord's Table such as
maintained the lawfulness of the burgess-oath,
a (piestion was intruducotl, whether the above de-
cision, condemnatory of the present swearing of
the religious clause of some burgess-oaths, should
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 71
I)e a term of ministerial and Christian commu-
nion with them? Conceiving- that there is a wide
difference between enacting a deed of Synod,
and making that deed a term of church-couunu'
7iion, the seven burgher ministers who had pro-
tested against the former decision, considered this
as a 7iew question, and so claimed a vote therein.
After too much unchristian altercation, at two
different meetings of Synod, and notwithstand-
ing of a dissent and protestation of the Antibur-
ghers to the contrary, it was voted and carried,
that the decision condemnatory of a ])resent
swearing of tlie religious clause of some burgher-
oaths should NOT be a term of ministerial and CJiris-
tian connmuiion ivith them, at least till the cijfair
should be maturely considered in presbyteries and
sessions, and their opinion (not decisive judgment)
returned; and further means of unanimity, by
prayer and conference, essayed. No sooner was
this sentence carried, than Mr. Thomas Mair
protested, that hereby the Burghers had forfeit-
ed all their sy nodical power and authority ; and
that the whole power of the Synod devolved up-
on himself and his party, and such as clave to
them : all of whom he, though not moderator,
called to meet to-morrow in j\Ir. Gib's house, in
a synodical capacity; and then, with twenty-two
more, without either moderator or clerk, with-
drew from thirty-two of their brethren, consti-
tuted in the name of Christ, with their modera-
tor and clerk among them, viz. IMr. James j\Iair,
moderator; with Messrs. E. R. II. and J. I^rs-
kines, J. Fisher, J. Macara, I). Smiton. I. Paton,
^A. Black, D. Horn, D. Teller, W. Ilutton, J.
Smith, J. Johnston, A. I'homson, ministers; T.
Tord, K. Lees, A. Douglass, W. .Manderston, J.
72 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OP THE
Moubray, J. Beui^o, R. AVishart, G. Coventry,
D. Millar, R. Patcrson, J. iMarshall, S. Harper,
J. Rcder, J. Calendar, W. jMillar, J. Millar, el--
ders. All these are marked in the minutes as
present* ; nor is tiiere the smallest probability
that any of them would go off, when such an im-
portant cpiestion was the subject of debate.
Next day the burghers met synodically, ac-
cording to adjournment, in the ordinary place.
Upon the foundation of Mr. Mair's declaration,
the antiburghers constituted themselves into a
Synod in Mr. Gib's house. Here they sustained
themselves judges of their own answers to the
burgher's reasons of protest aljove-mentioned ;
and of their own dissents and protests. They
determined that the burgher ministers had for-
feited all power belonging to their office ; and
that no seceding Presbytery or Session, except
constituted in subordination to their present
meeting, could be a lawful court of Christ. This
act was the basis of their after meetings of Ses-
sions and Presbyteries. Hence the Antiburgh-
ers on , south of Forth deserted their appoint-
ed diet at Stow, and constituted their Pres-
bytery elsewhere. These on the north absolutely
refused their burgher brethren a seat in their
court ; nay, even these of them, who had not
voted in what they accounted the criminal deci-
sion. In the west they had no Presbytery, till some
ministers withdrew from the Rurghers. None
of them would sit in Session with such elders as
refused to approve the constitution of b\vnod in
• The orif^inal mimifcs, wliich arc a far better autliority tlian 3Ir. Gib,
affirm, that Mr. Henry Krskii.c was chosen to assist Mr. Ilulton as cicik,
at the first sederunt of tliat luecluiij i>f synod.
3
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 75
Mr. Gib's house, and were for holding any church-
fellowship with the Burgher ministers. They
soon after began to seclude from the sacraments,
such of their people as opposed the division, and
were determined to hear both sides, as opportu-
nity should permit. These being thus driven
away, went over to the Burghers.
Had the body of the Seceders refused to side
themselves, and obstinately continued hearing
the ministers on both sides, it might have con-
tributed to a speedy harmony as to the most.
But it was otherwise ; and mournful was the
stumbling, and the alienation of heart that took
place : multitudes were perplexed how to side
themselves ; and no doubt many did it entirely
by guess : the most ignorant of the dispute were
generally the fiercest bigots. To remedy these
unhappy disorders, the Burgher ministers twice
begged of their brethren an extra-judicial meet-
ing for prayer and conference, in order to regain
harmony in the cause of truth. Unwilling to
convince their brethren of the crimes they had
laid to their charge, or conscious of the want of
sufficient arguments for that purpose, or from
some other motive, the Antiburghers returned no
other answer, but that they could not, in con-
sistence with their testimony, comply with any
such proposal ; and that their brethren's only
method of peace was to appear penitent pannels
at their bar. To this they were, with all expe-
dition, libelled and cited. None of them api)ear-
ed except Mr. William Hutton. He did it, not
to answer his libel, but to make a bold attack
upon the constitution of their Synod, as schis-
matical, and contrary to Presbyterian parity;—
as founded on the overthrow of the office of el-
74« AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
ders, and the unnatural murder of their bre-
thren's sacred office, &:c. A speedy excommuni-
cation was his reward, and the most noted reply
Jie ever received to his speecli. This constitu-
tion of synod, the rest of the Burgher brethren
judicially declared null and void, contrary to scrip-
ture and reason. INIeanwhile the Antiburghers,
to support their cause, prosecuted their Burgher
brethren with deposition and excommunication,
till they had delivered them over into the hand
of Satan, and cast them out of the church, as
Heathen men and publicans. After employing
themselves, about two years, in this censuring
work, they were obliged to acknowledge. That
themselves had all along been lying under the
scandal of partaking with the Burghers in sundry
of their censured crimes : from this scandal they,
at a meeting of synod, purged one another, by
judicial rebukes and admonitions. How scanda-
lous persons were fit to censure others, or to
purge one another, was, at least by the Burghers,
not well understood. By no small prayer and
fasting, the Antiburghers implored the blessing
of Heaven upon their excommunications. But
God appeared to refuse binding in heaven, what
they had bound on earth. I'he censures seem-
ed to have no other effect, than to constitute the
objects, a kind of bugbears, to the Antiburgher
people. Whatever abhorrence they endured from
their brethren, the Burgher ministers, as helped
of God, held their judicatures, and exercised their
ministry as before. The Messrs. Erskines, and
others, lived as holily, preached as edifyingly,
and died full as comfortably, as their excomnui-
nicators. Nor did it esca])e unobserved, that
Mr. Thomas IMair, who founded the excommu-
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 75
nicatin^ court, was, not many years after, oblig-
ed by his conscience, publicly to declare, he had
been verily guilty concerning his Burgher bre-
thren's jjlood ; and was himself ejected by his
Antiburgher brethren, as an erroneous person,
for maintaining that Christ, in some sense, died
for all mankind.
Nothing since transacted on either side, is
much worthy of our notice. Permit me only to
essay an impartial account of the present agree-
ment and difierence of the two parties. The con-
gregations belonging to both are about two hun-
dred, or more : in some of these are thousands
of members ; but the greater part fall much be-
low that account. AVliich party have the great-
est number of followers, I know not ; but their
teachers of philosophy and divinity, at their rup-
ture, happening to be on the Antiburger side, al-
most all the then students went along with their
masters; and to this day, that party has the great-
est number of ministers, though even here the
Burghers seem to gain ground. Since 1747,
both have had their respective Synods, Presby-
teries, and Sessions : both have supplied the mal-
contents, in their opponents' congregations, with
sermon : both constantly avow their adherence
to the Scriptures, as the only rule of faith and
practice: both avow their adherence to the West-
minster Confession of Faith, Catechisms Larger
and Shorter, and to the Directory for Worship
and form of Presbyterian church-government
thereto subjoined, and to the National Covenant
of Scotland, and Solemn League of the three
kingdoms. And they believe few decry Con-
iessions of Faith for subordinate standards, but
in order to vent some erroneous dream. With
76 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
Ijotli, I hope, the ^^ospel is preached in purity,
and endeavours used to commit the ministry only
to serious and faithful nwn. With both, mini-
sters deliver three public discourses on Sabbath,
through the most, and not a few through the
whole of the year. With both, I hope, ministers
endeavour publicly to catechize, and privately to
visit their congregations, at least once a year,
without respect of persons. With both, the pri-
vate administration of baptism is detested, and
shunned as an abjured relic of Popery. With
both, ministers dispense the Lord's Supper
once, and sundry of them twice, a year.
Neither party allow themselves in admitting to
the sacraments, such as have no visible appear-
ance of saintship, nor without examination into
both their knowledge and character : — and gross
ignorance of the Christian faith ; neglect of se-
cret and family worship ; cursing or swearing in
ordinary conversation, or even in passion ; play-
ing at cards or dice ; idleness, or unnecessary la-
bour or travel on the Lord's day ; apparent ha-
tred of others, or notour neglect of relative du-
ties to them, or squabbling with them; drunken-
ness; promiscuous dancing; obscene language,
or other apparent approaches to uncleanness ;
clandestine marriage*, fornication, dishonesty,
smuggling, lying, reviling, and the like, are,
with both, accounted scandals, sufficient to ex-
clude one from the sacraments, till he, in a pro-
per manner, profess his sorrow for his offence,
and resolution to guard against the like for the
future. Their discipline is much the same with
what was once universally practised in the church
of Scotland, but now almost generally disused.
♦ Sec above, p. jO— 53
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 77
Hence sundry of the less conscientious Seceders,
falling into scandal, return to the established
church, that they may altog-ethor avoid, or only
receive a very slight censure.
From a view of their agreement in so many
points, impartial beholders can hardly fail to
think that, would both parties, with due earnest-
ness, search out their own evils, and be affected
therewith ; would they seriously consider what
hurt their division, and vain jangling have done,
and are like to do to the honour of Christ, the
life of religion, and the souls of men, and how
they will answer at his tribunal for their concern
and hand therein ; would they soberly consider
what Christ has done and doth to promote peace,
and what he requires them to do ; would both
entirely lay aside their pride and prejudice, and
often meet for mutual prayer, and Christian con-
ference, especially on what they agree in, they
would certainly, ere it was long, consign their
censuring, division, and dry, or almost unintel-
ligible disputes, to everlasting oblivion ; and re-
turn, as brethren, to join together, in the fear and
service of God.
But, through mistake and prejudice, their dif-
ferences at present, seem, at least to themselves,
not iuconsiderable. The Antiburghers still con
tinue upon their quarrelled constitution of Sy-
nod in Mr. Gib's hou^e, wherein about two-fifths
of the Synod met by themselves, and assumed
the whole power of it : they continue approving
and praying for a blessing on the excommunica-
tion, and other censure, which they, while con-
fessedly under scandal themselves, passed on their
brethren, who never once acknowledged the au-
thority of their separate courts. They contend
7
78 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
that the constitution of the revolution-church
was Erastian, founded on the will of the civil
magistrate and inclinations of the people, and
therefore can never lawfully be joined with.
They contend that their own religion is different
from that professed in the established church,
and authorized by the laws of this realm ; but,
though repeatedly called, have not hitherto mar-
ked out one divine truth professed by them, which
is not contained in the publicly acknowledged
standards of religion in the nation. They pro-
fess a very high veneration for their second tes-
timony, as if it were one, if not a principal, stand-
ard ; and they reckon it no small crime to find
fault, even with an historical expression thereof;
but they renounce their ordination-vows, the first
testimony, and the representations expressly ad-
hered to in it, ifi so fa?' as these approve the con-
stitution of the revolution-church, and the reli-
gion presently professed therein. At licence, and
at ordination, their candidates solemnly avow
their approbation of the Associate Presbytery's
declaration of principles against Mr. Nairn, (in
p. 50. of which they thank God that the scced-
ers' own religion has such skcuhitv b^ the present
civil govermnenty as no nation on earth enjoij the
like;) and also declare, that they believe it sin-
ful, inconsistent with their testimony, and bond,
for any seceder to swear to the true religion pre-
sently professed and authorised in the realm. At
least an indirect acknowledgment of the sinful-
ness of seceders' s\vearing the above-mentioned
religiousclause of some burgcss-oaths isnecessarv,
in order to a person's admission to sealing ordi-
nances with them. They require a djrect, or indi*
rcct aj)probation of their conduct, in separating
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 79
from, deposing, and excommunicating their bre
thren, for believing and affirming, that the true re-
ligion presently professed and authorised in Scot-
land, was the same with that of the seceders, and
so safely sworn to by them ; or, for insisting that
such as were of that mind should not be exclud-
ed from the ministry, or seals of God's covenant.
Public covenanting they reckon avery distinguish-
ed point of religion, and with great zeal instigate
their people thereto; and represent the burghers
as very wicked for not doing the same : it is
shrewdly alleged, however, that these covenant-
ers are generally far from being sufficiently in-
structed and tried at their admission, and that
very many of them understand very little of their
covenant-bond, or acknowledgment of sins ; and
so are nothing bettered in practice, but only be-
come more remarkable in their conceit of their
own covenanting, and a firm attachment to their
party.
The Burghers having been the majority at the
instant of the rupture, and keeping possession of
the place and power of the Synod, continue still
upon that footing: their brethrens' withdrawment
and constitution in IMr. Gib's house, they still
account most unreasonable and absurd. Their
above-mentioned deposition and delivery of them
to Satan, with their fasting and prayer for the
divine ratification thereof, they account a most
fearful profanation of the name and ordinance of
Christ. But they never attempted to censure
their brethren, as they saw no warrant from
Scripture to do so, while it was morally certain
it would not tend to general ediiication. Had
they any glimmering hope of success, they would
even again supplicate their meeting with them.
so AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
for prayer and conference, in order to promote
the healin;,^ of tiKi torn body of Christ. How-
ever far they allow tlie glory of the covenanting
period between 1683 and 1650, to exceed that
after 1689, tlioy believe the constitution of the re-
volution-church to have been not Erastian, but
scriptural, and therefore lawfully joined with.
And they intend to unite with the established
judicatures, whenever they observe them ear-
nestly reforming from the various and growing
defections, introduced since the revolution. The
covenants, and good acts of church or state, se-
curing and establishing our standards, and what
is contained therein, they reckon no articles of
the true religion, professed and settled, but only
human appearances, in favours thereof: and in
this view they maintain the religion professed m
the revolution church, to have been the very
same with that professed betwixt 1 638 and 1 650,
though the human manner of professing and set-
tling it, by sinful and fallible men, was in some
respects different. Since their standards of re-
ligion in doctrine, worship, discipline, and go-
vernment, are the very same with these publicly
espoused in the established church, they gene-
rally think their religion is also the same with
that of their brethren in the church ; but they
esteem their own manner of profession and adhe-
rence to it, to be more strict, and so think they
ou":ht to have the countenance of the civil rulers,
rather than such who, contrary to solemn vows,
practically tread the established standards under
their feet. Their second testimony they reckon
no standard, but a judicial declaration in favours
of the public standards of the nation, and the
truths therein contained. In its historical part.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. SI
they grant a few ill-guarded expressions, and mis-
takes as to fact : its assertory part they profess
to cleave to without reserve.
Persuaded that Christians, equally candid and
single in their aims, and equally zealous for the
truth and honour of God, may have different
views of the disputed clause in the burgess-oath,
or of other human, nay, many divine expressions,
they abhor making either the approbation or
condemnation of that clause a direct or indirect
term of church-fellowship with them : him that is
wcak\ or different from them in hisjailh, about this
point, they cheerfully admit even to the ministry;
hutnot to douhffuldispittations. Public covenanting,
when seasonable, done by persons only who liave
Jcnou'Iedge and understanding, and in truth, judg-
ment, and inghtcousness, they heartily approve.
The continued obligation of their ancestors' o-
venants they boldly maintain. At ordinations, and
other occasions, they solemnly declare their adhe-
rence thereto. But, finding from Scripture, that it
is not a standing, but occasional duty of religion,
never, as appears, promoted by godly David nor So-
lomon, during the eighty years of their reign; nor
recommended as a then present duty by Christ
or his apostles, during the more than forty years
of their ministrations ; knowing that it is better
not to vow, than to do it ignorantly, or without
paying of vows, by a distinguished holy conver-
sation ; fearing the present broken and divided
state of the godly, and of so remarkable restraint
of spiritual influences, may not be altogether pro-
per for it : Finding, that besides some few in-
advertent expressions, the confession of sins pub-
lished in M'^h, and now useil by their Antibur-
ghcr brethren, is such as they could scarce hope
/
82 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT, kc.
to make the twentieth part of their hearers un-
derstand ; and cxceedinf^ly stuml)!cd at the
manner in which this work is managed hy their
brethren, they have hitherto been afraid to
proceed therein.
BRIEF CHARACTER, OR VIEW OF SECEDERS,
DRAWN FROM
The principal Decisions of their Supreme Judicatures.
Xt is necessarily incumbent upon all those who profess to
follow the Lord Jesus Christ, in an evil day,
1. Firmly to believe, earnestly maintain, and openly, in
their profession and practice, bear witness for the truths of
God revealed in his word ; particularly such of them as are in
danger of being murdered by opposition, poisoned by mix-
tures of error, or buried in careless oblivion, Prov. xxiii. 23.
Psal. Ixxviii. 3 — 8. Deut. iv. 9. and vi. 6 — 9. Isa. xxvi. 2, and
xxxviii. 19. and lix. 13, 14., 15. Phil. iii. l6. and i. 27. 2 Thess.
ii. 15. 1 Tim. vi. 20. 2 Tim. 1, 13. and ii. 2. and iv. 7. Heb.
ii. 1. 2 John 4. 3 John 3, 4. Jude 3. Rev. ii. 13, 25. and iii.
3, 10. ^ Pet. i. 12.
2. Thankfully to commemorate, and dutifully improve,
the singular favours which God hath bestowed upon their
church or nation ; particularly, those by which he hath put
or kept them in the possession of his oracles, ordinances, and
eternal salvation, Psal. Ixxviii. 1 — S. and cv. cvii. cxlv. and
cvi. 1 — 5. 13. Isa. Ixiii. 7- Deut. xxvi. 1 — 9. 1 Chron. xvi.
3. Mournfully to search out, confess, bewail, avoid, and
practically testify against those steps ofapostacy from once at-
tained reformation, by which the truths of God Iiave been in-
jured, or his singular favours abused. Lev. xxvi, 40. 2 Chron.
XXX. 2i2. Ezek. ix. 4, 6. and xvi. xx. xxii. xxiii. 2 Kings xvii.
7 — 23. Psal. Ixxviii. cvi. Isa. i. ii. v. xxviii. lix. Jer. ii — xviii ;
with Exod. XX. 5. Matth. xxiii. 35. Eph. v. 7, 11. 1 Tim. v. 22.
Answerably hereto, they profess an hearty adherence to the
Old and New Testament, as the only divine and inJaij'ihle rule
of faith and practice, 2 Tim. iii. 14 — 17- Rev. xxii. 18, I9.
and to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Catechisms, and
Form of J'rcsbyterian church-government, as founded on the
84i AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
word of God, 2 Tim. i. 13. and to the National Covenant of
Scotland, and the Solemn League of Scotland, England, and
Ireland, us religious row.s\ whereby they are solemnly engaged
to the belief and practice of whatever is authorised by the
word of God, and is therefrom deduced into said Confession
of Faith, Catechisms, Directory for worship, and Form of
church-goveiiimcnl, I'sal. Ixxviii. 10. and cxix. 100". Prov. xx.
25. Dent. xxix. 1—2.0. and xxxi. 20. Jer. 1. 5— y.
As they consider themselves bound to contend earnestly for
the faith once delivered to the saints ; to keep the word of
Christ's patience, and be established in the present truth, Jude
3. Rev. iii. 10. 2 Pet. i. 12. Eph. iv. 14. Prov. xxiii. 23. they,
in opposition to the errors presently rampant in the land, par-
ticularly maintain.
1. That Jesus Christ is the supreme and only true God, of
the same substance and dignity with his eternal Father, Rom.
ix. 5. Tit.i). 13. John x. ^0. Phil. ii. 6.
2. That God, from all eternity, decreed whatsoever comes
to pass. Acts XV. 18. Eph. i. 11.
3. That God, of his mere good pleasure, without any re-
gard to their future piety, as the moving cause, from all eter-
nity elected a certain, but the smallest, number of mankind,
to everlasting life. Eph. i. 3 — 6. Matth, xx. \6. Luke xii. 32.
4. That God entered into a covenant with Adam, as the re-
presentative of all his natural posterity; in which he promised
him and them life temporal, spiritual, and eternal, upon con-
dition of his perfect obedience; and denounced the contrary
death, in case of the smallest disobedience, Gal. iii. 12. Matth.
xix. 17. Gal. iv. 24. Hos. vi. 7.
5. That through his breach of that covenant, in his eating of
the forbidden fiuit, all men arc conceivetl and born in sin,
able to do nothing spiritually good, but are children of disobe-
dience and wrath, Rom. v. 12 — 20. and viii. 3, 7, 8. Eph. ii.
1, 2, 3, 8.
6. That no light of nature, but the scripture alone, is suf-
ficient to conduct fallen men to true and everlasting happiness.
Acts xiv. 1.0, l6. and xvii. 30. Prov. xxix. 18. Eph. ii. 12.
2 John 9. Col. i. 26, 27, 1 Cor. i. 20—24.
7. That in order to redeem men from an everlasting stale
of sin and mi.sery, and bring them to everlasting salvation,
Christ, the only begotten Son of God, assumed our nature,
and for ever continues to be true God and true man, in two
distinct natures, and one person, Ilcb. ii. 8 — It). Rom. viii. 3.
Psal. ii. G — 11. Isa. vii. 14. and ix. ti. Rom. ix. 5. and i. 3, 4»
RISE AND PHOGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 85
8. That he, as our surety, in the covenant of grace;, from all
^eternity, undertook for all the elect, and them only, and in the
fulness of time performed to the broken law, and oHcnded justice
of God, whatever obedience end satisfaction couM have been
required of us, Jer. xxx. 21. Psal. xl. 6 — 8, Isa. liii. and xlii.
21. Rom. V. 15 — 21. and viii. 3, 4. 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. iv. 4,
5. and iii. 15. Heb. x. 10 — 14. 1 Pet. ii. 24. and iii. 18.
9. That his surety-righteousness, imputed to us by God,
and not any thing wrought in, or done by us, is the founda-
tion of our pardon of sin, acceptance with God, and title to
eternal life, Rom. v. 15 — 21. Phil. iii. 9. Tsa. Ixiv. 6. and xlv.
24, 25. and Ixi. 10. and liii. 5^, 11. and liv. 17. Jcr. xxiii, 6.
Dan. ix. 24.
10. That though God hath not fixed any necessary and in-
fallible connection between tlie natural endeavours of unrcge-
nerate men, and his bestowing of saving grace upon them, yet
it is their indispensable duty, carefully to attend the ordinan-
ces of the gospel, as means appointed of God, for the effectual
conveyance of his Spirit and grace, Psal. xxxiv. 11. Prov. viii.
34. Acts viii. 32. Isa. Iv. 3. Matth. vii. 13, 14. Luke
xiii. 24.
11. That though Jesus Christ laid down his life for the elect
only, yet, in the gospel, he, and his complete righteousness,
and everlasting salvation, are freely offered to all sinful men
who hear it, so as each may warrantably receive him, his
righteousness and salvation, to himself in particular, Prov. i.
22, 23, 2i. and viii. 4. and ix. 4. 5. Isa. Iv. 1 — 7- and xlvi.
12, 13. and xlv. 22. John vi. 37- Matth. xi. 28. Rev. xxii. 17.
12. That in consequence hereof, there is, in the very na-
ture of faith, a real appropriation of Christ, his righteousness
and salvation, as in the gospel freely given of God to one's
self in particular, John xx. 28. Jer. xxiii. 6. Isa. xlv. 24, 25,
Zech. xiii 9- Acts xv. 11. Gal. ii. I6, 20. 1 Cor. i. ^0.
2 Cor. v. 21.
13. That all believers, through their union to Christ, as the
Lord their righteousness, who fulfilled the moral law as a co-
venant for them, are fully and irrevocably delivered from the
law, in that covenant form, so as they can neither be justified
or condemned, on account of their own works; yet they are
lor ever under that law as a binding rule of life, established by
Jehov.mi their Creator and Redeemer, Rom. vi. and vii. 4.
Gal. ii. 19. and iii. 13. and iv. 4, 5. 1 Cor. ix. 21. Luke i. 7 I,
75. Tit. ii. II, 12, IJ.
S6 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
14. That there can be no true turning from sin, before
coming to, and uniting with Christ; nor ought we to attempt
it, in order to pave our way, or to recommend ourselves to him ;
but as utterly ignorant, guilty, polluted, weak, and enslaved
in ourselves, we ought to receive him as made of God to us
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that he
may save and turn us from our sins, John xv. 5. Horn. viii.
7, 8. Matth. i. '21. and xviii. 1 1. Uom. xi. '26. Acts v. 31. Jer.
xxxi. 18, 19, 20.
15. That the gospel, properly taken, is no new law, requir-
ing of men faith, repentance, and sincere obedience, as the
proper conditions of their salvation ; but is God's infinitely
gracious declaration, in which he manifests, gives, and offers to
us, as sinful men, Christ, his righteousness and salvation, free-
ly, without money, and without price, Luke ii. 10, 11. Isa.
xlii. 1—7. and Ixi. 1, 2, 3. and Iv. 1—7. 1 Tim. i. 15. Rev.
xxii. 17. John vLi. 37, 38.
i6. That gospel-holiness is at once, a distinguished privi*
lege, a principal part of salvation, and an indispensable duty,
and necessary preparation for celestial happmess; but is not
a proper condition of our title to, or possession of it, 1 Thess,
V. 23. 1 Cor. i. 30. 1 Pet. i. 15, If). Heb. xii. 14. 1 Cor. xv.
58. Phil. iii. 9. Tit. iii. 5—8. Rom. xi. G. and v. 21. and
vi. 23.
17. That believers being perfectly freed from the law, as a
covenant of works, no slavish fears of falling into hell by their
daily sins, or hopes of procuring heaven by their good works,
ought to influence their obedience, but they ought always to
act as united to Christ, and interested in his everlasting righte-
ousness and salvation, Rom. v. 15 — 21. with chap. vi. and vii.
4. Tit. ii. J 1 — 14. Psal. cxvi. iG. and cxix. 32. 1 John iv. I9.
18. That God needs nothing from, nor can be profited by,
any creature ; and so can only reward their good works of his
own free will and bounty, Job xxii. 2, 3. and xxxv. 7. Luke
xvii. 10.
19. That not self-love, interest, or pleasure, but the law of
God is the sole standard by which the goodness of actions, re-
ligious and moral, is to be estimated and adjusted ; and not
self-love, but proper views of the excellencies of God as our
God in Christ, and a regard to his authority, ought to be the
leatling motives of our obedience to him, Matth. xvi. 24. Deut.
xii. .S2. Exod. XX 2 — I?. Tit. ii. 11 — 14.
20. That believers can never cither totally or finally fall
from their state of grace, or hold Jesus Christ for a downright
I
RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 87
impostor, Jer. xxxii. SO, 40. Job xvii. 9. Prov. iv. 18. 1 Pel.
i. 5. John iv. 14. and vi. 40. 54. and x. 28, 29. and xiv. I9.
21. That Jesus Christ alone is the King and head of
his church, having power to appoint her laws, ordinances, and
offices; and to whom only her officers are subject in all their
spiritual ministrations, Psal. ii. 7. Isa. ix. 6, 7- Ezck. xxiv.
23. Matth. xvi. 18, 19- and xxiii. 8— 10. and xxviii. 18—20.
Heb. xiii. 17. 1 Pet. v. 2—4.
22. That Christ, in the New Testament, hath prescribed a
particular form of church-government, distinct from, and inde-
pendent on the civil magistracy ; which is the Presbyterian,
and no other — to continue unalterable, till the end of the world,
John xviii. 36. Mattli. xvi. 18, I9. and xviii. 15 — 20. and xx.
25 — 27. and xxvi. 26 — 29. and xxviii. 18, 19. iO. John xx.
21, 22, 23. Acts i — xx. Rom. xii. 4 — 8. 1 Cor. iii — xiv. 2 Cor.
ii. 1 — 8. Epistles to Timothy and Titus almost throughout,
&c. 6cc.
23. That Christ hath not entrusted the power of church-go-
vernment to magistrates, lordly bishops, or to believers in ge-
neral ; but to spiritual officers, pastors, elders, and deacons,
appointed by himself — who have full power and warrant from
him to hold spiritual courts in his name — Sessions, Presbyte-
ries, and Synods, when necessary — but whose whole manage-
ment must be regulated by his laws prescribed in his word,
1 Cor. xii. 28. Eph. iv. 11 — 14. 1 Thess. v. 12. 1 Tim. v. 17.
Acts vi. 1 — 9. Matth. xviii. 15 — 20. and xvi. 19. 1 Tim. iv.
14. Acts XV. Heb. xiii. 17- 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. &c. &c.
24. That Christ's kingdom being of a spiritual nature, her
officers ought to be elected to their office by persons in full com-
munion with her in all her sealing ordinances; no person's
vote being preferred on any secular account, 1 John iv. 1. Acts
i. 15 — 26. and vi. 1 — 6. and xiv. 23.
The Seceders also profess, thankfully to commemorate, and
dutifully improve the singular favours of God, which he hath
bestowed upon this church and land, and by which he hath
put or kept us in possession of his oracles, ordinances, or other
spiritual blessings ; such as,
1. That notwithstanding our fathers' savage ignorance and
barbarity, and their great distance from Jerusalem, the gospel
of peace and salvation was, perhaps, within about forty years
after our Redeemer's ascension, early introduced into our island,
in fuKiinicnt of his many precious j)romiscs, concerning the
ends of the earth, and isles of the sea.
88 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OP THE
2. That notwithstanding all the united force and fraud of
the Popish clergy, and of the courts of Scotlanrl and France,
the Protestant Reformation uas, with great regulaiity, intro-
duced into our country; and by manifold;, faithful wrestlings,
against the rage of Papists, treachery of protesfed Protestants,
and poverty and distress of ministers, carried on to further de«
gree of purity than in any other Protestant church
3. That, as during the darkness and bondage of Popery, he
had isti!) given power to some in our land to witness for him,
clothed in sackcloth ; so, under the fearful apostacies, profane-
ness, and persecutions, between 1600 and 1637, and between
1 660 and l68S, he had preserved for himself a number of
faithful witnesses for his injured truths ; afforded them singu-
lar measures of bis Spirit and presence, and honoured them to
win many souls to Christ.
4. That when Archbishop Laud, and our profligate Bishops,
assisted by King Charles I. and his courtiers, had reduced our
church and nation to the brink of Popery and slavery, the
Lord wrought such a deliverance and reformation in 1638, as
astonished every serious beholder, and confounded his ene-
mies; and by the struggles and prayers of the then faithful
managers, laid the foundation of these civil and religious pri-
vileges which we now enjoy.
5. That at the revolution in l6S8, when our watchmen in
both church and state were remarkably asleep, he redeemed us
out of the very jaws of Popery and slavery, if not also of a
bloody massacre ; and that by means of our tyrant's own son-
in-law, a<5sistea by a train of almost miraculous providences,
he re-established our religion and liberties, though not altoge-
ther in the former glorious maimer.
6. That when Queen Anne and her courtiers had ripened
their scheme for introducing a Popish pretender to the over-
throw of our religion and liberties, the Lord, by her season-
able death — by the defeat of the rebels in ITl-*. as well as in
274,5 — and by the esublishment of the family of Hanover on
the British throne — hath preserved for us the enjoyment of
our religion and liberties.
7. That when Arminian, Arian, and other errors, attended
by outrageous ecclesiastical tyranny, threatened the ruin of re-
ligion in our land, the Lord gave us a little reviving in our
bondage, in the rise of the Secession 1733 ; by means ot which,
however sinfully mismanaged, by both ministers and people,
the doctrines of the go-pel have been not a little made known,
and probably the corrupt parly in the church somewhat re-
strained from their error or wickedness.
BISE AND PROGRESS OF THE SECESSION. 89
8. That on several occasions, the Lord enabled our ances-
tors solemnly to infeft themselves and their posterity in the
grant which he had made to his Son, Christ, of the Isles, and
utmost ends of the earth for his possession, and on several oc-
casions to dedicate themselves and their seed to his honour-
able service; and countenanced them in so doing, not only in
external smiles of providence, but by such remarkable out-
pouring of his Spirit, for the conviction, conversion, and re-
formation of men, as hath not been known in any period of
the Christian church, since the apostolic age.
ReckonincT themselves commanded of God, to mourn over
c .... . .
their own iniquities, and the iniquities of their fathers and
neighbours, they, in consequence of the above adherence, re-
nounce every thing contrary thereto, whether in principle or
practice, and profess to lament over the prevalency thereof, as
a ground of the Lord's controversy with this church and na-
tion. The errors they, according to their knowledge, condemn,
are principally the Socinian, Arian, Arminian, Popish, Pre-
Jatic, and Sectarian. — Among the practical backslidings i'rom
the once attained-to, and covenanted work of reformation, which
have happened in the preceding and present age, as abuses of
the above-mentioned, or like singular favours of God, they
enumerate,
1. The re-admission of wicked malignants to places of civil
power and trust, in order to assist King Charles II. against
Cromwell and his party.
2. Cromwell's toleration of manifold errors and heresies.
3. The restoration of King Charles to his power in l66'0,
without requiring any security for his governing the nation ac-
cording to the good laws thereof.
4. The Parliament's disannulling all the laws which had been
made between l638 and l650, in favours of a covenanted work
of reformation, or the good order of the nation.
5. Their establishing the King's supremacy, or spiritual head-
ship over the church.
6. Their declaring of the national covenant, as explained to
abjure Prelacy, and the Articles of Perth, and the solemn
league, to be unlawful oaths, and not binding on the swearerg
and subscribers thereof. Their requiring the subjects solemnly
to renounce them, and making it treasonable to give, t.\ke,
SPEAK, or WRITE, in defence of them — together with the pub-
lic burning of these solemn covenants with Gud, at Linlithgow
«nd Edinburgh.
f.'t
90 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
7. The restoration of Prelacy, after it had been found con-
trary to the word of God, and repeatedly abjured in solem co-
venants:— Ministers and others', neglect to give proper testi-
mony against the introduction thereof; and too general com-
pliance therewith ; and the terrible persecution of such as
faithfully opposed it.
8. The obliging of the subjects, by manifold oaths and de-
clarations, to approve the various impieties of that persecute
ing period.
9- King Charles II. 's indulgences of Presbyterian ministers
to exercise their office, which flowed from his blasphemous
claim to ecclesiastical supremacy, and were clogged with seve-
ral sinful restrictions : and Kins James VII. 's unlimited tole-
ration, founded in his claim to absolute power, and plainly ni-
tended for the introduction of Popery, and Presbyterian mi-
nisters' thankful acceptance of the same.
10. That the revolution Parliament did not revive the legal
securities given to a covenanted reformation between iGSS and
l(i50, but even left some bad laws at least not plainly re-
scinded.
11. That they did not duly resent the heaven-daring inju-
ries which had been done to the national covenant and solemn
league, nor abolished Prelacy, as contrary to the word of God,
and these covenants.
12. That in the union settlement 1707, the Parliament, in
manifest contradiction to the covenants, and the belief of the
divine light of Presbytery, not only consented to, but actiialltf
confirmed, the perpetual establishment of Prelacy, and the ce-
emonies in England.
13. That the British Parliament restored patronage, and
the superstitious Yule vacance ; established a toleration of Pre-
lacy, and every other form of religion in Scotland, only Po-
pery and blasphemy excepted ; and have repealed the penal
statutes against witchcraft.
14. That they imposed the abjuration oath upon ministers
and others ; and in an Erastinn manner, required the Scotch
ministers to read from their pulpit, on the Lord's day, in the
time of divine worship, a civil proclamation relative to Cap-
tain Porteous, under pain of seclusion from sitting in Presby-
tery.
15. That the Presbyterian clergy, at the Revolution, did not
more plainly niourn over, and teslifv against the horrid brandies
of apostncy in the preceding persecuting peiiod; and did not
more readily and solemnly assert the sole headship of Chiist
RISE AND PROGRESS OP THK SECESSION. -OI
oyer his church, the divine right of Presbyterian government,
and the intrinsic power oi the church, wliich hail bc2n so dar-
ingly denied and lenounced in the preceding period. Nay, did
themselves too readily dissolve or prorogue their Gene al As-
semblies, in obedience to the Erastian requirements ot" King
William and Queen Anne.
16. That instead of being duly censured, many who had
plainly perjured themselves in their compliance with Prelacy,
and in taking the impious oaths and bonds, and even in per-
secuting the Lord's people, were admitted to church-fellowship,
na}', to the office of elders or ministers, without proper tokens
of repentance.
17. That the bulk of the ministry, to the no small offence
of the godly, and renting of the church, complied with the
Erastian and sinful orders of the Pailiament, relative to the
abjuration oath, and proclamation concerning Captain Porte-
ous.
18. That in their rage against the Marrow of Modern Di-
vinily, the A ssembly condemned a variety of precious gos-
pel-truths ; but have slightly censured, and more frequently
screened from censure, such as have been pannelled at their bar
for Arian, Arminian, or other errors ; and have refused to as-
sert the truth, in express opposition thereto.
19. Their violent and habitual promoting of patronage, and
intrusion of ministers, ordinarily very unfit for the office ; and
persecuting of such as faithfully oppose it*.
These things, together with the so frequent repetition of
oaths, relative to allegiance and trade ; receiving of the Lord's
Supper in the English manner, as a test of loyalty ; swearing,
by touching and kissing the gospels; repeated rebellion of a
malignant party against our lawful Sovereigns of the family of
Hanover, in favours of a Popish pretender ; abounding igno-
rance of the Christian doctrines ; neglect of God's worship in
public, private, or secret ; profane cursing and swearing in
common discourse ; open violation of the Sabbath ; notorious
neglect of relative duties; admission of insufficient and wicked
persons to offices in church and state, or to the seals of God's
covenant; drunkenness and bribery, deceit and profane swear-
ing in the election of magistrates, or even of ministers ; abound-
ing murder, uncleanncss, luxury, theft, smuggling, stage-plays ;
• Sec these trutlis, jnercics, and steps of apostacy, more fully represent-
ed in the re-cxliibition of the Scicdcrs' testimonies", particularly tl)c second
testimony; and in that most excellent act concerning tlie doctrine of grwc,
&c and several church-hiatorici.
S2 AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT, &C.
games at caiiis and dice ; lying, reviling, backbiting, and
covetoiisness, they profess to detest and mourn over, as causes
ot the Lord's wrath still standing against the generation. But
it is not to be imagined, that every one hath an equal clear
view of all these evils, particularly such as relate to former
times ; nor that every one hath the same view of the sinful-
ness of each of these facts.
93
BRIEF EXPLANATION
Tht Terms used in the preceding Pages.
-TXTHBiST. One who denies the being of God.
Arian. One who denies the equality of the Son to the Fa-
ther in the Godhead ; so called, iiom one Arius, who in the
fourth century, disturbed the church by his heretical opinions
on the subject of the Trinity. — The Arians are of two kinds.
Both admit the pre-existence of Christ ; but the proper
Arians make him only a super-angelic being, the first and
highest of creatures ; whereas the Semi-Arians allow to him
some of the perfections of Deity, and make him a kind of in-
ferior God.
Arminian. One who maintains the opinion of Jacobus
Arminius, a Dutch divine. The leading principles of this
sect, are known by the name of the Five Arminian Points. —
They maintain, 1 Conditional election ; 2. Universal redemp-
tion ; 8. Free-will, or man's natural power to convert him-
self; 4. The resistibility of divine grace; 5. The possibility
of falling totally and finally from a state of grace.
Antinomian. One who denies the obligation of the moral
law on believers in Christ, and affirms that good works are un-
necessary. The term is often impropeily given to those who
are advocates for the freedom and sovereignty of divine grace,
although they maintain the necessity of good works.
Anabaptist. One who maintains that children ought not
to be baptized ; and that those who have had baptism admi-
nistered in infancy, ought to be re-baptized.
^^NTICIIR1ST. Literally, one who, opposes Christ, a term
used in the New Testament, and, by divines, generally ap-
plied to the Pope, and to that power which, as the head of
th* Romish church, he has usurped ov«r the conicicncc* of
men.
94 A BRI^F EPLAN/ITION OF THE
Blasphemy. A general term_, expressive of any indig-
nity ofTercd unto God himself by the tongues of men ; as
when tilings are said of him unworthy of his greatness, incon-
sistent with his hoHncss, reproachful to his character, or which
manifest a contempt of his perfections, word, or works.
Deist. One who professes to believe the existence and
unity of the Deity; but who denies that he has ever given
any written revelation of his will^ and who refuses that the
Scriptures arc the word of God.
Erastian, One who adopts the sentiments of Erastus, a
German lawyer ; asserting, that church-government and dis-
cipline are entirely to be regulated by the will of the civil ma-
gistrate.
Episcopalian. One who maintains that there ouglit to be
in the church an order of officers superior to teaching elders,
styled Bishops, in whom the government of the church is
vested.
Enthusiast. One who depends on private internal reve-
lations, without regarding the written word ; or, in general,
who is guided by an over-heated imagination in matters of
religion, without regard to Scripture, or common sense.
FaMILIST. One who is of that religious description known
formerly by the style oH/ie Family of Love ; a species of Ana-
baptists, who made the whole of religion to lie in inward feel-
ings of divine love.
Heathen. A general name for those nations which are
ignorant of divine revelation, and live in superstition and ido-
ktry.
Infidel. Any one who believes not in Jesus Christ, as
the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world ; nor in the
Scriptures, as divinely inspired.
Independent. One who accounts every particular con-
gregation an entire and independent church ; and refuses that
the church ought to be governed either, on the one hand, by
Bishops, or, on the other hand, by assemblies of ministers,
known by the name of Presbyteries, Synods, &c.
Jew. One of the seed of Israel, who imagines that the
Messiah has not yet appeared, and continues to worship God
according to the law of Moses.
Jesuit. A member of the Society of Jesus : a Popish or-
der, instituted with a view to oppose the Reformation ; and
whose principles are subversive of civil govenuncnt, and con-
fidence between man and man. The Jesuits, long troublesome
to Protestants, became at last intolerable to Roman Catholics
thcmselvc5, and gcme time since were destroy c\.l.
TERMS USED IN THE PRECEDING PAGES. 95
JuRANT. One who ha* sworn an oath.
Libertine. One of loose principles in religion, and of
loose practice.
Monk. One of the Popish religion, who has professed to
renounce the world, has vowed celibacy, lives in a monastery
subject to certain rules, is principally employed in offices of de«
votion, and is esteemed singularly pious.
Prelate. A Bishop ; so styled, because he is preferred
in honour and power above his brethren in the office of the
ministry.
Papist. A Roman Catholic ; so styled, because he ac*
knowledges the authority of the Pope.
Pelagian. One who follows the opinions of Pclagins, a
heretic of the fifth century, who, among other things, denied
original sin, and the necessity of the Spirit's operation in the
soul in order to conversion.
Protestant. One who professes the reformed religion ;
so styled, because the first reformers jpro/e^/ct? against the church
of Rome.
Patronage. The method of introducing candidates for
the ministry into charges in the church, by the presentation of
a lay palroji, without regarding the choice of the people.
Quakers. A religious sect, who despise the written word,
and the instituted ordinances of religion, and depend on in-
ternal revelations, and the motions of what they style the
spirit within them ; styled Quakers, because, at their first ap-
pearance, when the spirit moved them, they fell into tremb-
lings, and shakings, and convulsive agitations.
SociNiAN. One who espouses the opinions of SocimtSf a
heretic who appeared soon after the Reformation. Socinians
deny that Christ existed before his incarnation, allow him to
be only a mere man, reject his atonement, and consider him
since his ascension as a 7nade God.
Sectarian. One who adheres to a particular sect or de-
scription of Christians, different from that established by civil
authority. The term is commonly used in a bad sense, as in-
cluding the idea of separating from the established religion
without sufficient reason.
ScETTic. One who doubts of every thing, and believes
nothing.
Schism. Unlawful separation from a church ; or want of
love and affection, while continuing in it.
3
96 A BRIEF KXLANATION, (5cC.
Turk. An individual of an eastern nation, which has
erected a great empire, called the Turkish empire, the capital
of which is Constantinople. The term is frequently used to
mean a Mahometan, because that nation are believers in Ma-
homet as the prophet of God.
FINIS.
Prlntrd Inj Rilfmr Sf Clarke,
Edint/ur^/i, lsl9.
BW5008.B87V.2
A compendious history of the British
Princeton Theological Seminary- Speer Library
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